
CNA938 Rewind - A ghost town – What will it take to revive Forest City?
Forest City – once billed as a living paradise – now holds the reputation as Malaysia's ghost town. Plans are underway to transform the project in Johor, and current developments could work in its favour. Will they be enough? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speaks with Samuel Tan, CEO, Olive Tree Property Consultants, to find out more.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Independent Singapore
39 minutes ago
- Independent Singapore
Singapore employers slow to act on office upgrades despite growing worker demand
SINGAPORE: Despite growing demand from employees for more supportive and flexible workspaces, Singaporean industries are reluctant to invest in meaningful office upgrades, according to a new report from Crown Workspace, featured in a Singapore Business Review article. Surveying a representative sample of Singaporean office workers and facilities managers, the study disclosed that only 13% of local firms plan to make alterations to their office setting by 2026. This figure ranks among the lowest worldwide, trailing behind countries such as the UK, India, the U.S., Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Only 5% of Singaporean businesses expect to downsize their office footprint, echoing a predominantly traditional approach in an era where several international companies are reconsidering their space requirements, taking into account the rise of hybrid and remote work trends. The cautious attitude of business owners contrasts with what workers say they need. Crown Workspace's results indicate that 91% of workers worldwide, including those in Singapore, are more motivated to return to the office frequently if the situation better supports their needs. Employees are increasingly seeking structures and environments that foster well-being and nurture productivity, such as quiet areas, customized workstations, and hybrid-friendly arrangements. A commenter from Singapore's healthcare segment reverberated this sentiment, highlighting the need for 'an eco-friendly setting, supported by the latest technology to promote productivity and creativity.' Cultural conservatism and cost sensitivities One clear reason why business owners are reluctant to do office upgrades despite workers' demands is that many of them still view the office as a functional requirement rather than a strategic asset. While technology corporations and MNCs may pave the way in restructuring spaces to enhance ingenuity and well-being, traditional segments in Singapore habitually focus on operational efficiency rather than the workers' experience. This mentality can make managers unwilling to invest in changes that don't demonstrate a fast return on investment (ROI). Second, real estate rates in Singapore are infamously high. Upgrading office spaces—particularly in key areas—can be excessively pricey, and many industries are risk-averse due to prevailing global economic volatility. Finally, while workers increasingly seek out flexibility and wellness-centric design, numerous companies still associate presence with productivity. Thus, they underinvest in the kind of environments that sustain hybrid work, innovation, and mental health. As the world's work culture continues to evolve, Singapore's reluctance to adapt could become a barrier to attracting and retaining talent, particularly among a labour force that now expects more from employment than just a desk and a chair.


Independent Singapore
39 minutes ago
- Independent Singapore
'Lost at work due to lots of mind games' — Worker says her employer cut off her contact after probation for being sick
SINGAPORE: A woman took to social media to share that she felt confused and 'lost' after her employer suddenly stopped communicating with her just as her probation period ended. In her post on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Monday (June 9), she explained that she had been working at the company for a little over three months, which marked the official end of her probation. However, there was no word from her employer about whether she had passed, and she was left hanging with no clarity about her future at the company. According to her account, things became even more confusing when she fell sick and had to take medical leave for a few days. While she was resting at home, she noticed that the company had posted a job advertisement for her exact position. She also mentioned that throughout her time at the company, she had been putting in her best effort. 'If I were to judge my own performance, I can only say I worked hard and no MC at all, except for those few days when I was really sick,' she said. Unsure of what went wrong, she turned to the online community for advice, asking, 'What should I do now? I'm lost at work due to lots of mind games.' 'Speak to your manager and clarify about your probation due…' In the comments, some users speculated that the company may have already decided not to confirm her position but failed to communicate it properly. A few others also encouraged her to reach out directly to HR or her supervisor for clarity. One said, 'You need to take the initiative and ask your immediate superior. Keeping quiet might send the wrong signals.' Another wrote, 'Speak to your manager and clarify about your probation/confirmation due. The manager is also quite unprofessional and lousy to cut off the communication. Worst type of managers ever. If there are any issues during probation, they should highlight them and speak to the employee.' A third added, 'Suggest you start finding already. At the same time, talk to them about your probation. If there are signs that they are not wanting to continue with you, you have no choice but to find another one. But can prepare to start finding already, do both ASAP.' Probation period Job site Indeed says it's not unusual for employers to decide against confirming a new hire if they feel the person isn't the right fit. Likewise, employees may also take the opportunity to leave if the job doesn't meet their expectations. Probation periods are meant to provide a trial window for both sides, offering the flexibility to part ways more easily if things don't work out. However, when companies fail to communicate their decisions in a timely and respectful manner, it can lead to confusion, frustration, and a loss of confidence for the employee involved. What happens if your employer ends your contract after probation? According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), if your employer decides not to continue your employment, they must follow proper procedures. That usually means either giving you the notice period stated in your contract or paying you salary in lieu of notice. So, for example, if your contract says there's a one-week notice period during probation, your employer either has to let you work out that week or pay you one week's salary instead. This applies to both sides. If you decide to resign, the same rules apply. See also Mobile-focussed recruitment platform GrabJobs raises US$930K Read also: 'Toxic as hell' — SG financial agent calls out her company director for imposing fines and spending hours gossiping about other agents Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)


CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Singapore and Johor regent agree to swap land parcels at Holland Road
SINGAPORE: The Singapore government has agreed to swap land parcels at Holland Road with Johor's regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said on Tuesday (Jun 10). Tunku Ismail, who is also Crown Prince of Johor, currently owns 21.1 ha of land at Holland Road. The Johor regent 'plans to develop his land', which has been under the private ownership of the Johor royal family for generations, the authorities said in a joint media release. The land swap is so that the regent's "planned developments will be further away from the Singapore Botanic Gardens UNESCO World Heritage Site', the press release said. The 166-year-old Singapore Botanic Gardens is Singapore's first World Heritage Site under the United Nations body, after being awarded the coveted status in 2015. Under the land swap, the Johor regent will transfer part of his land – a 13 ha parcel bordered by Tyersall Avenue to its east and sitting beside the Botanic Gardens – to the Singapore government. In exchange, the Singapore government will transfer 8.5 ha of state land to the Johor regent. This piece is located to the west of the land privately owned by the Johor regent. 'The land parcels to be swapped are of comparable value,' the authorities said. The remaining 8.1 ha of land in between will remain under the regent's private ownership. In the press release, the authorities said the Johor regent 'may develop his land after the swap, which is suitable for low-rise and low-density residential uses'. Any development plans will be subject to due process, they added, noting that URA and its agencies will assess such applications to ensure the proposed development is 'sensitive to the surrounding site context'. The development will also be subject to environmental studies before works commence. The Singapore government noted that it will keep the 13 ha of land to be transferred from the Johor regent as 'undeveloped for now, while keeping open our future plans for the area'. This plot is currently labelled on URA's website as "open space". On the website, the other two plots - the 8.5 ha to be transferred to the regent, as well as the 8.1 ha remaining under the regent - are currently zoned as 'special use' sites, indicating areas used or intended for special purposes. A 2021 Bloomberg report said the Johor regent had plans to develop a 'multibillion-dollar luxury residential project' on his family's plot of land in Singapore, which lies in Tyersall Park and includes the ruins of Istana Woodneuk. Istana Woodneuk, along with the torn-down Istana Tyersall, served as the palaces of Johor's former Temenggong Abu Bakar Daeng Ibrahim in the late 19th century. The Bloomberg report, citing sources, said Tunku Ismail was seeking permission to develop the land into a 'cluster of high-end homes'.