Cessation of Departure Immigration Endorsements From 22 April 2019
As part of ongoing efforts to streamline procedures at the checkpoints and facilitate more efficient departure immigration clearance, ICA will cease the issuance of departure immigration endorsements (i.e. stamps of departure dates on travel documents) to all foreign travellers departing Singapore from 22 April 2019.
Rooms in new Mandai resort to include pod-shaped treehouses
Guest rooms in treehouses shaped like seedpods, elevated walkways snaking through a forest canopy and interactive guided nature walks - these are some features the new Mandai eco-resort will offer when it opens its doors in 2023.
Speaking at a media conference at the Singapore Zoo on Thursday (May 23), luxury resort operator Banyan Tree Holdings’ CEO Ho Kwon Ping said that visitors at the 338-room resort will enjoy “unprecedented access” to nature during their stay.
“Because so much of this has been planned sensitively, our guests will come and realise that it’s not an urban hotel in the middle of Mandai park,” Mr Ho said. “It is an experience where they will have unprecedented access to nature in all little ways.”
This is Banyan Tree's first resort in Singapore; the company has 47 other hotels and resorts around the world.
Architectural illustration of an elevated walkway at the resort. (Image: Mandai Park Holdings)
Banyan Tree will operate the resort, which will be owned by Mandai Park Holdings, which manages wildlife attractions such as the Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park.
The design of the resort will be helmed by local architectural firm WOW Architects.
One of the aspirations of the project was to have the building and the landscape "become one", WOW Architects' managing director Wong Chiu Man said.
This means minimising the impact the resort complex will have on the environment. As such, the resort will only occupy previously disturbed areas within the 4.6-hectare site which currently houses the Singapore Zoo’s back-of-house facilities.
"We have more or less completely kept the rest of the forest intact," said Mr Wong. "Where we have inserted elements such as the treehouses, they have been inserted in such a way that we have scarcely cut down any trees at all."
Interior illustration of a treehouse room. (Image: Mandai Park Holdings)
When completed, the development aims to become the first Super Low Energy resort in Singapore - with its design incorporating energy-saving measures including the use of natural ventilation as well as solar panels.
Extensive planting will be done on the roof and facade of the resort buildings, and more than half the trees on the site will be retained.
Wherever possible, the resort will be elevated several metres above the ground to allow native wildlife to move across the site.
Guests will also be able to choose to stay in 24 treehouses designed in the shape of seedpods, and participate in behind-the-scenes programmes, guided nature walks as well as hands-on activities. There will also be camping opportunities, said Mr Mike Barclay, group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings.
"Right from the beginning, WOW Architects impressed us," Mr Barclay told reporters. "They showed a deep and fundamental understanding of the design brief and they were on the same wavelength as us - they understood what we were trying to achieve."
"When we got together, we decided that whatever design we came up with, we need to immerse people in the rainforest," added Mr Barclay. "That must be fundamental, we need to have a very light touch on the site and we also need the resort to celebrate sustainable best practices."
The Mandai precinct is undergoing a rejuvenation project, which will see the relocation of Jurong Bird Park and the development of a new Rainforest Park in the same area as the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari.
"We want our guests to come to the resort and have a conscious stay," said Mr Barclay. "We want them to be conscious of the rainforest all around them, we want them to be conscious of how it's best to interact with plants and animals, we also want to leave them with some consciousness about how we can lighten our touch on the natural world."
Source: CNA/aa(aj)
Burger & Lobster opens at Jewel Changi Airport on May 23
The wait for London's famed Burger & Lobster restaurant is over as its first Singapore outpost opens on May 23 at Jewel Changi Airport.
The 81-seat eatery's core menu features its iconic Original Lobster ($65++), with live lobsters flown in from Nova Scotia, Canada, and famed Original Roll ($40++), with tender lobster meat enveloped in a buttery, toasted brioche roll.
Bigger lobster options are available, priced from $120++ for 1kg. A portion of 1.7kg to 2kg is good for three to five people.
Two items exclusive to Jewel are the Sambal Glazed Lobster ($65++), with toasted brioche to dip into the mildly spicy sauce; and Chocolate Jewels ($12++), a dessert of dark chocolate spheres topped with housemade caramel sauce.
As for the burgers, The Mayfair ($25++) includes a juicy 170g grilled Nebraskan beef patty, housemade pickles, onions and a secret B&L burger sauce.
There is also an Impossible burger option ($20++), with pumpkin brioche, guacamole, red pepper coulis and kale served with sweet potato chips.
Desserts include Tres Leches ($12++), with vanilla-flavoured sponge cake soaked in milk, topped with green tea whipped cream, roasted pistachio and raspberries; and Mango Eaton Mess ($12++), with mango puree layered with meringue and fresh mangoes.
Its bar - which operates from 9am till midnight daily - offers a selection of cocktails, beer and wine.
This is Burger & Lobster's 16th outlet. Its other locations include New York, Bangkok, Dubai, Genting Highlands and Kuwait City.
The opening team will be here for at least three months, says Mr Riccardo LaMonica, 42, B&L's regional head of operations who is currently based in Singapore.
Head chef Kukie Chin, 31, who was previously from the Genting Highlands branch, helms the kitchen here.
Mr LaMonica says: "Singapore is an extremely important market as we see Singaporeans in our outlets particularly in London, Bangkok and Malaysia. There is no immediate plan for another outlet, we will have to see how people respond."
Burger & Lobster opens on May 23 at 05-203 Jewel Changi Airport from 9 to 3am daily. No reservations taken.
~Straits Times~
Thundery showers and warm conditions to continue for rest of May
Expect more thundery showers and warm conditions in the next two weeks, said the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) in a statement on Thursday (May 16).
Short thundery showers are expected mostly between the late morning and early afternoon on six to eight days during the next two weeks, added the MSS.
On two or three days next week, Sumatra squalls may bring widespread thundery showers accompanied by gusty winds between pre-dawn and morning.
The inter-monsoon conditions that started in late March are forecast to continue for the rest of May.
During this period, the low level winds are predicted to blow from the south or south-east.
Rainfall in May is likely to be above normal levels for many parts of Singapore.
The warm and humid conditions experienced in the first half of May are expected to continue for the rest of the month, said the MSS.
Daily temperature on most days is expected to range between 26 deg C and 34 deg C.
On days with little or no rainfall, the daily maximum temperature can hit around 35 deg C.
Why have there been so many extreme weather events in Singapore?
In the last two weeks, low level winds were generally weak and variable in direction.
During this period, the presence of the monsoon rain band near the equatorial region brought short thundery showers over the island, mostly between the morning and early afternoon.
On a few of these days, the eastward passage of Sumatra squalls brought widespread thunderstorms and gusty winds over Singapore between pre-dawn and morning.
Due to strong convergence of air streams in the region, two consecutive Sumatra squalls moved across Singapore last Wednesday. One moved during the early hours pre-dawn, while the other occurred during late morning.
The Straits Times reported then that trees toppled islandwide that morning, including one on the Pan-Island Expressway that caused a traffic jam that lasted more than an hour.
On that day, the highest daily total rainfall of 109.8mm was recorded at Jurong West.
Sumatra squalls also moved across the island last Friday and Saturday.
Gusty winds with speeds up to 90kmh were recorded at Pasir Panjang last Friday, while a large waterspout was sighted over the sea south of Tanjong Pagar on Saturday.
Despite the wet weather during the first two weeks of May, most days recorded maximum temperatore of 34 deg C or higher, said the MSS.
The highest daily maximum temperature during the period was 35 deg C, recorded at Paya Lebar on May 6, and also at Clementi on May 7.
The lowest daily minimum temperature was 20.8 deg C at East Coast Park around pre-dawn when the squall moved over Singapore last Wednesday.
More than three quarters of Singapore received above average rainfall in the first fortnight of May.
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
Singapore and Malaysia to defer Johor Baru-Woodlands RTS Link till Sept 30
Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and his counterpart Anthony Loke at the PSA Building, where Singapore's Transport Ministry is located, on May 21, 2019.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM.
SINGAPORE (ANN): Singapore and Malaysia will defer construction of a cross-border MRT link up till Sept 30 this year.
As part of the deal, Malaysia will also reimburse Singapore for the costs incurred as a result of the six-month suspension of the planned Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link.
Singapore's Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan and his counterpart Anthony Loke met on Tuesday (May 21) at the PSA Building, where Singapore's Transport Ministry is located.
They will sign an agreement to formalise the six-month suspension.
"If not, the RTS Link Project will be deemed to have been terminated by Malaysia, and Malaysia will reimburse Singapore for the costs we have incurred in fulfilling our RTS Link obligations till now," said Khaw.
Khaw said the decision to suspend the RTS Link Project will affect the Land Transport Authority's contractors and bidders involved in the development, as well as SMRT, which is Singapore's Joint Venture partner for the RTS Link operator.
Malaysia had earlier requested for a six-month suspension of the project from April 1, saying that it needed to review the costs, including how to bring them down further.
The 4km RTS link - which would connect Woodlands North station on Singapore's Thomson-East Coast MRT Line to Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru - was targeted to begin operations by Dec 31, 2024.
However, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said in March that the opening deadline would not be met. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Tanjung Belungkor ferry service easy alternative route for Singaporeans to Desaru
The Tanjung Belungkor ferry service near Pengerang here is an easy alternative for Singaporeans wanting to holiday in the country especially in Desaru.
Director-general of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Musa Yusof said the journey from Changi Ferry Terminal only takes 35 minutes and each ferry can take 100 passengers each trip.
He said this will increase tourist arrivals in Desaru which has an abundance of tourism products such as well-known hotels and a 17-kilometer coastline.
“Some people say the situation at the Johor Causeway takes Singaporeans three to four hours to cross the border.
“Many do not know that with the ferry, they can come here within 35 minutes,” he told reporters after a dialogue session with Malaysian and Singaporean tourism industry players at the Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and Spa here today.
Musa said the dialogue session with 80 industry players including tour agents will hopefully promote tourism products between the two countries.
“In the dialogue, we asked them what issues or problems we can address for them,” he said.
“Among the things we noted was that services could be improved such as the ferry terminal, the shuttle bus, and others,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
More thundery showers expected in the first half of May: Met Service
More thundery showers are expected in the first half of May, said the Meteorological Service Singapore in an advisory on Tuesday (Apr 30).
It is expected to be hot as well, as May is one of the warmest months of the year.
"On a few days, the heat can be sweltering as the daily maximum temperature could reach around the high end of the 35 degrees Celsius range when there is little or no rainfall," the Met Service said.
The daily temperature for most days is forecast to range between 25 and 34 degrees Celsius.
Due to the strong solar heating of land areas during the day, short-duration moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected in the afternoon on four to six days. This could extend into the evening on some days.
On three or five days in the second week, Sumatra squalls could bring widespread thundery showers with gusty winds in the predawn and morning.
Overall, rainfall for the next two weeks is likely to be near-normal over most parts of Singapore, the advisory said, adding that May also has one of the highest number of lightning days in the year.
In its review of weather conditions in April, the Met Service said more than half of April experienced daily maximum temperatures exceeding 34 degree Celsius.
The highest daily maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius was recorded on Apr 17 at Paya Lebar. This is close to thehighest recorded daily maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius for April in 1983.
Source: CNA/na(mi/gs)
Durian season set to start in May, with peak hitting in June
Durian sellers The New Paper spoke to predict the season will be in full swing only sometime in June.PHOTO: AFP
The durian season is expected to begin as early as next month. Durians from Malaysia are already trickling into Singapore, though the best ones are yet to arrive.
Durian sellers The New Paper spoke to predict the season will be in full swing only sometime in June.
Mr Ooi Meng Lee, 57, owner of 211 House of Durian, said: "The peak of the durian season this year will be in June. That is when the quality of the durians will be the best."
Echoing this assessment, the owner of Durian Culture, who wanted to be known only as Ms Lim, said the season is divided into three phases.
The first, the early harvest phase, is expected over much of the next two months.
Phase two may begin around mid-June and go on till August.
The Straits Times reported that prices of durian have fallen by as much as 40 per cent.
Ms Lim, 40, added: "I would recommend that durian lovers buy from mid-June to August. The supply of durians is greater, which means consumers get to choose better quality."
After that comes phase three. Although durians will still be harvested, Ms Lim said they are likely to have been on the trees for a long time. The quality may no longer be so good.
Prices are naturally expected to fall with the increase in supply.
As for the types of the fruit entering the country, Mr Goh Kwee Leng, 67, owner of Durian Mpire by 717, said Singaporeans can expect to see a huge variety from Malaysia next month, including Mao Shan Wang, D13, D24 and XO durians.
He told TNP: "Mao Shan Wang durians usually fall from the trees first, whereas D24 ones drop slightly later."
~Straits Times~
Geylang Serai to be awash in festive lights and colourful installations for Ramadan
Close to 50 light installations bearing symbols associated with Malay culture and Islam will stretch 1.8km along Geylang Road, Changi Road and Sims Avenue.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
With the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan just days away, the streets of Geylang Serai will be enveloped in festive lights and installations to bring the "kampung spirit" to life.
Close to 50 light installations bearing symbols associated with Malay culture and Islam will stretch 1.8km along Geylang Road, Changi Road and Sims Avenue, from Friday (May 3) to June 16.
Hari Raya Puasa falls on June 5 this year, and Sunday night is the start of Ramadan.
A giant kaleidoscope installation shaped like a star and emblazoned with Islamic and Greek motifs will be propped up at Onan Road. At Sims Avenue, the start of the light-up, visitors will be greeted by a 15.4m arch bearing a 3D mosque featuring golden domes, minarets and floral patterns.
Along Changi Road, an equally tall 3D arch will feature a kampung house, a gendang - a traditional Malay drum - and a crescent moon and star, symbols of Islam.
There will be smaller arches featuring crescent moons, stars and batik patterns along the streets. A key element on all the arches is the butterfly, which holds a special meaning for Malays.
"The butterfly is synonymous with making friends and forming friendships. In Malay culture, if a butterfly lands on you, it is supposed to be good luck," said Marine Parade GRC MP Fatimah Lateef, who spoke to reporters during a media briefing yesterday.
Rental per stall will be capped at $14,000, following feedback from operators who had raised concerns about rents climbing to as high as $20,000 in 2018.
Lower rentals and all halal food at Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar this year
"If a butterfly flies into your home, it is a belief that visitors are expected. Similarly, with the butterfly theme, we hope that people will come to visit Geylang Serai during this period."
On Friday, President Halimah Yacob will launch the Hari Raya Light Up at Wisma Geylang Serai. She will be joined by Associate Professor Fatimah and Mayor of South-East district Maliki Osman.
Guest artistes Hady Mirza, Junainah M. Amin, Nuradee Brothers and local band The Purnamas will perform a medley of 1960s Malay songs at the launch.
The popular Hari Raya Bazaar in Geylang Serai will also start welcoming customers on Friday. Spanning across Wisma Geylang Serai, Geylang Road and Engku Aman Road, the bazaar will have between 500 and 700 stalls, with 60 per cent of the food stalls, and 80 per cent of the non-food stalls, offering traditional Hari Raya goods.
Stall rental costs will be capped at $14,000 this year.
During Ramadan, Geylang Serai will also host a number of community activities such as the annual Cultural Heritage Race on May 18.
Teams of three consisting of Singaporeans and new immigrants will take to the Geylang Serai Heritage Trail while finding out more about Hari Raya and the Malay community.
On June 2, there will be a 12-hour-long ketupat-making session where participants will weave ketupat shells, used for wrapping a parcel of cooked rice. The shells will be auctioned, and proceeds will go towards supporting the needy.
Ms Nazeerah Ahamad, 28, who visits the Hari Raya Bazaar weekly during the Ramadan month, said she looks forward to more traditional food options this year.
"I can't wait to snack on the grilled sausages and kueh while shopping at the bazaar. With more traditional food and products, the bazaar will have a nostalgic vibe as well," said the administrative executive.
"Since the rents are lower this year, I am guessing the food will be cheaper. Taking a picture against the backdrop of the beautiful lights is also a must."
~Straits Times~
