Singapore morning news for June 21

Singdollar expected to fall further even as Fed signals rate cuts
The Singapore dollar is expected to fall further against the greenback, said most experts, even as the US Federal Reserve indicated yesterday that it could soon cut interest rates.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore Airlines loses best airline in the world title to Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is a strong competitor.
— Mothership

Teen gets 9 stitches on face after being cut at Jewel’s mirror maze
A 14-year-old girl who was playing at the mirror maze attraction at Canopy Park in Jewel Changi Airport suffered a cut on her face that required nine stitches.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Lawyer Jeffrey Ong faces 13 fresh charges, and is denied bail
JLC Advisors managing partner Jeffrey Ong Su Aun, pressed by partners of his law firm to account for unauthorised withdrawals of clients’ money, took off to Malaysia on May 13, leaving Singapore via the Tuas Checkpoint.
— The Business Times

New centre with focus on Asian health, nutrition
A new centre that will conduct research into Asian health and nutrition opened yesterday, run by American corporation Cargill, and supported by government agencies Enterprise Singapore and the Economic Development Board (EDB).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Jail for PR who defaulted on NS obligations
A Singapore permanent resident (PR) defaulted on his national service (NS) obligations to pursue his education overseas and unlawfully remained outside the country for more than five years.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Sunseap secures $43m loan to install solar panels on rooftops
Local renewable energy firm Sunseap has secured a $43 million green loan to install solar power systems on rooftops across Singapore.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

High net worth individuals and companies begin relocating assets from Hong Kong to Singapore following unrest over extradition Bill
As the political storm unfolds between the government of Hong Kong and the city’s denizens – particularly members of civil society – over the former’s divisive extradition Bill, the mega-wealthy are moving their assets elsewhere, including to Singapore.
— The Online Citizen

SMRT disputes Straits Times report that SMRT Trains CEO is expected to leave the organisation
Rail operator SMRT has disputed a recent Straits Times report that claimed that SMRT Trains Ltd director and chief executive officer Lee Ling Wee and Executive Vice-President (Experience) Dawn Low are expected to leave the organisation.
— The Independent

ST Engg-Airbus JV secures job to convert A321 passenger jet into cargo freighter
ST Engineering’s joint venture with Airbus, Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), has secured a letter of intent from US-based aircraft leasing company BBAM for an A321 converted freighter.
— The Business Times

S’pore hosting region’s biggest autism event
Singapore has become the first country outside Australia to host Asia-Pacific’s largest autism learning event.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Fugitive lawyer possessed stolen Malaysian passport when caught
The lawyer who vanished after more than $33 million parked at his firm went missing had left Singapore for Malaysia in a private-hire car on May 13, a district court heard yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Drew & Napier ranked top Asian-based firm for restructuring practice
Leading law firm Drew & Napier was rated the world’s top Asian-based law practice for corporate restructuring work by Global Restructuring Review (GRR) in its 2019 rankings.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Tech and regulations can help avoid drone disruptions: Experts
With drones becoming more common, measures must be taken to regulate their use and ensure these devices do not disrupt air traffic in Singapore, say industry observers.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Paradise has appetite for expansion
At a time when food and beverage (F&B) companies here are facing a manpower crunch in a market saturated with restaurants, Chinese cuisine chain Paradise Group is planning to grow from the more than 100 restaurants in Asia it currently runs to reach 150 globally by 2021.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

15 students in Pasir Gudang, M’sia suffer breathing difficulties due to suspected toxic gas leakage
The health minister assured that things are under control now.
— Mothership

Changi Airport shuts a runway after spotting drone
After sighting an unauthorised drone at the vicinity of Changi Airport, a runway was forced to shut intermittently for about 10 hours, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Wednesday (19 June).
— The Online Citizen

China-born academic, permanently banned from Singapore, has “no hard feelings”
Chinese-American academic Huang Jing – who used to work with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) before he was permanently banned from Singapore – has told the media that he has “no hard feelings” about his expulsion.
— The Independent

Singapore’s Pavilion Energy to pay S$176 million for Iberdrola’s LNG assets
Singapore’s Pavilion Energy said on Thursday (Jun 20) its wholly owned subsidiary has agreed to buy Spanish energy company Iberdrola’s portfolio of liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Some bills would have been passed unconstitutionally in Parliament if not for Prof Tan
It was reported that the top 3 absentee MPs from Parliamentary sittings for last year (2018) were from the People’s Action Party, with Mr Iswaran at the top.
— The Online Citizen

Law and Home Affairs Minister shares distasteful post from fellow MP at Nee Soon GRC
Law and Home Affairs Minister received flak from netizens after he shared a distasteful post from fellow MP at Nee Soon GRC, Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, on 17 June (Monday).
— The Online Citizen

Singapore’s Qualgro lands in Europe with a US$11.2M Series A in Pazzi
Singapore-based investment fund Qualgro has entered Europe via a US$11,2 million Series A funding in Pazzi, a France-based robotic food tech startup.
— e27

Skills verification platform Indorse raises US$2M from India’s media group
The investment arm of India-based media group The Times Group, plans to invest up to US$6.5 million to Indorse, a skills verification platform based in Singapore.
— e27

More than 75,000 e-scooters registered ahead of June deadline: LTA
More than 75,000 e-scooters have been registered ahead of a Jun 30 deadline that would make it illegal for anyone to ride, cause or permit another person to ride an unregistered device on public paths.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

MND launches Code of Governance for Town Councils to promote greater transparency and raise governance standards
The Ministry of National Development (MND) has announced the launch of the Code of Governance for Town Councils (TCs), which aims to promote greater transparency and raise governance standards in TCs.
— The Online Citizen

Price of electric cars still shocking
WHAT’S not to love about the Niro EV, a battery-powered car that Cycle & Carriage Kia launched in Singapore last week?
— The Business Times

UOB Kay Hian emerges as suitor for DBS Vickers’ remisier base
UOB Kay Hian, the largest securities brokerage in Singapore, has emerged as a keen suitor for the 150-odd remisiers and retail equity trading representatives at DBS Vickers, the broking arm of Singapore government-linked DBS Bank.
— The Business Times

Singapore, Jordan look forward to deeper cooperation
As small countries with limited resources, both Singapore and Jordan must remain nimble to deal with external challenges, President Halimah Yacob said yesterday during a state banquet held in honour of King Abdullah II of Jordan.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

President hopes pledge on religious harmony will have multiplier effect
This week’s commitment by more than 250 religious organisations in Singapore to safeguard religious harmony is an important document to reinforce social cohesion here, President Halimah Yacob has said.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Shorter, more festive Great Singapore Sale kicks off today
The Great Singapore Sale kicks off today and will be five weeks long – ending on July 28 – instead of 10.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Training in France gives pilots cutting edge: Heng Chee How
Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) detachment in France on Wednesday and highlighted the value of training there.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Two High Court judges’ terms to be extended
Two High Court judges will have their appointments extended by two years after their current terms end, the Supreme Court announced yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Snap, report errant PMD riders via app
Complaints about errant personal mobility device (PMD) users, with relevant photographs, may soon be made through the MyTransport.SG app, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced yesterday as the July 1 deadline to register the devices draws near.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Needy residents get to shop for what they want at pop-up mart
For the first time in their lives, eight-year-old Jayben Louis and his 14-year-old sister Sabrina got to choose what to buy at a supermarket for free.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

SCDF ragging incident: Witness says he remembered details wrongly
A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer testified that hours before Corporal Kok Yuen Chin was pushed into a fire station pump well on May 13 last year, another colleague had tried to kolam him.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

CDAC to revise income criteria for schemes so more get help
The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) will ease the qualification criteria for its help schemes from January next year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Woman, 84, is 5th dengue fatality this year
An 84-year-old woman who was living in Geylang Lorong 6 became the fifth person to die of dengue fever this year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Woman jailed for dealing with over $850k from scams
A casino croupier allowed bank accounts linked to her and her family members to receive more than $850,000 in criminal proceeds after she met a man on social networking platform Skout.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Hour Glass co-founder seeks stay of bankruptcy order
The Hour Glass co-founder Jannie Chan has been made a bankrupt for owing a licensed moneylender more than $4.15 million.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Pavilion Energy buying Spanish utility firm’s LNG assets for $176m
Pavilion Energy is acquiring the liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets of a Spanish utility firm, it announced yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

SGX queries Parkson Retail Asia on trading volume
Department store operator Parkson Retail Asia has been asked by the Singapore Exchange (SGX) about the unusual volume movements in the trading of its stock after turnover soared to more than three times its average three-month volume yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Transport official says Johor’s proposal to build walkways across Causeway is welcome
A spokesman for the Ministry of Transport (MOT) said on June 19, Wednesday, that the country welcomes the plan from Malaysia to build sheltered walkways across the Causeway that will connect Johor to Woodlands.
— The Independent

Constantly linking LGBTQ+ to ‘problems’ is a malicious form of defamation, says activist
On 14 June, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam attended a discussion with representatives from several Singaporean LGBTQ+ organisations to talk about anti-drug outreach efforts.
— The Online Citizen

Former MediaCorp editor appointed as press secretary for DPM Heng Swee Keat
A former MediaCorp editor has been appointed as the press secretary for Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. Farah Abdul Rahim previously worked as a senior broadcast journalist at MediaCorp for 7 years starting in 1999 before a two year stint as Account Director at Hill & Knowlton.
— The Online Citizen

Visa unveils Future of Security Roadmap to strengthen payment security in Singapore
Today, millions of devices are reshaping how payments are made and accepted, and Singapore is at the forefront of this change.
— The Online Citizen

Beyond $1,379 a month, elderly in Singapore count having their social needs met as part of standard of living
Life hasn’t been easy for senior citizen Agnes Teo. Abandoned by her biological parents for being born a girl, Teo was adopted by her adoptive family at two months old.
— The Pride

What’s it like to go back to school at 50? Ask this journalist
When The Straits Times executive sub-editor Toh Yong Chuan started part-time studies at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in January, his daughter, Deborah, 13, gave him a $2 pencil case bought from Daiso and her secondary school’s foolscap paper to take notes in class.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Red and white NDP fun packs with a green heart
This year’s National Day Parade (NDP) fun packs may come in Singapore’s red and white, but they are green at heart.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

SP Group’s mobile unit powers up when the power fails
Ten minutes. That is how long Mr Mohamed Nasir Mohamed Ismail, a technical officer with SP Group’s electricity operations, and his mobile generator unit team have to prepare before leaving their Pasir Panjang base when they are activated during a power failure.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore Dance Theatre’s Masterpiece in Motion is back on 16 & 17 August 2019
Masterpiece in Motion is back! As Singapore Dance Theatre’s annual triple-bill evening, this season features a phenomenal line-up including George Balanchine’s Serenade and Theme and Variations, as well as Choo-San Goh’s Fives.
— The Online Citizen

Waxberries from Xianju County exported to Singapore for the first time
On June 17th, four batches of waxberries grown in Xianju County, Zhejiang Province passed the quarantine inspection and were successfully shipped to Canada, Italy, France, and Singapore, totaling 122 boxes and 1395 kg, as reported by Taizhou Customs on the same day.
— Fresh Plaza

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 21 added by John Le Fevre on June 21, 2019
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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.