Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, may have been well known for his paternalistic and sometimes uncompromising leadership style, but he had a lesser known role: chief gardener.

That's because Lee, who was prime minister from 1959-1990, was the architect behind the city-state's plan to become a garden city.

He introduced that idea in 1967 when he was prime minister. Its elements included roadside greenery, featured most prominently along the East Coast Parkway (ECP) highway, which connects the city-state's international airport to the city centre, with colorful bursts of tropical flowering shrubs and imperiously-tall trees.

The Garden City vision included the creation of national and community parks and initiatives for tree-planting.

The effort began after Singapore separated from the Federation of Malaysia in 1965, leaving the small city-state, which lacks natural resources, searching for direction.

At "The Enduring Ideas of Lee Kuan Yew" panel discussion held last week to mark the one-year anniversary of Lee's death, Chan Heng Chee, chairman of Lee Kuan Yew Center for Innovative Cities at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, cited that as a defining moment for the Garden City vision.

She pointed to a passage from Lee's memoir "From Third World to First: 1965-2000:""After independence, I searched for some dramatic way to distinguish ourselves from the other Third World countries. I settled for a clean and green Singapore."

Chan, Singapore's ambassador to the US from 1996 to 2012, noted that the country's prime minister from 1990-2004, Goh Chok Tong, once joked that Singapore's cabinet must be the only one in the world that read the meeting minutes of a Garden City Action Committee.

"But that's how seriously the Singapore Cabinet took the concept of the garden city," she added.

Series of events held as tribute to Lee Kuan Yew

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The Straits Times, AsiaOne

The island nation underwent rapid urbanization and industrialization from the 1960s to the 1980s, as the government built much-needed infrastructure including public housing, concrete bridges and highways.

But Lee was determined not to turn the island into a dreary concrete jungle, and so 'greening' went hand-in-hand with Singapore's urbanization progress.

"Lee himself picked out the creeper that would grow and cover the overhead flyovers and bridges and I remember we called it the 'Lee Kuan Yew creeper,'" Chan said.

The effort was also aimed at addressing inequality.

"An elected government cannot have certain sections of the city clean and green...and leave the rest to fester," said Lee in a parliament address in 1968.

He was insistent that if Singapore's society was not uniformly clean and luscious with green, it would only be the wealthy which could enjoy gracious surroundings.

That helped to spawn a network of over 300 parks and four nature reserves, spread over an island that's smaller than metropolitan New York.

It's a vision that's made a mark around the region.

The Foreign Secretary of India Subrahmayam Jaishankar, another speaker at the panel discussion, pointed to India's current environmental campaigns, including Swachh Bharat (Clean India) and the Ganga Rejuventation project to clean up the country's storied riverfront and deal with pollution there.

"Reflect on where the ideas came from, and what model [India] is looking at," said Jaishanakar, also a former India High Commissioner to Singapore.

"In a sense, Lee created a brand of nationalism, but the difference was that the progress was reflected through achievements and projects rather than appealing to emotion," he said.

When part of the boundary wall of a 129-year-old former lunatic asylum and at least four 19th-century tombstones were found on the grounds of Singapore General Hospital (SGH) in late 2014, experts described them as "significant" historical structures.

But extensive plans to redevelop the SGH campus in Outram over the next 20 years were unveiled last month, and the "tomb-hunter" who found the remnants feared that they could be lost forever.

However, the Ministry of Health, in response to The Straits Times, has given the assurance that the 3m-high wall and nearby tombstones "will not be affected" by the recently announced redevelopment. Its spokesman said it is "mindful" that the SGH campus has a rich history and "will preserve its heritage features and structures as far as possible", adding that detailed plans for the individual structures are still being worked out.

They were found by Mr Charles Goh, 48, a senior safety manager of a construction company, during his free time. Mr Goh was relieved to hear the news and believes the structures can add character to the site, which is being earmarked as a new research park.

"Development is usually prioritised over heritage," he said. "In this case, it's heartening to know that the authorities are sensitive and willing to protect the different layers of the site's history for future generations. It's something other organisations and developers can emulate."

The wall once fenced the 300- bed New Lunatic Asylum - one of Singapore's three early psychiatric hospitals. It operated from 1887 to 1928 and was the predecessor of the Institute of Mental Health.

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The Straits Times

The National Heritage Board published an online video documentary about the wall in November 2014. The crumbling structure, which is about 75m long, was found wrapped by creeper plants and tree roots.

Associate Professor Ng Beng Yeong, head and senior consultant psychiatrist at SGH's department of psychiatry, and author of a book on the history of mental health services in Singapore, said at the time that the wall served as a reminder that the asylum had been revolutionary.

It had practised patient kindness by reducing restraints to the bare minimum and doing away with straitjackets.

The tombs were part of the 1866 Chua clan cemetery. Part of it was later acquired by Thian Hock Keng temple trustee Chua Bian Kay. The tombstones could have been forgotten or left behind when the land was cleared in the 1920s to make way for the hospital and housing projects.

The site is skirted by College Road, Jalan Bukit Merah and MacAlister Road.

Tomb expert Mr Raymond Goh, 52, a director of a healthcare company, studied the inscriptions on the headstones and found they belonged to members of the Chua family including Chua Soon Chin (1878) and womenfolk such as Ee Liang Neo (1872) and Ho Koon Neo, whose grave states that she died during the 1862-1875 reign of Chinese emperor Tongzhi.

The heritage community has given suggestions on how these structures can be incorporated into the design of the revamped site.

Mr Charles Goh wants to see them worked into the new research park. He said: "Professors and scientists working at the research park could still have a manicured landscape, with the headstones added to the space as a spot to reflect on the past and the people who have come before them."

The Singapore Heritage Society's executive committee member Dr Yeo Kang Shua believes the redevelopment is an opportunity for the authorities to "develop a coherent historical narrative and improved access to these historic structures".

Noting that SGH already has a museum, Dr Yeo said: "Why not draw up a walking trail where recuperating patients and guests can take a stroll to these sites as part of the objective to encourage healthy living?"

The Health Ministry added that other memorials within the SGH campus will be retained as much as possible, or relocated to a suitable site. The campus is also home to preserved buildings such as Bowyer Block and the clock tower, which will not be affected by the redevelopment.

melodyz@sph.com.sg

See also: Move to introduce heritage sites to the less privileged

See also: Parts of heritage site to be cleared for MRT

See also: Singapore Botanic Gardens named UNESCO World Heritage Site

This article was first published on March 28, 2016.
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They watched over Singapore long before its independence from the British, and some even date from the 19th century.

Now, some of the Civic District's trees - such as the angsana and rain tree - are to get greater recognition as part of a 3km-long Civic District Tree Trail to be launched by the National Parks Board (NParks) on May 1.

It will include monthly guided walks and markers at all 20 stops along the route, which starts at the entrance of the Istana and ends at the Raffles' Landing Site.

Among the highlights of the trail is an avenue of 22 heritage rain trees in Connaught Drive which was unveiled in a ceremony officiated by Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Desmond Lee yesterday, in conjunction with Car-Free Sunday.

It is the largest number of trees in a single avenue to be endorsed under NParks' heritage tree scheme, which identifies important green landmarks.

More than 250 trees have been selected since the scheme was launched in 2001. They were evaluated by a panel that includes NParks staff and landscape experts, based on criteria such as their rarity, size, health and social, cultural or historical significance.

Some of the heritage rain trees in Connaught Drive date back to the mid-1880s and have witnessed key events in the district, including Singapore's declaration of independence from the British by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1963, and Singapore's first National Day celebrations in 1966.

Epiphytes such as ferns and orchids tend to grow on old rain trees.

Ms Kalthom Abdul Latiff, deputy director of arts and heritage parks, said the trail will allow the public to learn about natural heritage in the heart of Singapore.

"We are all familiar with the historic buildings," she said.

"Now, we also want to showcase our natural heritage. Members of the public walk under the trees every day... We want them to appreciate the greenery around them."

Mr Desmond Lee added: "Even as we continue to plant new trees, we must also cherish and protect the trees that have been maturing gracefully since Singapore's early days."

Other stops along the trail include one at the National Museum, where an old Indian rubber tree that can be traced back to 1955 still stands today.

NParks has developed other tree trails for various parks and green sites. These include heritage tree trails such as the Changi Walking Trail.

melodyz@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 28, 2016.
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The elderly and needy were not forgotten in this year's Budget, which struck a good balance between boosting the economy and strengthening social safety nets, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob said yesterday.

"I was a little concerned that because there is a lot of concern about the economy, the Budget will just completely focus on the economy and there will be less for the needy," she said. "But I am glad there are also quite substantive provisions for the needy."

She highlighted especially schemes such as the Workfare Income Supplement for lower-income workers, and Silver Support for the most vulnerable seniors.

Speaking to reporters after a dialogue with Marsiling residents about the Budget, Madam Halimah, who is an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, held up Silver Support as "a great departure" from the past practice of always tying support schemes to work.

The scheme will make its first payout in July, with some 140,000 Singaporeans aged 65 and above receiving between $300 and $750 every three months.

"For those who are elderly, who can't work for whatever reason, it will be really useful for them," she said, citing as examples the seniors in wheelchairs at the session.

But she said schemes tied to work, such as the Workfare Income Supplement, are just as important "because we need to continue to reward work, otherwise people will not be incentivised to work".

The scheme, which tops up the pay of the bottom 20 per cent of workers, will have higher payouts.

Asked if this may lead to some people choosing to work just enough so they can qualify for the scheme, Madam Halimah said she did not think so.

She said: "Work gives us the kind of satisfaction that we can never find from just getting assistance."

She added that it is important for the younger generation to see their parents "working, striving, making an effort".

At the same time, there were also many initiatives to help businesses in this year's Budget, said Madam Halimah.

Describing this dual focus on the economy and the needy as unique, she said it is a recognition that economic growth is needed to fund increases in social spending.

"So this year's Budget... does not forget that for us to be able to contribute, for the Government to be able to strengthen the social safety net, the economy must grow, there must be jobs," she said.

Analysts such as Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan agreed. He said: "While this year's Budget is very economy-centric, the Government is showing that it is not going to let all the earlier investments on the social front cease."

For housewife Mastura Rasid, 29, the greater social support from the Government is welcome news.

Now pregnant with her third child, Ms Mastura said the quarterly Silver Support payments will help with her 65-year-old mother's expenses, while other schemes targeted at parents will help pay for the children's care. "I feel quite fortunate, as these schemes are going to help my family a lot," she said.

Parliament will sit for two weeks, starting next Monday, to debate the Budget as well as the plans and policies of various ministries and key government agencies for the year ahead.

yanliang@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 28, 2016.
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LANGKAH dalam Belanjawan tahun ini bersifat realistik membantu pekerja mengharungi cabaran yang dihadapi sekarang, di samping tetap memandang ke depan mempersiap pekerja untuk hari muka.

Ia merangkumi inisiatif bagi pekerja yang terjejas dalam suasana ekonomi lembap dan disusun semula, serta sokongan merebut kemahiran serta peluang baru yang diteruskan menerusi SkillsFuture.

Demikian rumusan anggota panel sebuah perbincangan meja bundar anjuran Berita Harian (BH) Khamis lalu selepas Menteri Kewangan, Encik Heng Swee Keat, menyampaikan ucapan sulungnya dalam Belanjawan Negara.

Bincang Belanjawan BH itu disertai Anggota Jawatankuasa SME Persekutuan Perniagaan Singapura (SBF), Encik Abdul Rohim Sarip; Anggota Parlimen Dilantik (NMP), Encik Azmoon Ahmad; Pengarah Eksekutif Mendaki Sense, Encik Mohd Heikal Yusope; Penolong Setiausaha Agung Kongres Kesatuan Sekerja Kebangsaan (NTUC), Encik Zainal Sapari, yang juga Anggota Parlimen (AP) GRC Pasir Ris-Punggol; dan AP GRC Chua Chu Kang, Encik Zaqy Mohamad.

Mengulas cabaran terdekat, Encik Zainal berkata langkah dalam Belanjawan kali mengatasi cabaran hari ini seperti kian ramai pekerja yang dibuang kerja dan menghadapi kesukaran mencari pekerjaan baru.

"Inilah sebab pemerintah menyokong pekerja meraih kemahiran baru. Dan pemerintah akur ada karyawan dan eksekutif juga mungkin menghadapi kesukaran meraih kemahiran baru itu," ujar Encik Zainal.

Antara langkah yang diumumkan Encik Heng bagi membantu pekerja ialah inisiatif Suai Maju.

Di bawah inisiatif itu, pemerintah akan memperluas skim sokongan gaji bagi menggalakkan firma menggajikan pekerja yang sukar mendapat pekerjaan.

Individu yang dalam peringkat pertengahan kerjaya termasuk yang dibuang kerja, pula akan dipadankan dengan pekerjaan dalam SME seperti sektor ICT dan rekaan.

Inisiatif seperti ini menunjukkan bahawa pemerintah bersikap realistik mengenai cabaran yang dihadapi sekarang tetapi tetap memandang ke depan bagi merebut peluang masa depan.

"Dalam belanjawan itu, pemerintah membincangkan tentang teknologi baru, robotik dan automasi agar warga Singapura faham inilah caranya bergerak untuk masa depan," ujar Encik Heikal.

Dalam ucapannya, Encik Heng menyifatkan inisiatif SkillsFuture, yang dilancarkan pada November 2014, sebagai rancangan jangka panjang pemerintah, yang akan terus diperluas dan diperdalam.

Satu lagi inisiatif yang menarik perhatian anggota panel perbincangan itu ialah Pemacu Kemahiran Teknologi, sebuah hab yang bertujuan menggalak individu belajar kemahiran dan mendapat pekerjaan dalam sektor teknologi infokom (ICT).

Encik Zaqy berkata banyak peluang yang boleh direbut dalam industri itu dengan ada lulusan baru tamat pengajian meraih gaji $4,000 sebulan dalam bidang itu.

Encik Azmoon pula menggesa masyarakat memandang serius bidang ICT.

"ICT akan datang dan ia tidak akan berlalu pergi. Ia akan menjadi satu yang amat penting dalam masyarakat kita," ujar Encik Azmoon.

This article was first published on March 28, 2016.
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Madam Lau An Mei was only 32 when she suffered a mild stroke.

At that time, back in 1987, she was going through her second pregnancy and the stroke left the right half of her face paralysed.

She was forced to make a difficult decision: her baby or her looks.

Corrective surgery would cure her paralysis, but it could cause a miscarriage. She chose her unborn baby over surgery.

For years after the birth of her son, she endured curious looks and rude stares.

She felt shunned by strangers. She lost her confidence. Her self-esteem plunged.

Today, at 61, she is a changed person, having found gratification in helping others through volunteer work.

Even though half of her face remains paralysed, she has been volunteering with the People's Association (PA) for the last eight years.

Opening up to The New Paper about what happened 29 years ago, Madam Lau said she was already a mother to a 10-year-old daughter when she discovered she was pregnant.

Seven months into her pregnancy, she suffered a stroke.

Madam Lau said in Mandarin: "I just had to have my son. It's an obvious maternal choice (between your child and your looks)."

Her decision to not undergo the surgery came at a cost beyond her looks.

Because of the paralysis, she could not close her right eye fully, causing discomfort when she slept because of dust going into her eye.

RUDE STARES

In 2003, she had corrective surgery. Despite that, she still received strange looks from people.

She said: "People would also just stare at me. I felt that they were judging me based on my appearance, so I avoided mixing with people."

Her son, Mr Desmond Lim, now 28, a business development associate, told TNP that he found out about his mother's sacrifice when he was in his teens.

"I used to be very rebellious. One day, my sister told me what had happened and pointed out how much my mother had sacrificed for me. It was like a wake-up call and I became more obedient."

Declining to reveal her occupation, Madam Lau said that after giving birth, she stopped work for about half a year. Even when she returned to the workforce, she chose to keep to herself.

"I didn't have many friends. So my life revolved around going to work and going home. At home, I would just watch TV and cook," she said.

"I would have loved to go out, but I found it difficult to meet people.

"Even my colleagues would sometimes give me strange looks so at work, I preferred to just stay quiet. I had very low self-esteem."

A few years after the birth of her son, Madam Lau befriended Madam Daisy Lee, the co-owner of a grocery store she frequented.

Madam Lee, 61, now a retiree, is a PA volunteer who gives exercise classes targeted at the elderly.

Even though Madam Lau was very shy, she and Madam Lee became friends.

Madam Lee said: "We have incredible chemistry together. We connect very well.

"I would teach her how to cook Western food and she would teach me to cook Chinese food."

She gradually introduced Madam Lau to more people and her confidence grew.

But the one thing that really brought Madam Lau out of her shell was when Madam Lee introduced her to volunteering, about eight years ago.

Madam Lee even got her to help out with her exercise class

Madam Lau said: "Initially, some people who took the class would question my abilities because of the way I looked.

"But Daisy would encourage me not to care and she would talk to those people (about it)."

Madam Lau is now an assistant instructor for Madam Lee's classes. She helps with pre-class preparations and taking attendance.

She said: "By volunteering in these classes, I've met a lot more people. This has also helped me make friends at work.

"Daisy really broadened my world view. Without her, I would probably be at home all day."

Madam Lee said of her friend: "I find that she has progressed a lot. She's happier and a more positive person now.

"I even joke that during class, she's too busy taking attendance to bother about her looks any more."

She started volunteer work 40 years ago

People's Association (PA) volunteer, Madam Daisy Lee, teaches the Liu Tong Quan and Five Elements Health Exercise class.

It consists of 36 movements, involving different parts of the body, and is said to help promote health such as by improving blood circulation, blood pressure and memory

The classes, which are free, are held every Tuesday and Friday from 8pm to 9pm at the Ulu Pandan Community Club.

Madam Lee, 61, first got into volunteering about 40 years ago in a youth group at Tanjong Pagar Community Club.

After a break from volunteering to focus on her marriage and career, she returned to join the Ulu Pandan CC.

Madam Lee, a retiree who used to co-own a grocery store, said: "Initially, I just sat in at meetings and did nothing else.

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

"But I slowly became more involved in the various activities and committees and also made friends, so I continued volunteering."

Madam Lee is active in three committees at Ulu Pandan CC.

She considers herself a "bridge" between the Government and the people.

She said: "Sometimes, the elderly don't speak English or don't know how to communicate their concerns, so I will help them and bring up their concerns during my committee meetings."

Madam Lee also volunteers at the Tsao Foundation, where she teaches the elderly how to care for their health and diet.

danchim@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 28, 2016.
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A diner's complaint about a rat that had fallen from the ceiling above her at a new shopping centre in Punggol has sparked an investigation by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Ms Rita Lim wrote on Facebook that she screamed when the rat landed on her seat at The Coffee House in Waterway Point mall last Wednesday evening.

Other customers, however, carried on eating, she added.

Ms Lim had been waiting for her meal when the incident allegedly occurred, though she did not say whether she stayed to eat her meal.

In her post, which has been shared more than 100 times, she said: "A rat dropped from the ceiling onto my seat and ran across me to the kitchen!"

The NEA told The Straits Times it is investigating the incident at the mall, which opened in January. It added: "We will take the necessary enforcement actions against any parties found responsible for the rat infestation."

The manager of the eatery, who gave his name only as Mr Koh, said the NEA was "satisfied with its hygiene standards" when it visited the following day. Mr Koh said a waiter had witnessed the incident and said the "small animal" might not have been a rodent. It also did not run into the kitchen.

A spokesman for Frasers Centrepoint Malls said the management of Waterway Point had taken measures against pests before the opening of the mall. It had also asked food and beverage outlets to put in place pest control measures and pay attention to housekeeping.

"As an added measure, nightly pest control checks are done in view of the proximity of the construction site. Any positive indication of any rodent activity will be followed up with immediate extermination," said the spokesman.

The mall has also taken immediate action following feedback, including the sealing of any holes along the mall's perimeter and placing rat poison where necessary.

About 6,700 complaints related to rats were received by the NEA last year, up from around 4,000 in 2014. The number of food outlet inspections also rose from around 140,000 in 2014 to about 148,000 last year, while enforcement actions were taken against more than 190 owners, up from 80.

The NEA said last month it plans to boost efforts to treat detected rat burrows, including those under the responsibility of other agencies.

byseow@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 28, 2016.
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The absence of any measures in Budget 2016 to help the beleaguered property sector was greeted with an air of resignation among industry players, and disappointment by some home owners hoping to buy an investment property.

These come even though the Government had earlier flagged that it is premature to lift cooling measures on residential transactions.

Singaporean small-business owner Leena Ganesan, 41, and her Singapore permanent resident husband were disappointed that one particular measure, the additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD), was not relaxed.

The couple live in a landed cluster home in Bukit Timah which Ms Ganesan bought for $3.05 million four years ago, and were looking to invest in a two- bedroom condominium unit.

"We have put our investment plan on hold now for two years. If we don't see anything moving in the next one year, we may invest in India instead," Ms Ganesan told The Straits Times yesterday.

Analysts said investors such as Ms Ganesan would have helped to perk up the lacklustre property sector slightly had the Government decided to ease some measures.

A lift in buying activity in the real estate sector will also have some positive spillover effect on property-related businesses.

PropNex chief executive Ismail Gafoor said: "It will have some spin-offs in other areas: contractors, banks, property agents, furniture retailers. If foreigners come to view properties here, then the tourism sector may also benefit."

EL Development managing director Lim Yew Soon noted that the boost in sales from the recalibration of cooling measures would also "encourage developers to channel cash flow back to Singapore".

"The market is slow, so you see investors and developers investing overseas. There is an outflow of funds from Singapore," he said.

Developers have repeatedly lobbied the Government to tweak cooling measures implemented in the past few years which have weakened demand for new homes. New home sales came in at over 7,000 units in each of the past two years, about half of 14,948 units in 2013.

MCC Land managing director Tan Zhiyong said: "The market continues to be saddled with a large number of unsold units, which further depresses current rentals and also adds significant pressure on developers."

There were 5,736 uncompleted private homes that were launched and not sold as at the fourth quarter of last year, based on figures from the Urban Redevelopment Authority. All in, there were 23,271 uncompleted units in the pipeline that were yet to be sold as at end-December last year.

The vacancy rate of private homes hit a 10-year high of 8.1 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year, and Century 21 chief executive Ku Swee Yong had hoped the Budget would address this issue.

Said Mr Ku: "Perhaps agencies like the Economic Development Board can find ways to bring more foreign companies to Singapore. This will drive demand for rental of homes, as well as commercial and industrial properties."

However, DBS Bank economist Irvin Seah believes the Government made the right call as the drop in property prices had not been significant, amid an environment where interest rates are still low.

"Any unwinding at this juncture would be premature and (may) lead to higher leverages, which could pose an issue for the banking system going forward," he added.

Private home prices fell 3.7 per cent last year, after declining 4 per cent in the year before.

wongsy@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 28, 2016.
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SINGAPORE - The pioneer batch of graduates from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) are getting salaries comparable to graduates from other universities here.

The mean monthly salary for SUTD graduates in full-time permanent employment is $3,709, said SUTD in a statement today (March 28). This compares favourably against that of graduates from other universities ($3,468).

The university said that 85 per cent of graduates were employed within 6 months of completing their examinations. This is slightly lower than the 89.5 per cent reported by the other universities.

The numbers are from the Joint Graduate Employment Survey conducted by SUTD and for other universities here - Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore Management University.

SUTD said about 86 per cent of its 298 graduates in the pioneer cohort took part in its survey conducted in February and March this year.

sinsh@sph.com.sg

A more targeted approach in helping companies restructure and transform will have a bigger impact in the long term than using broad- based measures, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said yesterday.

Mr Heng, who was part of a panel discussing the Budget on Channel NewsAsia's Ask The Finance Minister programme last night, said broad-based schemes such as the popular Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) have played a role in raising awareness about the importance of productivity.

But the next stage of restructuring will involve industry-specific measures which aim to be more effective in improving efficiency and processes across entire sectors, he added.

"Going forward, we need to look at more targeted measures that will achieve a bigger impact... More targeted measures produce better results for companies."

The PIC scheme encourages small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to spur investment in productivity by offering them cash and tax deductions for costs like worker training, automation and research.

Mr Heng announced in his maiden Budget speech last Thursday that cash rebates under the PIC scheme will be decreased this year, as the Government seeks to replace broad-based measures with more targeted support for firms.

He added that the PIC scheme will expire in the 2018 year of assessment, as scheduled.

Responding to concerns raised by SMEs during last night's programme about the winding down of the PIC, Mr Heng noted that firms still have many other sources of help to tap.

The Government will work closely with industry trade associations and companies to ascertain the needs of each sector, he added.

Veteran unionist and Nominated MP K. Thanaletchimi, who was also a member of the panel on last night's programme, said labour productivity has stayed flat in recent years despite the range of schemes available to companies.

This is a sign that a more targeted approach is needed, Ms Thanaletchimi added.

The panel also covered a range of other issues surrounding the recent Budget, including Singaporeans' concerns about their job prospects, given the economic slowdown, as well as the move to cap personal income tax reliefs at $80,000, which has stirred up some debate.

The limit will be set at $80,000 from Year of Assessment 2018, and is expected to raise additional tax revenue of $100 million a year.

Under the new cap, some high- income working mothers may end up paying more tax.

Mr Heng said 99 per cent of tax-resident individuals will not be affected, and 90 per cent of female taxpayers claiming the Working Mother's Child Relief are expected to continue to claim it fully.

The move was made "in the interest of ensuring our tax system remains progressive" and "was not targeted at any particular group".

The tax burden in Singapore is also low compared with "almost anywhere in the world", the minister added.

This article was first published on March 29, 2016.
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王乙康认为，"未来技能"的重点在于精专技能。 每个人要先掌握不同方面的能力，而不是只学一样 技能。经过多方面学习，补足自己的短处，最后再 选择一个方向，一生精专一样东西。

"我们只有一条命，每天只有24个小时，一生中也只能精专一样东西。"

许多人对"未来技能"（SkillsFuture）这一词已不陌生，但这项全国计划至今让人产生的联想却可能还太狭隘。专访一开始，教育部代部长（高等教育及技能）王乙康马上就阐述"未来技能"的关键在于精专技能。但要在一个领域达到精专的水平，个人也先要掌握不同方面的能力，绝不是只学一门技能。

他坦承，"未来技能"这个翻译许多人"读起来可能不知道是什么意思"，其实"重点是，人们要知道学习怎样的技能可把工作做好，然后去补足自己的短处。大家可尽量学越多东西越好，但最后要做出选择。"

这是王乙康（46岁）去年10月正式出任教育部代部长后，首次接受报章专访。上届大选后，他与前三军总长黄志明在新内阁中一同跃升为教育部代部长。两人曾在大选中被李显龙总理点名为第四代领导层核心成员，再加上教育部在编制和预算方面都是最大的政府部门之一，工作自然备受关注。

不是每个人都要爬山

在历时50分钟的访问中，王乙康以流利的华语畅谈"未来技能"计划的大方向。政府在这个框架下展开新一轮人力资源投资，到2020年平均每年将拨出超过10亿元，鼓励国人追求精专技能。从更广泛的层面来看，"未来技能"更大的宗旨关系到人们如何思考教育，定义成功。

王乙康阐述"未来技能"的三个基本理念时，就重点提到"未来技能"计划必须包含"所有成功的定义"，让唯才是用的概念不断扩大。

李显龙总理在2005年国庆群众大会曾以"群峰连绵的山脉"（mountain range of different talents）的意象勾勒教育生态的愿景，希望打破社会"只有一座巅峰"的观念。王乙康认为，金字塔社会的时代早已过去，但现在用"连绵不断的山峰"来形容本地教育其实也是过时的，"每个人都要爬山"的假设不再成立。

李总理对教育景观的描述，他当年在劳动力发展局工作时曾参与构思与发表。王乙康说："但现在的现实是，不是每个人都要爬山，我们每个人的目的地、人生目标都不一样。"

他打趣说，有些人有惧高症，有些人有高山症，不能爬山，大家的目的地都不同。"有些人要去村庄，有些人要去大城市，有些人要去绿洲，有些人要去河岸。"

王乙康也认为，社会如何看待走不同路的人，是否尊敬他们，这些都将影响成功的定义。

《三国》刘备手下各有所长

贴近"未来技能"期望

拿春秋战国时期誉为"百匠之师"的鲁班为例，王乙康认为，尽管当时中国存在"士农工商"的社会阶级制，但鲁班作为出色的工匠，还是备受尊敬。他也以此解释，所谓"精专技能"不一定是"未来式技能"，工匠在手艺上精益求精的精神其实也被重视。

"未来技能"的另一基本理念便是要突破文凭主义。王乙康在国会初次发表演讲时已提到，复杂的人生不能通通归于一个数字。

他在专访中指出，这个看法在社会上越来越普遍，尤其年轻人更这么认为。

他说："如果每个人对自己人生成功的定义是用金钱来计算的，整个社会成功与否，也当然用经济增长来算。"

在他的想象中，《三国演义》中刘备身边文人武将都各有所长的情景，就很贴近他对"未来技能"的期望。

他说："你看关羽、张飞、赵子龙，他们的专长是作战，他们是战场的军官，奋勇无敌，尤其是赵子龙。再看刘备身边的诸葛亮，他虽然是个文人，但也是精专杰出的人士。"

要打造未来经济，王乙康认为政府由上而下推动的大策略也不可少，像智慧国和"科研、创新与企业2020计划"（RIE2020）的国家方针仍然重要，人民也"希望政府继续指导大方向"，但政府同时也保持开放的制度。

他指出，现在有些人从工艺教育学院或理工学院毕业后，可继续升上新加坡理工大学（SIT），在同个领域提升知识和技能，还无法确定自己的志向者则可选择博雅教育，更能上网自学。他说："制度上已经有这样的道路给你走，但怎么走还是靠你自己。"

改变不易 进化可期

最后，王乙康指出，"未来技能"意味着学习不能限于学府，也必须是终身的过程。

他指出，不是所有人都从小知道自己的志向，"五十知天命的人也很多"，他最终想要看到的是，更多新加坡人更早认识自己的兴趣，而且各领域人士都受到尊敬。"这是比较不能衡量的文化上的进化。"

王乙康在专访中一直用"进化"，而非"改变"，他表示这是刻意的，因为要改变思维并不容易。"进化需要几代人我不知道，但我们要有这个意识说，我们的社会和国家应该不断演变。"

"会不会需要50或100年？我不知道，但我知道正在演变。你看一代过一代都不一样了。"

从政是自己选的路 不同职场经验相互辅助

"现在进入政治，政治又是一条不一样的道路。这是我自己选的道路，我能够精专吗？最后五十知天命，迟早都要精专，把精神和精力专注在一个领域，我们都要走自己的路。"

王乙康从公共服务到工会，再到私人企业，职场经验跨足多个领域。他针对学习道路和职业背景如何影响目前的政治事业时，也与记者分享了不同职场技能可如何相互运用的看法。

王乙康投身公共服务18年，是出身公务员体系的精英，担任过行政官，曾负责的重要职务包括于2002年至2004年任李显龙总理的首席私人秘书、2005年出任劳动力发展局第一任局长。

他在2008年被借调到全国职工总会，四年后，他辞去职总副秘书长的职务转到私人领域，曾担任吉宝集团战略与发展总监。他在2015年大选二度参选后成功当选为议员，去年成为内阁成员。

王乙康指出，职总的环境有别于公共部门，公共部门比较讲求分析能力，有行政和制度上的惯例要维持，但在职总工作，更重要的是靠"人与人之间的关系"。而私人企业又不一样，人际关系和分析能力固然重要，但最重要的还是企业精神。踏入政治又是条不一样的道路，但所累积的技能还是管用的。

他说："你到不同的领域，有些基本的技能，你还是需要用的，只是重点可能不一样。分析能力，我在不同领域都需要，当然在政府部门更为需要；人际关系，每个部门、每个地方也需要，但在工会运用得最多；企业精神当然是在吉宝的时候最需要，现在进入政治也需要，所以有一些基本技能，我们不管在哪个地方都需要运用。"

学习管道多

分享看YouTube学吉他

王乙康指出，学习不只限于学校和大学，学习的管道可以很广泛。他分享自己如何从网站YouTube学吉他，而非通过正式的课程。他对吉他的兴趣是从服兵役开始，当时的室友喜欢弹吉他，他就向他们学习乐谱，但后来觉得要继续这方面的学习，就上YouTube学。

"在Coursera（网上教育平台）也可以学很多东西，所以你自己要学什么，也是你自己的选择，但我觉得你走这条人生道路，尽量学越多东西越好，但是（最后）要精专，我们每天只有24小时，我看只能精专一样东西。"

●文凭的价值：

文凭像钞票一样，你没有文凭人家不知道你学过什么，所以文凭也有文凭的用处，但它虽然重要，我们也不能只为文凭而学习。学习是为了掌握精专技能，这对我们以后的发展，对国家的竞争力，都有很深厚的影响。因为世界上有这么多人，我们每个人都要有专长，如果你没有专长，你在经济、社会上哪里有立足之地？

●放宽成功定义：

我们必须不断进化，金字塔时代早就过去了，而我看连绵不断的山峰（这个说法）也已经过时。连绵不断的山峰的假设是每个人都要爬山，而现实是不是每个人都要爬山。我们每个人的目的地、人生目标都不一样……现在也不是每个人都要爬山，有些人爬山会有惧高症，有些人有高山症。每个人的目的地不一样，有些人要去峡谷，有些人要去村庄，有些人要去大城市，有些人要去绿洲，有些人要去河岸。不只是目的地不一样，每个人的途径也不一样。所以所谓SkillsFuture--未来技能，也要包含这些所有成功的定义，让社会唯才是用的定义不断扩充，不断宽大。

●改变家长思维：

要改变家长的思维挑战很大。我自己的思维都很难改。所以我用的字不是改变，是进化。进化要几代人我不知道，但我们要有这个意识说，我们的社会和国家应该不断地演变，而这是演变的一个重要途径。会不会需要50年或100年？我不知道，但我知道正在演变。你看一代过一代都不一样了。

●教育制度：

我们的制度已经不是狭窄的道路，而是相当广阔的草原。在大专教育方面，你会看到很多途径……另外是你个人的选择，制度上已经有这样的道路给你走，但怎么走还是靠你自己。不只是大学学府里，在外面也有琳琅满目的东西给你学……自己要学什么，是自己的选择。

Get the full story from Lianhe Zaobao

Who says Singaporeans aren't creative? When it comes to online humour, there is no stopping Singaporeans from putting our unique culture into new perspective.

Last year, several netizens came up with funny puns on the names of MRT stations. These uniquely Singaporean jokes, which continue to grow in number, include "People who don't like puns be like: Gong Simei?" and "So excited, I can't Stevens (even)".

And the humour hasn't stopped at just playing around with MRT station names.

One netizen, identified only as Klly Lmrck on Facebook, recently revived the appeal of good old Haw Par Villa, a park opened in 1937 which features scenes from Chinese mythology, including the 'Ten Courts of Hell' and 'Journey to the West'.

While the park was popular in the past, it has lost its lustre in the past decade with the growth of other big name attractions such as Universal Studios and Gardens by the Bay.

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

facebook

All that is set to change, however, with the new memes adding life and a whole lot of humour to the usually grim and scary images depicted at the park.

One of the memes created by Klly Lmrck so far include a monk dressed in a robe with the caption: "Oppa Gangnam style".

Another popular meme showed a statue with a Chinese face mask clinging onto the Monkey God which included the description: "When bae has to book in", referring to full-time national servicemen having to report to camp at the end of a weekend break spent with their girlfriends.

Hilarious MRT puns only Singaporeans will get

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facebook

The netizen also made fun of local celebrity Ian Fang in one photo showing wax sculptures of bloodied faces. The caption read: "When watching Ian Fang's MV (music video)".

The series of 12 memes have since been shared 1,600 times, and garnered over 480 Facebook reactions.

It seems like these hilarious puns and memes won't stop here. Let's look forward to see how much more creative Singaporeans can get.

stephluo@sph.com.sg

Haw Par Villa's last artisan

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The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - If your mobile phone is among a list of 19 phones from Samsung, Sony and LG, you can now use it to pay for your MRT, LRT and bus rides.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA), Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and EZ-Link said in a joint statement today (March 29) that they have concluded a joint trial with telecommunications operators and public transport operators on the use of mobile phones with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to make public transport payments.

Users with the new NFC SIM cards can now pay for their rides with compatible mobile phones.

List of mobile phones approved for use with EZ-Link NFC SIM

• LG Optimus G
• LG Optimus G Pro
• Samsung GALAXY ACE 3 With LTE
• Samsung GALAXY Note II LTE
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5 4G+
• Samsung GALAXY Note Edge 4G+
• Samsung GALAXY S III
• Samsung GALAXY S III LTE
• Samsung Galaxy S6 4G+
• Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ 4G+
• Samsung Galaxy S7 4G+
• Samsung Galaxy S7 edge 4G+
• Sony Xperia Z
• Sony Xperia Z2
• Sony Xperia Z3
• Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
• Sony Xperia Z5
• Sony Xperia Z5 Compact
• Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Users of the new SIM card, which has an embedded ez-link purse, will also be able to pay for purchases and taxi rides with their phones at more than 30,000 ez-link acceptance points island-wide, according to the statement.

The new SIM card is a "next generation" card compared to the NFC SIM launched in 2012 by IDA and EZ-Link. That card was "designed only for retail acceptance".

Telecomms operator M1 said in a separate statement that its customers will be able to change their SIM cards to the NFC transit SIM at M1 Shop outlets starting today. Its card will also be integrated with the M1 Prepaid MasterCard.

M1 said that its NFC transit SIM card will cost $37.45, but service activation fee of $9.10 will be waived for customers signing up from tomorrow to April 30.

Singtel said in its statement that it will start to sell its transit NFC SIM cards "in late April" at "prevailing SIM rates with no additional costs". The $5 ez-link registration fee will be waived "for a limited time", it said.

StarHub said that customers can buy the new SIM card at StarHub Shops from April 2. It will cost customers $37.45 for a new SIM card, or $26.75 for a SIM replacement. StarHub said that the NFC ez-link purse fee of $5 is waived till further notice, as a launch promotion.

sinsh@sph.com.sg

The four-year-old was asked by his mother to recite the numbers 11 to 18 in both English and Malay.

Little Mohammad Airyl Amirul Haziq kept reciting the numbers over and over.

But he had trouble reciting them in Malay and nearly every time he got it wrong, his mother Noraidah Mohd Yussof punished him.

She pushed and choked him, stepped on his knees, and even lifted him off the ground by his neck and pressed him against a wall.

That last action on the evening of Aug 1, 2014, left the little boy gasping for air. He eventually passed out.

Four days later, Airyl died in hospital of head injuries.

Yesterday, Noraidah, 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and two more for ill-treatment of a child.

However, a Newton hearing has now been scheduled over a disagreement on the findings of two psychiatrists.

Court documents showed that on Aug 1, 2014, just after lunch, Noraidah asked Airyl to recite the numbers 11 to 18 in English and later in Malay.

Nearly every time the little boy stumbled while reciting the numbers in Malay, the divorcee punished him.

She pushed her son on the chest twice, causing him to fall and hit his head on the floor of the family's Eunos Crescent flat. She also stepped on his knees three to four times.

Despite the abuse, the boy got up and continued to recite the numbers, even while his mother was in the shower.

When she finished showering, she went to her room to change.

SHOWER

Airyl was supposed to have taken a shower and be ready to follow Noraidah to pick up his seven-year-old sister from school.

When Noraidah later heard her son slamming the toilet bowl seat cover, she questioned him. He did not answer and continued to mumble the numbers.

Frustrated, she choked Airyl and pushed him to the floor. The little boy was shocked.

At around 6.10pm, when she found that her son was still mumbling the numbers and not ready to leave the flat, she became angry again and pushed his neck against a wall and lifted him off the floor with her right hand.

Seeing him gasping for air, she released her grip and he fell to the floor.

He became unresponsive and went limp.

Noraidah called her sister-in-law to come over. She also asked a neighbour for help.

Inside the flat, the neighbour noticed bruises on Airyl's chest.

Noraidah told her that Airyl had fallen and hit his head on the toilet floor.

An autopsy later revealed more than 30 injuries to his body, some of which were the result of previous abuses.

Noraidah admitted to pushing Airyl and causing him to fall backwards and hit his head against a TV console on July 30, 2014.

That same night, she had kicked him in the waist for defecating on the flat's floor. She later stepped on his stomach with both her feet.

She also admitted to punishing Airyl in March 2012 for not listening to her when she was trying to teach him and for scribbling on the sofa. He suffered fractures to his left elbow, left calf and his right ribs.

Airyl's death was attributed to bleeding in the head, bruising of the scalp and a skull fracture.

If found guilty, Noraidah can be jailed up to 10 years, fined or caned for voluntarily causing grievous hurt. For ill-treating a child, she can be fined a maximum of $4,000 or jailed up to four years, or both.

Experts, witnesses to testify

Court proceedings into Noraidah Mohd Yussof's case took a turn yesterday as Justice Lee Seiu Kin ordered a Newton hearing.

The basis of the hearing revolves around the "impasse" between opposing views of two psychiatrists for the case.

Defence lawyer Sunil Sudheesan said his psychiatrist was of the view that Noraidah was suffering from Asperger syndrome and depression.

Deputy Public Prosecutor April Phang disagreed. She said that while there may be some convergence in the psychiatrists' views, there were disparities.

The prosecution did not believe Noraidah was suffering from the conditions cited by the defence.

In the hearing, both psychiatrists are expected to give evidence and be cross-examined. Other witnesses will also be called up.

What boy's mother did

Aug 1, 2014

Noraidah Mohd Yussof, 34, assaulted her son, Mohammad Airyl Amirul Haziq Mohamed Ariff, four, when he could not recite a number sequence in Malay.

She pushed him a few times, causing him to fall and hit his head on the floor. She then stepped on Airyl's knees and choked him until he was lifted off the ground.

July 30, 2014

Noraidah pushed Airyl between the shoulders and chest area, causing him to fall backwards and hit the back of his head against a table.

On the same night, she kicked Airyl's waist area. After the boy fell, she stepped on his stomach with both her feet for a few seconds.

March 2012

Noraidah stepped on Airyl's ribs after he fell. She also twisted and pulled his hand.

zaihan@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 29, 2016.
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The mystery behind 18 dogs found wandering abandoned last week in various spots around the island has been solved.

The furry pedigree dogs, mainly poodles, belonged to the owner of a pet grooming school, and had been housed there as canine "models" for trainees to practise their scissor skills on.

The business owner, who spoke to The Straits Times last night, said he had been told by the authorities about two weeks ago that he could not keep the 30 dogs in his shop following complaints from neighbouring establishments about noise.

The man, who declined to be named, said he had been at his wits' end over what to do.

"I wanted the dogs to be able to find a home. That's why I left them in places where they could be found, even if there were CCTV cameras around," he said.

"I know it was stupid of me, but I was afraid that if I sent so many dogs to one rescue group at the same time, they would be culled."

So on Wednesday and Thursday last week, he left the 18 dogs in various places - such as an industrial park in Yishun, and in Tampines, Sengkang, Upper Serangoon and Petir Road - where he thought people would find and adopt them.

He stressed that the decision to do so had been his alone - he had told co-workers that he was giving the dogs to an animal welfare group, which he did with the remaining 12 dogs.

Posts on Facebook about the abandoned dogs last week which were "similarly groomed" caught the attention of animal welfare volunteer Derrick Tan, who runs animal shelter Voices for Animals. He worked with another animal welfare group, Ocean Rescue, to retrieve the animals.

On Thursday, Mr Tan posted a video on Facebook describing the "islandwide dog abandonment".

Mr Tan, 35, said: "On Friday morning, the business owner called me and said that he left the dogs there as he did not know who to turn to for help, and that he had 12 more dogs that needed to be re-homed."

Volunteers help care for dogs at animal shelters

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The New Paper

The owner has also made a one-time donation of $500 each, to Voices for Animals and Ocean Rescue group.

But Mr Tan pointed out: "Even though his intentions may be good, this shouldn't happen as these are domesticated dogs which may not cope well on the street."

People should instead turn to animal welfare groups or the authorities for help, he added.

Groups which have taken in the dogs say that although they smelled bad and some had skin issues and long nails, they showed no signs of abuse, and appeared generally healthy and well fed.

Twenty-two of them are now with Voices for Animals, and Mr Tan said they are in better condition compared with other dogs he has rescued in the past.

When The Straits Times visited their temporary home in Bukit Timah yesterday, the animals - among them poodle crosses, a maltese, shih tzu and cocker spaniel - were energetic, friendly and showed no fear of humans.

The other dogs are with groups including the Singapore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Animal Lovers League.

In response to queries, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said that pet abandonment is a form of animal cruelty. "AVA condemns acts of animal cruelty... and investigates all feedback on cruelty," it said.

It is working with animal welfare groups to investigate the case.

Meanwhile, things are looking up for the 30 abandoned pups, as the groups which have taken them in have pledged that the dogs will be cared for until they can find new homes,

Said Dr Jaipal Singh Gill, SPCA's acting executive director: "We will embark on finding loving homes for these dogs once our investigations are complete."

Voices for Animals will be putting its charges up for adoption this weekend at the open field at 11 Pasir Ris Farmway 2, from 1pm to 5pm. For more information, e-mail vfasin@gmail.com

audreyt@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

Before Noraidah Mohd Yussof can be sentenced for abusing her son, the court has to determine whether or not she has Asperger's syndrome - an autism-like disorder that affects how a person interacts with others.

Defence psychiatrist Tommy Tan has diagnosed her with the condition, relying largely on interviews with her family members, primarily her mother.

But the prosecution rejects this diagnosis.

Dr Subhash Gupta from the Institute of Mental Health, who saw Noraidah and interviewed her family members not long after the boy's death in 2014, does not think she has Asperger's.

Deputy Public Prosecutor April Phang told the High Court yesterday that in 2014, Noraidah's mother told Dr Gupta that there was "nothing wrong" with her.

However, the following year, her family members gave a different account to the defence psychiatrist, which resulted in Dr Tan concluding that Noraidah has Asperger's.

The DPP, noting that Dr Gupta also spoke to Noraidah's former husband and former boyfriend, pointed out that her family members were "interested parties".

A further hearing will be held for the family members to testify and both psychiatrists to give their opinions.

The issue could have a bearing on the sentence meted out to Noraidah, who is represented by Mr Sunil Sudheesan.

She faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine for causing grievous hurt and a fine of up to $4,000 and jail of up to four years for ill-treatment of a child.

This article was first published on March 29, 2016.
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An explosion at a Jurong industrial gas supply firm in October last year was so powerful that it blew two workers off their chairs and caused part of the ceiling to collapse, a coroner's court heard yesterday.

Madam Lim Siaw Chian, a 30-year-old chemist at Leeden National Oxygen, died in the ensuing blaze amid further explosions.

At the time, she had just returned to work from maternity leave.

Seven employees were reportedly hurt in the fire which engulfed the ground-floor laboratory at the firm in Tanjong Kling Road.

Madam Lim's charred remains were found on six occasions, over a two-month period, and were identified via her infant daughter's DNA, the court heard on the first day of the inquiry into Madam Lim's death.

Police investigator Mohammad Amin Majid told the court that investigations by the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Manpower into the cause of the blaze have yet to be completed.

State Coroner Marvin Bay adjourned the hearing to April 15.

The inquiry heard that Madam Lim, who was also known as Krysten, was working at Leeden's Specialty Gas Centre Quality Control Laboratory when the fire broke out on Oct 12 last year.

Work in the 35 sq m lab includes testing and analysing gases.

Leeden is involved in the storage, mixing and bottling of industrial gases such as hydrogen, helium, nitrogen and argon, for supply to shipyards and industrial firms.

At about 9.20am, a worker who was in the lab saw a flash of fire, heard an explosion and saw the ceiling collapse. He ran out of the room immediately.

Two other workers fell off their chairs because of the blast.

They shouted for Madam Lim, but did not get any response.

They were also forced to flee the room.

Further explosions were heard, and a blaze engulfed the lab.

Another worker, who had earlier left the lab, tried to return to look for Madam Lim, but was urged by the company's emergency response team not to re-enter the premises.

The team managed to contain the fire until firefighters arrived.

About 10 workers used hoses, fire hydrants and extinguishers to prevent the blaze from spreading. They also activated the carbon dioxide suppression system.

About 150 workers were evacuated from the 1.6ha facility.

Family bids farewell to Jurong fire victim in Johor wake

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Twitter, Lianhe Wanbao, Shin Min Daily News, The New Paper, SCDF, Nicole Fong, The Straits Times, Lim Siaw Chian's Facebook

The wake for Madam Lim, who had received Singapore citizenship just a month before she died, was held in Skudai, Johor.

Her husband, brother and aunt attended the inquiry yesterday, as did representatives from Leeden.

Outside the courtroom, Madam Lim's husband Ooi Peng Fung told reporters: "It has been very hard; we are still coping with the loss. We just want to find out what happened."

This article was first published on March 29, 2016.
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Advertising revenue earned by the owners of socio-political website The Real Singapore (TRS) was used to pay the mortgage on an apartment held jointly by TRS chief editor Ai Takagi and her then boyfriend Yang Kaiheng, a district court heard yesterday.

Takagi, a 23-year-old Australian, paid off almost the entire 30-year loan of A$195,000 (S$201,000) in 11 months in 2014, leaving a balance of A$5,106.

The TRS website - of which she was a developer, operator, editor, moderator, administrator and owner - generated revenue through advertising, using Google AdSense.

Google AdSense automatically inserted advertisements into content published on the TRS website.

It also automatically tracked the number of visitors to the website, and tallied the amount of money to be paid to the owners.

From December 2013 to April last year, shortly before the TRS website and TRS Facebook page were shut down, Google paid a total of A$473,595 to the TRS owners.

The court heard that the couple, who married last October, were directors and shareholders of two Australian companies, both called Ryukun. Money credited into Ryukun's account by Google in 2014 was transferred to Takagi's Commonwealth Bank of Australia bank account. She transferred various sums of money to pay for the mortgage of the Brisbane property.

These details emerged when Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Roy Lim Eng Seng, from the Special Investigation Section of the Criminal Investigation Department, took the stand at Yang's trial.

Yang, 27, has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of publishing seditious articles on the TRS website and its Facebook page which tended to promote feelings of ill will and hostility between the different classes in Singapore's population.

One article, put up on Feb 4 last year, falsely asserted that a Filipino family caused an incident between the police and participants at the Thaipusam procession last year, while another "casts PRC women as home-wreckers".

The Real Singapore duo arrested for sedition

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The New Paper, The Straits Times

Takagi, who is eight weeks pregnant, was sentenced to 10 months in jail last week after admitting to four counts under the Sedition Act.

In its opening statement earlier, the prosecution charged that the couple brazenly played up racism and xenophobia. They even resorted to outright and blatant fabrication to attract Internet users to their website with the aim of increasing their advertising revenue.

Bank statements showed that they earned between A$20,000 and A$50,000 plus a month.

DSP Lim, the investigation officer, said he picked up the couple from Yang's grandparents' home in Kalidasa Avenue, Upper Thomson, on Feb 6 last year after an online police report was made the previous day.

In his statement to the police, Yang said he mainly oversaw advertisements for the TRS page, as well as those on its iPhone and Android apps. Takagi was paid advertisement fees by Google AdSense.

"Although I do not manage the Facebook page at all, I do read articles on the page. This is my other involvement in the page apart from getting people to advertise on my page," he stated.

If convicted, Yang, defended by Mr Choo Zheng Xi, could be fined up to $3,000 and/or jailed for up to three years per charge. Deputy Public Prosecutors G. Kannan, Suhas Malhotra and Sheryl Janet George are prosecuting the case before District Judge Ng Peng Hong.

elena@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 29, 2016.
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A fire broke out at Midpoint Orchard shopping mall last night.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) traced it to a stack of dry towels that had been left in the sauna room of beauty salon Rupini's, which is on the third floor of the building.

The fire triggered the mall's sprinkler system, said the SCDF, adding that it was alerted to the incident at around 9pm.

Two fire engines, two Red Rhinos and three special vehicles were sent to the scene but its officers put out the blaze using a hose reel in the building.

There were no reports of anyone being injured. An SCDF spokesman said that 10 employees of the beauty salon were evacuated.

Eyewitnesses said the mall, which stands opposite Somerset MRT station, appeared to be cordoned off as thick smoke rose from it.

Earlier this month, two fires broke out in separate incidents in Orchard Road.

The first, at shopping mall Tang Plaza, caused the evacuation of 100 people. The second happened in a kitchen at Mandarin Orchard hotel, forcing nearly 350 hotel guests to be evacuated.

linettel@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.