1MDB scandal: Goldman Sachs stands by ‘principles and credibility’
FROM the Malaysian Cabinet to the man-in-the-street in Kuala Lumpur or Penang, or even in Singapore, it’s close to unbelievable to hear Goldman Sachs Group blowing its own trumpet on “principles and credibility”.
— The Independent sg
A new maritime dispute: Issues of nationalism and sovereignty fray Malaysia-Singapore ties
As Malaysia withdraws its challenge against Singapore on the Pedra Branca ruling, another high-profile maritime spat has been ignited.
— Asean Today
Indonesia tsunami: Singapore leaders express condolences
Singapore leaders on Sunday (Dec 23) expressed their condolences after a tsunami struck coastal areas around the Sunda Strait between the islands of Sumatra and Java in Indonesia on Saturday night. At least 200 people have died and hundreds more have been injured, according to Indonesian authorities.
— Channel News Asia
United Nations treaty on cross-border mediation to be named after Singapore
The United Nations has passed a resolution to adopt a new convention on mediation and name it after Singapore, a move that experts say is a nod to the Republic’s success in building a strong hub for international dispute resolution.
— Today Online
Ex-Singapore PM urges South-east Asian neighbours to stay calm on maritime dispute
Former Singapore prime minister Goh Chok Tong urged Malaysia and Singapore to react calmly as the two South-east Asian neighbours lock horns over their maritime borders.
— Yahoo News
2018: Fighting the stifling dark forces of Darth Vader in Singapore
This was how I summed up 2017 at the end of that year: “We are truly in the post-Lee Kuan Yew era. Almost all the significant events that have taken place point sadly to a decline in a perception that Singapore is in the hands of an exceptional leadership.”
— The Independent
Minister Masagos Zulkifli to attend Haj Ministerial Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli will be leading Singapore’s delegation to the annual Haj Ministerial Meeting in Saudi Arabia from Monday (Dec 24) to Friday.
— Straits Times
Sun Xueling: Harder consequences for drink-driving being considered by authorities
Singapore – Ms. Sun Xueling, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and National Development, launched an anti-drink driving campaign on December 21 (Friday).
— The Independent
2019 forecast: Singapore-Malaysia territorial water dispute
Singapore-Malaysia bilateral relations have fallen to a dangerous low since nationalist leader Mahathir Bin Mohamad regained Malaysia’s prime ministership in May 2018. The latest dispute, concerning Malaysia’s unilateral extension of Johor Bahru port limits
— Foreign Brief
What next for smart nation Singapore? Getting citizens and SMEs to embrace digital
Mr Chan Cheow Hoe, the country’s first Government Chief Digital Technology Officer, is pushing for more in the civil service to think of citizens as their “customers” when developing digital services, but also asks for people’s patience when these services do go down.
— Channel News Asia
Following spate of food poisoning cases, Singapore introduces stiffer penalties for establishments with poor hygiene practices
Food establishments involved in significant food poisoning incidents now face even stiffer penalties, following a series of large-scale incidents in the last two months which involved around 600 people and resulted in one death.
— Business Insider
When Singapore heats up, poorer households use more water, richer ones turn up the air-con: Study
Sunny Singapore can get a little too hot sometimes. And when it does, citizens seek refuge in air-conditioned rooms and take showers.
— Business Insider
Jetstar flight to Melbourne delayed by almost 30 hours; over 320 passengers affected
A Jetstar flight departing Changi Airport to the Australian city of Melbourne on Thursday evening (Dec 20) has been delayed for almost 30 hours, with passengers told that the flight will only leave Singapore at 1.30am on Saturday.
— Today Online
Commentary: That Singapore must cope with food disruption and vulnerability is our reality
Singapore has excellent logistics, infrastructure and a trade eco-system, but we cannot assume there would no disruptions to our food supplies, says Paul Teng.
— Channel News Asia
Under-16s can still ride e-scooters under new rules
Children aged under 16 will still be able to ride e-scooters despite a new requirement that kicks in on Jan 2 for people aged 16 and above to have the vehicles registered.
— Straits Times
Stopping stray UAVs in Singapore
Measures are in place in Singapore to prevent illegal drone use like that which disrupted flights at London’s Gatwick Airport for 36 hours from last Wednesday.
— Straits Times
Harsher punishment for security officers who sleep on the job or act unprofessionally from Jan 1
Private security officers who slack off, sleep on the job or come to work drunk can face tougher punishment from next year, as the police seek to boost the industry’s professionalism and bolster Singapore’s defences.
— Straits Times
GovTech partners with hackers to uncover weakness, avoid getting hacked
A joint press release by the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) and Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) reveal the government’s collaboration with local and overseas ethical hackers to search for vulnerabilities in SG’s IT systems for a fee.
— The Independent
PUB investigating non-native stingrays found at Lower Peirce Reservoir; fishing grounds closed
Designated fishing grounds at Lower Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir will be closed until further notice, water agency PUB said.
— Straits Times
SG is world’s 3rd richest country based on GDP
Based on an International Monetary Fund report, size is not always equivalent to wealth or scarcity when it comes to the world’s richest or poorest countries. With Gross Domestic Product (GDP) pegged to the purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the IMF declared Singapore the 3rd richest country in the world. In 2017, the small […]
— The Independent sg
Muted trading expected in Asian markets this week
Markets in Singapore and across most of Asia look set for quiet trading this week as worries continue to mute investors’ appetites for eating, drinking and merrymaking.
— Straits Times
Ensign sees big potential in Asia cybersecurity
The official inquiry into June’s SingHealth cyber attack has yet to submit its report, but a clear message has emerged from the extensive sessions – cybersecurity needs to be taken more seriously in Singapore.
— The Business Times
AI medical diagnosis start-up sets its heart on Singapore launch
Singaporeans suffering from a heart condition may soon be able to get specialist help more quickly if a new artificial intelligence-driven start-up gains regulatory approval to distribute its system here.
— Straits Times
Singapore Inflation Data Due On Monday
Singapore will on Monday release November numbers for consumer prices, highlighting an extremely light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.
— Markets Insider
Singapore IPO proceeds plunge to $730m in 2018
The bourse booked the second lowest performance since 2008.
— Singapore Business Review
Ailing firms find new lease of life in real estate
When the going gets tough, many companies turn to property as a possible panacea – with several of them unveiling plans in recent months to diversify into the sector.
— The Business Times (paywall)
The Big Read: Breaking Singapore’s workaholic culture
For Singapore workers to continue putting in the same long hours as their cohorts of yesteryear would mean less or even little time to care for their ageing parents, experts say.
— Channel News Asia
Changi passenger traffic up 4.5% in November
Traffic to and from India jumped 14%, making it ahead of Changi’s top 10 markets.
— Singapore Business Review
SG-based Play Ventures collects $22m of $40m debut fund targeting gaming startups
Singapore-based venture capital firm, Play Ventures has raised $22.4 million of its targeted $40-million debut fund, according to an SEC filing.
— Deal Street Asia
Singapore’s GDP expected to rise by 3% in 2018: report
Total business expenditure commitments amounted to $6.5b.
— Singapore Business Review
Singapore-based Triple P Capital acquires insurance solutions provider Contemi
Singapore-based private equity firm Triple P Capital has announced the 100 per cent acquisition of Contemi Group, an insurance IT solutions provider which mostly operates in Asia and Scandinavia, according to a release.
— Deal Street Asia
Noble Group finally completes restructuring plans
A total of $1.09b in new money debt is available to New Noble.
— Singapore Business Review
SoftBank Vision Fund in talks to invest $1.5b in Southeast Asia’s Grab
SoftBank Group Corp is nearing a deal to invest $1.5 billion in Grab, three times a previously expected $500 million, as Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing firm looks to expand, a person with knowledge of the matter said.
— Deal Street Asia
Keppel Corporation arm buys Tianjin Eco-City residential site for $214m
The site will house an eco-community comprising 392 terrace houses and 180 low-rise apartments.
— Singapore Business Review
Prudential arm M&G Real Estate acquires industrial property portfolio in Australia
Prudential Inc’s realty investment arm M&G Real Estate has acquired a 50 per cent share in a portfolio of industrial properties across Sydney and Brisbane, in a bid to diversify the firm’s exposure in Australia, it said in a statement on Friday.
— Deal Street Asia
Tech: Year of smart moves
Big steps in the e-payments scene here were made in 2018, as Singapore moved closer to its aim of becoming a cashless society.
— Straits Times
Pair of rental-flat-living “kaypoh makciks” turned a drug-ridden estate in S’pore into a big family
They may be low in income, but their love for their neighbours overflows in richness.
— Mothership
Why Millennials Should Start Investing Immediately
The earlier you start investing, the earlier you can reach your financial goals.
— Motley Fool sg
StarHub launches entertainment awards show at MBS in Singapore
Telco StarHub brought together some of Asia’s leading entertainment personalities at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore for its inaugural ‘Night of the Stars’ awards on December 22.
— Mumbrella
‘Budget’ schools for expat kids
Budget international schools have been emerging to cater to expats working here on local terms.
— Straits Times
‘I cried every day’: Why Singapore’s vets might be depressed
Studies around the world have long indicated a greater tendency for animal doctors to take their own lives. Now, in Singapore, the issue of mental well-being in the profession is slowly coming into focus.
— Channel News Asia
Low-GI meals put to the taste test
Close to half a million people in Singapore have diabetes, while another half a million are at high risk of getting it.
— Straits Times
Reindeer magic
A photo illustration of sculptural reindeer antlers against a bokeh effect of yellow-orange lights for the festive season.
— Straits Times
Feature photo Asean
This week’s morning news photo features a defining moment, event, or situation from 2018 for each country as chosen by our editors.
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 December 24 added by Mark Roy on
View all posts by Mark Roy →
A a professional photographer since the days of film, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
Latest posts by Mark Roy (see all)
- Singapore morning news for January 3 – January 3, 2019
- Cambodia morning news for January 2 – January 2, 2019
- Myanmar morning news for January 2 – January 2, 2019
- Singapore morning news for January 2 – January 2, 2019