Polish President Andrzej Duda on first state visit to Singapore in over 20 years
Singapore and Poland have discussed the significant potential growth in bilateral ties across a variety of sectors. Mr Andrzej Duda is the first Polish president to visit Singapore in over 20 years. Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam received him at Parliament House, where he inspected a guard of honour contingent. Both presidents also encouraged businesses to explore investment opportunities in each other's countries. Jeraldine Yap reports.
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CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Vietnam parliament approves hiking tax on alcoholic drinks to 90% by 2031
HANOI: Vietnam's National Assembly on Saturday (Jun 14) approved a proposal to raise the special consumption tax on alcoholic beverages to 90 per cent by 2031 from the current 65 per cent, a move that will add to challenges facing the industry even though the top rate won't be as high as first flagged. Under the legislation, the tax rate on beer and strong liquor will rise to 70 per cent by 2027, a year later than initially proposed, before reaching 90 per cent in 2031. Vietnam currently imposes a 65 per cent tax on these products and the initial proposal last year had the tax rising to as high as 100 per cent. The finance ministry has said the aim of the higher taxes is to curb alcohol consumption. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's second-largest beer market, according to a report by consultancy KPMG in 2024. Vietnam's beer industry, led by Dutch brewer Heineken, Denmark's Carlsberg, and local brewers Sabeco and Habeco, has already faced challenges from stringent drink-driving laws introduced in 2019, which set a zero-alcohol limit for drivers. The country's Beer and Alcoholic Beverage Association chief has said industry revenue has declined for the past three years. In response to weakening demand and the initial proposal for the tax hike, Heineken last year suspended operations at one of its Vietnam breweries. On Saturday, the lawmakers also approved a new levy of 8 per cent on sugary drinks exceeding 5g/100ml of sugar that will take effect in 2027 and rise to 10 per cent in 2028.
New Paper
an hour ago
- New Paper
Jetstar Asia passengers struggle to get refunds for cancelled flights
One day after Jetstar Asia announced that it would soon close, the low-cost carrier's passengers say they continue to struggle with rejected refund requests, congested helplines and disrupted travel plans. Some of the airline's passengers told The Straits Times they received notifications that they were "not eligible for a monetary refund" after submitting requests to get their money back for cancelled flights, while others said they received links that did not work. On June 11, the Singapore-based airline made a surprise announcement that it would close on July 31, citing rising costs and growing regional competition. Since then, its customers have been gradually notified via e-mail to either apply for a refund or reschedule their flights. Mr David Shuttleworth's June 14 flight to Penang was cancelled, but when he applied to get his money back, he was told that he was "not eligible for a monetary refund". The 70-year-old consultant said he has been unable to speak to Jetstar Asia staff about his case because of congested chat lines. Mr Wen Long also received a similar message after applying for a refund of about $50 for his flight to Penang. The 38-year-old accountant spent 45 minutes on the airline's online chat service before being told that he would be refunded and sent a confirmation e-mail within seven business days. Ms Atiqah A.R., 32, said the e-mail she received contained a broken link that directed her to Jetstar Asia's homepage, instead of a refund request form. The tax consultant later found the form on the website, but felt the process is troublesome. She had paid $88 for a July 19 flight to Kuala Lumpur. She also said she received an Instagram "follow" request from what she believes to be a fraudulent account called "@jetstarclaimresponse" on June 12. "I almost fell for it. This is what happens when (Jetstar Asia) is not as responsive as they should be," she added. "People are desperate to get any sort of (response) and might fall prey to these scammers." Other customers have found themselves stuck with travel expenses that they cannot get refunds for. Ms Jazz Anana, 38, had her flight to Okinawa in October cancelled. It also means she will not be able to make a subsequent ANA flight from Okinawa to Tokyo that cost her $800. The homemaker has been told by ANA that her ticket is non-refundable. "I didn't get travel insurance for this trip yet, I deeply regret not buying it earlier," she said. The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) said it received three complaints on June 11 and 12 from customers having issues getting refunds from Jetstar Asia, due to either navigation issues on the airline's website or a lack of clarity on who to contact. Case president Melvin Yong said the consumer watchdog is working with Jetstar Asia on how it intends to process refund requests and reschedule flights. Asked about the issues passengers are facing, a Jetstar Asia spokeswoman said all passengers are entitled to monetary refunds. "By today (June 12), all customers will be contacted with details of alternative flight options where possible or offered a full refund. We ask customers to check the e-mail used at the time of booking for details," she said. The spokeswoman also said that customers who have made "non-refundable deposits" for other travel expenses such as hotels and car rentals should contact the airline, and requests for refunds would be considered on a case-by-case basis. A screenshot of a flight cancellation e-mail from Jetstar Airways to a passenger. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Meanwhile, Jetstar Asia's passengers continue to have to deal with cancelled flights at Changi Airport. Ms Aisyah Matsuni, 33, who works at an active ageing centre, was supposed to leave for Bangkok with her family at 7am on June 11, but had her flight cancelled twice. She was put on a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight to Bangkok on June 12 instead. SIA Group said it is working with Jetstar Asia to accommodate Jetstar passengers on SIA and Scoot flights if seats are available. It has set up a counter at Changi Airport Terminal 2 to assist these passengers. "All of us are very angry. Especially the kids - they're very excited for it, and you (the airline) cancel last minute without any notification," Ms Aisyah said, adding that she was worried her return flight on June 15 would also be cancelled. Travel agencies are also dealing with the fallout. Chan Brothers Travel's senior marketing communications executive Trista Foo said Jetstar Asia's closure has affected its tour packages to Okinawa in Japan and Broome in Australia. The airline is the only carrier offering direct flights to these places. Customers who had bought tour packages to Okinawa are being provided with non-direct flights with transfers from carriers such as Cathay Pacific or China Airlines, said Ms Foo, which will take about 2½ hours longer than a direct flight. Alternative flights to Broome could extend journeys by up to 10 hours, including layover times, she said. Customers will receive a full refund if they cancel their bookings and do not take up the alternative arrangements offered by the agency, she added. CTC Travel's deputy manager Diana Tan said it is working with alternative airlines for its group tours affected by Jetstar Asia's closure. Ms Tan said the agency has not had any cancellations so far. Meanwhile, Income Insurance said in a statement that it would cover eligible customers of its travel insurance who have suffered losses from non-refundable travel expenses. It said that it was doing so as a gesture of goodwill even though airline closure is not covered under its policies. The insurer said affected customers would be able to claim for expenses including accommodation, travel packages, amusement park tickets and transport bookings.
CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Cambodia shuts border crossing, orders troops on ‘full alert' in Thai border row
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia on Friday (Jun 13) ordered its troops to remain on 'full alert' and banned Thai television dramas, in the latest escalation of a border spat with Thailand that has already seen deadly clashes. Phnom Penh also disconnected internet connections routed through Thailand and shut a major border crossing, ahead of a meeting between the two sides on Saturday aimed at easing tensions. Violence flared on May 28 in the so-called Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Thursday night that Cambodia was cutting off all internet bandwidth from Thailand, prompting complaints from users about slow speeds. Cambodia's ministries of information and culture also ordered local television stations and cinemas to stop airing Thai TV series. CALLS FOR BOYCOTT AND TROOP READINESS Former leader Hun Sen, Hun Manet's father, called on Friday for a boycott of Thai goods and warned that Cambodia could halt imports from Thailand if border restrictions imposed by Thai authorities were not lifted. 'All armed forces must remain on full alert 24 hours a day, ready to respond and defend in the event of aggression,' Hun Sen wrote on Facebook. He also told officials in provinces near the border to prepare evacuation plans for residents if needed. Cambodia's immigration department confirmed the indefinite closure of the Daung-Ban Laem border crossing, citing public security and safety concerns. Hun Sen said the crossing would reopen only after Thailand lifts its restrictions. In another Facebook post, Hun Sen encouraged Thai farmers to protest against their military. Cambodian and Thai officials are scheduled to meet in Phnom Penh on Saturday to discuss the situation. LONGSTANDING BORDER DISPUTE The border row dates back to the colonial-era drawing of the 800km frontier, much of which was defined during the French occupation of Indochina. Sporadic violence in the region since 2008 has left at least 28 people dead. Earlier this month, Hun Manet announced Cambodia would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over four disputed areas, including the site of the latest clash. The ICJ ruled in 2013 that a contested area near the Preah Vihear temple belongs to Cambodia. However, Thailand does not accept the court's jurisdiction. Both militaries agreed on Sunday to reposition soldiers in the disputed area to avoid further confrontations. Thai authorities have since closed several other border crossings and tightened controls.
