Lee Kuan Yew’s 1961 radio broadcasts on merger with Malaya released in new book Published on Oct 9, 2014 12:00 PM The reprint of “The Battle for Merger”, a compilation of speeches made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 1961, aims to “provide a reality check” to recent attempts by historians to recast the role played by communists and their supporters on the issue, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said in a speech at the book’s launch at the National Library. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201417e.jpg Cover of the book The Battle For Merger by Lee Kuan Yew, published by ST Press. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/Mergerbook0910201402e.jpg Exhibits at the book launch at the National Library. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/guestsmergerbooklaunche.jpg At the book launch were PAP pioneers (from left) Othman Wok, Lee Koon Choy and Ch'ng Jit Koon together with former president S. R. Nathan and Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim. Behind Mr Ch'ng is former PAP MP Lawrence Sia. -- ST PHOTO DESMOND FOO http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201401e.jpg Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the microphone at Radio Singapore. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201402e.jpg Tengku Abdul Rahman (second from right, seated), the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya, Mr David Marshall (to his left), then the Chief Minister of Singapore, and the late Dato Tan Cheng Lock (right) sit facing the Communist delegates led by Chin Peng at the abortive peace talks held in Baling in December 1955 to end the Communist revolt. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201403e.jpg Chin Peng (centre), Chen Tien (right) and Abdul Rashid Mahideen, the Communist delegates who had emerged from the jungle, sit at the negotiating table at the Baling Talks, facing the Tengku. The talks ended in failure when Chin Peng refused to lay down his arms unconditionally to the elected leader and govenment of the Federation. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201404e.jpg Mr Lee Kuan Yew addresses the inaugural meeting of the PAP held at the Victoria Memorial Hall on Nov 21, 1954. He said that the party would strive to end colonialism by establishing an indedpendent national state of Malaya, consisting of the Federation of Malaya and Singapore. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201405e.jpg More than 1,000 people who attended the inaugural meeting of the PAP at the Victoria Memorial Hall on Nov 21, 1954. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201406e.jpg Tengku Abdul Rahman, as President of Umno and fraternal delegate to the inaugural meeting of the PAP on Nov 21, 1954, addresses the gathering, expressing his good wishes for the success of the new party. He said that if there were more people like those who were launching the PAP, the Federation and Singapore would be united into one country much sooner than people thought, in spite of what the colonialists might want to do. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201407e.jpg Dr Toh Chin Chye addresses the inaugural meeting of the PAP held at the Victoria Memorial Hall on Nov 21, 1954. He had just been appointed pro-tem chairman of the party when he rose to speak. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201408e.jpg (From left) Fong Swee Suan, S. Woodhull, Lim Chin Siong and C. V. Devan Nair are released from Changi Prison on June 4, 1959, five days after the election victoriy of the PAP. The PAP had announced in accordance with their election pledge that they would not take office unless the imprisoned leaders who had been closely associated with the party were released. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201409e.jpg The PAP leaders seated on a platform at the Padang where about 50,000 people gathered on June 3, 1959 to cheer the victory of the PAP in the general election. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201410e.jpg Lee Kuan Yew visiting James Puthucheary in the Prison Camp grounds during one of his frequent visits to the detainees closely associated with the leadership of the PAP. This picture was taken in February 1959 by the Changi Camp Commandant, Supt D. S. Dutton. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201411e.jpg Lee Kuan Yew speaking at a lunch-time election rally held at Clifford Pier on May 26, 1959, where he explained that the ultimate contestants in the battle for democracy would be the PAP and the Communists. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201412e.jpg (From left) Lim Chin Siong, S. Woodhull, Fong Swee Suan and Devan Nair at the St John's Island detention camp on Chinese New Year's Day, February 1959. The picture was taken by Lee Kuan Yew when he paid them a New Year's Day visit. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201413e.jpg Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew addresses the 1961 May Day Rally at the Jalan Besar Stadium. On this occasion he made it clear that the PAP government would not permit itself to be made use of by the British or by the Communists for their own selfish ends. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201414e.jpg (From right) Lee Kuan Yew meeting Kwa Boo San and some committee members of the National Transport Workers Union of the Federation at Taiping Botanic Gardens in October 1956. Mr Lee had gone up to Perak to defend members of the union at a trial in Bagan Serai which arose from a transport strike. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201415e.jpg Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and the Minister for Health and Law K. M. Byrne (then Minister for Labour and Law) sit on the platform at the 1961 May Day Rally, flanked by leaders of former T.U.C. Communist machinations then split the trade unions into two factions. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/straitstimes.com/files/20141009/BattleMerger201416e.jpg About 50,000 people gathered at the Padang on June 3, 1959 to cheer the victory of the PAP in the general election. -- PHOTO: ST PRESS By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh SINGAPORE – Exposing the communist threat and their goal to capture power in self-governing Singapore lies at the heart of 12 radio broadcasts aired in 1961 by then-prime minister Lee Kuan Yew which have been compiled and reissued as a book that was launched on Thursday. The reprint of “The Battle for Merger”, a compilation of those speeches and originally issued in 1962, aims to “provide a reality check” to recent attempts by historians to recast the role played by communists and their supporters on the issue, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said in a speech at the book’s launch at the National Library. “They portray the fight as merely a peaceful and democratic disagreement over the type of merger,” he said of the revisionist efforts by some academics and others. “They ignore the more fundamental agenda of the communists to seize power by subversion and armed revolution.” Mr Teo, who is Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, pointed out that the Communist Party of Malaya’s (CPM) armed struggle and the Communist United Front’s (CUF) efforts to destabilise Singapore over the period have been well-documented by various academics and writers. They include top CPM leaders such as Chin Peng and Fong Chong Pik. These multiple accounts, Mr Teo pointed out, support a key argument that Mr Lee made in the Battle for Merger speeches over 50 years ago: that there was a communist conspiracy to take power being played out over the merger issue – and which Mr Lee sought to expose in his broadcasts. The Communists and their supporters opposed the PAP’s vision for merger with Malaya and the concept of Malaysia, fearing their activity would be clamped down on. Thus they tried to capture the PAP and the Singapore Government in July 1961. Mr Lee began his talks on the subject of merger on 13 Sept 1961, and continued to deliver 12 talks altogether over Radio Singapore up till 9 Oct 1961, writing and delivering each in English, Malay and Mandarin. The Battle for Merger, comprising the transcripts of these talks, was first published in book form in 1962. Through these talks, Mr Lee offered a blow-by-blow and first-hand account of the Communists’ power play and their attempts to frustrate merger with Malaya. In doing so, he helped persuade Singaporeans to support merger. His efforts paid off. In the merger referendum in September 1962 there was support from 71 per cent of voters for the PAP’s position. Mr Teo on Thursday described the broadcasts as a powerful account of Singapore’s past, capturing the “flavour and intensity” of the turmoil then. He recalled how he had heard the talks as a child, and said he was lucky to own a copy of the first edition of the book that belonged to his father. The reprint also comes as the Government barred from public screening the documentary “To Singapore, With Love” by filmmaker Tan Pin Pin over its one-sided portrayal of CPM members who had condoned violence and subversion in Singapore – a bar Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong defended last Friday. But officials say the reprint had been planned much earlier. In his speech, Mr Teo outlined the tense global and regional environment against which the broadcasts took place, and how the communists persisted in their violent attempts even after independence. Had Singapore fallen under communist rule in the 1960s, he said, Singapore would probably not have survived “as a small communist outcast in South East Asia as the Cold War raged”. “We should respect the personal conviction and determination of those who held different views then and fought on the side of the communists,” he said. “But we should, even more, acknowledge and give our respect and appreciation to the Singaporeans who had the courage and wisdom to reject the CPM’s ideology and tactics,” he added. “Then as now, Singapore has little room to manoeuvre. The wrong decision, and it would have gone the other way, and Singapore would have turned out very differently.” The reprint contains a fresh four-page foreword by Mr Lee, and an essay by National University of Singapore historian Albert Lau, as well as a timeline of major events and footnotes. The book, published by the National Archives of Singapore and Straits Times Press, will be available at major bookshops at $32.50 before GST and will also be available at public libraries. It also comes with a DVD containing recordings of the talks, which can also be accessed at http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/public/audiovisual_records/TheBattl... An exhibition to accompany the book is being held at the National Library on Victoria Street until November 30, after which it will travel to four other libraries across the island.
"We would always be lost": Prof Chan Heng Chee on the cost of S'pore not knowing its "We would always be lost": Prof Chan Heng Chee on the cost of S'pore not knowing its history POSTED: 09 Oct 2014 22:48 In an interview with Channel NewsAsia, the Ambassador-at-Large said those "in the thick of the action" in the 1960s would have believed that the communist threat was a substantive one. File photo of Professor Chan Heng Chee. SINGAPORE: Channel NewsAsia presenter Dawn Tan sat down with Ambassador-at-Large Professor Chan Heng Chee for an interview about the importance of being aware of Singapore's history. Q. What were the stark realities faced by Singapore in the early days? Prof Chan: Singapore has always and will always be a city-state, island-state, nation-state. We have no natural resources and we are just an island on its own. It was the conventional political wisdom - nobody thought Singapore could survive on its own. When you talk of Singapore's history, and we are discussing this in the context of the book The Battle For Merger, you are really talking of the history prior to merger, prior to independence in 1965. We were looking for independence and we knew the British authorities would not give independence to Singapore on its own. It was too precious; it was too strategic a location for it to fall into the wrong hands. And Singapore on its own sounded like that. And so the struggle was to try to forge this merger, to persuade the Malay leadership in UMNO why they should take in Singapore. Q: The Battle for Merger radio talks were intended to highlight to the Singapore public that merger with Malaya was crucial for Singapore's survival as a fledgling state, and the inevitability of that merger. What was at stake at that time? Prof Chan: I think it was first, independence and second, what was going to happen to Singapore. Can you survive on your own? Singapore's conventional political wisdom then was that you have to be part of a larger entity - Malaya was your hinterland. And you know this was the 1960s - where would you sell your goods to, where would goods come to you from? So the inevitability of Malaya - joining Malaya, becoming part of a larger entity to be called Malaysia, seemed as natural as the rising of the sun. Q. The radio talks also had another crucial objective - to expose the threat of the communists and their attempts to derail merger. How real was that threat? Prof Chan: I think the struggle against the communists was always one of the lead motives of the post-colonial period after the war. There were communist cells and groups that tried to bring about a communist revolution throughout all the different Southeastern countries - Vietnam, there was a Thai communist party, Malayan communist party, Indonesian communist party, Philippine communist party. And in Singapore, we are urban, the Malayan Communist Party really took on Malaya and Singapore, treating it as one entity. So dealing with the communists, pushing back the march of communism or the communist revolution, was something that all the political leaders did. I know that today there are some revisionists, historians, who said it was not so substantive. But in the 1960s, it was very substantive because you are in the thick of the action. Today, you look at the ISIS, is it a substantive threat or not? I am sure there are different evaluations, but you do not know. So in the 1960s, yes, it was a threat, everybody believed it was a threat. The British believed it was a threat. Later, when historians sat down and looked at the records, in the year 2000, or the year 2008, or 2012, they said looking at these, it does not seem as strong as we thought. Then I would conclude that like the Soviet Union, everybody thought the communist threat was stronger than it was. But it was there. Q. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently said many Singaporeans only have "the vaguest idea" of what the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation from 1963 to 1966 was about, and struggle to tell the difference between communists and communalists. Can the importance to understand one's history be overstated? Why is it critical that Singaporeans grasp that struggle? Prof Chan: History and our understanding of history can never be overstated for a nation. If you do not know who you are, how do you know where you want to go? We would always be lost, we would be unsure of ourselves and have anxieties. Countries that have strong histories and where people have strong histories and where people love their history, for instance the French, the British, the Thais. Ask the Thais, they always know they are Thai - Thailand is Buddhism, King, Country. You ask the Indonesians, they know their history. And the Chinese, they know their history. There is a confidence and a self-assurance. If you do not know your history, you do not know your reference point and that is the most important thing. And Singaporeans really should have a reference point. I have always lamented that we do not emphasise history enough. I am a political scientist that uses history a lot. So I have regretted that we did not have a strong emphasis on history. And I am glad we are beginning to come to the point now that history is important. Q. Singapore's history, as it unfolds, is ours. It belongs to its makers. How far would you agree with that? Is reflecting on history then sufficient to energise the next 50 years? Prof Chan: There are people who make history. There are people who analyse history. History-makers are the activists, the leaders, the politicians. They shape events, and I would say history is always a 'winners' history first'. Winners write their history. Then as time goes on, other people revise history and they say, "but this happened, but that happened" and yes of course, history is a living thing. There is a body and there is a central narrative, body of facts and central narratives. And people do contest, once in a blue moon, you get really major changes, but that is history and someone else may come back later, and say I found another batch of documents that really counteracted what was written, but that is history. - CNA/xy
Football: National Stadium sells out for first time for Brazil-Japan clash Published on Oct 12, 2014 11:07 PM The new National Stadium will have its first sell-out crowd when five-time football world champions Brazil take on Japan in their friendly match on Tuesday. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG By Terence Ong The new National Stadium will have its first sell-out crowd when five-time football world champions Brazil take on Japan in their friendly match on Tuesday. Event promoter World Sport Group (WSG) said in a statement on Sunday that all 55,000 tickets have been snapped up ahead of match day. "We are thrilled to be bringing world-class football action to Singapore, making this the first sold-out event at the new National Stadium," said Malcolm Thorpe, WSG's vice-president of sports development and events. "With some of the world's top football players in town for this exciting Japan v Brazil match, football fans are definitely in for a treat."
Pioneer Singaporeans get discounts, priority, special offers at NTUC supermarkets [h=1]Pioneer Singaporeans get discounts, priority, special offers at NTUC supermarkets, outlets[/h] Published on Oct 13, 2014 10:01 AM NTUC secretary general Lim Swee Say (fourth from left) speaks to members of the pioneer generation having bread and coffee at NTUC Foodfare food court in Ang Mo Kio hub on Oct 13, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN NTUC secretary general Lim Swee Say (right, in red) carries the groceries of Madam Ng Ah Ping (second from left, in black), 80, and brings her to the designated priority queue together with NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Limited CEO Seah Kian Peng (far left) at the NTUC FairPrice supermarket in Ang Mo Kio hub on Oct 13, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN Madam Ishentkaur (second from right), 67, gets up from her seat and dances impromptu to a flash mob performance during the launch of the 15-month "Pioneers OK!" package, an initiative by the labour movement's social enterprise arm, at a ceremony at the Ang Mo Kio hub on Oct 13, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN NTUC secretary general Lim Swee Say (left) takes a photograph of a group of pioneers having bread and coffee at NTUC Foodfare food court in Ang Mo Kio hub on Oct 13, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN By Charissa Yong SINGAPORE - Pioneer generation Singaporeans will get discounts and preferential treatment among other benefits at NTUC supermarkets, pharmacies, food courts and other NTUC-linked outlets from now until the end of next year. The 15-month "Pioneers OK!" package, an initiative by the labour movement's social enterprise arm, was launched by NTUC secretary general Lim Swee Say on Monday at a ceremony at the Ang Mo Kio hub. The package features discounts on Mondays, priority queues and seating, a discounted personal accident insurance plan, and classes to learn how to use devices such as smart phones and tablets. NTUC's social enterprises include insurer NTUC Income, supermarket chain FairPrice, foodcourt chain NTUC Foodfare, and childcare provider NTUC First Campus. On Mondays, pioneer generation Singaporeans will get a 3 per cent discount at NTUC FairPrice supermarkets. This is capped at $200. All that they need to do to qualify for the discount is to show their Pioneer Generation Card. This discount is in addition to the ongoing 2 per cent discount that seniors aged 60 and over receive on Tuesdays for their purchases. Pioneers eating out at NTUC Foodfare food courts and making purchases at NTUC Unity pharmacies on Mondays will also receive discounts of 12 per cent and a 6.5 per cent respectively. Those who visit NTUC Unity Denticare for treatment on Mondays will receive a dental kit containing six travel-size items. These include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss picks and denture tablets. Another feature of "Pioneers OK! is designated priority queues every day at NTUC FairPrice supermarkets, priority queue numbers at NTUC Income Branch offices, and seating areas set aside at NTUC Foodfare food courts and coffee shops. NTUC Income will also introduce a new personal accident insurance plan called PioneerCare for pioneers of all ages. Pioneers will be able to buy the plan for 10 per cent less than NTUC Income's current SilverCare insurance plan for seniors, which is only for seniors between 50 and 75 years old. Another initiative to help pioneer generation Singaporeans who are interested in continuing to learn is by NTUC LearningHub. It will run monthly classes to teach them how to use devices such as the smart phones and tablets. Pioneer generation Singaporeans are those seniors aged 65 and over in 2014, who became Singapore citizens before 1987. There are about 450,000 Singaporeans who make up this group. They would have received personalised red-and-white cards identifying them as pioneers.
Avoid Nicoll Highway and Mountbatten Road as Japan and Brazil play Avoid Nicoll Highway and Mountbatten Road as Japan and Brazil play match at Sports Hub Published on Oct 13, 2014 6:33 PM Motorists are advised to plan their routes early and avoid the Nicoll Highway and Mountbatten Road on Tuesday as World Cup champion Brazil take on Japan for a friendly match at the new National Stadium. -- PHOTO: ST FILE By Lim Yi Han SINGAPORE - Motorists are advised to plan their routes early and avoid the Nicoll Highway and Mountbatten Road on Tuesday as football heavyweights Brazil take on Japan for a friendly match at the new National Stadium. The game between both the samba boys and the Samaurai Blue will see the new stadum filled up with spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars. As such congestion is expected in the vicinity of the Singapore Sports Hub between 5pm and 11pm due to the high volume of visitors, the police said in a statement on Monday. The match will take start 6.45pm and should end at about 8.30pm. Spectators are advised to go early at about 5pm when the gates are opened. Attendees should follow the road signages and directions provided by auxiliary police officers and traffic marshals.
Former JC first Singaporean to receive IOC's Pierre de Coubertin medal POSTED: 13 Oct 2014 16:36 The International Olympic Committee awarded the medal to Mr Michael Hwang for his exceptional services to the Olympic movement, such as his contributions to the development of the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Mr Michael Hwang (R) receiving the Pierre de Coubertin medal from IOC Member Ng Ser Miang. (Photo: SNOC) SINGAPORE: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Monday (Oct 13) awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal to Michael Hwang, making him the first Singaporean to receive the medal. The Pierre de Coubertin medal is a special decoration awarded by the IOC to recipients who exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship in Olympic events or through exceptional service to the Olympic movement - and Mr Hwang received his medal for the latter contribution, according to the press release by the Singapore National Olympic Council. The 71-year-old has been involved with the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) since 2006 and has actively contributed to the development of the Court of Arbitration for Sport for eight years. He also chaired the CAS ad hoc division of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010. IOC Member Ng Ser Miang awarded the medal to Mr Hwang, who had previously served as a Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court, at the Singapore Sports Museum on Monday. Mr Hwang said: "It is a great honour to receive a medal associated with the Olympics bearing the name of the founder of the Olympic movement. In that respect, I feel honoured and also humbled." He joins the company of Olympic champion Emil Zapotek, who won three golds at the 1952 Olympics, and sailor Lawrence Lemieux for his act of sportsmanship and courage after rescuing two capsized sailors, for those who have received the medal. - CNA/kk
Anthony Chen and Ilo Ilo win … again [h=2]Movies[/h] Actress Yeo Yann Yann and director Anthony Chen both win at the 14th Chinese Film Media Awards held in Beijing, China. Photo: Anthony Chen Ilo Ilo wins two major awards at the 14th Chinese Media Awards held in Beijing By [h=2]Genevieve Sarah Loh[/h] genevieveloh@mediacorp.com.sg - Published: 11:29 PM, October 11, 2014 SINGAPORE — More than a year and half after Anthony Chen’s historic Camera d’Or win at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Ilo Ilo continues to do Singapore proud with its festival-winning streak. This time, the film swept two major awards at the 14th Chinese Film Media Awards earlier tonight (Oct 11) in Beijing, China. With director Chen in attendance, Ilo Ilo bagged the Best Screenplay award, while actress Yeo Yann Yann took home the Best Supporting Actress trophy. Ilo Ilo led the awards show with a total of six nominations, together with Wong Kar-Wai’s The Grandmaster, which starred Tony Leung and Zhang Ziyi. The Chinese Film Media awards is a high profile annual awards ceremony. Shows are nominated and judged by critics in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Chen’s script won against hot contenders Hong Kong’s Unbeatable and Blind Detective as well as Taiwan’s Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? and To My Dear Granny. Multiple award winner Yeo emerged winner ahead of veterans Crystal Lee from Unbeatable, Hai Qin from Finding Mister Right Qin Hai Lu from Young Style and Lin Mei Xue in To My Dear Granny.
NTU scientists develop fast-charging batteries NTU Associate Professor Chen Xiaodong and his team have developed... In the new battery, the traditional graphite used for the anode... Batteries, which have lifespan of more than 20 years, can be recharged up to 70% in two minutes Published: 4:03 AM, October 14, 2014 SINGAPORE — In a development that can have a wide-ranging impact on industries — especially for electric cars — scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed ultra-fast charging batteries that can be recharged up to 70 per cent in two minutes. With the batteries, which have a lifespan of more than 20 years, electric cars will be able to increase their range dramatically with only five minutes of charging, which is on par with the time needed to pump petrol for current cars, said one of the scientists, Associate Professor Chen Xiaodong from NTU’s School of Materials Science and Engineering. “Equally important is that we can now drastically cut down the toxic waste generated by disposed batteries, since our batteries last 10 times longer than the current generation of lithium-ion batteries,” he added. Currently, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries — commonly used in mobile phones, tablets and electric vehicles — usually last about 500 charge cycles. This is equivalent to two to three years of typical use, with each cycle taking about two hours for the battery to be fully charged. The 10,000-cycle life of the new battery also means that drivers of electric vehicles would save on the cost of battery replacements, which could cost more than US$5,000 (S$6,350) each. In the new battery, the traditional graphite used for the anode (negative pole) in lithium-ion batteries is replaced with a new gel material made from titanium dioxide — commonly used as a food additive or in sunscreen lotions to absorb harmful ultraviolet rays. The research project by Assoc Prof Chen and his team — which took three years to complete — was published in the latest issue of Advanced Materials, a leading international scientific journal in materials science. The team will be applying for a proof-of-concept grant to build a large-scale battery prototype, NTU said in a press release yesterday. The NTU team has licensed the technology for the fast-charging batteries to a company for eventual production. Assoc Prof Chen said he expected the batteries to hit the market within two years.
Singapore tops list of Asian countries most favoured by expats [h=1][/h] Published on Oct 14, 2014 8:30 PM Office workers walking past the Raffles Place MRT station during lunch time in this file photo. --STPHOTO: JOYCE FANG Singapore has been the ranked as the Asian country most favoured by expats in a new survey, with the Philippines next. Despite high living expenses, expatriates based in Republic said they were happy with their well-being, safety, family life, health and more. Close to two-thirds of the respondents cited political stability and said the country was peaceful, in their response. Overall, Singapore ranked sixth among 61 countries in the survey, with Ecuador, Luxembourg and Mexico taking up the first three spots. Switzerland and the United States were ranked fourth and fifth respectively, according to the 2014 survey report of the Expat Insider, run by InterNations, which claims to be the world's first international online community for people who live and work outside their home countries. Spain took the seventh spot, followed by the Philippines, Australia and Hong Kong in the list of top 10 cities in the survey, done in June this year. The survey results were based on insights drawn from 14,000 expats based in 169 countries and cities. The findings were reported by Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) on Oct 13. PDI is a member of the voluntary newspaper grouping Asia News Network, of which The Straits Times is a founding member. The report comes at a time when other polls have rated Singapore high in terms of rising costs of living. Nearly one in two people polled by Standard Life said high expat salaries were no match for the rising costs of living in the city state, according to a report by Yahoo! news. But at the same time, 80 per cent of the respondents said they earned more and 70 per cent said they saved more after moving to the Republic. Standard Life is an Edinburgh based insurance and investment group. The group polled 128 British and European expats living in Singapore for the survey, completed in June this year. The Economist, in March, rated Singapore as the costliest place to live in. In the Expat Insiders survey, the Republic ranked sixth in terms of the Quality of Life index with three in four (76 per cent) describing the quality of medical care here as good or even very good. The global average was 53 per cent. The city state also ranked high in terms of travel and transport (4th) and Health and Safety (4th). However, in terms of living expenses, less than a sixth thought positively of housing prices in Singapore, which was far less than the global average of 50 per cent. And only 8 per cent of the Singapore-based respondents described the general costs of living as good or very good. Close to half (44 per cent) of the respondents said their disposable income was enough or even more than enough to cover their expenses. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Singapore - Expat Rating Overall - 6 out of 61 Quality of Life - 6 out of 61 Ease of Settling in - 23 out of 61 Working abroad - 10 out of 61 Family life - 6 out of 34 Personal Finance - 36 out of 61 Cost of Living - 56 out of 61 Source: The InterNations Survey
New Jurong gardens will retain heritage, says DPM Tharman Challenge is to inject new life while keeping natural feel, history: Tharman Published on Oct 20, 2014 6:11 AM The iconic 7 Storey Pagoda at the Chinese Garden is seen from the Japanese Garden on Aug 21, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG By Aw Cheng Wei The new Jurong Lake Gardens will not be developed in a rush, assured Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, promising to maintain the area's special character and heritage. To drive this patient rejuvenation of a "people's garden" is a steering committee led by Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong, said Mr Tharman yesterday. Its challenge, he said, is to retain the natural feel and history of the place, and yet inject life and enable many more Singaporeans to enjoy what he hopes will become "an endearing place". "Jurong Lake Gardens and its surroundings will give a new face to our neighbourhood, something to be enjoyed by residents and Singaporeans everywhere on the island," he said, before joining over 700 families in an event to clean up Jurong Lake.
NUS and NTU EMBA offerings make top 10 of Financial Times ranking By Alice Chia POSTED: 20 Oct 2014 07:00 The NUS Business School's double-degree EMBA programme with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is ranked fourth, one spot higher than last year. Logo of the National University of Singapore (NUS) SINGAPORE: Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) programmes offered by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) are in the top 10 of the Financial Times' Global EMBA Ranking this year. The NUS Business School's double-degree EMBA programme with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is ranked fourth, one spot higher than last year. Based on the Financial Times' survey of the class of 2011, alumni reported enjoying on average a pay increase of 78 per cent and an annual salary of US$279,284 (S$356,000) three years after graduation. "The programmes' consistently strong performance is affirmation of the quality of the education we offer, as well as the strength of our faculty members," the school's dean Bernard Yeung said. Jumping five spots to eighth place is NTU's Nanyang Business School. The average annual salary of Nanyang EMBA alumni three years after graduation was US$221,672, after adjusting for purchasing power parity. This reflects an average 71 per cent hike in salaries, compared to pre-degree incomes. NTU President Bertil Andersson said: "Competition amongst top business schools has always been very intense but our Nanyang Business School has continued to progress because the EMBA is relevant to students and employers." NUS Business School's Asia-Pacific Executive MBA programme is ranked 18th. The average annual salary of its alumni increased from US$235,567 to US$244,911, the highest among graduates of single-degree EMBA programmes in Singapore. - CNA/de
Tennis: Dazzling opening ceremony kicks off WTA Finals in Singapore Published on Oct 20, 2014 8:31 PM Serena Williams of the US returns the ball to Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) championships in Singapore on Oct 20, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic kick off the tournament with the first match. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic kick off the tournament with the first match. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE Ana Ivanovic fans show their support for the Serbian star during her opening match against world no. 1 Serena Williams. -- PHOTO: ST READER The BNP Paribas Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals got off to a bright start at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in an opening ceremony marked by a dazzling light display and live performances. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA Retired tennis player Li Na of China enters the court to hit the opening serve during the start of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) championships in Singapore on Oct 20, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA SINGAPORE - The BNP Paribas Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals got off to a bright start at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in an opening ceremony marked by a dazzling light display and live performances. Hitting the ceremonial first serve was Li Na. The Chinese star, who won this year's Australian Open and the 2012 French Open, announced her retirement last month and remains a popular figure in the circuit. The opening match pits world No.1 Serena Williams against world No. 8 Ana Ivanovic. Although 33 and the oldest player in this year's WTA Finals, Williams boasts the best record this season amonst the eight finalists, winning six titles this year, including the US Open
5 facts about Sri Thendayuthapani Temple Published on Oct 20, 2014 11:30 AM MCCY Minister Lawrence Wong (centre) takes a tour of Sri Thendayuthapani Temple after the official ceremony to gazette it as a national monument on Oct 20, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road is the 67th national monument and the third Hindu temple to get on the list. . -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG MCCY Minister Lawrence Wong (centre) is blessed by assistant priest Suresh Kannan in front of the main sanctum at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple after the official ceremony to gazette it as a national monument on Oct 20, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG SINGAPORE - The Sri Thendayuthapani Temple on Tank Road was gazetted a National Monument by the National Heritage Board on Monday morning. It is the 67th national monument and the third Hindu temple to get on the list. The board said the temple is socially, culturally, historically and architecturally significant. Here are five facts about the temple: 1. The Sri Thendayuthapani Temple was established in 1859, rebuilt in the early 1980s, completed in 1983, and consecrated later that year. The temple was re-consecrated on Nov 27, 2009 after its latest renovations, following the Hindu tradition of renewing temple buildings every 12 years. 2. The Hindu deity, the Tank Road temple is dedicated to, is commonly known by three names: Murugan, Subramanian or Sri Thendayuthapani. The main sanctum of the temple houses the statue of Murugan, while the statues of Shiva (also known as Sundareswarar) and his consort, Sakthi (also known as Meenakshi), are housed in separate sanctums. 3. The Sri Thendayuthapani Temple is also widely known as the Chettiar temple because it was established by the Nattukottai Chettiars. The Chettiars are known to worship Murugan, and have dedicated many temples to this Hindu deity all over the world. The Sri Thendayuthapani Temple is the older of the two temples built by the Chettiar community in Singapore - the other is the Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple on 73 Keong Saik Road which was built in 1925. 4. Known to be pioneers of modern banking in Singapore, the Chettiars arrived in the early 1800s and were traders, merchant bankers and financiers. Besides using the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple primarily as a place of worship, the community also interacted and built their business network there. The temple also functioned as a financial institution for the Chettiars, who were well-known for issuing loans at low interest rates, and generous in allowing their clients more time to settle their debts. 5. The Chettiars are believed to have introduced Thaipusam to Southeast Asia in the 19th century. In Singapore, a procession typically takes place between the two Chettiar temples on the eve of Thaipusam. On the actual day, a larger and grander procession starts at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on 397 Serangoon Road, passes through several other Hindu temples, and ends at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple. Source: National Heritage Board
Singapore named Lonely Planet's No 1 country for travel in 2015 Published on Oct 21, 2014 11:12 AM The Singapore Flyer is seen in the background of the Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay on Sept 26, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG By Melissa Lin SINGAPORE - Global travel company Lonely Planet has named Singapore the world's number one country to travel to next year. In its latest guidebook, Best in Travel 2015, published on Tuesday, Lonely Planet noted that multicultural Singapore is "always celebrating something" and has more reason to next year when it turns 50. The book said "a slew of new developments has elevated the 'Singapore experience' to a new level", from Marina Bay to "a new crop of swanky hotels". To coincide with its Golden Jubilee, Singapore is set to usher in a number of new attractions next year, including the National Art Gallery and the Singapore Sports Hub, it added. Best in Travel 2015 is Lonely Planet's 10th collection of the best destinations, experiences and travel trends. It is available in eight languages and sold in more than 100 countries. This is the first time that Singapore has made it to any of the lists. Coming in second is Namibia, followed by Lithuania, Nicaragua and Ireland. The Republic of Congo, Serbia, Philippines, St Lucia and Morocco round up the list of top 10 countries. The top country for 2014 was Brazil, host of the World Cup. Singapore Tourism Board's assistant chief executive Lynette Pang welcomed the accolade. "We are humbled by this tremendous result, and honoured by the recognition of Singapore's efforts not just in tourism, but also in heritage conservation, greenery, dining, arts and many other areas."
Sri Thendayuthapani Temple joins 66 others on list of Singapore's national monuments Published on Oct 21, 2014 9:11 AM By Melody Zaccheus SINGAPORE - The Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, Singapore's freshly minted national monument, joins a list of 66 others here. The others include recent gazettes such as 1960s structures: Chung Cheng High School's main administration building and entrance arch in July (2014) and the Civilian War Memorial in August last year (2013). The Tank Road temple, which can trace its roots back to 1859, is the 30th religious building and third Hindu temple to be gazetted by the National Heritage Board (NHB). The other Hindu temples are the Sri Perumal temple and Sri Mariamman temple. National monuments are legally protected by the Preservation of Monuments Act, which means all works on it must be approved by the NHB's Preservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM) division. It is the highest order of preservation status in Singapore. The scheme started in 1973. The PSM division is charged with identifying monuments worthy of preservation and disburses money for their restoration, repair and maintenance, among other things. This is the full list of the country's national treasures. Year of gazette: 1973 1. The former Thong Chai Medical Institution (built in 1892) 2. Armenian Church (built between 1835 and 1836) 3. St Andrew's Cathedral (rebuilt between 1856 and 1864) 4. Telok Ayer Market, known as Lau Pa Sat today (built between 1890-1994) 5. Thian Hock Keng (built between 1839 and 1942) 6. Sri Mariamman temple R(rebuilt in 1843) 7. Hajjah Fatimah Mosque (built between 1845 and 1846) 8. The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (built between 1843 and 1847) Year of gazette: 1974 9. Nagore Durgah (built between 1828 and 1830) 10. Al-Abrar Mosque (built between 1850 and 1855) 11. House of Tan Yeok Nee or the former Salvation Army Headquarters (built in 1885) 12. Tan Si Chong Su temple (built between 1876 and 1878) 13. Jamae Mosque (rebuilt between 1830 and 1835) Year of gazette: 1975 14. Sultan Mosque (rebuilt between 1924 and 1928) Year of gazette: 1978 15. St George's Church (built between 1910 and 1913) 16. Hong San See temple (built 1908 and 1912) 17. Sri Perumal temple (rebuilt 1961 and 1966) Year of gazette: 1979 18. Abdul Gafoor Mosque (built between 1907 and 1927) Year of gazette: 1980 19. Siong Lim Temple (built between1902 and 1908) Year of gazette: 1987 20. Raffles Hotel (built between 1887 and 1907 and re-gazetted in 1955) Year of gazette: 1989 21. Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church (built between 1924 and 1905) 22. The tower block of Goodwood Park Hotel (built in 1900) Year of gazette: 1990 23. The former Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Chapel, now Chijmes Hall (built in 1903) and Caldwell House (built between 1840 and 1841) Year of gazette: 1992 24. The Istana and Sri Temasek (built between 1867 and 1869 and re-gazetted in 1993) 25. City Hall (built between 1926 and1929) 26. Victoria Theatre (built between 1856 and 1862) and its Concert Hall (built between 1902 and 1905) 27. Parliament House, Parliament House Annex Building (built between 1826 and 1827) 28. Supreme Court (built between 1937 and 1939) 29. Empress Place Building, now the Asian Civilisations Museum (built between 1864 and 1867) 30. National Museum, now the National Museum of Singapore (built between 1884 and 1887) 31. The former St Joseph's Institution's main building (built between 1855 and 1867), chapel (1911-12) and classroom, now the Singapore Art Museum (built between 1906 and 1907) 32. The former Attorney-General's Chambers (rebuilt circa 1906) Year of gazette: 1994 33. Sun Yat Sen Villa now the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (built between 1900 and 1902) Year of gazette: 1996 34. Yueh Hai Ching Temple (built between 1852 and 1855) Year of gazette: 1998 35. Maghain Aboth Synagogue (built in 1878) 36. The former Ministry of Labour Building (built in 1928) 37. The former Tao Nan School now the Peranakan Museum (built between 1910 and 1912) 38. Chesed-El Synagogue (built in 1905) 39. The former Hill Street Police Station (built between 1934 and 1936) 40. Ying Fo Fui Kun (built between 1881 and 1882) 41. Central Fire Station (built between 1908 and 1909) 42. The former Nanyang University Library and Administration Building, the former Nanyang University Memorial and the former Nanyang University Arch (built between 1954 and 1956) Year of gazette: 1999 43. The Chinese High School Clock Tower building (built in 1925) Year of gazette: 2000 44. Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church (built between 1930 and 1931) Year of gazette: 2002 45. The former Admiralty House (built in 1939) 46. Tan Teck Guan Building (built in 1911) 47. College of Medicine Building (built in 1926) Year of gazette: 2003 48. Cathay Building (built in 1939) 49. Church of St Peter and St Paul (built between 1869 and 1870) 50. Macdonald House (built in 1949) Year of gazette: 2005 51. RC Church of St Joseph (built between 1906 and 1912) 52. Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (built in 1888) 53. Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (built in 1901) 54. Tou Mu Kung (built in 1919 and 1921) Year of gazette: 2006 55. The former Ford Factory now the Memories at Old Ford Factory (built in 1941) Year of gazette: 2009 56. The former Raffles College, now the National University of Singapore's Bukit Timah campus (built in 1927 and 1953) 57. Church of St Teresa (built between 1926 and 1928) 58. Keng Teck Whay (established in 1831) 59. Command House (built in 1939) 60. The former St James Power Station (built in 1926) 61. Bowyer Block (built in 1926) Year of gazette: 2010 62. The former Singapore Conference Hall and Trade Union House now the Singapore Conference Hall (built between 1962 and 1965) 63. Esplanade Park Memorials: Lim Bo Seng Memorial (built between 1953 and 1954), Tan Kim Seng Fountain (built in 1882) and the Cenotaph (built between 1920 and 1922) Year of gazette: 2011 64. Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (built between 1929 and 1931) Year of gazette: 2013 65. Civilian War Memorial (built between 1966 and 1967) Year of gazette: 2014 66. Chung Cheng High School's main administration building and entrance arch (built between 1965 and 1968) 67. Sri Thendayuthapani Temple (rebuilt between 1980 and 1983)
Singapore named Lonely Planet's No 1 destination: What 5 non-locals love about the Li [h=1]Singapore named Lonely Planet's No 1 destination: What 5 non-locals love about the Lion City[/h] Published on Oct 21, 2014 11:26 PM Tourists gather on a jetty at the Merlion park in Singapore on October 15, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/s...e/2014_revamp_615x346/20141021/gardens21e.jpg People from a hobby group take pictures of the supertrees at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore on September 4, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/s.../2014_revamp_615x346/20141021/tourist3e_0.jpg View of Marina Bay Sands (MBS) as seen from OUE Bayfront Walk on Oct 16, 2014. -- PHOTO: ST FILE http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/s.../2014_revamp_615x346/20141021/tourist1e_0.jpg Shoppers crossing at the traffic crossing between Ngee Ann City and Paragon at Orchard Road on Sept 25, 2014. -- PHOTO: ST FILE By Yeo Sam Jo SINGAPORE - Singapore has a new honour to its name, with global travel company Lonely Planet naming the Lion City the world's top travel destination for next year. In its latest guidebook, Best in Travel 2015, Lonely Planet noted that Singapore is "always celebrating something", and will be ushering in new attractions like the National Art Gallery and Singapore Sports Hub next year in time for its Golden Jubilee. The list places Singapore ahead of countries like Namibia, Lithuania and Morocco, which also made it to the top 10. The Straits Times speaks to five notable permanent residents and expatriates here, and finds out why they love Singapore and what they would recommend to visitors. Nikki Muller, 29 When the show host touched down in Singapore in February 2011, she instantly felt at home, and has settled here ever since. "There was something about the energy and vibe about the place," recalled the Swiss citizen in a phone interview with The Straits Times. "I've moved around a lot in my life and it was the first time I ever felt like I could call a place home," said Nikki, adding that the good service at Changi Airport played a huge role in her decision. "I think the airport is a wonderful ambassador for Singapore. It gave me a really good impression of the country," said the Fly Entertainment artiste, adding that being immune from natural disasters and a budget flight away from the rest of South-east Asia are also extra perks for living here. She is also glad to see more support for the creative industry and start-up companies here. "This Little Red Dot is way more than what it used to be ages ago," said Nikki. "This is the place to be if you want to be in Asia." Nikki recommends: - Attending the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix Having hosted the event for three years, Nikki is anything but jaded from it. "It's the only night race, and the city skyline is gorgeous at night," she said. "Even for non-F1 fans, you have concerts, magicians, actors and installations. They also push for local artistes to perform, which is great." - Taking a walking tour of Katong The ever-curious Swiss-Filipina took a six-hour walking food tour of the historically-rich area last year, and she is still in awe of the tasty Peranakan food and local trivia that she picked up along the way. "You get to walk around with a Singaporean who would tell you things you wouldn't otherwise know, actually visit an HDB flat and even see how Peranakan food is prepared in the kitchen," she said of the tour which is run by Betel Box Hostel. And speaking of feeling like a local, she also recommends that visitors spend Chinese New Year with a local family, and strike up a conversation with a taxi driver. "They know everything. You don't have to read the papers - just hop into a cab." - Exploring nature around Kranji Calling it the "last countryside of Singapore", she is a fan of the relatively unscathed wilderness at Kranji. "If you just want a quiet day, you can visit vegetable, goat and frog farms there. Or check out Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve," she said. "You wouldn't believe you're in Singapore, or in a city. I hope it stays that way." Ann Kositchotitana, 38 Having lived in the United States and Thailand, the owner of fashion boutique Front Row at Raffles Hotel is thankful for Singapore's political stability. "I have family in Thailand, and this past year has been a huge ordeal not knowing what will happen," said the 38-year-old American citizen and Singapore permanent resident. The mother of two young daughters also told The Straits Times in a phone interview that the safety of the country makes it "liveable", with "honest" and "transparent" people to boot. "People are more straightforward here. They can take constructive criticism well," she said. "In other cultures, you have to be more mindful." Ann recommends: - Strolling or biking at Gardens by the Bay Ann has taken visitors from Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and China here, and they have appreciated the greenery and clean air. "It's better than what they have at home. They told me, oh my god, I can breathe here," she said, chuckling. About once or twice a month, Ann and her Singaporean husband also take their daughters cycling here. "I like that you can have family activities here, and it's free," she said. "It's man-made, but it's beautiful and well-maintained." - Eating along East Coast Road It might be an understatement to say that the Tanjong Katong resident is a fan of Singapore's food, especially when she gets excited talking about Ampang Yong Tau Foo, Mei Yuen Roast Duck and 328 Katong Laksa. These food institutions, all conveniently located along the same stretch of road, is her "good excuse" to splurge on food when she has visitors. "I buy all of these for them to try. It tastes so good." - Visiting Raffles Hotel No place has been closer to her heart than this iconic five-star hotel. In 2001, before getting married, Ann and her husband had a date at the Tiffin Room restaurant, which later inspired her to set up her store there. "I remember thinking 'wow'. It was so grand. I like the history behind it, the colonial architecture, how it has retained its old floor plan and fixtures," she said. "Everything is changing so quickly in Singapore. But I like to step back into Raffles Hotel and feel like time has stood still," she added. "It has that air of romanticism, of a bygone era. You don't see that a lot anymore in Singapore." Joshua Tan, 24 Food is the "number one" thing that this young star of Jack Neo's "Ah Boys to Men" film series misses the most when he is away from Singapore. "I was raised here so I've been brought up on very Singaporean diet," said the Australian-born Singapore permanent resident. He also likes the country's efficiency and emphasis on meritocracy. "Singapore has always been very open to receiving foreigners who have had the resources to help her grow and I've always appreciated that," said Joshua in an email interview with The Straits Times. Joshua recommends: - Eating at a kopitiam Inclined to "fatty food" such as curry rice and chicken rice, his first stop for visitors is the quintessential kopitiam, or coffee shop in Hokkien. "It pretty much sums up what Singapore is about - a melting pot of cultures with its own distinct flavours." - Unwinding at Tanjong Beach Club Describing the Sentosa restaurant and bar as a perfect place for unwinding with friends over the weekend, this is the next stop on Joshua's itinerary for his visitors. "It's a nicely laid out place with a very lepak (Malay for relaxed) vibe which I like," he said. "I always have a couple of cold drinks and a platter of fried food. It's also great for people watching." - Checking out Marina Bay Sands He calls the integrated resort "one of Singapore's most amazing buildings". "The infinity pool is a definite must go." Bobby Tonelli, 38 The actor and radio DJ from Las Vegas believes that Singapore, with its modernity and efficiency, is a "good introduction to Asia". "It's English-based and very much of a Western city," he told The Straits Times in a phone interview on Tuesday. "It's not as much of a culture shock for many tourists." The Fly Entertainment artiste, who has lived in Singapore for seven years, also appreciates the country's cultural kaleidoscope. "There are so many different, beautiful cultures here. You have people celebrating Deepavali, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya. It's quite unique to see it all happening in one place." Bobby recommends: - Eating at a hawker centre When his cousin visited four years ago, one of the places that Bobby brought him to was Changi Village Food Centre. "You have to get them to try the real food," he quipped, admitting that he has an enduring soft spot for laksa, popiah, ayam penyet, chilli crab and other local dishes. "The food is exotic for Westerners but very clean, a lot cleaner than in other countries," he said. "Even a simple thing like kaya is so fantastic...we just don't get it back home." - Strolling along Orchard Road For the American, a trip to Singapore's famous shopping belt is a must. "It's beautiful to look at and everybody likes to shop," he said. "The architecture of places like ION Orchard is also stunning. We take it for granted sometimes." - Visiting Gardens by the Bay Bobby believes that nothing beats seeing the beautiful flora setup in person. He said: "It's just so unique. You have the Supertrees and the greenhouse - it doesn't look real. It looks like someone drew it." George Young, 34 The weather, the MRT and safety. Those are three things that the UK-born actor and presenter loves about Singapore. "(In) London in the winter...you have to perfect the 1-metre dash from the bathroom door to the shower and pray there's enough hot water to keep your body temperature up, and then the dreaded moment where you have to get out of the shower. Every morning and night for months on end," he said in an email interview with The Straits Times. In Singapore, he pointed out, one can swim any time and any day. "That alone makes my friends in England extremely jealous," he said. Comparing the MRT to London's Underground, George, who has lived in Singapore for three and a half years, is quick to sing its praises: "The carriages are nice and wide here...yes the trains can get crowded here, but believe me - sardines have it better than a London carriage on the Piccadilly Line at 5.30pm." Above all, he is thankful for the "warm sense of safety and security" in Singapore. "It's one of the most precious things that a nation can enjoy," he said. George recommends: - Digging into crab at Ghim Moh It is hard to tell from George's fit physique that he is a regular at Master Crab at 19 Ghim Moh Road. The Fly Entertainment artiste loves to bring visitors to the seafood restaurant for authentic local dishes. "Sure you can order chilli crab, but you best make room for their best dish: salted egg crab," he gushed. "It's the saucy kind, so I provide the uninitiated with the cereal prawns to go along with it so that they can clean up the sauce with the left over cereal... oh great now I'm hungry." - Enjoying the view at The Lantern Bar This swanky spot on top of The Fullerton Bay Hotel is George's pick for a breathtaking tableau of the city. "I take any visitor there at night if I want to instantly impress them with Singapore's modern cityscape," he said. "You see the Marina Bay, including the Esplanade, the Flyer, a Merlion pushing out water, and a ship that's somehow landed itself on top of three skyscrapers - aka Marina Bay Sands." - Relaxing at East Coast Park There is more to Singapore than its fast-pace working life and style, he contends. To experience the "chill vibe", he recommends popping by East Coast Park. He said: "Most of East Coast has this different relaxed vibe when compared to the West in fact - it permeates the air as soon as you get across the MCE/ECP."
New, innovation-based scholarships in UK for Singaporeans By Olivia Siong POSTED: 22 Oct 2014 12:42 This was announced by Queen Elizabeth II at a state banquet dinner hosted in honour of President Tony Tan Keng Yam. Dr Tan took the chance to invite the Queen or her representative to Singapore during the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence next year. Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam (L) and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II stand during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in central London on Oct 21, 2014. (AFP/Dominic Lipinski/Pool) LONDON: Singaporeans will soon be able to take up new, innovation-focused scholarships to the United Kingdom. This was announced by Queen Elizabeth II at a state banquet dinner hosted in honour of President Tony Tan Keng Yam. The Queen also announced that the Royal Commonwealth Society of Singapore is to be re-established. The scholarships will be innovation-focused to allow Singaporeans to develop partnerships in innovation with UK institutions and businesses. Singapore has several notable Commonwealth Scholars, including former Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi and former Attorney-General Walter Woon, who will be heading the Royal Commonwealth Society in Singapore. The Queen added that President Tony Tan Keng Yam's visit presented an opportunity for both countries to highlight common future interests. "Mr President, your visit is an opportunity to celebrate the links between our two countries, developed over almost two centuries. But it is also a chance to highlight common future interests, especially in education, research and innovation, the building of cultural ties and the deepening of the bonds between our people," she said. The President also took the chance to invite the Queen or her representative to Singapore during the 50th anniversary of Singapore's independence next year. Singapore previously hosted the Queen on three occasions - in 1972, 1989 and 2006. Invited guests at the dinner also included Singaporeans living in the UK. They were treated to a four-course dinner. View of the state banquet hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in honour of Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam at Buckingham Palace in central London on Oct 21. (Photo: AFP/Dominic Lipinski/Pool) Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (2nd R) and the Duke of Edinburgh (L) pose for a photograph with Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam (R) and his wife Mary (2nd L), before a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in London on Oct 21. (Photo: AFP/Justin Tallis/Pool) Earlier in the day, President Tan and his wife Mrs Mary Tan were accompanied by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to view items relating to Singapore from the Royal Collection, some dating back to as early as 1857. These included old photographs and diary entries of Royals visits to Singapore. They were also joined by Prince William and other members of the Singapore delegation including Ms Grace Fu, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (C) and the Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam (R) view a display of Singaporean items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in central London on Oct 21. (Photo: AFP/Anthony Devlin/Pool) The President later headed to Westminster Abbey. Besides laying a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, President Tan also visited the memorial of Sir Stamford Raffles - the founder of modern Singapore. Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam (C) watches as a wreath is laid at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey on Oct 21. (Photo: AFP/Jack Taylor) In an address at the Palace of Westminster, President Tan said it is strong people-to-people ties that form the bedrock of relations between both countries. This includes the frequent interactions between leaders from both sides, as well as the 34,000-strong British community in Singapore, who have made contributions to the country over the years in areas like education, science and technology. Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam gives a speech to parliamentarians and their guests in the Palace of Westminster in central London on Oct 21. (Photo: AFP/Pool/Luke MacGregor) Bilateral relations are also buttressed by robust and growing economic ties. UK investments in Singapore have totalled about S$47 billion (£23 billion), with almost 4,000 British companies operating in Singapore. Singapore companies have also invested over S$43 billion (£21 billion) in the UK in areas like banking, hotel, transportation and utilities. The President noted that Singapore investments in the UK have been growing by double digits in the last 10 years, and are expected to exceed UK investments into Singapore before long. He said both countries should continue to work closely together to ride future challenges. "Protectionist and anti-trade sentiments are expected to grow in a slowing global economy and it will be imperative for our countries to continue to stand strongly together for free trade and open markets. In this context, the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, once it is ratified, will be an important boon to both our respective regions and countries, and bring about a new era of economic cooperation. I am confident that our economic ties will continue to grow from strength to strength," he said. President Tan added: "We are friends in all types of weather - whether it is British or Singapore weather - and our friendship will undoubtedly prove valuable in the face of emerging global challenges that will impact the future generations of both our countries. I am fully confident that our bilateral relationship will continue to flourish for countless years to come." Later in the day, President Tan also met with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at Buckingham Palace. Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam (R) meets with Britain's deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg (L) on Oct 21. (Photo: AFP/Justin Tallis/Pool) - CNA/by/ir
President Tony Tan conferred King Charles II Medal By Olivia Siong POSTED: 22 Oct 2014 22:01 The medal is awarded to foreign heads of state or government who have made contributions to furthering scientific research in their country. President Tony Tan is the fifth recipient so far. President Tony Tan Keng Yam. (Photo: AFP/Pool/Toby Melville) LONDON: Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam has been conferred the prestigious King Charles II Medal by the Royal Society. It is the world's oldest science society, with a history of breaking new ground. The medal is awarded to foreign heads of state or government who have made contributions to furthering scientific research in their country. There have been only four recipients so far, the most recent being then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in 2011. Dr Tan said: "The award is a strong recognition of the progress that Singapore has made in scientific research and technological development in our short history. It is also a tribute to the strong bilateral co-operation that exists between Singapore and the UK in science and technology." President Tan added that UK and Singapore share similar challenges like urbanisation, healthcare and ageing, as well as environment and sustainability, and such challenges cannot be solved by any one nation. Instead, he said, the future of research lies in international and multi-disciplinary collaborations. President Tan had also announced that the UK-Singapore Partners in Science Agreement will be renewed on the sidelines of his state visit. The initiative was launched in 2004, and the agreement encouraged joint work on a wide range of scientific topics benefiting both countries. Ten years on, the commitment is being expanded to include innovation and a wider research agenda. Both governments said in a statement that this is expected to allow both countries to respond to challenges and changes, increasing competitiveness and improving standards of living. Implementation of the partnership will be coordinated by the National Research Foundation in Singapore and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in the United Kingdom. President Tan also met key business leaders at an event. Also on Wednesday, Dr Tan met British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street - the official residence and office of the prime minister. Dr Tan was also hosted to a lunch by Mr Cameron. Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron shakes hands with Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam (L) in a meeting at No 10 Downing Street in central London on Oct 22. (Photo: AFP/Ben Stansall/Pool) On Tuesday, Dr Tan was hosted to a state banquet by Queen Elizabeth II where it was announced that Singaporeans will soon be able to take up new, innovation-focused scholarships to the United Kingdom. The Queen also announced that the Royal Commonwealth Society of Singapore is to be re-established. Singapore has several notable Commonwealth scholars including former Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi as well as former Attorney-General Walter Woon, who will be heading the Royal Commonwealth Society in Singapore. President Tan is on a state visit to the UK - the first for a Singapore head of state. - CNA/ir
POSTED: 22 Oct 2014 19:44 The sailing team of Jovin Tan Wei Qiang and Yap Qian Yin finished in first place in the final Race 9 to clinch the gold medal in the Hansa303Double Handed event. Paralympian sailors Jovin Tan (L) and Yap Qian Yin (Photo: Sport Singapore) SINGAPORE: The sailing team of Jovin Tan Wei Qiang and Yap Qian Yin has won Singapore's first gold medal at the 2nd Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea. The pair performed consistently well throughout the races, finishing in first place in the final Race 9 to win the Hansa303Double Handed event. The team of Aaron Per and Ng Xiu Zhen finished fourth in the same event. - CNA/ir
Singapore is best in Asia, 2nd in the world as best destination for expats: Global su POSTED: 22 Oct 2014 13:38 According to the seventh Expat Explorer survey conducted by YouGov, Singapore is ranked second in the world by expatriates as one of the best destinations for career progression, financial wellbeing and quality of life, File photo: The skyline of Singapore's financial district. (AFP/Roslan Rahman) SINGAPORE: Singapore is ranked top in Asia and second in the world by expatriates as one of the best destinations for career progression, financial wellbeing and quality of life, according to the seventh Expat Explorer survey commissioned by HSBC Expat. The Expat Explorer survey, conducted by YouGov, polled nearly 9,300 expatriates from over 100 countries. About 350 respondents are from Singapore. Here are the top ten countries according to the seventh Expat Explorer survey: 1. Switzerland 2. Singapore 3. China 4. Germany 5. Bahrain 6. New Zealand 7. Thailand 8. Taiwan 9. India 10. Hong Kong - CNA/by
