PERTH, Australia: “Did you have to convince your wife?” asked a reporter.

Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Captain (CPT) Alvin Leow glanced over at his wife, Mindy Poh, and chuckled.

“Initially. The thing that was difficult was for her to temporarily give up her career to be here,” he replied.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the RSAF’s 25th anniversary of training in Pearce Base on Monday (Nov 12), the Singaporean family of four recounted their decision to make the move to the RSAF Flying Training Institute (FTI) in Pearce for CPT Leow’s two-year detachment in August last year.

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His two young children and wife had followed suit – but not without having to make sacrifices: His wife had to leave her job in banking and his son Reyes, five, and daughter Reanne, two, their grandparents and friends at school.

The Pearce detachment, which belongs to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), is home to the RSAF’s 130 Squadron, which trains trainee pilots, and the Standard Squadron which trains the instructors who train pilots-to-be.

The FTI operates in a training area that is 14 times larger than Singapore’s training airspace, allowing for RSAF to undergo realistic training.

As a QFI, CPT Leow trains the younger generation of pilots in not only achieving the flying skills required to graduate but also “building them and moulding them into future leaders of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)”.

Almost every RSAF pilot and Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) has to walk the hallowed halls of Pearce Detachment for their 30-week long Basic Wings course, before they are streamed to different platforms such as Fighter Wings Course, Rotary Wings Course or Transport Wings Course for more training.

Some 1,600 pilots, WSOs and QFIs have graduated from the Pearce Detachment since it began operations in 1993.

“We were given a choice and I took up the offer. Being an instructor is a different ballgame compared to just flying the aircraft by itself. Other than just flying, we play the role of a mentor and coach as well to build the next generation, which is very meaningful,” said the 35-year-old CPT Leow, himself a graduate of the Standard Squadron’s Flying Instructor Course.

“At the start, the kids suffered from a little bit of relocation anxiety. But we tried to call home regularly – in fact, almost every night – so that they feel more comfortable here,” said Mindy, now a homemaker.

A STRONG SUPPORT COMMUNITY

The presence of some 200 other RSAF personnel and families stationed in Pearce has also helped the Leows with the move: A “strong wives support community” of sorts has sprung up, said CPT Leow.

“(After) the kids go to school, most of the time, we meet up with the other wives for lunch. After yoga, we go to each others’ houses to cook food that reminds us of home,” said Mindy.

“Any time we need help, we don’t have a problem getting help. Everyone is more than willing to extend a helping hand to us.”

Within a few weeks of relocating, with the help of the community and the RSAF’s start-up allowance to help families acclimatise smoothly, the kids settled in and started to adapt to their new environment.

CPT Leow pilots and is instructor for PC-21 planes – an advanced tandem-seat turboprop aircraft

With nine months left to go to the end of his detachment, CPT Leow believes the uprooting was worth it. 

“Life is less hectic here … the time spent with the family, the bonding that we get, you can’t exchange it for anything else,” he added.

Mindy agreed, saying: “I think it is also a bit of a privilege and (I’m) fortunate that I can forego working for a while and watch my kids grow – hitting certain milestones, chances I probably would not have if I was a working mum. To a certain extent, it’s quite satisfying for me.”

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AT PEARCE BASE

Although five-year-old Reyes shook his head firmly when this reporter asked if he aspired to be a pilot like his father, he was all smiles when his father took to the skies later that day for the silver jubilee celebrations of RSAF’s training at Pearce.

Flying in a diamond formation, four turboprop PC-21 aircraft – two from the RSAF and two from the RAAF – soared over the celebrations in a combined flypast.

Hosted by Commander of the RSAF’s Air Force Training Command Colonel Kevin Goh, the event was attended by Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How as well as RSAF personnel, their families and senior Australian defence personnel.

Mr Robert Chua, the first Commanding Officer (CO) of 130 SQN when it moved to Pearce in 1993, was also in attendance at the commemoration.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Heng said: “This anniversary is a strong symbol of the deep friendship between our two defence establishments, and indeed between Australia and Singapore.

“Fifty years of commitment to this detachment by both our countries sends a very clear and powerful message – which is one of enduring friendship and trust that is truly exceptional.”

It was in March 1993 that the RSAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the RAAF to establish the flying training detachment at RAAF Base Pearce.

Last year, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and his Australian counterpart then, Marise Payne, signed an upgrade to the MOU, extending the RSAF’s training access at RAAF Base Pearce for another 25 years until 2043.

A LONG HISTORY OF MILITARY COOPERATION

Mr Heng, who was earlier in Rockhampton to participate in the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the RSAF’s Helicopter Training detachment in Oakey and witness Exercise Trident and Exercise Wallaby operations, enthused about the long history of military cooperation between the SAF and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Noting Singapore’s constraints as a small country, Mr Heng acknowledged the “valuable and generous opportunity offered by the Australian government” to the RSAF to train in Pearce.

He also conveyed his appreciation of the local community, adding: “I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to the local community in Pearce for welcoming us into their midst and for the hospitality that you have shown to the RSAF and its personnel for the last 25 years.”

After witnessing the first-ever joint flypast by the RSAF and RAAF, Mr Heng unveiled a commemorative plaque as well as tail flash on a PC-21 plane, before participating in a symbolic tree planting ceremony.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Lim, Commanding Officer of the 130 Squadron, attested to the “special relationship” between the two forces.

“The 25th anniversary itself is as a testament of the friendship between the two countries of Australia and Singapore,” he said.

“For a country of Singapore’s size, and the geopolitics that we live in, we want to have as many friends in the region as possible. Australia and Singapore share a very important bilateral relation that dates back to post-World War Two as part of the Five Power Defence Arrangement.”

His counterpart, RAAF Wing Commander Brett Mitchell, declared that the flypast was “wonderful” and demonstrated the “closeness and the friendship between the two nations”.

He also echoed LTC Lim’s thoughts, adding: “The 25th anniversary is very significant for both air forces but more important, it symbolises the relationship we’ve had with Singapore for the last 25 years. And today just presents an opportunity to reflect on that and celebrate that opportunity.”

SINGAPORE: Russia is one of the world’s largest countries, spanning 11 time zones and with more than 140 million residents, while Singapore is only a fraction of that size. But despite these differences, said President Halimah Yacob, both countries have forged a “long-standing friendship”.

Mdm Halimah was speaking at a state banquet held in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (Nov 13). Mr Putin is on a two-day visit to Singapore, where he will attend the 3rd ASEAN-Russia Summit and 13th East Asia Summit.

This is Mr Putin’s first visit to Singapore and it caps off a year of festivities in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Russia.

“As a Russian saying goes, ‘for a friend, seven miles is not too far’,” Mdm Halimah said. “Despite the distance and differences between our two countries, it has been a good 50 years of friendship. We look forward to strengthening this relationship in the next 50 years and beyond.”

In his speech, Mr Putin described Singapore as an important and promising partner of Russia and the Asia-Pacific.  

“Our negotiations with Mdm President were productive, interesting and comprehensive,” he said, speaking through an interpreter. “In a friendly and open atmosphere we discussed almost all of our bilateral agenda in its entirety.”

“You often hear in Singapore that among friends, even water runs sweet as honey, and mutual trust is the foundation of friendship, development and progress,” he added.

“The relations between us are indeed based on the solid foundation of mutual respect and trust.”

Mr Putin was greeted by Education Minister Ong Ye Kung upon his arrival earlier in the day, before receiving a ceremonial welcome at the Istana from Mdm Halimah. He then proceeded to call on the President.

Both leaders co-officiated the groundbreaking of the Russian Cultural Centre. When built, the centre will organise activities to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as well as showcase Russian culture, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Four agreements were signed on the sidelines of the visit, according to the statement. These were: A joint statement on the Russia-Singapore Agreement on Trade in Services and Investment, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the field of higher education, an MOU to promote cooperation on social and labour issues, as well as an agreement to cooperate in the potential development of an urban transport management system.

Mdm Halimah pointed out in her speech that bilateral trade between both countries has risen from S$1.9 billion to S$7.4 billion over the past decade, and there are 690 Russian companies in Singapore, in a variety of sectors.

The Eurasian Economic Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which is currently being negotiated, will further strengthen ties and benefit both Singapore and Russian companies, and could also act as a pathfinder to an FTA between the Eurasian Economic Union and ASEAN.

The Eurasian Economic Union comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

LONDON: European shares recovered on Tuesday after feeling the strain of a tech rout on Wall Street, while the dollar lost momentum as hopes mounted for a de-escalation in the Sino-U.S. tariff war.

Fears of a peak in corporate earnings growth, softening global demand and rising interest rates in the United States have put investors on edge in the past month.

The trade war between Washington and Beijing plus risks from Brexit and Italy’s budget row with the European Union have helped the dollar as investors dump riskier assets. Volatility is on the rise again.

Monday’s equity sell-off in the U.S. was led by tech stocks, with Apple’s stock slumping over 5 percent.

But fears about a long-term slump in technology stocks faded on Monday as investors focused on efforts to ease trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The pan-European STOXX 600 had gained 0.5 percent by 1130 GMT.

Markets in Asia also recouped some losses after a report that China’s top trade negotiator was preparing to visit the United States before a meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

The Shanghai composite index rose 0.9 percent but Japan’s Nikkei lost more than 2 percent.

“Though there have been some efforts to resolve the (trade war) tensions in recent days, in my opinion things are likely to get worse before they get better,” said UBS chief executive Sergio Ermotti.

Some reckon that U.S. President Donald Trump will turn up the heat over trade. His administration is broadening its trade battle with a plan to use export controls, indictments and other tools to counter alleged Chinese theft of intellectual property, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Riskier assets including Asian equities have been hurt by rising U.S. interest rates. The Federal Reserve is expected to tighten policy further in December.

In Europe, sterling jumped half a percent to as high as US$1.2924 after a British cabinet office minister said a Brexit agreement with the EU was still possible in the next 24 to 48 hours.

A growing rift over Italy’s budget has hit the euro recently but the currency rose from a 16-month low to US$1.1258 , up 0.3 percent.

The Italian government faces a Tuesday deadline to submit a revised budget to the EU. Its refusal so far to cut the draft deficit sets the stage for a collision with Brussels.

The political malaise in Europe failed to aid the dollar against a basket of currencies. At 1200 GMT it was down 0.1 percent at 97.4. It had hit 97.7 on Monday, its highest since June 2017.

“After the Fed’s hawkish policy outlook last week, investors are pretty happy to reload on long dollar positions. The European currencies still look most vulnerable to me,” said Valentin Marinov, head of G10 FX strategy at Credit Agricole.

Oil prices fell more than 2 percent on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump put pressure on OPEC not to cut supply to prop up the market.

Brent dropped US$1.97 a barrel, or 2.8 percent, to a low of US$68.15 before recovering to around US$68.72, down US$1.40, by 1140 GMT. U.S. light crude was US$1.30 lower at US$58.63.

Both crude benchmarks have fallen more than 20 percent since peaking at four-year highs in early October.

Saudi Arabia’s energy minister sent Brent crude futures around 2 percent higher on Monday with comments that Riyadh could reduce supply to world markets by 500,000 barrels per day in December.

Spot gold was down 0.2 percent at US$1,198.11 per ounce.

(Additional reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Larry King and Jan Harvey)

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force is making its presence felt with the 33rd ASEAN Summit in full swing. 

Behind the scenes, 100 police officers from the technology and logistics departments are also doing their part to help their frontline colleagues keep the world’s top leaders safe.

Preparations began months ago, and operations have since moved into top gear. 

The officers from the logistics team had to ensure that everything is in place days before the Summit began.

Assistant Director of the Logistics Operations Division, Superintendent Tan Yong Nien, said that completing every task swiftly and safely is the priority.

“One of the main challenges is ensuring our assets like our mobile crash barriers and our concrete blocks are deployed and removed swiftly and safely in order to minimise inconvenience to business owners and members of the public,” he said. 

“So, in order to do this, it requires coordination with the police, premise owners, contractors and other agencies.”

During the Summit, they continue to provide support to officers on the ground.

“We have about 50 officers deployed on a daily basis and their roles range from budgeting and procurement, to the provision of meals, weapons, vehicles and equipment,” he added.

At the Home Team Event Command Post, the technology department is also working around the clock.

There, the officers have to maintain the IT, security and communications systems, to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly.

Assistant Director of the Infocomm Services and Support Division, Superintendent Jason Tan, said the team contributes technology solutions to support the officers on the ground.

He said: “Basically, my department provides technology solutions so these include CCTV systems, security systems such as the walkthrough metal detector and X-rays, communication systems such as the radio communications systems, as well as video conferencing systems.”

But with the Summit taking place at the Suntec Singapore Convention Centre, their job got a little more complicated.

“One of the key challenges that we face is to manage a large number of sites with limited time and resources,” he said.

“For example, we had to work outside business hours for some of the sites to do the set-up.”

A total of 5,000 police officers will be deployed to provide land and sea security for the Summit, which ends on Nov 15.

SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has impounded 42 personal mobility devices (PMDs) from three operators – Neuron Mobility, Telepod and Beam.

The PMDs were found available for hire at public place, in violation of the Parking Places Act.

PMDs from Neuron Mobility and Telepod were found at public places such as Bencoolen Street and Bayfront Avenue.

A Beam PMD was found at Bugis MRT station and was impounded as the operator did not obtain an exemption to provide PMD-sharing services in any part of Singapore, despite LTA’s prior notice of the regulatory requirements.

PMD-sharing operators are currently not permitted to operate on public land without a licence or an exemption by the Minister for Transport. 

The only exemptions so far have been granted to operators to provide such services in specified boundaries at one-north, due to an existing agreement they have with landowner JTC.

LTA said it was disappointed that Neuron Mobility, Telepod and Beam deployed their PMDs illegally on public land, despite LTA’s repeated reminders and warnings between July and October 2018.

It is also investigating Neuron Mobility and Telepod for providing PMD-sharing services at public places without a licence or exemption.

LONDON: European shares recovered on Tuesday after feeling the strain of a tech rout on Wall Street, while political risks in Europe helped the dollar as investors dumped riskier assets.

Fears of a peak in corporate earnings growth, softening global demand and rising interest rates in the United States have put investors on edge in the past month.

So has the Sino-U.S. trade war and the twin risks from Brexit and Italy’s budget row with the European Union. Volatility is on the rise again.

Monday’s equity sell-off in the U.S. was led by tech stocks, and Apple and Amazon were the major culprits, with the latter’s stock slumping over 5 percent.

But fears about a long-term slump in technology stocks faded on Monday as investors turned to efforts to wind down the Sino-U.S. tariff war. The pan-European STOXX 600 gained 0.5 percent by 0930 GMT.

Markets in Asia also recouped some losses after a report that China’s top trade negotiator was preparing to visit the United States before a meeting between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies.

The Shanghai composite index rose 0.9 percent but Japan’s Nikkei lost more than 2 percent.

“Though there have been some efforts to resolve the (trade war) tensions in recent days, in my opinion, things are likely to get worse before they get better,” said Sergio Ermotti, CEO UBS.

Some reckon that U.S. President Donald Trump will turn up the heat over trade. His administration is broadening its trade battle with a plan to use export controls, indictments and other tools to counter alleged Chinese the theft of intellectual property, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Riskier assets including Asian equities have been hurt by rising U.S. interest rates. The Federal Reserve is expected to tighten policy further in December.

In Europe, sterling jumped half a percent to as high as US$1.2917 after a British cabinet office minister said a Brexit agreement with the EU was still possible in the next 24 o 48 hours.

A growing rift over Italy’s budget has hit the euro recently but the currency drifted up from a 16-month low to US$1.1234 , up 0.1 percent.

The Italian government faces a Tuesday deadline to submit a revised budget to the EU. Its refusal so far to cut the draft deficit sets the stage for a collision with Brussels.

The political malaise in Europe continued to aid the dollar against a basket of currencies. At 0900GMT it was flat at 97.6. It had hit 97.70 on Monday, its highest since June 2017.

“King dollar has staged a return,” said Valentin Marinov, head of G10 FX strategy at Credit Agricole. “After the Fed’s hawkish policy outlook last week, investors are pretty happy to reload on long dollar positions. The European currencies look most vulnerable.”

Oil prices hovered near multi-month lows after declining for a record 11th consecutive session as Trump said he hoped there would be no oil output reductions.

U.S. crude skidded 83 cents to US$59.1 a barrel. Brent crude futures fell 74 cents to US$69.38.

Saudi Arabia’s energy minister jolted Brent crude futures around 2 percent higher on Monday with comments that Riyadh could reduce supply to world markets by 500,000 barrels per day in December.

Spot gold was 0.2 percent firmer at US$1,203.58 per ounce.

(Additional reporting by Marc Jones, editing by Larry King)

SINGAPORE: Given complex challenges such as trade uncertainties and technological disruptions, multilateral cooperation has now become “more urgent than ever” for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (Nov 13).

Mr Lee was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 33^rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings – the final milestone of Singapore’s chairmanship of the regional grouping this year.

In his speech, the prime minister said Singapore saw the chairmanship as an “important responsibility” given that the regional grouping of 10 Southeast Asian countries marked its 50th anniversary last year and was entering a new chapter.

Combined with a rapidly changing external environment, the question of how ASEAN can stay united, effective and relevant has become “especially pertinent”.

For one, the international order is at a turning point, with the existing free, open and rules-based multilateral system coming under stress, said Mr Lee.

“Countries, including major powers, are resorting to unilateral actions and bilateral deals, and even explicitly repudiating multilateral approaches and institutions. It is unclear if the world will settle into new rules and norms of international engagement, or whether the international order will break up into rival blocs.”

These strategic trends of big power competition and shifts against multilateralism are pulling ASEAN member states in different directions, said Mr Lee.

Nevertheless, ASEAN has shown that it is able to work together and find common ground. This boils down to the conviction that “ASEAN is greater than the sum of its parts”.

“By coming together in one collective voice, instead of going our separate ways as ten disparate countries, ASEAN members have strengthened our standing in the world,” he said, while noting the regional grouping will be engaging key partners and international organisations through ASEAN-centric platforms, such as the ASEAN+3 meetings, over the next few days in Singapore.

Apart from a new strategic landscape, there are other challenges facing ASEAN. These include disruptions that come with digital technology, as well as looming non-traditional and transnational threats such as terrorism and climate change, said Mr Lee.

For terrorism, it is an issue of physical security and also poses as a “grave threat” to the delicate multi-ethnic and multi-religious social fabric of ASEAN countries, he said.

Meanwhile, climate change makes many ASEAN countries vulnerable to rising sea levels due to the region’s long coastlines and low-lying areas. Higher temperatures and extreme weather are also affecting crop yield, spreading tropical diseases, while threatening the lives and livelihoods of people.

All these mean that multilateral cooperation is now more urgent than ever, stressed Mr Lee.

“These common challenges are complex and unprecedented. No single solution applies to all of us or all of these problems, yet no country can deal with them alone. We need to pool our ideas and resources to tackle these issues together.”

Referring to Singapore’s chosen themes of “resilience” and “innovation” for its chairmanship, he added: “We wanted to build up our collective defences against these challenges, and to use technology to better prepare ASEAN for the future.”

Nevertheless, ASEAN member countries have redoubled integration efforts over the past year.

This includes the “substantial progress” made towards completing negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the building of an ASEAN Smart Cities Network that will connect people and economies seamlessly.

“These deliverables underscore ASEAN’s strong belief that multilateralism remains an important basis for international cooperation and for the region’s growth and stability,” said Mr Lee.

Moving forward, ASEAN will work with its external partners to tackle these challenges. “We are determined to maintain an open and inclusive ASEAN-centric regional architecture.”

SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) launched 7,214 flats for sale on Tuesday (Nov 13) under the November 2018 Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats exercise.

A total of 3,802 BTO flats are being offered in five projects: Four in the non-mature towns of Sembawang, Sengkang, Tengah and Yishun, and a fifth in the mature town of Tampines.

Another 3,412 flats have been offered in the Sale of Balance Flats exercise.

The BTO project in Tengah, Plantation Grove, is the first to be launched in the new Tengah Town.

It is located along the Forest Fringe in Plantation District – the first of five housing districts to be developed in Tengah. 

“It will provide a tranquil and rustic environment for residents to enjoy flora and fauna at their doorstep,” said HDB in its media release.

In keeping with the vision for Tengah as a “forest town”, it will be designed with lush greenery, a range of community spaces, cycling paths, and smart lighting in the estate. the housing board added.

FIRST CENTRALISED COOLING SYSTEM

Buyers of the BTO project in Tengah will also have the option of subscribing to a Centralised Cooling System (CCS), the first to be piloted in an HDB estate. 

The system, offered by SP Group in collaboration with HDB, is more energy-efficient than conventional air-conditioning systems, HDB said.

“Chilled water will be piped to homes from chillers installed on the rooftops of selected HDB blocks, so subscribers of the CCS will not need to install or maintain their own air-conditioner condenser units,” it said.

For applicants of flats in Sembawang, Sengkang and Yishun, HDB will offer the first batch of BTO flats with shorter waiting times.

They can expect to get the keys to their flats in about two to three years from the point of application. All such units will come with open kitchens where the layout permits.

SALE OF BALANCE FLATS

Sale of Balance flats come in a wide range of flat types, locations and selling prices, with about 37 per cent already completed and the rest under construction.

Areas with a large number of flats on offer include Punggol (494), Tampines (388) and Bukit Batok (329).

Application for new flats launched in the November 2018 BTO and SBF exercise can be submitted online on the HDB InfoWEB from Tuesday to Nov 19, Monday.

In February next year, HDB will offer about 3,100 flats in Jurong West, Kallang Whampoa and Sengkang, it said.