Singapore Morning News For January 15

Singapore: Maritime sector road map to create S$4.5 billion in value-add, make over 5,000 new jobs
A new plan has been mapped out to set the course for Singapore’s maritime industry over the next decade.
— Hellenic Shipping News

Fake news law direly needed in Singapore?
I refer to Sulaiman Daud’s article “We hope the Select Committee on fake news pays attention to NMP Kok Heng Leun’s speech” (Mothership, Jan 12).
— The Online Citizen

Why are there so many “elderly” homeless?
I refer to the article “Restaurant owner gives out blankets to those sleeping on Chinatown streets as cool weather continues” (Straits Times, Jan 13).
— The Independent Singapore

Najib in Singapore for annual retreat with PM Lee
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomes his first foreign leader of the new year when his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak arrives in Singapore on Monday for a two-day visit.
— The Business Times

Keppel O&M bribery case: The rise and stumble of Singapore’s biggest rig builder
In February 2001, a joint venture of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) in Brazil snagged a US$75 million (S$99.6 million) contract to convert an aging tanker into an offshore production centre.
— Channel NewsAsia

Singapore Boosts Maritime Digitalization
Singapore’s Ministry of Transport launched its Sea Transport Industry Transformation Map (ITM) on Friday. Developed by industry groups including the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Map builds on MPA’s strategic long term plans to develop Singapore’s next-generation port and staff.
— Maritime-Executive

Amid large amount of e-waste, recycling efforts start in South-west District
Those who do not know what to do with their old, unused gadgets such as laptops and desktop computers can now drop them off at electronic waste bins located in areas such as Bukit Batok and Alexandra where they will be recycled – and even get their data wiped off the devices for peace of mind.
— Today Online

Singapore passport inspires animation on Total Defence
Last year, when it took top spot briefly before Germany reclaimed the mantle in December, students from Orchid Park Secondary School were inspired to portray it in their short animation, Little Red Book.
— The New Paper

MAS might tighten monetary policy: Credit Suisse
The appreciation path is likely to be very gradual at 0.5%.The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is expected to shift to a gradual exchange rate appreciation path of +0.5% in October 2018, Credit Suisse said.
— Singapore Business Review

Semipublic fund to back Japan bid for Malaysia-Singapore rail line
The government will help a Japanese corporate consortium win a bid for a high-speed rail project straddling Malaysia and Singapore, with plans to provide financial support through a public-private fund.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Singapore smashes bunker sales volumes in 2017, third straight record year
Singapore posted record sales volumes of marine fuels for the third straight year in 2017, even as the city state revamped the market last year leading to stiff competition and margin erosion.
— Hellenic Shipping News

Far East Hospitality Trust to get boost from Oasia Hotel Downtown
Distribution per unit could increase 4% to 3.09 cents.
Far East Hospitality Trust’s (Far East H-Trust) proposed acquisition of Oasia Hotel Downtown (OHD) for $210m will serve as a catalyst for growth and earnings, OCBC Investment Research said.
— Singapore Business Review

Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Talks about Cryptocurrencies
The Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore has decided to make a new statement on the country’s position regarding the cryptocurrency market. The Deputy Prime Minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, stated that according to the Singaporean financial regulator, cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies are the same thing when it comes to legislation.
— EmChat

Singapore maritime authority reports ship sinking in South China Sea, two missing
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was quoted by local media on Sunday as saying that a ship sank in South China Sea on Friday, 11 out of 13 crew were rescued and two remained missing.
— Xinhua Net

MOH reiterates call for healthcare workers to be vaccinated against whooping cough
With the number of whooping cough cases on the rise, the authorities have renewed their call for healthcare workers looking after young children to be vaccinated against the disease, which is potentially deadly for babies less than a year old.
— Today Online

Employment rate among fresh poly grads dips, but wages rise: Survey
While the median monthly salary has increased for fresh polytechnic graduates, the employment rate for this group has dipped to an all-time low since data was first collected in 2005, based on the latest Graduate Employment Survey by the five polytechnics here.
— Today Online

Home loans get pricier as banks hike interest rates again
HOME loans are getting more expensive as banks jack up mortgage rates again to as high as 2.05 per cent, the second increase in as many months, in line with sharply higher interest rates.
— The Business Times

Feature photo Walter Lim

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 January 15 added by Leakhena Khat on January 15, 2018
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.