Two dead in e-bike accident at West Coast Highway, one hurt

tnp@sph.com.sg

They were good friends and became close after joining a lion dance troupe about a year ago.

They often met up to ride their power-assisted bicycles, or e-bikes, together.

Sadly, they rode as a group for the last time on Thursday night.

Marcus Loke Teck Soon, 17, Mr Ong Zi Quan, 18 and Mr Ang Yee Fong, 25, were riding their bikes near the junction of Pandan Crescent along West Coast Highway shortly before midnight when a trailer hit them from behind.

Marcus is the only one to survive what is believed to be the worst traffic accident involving e-bikes to date.

Speaking from his bed at the National University Hospital (NUH) yesterday morning, he told The New Paper: “I’m very lucky to survive.

“But I’m very sad to lose my friends.”

334079

Photo Gallery

Accident involving e-bikers and truck in West Coast kills 2, injures 1

Source:

Stomp

The New Paper

Shin Min Daily News

Lianhe Wanbao

The Straits Times

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

The police told TNP that officers were alerted about the accident at around 11.55pm on Thursday.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said two ambulances were despatched there.

Mr Ang was pronounced dead at the scene.

Marcus and Mr Ong were rushed to NUH, where the latter died.

The 34-year-old trailer driver was arrested for causing death by negligence, said police.

Marcus, who is jobless, was alert and calm when TNP visited him in NUH yesterday.

He survived the crash with several scratches, body pain and an injured leg.

Recounting what happened, Marcus said they started their ride in Jurong at around 10.30pm and were on their way to his grandmother’s home in Telok Blangah when the accident occurred.

He was leading the way with Mr Ong directly behind him. Mr Ang was riding at the back.

He said: “We were riding at the extreme left side of the road within the double yellow lines, when the trailer hit us.

“My friends were dragged on the road and I fell off my bike.”

He said he managed to painfully pick himself off the road afterwards, thankful to be alive.

An ambulance arrived soon after and took him to NUH.

A nearby resident, Mr Naing Htay, 42, a marine service engineer, told TNP later that he heard a crash, followed by the screeching sound of brakes and a man screaming in pain.

The Myanmar national, who saw the crash from the fourth storey of Block 715, Clementi West Street 2, said: “I was standing at the windows and someone shouted and asked me to call the ambulance.

“I quickly ran down the stairs and I saw someone trapped under the trailer, who was still alive.

“There was another body lying in the middle of the road in a pool of blood. His head was badly wounded.

At the Health Sciences Authority mortuary at Outram Road yesterday morning, family members of the two dead men were seen entering the premises, red-eyed.

NATIONAL SERVICE

Mr Ong’s sister later told reporters that her brother was to be enlisted in national service on Monday.

At around 2pm, his body was taken to Jin Lu Funeral Service at Block 89, Geylang Bahru, for the final rites.

Mr Ong was cremated yesterday afternoon.

More than 50 friends and relatives attended Mr Ang’s wake, which was held at a funeral parlour at Sin Ming Drive yesterday.

His parents declined to speak to the media.

Mr Ang, who was known as Boy Boy to his friends, had recently completed his national service and was working at a bar, said his friends.

A close friend, Mr Claus Lee, 19, said he tried to warn Mr Ang from riding an e-bike because he knew of two friends who had been in accidents.

They had gone on a spin on their e-bikes with their friends on two occasions.

Mr Lee said: “He wasn’t worried (about getting into an accident) because he was a safe rider.

“I sold off two of my e-bikes two months ago because I was worried that I would be the next one to get into an accident.

“I didn’t think it would happen to my friend.”

Mr Ang will be cremated today.

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.

Read also:

E-bike in accident was so fast I thought it was a motorbike

Riding towards danger on 120kmh e-bicycles

Modified e-bikes raise safety concerns

Reader Stanley Ong wrote in to askST about Singapore’s reserves.

He is curious to know what these reserves are: “Do they take the form of bank deposits, or are they made up of assets such as stocks, bonds and unit trusts?”

Senior correspondent Goh Eng Yeow answers:

Like a listed company, the Government has a balance sheet made up of assets and liabilities.

In a nutshell, these reserves that you have asked about would be the total assets minus the liabilities on the Government’s balance sheet.

On the asset side, you would find buildings and land owned by the Government, as well as financial assets such as cash, securities and bonds.

However, the Government also has liabilities.

These include bonds, known as the Singapore Government Securities (SGS), which it sells to investors to help develop the country’s domestic debt market, as well as the Special Singapore Government Securities (SSGS), which are issued to the CPF Board.

Currently, the Government’s assets are mainly managed by GIC Private Ltd. This is a professional fund-management organisation that aims to achieve a “good long-term return to preserve and enhance the international purchasing power of the reserves”.

Most of its investments are in the international public markets, but some funds are also ploughed into alternative investments such as private equity and real estate.

GIC does not reveal the size of the portfolio that it manages – only that the sum is well in excess of US$100 billion (S$139.5 billion).

In addition, the Government places deposits with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), which manages the Official Foreign Reserves (OFR).

As the central bank, MAS invests the OFR conservatively in a well-diversified portfolio of cash, bonds and equities.

An MAS spokesman said: “About three-quarters of the OFR are denominated in the G-4 currencies (United States dollar, euro, yen and sterling). Within the G-4 currencies, the US dollar forms the bulk. Diversification across markets, assets and currencies helps to enhance the resilience of MAS’ portfolio across various market conditions.”

As at March 31 this year, the OFR stood at $332 billion.

The Government is also the only shareholder of Temasek Holdings, whose investments include significant stakes in some of Singapore’s largest companies, such as Singtel, DBS Group Holdings, CapitaLand and Keppel Corp.

Since 2002, Temasek has taken active steps to invest abroad as well. Its investments include household names such as Britain’s Standard Chartered Bank, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and Hong Kong’s A.S. Watson Holdings.

For the financial year ended March 31, Temasek’s net portfolio value was $242 billion.

If you want to read more about how Singapore’s reserves are managed, you might want to refer to this link: http://www.mof.gov.sg/ Policies/Our-Nations-Reserves/ Section-I-What-comprises-the- reserves-and-who-manages-them

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

It’s your chance to get behind the controls of Singapore’s newest navy ship – and even encounter hostile targets that may come on board.

A simulator at next month’s SGDefence Exhibition will allow the public an opportunity to feel what it is like at the helm of a littoral (or close to shore) mission vessel.

The free Nov 4-8 event at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre Hall A will also let people get up close to unmanned vehicles used for reconnaissance efforts, and take on virtual targets with simulated weapons in an augmented reality trainer.

Spread across over 4,000 sq m, the exhibition will showcase innovations developed by Singapore’s defence technology community.

It is just one of a series of events to mark 50 years since the community – made up of engineers and scientists – began. They include the launch of a commemorative book series and an anniversary dinner.

Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Ng Chee Khern said the exhibition will give members of the public a better understanding of what the community does. There will be more than 60 exhibits across five thematic clusters.

They will learn about the community’s humble beginnings, the capabilities it has built up over the years and the possibilities of defence technology in the future.

Mr Ng also hopes the exhibition will inspire young people to become defence scientists and engineers.

In 1966, the defence technology community started as a three-man team within the logistics division in the then Ministry of Interior and Defence. It now comprises 5,000 defence engineers and scientists.

Among their innovations are the Terrex armoured infantry carrier, which has the ability to network with other fighting machines like attack helicopters, and the transparent ceramic armour, which is lighter than conventional glass armour and can withstand armour-piercing rounds at close range.

Mr Ng said the growth of Singa- pore’s defence technology capabilities can be attributed to generations of scientists and engineers “who dared to dream and were audacious enough to think they can do more than they perhaps have a right to”.

He noted that technology is the “force multiplier” for the Singapore Armed Forces. “We have therefore consistently used technology and invested in developing our local talent to meet our nation’s defence needs. This strategy has paid off.”

He added: “With the growing complexity of global threats, our community of scientists and defence engineers – the tech wizards behind the battle lines – have developed indigenous defence technology innovations that keep Singapore safe.”

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

The Aljunied Hougang Town Council (AHTC), run by the Workers’ Party (WP), has been ordered by the Court of Appeal to hand over all financial documents related to Punggol East constituency to the Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council (PRPTC) by Nov 4.

Also, its request for PRPTC to sign a blanket non-disclosure agreement was dismissed.

The agreement was aimed at stopping PRPTC from revealing vendor-related information in the documents, among other things.

These decisions follow PRPTC’s request for an urgent hearing to the Court of Appeal.

But the apex court imposed limits on PRPTC’s use of some of the documents that also contain information about other constituencies still managed by AHTC.

For these “category 2” documents, PRPTC can disclose or use them only to exercise its rights and in the discharge of its duties under the law.

Both town councils have been tussling over the documents since July this year, and had been in court three times over the issue.

The last hearing on Monday was initiated by PRPTC to get from AHTC the documents it is still owed. AHTC, citing confidentiality concerns, had said it would release the remaining “category 2” documents only if PRPTC agreed to a non-disclosure agreement.

In its judgment released yesterday, the three-judge Court of Appeal said it was important to balance the interests of both town councils.

But it added that AHTC had failed to raise any “specific and identifiable” confidentiality concerns it had with particular documents so that action can be taken to mitigate the concerns while giving PRPTC access.

“All that has been done is that the word ‘confidential’ or its cognate expressions have been added as adjectives to various classes of documents.

“We cannot see how these generic descriptors can suffice to show that AHTC has specific confidentiality concerns in respect of particular documents,” said Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon in issuing the judgment.

He also said that PRPTC is entitled to the documents since it had taken over Punggol East from AHTC, formerly known as Aljunied-Hougang- Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC), after the September 2015 General Election. The WP had lost the constituency to the People’s Action Party.

Therefore, PRPTC should be allowed to use the documents or disclose its contents as long as it was to further its “legitimate legal interests”, said the Chief Justice.

These interests relate to the town council’s mandate to administer the common property for the benefit of residents, and manage Punggol East’s financial affairs in line with the Town Councils Act, among other things.

At an earlier hearing in August, the court had ordered AHTC to hand over all the “category 1” documents, which relate solely to Punggol East.

This was not done as some of the documents were kept in the same files that also had confidential information about other parts of AHTC.

AHTC vice-chairman Sylvia Lim had said in court on Monday that it would be too onerous to separate the documents physically as the town council was tied up with other audits.

Chief Justice Menon said this was “unsatisfactory”. He said AHTC could choose to make copies of all the documents, or allow PRPTC’s accountant, PwC, to have access to the originals.

“What it cannot do is cite administrative difficulties in the extraction of the documents as a reason for non-compliance,” he added.

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

Singapore’s national culinary team came home to a warm reception yesterday morning at Changi Airport, two days after being crowned champions for the first time at the Culinary Olympics.

About 80 cheering supporters, including Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, welcomed the chefs.

The team was led by Swissotel Merchant Court’s executive chef Louis Tay, who was the team manager, and team captain Teo Yeow Siang of catering company Lavish Dine Catering.

The team members are chefs Triston Fang of Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora at Resorts World Sentosa, Alan Wong of Lavish Dine Catering, Roy Lim of global food service provider Unilever Food Solutions, and pastry chef Alex Chong of The Regent Singapore.

They beat 29 other teams to be the only Asian country to win two gold awards, in the Cold Display and Hot Cooking categories.

Read also: Singapore chefs win double gold in Culinary Olympics held in Germany

Held in Erfurt, Germany, once every four years, the culinary competition is one of the most prestigious in the world. This year, it took place from Oct 21 to 26.

Chef Tay, 51, said: “It has been a very intense period for us as a culinary competition of this level is both emotionally and physically intense. The team has sacrificed a lot of time and sleep.”

Indeed, the competition is a gruelling test of perfection in technique and creativity. The cold display featured an exhibition table that included finger foods, plated desserts and chocolates.

For the hot cooking segment, the chefs had to prepare 110 portions of a three-course meal.

Some of the stunning dishes the national team prepared included king crab and octopus roulade; milk-poached toothfish with citrus-cured ocean trout; and cauliflower custard with onion chip.

The competing chefs – all of whom have experience in culinary competitions – started weekly training sessions a year ago on weekends. They also had to raise funds for sponsorship, as it costs about $250,000 to fund a team at an international competition, said chef Tay.

He added: “Culinary competitions are all about seeking perfection. This enhances your skills, your being and you as a chef. It tests a chef’s techniques, creativity and consistency. It produces better chefs and this has a direct impact on the industry. It is not possible to create competition food daily, but we are able to integrate part of it, in food presentation, for example.”

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

More leadership changes in the Government can be expected in the next few years as the pace of political succession quickens, said political observers yesterday.

The promotion of two acting ministers to full ministers next Tuesday also shows that preparations by the third-generation leaders to hand over the reins to a fourth-generation team are well under way, they added.

Institute of Policy Studies deputy director Gillian Koh said: “We’re in succession planning mode. Some very senior ministers who have had their portfolios for a long time may be prepared to cede way to people who are worthy.”

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

The Straits Times

National University of Singapore (NUS) political scientist Bilveer Singh said: “I will not be surprised if we see more of such changes in the coming months – if not next year – as the third generation prepares to pass the baton to the fourth.”

They were also confident that Mr Ng Chee Meng, Acting Minister for Education (Schools), and Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills), will be at the core of the new leadership, strengthening further the team that will take over from that of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Lee has said that he plans to step down after the next general election, which must be held by April 2021.

Besides Mr Ng and Mr Ong, other ministers tipped to be front runners for the top job are Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, labour chief Chan Chun Sing, Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan- Jin and National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, all four of whom entered politics in 2011.

Yesterday’s announcement of Mr Ng’s and Mr Ong’s promotions affirms that the leadership renewal process is moving along steadily, said the political observers.

Both men, elected for the first time, joined the Cabinet as heavy hitters, said Dr Koh. “There is nobody who ranks higher than a former chief of defence force – Mr Ng Chee Meng. And Mr Ong Ye Kung had many years in public service and exposure in NTUC (National Trades Union Congress). He’s not someone learning Public Service 101.”

But while their promotions confirm them as contenders for the post of prime minister, they do not indicate if one is higher up the hierarchy than the other, or ahead of his peers. Dr Koh noted that it was deliberate that both men have second portfolios to expose them to a wide range of issues.

PM Lee Hsien Loong announces new Cabinet

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source: 

The Straits Times

But the promotions should also not be seen as a race, said Dr Singh. “Both are relatively new in Cabinet politics and the PM has added them to the top echelon of political leadership,” he said.

“How far they move up depends on how they perform, whether they take on additional duties, how they connect with voters and how they are received in the party that must decide their No. 1 leader. They must also have international presence.”

In the meantime, the two men’s colleagues have welcomed their promotions.

Marine Parade GRC MP Seah Kian Peng, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, said both men come across as confident and committed.

Mr Seah, who has worked with Mr Ong in the labour unions, said he is impressed with how Mr Ong has brought the same energy to his political role. “Selling an idea is one thing, but you can see he believes in life-long learning.”

Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yih Pin, who as chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport interacted closely with Mr Ng, who is Senior Minister of State for Transport, said: “He is not only a good minister but, more importantly, a good man who works for the best interests of Singaporeans.”

NUS political scientist Reuben Wong expects the fourth-generation leaders to swop portfolios in the next 11/2 years. He said: “PM will want to try them in different portfolios, and from there we can see how they perform.”

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

Every year, once the firewalking ceremony has drawn to a close, Madam Manonmani Veerachami puts a wok of oil on her stove and makes murukku to welcome the Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali.

The crunchy Indian snack, a favourite with the local community regardless of race, has long been regarded as a must-have for the festival, which is celebrated today and marks the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

It is a tradition 53-year-old Madam Manonmani and her family have followed for generations.

“There’s an old saying, ‘If there’s no murukku, there’s no Deepavali’,” she said. “Murukku is very important to us – it’s part of our tradition.”

Every year, Madam Manonmani spends an hour in the kitchen producing a single batch of murukku to share with her family on Deepavali, which literally means a row of lamps. The word has morphed into Diwali in parts of India.

Read also: What is Deepavali?

She also takes the time to clean her house, buy new clothes and take a sesame oil bath – other Deepavali traditions her family has followed for generations.

Though the process is time consuming, preserving Indian tradition is important to Madam Manonmani, who hopes her 25-year-old daughter will take it up.

332445

Photo Gallery

Deepavali bazaar vendors dig deep to come up with unique wares

Source:

The Straits Times

• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–
• 
  
  <!–

“We have to carry it on,” she said. “This is from our ancestors, these are our roots. That is why I take the trouble. Murukku I am still doing, and I shall always do, until my last Deepavali.”

Across Singapore, other members of the Indian community have been busy with similar preparations, and the younger generation has been heavily involved.

For Ms Nishantini Janani, 25, an events executive at the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association (Lisha), making murukku for Deepavali was a habit instilled at a young age. “For my family, it was a must to learn the traditions,” she said. “When it came down to doing the murukku, my mum would sit me down and make me do it.”

Her two brothers, aged 16 and 23, were not exempt. “We would sit down… learn how the ingredients come together and make it.”

While some struggle to set aside time for the festival and its many traditions, Ms Nishantini views it instead as a much needed break from a fast-paced life – a rare chance to spend quality time with the family.

She is also confident that Lisha’s Deepavali-related events, such as Deebam – the story of Deepavali, which is popular with young people – will help keep Indian traditions alive in the years to come.

“With so many events, the younger generation will surely not forget their heritage.”

This article was first published on Oct 29, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.