ICA explores automated clearance for cars

Singapore's ICA explores automated clearance for cars



The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is looking into automated self-clearance for all cars, following a revamp of motorcycle counters at both land checkpoints that will be completed tomorrow.

The automated self-clearance system allows motorcyclists and their pillion riders to scan their thumbprints and have their passports verified by a machine to clear immigration. ICA confirmed it is considering automating car clearance as well but would not give further details, including whether it would be similar to that for motorcycles.

Starting Monday, Singapore- and foreign-registered motorcyclists and their pillion riders can carry out self-clearance at the same time at 164 automated checkpoint counters, which were rolled out progressively.

Initially, the automated counters could clear only single riders.

"These automated counters speed up motorcycle clearance by up to 30 per cent and help reduce congestion," said the ICA.

This allows the ICA "to redeploy officers to other critical tasks such as conducting checks on travellers with higher risks".

The roll-out of the automated self-clearance system comes after the ICA won an award at the annual Global Performance Excellence Awards, which recognises organisational excellence, at the Asia Pacific Quality Organisation conference last month.

It also took home awards for Contributing to Excellence as well as Best in Innovation, said ICA commissioner Clarence Yeo. He added that "to meet the increasing demand for immigration and registration services, the ICA has looked to deploying innovative solutions" for customers while ensuring security.

"We benchmark our services globally to ensure that our service delivery timing remains the shortest," he said, citing the example of iCollect as the world's first dedicated self-service machine.

Among the new services introduced are two self-service kiosks called iCollect, which were launched in 2013. iCollect involves two kiosks that allow for passport collection.

Users make an appointment online before picking up their travel documents from the kiosks at the ICA building. When doing so, they are identified automatically by facial features and fingerprints.

The same machines currently allow applicants to collect their identity cards and Long Term Pass cards from the kiosks, with a take-up rate of some 65 per cent on weekdays. On Saturdays, all slots are fully booked. But this forms only a fraction of the documents collected from the ICA every day.

ICA said it is building on the success of iCollect to explore the viability of robotics to automate document collection. Last year, a total of 675,747 Singapore passports were issued, including those collected through the automated kiosks.

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Construction of Changi Airport T4 completed

Construction of Changi Airport T4 completed

It achieved the Temporary Occupancy Permit this month and the next stage of development will be focused on its interior fittings, as well as preparing the terminal for operations, CAG said in a media release. The terminal's design focuses on the experience of the passenger, making the check-in and boarding process fast and seamless, it added.

Construction work on T4 commenced in early 2014 and it is now preparing for its opening in the second half of 2017, it added.

"The preparatory works in the lead-up to its opening will involve the installation and testing of key airport systems and processes including the new FAST self-service and automated options covering check-in, bag-drop, immigration clearance and boarding. There will also be training and familiarisation programmes organised for airport staff and partners, to prepare them for operations in the new terminal," CAG added.

In July 2015, CAG had said facial recognition technology will be introduced as well, reducing the number of staff needed to perform manual visual checks of passengers. Other previously-announced features include a central Galleria, enhanced transit lounges, Peranakan heritage shop fronts and green sanctuaries, including a boulevard of trees along a boarding corridor.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines and budget airline AirAsia group - including AirAsia Berhad, Indonesia AirAsia and Thai AirAsia - are expected to operate from T4 when it opens to passengers.

The construction of T4 involved the development of a two-storey passenger terminal building, two multi-storey car parks, a two-storey taxi holding area, as well as three vehicular and pedestrian bridges to create new channels of access to the terminal.

A 68m-tall ramp control tower was also constructed to aid air traffic controllers' management of aircraft movements around the terminal, CAG said.

At the peak of construction works, the T4 project involved 4,000 workers. Overall, it achieved a clean safety record of 26.1 million accident-free man hours, according to CAG.

“The past three years have been an intense and exciting journey for CAG and our project partners ... For the next phase, we look forward to working with the airport community to prepare the terminal for opening in the second half of 2017,” said CAG executive vice president of Air Hub Development Yam Kum Weng.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Sentosa boardwalk extends free boardwalk entry until end-2017

Sentosa boardwalk extends free boardwalk entry until end-2017

Visitors to Sentosa will be able to enjoy free admission via the Sentosa Boardwalk for another year until Dec 31, 2017, the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said on Friday (Dec 16).

SDC had said in April that the admission charge, which is usually S$1 per entry, would be waived until the end of this year.

In response to Channel NewsAsia's queries, a spokesperson said that as the Boardwalk is connected seamlessly to the Singapore mainland, the extension of the waiver will allow and encourage more guests to enjoy the "pleasant and convenient" experience of strolling in and out of the island, particularly during peak periods.

The spokesperson added that on average, about 10 per cent of Sentosa’s annual visitorship of 19 million to 20 million people enter via the Boardwalk.

Aside from crossing over to the resort island by foot, visitors to Sentosa can also drive or cycle in or take the cable car, monorail or bus.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Wetter weather expected in second half of December

Wetter weather expected in second half of December

Wet weather is expected to continue in the second half of December, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) in an advisory on Friday (Dec 16).

While the second half of December is expected to be wetter than the first fortnight of December 2016, overall, the rainfall for the month is forecast to be below normal, said MSS.

Short-duration thunderstorms, at times heavy, can be expected on seven to nine days, mostly between the late morning and afternoon, said MSS. On one to two days, thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds are expected between the predawn and morning, brought about by Sumatra squalls over the Strait of Malacca.

Daily maximum temperatures for the next fortnight on most days are forecast to be around 32°C or 33°C. One a few days, the daily maximum temperatures could reach a high of 34°C. On some rainy days, the daily minimum temperature could range between 22°C and 24°C.

“A FEW WARM DAYS”

The first two weeks of December had “a few warm days”, said MSS, where the daily maximum temperature was between 34°C and 35°C.

The mean daily maximum temperature recorded in the first half of December 2016 was 31.8°C, which is 1.6°C above the long-term mean for December. In addition, the mean monthly temperature recorded was 27.8°C, which is 1.4°C warmer than the long-term mean for December.

Most thunderstorms over the island from Dec 1 to 15 happened between midnight and 6am, said MSS. The heaviest daily rainfall of 45.4mm was recorded on Dec 1 around Tuas. Rainfall was also significantly below normal, said MSS, with the highest rainfall recorded around Changi and 18 per cent below average. Rainfall was lowest around Jurong where 25.2mm was recorded, 81 per cent below average.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Singapore, Malaysia have made very good progress on high-speed rail agreement

Singapore, Malaysia have made very good progress on high-speed rail agreement: PM Lee



PM Lee in an interview with the chairman of Malaysian state news agency Bernama Azman Ujang on Monday (Nov 28).

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore and Malaysia have made very good progress on a bilateral agreement on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail (HSR), and hopes both sides can sign the agreement when he and Prime Minister Najib Razak meet at the Leaders' Retreat.

"It is a very ambitious, very complicated and a very expansive project, in terms of scale. We have to try our best to anticipate what the likely issues are, when we build it, when we operate it, and have a clear understanding on how we will deal with it if a situation arises," Mr Lee said in an interview with the chairman of Malaysian state news agency Bernama Azman Ujang on Monday(Nov 28).

"The first thing is to have a sound agreement between the two countries on the basis of how the project is structured, how it is going to be executed, and how it is backed by the two governments," said Mr Lee in the interview, the transcript of which was released by the Prime Minister's Office today (Nov 30).

"That is the first requirement, that we have a very good agreement which sets out clearly a sound basis to build and operate the system."

Singapore, KL 'working towards' inking High Speed Rail pact on Dec 5

Both countries have been discussing the agreement for more than a year, Mr Lee noted.

"We are almost there, and I hope that when I meet Prime Minister Najib at the next retreat, we will be able to sign the agreement," he said.

On Tuesday (Nov 29), Malaysian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan met Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, and Mr Abdul Rahman said on Instagram they met "to harmonise last minute details of the Bilateral Agreement on Malaysia-Singapore High Speed Rail project before signing ceremony in December".

A memorandum of understanding for the HSR project was signed in July this year by Mr Khaw and Mr Abdul Rahman, and it was witnessed by the two prime ministers.

Construction for the project is expected to begin in 2018, with trains running in 2026.

Secondly, Mr Lee noted that the project's execution will be very important - designing it, calling for tenders, evaluating the proposals.

"Several high-speed rail systems in the world have been lobbying very hard to get this contract - the Japanese, the Koreans, the Chinese high-speed rail," he noted.

"Each has its strengths, and we will have a very difficult decision evaluating the bidders who come along and deciding which one is the best overall."

Asked about the cost-sharing of construction, PM Lee said things like that had to be clearly specified, and it was one of the items that made the project complicated.

"When you have two authorities involved, you have to decide how to partition, where the line is drawn. I build my part, you build your part, and we have to meet at the same point," he said. "If it does not meet then we have a big problem."

PM Lee added: "It is complicated but there is a will. And there is a good will, and we would like to make it succeed."

He was also asked if a third bridge between Singapore and Malaysia - which some in Malaysia had suggested recently - is necessary with the HSR project.

Mr Lee said there are currently no plans for it.

"We are not currently planning for a third bridge," he said. "I have seen some statements in Malaysia suggesting one, but the high-speed rail is a very ambitious project. I would focus all my energies doing that one before we launch a new big project."

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

Maxwell Food Centre tops local food haunts for third year running

Maxwell Food Centre tops local food haunts for third year running

Maxwell Food Centre has emerged as the favourite food haunt of locals at the annual City Hawker Food Hunt for the third year running.

During the ceremony for the ninth edition of the awards at Ayer Rajah Food Centre on Sunday (Nov 6), 37 hawkers from more than 100 hawker centres islandwide were also recognised.

They include this year's top prizes for ngoh hiang which went to China Street Fritters (中国街五香胃肠) at Maxwell Food Centre, sambal stingray which went to Lucky Seafood (好运烧烤海鲜) at Pasir Panjang Food Centre, and fried rice which went to Tien Kee (新记) at Block 22 Toa Payoh Lorong 7.

The committee behind the food hunt rotates between various categories each year. Apart from the top stall from each food category, other stalls in the top 10 also received prizes.



China Street Fritters receiving its award from MOE and MTI Parliamentary Secretary Low Yen Ling. (Photo: Chan Luo Er)

More than 15,000 people voted online for their favourite hawker centre and the above three categories online at the City Hawker Food Hunt website between June and September.

Three new special award categories were also introduced this year to cover innovative hawker fare, economical dishes and environmentally-friendly practices.

Those on a budget can check out Xian Jin Mixed Vegetable Rice at Bedok North Street 1 Market and Food Centre, which sells any three meat items with rice for just S$2. They also serve bak kut teh at the same price.

The sole Green Hawker Stall award went to Ho Peng Coffee Stall at Maxwell Food Centre. The drinks stall owner has been recycling milk tin cans for customers who order takeaway for 60 years.

There are around 107 markets and hawker centres in Singapore, many of which are located in the heartlands.

City Hawker Food Hunt is jointly organised by City Gas and Shin Min Daily News and is supported by the Health Promotion Board, National Environment Agency and Singapore Tourism Board.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Happy Deepavali!

Changi T1 rolls out check-in upgrades

Changi T1 rolls out check-in upgrades

FOUR new check-in rows have been built at Changi Airport Terminal 1 to increase passenger handling capacity and they give an idea of the updated look coming to the rest of the departure hall.

About two years after works started, the hoardings have come down to unveil white counters with metallic bases and red carpets with hues of pink, orange, white and blue.

As part of T1's upgrade, the existing purple counters at the 10 other check-in rows that have been there for about 15 years will be replaced with the new ones.

The brown/maroon carpets will also be replaced.

To ensure that airport operations are not disrupted, the works will be done progressively, Changi Airport Group spokesman Ivan Tan told The Straits Times.

The improvements, which also include an upgrading of the baggage handling system, are expected to be completed by around 2020, he said.

Along with check-in counters and carpets, more self-service check-in and bag-drop kiosks will be installed.

The airport is moving towards adopting automation and technology to boost efficiency and reduce reliance on manpower.

Upgrading works at T1 are being done in tandem with the construction of Jewel Changi Airport, slated to open in 2019.

Being constructed where T1's open-air carpark used to be, the multi-storey Jewel complex will feature mainly retail offerings and be linked directly to the terminal.

The new check-in counters at the departure floor are now occupied by Philippine Airlines and Air France-KLM.

Deputy station manager at Air France/KLM Boon Chua, said: "The renovated T1 is indeed a big improvement.

"The environment is very pleasant for our customers as it has a modern look and feel."

The one downside is that there are two pillars that may obstruct passenger queuing.

Budget carrier AirAsia, which is now at rows 9 to 11, plans to move today.

Its chief executive in Singapore, Logan Velaitham, is happy that there will be more self-service options.

"Automation brings efficiency for our operations and convenience for our travellers, who can go straight from the airport doors to immigration if they have no bags to drop off. Those with bags can just drop them off at our self-service kiosks without having to visit manned counters," he said.

More than 6 in 10 AirAsia passengers arrive having already checked online or through their mobile devices.

More than three in 10 go straight to immigration as they have no bags to check in.

Mr Velaitham said: "When we move to T4 next year, we are looking at even more automation and technology so it's good for our customers to get used to it."

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Deepavali @ Little India

New Seletar Airport terminal

New Seletar Airport terminal to handle up to 700k passengers a year



The $50 million terminal will have dedicated check-in and immigration facilities for private jet passengers. (ARTIST'S IMPRESSION: CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP)

A NEW two-storey passenger terminal, which will be big enough to serve up to 700,000 passengers a year, will open at Seletar Airport at the end of 2018.

The total capacity is more than 26 times the number of passengers that the airport, which now caters mainly to private jets, handled last year.

When the new terminal opens, all turboprop traffic at Changi Airport, which now numbers up to 20 flights a day, will move to Seletar. About 400,000 passengers a year are expected to move as well.

This will free up capacity at Changi Airport - which handled 55.4 million passengers last year - to cope with a growing number of flights and passengers, Changi Airport Group spokesman Ivan Tan said at the ground-breaking for the new Seletar facility yesterday.

Smaller planes like turboprops need a greater separation distance than normal from other aircraft when taking off or landing, to ensure that the turbulence from a bigger plane does not not pose a safety risk to the smaller aircraft.

However, this means that fewer flights can be handled at any given time, which is inefficient for a hub airport like Changi which wants to grow its traffic.

The current 34-year-old passenger terminal at Seletar Airport will be demolished when the new facility opens.

At the new terminal, private jet passengers will have a separate area with a lounge as well as dedicated check-in and immigration facilities. There will also be easier access to and from the terminal and the aircraft.

Said See Seng Wan, general manager of Seletar Airport: "We look forward to providing passengers with a new level of experience, in terms of comfort and convenience, when the terminal opens."

The construction of the $50 million passenger facility is the next stage of the renewal of Seletar Airport, which started in 2008 and has included lengthening the runway and building a new control tower.

Big aerospace firms like Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney have also built facilities in recent years in the area which is also home to pilot schools.

The Seletar upgrade aims to establish Singapore, already a major hub for commercial carriers, as a centre for private jets as well.

Yvonne Chan, managing director of Seletar ground-handling firm Universal Aviation, said: "We welcome the improvements that have been made so far and the future passenger terminal will also increase the attractiveness of Seletar Airport for business and commercial travellers."

While a pleasant surrounding is nice to have, efficiency is key, said John Riggir, vice-president and general manager of business aviation firm Jet Aviation.

"Easy transition for our clients from airside to landside is essential and it's what business aviation operators look for."

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Raffles Hotel to undergo restoration work from next year

Raffles Hotel to undergo restoration work from next year

Raffles Hotel Singapore will undergo restoration work from next year, it announced on Tuesday (Oct 11).

The first phase of refurbishment in January 2017 will see the Raffles Hotel Arcade undergoing restoration works while other areas of the property operate as normal. The facility is an integral part of the building, housing 40 regional and specialty shops, and indoor and outdoor function areas.

Phase Two will start in mid-2017, when restoration efforts commence on the main hotel building, lobby and a portion of the hotel suites, the hotel said. Towards the end of the year, Raffles Hotel will close in the final phase, before it reopens again in the second quarter of 2018.

Said Mr Simon Hirst, general manager of Raffles Hotel: “This restoration is designed to ensure that we retain what is so special about Raffles Hotel Singapore - the ambiance, the service, the charm and the heritage of the hotel. We have always changed and evolved to keep in step with the needs and expectations of our guests.

“By introducing new experiences for our guests while respecting the history and heritage of the hotel, we want to ensure that this hotel continues to remain at the epicentre of Singapore’s social and cultural scene.”

According to Ms Diana Banks, vice president of Raffles Brand, one focus of the revamp is on upgrading technology.

"Today's traveller is looking for the ability to use their own technology,” she said. “It's no longer about having a television. It's about streaming your own iPad and phones and so forth.”

As a result of the facelift, room rates are set to go up, although the hotel said prices will remain in line with industry standards. Based on average rates for a standard room, prices for the five-star hotel start from at least S$600.

The restoration project will be led by Aedas Singapore, while the interiors of the project will be handled by award-winning designer Alexandra Champalimaud who has worked with luxury hotels such as New York's The Plaza and the Waldorf Astoria, Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles and The Dorchester in London.

Raffles Hotel was declared a national monument in 1987. The last restoration was conducted from 1989 to 1991 where the hotel closed for two and a half years.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

Zika - Health Advisory

Health Advisory

Travellers to countries with local transmission of the Zika virus should protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing long, covered clothing, applying insect-repellent, and sleeping under mosquito nets or in rooms with wire-mesh screens to keep out mosquitoes. They should seek medical attention promptly if they become unwell.

While there is currently no evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get Zika virus infection, the consequences can be more serious if a pregnant woman is infected, as the Zika virus infection can cause microcephaly in the unborn foetus of pregnant women. As such, pregnant women should postpone non-essential travel to countries with ongoing outbreaks. They should reconsider their travel plans to areas that are not experiencing outbreaks but have reported local transmission of Zika virus. If they must travel to affected areas, they should undertake strict precautions against mosquito bites.

All travellers returning from areas with ongoing outbreaks of Zika should adopt safer sexual practices, e.g. consistent and correct use of condoms during sex, or consider abstinence for at least eight weeks after their return. Male travellers who are sexual partners of pregnant women should adopt these precautions throughout the women’s pregnancy. People diagnosed with Zika should adopt safer sex practices or consider abstinence for at least 6 months. Travellers who have returned to Singapore from affected areas should monitor their health for the next 14 days and consult a doctor if they have symptoms of Zika, such as fever, skin rashes, joint and muscle pains, headaches and red eyes. They should inform the doctor of the areas that they have travelled to.

~Info courtesy of Ministry of Health, Singapore~

Celebrating 51 years of independence

Johor-Singapore water taxi idea being floated

Johor-Singapore water taxi idea being floated



Big project: Mohamed Khaled (right) being briefed on the Meridin East project during its launch.

Property development within the eastern side of Iskandar Malaysia is likely to see a boost with a proposal by the state government to set up a water taxi service between Johor and Singapore.

The suggested water taxi, a public transportation between Kong Kong and the Changi Ferry Terminal in Singapore, would likely stimulate migration to the eastern part of Johor, said Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

“We are still in the midst of carrying out a feasibility study on the proposal, which has also been forwarded to the Federal Government.

“The water taxi is expected to save more than half the current travel time to the republic from the Pasir Gudang area,” he said during the launch of Mah Sing Group’s Meridin East Township, near Kong Kong here yesterday.

Currently, it takes up to two hours to travel between Pasir Gudang and Singapore via the Causeway, while the estimated travel time for the water taxi is only 20 minutes per trip.

Mohamed Khaled hailed Mah Sing’s RM5bil Meridin East mixed development project, which would see the construction of affordable houses, commercial lots, a wide range of amenities along with lush greenery.

He said sustainability needed to be at the heart of development and planning of Johor, adding land use and transportation plans must address environmental protection and waste reduction.

Other issues that need to be addressed include reducing carbon footprints, preserving habitats, restoring biodiversity and stewarding urban waters while conserving it.

“Land use and transportation planning should also support a robust city economy, which allows local businesses and sustainable manufacturing activities to thrive in,” he said.

Mah Sing Group chairman Tan Sri Yaacob Mat Zain said the project, covering a 531.5ha land near Kong Kong, was divided into five phases for the next 12 to 15 years.

“The gated and guarded property will also feature a 50m-long Mulberry Lake besides 44.51ha of reserve land for recreational purposes and thousands of native trees to be planted within the area.

“Another important component in our development of the road infrastructure is easier access to the Senai-Desaru Expressway connecting to Kong Kong from Tanjung Langsat and the widening of Jalan Kong Kong,” he added.

Mah Sing has launched phase two of its Greenway project with prices starting from RM357,000 for a built-up area of between 1,595sq ft and 1,648sq ft; while its Eden neighbourhood starts from RM453,000 for 2,033sq ft double-storey homes.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Hawkers join celebrity chefs on Michelin list

Hawkers join celebrity chefs on Michelin list



Singapore's first Michelin-starred hawker stalls are Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle at Chinatown Food Complex run by Mr Chan Hon Meng (left), 51; and Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle in Crawford Lane, run by Mr Tang Chay Seng, 70.  The two stalls were given one-star ratings in the inaugural edition of the Singapore Michelin Guide, launched last night at Resorts World Sentosa.

Pork noodle, soya sauce chicken eateries among 29 establishments awarded stars

A pork noodle stall and a soya sauce chicken stall were made Singapore's first Michelin-starred hawkers in the inaugural Singapore Michelin Guide, in a list that was dominated by celebrity chefs.

At the launch of the guide last night in Resorts World Sentosa, Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle in Crawford Lane and Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle in Chinatown Complex were among 29 establishments awarded stars. They each received one star.

Tai Hwa owner Tang Chay Seng, 70, said: "I was very happy when I heard the news. In Singapore, there are a lot of things that are delicious and I feel very lucky to have won. "

Michelin-starred establishments in S'pore

Three Michelin stars

• Joel Robuchon Restaurant, Resorts World Sentosa

Two Michelin stars

• L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Resorts World Sentosa

• Les Amis, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

• Odette, National Gallery Singapore

• Restaurant Andre, Bukit Pasoh Road

• Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro, Mandarin Orchard Singapore

• Shoukouwa, One Fullerton

One Michelin star

• Alma by Juan Amador, Goodwood Park Hotel

• The Kitchen at Bacchanalia, Hongkong Street

• Beni, Mandarin Gallery

• Candlenut, New Bridge Road

• Corner House, Botanic Gardens

• Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Paragon Shopping Centre

• CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Marina Bay Sands

• Forest, Resorts World Sentosa

• Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle, Crawford Lane

• Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, Chinatown Food Complex

• Jaan, Swissotel The Stamford

• Lei Garden, Chijmes

• Osia, Resorts World Sentosa

• Putien, Kitchener Road

• Rhubarb Le Restaurant, Duxton Hill

• Shinji by Kanesaka, Raffles Hotel

• Shinji by Kanesaka, The St Regis Singapore

• Summer Pavilion, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

• Sushi Ichi, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

• Terra Tokyo-Italian, Tras Street

• The Song Of India, Scotts Road

• Waku Ghin, Marina Bay Sands

Mr Chan Hon Meng, 51, owner of Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, said: "I hope hawkers will appear every year in the Michelin Guide."

Mr Joel Robuchon, the chef with the most Michelin stars in the world, added five more to his collection. Joel Robuchon Restaurant at RWS was the only one here awarded three stars, given to restaurants that serve "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey". His L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, also at RWS, garnered two stars, given to restaurants with "excellent cooking, worth a detour".

French restaurants Les Amis, Odette and Restaurant Andre each received two stars.

Chef Shinji Kanesaka, whose Tokyo sushi bar has two Michelin stars, scored big too. Both his restaurants in Singapore, Shinji by Kanesaka at the Raffles Hotel and The St Regis Singapore, were given one star each.

Flying the Singapore flag high were Corner House, which has become known for its chef Jason Tan's gastro-botanica cuisine; Malcolm Lee's Peranakan restaurant Candlenut; and Forest, a contemporary Chinese restaurant run by Singapore celebrity chef Sam Leong, all of which were given one star, for "a very good restaurant in its category".

Mr Lee, 32, said: "This is for the whole team's hard work, especially for Peranakan cuisine. We hope more young people will give our local cuisine a chance and be proud of it."

All in, 22 establishments received one star and six restaurants earned two stars each.

About 600 guests, comprising corporate head honchos, restaurateurs, chefs, and members of the public paid $450++ a person to attend the three-hour ceremony.

Mr Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin guides, said: "Our inspectors were also thrilled to find that Singapore's food scene is one of the most dynamic, not only in Asia but in the entire world. From fabulous hawker stands to world-class fine dining and everywhere in between, Singapore has clearly earned her place as a truly gastronomic capital."

In his speech, Mr Lionel Yeo, chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, talked about the benefits of having the guide: sharing Singapore's diverse food scene with the world, the branding opportunities and how it will spur chefs here to do better.

"And yes, there'll be debates, they will be contentious at times," he added. "It's all good because we are passionate about the experiences we have when we sit down to dine."

Michelin-starred chefs walking in

Sales manager Samantha Kee, 29, said: "I am surprised to see such a small number of one-star restaurants, compared with Hong Kong. I think more local restaurants should have been represented on the list. I am going to join the reservation list at Restaurant Andre as I have heard good reviews about it."

The Michelin Guide Singapore is put out by French tyre company Michelin in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board and wine authority Robert Parker Wine Advocate.

Restaurants are assessed by Michelin inspectors, who dine independently and anonymously. The judging criteria include the quality of the food, cooking techniques, and value for money.

To buy the guide, which costs $39.95, go to guide.michelin.sg/order-guide

• For more Michelin-related stories, go to str.sg/4wqA

~News courtesy of Straits Times~

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

KL-Singapore High-Speed Rail projected to start around 2026

The High-Speed Rail (HSR) line linking Singapore and Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur (KL) is expected to start operations around 2026. This was announced at a joint press conference on Tuesday (July 19) after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the neighbouring countries.

The signing ceremony, witnessed by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak, comes ahead of a legally binding bilateral agreement that will be inked by the end of this year.

Construction of the HSR is scheduled to take place from 2018 to 2025, followed by testing, commissioning and finally kick-off for the revenue service a year later.



The HSR line will run for 350km, with 335km in Malaysia and 15km in Singapore, and on two tracks going in opposite directions. It will comprise eight stops in total: Singapore, Iskandar Puteri, Batu Pahat, Muar, Ayer Keroh, Seremban, Putrajaya and KL.

Existing train services take up to 11 hours to journey between Singapore and KL. However, with the line able to reach top speeds of 300km/h, travel time between KL and Singapore is expected to drop to around 90 minutes - excluding clearance at customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ). There are, however, plans to co-locate CIQ checkpoints at Singapore, KL and Iskandar Puteri to facilitate “seamless travel”.

This means, for instance, that at the Jurong East terminus, one would be able to clear Singaporean immigration and a few steps later, Malaysian immigration before boarding the train, reaching KL and stepping out into the city centre itself.

Travel time for the HSR between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri in Johor Bahru is expected to take around 10 to 15 minutes.

Both governments agreed that each will take responsibility for developing, constructing and maintaining civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries - MyHSR Corporation for Malaysia and the Land Transport Authority for Singapore.



“COMPETITIVE” FARES

It was also announced that two train operating companies will be appointed to run the HSR service. An international operator will handle the express service between the Singapore terminus at Jurong East and the KL end at the upcoming Bandar Malaysia development. The same operator will also oversee a cross-border shuttle service between Singapore and Iskandar Puteri.

Another operator will run the domestic service within Malaysia. The express service will have scheduling and operational priority over a domestic line servicing the six stops in Malaysia between Singapore and KL.

The HSR trains are expected to be 10 cars long, with the capacity for up to 100 passengers per car.

Fare will be set commercially by the operators and “competitive with airfares”, said Singapore authorities.

A separate private entity will design, build, finance and maintain the trains as well as rail assets, like trackwork, communications, signalling and power. It will also allocate and control track access. Depots and maintenance facilities will be located in Malaysia.

The Singapore and Malaysian governments will build and fund infrastructure work such as viaducts, tunnels and stations within their territories. Both governments also agreed to form a bilateral committee comprising representatives from both sides to manage and regulate aspects of the project which might impact the cross-border services.

TENDER PROCESS WILL BE "FAIR AND TRANSPARENT"

Speaking at the signing of the MoU, PM Lee noted that the tender process is one issue that has to be discussed by Singapore and Malaysia. He said: "This is one of the items which has to be settled and has to be discussed between the two sides, to how the project is going to be structured, to how the tenders will be called, what's the sequence in which they're going to be called, what does each package consist of, and then how will the tenders be evaluated."

Mr Najib said: "Because this project has attracted so much international interest, it is incumbent upon us to make sure that the process will be a very fair, transparent, objective process. But we are both committed to ensuring that this will happen because the image and integrity of both countries will be at stake. So you can be rest assured that the process will be carried out in the fairest possible way."

Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan said: “We are committed to making sure that this project comes to its conclusion. As far as I’m concerned, and as both Prime Ministers mentioned ... it will be an open, transparent and fair tender process.”

He mentioned that he had personally seen several companies that had shown some interest, including companies from China, Japan and European countries.

Mr Abdul Rahman added that the pricing for trips on the HSR would be affected by the bids for the project even though it would likely be benchmarked against airfares. "I believe it will be market-driven."

When asked about the cost-sharing arrangement between Singapore and Malaysia, Mr Abdul Rahman pointed out that much of the track will be in Malaysia, with more than 300km in Malaysia and about 15km in Singapore.

“But we’re not looking at the length, we’re looking at the cost. Of course, building 15km underground in Singapore would probably cost as much. So it will be an equitable, fair percentage for both countries,” he said. However, he added that he was not at at liberty to disclose the exact percentages until the bilateral agreement is concluded.

~News courtesy of Channel News Asia~

More hotels go extra mile for Muslim guests

More hotels go extra mile for Muslim guests

TO CATER to a burgeoning number of Muslim travellers to Singapore, hotels here are installing prayer rooms, offering iftar room service menus and providing the qibla - or the direction to Mecca - in their guest rooms.

This comes even as the number of halal-certified premises here has grown.

The Muslim travel segment is one of the world's fastest-growing tourism sectors with an estimated 117 million travellers last year, representing close to 10 per cent of the entire travel economy globally.

The number is expected to reach 168 million by 2020, with a market value exceeding US$200 billion (S$273 billion).

Singapore welcomed 2.6 million Muslim travellers last year.

They made up about 17 per cent of total arrivals.

In February this year, Marina Mandarin Singapore installed permanent prayer rooms with ablution facilities near its halal-certified restaurant, for customers who need to break fast. It had temporary prayer rooms for Ramadan last year.

Fairmont Singapore and Swissotel The Stamford offered an iftar - or breaking of fast - in-room dining menu comprising Arabic mezze, lamb kebabs, briyanis, dates and fresh fruits during the recent Ramadan.

This was first made available in 2014.

Other hotels such as the Park Hotel Group, Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy and Royal Plaza on Scotts have qibla directions in their rooms, and offer prayer mats and the Quran upon request.

"Indonesia and Malaysia comprise Singapore's top five source markets in 2015, and we recognise the increasing growth in this segment," said Tejveer Singh, group revenue director of Park Hotel Group.

Meanwhile, the number of halal-certified premises here grew from 2,568 in 2012 to 3,112 last year, according to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). The certified premises include dining establishments, caterers and product manufacturers.

Muis also noted an increase in queries about halal-certified premises from non-Singaporean followers of its Twitter account.

It gets at least one such query every week, compared with once every few months when the account was first launched four years ago, said a spokesman.

A study released last month found that for the next five years, Singapore is expected to be the third most attractive destination for Muslim travellers during the fasting month of Ramadan, after Malaysia and Indonesia.

Fazal Bahardeen, chief executive of CrescentRating, said: "The countries in this part of the world are competing for the same Muslim market. I expect to see more younger Muslim travellers (and) millennials who are looking for a different experience."

~News courtesy of My Paper~

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri