Singapore morning news for July 9

Singapore saw 12% rise in worker-senior manager pay gap between 2008 to 2017: Korn Ferry
SINGAPORE had the fourth-biggest increase in the average pay gap between lower-level employees and senior managers in the Asia-Pacific region, according to data from management consultant firm Korn Ferry.
— The Business Times

Firm fined $9k for operating drone without proper permit, in a first
The Singapore branch of construction company LT Sambo was fined $9,000 yesterday for operating a drone outdoors without a proper permit, the first ever conviction and sentencing for such an offence under the law.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

With funding from palm oil and schools, Indonesia’s terror group Jemaah Islamiah set for resurgence in Malaysia, Singapore
Jemaah Islamiah (JI), the South-east Asian terror network once associated with al-Qaeda that was behind the 2002 Bali bombings, is back and poses a renewed threat in the region.
–Malay Mail

Electoral boundaries panel yet to be formed
A committee that reviews the boundaries of electoral constituencies is yet to be formed – a sign the next general election may not be round the corner.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

ST journalist finds it hard to fault China for running Uighur ‘re-education’ camps
While the rest of the world is appalled at the events unfolding at Xinjiang, China where people of Uighur minority are being held in what has been likened to ‘concentration camps’, others appear to be more understanding of China’s approach to the minority community.
— The Online Citizen

Review of transport fare formula needed to reflect rising cost of operating MRT system: Khaw Boon Wan
There will be a need in future to review the formula by which transport fares are determined, in order to reflect the increasing costs of operating Singapore’s MRT system, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament on Monday (Jul 8).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

CPF board disallows husband from using his funds for his wife’s cancer treatment, human rights lawyer M Ravi steps in to help
The CPF Board has allegedly denied a husband’s requests to use funds from his Ordinary Account (OA) and Special Account (SA) for his wife’s cancer treatment after depleting all of their MediSave funds.
— The Independent

Singapore well-placed to weather uncertainties but Government ready to step up support: Chan Chun Sing
With sound fundamentals, a strong fiscal position and good progress in the restructuring of the economy, Singapore is well-placed to weather looming clouds that include a protracted trade conflict between the United States and China, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore, Armenia sign pacts to strengthen economic, bilateral ties
SINGAPORE and Armenia sealed four memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and one agreement on Monday, building on their friendly relations and common interests.
— The Business Times

Robots will help, not replace humans: OCBC CEO
AMID an era of driverless cars and humanoid robots, there is no reason for humans to be fearful of artificial intelligence (AI), said OCBC’s chief executive officer Samuel Tsien.
— The Business Times

Broader issues raised in SMC’s appeal for doctor to be cleared of confidentiality breach
Does a hospital doctor have a professional duty to personally verify the identity of someone claiming to be a patient’s family member before releasing medical information to that person?
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

6 1/2 years’ jail for mum who abused toddler
A woman abused her 23-month-old son so severely that he ended up with cerebral palsy and the developmental age of a six-month-old child.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Irresponsible drivers to face longer jail terms, stiffer fines
Motorists convicted of irresponsible driving offences can expect possibly longer jail terms and heftier fines under enhancements to the Road Traffic Act passed in Parliament yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Reusable water bottles not in NDP 2019 funpacks due to high production cost
Reusable water bottles were considered for this year’s National Day Parade (NDP) funpack, but this was not implemented due to the lack of suppliers who could do so at an affordable cost.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Mandatory registration for drones by year-end as police investigate recent incursions
All drones operating in Singapore will have to be registered by the end of this year, while pilots of large or capable drones will have to be licensed.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Tan Kin Lian’s followers suggest he use a photo of his dog for election campaigns
Former NTUC Income chief executive officer Tan Kin Lian left a rather crucial decision in the hands of the Internet – the choice of image for election campaign posters.
— The Independent

Performance anxiety: Singapore schoolkids struggle with stress
Schoolchildren are paying a heavy price for Singapore’s success in global education rankings, with rising numbers seeking psychiatric help as they struggle to cope with the relentless pressure for academic excellence.
— The Independent

MHA tables Bill for setting up of Home Team Science and Technology Agency
Second Minister for Home Affairs Josephine Teo on Monday (Jul 8) introduced a Home Team Science and Technology Agency Bill for the setting up of an organisation which will drive innovation and develop technologies to enhance the Home Team’s capabilities.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

MHA explains why Nigerian spared death sentence for importing about 2kg of Ice
A Nigerian man who was originally sentenced to death for importing about 2kg of drugs was spared the gallows upon appeal because he was found not to know of the presence of the drugs, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs Amrin Amin said in Parliament on Monday (Jul 8).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Air and water quality in Singapore not affected by Pasir Gudang pollution: Masagos
The air and water quality in Singapore have not been affected by the recent pollution incidents in Pasir Gudang, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said in Parliament on Monday (Jul 8).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Alzheimer’s Disease Association receives donation of S$1,000,000 from palm oil firm Musim Mas
On Thursday (4 July), Musim Mas Holdings (Musim Mas), a Singaporean-based palm oil conglomerate, donated S$1,000,000 to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA) to help fund its therapies and programmes.
— The Online Citizen

Merdeka Generation won’t have to wait for cards to get discounts
Seniors from the Merdeka Generation (MG) will now be able to enjoy discounts at FairPrice, NTUC Foodfare and Kopitiam foodcourts or coffee shops even if they have not yet received their MG cards.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

JB court fines S’porean $2.6k for licence plate swop
A Singaporean man who was seen switching vehicle licence plates on his gold BMW 320i across the Causeway in May has been fined RM8,000 (S$2,600).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

New Bill seeks to regulate private-hire firms
The Public Transport Council (PTC) will have powers to regulate private-hire vehicle operators under the new Point-to-Point (P2P) Passenger Transport Industry Bill tabled yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore and US armies hold annual joint exercise
An annual joint military exercise between the Singapore Army and the United States Army was launched yesterday afternoon at Mandai Hill Camp.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Eateries using shared kitchen say Deliveroo not listing them on platform
Diners ordering in have enjoyed more options as shared kitchens spread across Singapore over the last two years.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore needs full-fledged arts university: NMP Ho
Singapore should consider transforming arts institutions such as the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (Nafa) and Lasalle College of the Arts into full-fledged arts universities, said Nominated MP (NMP) Terence Ho yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

SMRT has good team, but some attrition useful: Khaw
SMRT has a very good team of people in charge, and sometimes, some attrition is useful, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Google, Spotify, Twitter targeting Singapore youth with career scheme offers in New York stint
NewYork.SG is a month-long programme where professionals from major companies conduct workshops for participants who are looking to work in the creative and technological fields.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Strong US jobs report hits Singapore stocks
Local shares had only one way to go yesterday after the buoyant United States jobs report last Friday undercut hopes for an aggressive interest rate cut later this month.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Growing pay gap between senior and entry-level staff: Study
The pay gap between senior managers and entry-level employees has widened here, a new study claims.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Two mixed-use developments up for collective sale
Two mixed-use developments are on the collective sale market – one making its debut, while the other is trying again after a revamped proposal.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Astrea III PE bonds fully redeemed, with bonus
Class A-1 notes offered by Temasek-linked private equity (PE) vehicle Astrea III were fully redeemed yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Scrap discretionary right turns at all junctions soon, MPs urge as Road Traffic Act amendments passed
Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday (Jul 8) urged authorities to speed up the removal of discretionary right turns at all junctions, arguing that they have led to numerous fatal accidents and are “fundamentally problematic”.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

SCDF can appoint third parties to conduct checks under proposed changes to Fire Safety Act
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) can soon appoint authorised third parties to conduct routine fire safety enforcement checks and building inspections under proposed amendments to the Fire Safety Act introduced in Parliament on Monday (Jul 8).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Man arrested for using fake S$50 notes
The suspect allegedly used the fake S$50 notes on at least two occasions to buy items of low value, said police.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

S’pore drivers no longer issued physical driving licence; must help animals in road accidents
New updates to the Road Traffic Act that you should be aware of if you’re a driver.
— Mothership

78 people arrested in six-day police operation against vice, gambling activities
Seventy-eight people aged between 19 and 85 were arrested in a six-day operation targeting vice and gambling activities, police said on Sunday (Jul 7).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

The online portal changing the polytechnic experience
An online platform developed to allow all five polytechnics to share curriculum content has led to a more effective teaching and learning experience, according to lecturers and students who spoke to CNA.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

S’pore was once called ‘falsa demora’, which is Portuguese, sounds sexy, but is anything but
Singapore sounded anything but appealing in the 16th century.
— Mothership

Veteran advocate for the disabled community steps down as advisor for Disabled People Association
A veteran advocate for the disabled community Mr Nicholas Aw has stepped down from his work with the Disabled People’s Association (DPA) this year.
— The Online Citizen

Feature photo Possy’s Pics

This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo focuses on Asean’s endangered species, here, the smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)

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 July 9 added by John Le Fevre on July 9, 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.