Singapore Morning News For June 6

All of Singapore’s government services will go digital by 2023, with more public servants to be trained in data analytics
By 2023, Singapore’s citizens and businesses will be able to access all Government services anytime, anywhere on an Internet-enabled device.
— South China Morning Post

Singapore Implements Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics Initiatives
As Singapore develops its digital economy, a trusted ecosystem is key, where industries can benefit from innovations in technology while consumer confidence and understanding can be assured.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Plastic bags targeted as Singapore marks World Environment Day
Supermarkets and other retailers may be required to report the amount of plastic bags they use, and plans to reduce their usage, by 2021.
— The Straits Times

Singapore launches Digital Government Blueprint to support its Smart Nation vision
The Digital Government Blueprint outlines how the Government will re-organise and transform itself to deliver public services better through technology.
— Open Gov Asia

More than 2,500 media registrations received for Trump-Kim summit in Singapore
The global spotlight will be on Singapore next week as it hosts what would be a historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North leader Kim Jong Un.
— Channel NewsAsia

Singapore among ‘most resilient’ in face of risks
SINGAPORE has been ranked among the world’s most resilient cities in the face of 22 man-made and natural risks considered in Lloyd’s City Risk Index (CRI) 2018, the insurer said in a statement on the report released today.
— The Business Times

On-demand autonomous buses to debut in Sentosa as part of 2019 trial
From next year, visitors and staff in Sentosa will be able to hail autonomous buses via their smartphones, or at kiosks along a 5km route on the island as part of a three-month public trial.
— Today Online

Singapore launches ‘World Peace’ medallion to mark US-North Korea summit | Video
The Singapore Mint has launched commemorative medallions carrying the inscription “World Peace” ahead of the highly anticipated summit in Singapore between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
— Channel NewsAsia (video)

Why Singapore needs the new CareShield Life
Public response to CareShield Life – the new mandatory national insurance scheme to provide financial aid to those afflicted by severe disabilities – has been mixed since the Health Ministry announced it on May 27, with planned roll-out from 2020 onwards.
— Today Online

Singapore company earnings show selective recovery
The strong showing by Singapore’s banks during the latest earnings season has powered the domestic market in recent weeks but the patchy performance of companies in some other sectors is tempering the outlook for the rest of the year.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)

Quarterly survey finds business sentiment at three-year high
BUSINESS sentiment in Singapore is at its most upbeat in three years, with the service and manufacturing sectors showing the most optimism about the coming third quarter, according to the latest Singapore Commercial Credit Bureau (SCCB) Business Optimism Index out on Tuesday.
— The Business Times

Singapore wants to go ‘car-lite’, says LTA in response to Elon Musk tweet
Responding to Tesla founder Elon Musk’s assertion that Singapore’s policies are not supportive of electric vehicles (EVs), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Tuesday (June 5) that it encourages the adoption of greener and cleaner vehicles such as hybrid buses and electric vehicles.
— Today Online

OCBC Bank launches Singapore’s first digital account-opening service that lets you set up a new bank account in 5 minutes
OCBC Bank has just launched a brand new digital account-opening service for all its customers, allowing applicants to instantly open an OCBC 360 Account without having to got through the trouble of visiting a branch.
— Business Insider

Meritus Hotels & Resorts Partners with Travel Prologue to Launch New Wholesale Distribution Service
Meritus Hotels & Resorts and Travel Prologue are pleased to announce their collaboration on a new technology platform that delivers real-time data on hotels’ room availability as well as dynamic and static rates to traditionally offline contractors — from travel agencies and wholesalers, to corporate travel intermediaries.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Singapore police seize S$590,000 in cash from Malaysian phone scammers
The police have seized S$590,000 (RM1.75 million) in cash after they arrested two men who dishonestly received the money by impersonating Chinese officials in phone scams.
— Malay Mail

Commentary: Singapore’s Digital Readiness Blueprint must also address ‘invisible illiteracies’
The launch of the Ministry of Communication and Information’s Digital Readiness Blueprint is both timely and welcome as Singapore makes definitive steps towards realising its vision to be a smart nation.
— Channel NewsAsia

Singapore startup turned down $100 million. It was a good call
A few years ago, Quek Siu Rui huddled with the board of his Singapore startup to consider whether to sell. Quek was only 26 and the $100 million offer would have made him wealthy beyond his dreams.
— The Jakarta Post

Trump-Kim summit set for Singapore’s Sentosa Island: White House
The summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will be on Singapore’s southern island of Sentosa, the White House said on Tuesday as preparations accelerated for next week’s event.
— Reuters

Protectionist measures are dangerous and self-defeating, says Singapore’s trade minister
It is dangerous for the world’s trading system when countries impose protectionist measures, and even self-defeating given that production chains are global, Singapore’s trade and industry minister said.
— CNBC

StanChart Plans to Split Asia Into Singapore, Hong Kong Hubs
Standard Chartered Plc plans to create two new hubs for its Asian operations in Singapore and Hong Kong to simplify the emerging market lender’s extensive network and reduce costs, people familiar with the plan said.
— Bloomberg

Feature photo Ria Tan

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 June 6 added by Leakhena Khat on June 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.