Heart-pumping F1 action on Orchard Road
SINGAPORE: Shopping fever was overtaken by Formula One fever on Orchard Road on Sunday afternoon.
More than 50,000 shoppers and fans were treated to an hour of heart-pumping moves by former Red Bull racing driver David Coulthard.
The Scotsman is in Singapore for the Red Bull Speed Street at Ngee Ann City.
He tore down the lanes, covering an 800-metre loop around ION Orchard, Scotts Road, the Heeren and Mandarin Gallery.
And he impressed with the skills of the race circuit, such as short sprints, burnouts, engine breaks and donuts.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Monday 25 April 2011
Friday 22 April 2011
May 7 Polling Day, is a public holiday
MOM: May 7 Polling Day, is a public holiday
In accordance with Section 35 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Polling day on 7 May (Saturday) is a public holiday.
The Ministry of Manpower would like to inform companies that Polling Day, as a public holiday, should be treated in the same manner as any other public holiday.
All employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to paid public holidays, including the public holiday on Polling Day.
If an employee is required to work on Polling Day, he is entitled to an extra day’s salary for the day’s work, or be given another day off. Employees not required to work on that day are also entitled to one day off in lieu, or be given one day’s pay, as per other public holidays falling on a Saturday.
~News courtesy of Omy~
In accordance with Section 35 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Polling day on 7 May (Saturday) is a public holiday.
The Ministry of Manpower would like to inform companies that Polling Day, as a public holiday, should be treated in the same manner as any other public holiday.
All employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to paid public holidays, including the public holiday on Polling Day.
If an employee is required to work on Polling Day, he is entitled to an extra day’s salary for the day’s work, or be given another day off. Employees not required to work on that day are also entitled to one day off in lieu, or be given one day’s pay, as per other public holidays falling on a Saturday.
~News courtesy of Omy~
Sunday 17 April 2011
North South Highway Road closure
Road closure
Kulaijaya Lay-by (southbound) at Km33.2 on the North-South Expressway will be temporarily closed until mid-August for upgrading work. Motorists are advised to use the Simpang Renggam Lay-by (southbound) at Km54.3, Senai Utara Toll Plaza at Km19.2 or Skudai Toll Plaza at Km15.1.
~Info courtesy of The Star~
Kulaijaya Lay-by (southbound) at Km33.2 on the North-South Expressway will be temporarily closed until mid-August for upgrading work. Motorists are advised to use the Simpang Renggam Lay-by (southbound) at Km54.3, Senai Utara Toll Plaza at Km19.2 or Skudai Toll Plaza at Km15.1.
~Info courtesy of The Star~
Monday 11 April 2011
Man nabbed for suspected casino offence
Man nabbed for suspected casino offence
A 50-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in illegal bookmaking activities at the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) casino.
Joint investigations by the Casino Crime Investigation Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) revealed the suspect had allegedly approached patrons at RWS casino in July and August 2010 to offer private bets to these patrons.
The offer of private bets between two or more patrons is an offence under the Betting Act.
The suspect will be charged on Tuesday in court for the offence of Acting as a Bookmaker.
Anyone found guilty of the offence can be fined between S$20,000 and S$200,000 and jailed for up to five years.
CID director Hoong Wee Teck said police will take stern action against persons involved in illegal bookmaking activities inside the casinos.
Casino patrons are also advised not to make illegal bets with illegal bookmakers as this is also an offence under the Betting Act.
Commenting on the case, CRA chief executive T. Raja Kumar said the organisation works closely together with the police on casino-related crimes to ensure the management and operation of the casinos are, and remain free from criminal influence and exploitation.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
A 50-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in illegal bookmaking activities at the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) casino.
Joint investigations by the Casino Crime Investigation Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) revealed the suspect had allegedly approached patrons at RWS casino in July and August 2010 to offer private bets to these patrons.
The offer of private bets between two or more patrons is an offence under the Betting Act.
The suspect will be charged on Tuesday in court for the offence of Acting as a Bookmaker.
Anyone found guilty of the offence can be fined between S$20,000 and S$200,000 and jailed for up to five years.
CID director Hoong Wee Teck said police will take stern action against persons involved in illegal bookmaking activities inside the casinos.
Casino patrons are also advised not to make illegal bets with illegal bookmakers as this is also an offence under the Betting Act.
Commenting on the case, CRA chief executive T. Raja Kumar said the organisation works closely together with the police on casino-related crimes to ensure the management and operation of the casinos are, and remain free from criminal influence and exploitation.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Saturday 9 April 2011
Investigations launched in S'pore casinos
Investigations launched into alleged illegal activities in S'pore casinos
The Casino Regulatory Authority said it has received information alleging illegal activities in the casinos here and that the authorities have initiated investigations.
The CRA also said that Las Vegas Sands Corp CEO, Sheldon Adelson, had during a forum, suggested that the government had not made up its mind about allowing junkets to operate in Singapore.
Dismissing this as inaccurate, CRA explained that the Casino Control Act provided for the licensing of junket operators and representatives. Junket operators and representatives who meet the regulatory requirements would be allowed to operate in Singapore after being licensed.
In fact, CRA has received junket applications endorsed by Resorts World Sentosa and they are being processed.
However, the Authority warned that it will not tolerate the situation of any person organising, promoting or conducting a junket in Singapore casinos without a licence.
When contacted, Singapore's Resorts World Sentosa said it holds in high regard Singapore's casino regulatory regime and works closely with Casino Regulatory Authority on all compliance matters.
Likewise, any casino operator who allowed a person who is not licensed by the CRA to organise, promote and conduct junkets would also be liable to disciplinary action.
CRA added that anyone with specific and credible information on illegal activities, including illegal junkets, in the casinos should inform the CRA and the Police.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
The Casino Regulatory Authority said it has received information alleging illegal activities in the casinos here and that the authorities have initiated investigations.
The CRA also said that Las Vegas Sands Corp CEO, Sheldon Adelson, had during a forum, suggested that the government had not made up its mind about allowing junkets to operate in Singapore.
Dismissing this as inaccurate, CRA explained that the Casino Control Act provided for the licensing of junket operators and representatives. Junket operators and representatives who meet the regulatory requirements would be allowed to operate in Singapore after being licensed.
In fact, CRA has received junket applications endorsed by Resorts World Sentosa and they are being processed.
However, the Authority warned that it will not tolerate the situation of any person organising, promoting or conducting a junket in Singapore casinos without a licence.
When contacted, Singapore's Resorts World Sentosa said it holds in high regard Singapore's casino regulatory regime and works closely with Casino Regulatory Authority on all compliance matters.
Likewise, any casino operator who allowed a person who is not licensed by the CRA to organise, promote and conduct junkets would also be liable to disciplinary action.
CRA added that anyone with specific and credible information on illegal activities, including illegal junkets, in the casinos should inform the CRA and the Police.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Inaugural Singapore Yacht Show
Inaugural Singapore Yacht Show launches at Sentosa
Singapore has taken a major step towards becoming the Monaco of the East, with the launch of the inaugural Singapore Yacht Show on Friday. This makes the island only the third city, after Monaco and Abu Dhabi, to stage both the F1 Grand Prix and the super yacht show.
Twelve luxury yachts are part of the line-up for the inaugural show at One Degree 15 in Sentosa. From a stunning 57-metre motor-sailor with huge masts to a traditionally-built sailing yacht, for a more nostalgic feel.
The organisers put the show together at short notice and showed that they could deliver.
Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of the Informa Yacht Group, said: "Three months is absolutely not enough time to organise a proper yacht show.
"But for lots of reasons to do with our stakeholders and our own take on the need to launch a show now means that we have done it and we are very pleased. Lots of interest and looking forward to a really fantastic show in 2012."
The fledgling super yacht industry is set to create spin-offs for other supporting services.
Arthur Tay, Chairman of One Degree 15 Marina Club, said: "Retrofitting, interiors, F&B, sales of the boats, some of the conference things like cruising grounds, tourism aspects all have a part to play with this."
The three-day event was officially opened by the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran, who said that Singapore has the potential to be the "third destination" for super yacht owners, after the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
It looks smooth sailing for this industry, with 81 unique super yacht visits to Singapore last year, a five-fold increase from 2006. And that is why this show is looking at doubling the number of boats to 25 for the 2012 edition.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Singapore has taken a major step towards becoming the Monaco of the East, with the launch of the inaugural Singapore Yacht Show on Friday. This makes the island only the third city, after Monaco and Abu Dhabi, to stage both the F1 Grand Prix and the super yacht show.
Twelve luxury yachts are part of the line-up for the inaugural show at One Degree 15 in Sentosa. From a stunning 57-metre motor-sailor with huge masts to a traditionally-built sailing yacht, for a more nostalgic feel.
The organisers put the show together at short notice and showed that they could deliver.
Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of the Informa Yacht Group, said: "Three months is absolutely not enough time to organise a proper yacht show.
"But for lots of reasons to do with our stakeholders and our own take on the need to launch a show now means that we have done it and we are very pleased. Lots of interest and looking forward to a really fantastic show in 2012."
The fledgling super yacht industry is set to create spin-offs for other supporting services.
Arthur Tay, Chairman of One Degree 15 Marina Club, said: "Retrofitting, interiors, F&B, sales of the boats, some of the conference things like cruising grounds, tourism aspects all have a part to play with this."
The three-day event was officially opened by the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran, who said that Singapore has the potential to be the "third destination" for super yacht owners, after the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
It looks smooth sailing for this industry, with 81 unique super yacht visits to Singapore last year, a five-fold increase from 2006. And that is why this show is looking at doubling the number of boats to 25 for the 2012 edition.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Thursday 7 April 2011
Sentosa a hit, but not other draws
Sentosa a hit, but not other draws
WHILE tourist attractions in Singapore saw a dramatic spike in overall visitor numbers last year, not all venues fared well, a survey's results have shown.
The survey was conducted by the Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA) in February for 31 of its attraction members, including the Singapore Zoo and Sentosa Leisure Group.
ASA requested its members' visitor numbers for last year as well as that for 2009.
The inaugural survey found that attractions as a whole recorded more than 34 million visitors a 56.3 per cent jump in attendance compared to that of 2009.
While about 55 per cent of the attractions polled enjoyed a rise in attendance, the other 45 per cent showed a decline in visitor figures of between 1 and 28 per cent.
There was a big gap even among those who reported an increase in guests figures ranged from a 1 per cent increase to over 100 per cent in growth, compared to 2009.
The study comes in the wake of Singapore netting a record 20 per cent growth in its tourism arrival numbers last year, recording 11.6 million visitors.
Mr Kevin Cheong, chairman of the ASA, said that, while national tourist arrivals showed a spike, "its influence wasn't felt evenly across Singapore attractions".
-News courtesy of Omy-
WHILE tourist attractions in Singapore saw a dramatic spike in overall visitor numbers last year, not all venues fared well, a survey's results have shown.
The survey was conducted by the Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA) in February for 31 of its attraction members, including the Singapore Zoo and Sentosa Leisure Group.
ASA requested its members' visitor numbers for last year as well as that for 2009.
The inaugural survey found that attractions as a whole recorded more than 34 million visitors a 56.3 per cent jump in attendance compared to that of 2009.
While about 55 per cent of the attractions polled enjoyed a rise in attendance, the other 45 per cent showed a decline in visitor figures of between 1 and 28 per cent.
There was a big gap even among those who reported an increase in guests figures ranged from a 1 per cent increase to over 100 per cent in growth, compared to 2009.
The study comes in the wake of Singapore netting a record 20 per cent growth in its tourism arrival numbers last year, recording 11.6 million visitors.
Mr Kevin Cheong, chairman of the ASA, said that, while national tourist arrivals showed a spike, "its influence wasn't felt evenly across Singapore attractions".
-News courtesy of Omy-
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Malaysia: Scratch and win scam
Scratch and win scam
A Singaporean who was shopping at the Johor Baru City Square lost RM 7,500 in a scratch and win scam.
The victim, Loh Kum Fai, 53, said a saleswoman had approached him and offered a coupon while he was walking along the pedestrian bridge from Custom & Immigration Quarantine Complex (CIQ) to the mall early this month.
“I was told to tear open a coupon given to me and upon opening it, she shouted that I had won a special prize,” he said at a press conference organised by Johor Baru MCA Youth chief Kua Song Tuck.
Loh added that he took a taxi with the salesgirl to the company’s office in Taman Molek and was told to pay a total of RM7,500 in fees before he could claim the prizes.
Among the items that he had won were a Jade Mattress, an electric stove and a leg massager machine.
Loh said that after a few weeks, he only received the mattress, which was delivered to his house in Singapore and has yet to receive the rest of the prizes despite several visits to the office and lodged a police report against the scratch and win company.
In an unrelated case, a factory worker employed in Singapore was also cheated in a similar scam last month.
The victim, Siew Kim Hong, 52, said she was approached by a salesman near City Square.
“I followed the man to his office located in Taman Molek and I was greeted by his supervisor who claimed to be an ‘Eric Tiong’.
“Tiong told me to pay RM7,600 in order to see the prizes I have won,” she said.
Siew added that she forked out the money and was told she had won a Jade Mattress, electric stove and a foot massager.
After few weeks, she went to the office to collect her prizes but she was told that the company has no employee by the name of ‘Eric Tiong’.
Following the discovery, Siew lodged a police report.
Commenting on the matter, Kua said that in the month of March, he received 10 complaints about scratch and win scam.
“We hope Domestic Trade Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry will do something about this,” he said.
Police, when contacted, confirmed the reports and said that the cases are pending investigations.
-News courtesy of The Star-
A Singaporean who was shopping at the Johor Baru City Square lost RM 7,500 in a scratch and win scam.
The victim, Loh Kum Fai, 53, said a saleswoman had approached him and offered a coupon while he was walking along the pedestrian bridge from Custom & Immigration Quarantine Complex (CIQ) to the mall early this month.
“I was told to tear open a coupon given to me and upon opening it, she shouted that I had won a special prize,” he said at a press conference organised by Johor Baru MCA Youth chief Kua Song Tuck.
Loh added that he took a taxi with the salesgirl to the company’s office in Taman Molek and was told to pay a total of RM7,500 in fees before he could claim the prizes.
Among the items that he had won were a Jade Mattress, an electric stove and a leg massager machine.
Loh said that after a few weeks, he only received the mattress, which was delivered to his house in Singapore and has yet to receive the rest of the prizes despite several visits to the office and lodged a police report against the scratch and win company.
In an unrelated case, a factory worker employed in Singapore was also cheated in a similar scam last month.
The victim, Siew Kim Hong, 52, said she was approached by a salesman near City Square.
“I followed the man to his office located in Taman Molek and I was greeted by his supervisor who claimed to be an ‘Eric Tiong’.
“Tiong told me to pay RM7,600 in order to see the prizes I have won,” she said.
Siew added that she forked out the money and was told she had won a Jade Mattress, electric stove and a foot massager.
After few weeks, she went to the office to collect her prizes but she was told that the company has no employee by the name of ‘Eric Tiong’.
Following the discovery, Siew lodged a police report.
Commenting on the matter, Kua said that in the month of March, he received 10 complaints about scratch and win scam.
“We hope Domestic Trade Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry will do something about this,” he said.
Police, when contacted, confirmed the reports and said that the cases are pending investigations.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Monday 4 April 2011
Baby takes a big step forward for Night Safari
Baby takes a big step forward for Night Safari
He's just five-months-old but like most babies, is cute and very much attached to mum, even as he steps into the limelight at the Night Safari.
The park’s first baby elephant in nine years makes his first public appearance at the April launch of an exhibit on the Asian elephant, whose population in the wild is dwindling fast. It's estimated that there are now only some 30,000 to 50,000 left in the forests of India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
In Singapore, the latest addition to the Night Safari’s brood of endangered Asian elephants is the first to be born at both the Night Safari and Singapore Zoo in almost a decade.
Visitors will witness the close bond between mother 'Sri Nandong' and baby ‘Nila Utama’ a name derived from the island's ancient history, when a Sumatran prince Sang Nila Utama, landed in 1324 and named it Singapura.
The bold and inquisitive elephant born on 23 November 2010, was sired by 'Chawang', the sole bull elephant at Night Safari.
"He is not afraid to leave his mother's side to explore his surroundings and we have seen the little one even getting into the pool of water himself" notes Ms Fanny Lai, Group CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
Now 125cm tall and weighing a hefty 318 kg, 'Nila Utama' has two bothers raised by his mother, 'Sang Raja' (Noble One) born in 1999 and 'Sang Wira' (Brave One) born in 2001.
This is the 11th addition to the family of Asian elephants under the care of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) which manages the Night Safari as well as Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo and the upcoming River Safari.
"WRS hopes his birth will go towards sustaining and increasing the population of Asian elephants both in captivity and in the wild,” said the Group CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
WRS runs breeding programmes across all its parks, and has successfully bred endangered animals such as the pangolin, Malayan sun bear, and orang utans.
It also works with partners to increase the gene pool of captive animals through various exchange programmes with zoos overseas and engages groups such as the Wildlife Conservation Society to limit habitat loss for the elephants in places such as in Sumatra, Indonesia due to logging and urban and agricultural development.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
He's just five-months-old but like most babies, is cute and very much attached to mum, even as he steps into the limelight at the Night Safari.
The park’s first baby elephant in nine years makes his first public appearance at the April launch of an exhibit on the Asian elephant, whose population in the wild is dwindling fast. It's estimated that there are now only some 30,000 to 50,000 left in the forests of India, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.
In Singapore, the latest addition to the Night Safari’s brood of endangered Asian elephants is the first to be born at both the Night Safari and Singapore Zoo in almost a decade.
Visitors will witness the close bond between mother 'Sri Nandong' and baby ‘Nila Utama’ a name derived from the island's ancient history, when a Sumatran prince Sang Nila Utama, landed in 1324 and named it Singapura.
The bold and inquisitive elephant born on 23 November 2010, was sired by 'Chawang', the sole bull elephant at Night Safari.
"He is not afraid to leave his mother's side to explore his surroundings and we have seen the little one even getting into the pool of water himself" notes Ms Fanny Lai, Group CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
Now 125cm tall and weighing a hefty 318 kg, 'Nila Utama' has two bothers raised by his mother, 'Sang Raja' (Noble One) born in 1999 and 'Sang Wira' (Brave One) born in 2001.
This is the 11th addition to the family of Asian elephants under the care of Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) which manages the Night Safari as well as Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo and the upcoming River Safari.
"WRS hopes his birth will go towards sustaining and increasing the population of Asian elephants both in captivity and in the wild,” said the Group CEO of Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
WRS runs breeding programmes across all its parks, and has successfully bred endangered animals such as the pangolin, Malayan sun bear, and orang utans.
It also works with partners to increase the gene pool of captive animals through various exchange programmes with zoos overseas and engages groups such as the Wildlife Conservation Society to limit habitat loss for the elephants in places such as in Sumatra, Indonesia due to logging and urban and agricultural development.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Sunday 3 April 2011
Friday 1 April 2011
Exhibition features art pieces
Exhibition features art pieces created by autistic students
It is World Autism Day on April 2 and the Pathlight School launched its first exhibition of art pieces created by autistic students on Friday.
The exhibition features the work of eight students at Pathlight School, a school for autistic children.
Launching the exhibition was Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, who commended the school for recognising the value of its students' work.
He noted that one in 10 persons with autism has special talents, as compared to one in 100 in the larger society.
He said there is a need for Singapore to become a more inclusive society that can also include autistic children.
Mr Lui said: "We need to embrace this diversity, this diversity not just born of different races, different religions and different cultures, but people with different skills, different thinking, different ways of working out, different aspirations, different perspectives.
"By and by, step by step, I think people are beginning to understand how special this group of children are, and how very much we want them to be a part of society here in Singapore."
The school has also launched a book "Beautiful Minds 2", which features writings, journals and illustrations by its students.
The book is available for sale at the school and selected Starbucks outlets, and proceeds will go towards helping Pathlight students who are from low-income families.
The Art for Autism Exhibition is open to the public at Pathlight School at 5 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 until April 3.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
It is World Autism Day on April 2 and the Pathlight School launched its first exhibition of art pieces created by autistic students on Friday.
The exhibition features the work of eight students at Pathlight School, a school for autistic children.
Launching the exhibition was Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, who commended the school for recognising the value of its students' work.
He noted that one in 10 persons with autism has special talents, as compared to one in 100 in the larger society.
He said there is a need for Singapore to become a more inclusive society that can also include autistic children.
Mr Lui said: "We need to embrace this diversity, this diversity not just born of different races, different religions and different cultures, but people with different skills, different thinking, different ways of working out, different aspirations, different perspectives.
"By and by, step by step, I think people are beginning to understand how special this group of children are, and how very much we want them to be a part of society here in Singapore."
The school has also launched a book "Beautiful Minds 2", which features writings, journals and illustrations by its students.
The book is available for sale at the school and selected Starbucks outlets, and proceeds will go towards helping Pathlight students who are from low-income families.
The Art for Autism Exhibition is open to the public at Pathlight School at 5 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 until April 3.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
Singapore Flyer unveils new gallery
Singapore Flyer unveils new gallery
If you've always wondered how the 165-metre tall Singapore Flyer was erected, you can now find out at its new interactive gallery.
The multi-media display includes a dial 1.5 metres in diameter, with photos of how the observation wheel was put together.
There are also fun facts on The Flyer's stability and design.
Visitors can use their tickets to visit the gallery, before they board The Flyer.
The gallery also has visual displays of Singapore's heritage and culture.
The gallery is part of The Flyer's 10-million-dollar master plan, following the launch of The Singapore Food Trail, a 1960s-themed food street which opened last month.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
If you've always wondered how the 165-metre tall Singapore Flyer was erected, you can now find out at its new interactive gallery.
The multi-media display includes a dial 1.5 metres in diameter, with photos of how the observation wheel was put together.
There are also fun facts on The Flyer's stability and design.
Visitors can use their tickets to visit the gallery, before they board The Flyer.
The gallery also has visual displays of Singapore's heritage and culture.
The gallery is part of The Flyer's 10-million-dollar master plan, following the launch of The Singapore Food Trail, a 1960s-themed food street which opened last month.
-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-
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