Singapore morning news for June 19

SP Telecom and Nokia team up to bring Singapore’s first 5G fixed network by 2020
Singapore is consistently one of the world’s best places to connect to the internet, and if all goes well, the experience will soon get even better.
— Business Insider

Singapore puts shoebox-size satellite into orbit to test next-gen cyber security technology
A nanosatellite, developed by a team of Singapore researchers looking for a breakthrough in cyber security and data encryption, has been put into orbit.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)

Online users ridicule Heng Swee Keat’s comment on work-life balance for young couples
The Government will soon be introducing a series of dialogues to help find solutions for young parents to strike a balance between work and life.
— The Online Citizen

NUS and NTU tie as Asia’s top university
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has joined the National University of Singapore (NUS) in the top spot in Asia in an annual global ranking of universities that is read by educational institutions and governments.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Weekly dengue cases in Singapore spike to highest in more than 3 years
There were a total of 468 reported dengue cases in the week ending Jun 15, the highest since March 2016, according to data by the National Environment Agency (NEA).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Data analytics company GeoSpock opens Asian HQ in Singapore
Cambridge-based big data analytics company GeoSpock has set up offices in Singapore and Tokyo, with the former serving as its Asian headquarters.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)

Sembcorp to build solar energy system to power Changi Exhibition Centre
Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) has inked a long-term agreement with Experia Events to install, own and operate rooftop solar panels with a total capacity of 6.3MW peak, atop its flagship facility Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC), an announcement revealed.
— Singapore Business Review

Singapore overtakes Hong Kong in cross-border commercial property investments in Q1
Singapore dominated Asia-Pacific cross border capital outflows in Q1 with US$21.8b in cross-border commercial real estate investment in the 12 months leading to Q1 2019, according to property consultant Knight Frank. The headline figure represents a 23% increase from US$17.1b in the same period in 2018.
— Singapore Business Review

Sea zones and floating cities: a prime opportunity for Singapore
SINGAPORE needs to fundamentally transform its international economic relevance through a focus on developing itself as an Indo-Asia Pacific super-connector. And this can be achieved through hosting floating charter cities (FCCs) in special governance zones.
— The Business Times

MAS issues Prohibition Orders against former representative of UBS AG for dishonest conduct
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued 3-year prohibition orders (POs) against a former representative of UBS AG, Singapore branch (UBS) for forging documents and falsified company emails during his employment with UBS.
— The Online Citizen

Ingram Micro strikes cloud deal with Veeam in Singapore
ngram Micro has entered into a strategic partnership with Veeam in Singapore, in a move designed to drive cloud adoption through the channel.
— Channel Asia

Almost an accident a day on Singapore’s escalators, and the reasons why
Most of these accidents were caused by ‘user behaviour’, such as using prams on escalators, running on them and not holding the handrails. Talking Point investigates.
— CNA (very annoying popups)

5 Things to Know About Public Housing in Singapore
From grants to upgrading programmes, here’s what the Government has been doing to ensure that HDB flats remains a good home and a good store of value for all Singaporeans.
— gov.sg

Chart of the Day: Decentralised offices represented nearly a quarter of office stock in Q4 2018
Total decentralised office stock in Singapore has grown by approximately 1.4 times from 5.9 million sq ft in 1998 to 14.4 million sq ft in 2018, according to property consultant CBRE, attesting to the progress made by the government in enhancing the attractiveness of regional and fringe commercial hubs. In comparison, office stock in the CBD rose by only 0.6 times over the same period.
— Singapore Business Review

SingHealth gets $40m research boost
SingHealth received a $40 million donation from Ngee Ann Development for medical research and education to advance patient care yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Deadline for Hyflux-Utico deal extended
United Arab Emirates utility Utico FZC has extended a deadline for entering into a binding agreement with debt-ridden water treatment firm Hyflux to June 27, according to a Singapore Exchange filing yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Beware of phone scammer claiming to be from ministry: MFA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) warned on Tuesday (Jun 18) that a scammer claiming to be from the ministry has been calling people and asking them to log on to a certain website to make fund transfers.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Online users raise privacy concerns with the soon-to-be implemented satellite distance-based ERP
Come 2020, the old Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system will be replaced with a new one that will charge motorists based on the distance they travel on congested road, instead of the flat-fee that they currently pay.
— The Online Citizen

Making Sense of MindChamps’ Acquisition of Serangoon Preschool
MindChamps PreSchool Ltd (SGX: CNE) just paid S$3.2 million for a preschool in Serangoon. Here’s what investors should know.
— The Motley Fool

Fewer cases of common cyber threats detected in Singapore in 2018
The number of common cyber threats detected in Singapore saw a decrease in 2018, although Singapore continues to be the target of cyber-attacks by advanced actors.
— The Online Citizen

Kaspersky launches second year of Secur’IT Cup for Singapore students
Following the success of last year’s inaugural competition, Kaspersky, on 11 June, announced the opening of its international cybersecurity competition for students, Secur’IT Cup 2019.
— The Online Citizen

11 startup events happening in Asia that might help give you a boost!
The month of June is brimming with awesome tech events across Asia! Here’s a list of the ones we think you should check out! We are already halfway through June but so many things are still in store for Asia’s vibrant tech ecosystem happening this month. If you’re looking for the right opportunity to learn […]
— e27

Which Singapore Bank Has Increased Its Dividends the Most over the Years?
An interesting look at which of the three big Singapore banks has increased its dividends the most, and also the yields at which each bank traded at over the last five years.
— The Motley Fool

Singapore-listed Global Invacom acquires Germany’s Apexsat
Singapore-listed Global Invacom, which provides satellite communications equipment, is acquiring the assets and intellectual property (IP) of Germany-based Apexsat for 250,000 euros ($280,791), according to a media statement.
— Dealstreet Asia (paywall)

11 colourful Merlions to tell S’pore story around the island
The much-photographed Merlion will finally have company with 11 colourful versions of the mythical creature sitting around the Fullerton precinct.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Students to be youth envoys for UN treaty signing in August
Students will play the role of youth ambassadors in August, taking foreign guests in the Republic for the signing of an international treaty around Singapore and through its history and heritage.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Woman fined for operating illegal massage parlours in Orchard Towers, one with ‘special
A woman who ran at least three unlicensed massage parlours in Orchard Towers, including one which offered special services, was fined S$1,000 on Tuesday (Jun 18).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Construction industry sees light at end of tunnel
June 19, 2019 5:00 AMIt has been a tough few years in the building trade but construction boss Chua Tong Seng is finally feeling good about his company’s prospects.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Sunseap in tie-up on solar projects in Taiwan
Singapore solar energy company Sunseap Group will develop projects in Taiwan under a joint venture with Pacific Green Energy.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Chemical giant opens $767m additive plant for animal feed
German chemical giant Evonik Industries has invested more than €500 million (S$767 million) in a second plant in Singapore to produce a key additive in animal feed – and it is an example of how the industry can grow the economy, creating jobs, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Company Briefs: Top Glove
Rubber glove manufacturer Top Glove’s net profit for the third quarter to May 31 tumbled 36.5 per cent to RM74.7 million (S$24.5 million) from RM117.6 million for the year-ago period.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

S$9 million more to be raised for Esplanade Waterfront Theatre
SINGAPORE: The Esplanade is launching a series of new fundraising initiatives to raise the remaining S$9 million needed for its S$30 million waterfront theatre.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Birds saved by Sin Ming residents – residents say its red junglefowl, authorities disagree
Residents of Sin Ming Court decided to take fate into their hands this time and voted to allow the red junglefowl in the area to continue roaming free.
— The Online Citizen

Businesses using ‘returnship’ programmes to address diversity: Hays
AS more businesses put diversity on their agendas, many are using returnship programmes to address diversity, as women are identified as professionals who leave the workplace in order to raise a family.
— The Business Times

One in three Singapore bosses have demoted employees: Robert Half poll
NEARLY a third or 30 per cent of business leaders in Singapore have demoted an employee at their company, according to findings from an independently commissioned study by specialist recruitment consultancy Robert Half.
— The Business Times

Engineering vital for S’pore’s growth: SM Teo
Engineering has played a major role in Singapore’s growth and transformation and will remain important as the country enters the next phase of development, said Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Watchdog to keep an eye on charities that run businesses
The charities watchdog will be paying more attention to groups that venture into business, flagging conflicts of interest that may arise and the need for enhanced guidelines to protect the interests of charities.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singaporean millennials are divorcing less, but why?
Sometimes, millennials get a bad rep in the media for all kinds of things. But, it seems like they have been driving divorce rates lower in Singapore for the past decade.
— The Online Citizen

Model of new ERP readers not finalised yet: LTA
Photographs shared online purportedly showing the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) readers to be introduced next year are not actual depictions of the new on-board unit, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Change in virus strain poses risk to former dengue patients
More than 50,000 people who came down with dengue fever between 2013 and 2015 may have to take extra precautions against being bitten as the dominant virus type circulating now is different from the one in those years.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

4 Reasons Why Parkway Life REIT Is a High-Quality REIT
Parkway Life REIT (SGX: C2PU) is one of two healthcare REITs listed on SGX. Here are four reasons the REIT has superior investment characteristics.
— The Motley Fool

Evonik CEO sees S’pore as gateway for its growth in South Asia
June 19, 2019 5:00 AMA German chemical giant that has just opened another plant in Singapore believes it can still achieve significant expansion despite the damage the trade war is inflicting.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Bystander implicated in police chase gets probation for pushing, cursing officers
A 24-year-old woman who was waiting for a taxi along Stamford Road last year pushed and cursed at the police after she was stopped for looking flushed by officers chasing two unrelated suspects in the vicinity.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

SingPass service fully restored after users faced access problems
SingPass service has been fully restored after some users experienced intermittent access on Tuesday afternoon (Jun 18), the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) said on Facebook.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Are presumptive 4G PM Heng Swee Keat’s views on foreign workers contradictory to Lee Kuan Yew’s views?
As Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat continues to appear poised to become Singapore’s fourth Prime Minister in the near future – what with his recent appointments as Deputy Prime Minister and first assistant secretary-general of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) …
— The Independent

Activist Roy Ngerng, “Singapore is mini-China,” when it comes to speaking up
Roy Yi Ling Ngerng, a Singaporean activist who has been based in Taiwan for some years now, compared Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong when it came to freedom and democracy and drew analogies with China.
— The Independent

Activist Roy Ngerng urges Singaporeans to be inspired by the fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong protests have had a ripple effect across the globe, even in Singapore, sparking conversations and debate over the issues being protested in Hong Kong and shining a light on certain matters at home as well.
— The Online Citizen

3 Things Stock Market Investors Must Know About Interest Rates
Don’t bother with interest rates – focus on the health and growth of the businesses that are behind the stocks.
— The Motley Fool

Better Buy: Sasseur Real Estate Investment Trust vs. CapitaLand Retail China Trust
Sasseur Real Estate Investment Trust (SGX: CRPU) and CapitaLand Retail China Trust (SGX: AU8U) are offering more than 6% yields. But which is the better buy?
— The Motley Fool

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 19 added by John Le Fevre on June 19, 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.