Islamic State-linked plots in region fell in 2018, but terrorism threat to Singapore remains high: MHA
The most pressing terrorism threat to Singapore continues to come from Islamic State, even though the number of plots directed by the militant group fell in the region in 2018.This is according to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) latest terrorism threat assessment report which was …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Mid-air brawl sees Scoot flight to Singapore return to Australia (video)
One man was arrested and the travel plans of hundreds of others thrown into disarray after a mid-air brawl on board a Scoot airways flight from Australia to Singapore yesterday, January 21.
— AEC News Today
“NUS should drop the legal challenge against TODAY” – Veteran journalist and NUS employee
Veteran journalist Bertha Henson has asserted in a recent blog post that the National University of Singapore (NUS) should drop the legal challenge it is pursuing against Mediacorp’s flagship English publication, TODAY online. NUS confirmed over the weekend that it is seeking legal advice over an article published by TODAY Online, entitled Opaque policies, fixation with […]
— The Independent
Financial institutions key in directing funds towards green development: Masagos Zulkifli
Financial institutions play an important role in directing capital flows towards sustainable development, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said on Tuesday (22 Jan).Speaking at a forum organised by Eco-Business and the United Nations Environment Programme, Mr …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Singapore’s Top 5 Dividend Shares Among the World’s Best
Here are some of the top dividend-yielding companies in Singapore.
— The Motley Fool
Ex-MOE teacher’s viral FB post says parents who don’t teach kids how to read should not have kids
She said that ‘depriving your child of basic education is depriving your child of a better future’.
— Mothership
SMEs will be future drivers of Singapore economy – if they move now to expand abroad
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be the future drivers of Singapore’s growth, provided they make the move now to go overseas, said DBS senior economist Irvin Seah on Tuesday (Jan 22)
— The Straits Times
Actor Aloysius Pang sustained serious injuries to his chest and abdominal areas during Exercise Thunder Warrior at New Zealand
A Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Operationally Ready National Serviceman, Corporal First Class (National Service) [CFC (NS)] Pang Wei Chong, Aloysius, 28, an Armament Technician from the 268th Battalion Singapore Artillery, sustained serious injuries to his chest and abdominal areas while carrying out repair works on a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer. The Ministry of Defence said in a press …
— The Online Citizen
More government support for a slowing economy expected: Fitch
FITCH Solutions analysts are looking at looser fiscal policy from the Singapore government in February’s Budget, according to a short commentary published by the agency on Monday.
— The Business Times
Train disruption along NSL due to train fault at Marsiling on Tuesday morning
Commuters taking train along the North South Line (NSL) on Tuesday (22 Jan) morning had to endure delays caused by a train fault at Marsiling. Reports from passengers posted on TATA SMRT Facebook started since nearly 8am: Edy Cheong wrote at 7:51am: Train fault at Marsiling. JX Li wrote at 7:56am: Something not very correct… …
— The Online Citizen
Academics stand by their comments about NUS & NTU made in the now-removed TODAY article
Several former National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) professors have spoken out about the fixation of universities, these two in particular, on KPIs and rankings which have led to the exodus of many qualified arts and humanities academics from tertiary institutions. In an article published by Today Online on 6th January …
— The Online Citizen
S$72 million to boost workforce, training in built environment sector
The Government has set aside S$72 million until 2020 to boost workforce development and training in the built environment sector.Under the initiative, existing scholarship programmes with training grants and retention incentives will be enhanced.They includes a S$3,000 training grant …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Automotive startup Motorist.sg gets seed funding from JobsCentral, Zopim founders
SINGAPORE automotive platform Motorist.sg has secured an undisclosed sum in seed funding from JobsCentral’s co-founders Lim Der Shing and Huang Shao-Ning, as well as Zopim’s co-founder Royston Tay. JobsCentral is an online job search platform, while Zopim is an online live chat software startup that was acquired by US-based Zendesk in 2014.
— The Business Times
$2 million grant to fund zero waste initiatives
People looking to kickstart ground-up initiatives to drive waste reduction and recycling can bid for $2 million worth of funding from February this year.
— The Straits Times
Sanli clinches $51.5m of PUB contracts at Kranji plant; order book at $185.9m
Water and waste management engineering group Sanli Environmental has clinched $51.5 million of contracts from Singapore’s Public Utilities Board (PUB), bringing its order book to $185.9 million, the company announced on Tuesday (Jan 22) during the Singapore Exchange’s midday trading break.
— The Straits Times
Assets under management in region to hit almost $40.8 trillion by 2025: PwC
By 2025, assets under management (AUM) in the Asia-Pacific is set to outpace any other region globally, and almost double that from 2017, according to a report released by PwC on Tuesday (Jan 22).
— The Straits Times
Cyber security giant Trend Micro sets up regional headquarters here
Cyber security giant Trend Micro has launched its new Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (Amea) headquarters in Singapore.
— The Straits Times
Budget 2019 could see infrastructure spending and other moves to prop up economy: Report
Fitch Solutions analysts are looking at looser fiscal policy from the Singapore Government in February’s Budget, according to a short commentary out on Monday (Jan 21).
— The Straits Times
2 Singapore REITs I Am Watching This Week
These two S-REITs will be releasing their fourth quarter and full-year updates this week. Here are some things to look out for.
— The Motley Fool
Singapore Budget 2019 could see public works and other moves to prop up economy: report
FITCH Solutions analysts are looking at looser fiscal policy from the Singapore government in February’s Budget, according to a short commentary out on Monday.
— The Business Times
Is It Possible to Live off Your Investments?
The concept of financial freedom involves tapping on one’s investment portfolio to draw an income, but how feasible is this idea for most people?
— The Motley Fool
Singapore joins established maritime nations in offering war risk insurance for ships
Singapore now offers war risk insurance for ships, joining the likes of established maritime nations such as Greece, Japan, Norway and Britain.
— The Straits Times
S’pore Oxford student who questioned Mahathir says he wasn’t too ‘aggressive’
He said it was ‘interesting’ to hear from Mahathir himself.
— Mothership
Lawyer who submitted forged degree, results transcript to get legal service job gets struck off the rolls
A young lawyer hoping to improve her chances of getting a job in the Singapore Legal Service submitted a forged transcript that reflected better grades in 2013.
— The Straits Times
Enhanced war risks coverage for Singapore maritime sector
SINGAPORE’S maritime community can enjoy enhanced coverage for war risks under new insurance conditions launched on Tuesday night at the Singapore Shipping Association’s (SSA) annual Chinese New Year cocktail reception.
— The Business Times
Terror threat to S’pore remains high, but only one in five sees it as an imminent threat: MHA report
The terrorism threat to Singapore remains high as more radicalised individuals here are uncovered and terror groups make waves globally, said the Ministry of Home Affairs.
— The Straits Times
Assets under management in region to hit almost $40.8 trillion by 2025: PwC
By 2025, assets under management (AUM) in the Asia-Pacific is set to outpace any other region globally, and almost double that from 2017, according to a report released by PwC on Tuesday (Jan 22).
— The Straits Times
Budget 2019 could see infrastructure spending and other moves to prop up economy: Report
Fitch Solutions analysts are looking at looser fiscal policy from the Singapore Government in February’s Budget, according to a short commentary out on Monday (Jan 21).
— The Straits Times
Gay rights champion makes legal challenge against Section 377A
An LGBT rights advocate has filed a case against the Attorney-General, stating that Section 377A of the Penal Code – which criminalises sex between men – is inconsistent with portions of Singapore’s Constitution, and is therefore void.
— The Straits Times
Academics stand by their comments about NUS & NTU made in the now-removed TODAY article
Several former National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) professors have spoken out about the fixation of universities, these two in particular, on KPIs and rankings which have led to the exodus of many qualified arts and humanities academics from tertiary institutions. In an article published by Today Online on 6th January …
— The Online Citizen
Dyson to move corporate head office to Singapore
British technology firm Dyson announced late Tuesday (Jan 22) night that it will move its corporate head office to Singapore to reflect the increasing importance of Asia to its business.In a press release, the privately owned company known for its bladeless fans and bagless vacuum …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Only one in five feels attack may happen here in next 5 years
Only one in five Singaporeans sees terrorism as an imminent threat, even though most acknowledge that Singapore is a target for terrorists, a survey done by the Government has found.
— The Straits Times
Neuron Mobility unveils e-scooter built in-house; eyes Series A funding
E-SCOOTER sharing startup Neuron Mobility hopes to whizz past its competition with a new e-scooter designed and built in-house.
— The Business Times
New war risks insurance conditions for maritime sector
SINGAPORE’S maritime community can enjoy enhanced coverage for war risks under new insurance conditions launched on Tuesday night at the Singapore Shipping Association’s (SSA) annual Lunar New Year cocktail reception.
— The Business Times
Trend Micro makes Singapore regional HQ, invests in new capabilities
CYBERSECURITY firm Trend Micro has designated Singapore its Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) headquarters amid growing demand for threat-monitoring solutions in the region.
— The Business Times
Grand Venture IPO raises $13.2m; trading starts today
Grand Venture Technology has started the listings ball rolling for 2019 with the year’s first initial public offering (IPO).
— The Straits Times
Terror threat to S’pore remains high, but only one in five sees it as an imminent threat: MHA report
The terrorism threat to Singapore remains high as more radicalised individuals here are uncovered and terror groups make waves globally, said the Ministry of Home Affairs.
— The Straits Times
More than $28,000 lost to tech support scams in 2018: Police
Victims lost more than $28,000 in 2018 after they were tricked into buying software for fake computer virus infections, police said on Tuesday (Jan 22).
— The Straits Times
Increase in defence budget in anticipation of acquiring advanced F-35 stealth fighters
MINDEF said on Friday (18 Jan) that the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) have completed their technical evaluation of the advanced stealth fighter F-35B. It plans to acquire a small number of the stealth jets for further evaluation of their capabilities and suitability before mounting a full …
— The Online Citizen
Losing £billions in paper losses in StanChart, Temasek puts pressure on bank’s CEO
The UK-based Financial Times published an article yesterday reporting that Temasek Holdings is stepping up pressure on Standard Chartered’s CEO as losses continue to mount for Temasek in its investments in Standard Chartered (‘Temasek steps up pressure over Standard Chartered turnaround’, 21 Jan). It reported that Temasek, which is currently the largest shareholder of Standard …
— The Online Citizen
Finance sector plays important role in directing capital for environmental benefit: Masagos Zulkifli
Developer City Developments Limited got the ball rolling in 2017 when it issued Singapore’s first green bond; now around $2 billion of such products have been released here by local and foreign issuers.
— The Straits Times
S$2 million grant to encourage zero-waste living
A new S$2 million grant has been launched to help people and organisations raise awareness of zero-waste living in Singapore.The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has announced the Towards Zero Waste grant will be made available from Feb 1 as the country accelerates …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
EPL lawyer’s plea to football fans not to watch pirated content backfires as fans recall disruption of live telecast
He could have chosen a better example.
— Mothership
Oxley unit to sell off Dublin properties for $315m
A subsidiary of property developer Oxley Holdings has entered into an agreement with Ireland’s central bank to sell off two blocks of buildings in Dublin for 204 million euros ($315 million), subject to finalisation of the properties’ net floor area.
— The Straits Times
Start-up Motorist.sg gets seed funding from JobsCentral, Zopim founders
Singapore automotive platform Motorist.sg has secured an undisclosed sum in seed funding from JobsCentral’s co-founders Lim Der Shing and Huang Shao-Ning, as well as Zopim’s co-founder Royston Tay. JobsCentral is an online job search platform, while Zopim is an online live chat software startup that was acquired by US-based Zendesk in 2014.
— The Straits Times
Scoot flight from Gold Coast to Singapore diverted after passenger causes disruption
A Scoot flight heading to Singapore from Australia’s Gold Coast was diverted to Sydney Airport on Monday (Jan 21) after an Australian man caused disruption on board.Flight TR7 was diverted to Sydney Airport about 1 hour and 20 minutes into its journey.During boarding and take-off …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
NUS researchers create magnetic device to aid muscle recovery
A team of researchers at the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine has created a device that uses magnetic fields to simulate the biological effects of exercise and promote muscle recovery.
— The Straits Times
Singapore-based investment firm eyes powering off-grid South-east Asia
A new firm based out of Singapore has set out to build and run clean energy projects across the region.
— The Straits Times
Johor task force suggests a single agency should handle Causeway traffic
One of the most important recommendations from a state task force in Johor is the proposal that there be only one single government agency for handling all the operations at the checkpoint. The task force, led by Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen, was assembled for the purpose of looking for solutions to the problem of congestion […]
— The Independent
‘Pop pop’ firecrackers seized at Tuas Checkpoint
Fifty boxes of firecrackers were seized at Tuas Checkpoint, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jan 22).
— The Straits Times
Man jailed for arranging sham marriages between Singaporean men, Vietnamese women
A 42-year-old man who arranged for two pairs of Singaporean men and Vietnamese women to have sham marriages has been sentenced to 18 months in jail and fined S$13,000, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Tuesday (Jan 22). Tan Chuen Zin, a Singaporean, was arrested …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Resurgence of phishing scams targeting DBS Bank customers via SMS: Police
There has been a resurgence of phishing SMSes purportedly sent by DBS or POSB, the police said in a joint statement with DBS Bank on Tuesday (Jan 22).
— The Straits Times
Brawl on Scoot flight, Aussie throws punches and takes of his shirt causing flight to be diverted
On January 21, Monday, a Scoot flight coming from Gold Coast headed to Singapore was rerouted due to a fight that broke out after take-off. Due to an unruly passenger who was allegedly intoxicated, a fist fight broke out on a Scoot flight 20 minutes after take-off. The man was said to be heavily-drinking after […]
— The Independent
Court of Appeal reserves judgment in three appeals over pathologist’s medical negligence
When medical negligence resulted in a loss of chance of survival, or reduced the prospects of a favourable medical outcome, can it form the basis for claiming compensation against the negligent doctor? If so, how is the compensation to be quantified? These questions formed the center of a dispute between a widow on one hand, …
— The Online Citizen
Ng Eng Hen: 2019 defense budget won’t spike because of new F-35s purchases
After the Defense Ministry announced on Friday, January 18, planned purchases of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters as replacements for its older F-16s, Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Sunday that these purchases would not cause a big spike in the ministry’s budget.
— The Independent
Chiropractor, insurance agents charged for defrauding Manulife Singapore
A chiropractor and two insurance agents were charged on Tuesday (Jan 22) with conspiring to cheat insurer Manulife Singapore using falsified insurance claims amounting to more than S$14,000.Chiropractor Charles Loo Boon Ann, 29, faces 17 charges of conspiring with insurance agents …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Netizens attack man who filmed himself giving cleaners drinks to showcase his good deed
In a post that is currently making its rounds in social media, a man could be seen doing a good deed. But he might not have gotten the reaction he wanted from netizens as it seemed staged, and done just for the ‘likes’. A video of a man giving some cleaning workers a […]
— The Independent
Celebrity chef apologizes for threatening to slap ex-PM Najib, but calls to boycott him escalate
Singaporean-born celebrity chef Datuk Redzuanwan Ismail, popularly known as Chef Wan, found himself in hot water for threatening to slap Najib Razak, former Prime Minister of Malaysia. Najib had claimed that under the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration, Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) had enjoyed a golden age. Wan, who had grown up as the son […]
— The Independent
Chee Soon Juan reveals that his book launch event venue faced rejection more than once
Following the news that Chee Soon Juan’s book launch event venue at Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) was cancelled last week, the Secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) revealed that even National Library (NL) refused to rent out its rooms for his book launch. Breaking this news on his Facebook account, he noted that when …
— The Online Citizen
Scammers duping victims into buying software to fix fake virus infection: Police
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) is warning people against falling for tech support scams after at least four reports were made this month.SPF said in a news release on Tuesday (Jan 22) that victims were tricked into making payments for software to address a fake virus …
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Inderjit Singh quashes hopes that he might join Tan Cheng Bock’s opposition party
Contrary to the hopes of many Singaporeans who urged him to join Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s new opposition party, former Member of Parliament (MP) Inderjit Singh has said that he has no plans to contest politics at this time. Interest in Mr Singh becoming a member of Dr Tan’s proposed party arose when Dr Tan […]
— The Independent
Fridae.com founder consumed drugs while out on bail for trafficking offence
Stuart Koe Chi Yeow was sentenced to a year and a month’s jail on Tuesday after pleading guilty to one count each of drug consumption as well as being in possession of drug paraphernalia and nimetazepam or Erimin-5.
— The Straits Times
Historic vote to determine autonomy in the southern Philippines could help end decades of conflict
Nearly three million Filipino voters in the southern part of the Philippines are casting their votes on the Bangsamoro Organic Law on Monday, January 21, regarding a proposal to give the region a higher degree of autonomy. The government hopes that the outcome will lead to peace in a region that has seen decades of […]
— The Independent
Couple jailed after taking part in robbery where victim was allegedly raped
What started out as a robbery took a darker turn when the victim was allegedly raped by one of the culprits who was only 17 years old at that time.
— The Straits Times
Cirque du Soleil returns to Singapore this July with KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities
The show premieres Jul 5 under the Big Top on Bayfront Avenue beside Marina Bay Sands.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Feature photo CDAC
This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Education, January 24.
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 23 added by John Le Fevre on
View all posts by John Le Fevre →
John Le Fevre
He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.
He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.
In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.
Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.
In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.
Latest posts by John Le Fevre (see all)
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 26 — 16 mln case barrier breached, Vietnam records community transmission – July 26, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 25 — new high for daily infections, 16 mln infection barrier to break today – July 25, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 24 — Asean tops 230,000 cases, nudges 90,000 active – July 24, 2020
- Thailand morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020