Singapore morning news for May 13

Re-skilling of workers for future a priority: ILO chief
International Labour Organisation (ILO) director-general Guy Ryder is less concerned about jobs being lost to technology than the challenges in re-skilling workers so they can function in the new economy.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

70 per cent of elderly Singaporeans still unable to meet monthly household expenses: Joint survey between Duke-NUS and MOH
A stark majority of elderly Singaporeans aged 60 and older are still unable to meet their monthly expenses, according to findings from a survey of over 4,500 Singaporeans and permanent residents carried out by the Duke-NUS Medical School’s Centre for Ageing Research and Education and the Ministry of Health.
— The Online Citizen

SDP proposes alternative plan to make healthcare system fairer and more sustainable
Do away with the 3Ms (Medisave, Medishield and Medifund) and introduce a single-payer insurance scheme for Singapore’s healthcare system.
— The Online Citizen

Singapore’s 5G rules may spur greater competition
A requirement for Singapore’s 5G network to be a new one that does not piggyback on 4G technologies will give local telcos an opportunity to pick equipment suppliers from scratch, said industry experts.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Malaysian salestech startup SalesCandy sets foot in neighboring regions
SalesCandy just launched in Malaysia 18 months ago SalesCandy International Sdn Bhd, a Malaysia-based salestech startup, has entered Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
— e27

18-nation maritime exercise to conclude in Singapore today
A multilateral maritime security field exercise concludes in Singapore today.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Marvelstone silent on progress of its plans; web page blank; Lattice 80 UK dissolved
MARVELSTONE Group has previously said that it makes fintech investments, and builds hubs in artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, with founder Joe Cho Seunghyun and his wife Gina Heng making appearances at international tech conferences as representatives of Marvelstone.
— The Business Times

Why Singapore retail funds’ costs remain stubbornly high
INVESTMENT costs among Singapore’s retail funds remain stubbornly high, exacting a substantial toll in terms of net returns for investors.
— The Business Times

Free memberships and perks for wives, mums of HomeTeam NSmen
In recognition of their contributions to national service, wives and mothers of Home Team operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen) are getting free two-year HomeTeamNS family memberships along with other perks.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

ILO eyes global standard for apprenticeships
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is working towards developing a new international standard on apprenticeships that could be a legally binding convention, said its director-general Guy Ryder.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

NTUC Income’s next CEO comes with ideas to slow rising premiums
Mr Andrew Yeo, who takes over as NTUC Income’s head next month, has some novel ideas to slow the rise in health insurance premiums for his policyholders.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Delivery rider asks S’poreans ordering food to be patient during fasting month
Both riders & customers want the same thing, which is for orders to be delivered quickly.
— Mothership

Here are all the awesome #Echelon2019 Premier ticket perks
From workshops to Echelon Connect, this premier ticket will bring the Wow Factor at #EchelonAsia2019 Enjoy 48 per cent off Premier tickets in these 48 hours!
— e27

Hyflux in talks with latest potential white knight investor Oyster Bay Fund
Debt-laden water treatment firm Hyflux has received a non-binding letter of intent from Oyster Bay Fund in a race to secure a new white knight investor before the end of its extended debt moratorium at the end of this month after its termination of a S$380mil bailout deal with Indonesian conglomerate Salim-Medco Group – via its Singapore arm SM Investments last month.
— The Online Citizen

Commentary: Protecting our hawker culture requires us to give hawkers more autonomy
While Singapore’s nomination for its hawker culture to be inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List is under consideration, our efforts to safeguard our hawker culture are worth a review, say two SUSS Business Law lecturers.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Catch a glimpse of Singapore’s future at SG:Digital Wonderland 2019
Slay virtual zombies, sip coffee from a robotic barista and test out your drone flying skills at Singapore’s most exciting tech carnival
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Heading to Johor? 5 changes that could affect your travel
Maybe you’re headed there for a weekend of shopping with your friends or perhaps you fancy a nice seafood dinner. Whatever your reason for visiting Johor, there are host of changes underway that could affect your travel.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Smart padlock, stamp collection clinch top Singapore Creator Awards
A nursery rhyme-themed stamp collection, a smart padlock and a transformable mahjong table were among the top designs at Singapore Creator Awards 2019, presented last Friday evening.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Helpers sought for Muslim rehab initiative
A new initiative by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) aims to get more people on board to help rehabilitate and reintegrate Muslim former offenders into society.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

NUS student suspected of filming female student at Raffles Hall bathroom arrested
A 26-year-old man was arrested on Saturday (May 11) after he allegedly filmed a female student in a bathroom at a National University of Singapore (NUS) hostel.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

More Asian millennials are resorting to dating apps to find companionship
Parents once warned their children not to talk to or meet strangers online. But these children have now grown up, and are have turned to online dating in the hopes of meeting their soulmates.
— The Independent

A review of the best (and worst) toilets in Singapore, so we can do our business well-informed
Singapore – “I pee a lot, so I might as well rate the toilets,” says the bio of @the_ultimate_toilet_rater, your trusty critic of Singapore’s toilets.
— The Independent

8 Things Investors Should Know About Singapore O&G Ltd’s Latest Earnings
Here’s a summary of Singapore O&G Ltd’s (SGX: 41X) latest earnings in eight points.
— The Motley Fool

Heng says look to Swiss for lessons in worker welfare but ignores Swiss tight FT policy
It was reported in the media today (‘Look to Swiss for lessons in worker welfare: DPM Heng’, 11 May) that Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat wants to look to the Swiss for lessons to take care of the welfare of Singaporean workers.
— The Online Citizen

7 Highlights From VICOM Limited’s Latest Earnings
VICOM Limited (SGX: V01), Singapore’s dominant vehicle inspection company, continues to post rising revenue and profit. Here are seven highlights from its latest earnings.
— The Motley Fool

Mentally ill face rejections from private insurers
Enticed by lower premium rates last year, Ms Juliana Chia, 46, had been on the verge of cancelling her plan with another major insurer in order to sign up for one with AIA.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Call to build strong ties in Marine Parade
While upgrading efforts such as lifts and sheltered walkways can improve lives, it is also important for residents to continue building strong bonds with their neighbours, said Marine Parade GRC MP Tan Chuan-Jin yesterday.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Fewer cyclists hurt in accidents but more caught breaking rules
First, the good news. The number of road accidents involving bicycles that resulted in injury or death saw a double-digit drop last year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Pioneer in disrupting grocery shopping scene
Grocery and delivery start-up Honestbee is still sticking to the same ethos that it had started out with – to add value for customers in Asia and improve their food experiences.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

You’ve heard about Influencer Marketing, and it’s only $300 now to engage a campaign
Experience this month-long anniversary promotion from this leading local agency that allows you to leverage on social media influencer engagements for an exceptional low rate
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Heng didn’t “study” Swiss pension system in his “study trip” to Switzerland
It was reported in the media that after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat came back from his Switzerland “study trip”, he wants to look to the Swiss for lessons to take care of the welfare of Singaporean workers.
— The Online Citizen

The Week Ahead: Singtel, SATS And Singapore Airlines
So, now we know. US importers that bring Chinese-made goods into America must pay a tariff of 25% on some US$200 billion worth of items, rather than just 10%. China is unlikely to take this lying down.
— The Motley Fool

4 Things to Like About UOB Now
Here are four things investors should like about United Overseas Bank Ltd’s (SGX: U11) latest earnings update.
— The Motley Fool

70 units at The Woodleigh Residences sold to date
THE Woodleigh Residences has sold a total of 70 units following its launch weekend, said co-developers Japan-based Kajima Development and Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) on Sunday.
— The Business Times

Many still flocking to Jewel, but crowd control in place
More than three weeks after its official opening, Singapore’s newest mall, Jewel Changi Airport, is still drawing the crowds, but those heading there any time soon should not find themselves overwhelmed by human traffic.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Suspected voyeur caught in NUS dorm
Another Peeping Tom case has surfaced on a university campus.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Attractive fares for long-haul SIA flights drawing travellers
Six months after Singapore Airlines (SIA) resumed non-stop flights to Newark, near New York, and Los Angeles, travellers can still get good deals.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

New 3km walking trail at Singapore Sports Hub showcases Kallang’s rich history
The Singapore Sports Hub on Sunday (May 12) launched a new educational trail showcasing the rich history of Kallang, as well as art and sporting achievements, as part of the Singapore Bicentennial commemoration.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Driver hands over S$40,000 found on SBS bus
Bus driver Saw Cheong Seng was shocked when he realised that a bag left on his bus on Friday morning (May 11) held nearly S$40,000 in cash.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

3 Red Flags That Should Alarm Investors
What red flags should investors be on the lookout for when deciding on which companies to invest in?
— The Motley Fool

Feature photo Stephen Bowler

This week’s Singapore morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day of Light, May 16.

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 May 13 added by John Le Fevre on May 13, 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.