MOM releases official list of public holidays and long weekends for 2020
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recently released the official list of all Singapore public holidays for 2020.
— The Independent
A new era for payments is dawning in Singapore
THIS is the dawn of a new era for Singapore’s payments system. As part of its Smart Nation vision to become a leading economy powered by digital innovation, the government has been working on a range of initiatives to digitise payments.
— The Business Times
Nearly 500 private addresses falsely registered as foreign workers’ home addresses since December
There have been nearly 500 reports of private addresses being falsely registered as foreign workers’ home addresses in the past five months, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Thursday (May 2).
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Bigger S$3.68m scheme launched to boost tech use by Singapore law firms
SINGAPORE law firms, especially small and medium-sized practices, will receive more support to adopt technology, thanks to a new S$3.68 million one-year scheme launched on Thursday by the Ministry of Law (MinLaw), the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc), Enterprise Singapore.
— The Business Times
489 homeowners report misuse of addresses by employers, foreign workers to MOM
Nearly 500 private homeowners have discovered that their addresses were being falsely declared as the residences of foreign workers in recent months.
— Today Online
No Signboard CEO arrested and on bail amid share buyback probe
The head of Singapore restaurant chain No Signboard Holdings was arrested on reasonable suspicion of breaching the Securities and Futures Act.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
MAS, Bank of Canada trial could make cross-border payments cheaper, faster, safer
A SUCCESSFUL experiment by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of Canada using central bank digital currencies and distributed ledger technology (DLT) could make cross-border and cross-currency payments cheaper, faster and safer.
— The Business Times
Mainstream media does not report on Lee Wei Ling’s statement proving Kwa Kim Lee drafted LKY’s will
It has been over 50 hours since Dr Lee Wei Ling released email correspondence proving Kwa Kim Lee’s involvement in preparing the last will of her father, founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, but the Straits Times, Channel NewsAsia and TODAY Online have yet to report on the matter.
— The Independent
S’poreans search for property more than read to kids: Poll
Singaporeans spend three times longer on property searches than on reading bedtime stories to their children or speaking to their parents, according to a new survey.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Ministry of Law: POFMA actually narrows the Government’s powers
On Thursday, May 2, press secretary to Singapore’s Law Minister said that under the proposed anti-fake news bill, the Government’s powers, as well as the public interest grounds on which the Government can exercise its powers, “are actually narrower than the Government’s existing powers.”
— The Independent
ARA US Hospitality Trust seeks to raise US$451 million in Singapore IPO
ARA US Hospitality Trust launched an initial public offering in Singapore on Thursday to raise about US$451 million, for what would be the first new mainboard listing on the local bourse this year.
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Singapore shoppers given tool to choose products using ethical palm oil
A new online shopping tool gives Singaporeans the option of buying products made using ethical palm oil, a non-profit behind the scheme said on Thursday, as it looks to tackle the region’s haze fires.
— The Jakarta Post
MAS, Bank of Canada use blockchain in cross-border trial
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of Canada have sent each other digital currencies using blockchain technology, marking the first such successful trial between two central banks.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
No Signboard CEO arrested and on bail for possible breach of Securities and Futures Act
No Signboard Holdings said CEO Lim Yong Sim was placed under arrest by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and is currently on bail.
— The Edge Singapore
Singapore’s new DPM hints at leadership role
Singapore’s newly-appointed deputy prime minister hinted at a future leadership role in a speech on Wednesday in which he echoed a pledge made by previous prime ministers to support the city-state’s labor movement.
— Khmer Times
Facebook expands fact-checking initiative to Singapore amid challenges in other markets
The social media giant is partnering Agence France-Presse (AFP) to tackle false news on its platform.
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Supply of fresh produce from Malaysia not disrupted, says Singapore agency after certification deadline
There has been no disruption to the supply of fruits and vegetables from Malaysia, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Thursday (May 2), a day after a deadline for Malaysian exporters to meet a certification requirement.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Tech savvy: PM Lee says LKY learned to use a computer at 70 so he could work on his memoir
Perhaps we can call the country’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, as the father of a Smart Nation, since he learned to use the computer at age 70 so he could work on his memoirs.
— The Independent
SilkAir makes first non-stop flight from Singapore to Busan
SINGAPORE: SilkAir completed its inaugural non-stop flight to Busan on Thursday (May 2), marking the launch of its flight services to the South Korean city.
— CNA (very annoying popups)
MyInfo Business: how one solution is helping Singapore progress into a Smart Nation
Helping businesses transact faster as part of Singapore’s move towards a Smart Nation Extensive paperwork and lengthy application processes are two major pain points cited by business owners when transacting with government agencies.
— e27
Centralised money in a decentralised world
AT the Singapore Fintech Festival in November last year, Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), called on the world’s central banks to consider issuing digital currencies.
— The Business Times
Singapore society still ‘fairly conservative’ but the young, educated more open towards homosexual issues: IPS
While Singapore remains a “fairly conservative” society, there have been “distinct shifts” on issues surrounding homosexual rights, according to an Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) working paper released on Thursday (May 2).
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Clinical psychologist asks why SPF’s crime prevention posters targets victims instead of potential culprits
A clinical psychologist has asked why the Singapore Police Force’s (SPF) crime prevention posters seem to be targeted towards victims instead of potential perpetrators.
— The Independent
In its Labour Day message, WP highlights the challenges older PMETs face and what can be done to help them
The country’s Workers’ Party (WP) released its customary Labour Day message on May 1, focusing on the needs of professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs), especially ones who are older, and who have faced “a myriad of challenges” of late.
— The Independent
NUS review committee on framework to address sexual misconduct finally convenes, to submit preliminary recommendations by mid-May
The much talked about review committee set up by the National University of Singapore (NUS) to look into the university’s disciplinary and support framework around sexual misconduct has finally convened.
— The Online Citizen
Olam announces third palm plantation to achieve RSPO certification
Olam International says its Mouila Lot 3 palm plantation in Gabon has become Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified.
— The Edge Singapore
Merdeka Generation Package: Seniors to get letters by this week
About half a million senior citizens can expect to receive their eligibility letter for the Merdeka Generation Package by this week, said the Ministry of Health yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Malaysian minister criticises ‘sensationalised’ signs on palm oil at Singapore Zoo
A Malaysian government minister has used a speech in Singapore to take a swipe at what she called “sensationalised” signs at Singapore Zoo that deal with palm oil production and deforestation.
— Today Online
Four teenagers to be charged for posing as police officers to steal cash
Four teenagers will be charged on Friday (May 3) after being suspected of posing as police officers to steal cash from two victims.
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Ex-wife awarded half of lottery winnings after appeal court rules they are matrimonial assets
Singapore’s highest court has ruled that lottery winnings count as matrimonial assets in a divorce, as it overturned an ex-husband’s claim to a bigger slice of S$1.25 million in winnings from a ticket he had bought.
— Today Online
How Singapore’s incumbent banks are preparing for competition
In 2014, as alibaba was preparing to list in New York, Piyush Gupta, the chief executive of dbs, Singapore’s biggest bank, was watching with growing alarm.
— Economist
3 NMPs propose amendments to Singapore’s anti-fake news bill
Singapore’s proposed new law to combat “fake news” is facing strong resistance ahead of a parliamentary debate on the legislation – with three independent lawmakers this week joining the fray by proposing amendments to the controversial bill.
— Asia One
Law Ministry claims fake news bill will narrow, not widen, Government’s powers
In a forum letter today, Law Minister K Shanmugam’s press secretary Teo Wan Gek asserted that the proposed Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) will narrow the Government’s power instead of widening its authority, unlike what is perceived.
— The Independent
No Signboard CEO arrested and on bail amid probe into share buyback
No Signboard Holdings said on Thursday (May 2) that its chief executive officer Lim Yong Sim was arrested earlier this week by local authorities and has been released on bail.
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Heng Swee Keat: PAP backs NTUC
Speaking at the May Day Rally yesterday (1 May), the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat pledged that the 4th Gen leaders of his party, the People’s Action Party, will continue to work with National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) to renew Singapore and create a brighter future for its citizens.
— The Online Citizen
US medtech firm opens instrument manufacturing facility in Singapore
PerkinElmer, a leading American medical technology company, opened its newest life science lab instruments and diagnostics manufacturing facility at the JTC MedTech Hub in Jurong yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
DBS kept at ‘buy’ on continued NIM rise, better trading income and improved credit costs
Jefferies, CGS-CIMB Research and RHB Research are maintaining their “buy” call on DBS Group Holdings while OCBC is downgrading the stock to “hold”.
— The Edge Singapore
Malaysian minister takes aim at ‘sensationalised displays’ on palm oil at Singapore Zoo
Malaysian Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok has accused the Singapore Zoo of putting up displays that shed a negative light on palm oil and called for countries in Southeast Asia to present a united front in supporting the industry.
— CNA (very annoying popups)
Leadership change at embattled homegrown startup Honestbee
Embattled homegrown startup Honestbee has announced a change at the top with a member of the family in control of South Korean electronics giant LG taking the reins.
— Today Online
How Did Singapore’s Stock Market Perform in April?
The Straits Times Index (SGX: ^STI) rose almost 6% last month. Here are the biggest winners (and losers) in April.
— The Motley Fool
Feature photo Singapore International Jazz Festival
This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges International Jazz Day, 30 April
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.
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