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Singapore civil servants to get one month's year-end bonus as economy improves

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Civil servants will receive a year-end Annual Variable Component (AVC) of one month this year, influenced by improvements in Singapore's economy.

The economy grew 5.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis in the third quarter of this year, higher than the 2.9 per cent growth in the previous quarter.

Taking into account the global and domestic economic environment, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has forecast that the economy will grow by 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent for the whole of 2017, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Monday.

In addition, lower-wage civil servants will get a minimum year-end AVC of $1,800, and this is expected to benefit some 1,490 civil servants.

In an example given by PMO, an officer earning a monthly salary of $1,500 will get a year-end AVC of $1,800.

Together with the mid-year AVC of 0.5 month in July 2017, civil servants will receive a full-year AVC of 1.5 month in 2017.

According to the statement, the AVC payment is in line with the more optimistic economic outlook for 2017 compared with 2016.

"The payment (including the minimum payment) was decided in consultation with the public sector unions," it added.

All civil servants will also get the Non-Pensionable Annual Allowance (NPAA) of 1 month, to be paid in December together with the AVC.

a1admin@sph.com.sg

 

Monday, November 27, 2017 - 18:06

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Couple pleads guilty to torturing friend who died after 8 months of abuse

SMRT sacks 8 over falsification of records in wake of tunnel flooding

14-month-old boy given overdose of cough medicine; clinic's management investigating

Mentally disabled woman dies after being abused for 8 months by couple

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On Monday (Nov 27), Tan Hui Zhen and her husband Pua Hak Chuan pleaded guilty to various charges for the extensive torture of Ms Annie Ee Yu Ee, who died from multiple injuries in their Woodlands four-room flat.

They were initially charged with murder.

In 2015, they physically abused 26-year-old waitress Ms Ee, a waitress who was also their friend that stayed with them for eight months.

The couple had used a 1kg roll of shrink wrap to assault the victim, mainly on her buttocks, where the injuries were less noticeable. The couple beat her nearly every day for eight months.

According to The Straits Times, the beatings would last as long as two hours, leaving blisters on Ms Ee's buttocks -- one about 8cm in diameter. The injuries were so serious the couple used sanitary pads to dry the wounds and bandage them.

She even attempted to cut her own wrists with a pair of scissors but Tan took it away from her.

Ms Ee, who is intellectually disabled, suffered her final beating on April 12, 2015. At that point, she already had multiple rib fractures as well as being covered in blisters.

On that day, the couple had found her lying in her own urine and scolded her, to which she replied that she was unable to control her bladder.

The couple decided to punish her for her "bad attitude".

They repeatedly beat her with the shrink wrap and smashed a plastic dustbin down on her with such force that the plastic cracked.

The next day, the couple found her that she was dead. They then decided to call the police.

When the officers arrived, Tan said the victim was a clumsy person who would often injure herself. She also claimed that Ms Ee often jumped up and landed on her buttocks for no apparent reason.

The couple later admitted assaulting her.

An autopsy report showed that Ms Ee suffered fractures to seven vertebrae and 12 ribs.

Describing their acts as "an appalling case of abuse and cruelty", prosecutors are seeking 15 years' jail for Tan and 14 years' jail with 12 strokes of the cane for Pua.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 16:12

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Security guard who slapped man at The Central at Clarke Quay sacked: Certis CISCO

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A Certis CISCO security guard has been fired after arguing with and slapping a man at The Central at Clarke Quay on Nov 25.

In response to Stomp's media queries, a Certis CISCO spokesman issued the following statement:

"Certis CISCO regrets to learn of the very unpleasant incident that happened at Clarke Quay Central on 25 Nov and would like to extend our apologies to the member of public.

"At Certis CISCO, we train and expect our staff to conduct themselves in a professional decorum and we have zero tolerance for misdemeanour that runs contrary to the code of conduct expected of our staff.

"As such, the staff involved in this incident has been terminated with immediate effect.

"We have also shared the incident with the rest of our security staff and reiterate the importance of conducting themselves professionally when interacting with members of the public."

Stomp also reached out to CBRE, the managing agent for The Central at Clarke Quay.

Serene Koh, Associate Director, Asset Services, CBRE said:

"CBRE takes a serious view of the safety of the occupants in all the buildings we manage.

"Following the incident, we carried out a thorough investigation with all parties concerned including the security company Certis Cisco who employed the security officer involved in the incident.

"We understand that Certis Cisco has since terminated the employment of the security officer.

"This is the first time an incident of such a nature has been lodged and we will work closely with Certis Cisco to ensure that the security personnel deployed at the mall carry out their duties with the highest level of professionalism."

Original article:

A shopping mall security guard was seen on video slapping a man's face during an argument.

A video of the incident was posted on Facebook by user CJ Bartolome.

The incident happened at Clarke Quay Central on Nov 25.

In the video, the two men can be seen having a heated argument, although it is unclear what the dispute is about.

The guard points and gestures at the man wearing a red T-shirt.

He then slaps the man on the right side of his face, taking him off guard.

The guard then backs away while the other man regains his balance before furiously storming back into the mall.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 18:15

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Man molests woman with boyfriend next to her

Mother, son found dead in Tampines flat in apparent suicide


Tow tug at Changi Airport catches fire while towing Singapore Airlines plane

Decomposing bodies of mother and son found hanged in bedroom of Tampines flat

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The decomposing bodies of a 66-year-old woman and her 27-year-old son were found hanging in a bedroom in their flat in Block 727, Tampines Street 71.

The bodies of Madam Lee Gek Lan and Mr Toh Boon Siong were found in a locked bedroom by Madam Lee's son-in-law, who had returned home after a three-day hospital stay for an operation, according to Chinese newspaper Lianhe Wanbao.

The police were alerted at 4.21pm on Monday (Nov 27) and were seen at the block till past 9pm.

Paramedics who also arrived at the scene pronounced them dead.

The 27-year-old is believed to have been suffering from severe depression, but it is not clear if his condition was linked to their deaths.

The Straits Times understands that no foul play is suspected.

A neighbour who lives on the same floor, and who wanted to be known only as Madam Ho, said the family members often kept to themselves.

"Their door is always closed and we rarely see them," said Madam Ho, who has lived there for more than 20 years.

Another neighbour, a 59-year-old packer who identified herself as Madam Gina, said she often walks past the unit but had never seen Madam Lee or her son before.

"The family is very quiet. We don't know much about them," she said.

HELPLINES
  • Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1800-2214444
  • Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-2837019
  • Sage Counselling Centre: 1800-5555555
  • Care Corner Mandarin Counselling: 1800-3535800
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - 11:54
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Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on what happiness is all about after 30 years of marriage

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Minister Vivian Balakrishnan just celebrated his 30th anniversary with his wife, Joy and in honour of the milestone, decided to share his views on happiness and marriage.

He posted a video of a speech he made at his daughter, Natalie's wedding three years ago on his Facebook page.

With his wife, standing and smiling beside him, he started by saying that when getting married, choosing the right spouse is the most crucial decision you will have to make.

"It can be a source of great happiness or the converse," he said.

He advised his three sons that the best predictor of their future partner is their potential mother-in-law.

Nodding to his wife he added, "I think you will all agree with me, Nathaniel (his son-in-law) has chosen well".

He reminisced about holding Natalie, his first child and only daughter, for the first time and said that having a child is "far more significant than getting married".

He said that when he became a conservative when his daughter was born because that is when he became truly invested in the future.

He added that he also realised that day how much parents love their children and how much his own parents loved him.

"We pay love forward to the next generation," he said.

His voice cracked when he spoke of how he wished his own mother could have been there at the wedding but pointed out how his daughter was wearing her diamond crucifix in her grandmother's memory.

In the course of bringing up his four children, the minister said that he often sought his wife's advice and she told him:

"The most important gift you can give your children is to love their mother."

This was met with laughter and applause.

He explained: "Children need that sense of absolute security from knowing that their parents love each other.

"Children need the role model[s] of parents who love each other and are committed for a lifetime

"In a day and age of instant gratification, these old-fashioned values of commitment for the long term, loving your partner and making it a life's enterprise, I think this is even more essential in this day and age."

He spoke on how he and his wife have been "very happy and very blessed" and wished the same happiness for his daughter and husband.

He urged them to pay it forward for their future.

on Facebook

We just celebrated our 30th anniversary. 4 children, 2 grandchildren later - this is what real happiness means. Sharing...

Posted by Vivian Balakrishnan on Tuesday, 28 November 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - 14:00
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Monitor lizard found hiding in train undercarriage removed from depot, says SMRT

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A video of SMRT employees chasing away a monitor lizard hiding in the undercarriage of a train that is not in service at a depot has been circulating online.

SMRT has responded to Stomp's media query on the incident and confirmed that the monitor lizard has been removed from the depot.

Stomp contributor Mr Tan sent us a video of the incident.

The video shows a worker prodding the lizard, which was hidden beneath the carriage, with a shaft.

Monitor lizard found hiding in SMRT train undercarriage

His colleague was seen shining a torchlight at the creature as the worker was trying to get it out of the undercarriage.

They were joined by another colleague who attempted to get the lizard out by thrusting at it with the handle of a dustpan.

The creature, clearly agitated. crawls away slowly, and is followed by the two employees, one of whom held the dustpan.

The employees continue shadowing the lizard, occasionally hitting it with the dustpan.

At some point, the dustpan breaks apart, and the lizard turns, lashing at the dustpan handle.

Another employee then swoops in and grabs the lizard by its tail, attempting to drag it off.

However, the lizard whips its tail around and he was forced to let go.

More people joined in to distract the lizard, as the man snuck up from behind and grabbed hold of its tail once more.

This time, he successfully drags the lizard away from the train, leading it outside.

In response to a Stomp query, Vice President for Corporate Communications, SMRT, Mr Patrick Nathan said:

"A monitor lizard was found in one of our depots yesterday and was removed."

Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - 16:03

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Medical group apologises to family of toddler for distress over cough syrup prescription

Man jailed for grabbing woman's breast while her boyfriend had his arm around her

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An unemployed man touched a 25-year-old woman's breast despite her boyfriend having his arm around her, through a gap between the couple's bodies.

According to The Straits Times, the incident occurred at Wala Wala Cafe Bar in Holland Village on June 9.

The couple and their friends occupied a table that faced a live band on the second floor, after arriving at about 11pm.

Meanwhile, 54-year-old Affendi Mohamed Noor and a male friend were seated at a table behind the group and to the right.

It was some time after midnight on June 10 when the victim felt Affendi's hand on her thigh. She shoved his hand away and shouted an expletive at him. Affendi then walked away.

When the woman's boyfriend asked what happened, she recounted the incident to him but thought Affendi might have been drunk.

At around 1.15am, the victim's boyfriend was seated next to her when he placed his arm over her shoulders.

Affendi stretched his hand through the gap between them and grabbed the woman's breast.

He was arrested after the victim's boyfriend called the police.

Affendi, who has previous convictions related to property and drugs, was sentenced to nine months in jail yesterday (Nov 28) after admitting to molesting the woman. Due to his age, he will not be caned.

Read the full story on The Straits Times.

Thursday, November 30, 2017 - 11:55
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Woman assaults elderly parents in front of police officers, hurls vulgarities and tears up statement

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A 33-year-old woman, Sng Yu Qin, got into a scuffle with her parents in their flat at Block 200 Toa Payoh North during a dispute on May 11, at around 6pm.

Sng continued hitting her parents in front of police officers who were dispatched to the scene, and also hurled vulgarities at the four officers when advised to stop.

During the incident, Sng allegedly hit her mother's head, back, and kicked her in the nether regions, reported Shin Min Daily News.

She also reportedly kicked her father in his chest before the officers arrived.

When the officers arrived at the flat to mediate the situation at around 7pm, Sng hit her mother's back in their presence.

She hurled vulgarities at the officers and demanded that they leave, before tearing up a police statement recorded from one of her victims.

In an official statement issued by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), it said that Sng, along with seven others were charged on Wednesday (Nov 29) with using abusive language and causing hurt to officers.

If found guilty of voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant in the discharge of his duty, they can be jailed up to 12 months and/or fined up to $5,000.

Those convicted of using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty can be jailed for up to four years and/or fined.

The police stressed that they take a serious view against people who obstruct the police officers from carrying out their duties or causing them harm.

Thursday, November 30, 2017 - 12:30

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Lessons for MRT from the New York subway

E-scooter rider seriously injured after accident with double-decker bus in Kaki Bukit

52-year-old e-scooter rider dies in hospital after accident with double-decker bus in Kaki Bukit

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An e-scooter rider died after he was involved in an accident with an SBS Transit double-decker bus at the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road and Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 today (Nov 30).

In response to Stomp's media queries, a police spokesman said

"On Nov 30 at 10.28am, the police were alerted to an accident involving a bus and an E-scooter at the junction of Bedok Reservoir Road and Kaki Bukit Avenue 1.

"A 52-year-old male rider was unconscious when conveyed to Changi General Hospital (CGH), where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

"Police investigations are ongoing."

According to The Straits Times, the man suffered head injuries.

Photos of the incident were posted on Roads.sg's Facebook page showing the e-scooter pinned under the bus.

on Facebook

Update: The 52-year-old man on e-scooter had passed away after being hit by bus on Thursday (Nov 30) morning. RIP and...

Posted by ROADS.sg on Wednesday, 29 November 2017

A few passers-by stopped to assist the fallen e-scooter rider and one man held a piece of cloth the man's head.

This comes after a series of concerning videos of e-scooter riders travelling on the roads.

Previously, a 41-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was injured in an accident with a car along Serangoon Road on Oct 20.

Ms Tammy Tan, senior vice-president of corporate communications at SBS Transit, told The Straits Times that the bus operator was "very sad that this has happened".

E-scooter and double-decker bus accident in Kaki Bukit

"We are currently at the hospital with his family to render assistance as best we can," she said. "Meanwhile, the police are investigating the accident."

Stomp understands that the bus driver had the right of way when the e-scooter rider dashed in front of the bus.

Friday, December 1, 2017 - 09:25
Others

NS defaulter rejected for Australian citizenship; told to obey the laws of his country

24 arrested in enforcement blitz: 16 women allegedly provided sexual services in residential areas

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A week-long joint enforcement operation -- held in Sembawang, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Serangoon, Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol from Nov 20 to 27 -- has led to the arrest of six men and eighteen women.

The enforcement blitz was led by Ang Mo Kio Police Division and involved officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau as well as the Singapore Civil Defence Force(SCDF).

During the operation, 504 people, 63 vehicles and 46 residential and commercial units were checked.

Five men and one woman were arrested for offences under the Moneylenders Act. They were suspected of assisting in unlicensed moneylending and harassment activities.

One handphone and related paraphernalia were seized for investigations, said the police in a news release.

Additionally, one man was arrested for theft offences while one woman was arrested traffic related offences.

Sixteen women were also arrested under the provisions of the Women's Charter. They were believed to be advertising sexual services online and operating within residential areas, preliminary investigations revealed.

Cash amounting to S$3,100 and 18 handphones were seized for investigations.

Investigations against the suspects are ongoing.

Commander Ang Mo Kio Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Zhang Weihan, expressed his appreciation to all the units and officers involved in the operation and said, "The Singapore Police Force is dedicated to eradicating crime and keeping our heartlands crime-free. Anyone who commits crime will be detected and prosecuted to the fullest extent of our laws."

Friday, December 1, 2017 - 10:51

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