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Razer CEO says amused to see anti-govt hacks 'try to take my words out of context'

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If you hadn't heard, Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan wrote a lengthy Facebook post yesterday on what he thought about the Singaporean government's attitude toward gaming.

In the post, he referred to their attitude as "schizophrenic" and called the government not to be a "Jon Snow". He cited the censorship of two games - Mass Effect and Counter Strike, as a telling sign on the government's willingness to "arbitrarily ban" video games.

Most interesting was a prediction in his Facebook post. Based on what he read from the article, Mr Tan believed that the government would be doing something soon for Pokemon GO in particular.


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As a Singaporean, I've been incredibly astounded at the schizophrenic attitude the Singapore government has to gaming....

Posted by Min-Liang Tan on Sunday, 24 July 2016


Naturally, many news media outlets reported on the vocal CEO's comments. Some even went so far as to quote his comments as being disparaging to the Singaporean government. This prompted him to write another Facebook post to clarify his position:

"I'm generally happy with how the Singapore govt runs things - I think they've done a great job in general actually - but that doesn't mean I'm going to suck it up when they suggest inane things like monitoring or censoring games."

That should be the same for everyone else. Just because someone speaks out against something doesn't mean they are unhappy or ungrateful for everything. It simply means that there's a place that can be changed to improve the whole situation.

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I'm amused from the comments to see how some would actually like their government to nanny/regulate the way they play...

Posted by Min-Liang Tan on Tuesday, 26 July 2016
Currently, knee-jerk comments on current events often gain so much momentum that it becomes public opinion - and that's just sad.

Why are anti-government sentiments still being thrown into the mix of complex, well-formed arguments about trying to manage and possibly regulate a fledgling industry in Singapore? Development-wise, Singapore is no powerhouse in gaming, and our consumer market isn't exactly huge.

My conversations with the guys from game developers Witching Hour Studios and Sparkjumpers often share the same concern areas: not enough talent, not enough support. It's unfortunate that Singapore's gaming industry has yet to bloom, given that it is currently flourishing in other countries.

Like what Mr. Tan is suggesting, consumers are responsible for their choices. Instead of simply shifting responsibility to the government, people should start talking and start taking ownership of what they will, and are, consuming.

Read also: Fans eager for launch of Pokemon Go here, but trespassers beware

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AGO report: Long delay in MOE review draws scrutiny

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The Ministry of Education's long delay in completing a review to make sure student loans are repaid promptly drew scrutiny from the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) in its annual report out yesterday.

Loans due for recovery from former National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students stood at $228.04 million last June.

This is part of over half a billion dollars in tuition fee and study loans given to students of institutes of higher learning that are outstanding, the AGO said in getting across the magnitude of the issue.

The public sector watchdog highlighted these sums in questioning the Ministry of Education (MOE) over its drawn-out review of a formula used to calculate fees payable to banks for administering the loans.

The AGO had, six years ago, flagged this formula, pointing out that it "discourages" banks from putting in their best efforts to recover outstanding loans.

The MOE gives NUS and NTU the loan principal and absorbs any defaults. Universities outsource administration of the loans to two banks, which are paid fees.

But the AGO found the formula wanting, as the fees are a percentage of total outstanding loan balances.

As of June 30 last year, the outstanding balance of such loans totalled $511.49 million.

"Any recovery or write-off of loans would therefore reduce the outstanding balance and correspondingly the amount of agency fees payable to the banks," it said.

The MOE said then that it would review the formula, and gave targets for completing the review each time the AGO followed up since 2010.

But the AGO noted yesterday that these dates "had been postponed several times", and the review had not been completed as of March.

NUS and NTU also did not put in place adequate controls to ensure loans due were promptly recovered, relying on banks to monitor and recover them, said the AGO.

It checked 116 such loans, and found 27 cases where work to recover them was delayed by one to 31/2 years. It also checked on another 58 loans in default for at least two years and, in 33 cases, the banks could not produce documents showing recovery action "for prolonged periods" of up to 31/2 years.

Even when the banks did flag cases of long-overdue loans, MOE "was not prompt in following up".

The AGO's test-check of 32 loans that the banks said were pending MOE action found that MOE had waited for between two and 61/2 years to follow up on 23 of them.

MOE did not act in the remaining nine cases.

Education Ministry's response

MOE said the majority of tertiary students who take loans are Singaporeans, and the tuition fee and study loan schemes "ensure they do not miss out on tertiary education because of financial constraints".

It is working closely with universities and banks on prompt follow-up of loans in arrears.

"Where the delay in loan repayments is due to instances such as the borrower facing financial difficulty, MOE may allow the borrower to defer the monthly loan instalment repayment or reduce the monthly instalment payable temporarily," it said.

It also said the review of agency fees, part of a larger review of service-level agreements with the banks, has taken longer than desirable, and is "expediting the review".

MOE told The Straits Times the default rate for these loans has "remained low", at about 1.4 per cent of the total outstanding loan amounts. In 2014, about 30 per cent of undergraduates and 4 per cent of diploma students from publicly funded institutions tapped government study loans, it said.

MOE added that banks have an established process to follow up with borrowers who are late in repayments. If a borrower consistently misses his repayment, legal action may be taken by the banks, and the borrower and guarantor "are liable to pay all legal costs and expenses on an indemnity basis".

Both NUS and NTU said they are working together with MOE and the banks to review and tighten the existing loans recovery process.

OCBC Bank and DBS Bank, which administer the loans, said they will work closely to help former students in financial difficulties reach a suitable financial arrangement.

OCBC Bank added that the challenges of each recovery case are unique. "Where necessary, we will work with the institutions to facilitate the recovery," it said.


This article was first published on July 27, 2016.
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Motorcyclist critically injured after tree falls on him

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A motorcyclist was critically injured when he was struck by a falling tree while riding to work.

Mr Lee Kar Choon, 23, a Malaysian, was on his way to his job in the production line at a food-manufacturing factory in Senoko, when the accident happened.

"He was just five minutes away from his workplace," his brother-in-law, Mr Jonathan Poh, 27, told The Straits Times over the phone.

The retail associate said the accident happened between 6.30am and 7am a week ago in Admiralty Road West, during heavy rain.

His family still does not know what actually happened and is appealing for anyone with videos or photos of the accident to come forward.

The Straits Times understands the tree which fell was a casuarina and the authorities are investigating the matter.

"He was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where the staff contacted his workplace, which then contacted me," said Mr Poh.

He said Mr Lee was taken to the hospital in a coma, and had to be operated on to remove a blood clot in his brain.

"The doctor told us that his condition is now quite stable, but still critical," Mr Poh said.

As he also suffered a shattered chin bone and cracked cheek bone in the accident, he has to undergo more operations, with the next tomorrow for his chin.

Mr Poh understands that his brother-in-law, who is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU), was found lying on the road, with the tree "right beside his head".

His motorbike, which is black in colour with orange designs, lay some distance away.

"The tree had fallen from the opposite side of the road, so it blocked off two lanes," he said.

Mr Lee has been working here for close to five years. "Up until three years back, he had rented a flat here. But then he had a daughter, so the three of them moved back to Johor Baru," said Mr Poh.

Since then, Mr Lee's routine had been to travel across the Causeway every day, except on Sundays, returning between 5.30and 6 in the evenings.

"The road where the accident took place is on the route Malaysian workers commonly take to get to the factory areas," said Mr Poh.

When they received word of the accident, Mr Poh and his wife drove across the Causeway with Mr Lee's wife and daughter.

Mr Lee is the younger brother of Mr Poh's wife.

Mr Poh said the accident would place a financial burden on his brother-in-law's family.

"His wife is especially worried because, while the medical expenses now are borne by his company, the road to recovery is quite long," he explained.,

"While recovering, he can't work, so they are trying to figure out their finances now."


This article was first published on July 27, 2016.
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Changi ranks 3rd in traveller spending

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Changi is one of only three airports that raked in more than US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion) in spending by travellers last year.

Actual amounts were not stated but Changi was ranked third, behind South Korea's Incheon and Dubai, in a recent study by Swedish duty-free and travel retail consultancy, Generation Research.

Globally, travellers spent a total of US$62 billion at duty-free and airport shops last year, about 3 per cent less than the US$63.8 billion in 2014.

Asia was the only region where spending increased.

Perfumes and cosmetics made up about a third of the total sales, followed by wines and spirits, and fashion and accessories.

With demand for travel in the Asia-Pacific expected to grow in tandem with a burgeoning middle class, airports in the region can expect takings to increase further, said experts.

For Changi, increasing commercial revenue is key to keeping the airport competitive, as part of the takings are used to subsidise aircraft parking and landing, as well as other aeronautical charges.

When Jewel Changi Airport opens in early 2019, travellers will have more reasons to shop at Changi, said lecturer Raine Anastasia Chin from Singapore Polytechnic's business school.

The multi-storey complex being built in front of Terminal 1 will offer mainly retail and dining options.

Ms Chin said: "We expect the retail scene at Changi to pick up significantly when Jewel is done. The idea is to get travellers, especially those in transit, to spend time and, hopefully, money there."

Expanding retail and dining options to boost revenue and earnings is a growing trend among airports worldwide, she said.

"An airport is no longer just a place people go to, to take a flight," Ms Chin added.

To entice even more travellers and visitors to shop, Changi Airport Group reviews and refreshes its offerings regularly, said its executive vice-president (commercial) Lim Peck Hoon.

New brands recently introduced include Spanish clothing and accessories label Zara's first duplex store in an airport, Saint Laurent Paris boutique, Samsung Experience Store, and Garrett Popcorn.

With the demand for chocolates and sweets growing by 20 per cent year on year, in the first five months of the year, Changi is looking to expand product offerings in this range, Ms Lim said.

Another category becoming popular with shoppers is mid-priced fashion, as carried by brands like Charles & Keith, Uniqlo, Giordano and Pandora.

To catch those who may not have much time to shop, the airport's online shopping portal, iShopChangi, which was launched in 2013, now offers more than 6,000 items.

Earlier this month, two new product categories - books and Lego - were introduced.

With the service, travellers can confirm their orders 18 hours to two weeks before their departure flights and pick up the items at any of the designated collection points.

Ms Lim said: "With passengers becoming more well-travelled and retail trends constantly evolving, Changi needs to ensure that our retail strategy and value propositions remain relevant to our shoppers."

Housewife Jane Lim, 36, a Singaporean, said: "It's not just the shopping; there are so many other things to see and do at Changi Airport while waiting for a flight. Some airports are really lame but many of the major hubs do offer a decent range of shopping and dining options."


This article was first published on July 27, 2016.
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Sexualised orientation activities: Would you want your daughter to do this?

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UPDATE: Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung said that the sexualised orientation games cannot be tolerated, and that orientation activities must be carried out in a manner that respects the dignity of the freshmen.

In a Facebook post, he described games which involved pretending to ejaculate into the face of a fellow student as a "reprehensible act", and said that activities which goaded students to act out a rape scene "not only degrades the suffering of rape victims, it inflicts fresh humiliation on female students."

Mr Ong acknowledged that orientation activities can be rigorous, creative and wild, and that students may sometimes push the boundaries.

"But at all times, we must respect human dignity and remember the point and purpose of a university education," he wrote. He added that: "Protesting such acts has nothing to do with being prudish or a bad sport, everything to do with respect for human dignity."

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Entering university is a heady experience. It is an adventure that as a father to two teenage girls, I hope that my own...

Posted by Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday, 27 July 2016

As the National University of Singapore (NUS) began its crackdown on sexualised activities during orientation games yesterday, Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed surprise and concern that such activities are still happening.

Several orientation camp organisers in NUS were called up for questioning by the school administration, following The New Paper's report on sexualised games at some of the camps.

Some female participants said they were pressured into taking part in these games despite their discomfort. The games included a simulated rape between siblings, embarrassing questions about sluttiness and bodily fluids, and inappropriate body contact.

TNP understands that the NUS Students' Union, in particular, is under intense scrutiny, but has so far denied allegations of indecency.

Many people were outraged by the report and MPs called on the school to take a closer look at such activities.

In a statement yesterday, an NUS spokesman said that inappropriate activities and behaviours are not condoned by the school and "strong disciplinary action" will be taken.

"NUS takes an extremely serious view of the recent media report and feedback on instances of offensive and completely inappropriate orientation activities," she said.

"We are very disappointed that... instances of offensive and completely inappropriate orientation activities that were not submitted nor endorsed have surfaced."

About 40 orientation camps were organised by the different faculties, halls, student union, and school societies in NUS this year.

The spokesman said that all students involved in organising and leading the camps were briefed by the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) before the activities were carried out.

They were also given a list of dos and don'ts.

She said: "Students were also made aware that strong disciplinary actions will be taken against offenders.

"In addition, all proposed orientation programmes and activities had to be endorsed and cleared by the relevant supervisors, such as hall masters and vice-deans, as well as OSA, before they could proceed. Students were asked to remove inappropriate activities."

An e-mail was sent to all NUS students yesterday to assure them that the school is "committed to providing students with a safe and secure environment".

Mr Seah Kian Peng, who is on the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Education, was surprised that sexually suggestive activities were still going on despite complaints over the past decade.

After finding out details of some of the activities, he described them as "unnecessary and humiliating".

He urged the universities to take a hard look at these activities and examine the purpose of such camps.

"If the purpose of an orientation camp is team bonding or a rite of passage, such behaviour cannot be justified in any way. They have definitely crossed the line," he said.

"During the planning process, the leaders should just ask themselves: Is this something they would want their younger siblings to go through?

"If they had a daughter, would they want her to experience this?"

Ms Denise Phua, GPC chairman for education, urged the organisers to reflect on the purpose of orientation camps. She said: "They should consider other activities that are less controversial and still fun and memorable."

Photo taken at Singapore Institute of Management-University of London's (SIM-UOL) orientation games in 2011. PHOTO: Wanbao reader. 

PARENTS REACT

Many parents were shocked to read about the sexualised activities at NUS and some went on TNP's Facebook page to register their disapproval.

Netizen Yoshimura Isaac wrote: "Frankly, if my daughter goes for such a orientation, then I will make sure I change her to another school. It's supposed to be teaching things that are useful to their future, not teaching them to do or act (in) such a manner."

Another netizen, Alvin Teow, wrote: "If NUS doesn't deal with this in the right way, then all parents should think thrice about letting their daughters enrol in NUS."

TNP reader Josephine Ng, 46, a housewife, called the activities ridiculous and embarrassing.

"When I read the article, I could not believe it. I've read past reports and this is not excusable," said the mother of two girls aged 12 and 14.

"If the school cannot handle it, then I think it's time the Government steps in," she said.

"Such activities have a long-term impact, not just on the students but on Singapore's image as well."

Ms Phua said that parents are understandably concerned.

"But their children are no longer kids, and they must let them decide if they wish to take part in such activities," she said.

In previous years, it was reported that the Social Development Unit (SDU), which was formed in 1984 to promote marriages among graduate singles, had sponsored many of the orientation camps in universities.

In 2008, a letter to The Straits Times forum page complained about risque activities at orientation camps and called for SDU and the universities to monitor the activities.

An SDU spokesman said at the time that it had informed students who sought its support to keep physical contact to a minimum.

The unit was renamed the Social Development Network (SDN) in 2009.

An SDN spokesman told TNP yesterday: "Since January 2016, SDN has ceased its funding for university camps and events."

A forfeit previously done at camps in NTU and NUS in 2008, where one person pretends to be a pole while the other pole-dances. PHOTO: Stomp.

Clear guidelines for NUS orientation

An NUS spokesman told The New Paper that clear guidelines on dos and don'ts were set for orientation activities.

DOS:

  • Risk assessment and management to ensure safety is not compromised
  • Protect interests of members of university community
  • Uphold image of university
  • Seek consent from relevant authorities
  • Social propriety (for example, no abusive language)
  • Respect dignity of individuals (no ragging)
  • Participation should be optional with no coercion
  • Responsible use of premises and facilities on campus
  • All activities to be conducted between 7am and 11pm to allow sufficient rest for participants

DON'TS:

  • Orientation activities must not include intimidation, humiliation or violation of dignity of individuals (for instance, ragging)
  • No group regimentation including marching, mass physical exercise and shouting on campus
  • No harassment or undesirable behaviour towards any individual
  • No individual or group ragging (such as shouting or use of abusive language against freshman)
  • No activities that may cause physical harm or emotional distress
  • No acts against personal or religious precepts and races
  • No activities aimed at testing physical prowess, level of confidence and "fear factor"
  • No activities involving use of dangerous and inflammable substances
  • "Fright Nights" and its variations are strictly banned
  • No activities involving physical intimacy with the opposite sex
  • No activities involving raw food/ingredients and condiments

Unfair to generalise: Orientation leader

Sexualised activities are not the norm at NUS orientation camps, an orientation group leader (OGL) said yesterday.

Speaking in his personal capacity, Mr Siew Jowen, 22, told The New Paper: "I felt that it was unfair to the other orientation groups in this camp, and other orientation camps, because such incidents are isolated."

He said the re-enactment of the incestuous rape scene did not take place in his group. "I did not even know this rape game existed," he said.

The NUS Students' Union camp has 20 orientation groups this year, each led by a different OGL. Before and during the games, OGLs will ask the participants if they feel comfortable with the activities, Mr Siew said.

"Anyone is free to pull out. We respect people's choice and we will not make them feel bad for quitting," he said.

And some participants did sit out for some of the games. "We tend to see the same few participants sitting out. All the games planned by the camp committee are non-sexualised," he said.

Asked about how games become sexualised, Mr Siew said: "We are all adults so there might be sexual innuendo that slipped (in). However, none of them is intentional."

Photo taken at Singapore Institute of Management-University of London's (SIM-UOL) orientation games in 2011. PHOTO: Wanbao reader. 

SMU bans improper themes, NTU stays alert

The Singapore Management University (SMU) has guidelines for its freshmen orientation camp (FOC) activities to ensure that close physical contact between the sexes is kept to a minimum.

Activities with improper themes are prohibited, a SMU spokesman told The New Paper yesterday.

There are other rules to ensure the safety and well-being of camp participants.

For example, rules on separate sleeping arrangements for men and women are strictly enforced and alcohol consumption is prohibited.

The SMU FOC, which is funded by the university, is organised by the SMU Students' Association and the Office of Student Life.

All student organisers and student facilitators involved in the FOC undergo training via workshops on risk assessment and management, games leadership, facilitation and CPR-AED certification.

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has similar guidelines for its orientation activities. This year, NTU "redefined" these activities to focus on values including inclusiveness and mutual respect.

NTU Associate Professor Kwok Kian Woon, Associate Provost (student life), said: "... Organisers of orientation activities have been advised not to pair or group participants together based on gender or any other factor.

"Unwanted or unwelcome physical contact and other activities that are not in keeping with the orientation objectives and student code of conduct are strictly prohibited, and the university will not hesitate to take disciplinary action in such cases."

Associate Prof Kwok said that professors and staff in the schools and halls have also become more involved and proactively supporting the student leaders' and orientation organisers' efforts.

He said: "... No student should take advantage of any freshman.

"We are aware of the issues and have been working closely with NTU student leaders to encourage greater safety and responsible behaviour during orientation, dedicating significant university resources to their activities."


This article was first published on July 27, 2016.
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Singapore's low birth rate poses economic problems, as Asia's demographic stress rises

$50m unauthorised investment by Mindef among lapses flagged by AG

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SINGAPORE - An audit of Singapore government bodies has uncovered lapses in financial controls and governance of public funds - lapses which have led to the loss of government revenue and raised concerns over governance practices.

Among these were investments made by the Defence Ministry (Mindef) without proper approval or evaluation, and donations raised by the Nanyang Polytechnic for an unauthorised purpose.

Also uncovered in various government bodies were lapses in their administration of programmes, such as the lack of oversight by the Education Ministry (MOE) in the monitoring and enforcement of scholarship bonds; there were also failings in its management of contracts.

These were the main findings in the report by the Auditor-General (AG) for the financial year 2015/16, based on its audit of the financial accounts of government ministries, organs of state and statutory boards, among others.

The report said: "In this year's audits, the AGO (Auditor-General's Office) uncovered a number of instances of inadequate financial controls over government operations, including those outsourced to external operators.

"There were (also) cases of inadequate controls over the collection of fees resulting in loss of revenue to the government."

In one instance, the AGO found that Mindef had made a S$50.26 million investment in an American real estate investment trust exchange-traded fund without the requisite approval of the SAVER-Premium Fund's board of trustees.

It also found that Mindef had made the investment through an investment manager without first obtaining the board's approval to appoint this manager to render such services.

In another case, AGO found that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) did not have adequate oversight of the operations of its car parks in industrial estates and residential estates that were outsourced to commercial operators.

In many instances, vehicles were not charged parking fees and motorists evaded payment by manipulating the car park system.

There was also the case of the Land Transport's Authority's "weak" controls over the collection of toll at the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints, which resulted in an under-collection of toll amounting to an estimated S$13.93 million; this was a fifth (21.9 per cent) of the total toll collected the year before (FY2014/15).

Also flagged by the AGO in its report were instances of poor governance over the management of public funds.

Specifically, this related to the dealings of Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) with a subsidiary.

"AGO noted that some members of NYP's board of governors with vested interests in a subsidiary of NYP were involved in the evaluation and decision-making process on matters relating to the subsidiary, including the approval of a funding model that was more generous than that provided for in the government's instructions."

It also noted that NYP did not charge market rates for premises used by the subsidiary and had given funding in excess of that approved by the board.

This resulted in hidden subsidies and excess funding totalling S$8.38 million given to the subsidiary from its inception in 2007 until March 2015.

"NYP's practices reflect a disregard for financial controls and proper governance," the AGO's report said.

The AGO also found that NYP had allowed the name of the Nanyang Polytechnic Education Fund, an Institution of a Public Character (IPC), to be used to solicit donations for a purpose not authorised under the fund.

It said that, even after the AGO's enquiry, "NYP also did not take proper actions to regularise the matter".

The MOE came under fire for not maintaining adequate oversight of two universities' monitoring and enforcement of scholarship bonds.

It found 14 cases where Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) either failed to send letters to remind scholars of their bond obligations and the consequences of not fulfilling them, or failed to send letters of demand to impose liquidated damages where warranted.

The letters were late by as much as two years.

The AGO also observed that there were inadequate controls to ensure that tuition fee loans and study loans due - amounting to S$228.04 million as at June 30, 2015 - were promptly recovered.

It noted that the two universities relied on outsourced agents to monitor and recover the loans, and that actions to recover and follow up on default cases were not taken in timely fashion in a number of instances.

"MOE also did not follow up promptly on long-outstanding loans surfaced by the outsourced agents for its review. Such control weaknesses would adversely affect the recoverability of the loans and increase the risk of loss of public funds," the AGO said.

There were also lapses in the management of contracts by the HDB and the National Arts Council (NAC).

In its audit of the HDB, the AGO's test checks on the accounts of 36 contracts relating to the construction and upgrading of HDB flats, with final payments totalling S$37.62 million, revealed delays of up to 3.3 years in making final payments to contractors.

For the audit of the NAC, the AGO's test checks of contracts for the Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall Redevelopment project revealed that 47 out of 164 variation works were carried out before approvals were given.

The delays in obtaining approval were up to 3 1/2 years.

Some of the ministries and stat boards in question have responded to the AGO report.

The MOE said in a statement that it takes a serious view of the issues flagged by the AGO, and that it has taken action "to rectify irregularities, as well as strengthen processes and internal controls".

It pointed out that "most of the lapses flagged by AGO were from earlier graduation batches", before the ministry had worked with the universities to tighten and enhance processes in monitoring and enforcing the scholarship bonds.

It said default rates have fallen "significantly" over the last three years.

It said it would "continue to work closely with the universities to ensure that the processes are applied rigorously, and that international students take their obligations seriously".

NYP said in its statement that it has "commenced a detailed review of the areas highlighted to ensure that measures are put in place to effectively address the issues of concern".

It explained that selected board members and staff of NYP were appointed to the board of its subsidiary, Nanyang Polytechnic International Private Limited (NYPi) "to ensure alignment of objectives".

It said NYPi's board directors do not receive separate directors' fees and that "none of the decisions cited in the audit observations yielded personal gain for any of the individuals involved".

Still, it said, it is putting in place a governance framework for its board members on the handling of transactions with NYP's subsidiaries.

It added that it has started charging NYPi market rate rental and has informed NYP's board of the excess funding and is awaiting its decision.

As for the donations, NYP said the funds were originally raised to provide financial assistance to needy graduates and that it has informed MOE of this and has written to the donors to seek their approval to direct their donations to this purpose instead.


This article was first published on July 27, 2016.
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Who says Singaporeans aren't creative? See their responses to PM Lee's National Day Rally contest post

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When you call on the Internet to do something, you can expect to get a full-forced reaction from the madding crowd.

Remember what happened when Britain's National Environment Research Council (NERC) polled the Internet earlier this year to come up with a name for its new polar research ship and RSS Boaty McBoatface came up in tops with over 120,000 votes?

Well in that case, luckily the NERC reserved the right to choose a name it deemed fit.

Over in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took to his Facebook page on Wednesday (July 27) morning to ask Singapore residents: "What would you do if you could be PM for 12 hours?".

Residents stand a chance to attend the upcoming National Day rally on Sunday, Aug 21, if they answer the question in 50 words or less with their responses posted on their own social media accounts with the hashtag #‎InviteMeToNDR‬.

They have to screenshot the post and send it via e-mail to the address provided in Mr Lee's post.

In just two hours of the posting, there were immediate responses to Mr Lee's post. Some were altruistic in nature, others were just self-centred.

Either way, the ideas that came streaming in seemed to be made in the name of good fun, and thankfully, Mr Lee is still Prime Minister. Phew....

Without further ado, here are our favourites:

The truth-tellers

YK Cheah: If I could be PM for 12 hours, I would ensure all the philanthropists in the world would donate 99 per cent of their worth into my personal bank account for the wellbeing of Singaporeans.

Seng Beo: Declare martial law and install myself as dictator so that I have more than 12 hours to do what I want to do.

David Tan Kok Kheng: I will make my son DPM to make him realise the challenge running Singapore..I will make my father the President so that he can live in Istana for a day..For the last 2 hours, I will chill in the pool Mr LKY swam in...Invite me please..

Jc Kor Lim: Declare another public holiday!

The thinkers

Choon Kin Goh: I will speak on TV & social media live broadcast with a panel including Tommy Koh etc for few hours on why we must speak softly at home and in public places as a developed and gracious nation. After which, tour around Istana before returning home as common citizen.

Claire Sauvanaud Piquard: I would have a law to impose reduction by 1 or 2 degrees of the temperature of a/c in Singapore. Also I would pass a law on waste recycling.

The ones who mean business

All medication must be sold by pharmacies

Vanessa Szeto: I would put in a law that all medication MUST be sold by pharmacies! No Doctors are allowed to sell "drugs" and earn a profit! This will make medicine much cheaper and affordable for all! I will make a law such that every private practice specialist (Dr) will have to accept FREE consultation of 1 patient referred by Government hospital every quarter as service to the Nation. (Regardless of rich or poor, everyone should be entitled to the best treatment without Queuing for months!) Everyone will get sick one way or another. I believe this law will benefit everyone.

Welcome more tourist spending

Daniel Tay: "What would you do if you could be PM for 12 hours?", open up "visa-on-arrival", welcome more tourist increase spending in our country, all 5 star rated hotel has to be "Halal certified" so as to prepare middle east tourist, every year their summer holiday, their average spending at Malaysia, KL, Penang & Langkawi is RM3,000 per day, and every year 3 months with 5 million tourist visit, JB and Melaka is not able to attract these group, we has to try very hard for them to shop here. learn from Thailand do not jail them for over stay, let them pay fine and deport them out , let them come again.every year during CNY holiday, average few million visit thailand from china. open up street hawker, open air BBQ, promote spending, change all public buses battery operated, battery cell changeable, Guinness world record for 17 tonne coach can travel 1,018 km, lower all ezlink transport fare.

Now, who said Singaporeans aren't a creative lot?

spanaech@sph.com.sg

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Downtown Line ridership more than triples after opening of 2nd phase

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The number of commuters who use the Downtown Line (DTL) has more than tripled since the line's second stage (DTL2) opened in December last year.

In a statement on Wednesday (July 27), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that average daily ridership on the DTL on weekdays more than tripled from 83,000 in October 2015 to more than 250,000 in mid-July 2016.

Since the DTL2 opened, there has also been an increase of about 60 per cent in the average number of journeys on public transport (comprising DTL2 and public buses) to and from towns along the DTL corridor.

"It is likely that more commuters have shifted from driving to taking the DTL," LTA noted, adding that more commuters along the North-South Line and North East Line are also transferring to the DTL to reach the city.

The DTL is Singapore's fifth MRT line. At present, it connects Bukit Panjang in the West to Bugis in central Singapore. The third and final stretch of the Downtown Line will open next year, and connect commuters to areas in the East such as Kallang Bahru, Bedok and Tampines.

At the same time, the DTL has reduced passenger loads on other MRT lines. Ridership on the North-South Line from Bukit Batok to Jurong East, and along the East-West Line between Jurong East and Clementi, has decreased by up to 10 per cent during the morning peak hours, LTA revealed.

According to the authority, more commuters living along the DTL corridor have switched from using buses to trains for their daily commute, resulting in up to 6 per cent improvements in the speeds of bus services plying those areas.

Conversely, feeder bus services bringing commuters to DTL stations, such as Services 920 and 922 in Bukit Panjang, have experienced increased riderships.

To meet the increased demand, LTA said that it has introduced new or extended but services to connect commuters to the MRT stations.

seanyap@sph.com.sg

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Ex-Traffic Police clerk jailed 18 weeks, fined $2,500 for leaking accident victims' details

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A woman who had worked as a clerk for the Traffic Police was sentenced to jail and fined on Wednesday (July 27) for leaking the details of traffic accident victims to a law firm in exchange for monetary rewards.

In a statement, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said that Khatijah A. Manap, was jailed for 18 weeks and fined $2,500 for corruption and offences under the Official Secrets Act.

Khatijah, a 61-year-old Singaporean, had received cash amounting to $2,500 for communicating the victims' information without authorisation to Gulzar Raja Singh Sandhu, a legal executive with Clifford Law.

Earlier in June, she had pleaded guilty to five charges under the Official Secrets Act (OSA), as well as three charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

During the sentencing, another 18 charges under the OSA and five charges under the PCA were taken into consideration.

According to The Straits Times, Khatijah, who was in charge of recording the movement of Traffic Police investigation papers, had previously engaged the services of the law firm after she had been involved in a road accident in 2008. After she had received the payout of her accident claim, she agreed to a proposal by Mr Raja for her to sell the contact details of accident victims to him.

She was paid about $200 for each victim who engaged the law firm's services, and received a total of about $2,500 between August 2010 and February 2013.

Under the OSA, a person found guilty of wrongful communication of information under the OSA may be fined up to $2,000 and jailed for up to two years.

Meanwhile, anyone found guilty under the PCA may be fined up to $100,000 and jailed for up to five years.

CPIB stressed that it takes a serious view of any corrupt practices, and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts.

seanyap@sph.com.sg

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Yang Yin trial: Ex-tour guide changes mind again, decides not to plead guilty

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The long-running Yang Yin saga took yet another twist on Wednesday (July 27), when the former tour guide "changed his mind" and decided not to plead guilty to misappropriating $1.1 million from an elderly widow.

The about-turn came less than three weeks after Yang had abruptly decided to plead guilty to two criminal breach of trust charges on the fifth day of the trial.

But in court on Wednesday morning, lawyer Irving Choh confirmed that Yang had once again changed his mind and decided to continue with the trial.

According to Lianhe Wanbao, he confirmed his decision not to plead guilty, saying: "There are still many pieces of evidence that we have yet to show."

Yang is accused of misappropriating $500,000 and $600,000 from 89-year-old Madam Ching Khin Chun on two separate occasions.

He had at first told police that he used the $500,000 to buy a painting of a horse by renowned Chinese artist Xu Beihong. He later claimed that the half-a-million sum had been a "gift" to him from the elderly widow.

But earlier in the trial, the prosecution had presented an art expert as a witness, who testfied that the painting was a fake worth a paltry $200.

Meanwhile, he claimed that the second sum of $600,000 was purportedly to be used to open an art gallery in Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, the prosecution's final witness, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jane Lim took the stand.

According to Lianhe Wanbao, she told the court that Yang had given two differing accounts over how he had spent the $600,000 when he was interviewed by police in 2014.

He at first claimed that after taking out the $600,000, he had passed the cash to Madam Chung. But he later changed tune, saying that he had used the money to buy paintings.

DSP Lim also revealed that before the alleged misappropriations, Madam Chung had assets of about $2.74 million, comprising $950,000 in her bank account and $1.78 million in unit trusts in 2009.

However by August 2014, she was left with only $9,212 in her bank account, Wanbao reported.

Yang had been Madam Chung's tour guide in Beijing in 2008. A year later, he moved in to stay with her in her Gerald Crescent bungalow.

By 2012, the childless widow had granted full control of her assets to Yang via a Lasting Power of Attorney. However, when she was diagnosed with dementia in 2014, her niece, Madam Hedy Mok, begun court proceedings against Yang.

He was charged with 349 criminal offences and pleaded guilty to 120 of these in May this year, including offences involving his permanent residency and falsification of receipts.

seanyap@sph.com.sg

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Furious Robot Kitty event crew seek $50,000 unpaid salary from organiser

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More than 70 people who worked for Mighty Eight, organiser of Robot Kitty Singapore, as temporary crew members last month (June), have claimed they are owed salaries amounting to $50,000 in total.

They are mostly students who were required to perform duties such as ushering, briefing and manning stalls at the Suntec Convention Centre event.

Some of their contracts stated they were to begin work on June 9 for a 12-day period. Their salaries were to be paid on July 22.

But none of them have received payment so far.

The figures were disclosed to The New Paper yesterday by The HR Ecology, the company that recruited the workers - aged between 17 and 24 - on behalf of Mighty Eight.

Mighty Eight's director, Mr Teo Choon Leng, has not been contactable, except when a group of workers confronted him at a warehouse sale.

Malcolm Chua, 17, was one of the workers who had unsuccessfully tried to reach Mr Teo.

'UPSETTING'

The tertiary student told TNP yesterday: "This has been a very troublesome and upsetting process (of trying to get our salaries). We're feeling tired and helpless."

Malcolm said his group of co-workers, who had been promised salaries of between $400 and $1,000, have filed 19 police reports.

One report lodged by Nicholas Ho, 17, on July 25, said he had been notified on June 23 by The HR Ecology to collect his pay directly from Mighty Eight's office.

Mr Teo was supposed to contact Nicholas "on a future date to proceed down to the (Mighty Eight) office to collect the pay".

But it never happened.

Malcolm showed TNP his contract, which stated that Mighty Eight would pay him $800 in "service fee".

Malcolm said: "I was basically earning $6.50 an hour. If I had known, I could have found better paying jobs without the hassle I'm facing now."

The issue of non-payment of salaries has surfaced online.

Ms Rachael Lee posted on Facebook: "We have run out of options and hope that you (netizens) will help us out."

She told TNP yesterday that she was hired to brief visitors at the event.

She was one of two people who confirmed Mr Teo's identity when they were shown his photograph.

Ms Lee said phone calls made to Mr Teo at his Genting Lane office and a visit there proved fruitless as the office has been left vacant.

Last weekend, some disgruntled workers, including staff from The HR Ecology, confronted Mr Teo at a warehouse sale in MacPherson, where he was selling Robot Kitty merchandise.

Malcolm and his colleagues demanded their unpaid salaries.

Mr Teo allegedly told them he had no money and they should find a lawyer and go to the Ministry of Manpower.

Said Malcolm: "He told us he owed other people $3 million. There was no 'sorry' said to us. From the start, I think he had no intention of apologising."

The claims against Mighty Eight may not be covered under the Employment Act, as there is no employer-employee relationship. The work done by Malcolm and his co-workers is termed as contract for service or independent contractors.

But one of the avenues for redress is to file individual claims at the Small Claims Tribunal, said lawyer Satwant Singh.

Mr Singh said: "The lesson here is to do background checks on the company you intend to work for. What you learn from your research could save you a lot of heartache later."

When the TNP team visited Mr Teo's flat at Ubi Avenue 1 last night, nobody was home.

His mobile phone number is no longer in service.


This article was first published on July 28, 2016.
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Boatman injured in crash with OBS craft

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Lawyer N. Srinivasan, 49, was taking a walk along Punggol Point Jetty on Sunday morning when he witnessed a dramatic collision between a small fishing boat and an Outward Bound School (OBS) boat.

The impact caused the fishing boat to flip in the air and overturn. The 70-year-old boatman, Mr Toh Kia See, who was seated at the back of the vessel at that time, was flung overboard, Mr Srinivasan told The Straits Times yesterday.

Mr Srinivasan, who said he has an interest in boats, was observing the OBS boat as it arrived at the jetty at about 7am to drop off a few staff members.

"As (the OBS boat) was going back to Pulau Ubin, it started to speed and, a few seconds later, it hit the back of the fishing boat, crashing directly into the boatman," he said.

"The fishing boat flew up and it came down, and the boatman couldn't be found. At that point, I thought he was dead."

Mr Toh was later taken to Changi General Hospital, where he remains warded in the surgical intensive care unit.

He suffered fractures to his head and hip bone, and possible injuries to his spine and ribcage, said Mr Srinivasan, who visited him in the hospital on Tuesday.

"His condition looked serious. He was conscious, but he couldn't talk or move," he said, adding that Mr Toh had to be put on a ventilator as he had breathing difficulties.

Mr Toh's daughter declined comment when The Straits Times visited the hospital yesterday.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore yesterday said it was notified of the accident at about 7.20am on Sunday and its vessel was sent to the scene immediately to carry out investigations.

A spokesman for the National Youth Council (NYC) said that staff from OBS had rescued the boatman and provided immediate first aid. OBS is a division under the council.

In a statement yesterday, a council spokesman said it is in close contact with the boatman's family to offer "any assistance to support them".

The spokesman said: "NYC and OBS take a serious view of operational safety and are working with the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation."

Mr Srinivasan said the OBS boatman, who looked to be his 30s, had pulled into the jetty earlier, about 3m away from him. He left soon after and no one else was on board the boat at that time.

When he saw the two boats collide about 20m away from the jetty later, Mr Srinivasan's first instinct was to alert the Police Coast Guard nearby.

Mr Toh was brought back to the shore lying on the back of the OBS boat and groaning in pain, he said. The OBS boatman suffered cuts on his knees.

Mr Srinivasan said he made the trip to the hospital on Tuesday hoping to give the family his account of the incident, saying: "The truth must be told."

He added: "He's a superman to survive this."


This article was first published on July 28, 2016.
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Shisha ban takes its toll on eateries

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Time has run out for establishments here that have shisha tobacco on the menu to phase it out and find other business models.

From Monday, they will have to stop serving shisha.

Shisha was banned in November 2014, but the authorities allowed existing retailers and importers to sell it until July 31 this year.

However, many of them say shisha was their main offering and that they have not been able to find other sustainable models.

Thus, they say, it is the end of the line for them, too.

The Ministry of Health had said in a press statement, when shisha tobacco was banned, that the grace period was to allow retailers "ample time to deplete their stock and restructure their business away from shisha".

However 18 out of 20 cafes and restaurants contacted in the Kampong Glam and Boat Quay areas said the non-shisha models they tried have not worked well.

When The Straits Times visited last Friday, two licensed restaurants were selling shisha: Derwish Turkish Restaurant in Bussorah Street and the Sahara Restaurant in Boat Quay.

MOVING ON, WITHOUT SHISHA ON THE MENU

Twelve out of 14 restaurants that have depleted their stock of shisha tobacco in the past year said they lost about 60 per cent of their customers after they stopped providing it, while the remaining two put their loss at about 90 per cent.

Mr Esad Sedjic, 46, who owns four restaurants including Sahara Restaurant in Boat Quay, said: "I tried to restructure my business model, focusing on Mediterranean cuisine and expanding the menu, but it has been unsuccessful, as our patrons come solely for shisha.

"I have already put up two of my restaurants on sale. After the end of July, I will have to reconsider continuing business at Sahara as well."

Mr Mahmoud Mohamed, 28, who owns Elhalal Restaurant in Haji Lane, is another proprietor planning to sell his business soon.

When he stopped selling shisha 15 months ago, his customer numbers dropped drastically.

"The business is not profitable for me any more," he said.

While many cafe owners lament the ban, some, such as the owner of Derwish Turkish, Mr Mohamad Salim, 35, agree with its rationale.

He said: "Before, this area used to see many underage smokers, lower seating capacity and fights breaking out regularly.

"Now, I see more families and children frequenting the area, and it is peaceful here."

Mr Salim has used the two years since the ban to restructure his business.

He closed two other restaurants he owned and focused on improving the menu and building a family-friendly ambience at his remaining establishments.

He said: "What we need now, is more tourism in the area. There should be events and festivals for people to experience the spirit of Kampong Glam and to change the fixation around shisha smoking."

The owner of Blue Jaz Cafe in Bali Lane, Mr Jose Villanueva, 45, has also taken the ban in his stride.

"After we stopped selling shisha in December, we saw a dip in business, but we managed to sustain it.

"The sale of shisha tobacco is not our bread and butter."

Besides selling food and beverages, Blu Jaz Cafe now also hosts more events such as birthday parties and corporate events.

One patron at the Sahara Restaurant, who wanted to be known only as Ms Pang agrees with the ban.

The 27-year-old sales executive said she had smoked shisha regularly for five years, and wanted to stop.

She said: "Perhaps, the ban in Singapore will be the catalyst for people like me to quit the habit."

18

18 out of 20 cafes and restaurants contacted in Kampong Glam and Boat Quay said non-shisha models they tried have not worked well.

60 per cent

Twelve out of 14 restaurants that have depleted their stock of shisha in the past year said they lost 60 per cent of customers after they stopped providing the product.

90 per cent

The remaining two out of 14 restaurants that have depleted their stock put losses at 90 per cent.


This article was first published on July 28, 2016.
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School uses horses to help students work through issues

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Spectra Secondary School is using an unusual method to deliver its Character and Citizenship Education programme to students.

It is using horses in what is called Equine-Assisted Learning Therapy, or Equal, run by non-profit group Equal-Ark Singapore.

Equal - which is usually a 16-session programme - aims to help young people work through emotional and behavioural issues through interaction with horses.

It is offered to vulnerable youth through the Ministry of Social and Family Development, voluntary welfare organisations and some Ministry of Education schemes.

Two other programmes run by the group are Equal Scholar-Lite and Equal Scholars, which are more intense and of longer duration. They add on extensive community engagement, with Equal Scholars providing school and job support services for youth and persons with disabilities who are not in education, employment or training.

For Spectra Secondary, Equal was adapted into its curriculum for all Secondary 2 students.

The therapy is based on the belief that horse-human interaction helps facilitate therapeutic and learning outcomes.

It works by allowing students to interact closely with the horses, which includes experiencing how to lead, groom and even shower the animals.

For example, the theme of respect is explored by allowing the students to interact with a few free-roaming horses in a riding arena. This takes place at the National Equestrian Park in Jalan Mashhor, where Equal-Ark has access to a block of 16 stables, an arena and classrooms.

The students try to guide the animals with hand gestures and body language. Sometimes the horses respond, and sometimes they do not.

Questions are then posed to the students: "How did it feel when the horse did not respond? What did or did not feel respectful?"

After the session, students are asked to reflect on and relate their experience to real-life scenarios both at school and at home.

Equal director Desmond Wong says the equine environment is an effective and novel platform for rehabilitation, with the group seeing 600 beneficiaries every year.

Horses, he says, are "very sensitive to social cues. As such, they provide direct feedback to a youth's emotions and internal state. This helps the facilitators identify and process key issues in a safe space."

Mr S. B. Sivaganesh, the head of department of student development at Spectra Secondary, says that as a result of the therapy, "students are more empathetic towards the needs of their classmates".

"They are also more accommodative and respectful in their daily dealings with their schoolmates".

Spectra Secondary student Zulfaqar Norani, 15, was in the Equal Scholars programme last year while with the Singapore Boys' Hostel.

This year, he is back with his Secondary 2 classmates at Spectra Secondary as a mentor alongside Equal Therapy facilitators.

He was reluctant to go back to school initially, but after the Equal Scholars programme, he decided to enrol in Spectra Secondary again to complete his N levels.

Mr Wong said: "When Zul first came in, he was quite withdrawn and indifferent but, over time, he developed a strong sense of empathy.

"He became, in some ways, a pro-social role model to his peers. The fact that he chose to go back to school was very encouraging to his peers in Equal Scholars."


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Geylang murder suspect taken to crime scene

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The 64-year-old man accused of murdering a coffee shop helper in Lorong 23 Geylang was taken to several locations in the area by the police yesterday morning.

These included the spot where the alleged murder took place, and a hardware shop where Toh Sia Guan is believed to have bought the murder weapon.

Toh allegedly killed Mr Goh Eng Thiam, 52, between 7.30am and 8am on July 9 along Lorong 23.

The victim was found dead on the road with a deep cut from his left ear to the top of his head.

A wooden stick and a bloodied knife were lying nearby.

Toh arrived in Lorong 23 Geylang in a white unmarked van just after 10.30am.

Dressed in a red polo shirt and a pair of navy shorts, he had restraints on his wrists and ankles.

Showing little emotion, he walked down a stretch of the road flanked by two plainclothes police officers.

He was heard speaking to investigators softly in Hokkien as he recalled the sequence of events.

At times, he paused to gesture at several locations, including the spot where a fight allegedly broke out between him and the victim.

Police officers also took him to the alley next to the Victoria Food Court coffee shop at the junction of Lorong 23 and Geylang Road, where Toh is believed to have seen the victim from a distance.

Police investigators were also spotted noting down the escape route that Toh had allegedly taken after committing the crime.

About half an hour later, they went to a hardware shop in Lorong 25, where Toh is believed to have bought the murder weapon.

Toh led police to an aisle inside Budget Value, pointing to a basket of fruit knives stored on the lower shelf.

Each knife was priced at $2.90 with the blade measuring about 15cm.

He also showed them where he bought a pair of yellow slippers costing $4.90. A slipper had been found near the crime scene.

Close to noon, Toh was taken to a back lane next to Lorong Bachok.

He then led police investigators along the shophouses in Lorong 17 to a green trash bin, where he had supposedly thrown his clothes away.

It is understood that he ran to Lorong 3, about 1km away, after that.

Toh's case is due to be mentioned tomorrow.

If convicted of murder, he faces the death penalty.


This article was first published on July 28, 2016.
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Latest case of cat abuse? Feline found impaled with rod in Outram

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A resident at Block 4 Jalan Minyak in Outram found a cat with a rod stuck in its testicles on July 24.

The resident reported this latest incident of cat abuse to the Cat Welfare Society (CWS).

According to a Facebook post, the society has dispatched volunteers to look for the cat, but have been unsuccessful.

A caregiver found that the cat had been abandoned only recently on the 11th floor of the block and has been wandering around the corridors ever since.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has also investigated the matter but went away with no leads.

The CWS reported that one of their mediators has been conducting door-to-door surveys in the area to appeal for information.

The society wrote in its post: "ABUSE HAPPENS EVERYWHERE but only Yishun cases get attention because of top-down support. ABUSE EVERYWHERE MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY."


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Only an offence if drivers hold and use handphones in moving cars, police clarify

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SINGAPORE - Drivers using their mobile phones while in their cars are only committing an offence if the vehicle is moving, if they are holding onto the phone, and if they are using a function of the device.

Superintendent Louis Loke, Head (Operations and Training) reiterated that all three conditions must be fulfilled for it to be considered a handphone driving offence.

He made the clarification at a dialogue session organised by the Traffic Police and the National Taxi Association with taxi drivers on July 12.

A short video of him speaking on the issue was posted on Facebook by road safety community page Roads.sg on Tuesday (July 26).

In the clip, Superintendent Loke clarified that it is not an offence for drivers to use their mobile phones while their cars are stationary at a traffic light, as the vehicle is not in motion.

"But, from a safety point of view, we should always be focused on driving and try not to do other things while driving," he added.

The uncertainty stemmed from the amendment to the Road Traffic Act that came into effect last year, which made it illegal for drivers to hold on to a mobile device while driving.

Previously, it was only an offence if they were using the device.

According to the police, those who commit the offence of handphone driving for the first time may face a fine of up to $1,000, jail of up to six months, or both. The offender may also be disqualified from driving or given 12 demerit points.

Subsequent offenders may be fined up to $2,000, jailed for a maximum of one year, or both.

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Woman who had seizure during tuina massage died of natural causes: Coroner

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SINGAPORE - A 27-year-old woman who suffered a seizure during a tuina therapy session and subsequently fell into a coma was found to have died of natural causes, according to an inquiry into the incident.

The Straits Times reported that Ms Serene Lim Xin Hui was found to have died of a lung infection, usually caused by viruses, which can cause sudden death, the court heard on Thursday (July 28).

According to Lianhe Wanbao, Ms Lim had visited a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic in Orchard after doing some shopping in the area.

While undergoing tuina therapy, her body suddenly went into convulsions and she slipped into a coma. She was sent to Tan Tock Seng hospital where she was pronounced dead.

On Thursday, State Coroner Marvin Bay said no aspect of her treatment, including her massage, had any contribution to her death. 

A pathologist who examined Ms Lim noted that she was underweight, which may have made her more susceptible to infections and make recovery more difficult. This could also have increased the risk of sudden death.

According to NTU Chinese Medicine, tuina therapy is a massage that removes blockages along the body's meridians, and stimulates the flow of 'qi' to promote healing.

A FAQ page on Tan Tock Seng Hospital's website says: "tuina is suitable for people of all ages, including children."

However, Dr Khoo Yong Hak, a doctor in private practice, told The New Paper: "In general, if you are unwell, it is not advisable to have a massage.""The problem is some people don't know they have a medical condition," he added.

Ms Lim was supposed to have started her new job at a bank the day after her visit to the clinic.

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Hijab-wearing woman in viral Instagram photo: I now know how animals on exhibition feel

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SINGAPORE - Her photo has been making its rounds on social media for the past two days, but the attention it garnered has made Ms Sakinah Tan, 23, "feel abit exposed and violated".

An unexpected tender moment shared between Ms Tan and her grandmother warmed the hearts of Singaporeans, who initially thought the pair were strangers. Netizens subsequently held the image up as an emblem of Singapore's multiracial society.

The pair were snapped by a photographer from Today, Mr Jason Quah, and the photo subsequently posted on the media outlet's Instagram account on July 26.

In the photo, Ms Tan was shown sheltering the elderly Chinese lady with her hijab. The original caption read: "A lady shelters an elderly woman from the rain with her head scarf at West Coast Drive".

It was later revealed that Ms Tan is actually the granddaughter of the elderly lady, Madam Annie Loh, 78.

The photo went viral on social media, with mostly positive reactions from netizens, but the attention has taken its toll.

Writing on her blog, Ms Tan says she has mixed feelings about the incident, which has been dubbed "hijabrella" online.

"I now know how animals on exhibition feel", she wrote.

on Facebook

Gulp, so here goes nothing. Read, if you're still even interested in the viral SGAG meme/ TODAY picture. Thank you. Now...

Posted by Sakinah Tan on Wednesday, 27 July 2016

She noted how insensitive comments about the photo like "Is the uploader dumb? They don't look the same", has affected her, and "flushes my family's beautiful history, of tolerance and patience, down the drain".

"People feel like they have the right to decide whether or not she's my grandmother or some random Chinese lady, just based on their yet-to-mature worldview," wrote Ms Tan.

on Facebook

I actually don't geddit; all I did was sayang my nainai. why am i a hero?

Posted by Sakinah Tan on Wednesday, 27 July 2016

Besides being overwhelmed by posts shared to her Facebook account, some netizens have even questioned if the photo was a set-up and accused her of working for the government.

She sheds light on the real story behind the shot:

"On that fateful rainy day, I was sending my Nainai (grandmother in Mandarin) to the clinic and having breakfast with her instead of my mother because I wanted to lighten my mother's burden of travelling on her injured leg, and I honestly just missed my Nainai. Mr Jason Quah was under the block with his professional lens and camera, seeking shelter from the freshly-subsiding rain, when he happened to catch eye of my Nainai and I alighting from the cab."

In the same post, Ms Tan shared snippets into her family history, noting that Madam Loh is her grandmother from her dad's side of the family, who "accepted my mother and my father's love for the Islamic faith with open arms".

Wrote Ms Tan: "My Nainai is the epitome of what every interracial/inter-religious family needs - and I'm extremely grateful/proud that she is my role model."

Ms Tan also added that her mother tongue is in fact Mandarin and she is Chinese by law.

Hoping to make use of the 'temporary viral' attention on her for some good, she goes on to detail issues faced by racially-mixed Muslims that are close to her heart, such as exo-communication by their loved ones; the stigma of being in interracial relationships as well as the loneliness the elderly face.

As a parting shot, Ms Tan added: "May we all learn to love, more than hate, amidst all the terror going on elsewhere in the world."

candicec@sph.com.sg

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Thursday, July 28, 2016 - 21:25
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