If Only Singaporeans Stopped to Think

Health subsidies and face masks for some; ministries outline contingency plans
By Audrey Tan and Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2015

The authorities are rolling out measures such as health subsidies and contingency plans for schools to mitigate the effects of the haze.

In the meantime, weather predictions held out hope that things could get better from Friday, when the wind pattern changes. Until they do, however, those under 18 or over 65, as well as low- to middle-income earners, can get subsidised treatment at over 450 general practitioner clinics and polyclinics for haze-related ailments.

The reinstatement of the Haze Subsidy Scheme was among measures announced at a joint briefing yesterday by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and various ministries and statutory boards.

The People's Association will distribute 30,000 face masks to vulnerable households comprising seniors and residents with medical conditions who live alone.

The Manpower Ministry also laid out guidelines for employers regarding contingency plans.

And the Education Ministry outlined the steps it would take if the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) worsened, including closing schools if air quality reaches hazardous levels. A ministry spokesman said that in the event of a school closure, national examinations would be rescheduled and exam periods possibly extended.

But the NEA had good news that wind direction could change on Friday. Until then, however, hazy conditions are expected to persist, owing to dry weather and south- southwesterly winds blowing smoke haze from Sumatra.

In fact, conditions can still deteriorate if denser haze is blown in by unfavourable winds, the NEA said in a separate update on its website.

Today, the weather agency expects air quality to be in the mid to high sections of the unhealthy range, and warned it could even go up to the low section of the very unhealthy range. Air quality is considered unhealthy when the 24-hour PSI reading is in the range of 101 to 200, and very unhealthy when 24-hour PSI readings are between 201 and 300. When it crosses 300, air quality is deemed hazardous.

Yesterday's rain brought a temporary respite, with the 24-hour PSI staying between 114 and 138 as of 8pm. Assistant Professor Winston Chow of the National University of Singapore's geography department said the respite from rain would be very brief unless it rains over hot spots to help firefighting efforts in Indonesia.

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan told reporters after the briefing that Singapore was working to identify those responsible for causing the haze, and would not hesitate to take action.

He said Singaporeans had to be psychologically prepared as the haze situation is unpredictable.

Additional reporting by Samantha Boh

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Some official measures in place
By Linette Lai, The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2015

STUDENTS

Schools will minimise outdoor activities if the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reading is above 100, and cancel all physical activities if it goes above 200.

If air quality hits hazardous levels with a PSI reading of above 300 during school hours, lessons will be scaled down and students kept indoors. If hazardous levels are forecast for the next day, schools may be closed. National exams will be rescheduled and exam periods extended if needed.

School Continuity Plan for Haze Situation:Schools re-open for Term 4 tomorrow. MOE and schools will take mitigation...
Posted by Ministry of Education, Singapore on Sunday, September 13, 2015

PATIENTS

The Haze Subsidy Scheme, which subsidises treatment for haze-related conditions at participating general practitioners and polyclinics, has been restarted from today.

Those in the Pioneer Generation pay up to $5; other eligible Singaporeans, such as low- or middle-income earners and children, pay up to $10.

Participating GPs will display a Public Health Preparedness Clinic logo.

The list of clinics is also available on www.moh.gov.sg/haze

From 16 September 2015, children, the elderly and lower and middle-income Singaporeans will be able to receive...
Posted by Ministry of Health on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

WORKERS

The Manpower Ministry, together with the Singapore National Employers Federation and National Trades Union Congress, has issued an advisory to help firms better implement haze-related contingency plans.

Employers can visit www.mom.gov.sg/haze for information on leave and salary matters.

SOLDIERS

The Singapore Armed Forces will scale down physical and outdoor activities if the 24-hour PSI exceeds 100. Military personnel who are performing essential outdoor duties will be issued with N95 masks when the PSI exceeds 300.

The health and safety of our servicemen are of paramount importance. SAF training will be adjusted according to the haze...
Posted by cyberpioneer on Monday, September 14, 2015

HOUSEHOLDS

The People's Association will distribute 30,000 care packages to vulnerable households, such as those with seniors who have respiratory conditions. The package includes an N95 mask and non-perishable food like instant noodles and Vitamin C tablets.

Firms take steps to protect employees
Some issue N95 masks and give PSI updates; malls and pre-schools also take action
By Samantha Boh ,Priscilla Goy ,Linette Lai And Seow Bei Yi, The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2015

Many organisations here have already taken steps, such as issuing masks or adjusting outdoor activities, to cope with the haze.

At 8pm yesterday, the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was between 114 and 138, putting it in the unhealthy range.

SingPost issued N95 masks and eye drops to its delivery personnel; staff older than 65 or who have respiratory and heart conditions were redeployed to do indoor work.

Delivery firm foodpanda Singapore also issued masks and antiseptic wet tissues to its delivery drivers.

"Riders have been advised to inform their manager immediately if they feel unwell, and are instructed to rest until their symptoms ease," said Ms Emma Heap, managing director of foodpanda Singapore.

Security firms such as Certis Cisco and Force-One Security have also taken steps to protect employees.

Apart from N95 masks, Certis Cisco also issues hourly PSI updates and advisories. "When the PSI reaches hazardous levels, outdoor patrols may be temporarily suspended," said its spokesman.

Meanwhile, Force-One Security has issued its "Haze Carepack", comprising masks, wet wipes, hand sanitiser sachets and brochures on how to wear a mask properly and how to keep healthy.

Malls under CapitaLand and Frasers Centrepoint closed all outdoor features such as playgrounds and cancelled all outdoor activities at their mall premises when the air quality turned unhealthy.

They have also stepped up checks on their air-conditioning filters to ensure they are running optimally.

"To maintain the air quality, we will also lock the automatic sliding doors and direct shoppers and tenants to use the manually operated side doors when the PSI readings exceed 150," added Mr Jason Loy, head of operations for Singapore at CapitaLand Mall Asia.

Those who are feeling unwell can also obtain haze kits comprising masks and water bottles from the customer service counters at CapitaLand malls.

Meanwhile, the Early Childhood Development Agency has issued an advisory to pre-schools. It lists haze management measures including minimising outdoor activities, and modifying indoor programmes to be less physically intensive once the 24-hour PSI hits unhealthy levels of 101 to 200.

Over at NTUC's My First Skool, school principalshave also been watching out for pupils who are unwell. Portable air purifiers may also be deployed if needed.

On Monday, a surge in traffic on the National Environment Agency's haze microsite caused it to crash for three hours.

There had been around 40,000 searches per second on the website before it crashed, about 40 to 50 times the number before the haze season started.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources said yesterday that it has since put in place new software to try and prevent further crashes.

However, the haze microsite was down again last night.

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Happy 92nd birthday to the late #LKY.
Posted by Mothership.sg on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

NDP 2015 - Tribute to Lee Kuan Yew by Boo Junfeng
<<NDP 2015 – Looking Forward with a Tribute to LKY>>We received many compliments for the NDP and co-celebrations around the Marina Bay last night. My congratulations to BG Melvyn Ong and his team, and Dick Lee and his creative team, for executing the biggest show ever staged in NDP history, probably for a long time to come – more than 200,000 gathered at the Padang, Floating Platform and Marina Bay area. But most of all, my heartfelt thanks to Singaporeans for making it their show. They reminisced over the vintage parade, gushed when SAF fighter planes did their aerial display, sang our songs with gusto and cried at the end of the tribute for LKY. In planning for NDP 2015, soon after the death of Mr Lee, I exhorted the organisers to ensure that we must look forward, and the NDP should end on a high about our future. This is what Mr Lee would have insisted on. But in truth, all of us with aching hearts wished Mr Lee could have joined us for this parade. So we decided a tribute to LKY that included an empty chair with the orchid Aranda named after him could fill up partially that longing. Here’s the video.- Ng Eng HenVideo: MediaCorp Channel 5#NDP2015NDPeepsSingapore50Remembering Lee Kuan Yew
Posted by Ng Eng Hen on Sunday, August 9, 2015

A year ago, today, signed 15 September 2014, Mr Lee Kuan Yew wrote a Thank You note to all, thanking us for our Birthday Greetings. Tomorrow is 16 September, Mr Lee would have turned 92. #wemissyouLKY
Posted by Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew on Monday, September 14, 2015

There has been some unhappiness about a few of Singapore's policies.

Having lived in Britain for 10 years, I share my take from a more personal perspective.

• Central Provident Fund (CPF)

When I moved to Britain in 1988, my wife and I had to cough up 100 per cent cash for the down payment on a house and we had to service our monthly mortgage with cash.

When the interest rate shot up from 8 per cent in 1988 to an astronomical 15 per cent in just one year, many people lost their homes.

I was the sole breadwinner and, after servicing such a high mortgage, my wife and I had little cash left.

We wished there was a Singapore-style CPF system in Britain that could help us pay for the down payment and service the mortgage, and legislation that compelled employers to contribute 20 per cent or more to my pension scheme, like in Singapore.

• Pension

In my years in Britain, I never heard anyone complaining about the state pension/national insurance scheme that deducted 25 per cent or more (depending on income) of people's monthly income. No one ever said: "Give us our pension money back."

More than 10 years ago, Britain gave its citizens and permanent residents the option of opting out of the state pension scheme and joining private pension schemes.

This option was not because of pressure from the electorate, but realisation that because of the ageing population, the existing monthly pension to all pensioners was not sustainable.

• Tax/goods and services tax (GST)

In Singapore, we enjoy one of the lowest personal tax rates in the world. In Britain, the basic tax rate is 20 per cent and the maximum is a high 45 per cent. Our GST is only 7 per cent, compared with Britain's 20 per cent.

• MRT

In Britain, when the London Tube breaks down, which it does more often than in Singapore, no buses or other forms of alternative transport are ever provided.

Commuters have to find their own way home, but no one blames London Tube, as Londoners accept that mechanical and electronic things do break down occasionally, no matter how well they are maintained.

Paul Huan Soo Hai
ST Forum, 15 Sep 2015

The blame game when things go wrong

In his letter, Mr Paul Huan Soo Hai highlighted a distinctive difference between two peoples - Britons and Singaporeans ("Appreciation of S'pore policies from a British perspective"; Tuesday).

Why are Britons not as prone to complaining as Singaporeans notoriously are?

Psychologists have a term to describe people who assume responsibility for the choices they make and for the outcomes of their choices - self-efficacy.

People who have self-efficacy see themselves as capable of determining the outcome of a decision. They have a surer sense of control or influence over life circumstances.

Hence, they avoid making the "fundamental error of attribution" when things don't turn out the way they expect - blaming others and external factors as causes of their unhappy encounter, while excusing or absolving themselves of blame.

What contributes to or diminishes self-efficacy?

In a culture where children are generally "spoon-fed" and not allowed to make mistakes, we tend to raise dependent people who can't see how they can survive without external help.

They tend to be deprived of the critical opportunity of learning from experience, which is to suffer the consequences of a bad choice.

Overprotective caregivers, be they parents or the government, though well meaning, can unwittingly nurture a complaining lot of people who are not used to taking primary responsibility for their decisions or choices in life.

People accustomed to and raised in such a protective environment are prone to commit the "fundamental error of attribution" when things don't go their way.

We need to ask ourselves, if this is largely true, is this the course to continue on in how we care for our children and our people?

Thomas Lee Hock Seng (Dr)
ST Forum, 17 Sep 2015

PM Lee urges PAP MPs to make wise use of support won; Parliament to open in January
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2015

The election results have given the People's Action Party (PAP) "precious political capital" that it must make good use of, wisely, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

In a speech to newly elected PAP MPs, which he traditionally gives soon after a general election (GE), Mr Lee said the Government will have to take hard decisions from time to time.

When it does, he told MPs they must justify them to the people and win their support to maintain trust and confidence in the PAP.

His comments on what MPs need to do, how they should behave and the significance of the landslide victory were made in the Parliament building on Monday behind closed doors. An excerpt was posted on Mr Lee's Facebook page yesterday.

Parliament will open in January, Mr Lee said, urging the MPs to think about what they want to say in their maiden speeches.

"We may all wear white, but each of us brings a different experience and perspective. Each strengthens the party in a different way, with different groups in our society."

Mr Lee said it was healthy for the PAP that every seat was contested, as this strengthened the party's fighting spirit and fighting skills.

"We must not assume that the next election will be easy," he said. "We must keep on working to persuade new voters of our ideals and convictions, and keep on updating our party and programmes to stay in touch with voters."

He said the Government will name and swear in the new Cabinet in a fortnight's time. His emphasis is on pushing leadership renewal, with younger ministers given positions of heavier responsibility.

The results, he said, were "better than we had dared to hope; indeed better than anyone expected".

PAP MPs on the ground and government agencies "put in much hard work over the last four years, and longer", he said.

"But election outcomes are never fully predictable, and we must never take anything for granted."

The PAP won 83 out of 89 seats in the Sept 11 GE, and got 69.9 per cent of the popular vote - a 9.8 percentage point swing from GE2011's 60.1 per cent, its lowest since 1963.

The PAP also regained Punggol East SMC, which the Workers' Party (WP) won in a 2013 by-election. The WP retained Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC with reduced margins.

"Politics always requires a stout heart, wherever the contest may be. But the stoutest-hearted were our candidates who stood in the opposition wards and did very well," Mr Lee said.

He thanked retiring MPs whose "patient efforts tending the soil in years gone by have yielded the fruit we harvested this GE".

GE2015, he said, was an "important success" not only for the PAP, but also for Singapore and Singaporeans. "Since GE2011, investors overseas have been asking if Singapore is still open for business. A weak result this time would have affected their confidence," he said.

"Instead, GE2015 has boosted confidence in Singapore. This will create more opportunities for our people, despite a challenging regional and international environment."

The strong result also ensures Singapore's leadership renewal is given "the best chance to succeed".

"We have more good people whom we can groom and expose early, to enable us to build the strongest team to serve Singapore."

Mr Lee reminded MPs to "work even harder for Singaporeans".

"In victory, we must be humble, and stay close to the people whom we serve. The PAP must never become arrogant," he added.

MPs should also lose no time going to the ground, engaging residents and building support, he said.

"Winning GE2021 starts now.

"Together, we will work with Singaporeans to put the country on a strong start towards SG100."

Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

General Election 2015

Strong mandate must be used wisely
The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2015

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the secretary-general of the People's Action Party (PAP), gave a closed-door speech to newly-elected PAP MPs on Monday in the Parliament building. He spoke on the significance of the party's landslide victory in last Friday's General Election, and urged his team to make wise use of the support won. This is an excerpt of his speech.

The General Election results were better than we had dared to hope; indeed better than anyone expected. People's Action Party (PAP) MPs on the ground and government ministries and agencies put in much hard work over the last four years, and longer.

But election outcomes are never fully predictable, and we must never take anything for granted.

Politics always requires a stout heart, wherever the contest may be. But the stoutest-hearted were our candidates who stood in the opposition wards and did very well - Charles Chong in Punggol East, Lee Hong Chuang in Hougang, as well as the Aljunied team, guided by Lim Boon Heng.

Retiring MPs deserve our thanks. Their patient efforts tending the soil in years gone by have yielded the fruit we harvested this GE.

The team at party HQ deserves our thanks too. Good execution bridges the gap between vision and reality.

WHY GE2015 IS IMPORTANT FOR SINGAPORE AND SINGAPOREANS

GE2015 is an important success for the PAP, and - more importantly - for Singapore and Singaporeans. Since GE2011, investors overseas have been asking if Singapore is still open for business.

A weak result this time would have affected their confidence. Businesses and jobs could have been impacted.

Instead, GE2015 has boosted confidence in Singapore. This will create more opportunities for our people, despite a challenging regional and international environment.

The strong result also gives leadership renewal the best chance to succeed. We have reinforced and rejuvenated our team.

We have more good people whom we can groom and expose early, to enable us to build the strongest team to serve Singapore.

GE2015 has assured Singapore's future beyond SG50. Retired MP Hwang Soo-Jin wrote to congratulate me, saying: "Thanks for giving me peace of mind in my old age." Indeed, our New Way Forward includes both creating opportunities for the young, and looking after those who helped build today's Singapore.

HUMILITY IN VICTORY

With this good result, the PAP must work even harder for Singaporeans. In victory, we must be humble, and stay close to the people whom we serve.

The PAP must never become arrogant - whether in the personal behaviour and attitudes of MPs and activists, or in the policies and actions of the party and Government.

POLITICAL COURAGE

A good mandate gives us precious political capital, which we must make good use of, wisely.

Inevitably, from time to time, the Government will have to take hard decisions. All governments have to do that, but especially ours on a small island with limited resources, in an unpredictable and often unfriendly world.

When we do, we must justify them to the people and win their support, to maintain trust and confidence in the PAP. We must be prepared to fight for what we believe in, and take the fight to the opposition when necessary. It is healthy for the PAP that there were no walkovers in GE2015.

Every MP has had to fight and win, and has learnt how to win votes and not to take voters for granted. The party has strengthened its fighting spirit, and fighting skills.

In contesting, we should not be belligerent or shrill. But whether loud or quiet in temperament, each of us must have the courage to stand our ground, to discuss and argue different points of view, and to persuade others.

Voters want leaders who believe in their cause and will fight for it, and for them.

We must not assume that the next election will be easy. Each election is different. Each generation has different values and ideas. We must keep on working to persuade new voters of our ideals and convictions, and keep on updating our party and programmes to stay in touch with voters.

In a fortnight's time, we will announce and swear in the new Cabinet. My emphasis will be on pushing leadership renewal, and putting younger ministers into positions of heavier responsibility as quickly as we can.

Parliament will open in January. Think about what you want to say in your maiden speeches. We may all wear white, but each of us brings a different experience and perspective. Each strengthens the party in a different way, with different groups in our society.

Meanwhile, MPs should lose no time getting going on the ground, engaging residents and building support. MPs and the Government must work to deliver on what we have promised to do, build on our mandate and consolidate our position.

Winning GE2021 starts now.

Together, we will work with Singaporeans to put the country on a strong start towards SG100.

This excerpt was first published on the PAP website on Tuesday, and was also posted on Mr Lee's Facebook page.

EU member states' failure to agree on a resettlement plan for migrants casts doubts on the concept of 'one Europe'
By Simon Reich, Published The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2015

Much of the conventional wisdom among academics over the last decade or so has focused on the convergent trends in European government policies towards both migrants and asylum seekers.

Spurred on by the European Union's legislation and the abandonment of internal borders, the concept of "one Europe" when it comes to migration, refugees and asylum seekers - at least within the confines of the Schengen zone of 26 of the 28 EU states - had become increasingly credible.

But recent events have formidably challenged that view.

Over four million people have fled the war in Syria.

Hundreds of thousands hope to find safety and security in Europe.

The comments of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban earlier this month, however, truly shredded the myth of "one Europe."

Speaking as the Hungarian government denied access to over 2,000 people awaiting transportation northward from Budapest's Keleti train station, Mr Orban pronounced the issue a "German problem" rather than an European one.

His comment truly exposed the increasingly problematic claim that there is a single European migration or refugee policy.

Faced with the pressure to accommodate the unprecedented surge in volume, Europe has returned to a traditional formula: The search for national governmental solutions in dealing with a global problem.

Each to their own or, as the old proverb goes, "the devil take the hindmost".

The disintegration of Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria - from at least coherent political units into failed states - has posed two kinds of problems for Europe.

DOUBLE WHAMMY

The first is an increasing security concern for Western European countries. Terrorism has become a more common issue on the streets of Europe's capitals and, more recently, on its train system.

The primary recent security focus has been on Islamic State in Iraq and Syria recruits returning to Europe, purportedly armed, trained and instructed to cause chaos. The response of Europe's governments to this problem has been to reassert their solidarity.

As recently as June, they pledged their support for the European Commission's counter-terrorism strategy, first created in 2005.

But the second issue has been the growing population flows of the people who are innocent victims of the violence in the Middle East.

And here, the thin veneer of solidarity has been pierced as the agreed principles have effectively been ignored. Providing some context helps understand why.

Europe has been besieged by a flow of migrants and refugees fleeing war and deprivation for which it is ill-prepared.

Over 107,000 migrants reached the EU's borders in July alone.

Greece, Italy and Malta have been at the front lines of the problem. More than 160,000 migrants and refugees have entered Greece so far this year, compared to 45,412 last year.

The Maltese and Italians, like the Greeks, have accepted people, but all three have repeatedly appealed for EU assistance.

Now, Hungary has become the latest hot spot. But the Hungarian government has increasingly focused on a policy of denying them entry. EU officials, like European Parliament President Martin Schulz and European Council President Donald Tusk, have called for a coordinated European policy in response.

So have some major European leaders, notably Dr Angela Merkel of Germany. But their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Indeed, EU members have spent months disputing how many refugees, migrants and asylum seekers each country should accept.

Germany and Sweden have moved ahead, accepting record numbers of immigrants.

But German requests in spring for a more equitable, mandatory distribution of those arriving were rebuffed. A voluntary one was established instead, with Britain opting out of the scheme. Not altogether surprisingly, those efforts had little positive effect.

Indeed, the proposed aggregate voluntary distribution figure of 40,000 in spring was reduced to 32,500 in summer. But more than 10 times that number has arrived at the EU's borders so far this year.

Left to their own devices, members states have responded in markedly different ways.

GERMANY SHOWS THE WAY

The Germans have resolutely demonstrated their willingness to accept refugees in percentages far beyond their proportion of the EU's total population.

German officials have said they now expect up to 800,000 people to seek asylum there by the end of this year. This compares with the 626,000 who arrived in all 28 EU states last year. In fact, about 83,000 people arrived in Germany seeking asylum in July alone.

Another 50,000 arrived in the first half of last month. And as we've seen earlier this month, the flow of people has increased.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has insisted that the country will respond adequately in the face of this challenge. The government will work to process asylum applications faster, change procedures and increase accommodation for new arrivals.

This view is shared by all of Germany's major political parties and the harassment of newly arrived migrants by fringe groups has been widely condemned, with Dr Merkel describing violent protests as "shameful" and "vile".

Only Sweden has proportionately matched the German position.

The response of other major European countries has paled by comparison. This summer, the British have focused most of their political energy on arguing with the French about the relatively few people who might get to Britain through the Eurostar's Channel Tunnel at Calais.

Only last week did Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron belatedly pledge to accept 20,000 more Syrian refugees over the next five years.

Now, French President Francois Hollande is echoing Dr Merkel's sentiments in support of "a permanent and obligatory mechanism" to allocate migrants across the EU. He announced last Monday that his country would take in 24,000 asylum seekers over two years.

The Slovak government said they would accept only Christians, and in small numbers. The Poles have agreed to accept 2,000 refugees because they already host tens of thousands of Ukrainians who have fled conflict. Other Eastern European countries have refused to accept anyone.

For those familiar with the history of Europe, it is indeed a curious turn when Germany's chancellor is the only humane voice in Europe, calling on each country to do only what "is morally and legally required" of them - and listening to the silence in response.

The writer is professor in the division of global affairs and the department of political science at Rutgers University-Newark.

This article first appeared in theconversation.com, a website of analyses from academics and researchers.

Use of intelligent machines in various sectors set to accelerate with Abe govt's 5-year push
The Straits Times, 15 Sep 2015

TOKYO • The rise of the machines in the workplace has experts in the United States and Europe predicting massive unemployment and tumbling wages.

Not in Japan, where robots are welcomed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government as an elegant way to handle the country's ageing populace, shrinking workforce and public aversion to immigration.

Japan is already a robotics powerhouse. Mr Abe wants more and has called for a "robotics revolution". His government has launched a five-year push to deepen the use of intelligent machines in manufacturing, supply chains, construction and healthcare, while expanding the robotics market from 660 billion yen (S$7.7 billion) to 2.4 trillion yen by 2020.

"The labour shortage is such an acute issue that companies have no choice but to boost efficiency," said Mr Hajime Shoji, head of the Asia-Pacific technology practice at Boston Consulting Group. "Growth potential is huge," he added.

By 2025, robots could shave off 25 per cent of factory labour costs in Japan, said the consulting firm.

Automation also has huge potential for distribution. Toho Holdings' 10 billion yen distribution centre employs about 130 workers, roughly half the number at another one of similar size. Productivity per worker is 77 per cent higher with robots handling 65 per cent of item-picking, the drug wholesaler says. "We wanted to lower manpower requirements by using robots because we already found it hard to recruit people," said Toho executive managing director Mitsuo Morikubo.

Inside a grey three-storey building in Saitama, north of Tokyo, about 28,000 items, such as vaccines, liquid food and suppositories, are stored. On the second floor, people open cardboard boxes and take out items for the machines to handle.

The dexterity of the 16 robots is in evidence when one of them lowers its arm, stopping just above a box. Eight suction pads stretch down, latch on and drop it on one of the three narrow conveyor belts.

Depending on the type, size and weight of an item, the machine alters which pads it uses, how fast it moves and where it puts the item. The robots can pick up to about 10,000 items an hour with almost perfect accuracy. By adjusting the timing of the conveyor belts, the whole system can mix different products and make up orders for individual customers.

Workers like Ms Asuka Arai handle less strenuous work. She also makes up orders using a handheld device to read product bar codes. The scanner then tells her how many boxes to grab and where to put them. "It's easy for women to work here," said Ms Arai, 27. "You don't need to lift heavy things and the system is set up to keep you from making mistakes."

Further automation is planned for another 11 billion yen warehouse Toho will build in Hiroshima in a few years, said the company.

Japan has been a leader in factory robots for decades. Now, with China and South Korea making automated machines of their own, the new focus is on service robots.

It is a market the government aims to expand twentyfold to 1.2 trillion yen by 2020, while planning to double the market size of manufacturing ones to 1.2 trillion yen.

Among companies pushing that frontier is Cyberdyne Inc. Its bionic suit HAL detects signals from the wearer's brain to his muscles and assists movement, reducing exertion. It means less strain for factory and construction workers and helps physical therapy patients.

Cyberdyne president Yoshiyuki Sankai thinks robots are not a threat but a solution to social issues in Japan. He thinks they will someday be so embedded in people's lives that they will forget they are wearing them. "Our target is to make a new market," Mr Sankai, 57, said. "A new era won't come without action."

Mr Yutaka Tanikawa, who runs Tokiwa Koutai Co, an aluminium processing firm, wants them to boost productivity, ease backaches for older workers and, most of all, attract younger staff by adding a cool touch to dusty, sweaty factory jobs.

"Looking ahead, everything points to a labour shortage," said Mr Tanikawa, 49, who hunts for recruits at schools and job fairs in the face of the tightest labour market in 23 years.

BLOOMBERG

By Joanna Seow and Olivia Ho, The Straits Times, 16 Sep 2015

A gloomy picture emerged yesterday of the labour market as the effects of economic restructuring continue to bite.

The number of people holding jobs in the first six months of the year fell for the first time since the 2009 recession.

A breakdown shows the number of locals in jobs dipped while foreign employment rose, though at a slowing pace, according to Ministry of Manpower (MOM) data.

Labour productivity also declined in the manufacturing, construction and service sectors, with the overall figure staying below zero since a year ago.

Experts said the employment situation could deteriorate further.

"There is a good chance it will get worse, given the risks in the external environment," said DBS economist Irvin Seah.

From January to June, total employment here saw a net fall of 1,000 workers, excluding maids, weighed down by the manufacturing sector, which shed 11,300 workers. Over the same period last year, total employment grew by 52,200.

The decline this year was led by an 8,900 drop in the number of Singaporeans and permanent residents in jobs, largely due to casual workers below the age of 25 leaving the workforce after having taken up jobs in the second half of last year, said the MOM.

Excluding maids, foreign employment growth slowed to 8,000, the lowest half-yearly growth since the 2009 recession, bringing the total number of people working in Singapore to 3,627,500 as of June.

Many of the additional workers could be in lower-skilled jobs which Singaporeans shun, said Mr Seah.

Unemployment crept up to a rate of 2.9 per cent for Singapore citizens and 2 per cent overall in June, up from 2.6 per cent and 1.8 per cent in March, after accounting for seasonal variations.

Still, there are two bright spots. Job vacancies continued to outnumber job seekers and fewer workers were laid off in the second quarter than in the first three months.

Also, Singaporeans are earning more due to the tight labour market. Real median gross monthly income for full-time employed Singaporeans grew last year by 1.4 per cent, though this was lower than the 4.7 per cent growth in 2013.

Economists said slowing employment growth is not cause for alarm.

Since unemployment rates remain stable, "we have to be careful not to see static employment numbers as a sign of a bad economy", said SIM University labour economist Walter Theseira.

The MOM warned that overall productivity growth is unlikely to rise significantly this year. "As the economy restructures, some consolidation and exit of less-productive businesses is also expected," it said.

Here are 5 things you need to know about the latest Statement on Labour Market Developments. Check out the infographics below or view the full statement here http://bit.ly/1UQTYAL
Posted by Singapore Ministry of Manpower on Monday, September 14, 2015

Posted by Singapore Ministry of Manpower on Sunday, September 13, 2015

Rumours of cloud seeding ahead of F1 are untrue, says the minister
TODAY, 17 Sep 2015

The National Environment Agency (NEA) does not engage in cloud seeding and has no plans to do so, said Minister for Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan today (Sept 17), refuting rumours that cloud seeding is being carried out by the Government.

“Singapore is so small that even if anybody tried to do it, the rain would almost certainly fall outside Singapore,” he said in a Facebook post.

The post included a screenshot of a Whatsapp message that claimed the Government was conducting cloud seeding to alleviate the haze due to the upcoming Formula 1 race, which starts this Friday. The message, which claimed to be from a “friend working in NEA”, urged people to stay away from “chemically induced rain showers”.

“You may have seen this making the rounds,” said Dr Balakrishan, referring to the Whatsapp message. “It is untrue.”

He stated: “Singaporeans should beware of malicious people spreading false rumours during a period when anxieties are heightened.”

You may have seen this making the rounds. It is untrue.NEA does not engage in cloud seeding and has no plans to do so....
Posted by Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

The NEA also addressed the rumour on its website, saying the claims are untrue.

Cloud seeding attempts to artificially induce rain by implanting clouds with suitable particles. In Singapore, the NEA said,there are no reliable means to validate the effectiveness of cloud seeding.

"Cloud seeding also requires existing clouds as it cannot generate rain out of thin and dry air. During dry seasons, cloud seeding is less effective due to the lack of suitable clouds for seeding," said the NEA.

* Government lays out measures to tackle effects of haze

Singapore has been choked in haze recently due to smoke from forest fires in Indonesia, with the three-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) breaching the 200-mark on several occasions. Over the last few days, the 24-hour PSI showed air quality in the unhealthy range (101-200).

Hazy conditions eased today with the 24-hr PSI at 76-96, in the moderate range (51-100), at 1pm.

According to the NEA’s 1pm update, the 24-hour PSI for the next 12 hours is expected to be in the high end of the moderate range but may enter the low end of the unhealthy range if unfavourable winds blow in haze from Sumatra.

Cloud-seeding ahead of the F1 race? Not true, says #Factually.
Posted by Gov.sg on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

National Environment Agency - NEA debunks online rumours that recent rain was caused by cloud seeding to clear haze. str.sg/ZBSo
Posted by The Straits Times on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

JUST IN: Rumours that cloud seeding is taking place to induce rain ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix are false, Minister for Environment and Water Resources Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said.
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Have you been receiving conspiratorial messages via FB, SMS or WhatsApp about the haze? I have. E.g on cloud seeding to...
Posted by Tan Chuan-Jin on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

President's Science and Technology Awards
He led team that linked every house to network of sewers; science award goes to cancer research team
By Melissa Lin, The Straits Times, 17 Sep 2015

Mr Tan Gee Paw remembers when the last night soil bucket was collected back in 1987. Up until then, some toilets in Singapore still consisted of a wooden shack and a metal bucket. Every night, workers braved the stench to collect the buckets filled with human waste and take them to treatment plants.

This rudimentary system, a reflection of poor public health standards, would keep foreign investors away, according to 72-year-old Mr Tan, the chairman of national water agency PUB, who won Singapore's top science accolade last night.

He led a team that linked every house to a network of sewers, collected the last night soil bucket, retrenched the workers and closed down the service. "The night soil bucket, as Mr Lee Kuan Yew has said, was a symbol of the poverty of the past," said Mr Tan. "Imagine the indignity of man, having to carry... night soil buckets."

For this and other efforts, Mr Tan was awarded the President's Science and Technology Medal by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at a ceremony held at Resorts World Sentosa yesterday.

The President's Science Award went to a team comprising Professor Patrick Tan, 46, from Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and A*Star's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS); Professor Teh Bin Tean, 50, from the National Cancer Centre Singapore; and Professor Steven Rozen, 64, from the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, for their work in Asian cancer genomics.

Their research, which involves decoding Asian cancers for potential cures, has led to strategies for the improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these cancers.

Professor Neal Chung Tai-Shung, 64, from the National University of Singapore (NUS), won the President's Technology Award for his innovative research on membranes that have benefits that range from protecting public health to making desalination more environmentally friendly and effective.

Mr S. Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, gave the Young Scientist Awards to four researchers under the age of 35: NUS assistant professors Goki Eda and Yvonne Tay; Nanyang Technological University assistant professor Nripan Mathews; and Dr Wan Yue from A*Star's GIS.

Mr Iswaran, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry, said the "world-class talent base" that Singapore has built at its public research institutions, universities and hospitals has been key to its research and development efforts.

He added: "We will continue to nurture a pipeline of local talent, complemented by a rich diversity of international researchers."

"Science and technology are important to the development of innovative solutions for Singapore’s continued progress and...
Posted by PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency on Thursday, September 17, 2015

Participants see rally as show of support for Malay power; many businesses in Chinese shopping areas shut
By Shannon Teoh, Malaysia Correspondent and Amy Chew, Regional Correspondent In Kuala Lumpur, The Straits Times, 17 Sep 2015

Among the tens of thousands who joined yesterday's pro-Malay rally was retired soldier Nasir Rasyid, a sprightly 80-year-old.

"I came here to show Malay solidarity, that we are still solid as a race. I came here to defend Malay dignity, the nation and the country," said Haji Nasir, who, together with 45 others from his village, had travelled to Kuala Lumpur.

"If Bersih can show off, we can also show off and we can do more as we are ex-military," he added.

Although the rally was belatedly described as being open to all peace-loving Malaysians, those who turned up clearly saw the march through Kuala Lumpur as a show of support for Malay power.

Many shops in two popular and predominantly Chinese shopping areas in particular, Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street, were closed despite the presence of riot police to ensure the situation did not get out of hand.

Still, a huge group of marchers managed to break through police barricades to enter Bukit Bintang, although they did not approach Low Yat Plaza, the IT mall at the centre of a racial brawl two months ago.

In the evening, however, the riot police had their hands full when hundreds of "red shirts" attempted to enter Petaling Street.

As the crowd grew more impatient and their chants grew louder, some started to hurl missiles ranging from rocks and bottles to traffic cones at the riot police, who then turned the water cannon on them. The red shirts eventually dispersed.

Federal Territory Umno Youth chief Mohd Razlan Rafii blamed agents provocateur for causing the trouble.

"We did not know it was a prohibited zone," he told reporters, even though the authorities had warned in the run-up to the rally that Petaling Street and Bukit Bintang were no-go zones.

Some of the rally participants whom The Straits Times spoke to admitted being ambivalent about the rally's aims.

"I was told to come here from Penang for the Malaysia Day celebration. But I was shocked to see how racist the event is, picking on one race," said 37-year-old Mr Ismail Abdullah, who came to Kuala Lumpur by bus with 31 people.

"As a Sabahan, we never differentiate people according to their race. Everyone is a Malaysian in my eyes and I have many Chinese friends," he added.

He claimed he and the others had been told they would be paid RM200 (S$66) each when they return to Penang.

"I regret coming here... It disturbs the peace. Look, so many shops are shut," he said, pointing to the rows of shops with their shutters down.

He said he saw how some red shirts breached the police barricades to march into Bukit Bintang.

Some scuffles broke out during the march and at least one warning shot was fired.

But for some, like Umno Ampang division chief Ismail Kijo, there was only one reason to be at the rally: to defend the dignity of Malays.

"We, as Malays, are seeing our dignity trampled. All these bad things said about Prime Minister Najib Razak are lies," he said.

"Najib has done a lot of good things. For example, he is trying to revive the economy. This is for all Malaysians.

"If Umno falls, Barisan Nasional will fall," he added, referring to the ruling coalition .

"I am here to defend Umno and BN."

“Let me reiterate, there is no place for hatred and racism here in Johor Darul Ta’zim. It was never welcomed, nor will I...
Posted by Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

'No room for hatred and racism in Johor': Sultan of Johor
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, Malaysia Correspondent In Kuala Lumpur, The Straits Times, 17 Sep 2015

The "red shirts" rally had its share of critics, including prominent Malays such as the Sultan of Johor, while a group of activists held a peaceful gathering at KLCC Park to remind people of the message of unity on Malaysia Day.

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar warned in a Facebook posting that there was no room for hatred and racism in Johor. "Let me reiterate: There is no place for hatred and racism here in Johor Darul Ta'zim. It was never welcomed, nor will I ever welcome haters and racists here in Johor," he said in a message posted early yesterday morning.

"If anyone wants to practise hatred and racism in Johor Darul Ta'zim, the home of the Malays, Chinese and Indians - Bangsa Johor, please leave Johor immediately. That is an order."

The Sultan added that the Johor royal family and state government have worked hard over the years to ensure the state remains peaceful and stable. He also called on the authorities to come down hard on any racial instigators.

"Anyone who creates disharmony and spreads hatred here by promoting racism, will have to deal with me personally. Take this as a warning. This is not the stone age, do not be ungrateful - the Malays, Chinese and Indians all played their part. Johor Darul Ta'zim is home to the Malays, Chinese and Indians; they are Bangsa Johor."

A former diplomat, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, claimed some protesters were paid to attend the rally. "Rumour has it that these are basically 'rent a mob' and they have been paid by certain quarters. (Feelings of) disunity and racial intolerance have been deliberately stirred up," she said at a national unity conference.

She also called on politicians not to mislead the Malay community into racial hatred. "Politicians should stop playing tricks by trying to influence rural Malays that the Chinese, the Christians and the Jews are the bogeyman."

Across the city, more than a dozen people gathered at a public park to show their support for a picnic, "Malaysians for Malaysia - a walk in the park", to commemorate the nation's 52nd birthday.

"This would give a better image of Malaysia instead of marching and shouting vitriolic slogans. When we talk about the formation of Malaysia, it is really about living together and not about the dominance of one race," the movement's organiser Azrul Mohd Khalib told reporters. "That is not the way (Malaysia's first premier) Tunku Abdul Rahman imagined it."

Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, the daughter of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, was among those who joined the gathering that started at about 3pm.

"Everyone is allowed to do what he or she wants on Malaysia Day. All are allowed to gather and show what they feel as long as it is peaceful," she told reporters when asked about the rally.

Najib overwhelmed by support, says Umno leader
The Straits Times, 17 Sep 2015

KUALA LUMPUR • Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were overwhelmed by the support shown for yesterday's United Citizens' Assembly, Umno leader Annuar Musa said.

Speaking towards the end of the rally at Padang Merbok, the Umno Supreme Council member claimed that the event attracted no fewer than 250,000 people.

"I just got a call from PM, who sent his regards to those who attended. PM is in Sabah, celebrating Malaysia Day, and also the DPM, who said they were shocked and touched by a gathering as big and as peaceful as this," Tan Sri Annuar was quoted as saying by the Malay Mail Online.

"This rally is not only the voices of the 250,000 here. Let this be a reminder to all citizens, this country has a leader... anyone who threatens that, we will rise and fight to the end," he added.

In a Twitter post yesterday evening, Datuk Seri Najib said: "Was informed that the rally in KL ended peacefully except for an incident. @PDRMsia should investigate. Shouldn't have happened. All must abide by instruction."

PDRMsia is the Twitter handle of the Malaysian police.

In the afternoon, riot police were forced to spray water on a group of unruly protesters in Petaling Street.

Mr Annuar also read out a 14- point resolution. Rally organisers claim it has been agreed to by political parties and non-governmental organisations aligned to their cause.

It includes defending parliamentary democracy, instilling respect, love and unity among Malaysians, uniting the people to defend the country's stability, rejecting the opposition Democratic Action Party's alleged chauvinist racism, rejecting foreign interference in Malaysia's affairs, rejecting Bersih 4 and similar rallies, and rejecting any speech that insults Islam, the Malay Mail Online reported.

The resolution calls on people to support the government in managing the economic slump, unite to uphold the position of Malays, bumiputeras and other races, defend the duly elected government and seek the Internal Security Act's return.

"History has proven that we are willing to work with others on one condition, that our position as Malays is not questioned, and that our rights are not disturbed," said Mr Annuar, adding: "It doesn't end at Padang Merbok, but it is just the beginning of the rise of our race."

Response to voter concerns, election strategy among the factors that helped PAP win big
By Tommy Koh, Published The Straits Times, 17 Sep 2015

On Cooling-off Day, a good friend invited me to lunch with a group of eminent Singaporeans. I decided to use them as a focus group and asked them to predict whether the PAP's popular vote would go up or down.

The majority said it would go down. I asked them whether the PAP would lose any more seats to the opposition. The majority predicted that the PAP would lose one group representation constituency (GRC) and one single-member constituency (SMC).

Like the pundits and the bookies, my friends at lunch were wrong in their prognosis. The following are 10 of my reflections on the People's Action Party's surprising and extraordinary victory.

SG50

First, 2015 is not an ordinary year. It is our Golden Jubilee year. Singaporeans from all walks of life, and of different political persuasions, are very proud of what we have achieved in the past 50 years.

The SG50 Steering Committee has adopted a low-key, bottoms-up and people-centric approach to the year-long celebrations. The positive mood was boosted by the excellent performance of our athletes at the SEA Games, and by the conferment of World Heritage status on our beloved Botanic Gardens by Unesco.

Anyone who attended the National Day Parade would have been inspired by the pride, patriotism and unity of the occasion. I am sure that SG50 increased the popularity of the PAP at the polls.

THE LEE KUAN YEW FACTOR

Second, I think that the Lee Kuan Yew factor played a part in the electoral success of the PAP. Mr Lee's passing triggered a spontaneous outpouring of love and respect for him by Singaporeans. The people of Singapore acknowledged that the success of Singapore was due, in large part, to the vision, courage and determination of Mr Lee and the other founding fathers.

I am sure that some of the goodwill for Mr Lee was transferred to the political party that he founded and led. The combination of the first and second factors made 2015 an exceptionally good year for the PAP. Tactically, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was right to hold the election this year, instead of next year.

FEAR OF A FREAK ELECTION

Third, the opposition made a big mistake in contesting all 89 seats in Parliament. Although many of the candidates, from parties other than the Workers' Party (WP) and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), had no prospect of winning, the fact that all seats were contested made it possible for the PAP to warn against a freak election.

The bottom line is that, while the electorate wants a credible, constructive and responsible opposition in Parliament, it also wants the PAP to continue to form the government. If the opposition had been wiser, it would have refrained from contesting 45 of the 89 seats so that, on Nomination Day, the PAP would have won enough seats to form the government. In such a scenario, the electorate would have been more at ease in voting for good opposition candidates.

THE SILVER VOTE

Fourth, since 2011, the Government has done several very significant things to win the hearts and minds of senior citizens. The Pioneer Generation Package, MediShield Life, and the Silver Support Scheme have been very well received. The belated recognition of the pioneers and their contributions to Singapore has touched the hearts of many older Singaporeans.

My hypothesis is that the majority of the half a million voters, over the age of 65, would have voted for the PAP.

REMEDYING THE PAIN POINTS

Fifth, the PAP has brought relief to three of the pain points that emerged in the 2011 General Election. These are housing, immigration and transport. National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has increased the supply of public housing, and cooled the overheated property market.

The Government has also reduced the intake of foreign workers. Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew worked very hard on both the bus system and the MRT system. He has brought relief to the bus system. The problem of the frequent breakdown of our train system has, however, not yet been solved, in spite of his best efforts.

On the three pain points, the PAP has brought relief to two-and-a-half of them. The electorate, which is fair-minded, has therefore decided to reward the PAP for having listened to its concerns and for responding to them.

THE CHALLENGE OF INEQUALITY

Sixth, the PAP has also responded to the growing concerns about inequality in Singapore. It has introduced schemes like Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model.

It has opened two schools for students who failed their Primary School Leaving Examination, or PSLE. It has upgraded the quality of technical and vocational education offered by our Institute of Technical Education. It has introduced a new educational initiative called SkillsFuture, based on the successful apprenticeship system in Germany and Switzerland. It has expanded its support for early education.

It has also reassured the public that social mobility is well, and stronger, in Singapore than in Europe and America. Therefore, although Singapore continues to be a very unequal society, and life is hard for the bottom 30 per cent of our population, the Government was given credit by the electorate for the many initiatives it has taken to address the problem.

CREDIBILITY OF THE WORKERS' PARTY

Seventh, the ascendance of the WP was seriously affected by the PAP's allegation that it had mismanaged the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council, and that it had exposed an integrity issue.

Although the WP rebutted the PAP's allegation and had, in turn, accused the PAP of bullying and using the town council system to impede the progress of the opposition, the exchange left some voters in doubt about the competence and integrity of the WP. This factor could have explained the loss of Punggol East, the drop in the support for the WP in Hougang and Aljunied GRC, and its failure to capture East Coast GRC and Fengshan SMC.

Going forward, it is important for the WP to clear its name, and to restore the electorate's faith in its competence and integrity.

PAP'S ELECTORAL STRATEGY

Eighth, the PAP did a better job managing the electoral campaign this year than in 2011.

PAP organising secretary Ng Eng Hen proved to be a capable campaign manager. Although the PAP was outgunned by the opposition in the staging of rallies, it devoted more manpower and resources to door-to-door campaigning and retail diplomacy. The party also decided to capitalise on the popularity of PM Lee by putting up his poster in every constituency.

It was like a referendum on him, and it could have backfired. Fortunately for the PAP, the strategy seemed to have paid off.

AN INSECURE WORLD

Ninth, the sentiments of the electorate have always been affected by the external environment. The 2001 GE is a case in point.

Following the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the electorate rallied to the PAP, which has a good track record of keeping peace at home, and a strong defence against any external threat. In that election, the PAP's popular vote was 75.3 per cent.

In this election, the PAP's narrative about the terrorist threat from ISIS and the uncertain global economy worked to its advantage.

VOICE OF REASON

Tenth, I am glad that the PAP leader whose team scored the highest popular vote of 79 per cent was Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He was always calm and measured.

He never uttered an insult or a threat.

Instead, he explained the PAP's policies and rebutted the alternatives put forward by the opposition in a clear and rational way. He was intellectually brilliant but came across as humble and open-minded.

I hope other politicians would seek to emulate him.

The writer is a Special Adviser at the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 17 Sep 2015

Launching its new Joo Koon headquarters, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that the NTUC FairPrice chain of supermarkets is a role model for social enterprises in Singapore.

Recounting how founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew launched the first NTUC supermarket in Toa Payoh in 1973, PM Lee said yesterday that the chain has fulfilled its early promise of giving Singaporeans value for their grocery money.

And it has done so in a competitive free market without any special support from the Government, he said.

"NTUC FairPrice is a good example of our social enterprise model: a successful business with a social conscience and a social mission, sharing the benefits of success and progress widely," he said at the new headquarters, known as FairPrice Hub.

NTUC FairPrice is the largest supermarket chain here, with almost 300 outlets and stores.

Besides the special low prices it maintains to keep a basket of 1,000 essential household items affordable for buyers, it also gives discounts to pioneers, and rebates and dividends to its more than 700,000 members.

This has amounted to more than $460 million over the past 10 years.

FairPrice chairman Bobby Chin said yesterday that its mission throughout its 42 years has always been "to ensure that working families have access to affordable daily essentials".

He added that FairPrice will be donating $50 million to the FairPrice Foundation over the next five years to help the needy and promote community bonding.

Yesterday, PM Lee also praised FairPrice's performance in two other areas: prioritising worker training and automating operations to boost productivity.

There is a training institute located in the new headquarters, and it is equipped with a first-of-its-kind automated distribution centre that has double the productivity of manual ones.

The warehouse uses new software to automatically store and transport goods by controlling robots and autonomous vehicles mounted on a multistorey monorail system.

With this system, FairPrice can move up to 120,000 cartons of products a day, double the productivity of a conventional distribution centre where workers manually move cartons.

PM Lee said the hub is a "state-of- the art building, which reflects the forward-planning of NTUC FairPrice as an organisation".

The Prime Minister added that he was "especially delighted" that yesterday's event was his first formal function after the Sept 11 General Election.

"The union movement has had a very close, symbiotic relationship with the PAP Government, and this is a small token and small indication that this continues very much to be the case," said PM Lee.

Did you know that NTUC FairPrice offers a basket of over 1,000 items at ‘Everyday Low Price’? These essential items are...
Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday, September 17, 2015

Today, FairPrice Hub, which also houses our state-of-the-art Distribution Centre was officially opened by PM Lee Hsien...
Posted by Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

For the past two months, engineers from DSO National Laboratories have been modifying toys, dismantling and rewiring them, and putting in bigger buttons so that special needs kids can use them.

By Nadia Jansen Hassan, Channel NewsAsia, 17 Sep 2015

Engineers from DSO National Laboratories, an organisation that is known for developing defence technology and solutions for the Singapore Armed Forces, have been working on something rather unusual for the past two months.

They have been modifying toys, dismantling and rewiring them, and putting in bigger buttons so that special needs kids can use them.

Children from Rainbow Centre got toys specially tinkered with by engineers more used to toying with defence technologies. http://bit.ly/1FPydVA
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Thursday, September 17, 2015

DSO worked with special needs school Rainbow Centre for the project. They worked on 50 toys, all of which were donated to the centre, and students had the opportunity to try them out on Thursday (Sep 17).

Said Mr Lee Tong, a senior researcher at DSO: "We probably did underestimate the amount of effort that it takes to modify 50 toys. We actually had to involve or call out to the rest of DSO to come and help out on an ad hoc basis."

Principal of Rainbow Centre (Margaret Drive School), Fauziah Ahmad, added: "When they play with the toys, it's just a very simple movement for us. But for them, it's really a big thing. And it's a cause and effect thing that came out from these toys ... when you see them, how they enjoy playing with it. It wouldn't happen if you use the normal toys."

Machines feature aids for deaf and blind people, as well as the elderly, and may be modified for users
By Priscilla Goy, The Straits Times, 17 Sep 2015

Seeing wheelchair users lifting weights alongside their able-bodied friends could become more common soon, with the opening of Singapore's first inclusive fitness centre today.

The iFit gym in Lengkok Bahru is open to all, from the deaf and blind to those with intellectual disabilities and the elderly.

It has several features which make it disabled-friendly.

Most of the doors slide sideways, instead of opening outwards. Gym machines can also be modified - their seats are removable - so that wheelchair users can use them, too.

For people who are visually handicapped, there are Braille dots on the treadmill user panels and some machines are in contrasting colours. For deaf people, a "hearing induction loop" system has been implemented so that, with a hearing aid, they can better hear directions from fitness instructors who speak into a microphone.

Without such a system, they would hear the instructions as one of several ambient sounds - which could include background music and other people's voices.

For people with mobility challenges, such as the elderly or those with physical disabilities, there are machines from Finland that use an air-pressure system which is gentler on the muscles and joints.

Wheelchair user and corporate support officer Colin Loh, 32, who has spina bifida, likes the spaciousness of the gym , as it allows him to move around easily.

He said: "A big plus point is that literally anyone can use it, regardless of their age or ability. It offers me another opportunity to interact with my able-bodied friends."

The gym is sited within a community space set up by SG Enable, a government-established body that offers services for people with disabilities. The iFit gym is run by Care Advisors Recruitment Enterprise (Care), a social enterprise that provides caregivers for the elderly.

The 21 regular and specialised machines in the gym cost a total of $250,000, funded partly by the National Council of Social Service.

Standard Chartered Bank donated another $250,000 for an outdoor fitness corner and fitness classes for 1,200 low-income elderly over three years.

Fitness instructors from Care have been trained by staff from KK Women's and Children's Hospital and Changi General Hospital, to design exercise programmes for the elderly and people with disabilities.

These include chair aerobics, done while seated or while standing and using the chair for support.

Ms Ku Geok Boon, chief executive officer of SG Enable, told The Straits Times: "Besides helping them to keep fit, these programmes can contribute towards developing work stamina and complement job training.

"With this holistic approach, we hope we can help people with disabilities live and work well."

For a start, iFit has been reaching out to people going for job training in the SG Enable community space.

For instance, since June, a few trainees from Soul Food - a social enterprise which runs a restaurant and trains people with intellectual disabilities and autism - have been taking part in a warm-up routine that helps them improve their focus and attention span.

Membership fees range from $49 to $115 a month, depending on how long the membership is for and whether it is to use the gym, for studio classes or both. Walk-in rates are $5 or $15 per entry.

People with disabilities and senior citizens aged above 50 pay $40 a month but those in the low-income group pay $5 a month.

While the gym operator looks forward to working with people with special needs, Care's managing director Satyaprakash Tiwari said: "We also welcome other people interested in pursuing a healthy lifestyle to explore what iFit offers."

For more information, visit the gym's open house on Saturday and Sunday, from 8.30am to 7.30pm, or check out www.ifit.com.sg

Ms Low Yen Ling gracing the launch of the iFIT gym at SG Enable as Guest of Honour.
Posted by SG Enable on Wednesday, September 16, 2015

MINDS opens its first Caregivers Support Services Centre and its fifth day activity centre at the Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub.
By Alice Chia, Channel NewsAsia, 18 Sep 2015

The intellectually disabled and their caregivers will be able to get more support, with the official opening of Movement for the Intellectually Disabled's (MINDS) first Caregivers Support Services Centre (CSSC) and its fifth day activity centre on Friday (Sep 18).

The CSSC will help caregivers through a range of programmes, including those that provide training and referrals to financial aid. MINDS hopes to reach out to about 2,000 caregivers through the centre.

The day activity centre, called the Eunos Training & Development Centre, helps the intellectually disabled who display more challenging behaviour to pick up life skills such as personal grooming and hygiene.

With a capacity of up to 100 adult clients, the centre is MINDS' largest day activity centre and can cater to twice as many clients as existing centres. This will help to ease the wait for day activity centre admissions after pupils from MINDS schools graduate at the end of each academic year.

Said MINDS CEO Keh Eng Song: "It should hold another three years before it is full, but it does not mean that every time we open up a centre, we will completely eradicate the waitlist. Because it depends on where they are.

"Right now, our waitlist is about 76. Majority of them actually are in the west and in the north. So that is why this centre in terms of capacity will not be filled up so quickly, but the pressure is now on the west and the north. We have easily 50 to 60 in the waitlist in those areas."

Mr Liew Chong Pow's eldest son is among the 46 currently enrolled in the centre.

A former lecturer, Mr Liew, 60, retired six years ago to spend more time caring for his family, especially his eldest son Jonathan, who has Down Syndrome. Mr Liew said that at times, he would feel very stressed.

"It was quite a hectic time because in my family, my wife had a stroke and my mom has dementia," said Mr Liew. "And then on top of that, he was at home, so we had a hard time taking care of him. It's more of his shouting and his whining, and we were more concerned about what the neighbours will think."

In 2014, MINDS stepped in to help with therapy for Jonathan at his house. Since September this year, from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays, Jonathan picks up skills to perform everyday tasks and socialise at the day activity centre.

"He is very happy at home," said Mr Liew. "All his energy is already spent in the day care, so when he comes back, he is quite subdued."

Mr Liew added that during the hours his son is at the centre, his family can take a break: "The helpers can tidy up the house, tidy up his room, and on our part, we can actually go for walks along the beach. That is very helpful."

Both facilities are housed in a two-storey building in Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub, within the new community cluster built by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

MINDS plans to open two more day activity centres in the west within the next two years, in Jurong East and Clementi.

The Government is also helping. For example, the Eunos Training & Development Centre was located on unused premises before it was converted into a hub for voluntary welfare organisations.

"Around the island, there will be pockets of parcels of land that are not being utilised or schools that are not being developed. There might be future plans, or if the plans are soft, is it conceivable that we could explore similar programmes like this? Certainly, on MSF's part, we are keen to explore that, but obviously we need to work with MND (Ministry of National Development) and URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority) as well," said Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin.

Remember the VWO Hub we pushed for? It's really...
Posted by Tan Chuan-Jin on Friday, September 18, 2015

The building also houses the office of MINDS' home-based care services, a two-year pilot programme started by MSF to help those with intellectual disability get therapy and other services. The programme is now into its first year and currently serves 15 clients.

MIT magazine puts A*Star researcher on its global Innovators Under 35 list for his work on electronic skin
By Feng Zengkun, The Straits Times, 18 Sep 2015

A prestigious American magazine has named Singaporean scientist Benjamin Tee Chee Keong as an innovator to watch, after he developed an electronic skin that could make prosthetic limbs as sensitive as human ones.

Dr Tee, 33, a scientist at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research's Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, is the only Singaporean on the MIT Technology Review's global Innovators Under 35 list this year.

The magazine is published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, and its annual list highlights young people whose work has the potential to change the world.

Dr Tee said he wanted to create an artificial skin that can replicate three properties of human skin - its high sensitivity, stretchability and self-healing ability.

One of the prototypes he developed is made up of millions of tiny rubber pieces each much smaller than the cross-section of a human hair. The tiny pieces allow the skin to sense pressure much more precisely, for example when a person grips a glass of water.

Stretchable electrodes are also embedded in the skin to convert the pressure into electric signals the brain can understand, so the person can "feel" the grip.

Dr Tee said he is researching how to send the signals to the brain. One method could involve wires that are surgically placed in contact with the nerves on the remaining part of the limb, although he aims to find a more direct way.

The artificial skin also contains chemical bonds that reattach themselves easily after they are torn. These "zippers" enable the skin to repair itself.

"This self-healing is crucial because, in everyday life, your skin would come in contact with lots of things and could get damaged easily," Dr Tee said.

He added, however, that several challenges need to be overcome before the skin can be put on prosthetic limbs or robots.

The prototype patch he has created is only about 100 sq cm.

"One of the hard parts will be figuring out how to manufacture the skin on a large scale," he said.

The electrodes also need a power source to work. This might require a battery in the prosthetic limb or piezoelectric materials, which generate an electric charge in response to applied pressure.

"Since the skin is just a lab-scale prototype for now, we'll also need to do a lot more testing to make it reliable for people to use every day," Dr Tee added.

He plans to work on other electronic skins that can, for example, sense temperature or acidity. Also on the cards are "smart" bandages that can detect chemicals in blood, to alert people to potential health risks such as heart attacks.

Dr Tee said he was "absolutely thrilled" to be named in the MIT Technology Review list. "It's nice to be recognised, and to have my years of staying late or overnight in the lab validated," he said.

The magazine's editor-in-chief and publisher Jason Pontin said in a statement: "Over the years, we've had success in choosing young innovators whose work has been profoundly influential in the direction of human affairs.

"We're proud to add Dr Tee to this prestigious list."

Previous honourees have included Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and Nanyang Technological University's Assistant Professor Zhang Baile, who came up with a new type of invisibility cloak.

By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 18 Sep 2015

Seven South Indian priests scaled the gopuram or tower of the Sri Ruthra Kaliamman Temple in Depot Road yesterday morning.

At the top, they sprinkled holy water from nine sacred Indian rivers, including the Ganges, on its rooftop kalasams, which are vessel-like pinnacles that point to the sky.

Temple chairman V.K. Ramachandra, 78, described it as an act of energy transfer from the holy water with the aim of infusing the temple and its deities with divinity.

It was part of the temple's consecration ceremony, which took place during the auspicious time between 9.30am and 10.45am.

Other rites were also conducted by a total of 37 South Indian priests.

About 5,000 devotees gathered at the site to witness the event, which they believe equates to praying and visiting temples for many years.

Among them as guests of honour were Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Law and Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam, Second Minister for Trade and Industry and Home Affairs and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office S. Iswaran, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Sam Tan, and former president S R Nathan.

All Hindu temples undergo renovations and repairs every 12 years.

Devotee Viva S., 67, an administrative officer, who was at the ceremony with his family, said: "Like many Hindus, we try to participate in consecration ceremonies across Singapore. We believe it is good to see it and that we will be blessed as well."

Mr Iswaran said the ceremony showed that Singapore gives its people the space and opportunity to follow their beliefs.

He said: "When we think about Singapore and our core values, one of our founding tenets was multiracialism. The best measure of how this continues to thrive in Singapore is really how the culture, language and religion of minority communities continue to flourish."

To help the temple with crowd management, its neighbour, the Taoist Chai Tien Tua temple, volunteered its compound to house Sri Ruthra Kaliamman's older devotees.

Mr Ramachandra said this showed the religious and racial harmony between the institutions.

Chai Tien Tua's chairman, Madam Tan Poh Hoey, 70, said: "We're all here to worship... It's the same. We volunteered the temple space to make sure the older worshippers got a shaded front-row seat to the procession."

Such religious harmony was also evident in the temple's early years, said Mr Ramachandra.

It started out as a shrine built by an employee of the former Alexandra Brickworks in Pasir Panjang in 1913. Over time, a Chinese temple, a church and a Muslim prayer room also sprang up nearby.

The temple's permanent home is now at 100, Depot Road, under a 99-year leasehold from the Housing Board.

Its latest round of upgrades, which cost $1.2 million, includes new additions such as 50 statues of the goddess Kali, handcrafted by artisans from India.

Higher loss due in part to lower surplus in rental and related businesses segment
By Janice Heng, The Straits Times, 18 Sep 2015

The Housing Board incurred a deficit of more than $2 billion in the last financial year, up from $1.97 billion the year before.

This was even as the deficit for its home ownership programme - which accounts for most of the Housing Board's losses - shrank, compared with last year's record figure. However, its surplus in other areas also shrank.

In particular, the surplus for the Housing Board's rental and related businesses segment fell to $679 million, down from $745 million the year before.

So, in the year ended March 31, the Housing Board's overall deficit before government grants was $2.02 billion, according to the audited financial results on its website. Apart from being more than in financial year 2014, the deficit was much higher than the $797 million and $443 million in deficit in the two preceding years.

Regardless of the deficit, the Housing Board receives a grant from the Ministry of Finance every year to balance its accounts.

In Parliament in January, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan had said that the Housing Board's deficit would "continue to be high" in the next few financial years. This is because flats launched in the three years of ramped-up supply - from 2011 to 2013 - are still being completed and handed over.

For the whole of this year, 26,000 public housing units are expected to be completed. The next two years will see another 25,000 units completed each year.

New flats come under the Housing Board's home ownership programme, the largest contributor to its deficit. In the latest financial year, the home ownership deficit was $1.75 billion, down from the record $1.93 billion deficit the year before. The Housing Board makes a loss on home sales because its accounts include a provision for "foreseeable loss". This is the difference between the selling price of flats and the estimated cost of their development.

In the home ownership segment, the Housing Board made a smaller loss on home sales and received more external income in the last financial year. This more than made up for an increase in the Additional and Special Central Provident Fund (CPF) Housing Grants given out. Homebuyers received $263 million in such grants, up from $162 million the year before.

The amount disbursed in grants could rise at the coming years. As announced in this year's National Day Rally, the Special CPF Housing Grant's eligibility will be widened and the maximum amount raised from the next Build-to-Order launch onwards.

According to the CPF Board, these top-ups amounted to about S$500 million last year, up 25 per cent compared to 2013.
By Linette Lim, Channel NewsAsia, 18 Sep 2015

More Singaporeans are making voluntary contributions to their Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts. According to the CPF Board, these top-ups amounted to about S$500 million last year, up 25 per cent compared to 2013.

One such Singaporean is former investment analyst Lim Chin Yong, who retired in 2012. The 56-year-old has been making voluntary contributions to his own CPF account for the past two years, to earn higher interest on his savings.

Last year, he also topped up his wife's retirement account, so that she can be eligible for the CPF LIFE Scheme.

"CPF LIFE to me - at the time when I was looking at it, in 2014 - when you contribute, a minimum of S$148,000, it will guarantee you something like S$1,000 to S$1,200 from 65 until (you turn) 80 or 85, or until you die. S$1,000 to S$1,200 - it doesn't take you far, so I decided to put money into my wife's account so that she can have her own income stream of S$1,200 when she retires,” said Mr Lim.

Mr Lim is not alone. According to the CPF Board, there were nearly 74,811 top-ups last year, up 24 per cent compared to 2013.

Said Associate Professor Jeremy Goh from the Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business: “When people make decisions like topping up their CPF accounts and looking at how much are the rates that are being paid, they are also looking at what the alternatives are. So if the alternatives out there are not as attractive as the one offered by CPF, then they will choose to top up. When people top up their CPF accounts, it just signals to me at least, that the rates seem pretty attractive.”

If what you want are risk-free returns and a higher annuity payout after retirement, financial advisors say you may be better off putting your spare cash into your CPF accounts. But for those with no spare cash on hand, it might be best to increase your income, experts recommend.

Said Mr Tan Siak Lim, financial advisory director at Financial Alliance: "There are not a lot of solutions, to be honest, other than to try to increase their income, because everything starts from your income. If you don't have excess funds, obviously you'd want all your money to be out, for your daily bread-and-butter necessities."

Currently, Singaporeans with sufficient balances in their Retirement Accounts at age 55 will automatically be placed under the CPF LIFE scheme. This is S$60,000 for those turning 55 on 1 January 2016 or after.

For those turning 55 between Jan 1, 2013 to Dec 31, 2015, there must be at least S$40,000 in the Retirement Account at 55 years old, or at least S$60,000 in the Retirement Account at payout eligibility age, which is currently at 65.

According to the CPF Board website, those with insufficient funds can also apply to join CPF LIFE.

The Town Councils Act provides for continuity before and after a parliamentary election, where a town council (TC) handover may be necessitated by changes in electoral boundaries, reconstitution of towns, or a change in political parties ("Ensure proper town council handover" by Mr Yeo Chee Kean; Wednesday).

First, when Parliament is dissolved and all MPs cease to hold office as town councillors, the TC will appoint from its non-MP town councillors an acting chairman to oversee the operations of the TC.

The acting chairman will hold office until the new MP(s) is elected. A newly elected MP will assume office as town councillor immediately after the election.

Second, the validity and enforceability of a TC's contracts are not affected by a handover, and these contracts remain valid and enforceable by the successor TC until, by the terms of the contracts themselves, the contracts expire or are terminated through mutual agreement.

This covers all contracts, including contracts for managing agent services, cleaning, estate maintenance, cyclical works and computer and financial systems.

Third, there are established processes for the transfer of property between TCs due to electoral boundary changes and/or reconstitution of towns.

These include proper accounting of assets and liabilities, which are audited by an independent auditor to ensure the statements declared by the handing-over TC are true and fair, and that receipt, expenditure, investment of monies, acquisition and disposal of assets, and proper accounting and other records are kept in accordance with the provisions of the Town Councils Act.

All TCs have a duty to their residents to carry out the handing and taking over in a professional, fair and timely manner, to ensure continuity of services.

Christine Yap (Ms)
Senior Director
Corporate Communications
Ministry of National Development
ST Forum, 19 Sep 2015

Ensure proper town council handover

In this election, there has been a lot of debate on town council management and accounts.

Voters were confused, going into the election season, and hoped to get some clarification, but became even more confused after hearing the arguments from both sides.

To avoid a repeat of the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council saga, perhaps the Government could legislate a proper procedure on how town councils should be handed over in the event of a change of political party overseeing a particular town council.

Management agents should not have affiliation to political parties and should not be allowed to resign just because there is a change in MP for the constituency.

If they do resign, they should hand over all computers and data so that there will be a smooth transition and proper accountability.

Yeo Chee Kean
ST Forum, 16 Sep 2015

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A sprinkling of divinity at Hindu temple's consecration

HDB incurs $2.02b deficit in last FY

More making voluntary contributions to CPF accounts

Town council handover: MND replies