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State Public Works, Rural and Regional Development committee chairman Hasni Mohammad said that Johor will respect a 1962 agreement for the state to supply water to Singapore, The Star reported.
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Bangkok – Thailand’s ousted prime minister called on the kingdom’s generals to return power to the people as the country marked the second anniversary Sunday of its latest coup.
Yingluck Shinawatra, whose government was thrown out of office on 22 May 2014 in the military’s 12th successful putsch, said the country was “suffering” under army rule.
Since their takeover, Thailand’s military have clamped down on dissent, banning political protest and ramping up prosecutions under the country’s draconian sedition and royal defamation laws.
The economy has also stagnated, debunking the junta’s claims that it alone holds the key to the nation’s prosperity.
“Today is the 2nd anniversary of the coup d’etat that removed my government from office,” Yingluck said in a Facebook post uploaded Sunday morning.
“It was the day that the people’s rights and freedom were taken away.” Yingluck was Thailand’s first female prime minister and the sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was also toppled in a 2006 coup backed by the kingdom’s royalist establishment.
They despise the clan, accusing Thaksin of poisoning the country with populist and corrupt policies.
But the Shinawatras remain wildly popular among Thailand’s rural and urban working class, especially in the north, who vote for the family in droves and laud them for uplifting the lot of the poor after decades of neglect by a Bangkok-based elite.
Former army chief turned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha says the coup was necessary to end more than a decade of political chaos and street protests.
But critics say the takeover was simply the latest attempt to ensure the Shinawatras are kept from power.
In her statement, Yingluck said Thais are “suffering” as the economy dribbles along and questioned whether the junta had made good on a vow to heal the country’s political divide, a period often described by Thais as “the lost decade”.
She urged the junta to swiftly return “the basic rights and freedom that will allow the people to once again choose their own destiny.” Yingluck was retroactively impeached by the military following their takeover and is on trial for negligence, a charge that could see her jailed for up to ten years.
The military have promised to hold elections in the summer of 2017, but previous election pledges have slipped.
A controversial new junta-crafted constitution will be put to a referendum in August.
Last week the military warned that any rejection of their constitution at the referendum might result in elections having to be put back further.
Analysts say Thailand’s political troubles are exacerbated by the failing health of its 88-year-old monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej as competing elites jostle for power ahead of the succession.
SINGAPORE – To help at-risk youths get back on their feet and put a lid on raging tempers, a programme aimed at helping such youngsters has turned to the unlikeliest of places: The horse stable.
Last year, the Vocational and Soft Skills Programme (VaSSP), an…
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Time flies like a Ducati.
Ten years have passed since a senior editor at The New Paper threw me a challenge: Come up with a column to connect with male readers and those who are adventurous.
After much huffing and puffing, like starting an old Norton, TNP’s Biker Boy roared to life.
Today, the column is as recognisable as the Harley growl. Biker Boy has grown to become a feature covering everything motorcycle-related.
More than 500 articles have been written, some 100 motorcycles reviewed and thousands of pictures taken as the test riders pushed the bikes without breaking them.
In that time, the “boy” in Biker Boy has also matured – now married and blessed with two children who are slowly developing an interest in motorcycles.
There have been highlights.
I broke three bones, raced against a horse, tested a waterproof headset under the shower and sat on MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi’s bike when he wasn’t looking.
I also regularly brought home sand from different parts of the island, parted Miss Universe Singapore 2014 Rathi Menon’s hair and acquired several motorcycles without telling the long-suffering wife.
WHY
But none of this would have been possible without the people in the biking community, who remain the main reason I write about their pursuits and all things two-wheeled.
From locals who brave uncharted destinations and adventures to international racing stars who appear on TV each weekend at break-neck speeds during races.
Credit goes to Braap Brothers for surviving the treacherous Red Bull Romaniacs enduro last year which had close to a 50 per cent DNF (did not finish) rate.
Even as I write this, my friend Juvena Huang is somewhere in Iran, riding solo on her trusty two-stroke Vespa on a lifetime adventure which started here in May 2015.
Rising stars Muhd Jazil and Hasroy Osman continue to represent budding talents on the local racing scene.
Occasionally, we’re visited by the gods of racing like Briton Chaz Davies, who races in the World Superbike championship for Ducati, and Australian Cameron Donald, famed for his exploits in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.
Despite their lightning-quick reflexes and superhuman abilities, these professional racers are level-headed and modest during interviews.
These days, riders can buy machines similar to the ones pro racers ride.
But the major break in the last decade has been smarter and safer motorcycles equipped with traction control, ride modes and anti-lock brake systems (ABS) as standard equipment.
Some brands add more excitement with features such as cornering ABS, up/down quick-shifters and anti-wheelie.
With stricter emission rules geared for Euro 4, we can also expect greener motorbikes.
But concerns remain.
Mechanics need to be trained for the new technology and workshops need to invest in equipment to service Euro 4-compliant motorcycles.
GREEN
As a rider, you’ll pay more for environment-friendly motorcycles.
For owners of smaller motorcycles, who make up about 70 per cent of the biker population here, things won’t be good given current Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums.
It continues to hover above $6,000.
In the last decade, the population of bigger bikes above 500cc has steadily increased.
It appears that bigger motorcycles become better investments when COE prices are high.
But big or small, the lure of freedom, affordable transportation and countless adventures will continue to attract a certain breed of men and women to motorcycling.
And one thing has been constant over the decade: TNP remains a strong advocate for safe-riding practices.
We “gave” our face to Traffic Police’s Riders For Life campaign by appearing in two standies.
We also lent our voice by speaking at Singapore Ride Safe events in the hopes that more bikers suit up.
Motorcycling can be a safe activity if we remain alert and take certain safety precautions.
I could go on but I don’t want to take up your precious riding time.
Here’s to the next 10 years.
Ride on!
zaihan@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on May 22, 2016.
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About two decades ago, a white 1961 Cadillac Series 62 Deville arrived at the workshop of vintage car restorer Poon Kng Joo in Sin Ming Industrial Estate.
He had been hired to give the jalopy a makeover.
And boy, did he ever.
Mr Poon, or Ah Joo to his friends, gave the Cadillac a coat of striking purple paint and added flames running down its sides.
“I sketched out the design and painted it on the car,” Mr Poon, 60, tells The New Paper on Sunday. “The guy that gave me the job gave me a very brief idea of what he wanted, and the rest was up to my creativity.”
That Cadillac became part of an iconic landmark. It was hoisted above the entrance of Hard Rock Cafe on Cuscaden Road.
And there it stayed for more than 23 years before it was taken down on Monday as the restaurant is undergoing renovation.
The car was awarded to the winner of the Hard Rock Cafe 25th Anniversary Charity Draw. The draw raised $5,500 by selling raffle tickets at $25 each. The proceeds went to Melrose Home, a children’s aid society.
But the man behind the restoration of the iconic Cadillac says he is “not sad” about the fruit of his labour being taken down.
“Not many people knew I was the man behind the Hard Rock Cadillac… It still is one of the most memorable jobs I’ve done to date, there is no doubt about that,” says Mr Poon, owner of Seok Seng Motor.
“But life goes on and things change, even for a classic place like Hard Rock Cafe. That doesn’t change the fact that I am proud of the work that I did to that Cadillac.”
RECOMMENDED
Mr Poon says his neighbour recommended him to the team that was looking for someone to restore the Cadillac, which was initially “plain and all white”.
He recalls that it took about 21 days to restore the Cadillac after it arrived.
Besides repainting the car, he had to remove the engine, leaving just the engine frame in the hood of the car and repolish its dashboard.
“The idea was to make it look like a classic and stylish Cadillac on the outside,” said Mr Poon.
Back then, restoring a Cadillac like that cost about $12,000.
“If I were to do a job like that now, it would cost at least $20,000,” he says.
“It wasn’t an easy task. I remember we had to reduce the weight of the car to about one tonne so it could be hung. On top of that, I wasn’t sure if they would like the paint job.”
He adds: “In those days, there weren’t stickers and wraps for cars so I had to hand-paint the entire car myself.”
But Mr Poon’s worry about Hard Rock Cafe not liking his work was probably unfounded. After all, at that point, he had been restoring cars for over a decade.
Mr Poon reckons in his 37 years in the business, he has restored over 2,000 vintage and classic cars.
His company was started by his father in 1954. Mr Poon bought over his father’s business in 1996, a few years after he restored the Cadillac for Hard Rock Cafe.
“My father loved restoring cars, and I guess I got that love from him,” says Mr Poon, who also enjoys restoring bicycles.
“I am sure he’d be proud that I played a part in restoring what over the years became one of Singapore’s most symbolic icons.”
crobert@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on May 22, 2016.
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He hates it when people damage his plants.
Dr Wilson Wong says: “I feel such ‘heart pain’ every time I see someone with a flower in their ear.”
The horticulturist at Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) has seen his fair share of plucked leaves, broken stems and stolen plants.
And this is why keeps a close eye on visitors.
He explains: “Many of the plants here are from all around the region.
“People do not know how much effort was put into finding and growing them. Some just yank their leaves out because they find them beautiful.”
Last year, he spent 12 months growing an uncommon species of ginger in his nursery before planting it out in the open for the public.
He says: “I nurtured it, guarded it from pests and checked on it every morning. But after finally planting it outside, it was stolen a few days later.
“I did not know whether to cry or get angry.”
But Dr Wong, who has been a horticulturist for 10 years, bears no resentment towards visitors at the Botanic Gardens.
WORKSHOPS
Instead, he enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge of horticulture.
He speaks at gardening workshops every few months at the Botanic Gardens.
“My job is to create a pleasant learning experience for visitors, which includes ensuring the footpaths and lights are in good condition.
“I also make sure every plant in SBG is labelled,” he says proudly.
As a “plant doctor”, Dr Wong conducts simple treatments for yellow, withering plants that are ill – be they infected or infested.
How can he tell if a plant is “sick”?
“The plant will tell you. It cannot talk to you, but it will show you,” he says with a smile.
Dr Wong adds that people tend to confuse horticulturists with botanists.
He explains: “Botanists study the classification of plants, whereas for horticulturists, simply put, we study how to grow plants.”
Dr Wong travels overseas every few months to learn more about plants in other countries.
He has visited flower shows in London, Taiwan and the United States, studying the works of other horticulturists and garden designers.
He says: “I speak to fellow plant growers from all around the world who share their experiences with me.”
At the Singapore Garden Festival two years ago, Dr Wong curated the Learning Garden, a garden of plants mainly catered to children.
He says his aim was to connect children with the plants.
Dr Wong says: “When I heard visitors saying ‘Wow, I did not know this plant looks like that’, I was satisfied.
“Knowing people learn from my work really fulfils me.”
Dr Wong speaks fervently about his personal collection of plants – many of his plants are succulents, an uncommon group of plants in Singapore.
A plant enthusiast, he has around 200 pots of exotic plants in his house, mostly from South Africa and Madagascar.
One of his favourite plants is the Heliconia Longissima, which he grows at SBG.
He explains: “I like it because it is elegant and unique. Plus, the flowers look like firecrackers.”
SECRETS OF THE TRADE
Have a thirst for knowledge. Horticulture is a science that requires passion and interest to perfect. You need to regularly research how to grow different plants and the environment that best suits them.
Dare to try new things. Experiment with different methods of growing plants. You never know which is the best until you try.
Be humble and share your knowledge with others. By teaching, you will learn and grow as a horticulturist as well.
zacsoh@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on May 22, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.
Sunflower oil, fishball, plastic fork and sunscreen.
These are words scribbled on Mr Louis Chua’s notepad as he goes from aisle to aisle in the supermarket.
But Mr Chua, 52, does not use his notepad for his shopping list. He uses it to communicate.
Deaf and unable to speak, Mr Chua, a store assistant at FairPrice Finest’s Changi Airport Terminal 3 branch, communicates with his colleagues and customers by writing in his notepad or using simple hand gestures.
His store manager, Mr Philip Ang, 47, says Mr Chua is popular among his colleagues and customers.
Mr Ang says: “Many regular customers look for him when they need help.
“He offers to help customers carry their groceries all the way to the departure halls.”
Mr Chua, who has been working for FairPrice for over 30 years, recently became an Internet celebrity after he was featured in a video on its Facebook page as part of its campaign to make lives better.
The video, which shows Mr Chua serving customers at the supermarket, has garnered over 138,000 views and over 500 shares since it was posted about a week ago.
In a written interview with The New Paper on Sunday, Mr Chua says he faced difficulties when he first started working.
He says: “I initially felt hesitant to communicate with customers because I cannot speak or hear.
“I was afraid they would not understand me.”
Mr Chua says working at the Changi Airport branch is a unique experience.
He explains: “I get to interact with locals who shop here and tourists who are visiting Singapore.”
Ms Priscilla Chew is one of the local customers.
The 36-year-old customer service officer says she has known Mr Chua for over a year and always greets him when she is in the store.
She says: “I like him because he is always smiling and friendly.
“Despite his limitations, he really goes the extra mile to serve customers.”
FULFILMENT
Mr Chua was not born deaf. He suffered a high fever after he turned one, resulting in his loss of hearing.
He studied at the Singapore School for the Deaf for nine years, learning sign language.
His job today involves customer servicing, replenishing stocks and housekeeping duties.
But his favourite part of the job is seeing the faces of satisfied customers.
He says: “I feel happy when I see customers complimenting my service and walking off with a smile.
“One time, I assisted customers to pack and tape their purchases nicely in a box, and I even assisted them to push it to the designated location.
“Their appreciation for my service and the thanks I received really made the interaction unforgettable.”
Mr Chua lives with his older brother and sister in Little India.
His 59-year-old brother works at FairPrice’s Whampoa branch.
His sister, Ms Chua Hong Ee, 57, an office administrator, says she was initially worried when he first started working.
She says: “I was thinking, ‘How will he communicate with customers when he cannot hear or speak?’
“But now, hearing all the positive feedback he receives, I am relieved.”
Ms Sylvia Teng, executive director of The Singapore Association for the Deaf, says it is commendable that Mr Chua has been with the same employer for over 30 years.
She says: “It is a clear indication that he enjoys good relationships with his employer and his colleagues.
“His commitment underlines his sense of loyalty and good work.”
Mr Chua says it takes times for people to get used to communicating with those who cannot hear.
He says: “I’m able to manage my work well because the colleagues and customers know me well and are familiar with my communication style.”
His message for working with deaf people?
“Though it might take a bit more patience, just take your time and we are more than happy to talk to you just like everyone else,” he says.
Deaf people face job difficulties
Individuals who are deaf are employed in a diverse range of industries such as administrative, creative, accounting, engineering, and information technology, says Ms Sylvia Teng, executive director of The Singapore Association for the Deaf.
But many face difficulties in getting jobs. Ms Teng adds that even when employed, a lot of them are not given fair opportunities.
She says: “Employers may be reluctant for deaf staff to take on leadership roles due to the additional efforts required, such as engaging in note-taking or sign language interpretation.”
Possible reasons include the lack of understanding and experience of employers on how to engage and communicate with deaf staff, Ms Teng explains.
She has tips for interaction when working with or being served by people who are deaf:
zacsoh@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on May 22, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said this during a Ministerial Community Visit to Aljunied GRC on Sunday.
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SINGAPORE – Nearly 88,000 households have applied for a Housing and Development Board (HDB) programme to enhance home safety for the elderly since it was introduced in July 2012.
Out of this number, about 52,500 households have opted for the scheme together…
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