S’pore and M’sia to meet in January to discuss Johor Baru disputed waters
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Monday, December 10, that the government of Malaysia had agreed to meet with officials from Singapore in the second week of January in order to discuss the issues surrounding the Johor Baru port limits, with the hopes of coming to a resolution.
— The Independent sg
Carbon pricing necessary step as part of Singapore’s climate strategy: Masagos
Pricing carbon emissions first, and then adjusting it later, is part of Singapore’s strategy to meeting its climate pledges without excessively burdening the industrial sector, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli
— The Straits Times
Truck drivers face prison in Singapore for $1 bribes
Singapore has charged two Chinese migrant workers with soliciting one-dollar bribes from lorry drivers.
— BBC
Singapore mental health woes on rise: study
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the third most common mental health conditions in Singapore, following depression and alcoholism, according to a study of 6,126 Singaporeans and permanent residents.
— Asean Economist
Changes to law on criminal detention without trial to kick in next year
Amendments to the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act will take effect in the new year, when a list of criminal offences will be spelt out, the Ministry of Home Affairs said yesterday.
— Straits Times
Singapore government threatens critics and independent media with defamation claims
Two separate defamation cases against a news site and blogger in Singapore have put the country’s severe restrictions on free speech back in the spotlight.
— Global Voices
SDP: Singapore’s sovereignty cannot and must not be compromised by anyone
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) published a statement earlier today about the state of tensions between Singapore and our closest neighbour, Malaysia. In their statement, the SDP pushed for the Republic to stand strong and to guard her territory, but also to maintain civil ties with Malaysia.
— The Independent
UN, S’pore reaffirm commitment to fight drug offences
The United Nations and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to combating drug-related offences and organised crime.
— Straits Times
Fostering civil and open dialogue in Singapore
Where do you see Singapore in the future? It’s fair to say we all want a Singapore that is vibrant, resilient, and cohesive.
— Today Online (commentary)
Advocates petition to reform Singapore’s family justice system and stop the abuse of children and families
A group called the Family Justice Reform Singapore has started a petition calling for a change in Singapore’s Family Justice system.
— The Online Citizen
Malaysia, Singapore shares edge lower for sixth straight day
Malaysia and Singapore shares fell for the sixth straight day and trading volume tapered as investors retreated to the side lines awaiting fresh cues from a simmering trade spat between the U.S. and China.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Singapore businesses hope for end to territorial tensions
Singapore’s business community hopes the territorial tensions between Malaysia and Singapore can be resolved soon and amicably, with manufacturers especially concerned.
— The Business Times
Noble applying to Bermuda court to implement restructuring
Embattled commodity trader Noble Group will apply to the Bermuda court in order to implement its restructuring, it said on Tuesday (Dec 11).
— Straits Times
Singapore property ‘standstill’ expected next year
Just when Singapore’s residential property market was reviving after a four-year slump, government moves to curb the exuberance might play spoiler going into the new year.
— The Business Times
Borrowers who repay loans early to benefit from new moneylending business model
Six companies in Singapore will pilot new business models for moneylending, which would grant borrowers better terms if they repay their loans early or on time, said the Ministry of Law on Tuesday (Dec 11).
— Channel News Asia
Amendments to the Employment Act to cover all PMEs regardless of salary level, broader definition of dismissal
The extension of core provisions of the Employment Act (EA) to cover all employees is one of the most significant changes proposed in the process of amending the Act, among which include the applicability of statutory annual leave to all employees and a broadened definition of dismissal.
— The Online Citizen
Singapore’s Jungle Ventures nears first close of $200m third fund
Singapore-based venture capital firm Jungle Ventures is set to hold a first close of its $200-million third fund within weeks, according to industry executives familiar with the matter.
— Deal Street Asia (paywall)
Singapore venture capital firm eyes North Asia play
Venture capital firm Golden Equator Capital’s (GEC) move to launch a S$120 million fund with Korea Investment Partners (KIP) earlier this year comes on the back of push-pull factors
— The Business Times (paywall)
Singapore firms raise $6.7b in equity capital markets to date in 2018; 30.1% fall from 2017
For the fourth quarter up to Dec 11, ECM activity in Singapore amounted to US$745.5 million, a 15.4 per cent decrease from the preceding quarter and down 79.1 per cent in proceeds compared to the year-ago period.
— Straits Times
Singapore defends crown in Asian Digital Transformation index
Singapore is still the king of Asian digital transformation as it remained on top for the second year of the study by the The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) with its score of 78, sealing a 14.5 lead over its runner up, Japan. Meanwhile, Hong Kong clinched the third place with a score of 62.3.
— Singapore Business Review
Biolidics launches IPO to raise S$6.1m
Medical technology company Biolidics on Tuesday launched an initial public offering (IPO) of 27.5 million new shares at S$0.28 each. The placement is in conjunction with its proposed listing on the Catalist board on Dec 19.
— The Business Times (paywall)
UOL could push for further expansion in Australia after first buy: analyst
It wants to build its recurring income as sentiment on Singapore property weakens.
— Singapore Business Review
StarHub faces hurricane, not headwinds, says CEO
Business deals are still on the horizon for StarHub, even as the telco steps up its cost-cutting and embarks on a digital transformation exercise.
— The Business Times (paywall)
Virtual recruiters keeping an AI out for talent
Recruiting a staff member has always been an intensely personal interaction of interviews and get to know you sessions, but robots are now muscling into the process.
— Straits Times
BlueSG to open charging stations to other users
Electric car-sharing operator BlueSG will begin opening its charging stations to other such vehicles from the first quarter of next year.
— Straits Times
Singapore GGR could shrink by more than 2% by the end of the year
Gaming activity in Singapore appears to have stalled somewhat. In a financial note issued this past Friday, the Sanford C. Bernstein brokerage expects gross gaming revenue (GGR) for all of 2018 in Singapore to recede slightly from last year, falling 2.4% to just $4.53 billion.
— Calvin Ayre
More than 200 maids in debt seek help after loan cap takes effect
Just over a week after new limits on how much foreign workers can borrow took effect, more than 200 Filipino maids turned up at voluntary welfare organisation Blessed Grace Social Services (BGSS) in Ubi on Sunday.
— Straits Times
Majority of Singapore’s fresh graduates open to changing career paths not related to fields of study
Singapore – It is now not an uncommon occurrence when a fresh graduate makes a career choice not related to his field of study such a law major turning pâtissier or an engineer becoming a real estate broker.
— The Independent sg
SIA chief named Person of the Year
Singapore Airlines (SIA) chief executive Goh Choon Phong has been named Person of the Year by Orient Aviation, a commercial aviation news magazine for the Asia Pacific.
— Straits Times
Consumers satisfied with telco services, but want shorter wait on hotlines: IMDA
Consumers in Singapore gave the quality of mobile and broadband services high marks in general, but felt that telco hotline waiting times were too long, according to a survey released on Tuesday (Dec 11) by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA).
— Channel News Asia
How Much Cash Should You Hold In Your Portfolio?
In this last part of the portfolio construction series, we look into a contentious aspect – how much cash to hold within a portfolio.
— Motley Fool
73-year-old man wants to be mobilized if Singapore goes to war, inspires same sentiment in others
In the event that our forces might be required to take up arms, however unlikely, it’s good to know that there are many citizens who are willing to fight for the country.
— The Independent sg
Singaporean model helps raise thousands to protect Bali islands from environmental damage due to over-tourism
On Saturday 8th December, Singaporean model, actress and triathlete Kelly Tandiono competed in Bali’s first SwimRun event, combining running and swimming in a true test of strength and endurance against the challenging open water and trail.
— The Online Citizen
Singaporeans are choosing healthier food options: HPB
More Singaporeans are choosing healthier food options when they dine out, according to the Health Promotion Board (HPB).
— Straits Times
HSA issues advisory on mahogany seeds, or ‘sky fruit’, after 7 cases of liver injury reported
There have been seven cases of liver injury reported in recent years that are suspected to be linked to eating mahogany seeds, which are more commonly known as sky fruit.
— Asia One
Kitchen Stories: Why Chef Damian D’Silva fights for Singapore’s food heritage
We have not lost our identity per se, but we’ve forgotten who we are.
— Channel News Asia
5 new and upcoming hotel openings in Singapore
Hotels that are stylish and history-rich havens worth shortlisting for your next staycation
— Singapore Tatler
Feature photo Jentrified Citizen.
This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges Human Rights Day, December 10.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Singapore morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Singapore news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Singapore morning news for December 12 added by Mark Roy on
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A a professional photographer since the days of film, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
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