Number of littering fines at 6-year high; over 26,000 tickets issued in 2015

7 in 10 caught are Singapore residents
By Samantha Boh, The Straits Times, 26 Jan 2016

More people were caught littering last year than in each of the previous five years, leading anti-littering advocates to call for more education, especially among the young.

More than 26,000 fines were meted out by the National Environment Agency (NEA) last year - a six-year high since 2009, when over 41,000 were given out. Nearly seven in 10 caught last year were Singapore residents.

Last year's figures also marked a jump of 32 per cent from 2014, when 20,000 tickets were issued.

The NEA told The Straits Times that most litterbugs were caught discarding cigarette butts, tissue paper, cigarette box wrappers and plastic cups inappropriately.

It explained that the increase is down to stepped-up enforcement efforts against littering, and that the Government has also taken a tougher stance on littering.

In April 2014, it doubled the maximum fines for littering to $2,000 for the first conviction, $4,000 for the second conviction, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent convictions. The court can also impose a corrective work order, in which offenders must clean public areas for up to 12 hours. Those caught littering for the first time may face a $300 composition fine.

In 2013, 9,346 tickets were issued for littering offences, up from 8,195 in 2012. More than 11,000 people were fined in 2011, down from almost 24,000 in 2010.

Last year also saw the number of corrective work orders imposed by the courts for littering rise to more than 1,300 from 688 in 2014. In 2013, only 261 were imposed.

Zika virus: Singapore takes extra precautions against virus

What is the Zika virus?
What is the Zika virus? More here: http://reut.rs/1RLvYww
Posted by Reuters on Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Zika virus - Questions and answers (Q&A)
What is #ZikaVirus?Is there treatment?Should I avoid travelling to areas where #Zika virus is occurring?What can I do to protect myself and my family?
Posted by World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday, January 30, 2016

MOH to set up Clinical Advisory Group on Zika virus infection and pregnancy
The Zika infection is strongly suspected to cause microcephaly in the baby if the mother was infected while she was pregnant.
By Nadia Jansen Hassan and Monica Kotwani, Channel NewsAsia, 3 Feb 2016

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will be setting up a Clinical Advisory Group on the Zika virus to provide expert advice on the management of pregnant women with Zika virus infection.

MOH and NEA have introduced additional measures following the WHO’s declaration of an international public health...
Posted by Ministry of Health on Wednesday, February 3, 2016

This is in light of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) announcement on Feb 1, declaring microcephaly a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The severe neurological condition, which sees babies born with abnormally small heads and brains, is strongly suspected to be linked to Zika virus infections if the victim is pregnant. This, however, has yet to be scientifically proven.

Prior to WHO's declaration, MOH and the National Environment Agency (NEA) had already stepped up precautionary measures to reduce the risk of Zika taking root in Singapore. These include circulars to doctors and health advisories to travellers to and from Zika-affected countries.

What will happen if a patient is suspected of being infected with the #Zika virus? The protocol in place includes increasing precautionary measures, reports Nadia Jansen Hassan. http://bit.ly/1PzVzXg
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Wednesday, February 3, 2016

A GP in Tampines, Dr Alvin Ang, confirmed that the Health Ministry had issued a circular less than a week ago, detailing steps to take if Zika is suspected.

“If we suspect Zika, we can just notify one of the officers at MOH," he said. "They will arrange for the blood that we collect from the patient to be sent to the National Public Health lab. They will give us the results in about 48 hours."

MOH reiterated that "travellers who have returned to Singapore from affected areas to monitor their health and consult a doctor if they have symptoms of Zika, such as fever, skin rashes, joint and muscle pains, headaches and red eyes, and to reveal their travel history to their doctor".

The testing ability for the virus has also been expanded to public hospital laboratories.

More social workers, more help for needy

Number doubled to 1,600 in last 4 years as profession gets more recognition
By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 25 Jan 2016

Singapore's vulnerable and needy residents have more helping hands available to them than ever.

Over the last four years, the number of registered social workers here has doubled to 1,600. This means that there are 29 for every 100,000 people, according to latest figures by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

While their numbers are still low - the United States has at least three times as many - observers say the growth in the profession is the result of several key milestones that took place in the last five to seven years.

"Social work is getting more recognition from the Government and the society," said Associate Professor Seng Boon Kheng, head of the social work programme at SIM University (UniSIM).

"Much effort had been put in by the ministry to promote the profession with improvement of salary structure, career development and training opportunities."

Ms Agnes Chia, president of the Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW), added: "The growth of the profession did not happen by chance. Over the years, much has been done to raise the standards of social workers, promote the image of the profession and give workers a clearer view of their career progression paths."

For instance, a national career road map was launched two months ago. It is one of the most significant moves to professionalise the sector and gives social workers a guide to upgrade skills to advance in their jobs and earn more.

Misconceptions that social workers are unpaid volunteers persist although the profession has a history stretching more than six decades. When pay rises for the sector were announced last year, the move showed that social work is a skilled job which deserves good remuneration.

Social workers and other social service professionals, such as psychologists and therapists, were given a pay rise of 3 to 19 per cent.

NTUC launches centre to help domestic workers

It will give advice on employment issues, provide mediation and run helpline too
By Joanna Seow, The Straits Times, 25 Jan 2016

When Ms Ucik Indrawati's friends go to her with their work problems, the Indonesian domestic helper tries to advise them to work things out with their employers.

For example, some have disagreements with their employers over days off. Maids are legally entitled to one day off per week or payment in lieu. But some of her friends are given neither of these, she said.

"Sometimes, they don't know how to talk to their employer about it," said the 31-year-old, who has worked for the same employer in Singapore for seven years.

Now, if Ms Ucik is unable to provide advice for their problems, she can direct her friends to a 24-hour helpline run by the new Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE). It was launched yesterday by the labour movement.

Besides employment-related advice, the CDE will provide services such as mental health counselling, legal clinics, mediation, humanitarian aid and emergency shelter.

This is part of the ongoing outreach by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to all workers of all nationalities, said labour chief Chan Chun Sing.

"The centre will also be looking at the entire system to see where we can improve (it)... so that we can have a more positive environment for our domestic employees," said Mr Chan, who is NTUC's secretary-general, at the launch event at Goldhill Centre in Thomson Road.

Live music gives lift to Thaipusam celebration

By Rachel Au-Yong, The Straits Times, 25 Jan 2016

Thaipusam throbbed with a new beat this year, as live music was allowed at the annual Hindu festival for the first time in over 40 years.

Thousands lined the 4km route from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road yesterday to watch devotees celebrate the fulfilment of their vows by carrying kavadis and pots of milk.

MUSIC, COLOURS AND THANKSGIVING: More than 20,000 Hindu devotees gather in Little India for a 4-kilometre procession to mark Thaipusam yesterday. For the first time in more than 40 years, live music was allowed along the procession route. http://bit.ly/1nhpeto (Video: S Shiva)
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Sunday, January 24, 2016

Mr R. Jayachandran, chairman of the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) which organises the procession, said some 330 people carried kavadis, compared with 250 last year. "We had a lot of publicity and allowing music which encourages the devotees' spiritual focus, I think these have helped to create a more meaningful experience," he said.

The HEB said more than 20,000 devotees took part in this year's festival, which falls on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, and is in honour of Lord Murugan.

Live music was allowed at three stages in Hastings Road, Short Street and Dhoby Ghaut Green, and there were seven music transmission points. There were also wider lanes, and the HEB halved the cost of carrying a kavadi to $75.

Among the devotees at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple yesterday morning preparing for the procession was Asean Para Games bronze medallist Kalai Vanen, 57, a power lifter who lost his left leg to cancer 30 years ago.

Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam joined devotees there and told reporters the mood was positive, with devotees appreciative of the new arrangements.

"They said: 'Look, this is what we wanted'... It is quite energising, they feel good," he said.

Shanmugam reassures law-abiding foreign workers they have nothing to fear

Nothing to fear if you shun terror, but he also warns that Govt will crack down on extremists
By Joanna Seow, The Sunday Times, 24 Jan 2016

Foreign workers in Singapore have nothing to fear as long as they keep to the law, Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam said yesterday.

But if they dabble in extremist activities, they should "have no doubts" that the authorities will come down hard on them.



Just three days after news broke that the Internal Security Department had arrested 27 radicalised Bangladeshi construction workers, Mr Shanmugam said at a lunch for other workers from Bangladesh that Singapore relies on their work and appreciates them.

They would not get into trouble if they do not engage in politics, violence or illegal activities. "But if you engage in any of that, even if you intend to do it outside of Singapore, we will have no choice but to act against you," he said at the Khadijah Mosque in Geylang.

On Wednesday, the Government announced the arrests late last year of the 27 Bangladeshis who were plotting to launch terror attacks in their home country. The group, which supports the armed radical ideology of terrorist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, had been meeting at various mosques islandwide since 2013.



Mr Shanmugam yesterday told reporters that many workers at the lunch expressed worry about how the arrests of their countrymen would affect them.

He said: "I assured them, just stick to what you are doing, keep to the law, the law protects you."

He also told them that local mosques will continue to welcome them, if they want to pray and learn about the "universal message" of peace and brotherhood.

Singaporeans must not see all Muslims as terrorists

He warned Singaporeans against seeing all followers of Islam as terrorists, stressing that there is no reason to view local Muslims or foreign workers in a negative light.

He said he was told at the lunch that some children had said to their Muslim schoolmates: "You are Muslim, you are trouble, you are wrong, your religion is bad."

"We need to educate the wider Singaporean public that that is wrong. We focus on terrorism, and we deal with it. We deal with it as a community. If we start going down this route, of tarring people of Islam as terrorists, Singapore will be in trouble," Mr Shanmugam said, warning against Islamophobia.

Focus on things that unite, DPM Teo Chee Hean tells Singaporeans

It's how people of different races, religions can build an open, united society: DPM Teo
By Charissa Yong, The Sunday Times, 24 Jan 2016

Singaporeans of different races and religions should focus on what they have in common with one another, rather than their differences, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean yesterday.

"Singapore is a multiracial, multi-religious country and it's very important that we focus on the many common things we have together, rather than become obsessed with the differences between us," he told reporters after a guided tour of the Al-Islah Mosque in Punggol, in his constituency.

"In this way, we can build an open and united society," added Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security.



His comments follow last Wednesday's announcement that 27 Bangladeshi workers were arrested here late last year in the largest security crackdown in 15 years, for planning terror attacks they wanted to carry out back home.

A day before, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam had said at a symposium on religion that certain trends here pose threats to Singapore's social harmony. He cited as examples young Muslims here distancing themselves from mainstream society, and Islamophobia.

Asked about this yesterday, Mr Teo said Singapore maintained its social harmony because different communities chose to live side by side with one another.

He said Singapore was racially segmented 50 years ago, with different races living in different parts of the island.

"Over the course of 50 years, we began to live together and integrate. I came from an Edusave award ceremony this morning and, if you look around, the neighbours, the students - they come from all races and religions," he said.

Such integration was a conscious choice by Singapore, he added.

"Over the next 50 years, again, it is a choice that we make: whether as communities and individuals we decide that we live together and integrate, or we decide we want to be separate and live apart," he said.

"That will shape the Singapore of the future."

Adopt broad definition of success, says Chan Chun Sing

Minister reiterates point during inaugural St Gallen Symposium Singapore Forum
By Calvin Yang, The Sunday Times, 24 Jan 2016

Singapore has to adopt a broad definition of growth, and cannot limit itself to a single yardstick to gauge its progress, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing yesterday.

"If growth is fixated on one particular number, then we can easily go wrong," said Mr Chan, who was delivering his keynote address at the inaugural St Gallen Symposium Singapore Forum.

The Singapore Forum leads up to the annual symposium in Switzerland in May, where business leaders, politicians and academics exchange ideas with a field of young leaders. This year's symposium focuses on the theme of "Growth - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly".

During a two-hour panel discussion as part of the forum at the National University of Singapore, Mr Chan reiterated his point.

Panel moderator and former Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan raised the issue of some countries focusing only on gross domestic product as their growth factor, while companies tend to look at how profitable they are.

"I don't think we, in Singapore, only look at one statistic or one set or statistics, that would be quite foolish," said Mr Chan in response to Mr Viswa's question on the definition of growth and if the Government considers a spectrum of indicators to measure actual desired outcomes.



Following the discussion - which also involved Timbre Group managing director Edward Chia, Lien Centre for Social Innovation chairman Tan Chi Chiu, Social Innovation Park founder Penny Low and Equilibrium Consulting director Kevin Tan - tertiary students posed questions to Mr Chan. Most raised concerns about the conventional definitions of success, like getting good grades and getting into elite schools.

In response, Mr Chan again urged students not to use a single yardstick, such as grades, to define academic success but to embrace diversity and pursue their talents.

He cited the evolving education landscape and the increased number of pathways and programmes available now.

"While we can create all these opportunities, we must not end up in a situation where our minds are closed to those options," he said.

"Do not let other people determine your definition of success."

Eldercare agencies in talks to set up national dementia registry

Proposed national registry will make it easier to track down missing dementia patients
By Kok Xing Hui and Tan Weizhen, The Sunday Times, 24 Jan 2016

Patients with dementia could have their details logged in a national database to help the authorities identify them more easily.

The move would help police to find out if a disoriented person has dementia and, if so, which next-of-kin to contact.

Family members could also rely on the registry if they need cooperation from the private sector, such as getting telcos to track phone signals of missing patients or getting banks to look out for big withdrawals.

Mr Jason Foo, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Disease Association (ADA), has suggested such a registry to the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) after attempts to locate missing dementia patients were hampered by red tape, such as needing to file a missing person report before telcos can track phone signals.

"There were also one or two cases of our elderly clients who went into a shop and took something," he said. "The shopkeeper said they didn't pay, but they thought they did because they could not remember. The police came in, didn't recognise dementia and handcuffed the client."

The Sunday Times understands that discussions are going on between the ADA, AIC and police.

"We started just a few months ago," said Associate Professor Philip Yap, senior consultant at the department of geriatric medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

"If we have a registry, it would be most useful if it has photos that can be searched. What happens now is that the police pick them up, then take them to the hospital. But it is hard to identify them, as their names are unknown."

The AIC could not respond by press time.

Such a registry could also help with planning aged care services in Singapore, according to Dr Ng Wai Chong, chief of clinical affairs at the Tsao Foundation, a non-profit group which specialises in ageing issues.

"We can see where the dementia patients are and if the number of day care centres there are enough. It will help us understand the complete needs of the population."

In Singapore, dementia affects an estimated one in 10 people aged over 60. There were approximately 40,000 dementia patients in the Republic as of last year and that number is projected to reach 92,000 by 2030.

Currently, the Ministry of Health knows who has been diagnosed with dementia and the ADA maintains a database of those who have come to it for help, but there is no national registry. Only Sweden and France currently have one in place.

Experts suggest having government bodies such as the Ministry of Health or the AIC manage the database, letting doctors and the police tap into it and, possibly, voluntary welfare organisations who work with the elderly.

"The database should be held by the Government," said Mr Foo. "Because if ADA were to hold it, it is a huge responsibility for us. If we lose that database, it's a very valuable database. If you know which households have dementia, it's very useful for someone who wants to market their products."

Dr Ng said access to the registry has to be tight to prevent scams and suggested that commercial entities go through the Office of the Public Guardian or the police to check the registry.

A dementia database will require the support of sufferers and their families, who might not want their loved ones to be registered due to the stigma attached.

Plastic to outweigh fish in oceans by 2050, study warns

The Straits Times, 20 Jan 2016

DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP) - Plastic rubbish will outweigh fish in the oceans by 2050 unless the world takes drastic action to recycle the material, a report warned on Tuesday on the opening day of the annual gathering of the rich and powerful in the snow-clad Swiss ski resort of Davos.

An overwhelming 95 per cent of plastic packaging worth US$80-120 billion (S$115-170 billion) a year is lost to the economy after a single use, said a global study by a foundation fronted by yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur, which promotes recycling in the economy.

Our oceans: Fish vs. plastic
Time for your weekly "Get it? Got it! Good."
Posted by CNN International on Friday, January 22, 2016

The study, which drew on multiple sources, proposed setting up a new system to slash the leaking of plastics into nature, especially the oceans, and to find alternatives to crude oil and natural gas as the raw material of plastic production.

At least eight million tonnes of plastics find their way into the ocean every year - equal to one garbage truckful every minute, said the report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which included analysis by the McKinsey Centre for Business and Environment.

"If no action is taken, this is expected to increase to two per minute by 2030 and four per minute by 2050," it said, with packaging estimated to represent the largest share of the pollution.

Available research estimates that there are more than 150 million tonnes of plastics in the ocean today.

"In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean is expected to contain one tonne of plastic for every three tonnes of fish by 2025, and by 2050, more plastics than fish," it said.

Workers' Party town council ordered by Court of Appeal to appoint one of the Big Four accounting firms to examine its books

AHTC ordered to appoint Big Four firm
Court sets 15 April 2016 deadline for chosen firm to submit first monthly progress report to HDB
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 23 Jan 2016

The Workers' Party-run town council has been ordered by the Court of Appeal to appoint one of the Big Four accounting firms within two weeks to examine its books.

The court said yesterday that it is a matter of public interest that should not be further delayed.

It also expects the first monthly progress report from the appointed accountants to be submitted to the Housing Board on April 15.

A Big Four firm will likely cost more than the choices named by the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC), but HDB had said that it will pay the difference.

In delivering the court's decision, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said: "The concern now should be to appoint a firm of accountants which would manifestly have the ability, the experience and the resources to complete this task expeditiously".

* AHTC appoints KPMG to check books

* Workers' Party town council lapses detailed in KPMG's first report on accounts

The three-judge court, which included Justice Chao Hick Tin and Justice Andrew Phang, also said the appointed accountant should have to look into whether any past payments made by the town council "were improper and ought therefore to be recovered".

Law Minister K. Shanmugam said last year the town council had overpaid its then-managing agent, FMSS, about $6.4 million in four years as its fees were higher than those of managing agents in other town councils. Yesterday's court order came eight weeks after it ruled last November that AHTC had to hire accountants to address financial lapses uncovered by the Auditor-General's Office (AGO).

HDB has to agree to the accountant chosen, but it could not "unreasonably withhold" consent.

The town council initially picked Business Assurance - its financial consultant since last March - for the job. But HDB raised concerns about the firm's capability and asked for more information to determine its suitability.

The firm, however, pulled out on Jan 8. A second firm, MRI Moores Rowland, also withdrew after being nominated by AHTC.

Yesterday, the court heard that AHTC had picked yet another accounting firm called Ardent.

HDB again objected, saying that the firm did not have the relevant expertise, among other things.

In directing AHTC to appoint one of the Big Four, CJ Menon said "the task to be undertaken by the accountants who are to be appointed should not be underestimated" as they had to make sure a public body was fulfilling its legal obligations and using its public funds properly.

While the objection about the first two firms "cannot in and of themselves be the basis of objecting to the third", CJ Menon noted that AHTC's selection process had been unsuccessful so far, and that this "cannot continue indefinitely".

HDB submitted evidence to show that individuals from AHTC's first two choices, Business Assurance and MRI Moores Rowland, had failed the Practice Monitoring Programme (PMP).

Under the PMP, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority carries out inspections of public accounting firms and accountants to ensure compliance with standards and procedures.

Malay-Muslim educational charity widening its reach

Fewer students seeking aid, so Malay-Muslim group to also help parents, working adults
By Rachel Au-Yong, The Straits Times, 23 Jan 2016

Last year, an established Malay-Muslim charity found it had fewer beneficiaries to use its bursary funds. The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday Memorial Scholarship Fund (LBKM) gave out 1,412 bursaries amounting to $1.6 million last year - 280 fewer and about $300,000 less than in 2014.

But the reason for the drop is a happy one - there are many funds that students can tap today, said its president, Mr Suhaimi Salleh, 61.



The situation is a far cry from when community leaders started the group 50 years ago. "The fund was born out of an awareness that there were only a handful of Malay graduates at the time. Poverty and a lack of resources were the main reasons many did not pursue further studies," he said.

As more scholarships are available, the fund's board decided it had to evolve to stay relevant. It plans to open its coffers and provide the parents of recipients and other working adults top-ups to their SkillsFuture credit.

"We hope to see a culture where everyone in the family, regardless of age, is driven by the same passion to pursue learning and education till their last breath," said Mr Suhaimi at the fund's 50th anniversary celebration dinner at the Mandarin Orchard Hotel last night.

The board is also considering extending bursaries and scholarships to more part-time and overseas students, and raising the quantums.