Singapore Morning News Roundup For March 1

Welcome to the Singapore morning news roundup by AEC News Today, your one stop for Singapore news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities.

Singapore Military Hack ‘Probably State Sponsored’
The Singaporean military’s dedicated web access system was breached this month by hackers thought to be hunting for official secrets, the government said on Tuesday.
— South China Morning Post

‘Changi Recommends’ initiative seen as success
From one store in 2012, the “Changi Recommends” initiative has grown to eight outlets offering Wi-Fi routers, tours and more.
— The Nation

Singapore trains equipped with automatic fire detection system: Shanmugam
The automatic fire detection system will be triggered to alert the station staff and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) should a fire break out in the MRT train, said Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam on Tuesday (Feb 28).
— Channel NewsAsia

Revised Tax Treaty With Singapore Takes Effect
India’s revised tax treaty with Singapore, aimed at checking round-tripping of funds, has come into force.
— NDTV Profit

Cyber attack on Mindef: Take steps to secure online accounts, experts urge
If you are using your NRIC and telephone numbers or birth date as a password to secure online accounts, change it immediately.
— The Straits Times

WP questions need for water price hike
Workers’ Party (WP) Members of Parliament yesterday questioned the decision to raise water prices, calling on the Government to thoroughly explain how the impending 30 per cent hike was calculated. They also suggested that the timing was “political” to avoid having to raise prices when elections draw near.
— Today Online

Singapore Commuters Can Soon Use Credit Cards to Board Public Transit
Singaporean commuters, like straphangers just about everywhere, endure the hassle of having to reload prepaid fare cards when taking public transit. But the city-state’s Land Transport Authority has plans the speed things up, launching a pilot program that will let riders pay directly at the fare gates with compatible credit and debit cards. The money will come right out of riders’ bank accounts, eliminating the need to stop at a machine to top off fare cards that are running low.
— City Lab

Singapore PM offers blunt assessment of US relationship
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong turned heads Tuesday when video of a blunt commentary on his nation’s U.S. and China relationships was posted online.
— CNBC

Manage costs but look to higher revenues for SMEs to survive
It was water, water everywhere – and precious little relief for local businesses as more than half the 17 MPs who debated Budget 2017 yesterday voiced concerns about how the upcoming hike in water prices will hurt companies here.
— The Straits Times

New law to help architects work abroad
It will soon be easier for architects here to internationalise their businesses and practise overseas, under changes to the law approved in Parliament yesterday.
— The Straits Times

Should Singapore employees expect bigger paychecks this year?
Amidst the tight labour market, Singapore employees are expecting their employers to raise their salaries by up to 6%, the 2017 Hays Asia Salary Guide revealed.
— Singapore Business Review

World’s largest food and beverage trade show gets a taste of Singapore
Food companies in Singapore donned their aprons to give local tastes and flavours a global exposure.
— The Straits Times

Singapore Bags Innovation Centre
International consulting company Capgemini has chosen Singapore for its newest Applied Innovation Exchange to serve Southeast Asia.
— Finews Asia

Singapore can be pacesetter in Asia
Our way of life is changing, with economies shifting from the third to the fourth industrial revolution – from computers to digitisation and the Internet of Things (IoT).
— The New Paper

MINDEF Internet system breached; data stolen from national servicemen, employees
A breach in an Internet-connected system at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) earlier this month has resulted in the personal data of 850 national servicemen and employees being stolen, the ministry said on Tuesday (Feb 28).
— Channel NewsAsia

Govt can set table, but it’s up to businesses to succeed: Iswaran
The Government can be an enabler for businesses, but it cannot make decisions for businesses, or pick winners, said Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran in Parliament yesterday, as he reiterated the measures in place to support businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
— Today Online

Singdollar hits record high against ringgit
The Singapore dollar yesterday touched a record high against the Malaysian ringgit – and at least one analyst believes the rate could be headed for RM3.30.
— The Straits Times

Feature photo: Rıfat Sefa KÜÇÜK

The Singapore morning news roundup is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Singapore Morning News Roundup For March 1 added by Leakhena Khat on March 1, 2017
View all posts by Leakhena Khat →

Bio
Latest Posts

Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.