SINGAPORE - A*STAR - the lead public sector agency that spearheads Singapore's research and development (R&D) work - will soon undergo a major restructuring.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who broke the news to the media on Monday, said that the restructuring will enable A*STAR to keep up with a biomedical industry that has "transformed tremendously", and meet the objectives of the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE), which were unveiled just last week.
He said: "We've assembled over the years a good collection of people and knowledge which is now ready to be taken out into the industry.
"What we're building now is the entire ecosystem together with the connections into the industry - to see how we can take this knowledge base, bring it into the industry, have deployable solutions ... and have an effect both economically and also on our healthcare system."
DPM Teo, who is also chairman of the National Research Foundation (NRF), said that a key objective of the CFE is to take Singapore deeper into a knowledge-based economy, in which R&D activity will create new innovations and even industrial sectors.
"What we're doing here with NRF and A*STAR is to see how we can take many of the ideas that we have in the R&D institutions into the industry - to create economic value and jobs for Singaporeans."
He noted that the restructuring of A*STAR will enable the agency to "do this better in the coming years".
Asked what else Singapore can do to accelerate the commercialisation of R&D, DPM Teo cited the need for more "intermediate type of biotech companies", as well as engagement with big pharmaceutical companies.
The minister was speaking to reporters on Monday at the sidelines of his visit to A*STAR's Experimental Therapeutics Centre, which was set up to advance small-molecule drug discovery in Singapore.
ETC will celebrate its 10th anniversary in March.
DPM Teo added that A*STAR will be building a "similar centre for large molecules", which will be known as the Experimental Biologics Centre (EBC). No timeframe was disclosed.
The minister on Monday also stopped short of going into detail about A*STAR's restructuring, only saying that plans will be shared by Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), S Iswaran, at the upcoming Committee of Supply debate.
A*STAR chairman Lim Chuan Poh, when asked by reporters about the restructuring, revealed that the agency is transforming to be more closely aligned to the goals of the CFE and also of RIE2020, the S$19 billion research, innovation and enterprise plan for Singapore from 2016 to 2020.
Mr Lim added that the refashioned A*STAR will adopt "domain-based" and "multi-disciplinary" approaches.
The first approach will allow it to organise itself in line with the four tech domains RIE2020 has identified: health and biomedical sciences; advanced manufacturing and engineering; urban solutions and sustainability; and services and digital economy.
The second will enable A*STAR to bring together multiple institutions as well as people of diverse disciplines to create "impactful research".
Leslie Loh, serial entrepreneur, angel investor and founder of training services provider Lithan, praised A*STAR's restructuring efforts.
Mr Loh told The Business Times: "It is timely, and the government support is welcome. Biomedical and advanced manufacturing, in particular, are highly research-oriented, deep-tech and expensive domains with long gestation periods, and are therefore difficult for the private sector to address."
jaccheok@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Feb 14, 2017.
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AVA manages free-roaming chicken population for public health and safety
We thank the writers who have shared their views on the management of free-roaming chickens and would like to take this opportunity to clarify the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's (AVA) position on the matter.
One of AVA's responsibilities is to ensure that Singapore is kept free from the associated animal and plant diseases that pose a threat to public health.
In this regard, AVA needs to carry out surveillance work to detect and control diseases early, well before they can potentially spread to Singapore.
There is clear scientific evidence that chickens are susceptible to the bird flu virus, and these chickens can in turn transmit the disease to humans.
This was what happened when the region was struck with bird flu in 2004.
It is also why the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organisation, in a joint statement to battle bird flu in 2004, specifically mentioned the need to manage free-range chickens, so as to control bird flu at source.
Keeping poultry in a bio-secured environment is a measure recommended by the OIE to prevent bird flu incursion.
The risk of free-roaming chickens here being exposed to bird flu is real and significant, as we are one of the stopover nodes for migratory wild birds.
This means that the chickens on our island can catch the disease through direct contact with wild birds or even through their droppings.
In a recent bird flu outbreak in Denmark, investigations found that the outbreak started due to contact between wild birds and free-roaming chickens.
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South Korea confirms highly pathogenic bird flu outbreaks
There have also been cases of bird flu outbreaks around the world where the primary risk factor for human infection was linked to direct or indirect exposure to infected poultry.
The various media reports may have given the impression that AVA is taking action solely because of complaints of noise.
But that is not the case. AVA's concern is not about noise but about public health and safety.
The noise issue only served to bring attention to the relatively high numbers of free-roaming chickens in certain areas, which in turn raise the exposure risk to bird flu there.
We recognise the views expressed from different stakeholders and will continue to explore various options to manage the free-roaming chicken population here.
We are also continuing our research studies on the risks of a bird flu outbreak here, to better understand how the disease may start and spread through the free-roaming chicken population here and what measures are needed to reduce public health risks.
We seek the understanding of all Singaporeans as we go about doing this work to keep our nation and our people safe.
E-mail your views and photos to tnptalk@sph.com.sg You can also write to us at The New Paper, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Level 6, Annexe Block, Singapore 318994
For verification, we need the writer's full name and contact number (preferably a cellphone). We reserve the right to edit letters. By your submission, it is deemed that you have granted us the right to archive, resell or reproduce the letter in any medium.
This article was first published on Feb 15, 2017.
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Today is the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore. A survivor remembers
Mr Tommy Wong was only three years old when the Japanese invaded Singapore in 1942, during World War II.
During the three years and eight months of the Japanese Occupation, his family took desperate measures to survive.
Now 78, Mr Wong needs a walking aid to move around. He still gives talks to national servicemen and students about the importance of Total Defence.
Armed with a hat and an umbrella for a walking stick, Mr Wong, a freelance tour guide, takes students on battle trails like Bukit Chandu, and shares his war experience with them.
He feels everyone should play a part in defending Singapore and is part of the Commitment to Defence (C2D) Ambassadors Programme.
It comes under Nexus, the Ministry of Defence department responsible for Total Defence.
Mr Wong's experience during World War II was one of the factors that prompted him to become a soldier.
He was a regular in the army from 1964 to 1989.
He said of the occupation: "It was a very tough time. We had no food. My sister had to carry me to queue for fish, and even then it was rotten fish."
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Japanese troops killed staff and patients at Alexandra Hospital in WWII
"This unity will be important in times of trouble. This is how you learn to be strong without using strength.
"Even if you are on a motorised wheelchair, you can hold a gun and still help to defend Singapore."
On Total Defence, he said: "The law states that you are an NSman for a number of years, but to me, I am operationally ready for life."
Yesterday, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen delivered his Total Defence message at the former Ford Factory in Upper Bukit Timah Road, where Singapore's British rulers surrendered to the Japanese on Feb 15, 1942.
He said the Japanese Occupation was a period of subjugation and deprivation that taught that generation two bitter but valuable lessons.
He said: "One, you cannot depend on others to defend you and two, the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.
"It created in the pioneer generation of Singaporeans a deep-seated conviction that if ever we were in charge of our nation's destiny, we will ensure a strong defence to keep Singapore safe and independent."
tanpya@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Feb 15, 2017.
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British WWII pilot's wedding ring returned to family 70 years on
All Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) personnel have to take part in a yearly survey to assess their psychological readiness.
Miss Lin Liqin, 23, who has been under the psychology branch in the RSAF under the Air Power Generation Command for a year as a research assistant, felt there was a need to update the online and paper survey system.
So she suggested conducting the survey through a mobile app, which is now under trial.
Miss Lin got her start in identifying new opportunities with data at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), where she was enrolled in the business intelligence and analytics course.
The course, misconceived by many to be about business, focuses on information technology (IT).
Students are equipped with data analytic and visualisation skills that can help businesses solve problems and generate insights.
Miss Lin said: "In the business analytics and visualisation project module in Year 2, I learnt how to identify trends in car accidents from 2013 to 2014.
"The data records of the individual accidents were in an Excel sheet, and I placed them into different charts."
Results showed that black cars and white cars were more commonly involved in car accidents, and that there was a higher incidence of fatal accidents involving heavy vehicles.
The data can be used to help reduce such accidents, said Miss Lin.
Suggesting having an RSAF app was not the first time she applied what she had learnt in school to a real-life situation.
During her three-month internship with StarHub in 2014, she made a suggestion to her supervisor to use data available online to get feedback for the programmes StarHub provides.
Using the programming language Java, she extracted feedback from movie review websites to compare it with StarHub's own consumer data to better cater to their viewers' preferences.
NYP also trained Miss Lin in data processing programmes such as SAS, Microsoft Excel, SPSS and SAP Lumira.
WIDELY USED
These programmes are widely used in the industry, and they help to turn large amounts of data into clear and accessible visual forms.
Noting that the IT industry is constantly changing, Miss Lin said she has to be always ready to upgrade herself.
"Technology is changing rapidly, so we are encouraged to go on courses to keep our skill set relevant," she said.
"Some examples of courses include basic and advanced Excel. This is part of the training and development fund that Ministry of Defence personnel can tap on to upgrade ourselves every year."
bxliew@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Feb 15, 2017.
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The number of non-fatal workplace injuries increased last year, due mainly to an increase in minor injury cases.
But the fatal injury rate at workplaces last year was similar to 2015 at 1.9 per 100,000 employed persons, according to a report released yesterday by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Institute.
There were 66 workplace fatalities last year, with the construction sector accounting for the largest number.
But the number of fatalities in construction fell from 27 in 2015 to 24 last year, and the fatal injury rate decreased to 4.9 per 100,000 employed persons, the lowest since 2007.
The marine sector saw an increase in fatalities, from four in 2015 to six last year.
Fatalities in the manufacturing sector also increased, with nine last year, compared with six in 2015.
Most of the 66 fatalities were due to falls and by workers being struck by moving objects.
The number of major workplace injuries decreased slightly to 594 cases last year, while minor injuries went up by 5.7 per cent from 11,688 cases in 2015, to 12,354 cases last year.
Most major injuries involved crushing, fractures and dislocations.
The second leading injury type involved amputations, with 143 workers suffering partial or complete loss of a body part.
Meanwhile, occupational disease cases fell from 935 in 2015 to 732 last year.
As in 2015, the leading occupational diseases were noise-induced deafness and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which together accounted for 87 per cent of all such cases.
This article by The Straits Times was published in The New Paper, a free newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.
While serving her 15-month sentence for drug-related offences, Jane (not her real name), 28, was worried she would not be able to find a job upon her release.
"I feared that society would not accept former offenders like me, and people would look at me differently," she told The New Paper yesterday.
When she heard that restaurant chain Nando's was hiring, she sent in an application before her release and got a job as a service staff after a selection process that included an interview with the operations manager.
Jane, who started work at Nando's in February last year, is among an increasing number of inmates who are securing jobs across various sectors even before their release, said the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), in a release on annual prison figures yesterday.
Of the 2,061 inmates referred to the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (Score), 96 per cent got jobs while serving their sentences.
This has helped to ensure they do not go back to their old ways, said the SPS.
It was up slightly from 95 per cent in the previous year and in 2014.
According to the SPS, many inmates go through skills training aligned to the national Workforce Skills Qualifications framework to prepare them for jobs.
Potential employers conduct job interviews in prison and make hiring decisions on the spot.
There were 5,093 employers who worked with Score last year, a 7.3 per cent increase from the 4,745 in 2015.
The SPS said the increase in the number of employers willing to work with Score showed the community's growing acceptance of inmates and ex-offenders in the workplace.
Nando's Chickenland Singapore chief executive officer June Koh, 54, told TNP it was her company's belief that former offenders should be given a second chance to integrate back into the workforce and society.
Since Nando's started working with Score in 2012, the restaurant chain has hired over 240 former offenders, including Jane, who said she was happy with her new job.
MORE THAN MANPOWER
Score's senior assistant director of retention support, Mr Arputhasamy Nathan, told The Straits Times: "When we engage employers, we are very clear that we want them to come on board not just to provide the manpower needs.
"We are looking at suitable job vacancies, with employers hand-holding (the former offenders), from stabilising their work to performance management and career progression.
"If the former offender stays on the job, he can become more responsible towards himself and others.
"And that helps to lower recidivism."
rloh@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Feb 15, 2017.
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Health insurance remains a top priority for people here, new figures from last year show.
More than 50,000 Singapore residents took out new health insurance coverage last year, primarily through Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) and IP riders.
As at Dec 31, 2.89 million people - about one in two people here - were covered with private health plans and riders, with total premiums of $1.42 billion.
For the 12 months ended Dec 31, new health insurance premiums amounted to $241 million, of which IP premiums and IP riders accounted for about 86 per cent or $208 million.
The data was disclosed by the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA), which held its quarterly briefing yesterday.
Lifted by strong sales in the fourth quarter, Singapore's life insurance industry was a winner, expanding 10 per cent to $3.29 billion for the year ended Dec 31 in terms of what the industry calls total weighted new business premiums.
The robust performance meant the total sum assured in these new life policies soared 15 per cent to $117 billion.
LIA president Khoo Kah Siang attributed the strong showing to growth across businesses and concerted efforts by insurers to close the gap of those lacking adequate protection and retirement coverage.
He said insurers have been actively offering plans in the retirement space in the last few years, which helps provide long-term savings for customers.
POSITIVE
Last year, nearly 18,000 plans providing regular payouts from the age of retirement were sold with total weighted premiums of $163 million, accounting for 5 per cent of total new business.
Dr Khoo said: "We are conservatively positive on the outlook for this year and expect to continue to grow...
"The level of insurance spending per citizen here is a low 5 per cent compared to mature markets like Taiwan."
LIA is working on the implementation details of recommendations of the Health Insurance Task Force - aimed at reining in escalating claim costs - and expects to disclose these details in April.
It also plans to introduce revisions to insurance sales illustrations by early next year.
For the full year of 2016, weighted single premium product sales rose 9 per cent to $1.03 billion, boosted by a 15 per cent growth in non-linked products, such as term, whole life and savings plans, to $799 million.
For the quarter ended Dec 31, total weighted new business premiums rose 15 per cent to $955.3 million, year on year.
This was driven by a healthy growth of 20 per cent in annual premium sales to $661.1 million, while weighted single premium products registered a 4 per cent increase to $294.2 million.
Banks were the main channel of distribution representing $1.25 billion or 38 per cent of total weighted new business premiums last year.
Agents tied to insurers accounted for 37 per cent and financial advisers 21 per cent.
lornatan@sph.com.sg
This article by The Straits Times was published in The New Paper, a free newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.
HDB announced the launch of the first batch of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats for 2017. A total of 4,056 flats were made available across three different estates - Tampines, Clementi and Punggol.
Here's a quick look at the number of units available at each location.
* There are another 713 2-room flats available only at Punggol. Total percentage do not add up to 100% as we did not include 2-room flatsPhoto: HDB
In terms of unit types, 4-room flats are the most popular consisting of about 44 per cent of total flats on offered. 5-room flats are next at 23 per cent.
Prices of Flats
February 2017 BTO Prices
Photo: HDB
How Much Lesser Do I Pay For BTO Flats?
One of the most popular questions among applicants would be the price difference between these BTO flats against similar sized resale flats in the vicinity. To help us with that, the folks at HDB have provided a guide on their site.
We have summarised the information for easy reference.
February 2017 BTO price differences for resale.
Photo: HDB
As a whole, 4-room BTO flats tend to enjoy larger discount in percentage term.
It's also interesting to note that while Tampines is a mature estate and Punggol is a non-mature estate, the prices of flats are relatively similar. This could have something to do with the fact that pointed out in our earlier analysis on the locations, the Tampines location isn't exactly the most accessible.
Here's a quick comparison of the prices between the cheapest 4-room flat and the most expensive 5-room flat in the same location.
February 2017 BTO price differences.
Photo: HDB
Take a moment to digest this information. It's pretty staggering isn't it? In Tampines, the difference between the most affordable 4-room flat and the most expensive 5-room flat is $170,000, or about 56 per cent more. That figure is $262,000 (60 per cent) in Clementi.
What we observe in Punggol blew our mind. While the cheapest 4-room flat in Punggol costs $257,000, the most expensive 5-room flat cost $498,000, a difference of $241,000.
Yes, you are almost paying double for an extra room (20 sqm) and a better location in the same estate (higher level, better view, etc). If you factor in possible grants from the Special CPF Housing Grant, a 5-room flat can easily cost more than double of the 4-room flat.
We are not trying to suggest that you should get the cheapest flat available just to save money. What we are proposing is that if you are not someone who cares about having a nicer view on a higher level, and don't really need an extra room in the home, go for something more affordable. Let someone else who really want these things to pay more.
For additional details such as how much more each level will cost you, or what's the location difference between an expensive 5-room flat and an affordable 4-room flat, we don't have the information as HDB does not publish the actual price for each individual unit until you receive the sales brochure for the selection of units.
If you have such information from previous launch, you can send it to us via email. We will be happy to take a look at it.
DollarsAndSense.sg is a website that provides bite-sized and relevant articles to help Singaporeans make better financial decisions.
Seventy five years ago today (Feb 15), Singapore fell under Japanese occupation when British Lieutenant General Arthur Percival surrendered the island after a week of fighting.
One day later on Feb 16, Singapore was renamed Syonan-To (Light of the South), and thus began 44 months of great upheaval under Japanese rule.
One of the darkest hours during the period was Operation Sook Ching, in which anti-Japanese elements among the Chinese community in Singapore were rounded up and killed, as punishment for supporting China's war effort.
The operation, meaning "to purge through cleansing", was carried out from Feb 21 to Mar 4, 1942, according to The Straits Times.
During the operation, Chinese males aged 18 to 50 were rounded up and inspected at screening centres.
The epicentre of the screenings was the Sook Ching Inspection Centre, a huge cordoned enclosure surrounded by barbed wire to prevent "suspects" from escaping, according to the National Heritage Board's Roots.sg web portal. Today, the site houses the Hong Lim Complex in Chinatown, where a memorial for Operation Sook Ching stands.
Suspects were singled out based on their age and occupation, physical appearance, personal wealth and educational background. Only those who 'passed' the screenings were released, whereas those who did not get through were loaded onto trucks and transported to killing sites for execution.
There were a number of major massacre sites around Singapore, with notable sites including Pulau Blakang Mati (Sentosa Island), Changi Road, Tanah Merah Beach, Changi Beach and Punggol Beach.
The Straits Times reported that many of the bodies of victims were washed ashore on Blakang Mati Beach (which is off Sentosa Gold Course), and buried there.
The exact number of people who died in the operation remains unknown. Officially, Japan claims that 5,000 were killed, but it is estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 were killed in Sook Ching and other related mopping-up operations.
Singapore's commitment to maintaining a strong defence force is the result of the lessons learnt from the Japanese Occupation, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said yesterday, as the country prepares to mark the 75th anniversary of the island's fall.
The 31/2 years of brutal Japanese rule during World War II after the British surrendered Singapore, then a British colony, taught "two bitter but valuable lessons", he said in a four-minute video.
Dr Ng Eng HenPhoto: Facebook video screengrab
"One, you cannot depend on others to defend you and, two, the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must," Dr Ng said. This is the reason the pioneer generation of Singaporeans introduced national service to keep the country safe and independent, he said as he thanked the more than one million national servicemen who had served since the institution was launched 50 years ago.
"Today, we have a strong and capable Singapore Armed Forces because our national servicemen are committed and dedicated to military defence," Dr Ng said in the video, which was uploaded on his Facebook page yesterday evening.
The video was filmed at the former Ford Factory in Upper Bukit Timah Road, where the British formally surrendered to the Japanese on Feb 15, 1942. The day is now commemorated as Total Defence Day.
Former Ford Factory in Upper Bukit Timah RoadPhoto: Facebook video screengrab
The World War II museum at the former factory has been revamped and renamed Syonan Gallery. It will be officially opened today, and people can start visiting tomorrow.
Syonan GalleryPhoto: The Straits TimesSyonan GalleryPhoto: The Straits Times
In his message, Dr Ng reiterated the importance of the five pillars that make up Total Defence: military, civil, economic, social and psychological.
Every Singaporean has a part to play in Total Defence, he added.
"Indeed, when there is a terrorist attack or a natural disaster, civilians will have to take the initiative to save themselves and others first, before the security forces respond."
On the economic front, Singapore cannot afford a prolonged slowdown.
The country needs to keep its air and sea ports as well as businesses functioning even under trying circumstances, he said, citing the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak in 2003 and the severe episode of haze in 2015.
Singaporeans also need to stay united against those who try to sow discord among the different communities or seek to test the resolve of the country, he added.
"We must, as one people, resist external pressures to weaken Singapore's sovereignty and independence. But no country can know all the dangers that may come its way.
"The stronger our Total Defence, the more certain we can be that no challenge will overwhelm Singapore," Dr Ng said.
Other memorial events today include the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry's annual service at the Civilian War Memorial in Beach Road, and a ceremony at the Kranji War Cemetery to remember the war dead. Public warning sirens islandwide will also be sounded for a minute at 6.20pm, the time that the British surrendered to the Japanese 75 years ago.
ziliang@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Feb 15, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
The Total Defence campaign was started in 1984 to remind Singaporeans of the roles they play - individually and collectively - in building a strong nation and guarding against threats.
Every year, Total Defence Day is observed on Feb 15 - the day Singapore fell to the Japanese in 1942, during World War II.
The five pillars of Total Defence - military defence, civil defence, economic defence, social defence and psychological defence - form an enduring framework which emphasises that everyone can make a difference.
The Straits Times looks at how Singaporeans are playing their part in Total Defence.
Sing it, Singapore - There's A Part For Everyone
When he composed the Total Defence song in 1984, Mr Gerald Png, 58, was faced with the challenge of writing a piece which every citizen could relate to, regardless of their role in society.Photo: The Straits Times
As a young executive in the advertising firm engaged by the Defence Ministry for its nascent Total Defence media campaign, Mr Gerald Png helped write a song that has endured for more than three decades.
He recalls creating the melody for There's A Part For Everyone in under an hour. The song was released in 1984 with the launch of the Total Defence campaign.
But the comfort and peace enjoyed by Singaporeans in the mid-1980s made it a challenge relating the song even to himself.
"It is different from talking about tangible things such as military hardware. When it came to the psychological part of it (national defence), I had to think about the part I would want to play and how I could convince myself to play it," said Mr Png, 58, who now runs a restaurant-cum-social enterprise, Soul Food.
He emphasises that the song was part of a larger team effort from his company and its client.
The tagline for the campaign inspired the song.
There was no immediate threat of any sort and Singapore was friendly with all its neighbours, he said, and the challenge was to write a song that would help Singaporeans see the part they played.
"There was a risk that it would become another government campaign," added Mr Png.
The intention was not to elicit "simple patriotism", but to send a message that national defence is not limited to the men in uniform.
The lyrics were intended to convey how Singapore had grown from a small fishing village, endured the Japanese Occupation and became a nation.
"The lyrics had to remain purposeful and meaningful across different age segments," Mr Png said, even as the song got across how there had been hardships faced by the country.
A new arrangement was made of the song by local band QuickPick last year.
NS 'taught us to work for one another, whatever our differences'
Comedian and actor Suhaimi Yusof, 47, said that the time he spent in the army taught him to forge relationships with people from different backgrounds.Photo: The Strait Times
Actor and comedian Suhaimi Yusof admits that when people look at him now, they may not think that he served national service.
But his experiences in the army are something that he treasures deeply.
They helped to shape the man he is now, the 47-year-old said.
The lessons he learnt went beyond learning how to defend himself and the country.
They also taught him how to forge relationships with people from different backgrounds. Race and religion were never barriers.
"As a platoon, everyone received the same punishment, for instance. This taught us to work for one another, whatever our differences," he told Berita Harian.
This camaraderie can be seen in society as well.
"Sometimes, we take for granted the good relationship there is between different segments of society. But we have to realise that it is our responsibility to protect and strengthen this harmony."
He explained that the main way for him to get others to connect is through comedy. "It breaks down walls between people."
He helped female colleague get NS leave
Mr Goh (left) convinced his company’s HR department to grant Ms Giam (right) NS leave when she is called up, so she can return to her squadron for training without taking her annual leave.Photo: The Straits Times
When he found out that a female employee - a former air force regular - was taking her annual leave in 2013 to return to her squadron for training, Mr Jayson Goh decided to give her a leg-up.
Mr Goh, the managing director of airport operations management at Changi Airport Group, convinced his company's human resources department to grant her national service (NS) leave when she is called up, similar to how male employees are given time off for in-camp training.
A change in HR policy was made in 2014 and, since then, senior associate Amanda Giam, 38, has been able to return to her unit, the 160 Squadron, without taking her own leave.
Ms Giam, who is a master sergeant (NS), left the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 2009. She was still keen to serve, and became the RSAF's first female volunteer in 2013.
Mr Goh said that Ms Giam should be given an equal opportunity to serve the nation, and his HR department was receptive to the suggestion.
"The role she is playing as a woman is no less than what a man would do. She went through all the training when she was a regular servicewoman," he added.
"If you believe that when people take their NS seriously, a lot of the skills they learn will develop them into a better individual, the kind of contributions they make at their organisations will be stronger."
Home cook pays it forward after years of ill health
Ms Noor Ain Masaid, who used to be bedridden, started her ChixCheese food business in 2007. Today, she is able to produce the food on her own and donates profits from some orders to those in need.Photo: The Straits Times
She had a serious fall at age 15 while playing netball in school, suffered a severe fever which was untreated, and became bedridden for two years.
But that did not stop Ms Siti Noor Ain Masaid, now 30, from setting up a home-based food business 10 years ago, allowing her to gain financial independence.
When she started ChixCheese in 2007 to sell spring rolls stuffed with chicken and cheese, she was still using a wheelchair and had difficulty lifting her arms.
But she wanted to have an income to pay for physiotherapy sessions, which were paid for by her uncle who died.
The initial going was tough. Even with her family's help, her first week of orders - 30 boxes of 15 pieces of spring rolls - were not easy to produce.
She was confined to her bed the week after due to stiffness, cramps and aches.
But she decided to press on, motivated by the encouragement of her customers, who sent her text messages telling her how much they enjoyed her spring rolls.
"I wanted to make people happy and I just continued. The positive vibes pushed me to go forward," she added.
Today, she gets orders of up to 70 boxes a week, and is able to produce the spring rolls on her own as her condition has improved. She is also able to walk around the house without a walking aid.
She has grown her business through word of mouth, social media and, most recently, through an app called Hcook, which connects home cooks with customers.
She is paying it forward now, by dedicating the profits from some of her orders to needy organisations, such as orphanages.
Recounting the years she was bedridden and fell into depression, she said: "Whatever happened to me, I am grateful, because it taught me to be more humble and caring, and I can comfort others in pain now."
Online food mart helps businesses give back
Co-founders Ms Chong (left) and Ms Lin of The Social Co, a think-tank aimed at solving social issues. Their new initiative, The Social Pantry, provides employment to people with disabilities.Photo: The Straits Times
When companies stock up on foods such as coffee and biscuits for their pantries, they also provide employment to people with disabilities.
Delivery orders of items placed through an online mart called The Social Pantry are picked and packed by beneficiaries from the Association for Persons with Special Needs, who receive a token allowance for their work.
The Social Pantry, which was beta launched in August last year and gets an average of two to three orders a week, was started by The Social Co and Samsui Supplies and Services, a subsidiary of the Soup Restaurant Group.
It will be officially launched next month, adding stationery supplier Menlon Agency to the initiative.
Ms Rebekah Lin, 32, who founded The Social Co with her friend Cheryl Chong, 31, said the aim of The Social Pantry is to show how businesses can make money and give back to society.
The Social Co, a think-tank aimed at solving social issues, was also behind the 50 For 50 campaign, which raised close to $2.25 million for 58 local charities. This sum was matched equally by the Government, for a total of $4.5 million.
The project encouraged individuals under the age of 35 to design their own fund-raising activities and launch sustainable projects to help charities.
Ms Lin said: "I have seen everyone come together, regardless of race or religion, to work on different social causes."
adrianl@sph.com.sg and hytay@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Feb 15, 2017.
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Feedback from single mums prompts Aware to suggest housing rule changes
Women rights group Aware has released several recommendations on how the Government can help single parents get better access to public housing.
Aware gathered feedback from 55 single mothers, most of whom are divorced. Of these, 38 had attempted to apply for a rental flat, but 18 exceeded the income cap of $1,500.
At a press conference yesterday, Aware recommended an income cap based on the number of members in the household, in line with other public assistance schemes.
For example, the income ceiling cap for the ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance is a monthly household income of $1,900, or a per capita income of $650.
Aware also suggested changing the debarment rule, which prohibits anyone who has owned an HDB flat from applying for a rental unit until 30 months after the sale of the apartment. Five respondents were denied rental housing because of this rule.
Aware's head of advocacy and research Jolene Tan said: "The debarment rules are intended to prevent property speculation and should not apply to those who need homes due to changed life circumstances."
In response to Aware, the Ministry for National Development said it will take the findings into consideration as it reviews its policies. It said it exercises flexibility to help single parents. (See report below.)
But the Government's "case-by-case" policy has led to additional stress for the respondents, according to Aware's study. It found that single parents are usually advised to seek their MP's help when faced with housing difficulties, but results were mixed - 21 out of the 38 respondents who approached their MP were unsuccessful with getting help.
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2016-05-08 17:51:45
Photo Gallery
Single mum sacrifices job to take care of handless daughter
In Parliament last week, MP Louis Ng asked for the statistics of rental flat applicants who earned above the income cap.
In a written reply, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said that between 2014 and last year, about 1,900 households requested for a waiver of the income ceiling criterion.
A total of 273 applications were approved, while the other applicants were assessed to be able to afford other housing options, or had family support.
Mr Ng said he has seen several cases of divorcees with various housing woes over the past year.
He added that the large quantity of rental flat applications might have resulted in a compromise of "quality" when the authorities assess the appeals.
Sociologist Tan Ern Ser noted that the current "case-by-case" policy can be tedious and costly from the point of view of both administration and applicant.
"For the latter, the uncertainty also adds to the pain and anxiety. It is possible that some may abuse the system," she said.
"There is obviously some risks, but being able to provide shelter and stability to a child is a worthy investment in itself."
Ms Carrie Tan, executive director of Daughters of Tomorrow, explained that housing stability has a big impact on a mother's emotional and financial state, and could compromise their children's welfare.
The charity supports underprivileged women by preparing them for employment.
Ms Tan said some mothers who live in rental flats find it difficult to hold a full-time job because they are worried about leaving their children at home.
"Even if we are able to make some progress with them (in terms of employment), we continuously face setbacks that could be caused by (their) housing-related issues," she added.
linheng@sph.com.sg
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2015-01-26 17:49:21
Photo Gallery
Single mums not giving up on raising children alone
Source:
Single families are being helped: MND
In response to Aware's report, the Ministry of National Development (MND) said that as a general rule, housing policies aim to address the needs of Singapore Citizen households, without undermining self-reliance and family support.
The ministry also highlighted some ways it is helping single families.
For instance, divorced or widowed parents with care and control of their children are recognised in housing policy as a family nucleus, similar to a family nucleus with married parents.
Divorced or widowed parents with children below the age of 16 are given priority in build-to-order exercises, to buy 2- or 3-room flats in non-mature estates, through the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers.
"However, we recognise that our policies may not address every circumstance. Therefore, on a case-by-case basis, we do exercise flexibility to help single parents, including single unwed parents, with their housing needs," an MND spokesman said.
This article was first published on Feb 16, 2017.
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The new gallery at the Former Ford Factory building opened its doors yesterday, but it was the signage outside that drew attention.
The signage - in front of the building and by the road - now reflect the gallery's full name, Syonan Gallery: War and Its Legacies, along with the phrase "An Exhibition at Former Ford Factory".
When reporters were given a preview of the revamped space last Thursday, the three signs by the road and building entrance read just "Syonan Gallery".
A spokesman for the National Library Board said the signs had not yet been completed during the media preview.
She added: "The revamped exhibition has always been titled 'Syonan Gallery: War and Its Legacies, An Exhibition at Former Ford Factory'.
"There has been no change to the name of the exhibition or the Former Ford Factory, which remains a gazetted national monument."
The name Syonan Gallery had upset some Singaporeans who felt that it seemed to honour the Japanese Occupation of Singapore during World War II.
In a Facebook post last night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that the name of the exhibition "has understandably caused strong reactions".
He said: "We cannot erase our history or bury the past. The exhibition is a reminder of a traumatic period in our history and the suffering our pioneers experienced when Singapore lost its freedom and even its name."
This article by The Straits Times was published in The New Paper, a free newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.
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2017-02-04 14:17:06
Photo Gallery
Japanese troops killed staff and patients at Alexandra Hospital in WWII
The letter by Dr Yap Him Hoo, director-general of the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) ("AVA concerned about bird flu risk, not noise of chickens"; Feb 15), contradicts an earlier statement by Ms Jessica Kwok, AVA group director of the animal management group ("Free-ranging chickens may be culled"; Feb 2), that the authority had received requests to manage the free-ranging chicken population due to noise pollution.
The impression that the AVA took action because of noise was, therefore, not due to various media reports. Rather, it was created by the AVA itself.
With such contradictory statements from two high-profile figures in the AVA, what is the public to believe?
It gives the impression that the AVA's top management is not working as one.
Dr Yap's statement that the chickens were at risk of being exposed to bird flu from migratory birds, as the chickens could catch the disease through direct contact with them or through their droppings, is flawed.
Free-ranging chickens are few in number, compared to the many pigeons, mynahs and crows congregating at public eating places, snatching food and leaving their droppings all over the place.
Doesn't this group of birds pose a greater risk of being carriers of bird flu, should there be an outbreak in Singapore?
It would be more credible for the AVA to come up with long-term measures to solve the pigeon, mynah and crow problems here, instead of culling chickens as a stop-gap measure.
These other birds are not only a health risk, but a noise nuisance as well.
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2016-12-12 13:44:59
Photo Gallery
South Korea confirms highly pathogenic bird flu outbreaks
E-mail your views and photos to tnptalk@sph.com.sg. You can also write to us at The New Paper, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Level 6, Annexe Block, Singapore 318994
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This article was first published on Feb 16, 2017.
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Central Provident Fund (CPF) members will continue to earn annual interest rates of up to 3.5 per cent on their Ordinary Account (OA) monies, and up to 5 per cent on their Special and Medisave Accounts monies in the second quarter of 2017.
In a press release yesterday, CPF said members will also earn up to 5 per cent per annum on their Retirement Account monies this year.
It includes the extra per cent interest paid on the first $60,000 of a member's combined balances (with up to $20,000 from the OA), which is part of the Government's efforts to enhance members' retirement savings.
Those aged 55 and above will also earn an additional 1 per cent interest on the first $30,000 of their combined balances, which is over and above the current extra 1 per cent interest earned on the first $60,000 of their combined balances.
This takes the interest on their retirement balances to 6 per cent per year, CPF added.
CPF said the OA interest rate will be maintained at 2.5 per cent from April 1 to June 30, as the computed rate of 0.24 per cent, which is lower than the legislated minimum interest rate.
Meanwhile, the concessionary interest rate for HDB mortgage loans - pegged at 0.1 per cent above the OA interest rate - remains unchanged at 2.6 per cent per annum for the quarter.
CPF members with queries can visit cpf.gov.sg or call the CPF Call Centre on 1800-227-1188.
This article was first published on February 16, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
The lessons learnt from the Japanese Occupation must never be forgotten, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday, as the country marked the 75th anniversary of its fall.
"Every year, we observe Total Defence Day on this day, so that we will never forget that darkest time of our history," he wrote on Facebook.
"We now have the SAF and Home Team, but Singapore will always be small and vulnerable. No one owes us our sovereignty or security. These are truths we must never forget."
A new exhibition was launched yesterday at the Old Ford Factory in Bukit Timah, the site where the British formally surrendered Singapore 75 years ago.
It highlights not just the 3½ years of misery caused by the Occupation, but also the bravery of those who fought it.
This courage, and humanity showed by ordinary people hold important lessons even today, said Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim, as he urged citizens to work together to keep the country strong.
He explained how the way of life here is being challenged by a host of threats - from increasingly dissonant voices to terrorism.
"We have gone from battling for land, to battling for heart, mind and will," he said in an emotional speech as he opened the exhibition - one of a series of events attended by thousands across the island to mark the anniversary.
"These threats are very present and may already be here.
"They may be a cyber attack or a terror threat, or perhaps the spreading of misinformation or disinformation. How can we ensure that we are resilient enough - and committed enough - to respond to these threats, and to recover quickly when crises strike?"
One way is to draw inspiration from the stories captured in the new Syonan Gallery: War and Its Legacies exhibition - of Singaporeans banding together during occupation, despite the harsh conditions, to help each other survive.
Tearing up, he recounted oral history interviews which spoke of how some Chinese handed prisoners-of-war water, and were slapped for it, and of Malays giving shelter to Chinese neighbours targeted by the invaders.
He described how local volunteer group Dalforce, and the Malay Regiment, fought the Japanese, despite knowing it was a losing battle.
Dr Yaacob said that the true test of having learnt the lessons of war is that "we live lives of courage and of resilience, every day, today".
Community and harmony do not "magically come about" just because various people are thrown together. Instead, differences, even irreconcilable ones, need to be overcome.
People have to "stay united" and turn diversity into a source of strength.
A minute of silence at the Former Ford Factory was also observed by the 200 guests and the 407 national service recruits.
A bugler played the military tune Last Post to remember the fallen.
About 1,200 people, from school children to religious leaders, took turns to pay their respects at the foot of the 67m-tall Civilian War Memorial in Beach Road during a service to remember civilian victims who died during the Occupation.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu said at the event: "It is important for us to remember this part of the dark history of Singapore so we realise sovereignty is priceless, and it is worth protecting...
"Never again will we subject ourselves to be occupied, never again will we allow our land to be run by another country."
Later in the evening, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Kranji War Cemetery, where headstones mark the final resting place of almost 4,500 people, most of whom died here during World War II.
More than 300 people were in attendance. They included military officials and veterans, and representatives from the high commissions of Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The day of commemoration came to a close with the island-wide sounding of the public warning system sirens at 6.20pm, marking the exact time the British surrendered in 1942.
melodyz@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on February 16, 2017.
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The tourism sector put up a sterling performance last year.
Singapore not only welcomed a record number of visitors.
More significantly, those who came spent more.
Tourism receipts grew by almost 14 per cent year-on-year to $24.8 billion, far outstripping the 7.7 per cent jump in the number of visitors, which hit 16.4 million.
Preliminary data collated by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) put Indonesia, which accounted for 17.7 per cent of total arrivals, and China, at 17.5 per cent, neck-and-neck in the race for the top market spot.
Malaysia and India took third and fourth positions, respectively.
The good showing did bode well for the economy, specifically the tourism-related sectors, including retail, entertainment and food and beverage.
Hotels and other accommodation providers also benefited.
For the aviation sector, the knock-on effect was more patchy.
The positive impact was obvious for Changi Airport. More visitors - the bulk of whom would have come by air - meant more business for the airport, which also handled a record number of passengers last year.
There is a strong correlation between STB's visitor arrival numbers and Changi's passenger movements, particularly for key markets such as China, Indonesia and India.
Among Changi's top 10 markets last year, China saw the fastest growth at 15 per cent.
The airport has been actively growing the Chinese market by establishing new city links in China and welcoming new Chinese airlines to the airport - an added boost to the tourism sector here, said airport spokesman Ivan Tan.
Spending at airport shops and restaurants also increased, with total sales hitting a record high of $2.3 billion last year, 5 per cent higher than in 2015.
Travellers from China were the biggest spenders, accounting for about 30 per cent of the airport's retail market.
Other top spenders were from Indonesia, India and Australia.
For Changi, which collects rent from tenants as well as a percentage of sales, increasing revenue from commercial activities is key to keeping the airport competitive.
This is because part of the takings are used to subsidise aircraft parking and landing, as well as other aeronautical charges.
With Jewel Changi Airport due to open in early 2019, commercial takings should get another shot in the arm.
The multi-storey complex being built in front of Terminal 1 will offer mainly retail and dining options.
While Changi benefits from the increase in overall visitor arrivals, it is also important for the airport to grow its transit traffic to boost Singapore's status as an air hub.
Currently, stopover traffic makes up about a third of the airport's total passenger traffic.
As the airport continues to strengthen its connectivity to secondary cities in China, Indonesia and India, air travel to and from these key markets should remain healthy this year.
BENEFICIARIES
With much of the growth in visitor numbers coming from Asian markets, and especially second- and third-tier cities in China and India, budget airlines and full-service carriers that operate mainly regional flights are the key beneficiaries of the upswing.
For others, such as Singapore Airlines, the key is to grow its home base and work closely with its low-cost subsidiaries, such as Tigerair and Scoot, and regional arm SilkAir, to not only bring more people to Singapore, but also from here to other destinations within the group's network.
Budget carriers, such as Tigerair, Scoot, Jetstar and AirAsia, play a key role in boosting Singapore's visitor numbers, with a growing number of flights to regional destinations.
AirAsia's Singapore chief executive Logan Velaitham said: "Flights on our key trunk routes, like Kuala Lumpur-Singapore, are consistently operating at loads of 95 per cent, while services to second-tier cities in the region are achieving average loads of about 77 per cent."
While fuel and other operating costs such as salaries also factor into the bottom line, volumes are critical for budget carriers that earn not just from the fares they charge, but also add-ons, such as food and priority seating fees.
For airlines and ground handlers that do passenger and baggage check-in, and firms that repair and maintain planes, a rise in passenger numbers and flights is welcome, but competition will keep a lid on profits.
As the demand for intra-Asian air travel continues to grow - and with ongoing efforts to remove travel restrictions, for example, the push for a single visa for all ASEAN countries - tourism numbers will rise.
STB and Changi Airport will no doubt work closely with key players, in both the tourism and aviation sectors, to capture a big chunk of the traffic.
karam@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on February 16, 2017.
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JOHOR BARU - Many Malaysians who commute daily to Singapore are opting for public transport to avoid paying the island republic's reciprocal road charge (RRC).
They said the S$6.40 (RM20) per-entry charge, which went into effect yesterday and applies to all foreign-registered vehicles, was too much of a burden for them.
Cashier Nor Shahira Mohamad, 21, who usually drives in with her colleagues to work in Bugis, said they would be taking buses.
"Even after splitting the extra expense among the three of us, we still have to use almost 20 per cent of our monthly salary to go in and out."
She planned to leave home two hours earlier when she takes the bus.
Design manager Felicia Ng, 30, who has been working in Singapore for the past nine years, said a big chunk of her monthly income went to commuting costs.
"I have to fork out between RM3,800 and RM4,400, and about RM500 for toll charges on the Malaysian side," she said.
Arif Nasril, 27, a driver, said the RRC could lead to companies becoming less keen on engaging the services of his employer to have clients chauffeured into Singapore.
"Since Singapore imposed this charge, it should also come up with solutions to ease traffic congestion at the checkpoints," he added.
The RRC was announced last month by Singapore's Land Transport Authority.
It said the RRC mirrored Malaysia's road charge of RM20 per entry for non-Malaysian registered cars entering Johor, which was implemented on Nov 1 last year.
Tourists spent more on accommodation for the first nine months of last year, an increase of 28 per cent compared with the same period the year before.
But it was not good news for all hotels. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) fell nearly 5 per cent to $199, according to preliminary full-year estimates from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).
This came on the back of falling room rates, due to a surge in supply of hotel rooms.
There was a 4.8 per cent year-on-year increase in room stock last year, which brought total inventory to 63,850 rooms across 413 hotels, according to STB.
The average occupancy rate dropped 0.9 percentage point to 84.2 per cent, though the decline was less than expected.
This was due to last year's record number of tourist arrivals, said CBRE Hotels Asia-Pacific executive director Robert McIntosh.
"It's been a bit of a saving grace for the hotel industry with serious concerns about extra supply," he said.
STB's strategy of targeting Tier 1 and 2 cities in China, Indonesia and India - the top growth markets for arrivals last year - has paid off, he added.
Some hotels said they have benefited from the increased arrivals from these cities, despite keen competition among hotels.
Orchard Hotel said it saw an increase of about 50 per cent in the number of nights Chinese travellers stayed in its hotels last year, and 30 per cent from Indonesian travellers.
Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel saw a 10 per cent increase in occupancy rates last year, as it has been engaging Chinese tourists through Chinese social media and online travel agencies.
At Royal Plaza on Scotts, occupancy went up 4 per cent last year, with business travellers making up 80 per cent of guests.
The hotel works with local agents who have distribution channels in the Tier 1 and 2 cities, said general manager Patrick Fiat.
Mr Imbert Fung, director for South-east Asia and India at travel search engine Kayak said tourists from China, India and Indonesia have a penchant for luxury hotels.
"Tourists from these markets typically favour four and five-star accommodations, accounting for over 60 per cent of their hotel searches."
According to CBRE's hotel marketview report for the second half of last year, about 3,400 rooms from luxury to mid-scale hotels are expected to enter the market this year.
Overcapacity in room supply is expected to taper off after next year, which will put the industry in a more stable position, said Mr McIntosh.
"With slowing supply and static occupancy, it looks like 2017 will see the bottom of the drop in RevPAR, then (it will) start to increase," he said.
The number of hotel rooms in Singapore is expected to grow at a rate that is likely to outstrip growth in the workforce.
To address this, an Industry Transformation Map for the sector was launched last year, aimed at helping hotels here adopt manpower-lean business models, innovate, internationalise and grow the workforce.
tiffanyt@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on February 16, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
When unwed mothers go to the Minister for Social and Family Development for help, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin sends his team to do what they can.
"I work with a team of grassroots leaders to get in touch with the individuals to understand their situations, including family circumstances and other factors," Mr Tan told The Straits Times.
Most times, the team helps with financial assistance and employment opportunities.
It is not unusual for Members of Parliament to lend a helping hand.
Ms Tin Pei Ling, the MP for Macpherson SMC, said she has helped around five unwed mothers with their housing needs since 2011.
"We try to find other ways to make them qualify, such as applying with their parents or things like that. In some cases, see if getting a rental flat is possible or if they can tumpangwith their family for now and wait till they turn 35," she added, using the Malay term for "hitch a ride".
Said Mr Desmond Choo, an MP for Tampines GRC, in his experience, the Government is sympathetic to the plights of single parents.
"I have encountered instances in which help for public rental housing is provided on a case-to-case basis. They review cases, paying special attention to the difficult circumstances," he added.
MPs said these mothers need help beyond housing - such as financial aid, employment and emotional support - which grassroots organisations try to help with.
Tampines Changkat, for example, formed a support group for single mothers, said Mr Choo.
Policy disparities for unwed mothers have also been equalised in recent years, said Mr Tan.
This year, unwed mothers have the full 16-week maternity leave, compared with just eight weeks previously.
From September last year, children born to unmarried parents were also included in the Child Development Account (CDA) First Step grant, in which the Government puts $3,000 in each child's CDA, even if parents do not deposit anything.
This article was first published on February 16, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
