Can Ivermectin be used to treat COVID-19?

Grandmother hospitalised after taking drug for parasite infestations to ‘protect herself’ against COVID-19

She did so on advice of church friends, who told her to avoid mRNA vaccines as they were 'against God's will'

By Osmond Chia, The Straits Times, 4 Oct 2021

A 65-year-old retiree fell violently ill and has been hospitalised after taking a drug meant to treat parasite infestations on the urging of her church friends to protect herself from Covid-19.

Madam Wong Lee Tak had taken four 3mg tablets of ivermectin over two days. She became ill on Friday (Oct 1), believed to be her second day of taking the prescription drug.

She suffered a 39.3 deg C fever, inflammation on her joints and would "vomit violently" after eating food, said her daughter Vanessa Koh, 32.

"I couldn't get her to eat anything. She had some oats to eat before she took medicine, but she vomited everything violently. It just exploded out of her mouth," Ms Koh told The Straits Times on Monday (Oct 4).

She took her mother to Sengkang General Hospital on Friday (Oct 1), where she remains hospitalised in stable condition.

The family initially thought that Madam Wong was suffering from side-effects to her first jab of the Sinopharm vaccine that she took on Sept 23.

Ms Koh said it had taken months of heated persuasion to convince her mother to get vaccinated, as a group of close friends from the Church of the Risen Christ had urged her not to get vaccinated with the mRNA vaccines as it was against God.

"We got into quite a lot of quarrels because she didn't want to be vaccinated," said Ms Koh, who works in a bank.

"It was such a strain on my family as with all her conditions, (my mother) is a sure-hit if she gets the virus."

Madam Wong has diabetes and high blood pressure, which makes her vulnerable to severe illness, said Ms Koh.

In the end, her mother chose to get the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine.

While it did not have the highest efficacy rate against Covid-19, it was better than nothing for her mother, said Ms Koh, who felt it was important that her mother get protected.

She said her one-year-old son was looked after by her mother during the day.

"My son could feel something was not right with my mum on Friday when she kept lying on the bed. When we didn't let him near her, he wanted to cry," said Ms Koh, whose father is now looking after her son.

"Today, he kept going to the study room, hoping to find her sitting there."

While looking after her mother when her symptoms first surfaced, Ms Koh found messages on her mother's phone, which revealed that a church member had taken orders for purchases of 1,000 ivermectin pills for $110.

A photo of a table recommending the drug's dosage by body weight for "prophylaxis and treatment of Covid-19" was sent by another member.

Ivermectin cannot be purchased over the counter but is usually prescribed by a doctor to treat head lice and other infestations. It is also used in large quantities to treat animals such as dogs and horses for heartworm and parasites.

A cautionary note on the packaging said the pills were not to be sold by retail without the prescription of a registered medical practitioner.

Ivermectin garnered attention late last year after early research indicated its potential in treating Covid-19, but the World Health Organisation in March warned that evidence was inconclusive and more studies were needed.

Ms Koh said she confronted her mother, who revealed she had purchased nine boxes of some 1,000 pills, which she hid in her study room.

"It was like carrying out my own mini drug raid. But when I asked my mother about why she is taking this, she can't tell me anything that is scientifically sound," said Ms Koh.

Her mother told her she had taken ivermectin as she believed the vaccine was useless.

"I know she just wants to say that vaccines are Satanic. She and her friends are not interested in science."

In Madam Wong's text messages, one church friend had told her, "don't allow Satan to win" and that the virus was a test of faith.

Ms Koh said she had never met the group members, and that they have not contacted her or her mother since she fell ill.

The group administrators have since removed her mother from the Telegram chats and erased all conversations with her, she added.

"They shouldn't pretend that they are experts. They told her to get ivermectin, but now my mother is suffering alone.

"(These friends) have been a pain to the family for a long time, but this time it was a step too far," said Ms Koh, who posted about her mother's ordeal on Facebook on Sunday, along with photos of her mother's text conversations with various church friends.

Animal rights activists need to be more circumspect

I agree with Mr Ong Junkai on the need to moderate the mindsets of radical animal rights activists (Curb radical animal rights activists; Jan 16).

In this light, I would like to highlight the recent stir from an Instagram post by MP Baey Yam Keng, who warned residents about stray dogs in Tampines.

It was an innocuous post for residents to be on the lookout, for their own safety.

However, because of concerns that the authorities would take note of the stray dogs and put them to sleep, there was a backlash by animal lovers and activists, who criticised Mr Baey and called him names online.

They also insulted netizens who approved of Mr Baey's post.



It is ironic that these activists respect animals but do not accord decency to fellow human beings.

These activists adopted an extreme stance towards animal welfare, and did not consider co-existence - striking a balance between their fervour for animals and the safety of people.

It was right of Mr Baey to warn residents about the stray dogs. After all, he has a responsibility as an MP to ensure the residents' safety.

Unless these activists agree to moderate their discourse and settle issues amicably, they ought to be curbed by the authorities before they pose a threat to society's harmony.

Sean Lim
ST Forum, 18 Jan 2018

British couple leave $6 million legacy to charities in Singapore

Assisi Hospice, National Kidney Foundation and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to share gift from Britons who settled here and became citizens
By Toh Wen Li, The Straits Times, 30 Jun 2017

Two Britons met in South Africa during World War II, got married, then eventually decided to make Singapore their home.

Now, the late Mr Gerry Essery and Mrs Jo Essery are giving back to their adopted home, with a $6 million legacy donation.

The sum will be divided equally between the Assisi Hospice, National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).



Details of the donation were announced at the NKF Building in Kim Keat Road yesterday.

Mrs Essery was born in Singapore and lived here before leaving for South Africa at the start of World War II.

Mr Essery, on the other hand, was born in Britain and came to Singapore in 1931, as his father was working as an engineer here. His father sent him to Australia when the Japanese invaded Singapore in 1942.

A few months later, he travelled to South Africa, where he was reunited with his family - and met his future wife. They got married in South Africa in 1945.

The couple then moved to Australia in the 1950s, where Mr Essery worked for multinational confectionery company Cadbury. He then got a job in a glass production firm in Singapore, and the couple decided to make Singapore their home.

What the hell is wrong with Yishun?

Why do some people make fun of Yishun?
My Turf is a new fortnightly series that aims to tell the untold stories of our neighbourhoods. In this third instalment, we take a look at Yishun and why it has a reputation for the bad and the mad.
By Fabian Koh, The Straits Times, 16 Feb 2017

A trending topic on social media has recently been this question: What in the world is wrong with Yishun?

"Build a wall around Yishun," says a popular meme, while a Twitter account has been set up, dedicated to weird happenings in this northern town.

Somehow, Yishun has developed a reputation for bad news. Alongside the everyday events, Yishun is also home to cat abuse, murder, car chases, brothel raids, civilians trying to attack policemen with stun guns, loan sharks, falling concrete slabs, sinkholes, feuding taxi drivers, shopping mall stabbings and more.

Could it be something in the air? Or perhaps the water?

But it turns out that the problem with Yishun is simple, just like what most people won in the Toto draw last week: Nothing.

It is a made-up phenomenon, driven by media coverage and confirmation bias.

Assistant Professor Liew Khai Khiun, from Nanyang Technological University's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, said Yishun's reputation boils down to "public imagination".

By coincidence, one or two sensational things happen in the estate that draw widespread coverage, some enterprising wags seize upon it and soon the idea that the place is jinxed enters almost mainstream thought.

South Korea President Park Geun-Hye impeached: It all started with fight over puppy

The Sunday Times, 11 Dec 2016

SEOUL • Did a fight over a puppy lead to the impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun Hye? A whistle-blower whose account has riveted South Koreans says it did.

Mr Ko Young Tae, the whistle-blower, told a parliamentary hearing last week that he had an argument with Ms Park's close friend Choi Soon Sil over walking Choi's daughter's puppy one day in 2014.

He said Choi became upset when she found the dog alone at his home after he had gone out to play golf.

"She was angry that I left the dog alone, and we had a fight."

Mr Ko, 40, a former Asian Games gold medal fencer, said that afterwards, he decided to expose Choi's ties with Ms Park to local news media. Choi has since been indicted on charges of extorting tens of millions of dollars from big businesses.

He had apparently videotaped Choi in 2014 giving orders to two presidential aides as if they were servants. In one scene that went viral, one of the aides wiped his smartphone on his shirt before handing it reverentially to Choi.

The footage, aired in October, left little doubt about her influence over Ms Park.



Mr Ko was also said to have an advance copy of Ms Park's itinerary for an overseas trip that Choi had received; it showed that the President wore certain colours on certain days based on Choi's recommendations.

He has become a hero to many in South Korea.

Government to build and lease facilities for animal shelters, farms; Stricter dog licensing rules from March 2017

Government to build new homes for strays and pet farm animals
Facilities will be leased to about 40 groups and farms whose current leases end next year
By Samantha Boh, The Straits Times, 22 Nov 2016

In an unprecedented move, the Government will build new facilities at Sungei Tengah for around 40 animal welfare groups and pet farms in Loyang and Seletar, which will need to move out of their premises when their leases expire by the end of next year.

The facilities will be leased to the organisations for monthly rentals, obviating the need to raise a lump sum of money to buy land and construct their own facilities, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) in a statement yesterday.

Each farm and group will be allotted a space inside a 3ha compound, the size of which will depend on the number of animals. Construction will start next year.

Each unit will be able to house around 20 dogs and will include facilities like food storage and bathing areas, said animal welfare groups.

The rental rate for groups and shelters will be around $13 per sq m per month. Pet farm rentals will be based on tender bids for the units.

The 29 farms, nine groups and several independent shelters are moving from their current homes, bringing with them 6,000 to 7,000 animals, to make way for redevelopment, said the AVA.

The news was welcomed by animal welfare groups, which had been worried that some 2,000 stray and abandoned dogs and cats they care for would be left without a home.

"I am very surprised that they did this. We thought the best outcome would be to open land for bidding for animal welfare purposes," said Dr Siew Tuck Wah, president of animal welfare group SOSD, which cares for about 100 dogs.

ENOUGH SPACE FOR ALL ANIMALS: AVA

"We were already coming up with desperate plans... we were even prepared to sell our houses."

The new facilities will be ready by the end of next year, allowing the animals a seamless move from their current homes. They will be in the form of two-storey buildings, instead of one-storey ones at the current Loyang and Seletar premises, which the AVA said will make more efficient use of the land.

The AVA has also assured the farms and groups that there will be "sufficient space for the existing number of animals from the animal welfare groups and pet farms".

Singapore destroys 7.9 tonnes of seized ivory worth $13 million

AVA destroys $13m worth of seized ivory
By Jeremy Koh, The Straits Times, 14 Jun 2016

A huge load of smuggled elephant ivory, estimated to be worth about $13 million, was pulverised and incinerated by the Singapore authorities yesterday.

This is the first time that the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) is crushing seized ivory and strongly signals that Singapore does not tolerate being a conduit for smuggling endangered species and their parts, AVA said.



In all, 7.9 tonnes of ivory was crushed yesterday, some of it at an event in Tuas attended by Senior Minister of State for National Development and Home Affairs Desmond Lee.

At the event, workers loaded pieces of ivory onto an excavator which dropped them into an industrial rock crusher.

Small pieces of crushed ivory came out on a conveyer belt and these were poured into a container. The pieces were later incinerated at an eco-waste incineration plant and the ashes will be used as landfill at Pulau Semakau.

The ivory that was crushed came from four seizures over 2014 and last year. The largest one took place in May last year where a shipment, declared as tea leaves from Kenya bound for Vietnam, was intercepted by the local authorities.

Underwater World Singapore to close its doors on 26 June 2016

Entry fees to Sentosa 'icon' cut to 1991 prices; search for new homes for animals ongoing
By Chew Hui Min and Trina Anne Khoo, The Straits Times, 7 Jun 2016

Underwater World Singapore will be closing after 25 years, it announced yesterday, as the lease for the premises on Sentosa expires in less than two years.

The early closure of the aquarium on June 26 is to facilitate the transfer of the animals to their new homes, a spokesman for Underwater World said.

The Sentosa attraction faces competition from the new Marine Life Park and Universal Studios theme park, which are also located on the resort island.

The aquarium, run by Haw Par Corporation, has found a new home for its vulnerable or endangered marine animals.

"After nearly a year reviewing suitable facilities, we found a home for our pink dolphins, fur seals and otters," a Haw Par spokesman said.

They were moved to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China, one of the largest marine parks in the world, on Sunday.

Chimelong was chosen as the Pearl River estuary near Zhuhai is one of the main habitats of the protected pink dolphins, also known as the Chinese white dolphin.



However, the search for suitable homes for other marine creatures at Underwater World is ongoing.

Haw Par also operates Underwater World Pattaya in Thailand, which is not affected, its spokesman said.

It does not look like there are plans for the site for now.

Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said that following the decision by Haw Par to close Underwater World, it is "looking into refreshing the site with new and exciting experiences for all guests visiting Sentosa".

Mandai to be nature hub with five wildlife parks: Eco-link for animals to be ready by end-2019

2 new ones to be built to join zoo, Night Safari and River Safari, with eco-lodges for visitors
By Audrey Tan and Pang Xue Qiang, The Straits Times, 2 Jun 2016

Singapore will have a new wildlife and nature attraction in Mandai, complete with eco-lodges and a rainforest-themed park where visitors can get up close to wildlife.

When the Mandai nature precinct is completed by 2023, two wildlife parks - the new Rainforest Park and the relocated Bird Park - will join the existing trio: the Singapore Zoo, the River Safari and the Night Safari.

Sleeping under the stars could be an option for those who want to spend a night or two in Mandai, as options such as tents, suites and family rooms are being considered.

There will also be nature trails, boardwalks, outdoor seating and playgrounds, where no admission fees will be charged.

The 126ha Mandai hub sits just outside the Central Catchment Nature Reserve and borders Upper Seletar Reservoir.



The plans to turn the area into a nature precinct were announced yesterday by developer Mandai Safari Park Holdings. Tourism experts welcomed the move, saying it could help Singapore benefit from the fast-growing nature tourism.

At the 12.5ha Rainforest Park, visitors can stroll along aerial walkways that extend from the forest floor to treetop canopies, or enjoy the cool forest as they relax in pods suspended from the ground.

The Bird Park, which will be relocated from Jurong, will occupy 17ha and open as early as 2020. Birds will fly freely in nine "upsized" aviaries, each featuring a unique landscape such as bamboo forests.



Mr Mike Barclay, group chief executive of Mandai Safari Park Holdings, said yesterday that encounters with wildlife may be fleeting and irregular in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, and the Rainforest Park will give people a chance to get up close to wildlife.

The hub is being designed to be in harmony with nature. The two new parks will be developed on previously occupied land and measures will be taken to minimise impact on the flora and fauna in the area.

An eco-bridge will be built across Mandai Lake Road for animals to move between the central and northern reaches of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.

Plans for a makeover were first announced in 2014 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The first phase could start as early as later this year and will cost $1 billion. It will cover construction of the two new parks, infrastructure and enhancing facilities at the existing three parks.

Singapore's Marine Life Conservation Efforts

Sisters' Islands to be heart of marine life conservation
Plans include nursery for corals, turtle hatchery and facilities where people can get close to nature
By Danson Cheong, The Sunday Times, 22 May 2016

From Singapore's first sea turtle hatchery to a floating pontoon with see-through panels, detailed plans to transform Sisters' Islands into the heart of the country's marine life conservation efforts were revealed yesterday.

Announcing these yesterday on St John's Island, Senior Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee highlighted how, despite covering less than 1 per cent of the world's surface, Singapore's waters are home to over 250 species of hard corals, a third of the world's total.

"We may be small, but we are large in our marine richness," he said, as he highlighted the need to ramp up conservation efforts and to raise awareness among Singaporeans of the life in surrounding waters. "The marine park is meant for Singaporeans, and we hope our people will love it, grow it and take ownership of this park."

The 40ha Sisters' Islands Marine Park, first announced in 2014 and about the size of 50 football fields, comprises the two Sisters' Islands - which are a 40-minute boat ride from Marina South Pier - surrounding reefs and the western reefs of nearby St John's Island and Pulau Tekukor. Its ecosystem supports corals, anemones, seahorses, fish and other marine life.

With the help of a $500,000 donation from HSBC, a turtle hatchery will be set up on Small Sister's Island by the end of next year.

The island will be a dedicated site for marine conservation and research. It will have a coral nursery where rare corals can be grown before being transplanted onto Reef Enhancement Units (REU) on the reef. Yesterday, HSBC also donated $180,000 for nine REUs under the new Seed-A-Reef programme.

Open to the public, donations of at least $20,000 will pay for an REU - an artificial scaffolding to which corals attach and grow.

To encourage Singaporeans to take ownership of the marine park on the islands, they will be able to also "sponsor" a coral for $200 in the new Plant-A-Coral initiative.

Kranji Marshes, largest freshwater marshland in Singapore, opens

By Audrey Tan, The Straits Times, 2 Feb 2016

Even in built-up Singapore, there are places where nature and wildlife thrive.

The Kranji Marshes, for instance, is home to 54 species of butterflies, 33 species of dragonflies and more than 170 species of birds - including the critically endangered straw-headed bulbul.

The area was officially opened yesterday by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the National Parks Board (NParks), which have been developing the area in collaboration with the Nature Society Singapore (NSS) and national water agency PUB since May 2014.



Even before then, NSS volunteers had helped to clear overgrown vegetation to build a suitable habitat for the wildlife.

Located in north-western Singapore, near the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, the 56.8ha Kranji Marshes is roughly the size of 60 football fields. It is the largest and most accessible freshwater marshland in Singapore, compared with the two other known freshwater marshlands here: the pond in Tampines Eco Green and Poyan Reservoir in the SAFTI Live Firing Area.



To help visitors learn more about the marsh, woodland and grass habitats in the nature area, there will be information on signboards and free guided walks by NParks and NSS.

Mr Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, was guest of honour at the opening held ahead of World Wetlands Day today.

He said: "In our dense urban landscape, nature conservation and greenery provision are key to the high-quality physical environment that we are so proud of.

"We will continue to make best use of the greenery we have, through projects like Kranji Marshes, and many others."

Cat cruelty in Yishun

New fast-response team to probe Yishun cat deaths
More high-resolution cameras also installed in estate after spate of attacks on felines
By Ng Huiwen, The Straits Times, 16 Dec 2015

A new grassroots fast-response team has been set up to patrol parts of Nee Soon and gather evidence after a spate of cat deaths in the estate in the last three months.

Mr Louis Ng, an MP for Nee Soon GRC, said on Tuesday that additional high-resolution cameras have also been installed around the neighbourhood.

He said this will complement efforts by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the police to catch the serial cat killers, who have struck 17 times since September. Only one of the 17 cats survived the attacks.

The latest case happened on Saturday - a cat was found dead in a multi-storey carpark at Block 115B along Yishun Ring Road.

It is believed that the cat, which had suffered extensive bleeding, was thrown from a height.

Since September, other cats have been found with severe trauma to the head and back, injuries to the intestinal organs, gouged eyes and chopped limbs. One was strangled.

The fast-response team comprises about 30 grassroots volunteers, cat feeders and residents.

Once the team has been alerted to a case, some members will go to the location quickly and speak to residents there. They will also leave notices on nearby vehicles to ask motorists to review their in-car camera footage for evidence.

Mr Ng, who is the founder and executive director of the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, said that there are a few suspects at this point.

Drug trial by AVA to curb pigeon population

'Birth control' drug curbs egg production or causes females to lay eggs that do not hatch
By Samantha Boh, The Straits Times, 6 Nov 2015

Pigeons that congregate outside Masjid Haji Muhammad Salleh mosque have been getting an extra ingredient in their breakfast.

Every day, pigeons that flock to the area are served a corn-based feed containing a drug called nicarbazin, which stops the female birds from producing eggs or causes them to lay eggs that do not hatch.

This new "birth control" method to limit pigeon numbers is being tested by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) at a field outside the mosque in Palmer Road, near Shenton Way.

The trial, which started on Oct 13 and will last a year, comes on the back of soaring complaints about the nuisance caused by pigeons.

The AVA has already received about 3,400 pigeon-related feedback from January to October this year, more than the 2,500 received for the whole of last year and the 2,100 in 2013.

Oral contraceptives for peckish pigeons? AVA is trying to reduce the pigeon population at Palmer Road with a method that saw success in Italy. http://bit.ly/1Po5EG6(Video: Sherlyn Goh)
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Thursday, November 5, 2015

It has also seen a growth in feedback about all kinds of birds, including pigeons, from some 4,400 messages in 2013 to 6,100 in the first 10 months of this year alone.

Mr Mohamed Idris, secretary of the management board of Masjid Haji Muhammad Salleh, said pigeons have always been around, but the problem has worsened over the last 10 years.

The field outside the mosque has an estimated 400 pigeons, twice as many as two years ago.

Eco-Link@BKE wildlife bridge to open to public for guided tours

Take a walk along Eco-Link@BKE bridge specially reserved for animals
NParks to conduct guided walks on Eco-Link@BKE, access to which has been restricted since its completion
By Carolyn Khew, The Straits Times, 5 Nov 2015

A unique $16 million bridge reserved for animals such as civets and pangolins is opening its doors for the first time to another species - humans.

In the next two months, the National Parks Board (NParks) will conduct eight guided walks of the Eco-Link@BKE, South-east Asia's first ecological bridge. This will become a monthly affair from March.

The 62m bridge, which was completed in 2013, has so far been seen only from a distance by motorists on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). It was built to reconnect the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve to allow wildlife in both areas to safely cross the BKE, which separated the two forests when it was built in 1986.

Access to it has been restricted so far to give plants time to grow and allow animals to get used to the bridge. NParks has since assessed that limited guided walks can be done with minimal disturbance.



During the media tour of the Eco-Link@BKE yesterday, Senior Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee said it is important to strike a balance between protecting the area and helping the public understand the role the bridge plays in conservation.

"Unless we have public understanding and acceptance, it will not give us the impetus and community support to do even more," said Mr Lee.

During the guided walks, visitors will be able to learn more about the different kinds of animals that use the link as well as interesting facts about both nature reserves. To minimise disturbance, the number of visitors will be limited to 20 a tour and they will use only a small pathway at the side of the bridge.

Since 2013, NParks has worked with the community, including student groups, to carry out projects such as animal surveys, and plant more than 3,000 native flora on the bridge. Some of these can grow up to 15m and are meant to simulate the natural habitat of animals.

SPCA seeks deterrent action against dog owner

By Yuen Sin, The Straits Times, 3 Nov 2015

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is "pressing for strong deterrent action" against the man who was caught on camera dangling a dog by its neck on a leash. He officially surrendered the dog to the SPCA yesterday morning.

The six-month-old Japanese spitz, which is currently under SPCA's care, will be put up for adoption once investigations by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) have been completed. An adoption notice will be posted on the SPCA's website.

We refer to this case that has appeared on STOMP: ...
Posted by SPCA Singapore on Saturday, October 31, 2015

The clip was uploaded on the citizen journalism website Stomp on Saturday, and shows a man repeatedly picking up the dog by its leash, lifting it off the ground and spinning it around rapidly in mid-air.

On Saturday evening, the SPCA removed the dog from the man's home with the help of the police.

Mr Louis Ng, an MP for Nee Soon GRC, said it was a "positive sign" that the public has been quick to report such instances of animal cruelty. The animal lover noted that in this case, the psychological damage inflicted upon the dog would still have been significant despite the lack of noticeable physical injuries.

Tah Ching Road accident: Develop culture of zero accidents, especially for lifts - DPM Tharman

Probe into lift accident will take at least 2 weeks, says Tharman as he visits victim in hospital
By Olivia Ho and Yeo Sam Jo, The Straits Times, 15 Oct 2015

There can be "no compromise" on lift safety, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on Wednesday (Oct 14), as he revealed that the probe into an accident that severed an elderly woman's hand in Jurong last week would last at least a fortnight.

"Lifts are something that we depend on every day... We really don't want people to have to worry about their safety when taking the lift," Mr Tharman told reporters at the National University Hospital. He was there to visit Madam Khoo Bee Hua, whose left hand was severed by a lift in her Tah Ching Road block last Friday.

The 85-year-old also fell, breaking her left leg.



Mr Tharman, who is an MP in her ward, spent an hour with her after flying in yesterday morning from an International Monetary Fund meeting in Peru.

He said of the incident: "We've to take responsibility. There's nothing to hide. There must have been something wrong with the lift, even if maintenance checks were done."

He called for safety standards in technical, engineering and maintenance works to be raised, as well as a "strong system of audit" to perform regular checks on lifts on top of the work done by maintenance contractors. "We need (a) culture of going for zero accidents... particularly when it comes to lifts."

Jurong Town Council general manager Ho Thian Poh said checks after the accident showed that the safety devices of all its lifts in the town were working.

Other town councils, including Marine Parade, Ang Mo Kio, West Coast, Chua Chu Kang and Tampines, have since stepped up checks on their lifts in the wake of the accident. At least one malfunction was discovered during Tampines Town Council's additional inspections.

Its chairman and MP for Tampines GRC, Mr Baey Yam Keng, said: "One lift had a faulty infrared sensor that has since been fixed.

"We know that some residents are anxious after the accident. Our assurance is that we are doing checks on top of the routine maintenance."

Mr Tharman said the probe to be conducted by the authorised examiner will be comprehensive. "He'll likely need at least two weeks because we want it to be a thorough job and not a quick checklist of sorts."

Haze in Singapore: A problem dating back 40 years

Singapore's haze problem dates back to the 1970s, records show
By Samantha Boh and Carolyn Khew, The Straits Times, 3 Oct 2015

Singapore has been plagued by haze since the 1970s, and it is unrealistic to think that the problem can be solved in three years, as Indonesian President Joko Widodo has predicted, experts told The Straits Times.

While some of the measures he put in place may help alleviate the situation, broad changes must happen both on the ground and at the government level there to have a real impact.

Said Professor Euston Quah, head of Nanyang Technological University's Department of Economics: "It will certainly take more than three years to greatly reduce the fire episodes."

Among other things, laws need to be changed and greater coordination is required among various government institutions, he said.

And National University of Singapore law professor Alan Tan noted that the problem was not just about companies setting fires, but hinged on the unfair parcelling of land.

"There is a deeper problem of land use inequity affecting local communities whose lands are taken by the companies, often with the collusion of corrupt officials. This results in villagers encroaching into plantation lands, and both sides use fires indiscriminately for their own ends," he said. "This aspect of the problem cannot realistically be solved in a matter of a few years. It must involve fundamental reform of land use policies."

Prof Tan stressed that there is no way to ban fires altogether, as it remains the fastest and cheapest way to clear land in an agrarian economy like Indonesia.

"The goal should be to ensure controlled burning, and this must take into account complexities like weather patterns, peat lands, land use disputes, local government autonomy and corrupt local officials."

Records show that the haze has plagued Singapore as far back as 43 years ago.

On Oct 18, 1972, a Straits Times article headlined "Persistent haze" warned Singaporeans to prepare for several more weeks of haze discomfort caused by extensive fires in Sumatra and Indonesia Borneo. Shocked citizens had then said they were suffocating in their flats.

An earlier article that month had reported that a "heavy dust haze enveloped large area of Singapore", affecting thousands of commuters.

That was to be the first of many similar experiences.

The haze has shrouded the island time and again, and now, Singapore is bracing itself for what could be its worst prolonged spell of haze to date.

Scientists have warned that this year's episode could be as bad as or even worse than 1997's conditions - widely regarded as the most serious haze event on record. That year, the haze lasted three months and cost Singapore an estimated US$163 million (S$232 million).

This year, it has so far stretched for 11/2 months, with no respite in sight.

Haze forces closure of schools across Singapore on 25 September 2015

Unprecedented move due to possibility of PSI hitting hazardous levels: Heng Swee Keat
By Joanna Seow and Lester Hio, The Straits Times, 25 Sep 2015

All primary and secondary schools in Singapore have been forced to close today (Sept 25), after hazy conditions - the worst this year - threatened to become hazardous.

PSI levels yesterday crossed into the very unhealthy range. At 10pm, the 24-hour PSI had soared to 223- 275. Beyond 300, it is hazardous.

This is the first time Singapore's schools are being closed due to the haze.



The decision was made "given the prediction that we cannot rule out the possibility of the haze condition getting into the hazardous range," said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat last night, at a multi-agency briefing also attended by Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say.

Some GCE O-level exams set for today have been postponed, while the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) hangs in the balance, as written papers are set to begin next week.



"There will be no national shutdown of workplaces," said Mr Lim, though he added that companies should take measures to help employees, such as enforcing more frequent breaks and making work less strenuous.

The Government is also adding to earlier measures to help people cope with the haze: vulnerable and needy Singaporeans will be able to collect masks from 108 community centres islandwide from 10am to 10pm from today.



Organisations are already taking steps to safeguard members of the public and workers.

The Singapore Sports Hub, for example, suspended strenuous outdoor activities and fast-food restaurants like McDonald's and KFC halted delivery services for now.

There might be some respite over the weekend, as winds are forecast to shift.

But the hazy conditions might last for another month or more, as this is an El Nino year which could see dry weather until November, warned Dr Balakrishnan.

"Our offer of assistance to (the Indonesian authorities) is still on the table, and we still stand ready to work with our Asean partners to resolve this problem," he reiterated.

Foreign and Law Minister K. Shanmugam affirmed this stance and described his observations in a Facebook post last night. He wrote: "As I walked around, the impact of the haze, on people, was obvious. I was coughing, eyes itching, the heat oppressive. Our senior citizens must be feeling much worse."

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who was visiting emergency workers in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan on Wednesday, had planned to inspect ground conditions and firefighting efforts in Sumatra yesterday but worsening conditions in Kalimantan prompted him to postpone the trip.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reminded people to take care of their health.

In a Facebook post yesterday, he wrote: "Please drink plenty of water, and avoid going outdoors if you can. Look out for neighbours and friends, and stay safe."

GE2015: PAP introduces 2 new faces in Nee Soon GRC

Shanmugam on need for new voices
PAP needs candidates who represent each generation, or risks becoming irrelevant
By Rachel Au-Yong, The Straits Times, 27 Aug 2015

The People's Action Party (PAP) must field candidates who give voice to each generation, or risks becoming irrelevant, said Law and Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam yesterday.



"The Parliament has to be representative of those generational changes. Otherwise, you get disconnected," he said at a press conference to introduce the party's candidates for Nee Soon GRC, which he leads.

To that end, Mr Shanmugam has on his slate one of the party's first candidates from an activist background, animal-rights champion Louis Ng, 37.

The vocal chief executive of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) replaces unionist Patrick Tay in the slate, who will run in West Coast GRC instead. The other new face in the group representation constituency is fund manager Henry Kwek, 39, who will be fielded in retiring MP Inderjit Singh's place, while two incumbent MPs, Ms Lee Bee Wah and Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, round out the team.



Mr Shanmugam said that Mr Ng was one of the "young people who come in representing a new ethos and a changing value system."

He added: "That is the only way a political party can stay well ahead.

"(The new candidates) don't represent the universe of the new generation, but if you look at the younger generation, people are much more interested in causes."

Mr Ng, the father of an 18-month-old girl, said he was keen to join politics as it was "a chance to do more" for both animals and people. In particular, he sees politics as a larger platform to mobilise Singaporeans to volunteer.

Volunteer rates are dropping, he noted, a trend which worries him.

Mr Ng has often found himself on opposing sides with the Government on animal-rights issues, but he said Mr Shanmugam taught him that "change can come from collaboration, not from a fight."

Plan to save Singapore freshwater crab from extinction

By Carolyn Khew, The Straits Times, 22 Jun 2015

EXPERTS here have come up with a detailed conservation plan to help the Johora singaporensis crab claw its way back from the brink of extinction.

The effort, likely to be the first of its kind in the world for an invertebrate (without backbone) species, aims to save the pebble-size crustaceans - found only in Singapore - through captive breeding, better understanding of the crabs' genetics and demographics, and habitat protection, among other things.



Dr Daniel Ng of the National University of Singapore's (NUS) department of biological sciences, said that the Singapore freshwater crab, as it is commonly called, is of national significance as the creatures are uniquely Singaporean. "This species is named after Singapore, which underlines the fact that our nation should take a leading role in safeguarding this critically endangered species from extinction," he said.

But scientists could not do it alone, added Assistant Professor Darren Yeo, who is also from the NUS biological sciences department and a member of the conservation effort. "When we say we want to conserve, we cannot just say we want to. So many things have to fall in place like management and collaboration between different stakeholders - which a bunch of scientists alone are not necessarily equipped to do."

So the blueprint was put together by experts from NUS, the National Parks Board (NParks), Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.