From Singapore’s first female brigadier general to Her World’s 2018 Woman of the Year, PAP’s rumoured candidates for the upcoming election have been nothing short of impressive.
Joining the mix is Tan Kiat How, chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Tan, who will be stepping down from his role on June 20, could be contesting as a People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate at East Coast GRC, The Straits Times reported, citing party sources.
The changes to electoral boundaries, which were announced in March, saw Fengshan SMC absorbed into East Coast GRC bringing its total number of seats from four to five.
Meanwhile, two of GRC’s MPs, Lim Swee Say and Lee Yi Shyan, are expected to step down.
SINGAPORE: With Phase 2 of Singapore’s reopening starting this Friday (Jun 19), authorities have released guidelines for shops and food and beverage outlets to resume business safely.
Apart from the usual health checks, hygiene and safe distancing measures, retail and F&B establishments are also not allowed to provide special discounts for reopening for at least two weeks from the start of Phase 2.
This is to avoid the potential to attract crowds, said Enterprise Singapore, the Housing and Development Board, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the Singapore Tourism Board and the Singapore Food Agency in a joint advisory on Tuesday.
Here’s a list of what businesses and customers should take note of in Phase 2.
Those who love buffets have to wait a little longer to feast on an all-you-can-eat spread. All self-service buffet lines must remain suspended during Phase 2, said the advisory.
Any communal amenities such as drinks dispensers or common condiments must not be used. Diners may still share food but serving utensils should be provided.
This also applies to catering companies providing meals at other premises. Such companies may opt to offer individually packed options instead.
In addition, self-service food samples must not be offered to customers.
Dining in at F&B outlets continues to be disallowed on Jun 2, 2020, the first day after the circuit breaker is lifted. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
2. HANDS OFF! NO PRODUCT SAMPLES AND TESTERS
Although physical retail outlets will be lifting their shutters from Friday, shoppers have to adjust to the new norm of not having any testers or samples that require physical contact.
From lipstick testers at beauty emporiums to product samples at pharmacies, customers will no longer be able to try an item on the spot before making a purchase. All such items must be removed.
Businesses can, however, hand out individually packed samples such as travel-sized products upon request or purchase.
Traditional Chinese medicine or health supplement outlets are also not allowed to provide samples of their drinks or products, said the advisory.
Thinking of getting a long-awaited massage or indulging in a spa session? Salons must adhere to strict guidelines and ensure that they change all clothing, towels and bedding after use by every customer.
Single-use massage oils, creams and beauty products are also encouraged to prevent cross contamination, said the advisory.
You will be allowed to remove your mask during a facial treatment as long as the procedure takes place in a private room. According to the advisory, face masks should be kept on in open settings and where other customers are present.
Beauty and wellness outlets must not serve food and drinks to customers. Shared items such as magazines and newspapers must be removed.
For hair salons, all equipment such as scissors, combs and brushes must be disinfected and sanitised after use by each customer.
4. NO MALL EVENTS, COMMON PLAY AREAS TO REMAIN CLOSED
To better manage crowds, Activities and events in stores or mall atrium cannot be held. If an extension of an existing retail space is deemed necessary as part of safe management measures, approval must be sought from Enterprise Singapore, said the advisory.
All common play areas for children, toddlers and infants at F&B outlets, retail stores or malls must remain closed.
As part of crowd management measures, those found in groups of more than five people will also be advised to disperse quickly.
Fitting rooms should be disinfected after each use.
“Products tried on by customers should be sanitised where possible, e.g. via steaming, cleaning, leaving overnight to air, or other reasonable sanitisation methods,” said the advisory.
Businesses are encouraged to get customers to buy online by having a flexible return policy.
In addition, employees conducting tailoring and measuring services should wear personal protective equipment at all times.
6. REFRAIN FROM BROWSING BOOKS
If you plan to visit a bookstore, note that shoppers are advised to minimise their browsing time.
“Minimise browsing time by encouraging customers to read book summaries online and reduce browsing in-store,” said the advisory.
Book launches, readings, meet-the-author sessions and any promotional activities that would result in gatherings must also be scrapped during this period.
7. DELIVERIES ENCOURAGED
Establishments predominantly selling beverages will be allowed to resume operations, which means bubble tea outlets will be back in business. However, the advisory encouraged takeaways and home deliveries in order to avoid crowds.
Where possible, collection and delivery from the store should be spaced out and contactless.
For contactless deliveries, F&B outlets should clearly label the orders for easy pick-up. They should also have arrangements in place so that customers do not handle containers or bags that do not belong to them.
Remember, always wear a mask when you are out of the house and maintain at least 1m spacing between individuals or groups of five people.
SINGAPORE: With the prospect of a General Election growing, the recent resignations of a number of senior officials in the public sector have taken on added significance, as in past years, with the expectation that they will stand as People’s Action Party (PAP) candidates.
Soon to join the growing list of former public servants is chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) Tan Kiat How, whose impending movement was announced on Monday.
All eyes will now be on these potential candidates who have already been spotted, either on the ground or engaging residents at community events online.
Political observer Eugene Tan said that before the “circuit breaker” the PAP focused on “soft introducing” potential candidates from the private sector. As the election draws nearer, candidates who are formerly from the public sector are now in the spotlight.
“The public sector, including the military, remains a favourite ‘hunting’ ground for the PAP,” said the Associate Professor of Law from Singapore Management University. “However, we can expect more candidates from the private sector this time. Anecdotally, it would appear that the candidates with a private sector background will outnumber the public sector ones.
“The preference for candidates with some public sector experience and expertise remains strong for the PAP, especially for those earmarked for political appointments after being elected.”
Political analyst and SIM Global Education associate lecturer Felix Tan said there appears to be “no huge deviation” from the PAP’s pre-election modus operandi this time.
“This has always been a tried and tested formula that the PAP can rely on,” he said. “They have the necessary competence and experience in the public service, which will be important in the running of the governmental bureaucracy. So, it comes as no surprise that the PAP will once again tap on such resources.”
Here’s a look at the potential candidates and where they may be contesting:
TAN KIAT HOW, 43, OUTGOING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF IMDA
Mr Tan is stepping down as chief executive of IMDA on Jun 20.
In response to CNA’s queries, the outgoing chief executive said on Monday (Jun 15) that he will be taking “a short break”.
“My plans are still being firmed up. It would be premature to share them now,” said Mr Tan, adding that he and his wife are expecting their first child in August.
“I would like to spend time with her and prepare for the baby’s arrival.”
Mr Tan was appointed IMDA’s chief executive in January 2017 to lead the merger of what was the Infocomm Development Authority and the then-Media Development Authority to form IMDA.
He has been engaging residents in East Coast during recent webinars on digitalisation. On Jun 13, he was a guest speaker in a webinar for East Coast GRC residents and on Jun 6, he was a panellist in a webinar hosted by Member of Parliament Lee Yi Shyan, who oversees Kampong Chai Chee in the GRC.
In the Jun 6 webinar, Mr Tan said: “Kampong Chai Chee is very close to my heart, every weekend I’m at Block 216 market. In fact, this morning I was just there tabao-ing (buying takeaway) peanut pancakes for my parents.”
Mr Lee, along with former Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, are the two incumbent MPs from East Coast who are expected to leave the GRC. East Coast GRC, which the Workers’ Party contested in the last election, was the GRC where PAP had its closest winning margin in GE2015.
DESMOND TAN KOK MING, 49, FORMER PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION (PA) CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr Tan stepped down as PA chief on Jun 15, after a stint of three-and-a-half years. Mr Tan led PA’s ground operations as part of the whole-of-government COVID-19 response, said PA in announcing his departure.
Before joining PA, he was a brigadier-general and his last appointment was Chief of Staff of the General Staff in the army.
Mr Tan was tagged on May 31 by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, anchor minister for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, in a Facebook post which said that they had a meeting with 150 activists from Punggol.
Pasir Ris-Punggol, one of two GRCs with six seats, shrank to become a five-member GRC with the release of the Electoral Boundaries report in March. It was contested by the Singapore Democratic Alliance in the last election.
GAN SIOW HUANG, 45, FORMER REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AIR FORCE BRIGADIER-GENERAL
Ms Gan Siow Huang (right, in white polo shirt) with Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen (centre, light blue shirt) on a walkabout in Bishan North on Mar 23, 2020. (Photo: Ng Eng Hen/Facebook)
Ms Gan was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in 2015, becoming the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) first female general.
When she resigned from the SAF in March, she held the position of Chief of Staff-Air, and she is now the deputy chief executive of e2i, the employment and employability institute under the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). She is also chief commissioner of the Girl Guides Singapore.
In March, she was spotted in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC with Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who is the GRC’s lead minister. She has also been distributing masks and food to residents there.
Bishan-Toa Payoh, which currently has five MPs, will become a four-member GRC in the upcoming election after part of the it was carved out to form Marymount SMC. The GRC was contested in 2015 by the Singapore People’s Party.
FAHMI ALIMAN, 43, FORMER MUIS DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Former deputy chief executive of MUIS, Mr Fahmi Aliman. (Photo: MUIS)
Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman joined the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) last year but left on Mar 24.
The former colonel was in the SAF for 26 years and at one point, served as director of the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre. He is now with NTUC.
On Mar 22, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who helms Marine Parade GRC, posted a photo of himself with Mr Fahmi, former IHH Healthcare CEO Dr Tan See Leng, Mountbatten MP Lim Biow Chuan and MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling.
“My dream team for West Coast GRC or anywhere,” he wrote.
Last month, Mr Fahmi was also out and about with Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, another MP from Marine Parade GRC.
Marine Parade GRC, which was contested by the Workers’ Party in 2015, has had part of it hived off to Potong Pasir SMC but remains a five-member GRC.
NG LING LING, 48, FORMER SENIOR OFFICIAL AT MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Ms Ng Ling Ling in a screengrab from YouTube when she won Her World’s Woman of the Year award in 2018.
Ms Ng, who was Her World’s Woman of the Year in 2018, left the health ministry’s Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT) in March. She is now a consultant for MOHT, the Straits Times reported.
She joined the National Council of Social Service in 2001 from the banking sector, and had led the Community Chest from 2013 to 2018.
She is to be the speaker for a Zoom webinar with Jalan Kayu residents on Jun 20 hosted by Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Intan Mokhtar, who has been introducing Ms Ng to residents online.
Ms Ng was at Ms Intan’s virtual Meet-the-People session on Jun 11, and has been part of other Zoom sessions for residents in the area. She is also the co-chairman of the Social & Financial Resilience Committee of Ang Mo Kio GRC and Sengkang West SMC Grassroots Organisations.
Ang Mo Kio GRC is the other six-member GRC to be downsized to five members. It is led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and was contested by the Reform Party in 2015.
YIP HON WENG, 43, FORMER SENIOR OFFICIAL AT AGENCY FOR INTEGRATED CARE
Mr Yip Hon Weng, former group chief of the Silver Generation Office under the Agency for Integrated Care (Photo: Agency of Integrated Care)
The former group chief of the Silver Generation Office under the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) left the public service on Jun 12, AIC said in a statement, adding that he has also left his concurrent role as Advisor (Care Integration) in the Ministry of Health.
“He has left the Public Service to pursue other career opportunities in line with his professional goals and interests,” said AIC.
At AIC, Mr Yip led the nationwide Merdeka Generation outreach, and put in place key initiatives to support vulnerable seniors during this COVID-19 situation, the agency said. Before this, he worked in several ministries, including the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Defence.
The Straits Times reported that he took part in a meeting with Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon and Silver Generation Ambassadors earlier in June.
Mr Koh is one of the MPs for Ang Mo Kio GRC, but his Yio Chu Kang division has been carved out as an SMC in the coming election.
In a time where more politicians are hopping onto social media to connect to the younger generation (millennials included), Instagram has become an important platform for them.
But do they know how the IG game works? Are they effective in their communications strategy?
Let this writer (disclaimer: not a social media guru) take you through some of our politicians’ Instagram accounts and see if they’re relatable and worth a follow. And no, we’re not comparing them to the standard of an influencer because that’s a whole other ball game.
Celebrity DJ Tenashar, who faces drug-related charges, is now accused of other offences, including stealing a blue hospital gown at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and using a stolen access pass to trespass into areas meant only for its staff.
The former FHM Singapore cover girl, whose full name is Debbie Valerie Tenashar Long, appeared in a district court via video-link on Tuesday (June 16) to face the additional charges.
The 34-year-old Singaporean was released from prison last year over drug offences in 2015.
But she appeared in court again in March this year to face new charges after she allegedly failed to turn up for urine tests several times.
On Tuesday, the court heard that she allegedly stole the hospital gown on June 21 last year.
She is also accused of stealing a visitor pass from a security desk at the hospital at around 1.25am that day.
She is said to have used a stolen access pass to go into a “staff only” passageway at the hospital’s Tower C about 20 minutes later.
She then allegedly entered another staff-only passageway at Tower B.
Politicians in Singapore are pretty much a clean-cut bunch, with many of them holding impressive qualifications and high-level appointments previously. In the early noughties, one may be hard-pressed to recall any lurid scandals surrounding local politicians.
That is, until 2012, when we saw the unseating of a member of parliament (MP), thanks to a sex scandal, which marked the start of a string of sex-related scandals that dotted Singapore’s political scene. And all of them have resulted in a, you guessed it, by-election, following the disgraced politician’s resignation or expulsion.
Here are the politicians involved in sex scandals you should know about and the by-elections that followed after they left their positions.
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today.
1. I set my friend up on a virtual first date and she now plans to do the same for her friends
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2. Catch stars like Li Nanxing, Jack Neo and Marcus Chin in Live It Up online charity concert
SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 151 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Tuesday (Jun 16), taking the national total to 40,969.
The new infections include two work pass holders in the community while the vast majority of the cases are work permit holders living in dormitories, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its daily preliminary update.
More details will be announced later in the day, the ministry added.
Singapore will begin the second phase of its reopening on Friday.
Small gatherings of up to five people will be allowed to resume, along with dining in at food and beverage outlets. Retail businesses may also reopen their physical outlets.
Beaches, parks and sports facilities will also be allowed to reopen.
However activities that involve large numbers of people who are likely to come into close contact for prolonged periods of time “will take more time” to resume, said Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong on Monday.
These include religious services, large cultural venues such as museums and libraries, large-scale events such as concerts and exhibitions, as well as entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs, karaoke outlets, cinemas and theatres.
Her friends had their salaries cut or were laid off amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
So manicurist Mary (not her real name) was relieved – even grateful – when her employer told her that she would be receiving her full basic pay of $2,100 last month and this month.
Soon, though, she was disappointed after her boss told staff they would have to “return the working hours” by putting in 50 hours of overtime when business resumed after the end of the circuit breaker. Her 14 days of annual leave entitlement would also be reduced to seven days.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the 30-year-old Malaysian work permit holder told The Straits Times in Mandarin: “I don’t know if this is allowed under the MOM’s regulations. But I feel that it is unfair as my boss has received help from the Singapore Government. She also did not explain how she came up with the 50 hours of overtime.”
Many employees have found themselves in the same situation as Mary, disgruntled because they are caught in a bind by what they feel are unfair employment practices.
Some have reached out to their MPs or turned to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for advice.
