Baggage delay at Changi Airport due to lightning alerts

Baggage delay at Changi Airport due to lightning alerts: CAG

The delays in baggage collection at Changi Airport on Thursday night (Dec 25) and early Friday morning were due to safety reasons, said the Changi Airport Group (CAG).

Two members of the public had called MediaCorp's hotline (68 22 22 68) saying that the collection of their luggage was delayed after they landed. One caller said he waited for more than an hour for his luggage while the other said he waited more than half an hour.

"Passengers experienced delays in baggage presentation for certain arrival flights at Changi Airport last night and early in the morning due to lightning alerts received from the National Environment Agency," said a CAG spokesman. "In the interest of safety of the staff working outdoors, the ground handling companies temporarily suspended baggage loading and unloading."

"Announcements were made via the public address systems and display screens to alert passengers of the delay," the spokesman added. "Airport ground staff were also present at the baggage belts to update and assist passengers."

"With the improvement in weather conditions, baggage operations at Changi Airport have resumed normalcy."

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

See the Singapore Story on the Fullerton

See the Singapore Story on the Fullerton

To commemorate Singapore's 50th year of independence next year, a 3D montage of sketches and graphics will light up the facade of the iconic Fullerton Hotel Singapore starting from Friday (Dec 26).

The public can enjoy the two-minute projection every half hour from 8.15pm to 11.15pm till Dec 30. The montage will depict the country's transformation from its early kampung days to present day Singapore with its modern housing and city skyscrapers. The projection will be accompanied by an excerpt of Symphonic Suites - with familiar local tunes like Home and Bunga Sayang.

The final run of the lights show will be at 11.55pm on New Year's Eve. It will culminate in a two-minute show of five key historical milestones of Singapore. These include then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew declaring Singapore's independence, the start of National Service and the introduction of public housing.

Mr Clarence Yap, Head of Music at The Esplanade, said: "We would like people to reflect on the journey that Singapore has taken. We hope it will help people to think about the Singapore story. For this year especially, the narrative is important, so it is not just about putting pretty pictures and lights but very much about telling something that can evoke emotions and feelings for the subject matter,” Mr Yap added.

TIGHT SECURITY FOR MARINA BAY SINGAPORE COUNTDOWN


With about 300,000 revellers expected on New Year's Eve, police say that security measures are in place.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Tan Yong Liang, Commanding Officer, Marina Bay Neighbourhood Police Centre, Central Police Division said: “The Marina Bay area is expected to be crowded and the traffic is expected to be congested. We have done our best to reduce the amount of disruption to the public. The police and auxiliary police all also be conducting bag checks and they will be regulating the number of people in certain areas of concern."

Three smaller roads - Straits View, Marina View and Marina View Link will not be closed this year - to minimise inconvenience to stakeholders around the area.

“In the event of overcrowding, trains may even bypass certain stations," said DSP Tan. "During the crowd dispersal, we would like to urge the public to exercise tolerance and to follow instructions given by police and auxiliary police. We would also like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public to be vigilant against crime, like molestation and theft,” he added.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Ku De Ta may not get to keep name

Ku De Ta may not get to keep name



It remains to be seen if the Ku De Ta club at Marina Bay Sands SkyPark will get to keep its name. The Court of Appeal has ordered Nine Squares, the licensor of the Ku De Ta marks in Singapore, to transfer registration of the marks to the partners of the beachfront club in Bali.

The posh Ku De Ta club at Marina Bay Sands SkyPark may have to change its name after a dramatic Court of Appeal judgment.

The ruling - the latest in what has become a bitter legal battle between business associates - is a major victory for the partners of a beachfront club in Bali that began using the Ku De Ta name in 2000.

The club's partners objected to the name being used by the club in Singapore and attempted to enforce their trademark rights through the courts here. A lower court dismissed their case against Nine Squares, the licensor of the Ku De Ta marks in Singapore, in November last year.

But that decision was overturned in a 71-page judgment delivered by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon on Monday.

He found that Nine Squares did not own the trademarks and only held them on trust for the Bali partners, who have exclusive rights to use and license the name. He also ordered Nine Squares to transfer registration of the marks to the Bali partners and provide them with an account of all profits it has made from use of the marks.

The appellate court ruling raises two key questions. One is whether the swish Ku De Ta club at Marina Bay Sands gets to keep its name. That would depend on how the Court of Appeal rules on a suit brought in 2010 by the Bali club partners against Ku De Ta SG over unlawful use of the trademark. In 2009, Nine Squares licensed the trademark to Hong Kong businessman Chris Au, who assigned his rights under the licence to Ku De Ta SG.

The other concerns L Capital Asia, an investment arm of French luxury group LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton. L Capital now controls Ku De Ta Singapore after buying a 51 per cent stake in its holding company in January this year reportedly for $100 million. L Capital did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

The ruling may finally draw a line under what has become a costly and complex legal battle.

It centres on Nine Squares, which is owned by Australian businessman Arthur Chondros. He conceived the Ku De Ta name and is also one of several partners of Ku De Ta Bali club.

Nine Squares had registered the Ku De Ta trademarks in Singapore in 2004 and 2009, allegedly without the knowledge of the Bali club partners.

The Bali club partners sued Nine Squares in 2011 after Mr Chondros claimed that it owned the Ku De Ta trademark. They wanted to invalidate its trademark registration of Ku De Ta in Singapore, claiming it was done without their knowledge.

They also alleged that Mr Chondros was in breach of his fiduciary duties to the partners and that he had no right to license the Ku De Ta trademark to the firm that operates the club here.

The partners also demanded an account of all profits that the Singapore club has made since it opened in September 2010.

Those claims were rejected by Justice Judith Prakash in the lower court in November last year.

She had found that the Bali club did not have any goodwill in Singapore in 2004, when the Ku De Ta trademark was registered here, as it was not well-known. That meant that the owners of the Bali club could not prevent others from registering Ku De Ta as a trademark here.

But CJ Menon in the Court of Appeal disagreed in a judgment released on Monday. He ruled that neither Nine Squares nor Mr Chondros owned the trademarks. He pointed to Mr Chondros' "inexplicable" silence to a July 6, 2007, e-mail memorandum from the Bali partners following a meeting clarifying that "any use of the Ku De Ta name by any partner for whatsoever reason must be approved by all partners".

He ordered Nine Squares to transfer ownership of the trademarks to the Bali partners and to provide an accounting of profits derived from the exploitation of the marks, including licensing income it has received.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Extended hours for SMRT train & selected buses on New Year's Eve

Extended operating hours for SMRT train services and selected buses on New Year's Eve


SMRT train services on the North-South, East-West and Circle Lines, as well as the Bukit Panjang LRT, will be extended on Dec 31.

The operator said in a statement on Tuesday that the last trains towards Joo Koon, Pasir Ris and Jurong East MRT stations will depart City Hall MRT station at 2.15am.

The last train towards Marina South Pier will depart City hall at 2.00am, while the last train towards Marina Bay will leave City Hall at 2.03am.

On the Circle Line, last trains towards HarbourFront to Dhoby Ghaut will depart the respective terminals at 1.38am.

Passengers can catch the last Bukit Panjang LRT train at 3.19am.

Last bus timings for bus services 173A, 189A, 300, 302, 307, 941, 945, 947, 804, 812, 859A, 901, 911, 912 and 913 departing from five interchanges - Bukit Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Sembawang, Woodlands and Yishun - will also be extended to between 3.10am to 3.25am.

SMRT also announced that it will bring forward operating hours for certain Premium and Express Bus services.

There will also be road diversions due to the New Year Countdown at Marina Bay, with bus services 75, 77, 106, 167, 171, 700A, 857 and 960 skipping some stops in the area from 11pm on Dec 31 to 1am the next day.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

BS Transit train and selected bus services extended for New Year's Eve

SBS Transit train and selected bus services extended for New Year's Eve


Train and selected bus services will be extended by about two-and-a-half hours on New Year's Eve.

SBS Transit train and selected bus services will be extended for New Year's Eve on Dec 31.

In the evening, 21 bus services will also be diverted due to countdown events held in Boon Lay and Marina Bay.

Train services on the North East and Downtown Lines will be extended by about two-and-a-half hours on New Year's Eve.

On the North East Line, the last train travelling in the direction of HarbourFront will depart from Punggol Station at 1.45am. Services on the Punggol and Sengkang LRT systems will also be extended to coincide with the last train arrivals on the North East Line.

On the Downtown Line, the last train going in the direction of Bugis will depart from Chinatown Station at 2.04am.

To complement the extension of the train operating hours, the last bus timings of 32 bus services will also be extended.

The six Nite Owl services will also operate longer until 4.00am.

However, 11 bus services - 128, 10e, 14e, 30e, 74e, 89e, 97e, 151e, 174e, 196e and 513 - will not be in operation during the evening peak hours as many offices in the city area will be closed earlier on New Year's Eve.

For more information, visit http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

No more elephant rides at zoo from Jan 5

No more elephant rides at zoo from Jan 5


END OF THE RIDE: To improve the animals' welfare and offer elephant keepers greater safety, Wildlife Reserves Singapore is phasing in a new elephant-management system over the next few years. (PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE)

Elephant rides will no longer be offered at the Singapore Zoo from Jan 5.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) is phasing in a new elephant-management system at the Night Safari and zoo over the next few years.

This is to improve the animals' welfare by allowing them to spend more time in the exhibit socialising among themselves.

It will also offer elephant keepers greater safety. A bull elephant gored its keeper in 2001, but no other serious injuries have been reported since.

Under the new management system, all contact with the elephants can take place only while they are in their enclosure. Visitors must stand outside the exhibit's safety barrier.

At present, visitors to the zoo can ride elephants and catch them during special appearances.

Cheng Wen-Haur, chief life sciences officer at WRS, said: "The decision to adopt the protected contact management system was made after an internal review by our elephant managers and health-care experts, who found that this system...offers a safer work environment for the elephant keepers."

Visitors will still be able to see the elephants at the Elephants of Asia exhibit.

"I remember taking the elephant ride when I was five or six. It was an experience which I enjoyed and treasure," said Simon Tang, a 25-year-old sales executive.

"It's sad to think that children will no longer be able to enjoy the rides, although if animal welfare and staff safety will be greatly improved after this, then I think the zoo is doing the right thing."

The new system will take three to five years to implement, and involves major redesign of the exhibits.

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Paragon's Xmas get-up wins best-dressed nod

Paragon's Xmas get-up wins best-dressed nod


Paragon's Christmas magic-inspired decor, consisting of swirling gold and red ribbons and glimmering reindeer, won the mall the coveted Judges' Choice Award. (PHOTO: PARAGON)

PARAGON and Orchard Central have been named the best-dressed buildings in Orchard Road for their Christmas decorations this year.

Orchard Central, the overall winner for the past three years, topped a new voters' choice category. Featuring fairies, unicorns and elves, the shopping centre's fairytale-landscape decor received more than one-fifth (4,663) of the 20,323 votes made by shoppers, who voted via the @Orchard mobile app.

Paragon's Christmas magic-inspired decor, consisting of swirling gold and red ribbons and glimmering reindeer, won the mall the coveted Judges' Choice Award.

The highlight of the mall's festive display is the over 12m-tall Christmas tree at its main entrance, which "undoubtedly left an indelible impression on the judges", said the Orchard Road Business Association, which organised the annual contest.

Eleven participating malls were judged based on their day and night visual effects, and their use of interactive features.

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Malindo Air officially launch of KL-Singapore flights

Malindo Air officially welcomed at Changi to mark recent launch of KL-Singapore flights


Malindo Air's plane parked in Changi Airport. The Malaysia-based airline was officially welcomed at Changi Airport on Monday morning to mark their recent launch of daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Malaysia-based airline Malindo Air was officially welcomed at Changi Airport on Monday morning to mark their recent launch of daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Since Nov 3, the carrier has operated three daily flights in each direction on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route, on new Boeing 737s. This has added 6,800 return seats weekly to the route.

The three hour-long flights from Singapore leave at 10am, 1.40pm and 7.55pm daily, while those from Kuala Lumpur leave at 8am, 11.45am and 5.55pm.

On Monday afternoon, passengers arriving at 12.45pm from Kuala Lumpur were greeted by Malindo Air chief executive officer Chandran Rama Muthy and Changi Airport Group's senior vice president of market development Lim Ching Kiat, who presented them with garlands.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

More wet weather ahead after weekend deluge

More wet weather ahead after weekend deluge


A pedestrian and a cyclist braving the rain in Toa Payoh. Heavy rains and strong winds felled trees and flooded a shopping mall over the weekend, with the wet weather expected to continue into this week.

Heavy rains and strong winds felled trees and flooded a shopping mall over the weekend, with the wet weather expected to continue into this week.

On Sunday afternoon, the National Environment Agency warned of "heavy thundery showers with gusty wind" over the north and east of the island, as Singapore faces the annual north-east monsoon.

The PUB also noted that water levels had risen above 90 per cent in canals at Leng Kee Road and Prince Philip Avenue, with a "high flood risk". Though the water levels fell back below the 90 per cent mark shortly afterwards, the high flood risk remained.

There was indeed a flood of sorts, in the east - though not due to canals bursting their banks. Water pooled on the second and third levels of Tampines Mall, after its rooftop drainage system could not handle an afternoon downpour.

The rainwater inlet, which helps channel rainwater from the mall's roof to external drainage, could not cope with the "unusually heavy amount of rainfall" and overflowed, said the mall's marketing communications manager Sarah Lua in a statement.

The flood was cleaned up by 4.25pm, and Tampines Mall is putting steps in place to prevent a recurrence," she added.

The wet weather looks set to continue this week, with the National Environment Agency forecasting thundery showers over many areas in the afternoon on Monday.

Tuesday's forecast is for passing showers in the afternoon. While Wednesday is set to be "occasionally windy", Thursday will see a return to thundery showers in the afternoon.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

More links to bridge Orchard Road malls

More links to bridge Orchard Road malls

At least three more overhead, underground passages will start operating by next year


Orchard Gateway's glass skybridge is one of two overhead links among 13 malls in Orchard Road. There are nine underground walkways in the area.

Although progress has been slower than hoped for, an ambitious plan to transform Orchard Road into a megamall connected entirely by a network of linkways is inching ahead.

By next year, at least three more overhead and underground linkways will go operational, providing direct routes for those on foot to stroll seamlessly from mall to mall.

A link bridge between The Centrepoint and Orchard Point, for instance, was completed recently and will open once it is certified by the authorities, said The Centrepoint.

Basement and overhead walkways that connect The Heeren and the new 268 Orchard Road (the former Yen San Building) have already been built and can be used when the new mall is expected to open in the second half of next year.

Paragon is also likely to be linked up with a soon-to-be built residential and commercial development that replaces the old Cairnhill Place carpark. The Cairnhill property's owner, CapitaLand, told The Sunday Times that it is in talks with Paragon to build an overhead linkway.

These new links are part of efforts by mall operators to revitalise Orchard Road by making the shopping district more inter-connected.

There are currently nine underground walkways and two overhead links among 13 shopping centres in Orchard Road. These include the first-ever Orchard Gateway glass skybridge over the main thoroughfare.

An Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) spokesman said that the priority is to ensure that pedestrians enjoy a seamless and connected pedestrian experience, where covered walkways and elevated linkways complement underground pedestrian links.

"These links create a multi-level network to enhance pedestrian connectivity and convenience,"she added.

But convincing building owners to build underground in recent years has been more of a headache.

The Government in 2012 tried to persuade them to construct another 12 underground linkways, like the passages connecting Paragon, Lucky Plaza and Ngee Ann City.

Then, URA said it would offer higher grants to building owners to do so, and would even give bonus retail floor space in the linkways. Building owners are also not allowed to redevelop or conduct major structural works for any building where the URA wants an underground linkway, unless the owners' redevelopment plans include the link.

But since they cost four times more than overhead link bridges to build, none of the underground passages materialised, although more overhead ones have popped up.

Swee Cheng Holdings, which owns The Heeren, however, is bucking the trend. It said it has built knockout panels that can make way for future expansion of underground tunnels that can link to Faber House or even Somerset MRT station.

Whether overhead or below ground though, shoppers welcome being able to walk with ease from building to building.

Said advertising executive Karen Lee, 38, who heads to Orchard Road at least once a week: "It will be less of a hassle to move around and I don't have to worry about the weather or jostling with people at traffic junctions or when crossing the road."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

JB - Woodlands KTM shuttle train

wef 1 Dec 2014

More rainy days expected with start of north-east monsoon

More rainy days expected with start of north-east monsoon: Met Service Singapore


Singapore can expect more rainy days with the onset of the north-east monsoon later this month, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said on Tuesday. -- ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Moderate to heavy showers and possibly even flash floods are on the cards over the coming weeks with the onset of the northeast monsoon season, the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) warned on Tuesday.

The first half of November has already been wetter than usual in many parts of the island, with 188mm of rainfall recorded at Changi climate station, the MSS said.

This year, rainfall for November and December – typically the months with the most rain – is expected to be about 20 per cent above the long-term average of 256.6mm and 288.4mm respectively.

Typically lasting from late November to January, the season is expected to cause between two and four monsoon surges. These usually bring periods of prolonged widespread moderate to heavy rain lasting between two and five days, occasionally windy conditions, and cooler temperatures.

A monsoon surge refers to the steady strengthening of north-easterly winds blowing from the South China Sea.

In addition to the regular weather forecast, the MSS will issue warnings when heavy rain or prolonged monsoon rain is expected.

"This will help the public to better prepare for heavy rain," it said in an advisory. "Heavy rain coinciding with high tides could lead to localised flash floods in low-lying areas."

National water agency the PUB is also working with the National Environment Agency's Department of Public Cleanliness to ensure that drains remain free-flowing.

PUB officers will also inspect 100 major construction worksites to ensure that nearby drains are free of debris.

They will also monitor 171 water level sensors installed in major drains and canals as well as 161 CCTV cameras that monitor road conditions in low lying areas and other hotspots.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve extension opens Dec 6

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve extension opens Dec 6

Visitors to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve extension will be able to step onto mudflats and get up close with creatures, and enjoy a scenic mid-canopy walk and coastal boardwalk when it opens on Dec 6.

In the mid-canopy walk, visitors can immerse themselves in the understory of a secondary forest through an elevated boardwalk, where they can spot birds such as Pied Fantails and insects like cicadas.

The coastal boardwalk offers views of the Kranji waterfront with a lookout point where raptors such as the Ospreys and White-Bellied Sea Eagles can be spotted hunting for prey.

New programmes will also be offered at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and six new guided walks will be conducted on Saturdays by student volunteers.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~

Gardens by the Bay's 1st visitor mobile app

Gardens by the Bay launches 1st visitor mobile app sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies


Gardens by the Bay has launched a mobile app, available in five languages, that acts as a guide, educational tool and game for its visitors. -- SCREENGRAB OF APP FROM GOOGLE PLAY STORE

Its first app is available in five languages - English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil and Japanese - and is sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Dr Tan Wee Kiat, chief executive of Gardens by the Bay, said: "This app seeks to transform the way that visitors interact and engage with the plants on display by...(bringing) to life the stories of nature on their personal mobile devices."

Within the app is a multimedia guide to the plant life in the Gardens, an interactive map and educational games.

It encourages visitors to explore hidden locations, and earn virtual rewards for finding these secret spots and completing challenges.

Mr Michael Bloomberg, former New York mayor and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, said: "Gardens by the Bay came up with a really imaginative way to use mobile technology to help more people explore and interact with its exhibits. Its app is a great tool for learning about nature, no matter where you are."

Gardens by the Bay is the latest cultural institution in Asia to be included in Bloomberg Connects, a global commitment that provides funding for the development of technology to increase access to cultural attractions and enrich visitors' experiences. Bloomberg Connects has also provided funding for technology at other institutions including the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate Modern as well as the Metropolitan Opera, and The New York Botanical Garden.

The Gardens by the Bay app is free and available for download on both iTunes and Google Play. Information on the app is available at www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/mobileapp.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Changi Airport T1 carpark closure

Smooth sailing on first day of Changi Airport T1 carpark closure


Some 50 marshals have been deployed at both airport terminals to help guide drivers.

The permanent closure of Changi Airport's Terminal 1 (T1) carpark came into effect without a hitch yesterday, after kinks were ironed out in a trial closure last month.

There was no sign of confusion when The Straits Times visited the airport between 8am and 10.30am. Traffic was smooth at both T1 and Terminal 2 (T2), where a replacement carpark was located. Drivers interviewed said the road signs and lane markings were clear and that it was easy to find their way around.

Taxi driver Abdul Razak, 56, said he found his way to the new carpark easily, despite taking a wrong turn.

"I didn't know the carpark will be closed from today and so just blindly took my usual route to the old T1 carpark," he said.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Orchard Road goes colourful for Christmas to celebrate Singapore's diversity

Orchard Road goes colourful for Christmas to celebrate Singapore's diversity


This year's Christmas light-up along Orchard Road include multi-coloured Christmas trees and glittering blue snowflakes.

It will be a colourful Christmas at Orchard Road this year.

Multi-coloured Christmas trees and glittering blue snowflakes will line the shopping street from Tanglin Mall to Plaza Singapura from this Saturday.

The many colours reflect Singapore's diversity as it celebrates 50 years of nationhood next year, said Mrs May Sng, chairman of the Orchard Road Business Association (Orba), which is behind the light-up. The festive decorations the past few years had stuck to one or two colours, she added.

Adding a nostalgic touch is a photo exhibition on the past Christmas celebrations at Orchard Road, dating back to 1984. To be held outside Shaw House Urban Plaza, it commemorates 50 years of tourism development in Singapore.

Both the light-up, back for its 31st year, and the exhibition will run from Nov 15 to Jan 1. Called Christmas on A Great Street, the light-up stretches 2.88km and will start at 6.30pm each evening during the seven-week period.

Other highlights include a mass carolling event at the Tong Building plaza on Christmas Eve and a concert on Christmas Day. There will also be specially designed glittering structures set up at different points along the shopping belt for shoppers to snap a photo with. They come in the form of a Christmas gift box, photo frame and window, among others.

Orba has raised almost $3 million for the Community Chest by offering several of these Christmas set pieces as a fundraising platform. The pieces will feature logos of corporate entities that contributed to the charity.

Visitors will also be able to walk under the Christmas lights along a vehicle-free Orchard Road on the night of Dec 6. The street's third pedestrian night will feature outdoor screenings of local films, bouncy castles for children and photo opportunities with Christmas mascots, said Singapore Tourism Board's director of lifestyle precincts development, Ms Tan Yen Nee.

The pedestrianisation of Orchard Road is a six-month initiative where the street is closed to cars every first Saturday night of each month until March next year.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam will switch on the lights during a ceremony at Shaw House Urban Plaza on Nov 15.

Volunteers will be giving out 5,000 multi-coloured light sticks outside Ion Orchard that day, and the organisers have pledged to donate $1 to the Community Chest for every light stick distributed to the public.

Twelve malls will also be vying for the title of Best Dressed Building this year. The public can vote via the free mobile app, @Orchard, between Nov 15 and Nov 30 and stand to win $3,000 worth of shopping vouchers.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

STB to correct Lau Pa Sat sign and tighten translation process

STB to correct Lau Pa Sat sign and tighten translation process


A photo of the wrong Tamil translation of popular food destination Lau Pa Sat on a signboard is making its rounds on Facebook.

The Lau Pa Sat sign which was incorrectly translated has been removed and will be corrected, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said in a statement on Friday.

STB also said that it will tighten the process of translating its brown signs, which indicate tourist attractions or landmarks.

"We had notified the operator and they had taken immediate steps to remove the sign and work on correcting the translation," Ms Ranita Sundramoorthy, director of attractions, dining and retail said in the statement, referring to the erroneous Lau Pa Sat sign.

She added that the board will ensure the new sign is checked by language experts.

A photo of the sign, which translated "Sat" as "Sani" or Saturday in Tamil, was being circulated on social networks. The word can have a negative connotation, and can be used to curse people.

Mr Samikannu Sithambaram, president of the Singapore Tamil Teachers' Union, told The Straits Times on Thursday that the mistake could have come about because the translators thought that "Sat" in Lau Pa Sat was a truncation of "Saturday".

STB said that owners of attractions are required to get a qualified translator for their signs, but it will add a layer of checks for them.

"We will tighten the process further to mandate a system of checks on translations for compliance by all brown sign applicants," said Ms Sundramoorthy.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Changi T1 carpark closes next Wednesday

Changi T1 carpark closes next Wednesday


The announcement of the closure of the Terminal 1 carpark follows the completion of a four-day trial to test the new transport arrangements.

The open-air carpark in front of Changi Airport Terminal 1 will be closed permanently at 2am next Wednesday, signalling that work will soon start on Project Jewel.

The new multi-storey complex to be built at the site will integrate retail, leisure and airport operations, and house an underground carpark with 2,500 spaces.

This is about three times more than the number of spaces at the current T1 carpark.

But it will be ready only in 2018 and, until then, motorists will have to put up with some inconvenience.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Tourists, don't fall prey to shady shops

Tourists, don't fall prey to shady shops



This mobile-phone shop at Sim Lim Square scammed a Vietnamese tourist earlier this week. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned Chinese travellers about buying mobile phones and electronic products here, while Vietnamese newspapers have urged people to be wary of the dubious tactics of some shops here. (PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO)

SHADY mobile-phone stores in Singapore have won themselves dubious honours abroad, even as reports emerge that sales assistants at these shops can earn $20,000 a month in commissions if sales are good.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned travellers from the country about buying mobile phones and electronic products here.

It said on its website on Wednesday that last year, many Chinese tourists were cheated in Singapore when buying gadgets.

Addressing this issue, the ministry reminded Chinese travellers to be on the lookout for stores that have received complaints and avoid making purchases at such shops.

Vietnamese newspapers have also urged people to be wary of the dubious tactics of some shops here, The Straits Times reported yesterday.

This comes after news of errant stores here, such as a mobile-phone shop at Sim Lim Square - Mobile Air - which gave a customer a refund of more than $1,000 in coins last week.

The same shop also scammed a Vietnamese tourist this week, reducing him to tears.

And it can be good business for some shops to cheat customers. On Wednesday, a former employee of one such shop decided to expose the underhand tactics of the likes of his former employer.

"It's very good money," said the man, who wanted to be known only as Mr Chen, 26, Lianhe Wanbao reported. "But I didn't want to cheat people any more."

He quit after six months because his conscience was troubling him.

From his experience, selling a mobile phone can net a few hundred dollars in profit.

"The shop could sell a few sets a day and earn thousands a day," Mr Chen said. "I've heard of some assistants earning $10,000 to $20,000 a month," he added.

The targets of such rogue shops? Tourists, maids, foreign workers and senior citizens.

Tourists with luggage are hot favourites because they are often rushing to the airport and are unlikely to return, so they are less hassle for the shops.

Mr Chen said the stores would also frighten maids and foreign workers who made a fuss by warning them that calls to their bosses and agencies would be made to send them back to their home countries, so they could not continue working here.

Senior citizens and "uncles" with young female partners are also easy targets "because their hearing isn't very good, so it's possible to fudge things and dupe them". Those with female partners are unlikely to make a scene if their partners are their mistresses.

Most of the phones sold by these shops are second-hand handsets repackaged to look new, said Mr Chen.

Scam tactics include:

Listing phone prices below market rate.
Not allowing customers to examine goods unless they pay first.
Selling international warranty that is not valid.
Not being upfront about the costs for the "warranty" and tricking customers into thinking that the prices are low.
Selling customers who opt out of the warranty package high-quality counterfeit phones.
Charging high prices for "high-quality, imported" accessories.
Selling "newer" models of a phone at a "discounted" rate.

~News courtesy of Omy~

Exhibition on 700 years of Singapore's history

Exhibition on 700 years of Singapore's history to open at the National Museum



Pathway leading to the Colonial Singapore (1819-1942) section - the period when the British arrived in 1819 and set up a trading factory on the island.

A new exhibition chronicling 700 years of Singapore's history will open at the National Museum of Singapore on Tuesday.

The immersive exhibition will take visitors through the country's annals - from a humble fishing village to the independent nation-state it is today.

It will feature six sections: Archaeology in Singapore; Ancient Singapore (1300 to 1818); Colonial Singapore (1819 to 1942), Syonan-To (1942 to 1945); Road to Merdeka (1946 to 1965) and Independent Singapore (1965 to 1975).

The exhibition is targeted at students and families, and admission is free for citizens, permanent residents and visitors aged six and below.

National Museum director Angelita Teo said the Singapura: 700 Years exhibition aims to give visitors an immersive and multi-sensory experience.

"Visitors will virtually 'jump into an exciting storybook' of Singapore's history, walking through the exhibition and experiencing what it might have felt like then," said Ms Teo.

A key feature and highlight is the section on archaeology, said Ms Teo, as it showcases how archaeologists here have helped piece together a deeper understanding of Singapore's ancient and colonial past, through the excavation of 19 sites over the past three decades.

Some artefacts on display date back to as early as the 10th century AD. One of the finds on show include a rare porcelain compass used for navigation in 14th century Singapore.

Singapura: 700 Years, which is housed at the museum's galleries 1 and 2, will be the main exhibition on show as the rest of the museum's permanent galleries have been closing in phases to undergo a revamp. These spaces will reopen in September next year.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~