Pre-school principal Lena Koh makes inclusive learning her mission Childcare centre principal sees inclusion as a mission, after her own experience as a parent
By Wong Kim Hoh, Senior Writer, The Sunday Times, 9 Jul 2017 Little Khloe Gan is merrily ambling towards the childcare centre's play area when Madam Lena Koh stops the tyke in her tracks. "Khloe, have you finished your snack? Can you put your bowl in the pail, please?" coos the principal of Kindle Garden. The child dutifully does as told, earning a beaming smile from Madam Koh. "Good girl," she says.
And Khloe - a three-year-old with Down syndrome - merrily goes off to join her friends, most of whom are typically developing children. Madam Koh has good reason to be pleased. A year ago, when Khloe came to Kindle Garden - Singapore's first inclusive childcare centre located at the Enabling Village in Lengkok Bahru - she could not even walk. "She had low muscle tone, so she moved around on her bum," the principal says. But with help from the childcare centre's resident occupational therapist, the little girl can now even run. Run by voluntary welfare group AWWA and funded by the Lien Foundation, Kindle Garden is a dream come true for Madam Koh, who has spent nearly three decades in early childhood education (ECE). The mother of two boys, aged 13 and 17, has a soft spot for children with special needs. Her younger son Dexter is autistic and she understands only too well the challenges parents with special needs children have to grapple with, especially when it comes to education. "A lot of heartbreak can be prevented if only we try. Inclusion works and while the journey is not easy, the results make it worth fighting for," she says.
Most singles intend to marry, but six in 10 not dating seriously
By Janice Tai, Social Affairs Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 9 Jul 2017
Most of Singapore's singletons intend to marry, though six in 10 are not dating with marriage in mind and four in 10 have never had serious relationships, according to a new government survey. Among those not dating seriously, 42 per cent are leaving dating to chance. As for those seeking potential partners, more are comfortable with online dating and dating apps, and more of them have met their partners this way. These were some key findings released by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) yesterday from its Marriage and Parenthood Survey. Commissioned to understand public attitudes and perceptions towards marriage and parenthood, the survey polled 2,940 singles and 2,861 married Singapore residents - both groups aged 21 to 45 years old - last year. Similar surveys were conducted in 2004, 2007 and 2012. The survey also showed that 83 per cent of the singles aged 21 to 35 years old indicated that they intend to marry, a slight dip from the 86 per cent in 2012. But 59 per cent of all the singles surveyed were not dating seriously with a view to getting married and 41 per cent had never dated seriously before. Among the singles not dating seriously, four out of 10 prefer to leave dating to chance. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Josephine Teo, who oversees population matters, wrote on Facebook yesterday that she is happy that marriage and parenthood remain important life goals that many Singaporeans aspire to. "The aspirations captured in the survey give us hope. It also points to what more we can do as a community to help our fellow Singaporeans achieve those aspirations," wrote Mrs Teo.
"Some areas the Government is looking into include developing the dating landscape, creating family-friendly and inclusive workplaces and improving pre-school support," she added.
The findings on married respondents showed that, similar to previous years, most couples prefer to have two or more children.
G-20 meet ends with compromise on trade, climate change World's major economies commit to open markets but let US stand apart on Paris deal
By Royston Sim, Assistant Political Editor In Hamburg, The Sunday Times, 9 Jul 2017
Leaders of the world's major economies, including the United States, have committed to keep markets open and fight trade protectionism at the Group of 20 (G-20)summit. But a deep chasm remains between the US and the other 19 members on climate change. After a two-day summit fraught with tension inside and protests outside, the final statement from the G-20 leaders also tacitly recognised US President Donald Trump's concerns about what he calls unfair trade practices. It acknowledged the role of "trade defence instruments", giving Mr Trump wiggle room to follow up on threats to impose tariffs on steel imports from countries such as China and push on with his "America First" policy. In her closing press conference, summit host Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, said: "I am satisfied that we were able to say markets need to be kept open." But on climate change, she said she "deplored" America's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, but said all other nations agree that the climate accord is "irreversible". Breaking with tradition, a separate paragraph was added to state the US stance on the continued use and sale of fossil fuels that are the main drivers of global warming. "Wherever there is no consensus that can be achieved, disagreement has to be made clear," Dr Merkel said at the end of the summit.
Earlier yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Mr Trump for the first time. They reaffirmed the two countries' excellent bilateral ties and committed to work together to advance the relationship, said a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. It added that President Trump is looking forward to receiving PM Lee in Washington later this year. Mr Lee welcomed the Trump administration's continued engagement of the Asia-Pacific and looked forward to his participation in the Asean-US Summit, East Asia Summit, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in November. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments. After shaking hands with Mr Lee, Mr Trump said: "The Prime Minister of Singapore - we're very close, the relationship is very close, and we expect to do some excellent things together in many ways." He added: "We have a very big relationship now. It will probably get much bigger." Mr Lee also met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the summit. They pledged to continue supporting efforts to explore the way forward for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The US withdrew from the TPP in January, but the remaining 11 members have agreed to press on with the trade deal. They also discussed developments on the Korean Peninsula, with Mr Lee expressing Singapore's grave concerns over escalating tensions there. Earlier this week, North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile which experts say could allow it to strike Alaska.
Sultan says pact's success a tribute to enduring friendship; commemorative $50 notes issued
By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, The Straits Times, 6 Jul 2017
The bright yellow Simpur flower beloved in Brunei, and Singapore's national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim, will grace the face of special edition $50 notes that mark a milestone in the relationship between the two countries. The set of two commemorative polymer notes - a Brunei $50 bill and a Singapore $50 one - was launched at the Istana yesterday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is in town for a two-day state visit. The leaders marked the golden jubilee of an agreement that allows both countries to accept the currency issued by the other. PM Lee called the Currency Interchangeability Agreement a hallmark of the longstanding and unique ties between the two nations, while the Sultan said its success is a tribute to the countries' enduring friendship.
In the evening, President Tony Tan Keng Yam too spoke warmly of the deep ties between Brunei and Singapore. At a state banquet hosted in honour of the Sultan and his wife, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, Dr Tan noted that as the smallest countries in ASEAN, both share a similar outlook. "Our two countries understand each other's priorities in an innate way that larger countries cannot... and have always readily assisted each other to overcome our common challenges," he said. They work together well in ASEAN and other groups, and share mutual interests like free and open trade. And amid rapid global changes, the strong ties between Brunei and Singapore will remain a constant, said Dr Tan, as he highlighted their historically close defence ties and regular youth exchanges. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean is set to lead a delegation of Singapore's young leaders to Brunei later this year for the fifth Young Leaders' Programme. And 13 Sultan's Scholars, among Brunei's best and brightest, here on a study trip, were at the state banquet.
In his speech, Sultan Bolkiah noted the wide-ranging areas of cooperation between both countries, and identified the agribusiness industry as a potential sector for further collaboration.
He also expressed Brunei's support for Singapore when it assumes the ASEAN chairmanship next year.
No evidence to support abuse of power allegations, says PM Lee Hsien Loong He hopes Singaporeans are in better position to view issue in perspective after debate
By Zakir Hussain, Political Editor, The Straits Times, 5 Jul 2017
Parliament wrapped up two days of debate on allegations of abuse of power over 38, Oxley Road, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong saying there was no evidence to back claims that led to the sitting. Singaporeans have been given a full account of how the Government works and what it has done in the case of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew's house, and ministers have dealt with questions raised, he said. PM Lee admitted it was unrealistic to hope the matter - which has gained international attention and affected the country's reputation - would be put to rest. But he hoped that following the statements made by him and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean as well as the debate, Singaporeans would be in a better position to judge the facts and see the issue in perspective. No MPs had produced additional charges or substantiated the claims made by his siblings, Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling, in the past three weeks, he said, stressing a point several speakers had also made. This showed he and the Government had acted properly and with due process, he said, hoping the session would clear the air over the accusations and calm things down. "People can see that there has been no abuse of power, by me or my Government," he said. Even before yesterday's sitting began, PM Lee's siblings issued a statement accusing him of misleading their father over the status of the family home. PM Lee had on Monday disclosed in Parliament that Mr Lee Kuan Yew had signed off on plans to redevelop the house, an indication that even as he wished for it to be demolished when he died, he was prepared to consider other options. But Dr Lee and Mr Lee Hsien Yang claimed PM Lee gave their father the impression its gazetting was either "inevitable" or that it was already gazetted. In response, PM Lee yesterday distributed two family e-mails to MPs showing their father approved the plans for the bungalow and how they were done "honestly, transparently, not on false pretences".
Since then, various claims have been made by the siblings against their brother and government officials, drawing a series of rebuttals almost daily in the lead-up to this week's debate. CALL TO SIBLINGS TO RECONCILE, THINK OF LARGER HOUSE – SINGAPORE A total of 36 ministers and MPs spoke in the House over two days, with many noting that the allegations of abuse were not backed up. While Monday's sitting had calls by MPs to investigate and resolve the issue thoroughly, yesterday's session had one particularly strong theme: a call to the siblings to reconcile and think of the larger house - Singapore - that their father built. Said Mr Charles Chong (Punggol East): "Mr Lee Kuan Yew would not wish to see his family affairs demolish the standing and reputation of Singapore that he spent his lifetime building."
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat noted that 38, Oxley Road holds special significance because what happened in its basement - where the founding of the People's Action Party was discussed - is a relevant part of the nation's history.
Mr Heng, once Mr Lee's principal private secretary, spoke of Mr Lee's willingness to consider alternative views on the matter of redeveloping his house. Mr Lee, he added, observed a strict separation between his private wish and the duty of government, and was committed to a sense of history, the rule of law and good governance.
PM Lee, too, had recused himself from deliberations on the house, and kept a strict separation between his private duty as a son and his public responsibilities as head of Government.
"As several MPs have pointed out, the irony is that if PM were to do what Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling wanted, to impose his private wishes as a son and have the house demolished, we would not have this disagreement made public, but he would have abused his power," Mr Heng said.
Weighing in on the allegations, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said he had "full confidence in the integrity of the Prime Minister", whom he had known and worked closely with for over 30 years.
Mr Goh said the statements by PM Lee and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean accord with his knowledge of how the Government and ministers operate, saying he was fully satisfied that DPM Teo acted independently as chairman of the ministerial committee.
Mr Goh also revealed that he was trying to mediate between PM Lee and Mr Lee Hsien Yang in their dispute over the demolition of the house, and emphasised to Mr Lee Hsien Yang that the dispute was between him and the Government - as PM Lee had no say over the fate of the house. Mr Goh also challenged Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang (Aljunied GRC) to follow up on his censure of the siblings, by making a clear statement that his party has concluded the claims are baseless. Mr Low said he could not come to such a conclusion. "We keep our minds open, we are prepared to give the benefit of the doubt to the PM. Personally, I will not be convinced until the entire allegation is given a convincing or conclusive airing," he said. Speaking before PM Lee, DPM Teo said there is no reason for dispute over the house as both Mr Lee Hsien Yang and the Government recognise no decision needs to be made now as Dr Lee continues to live in it. He said the ministerial committee would "continue doing the work that is needed, calmly and objectively", to study possible options for when a decision has to be made. "I hope that these unfounded allegations will stop. They have no basis, and undermine confidence in our system of governance, and unfairly tar our public officers who are trying their best to do their duty." In closing the debate, PM Lee said he agreed on the need to resolve the issue quickly, but going to court would "drag out the process for years, cause further distress to Singaporeans, and distract us from many urgent issues". Addressing calls by several MPs for a select committee or Commission of Inquiry (COI) as a platform to hear the allegations, Mr Lee said there were no specifics to the headline charge of abuse of power. But if alleged evidence of wrongdoing emerges, he and the Government will consider what further steps need to be taken.
"We can have a select committee, we can have a COI, I may decide to sue for defamation or take some other legal action," he said. "But until then, let's get back to more important things that we should be working on." Thanking MPs for their wishes for his family, PM Lee, who looked emotional, said he hoped there would one day be rapprochement. "My purpose has not been to pursue a family fight, but to clear the air and to restore public confidence in our system. This is how the system is supposed to work," he added. "When there are questions and doubts about the Government, we bring them out, deal with them openly, and clear the doubts. If anything is wrong, we must put it right. If nothing is wrong, we must say so."
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong refutes siblings’ charges of abuse of power over Oxley house He gives detailed account of events, saying Lee Kuan Yew considered options for redeveloping house
By Zakir Hussain, Political Editor, The Straits Times, 4 Jul 2017
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has refuted the grave allegations of abuse of power levelled against him, and given his first detailed account of the saga of 38, Oxley Road. Addressing a packed Parliament House, he disclosed how his father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, had signed off on plans to redevelop his house before he died, which would save the historical parts of it even as it sought to keep some areas out of public view. This showed that while he had wished that the house be demolished, he was prepared to consider other options, if the Government decided otherwise. This, PM Lee said, was the main difference he had with his siblings, who believed Mr Lee was adamant that the house be torn down, with no room for compromise. He added that Mr Lee had upheld the rule of law in Singapore throughout his life and would have expected the Government to apply the same standards of good governance even to him and his wishes for his house. Admitting the allegations made by his siblings had damaged the country's reputation, he again apologised to Singaporeans, and explained his decision to bring the issue to Parliament for a full airing. He said: "As the PM I have a duty to explain myself to MPs, and to rebut in Parliament the allegations against me and my government." His account was supplemented by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean's account of the ministerial committee on the house that he set up and which he chairs, that has also come under attack from Mr Lee Hsien Yang and Dr Lee Wei Ling. He told MPs that PM Lee had recused himself from decisions related to the Oxley house and left these to him and his colleagues. National Development Minister Lawrence Wong then described the difficult spot the National Heritage Board had been put in by the two executors of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's will over their Deed of Gift for items from the house. But PM Lee's reluctance to take his siblings to court drew a sharp response from Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang, who called for a swift end to the saga.
Mr Low said the siblings should not make vague accusations against the PM based on scattered evidence even as he chided ministers for engaging in a "Facebook brawl".
"Making allegations that appear to be calculated to undermine the Prime Minister's authority does not make for constructive politics in Singapore. It is a reckless thing to do and I do not see how this is in the national interest," he said.
Over seven hours, MPs discussed various options to resolve the issue - including having the key players appear before a special select committee - while PM Lee listened intently, flanked by his Cabinet colleagues. The 11 People's Action Party (PAP) backbenchers, five WP MPs and five Nominated MPs who spoke asked probing questions of PM Lee and his ministers.
Many said residents were puzzled as to why a family quarrel had become a national issue in recent weeks, played out on social media.
'Singaporeans entitled to full answer from me and my Government' Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed allegations of abuse of power that his siblings, Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, made against him in their dispute on the fate of the Oxley Road home of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Here is what he said in Parliament yesterday. The Straits Times, 4 Jul 2017
Madam Speaker, I am making this statement today because my siblings, Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, have made serious allegations of abuse of power against me and my Government. The allegations seem to concern primarily three matters. One, the setting up of the Ministerial Committee on 38, Oxley Road. Two, the Deed of Gift for some artefacts from the house that were to be displayed in an exhibition by the National Heritage Board (NHB). And, three, accusations of nepotism over my wife and son, and accusations that I want my father's house kept standing to bolster my power. Their allegations are entirely baseless. But they have already damaged Singapore's reputation. Unrebutted, they can affect Singaporeans' confidence in the Government. I therefore have no choice but to address them promptly and publicly. I also have to do so in Parliament. Under the Constitution, the Prime Minister is the person who commands the confidence of the majority of the Members of Parliament. As the PM, I have a duty to explain myself to MPs, and to rebut in Parliament the allegations against me and my Government. I know many Singaporeans are upset by this issue. They are tired of the subject, and wish it would end. I too am upset that things have reached this state. As your Prime Minister, I deeply regret that this has happened and apologise to Singaporeans for this.
As a son, I am pained at the anguish that this strife would have caused my parents to feel if they were still alive.
I intend to clear the air today, to explain the matter fully and to answer all questions on the matter.
I am not here to make a case against my siblings. Parliament is not the place for that. But what is private, I will try to resolve privately. But what is public, I have to explain and render account.
To respond to these allegations of abuse of power, I will have to go into some background about 38, Oxley Road and the family discussions on the house so that Members can make sense of the allegations.
My account will inevitably be from my perspective. So I will try my best to be objective and factual.
I will cover the discussions on 38, Oxley Road when Mr Lee Kuan Yew was alive, what happened after Mr Lee passed away, and then, where the matter stands today.
Malaysia applies to ICJ to interpret 2008 ruling; Singapore says it will oppose application
By Danson Cheong, The Sunday Times, 2 Jul 2017
Malaysia has filed an application at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to declare that the waters surrounding Pedra Branca are within its territorial waters. In response, Singapore says the move is puzzling, without merit, and one it will oppose. The bid, filed on Friday, calls on the court to clarify its 2008 judgment which awarded Pedra Branca to Singapore, and neighbouring Middle Rocks to Malaysia. The ICJ also found nearby South Ledge belongs to the country in whose territorial waters it is sited. News of the latest Malaysian bid broke yesterday which, ironically, was the day Singapore was marking 50 years of national service, set up to boost the Republic's security. In its application, Malaysia also asked the court to declare that South Ledge is in Malaysia's territorial waters and therefore belongs to it, the ICJ said in a press statement. Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said yesterday: "In our view, the ICJ judgment is clear and unambiguous. Malaysia's request for the ICJ to interpret the judgment is puzzling. Singapore will therefore oppose Malaysia's application for interpretation, which we consider to be both unnecessary and without merit."
Malaysia's fresh challenge comes months after it filed a separate bid to revise the 2008 ruling in February, citing newly discovered facts. Both countries had taken the dispute over Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge to the ICJ in The Hague. All three features in the Singapore Strait are about 40km east of Singapore's main island. The court delivered its ruling in 2008. MFA said the ICJ "also noted it had not been mandated to draw the line of delimitation with respect to the territorial waters of Malaysia and Singapore in the area".
The two countries set up a Malaysia-Singapore Joint Technical Committee (MSJTC) to implement the ruling, and it was tasked with delimiting maritime boundaries between the territorial waters of both. But according to Malaysia, the MSJTC reached an impasse in November 2013.
Malaysia claims that both sides have been unable to agree on what two points of the ruling mean: that sovereignty over Pedra Branca belongs to Singapore, and that sovereignty over South Ledge belongs to the state in whose territorial waters it is located.
Malaysia argues this "ongoing uncertainty" as to who is sovereign over the disputed areas "continues to complicate the task of ensuring orderly and peaceful relations", the ICJ said. Malaysia says "the need to achieve a viable solution to the dispute is pressing", considering the "high volume of aerial and maritime traffic in the area", the ICJ added.
But MFA said the ICJ judgment was final and without appeal. "Singapore and Malaysia had agreed to honour and abide by the judgment and had established the MSJTC," it said.
A revision application seeks to revise or alter a judgment based on purported newly discovered facts, while an interpretation application seeks to clarify a judgment.
Dr Mustafa Izzuddin of the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute sees Malaysia's bid as a "calculated strategic attempt" to show to voters ahead of upcoming elections that the government is defending the national interest. He adds that it "is unlikely to stand up to scrutiny".
F&B outlets can no longer apply for new smoking corners; public areas in Orchard Road to go smoke-free from July 2018
By Felicia Choo and Melissa Lin, The Straits Times, 1 Jul 2017
It will be tougher for smokers to light up as the Government clamps down on second-hand smoke. With immediate effect, food establishments islandwide will no longer be able to apply for smoking corners, the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced yesterday. Those with existing smoking corners will get to keep them so long as they renew their food shop licence. NEA will also be especially tough on food retail establishments along Orchard Road. Sixteen smoking corners along the premier shopping belt, which are currently part of eateries, will have to cease from June 30 next year. A smoking ban for Orchard Road will go into effect the next day. Smoking will be allowed only at designated outdoor areas no bigger than 10 sq m each. Five have been set up by NEA, and building owners can set up their own as long as they meet NEA guidelines. The change could hit coffee shops hard as they tend to change hands often and new operators have to apply for a new food shop licence each time, said Mr Hong Poh Hin, chairman of the Foochow Coffee Restaurant and Bar Merchants Association, which represents 400 coffee shops.
"The rental contract for a coffee shop space is for about two to three years. Quite often, the operators choose to give it up when the contract expires, perhaps because they are retiring or the coffee shop isn't making money," Mr Hong said, adding that business will also be affected.
A spokesman for Singapore River One, which manages Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, said NEA's move to create a smoke- free environment is "laudable", but added that customers of the precinct's many nightlife venues will be inconvenienced.
"However, I believe that businesses will adapt to these changes and customers will adjust their smoking habits according to the regulations," the spokesman said. Mr Derek Ho, NEA's director-general of public health, explained why the agency is getting tougher on smoking at Orchard Road. "(Orchard Road) is an area of high human traffic so, naturally, we want to ensure that people who are using this place are protected from second-hand smoke," he said.
"This progressive roll-out of the ban, as well as designating smoking areas, is to allow smokers to have some space to continue to smoke, but at the same time also separate and protect the non-smoking public from second-hand smoke."
18,000 soldiers to be trained each year at new institute as Singapore refines counter-terror response: Ng Eng Hen
By Kor Kian Beng, Deputy News Editor, The Straits Times, 1 Jul 2017 The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is making a suite of changes to land, air and sea operations to better tackle the scourge of terrorism, which has risen in worrying intensity and proximity to Singapore. Outlining the steps, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said some 18,000 soldiers, including full-time and operationally ready national servicemen, will be trained yearly at the Island Defence Training Institute, to open at the end of this month. The training will cover areas such as scenario-based simulation and live firing for homeland security operations; search-and-arrest procedures to be undertaken by SAF personnel; knowledge of legal powers and rights of private defence; and retractable truncheon drills. Selected NS units may also be deployed for homeland security operations during in-camp training (ICT), such as joint deterrence patrols with the police and coastal surveillance operations.
NS units will also undergo refresher training during ICT so their skills are kept current and they can be readily deployed. Speaking to local and foreign media earlier this week ahead of SAF Day today, Dr Ng said Singapore is refining its counter-terrorism response by equipping each soldier with counter-terrorism skills, just as how the terrorist threat has gone "from wholesale to retail". He cited the Al-Qaeda group as an example of wholesale terrorism with a centralised hierarchy and foot soldiers who lacked skills like bomb-making, and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as an embodiment of retail terrorism, with its individual fighters possessing skills to make improvised explosives and carry out hijacking or kidnapping. "Now, just as terrorism has gone from wholesale to retail, we need to have those capabilities for our own self-defence at the retail level," said Dr Ng, noting this year's SAF Day is significant as it also marks the 75th anniversary of the fall of Singapore and 50th year of national service.
He said the rise of ISIS-linked terrorists fighting in the Philippine city of Marawi is a worrying sign of the threat getting closer to home.
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.
Singapore's 4th desalination plant in Marina East will have areas that are open for visitors Desalination underground, recreation above New Marina East plant first to be able to treat both sea and fresh water on large scale
By Lin Yangchen, The Straits Times, 30 Jun 2017 Construction of what is believed to be the world's first desalination plant which can treat sea and fresh water at one place on a large scale started yesterday in Marina East. When completed in January 2020, the water treatment machinery at the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant will be housed underground, and visitors will be able to roam the 20,000 sq m roof garden - about the size of three soccer fields - which can take up to 700 people. There will also be water cascades below the roof garden and walkways and seating areas shaded by trees near the plant. The above-ground structure will blend seamlessly with the Eastern Coastal Loop of the Park Connector Network running next to it, said Keppel Infrastructure Holdings, which will build and operate the plant under the Design, Build, Own and Operate model. The plant will also feature a viewing gallery with glass panels through which the desalination equipment can be observed, but visits will be by appointment to ensure security. Keppel Infrastructure chief executive Ong Tiong Guan said the latest design challenges conventional ideas of how a desalination plant or infrastructural facility should look and function. "Engineering and design excellence can go hand-in-hand as we push for sustainable urbanisation," he added.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli, one of the seven senior government and Keppel officials at the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony at Marina Barrage, said desalinated water is a "weather-resilient source" crucial to a reliable water supply for the country. He added that public-private partnerships like the one that created the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant have enabled Singapore to harness new technology cost-effectively. The plant will increase water supply by 30 million gallons per day (mgd). The first three plants in Tuas can produce 130mgd together.
A fifth desalination plant of similar capacity will also be built under a public-private partnership on Jurong Island by 2020.
