SINGAPORE: After a spate of high-profile food poisoning incidents in Singapore in recent weeks, people have been speculating about the possible causes and wondering how one can mitigate the risks.

The culprits behind severe food poisoning are likely to be bacteria transferred from a food handler’s hands, or things like vegetables not washed thoroughly enough, said infectious diseases expert Leong Hoe Nam.

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia following the recent cases – including one which turned fatal – he said that the bacteria found on hands typically do not grow a lot on their own.

“But when the bacteria come in touch with food, they will grow over four to six hours. They will over-proliferate because they feed on the food,” Dr Leong said. Toxins are produced in the process, he explained.

When food is left out in the open, or under low heat at about 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, it provides the perfect environment for this process, he added. 

However, even when food has been contaminated with bacteria, its taste, smell and colour may not necessarily change, making the person consuming it none the wiser.

When the food is eaten along with the bacteria and toxins, it may cause food poisoning. But food poisoning, which doctors said is often interchangeably used with the term gastroenteritis, can also be caused by viral infections spread by people, and not just contaminated food.

The authorities have said they are investigating the recent cases that took place here. 

In the first, one man died after consuming food from the River Valley outlet of Spize. In the second case, 190 people fell ill after eating food from TungLok’s catering arm. In yet another incident, more than 130 children and teachers at a kids’ camp fell ill after consuming food prepared by caterer FoodTalks.

CROSS CONTAMINATION, FOOD SAFETY LAPSES TO BLAME AS WELL

Vegetables that are not washed properly could also be a reason for food poisoning, Dr Leong said. Vegetables are typically fertilised using manure, and the bacteria in the manure get eaten along with the vegetables when not washed properly, he explained.

If a knife used to cut dirty vegetables is used on other items, cross-contamination occurs, thus increasing the chances of food poisoning, he added.

Such lapses do not come as a surprise to food safety consultant Lawrence Low. In his 15 years of experience, he has seen knives stored in dirty gaps, dishwashers that are not hot enough to sanitise, and can openers that are not washed frequently enough. 

“Detergent doesn’t kill bacteria. Only sanitisers and hot water kill bacteria. If the dishwasher is not well-maintained, the bacteria may survive and grow,” he said, adding that one of the issues could be the dishwasher not being hot enough.

He also shed some light on what could be going on in the minds of caterers. “If I only have enough resources to cook for up to 500 people, if I get an order for 900 people, do I reject it?” he asked rhetorically.

He said that in such situations, the company has to balance the need to fulfill orders keeping in mind the amount of resources they have. 

This is because if there is a lack of resources, either in manpower or equipment, the food will have to be prepared earlier, he explained. Given the time lapse and improper storage of the food, bacteria may find their perfect home.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD SAFETY KNOWLEDGE

Mr Low, however, said that Singapore has strict laws to ensure food safety. According to the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) website, all food handlers have to go for a basic food hygiene course. Course trainers said a certificate attained at the end of the one-day course lasts for five years, after which a refresher must be taken. The refresher lasts 10 years.

During the course, food handlers are educated on proper storage of foods, minimising the risks of food contamination and the importance of hand hygiene, among other things.

Dr Leong said that the certificate is “absolutely essential”. However, he said that while it provides knowledge, it will not stop a person who chooses to flout the law.

“Food hygiene is as good as the weakest link,” he said.

HOW FOOD POISONING AFFECTS THE BODY

While severe food poisoning can even lead to death, Dr Leong said that the body is able to cope with mild contamination. 

Consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the National University Hospital Mark Muthiah said that most food poisoning cases “resolve spontaneously and do not need any specific treatment”.

Despite the recent death from food poisoning in Singapore, the illness is rarely fatal, Dr Muthiah said. He pointed out that in the United States, for instance, fewer than one out of every 15,000 patients with gastroenteritis dies from the disease.

Explaining how food poisoning affects a victim, Dr Muthiah said a viral or bacterial infection causes inflammation in the lining of the intestines, which leads to secretion of fluids within the intestines, as well as the inability to absorb fluids. The body tries to get rid of this, resulting in vomiting, diarrhoea or both.

HOW TO PREVENT AND MINIMISE THE RISK OF FOOD POISONING

Specialist in Emergency Medicine at the Raffles Emergency Department Dr Goh E Shaun suggested that people consume foods from trusted restaurants or stalls, and to pay heed to cleanliness standards ratings issued by the NEA.

Consumers can also do some research before ordering from a caterer, said Mr Low, but making an informed judgment could still prove challenging. While retail food establishments are required to display their hygiene standards rating from the NEA prominently, it is more difficult to find the rating of a company that does only catering.

Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang who heads the Infectious Diseases Programme at the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health said it is “very difficult” to detect contaminated food.

“Obviously not continuing to eat food that tastes ‘off’, or consuming food that is past the expiry date or time, will help. When in doubt, toss away the food,” he said.

The elderly or the very young, as well as those with compromised immune systems, may fare worse when hit by either viral gastroenteritis or food poisoning, he added.

“For those who are afflicted by the stomach flu or food poisoning, the key is to ensure adequate fluid intake, which can include water, soup, as well as other oral rehydration solutions,” he said.

SINGAPORE: The Internet was abuzz when Miss Universe Singapore Zahra Khanum unveiled on Thursday (Nov 29) her national costume, which she said embodied world peace.

However, peace was the last thing Miss Khanum enjoyed as her Trump-Kim summit costume ignited debate over its style, colour choice and depiction of the North Korean and United States flags.

READ: Designer of Miss Universe Singapore’s controversial Trump-Kim costume defends dress

READ: Trump-Kim summit costume is ‘representation of what Singapore stands for’: Miss Universe Singapore

Ahead of the Miss Universe pageant that will be held in Bangkok next month, we take a look at five other unique national costumes from Asia that have also become the talk of the town:

JAPAN

Japan’s Yuumi Kato will be bringing something old and something new to the competition, in the form of her double-duty costume that will see her transform from a female ninja into anime icon Sailor Moon.

In an Instagram video on Wednesday, Miss Universe Japan showed Miss Kato parading a traditional red kunoichi outfit, before turning around and morphing into the anime schoolgirl’s alter ego.

Commenting on her cosplay choice, Miss Kato said this year’s costume represents the “new Japanese culture” of “woman warrior Sailor Moon”.

National Director of Miss Universe Japan said that she wanted to have a costume that could “express Japan to the world”.

VIETNAM

Although it was not to everyone’s taste, Miss Universe Vietnam’s bold fashion statement embodies one of the most iconic foods from the Southeast Asian nation.

H’Hen Nie’s elaborate outfit features a skirt of banh mi, a ubiquitous Vietnamese baguette sandwich, flanked by two basket “wings”.

While the design went against the grain for many, Miss Nie was quoted by Viet Nam News as saying: “Whether you go to the poorest areas of the North and Central Highlands, or the most exquisite places of HCM (Ho Chi Minh) City and Hanoi, you will find the presence of bread. For foreigners, seeing banh mi and pho (noodles) they will think of Vietnam.”

The controversial pick was voted the most popular outfit from six potential choices. Several of the other options were more formal.

MALAYSIA

Having drawn flak for its nasi lemak and Petronas Twin Towers costumes in the past, Malaysia hopes to sail through the competition this year with a creation inspired by a traditional Malay fishing boat.

The ensemble made a splash on Instagram earlier this month, with Miss Universe Malaysia Jane Teoh explaining that her national costume was based on the bangau perahu from the state of Terengganu.

“It’s iconic and rich in Malay culture, making it uniquely Malaysian. Definitely feeling strong, bold and confident donning it,” she wrote.

THAILAND

This year’s pageant host will grace the stage as “Chang, the Icon of Siam”.

A video of Thai beauty queen Ning Sophiba introducing the outfit on Nov 19 shows the dress’ white train unfurling into a hood in the shape of an elephant’s head, complete with a collapsible trunk.

Miss Universe Thailand decided on the outfit after a competition, which included other creative submissions such as pieces inspired by Ratchaburi’s floating market as well as Thailand’s Songkran festival.

According to Khaosod news agency, winning designer Theer Phasuk said: “Elephants are a symbol of our nation and have been with us for a long time. Elephants are what foreigners recognise about Thailand.”

In 2015, Thailand drew derision for its tuk-tuk costume, complete with working headlights. The outfit raced ahead of other competitors to be named Best National Costume at the pageant in Las Vegas.

CAMBODIA

Miss Universe Cambodia Rern Sinat will have the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders.

Dubbed “The Kingdom of Wonder”, the costume has rich cultural and historical elements, including a headdress in the form of UNESCO World Heritage Site Angkor Wat, set against the colour of the Cambodian flag.

The Cambodian flag is echoed on the arm hangings, while the dress is also adorned with designs based on the mysterious smiling faces of the Bayon temple and the Romduol, Cambodia’s national flower.

“For me, this National Costume is more than just an attire. It’s a visual and emotional representation of what makes me very proud to be Cambodian,” Miss Rern Sinat said.

SINGAPORE: The man behind Miss Universe Singapore’s controversial Trump-Kim Summit costume has spoken out in defence of his design, saying that he is “happy with the final result”.

The national costume – designed by Mr Moe Kasim of Moephosis Concepts in collaboration with Miss Universe Singapore national director Nuraliza Osman – has drawn much reaction on social media since it was unveiled on Thursday (Nov 29), with some questioning how the design is representative of Singapore.

Inspired by the historic summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June, the dress features an electric blue skirt that fans out to reveal a hidden surprise – a huge digital print depicting the historic handshake between Mr Trump and Mr Kim.

Miss Universe Singapore representative Zahra Khanum will parade it at the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Bangkok next month.

“A LITTLE HESITANT” ABOUT THEME

Mr Kasim told Channel NewsAsia that he was instructed by organisers to “design something based on the Trump-Kim Summit”.

“I naturally thought of world peace and the elements of it, hence, the design,” Mr Kasim said in an email interview.

The Trump-Kim dress represents the third consecutive year he has designed Miss Singapore’s national costume.

Mr Kasim also admitted that he was “a little hesitant” when he first received word of the design theme.

“Honestly, I was a little hesitant at first due to the political sensitivities behind it. But in the spirit of promoting world peace, friendship and unity, I accepted the challenge.”

He added that he believed the organisers wanted to highlight “what was relevant, current and unique – something that was probably only going to happen once in our lifetime and in Singapore’s history”.

“We accepted the design challenge in the spirit of supporting Singapore’s role in promoting world peace, friendship and unity,” Mr Kasim said.

“This is just a representation of what Singapore stands for, which is world peace, and the fact that Singapore is reaching out to other countries to create positive relationships,” he added.

READ: Trump-Kim summit costume is ‘representation of what Singapore stands for’: Miss Universe Singapore 

“MAKE THE BEST WITH WHAT WE HAVE”

Most of the criticisms surrounding the dress were centred around the choice of the Trump-Kim Summit as a design inspiration, the use of North Korea and US flags on a national costume representing Singapore, the absence of a Singapore flag, and the perceived inferior quality of the digital print.

Mr Kasim said that among the challenges he faced while making the costume was the budget.

“It was a challenge to design something based on an event. Even more so for something as controversial and contentious as this one,” Mr Kasim said.

“Budget was also another challenge. We had to make the best with what we have. I’m happy with the final result and I wish everyone will join me in cheering for Zahra at the finals now that the spotlight is on her, even from the international media,” he added.

Mr Kasim also addressed comments by some who suggested that the Trump-Kim dress has similarities to Miss Turkey’s 2015 national costume, saying that any resemblances was a mere coincidence.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen the 2015 dress until it was pointed out,” Mr Kasim said.

“There has been thousands of costumes showcased over the years and it’s hard to keep track of them all. It’s purely a coincidence,” he said.

The Miss Universe 2018 pageant will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec 17.

BUENOS AIRES: Singapore and Argentina will work to boost economic ties, as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Argentine President Mauricio Macri at the Olivos Presidential Residence in Buenos Aires on Thursday (Nov 29).

Both leaders welcomed the progress made on negotiations for a bilateral investment treaty and said they expect to conclude talks by the first half of next year. They also agreed to begin discussions next year on an agreement to avoid double taxation. 

The two deals are expected to boost trade and investment flows between the two countries.

In 2017, trade between Singapore and Argentina amounted to S$240 million in products such as motor vehicle parts, insecticides and fish. Trade in services in areas such as transport, financial and trade-related services also surpassed S$200 million in 2016. Bilateral investment flows between the two countries have also grown, with the total stock of investment amounting to almost S$600 million by the end of 2016.

The two leaders agreed to work towards holding the first round of talks on a free trade pact between Singapore and MERCOSUR – a South American trade bloc that comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay –  by the first quarter of 2019.

The Singapore-MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement, which was launched in July, will allow Singapore companies greater access to a market of 295 million people with a combined GDP of US$2.9 trillion.

Mr Lee and Mr Macri also spoke about the importance of enhancing air connectivity between the two countries. Singapore and Argentina expanded an air services agreement in August.

During the breakfast meeting, both leaders agreed to continue regular high-level political dialogue, as well as conduct more frequent and active exchanges.

Mr Lee reiterated his invitation to Mr Macri to visit Singapore next year.

On Thursday, Mr Lee also met Pro Tempore President of the Argentine Senate Federico Pinedo, Buenos Aires Senator Esteban Bullrich and Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta. The leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation between Singapore and Argentina’s key provinces.

SINGAPORE: At a wedding dinner I recently attended, a friend asked me what she should do about her daughter’s rapid increase in myopia.

Just nine years of age, with 400 degrees, the girl was doing very well in her dance co-curriculum activity and wanted to perform without her spectacles. Her mother was concerned about starting her on soft contact lenses at such a young age and unsure about the safety of her daughter wearing the lenses from morning to night.

Before I could furnish a reply, another table-mate chimed in that her son had broken his spectacles thrice in the last six months playing soccer in school.

The costs and hassle of replacing his spectacles was burdensome, and his myopia was increasing at a steady state yearly, she lamented.

The gentleman next to her jumped in then, sharing his story of how his high myopia led to him urgently need cataract surgery in his forties. Cataract surgery is normally required when one is in their sixties, and he complained about how myopia had caused retina degeneration and his eyes to “age” prematurely.

With the table topic gaining ground, the lady to my right, a silver-haired dental specialist dressed to the nines chuckled as she said deadpanned:

One can afford to lose two teeth, but certainly can’t afford to lose two eyes.

She went on to share how she wished her parents had bothered more about helping her keep her myopia in check through her many years of studying to reach the top of her field because now, with 1,000 degrees, her options were limited to surgery and thick spectacles. 

Lenses were too drying for her eyes, she complained, and spectacles often ruined her stylish ensemble.

“All work and no play makes Jane a very blind girl,” she quipped.

SHORT-SIGHTED NATION

Indeed, perhaps we study too much, or stare at our screens for too long, or perhaps it is a combination of factors and genetics, but the figures today are sobering. One in five of Singaporean children are myopic before they even start primary school.

The numbers grow alarmingly to half of the school-going population being affected by myopia. This percentage keeps increasing to 70 per cent in teenagers and 80 per cent in working adults.

This means that four out of five adults in Singapore suffer from short-sightedness. Out of the four, at least one has high myopia, which is more than 500 to upwards of 1,000 degrees.

READ: Young children with myopia at higher risk of poor vision, blindness: Study

This condition means that without the aid of spectacles or contact lenses, the unfortunate person would be stumbling around clumsily, virtually blind, only able to make out vague blurry forms and unable to discern letters, symbols or even facial expressions.

Not only that, but high myopia also brings higher risks of ocular complications such as cataract, retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and in extreme and rare cases, blindness.

SOLUTIONS, SOLUTIONS

There is a smorgasbord of options available now to manage and to correct myopia.

Spectacles offer the simplest means of correcting vision, but they can be cumbersome during sporting and physical activities. Frequent changes of prescription and replacement of spectacles are also very common in children and teenagers due to the progression of myopia.

Soft disposable contact lenses, while providing great initial comfort and convenience, can lead to dryness if worn for a long period of time. In our hardworking society, the duration of our typical work and school days extend far beyond the recommended duration of lens wear.

The material used to make soft lenses can also potentially cause eye allergies and render the user “allergic” to their use. This can be mitigated with the use of appropriate lens care solutions and compliance.

READ: Some optometrists don’t do eye checks before selling contact lenses, flouting code

Hard lenses perform the same duty as soft contact lenses but unlike the former, tend to provide better optics and eliminate the possibility of soft contact lens related allergies.

They do have their drawbacks – they are not disposable and require much maintenance like daily cleaning and proper storage. You have to rinse the lenses thoroughly daily, to ensure they would be sterile and safe for insertion into the eyes.

Some users also complain of initial discomfort of adjustment which can take weeks to months of getting used to.

Furthermore, accidentally dropping the lens and washing it down the sink or stepping on and shattering it are common occurrences when hard lens users, groggy from sleep, go through the motions of the daily cleaning regimen early in the morning.

Surgery is another option for adults. We have come a long way – research, technology and doctors’ skills have advanced tremendously to achieve favourable results.

However, not everyone qualifies for surgery. Some are also squeamish about going under the knife.

Besides spectacles, contacts lenses and surgery, less commonly-known solutions for myopia management include eye drops, scleral lenses and specialty lens treatment programmes like orthokeratology.

The two concerned mothers, knowing that I ran a speciality lens clinic, wanted to know more about orthokeratology. Worn only while the patient is sleeping, it functions like braces for the eyes where a hard lens gently reshapes the cornea at night to achieve clear vision without the use of spectacles or contact lenses in the day.

This, however, is not some miraculous catchall solution, I was quick to disclaim. For one, while it can control the progression of myopia, we cannot claim that it can help reduce the actual level of myopia.

For another, the inconveniences were similar to that of hard lenses whereby patient  adherence to strict hygiene practice was paramount. You also had to wear the lenses for a minimum of six hours a night.

My wife chimed in then. She had broken and replaced multiple pairs of spectacles as a child. She switched to contact lenses for a decade but could only wear them for half a day at a time because they became dry and irritated her eyes.

She had tried orthokeratology but stopped because she was breastfeeding and it was impossible to get six hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. She even went to consult a doctor on the possibility of surgery but was too afraid to commit to the finality of it.

“How then? What do you use now?” The mother of the spectacles-breaking boy was eager to know.

“I interchange between spectacles, disposable contact lenses, and sometimes just make do with my state of semi-blindness,” said my wife to the mirth of the others.

The moral of the story – myopia is a very real and ubiquitous problem that we certainly need to pay more attention to. Perhaps, given that four out of five are myopic, we have a false sense of security as we feel safety in numbers.

As there is no one-size-fits-all solution to myopia, we need to take better care of our eyes and accept that there’s no such thing as a convenient solution in our conversation about myopia and its treatment options.

All we can do is weigh the various options available to us and choose wisely based on our lifestyle requirements. In the case of my wife, she’s lucky she has me to fetch her spectacles when she’s stumbling around as if drunk.

Titus Wu is a fellow of the international academy of orthokeratology and myopia control. His area of clinical interests includes myopia control for children and cornea and vision rehabilitation using speciality lenses.

SINGAPORE: Both Go-Jek and Grab may have logos that are largely green in colour, but as the two firms compete for a larger slice of the ride-hailing market in Singapore, Go-Jek’s president Andre Soelistyo is confident it has an edge in the array of services it can offer. 

In Indonesia, Go-Jek customers can also make online payments, as well as order food, groceries and even massages. 

“I don’t think colours of logos make a difference in winning market share. A lot of tech companies (have logos) that are green coloured anyway,” he said with a chuckle.

Mr Soelistyo was in an upbeat mood when he spoke to Channel NewsAsia on Thursday (Nov 29), minutes after Go-Jek launched the beta version of its app in Singapore, kicking off the roll-out of its services islandwide.  

“This industry was not meant for a monopolistic situation … There’s no such thing as only one player in the market,” he said.

“When there’s one player, service levels go down. They stop listening to what consumer complaints are, that’s why we think being another choice would be our biggest strategy,” added Mr Soelistyo.

Passengers and drivers are hopeful that Go-Jek’s entry will rejuvenate competition in Singapore’s ride-hailing market after Grab acquired Uber’s Southeast Asia operations in March. For Grab users, the takeover resulted in a sharp decrease in promotions and lower driver incentives.

In its bid to wrestle some market share, Go-Jek is set to entice new users with promotional codes for point-to-point rides in the initial phase.

At the launch, the company announced that as part of its strategic partnership with DBS Bank, DBS and POSB customers in Singapore will receive S$5 voucher credits for each of their first two rides.

And Mr Soelistyo hinted that there will be more of such discounts to come in the next few weeks.  

“In the early days, consumers will (need to) be introduced to our product,” he said. “There will be promotions because at the early stages, there will be glitches, there will be some operational challenges and obviously we will need to compensate.”

Mr Soelistyo cautioned, however, that promotions might not be as aggressive as it was during the days when Grab and Uber started off in Singapore. He noted that commuters are better educated about ride-hailing, so Go-Jek’s focus will be on building a differentiated product rather than “market building”.

“But we hope that pricing is not the key determinant of choosing one over the other,” he said. “It’s more which one has the better product experience – if it meets the needs of people who want to commute very quickly and whether we can actually create that experience.”

On the day that Go-Jek launched its beta app, head of Grab Singapore Lim Kell Jay released a statement saying that the company “welcomes competition”.

READ: Grab users rail against revised reward system; lament lack of competition

“We believe more choice in the market enables innovation and promotes a higher level of service in the industry. Grab values our customers in Singapore and are constantly looking at ways to improve their experience and create more value for their everyday transactions on transport, payment, food and parcel delivery,” he added.

Mr Lim also said that Grab remains focused on building its vision of becoming “Singapore’s everyday superapp”.

COMING SOON: GO-FOOD, GO-CLEAN AND GO-MASSAGE?

Mr Soelistyo stressed that ultimately, Go-Jek needs to focus on itself, as its comparative advantage over Grab is its one-stop platform. 

The Go-Jek app in Indonesia has a range of around 20 services for users, including instant food delivery service Go-Food, personal masseuse service Go-Massage, on-demand courier service Go-Send and professional house cleaning service Go-Clean.

He maintained that Go-Jek’s experience in offering such services for four years since its inception in Indonesia gives the company an edge over other “copycats”.

“When you think about Go-Jek’s journey, since day one we were already a platform. Some of our competitors just recently announced (this) and really copied us on that move. But in reality we started early,” said Mr Soelistyo.

“So we know everything about great products, product features and functionalities to create a different experience for merchants, consumers and drivers … that’s what we’re actually trying to deliver to Singapore,” he added.

But he said that Go-Jek must first ensure that its base offering – ride-hailing – appeals to Singapore commuters, before expanding to other services.

“If it’s good, the user will be logging on into our system. That allows us to then gather the feedback – what else in their daily lives we want to help with, right?” said Mr Soelistyo.

“It could be delivering their favourite hawker food, it could be logistics for their e-commerce purchases or it could be lifestyle services like massage or cleaners.”

To break into the market and be successful, he also noted that Go-Jek cannot do it alone and must forge partnerships with other firms.

READ: Go-Jek’s going places, but is it leaving its riders behind?

Mr Soelistyo cited the example of how Go-Jek in Indonesia works with 11 banks and even local taxi company Blue Bird to provide a holistic platform for its users. Its e-wallet service, Go-Pay, is the fourth largest in Indonesia, and this was achieved through collaboration with Bank Mandiri, Bank Central Asia and state-owned telco firm Telkomsel.

“So the approach has to be the same (for Singapore). This journey cannot be completed with a single company – it has to be an ecosystem of partnerships,” he added.  

SINGAPORE: Looking for something less crowded than Bali, but can’t afford the price tag of a luxury island resort? 

Look no further than Belitung island, now a mere 30-minute flight from Singapore since Garuda Indonesia launched four weekly direct flights from Changi Airport to Belitung’s airport in Tanjung Pandan.

Located halfway between Singapore and Jakarta, the island that has been nicknamed the “Maldives of Indonesia” is an ideal getaway spot away from the hubbub of city life. Here are five reasons why.

READ: A new Bali on Indonesia’s eastern frontier? The remote Kei Islands see potential in tourism

1. PRISTINE BEACH

No doubt the most popular beach on the island, Tanjung Tinggi is tucked neatly in a cove and lined with rock formations which break the waves coming on to the beach.

A shooting location for award-winning local film The Rainbow Troops, it is perfect for a relaxing bath under the sun.

The beach that boasts crystal-clear water and smooth granite rocks – estimated to be 65 million to 200 million years old – is located northwest of the island, about 40 minutes’ drive from the Belitung airport. 

2. ISLAND-HOPPING

A 10-minute drive from Tanjung Tinggi will take you to another beach, Tanjung Kelayang, where you are in for more than just a dip in the turquoise-blue water.

Tanjung Kelayang has a more open seascape which means slightly stronger waves. Local fishermen park their boats here and offer to take visitors on island-hopping trips.

For about 500,000 rupiah (S$50), you can rent a boat for up to 10 people.

Top of the island-hopping list is a visit to Pulau Lengkuas, a secluded island with an iconic lighthouse.

Built by the Dutch in 1882, the 12-storey tall lighthouse still functions as a guide for ships sailing through Belitung. Visitors can climb up the lighthouse and enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree view from on top.

Hop back on the boat and the captain will take you towards slightly deeper waters where you will be in for an underwater treat.

With snorkeling gear provided by the boat crew for a fee, you can watch various species of colourful fish and pristine coral reefs.

Another unique feature in Belitung waters is Pulau Pasir, a patch of sand in the middle of the sea that disappears into the water in the afternoon. Starfish are often found lying on the sand at low tide – a novelty that is definitely worth a snap.

3. PICTURESQUE LAKE

Seaside attractions are not the only ones you can enjoy in Belitung. Not far from the airport is Danau Kaolin, an artificial lake that was formed by accident after the kaolin clay miners abandoned the area.

It was ironically the destruction from the mining activities that gave Danau Kaolin its unique patchy terrain, which has all the makings of a picturesque scene.

Being near to the airport, you can catch a glimpse of the lake even before you land on Belitung.

4. COFFEE CULTURE

At the eastern end of the island is Manggar, a small town that has been nicknamed “the city of 1,001 coffee shops”. Visitors from the western beaches can get there with less than two hours’ drive on well-paved roads.

The town, where Jakarta’s former governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama grew up, truly lives up to its name as every street corner here has a warung kopi where visitors can rest up and get their caffeine fix.

For the literary-minded visitors, Manggar is also home to novel-turned film The Rainbow Troops by the best-selling Indonesian writer of all time, Andrea Hirata. The book has been translated into 21 languages and is available in 87 countries.

5. THIS QUAINT RESTAURANT

No vacation is ever complete without a good old culinary delight. Belitong Timpo Duluk (“Old-School Belitung”) serves up local delicacies in a quaint setting.

Hanging on the wall is an old roadster bicycle and rattan-made farmer’s hats and baskets, as well as fishing tools. On the very table your food is served is an old-school charcoal iron, now a mere fandangle.

Food here comes in a tray meant to be shared by four diners. Fish satay, fish soup, coriander chicken and mixed vegetables are among the dishes served.

Garuda flights to Belitung start from S$165.

SINGAPORE: The Trump-Kim summit may be long over, but the historic event is back in the spotlight once again through an unlikely platform – the national costume of Miss Universe Singapore Zahra Khanum.

Unveiled on Thursday (Nov 29), the outfit features an electric blue skirt with a hidden surprise – a huge digital print depicting the historic handshake between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Miss Khanum will parade it at the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in Bangkok next month.

READ: In pictures: A walk through the historic Trump-Kim summit

The costume quickly drew controversy. Many netizens questioned how the dress – with the flags of the US and North Korea in its design – represents Singapore.

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia, the 23-year-old responded to online critics, saying that the costume depicted a “bigger picture” representation of what Singapore stands for.

“I think it’s a bigger picture than that. This is just a representation of what Singapore stands for, which is world peace, and the fact that Singapore is reaching out to other countries to create positive relationships,” she said. “Singapore has been doing that really well for the past few years, and is continuing to do that.”

“I think this is just one event that represents that,” added the Miss Universe contestant. “I know it does not entirely represent Singapore, as many would say, but I think it’s a good representation of what Singapore has been doing and will continue doing in the future.”

Designed by Mr Moe Kasim of Moephosis Concepts in collaboration with Miss Universe Singapore national director Nuraliza Osman, the costume also features sweeping white feathered wings (to evoke the wings of a dove), a glittery peace symbol on its bodice.

The different elements of the costume all combine to embody world peace, said Miss Khanum. In addition, parts of the Singapore skyline such as the Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands are also depicted on the skirt.

“The story is, when you come to Singapore you will enter from Changi Airport and then you will see all the different landscapes that are on the dress itself. So that’s your landscape view when you arrive into Singapore,” said Miss Khanum.

In comparison to her predecessors’ national costumes – which included an LED “supertree” and a colourful Peranakan wedding-inspired gown, both also designed by Mr Kasim – Miss Khanum said that her costume had a “very different focus”, putting Singapore on more of a global setting.

“The focus I think is very different, and I think the idea is a bit broader as well,” she said.

And how did her family and friends react when she first showed them the costume?

“I think everyone was a little bit surprised, (it’s like) what you said … like how, you know, would this event represent Singapore itself,” she said. “But I think they’re all very happy that it’s colourful and it does represent some sort of diversity that Singapore has and the architecture that Singapore has.”

“WE WERE A LITTLE HESITANT AT FIRST”

The costume design company Moephosis Concepts said that it had been “a little hesitant” when briefed about the outfit’s theme.

“Earlier this year, when we were told that we had to design something in the theme of this historic event, we were a little hesitant at first as we were well aware of the political sensitivities surrounding it,” wrote the company in a Facebook post. “But hey! #ChallengeAccepted.”

“Singapore is widely known for our delicious food, beautiful gardens, and sunny smiles … and we think this design will hopefully show the world that we love peace and that we are doing our part to promote unity and friendship globally,” the company added.

The Miss Universe 2018 pageant will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec 17.

SINGAPORE: The principal of Woodgrove Secondary School did not know that teachers have been collecting money from students for learning materials for the various subjects, said the defence in the trial of a teacher accused of misappropriating students’ money.

When questioned by the defence on Thursday (Nov 29), principal Chee Chit Yeng admitted that he found out money was collected for various learning materials, only after the case involving Maslinda Zainal was brought to his attention in March 2017.

Maslinda, 44, stands accused of criminal breach of trust by misappropriating about S$40,000 meant for learning materials known as Excel packages. This allegedly happened between January 2016 and April 2017, while she was the Head of Department (HOD) for English.

Maslinda was to hand the money to the school bookshop, which would print the materials for the students.

However, she allegedly over-collected money from the students which amounted to S$40,000.

Defence lawyer Singa Retnam charged that Mr Chee, the prosecution’s first witness, did not actually know how the Excel packages were prepared and paid for.

In response to questions, Mr Chee explained it was his understanding that the packages were prepared through “teamwork”, with certain teachers in charge and level coordinators pulling the resources together.

Asked about who prepared the packages specifically for the Secondary 1 students, Mr Chee said he could not recall.

“This is because, Mr Chee, you have no idea what was going on in the school,” charged Mr Retnam.

At this, the prosecution raised an objection that the question was “without foundation at this point”.

Mr Retnam went on to question Mr Chee about how money collected from the students for the packages was handed to Maslinda by the teachers.

“I have not witnessed it myself,” said Mr Chee. “But my understanding is that they passed her in envelopes with class lists sometimes to account for whatever they had collected.”

“But in reality you do not know how money was handed over to the accused by each teacher,” pressed Mr Retnam, to which the witness agreed.

At the defence’s questioning, Mr Chee acknowledged that he had not given any written instructions to teachers about how money should be collected for the materials.

Mr Chee has been principal of the school since 2013. By that time, Maslinda had been English HOD for seven years.

During the cross-examination, Mr Chee also shared that he had previously been vice-principal at Greenwich Secondary School, and that his role at Woodgrove was his first as principal.

PROCEDURES NOT ADHERED TO: PRINCIPAL

Earlier, Mr Chee told the court that procedures relating to the collection of money were not adhered to.

Prompted by Deputy Public Prosecutor David Koh, Mr Chee described the school’s practice for money collection: “In 2014, I shared with the school management committee consisting of key personnel that any collection, any letters to parents that involve the collection of money would have to be signed by myself or minimally one of the vice-principals.”

The key personnel informed included HODs, subject heads and level heads.

Mr Chee added that he had not signed any letters to parents indicating that money was to be collected for the Excel packages.

He said he was shocked by the discrepancies as it was “not expected”.

He added that neither the procedures nor policies were adhered to, as there was “no letter that accompanied the collection”, and that students should have paid for the materials at the bookshop directly.

District Judge Ng Cheng Thiam asked Mr Chee what usually happens if there was money left over after cash had been collected from students.

Mr Chee said there have been instances where money was deducted from the students’ Edusave accounts, and a portion was later refunded to the students when there was a reduction in costs.

ACCUSED WON AWARDS, WAS OVERLOADED WITH WORK, SAYS DEFENCE

When asked by the defence what Maslinda’s duties were, Mr Chee explained that she was in charge of instructional programmes for English, coordinating the different levels for the subject, vetting examinations and assessment papers.

She also put up yearly budget proposals, and was in charge of work performance of teachers.

Mr Retnam pointed out that on top of all this, she had a host of other duties, including a teaching role, leading six committees, heading a performance that was “a roaring success”, as well as marketing the school by visiting primary schools in the neighbourhood to talk about Woodgrove.

“She was coordinating the English language programme for five levels,” said Mr Retnam. “And there were 1,200 students and 30 classes.”

“That’s right,” answered Mr Chee.

“So don’t you think she was overloaded with work?” Mr Retnam asked.

“In my opinion, as a senior education officer, holding on to an HOD role, I would say that is the more-or-less average workload for senior education officers,” replied Mr Chee.

He added that he had “many other officers who are also performing with that kind of workload”.

Mr Retnam showed the court photos of two awards Maslinda had received. One was an excellent service award in 2011, and the other was a caring teacher award in 2016, when Mr Chee was principal.

“How was the accused’s performance as head of department?” Mr Retnam questioned.

“I’ve shared earlier – till the point of the incident, I’ve assessed that she has performed satisfactorily,” Mr Chee answered.

“Wasn’t she getting a 90 per cent pass rate for the O-Level exams for the English subject?” Mr Retnam questioned.

“Yes, for all the classes,” Mr Chee said.

He then acknowledged that when he first became principal in 2013, the school had scored highly in what’s known as a school climate survey conducted by the Ministry of Education. The survey’s aim is to get a ground sensing of teachers’ sentiments about how things were running in schools.

The results of the survey was at 90 per cent, Mr Retnam said, asking Mr Chee what the figure was currently.

“That last one that we had, I believe it was 51, 52 per cent,” Mr Chee answered.

“So it dropped from 90 per cent to 52 per cent in a few years,” Mr Retnam said.

“Yes,” Mr Chee acknowledged.

The trial resumes next month with another witness on the stand, as Mr Chee is unable to attend court on that date.