Singapore Morning News For March 9

Singapore inks new TPP trade pact with 10 other countries: 5 things to know about the CPTPP
Moving along without the United States, the remaining 11 countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Thursday (Mar 8) signed a new version of the multilateral trade pact, resuscitating a landmark deal that would slash tariffs and foster trade in a market with a combined output of US$10 trillion (S$13 trillion).
— Channel NewsAsia

U.S. destroyer McCain collision which killed 10 sailors caused by ‘sudden turn’: Singapore
A U.S. guided missile destroyer’s deadly collision with an oil tanker near Singapore in 2017 was caused by “a sudden turn” made by the warship that put it in the path of the commercial vessel, said a report by the Singapore government on Thursday.
— Reuters

What Did the ASEAN Defense Chiefs Meeting in Singapore Achieve?
On March 8, Singapore held this year’s iteration of the meeting of ASEAN defense chiefs. Though meeting was just one of a number of defense-related interactions that the city-state is hosting, it offered some sense of how Southeast Asian states view the region and what agenda items they are prioritizing.
— The Diplomat

Singapore recalls all rockmelons from Australia as more listeria-affected batches exported
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on Thursday (Mar 8) announced a recall of all rockmelons from Australia as a “precautionary measure”.
— Channel NewsAsia

National Supercomputing Centre Singapore announces the 2018 APAC HPC-AI Competition
To foster international exchange in the areas of high-performance computer (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI), the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) Singapore and the HPC AI Advisory Council opened the 2018 APAC HPC-AI Competition for registration.
— Open Gov Asia

From Singapore To Myanmar, These Women Are Leading Groundbreaking Startups In Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia has become a hotbed of startup activity. From futuristic Singapore to the growing tech communities of Myanmar, the region is alive with hustle and innovation. Indeed, there’s a hardly an industry that hasn’t been touched by some form of tech disruption.
— Forbes

S’pore’s first Islamic college could have broad-based curriculum to equip students with employable skills
The Republic’s first Islamic college could have a broad-based curriculum which teaches Islamic sciences as well as equips students with skills so that they can also be employed in the general workforce, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim on Thursday (Mar 8).
— Today Online

NUS Enterprise and Singtel Innov8 launch new hub for cybersecurity startups
The initiative will provide support services such as access to working space, funding, domain experts as well as networking events. Start-ups at ICE71 will also have access to enterprise grade cybersecurity resources enabling them to develop and test proof-of-concept solutions in a virtual environment.
— Open Gov Asia

Singapore-based Electrify raises US$30 mln in ICO
Singapore-based startup Electrify has raised US$30 million through an initial coin offering (ICO) as it seeks to expand its retail electricity marketplace business.
— ejinsight

Singapore seeks to select intangible heritage item for Unesco list
Malaysia has Mak Yong theatre from the villages of Kelantan; Indonesia has Indonesian batik, the art of boat building in South Sulawesi and three genres of traditional dance in Bali, among others.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

Hong Kong airport launches investigation into five Singapore Airlines crew over security breach
The flight attendants entered the departure level of the terminal without undergoing the necessary security checks, and there is suspicion a third party provided them with access.
— South China Morning Post

Govt agencies don’t do political outreach, but their work could have ‘political impact’: Chan Chun Sing
Weighing in on the perennial debate over whether government agencies such as the People’s Association (PA) are politicised, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing said in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 8) that the Government draws a distinction between “political outreach and impact”.
— Today Online

Asean military chiefs reaffirm security pledge
Against a backdrop of rising terrorism and the growing sophistication of terrorists’ tactics and capabilities, Asean defence forces chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to work together to maintain peace, security and stability in the region yesterday.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

S’pore authorities seize 1,800 ivory pieces worth S$3.3 million
A shipment brought into Singapore from Nigeria was declared to have contained groundnuts. But upon closer inspection, the authorities instead found 61 bags containing close to 1,800 ivory pieces worth about US$2.5 million (S$3.3 million).
— Today Online

7 in 10 female expats eye Singapore for improved income
The best Asian country for female expats to improve their earning prospects is Singapore with 71% agreeing, HSBC revealed in its Expat Explorer report. The country was followed by Hong Kong (55%), China (45%), South Korea (44%), and Vietnam (42%).
— Singapore Business Review

Will Singapore head into a housing bubble soon?
Half a decade has passed since Singapore’s last housing bubble in 2010-2013. In 2017, the property market was abuzz due to record-high bids for properties that weren’t witnessed in years. As prices are expected to trend even higher this year due to higher land cost, stronger economic growth, and higher housing demand, many may wonder if a housing bubble is forming now.
— Singapore Business Review

Netizens flame Khaw Boon Wan for saying “Cheap fares are popular, but they are not sustainable.”
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan drew more flak online after he announced that the current public transport fare formula is “inadequate” and that the Public Transport Council (PTC) is reviewing it to better track “total costs,” in Parliament yesterday.
— The Independent Singapore

Insurance co-payment will make private healthcare sector ‘more transparent’
The move will encourage patients and healthcare providers to engage in medical services which are only necessary and look at better ways to address medical needs, say experts.
— Channel NewsAsia (video)

Four more Active Health Labs to open this year
This was one of the announcements made by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth at the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament yesterday.
— The New Paper

Feature photo Carolien Coenen

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 March 9 added by Leakhena Khat on March 9, 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.