A 25-year-old man was tricked into almost sending S$14,000 to an unknown bank account, after he was told he was being investigated for money laundering offences in China.
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Tunnel works to affect heritage building
Part of a 1924 building at the edge of Selegie Road will be demolished, and later rebuilt, to make way for the construction of the North- South Corridor.
This is despite the Ellison Building’s status as a conserved structure gazetted by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
The authorities described the decision as an “exceptional course of action” that was taken after considerable study and deliberation by the agencies.
They said it was a last resort after concluding that it was not possible to completely avoid the building “in order to realise an important national infrastructure”.
Three of the building’s 16 two- storey units will be torn down. The affected units – 235, 237 and 239 – currently occupied by a mama shop, Colonial Bistro Cafe and part of a fruit shop, are along the building’s curved facade.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it will reconstruct and reinstate the affected part of the government-owned building to its original architectural design, under the URA’s guidance, once construction of the tunnel is completed in 2026.
“Protective measures will be put in place to ensure that the structural stability of the rest of the building is maintained when the infrastructural and reinstatement works are carried out,” the agencies said in a joint statement.
The Singapore Heritage Society said it was “deeply disappointed” with the decision to demolish and then reconstruct a substantial part of the conserved building. Its spokesman said: “Reconstruction is not a good option because it is the falsification of historical artefacts.”
The society said reconstruction typically results in simplification of a structure’s original architectural features. It wants other options explored, and called for heritage impact assessments to be carried out, for this report to be made public and for consultation.
According to URA conservation guidelines, the fundamental principle of conservation applicable to all conserved buildings is “maximum retention, sensitive restoration and careful repair”.
Weighing in, Singapore Management University heritage law expert Jack Lee said the conservation scheme was designed largely to prevent private property owners from dealing with conservation properties without the permission of the authorities.
He cited the example of Chijmes, the former convent comprising several buildings under conservation and preservation orders that had part of its boundary walls torn down as part of a multimillion-dollar overhaul by a private developer. The URA had approved renovation plans for the heritage site in Victoria Street.
Dr Lee said the scheme “does not operate as a restriction of what the Government wants to do”. If the Government wanted, it could grant permission for the works despite the conservation order or even delist the building.
LTA previously said an expressway needs to be as straight as possible to accommodate higher speeds. It said acquisitions along the route, including Rochor Centre, were necessary because of the highly built up area that includes Bukit Timah Road and Rochor Canal.
Construction of the 21.5km underground corridor, using the traditional “cut and cover” method, is expected to take place progressively from next year.
Mr Raymond Toh, 43, the owner of Colonial Bistro Cafe, which has been in the building for the past four years, said he has yet to find a new location. The bistro’s lease under the Singapore Land Authority will be up in December.
He said it was a pity that the restaurant had to move. “It has sentimental value to both my customers and me. Some tourists who used to live in Singapore and hang out in the area do drop by. They include British servicemen and even a customer who said he was a descendent of the Ellison family.”
Building with long history
Photo: The Straits Times
The Ellison Building was built in 1924 by Isaac Ellison, a Romanian Jew. It could have been built for his wife Flora, a Baghdadi Jewish woman from Rangoon, the former capital of Myanmar.
The building has two domes and balconies. The Star of David, the Ellison name and its date of construction still sit proudly atop the relatively rundown building.
Lying at the foot of the Mount Sophia conservation area, it is located within the former Jewish quarters.
The Straits Times understands that the Ellison family is no longer based in Singapore.
Some records also indicate that the building had been sold to the Government in the late 1980s.
This article was first published on August 18, 2016.
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Son of Malaysian ex-minister made bankrupt
The son of Malaysia’s former finance minister Daim Zainuddin was made a bankrupt last week over some $1.65 million in debts that he owed to Maybank Kim Eng Securities.
Mr Md Wira Dani Abdul Daim has stepped down as non-independent and non-executive director of LionGold Corp, said a statement filed with the Singapore Exchange, indicating that he intends to settle personal affairs following the court bankruptcy order, which he intends to resolve within the next 30 days.
Mr Wira, 37, has also ceased to be ISR Capital executive chairman since Monday. Public-listed ISR is an investment and investment advisory firm focused on the natural resources space, according to its website.
Maybank secured a High Court judgment against Mr Wira in March to reclaim a debt of $2.459 million that he owed. This is said to have been borrowed by him to buy LionGold shares on a leveraged account.
Shares in LionGold as well as Blumont Group and Asiasons Capital plunged in October 2013, slashing some $6.9 billion of their market value in three days, according to media reports.
It led to an official probe on suspected irregularities, and lawsuits were filed by various parties, though the three companies said they were unaware of the reasons for the plunge.
LionGold, dealing in gold mining resources, had a $26.9 million market value as of June last year, compared with $1.59 billion at its peak in August 2013.
Mr Wira had agreed to pay the bank via instalments but, by August 2014, had repaid only $100,000.
Maybank in April accepted the offer from Mr Wira’s lawyer Woo Tchi Chu to settle the debt, with $1 million to be paid in two tranches within the month and the rest by end-June.
Maybank’s Allen & Gledhill lawyer Vincent Leow had made clear that bankruptcy was an option in the event of a default by Mr Wira.
In the event, Maybank received only about $835,950, leaving a shortfall of $1,650,642 and triggering the bankruptcy move.
Mr Wira is said to have property in Singapore, according to court documents filed.
Maybank refused to comment when contacted last night, citing client confidentiality.
This article was first published on Aug 18, 2016.
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You'd be a sad Olympic gold medallist too if you were from N Korea
North Korean Ri Se Gwang won the Men’s Vault gold medal at the Rio Olympics on Monday. However, the world’s media and viewers were quick to notice that he didn’t look too happy when standing on the podium to receive his medal.
Britain’s The Daily Mail, Mirror and The Sun all said that Ri, who has been dubbed the saddest medal winner at the Games, was holding back tears – not tears of joy – at the ceremony.
His glum expression contrasted deeply against the smiles on the faces of silver and bronze medallists, Russia’s Denis Albyazin and Japan’s Kenzo Shirai respectively.
Ri, however, has told reporters that he was elated after his win. The Sun quoted him saying: “I was filled with joy because I thought I was able to bring a sense of victory to our leader.”
On the Internet, people were quick to speculate on the reason for Ri’s sadness. The winning theory seems to be that he wasn’t looking forward to going back to North Korea after getting a taste of the free world.
Ri-Se Gewang, has seen the free world but he knows that he must go back, for the sake of his family. For that, he is brave. #Rio2016
— Please Stay Joe Hart (@DylanYarborough) 16 August 2016
When you win a Gold medal but then you remember that you have to go back to North Korea #Olympics #PRK #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/oOmV6gTbmC
— Josh (@jbillinson) 16 August 2016
“Eagle-eyed viewers who spotted Ri think he was emotional after getting a taste of the free world – while knowing that he will soon be heading back to impoverished North Korea.
“He will swap the lavish athletes’ accommodation in Rio for the gloomy surrounds of Pyongyang, where citizens are brainwashed with sinister propaganda by dictator Kim Jong Un,” The Mirror wrote.
AsiaOne’s alternate theory
However, it should be noted that this isn’t the first time that Ri has had “a taste of the free world” – he had competed previously in Stuttgart in Germany (2007), Belgrade in Serbia (2009), and Glasgow in Scotland (2014).
So, what’s making him so sad then?
We’d like to hazard a guess that the reason is a lot more immediate – he didn’t get his free Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone.
The Daily Mail reported that Samsung, one of the official sponsors of the Rio Games, handed out free Galaxy S7 smartphones to all participants in the games. However, the phones meant for the North Korean athletes were confiscated by a team official.
Anyone would be sad if he was denied a fantastic freebie that was given to every other athlete.
That, and the fact that the North Korean athletes were forbidden from visiting tourist sights in the host country – despite having flown half way across the world – would get anyone down.
See also: S Korean gymnast ‘awed’ by fame after North-South selfie
sinsh@sph.com.sg
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Singapore flagged for ambush marketing
There are set meals named after him, travel discounts because of his historic achievement, and congratulatory messages put out with brand logos and products alongside his name and face.
Singapore is in celebratory mood after the 21-year-old won the country’s first Olympic gold medal, but TNP understands that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has written into the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), raising the issue of Rule 40.
The rule was established to protect official sponsors of the Olympics, prevent over-commercialisation of the Games and ambush marketing which might use athletes to create an unlicensed association with the Olympics.
Sources reveal that after receiving correspondence from the IOC, the SNOC has written to companies asking them to refrain from using Olympic-related images to market their own products.
In response to TNP queries, an SNOC spokesman said: “While we celebrate Joseph’s victory, we must also stand guided by the rules and guidelines protecting the assets and marks of the Games. Henceforth, we would like to advise commercial entities to comply with these rules and not infringe or exploit the assets for commercial purposes.”
Rule 40 of the IOC charter states that “except as permitted by the IOC executive board, no competitor, team official or other team personnel who participates in the Olympic Games may allow his person, name, picture or sports performances to be used for advertising purposes during the Olympic Games.”
Read also: ‘5039’ sold out at 4D outlets as Singaporeans celebrate Schooling’s gold medal
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Managing director of sports marketing agency Red Card Group, R Sasikumar, said that some companies have gone too far.
“Too many brands are riding on Joseph’s coattails not having paid a single dollar to him. Some have taken out full-page ads in the papers, where before they’ve not supported local sports. This is ambush marketing,” he said.
Hundreds give Joseph Schooling triumphant homecoming at Changi Airport
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Schooling himself has not even started thinking about riding the wave of his success to the doorsteps of corporations.
“I saw some deals and a tea place offering free tea for me and my family.
Read also:
“It’s pretty cool and I appreciate that, but right now, I haven’t really thought about that (endorsements),” he told TNP.
“This is all still fresh to me, I’m trying to soak up the moment, trying to celebrate this with everyone, let it sink.
“Those endorsement deals and stuff, I’ll think about them after this, not now.”
Crowds gather to catch glimpse of Joseph Schooling on victory parade
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This article was first published on August 18, 2016.
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Olympics: 'Monster' Neymar leads Brazil to Germany rematch
Rio De Janeiro – Neymar scored twice, including the fastest goal in Olympic history, as Brazil set up a blockbuster revenge showdown with Germany for Olympic gold by thrashing Honduras 6-0 on Wednesday.
The sides will meet on Saturday at the Maracana just two years after Germany inflicted Brazil’s heaviest defeat of all time in a 7-1 thrashing in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the same stadium.
World champions Germany reached their first Olympic final as a unified nation as Lukas Klostermann and Nils Petersen netted in a 2-0 win over Nigeria in Sao Paulo.
Neymar had been much criticised for lacklustre displays in two 0-0 draws to start the tournament.
But his transformation from the nation’s whipping boy back to golden boy was capped by his determination to open the scoring after just 15 seconds.
“Neymar is a monster. He has the gift of playing football, he delights everyone with his talent,” said Brazil coach Rogerio Micale.
“Neymar deserves our gratitude because he pushes Brazil to a higher level.”
The Barcelona star hounded defender Johnny Palacios to rob possession on the edge of the Honduras box and goalkeeper Luis Lopez’s attempt to atone for his teammate’s error only ricocheted the ball off Neymar’s midriff and into an empty goal.
For a moment, Neymar’s bravery looked like it may have come at a cost. He was stretchered off after being winded in the challenge.
Neymar missed the 7-1 humiliation as he suffered two broken vertebrae in his back at the end of a brutal World Cup quarter-final win against Colombia.
However, there was no repeat as the 24-year-old was soon back terrorising the Honduras defence.
Bryan Acosta and Allans Vargas were booked for uncompromising attempts to stop Neymar.
Honduras coach Jorge Luis Pinto believes Neymar’s star billing offered him too much protection.
“Neymar is the best or second best player in world football, so controlling him is not easy,” said Pinto, whose side still have the chance to land Honduras’ first ever medal in Friday’s bronze medal match.
“But the referees are falling into his trap.” Manchester City’s new £27 million (S$47.26 million) wonder kid Gabriel Jesus piled on the pain for Honduras with two more goals before the break.
Luan’s lovely through ball was prodded past the helpless Lopez by Jesus for his second goal of the tournament on 26 minutes.
Nine minutes later, Neymar turned provider with a precise pass down the left that Jesus burst onto before crashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos took advantage of some awful Honduras marking to make it 4-0 six minutes into the second-half.
Fittingly, in their best performance of the tournament, Luan converted a fine team goal for Brazil’s fifth as Gabriel Barbosa slipped in Felipe Anderson to cross low to the far post.
Neymar capped a fine display with his second of the afternoon from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Germany will be hoping to recreate happy memories of Rio as they followed up beating Brazil to lift the World Cup at the Maracana with a 1-0 win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina two years ago.
Defender Matthias Ginter is the only World Cup winner in the German Olympic squad. Whilst seeing similiarities between the teams, he insists the 7-1 was a “once in a lifetime” experience.
“We have the same team spirit, we fight for each other,” Ginter told SporTV.
“We are very happy to be in the final and to have a medal.
“It was once in a lifetime. 7-1 was one time in a career, we will not win 7-1 against Brazil.”
Nigeria had overcome a chaotic build-up to the tournament and rows over player’s allowances to reach the last four.
However, coach Samson Siasia, who had threatened to quit during the competition due to unpaid wages, said his side could have no complaints.
“It is a shame, but we don’t deserve to be in the final playing like that,” he said.
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Crowds turn up to catch a glimpse of Olympic champ Joseph Schooling
SINGAPORE – Crowds were screaming and shouting as they cheered “Schooling, Schooling!” when they caught a glimpse of Olympic champ Joseph Schooling on his victory parade on Thursday (Aug 18).
The day started bright and early around 9am for Schooling whose first stop was the Singapore Sports Hub, where the open-top bus parade kicked off from.
As the bus made its way along Tanjong Rhu and Tanjong Katong Roads, passing by Dunman High School and the Canadian School, students shouted his name and waved mini Singapore flags as Schooling waved back.
Students from Tanjong Katong Girls’ School waving to Joseph Schooling on the victory parade bus. Photo: AsiaOne
Cars along Old Airport Road blared their horns as the bus passed by and overhead bridges were also packed with people eager to see the swim star.
Schooling’s victory parade comprises of three stops – Marine Terrace Market, Singtel Comcentre Plaza and Raffles City Shopping Centre. He will get off at each stop to meet his supporters.
Crowds gather to catch glimpse of Joseph Schooling on victory parade
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At around 8.30am, there were reportedly queues at the first pit stop at Marine Terrace Market as many who lived nearby wanted to meet the champ and get his autograph, reported The Straits Times.
By 9am, crowds in the hundreds extended to nearby HDB blocks.
Crowds gathered outside Marine Terrace Market on Aug 18, 2016. Photo: AsiaOne
By the time the bus arrived at Marine Terrace at 10.30am, hundreds of people mobbed Schooling as he was trying to make his way through the crowd to get to his favourite fried carrot cake stall.
The crowds were too excited to see Schooling that a small scuffle took place as one fan was trying to get close to the Olympic champ, according to AsiaOne’s reporter on the ground.
At Singtel Comcentre, crowds gathered around the building and at the nearby skate park.
Schooling fans at Singtel Comcentre on Aug 18, 2016. Photo: AsiaOne
There, Schooling told his fans: “Thank you guys for coming out. You guys are amazing. I love you guys.”
Joseph Schooling addressing his fans at Singtel Comcentre. Photo: AsiaOne
Although that the past few days have been hard for his private life, he said: “I didn’t do this for myself, I did this for my country, my family, my friends.”
The victory parade continued along Orchard Boulevard with the bus passing the Istana, Plaza Singapura and School of the Arts, Singapore (SOTA), where an accident involving two cars – apparently distracted by the Schooling entourage – occured. Schooling was traffic-stopping indeed.
Crowds at Raffles City Shopping Centre waiting for Schooling to arrive. Photo: Erik Wee
At the final pit stop at Raffles City Shopping Centre, people packed the mall and were positioned at different vantage points facing the Level 3 Atrium where the national swimmer would be stationed.
As soon as he arrived, the crowd went wild again.
At Raffles City, Schooling took a wefie with the audience and spent some time signing autographs.
Mother and daughter pair, Doreen Cheng and Thessabel, 12 (pictured below), were at Raffles City from 8am to queue up to meet Schooling.
Their efforts paid off as they were the first in line to get his autograph.
Thessabel, who is a huge fan of Schooling, told AsiaOne that she admires him because “he never gives up”, but she was a tad disappointed she didn’t get a photograph with him due to time constraints in the queue.
Schooling fans Thessabel, 12, and her mother Doreen Cheng queued at Raffles City Shopping Centre from 8am just to get Schooling’s autograph. Photo: AsiaOne
Schooling arrived in Singapore from Rio de Janeiro on Monday and his past four days have been jam-packed with events.
On Monday, he made an appearance in Parliament. Then on Tuesday, he visited his alma mater Anglo Chinese School (Junior). He took a break from media engagements on Wednesday as he met family and friends for a function at Tanah Merah Country Club. He also visited former President S R Nathan in hospital.
Today’s victory parade marks the last of his public appearances before he returns to US on Friday (Aug 19) for orientation in school at the University of Texas.
Stay tuned for more updates…
maryanns@sph.com.sg
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Crowds turn up in droves to catch a glimpse of Olympic champ Joseph Schooling
SINGAPORE – Crowds cheered “Schooling, Schooling!” when the Olympic champ Joseph Schooling made his way through crowds of people during victory parade on Thursday (Aug 18).
The day started bright and early around 9am for Schooling whose first stop was the Singapore Sports Hub, where the open-top bus parade kicked off from.
As the bus made its way along Tanjong Rhu and Tanjong Katong Roads, passing by Dunman High School and the Canadian School, students shouted his name and waved mini Singapore flags as Schooling waved back.
Cars along Old Airport Road honked as the bus passed by and overhead bridges were also packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of the swim star.
Schooling’s victory parade comprises of three stops – Marine Terrace Market, Singtel Comcentre Plaza and Raffles City Shopping Centre. He will get off at each stop to meet his supporters.
At around 8.30am, there were reportedly queues at the first pit stop at Marine Terrace Market as many who lived nearby wanted to meet the champ and get his autograph, reported The Straits Times.
By 9am, crowds in the hundreds extended to nearby HDB blocks.
By the time the bus arrived at Marine Terrace at 10.30am, hundreds of people mobbed Schooling as he was trying to make his way through the crowd to get to his favourite fried carrot cake stall.
The crowds were too excited to see Schooling that a small scuffle occured as one fan was trying to get close to the Olympic champ, according to AsiaOne’s reporter on the ground.
Schooling is onto his next stop at Singtel Comcentre where crowds have gathered around the building and at near by skate park.
Stay tuned for more updates…
maryanns@sph.com.sg
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