Philippines aid scandal: Food flown in from Britain ends up in upmarket shops hundreds of miles from typhoon

Dailymail.co.uk, 7 Dec 2013
Crucial aid sent from Britain to help the victims of typhoon-ravaged areas of the Philippines is being siphoned off and sold for profit by corrupt local officials.
Emergency supplies delivered by military helicopters have turned up on the shelves of shops in affluent districts of the capital Manila – hundreds of miles from the disaster zone.
And shelter equipment purchased using British donations has been locked up in government warehouses and stockpiled alongside rice and other food intended for victims of last month’s catastrophe, The Mail on Sunday has learned.
Alarming evidence of the thefts has been provided by expat Keb Darge, 56, who says he faces death threats for stopping local officials stealing aid in Eastern Samar, one of the worst-hit areas.
Mr Darge, a disc jockey originally from Scotland, said: ‘The aid isn’t getting through to where it’s needed. I’ve seen the deliveries arrive and I’ve seen them disappear. 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

Malaysia takes in Burmese shipwreck survivors turned away by Singapore government

Radio Australia, 19 Dec 2012
Malaysia has accepted 40 shipwreck survivors from Burma who were in limbo for several days after being denied entry to Singapore.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees says the 40 men are believed to be minority Muslim Rohingya refugees from Rakhine state.
The survivors were rescued on December 5 by a Vietnamese cargo ship after their vessel sank in Burmese waters, reportedly drowning 160 others.
Last week, Singaporean authorities denied the ship entry to its harbour, saying those rescued did not appear to be "persons eligible to enter Singapore". Full story

Related:

1. 40 Myanmar shipwreck survivors rescued by Malaysia - Nation.com.pk
2. Malaysia accepts Burma shipwreck survivors - Khabarsoutheastasia.com
3. Malaysia accepts 40 Myanmar shipwreck survivors - WJBF.com 
4. Malaysia offers refuge to shipwrecked Burmese Rohingya - Asian Correspondent 
5. M’sia takes in shipwrecked passengers after UN appeal - inSing.com

Also read:

Blacklisted Myanmar tycoon finds salvation in Singapore

Zaw Zaw, one of Myanmar's most powerful businessmen, wants to change that in a complex transaction in Singapore that would blaze a path for foreign investors into a company at the heart of Myanmar's economy - and help Myanmar's sanctions-hit tycoons rebrand themselves.
In an interview in his Yangon office, he said the transaction - a planned S$70 million ($57.1 million) reverse takeover of Singapore bed linen maker Aussino Group - was moving forward and he expects Singapore regulators to complete a review of his books in three to six months, clearing the way for Aussino's transformation into a Myanmar-backed company harnessed to Zaw Zaw's energy division.
Washington has suspended some sanctions and embraced Myanmar's leaders but left embargoes in place against businessmen whose companies are accused of helping generals plunder the economy and commit human rights abuses during 49 years of military rule. Full story

OPINION: Government wrong to turn away Rohingya refugees

Singapore Democrats, 17 Dec 2012
It is tragedy that the Government has turned away 40 people picked up by a ship off the coast of Myanmar who, from media reports, are Muslim Rohingya. They were seeking refuge in Singapore.
The refugees are fleeing persecution in their own country, a situation which observers warn could lead to a genocide campaign.
Singaporeans are a compassionate people and the Government representing us should not be cold and cruel, one that calculates everything in material terms.
The PAP can also hardly claim that the turning away of these helpless victims of war is based on national security reasons. It is already knee deep in its policy of indiscriminately bringing in millions of foreigners, a policy that gravely threatens national security in Singapore. Providing temporary shelter for 40 refugees hardly compares. Full story

Related:
Rohingya refugees and shameless heartless Singapore govt - Where Bears Roam Free

Singapore turns away Rohingya ship

The Nation, 14 Dec 2012
SINGAPORE - Singapore has turned away a ship carrying 40 people rescued off Myanmar, port officials said Thursday, amid media reports the passengers could be stateless Muslim Rohingya. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said it denied entry to the Vietnamese-registered bulk carrier Nosco Victory because of a lack of information about its passengers. Full story

Related:
S’pore turns away ship carrying rescued passengers - inSing.com

Singapore turns away rescued Burmese boat people

The Age, 12 Dec 2012
Singapore has denied entry to a Vietnamese-registered cargo ship carrying 40 Burmese asylum seekers who were plucked from the sea after their boat sank in the Bay of Bengal.
n an incident similar to the 2001 Tampa affair, where Australia refused entry to Afghan asylum seekers, Singapore said it had blocked the ship because ''those aboard do not appear to be persons eligible to enter Singapore''.
The asylum seekers are believed to have been in the water for 30 hours before the ship Nosco Victory rescued them on December 5, meaning they would have been in a distressed state. Full story

Related:

1. Singapore turns away rescued boat people - The Sydney Morning Herald
2. Singapore Rejects Vessel That Saved 40 Boatpeople From Drowning - Phuketwan.com

Also read:

1. Myanmar lures Singapore Inc - Asia Times Online
2. S'pore eyes more links with Myanmar - Channelnewsasia.com
   
3. S'pore, Myanmar affirm warm relations - Chennelnewsasia.com

Singapore's helping hands bring humane aid, build strong friendships

Global Times, 18 Nov 2012
Recently, the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) started its second Water for Life project in Cambodia's Kampong Speu province, winning applause from the Cambodia media. Among Cambodia's 11 million people, 4.5 million have no access to clean water. Two years ago, Singapore decided to help provide clean water in Cambodia.
The SIF provides clean drinking water to the 800 households, while each household pays a nominal fee of $2 to have a water filter installed. This improves the quality of life and prevents disease.
Yet the water project is only one of the many forms of assistance Singapore provides to foreign countries. China can draw from its experiences. Full story

Singapore resort urged to free captured dolphins

The Standard, 19 Oct 2012
A Singapore casino resort's acquisition of dolphins from the Solomon Islands for its marine park contributed to the depletion of the species there, an animal welfare group said.
The Singapore-based Animal Concerns Research and Education Society released a video on the depletion of the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins from the islands as it intensified a campaign for Resorts World Sentosa to release the animals, AFP reports.
RWS acquired 27 dolphins from the Solomons between 2008 and 2009 despite the availability of information “advising against the purchase’’, ACRES said in a statement. Full story

Related:
ACRES calls for public pressure on RWS dolphin enclosure - Yahoo! News Singapore

Kachin in Singapore raise $20,000 for humanitarian relief to refugees in northern Burma

Kachinnews.com, 8 Jan 2012
Overseas Kachin living in Singapore and Malaysia raised more than $20,000 to support Kachin refugees in northern Burma, by holding two special charity concerts over the Christmas season.
The donations will be split, with half going to help internally displaced people (IDPs) sheltering in government controlled areas and the other half going to help those who have fled to territory controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), according to Tangbau Awng Di, secretary of the Singapore Kachin Culture and Literature Body. Full story

Singapore Red Cross to send second relief team to Philippines

Philstar.com, 27 Dec 2011
INGAPORE (Xinhua) -- The Singapore Red Cross will send its second team of seven people to the typhoon-affected areas in the Philippines on Wednesday, the organization said.
They are expected to bring relief items to 47 relief centers in the southern Philippine city of Cagayan De Oro, which are temporary shelters to over 12,000 local residents displaced by tropical storm Sendong. Full story

Singapore Announces S$50,000 Aid To Storm-hit Philippines

Bernama.com, 19 Dec 2011
SINGAPORE, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- The Singapore government Monday announced a S$50,000 (RM121,887) aid to the Philippines to help the people affected by tropical storm Washi which has reportedly left more than 500 dead.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the donation will be channelled through the Singapore Red Cross to the Philippine Red Cross. Full story

Related:
Singapore sends condolences, aid to Philippines - Philstar.com

Singaporea Volunteers Provide Disaster Training To Indonesian Villagers

Tempointeractive, 12 Dec 2011
As many as 20 volunteers, mostly Singaporean students from the Civil Defense Lion Hearts Club, are providing disaster management training to villagers on Mt Merapi’s slopes in Ngargomulyo village, Magelang, from December 9-15.
Most of the volunteers are medical students from the Institute of Technical Education East Singapore and will be assisted by the Singapore Civil Defense. "On December 14, we will have a simulation of Merapi eruption and cold lava,” he said. Full story

Singapore Provides Humanitarian Assistance To Thailand

Bernama.com, 26 Nov 2011
SINGAPORE, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Government has responded to a request from Thailand's Metropolitan Water Authority (MWA) to ensure the quality of water supply in Bangkok and its vicinity, which has been affected by the recent floods in Thailand. Full story

Activists Rally for Dolphin Release in Singapore

NTDTV.com, 29 Aug 2011
Activists stage a concert in Singapore to protest against 25 dolphins being held in captivity by a local resort.
Resorts World Sentosa is training the animals before moving them to what will become the world's largest oceanarium.
A spokeswoman said the dolphins are kept for conservation and educational purposes. Full story

Dr Tan Lai Yong - Singapore's barefoot doctor who lived in rural China for the past 14 years

CNNGo.com, 24 Jun 2011
In 1996, Singaporean doctor Tan Lai Yong did what many Singaporeans would never consider; he moved to rural Yunnan, China together with his wife,Tan Lay Chin and then year-old daughter, Amber Tan, to fulfill a calling.
“The going away is a small detail -- the real thing is to bring wholeness, healing, and restoration to a community,” says 50-year-old Tan, who was sent to China by his church, Bethesda Frankel Estate Church,as a cross-cultural worker.
“If my skills could bring some healing and joy to any community, then let it be my first aim.” Full story

Singaporeans Donate $234,244 To Indian Victims Of Knife Attacks

Thelinkpaper.ca, 19 Jun 2011
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans have generously donated $234,244 to three Indian workers, who fell victim to a series of knife attacks here a year ago.
About $113,084 were given to the family of Shanmuganathan Dillidurai, who was killed during a gang attack on May 29, 2010, ... Full story

Singapore NGO hands relief goods in Mindanao

ABS-CBN.com, 29 Apr 2011
COTABATO CITY, Philippines - Mabuhay Club Singapore has joined hands with local groups to distribute relief goods to families affected by floods in Cotabato City and Maguindanao.
Members of the group, along with the Cotabato Motorcycle Canari Inc., the Muslim Youth Union of the Philippines, the Cotabato Inter Communal Initiative, and the United Voice for Peace Network, started distributing goods at Bulalo Dos, Baranggay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat. Full story

Malaysia politician makes clemency appeal for another Malaysian on death row for drug trafficking

Free Malaysia Today, 8 Apr 2011
KUALA LUMPUR: Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne has added his voice to appeals for the life of Cheong Chun Yin, the 28-year-old Malaysian who will be hanged in Singapore next month unless President SR Nathan pardons him.
Speaking at a press conference today, Loh said Cheong was the “innocent victim” of a drug dealer and called on the Singaporean government to “show an ounce of sympathy”.
“His only crime was gullibility,” he said.
Singapore police arrested Ipoh-born Cheong on suspicion of drug trafficking in June 2008. The High Court convicted him and sentenced him to death in February last year, and the Court of Appeal rejected his appeal last October. He is now awaiting a response from President Nathan to a petition for clemency presented at the end of last January. Full story

Singapore's aid supplies delayed by logistics jam at Tokyo airport

People's Daily Online, 22 Mar 2011
A logistics jam at the Narita airport in Tokyo has delayed the delivery of its second shipment of ten tons of emergency supplies to Japan, the Singapore Red Cross Society said Monday. The organization said that supplies were pouring in from around the world and that it is waiting for the clearance from the Japanese government. Full story

Singaporean woman gives S$1mil to quake victims

MSN Malaysia News, 16 Mar 2011
Elaine Low, a 24-year-old Singaporean, donated S$1 million to the victims of the earthquake/tsunami tragedy in Japan.
Her father, Mr T K Low, was present at the occasion. He helms PT Bayan Resources, describing it as having a long history in business dealings with Japan. He also mentioned that his family has friends and relatives in the devastated country. Full story