Singapore morning news for June 20

Singapore ranked No. 3 in survey on use of AI in healthcare
Healthcare professionals in Singapore are using artificial intelligence (AI) for clinical diagnosis more than their counterparts in most other countries, except China and Saudi Arabia.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Drones delay 37 flights at Changi, affect operations of one runway
Some 37 flights were delayed and operations of one of Changi Airport’s two runways were affected overnight after unauthorised drones were spotted flying in the vicinity of the airport over the last two days.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore tops in life expectancy at 84.8 years
Singapore topped the world in life expectancy in 2017 with an expected lifespan at birth of 84.8 years, surging ahead of traditional chart-topper Japan by more than half a year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Workers’ Party reiterates stance on GST Hike: “A lack of clarity, transparency and justification”
On Monday, Workers’ Party (WP) reiterated their stance with regards to the proposed plan to raise Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying that the latter lacked “clarity, transparency and justification”.
— The Independent

Singapore workers tell researchers they lack expertise and job-training opportunities
THREE reports released on Wednesday have painted a less-than-rosy picture for employee satisfaction and training opportunities in Singapore.
— The Business Times

Over 250 faith groups pledge to safeguard religious harmony
More than 250 religious organisations in Singapore have made a commitment to safeguard religious harmony at a time of growing divisions along faith lines around the world.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

COE prices end lower as consumers stay cautious
Certificate of entitlement (COE) prices ended lower across the board in the latest tender yesterday, as consumers remained cautious in the light of economic uncertainties.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Blockchain mastery among top 3 rising skills in Singapore
Workers in Singapore are increasingly focused on picking up the skills relevant to blockchain, workflow automation and human-centred design.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore businesses ‘moderately optimistic’ on growth amid global economic slowdown: poll
GLOBAL macro factors and talent shortage are the top external factors that will impact overall business performance for Singapore firms in the coming year, according to a survey by management consultant firm Korn Ferry.
— The Business Times

Education Minister says half of faculty at local universities are Singaporeans – but QS data contradicts that
The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been ranked among the top 20 universities worldwide according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for 2019 released earlier this month.
— The Online Citizen

Expedia’s etiquette study shows that when it comes to good travel, your manners are the carry-on that matter most
Did you know that Singaporeans are some of the kindest travellers in Asia Pacific? This was revealed earlier today (19 June) by Brand Expedia from the results of its 2019 Global Flight & Hotel Etiquette Study – an annual study that looks at the flight and hotel etiquette of travellers in Singapore, Asia Pacific, and …
— The Online Citizen

One in 10 firms forecast 0-5% revenue declines in 2019
Only 37% of businesses expecting moderate growth between 5-15%.
— Singapore Business Review

No budget for a S$100m super penthouse? There’re 5 others in Singapore up for sale
OUT of the 11 super penthouses around the world now on the market, six are in Singapore, based on listings from 2016 to April 2019, List Sotheby’s International Realty (List SIR) said on Wednesday.
— The Business Times

10 land parcels for food farming put up for sale
June 20, 2019 5:00 AMTen land parcels for food farming in Lim Chu Kang were put up for sale yesterday by the Singapore Food Agency with the majority of them – six – designated for bean-sprout farming.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

PAP town councils confident of complying with new governance guidelines
Town councils under the People’s Action Party (PAP) said they are confident of complying with new corporate governance guidelines launched by the Ministry of National Development (MND) yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

6 of 11 ‘super penthouses’ on sale globally are in S’pore
Of the 11 super penthouses around the world now on the market, six are in Singapore.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

AIA S’pore wealth managers to get private banking training
AIA Singapore’s wealth managers will undergo training towards an Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF) certificate similar to what a private banker gets, under a partnership with Nanyang Technological University’s Wealth Management Institute (WMI), the insurer said in a media statement yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

This Liquor Giant’s Share Price Has Gained 38% This Year. Is It Still Worth a Look?
Thai Beverage Public Company Ltd (SGX: Y92) has seen its share price go on a tear this year. Let’s look at a few details that make this company so intriguing.
— The Motley Fool

‘We’re not perfect’: Scoot seeks to regain customer confidence after recent major flight disruptions
Low-cost carrier Scoot is aware of its shortcomings and is working to improve its customer service and recovery standards in light of recent flight delays and disruptions that have affected passengers, said its CEO Lee Lik Hsin.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore teachers work longer hours than OECD average: International survey
Teachers in Singapore continue to work longer hours than the average in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, but the situation has improved, according to survey results released on Wednesday (Jun 19).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Jail for man involved in failed smuggling attempt that left 11 puppies dead
A man who attempted to smuggle 23 puppies into Singapore from Malaysia, 11 of which later died, was sentenced on Wednesday (Jun 19) to one year and eight months’ jail.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

2 men charged for cheating facilities company on more than 100 occasions: CPIB
Two Singaporean men were charged on Wednesday (Jun 19) for conspiring to cheat a facilities company through kickbacks over seven years, said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

38% would let go of social media to guarantee lifetime data privacy, reveals Kaspersky
According to cybersecurity company Kaspersky’s latest report, it has been found that four-in-ten (38%) of consumers would give up their social media accounts in order to guarantee their data remains private for the rest of their life.
— The Online Citizen

Fire engulfs building in Geylang; operation ongoing
A massive fire engulfed two shophouses in Geylang Lorong 14 on Wednesday evening (June 19).
— Today Singapore

Sias marks 20 years with funding still a key question
AS the Security Investors Association (Singapore), or Sias, marks 20 years of shareholder activism, the question of funding and independence is being raised as a key issue.
— The Business Times

Man jailed for trying to smuggle in puppies
A pleasure craft owner tried to smuggle 23 puppies from Malaysia to Singapore by sea and was caught when a Police Coast Guard officer heard them barking.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Teachers work fewer hours now, but teach more: Poll
Working conditions for teachers here appear to have improved, with educators putting in fewer hours each week now than they did five years ago.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Feedback sought on proposed changes to Income Tax Act
Members of the public are invited to provide feedback on proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act, which include a move to end a scheme giving tax breaks to highly skilled foreigners.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Utico extends Hyflux signing deadline to June 27, requests town hall for shareholders by July
Embattled water treatment company Hyflux has received an extension from Middle East utility company Utico on its term sheet signature validity.
— The Independent

DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant 2019 opens for submissions
DBS Foundation, the first foundation in Singapore dedicated to championing social entrepreneurship, has launched its 2019 cycle of the DBS Foundation Social Enterprise (SE) Grant.
— The Online Citizen

As local investor advocacy group SIAS marks 20th year, funding and succession are challenges ahead
To continue being the educator and voice of minority investors here, the Securities Investors Association (Singapore), or SIAS, will need to keep pace with technological developments affecting the investment landscape, while addressing its own challenges in funding and succession.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singapore companies lagging in upskilling offerings; white-collar staff say they lack expertise to do job well: reports
SINGAPORE employees are aware they need to upskill but believe their companies are not providing enough learning and development (L&D) opportunities, according to a survey by professional network LinkedIn.
— The Business Times

Two in five Singapore employees will look to change jobs in 2019: Randstad
THIRTY-NINE per cent of employees in Singapore, or roughly two in five, plan to change employers this year, and of them, 40 per cent say a ‘limited career path’ is their key motivating factor.
— The Business Times

Ask the Fools: Favourite Singapore REITs
Five Fools like these five Singapore REITs. Do you like them too?
— The Motley Fool

175 households served legal notices for not allowing NEA’s dengue checks
At least 175 households were served with legal notices for failing to allow National Environment Agency (NEA) officers into their homes for dengue-related inspection purposes between 2017 and May this year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Equity, diversity important in S’pore schools: Poll
Almost all teachers in Singapore have positive beliefs about equity and diversity in the classroom, a survey by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has found.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Action taken against unauthorised middlemen: Gojek
Ride-hailing firm Gojek says it has taken steps to tackle the problem of fraudulent rides being offered through its platform and will continue to strengthen its fraud prevention mechanism.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

New code to strengthen town council governance
Town councils will have to hire auditors to look into their processes and impose term limits for committee chairmen who oversee areas like finance, audit and risk management.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

S’poreans queue up to 4 hours for Japanese pancakes at VivoCity on cafe’s opening day
Spend more time queueing than eating.
— Mothership

Johor plans to build sheltered walkway on Causeway for pedestrians
The Johor government plans to build a 1.2km sheltered walkway on the Causeway between the Malaysian state and Woodlands in Singapore, a Johor official said on Tuesday (Jun 18).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

WILD RICE cancels two mainstage shows for Housewarming Season
Due to unavoidable delays in the construction of the new performing arts complex at Funan, WILD RICE has regretfully announced the cancellation of ‘An Actress Prepares’ and ‘Faghag’, the two mainstage shows of its Housewarming Season. Meanwhile, the Young & Wild showcase ‘Anything Can …
— The Online Citizen

Over 5,000 dengue cases in 2019 so far, about 37% more than total cases in 2018
There appears to be a surge in dengue cases this year with four recorded dengue deaths so far and hundreds of new cases each month.
— The Online Citizen

Five environmentally friendly home improvement projects that can actually save you money
by ValueChampion Want to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient? Consider these cost-effective projects.
— The Online Citizen

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 20 added by John Le Fevre on June 20, 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.