Singapore Morning News For February 6

Singapore will not let up on ensuring social mobility, says PM Lee
As society matures, it will get harder to narrow and bridge class divisions, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and that is why Singapore “must not and will not let up on maintaining social mobility”.
— Channel NewsAsia

Why Singapore gives top priority to fighting income inequality
We must keep Singaporeans together. Maintaining social harmony is very much at the top of the Government’s priorities.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

How Airbus’ Flying Taxis Could Be The Next Great Idea For Singapore’s Congested Roads
Traffic congestion is one of the most prevalent and frustrating characteristics associated with major cities.
— Forbes

Singapore proposes ‘Asean Smart Cities Network
The city-state is proposing an “Asean Smart Cities Network” aimed at improving the urban living environment and enhancing business opportunities for Southeast Asia’s 630 million people, according to a document prepared for ministerial meetings being held in the city-state this week.
— Bangkok Post

Facebook exchange between PM Lee and ESM Goh cause netizens to believe internal conflict is brewing
An online exchange between Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong and his predecessor, current Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh has been making waves online, leading netizens to speculate that an internal conflict has been brewing between the two.
— The Independent Singapore

Aviation trade body objects to passengers pre-funding Changi Airport Terminal 5
The airline industry’s most prominent trade body said it objects to any attempt by Singapore to charge travellers to help fund the construction of its new Changi Airport Terminal 5.
— Today Online

Singapore vows to back Vietnam in transforming industries
Singapore will help Vietnam develop a roadmap for transforming industries and improving digital management and business capacity, as heard at a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on February 5.
— Vietnam Plus

US-Singapore Military Ties in the Headlines with Air Force Chief’s First Visit
On February 4, the head of the U.S. Air Force kicked off his introductory visit to Singapore. The trip, which included meetings with top defense officials from the city-state and attendance at this year’s iteration of the Singapore Airshow, reinforced the defense relationship between the two longtime strategic partners.
— The Diplomat

Singapore’s GIC said to have invested $92.6m in Korean retailer E-Land Group
Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC has injected 100 billion won ($92 million) into Korean retail major E-Land Group, according to South Korean media reports. The round was part of a 200-billion won investment led by Hong Kong-based Anchor Equity Partners.
— DealStreetAsia

Business costs, privacy concerns raised as Parliament passes landmark Cybersecurity Bill
A landmark Bill to fortify Singapore’s essential services against cyber attacks was passed into law on Monday (Feb 5), but not before Members of Parliament (MPs) raised some concerns. These included compliance costs for businesses that could be passed on to consumers, and whether the measures would infringe on personal data.
— Today Online

German gas giant Linde to invest S$30m in Singapore digital technologies hub
German gas and engineering company Linde Group has launched a S$30 million initiative to develop digital technologies for its plants across the region.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

Singapore Airlines to Launch Blockchain-Based Loyalty Wallet
Singapore’s largest airline operator is turning to blockchain technology to boost spending of its loyalty program miles.
— Coin Desk

New agency Enterprise Singapore will not neglect smaller businesses: Iswaran
Several Members of Parliament (MPs) raised concerns on Monday (Feb 5) that smaller firms, especially micro small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), could be neglected with the merger of two government agencies, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and Spring Singapore, into the single entity Enterprise Singapore (ESG).
— Today Online

Singapore and China armies to step up defence cooperation
Singapore’s and China’s armies will step up bilateral defence cooperation, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Monday (Feb 5).
— Channel NewsAsia

S$180,000 in fines collected from enforcement actions against bike-sharing operators
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has collected about S$180,000 in fines and administrative fees as well as issued more than 2,100 removal notices since enforcement actions commenced against Bicycle Sharing Operators (BSOs) last May, said Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min.
— Today Online

Go slow but go far in rebooting taxes for next-gen needs
OVER the last decade, the two areas where government spending has been heavy are social and infrastructure investments.
— The Business Times

AGC has written to man who posted ‘fake news’ about lawyer who defended City Harvest Church leaders
The Attorney-General’s Chamber (AGC) said on Monday (Feb 5) that it will take firm action against contempt of court, including the institution of committal proceedings in appropriate instances.
— Channel NewsAsia

Khaw concedes: Off-peak travel pass scheme for elderly commuters was an utter failure
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan conceded in Parliament today that the off-peak travel pass scheme for elderly commuters was an utter failure. The scheme, which was launched in 2015 to encourage commuters to travel during off-peak hours, only managed to persuade fewer than 200 pass users to travel outside the morning and evening peak periods.
— The Independent Singapore

Proportion of new, young drug abusers still high, despite dip in overall numbers
While the overall drug situation improved last year with a five per cent dip in the total number of drug abusers arrested, it is still a concern as the proportion of new abusers remained high, at 40 per cent of the total nabbed.
— Today Online

20,000 people own 3 to 10 private residential properties in Singapore: MND
A total of 20,000 Singaporeans, Singapore PRs and foreigners own three to 10 private residential properties in Singapore, said the Ministry of National Development (MND) on Monday (Feb 5).
— Channel NewsAsia

Feature photo Justin Zhuang

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 February 6 added by Leakhena Khat on February 6, 2018
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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.