Singapore morning news for June 17

FDI in Singapore up in 2018 despite slowdown in global flows
FOREIGN direct investments (FDI) continued to flow into Singapore last year, even when global FDI fell for a third straight year to its lowest since the 2008 global financial crisis.
— The Business Times

US-China trade war starts to bite in Singapore
Factories in Singapore are seeing reduced activity amid slowing orders. Some firms are also freezing hiring.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Institutional Investors Have Been Buying These 2 Billion-Dollar Singapore REITs
Institutional investors have been buying these two Singapore REITs recently. Should you be following their lead? We take a closer look.
— The Motley Fool

200 people evacuated from Tang Plaza in Orchard Road after fire breaks out
Around 200 people were evacuated from Tang Plaza in Orchard Road on Saturday (Jun 15) evening after a fire broke out in the department store.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Deploying blockchain in durian trade is bearing fruit
BLOCKCHAIN is commonly associated with digital coins, but its deployment in the track-and-trace process of the supply chain may yield benefits beyond raising efficiency.
— The Business Times

Citi donates over S$100,000 to ChildAid
FOR the fourth consecutive year, Citi Singapore raised over S$100,000 for the annual children’s charity concert ChildAid organised by The Business Times and The Straits Times.
— The Business Times

UOB reaffirms offer to buyers of two condo projects under receivership
UNITED Overseas Bank (UOB) has reaffirmed its offer to bear the additional costs to complete the construction of two unfinished residential projects which have been put under receivership after their developers ran into financial difficulties.
— The Business Times

Selected preschools to waive late pick-up fees for fathers on ICT, NS duty
Operationally-ready national servicemen (NSmen) and their families will not have to pay a fee if they are late picking their child up from selected preschools, SAFRA announced on Friday (Jun 14).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore, UK to deepen ties in digital government services
SINGAPORE’S Government Technology Agency (GovTech) and the UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration in the design and delivery of digital government services, both agencies announced in a press statement on Friday.
— The Business Times

4G leaders will work with Singaporeans to design, implement public policies: DPM Heng
Issues such as housing, environmental sustainability and social mobility are among those brought up by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at a REACH-CNA dialogue session.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Jewel Changi Airport confirms woman was injured on sky nets, urges visitors to be careful
The operations at Canopy Park are being monitored, and safety procedures will be refined accordingly.
— Mothership

How much does it cost to live near the top primary schools in Singapore?
No matter how much the MOE tries to tell Singaporeans that “every school is a good school”, the fact remains that many parents stop at nothing to get their kids into what they perceive as the top primary schools in Singapore.
— Asia One

Student’s lightbulb moment leads to installation of solar panels on school’s roof
For Hemal Arora, 16, all it took was him finding out that his school’s electricity consumption was almost 6,000 megawatt hours a year.
— Today Singapore

From whole grains to less sugar, Singaporeans are eating healthier
A push to eat more wholegrains and veggies. A blitz to cut down on oil and sugar intake. And now, the target is trans fats. Insight looks at the effort to get Singaporeans eating healthier.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

S’porean bloggervist Roy Ngerng supports Hong Kong protests at Taiwan rally
Getting to do something he doesn’t get to do in Singapore.
— Mothership

The Big Read: As headwinds grow, fresh grads adjust job expectations, embrace short-term contracts
When Miss Halida Thanveer Asana Marican started hunting for a job last December, she sent out only one or two applications.
— Today Singapore

Why the chickens at Sin Ming Court do not have to cross the road and leave the estate
The red junglefowl in a corner of Bishan can continue to be, well, as free as a bird thanks to residents of Sin Ming Court who overwhelmingly voted to not have them removed from the estate despite complaints of the noise caused by the free-roaming fowls.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

S’pore’s first-ever Commando officer reveals how he set up an elite force & made it ‘best in the SAF’
To think Clarence Tan signed on to the army only because he ‘loved the outdoors’.
— Mothership

In the age of online maps, who needs street directories anymore?
While street directories face obsolescence as navigational tools, supporters say current editions are still some of the most up-to-date sources of information out there, and older editions offer rich insight into the history of Singapore.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Commentary: The big challenge of winning back trust in the Boeing 737 Max
Regulatory approval is just one step in getting the planes back in the sky, says NUS Business School’s Jochen Wirtz.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

When what you eat is a fat lot of good
Don’t worry, your favourite instant noodles and potato chips aren’t going anywhere. But they will probably become a little bit healthier come 2021, when the Ministry of Health’s (MOH’s) move to ban partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) kicks in.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Posting from foreign PMET shows how companies are running rings around MOM
A recent post by a foreign PMET on expat.com, a popular expat forum, had revealed how companies can run rings around Singapore’s Manpower Ministry (MOM) in order to get more foreigners to work in their companies.
— The Online Citizen

Justice, mercy and a long road to recovery: An in-depth look at criminals with mental illness in Singapore
Accused people with mental illness are given special treatment in Singapore’s legal system, but how exactly does the court decide the extent of the role a mental condition plays, and what happens to the accused person when he goes into prison and thereafter?
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Innovation key to attracting real estate investment, talent: JLL
IN today’s technology-driven world, innovation-oriented cities with highly talented workforces have a competitive advantage.
— The Business Times

Commodities’ sizzling summer may be fizzling
COMMODITY prices have been on the sizzle lately but pundits expect the rally to run out of steam – except for bullion, which spectacularly scaled a 14-month high on Friday.
— The Business Times

Former TODAY and TNP editor PN Balji launches tell-all book
Veteran journalist and former editor PN Balji on Friday (Jun 14) launched a tell-all book about his time in the media industry, detailing the highs and lows of his 40 years in the newsroom and his brushes with the Government.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Are Singapore Shares in Bargain Territory Right Now?
Find out here if Singapore shares are cheap right now.
— The Motley Fool

Shift to new ERP system starts next year with free in-vehicle unit swop
The in-vehicle units will be replaced with larger on-board units that show more information, such as charges a motorist will incur for a particular journey.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Tasty treats and cultural high notes at ‘kampung’ carnival to mark Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Festive fun and cultural treats were on full display at Karnival Aidilfitri on Sunday (June 16) with everything from silat tanding and dikir barat performances to satay, lontong booths and batik fan-making.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

3 Things You Might Not Know About Top Glove
Top Glove is the top player in the glove industry? Here’s 3 things that you should know if you are interest in the company.
— The Motley Fool

3 in 4 women in Singapore prisons due to drug offences; experts say most became abusers to save relationships
About three in four women in prisons here are locked up for drug offences, with many having picked it up because of their partners.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

S’pore to be one of the filming locations for HBO’s Westworld season 3
We always suspected there were robots walking around in Singapore.
— Mothership

Want to rent a luxury home for $1,000 a night?
One is a 1920s heritage bungalow in Grange Road, a stone’s throw from Orchard Road. It comes with a sprawling courtyard, playground, garden and pool, complete with a caretaker and a gardener, and parking for up to five cars.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Hyflux receives letter of intent for potential investment from unnamed China-based suitor
Another potential suitor has knocked on the doors of embattled water treatment firm Hyflux with a non-binding letter of intent for a possible investment.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Muslims in Singapore represent a ‘community of success’: Masagos
Muslims in Singapore are a community underpinned by character, competence and citizenry, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said on Friday (Jun 14).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

3 Cheap China-Based Companies Listed in Singapore
A dive into Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd (SGX: BS6), Yanlord Land Group Limited (SGX: Z25), and China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corp Ltd (SGX: G92), three big Chinese companies listed on the Singapore stock exchange.
— The Motley Fool

Chasing perks: is there a darker side to fancy offices and benefits?
THESE days, that ping-pong table in the office is not so unique anymore. In Singapore, employers are now dangling increasingly outrageous benefits such as unlimited vacation, cryopreservation, and fully-paid sabbaticals as the war for talent continues to heat up.
— The Business Times

71 Robinson Road quietly put on the market
STEALTH marketing is going on at 71 Robinson Road, which was last transacted in April 2008 at a then-record price of S$3,125 per square foot.
— The Business Times

China’s Cloud Computing Industry and Its Growth Potential
A quick primer on the cloud computing industry in China.
— The Motley Fool

‘Clutter culprits’ a bane to their neighbours
For some Housing Board residents, walking to or from their flats is akin to negotiating an obstacle course.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Tattooed people may be less employable in Singapore due to conservative norms
While societies have evolved to be more open-minded and receptive towards tattoos, it is still a taboo in more conservative countries where tattoos are perceived negatively.
— The Independent

WATCH: Utter chaos at Balestier bak kut teh shop ends in the arrest of 4 women
In the latest episode of Angry People Fighting at Singapore Eateries, a Balestier Road bak kut teh shop erupted into utter chaos on Wednesday morning as a fight broke out between four women.
— Coconuts (paywall)

Don Don Donki opening 6th outlet soon at Clarke Quay Central
It will be located at the basement level of the mall.
— Mothership

Commentary: What I learnt after escorting a blind guest from his home to our studios
Persons with disabilities are more independent than we give them credit for, says CNA’s Nazurah Razali.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Parkway Life REIT is Solid But Here’s Why I’m Not Buying it For Now
Parkway Life REIT (SGX: C2PU) has historically delivered solid performance. But here’s why I’m still not buying it.
— The Motley Fool

NDP 2019 to feature new aircraft, F-15SG fighter jet displays and 2,600-strong parade
Soaring over the Padang at this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) will be the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) A330 Tanker Transport aircraft, which is set to make its debut, accompanied by two F-15SG fighter jets.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

SAF’s role more crucial now, says Teo Chee Hean
Given new threats and a world that is again in flux, the role of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is all the more important today – to provide Singapore with the strength and confidence to defend national sovereignty, and to keep Singaporeans secure, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Feature photo FiTTA

This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Yoga, June 21.

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 17 added by John Le Fevre on June 17, 2019
View all posts by John Le Fevre →

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John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

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.