He hates it when people damage his plants.

Dr Wilson Wong says: "I feel such 'heart pain' every time I see someone with a flower in their ear."

The horticulturist at Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) has seen his fair share of plucked leaves, broken stems and stolen plants.

And this is why keeps a close eye on visitors.

He explains: "Many of the plants here are from all around the region.

"People do not know how much effort was put into finding and growing them. Some just yank their leaves out because they find them beautiful."

Last year, he spent 12 months growing an uncommon species of ginger in his nursery before planting it out in the open for the public.

He says: "I nurtured it, guarded it from pests and checked on it every morning. But after finally planting it outside, it was stolen a few days later.

"I did not know whether to cry or get angry."

But Dr Wong, who has been a horticulturist for 10 years, bears no resentment towards visitors at the Botanic Gardens.

WORKSHOPS

Instead, he enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge of horticulture.

He speaks at gardening workshops every few months at the Botanic Gardens.

"My job is to create a pleasant learning experience for visitors, which includes ensuring the footpaths and lights are in good condition.

"I also make sure every plant in SBG is labelled," he says proudly.

As a "plant doctor", Dr Wong conducts simple treatments for yellow, withering plants that are ill - be they infected or infested.

How can he tell if a plant is "sick"?

"The plant will tell you. It cannot talk to you, but it will show you," he says with a smile.

Dr Wong adds that people tend to confuse horticulturists with botanists.

He explains: "Botanists study the classification of plants, whereas for horticulturists, simply put, we study how to grow plants."

Dr Wong travels overseas every few months to learn more about plants in other countries.

He has visited flower shows in London, Taiwan and the United States, studying the works of other horticulturists and garden designers.

He says: "I speak to fellow plant growers from all around the world who share their experiences with me."

At the Singapore Garden Festival two years ago, Dr Wong curated the Learning Garden, a garden of plants mainly catered to children.

He says his aim was to connect children with the plants.

Dr Wong says: "When I heard visitors saying 'Wow, I did not know this plant looks like that', I was satisfied.

"Knowing people learn from my work really fulfils me."

Dr Wong speaks fervently about his personal collection of plants - many of his plants are succulents, an uncommon group of plants in Singapore.

A plant enthusiast, he has around 200 pots of exotic plants in his house, mostly from South Africa and Madagascar.

One of his favourite plants is the Heliconia Longissima, which he grows at SBG.

He explains: "I like it because it is elegant and unique. Plus, the flowers look like firecrackers."

SECRETS OF THE TRADE

Have a thirst for knowledge. Horticulture is a science that requires passion and interest to perfect. You need to regularly research how to grow different plants and the environment that best suits them.

Dare to try new things. Experiment with different methods of growing plants. You never know which is the best until you try.

Be humble and share your knowledge with others. By teaching, you will learn and grow as a horticulturist as well.

zacsoh@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 22, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.

About two decades ago, a white 1961 Cadillac Series 62 Deville arrived at the workshop of vintage car restorer Poon Kng Joo in Sin Ming Industrial Estate.

He had been hired to give the jalopy a makeover.

And boy, did he ever.

Mr Poon, or Ah Joo to his friends, gave the Cadillac a coat of striking purple paint and added flames running down its sides.

"I sketched out the design and painted it on the car," Mr Poon, 60, tells The New Paper on Sunday. "The guy that gave me the job gave me a very brief idea of what he wanted, and the rest was up to my creativity."

That Cadillac became part of an iconic landmark. It was hoisted above the entrance of Hard Rock Cafe on Cuscaden Road.

And there it stayed for more than 23 years before it was taken down on Monday as the restaurant is undergoing renovation.

The car was awarded to the winner of the Hard Rock Cafe 25th Anniversary Charity Draw. The draw raised $5,500 by selling raffle tickets at $25 each. The proceeds went to Melrose Home, a children's aid society.

Man behind Hard Rock Cafe's Cadillac has been restoring cars for 37 years

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

The New Paper, Mr Poon Kng Joo

But the man behind the restoration of the iconic Cadillac says he is "not sad" about the fruit of his labour being taken down.

"Not many people knew I was the man behind the Hard Rock Cadillac... It still is one of the most memorable jobs I've done to date, there is no doubt about that," says Mr Poon, owner of Seok Seng Motor.

"But life goes on and things change, even for a classic place like Hard Rock Cafe. That doesn't change the fact that I am proud of the work that I did to that Cadillac."

RECOMMENDED

Mr Poon says his neighbour recommended him to the team that was looking for someone to restore the Cadillac, which was initially "plain and all white".

He recalls that it took about 21 days to restore the Cadillac after it arrived.

Besides repainting the car, he had to remove the engine, leaving just the engine frame in the hood of the car and repolish its dashboard.

"The idea was to make it look like a classic and stylish Cadillac on the outside," said Mr Poon.

Back then, restoring a Cadillac like that cost about $12,000.

"If I were to do a job like that now, it would cost at least $20,000," he says.

"It wasn't an easy task. I remember we had to reduce the weight of the car to about one tonne so it could be hung. On top of that, I wasn't sure if they would like the paint job."

Hard Rock Cafe's Cadillac of more than 23 years taken down

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

EyeB, The Straits Times, The New Paper

He adds: "In those days, there weren't stickers and wraps for cars so I had to hand-paint the entire car myself."

But Mr Poon's worry about Hard Rock Cafe not liking his work was probably unfounded. After all, at that point, he had been restoring cars for over a decade.

Mr Poon reckons in his 37 years in the business, he has restored over 2,000 vintage and classic cars.

His company was started by his father in 1954. Mr Poon bought over his father's business in 1996, a few years after he restored the Cadillac for Hard Rock Cafe.

"My father loved restoring cars, and I guess I got that love from him," says Mr Poon, who also enjoys restoring bicycles.

"I am sure he'd be proud that I played a part in restoring what over the years became one of Singapore's most symbolic icons."

crobert@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 22, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.

Time flies like a Ducati.

Ten years have passed since a senior editor at The New Paper threw me a challenge: Come up with a column to connect with male readers and those who are adventurous.

After much huffing and puffing, like starting an old Norton, TNP's Biker Boy roared to life.

Today, the column is as recognisable as the Harley growl. Biker Boy has grown to become a feature covering everything motorcycle-related.

More than 500 articles have been written, some 100 motorcycles reviewed and thousands of pictures taken as the test riders pushed the bikes without breaking them.

In that time, the "boy" in Biker Boy has also matured - now married and blessed with two children who are slowly developing an interest in motorcycles.

There have been highlights.

I broke three bones, raced against a horse, tested a waterproof headset under the shower and sat on MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi's bike when he wasn't looking.

I also regularly brought home sand from different parts of the island, parted Miss Universe Singapore 2014 Rathi Menon's hair and acquired several motorcycles without telling the long-suffering wife.

WHY

But none of this would have been possible without the people in the biking community, who remain the main reason I write about their pursuits and all things two-wheeled.

From locals who brave uncharted destinations and adventures to international racing stars who appear on TV each weekend at break-neck speeds during races.

Credit goes to Braap Brothers for surviving the treacherous Red Bull Romaniacs enduro last year which had close to a 50 per cent DNF (did not finish) rate.

Even as I write this, my friend Juvena Huang is somewhere in Iran, riding solo on her trusty two-stroke Vespa on a lifetime adventure which started here in May 2015.

Rising stars Muhd Jazil and Hasroy Osman continue to represent budding talents on the local racing scene.

Occasionally, we're visited by the gods of racing like Briton Chaz Davies, who races in the World Superbike championship for Ducati, and Australian Cameron Donald, famed for his exploits in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.

Despite their lightning-quick reflexes and superhuman abilities, these professional racers are level-headed and modest during interviews.

These days, riders can buy machines similar to the ones pro racers ride.

But the major break in the last decade has been smarter and safer motorcycles equipped with traction control, ride modes and anti-lock brake systems (ABS) as standard equipment.

Some brands add more excitement with features such as cornering ABS, up/down quick-shifters and anti-wheelie.

With stricter emission rules geared for Euro 4, we can also expect greener motorbikes.

But concerns remain.

Mechanics need to be trained for the new technology and workshops need to invest in equipment to service Euro 4-compliant motorcycles.

GREEN

As a rider, you'll pay more for environment-friendly motorcycles.

For owners of smaller motorcycles, who make up about 70 per cent of the biker population here, things won't be good given current Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums.

It continues to hover above $6,000.

In the last decade, the population of bigger bikes above 500cc has steadily increased.

It appears that bigger motorcycles become better investments when COE prices are high.

But big or small, the lure of freedom, affordable transportation and countless adventures will continue to attract a certain breed of men and women to motorcycling.

And one thing has been constant over the decade: TNP remains a strong advocate for safe-riding practices.

We "gave" our face to Traffic Police's Riders For Life campaign by appearing in two standies.

We also lent our voice by speaking at Singapore Ride Safe events in the hopes that more bikers suit up.

Motorcycling can be a safe activity if we remain alert and take certain safety precautions.

I could go on but I don't want to take up your precious riding time.

Here's to the next 10 years.

Ride on!

zaihan@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 22, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.

SINGAPORE - A tree in front of the National Museum of Singapore has been damaged following an early morning thunderstorm today (May 22), The Straits Times reported.

No one was injured and no property was damaged, the museum's senior assistant director, Mr Jervais Choo, was quoted as saying.

Two big branches of the tree had fallen to the ground, and contractors were seen sawing off other damaged branches and clearing debris on the ground this morning.

(Photo: The Straits Times)

(Photo: The Straits Times)

The damaged tree is located behind the museum's iconic banyan tree. The area has hosted art installations and other events, including an outdoor film screening series called Under The Banyan Tree.

huizhen@sph.com.sg

MORE will be done to protect Pulau Ubin's flora and fauna, including plans to restore its northern shoreline, build a coastal boardwalk and support the recovery of endangered plants and animals.

Announcing these initiatives yesterday at Pulau Ubin, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Desmond Lee said more must be done to protect the rich biodiversity teeming on the island.

Noting that it has more than 720 native plant species and over 500 animal species, including some not found on mainland Singapore, he added: "This is remarkable but we must do more.

"We have plans to restore Ubin's eroding shoreline, which will serve as a base for more of Pulau Ubin's flora and fauna to be restored in the near future."

Shoreline restoration was one of the earliest priorities for The Ubin Project, announced in 2014 to generate ideas from the public on how to retain the island's rustic charm.

Erosion has badly affected about 40m of northern Ubin, threatening critically endangered species like the Eye of the Crocodile tree and leading to the closure of Noordin Beach - a popular camping site - in 2013 for public safety.

A year-long study, which was concluded this month by the National Parks Board (NParks), found that changes in wave conditions partly as a result of ship wakes, or waves generated by the movements of vessels, as well as changes in land use were among the key causes of erosion.

NParks has identified possible measures to restore the shoreline, such as using man-made rock structures and sand to widen the existing beaches, growing more mangroves and adding wooden poles along the shoreline to mitigate the impact of waves.

NParks will call a tender and works are expected to start next year and end by 2020.

An impact assessment will be done, said NParks' director for Pulau Ubin, Robert Teo.

"Until we call a tender, we won't be sure how much (the work) is going to cost. It depends on the magnitude of the designs and the amount of work that's going to be done," he added.

A coastal boardwalk of about 500m, part of which will extend into the sea, will be built at Noordin Beach, which will reopen when restoration works are completed. From the boardwalk, visitors can view coastal mangroves and hills.

Yesterday, NParks also unveiled a design for new otter holts - which are dens for the critically endangered Oriental Small-clawed Otter. By the end of this year, two holts will be installed on the island which will allow researchers to monitor and study their behaviour.

Other species' recovery efforts include installing 30 bat boxes across the island for bats to roost, and reintroducing endangered native orchids to parts of the island.

At the event to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity, which was yesterday, Mr Lee joined more than a hundred participants to plant 100 saplings at the mangrove arboretum in the Ubin Living Lab.

Among them were executive manager Sean Lam, 47, and his wife and son.

He said: "This is one of the last places in built-up Singapore where you can enjoy such nature. Without the mangroves, the soil will be eroded and the next generation, they won't have anything to see."

mellinjm@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

THE People's Action Party (PAP) team in Aljunied GRC remains focused on delivering services to residents and conveying their concerns to the Government, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday.

He was speaking to reporters after a visit to Eunos ward in the GRC held by the opposition Workers' Party since 2011, and where the PAP got 49 per cent of votes in last September's general election.

Asked how he would evaluate the progress of the team in Aljunied since the GE, Mr Masagos said they were "as united as ever".

"Their focus is to bring services the People's Association (PA) brings to residents all around Singapore.

"The political battle is over. More importantly, we must make sure we serve our residents with the services, the amenities they deserve - and have as much feedback as possible so residents have a channel for them to bring up their concerns, complaints, to the Government as quickly and effectively as possible."

Mr Masagos, a PA board member, added a new adviser to grassroots organisations in Paya Lebar will be appointed to take over from Murali Pillai, who was elected Bukit Batok MP in the May 7 by-election.

In the meantime, other grassroots advisers are helping residents. Accompanying Mr Masagos on his visit were Aljunied GRC grassroots advisers Chua Eng Leong, Victor Lye and Shamsul Kahar - who contested Aljunied GRC in last year's general election alongside Mr Murali and former MP Yeo Guat Kwang.

Hougang grassroots adviser Lee Hong Chuang was also present yesterday.

Ministerial community visits are organised regularly to help introduce new ministers to Singaporeans and keep the bond between the Government and the people strong, Mr Masagos said.

Asked if there was any significance to his visiting an opposition constituency, he added: "It does not matter if it is an opposition ward or non-opposition ward because ministers serve everybody."

Such visits are also a chance for officials to look at possible improvements to facilities, especially those under the visiting minister's charge.

Mr Masagos said he was happy to see the market and hawker centre, where he spoke to stallholders and residents, was running well.

Wet markets and hawker centres are managed by the National Environment Agency, a statutory board under his ministry.

"There are some municipal issues they raised but this ought to be settled by the town council. Otherwise, people are quite happy with the amenities," he added.

ziliang@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

AN ONLINE educational portal on mosquito-borne diseases was launched yesterday, to provide easy access to information on dengue fever and the Zika virus as well as how to prevent their spread.

Developed by global life-science company Bayer, the portal comes with interactive quizzes and a "virtual trainer" that guides users through the different components within the site.

Bayer said the Bayer Dengue Learning Lab, which will be made available to all schools within the South West District and can be accessed for free by the public, was designed to make learning fun.

It developed the portal with the National Environment Agency and South West Community Development Council (CDC).

At the launch at New Town Secondary School yesterday, South West District mayor Low Yen Ling reminded students and grassroots volunteers that everyone has a part to play in fighting dengue and Zika.

Earlier this month, Singapore reported its first imported Zika case, a 48-year-old resident of Watten Estate in Bukit Timah who had been in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The dengue virus also remains prevalent here, with more than 7,720 reported cases since the start of the year.

Ms Low said dengue cases tend to peak during the upcoming warmer months from June to October due to the accelerated breeding and maturation cycles of Aedes mosquitoes.

"As we enter the traditional peak season for dengue, it is all the more important for the community to stay vigilant and... (keep) our homes, gardens and community spaces mozzie-free."

samboh@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

MANY Tampines residents he meets on house visits remain concerned about Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat's condition, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday.

They have also said they will pray for his recovery, Mr Masagos added, responding to questions from reporters on his fellow Tampines GRC MP who collapsed during a Cabinet meeting on May 12 after a stroke.

"This is the kind of society we want: people who care for someone who has done so much, dedicated his life for Singapore," he said.

Mr Heng is in stable condition in hospital in intensive care.

"The procedures and process that he has gone through have been good. But we need to give him time to recover," Mr Masagos noted.

He added that residents who want to leave their good wishes for Mr Heng can do so at the Tampines Central Community Club. It will then put the messages together and present them to him when he recovers.

Meanwhile, the remaining four MPs in Tampines GRC are taking turns to conduct his weekly meet-the-people sessions. They will also do house visits on Mr Heng's behalf and handle municipal issues.

Mr Masagos reiterated that the team is focused on ensuring Our Tampines Hub - Singapore's first integrated community facility - opens on schedule. The 5.3ha project, which will launch in stages starting from November this year, will include a hawker centre, a one-stop centre for government services, a community kitchen for seniors, and sports and retail facilities.

ziliang@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

Two videos showing a man hitting, kicking as well as dragging and lifting a dog by its neck on a leash have sparked outrage online.

The incident is believed to have occurred at a terrace house in Loyang Green this morning (May 23).

Facebook user Maimunah Mohadi uploaded two videos of the incident at about 9.30am.

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

Facebook video screengrabs

The videos shows the man talking down to a Siberian Husky and forcefully dragging it around by its leash numerous times, in the presence of two other dogs.

He also punches the dog in the face once and kicks it twice in the 40 seconds of video recording.

A friend of Mainunah's told Stomp that "she has heard the dogs many times yelping in pain but today was the first time she managed to video" it.

Mainunah has reported the incident to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

The case is currently under investigation.

In response to queries by Stomp, a spokesperson for The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said:

"The SPCA was informed of this case this morning, by a concerned member of the public.

"As we were greatly shocked by the contents of the video and deeply concerned for the dog's safety, we immediately informed the AVA whilst pressing for urgent action to be taken.

"We are relieved that the AVA acted swiftly, facilitating the removal of the dog from the owner's home.

"The animal is now under the care of the SPCA, and has been sent for a thorough physical examination and X-rays.

"The SPCA condemns this blatant act of animal abuse and will work closely with the authorities for stern action to be taken against the perpetrator.

"We thank everyone for their concern and for speaking up on behalf of the animal."

Visit STOMP for more stories.

SINGAPORE - This photo of lightning streaking across the Singapore sky has been making its rounds on Facebook.

It has amassed more than 30,000 likes and been shared more than 9,000 times since photographer Darren Soh posted it on his Facebook page on Sunday night (May 22).

Soh said in his post that he had been trying to chase lightning storms for years so that he could photograph them, but has not had much success till now.

The image is a layer of 12 photos that Soh shot in the span of under an hour to show the number of lightning strikes.

He added that the photos were shot from the 16th floor stairwell of Block 593B, Montreal Link, in Sembawang.

In an updated post on Monday (May 23), he thanked supporters for the response.

"Hi everyone, thank you for your likes, shares and comments. I really did not expect the overwhelming response to this image I made last night," he wrote.

Singapore has one of the highest occurrences of lightning activity in the world, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA). This is due to the warm and humid tropical conditions here, which are conducive to the development of thunderstorms.

On average, Singapore experiences 168 thunderstorm days per year, NEA says on its website.

xiuhuil@sph.com.sg

The next time you visit Pulau Ubin, take a closer peek at your surroundings, as it might reveal treasures of nature that are more unique and interesting than a cursory glance of the coastal and old kampong charms of the island.

You might have spotted wild boars foraging for food near bicycles parked by visitors, aquatic flowers blooming in ponds and big spiders trapping their victims in gossamer webs.

But do you know that the island off the Changi coast is is home to more than 720 native plant species and over 300 species of animals? What makes Pulau Ubin more special is that some of these species are found only on the island and not on mainland Singapore.

If you're thinking of taking a boat trip to the island again, do look out for these fascinating animals, insects and plants that have been clinging on for survival on the most endangered list. Bring along a pair of binoculars and marvel at close range.

Ashy Roundleaf Bat (Hipposideros cineraceus)
Two colonies of this critically endangered bats have been made abandoned buildings in Pulau Ubin their homes. Although found in South Asia and Southeast Asia, it has never been spotted on the mainland.

Lesser False Vampire (Megaderma spasma)
In Singapore, this bat (above) is found only on Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong. Recently, Ubin has become popular with this species as several colonies have been found occupying disused structures. It feeds primarily on insects. No, it does not go after your blood.

Oriental Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea)
Nine sightings of this otter (below) on Pulau Ubin have been recorded over the past 16 years. No recent sightings on the mainland.

Dwarf Crow (Euploea tulliolus ledereri)
Believed to be extinct in Singapore but rediscovered on Pulau Ubin in 2002, this butterfly (below, left) flutters quite lazily, usually drawn to the hairy Indian Heliotrope plant (Heliotropium indicum).

Common Jay (Graphium doson evemonides)
Last spotted on the mainland in 2006, it was found again on Pulau Ubin in 2005. The Common Jay (below, right) is constantly on the move, flitting from one flower to another to feed on nectar.

Greater mouse-deer (Tragulus napu)
Thought to be extinct on the mainland, there is a sizable population on Ubin. It inhabits forested areas, and emerges at night to forage for fallen fruits, leaves, grasses and aquatic plants.

Rare trees and orchids

Collared fig (Ficus crassiramea)
This critically endangered tree can be found in Pulau Tekong and Pulau Ubin only. There are a few specimens of this 'killer' tree on Ubin, including one acknowledged officially as a Heritage Tree near Ketam Mountain Bike Park. The 'strangling fig' grows from a seed left by animals like birds at the top of a tree. From here, it fans out its roots downwards till it encircles the host tree's trunk. In many cases, the host tree is finally "strangled" to death after many years.

Eye of the Crocodile (Bruguiera hainesii)
Critically endangered, it is one of the rarest mangrove species in the world with only about 200 mature trees left. Eleven including two on Ubin are found in Singapore. One tree was found in the southern coast of Ubin, while another was discovered on Noordin Beach in 2005. National Parks (NParks) has started a programme to collect and plant young seedlings to increase the population.

Ficus stricta
Another rare species of the strangling fig, it was listed as native to Singapore only in 2012, after the first specimen was discovered in Changi. It is only known to thrive in Changi and Pulau Ubin. In the 19th century, British engineer and artist John Turnbull Thomson produced a drawing of a tree in 1850, which is thought to be the same one found near the mouth of Sungei Pulau Ubin, in 2002. Listed as a Heritage Tree, it is believed to be more than 160 years old. It bears fruit only after intervals of more than six years. Oriental Pied Hornbills and Green Imperial Pigeons have been spotted feeding on the figs.

Hybrid stilt mangrove-happy face (Rhizophora X lamarckii)
In 2011, an NParks staff chanced upon this naturally-occurring mangrove hybrid of of the Rhizophora apiculata and Rhizophora stylosa, creating a new record here. So far, five trees have been found at the Sungei Jelutong and Jalan Noordin mangrove.

Marsh Pulai (Alstonia pnuematophora)
It stands out from other Pulai trees because of its 'breathing' roots. Found mainly in the central forests on the mainland, a few trees flourish on Pulau Ubin.

Jamba (Neuwiedia veratrifolia)
Found in lowland forests, this critically endangered orchid (above) produces long clusters of yellow flowers. Grown on soil, the Jamba will see its population multiply as plantlets at one site have been transplanted to two other areas on Ubin.

Pterospermum diversifolium
This tree species was first collected by Henry Ridley, former director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It was thought to be extinct, but was found in Pulau Ubin in 2013. Currently, fewer than 50 mature trees are seen in Singapore.

Sheath-covered Spathe Robiquetia (Robiquetia spathulata)
This critically endangered orchid was recorded only once in Singapore by Henry Ridley, who collected it near the Botanic Gardens. It was only in 2006 that a single plant was rediscovered in Pulau Ubin. Through tissue culture, the species has been successfully propagated and reintroduced to other parts of Pulau Ubin, as well as mainland Singapore.

Thrixspermum amplexicaule
You would be lucky to catch a glimpse of this rare pale lilac orchid as its blooms last for only a day. The semi-aquatic orchid was found at one site on Ubin, but it has been successfully propagated and reintroduced to other sites on the island since 2010. Still regarded as critically endangered.

Utania nervosa
Discovered at Ubin's Chek Jawa in 1997, this small tree was named as a new species called Utania racemosa in 2014. A common tree on Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong, it is also found in south-east Johor. It has large, leathery leaves shading clusters of white flowers with very short stalks.

chenj@sph.com.sg

Read also:

Ubin to get coastal boardwalk

Sisters' Island to be heart of marine conservation

Surprise attractions on Pulau Ubin

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

Chen Jingwen, The Straits Times, The New Paper, Berita Harian

THE Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is probing a case of alleged animal abuse after a man was caught on camera hitting, kicking and lifting a dog by its leash.

The incident, which was filmed and uploaded on Facebook by user Maimunah Mohadi yesterday, has sparked outrage online. The Facebook post has since been shared close to 7,000 times.

In two separate videos, the bare-chested man is seen at the back of a house with three dogs, including a black and white husky on a leash.

He is seen delivering a blow to the husky's head before lifting it up briefly by its neck in mid-air.

He also aimed at least two kicks to the sides of its head.

While the location of where the incident took place was not disclosed, The Straits Times understands that it took place at a terrace house at Jalan Loyang Besar in Pasir Ris.

In response to media queries, an AVA spokesman said it was investigating the case.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said it was alerted to the video after a complaint was sent via its online portal yesterday.

The AVA was subsequently informed, said an SPCA spokesman.

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

Facebook video screengrabs

myp@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

ELECTRONIC Road Pricing (ERP) at selected roads and expressways will be reduced while Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) operating hours will be shortened for the upcoming June school holidays, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced yesterday.

The revised rates and operating hours will take effect from Saturday till June 26.

A total of 23 gantries will have their rates reduced by $1 during the time periods specified by LTA.

The reduction will be 50 cents for those gantries - the two at Bendemeer Road and Woodsville Tunnel, as well as the one at Dunearn Road - with ERP rates of 50 cents.

Meanwhile, VEP operating hours will end earlier at noon on weekdays during the same period.

Drivers of foreign-registered cars and motorcycles are exempted from paying any VEP fees if they drive into Singapore after noon and leave by 2am the following day.

myp@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

A FEW weeks after the Court of Appeal freed alleged match-fixing kingpin Dan Tan from detention, the Ministry of Home Affairs reviewed its legal position in the light of the apex court's judgment and released three others who had also been detained without trial.

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon cited this in a speech he recently gave in the United States, to make the point that it is critical to have the commitment of the government in complying with the law pronounced by the judiciary for the rule of law and good governance.

He was speaking at the American Law Institute's 93rd annual meeting in Washington, DC last week.

CJ Menon is the only Singaporean to be elected a member of the institute, an independent organisation established in 1923 which produces scholarly work to clarify, modernise and improve the law.

In his speech, he said that despite the vast differences in the legal systems, history and culture of the US and Singapore, both nations shared a commitment to the rule of law, even if the practical application may differ.

CJ Menon noted that Singapore's fidelity to the rule of law has "coexisted comfortably" with an emphasis on communitarian over individualist values.

He cited a Court of Appeal decision which involved a judicial review of a Commissioner of Labour decision on the grounds of a controversial doctrine.

The court did not have to decide whether to recognise the doctrine, it provided guidance to the Government on the possible issues to be looked at.

"What underlies this approach is the belief that a court which is respected by the other branches of government can effectively shape the debate and ensure the legality of government actions by setting out its concerns openly and potentially obviating a binary clash between the judiciary and the executive," said CJ Menon.

"Having said that, confrontation may be inevitable and then, the judiciary must stand firm as the last line of defence," he went on to add.

"Judicial review is the sharp edge that keeps government action within the form and substance of the law."

He highlighted that the apex court had released Tan from detention without trial after ruling that the grounds for his detention failed to show how his activities were harmful in Singapore. Tan was later re-arrested and detained on fresh grounds that set out the relevant threat.

CJ Menon noted that the Home Affairs Minister took steps to review the detention of three other detainees and revoked them in the light of the court's ruling.

"The robustness of a nation's rule-of-law framework depends greatly on how the other branches view the judiciary and whether it, in turn, is able and willing to act honestly, competently and independently," he said.

selinal@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

A 25-YEAR-OLD canteen in Changi Airport Terminal 2, which CNN praised for serving "some of the best and cheapest food" in Singapore, had its last day of business under its current operator on Sunday.

The foodcourt and staff canteen, which was run by Select Group, is now under Kopitiam, Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News reported yesterday.

More than 100 customers flocked to the canteen to bid farewell or eat from the stalls that are closing for good.

The canteen sells dishes such as porridge for $2.50, and chicken rice and fried Hokkien mee for $3.

Some stall owners told Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao that customers gave them farewell gifts including birds' nest, cake and bonsai when they learnt they were leaving.

Shin Min understands that at least five of the 24 stalls will not resume business under the new operator. Among the reasons are higher rents, a change in operating hours and a request for stall owners to switch from using paper plates to cutlery, which increases costs, Wanbao reported.

Stalls that are leaving include well-liked Western outlet Wild Olives, reviewed favourably by local food critics.

Wild Olives wrote on its Facebook page that it has been "overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and goodwill" in the past few weeks, adding that customers will be informed should it decide to relocate.

When Shin Min visited the canteen on Sunday night, there were at least 30 people queuing at Wild Olives.

Investment director Qiu Dingli, 39, said he was there with his family to eat the Western food, porridge and Hokkien mee after hearing that the canteen was closing.

Meanwhile, Ngee Kee fried Hokkien mee stall will be leaving the premises. Owner Lin Yuxing, 60, who had operated there for 25 years, said he could not agree with Kopitiam on rental and opening hours.

He put up a notice on his Facebook page on Friday saying that he will move to Block 210, Toa Payoh Lorong 8 in July.

myp@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

SINGAPORE - A 22-year-old man from Bangladesh was killed in another worksite accident on Monday evening at the Mandai Depot construction site.

The Straits Times understands that the man, who a relative would only identify as "Riyad", had been working when a large metal beam fell off a passing lorry and hit him, killing him.

The accident happened at around 7pm, said workers. The main contractor at the site is Jurong Primewide. The man's uncle, who declined to be named, was waiting outside the construction site hoping to get a glimpse of his nephew's body.

He said that Riyad had only been in Singapore for four to five months.

His brother was sobbing outside the site, and declined to speak with the media.

This is believed to be at least the 30th workplace fatality this year.

This article was first published on May 23, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

THE Hong Kong-listed conglomerate founded by gambling billionaire Stanley Ho has made its first foray into the Singapore property market, and it is certainly an attention-grabber.

Shun Tak Holdings, via its wholly owned subsidiary Shun Tak Real Estate (Singapore), is paying $145 million for 9 Cuscaden Road, a bungalow put up for sale by the descendants of famed philanthropist Tan Tock Seng.

It was the first hotel redevelopment site on sale in Orchard in over 10 years.

The sum, one of the highest paid for a landed house, works out to about $2,145 per sq ft per plot ratio for a hotel redevelopment, including development charges.

The 25,741 sq ft freehold site is zoned for hotel use with allowable gross plot ratio of 4.2, but could alternatively be used for residential development, subject to approval. Shun Tak said it is at a preliminary stage of planning and will announce further details later.

Said Desmond Sim, CBRE research head for Singapore and South-east Asia: "While the hotel zoning might deter potential bidders, it's a perfect fit for Shun Tak and would be a fresh injection of vibrancy into Orchard Road."

The site's zoning also means the purchase does not attract Additional Buyers' Stamp Duty, unlike a residential site, he noted.

The deal, brokered by JLL, comes nearly a decade after Mr Ho's aborted attempt to partner Genting International in building the Resorts World Sentosa.

Shun Tak is firmly rooted in Macau's tourism business, with operations spanning hotels, entertainment attractions, travel consultancies, conventions and transport.

Pansy Ho, managing director of Shun Tak and Mr Ho's daughter, said the firm would capitalise on its strength in hospitality and real-estate development and "apply our experience in serving the demands arising from the burgeoning China and Asian markets".

The Cuscaden Road site was put on sale last month with an asking price of $160 million to $170 million. It was the family home of the late businessman Tan Hoon Siang, who headed several rubber companies in Malaysia and great-grandson of Tan Tock Seng.

The land parcel was bought by the family in the 1950s.

Property analysts believe it is too early to say if this deal and the Shunfu Ville en-bloc sale announced last week are hints of a market upturn.

wrennie@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

RESEARCH engineers from the Agency for Science and Technology (A*Star) have invented and trialled a toilet-monitoring system that can signal when toilets need to be cleaned.

It tracks how heavily rest-rooms are used and has a sensor to measure the odour levels of substances such as ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, which are present in urine and faeces respectively.

The technology, known as the Restroom Visitilizer System, was on trial in more than 60 public toilets islandwide in the past two years, in places such as Marina Bay Sands (MBS) , the Singapore Zoo and River Safari.

Toilets at nine food centres - such as those in Tiong Bahru, Maxwell and Serangoon Gardens - were included too.

The system, developed in 2013, has now been licensed to Convergent Smart Technologies, a local small and medium-sized enterprise.

Its director, Cedric Hoon, said it has received good reviews from cleaning contractors. It costs about $1,700 to $2,000 to install a set of sensors for two toilets.

Dennis Quek, industry development manager at A*Star's Institute for Infocomm Research, said public toilets are typically cleaned at regular intervals several times a day, regardless of how frequently used they are.

Some cleaning firms also act on complaints, most of which are about smell, he added.

Mr Hoon noted that cleaners have a roster for them to physically check the toilets up to six times a day, leading to manpower wastage.

Shopping malls' restrooms can be used by up to 300 people an hour. For those in food centres, the rate hovers at about 100 to 150 an hour.

This new technology offers a "clean on demand" option allowing supervisors to deploy resources more efficiently, said Mr Quek.

Across the toilets that had tested the system, there was a 30 per cent improvement in manpower productivity, he added.

"One cleaner can take care of more toilets - some which aren't so heavily used - and he or she doesn't have to walk around to physically check the toilets," he explained.

Instead, on-demand alerts can be sent by SMS to cleaners if a particular toilet needs immediate attention.

To encourage more building owners to adopt the system, Convergent Smart Technologies signed an agreement this year with the Restroom Association (Singapore), or RAS.

Emerson Hee, RAS' executive director, said it is urging building owners to adopt the technology to better maintain toilet cleanliness and meet higher standards, as part of its six-star rating it introduced in November 2014.

An MBS spokesman said it is constantly looking at ways to improve productivity through the use of technology. It adopted the sensor system in 10 toilets and plans to install it in another 26 this year.

A spokesman for the National University Hospital Kopitiam foodcourt, which installed the system in December last year, said it is a convenient way of obtaining "relevant real-time information" such as the usage and odour level in toilets.

"This is essential for deployment of toilet cleaners and to monitor the amount of time they need to clean up, especially during periods of heavy usage," he added.

ateng@sph.com.sg

Get MyPaper for more stories.

A Singaporean cyclist died while taking part in an event at Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, on Saturday.

Mr Al-Rashid Jamalludin, 58, was riding in the MegaRide MTB Special Edition 2016 - an event where 1,320 participants tackled a range of distances over a rough, muddy terrain, some of it uphill.

Mr Jamalludin collapsed some 10km after the start, said the event's manager, Mr Sariman Samuri.

Mr Sariman told The New Paper yesterday that paramedics had to ride a motorcycle to where Mr Jamalludin had collapsed.

He said: "The trail was an offroad one, so the ground was very rough and uneven, and the ambulance was unable to reach the place.

"I was driving a four-wheel drive so I was able to drive to where the man had collapsed."

Mr Sariman, 53, had been on his way to deliver mineral water to the checkpoint when he received the call from the event crew at around 11am.

When he got to the scene, the Malaysian Civil Defence had pronounced Mr Jamalludin dead.

He said: "The civil defence medic told me that they gave him CPR but to no avail."

Mr Sariman said when he arrived, Mr Jamalludin was lying down with his face covered and his hands folded on his stomach.

Mr Sariman said: "I was very shocked because this has never happened before."

The event was organised by Johor Baru South Leisure Cycling Club, and it was in its sixth year.

Mr Jamalludin's body was taken to the main road in Mr Sariman's vehicle, where it was transferred to an ambulance and taken to Sultan Ismail Hospital.

The participants were not required to provide any health records during registration.

DIFFICULT COURSE

Mr Sariman said: "We have been organising this event for six years. We never request any health records from the participants, as we assume the riders understand the difficulty of the activity.

"This is mountain biking, so the trail is not flat. The riders would have to climb hills and cross small rivers during the trail." Mr Jamalludin took part in the masters category, which is for cyclists over 45 years old in the 35km mountain bike jamboree event.

Mr Jamalludin's family declined comment.

Friends and family of Mr Jamalludin have been leaving their condolences on his Facebook page since yesterday.

His son-in-law, Mr Mahmoud Jnad, left two posts on Facebook, expressing his love for his father-in-law, whom he said was a "wonderful father".

lwenqi@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 24, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.