Wednesday, April 30, 2025
32.1 C
Singapore
Home Blog Page 641

“I have an unrealised stock loss of S$13K. How do I re-start my investment journey?” — SG Man

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean man recently shared online that his unrealized losses have now hit $13,000.

Posting on r/singaporefi, he revealed that he bought the stocks between August 2020 and December 2021, when the majority of them were near their all-time highs (ATH).

Unfortunately, the prices of the stocks have plummeted and have not recovered since then.

Among his most significant losses are in Medtecs and CORSAIR. He bought Medtecs shares at around $1.50 each, but they have since dropped to $0.15, resulting in an unrealized loss of approximately $8,000. 

Similarly, his investment in CORSAIR at $40 per share has tumbled to $11, leading to an unrealized loss of about $700.

Since 2021, the man shared that he has not made any investment moves due to his fear of incurring further financial losses and because he has been occupied with his studies, internships, and employment. 

Despite seeing his investment portfolio take a hit, the man expressed that he still hoped to earn passive income through dividends or capital gains, as he earned a modest income from his job as an allied health professional in the community sector.

“I hope to earn and amass more money to lead a more comfortable lifestyle and hopefully own a home by 35 years old,” he said.

He then asked for advice from the local online community if he should sell off the stocks in red or keep them in hopes that they would recover.

“How to re-start my investment journey? Any advice on how to re-strategise or spring clean my portfolio?” he asked.

“Invest in yourself so you can get a well-paying job.”

In the discussion thread, many advised the man to sell his stocks if they had depreciated by 50–70% of their initial value since recovery is highly unlikely.

Also, if he still intends to continue his investment journey, they stressed that he should not blindly follow trends this time and do his due diligence.

According to them, it’s crucial for him to have a deep understanding of the stocks he’s planning to purchase and to devise a clear entry and exit strategy. Furthermore, a few advised him to reassess why he bought those stocks in the first place.

If he no longer believes in the initial thesis or if there wasn’t a clear rationale, they recommend letting go of those stocks, switching over to diversified index funds like VWRA, and staying away from stock picking.

One individual suggested that he invest in safe bets like Singapore Savings Bonds (SSBs) and Treasury bills (T-bills) as an alternative. Meanwhile, others suggested another approach: investing in his skills.

One Redditor said, “Sorry to burst your bubble with some pragmatism, but the best way to earn capital gains reliably (not through gambling, aka amateur-grade stock picking, no offense) is to take a high paying job and invest your big salary into an S&P500 (or World) Index. 

So realistically, the best investment advice to you would be to invest in yourself so you can get a well-paying job.”

Read also: Singaporean advises younger generation “to focus on enhancing their skills rather than learning about investments”

Featured image by Depositphotos

SG man asks: “Is $40-50K Chinese wedding possible?”

SINGAPORE: A man recently took to social media to ask whether it’s feasible to have a Chinese wedding with a budget of $40,000 to $50,000.

In a post on r/askSingapore, he shared his concerns about whether this budget would cover all the expenses, particularly given the size of his and his girlfriend’s families.

He explained that they have many relatives, 43 aunts and uncles and their partners, which could easily double the guest count. 

This prompted him to consider the wedding logistics carefully, including the number of tables needed. He mentioned that he plans to have around 20 tables, or slightly fewer, to accommodate the guests.

“$40-50k will be for a high-end hotel.”

In the comments section, the Singaporean Redditors assured the man that $40-50,000 is enough for a wedding if he intends to have twenty tables. 

One Redditor said that with some savvy planning, any budget can work.

He then suggested looking for a more affordable restaurant instead of a fancy hotel, choosing the cheapest menu options, and trying to score discounts and freebies wherever possible.

He also recommended booking the venue early to snag a good deal. Furthermore, he suggested cutting expenses on outfits and decorations to allocate more of the budget to essential aspects like food and venue.

Another Redditor remarked that $40-50,000 is a big budget for a wedding. He then wondered whether the parents were footing the initial costs.

Some Redditors shared insights into their own wedding budget.

One Redditor recalled that she and her partner had their wedding at Voco Orchard Singapore and that they had 24 tables. They signed a contract for $42,000, which equated to $175 per head.

They also included expenses for wedding photography and videography totalling $2,700, wedding gown and suit rental, makeup costing $2,500, and pre-wedding photos amounting to $2,000.

Despite hosting a sizable number of guests, they kept their total expenses under $50,000, she said. She then added, “If you got budget, you can work with it. But of course, you need to bargain hunt, negotiate, etc.”

Another shared, “FYI, there was a couple who held their wedding lunch at their 4-room HDB unit a few years ago for just $9k and they had about 50 attendees.

They found an affordable caterer that serves reasonably good Chinese food and everyone was happy. So yes, you can do the wedding the non-elaborate way.

With $10-11k, you can go for a low-range Chinese restaurant. With $20-30K, a mid-range restaurant. $40-50k will be for a high-end hotel.”

Read also: “How much you spend on your wedding?” — $4K or $40K? Is it worth breaking the bank for?

Featured image by Depositphotos

Singaporean intern asks if sitting on Priority Seats on MRTs is okay if you feel tired or unwell

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean intern confessed to having taken a seat in the priority seat section on the MRT.

In her post, she explained that she felt tired and nauseous that morning, making standing up during her commute nearly impossible.

“No one asked me to give up my seat; if they had, I would’ve gladly done so. I always give my seat to people in need, no matter how tired I am,” she explained.

Feeling remorseful for potentially violating public transport etiquette, she shared her experience online and sought opinions on whether her actions were inappropriate.

“You can give it up if someone asks for it”

Given her poor physical condition, most Singaporeans on Reddit found her behaviour understandable.

However, they stated that it would be unacceptable if she refused to give up her seat to another elderly or disabled person entering the MRT, regardless of her illness.

One Redditor said, “You paid for your own fare, right? Same as those passengers, right? Then it is first come, first served basis. You can give it up if someone asks for it, but until then, enjoy being seated next to the door. You earned it.”

Another commented, “I sit on reserved seats all the time. I just give it up if I see someone who needs it more than me.”

Adding to the discussion, others shared their own experiences of encountering individuals who remained seated in the priority section despite seeing that there were elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers who needed them more.

One Redditor shared an incident where a pregnant woman boarded a train during rush hour, but working adults occupied all reserved seats.

No one immediately offered her their seat, and seeing this, another commuter took it upon themselves to advocate for the pregnant lady, asking those seated in the reserved section to give up their seats.

However, no one moved for a few minutes, and they continued to ignore the pregnant lady, engrossed in their phones while comfortably seated.

Looking back at what happened, the Redditor pointed out how crucial it is to be ready to offer your seat to someone who needs it, no matter how old they are or their status.

She also stressed that empathy and being aware of others’ needs are crucial in places like public transport, where people can easily get wrapped up in their own lives and forget about those around them.

Kindness goes a long way—offer your seat to those who need it

It’s perfectly natural to feel hesitant to give up your seat to others, especially if you’ve just had a long, exhausting day at work and just need a good rest.

However, it’s important to remember that there are people out there who may need those seats more than you do.

People like the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and people with infants or young kids often face more difficulties and find standing for long periods on the MRT much harder. 

Kindness is free. If you’re unsure whether someone needs a seat, don’t be afraid to approach them and ask them this simple question: “Would you like to have a seat?”

Read also: Priority seating: Are elderly passengers automatically entitled to public transportation seats?

Featured image by Depositphotos

Get ready to cash in: Watch out for these 5 Singapore stocks paying out dividends in June!

SINGAPORE: If you’re looking to supplement your active income or build a retirement fund, then dividends can be a crucial component of your investment strategy.

For income investors eyeing dividend-paying stocks, here are five stocks paying out dividends in June, according to The Smart Investor.

1. Riverstone Holdings

Riverstone Holdings is a major player in the manufacturing of nitrile and natural rubber gloves, serving industries ranging from electronics to healthcare.

With six manufacturing facilities across Malaysia, Thailand, and China, the company boasts an annual production capacity of 10.5 billion gloves.

In the first quarter of 2024, Riverstone reported robust earnings, with revenue climbing 4.8% year-on-year to RM249.50 million (approx. S$71.56 million) and gross profit soaring 57.30% to RM97.5 million (approx. S$27.96 million).

Net profit surged by 54.5% to RM72.20 million (approx. S$20.71 million). The company also generated a positive free cash flow of RM 44.80 million (approx. S$12.85 million), up 19% from the previous year.

Riverstone declared an interim dividend of RM0.04 (approx. S$0.011) per share, payable on June 7.

2. NetLink NBN Trust

NetLink NBN Trust is the backbone of Singapore’s Nationwide Broadband Network, which designs, owns, and operates the passive fibre network infrastructure.

Despite facing challenges, such as a one-off write-off of decommissioned assets, the trust reported resilient earnings for fiscal 2024. Revenue inched up 1.9% to S$411.3 million, driven by higher residential connection revenue.

Although net profit dipped by 5.5% to S$103.2 million, the distribution per unit (DPU) edged up 1.1% to S$0.053, reflecting the trust’s stability.

Residential connections breached 1.5 million, and non-residential connections increased by 2.7% year-on-year. The DPU will be paid on June 12.

3. Singapore Technologies Engineering

Singapore Technologies Engineering (STE) operates at the forefront of technology and engineering, serving industries like smart cities, defence, and aerospace across more than 100 countries.

In the first quarter of 2024, STE reported an 18% year-on-year revenue increase to S$2.7 billion. During the quarter, the company secured S$3 billion in new contracts, boosting its order book to S$27.7 billion.

STE declared an interim dividend of S$0.04 per share, payable on June 5.

Management is optimistic about the growth potential of its digital business, aiming to triple its revenue to more than S$500 million by 2026.

4. Fraser & Neave

Fraser & Neave (F&N) is a renowned food and beverage company with a global presence, boasting brands like Magnolia and 100Plus.

In the first half of fiscal 2024, F&N reported a 2.5% year-on-year revenue increase to S$1.1 billion and a staggering 52.4% jump in net profit to S$83.8 million.

The company also generated a positive free cash flow of S$100.3 million, marking a 40% increase from the S$71.5 million generated the previous year.

The company declared an interim dividend of S$0.015 per share, payable on June 7.

F&N is expanding its footprint in Cambodia with a new dairy manufacturing facility set to commence operations in the first quarter of 2026.

5. Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust

Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (FLCT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) with a diverse portfolio spanning Singapore, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK.

Despite challenges, FLCT reported a 3.9% year-on-year revenue increase to S$216 million for the first half of fiscal 2024.

Adjusted net property income rose 1.8% to S$158.7 million, but the distribution per unit (DPU) slipped by 1.1% to S$0.0348 due to increased finance costs. The DPU will be paid on June 18.

FLCT’s portfolio has a positive rental reversion of 14.2%, and its aggregate leverage stood at a comfortable 32.7%. /TISG

Read also: 4 Singapore blue-chip stocks showing strong potential for profit growth


Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Investors should conduct their due diligence before making major financial decisions

Featured image by Depositphotos

Daughter says, “I don’t feel comfortable with my mum giving her male friend access to my home CCTV 24/7”

SINGAPORE: A young woman took to social media to share that her mum has given her male friend access to their home CCTV.

According to her post on r/askSingapore, her mum is caught up in a hectic schedule and thus needs assistance monitoring their domestic helper and ensuring the safety of her baby brother.

As a solution, she turned to her male friend, asking him to keep an eye on the CCTV footage.

However, this arrangement has left the daughter feeling extremely uneasy, as most of the family members in the household were female.

“I don’t feel comfortable having a male have access to my house 24/7 and look whenever he wants to,” she complained.

Despite bringing up her discomfort with her mum, she felt her concerns were dismissed. “She doesn’t care and just wants him to be able to look at my helper and brother,” she added.

“Please help me. What should I do to convince her not to give a male stranger access to our CCTV?” she asked for advice.

“How can a stranger have access to your own house’s CCTV?”

In the comments section, numerous Singaporeans expressed their shock and bewilderment at her mum’s actions and questioned why she would hire a domestic helper that she didn’t trust in the first place.

They also criticized the male friend for agreeing to watch the CCTV, especially if he knew that it contained footage of young females not related to him.

One individual commented, “Most Singapore thing ever. Give up privacy and alienate my children…because I MUST keep an eye on my helper!! Can never understand how anyone can live with anyone they don’t trust.”

Another said, “Break the damn CCTV! Family friend is a stranger. How can a stranger have access to your own house’s CCTV?”

Furthermore, some individuals mentioned that the CCTV system typically retains footage for 2-3 days, which allows her mom to review it whenever she has spare time.

Meanwhile, others proposed practical solutions. One suggestion was to perform a master reset on the CCTV system, allowing the young woman to regain control and remove the male friend’s access.

Another suggestion involved buying an iPad and telling her mum she could monitor the helper and baby brother through the device herself.

One Redditor also proposed involving her relatives in the matter, saying, “If you have any relatives that you can trust, please let them know everything about this that is going on. I don’t like how this is turning out.”

Another echoed this sentiment: “If my niece came to me saying some dude is spying on her by CCTV, I would resolve it myself one way or another.”

Additionally, a few proposed switching on the power of the CCTV only when her brother was alone with the helper.

Alternatively, she could consider lodging a complaint with the police, as granting access to a non-family member is considered an invasion of privacy.

In similar news, a woman also took to social media earlier this year to express that she and five other ladies renting a coliving space felt uneasy when their landlord suddenly installed a CCTV camera in the living room.

Read more: “Is this even legal?” — Tenant asks after her landlord installs CCTV where he can watch 5 ladies coliving

23yo diploma holder with S$1.2K monthly savings asks if he should “invest now or pursue a degree?”

SINGAPORE: A 23-year-old man who saves S$1,200 monthly asked the Singaporean Reddit community whether to invest it or pursue a degree.

Detailing his professional background, he revealed that he holds a diploma and works in a specialized niche within the construction industry, focusing on CAD/BIM (Computer-Aided Design/Building Information Modeling). His take-home pay is also around S$2,800.

“I save up 1.2k/month and I’ve actually reached my desired EF (Emergency Fund), which is 8k,” he said. 

“A lot of people here advise me to start investing once EF is secured, which I am planning to do BUT a part of me wants to upskill, like getting a specialist diploma or degree.”

He also questioned whether allocating S$1,200 per month for investments would be adequate if he were to start investing immediately. 

As he outlined, his strategy involved investing S$1,200 per month in index funds and withdrawing it once he decided to pursue a degree, hoping to gain some gains along the way.

“I don’t feel like rushing retirement early, BUT I do want to secure above-median salary in a good company. 

I will be planning to get some big purchases in the following years, like motor license, new PC, and a new phone. Would it be wise to delay that for now?”

“Investing in your own career is the best investment one can make.”

In the comments section, the Redditors told the man that he should not invest in the market or purchase investment plans from insurance companies if he needs the money to study soon.

This is because the market is volatile and more suitable for long-term goals. They cited how rapidly it could change, like during the pandemic or the market crash in 2022. 

Instead, they recommended exploring safer alternatives for short-term financial goals such as Fixed Deposits (FDs), Treasury bills (T-bills), or Singapore Savings Bonds (SSBs) were mentioned as more stable choices. 

According to them, these options may not offer high returns quickly, but they provide a secure and accessible source of funds without the risks associated with market fluctuations.

On the other hand, others expressed that education can open doors to better financial opportunities and suggested that he focus on investing in himself first and pursuing that degree.

They pointed out that with a higher income in the future, he’d have more to invest. 

One Redditor said, “Investing in your own career is the best investment one can make almost always. Your retirement corpus will depend more on how much you save each month vs how much return you can make. 

The only way to invest more is to earn more. Time is in your side, upskill first.”

Another Redditor also suggested an alternative approach: to consider pursuing a part-time degree while maintaining a full-time job.

He added, “After your grad, if you jump, I think you can easily hit 4.5k mark already or somewhere there. You can try the project management course, switch to pm in future if you desire a higher paying job. It’s in the same industry too.”

Read also: “Is a degree really important?”: Singaporeans weigh in

Featured image by Depositphotos

Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore for June 2024

SINGAPORE: With a fixed deposit in a bank account, you don’t need much money to start.

Many banks offer fixed deposits starting from S$500. According to MoneySmart, here are the best-fixed deposit rates in Singapore for June 2024.

June 2024 Highest Fixed Deposit Rates

Looking for the highest fixed deposit rates? Check these out!

  •  Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.75% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  •  StashAway Simple Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.70% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  • State Bank of India
    • Interest Rate: 3.35% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000
  • ICBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.40% p.a. (via e-banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • Bank of China
    • Interest Rate: 3.50% p.a. (via mobile banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • CIMB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 9 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000
  • RHB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months or 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$20,000
  • HSBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.20% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$30,000

June 2024 Best fixed deposit rates by commitment period

3-Month commitment period:

  •  Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.75% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  •  StashAway Simple Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.70% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  • ICBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.40% p.a.(via e-banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • Bank of China
    • Interest Rate: 3.50% p.a.(via mobile banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • CIMB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000
  • HSBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.20% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$30,000
  • Hong Leong Finance
    • Interest Rate: 2.90% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 4 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000
  • Citibank
    • Interest Rate: 2.50% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000

6-Month commitment period:

  • Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.75% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  • StashAway Simple Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.50% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  • Bank of China
    • Interest Rate: 3.30% p.a.(via mobile banking)
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • ICBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.15% p.a.(via e-banking)
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • CIMB
    • Interest Rate: 3.20 – 3.25% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000
  • RHB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$20,000
  • Standard Chartered
    • Interest Rate: 2.90 – 3.10% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$25,000
  • OCBC
    • Interest Rate: 2.60% p.a.(internet banking)
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$30,000
  • State Bank of India
    • Interest Rate: 3.35% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000

12-Month commitment period:

  • Syfe Cash+ Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.60% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  • StashAway Simple Guaranteed
    • Interest Rate: 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: No minimum
  • Bank of China
    • Interest Rate: 3.05% p.a.(via mobile banking)
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • ICBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.05% p.a.(via e-banking)
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • CIMB
    • Interest Rate: 2.95 – 3.00% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000
  • RHB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$20,000
  • Maybank
    • Interest Rate: 2.60% p.a.(online placement)
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$20,000
  • OCBC
    • Interest Rate: 2.60% p.a.(internet banking)
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$30,000
  • State Bank of India
    • Interest Rate: 3.05% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000

June 2024 Best fixed deposit rates by minimum deposit

Deposits $10,000 and under:

  • CIMB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000
  • Bank of China
    • Interest Rate: 3.50% p.a.(via mobile banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • ICBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.40% p.a.(via e-banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • DBS
    • Interest Rate: 3.20% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$1,000
  • UOB
    • Interest Rate: 2.70% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000

Deposits $20,000–$49,999:

  • CIMB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000
  • Bank of China
    • Interest Rate: 3.50% p.a.(via mobile banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • ICBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.40% p.a.(via e-banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • RHB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months or 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$20,000
  • Standard Chartered
    • Interest Rate: 2.90 – 3.10% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$25,000
  • OCBC
    • Interest Rate: 2.60% p.a.(internet banking)
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$30,000

Deposits $50,000 and above:

  • State Bank of India
    • Interest Rate: 3.35% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000
  • CIMB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$10,000
  • Citibank
    • Interest Rate: 2.50% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000
  • HSBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.20% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$30,000
  • Bank of China
    • Interest Rate: 3.50% p.a.(via mobile banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • ICBC
    • Interest Rate: 3.40% p.a.(via e-banking)
    • Commitment Period: 3 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$500
  • RHB
    • Interest Rate: 3.25 – 3.30% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 6 months or 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$20,000
  • DBS
    • Interest Rate: 3.20% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 12 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$1,000
  • Hong Leong Finance
    • Interest Rate: 2.90% p.a.
    • Commitment Period: 3 months or 4 months
    • Minimum Amount: S$50,000

Disclaimer: Rates are promotional and subject to change by banks. For the most current rates, visit the respective bank websites. /TISG

Read also: Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore for May 2024

Featured image by Depositphotos

Cheo Chai Chen: Missed opportunity for Chiam-led SDP

Cheo Chai Chen, 73, who just died, was part of a very promising phase of Opposition politics in Singapore’s history. As it turned out, he became just an unfortunate footnote cum missed opportunity.

If fate had been kinder, Singapore could have had a sizeable Opposition long before the Workers’ Party’s emergence in the post-Barisan Sosialis era. Anything could have happened.

The Singapore Democratic Party trio of Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir), Ling How Doong (Bukit Gombak) and Cheo (Nee Soon Central) – joined by the WP’s Low Thia Khiang in Hougang – showed that Singaporeans were already keen in the 1990s to move away decisively, and not in any token manner, from the People’s Action Party’s dominance.

The announcement of the 1991 General Election results is still etched in the memory of many voters, including me. There was a feeling on the ground then that the PAP was too cocky and was taking voters for granted.

Issues such as the Central Provident Fund withdrawal amount and age and perceived arrogance of some PAP leaders or candidates made the ground very soft for the Opposition, which employed the by-election effect strategy to boost its chances.

It was urging voters to treat the election as they would a by-election. Since the Opposition was not fielding enough candidates to form the next government, voters were told that it was safe to take chances and vote into Parliament as many Opposition candidates as possible. Especially since voters did not see the moderate Chiam as a trouble-maker out to disrupt anything.

I remember very clearly the sense of anticipation as Singaporeans awaited the announcement of the GE1991 results. Each time an Opposition win was called, the HDB blocks resounded with roars of approval.

Imagine how loud these roars were, coming from hundreds of thousands of residents in the HDB heartlands. And I could almost swear that even some policemen joined in the cheering.

That was the mood then. But the euphoria did not last too long. Elected or not, Opposition MPs faced the same obstacles as any Opposition candidates. They had to do their Meet-the-People sessions in void decks. Tough.

Although I must say, an elected Opposition MP at that time commanded the same respect as any PAP one. I once attended the charity premiere of a film at Northpoint, where Cheo Chai Chen was the guest of honour. The host? EDB’s Philip Yeo.

But it became clear as the months and years went by that the redoubtable Chiam See Tong’s coat-tails were not long or strong enough to carry his fellow SDP MPs.

Whether or not it was because the two MPs did not work the ground well after their election or were ineffective in their MPS work or were seen as substandard Members of Parliament, they were not re-elected.

Then came the Chee Soon Juan SDP phase where Chiam was ousted and continued his political journey in Parliament as the Singapore People’s Party MP for Potong Pasir.

No SDP candidate has ever made it back to Parliament.

It was not until 2011 that the Opposition had a relatively substantial presence with the capture of Aljunied GRC.

Many ifs.

If Cheo and Ling had done well or even decently and not squandered their seats, the foundation would have been laid for voters to give more Opposition MPs a chance, not just for one term but continuously.

Pritam Singh (Low before him) and company proved that. And can you see the WP Sengkang GRC team, elected in GE2020, suffering the same fate as Cheo and Ling? Unlikely.

And if the original SDP had not been disrupted in its development, it might have had a smoother runway than the post-Chiam version to take off in Parliament.

We never know.


Tan Bah Bah is a former senior leader with The Straits Times. He was also managing editor of a magazine publishing company

ST Engineering’s “BrightCity” smart water solution set to transform water metre monitoring and management

SINGAPORE: ST Engineering’s BrightCity, launched on June 7, is a new smart water metre monitoring and control system designed to help cities and utility providers manage water more effectively.

According to the Singapore Business Review, BrightCity offers a cost-effective, end-to-end solution applicable to existing (brownfield) and new (greenfield) infrastructure projects.

Gareth Tang, Head of Smart Utilities & Infrastructure at ST Engineering, highlighted the importance of this new technology:

By digitalising conventional water metres infrastructure at scale, BrightCity provides real-time insights, empowering utility providers and end users to manage water consumption effectively and enhance sustainability.

A key feature of BrightCity is its Metre Interface Unit (MIU). This unit integrates easily with existing water metres, enabling wireless communication for digital data collection and transmission.

The data is sent to a central Metre Data Management System (MDMS), which gathers real-time information from various metres. The MDMS allows for automated, comprehensive monitoring and control of metering infrastructures across large urban areas.

Security is a crucial part of the BrightCity system. Its encrypted data management ensures safe data collection, analysis, and real-time alerts, improving the detection of water leaks and overall water management.

The system also works on open communication networks like NB-IoT/Cat-M and LoRa. This avoids dependency on specific networks or equipment, making it adaptable to various environments.

In addition, BrightCity has a customer portal and mobile app that provide users with real-time water consumption readings and comparison benchmarks.

Consumers can monitor their water usage and identify unusual patterns, leading to better water use management.  /TISG

Read also: Singapore to coat buildings with reflective paint to cool urban areas by up to 2°C—NTU pilot study

Singapore join forces with the US and Vietnam to boost cross-border electricity trade

SINGAPORE: Singapore has teamed up with the US and Vietnam in a groundbreaking move to boost cross-border electricity trade.

The key focus is ramping up renewable energy investments and exploring the potential for a regional subsea cable network.

Singapore Business Review reports that the initiative is spearheaded by the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the US Department of Energy, and Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

According to MTI, “This is the first such multilateral workstream among the three countries in promoting regional power interconnectivity, with the aim to establish regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and a supportive ecosystem.”

Building upon the foundation laid by the Vietnam-Singapore energy cooperation agreement inked in October 2022, and ongoing feasibility studies between Singapore and the US on regional energy connectivity, the team aims to expedite the advancement of the ASEAN power grid.

The initiative involves knowledge sharing, capacity building, and fostering consensus on subsea cable matters within the region. The working group’s first meeting took place alongside the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum.

The meeting’s leaders included Tan See Leng, the Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Nguyen Hong Dien, Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade, and Kenneth Vincent, the Director of the US Department of Energy’s Office of Asian Affairs.

Meanwhile, the US International Development Finance Corporation is poised to invest in the Southeast Asia Clean Energy Fund II (SEACEF), subject to congressional approval.

This funding will enable SEACEF to mobilise approximately S$235.46 million (US$175 million) for projects to advance towards a climate-resilient economy and bolster energy security in Southeast Asia.

According to MTI, SEACEF’s investments will act as a catalyst for additional financing from other investors. Target sectors for investment include “clean power, energy storage, energy efficiency, electric mobility, and grid infrastructure.” /TISG