Morning Digest, Aug 17

PM Lee urges against spending reserves, says they should be considered ‘rainy day money’

SINGAPORE: Just two days after the head of DBS Bank suggested that Singapore can reimagine what can be done with its sizable reserves, including more social welfare spending and/or investing in the region, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong issued a word of caution about spending those very same reserves.

“Singapore Reserves Revealed – PM Lee Reveals The Inside Story Of The Reserves,” a video series on CNA, was launched on Wednesday (Aug 16).

‘This place does not deserve 1.8 stars’ — TikToker says after tasting $16 fried rice at the ‘worst-rated restaurant’ in Singapore

SINGAPORE: In a country of people unafraid to give their opinions on food, one TikTok user bravely set out to try Singapore’s “worst-rated restaurant” but came away saying he would add it to his favourites.

TikTok user @drigmo went over to the Forum Seafood Village Restaurant at Boat Quay to sample the dishes that have earned the eatery an average of 1.8 stars on Google. Trip Advisor and sethlui.com have also been less than friendly.

Tharman draws attention to climate change, calls it Singapore’s biggest challenge

SINGAPORE: When asked recently, presidential aspirant Tharman Shanmugaratnam identified climate change as the biggest challenge is climate change.

Earlier this week, in an Aug 15 article published in The Straits Times, Mr Tharman called climate change the “biggest long-term crisis” the country faces, adding that adapting to the phenomena means infrastructural investments.

‘I just feel worse with each passing day’ says NUS biz grad who’s been job hunting since January

Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A fresh graduate took to Reddit to crowdsource ideas for job hunting, saying he’s been looking for employment since the beginning of the year and is starting to feel hopeless.

u/Ill-Cry-825 wrote on r/askSingapore on Monday (Aug 14) that he graduated from NUS Business School last May. His credentials are pretty good: “I was a marketing & ops student, and I’ve done 3 marketing internships. I have leadership experience and I’ve taken various certs/courses.”

Shanmugam shuts down rumours of an affair with fellow MP, says someone impersonating his ex-wife also put up a “nasty, false post”

SINGAPORE: K Shanmugam was quick to shut down circulating rumours on Wednesday (Aug 16) night after an old blog post was shared claiming that he had an affair with fellow PAP MP.

Mr Shanmugam also said there was another post allegedly by his ex-wife Jothie Rajah, which was also false.

Leong Mun Wai files complaint against Murali Pillai; Speaker Seah Kian Peng to decide outcome

By

Obbana Rajah

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August 17, 2023

Screen Shot 2021-09-21 at 11.21.39 AM — Photo: YouTube screengrab / Leong Mun Wai

SINGAPORE: Leong Mun Wai filed a formal complaint with Seah Kian Peng on Wednesday (Aug 16) over statements made by Murali Pillai in Parliament earlier in the month.

Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Mr Leong said that the Hansard for the debate on the Lease Agreements for Retail Premises Bill during the parliamentary sitting on 3 August 2023 shows that Mr Murali appears to have said that “[t]he hon Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Leong Mun Wai had advocated some form of low-rent control”.

“This statement imputed improper motives to me as he had claimed I was advocating for rent control when I had not made any such statement during the debate.

Subsequently, when I rose to clarify this statement with Mr Murali, he appears to have stated three times that he did not assert that I had advocated “some form of low-rent control” in my speech, despite expressly doing so earlier in his statement, and refused to retract said statement”, Mr Leong wrote.

He added that Mr Murali’s clarifications “confused the public and created the misleading impression that I was accusing Mr Murali of claiming that I was advocating for rent control when he did not”.

“If the Speaker finds that Mr Murali has said words that were at odds with my speech and imputed improper motives to me, I have also requested that Mr Murali make a statement to the House to retract his original statement and apologise for the misleading impression that was created”, Mr Leong added in his Facebook post.

Mr Leong’s full letter:

In Parliament, Mr Leong said he did not like the inference that Mr Murali had made, which was that he was trying to recommend pushing down rents “and toward the direction of rent control”. The NCMP then said this was “the same pattern” used by the Government to label him – of trying to raid the reserves when he spoke on lowering home prices. In making this point, Mr Leong brought his fist down to hit the rostrum.

Mr Murali then reiterated that he was not making any specific insinuation about rent control on Mr Leong. Mr Seah then stepped in, noting that what both MPs had said would be recorded clearly in the Hansard.

Stories you might’ve missed, Aug 16

By

Nick Karean

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August 16, 2023

Shanmugam shuts down rumours of an affair with fellow MP, says someone impersonating his ex-wife also put up a “nasty, false post”

SINGAPORE: K Shanmugam was quick to shut down circulating rumours on Wednesday (Aug 16) night after an old blog post was shared claiming that he had an affair with fellow PAP MP.

Mr Shanmugam also said there was another post allegedly by his ex-wife Jothie Rajah, which was also false.

‘I just feel worse with each passing day’ says NUS biz grad who’s been job hunting since January

SINGAPORE: A fresh graduate took to Reddit to crowdsource ideas for job hunting, saying he’s been looking for employment since the beginning of the year and is starting to feel hopeless.

u/Ill-Cry-825 wrote on r/askSingapore on Monday (Aug 14) that he graduated from NUS Business School last May. His credentials are pretty good: “I was a marketing & ops student, and I’ve done 3 marketing internships. I have leadership experience and I’ve taken various certs/courses.”

Man gets ‘shock of his life’ after being charged $10.80 for cai fan at Food Republic

Photo: FB screengrab/Complaint Singapore

SINGAPORE: A man took to social media when his plate of economy rice (cai fan) cost a surprising $10.80.

Facebook user Jason Joo wrote that the price of the dish, which is, after all, supposed to be economical, gave him “the shock of his life”.

Ex WP NCMP Yee Jenn Jong calls timeline for Presidential Election ‘impossible’ and says that only candidates sure of eligibility have time to prepare

SINGAPORE: Former Workers’ Party Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong expressed concerns over the tight schedule for the upcoming Presidential Election, writing in an Aug 14 (Monday) Facebook post, “If we think about the timeline, you will realise how seriously it is making a mockery of the system.”

He underlines the amount of work and logistics that go into a “proper campaign at the national level,” which include “printing of posters, banners, hanging them up, plus preparing manifesto, visits, media campaigns etc.,” and adding that some of these activities may only be done when a candidate’s eligibility is confirmed.

Man shocked at being charged $50 fee for parking only 14 minutes at Golden Mile Tower

SINGAPORE: A netizen took to social media after he was shocked to experience a parking charge of $50 he had to pay even for parking less than a quarter of an hour.

“Most expensive parking in Singapore. $50 for 14 minutes in golden mile tower. #LHN,” wrote Mr Frank Ly on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on Aug 14 (Sunday).

Man shocked at being charged $50 fee for parking only 14 minutes at Golden Mile Tower

By

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August 16, 2023

Screenshot-2023-08-16-at-11.03.09-AM — Photo: FB screengrab/Complaint Singapore

SINGAPORE: A netizen took to social media after he was shocked to experience a parking charge of $50 he had to pay even for parking less than a quarter of an hour.

“Most expensive parking in Singapore. $50 for 14 minutes in golden mile tower. #LHN,” wrote Mr Frank Ly on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on Aug 14 (Sunday).

He posted side-by-side photos of the published rates of parking in the venue and the receipt of his payment, showing that an error must have occurred when he paid for his parking.

The sign said Golden Mile Tower charges $2.82 per hour from 7 am until 7 pm daily and $2.31 from 7 pm to 7 am daily for cars.

The receipt, however, tells a very different story.

It shows that he entered the car park at 13:19:43 on Aug 13 and exited at 13:33:13 with a parked time of 14 minutes.

The paid amount indicated on the receipt is $50 (Inclusive of GST).

The balance left on his card was $5.47, and, inadvertently adding insult to injury, the words “HAVE A NICE DAY” is written across the bottom of the receipt.

Many commenters on the post were puzzled by the high charge.

Others pointed out that there must have been a system error and urged Mr Ly to report it so he could get a refund.

The Independent Singapore has reached out to Mr Frank Ly and Golden Mile Tower for further comments and updates. Golden Mile Tower, in turn, referred us to LHN Parking as the car park management. /TISG

Car driver shocked at ‘insane’ parking charge of $14 for less than 1/2 hour at MBS

Felicia Chin takes no-pay leave for 3 months to film her new Mediacorp drama

By

Aiah Bathan

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August 16, 2023

SINGAPORE: Felicia Chin is bound to play the female lead role in the upcoming Mediacorp drama, I Do, Do I? In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, she admitted that she took three months of no-pay during filming.

Now working as a content creator, Felicia answered some questions sent by readers regarding her comeback in her acting career. She told the Chinese daily: “I hadn’t filmed for a year, and so I thought it was about time.”

“When I meet people on social media or outside, I’m often asked, ‘when will you film again’ which is very touching. Yes, I also think it’s time for new work,” the 38-year-old actress added.

The drama, I Do, Do I? is a 20-episode series wherein Felicia will play Tho Yumu, a coffee shop owner who falls in love with an Italian while backpacking in Italy. Jason Godfrey will play the male lead.

Being on hiatus for a year, Felicia mentioned that she had adjustments during the shoot. “My lifestyle over the past year was very different. But I got used to it after filming started,” she declared.

She also said: “Last year, when I announced that I was leaving showbiz, I said that if there was a suitable role, I would still act. After I joined my new company, I spoke with my colleagues, and we all agreed that since I’m creating content related to social media, it’s important to remain in the public eye.”

The drama series will be aired on Channel 8 every Monday to Friday at 9 pm starting Dec 21. Episodes will also be available to preview on meWATCH starting Dec 18.

Felicia Chin left Mediacorp after two decades in the business last June 23, 2022. According to the actress, she would want to move and focus on having a faith-based ministry. The actress has been very open to talking about her Christian faith.

After leaving Mediacorp, Felicia Chin plays new role with Jason Godfrey in Channel 8’s newest drama

Tharman draws attention to climate change, calls it Singapore’s biggest challenge

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August 16, 2023

Calvin Cheng predicts a two-horse Presidential race — Tharman and Tan Kin Lian – Singapore News

SINGAPORE: When asked recently, presidential aspirant Tharman Shanmugaratnam identified climate change as the biggest challenge is climate change.

Earlier this week, in an Aug 15 article published in The Straits Times, Mr. Tharman called climate change the “biggest long-term crisis” the country faces, adding that adapting to the phenomena means infrastructural investments.

This is not the first time the former Senior Minister sounded the alarm on the looming climate crisis. In February, at the Briefing by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water at the United Nations General Assembly, as co-chair of the commission, he warned that the global water crisis, linked to climate change, is going to get even worse and added that immediate interventions are needed.

In recent years, he has been consistent on the issue, repeatedly speaking about the coming crisis.

In The Straits Times’ “Quick-fire questions with Tharman Shanmugaratnam | Presidential Election 2023”, he was asked, “If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?”

He answers, “My superpower would be for the world to go back in time to the 1950s and know in advance that climate change is coming in the 21st century.”

Nevertheless, amid the sense of urgency, he communicates, he remains optimistic that climate change is a problem that can be tackled and underlines the need for everyone to get involved.

Speaking last month at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, Mr Tharman said the effort should involve global, national, individual, and grassroots levels.

“What we need is optimism that is accompanied by constant dissatisfaction, ” giving rise to “initiatives that bring all stakeholders together.”

/TISG

George Yeo backs Ng Kok Song’s bid for presidency, amid scrutiny over “Tharman wants it” comment – Singapore News

“Singapore’s presidency a consolation prize for Tharman” — Prominent historian

Mark Lee’s reunion video with his children after he returned from an overseas filming trip warms netizens’ hearts

By

Aiah Bathan

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August 16, 2023

SINGAPORE: A heartfelt homecoming was felt by netizens when they watched an Instagram video of Mark Lee embracing his children after a few weeks of filming overseas.

In the snippet, the actor and his wife Catherine were greeted with a big hug by their son Marksonn from the airport pick-up point. Their daughter, Calynn, also met the couple in a coffee shop later that day.

“Finally finished his movie shoot at HatYai and KL. Children miss him so much. They were so happy to see him,” the IG caption stated.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Catherine Ng Ai Ling (@catng1313)

Netizens expressed their thoughts in the comments section.

One IG user stated: “It’s so touching to see the children running towards Mark and hugging him! Cat, both of you have brought up your kids so well.”

Another IG user remarked: “Mark gor, hard work, it feels good to be home, home sweet home ❤”

More IG users declared: “They are also very fortunate kids as they have caring, loving and responsible parents. Daddy works hard outside while mummy has to juggle between work and taking care of the children”, “Welcome back to Singapore. It’s always awesome to see great bindings between parents n kids”, “So heartwarming ❤️”, and “It’s really touched to see the child running to the hugs given by his father!”

Mark Lee went to Malaysia and Thailand to film the sequel of his Golden Horse Awards nominated film, Number 1.

In an Instagram post dated June 6, artist Mark Lee posted a photo to announce the sequel of the drag queen movie.

Mark Lee posts teaser of sequel script to drag queen movie, Number 1

PM Lee urges against spending reserves, says they should be considered ‘rainy day money’

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August 16, 2023

Screenshot 2023-08-16 at 15-48-42 PM Lee shares the inside story of the reserves Singapore Reserves Revealed - Pt 1_3 — Photo: YT screengrab/CNA

SINGAPORE: Just two days after the head of DBS Bank suggested that Singapore can reimagine what can be done with its sizable reserves, including more social welfare spending and/or investing in the region, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong issued a word of caution about spending those very same reserves.

“Singapore Reserves Revealed – PM Lee Reveals The Inside Story Of The Reserves,” a video series on CNA, was launched on Wednesday (Aug 16).

While affirming that the country has sufficient reserves “for most circumstances,” the Prime Minister added that to think that this will always be the case is the “biggest misconception,” as spending needs are already growing faster than the growth of revenues.

He, therefore, wants to ensure that Singapore’s reserves continue to be built up for as long as possible.

“I’m anxious that we keep it like this for as long as we can. Because it’s one of those things – once it’s gone, it will never come back again,” he told CNA.

“One day, if we have a rogue government” that would result from a “freak election” that “put the wrong team in charge”, all the reserves could be gone within one term, he quoted founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew as having said in the National Day Rally of 1984.

And as the exact amount of reserves is not revealed to protect national interests, he assured that the reserves are “enough to give us a substantial support in the Budget every year contributing to the government’s revenues.”

Prior to the last global financial crisis, the government didn’t think it needed additional support but ended up needing “S$4, S$5 billion.”

And again, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, “in the end we needed S$40 plus billion. So you have no idea how much you will need.”

He underlined, however, that the pandemic was “far from the worst thing that can happen,” urging that the more productive way to think of the reserves is to consider it “rainy day money”.

“If it’s not raining, I don’t touch it. If it’s a sunny day and I can afford to, I put a little bit more into it,” he added. “However much there is, I keep on having this attitude that I would like to build it up a little bit more when I can so that the next generation will be in a more secure position than I am today.” /TISG

DBS head says Singapore hasn’t realized that it’s rich, suggests rethinking what to do with reserves

Ex-WP NCMP Yee Jenn Jong Calls Presidential Election Timeline ‘Impossible,’ Questions Tight Schedule

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August 16, 2023

PE2023: Lee Hsien Yang’s Potential Run Shakes Up Singapore’s Presidential Race

Ex-WP NCMP Yee Jenn Jong Calls Presidential Election Timeline 'Impossible,' Questions Tight Schedule — Yee Jenn Jong FB

SINGAPORE: Former Workers’ Party Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong expressed concerns over the tight schedule for the upcoming Presidential Election, writing in an Aug 14 (Monday) Facebook post, “If we think about the timeline, you will realize how seriously it is making a mockery of the system.”

He underlines the amount of work and logistics that go into a “proper campaign at the national level,” which include “printing of posters, banners, hanging them up, plus preparing manifesto, visits, media campaigns etc.,” and adding that some of these activities may only be done when a candidate’s eligibility is confirmed.

Mr. Yee posted a screengrab from The Straits Times of the timeline for the Presidential Election announced by the Elections Department on August 11 upon the issuance of the Writ of Election by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

It shows that between the date when candidates are informed of the outcome of their application, set for Aug 21, there’s only one day until Nomination Day (Aug 22), which kicks off the nine-day campaign period. This is followed by a Cooling Off Day (Aug 31) and the actual Polling Day (Sept 1).

The ex-NCMP then asked, “How do you give just one or at best a few days’ notice from the time that a person knows that he is eligible to get the items printed and to mobilize logistics companies to put them up across Singapore?

Having taken part in elections before, the logistics and volunteers required for just a campaign at the SMC or GRC level is already quite onerous, not to mention a serious campaign at the national level.

There is no need for such deadlines.”

Mr. Yee wrote that only a candidate sure of his eligibility will be prepared for the campaign. He added that if Singapore wants participation in its democratic processes, “there is no need to give impossible deadlines.

It is unreasonable to expect any aspiring candidate to incur huge cost printing these not knowing if he will be eligible because it is down to a few ‘wise’ men/women to interpret the rules on eligibility for those from the private sector.”

He wrote that in the same vein, it is unnecessary for the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) to make sudden changes and then call for the General Election to be held quickly afterward.

“It has even been as bad as one day’s notice from EBRC changes to calling a GE. There should be a reasonable time period for any electoral boundary changes to become effective in a GE (I had suggested 6-12 months before), to allow time for interested parties to make preparations to reach the electorates.”

He added that this type of “manipulation of democratic processes” has served to remove people’s motivation to participate in politics, despite the desire for the best candidates and good government.

Mr Yee ended his post by wishing the candidates well. “Anyway, all the best to the 4 aspiring candidates. Other than the One who is certain to be eligible, I hope others can be too. #pe2023” /TISG

Yee Jenn Jong on Soh Rui Yong’s exclusion from Asian Games line-up: We don’t need them to be saints, just athletes

SM Tharman to run for president, DPM Lawrence Wong to be appointed chairman of MAS and committee in GIC

Tharman Shanmugaratnam handed over EDB’s IAC Baton to DPM Lawrence Wong

Man gets ‘shock of his life’ after being charged $10.80 for cai fan at Food Republic

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August 16, 2023