Singapore News Alternative: December 2012

Singapore ‘likely in recession’ after GDP data

The News Tribe, 31 Dec 2012
Singapore: Singapore likely slipped into recession in the three months to December, analysts told AFP on Monday, as data showed growth in 2012 came in lower than expected.
In his New Year’s message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said “growth was slower this year, at 1.2 percent”, which is well off the official growth forecast of 1.5-2.5 percent.
However, CIMB Research economist Song Seng Wun said the figures for the year indicate the economy shrank 3.5 to 4.0 percent quarter on quarter in October-December, which followed a contraction of 5.9 percent in the previous three months. Full story

Related:

2012: The Year Of Sex Scandals In Singapore

Malaysiandigest.com, 31 Dec 2012
SINGAPORE: 2012 has been a year of sex scandals in Singapore.
In April, 44 men were charged with having sex with the same underage girl.
The number of men implicated in the online vice ring case swelled to 51 after some time.
Outside of courts, the state of affairs was equally dramatic.
An apology came because of the indiscretion of the former Speaker of Parliament, Michael Palmer.
Mr Palmer's year-long affair with People Association's (PA) Laura Ong led to his resignation.
He said: "I have resigned to take full responsibility for a grave mistake that I have committed. I had a relationship with a member of the PA staff working in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. While the individual did not work with me directly, Punggol East used to be part of the GRC and continues to work with it. My conduct was improper and it was a serious error of judgment. I have resigned in order to avoid further embarrassment to the PAP and Parliament." Full story

Three MRT lines experienced service disruptions on New Year Eve day, Lui Tuck Yew plans to increase fare next year

Hardwarezone Forum, 31 Dec 2012
Morning was circle line,
Afternoon NS line,
Now EW line (5.40pm)
All down

Full story

Related:

Singapore economy grew only by 1.2 per cent in 2012, PM Lee pins blame on weak external economies, tightening of foreign workers quota

The Economic Times, 31 Dec 2012
SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy grew by 1.2 per cent in 2012, hurt by weakness in the West and Japan as well as problems faced by some local companies in hiring workers, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday.
"Growth was slower this year, at 1.2 per cent. The weak U.S., European and Japanese economies dampened our growth, but some industries have also had difficulty hiring the workers they need to grow," Lee said in his New Year message. Full story

Related:

Snapshot: CPIB wll follow up on every complaint to keep Singapore clean and corruption free - Lee Kuan Yew

Link

Also read:
Town Council Computer System Saga: Member of public files complaint with CPIB and AGO - TR Emeritus

Snapshot: PM Lee Hsien Loong promises strong and swift action against government officials who have broken rules

PM Lee says government won't tolerate corruption - Channel News Asia

Also read:

Marina Bay Sands joined others in filing police report against Indian national for making bomb threat

Yahoo! News Singapor, 31 Dec 2012
Police confirmed with Yahoo! Singapore that by Monday, reports had been filed with regard to the matter from several parties, including one from the integrated resort itself. A spokesperson said its investigations are now ongoing, with MBS agreeing to assist.
An MBS spokesperson added in response to the incident, “The safety of our guests and staff is of paramount importance, and we will take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and secure environment for all at Marina Bay Sands.” Full story

Related:
Mumbai bomb blasts kill 21 during city's rush hour - The Guardian

Town Council Computer System Saga: Member of public files complaint with CPIB and AGO - report

TR Emeritus, 30 Dec 2012
A member of the public has mailed hard copies of the following letter to CPIB and the Auditor-General’s Office, asking the two Government agencies to investigate any irregularities arising from last year’s sale of the Town Councils’ computer and financial system ........ Full story

Also read:

Related:

OPINION: The curious case of PAP Town Council's tender notice with no details

The Online Citizen, 31 Dec 2012

First and foremost, the project description is ludicrously vague. What does “THE DEVELOPED APPLICATION SOFTWARE” refer to? What is the software and what does it do? How does the software work – standalone on a personal computer, or over a network? What platform does the software operate on, say Windows or Macintosh or even Linux? And again, and obviously most importantly, what is the software and what does it do?
And it only says “CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE” – but who is doing the purchasing? On the face of it, it almost sounds like the Town Councils were looking to buy some software to be developed for it, instead of looking to sell already-developed software.
The project description is also incomplete. It only talks about the “PURCHASE” of the software – but it turns out that the contract was not just for the Town Councils to sell the software, but also for a license-back by the purchaser to the Town Councils with continuing obligations to provide support and maintenance to the Town Councils. Full story

PAP Town Council's Tender Notice revealed, blogger poses more questions to Teo Ho Pin and East Coast Town Council

"I cannot understand how a $2 company that AIM Pte Ltd is, which doesn’t even have a corporate website, meets the tender requirement of an “Experienced and reputable Company with relevant track record”."

Yawningbread.wordpress.com, 30 Dec 2012

The above tender notice appeared in the Straits Times on 30 June 2010. (Thanks to a reader who did the sleuthing, who, I believe, would prefer to remain anonymous). You can click on it for a bigger version, but for your convenience, here is the text:
—

The Town Councils for the towns of : Aljunied, East Coast, Hong Kah, Jalan Besar, Jurong, Marine Parade, Sembawang, Tampines, Tanjong Pagar, West Coast, Ang Mo Kio-Yio Chu Kang, Bishan-Toa Payoh, Holland-Bukit Panjang, Pasir Ris-Punggol

TENDER NOTICE

Project: Contract for the purchase of the developed application software

Eligibility and Financial Grade: Experienced and reputable Company with relevant track record

Closing Date: 14 Jul 2010

The Town Councils reserve their rights not to accept the lowest or any tender without assigning any reason thereof.

No contract shall be awarded to a contractor if the contractor or any of its directors and/or employees have been debarred by the Town Councils and/or Statuary Boards and/or Government Bodies from participating in the same or all types of contracts. Any contractors who are currently disbarred shall not be eligible to participate in this tender.

Tender Documents of $214/- per set (inclusive of GST), can be obtained from: East Coast Town Council. Blk 206 Bedok North St 1 #01-353 Singapore 460206.
The payment shall be made by crossed cheque payable to “East Coast Town Council”.

—
I cannot understand how a $2 company that AIM Pte Ltd is, which doesn’t even have a corporate website, meets the tender requirement of an “Experienced and reputable Company with relevant track record”.

Full story

Police report made against Indian national who threatened to bomb Marina Bay Sands

TR Emeritus, 30 Dec 2012

Barely 3 weeks have gone by when a police report was lodged against a foreigner for issuing an online death threat against Singaporeans (‘Police report lodged against pinoy who threatens Singaporeans‘), another police report has just been lodged against another.
Apparently, an Indian National studying in Singapore has said that he will take a “big big revenge” on Singapore when he leaves the country. He said that he is going to spit everywhere. The worst remark is he said he will “plant bombs on Marina Bay Sands”... Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has also been informed of the threat and has replied through its Facebook that it will look into the claim seriously. Full story

Related:
Indian national residing in Singapore threatens to plant bombs in Marina Bay Sands

Singapore's reliance on foreign workers is a "one-trick pony": Aware director

Yahoo! News Singapore, 30 Dec 2012
Singapore’s tendency to rely on the continual acceptance of cheap foreign labour has made it a “one-trick pony”, said Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) director Corinna Lim.
Speaking as a panellist at a forum on the country’s population issues on Saturday afternoon, Lim noted that its excessive dependence on foreign workers over the years is a short-term one that needs to end sooner or later, and that there are other ways to promote economic growth that we somehow stopped working on.
“The problem with Singapore is that suddenly, we became a one-trick pony,” she said, addressing about 50 members of the public in attendance at the forum organised by Transitioning, an unemployment volunteer NGO. “Our one trick was bring in more cheap foreign labour; we will increase GDP every year. And that is true, but it’s not the only trick in the book — (yet) it became so convenient for us that we used it all the time.” Full story

OPINION: Hidden slums of Singapore revealed

Is Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin taking any action? Or is he going to prove to us that he is just another NATO (No Action Talk Only) minister?

Yahoo! News Singapore, 29 Dec 2012

The conditions are, quite honestly, appalling. It is even more unacceptable when one considers that employers are required to furnish the MOM with the addresses where their workers are put up, that the authorities claim to conduct regular inspections of these areas, and the fact that these dormitories have been around for quite some time. There is no reason for the authorities not to be aware of the existence and locations of these dormitories. Full story

NEA planting more plain-clothers officers to stop litterbugs

Malaysia Star, 30 Dec 2012
REVELLERS at New Year’s Eve celebrations may find themselves rubbing shoulders with some unexpected party-goers.
To guard against yet another Jan 1 dawn breaking over littered streets from Orchard Road to Sentosa, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is deploying 20% more plain-clothes officers than last year to patrol party venues.
The 157 officers will be spread out across 10 countdown locations, including hot spots like Orchard Road and Marina Bay, but also more far-flung Khatib, Woodlands and Tanjong Rhu. Full story

Yale under fire for new campus in restrictive Singapore

Reuters, 29 Dec 2012
The new college will be funded entirely by the Singapore government, which will also subsidize tuition. Singapore citizens will pay about $18,000 a year, including room and board. International students will pay about $43,000 unless they secure a discount by committing to work for a Singapore company for three years after graduation.

Yale and Singapore will get an equal number of seats on the new college's governing board -- but Singapore's education minister must approve all the Yale nominees.

The arrangement exposes Yale to risk because its name is on the college, yet the university does not have control over the end product, said Richard Edelstein, who studies trends in higher education at the University of California at Berkeley. One angry member of Yale's faculty, Christopher Miller, a professor of French and African American studies, has dubbed the venture "Frankenyale." Full story

OPINION: Behind the doors of Singapore’s gay night club scene

Yahoo! Entertainment Singapore, 30 Dec 2012
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Chinatown in Singapore, there are pockets of quieter areas that are somewhat removed from the maddening crowds in your typical party spots.
Such places tend to be the preference for many who want a good night out surrounded by eateries, bars and even karaoke joints – and all within walking distance, if that’s your bag. In the ever-present hubbub of all the sights, sounds and smells of the authentic heritage area, there are some great spots for those who want good drinks and company, without heading to the more obvious options elsewhere.
And for many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Singapore who embrace an alternative lifestyle, there are a plethora of entertainment nightspots in the area as well, where they can lay their hat down and enjoy a night out without any concern. Full story

OPINION: Singapore's Pulau Ubin offers a step back in time

Los Angeles Time, 30 Dec 2012
Think back, if you can, to 1965. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis was the year's architectural marvel, the world mourned Winston Churchill, and Pampers disposable diapers made their debut. Meanwhile, at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the republic of Singapore declared its independence from Malaysia.
Today, the Gateway Arch still inspires, Churchill's iconic status is unfettered, and what's a cloth diaper? But the Singapore of 1965? Barely recognizable.
Except in one place: the island of Pulau Ubin, in the Johore Strait, which separates the city-state from Malaysia to the north. Although it's less than 15 minutes by boat from mainland Singapore, the difference could hardly be more pronounced. Full story

Indian national residing in Singapore threatens to plant bombs in Marina Bay Sands

Hardwarezone Forum, 29 Dec 2012

Link

OPINION: Singapore degenerating into a city of sex scandals

Malaysia Star, 29 Dec 2012
SINGAPORE, which still bans Playboy magazine, is moving into 2013 after going through one of its hottest years for sex scandals.
Few old-timers can remember living through a more torrid period such as this that has dragged in so many prominent, high-profile people both from within and outside the government.
It was as though Singapore was invaded by a type of virus in the air that destroyed human immunity against sexual misconduct.
It spread through the city, striking down young and middle-aged Singaporeans – from Members of Parliament, elite civil servants and business executives to cleaners and lorry drivers. Full story

GIC wants US judge to sanction investment firm for challenging Singapore's purchase of four resorts

Fox Business, 28 Dec 2012
Singapore's government is losing patience with Five Mile Capital Partners LLC and is now asking a bankruptcy judge to sanction the investment firm for its "unending" quest to derail Singapore's purchase of four resorts.
n a letter Thursday to Judge Sean H. Lane of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan, lawyers for the real-estate investment arm of Singapore's sovereign wealth fund said Five Mile is violating the judge's demand that Five Mile limit its investigation into whether Singapore negotiated in bad faith when it agreed to buy the resorts for $1.5 billion.
The $1.5 billion deal includes a $1.1 billion cash payment for the properties and $360 million in debt forgiveness. Full story

Indian rape victim dies in Singapore hospital

NBC News, 29 Dec 2012
A young Indian woman who was gang-raped and severely beaten on a bus died Saturday at a Singapore hospital, after her horrific ordeal galvanized Indians to demand greater protection for women from sexual violence that impacts thousands of them every day.
She "passed away peacefully" with her family and officials of the Indian embassy by her side," said Dr. Kevin Loh, the chief executive of Mount Elizabeth hospital where she had been treated since Thursday. "The Mount Elizabeth Hospital team of doctors, nurses and staff join her family in mourning her loss," he said in a statement. Full story

Related:

Singapore Close to a Recession as Q4 Estimates Weak

Forexblog.oanda.com, 28 Dec 2012
Singapore likely joined Japan in recession in the fourth quarter of 2012, dragged down by weakness in its top exports of electronics, according to a Reuters poll of economists.
Gross domestic product (GDP) probably shrank by an annualized and seasonally adjusted 1.4 percent in October-December from the preceding three months, the median estimate of six economists showed.
The economy contracted 5.9 percent in the third quarter from April-June at a seasonally adjusted and annualized rate and so another quarter-on-quarter decline would meet the definition of a recession. Full story

Temasek further raises stake in Olam to 19 percent

Xinhua, 28 Dec 2012
Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings has further raised its stake in commodities trader Olam International, the company said on Friday.
Temasek increased its stake in the company from 18 percent to 19 percent through its two investment arms, it said.
It was the third time in a month that the powerful investment firm had raised its stake in the Singapore-listed commodities trader, which has been the short-selling target of U.S.-based research firm Muddy Waters and its founder Carson Block since last month. Full story

Related:

Tough-talking Tan Chuan-Jin warns Singaporeans about "sobering realities" in labour market

XIN MSN News, 29 Dec 2012
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan—Jin has pointed to some "sobering realities" to the labour market in his latest blog post.
Mr Tan said Singapore’s strong growth in employment may at first glance sound good, but the country’s productivity growth has been decreasing.
For workers, there will be a review of Workfare, to ensure the initiative provides adequate encouragement for workers to upgrade and earn more. Full story

Related:
Labour movement working towards cheaper, better, faster economy - Channelnewsasia.com

Sylvia Lim questions sale of town councils’ computing systems

inSing.com, 28 Dec 2012
In her latest comments, Ms Lim said both "Dr Teo’s and Mr Das’ statements have been calculated to side—step the most critical question of how public interest was served" when the financial systems were sold off to AIM, which could terminate its contract, if there was a "material change" in the composition of a town council.
A "material change" could refer to a change in the management and makeup of the town council, following results of the general election.
In this case, it was the town council being handed over to the Workers’ Party, which won the Aljunied seat from the PAP.
Ms Lim said Singaporeans have the right to know what justification there was for town councils to relinquish ownership and leave the continuity of operations at the "mercy of a third party" — referring to AIM.
Since AIM is fully owned by the PAP, Ms Lim asserted that the PAP—managed town councils saw it "fit to sell away the ownership" of the computing system, which she said are developed with public funds, to a political party. Full story

Gangs make a comeback as youth slashed at Orchard Cineleisure

Yahoo! News Singapore, 28 Dec 2012
A youth was attacked late on Thursday evening outside Cathay Cineleisure Orchard shopping centre.
It's believed the young man, aged in his 20s, was beset by a group of other boys in the incident which took place just outside the mall's 7-Eleven convenience store.
A photo of the youth lying injured and being helped by mall security guards which was taken by an eyewitness, Twitter user Cara Chiang, is going viral on Twitter.
On Thursday night, she posted the picture with the caption, "I just saw a stabbed guy and a dude shouting a gang name at Cineleisure (sic)." Full story

Related:
CINELEISURE ATTACK - Thesunpress.blogspot.sg

OPINION: Balancing growth with domestic imperatives — Mukul G. Asher and Chang Yee Kwan

The Malaysian Insider, 26 Dec 2012
Balancing the requirements of Singapore’s growth strategy with domestic concerns will become even more challenging in the future, as individuals expect to exercise greater control, influence and leverage over decisions affecting their lives. Concerns have been expressed that proxies, such as the annual value of housing, which is used to determine eligibility for government benefits, do not take into account the needs of the older generation, which has experienced low wages and relatively high income taxes.
Continuing to pursue high growth under the current growth strategy is likely to intensify domestic concerns. However, if growth moderates to around 3 per cent, in line with experiences of other high-income countries, and becomes the new norm, re-examining current assumptions and practices concerning economic, social and political management will become even more necessary. Full story

OPINION: Iskandar: Boon or bane for Singapore real estate? ― Tan Chin Keong

The Malaysian Insider, 28 Dec 2012
According to recent reports, as of last September, Iskandar had recorded nearly RM100 billion in investments, about 40 per cent of which came from foreign sources.
A number of Singaporean companies such as Ascendas and Raffles Education, and even Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, have invested in Iskandar-related projects ― proof that it is gaining momentum and critical mass.
Given Iskandar’s rising prominence and proximity to Singapore, one cannot help but wonder what impact it may have on the property market here.
In my view, the impact will be felt most keenly in the industrial property sector. Full story

To further opposition cause, NSP says it will not contest in Punggol East by-election

The Real Singapore, 14 Dec 2012
Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) Hazel Poa, said that NSP has decided not to create a multi-cornered fight by contesting in the by-election.
This is “in the interest of furthering the opposition cause”, she said.
Indeed, such selfless spirit from NSP is commendable.
The Workers’ Party (WP) contested in the Punggol East SMC at the last election. In a statement on 12 Dec, WP said that it is ready to offer a choice to the voters of Punggol East SMC again in the by-election.
History has shown that any multi-cornered fights in elections will always benefit the incumbent ruling party, PAP. Full story

PRC paddler Li Jiawei retires from Singapore team and returns back to China a Milliionaire

Xinhua, 27 Dec 2012
Singapore table-tennis stars Li Jiawei and Sun Beibei have called it a day, reported local media on Thursday.
"I am very grateful to the STTA and to Singapore for the opportunities they have given me and I hope to contribute back to the country in whatever I do in the future," a tearful Li, 31, said at a media briefing at the Singapore Table Tennis Association at Toa Payoh.
The Straits Times reports that she will return to Beijing with her family. STTA says she will be based in China but "will arrange for her to do something for Singapore" Full story

Related:

More reports of rape from across India as Singapore doctors battle to save 23-year-old gang-raped victim

Outlookindia.com, 27 Dec 2012
As the 23-year-old gang-raped victim is being treated in Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, the rape cases in various states of India still seems to surge further.
A mentally challenged woman, a commercial sex worker and a teenaged girl were among the rape victims from Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
A 22-year-old commercial sex worker was allegedly gang-raped by at least ten persons at Bamroli area of Surat, police said.
Seven of the ten persons allegedly involved in the Surat crime that occurred on December 25 night have been detained, police said. Full story

SDP declares interest in contesting at Punggol-East SMC

Yahoo! News Singapore, 27 Dec 2012
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) said on Thursday that it is planning to contest in the Punggol East Single Member Constituency (SMC).
SDP secretary-general Chee Soon Juan and chairman Jufrie Mahmood said during a press conference Thursday afternoon that the opposition party has drawn up comprehensive policies to address the concerns of Singaporeans and is looking forward to putting their policies before the voters of Punggol East.
"The SDP's participation will allow the by-election to focus on the people's concerns and policies that will address them," said Jufrie. Full story

Related:

Singapore citizens not eligible for Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship

Cebu Daily News, 27 Dec 2012

Applications for the Dr. Goh Keng Swee (GKS) Scholarship are now open to interested candidates from Asia Pacific countries.

The GKS scholarship was established to honor former Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Goh Keng Swee, who fostered Singapore’s economic development and its growth as a reputable international financial center.
Those qualified will be awarded a maximum of four years of undergraduate study in Singapore. Their academic performance will also be reviewed annually. The scholarship will also provide roundtrip economy airfare, tuition and other compulsory fees, maintenance, hostel and settling-in allowance. Full story

Public Service Commission Scholarships

Link

Related:

MOH sent "stern letter" reprimanding KKH for baby mix-up

Malaysia Star, 27 Dec 2012
THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has sent a “stern letter” reprimanding the head of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) for the lack of supervision and oversight which resulted in two babies going home with the wrong parents last month.
The Ministry, in a statement following a press briefing yesterday on how two babies were swapped, said it found such a lapse “unacceptable”. Full story

Singapore Is Strong Contender To Host 2014 WTA Finals

10sBalls.com, 24 Dec 2012
Singapore is moving into what looks like pole position as host of the WTA year-end event when it leaves Istanbul after 2013. That’s the feeling of local organisers in the rich city-state which is among a handful of candidates to next host the WTA wrapup event from 2014.
Kazan, Russia, Mexico City and Tianjin in China are the other candidates. But Singapore reportedly beats the lot on infrastructure while remaining something of a question mark about attracting the kinds of 12,000-plus crowds which have marked the successful run in Turkey.
Factors in favour of Singapore include a stable, thriving economy, an affluent populate and much less red tape and administrative burdens than the other candidates. Full story

Delhi gang-rape victim flown to Singapore for specialist medical care

Independent.co.uk, 26 Dec 2012
The Indian student who was left with life-threatening injuries after being brutally gang-raped in Delhi was tonight on her way to Singapore for specialist medical care.
The 23-year-old reportedly remains in a critical but stable condition after being attacked on a bus earlier this month. Six people, including the bus driver, have been arrested in connection with the incident, which sparked violent protests across the capital over the weekend.
According to various reports in the Indian media, the paramedical student was moved out of Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital this morning shortly before midnight, en route to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Full story

Related:

AIM is the second controversy in Aljunied Town Council handover after CPG Facilities Management

The Online Citizen, 13 May 2011
A conflict of interest?
In the Straits Times on Thursday 12 May 2011, on page A4, “Cynthia Phua promises proper handover”, the following was reported:
“Aljunied Town Council is now managed by CPG Facilities Management, with whom the town council signed a three-year contract last year. CPG managing director Jeffrey Chua is the town council’s general manager. As the town council managing agent, CPG engages the services of other companies for services such as cleaning, maintenance and lift rescue.”
While CPG Corporation Pte Ltd is the corporatized and renamed Public Works Department, it is not apparent whether Mr Chua, as the Managing Director of CPG Facilities Management Pte Ltd holds shares or options in the firm CPG Facilities Management Pte Ltd (which appears to be a subsidiary of CPG Corporation Pte Ltd) or its parent.
Regardless, I find it difficult to understand how Mr Chua can carry out both his duties as the general manager of the town council, and the Managing Director of the town council’s managing agent. Full story

Snapshot: Recalling what Cynthia Phua had said in May 2011

Cynthia Phua promises proper handover

OPINION: Important lesson to learn from world's most unhappy and pessimistic country

The Motley Fool, 24 Dec 2012
The more important lesson to learn relates to the world's single most pessimistic country: Singapore.
Using our usual conceptions of what makes you happy, Singaporeans should be near the top of the optimist list. For example, by any measure, they are very rich, have long life expectancies, and can drink Coke and watch re-runs of Baywatch all day long.
I submit the reason they are so miserable is that they live in the heart of the new form of authoritarian capitalism, a version 2.0 of capitalism that is divorced from democracy and proving more powerful than our old-fashioned social democratic version. Full story

Iswaran aims to attract larger number of tourists and make them spend more

NZweek.com, 26 Dec 2012
S Iswaran, second trade and industry minister, said that the country’s tourism strategy will not only involve attracting a larger number of visitors, but also put more emphasis on deriving higher economic yield from tourists, Channel NewsAsia reported.
This means planning for events and activities to generate extra spending from visitors, it said.
The tourism strategy will be centered around what is known as three Cs, namely, content, clients and connectivity, Iswaran said. Full story

Related:
Better F1 sideshows can boost tourist spending in Singapore - The Malaysian Insider

OPINION: Strikes by foreign workers in Singapore expose fault lines in the country's social fabric - Heather Tan

Aljazeera.com, 25 Dec 2012
After 26 years without a strike, labour unrest over low wages and appalling living conditions has roiled Singapore - drawing attention to the country's often-exploited migrant worker community.
Over the past month, several groups of Chinese migrant workers staged labour strikes, protests and sit-ins. Similarly, in February, a group of 200 Bangladeshi construction workers launched a seven-hour sit-out to protest unpaid salaries and the dismal food served by their employers.
In response to a strike of 171 Chinese bus drivers in November, the Singaporean government deported 29 people and imposed $2,000 fines and jail terms for several others for instigating "illegal" action. Full story

PM Lee lectures India to overcome status quo interests for higher GDP growth

The Times Of India, 25 Dec 2012
We've seen India change dramatically over the last 20 years. The transformation has been incomparable. But you can see so much potential the country could achieve if you could overcome political difficulties and status quo interests. It's not easy as i was discussing with some of your senior leaders. They were telling me the difficulties of getting things through because the things you need in the long term, it's against their interests in the short term politically to support. It's a tremendous effort to do things the Indian government has recently - retail and banking. The PM and finance minister are determined to push through further reforms. But as some of your leaders told me, you need your opposition to support. In the short term, this may not be in their interest. So, you have to keep making a coalition of forces willing to go along - and horse trade. It's the nature of politics, especially in a complicated society like India.
It's a pity you cannot move faster. Whatever you're arguing about, like dislocation, if you can get 1-2% more growth and sustain it for 10-15 years, you will get it back 100 times. Full story

OPINION: Singapore Property Market Outlook for 2013 - Getty Goh

Yahoo! News Singapore, 24 Dec 2012
Barring any unforeseen circumstances and continued inflow of money into the Singapore banking system, 2013 could potentially be another good year for non-residential properties (i.e. commercial and industrial properties). To illustrate how investors have gradually been moving into the non-residential market, Figure 2 shows that the proportion of residential caveats lodged from 1995 to 2010 is 90.7%. This proportion dropped in 2011 and 2012 to 88.5% and 84.8% respectively. With all the cooling measures in the residential market, it is likely that the interests in the non-residential property sectors will continue to be strong in the year ahead. Full story

Maurah reminds the Singapore government to treat distressed people humanely

Global Voices Online, 23 Dec 2012
Maruah reminds the government to treat distressed people humanely:

Government ministers have touched on values emerging as a major strand in the Our Singapore Conversation; what then is the value being espoused by the Singapore Government, when it implicitly advocates that the Rohingya should have been left at sea? How would we want ships to treat Singaporeans stranded at sea?
Singaporeans have clearly articulated a desire for Singapore to become a more humane and compassionate society. The way that we treat distressed people fleeing genocide seems a good place to start.

Full story

Worker dies from fall at Sengkang site

Yahoo! News Singapore, 26 Dec 2012
A worker fell to his death at a Sengkang West Way worksite on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said the worker, part of a team of four workers, was plastering a wall located on the roof when he fell through a wall opening.
He was working under Chiu Teng Contruction Co Pte Ltd to construct four blocks of 27-storey Housing Development Board (HDB) public residential housing and a 4-storey multi-storey carpark. Full story

Singapore’s Inflation Rate Eased to Two-Year Low in November

Bloomberg, 24 Dec 2012
Singapore’s inflation slowed to a two-year low in November as gains in housing and transportation costs eased.
The consumer price index rose 3.6 percent from a year earlier, after climbing 4 percent in October, the Department of Statistics said in a statement today. The median estimate of 15 economists in a Bloomberg News survey was for a 3.8 percent increase. The November core inflation rate was 2 percent. Full story

Pharmaceuticals Lift S'pore November Industrial Output

BusinessWeek, 26 Dec 2012
Singapore’s industrial production rose for the first time in four months in November as manufacturers produced more pharmaceuticals, countering a slump in electronics.
Manufacturing gained 3.1 percent from a year earlier after a revised 5.1 percent drop in October, the Economic Development Board said in a report today. The median of 13 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News was for a 4.8 percent increase. Full story

Related:
Singapore Manufacturing Output Recovers In November - RTTNews