SINGAPORE - The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) will not be appealing against the jail sentence meted out to American mixed martial arts instructor Joshua Robinson.
In a statement on Wednesday (Mar 8), AGC also clarified that Robinson did not commit "sexual assault" as pointed out in comments by members of the public.
The latest development follows an acknowledgement by Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam that the AGC was looking into the case due to "public disquiet" over the sentence.
Robinson, 39, was sentenced to four years' jail after being found guilty of nine charges on March 2 of having sex with underaged girls and possessing child pornography.
Court documents showed that he had pressured two 15-year-old girls into having sex with him, and he was also accused of showing an obscene film to a 6-year-old child, AFP reported.
Many felt that Robinson's sentence was not severe enough, and an online petition calling for a harsher sentence has attracted over 26,000 signatures so far.
After a review of the matter, AGC gave the following explanations for its decision not to seek a heavier sentence:
1. It had sought a sentence of four to five years' jail. Robinson was jailed four years.
2. It took into account that because Robinson had pleaded guilty, the three young victims would not have to go through the trauma and having to testify and be cross-examined in a trial.
3. Responding to public comments that "sexual assault" had occurred, AGC clarified that as the two underage girls were over 14 at the time of the sexual acts, Robinson had not committed statutory rape. Under Singapore law, having sex with a minor under the age of 14 constitutes statutory rape.
Moreover, as the two victims had consented to the sexual acts, Robinson could not be charged with rape or outrage of modesty, and therefore these were not cases of "sexual assault".
AGC reiterated that Robinson had been charged with the offence of sexual penetration of a minor under 16 years of age, which was the most serious charge that the Prosecution could have been brought against him.
4. Responding to suggestions that Robinson should also have been sentenced to caning, AGC noted that caning is not provided for any of the offences he was convited of.
The AGC noted that the sentences imposed in this case were broadly in-line with relevant sentencing precendents.
The statement said: "In light of the sentencing position which the Prosecution had conveyed to Robinson and the fact that his subsequent plea of guilt had spared the victims from the ordeal of a trial, the Public Prosecutor will not be appealing against the sentence."
AGC also assured that it does not differentiate between Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans when discharging its duties.
It added that it will discuss with the Law Ministry about whether the relevant legislation should be reviewed to enhance sentencing for some of the offences.
SINGAPORE - A student's decision to add some shine to her HDB block by covering a flight of stairs with gold foil has won praise online, with many netizens offering their support and encouragement.
But to the authorities, all that glitters may not be gold.
Photos of the golden staircase at the HDB block in Jalan Rajah first emerged on Reddit two days ago, while citizen journalism website Stomp also caught wind of the matter.
Soon, it emerged that it was the work of Ms Priyageetha Dia, an art student at Laselle College of the Arts.
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Artist dresses up HDB staircase in gold: Yay or nay?
In a Facebook post, she wrote that while she was apprehensive of the consequences, the process of covering the stairs had been invigorating. "At the end of the five-hour long hushed deed, the intervention of the gold finally reverberated against the ever lifeless and grey architecture on the 20th floor of my block."
She added that she considered her work as art, and not vandalism, as her intention was to enhance the space and her surroundings.
"My work does not seek to obliterate a public space; vandalism in all sense has no respect for another individual," Ms Priyageetha wrote.
Not everyone was as enamoured, however. Some netizens were worried that the stairs would be slippery with the covering.
The Jalan Besar Town Council told Today that while it appreciated Ms Priyageetha's desire to enhance the space, her act "constitutes an unauthorised act and is thus not permissible".
However, a spokesman did extend an olive branch, saying that the council wants to "explore ways in which we may be able to work together".
During the Committee of Supply debate on Monday, Manpower minister Lim Swee Say told Parliament that his ministry is working on strategies to ensure that there would be enough jobs for Singaporeans, and better ones as well.
In a time of slower economic growth and digital disruptions, Lim identified four key thrusts: ensuring quality job creation, raising workforce adaptability, enhancing inclusiveness and complementarity, and building fair and progressive workplaces.
"The real threat we face in the competition for jobs is not technology, but global competition. We should focus more on how to partner with technology to take away customers and jobs from our competitors before they do it to us," said Minister Lim.
This is the scope of the Lean Enterprise Development Scheme (LEDS), which MOM launched over a year ago.
Photo: NTUC
LEDS brings together various agencies to make it easier for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to boost their business capability and gain access to labour and markets. Where necessary, LEDS is even prepared to relax the foreign-work quota temporarily to expedite matters for these SMEs.
Minister Lim said LEDS's scope will be strengthened this year with the introduction of new programmes. It will help more SMEs go digital and expand overseas, and speed up the development and deployment of "cluster" solutions for firms. It will also work closely with sectors to tackle the manpower shortage.
2. Help Singaporeans take on new jobs
Minister Lim said creating quality jobs can prevent rising unemployment and under-employment. However, the problem of structural unemployment - such as job and wage mismatches - still persists.
To raise workforce adaptability, Mr Lim said MOM will make better use of technology to help job-seekers and employers find each other.
The national jobs bank has been made more user-friendly to provide better search functions, and the portal is also moving to become a "one-stop, non-stop online marketplace" for all job-seekers.
Photo: Internet screengrab / Jobs Bank
Channels of job-matching services will also be expanded through closer collaboration with private-sector employment agencies. In fact, MOM has partnered with two agencies to help PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) who have been made redundant, and those unemployed for three months or more.
The new partnership will debut in the second quarter of the year.
Additionally, MOM will enhance the Adapt & Grow initiative - introduced last year - to help PMETs, who make up the bulk of workers in the workforce.
The Professional Conversion Programme, which was also launched last year to help PMETs switch careers and move into growth sectors, will receive enhanced salary support.
An "Attach and Train" scheme, which offers training allowance and attachment in companies in growth sectors, will be introduced to help PMETs prepare for new jobs in another sector. MOM is looking to start in the logistics sector.
The slowdown in job and workforce growth makes each worker even more valuable, said the minister.
As such, he emphasised the need to strengthen the inclusiveness of our local workforce and to strengthen our social cohesion. In other words, the local and foreign workforce must complement each other better to sharpen Singapore's competitive edge.
Because Singapore can never be self-sufficient, foreign workers will be a "permanent feature" here. But they must complement us rather than compete against us, he said.
This way, foreign workers will help narrow the talent gap and create more good jobs for Singaporeans.
Photo: The Straits Times
However, Minister Lim warned that MOM will take action against employers who discriminate against local workers in hiring.
Currently, there are still 50 employers on the list who "have not been receptive or cooperative". As a result, MOM rejected more than 500 Employment Pass applications from them.
"We will continue to curtail their work pass privileges until they improve," he added.
Employers will also receive differentiated treatment for MOM's services. For instance, Human Capital Partnership employers will enjoy "fast lane" access to MOM's development schemes and services, and also have hotline access to MOM.
Employers who have fair workplace practices - which is the majority - will be in the "normal lane". Employers who engage in unfair HR practices, such as those on the Fair Consideration Framework watchlist, will be in the "slow lane".
"This will send a clear message to all employers that foreign manpower is and will always be an integral part of our Singapore workforce," said Minister Lim. "However, we do expect and require all employers to give fair consideration to the recruitment and development of our local manpower."
"This is not only the right thing to do for our people, but also the right thing to do for businesses for both to grow better in the future economy."
4. Enhance the employment protection framework
The minister said the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) and the Employment Claims Tribunals (ECT) which is scheduled to open on April 1, are "major steps forward in strengthening our employment protection framework".
He added that the Tripartite Standards will also be introduced to complement existing employment laws, and Tripartite guidelines will push for progressive practices at the workplace. Additionally, a Tripartite Workgroup will be set up to look into the well-being of freelancers.
Members of Parliament (MPs) on both sides of the House had raised concerns about whether freelancers are adequately covered under existing labour laws and the possibility of them having inadequate savings for medical and retirement needs.
A survey by MOM showed freelancers were most concerned about the lack of income security arising from work injuries, attending training or skill upgrading courses, as well as the ability to seek sufficient clients and collect timely payments.
In response, Minister Lim said the Government "will form a tripartite workgroup to study these issues and address the concerns of freelancers, and come up with workable solutions for the well-being of the freelancing workforce in our future economy."
The group that the Government is most concerned about is the estimated 32,700 people who are doing primary freelancing not by choice.
"Under the Adapt and Grow (scheme), we hope to reach out to as many of them as possible and help them to move into full-time employment," said Minister Lim.
"The first survey is a good starting point for us to gain better insights into the freelancer landscape in Singapore. We will continue to monitor the development and together with our tripartite partners, we will find practical solutions to address the issues faced by freelancers," he added.
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SINGAPORE - Officials will be considering how offenders of underage sex such as mixed martial arts instructor Joshua Robinson may be "dealt with more severely through higher penalties", said Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam on Wednesday (March 8).
His remarks follow the Attorney-General's Chambers' statement that it will not appeal against Robinson's four-year jail term.
The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to having unprotected sex with two 15-year-old girls and showed an obscene video to a six-year-old.
His sentencing last Thursday sparked strong reactions from the public, with the father of the child expressing disappointment online. A petition calling for harsher punishment was also started on Sunday.
"I can understand people's unhappiness," said Mr Shanmugam, who is on a working trip in Australia, in a statement in response to media queries. He referred to Robinson's offences, which he added were "more serious" than a range of other cases involving sex with underaged girls.
These include, for example, a young man of 18 having sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend, or a case where 51 men were charged with having sex with an underage prostitute. They were jailed for between four and 20 weeks each, he said.
"I have asked my officials to consider what approaches are necessary for offenders like Robinson to be dealt with more severely through higher penalties," said Mr Shanmugam.
Currently, as the sex was consensual, the law does not provide for caning.
He added that the original decision was "cleared at the highest levels - by the previous AG himself, based on precedents from previous cases".
"In our system, decisions on prosecution, sentence to ask for, and appeals, are all within the discretion of the AGC. We need to respect the decision of AGC," he said.
"I do think that the sentences for such offences committed by Robinson need to be relooked at. That is why I have asked my Ministries to study this," he added.
But he said that it is premature to reveal what penalties are being considered.
Here is the full transcript from Mr Shanmugam's interview:
What are your views on the matter?
I can understand people's unhappiness. This man Robinson exposed a 6-year-old girl to pornographic material. He was also charged for having sex with two girls aged 15.
There is a wide range of behaviour which is currently dealt with, in respect of having sex with under-aged girls, for example: (a) a young man of 18 having sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend; (b) A few years ago we had 51 men charged with having sex with an under-aged prostitute. They were jailed for between four and 20 weeks each.
In the context of all the facts, viz having sex with two underaged girls and showing pornographic material to a six-year-old, Robinson's conduct here, was more serious (even though the girls agreed to having sex with him).
I have asked my officials to consider what approaches are necessary for offenders like Robinson to be dealt with more severely through higher penalties (as AGC have explained, because the sex was consensual, the law does not provide for caning).
Comments on AGC's decision not to appeal?
I have been told that the original decision on what sentences to ask for was cleared at the highest levels - by the previous AG himself, based on precedents from previous cases. So this matter had received attention at the very highest level. AGC have explained why they have decided that they could not appeal. I can understand that having taken a position in court, on what the sentence should be, it is difficult for AGC to now appeal. As they have explained, the position they took was based on precedent. In our system, decisions on prosecution, sentence to ask for, and appeals, are all within the discretion of the AGC. We need to respect the decision of AGC.
If we don't think the sentences, based on precedents, are adequate, then we consider what can be done. I do think that the sentences for such offences committed by Robinson need to be relooked at. That is why I have asked my Ministries to study this.
What penalties are you thinking of?
It is premature to answer this now; this will be considered.
This article was first published on March 8, 2016.
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SINGAPORE - The National University of Singapore (NUS) has suspended the academic who had openly criticised another man who made public an imam's comments.
The university told The Straits Times on Wednesday (Mar 8) that it had suspended Associate Professor Khairudin Aljunied from his duties on Monday (March 6).
This "follows from (his) purported comments made in relation to insensitive remarks about Christians and Jews allegedly made by a religious leader", a spokesman for the university said.
During this time, the university will internally investigate Dr Khairudin's involvement in the matter, though he will still receive his pay, the spokesman added.
"As part of due process, NUS will launch an internal investigation into Assoc Prof Khairudin's involvement in this incident. Assoc Prof Khairudin will continue to be paid his full salary during his suspension," the university said.
When contacted, Dr Khairudin said he was unable to comment due to the ongoing investigations.
Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam told Parliament last week that the police are looking into the conduct of everyone involved in the case.
Last month, investment associate Terence Nunis posted a video online of an imam at Jamae Mosque who, after a sermon, reportedly recited a prayer in Arabic that said "God grant us victory over Jews and Christians", among other things.
The video gained traction online and offline and, as part of due process, the imam has been placed on leave while investigations, which the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) is assisting in, are ongoing.
The case sparked a storm in the community, and many felt the postings could be used to cast aspersions on Islam and religious leaders. Some also felt the imam's recitation had been taken out of context.
Dr Khairudin, a tenured academic at NUS' Malay Studies department, had posted on his Facebook page a fictional conversation between an imam and a "silly convert".
In the post, Dr Khairudin described the convert as being stupid for getting upset over the verses.
Mr Shanmugam had said that Dr Khairudin "encouraged vilification" of the whistleblowing individual. He said: "Mr Khairudin's position and actions are quite unacceptable... He supports a position that is quite contrary to the norms, values and laws in Singapore."
On Saturday, the minister added that police will investigate the case thoroughly and interview all parties involved, including those who filmed and publicised the video.
"Whether there is a case for further action against any of the parties, will depend on the outcome of investigations," he added.
"The Government does not take sides in this issue - if anyone is found to have committed an offence, action will be taken."
NUS added on Wednesday that it "takes a serious view of any actions or speech that condone the promotion of hatred, ill-will and enmity that targets specific faith communities".
"Members of the NUS community must observe standards and policies on staff conduct, which include respecting different views and communicating responsibly," it said.
This article was first published on March 8, 2016.
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Most of those who spoke to The New Paper were apprehensive about the pricing system and the technology involved.
Mr Chia Chiong Soon, 70, a cabby of 20 years, said: "Why must we make things so complicated? Older people usually drive leisurely, and all we want is for things to remain convenient and easy for us."
Another cabby, who wanted to be known as Mr Tan, 60, said: "I want to rely on the meter, and I don't want to have to keep meddling with my phone when I drive.
A Comfort taxi driver, Mr Chua, 59, felt that surge pricing would be unfavourable to taxis. He said: "If we have the same pricing model as Grab and Uber cars, then who will book our cabs? Commuters will stick with one platform because it's more convenient for them.
'PROMOTIONAL CODES'
"Moreover, Grab and Uber have promotional codes that could lower the price."
Another Comfort cabby, Mr Tan Tai Heng, 62, also prefers to stick to the meter.
He said: "I don't know how low-surge prices will go during non-peak periods. The meter pricing takes into account traffic jams and delays, so we may earn more."
However, Mr Mahmood Abdullah, 66, said surge pricing may help taxi drivers remain competitive.
"If we have the same pricing as Uber and Grab, then maybe we won't lose out on customers. They may also choose us because now we can all charge the same."
This article was first published on Mar 09, 2017.
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The taxi industry should be allowed to innovate and adapt to new market conditions and competition, Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng told Parliament yesterday.
Mr Ng's comments were a strong hint that taxi companies would soon get the go-ahead to use dynamic pricing as another option for booked trips.
ComfortDelGro, which controls over 60 per cent of cabs here, told the Public Transport Council (PTC) last week of its plan to introduce dynamic, or surge, pricing - similar to that used by third-party car hailing companies Uber and Grab.
Trans-Cab, Premier Taxi and Prime Taxi have also informed the PTC of similar plans.
Pointing out that the Taxi Availability framework, which requires taxi companies to clock a minimum daily mileage, was scraped last year, he asked: "How can the ministry ensure that the public will be adequately served?"
Mr Ng said he understood some commuters' concerns about dynamic pricing but said they would know exactly how much their fare would be and can choose to accept or decline.
"The taxi companies, I understand, intend to retain the traditional metered fare system even as they introduce dynamic pricing. But ultimately, taxi companies should ensure that dynamic pricing improves, and not worsens the matching of supply to demand," he said.
Transport experts think that surge pricing, which kicks in only when demand is high, will likely push up taxi fares, especially during peak periods.
SIM University economist Walter Theseira said: "Demand would probably be higher during peak periods, where there are currently surcharges.
"While it depends whether taxi companies can comfortably meet demand during these periods, it is unlikely they would want to bring down the current prices."
He is concerned that elderly people who do not know how to use apps to get a taxi might find it more difficult to hail one on the street.
UniSIM adjunct associate professor Dr Park Byung Joon, a transport expert, also thinks that fares are likely to go up.
He said: "During non-peak periods, private hire cars are only slightly cheaper than taxis, but they can be much more expensive during high demand.
"If you average it out, it would probably be more expensive for taxis using surge pricing."
Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport chairman Sitoh Yih Pin said technology had disrupted the industry and provided more options and value for commuters, but he also highlighted the difficulties faced by taxi drivers.
He added: "I do not advocate protectionist policies for our taxis. But in a reasonably short period, three events and their corresponding policies are likely to have repercussions on the livelihoods of taxi drivers.
"They are the entry of private hire cars, the restructuring of diesel tax and the push for automated driverless cars."
This article was first published on Mar 09, 2017.
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The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the driver sustained soreness in her right shoulder and wrists and dispatched an ambulance and a fire engine to the scene. Marymount Convent School confirmed with The New Paper that the driver is a teacher at the school.
Mr Jim Koh, 30, the owner of GAO Express Towing Services, who was alerted to the accident around 8am, said that based on his eight years of experience, the driver was most likely reversing into a parking lot when she lost control and slid down the slope.
He said: "This case is not common for us, it was tricky because the ground was wet and soft from the morning rain, making it hard to lift the car off the slope."
Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, said that although most cars require drivers to engage a gear knob before changing from "drive" to "reverse" mode and vice versa, drivers should still check that they do not accidentally engage the wrong gear while parking or driving.
This article was first published on Mar 09, 2017.
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Women in Asia have come a long way. In the tech sector alone, there are women who have inspired us and changed the way we live.
We can thank the women in accelerator programmes and those running social entrepreneur platforms for new products continuously rolled out across the region.
We can thank Ms Lim Qing Ru, who paid herself a meagre $410 a month for two years in order to build Zopim, which allows us to easily chat real-time with e-commerce sites.
And the explosion of cab hailing apps in this region is due in part to female entrepreneur Tan Hooi Ling.
According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), they continue to, on average, earn 30 per cent to 40 per cent less than men.
Euromonitor said Asian women could earn up to 41.2 per cent less than men by 2030 - higher than global estimates of 35.7 per cent - and Asia might be the only region in the world with deteriorating gender income inequality for this period.
According to the World Economic Forum, more than a quarter of a billion women have entered the labour force in the past 10 years - the total up from 1.5 billion to 1.75 billion worldwide.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 of the United Nations 2030 global agenda sets out to achieve gender equality and female empowerment.
The achievement of SDG 5 requires the use of information and communications technology (ICT).
SDG 10 - reducing inequalities - connects, in equal measure, to the active inclusion of women and girls in education, social and economic spheres.
It is an inclusion ICT effectively drives.
Asia loses between US$16 billion (S$22.6 billion) and US$30 billion annually as a result of gender gaps in education and employment.
According to the International Labour Organisation and ADB, the region reportedly loses between US$42 billion and US$47 billion annually due to women's limited access to employment opportunities.
Eliminating gender disparity in the region would increase per capita income for all by 70 per cent in roughly 60 years, and that is something everyone should be able to get behind.
POWER OF TECHNOLOGY
Throughout my career in sustainability and working for a company with six major Asian markets that have made enormous progress in the last decade, I can attest to the inclusive power of technology.
I witnessed financial services offered to millions of Pakistani women for the first time through Easypaisa, the country's first mobile banking programme.
I have seen education made possible for women and children through programmes such as telco Dtac's Best Start Program as well as Grameenphone and Jaago Foundation's Online Schools in Bangladesh, which connect teachers with remote communities via the Internet.
And younger women are using technology to their advantage - Malaysian film-maker Nora Nabila's Young Changemakers project uses film to give the marginalised communities a voice.
Her peer, Ms Christine Cheah, had an idea for a cancer screening application, which has since been taken commercially across Malaysia.
Pakistani social entrepreneur Mehroze Munawar leverages data science to drive digital literacy programmes to help Pakistani youth better access online opportunities.
A major 2016 report by KPMG found that communications technology promotes entrepreneurial activity of women, improving business practices and overcoming gender barriers.
This is corroborated by two-thirds of working women, who reported that having a mobile device would give them greater access to business and employment opportunities.
The Internet's ability to enable access and reduce cost barriers for such young female pioneers is essential in a world where remuneration inequalities still exist.
With the right knowledge, a world of opportunity - of female-empowered initiatives and gender-neutral marketplaces - is at their fingertips, where outputs are judged solely on quality and void of predisposed discrimination.
The issue of female empowerment has never been more relevant in Asia, particularly in South-east Asia.
As the world's fastest growing Internet market - adding 3.8 million new users a month - the creation and growth of digital economies and women's empowerment should go hand-in-hand.
Digital innovation has the greatest ability to counteract income equality projections and accelerate inclusion. It is a virtuous circle that feeds itself as it brings more women and disenfranchised people into the fold.
We have the ability to rewrite society's gender code now.
I sleep better at night knowing that whatever path my daughter may choose, the rise of female inclusion through digital innovation around the world will provide more gender-neutral opportunities and mute, if not eliminate, the age-old - and frankly no longer acceptable - narratives of "before".
The writer is senior vice-president and head of group sustainability at Telenor Group. This article appeared in The Business Times yesterday.
This article was first published on Mar 09, 2017.
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Titled "youtiao girls vandalise SGmobile ad at Bugis MRT", the video showed the two girls from Youtiao666 using spray-paint to scribble on a large ad, which, from what we could make out, was for an up-and-coming telco, SGMobile, which was offering 3GB of data for $40.
Pretty odd, because there hasn't been news of any new telcos after the not-so-recent announcement of 4th telco TPG Telecom joining the party.
Fast forward to yesterday, and our colleague spotted ads for the same telco (and the graffiti) at Raffles Place MRT:
This time, more of the new telco's plans were revealed (and of course, dissed), and we couldn't help but realise they were eerily similar to what current telcos have currently.
"Additional data usage will be charged at $10 per gb", "Applicable only with a 24 month contract" - familiar, much?
But it was after we saw this post on Circles.Life's Facebook page about the announcement of their "$20 for 20GB data" add-on, that everything became clear:
To confirm our suspicions, we paid a visit to the SGMobile website, and this is what we found:
Engaging social media personalities/influencers and pulling off such a gutsy publicity stunt isn't common at all in Singapore, and many brands tend to stick to safer (read: overdone) ways of creating hype.
So it's honestly pretty refreshing to see Circles.Life not only disrupting the telco scene, but the advertising one as well.
Great one, Circles.Life.
Check out our coverage of their brand new plan here.
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The 1970s pop divas Anita Sarawak and Rahimah Rahim will be the first popular singers inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame (SWHF) later this month.
Two early broadcasters will also be inducted, posthumously, as well in a new category for media created this year.
The virtual SWHF was launched by the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO) in 2014 to recognise outstanding contributions by women to Singapore.
Three other women will also gain posthumous honours, and the seven will join the ranks of 133 women, ranging from advocates and doctors to adventurers and scientists.
SCWO patron Mary Tan, wife of President Tony Tan Keng Yam, will present the women or their representatives with trophies at the fourth gala dinner on March 24 at Shangri-La Hotel.
Local composer and performer Dick Lee said the inclusion of Anita and Rahimah was important for the music scene in Singapore.
Noting that few recipients of Singapore's highest arts honour - the Cultural Medallion - are pop music artists, Mr Lee said: "It's time to accept that popular culture is part of our culture in Singapore."
Another veteran, musician Jeremy Monteiro, said: "Anita has done Singapore proud, blazing the trail for others, and Rahimah has been a wonderful mentor to me."
Sixty-one-year-old Rahimah, who will be performing at the award ceremony, said she was "truly honoured" to be selected.
"I'm usually speechless," she said. "At the ceremony, my speech will be through the songs I choose for the night."
The Straits Times understands that Anita, who lives in the United States, is unable to attend the ceremony.
Broadcasters Aisha Akbar and Wong-Lee Siok Tin will be posthumously inducted for their work in the media. The former wore many hats - music teacher, songwriter and author - while the latter devoted her life to journalism.
Singapore's Helen Keller, Ms Theresa Chan, so-called because she lost her hearing and sight as a teen, is also one of the honourees this year. She died last June, aged 72.
The selection panel is chaired by Singapore's ambassador-at-large, Professor Tommy Koh.
Chairman of SWHF committee Margaret Thomas said the women had all helped to shape Singapore, but it is easy to forget their legacy.
"This is a shame because their stories are so inspiring. They deserve to be remembered and their contributions recorded," she said.
"Some played more prominent roles, others worked behind the scenes. None should be forgotten."
Women of substance
SYLVIA KHO, BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNER
Pioneer bridal wear designer Sylvia Kho.Photo: ST file photo
A pioneer in local bridal gown design, she turned a dressmaking hobby into a home-based enterprise. At one point, she owned four boutiques, which are now closed. She died in 2013, aged 96.
MAJORIE DOGGETT, ANIMAL RIGHTS CHAMPION
The late Majorie Doggett.Photo: Facebook/ACRESasia
She once disguised herself as a laboratory technician to see how animals were used in research.
Mrs Doggett co-founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Singapore. She died in 2010, aged 89.
AISHA AKBAR, BROADCASTER
Mrs Aisha Akbar.Photo: ST file photo
This broadcaster and singer-songwriter also wrote stories and taught music. In the later part of her life, she made jewellery, painted and did volunteer work. She died in 2015, aged 84.
WONG-LEE SIOK TIN, BROADCAST JOURNALIST
Mrs Wong-Lee Siok Tin.Photo: ST file photo
Early in her career, she impressed then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew with her reporting and accompanied him on many official trips.
In 1978, she became the first woman to head the Ministry of Culture's department of broadcasting. She died in 1993, at 55.
THERESA CHAN, HELEN KELLER OF THE EAST
Cinema still: Be With Me starring Theresa Chan Poh Lin. Photo: Zhao Wei Films
After losing her hearing and sight, she learnt Braille in Singapore, studied in the US and topped her class in mathematics.
She also starred in film-maker Eric Khoo's movie Be With Me. She died in 2016, aged 72.
ANITA SARAWAK, SINGER AND ENTERTAINER
Anita Sarawak.Photo: ST file photo
Born to an actor-director and an actress, Anita's first foray into the industry was as an actress - but singing was her forte.
Anita, 64, lives in Las Vegas and has kept a low profile.
RAHIMAH RAHIM, SINGER
Veteran singer Rahimah Rahim.Photo: BH
She would sneak into nightclubs to sing with her father and later won a singing contest in Japan. Now 61, she is a household name and still accepts some singing and acting engagements.
This article was first published on March 9, 2017.
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SINGAPORE - The Health Ministry (MOH) will propose changes to existing legislation that will raise the minimum legal age for smoking from 18 to 21, Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor said in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 9).
The changes will be implemented by phases over a few years, and is part of the ministry's plan to reduce, if not eliminate, opportunities for Singapore youths to pick up the habit.
Ms Khor, in her speech, cited a report by the World Health Organisation that found that those who do not start smoking before the age of 21 "are unlikely to ever begin".
She also noted that there was "considerable support" for raising the minimum legal age for smoking during a public consultation conducted by the Health Promotion Board between Dec 2015 and Mar 2016.
"We want to protect our young from the harms of tobacco, and lay the foundation for good health," she said.
Reaction to the move online was somewhat mixed. On Facebook, Member of Parliament Louis Ng, who previously spoke in Parliament about his experience of quitting smoking, lauded the decision.
However, a number of users questioned whether such a rule would be an effective deterrent, with some suggesting that even greater restrictions on lighting up should be imposed.
Go and do something about ITE students smoking blatantly outside the school premises in their school uniform. Government agencies are pushing the responsibility around when feedback is given.
SINGAPORE - Following enforcement operations against errant massage parlours since the start of the year, a total of 13 massage parlour operators are expected to be charged in court for various breaches.
In a statement on Thursday (Mar 9), the police said that a group of 12 operators, comprising four men and eight women aged between 39 and 66, will be charged for operating massage parlours without valid licenses.
They were also found to have contravened licensing conditions under the Massage Establishments Act.
Meanwhile, the police also said that another 38-year-old woman will also be charged for violating licensing conditions.
The operations were carried out by officers from the police's Central Division, and targeted establishments in the Chinatown, Little India, Jalan Besar, Bugis and City Hall areas.
SINGAPORE - A police car was involved in an accident with three other cars and three motorcycles parked at a Jurong East carpark on Thursday (March 9) morning.
The accident took place at Jurong East Street 21, near Block 218, at around 7.30am.
Photos showed that the vehicles involved suffered varying degrees of damage, including smashed bumpers and shattered windscreens.
Eyewitnesses told Shin Min Daily News that there were two police officers - a man and a woman - in the car. The male police officer was said to be the driver.
He suffered light injuries. No one else was injured.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it sent an ambulance down to the accident site but the driver refused to be taken to hospital.
It is not known yet what caused the accident.
When contacted, a police spokesman said that investigations are ongoing.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, who is a Member of Parliament for the Yuhua constituency, said in a Facebook post on Thursday afternoon that she had been informed of the accident.
Ms Fu revealed that one of the cars had collided with a lift shaft of a HDB block, although she assured residents that the damage was not structural and did not compromise their safety.
"Jurong East NPC has contacted the affected parties, and we are working together to offer additional support and assistance to the vehicle owners and their families," she wrote.
"I am relieved to learn that we have escaped serious injury. I stand ready to assist the vehicle owners who have suffered damages."
SINGAPORE - Ride-hailing firms Grab and Uber said they will be helping drivers to defray the costs of meeting the requirements for the new Private Hire Car Driver Vocational Licence (PDVL).
The Land Transport Authority announced on Thursday (March 9) that applications for the vocational licence will open next Monday.
Grab said it will help drivers on its GrabCar platform defray the costs of licence-related charges such as application fees, medical check-ups as well as training and test fees.
These expenses will come from a $10 million fund Grab is allocating towards the GrabCar platform, $2 million of which will go to a drivers' incentive programme.
Grab will also update its drivers app to require that drivers verify their identities using biometric or facial recognition, to ensure that they are licensed.
Drivers will receive notifications when their vocational licence and commercial insurance policies are nearing expiry.
Grab is also partnering with the National Private Hire Vehicles Association to provide full-time GrabCar drivers with MediSave. It will match a percentage of the driver's incentives, subject to the driver's own MediSave contributions and capped at $200 monthly.
Grab Singapore head Lim Kell Jay said these initiatives are aimed at making driving a "long term sustainable option" for more people here.
Rival firm Uber said that is also helping its drivers move to the licensing scheme through an Uber Fastlane Programme.
The programme will give drivers a 12-month extension to their vocational licence until June 30, 2018. The firm said its processes can also help drivers get the vocational licence in two to three weeks instead of the estimated four to six weeks if drivers applied themselves.
The programme will also offer free medical check-ups and free vocational licence training for drivers.
Uber said: "This programme was developed in consultation with the LTA and is in line with best practices from Uber operations around the world."
Applicants for the new Private Hire Car Driver Vocational Licence are required to attend a 10-hour course and hold a Class 3/3A driving licence which has been valid for a continuous period of at least two years.
All applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination, and will be subject to background checks. There is a non-refundable $40 application fee.
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This article was first published on March 9, 2016.
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SINGAPORE - A former executive of BP Singapore was hauled to court on Thursday (March 9) to face charges of obtaining about US$4 million (S$5.7 million) in bribes from a businessman to advance the business interest of the latter's company with the oil and gas company.
The man faces 47 charges.
Clarence Chang Peng Hong, 51, BP's former eastern regional director for marine fuels, is accused of 19 counts of corruptly obtaining bribes amounting to US$3.95 million from Mr Koh Seng Lee, executive director of Pacific Prime Trading (PPT), as an inducement for advancing the business interest of PPT with BP.
The alleged offences took place between July 2006 and September 2008.
He is said to have corruptly agreed to accept a bribe of $500,000 from Mr Koh before September 2009 to advance the business interest of PPT with BP.
On 16 occasions between January 2007 and March 2010, Chang was the regional marine sales manager when he allegedly transferred $4.7 million, which were benefits of corrupt proceeds, from a HSBC account in Hong Kong to a POSB Bank account and two other HSBC Singapore accounts.
The amounts ranged from $76,568 to $725,500.
He also faces 10 charges of converting property amounting to $3.97 million which, in whole or in part, were direct or indirect benefits of corrupt proceeds, to acquire three houses at Da Silva Lane, Jalan Limau Purut and Ettrick Terrace, and two condominiums in Pasir Ris Grove.
The property in Da Silva Lane in Hougang.Photo: The Straits TimesThe property in Jalan Limau Purut in Tanah Merah.Photo: The Straits TimesThe property at Ettrick Terrace in Siglap.Photo: The Straits Times
He is also accused of converting $111,000 which were the benefits of corruption to acquire share capital in Mindchamps Preschool @ City Square on Sept 16, 2009.
Chang, who was represented by lawyer Alfonso Ang, will appear in court again. He is out on $200,000 bail and his case will be next mentioned on April 6.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said in a statement that Singapore adopts a zero tolerance approach towards corruption. The bureau said it takes a serious view of any corrupt practices and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts.
The maximum punishment for corruption is a $100,000 fine and five years' jail on each charge.
If convicted of offences under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, he could be fined up to $500,000 and/or jailed for up to seven years on each charge.
This article was first published on March 9, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
The minimum legal age (MLA) for smoking will be raised from 18 to 21 years old in the latest effort to stub out the tobacco scourge among youngsters.
Nearly half of smokers here became habitual smokers when they were 18 to 21 years old, said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor.
A World Health Organisation report has found that people are less likely to pick up smoking if they do not start puffing before 21, she told Parliament yesterday.
"We want to protect our young from the harms of tobacco and lay the foundation for good health," she added.
The change will be phased in over a few years, with legislative changes to be proposed to Parliament within a year.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said the minimum legal age restriction will continue to cover purchase, use and possession by minors and sale to minors below legal age, for both retail and social supply.
Dr Khor's announcement comes after a public consultation by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to raise the MLA for tobacco sales.
At 13.3 per cent, Singapore has one of the lowest smoking rates in the world. HPB hopes to cut that to 12 per cent by 2020.
Addictions specialist Munidasa Winslow said most men start drinking and smoking when they are serving national service.
"This is because they have peers who smoke or drink, and there is disposable income to pay for it," he told The New Paper.
In other countries like Australia and the UK, smoking levels were brought down with standardised tobacco packaging.
MOH will hold further public consultations on standardised tobacco packaging as there is "significant value in moving in this direction to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, particularly to youths, and raise the visibility and effectiveness of health warnings", Dr Khor said.
Former smoker Kenneth Yeo, 28, agrees that the reduced appeal of tobacco products - like health warnings - would be helpful, but he feels that raising the age limit is just a numbers game.
The engineer, who has been smoke-free for four months, told TNP: "Back then, when the MLA was 18, I started smoking when I was 15. If I were a curious 15-year-old kid, raising the MLA to 21 doesn't change anything. I would have still tried to do it."
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An easier way to curb smoking, he feels, is public education, and identifying the reasons people of different age groups pick up smoking.
Student Jamie Ng, 19, said the move to raise the MLA for tobacco sales is inconsistent, given that the minimum age for other vices like alcohol consumption remains at 18.
The smoker told TNP: "You can get liver failure from binge drinking, just like you can develop lung cancer from smoking. So why single out smoking?"
Parents like Madam Connie Tan, 45, think raising the MLA is a good start.
Madam Tan, who has a 15-year-old son, said: "At least this will make it a little more difficult for young people to buy cigarettes."
This article was first published on Mar 10, 2017.
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In a few months, GrabCar passengers will be able to travel safely with their children by paying an additional $2 for a booster seat.
The ride-hailing firm announced yesterday that it will be offering its drivers the mifold Grab-and-Go - the "world's most compact child booster seat" - within the next few months.
The brightly coloured, compact seats are designed for those aged between four and seven, who weigh between 15kg and 36kg and are under 1.35m tall.
The initiative is good news for passengers, who had previously complained to The New Paper about how they often end up arguing with GrabCar drivers when they try to board the vehicle with their young children because they were unaware of the law.
The issue of the little-known law was highlighted by TNP in January.
Under the law, private-hire vehicles are considered to be private vehicles, and as such, are required to put children in booster seats if they are below 1.35m.
This is different for taxis, which are considered public service vehicles and are exempted from the rule.
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It prompted Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yih Pin, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, to ask if Uber and GrabCar should also be considered public service vehicles and therefore be exempt from having child seats.
He added that this was an issue that should be considered and reviewed.
GrabCar drivers who make at least 80 trips a week can get up to $100 a month in Medisave accounts
Grab has become the first ride-hailing company to provide its GrabCar drivers with Medisave contributions.
Under the GrabCar Medisave Programme, drivers who contribute to their Medisave accounts will get up to $100 a month from Grab to add to their account.
This incentive is offered only to GrabCar drivers who made at least 80 trips a week to qualify for the maximum contribution of $100 a month.
GrabCar drivers under its Platinum Partner Programme, who need to hit a certain number of rides and uphold a high rating, are eligible for a higher Medisave contribution cap of $200.
Mr Lim Kell Jay, head of Grab Singapore, said: "We believe the focus Grab places on helping our drivers... have peace of mind with better care for their medical needs, will make driving a long-term sustainable option for more in Singapore."
The programme is offered in partnership with the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA).
Executive secretary of NPHVA, Mr Mohamad Randy, said: "The NPHVA strongly urges all eligible GrabCar drivers to participate in the scheme and strengthen their CPF (Central Provident Fund) savings."
He added that other companies in the industry, including car leasing companies and apps-based platforms, should do more and provide concrete support to private hire vehicle drivers to contribute and grow their CPF savings.
Labour MP and National Taxi Association executive adviser Ang Hin Kee told The New Paper that Medisave is a "basic fundamental need".
He said: "Helping workers in their medical needs is an exceptionally meagre thing and (this step) shows that Grab's freelancers are valued partners.
"By providing this, drivers can concentrate on work and don't need to worry about medical needs. Then, more drivers will want to join."
SIM University economist Walter Theseira said that Grab's being proactive shows they are attentive to the potential negative aspects of the gig economy.
He told TNP: "By making its move early, Grab has its seat at the table when it comes to policymaking for the gig economy. It shows their commitment towards their workers, and it is very strategic.
"It will put some pressure on their competitor, Uber, to do something similar."
But Dr Theseira added that Grab may not have the margin to sustain this programme, given its business model.
"None of the gig economy platforms seem to be profitable. Their model is costly and labour intensive," he said.
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He said this is due to Grab having many incentives for drivers and riders.
"To sustain the Medisave programme, it has to come from their revenue, which they may not have," he said.
However, Mr Ang thinks the Medisave programme is sustainable.
He said: "$200 is a small amount compared to how much they spend on advertisements. Businesses should put the interest of their workers first."
Mr Steven Meng, 47, a full-time GrabCar driver, currently makes 50 to 70 trips a week. But he is motivated to hit 80 to get the Medisave contribution.
He said: "I drive about seven hours every day, but I will try to drive two hours more now. (With this programme), I don't have to worry about CPF and can focus on driving."
Grab will assist drivers in getting the new Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL).
The Land Transport Authority announced yesterday that applications for the PDVL will open on Monday.
Private hire car drivers must apply for the PDVL by June 30 or they will not be allowed to continue driving for their companies after that.
Applicants will have up to one year to attend and pass the PDVL course.
Grab announced yesterday that it is investing $10 million in the GrabCar platform. This will defray all PDVL-related charges such as the $40 application fee and medical check-ups.
Drivers with the SkillsFuture grant can use it to fund the required 10-hour training course, but if they do not, it will be funded by Grab.
The Straits Times reported that Uber is also helping its drivers move to the licensing scheme with its Uber Fastlane Programme, which will also offer free medical check-ups and free vocational licence training.
This article was first published on Mar 10Y, 2017.
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While waiting for the lift yesterday, he heard a bang and a car honking for several seconds.
When the resident who wanted to be known only as Benjamin looked down from the corridor of his block, he was shocked to see several damaged cars and motorcycles.
He rushed down and saw about 10 police officers running out from the nearby Jurong East Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) to check what had happened.
He told The New Paper that the accident involved two police cars, three other cars and three motorcycles at the open-air carpark at Block 218, Jurong East Street 21.
A police spokesman confirmed that two of the eight affected vehicles were police cars, and the Traffic Police are investigating the accident, which occurred at about 7.30am yesterday. A Singapore Civil Defence Force spokesman said a man sustained minor injuries but refused to be taken to hospital.
Mr Benjamin said he was waiting for the lift to get down to his car to go to work when he heard the commotion.
The businessman said: "I am worried for the elderly and children who have to cross the road to get to the market and student care centres nearby."
The impact of the accident caused a stationary Toyota Wish to slam into the lift shaft of Block 218.
Its owner, Mr Tan Choo Lam, 47, told TNP he had to rent a car to get to work.
He said: "My car's bumper fell off and the windscreen was smashed. I had to send it to the insurance (company) for assessment."
Another witness, Ms Chua Hwee Cheng, 51, was heading to a nearby clinic when she heard the crash. She said in Mandarin: "It was so loud all the neighbours heard it."
Member of Parliament for Yuhua Grace Fu said in a Facebook post yesterday that the Jurong East NPC had contacted affected vehicle owners to see how they and their families could be helped.
She said that she was relieved to learn that the victims had escaped serious injury.
"I understand that one of the cars had collided into a lift shaft of an HDB block. I would like to assure residents that the damage was not structural and does not compromise the safety of residents," she added.
One resident said in Mandarin: "Many children live in this neighbourhood and there are school buses that pick up and drop off schoolchildren here.
"It is extremely dangerous for incidents like these to happen here."
This article was first published on Mar 10, 2017.
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