logo
Barge grounded off Tanjong Beach in Singapore's Sentosa, no reports of damage, injuries or pollution: MPA

Barge grounded off Tanjong Beach in Singapore's Sentosa, no reports of damage, injuries or pollution: MPA

The Star06-06-2025
There have been no reports of damage, injuries or pollution, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore in a statement. -- ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A container barge was grounded off Tanjong Beach in Sentosa on the morning of Friday (June 6).
There have been no reports of damage, injuries or pollution, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in a statement.
The barge, Marco Polo 802, remains stable, and tugboats are en route to tow it out to sea.
'There is no impact to navigational safety,' said MPA, adding that the beach remains open to the public.
'MPA and Sentosa Development Corporation are working with the relevant agencies to ensure minimal disruption,' added the statement.
There have been no reports of damage, injuries or pollution, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore in a statement.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Kong Pei Ling, a kayak guide at eco-tour agency Kayakasia, said she saw the barge when she reached the beach at about 7.15am.
The barge was blocking the lagoon, and had destroyed floating sea barriers, she added.
'We were getting ready to start our kayak trip around the coast of Sentosa but we couldn't launch because of the barge, so we left for Palawan beach instead,' said Kong.
According to the website of shipping company Maersk, Marco Polo 802 is an Indonesia-flagged vessel that was scheduled to reach a terminal in Singapore at 10am.
MPA is investigating the incident. - The Straits Times/ANN
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

No service on Singapore's Sengkang-Punggol LRT line due to power fault
No service on Singapore's Sengkang-Punggol LRT line due to power fault

The Star

time6 days ago

  • The Star

No service on Singapore's Sengkang-Punggol LRT line due to power fault

Passengers were not able to board the LRT at Punggol MRT station around 9.40am on Aug 15. - ST SINGAPORE: Train services on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT line have halted due to a power fault on Friday (Aug 15) morning. Free regular bus services are available from Sengkang Bus Interchange and bus stops near designated stations, said SBS Transit. Free bridging bus services have also been activated, said the transport operator in a Facebook post at 8.55am. Commuters were advised to follow directional signs to get to the boarding point for these bus services and approach staff members if they needed help. Edwin Tan, 34, was travelling from his home near Meridian LRT station in Punggol to Dhoby Ghaut MRT station at 8.45am, when he was told there was no LRT service. 'I saw people coming down from the platform at Meridian LRT station, and a fellow commuter told me it is not working,' said the human resources assistant. He had to hop on a regular bus service to Punggol MRT station to continue his journey to Dhoby Ghaut. Other affected passengers squeezed onto the buses, as they were rushing to work, he said. 'I am frustrated and disillusioned. But this was not as bad as the first time around, as the MRT is working fine,' added Tan. Netizens who left comments on Facebook were largely disappointed at the disruption. Facebook user Debbie Michelle Aurelia, for instance, said that after the train had stalled, the announcement to alight was made only after more than five minutes. Others touched on how it was the second time in three days that service on the Sengkang-Punggol LRT line has been disrupted by a power fault. On Aug 12, operations on the line stopped for about one hour in the afternoon. The breakdown was later found to have been caused by a flashover - an unintended electrical discharge - in one of the voltage transformers used to regulate the power supply, which led to a power trip. This story is developing. - The Straits Times/ANN

Indonesia launches special task force to tackle unruly tourists in Bali
Indonesia launches special task force to tackle unruly tourists in Bali

Malay Mail

time09-08-2025

  • Malay Mail

Indonesia launches special task force to tackle unruly tourists in Bali

DENPASAR, Aug 9 — In response to a surge in immigration violations and criminal incidents involving foreign visitors, Indonesia's Immigration and Correctional Services Ministry has established a dedicated task force to monitor and manage unruly tourists on the island of Bali, The Jakarta Post reported yesterday. Comprising 100 immigration officers, the task force will carry out frequent and random patrols across 10 of Bali's most popular tourist hotspots, including Canggu in North Kuta, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Matahari Terbit and Benoa Harbours, Pecatu, Mertasari Beach, Kuta, Gianyar, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran. Patrols will be conducted using motorcycles and cars, with officers equipped with safety vests and body cameras to ensure accountability and safety. Speaking at the task force's inauguration ceremony in Denpasar on Tuesday, Immigration Minister Agus Andrianto emphasised the urgency of the initiative. 'This initiative is a direct response to President Prabowo Subianto's mandate to uphold stability and security in Bali, one of Indonesia's foremost tourist destinations,' Agus said, as reported by the Jakarta-based English daily. The ministry aims for the task force to provide swift responses to immigration violations, deter further offenses, and safeguard local communities from disturbances linked to foreign visitors. Bali has experienced a notable increase in immigration infractions in recent years, largely attributed to overtourism. This is not the first time such an initiative has been launched in Bali. Similar task forces have previously been established, including the 'Satgas Bali Becik' formed in 2023 by the Directorate General of Immigration to combat misconduct by foreign tourists. That task force focused on enforcing regulations and addressing immigration violations to protect the island's social fabric. In addition to these task forces, the Indonesian government intensified penalties for foreigners breaching immigration laws or overstaying visas in Bali. Since 2024, penalties have increased significantly, ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment in extreme cases — up from previous maximum jail terms of one year. These harsher measures formed part of a wider crackdown that also included boosting patrol officers, launching a tourist hotline, and implementing a tourist tax.

Exploring Bali on a budget motoring holiday
Exploring Bali on a budget motoring holiday

Free Malaysia Today

time08-08-2025

  • Free Malaysia Today

Exploring Bali on a budget motoring holiday

Chilling at a roadside café while driving across the hilly interior of Bali. (Yamin Vong pic) DENPASAR : Bali is a legendary tourism destination, made even more appealing by the Indonesian rupiah being cheaper versus the Malaysian ringgit this year. And a self-drive motoring holiday with a budget rental car is an amazing way to experience the rich motoring culture in Indonesia. Since the main beaches of Kuta, Kegian, and Seminyak are jammed with traffic during the day, plan your route to bypass these town centres. On major intersections, observe how Indonesian motorists carefully and calmly manoeuvre around kerb-parked cars that often obstruct traffic, without any animosity. Renting a small car like a Toyota Agya or Daihatsu Ayla (like a Perodua Axia) costs from RM50/day. Driving in Bali is easy since traffic is a keep-left system like in Malaysia. Clean and comfortable three-star hotels start from RM130/night. The variety, quality and price of Western, especially Mediterranean, cuisine here is unprecedented in Southeast Asia. Yamin Vong with a Toyota Agya that rents for about RM50 a day. (Yamin Vong pic) A budget-friendly Bali road trip itinerary 1. Start your motoring holiday in Denpasar After landing in Denpasar, pick up your rental car. Book ahead to get the best bargain. It helps if a previous customer of the car rental company recommends it to you. You can drive clockwise or counter-clockwise around Bali. If your sole objective is to drive around Bali, buy the latest 10th edition map of Bali from Indonesian publisher, Periplus, and use it together with Google maps to plan each day's route. But if you can only squeeze 10 days for your tour and you have an affinity for hot springs and thermal baths, plan a more direct route covering beach and mountain resorts boasting hot springs and spas. Arrange for the rental car to be sent to your hotel after your overnight stay at Seminyak or Kuta, And if you are in Seminyak, enjoy the cuisine at Luciano's Kitchen. The owner and chef is a married Spaniard, and the restaurant offers the best tasting Mediterranean food in Bali minus 5-star prices. Besides its outstanding beauty, the West Bali National Park is home to much of Bali's diverse animal and plant life. (Yamin Vong pic) The West Bali National Park in the north-western tip of Bali is a good destination for Day 1 of your self-drive road trip. Stay at the luxurious Dynasty Resort (with a super-premium glamping tent at RM1,000/night) or the more affordable Odiniya Resort (RM80/night). However, be prepared for rough roads that may test the suspension of your small car. For hot spring lovers, Mimpi Resort (around RM360/night) is a must-visit, featuring four natural thermal baths. Nearby, there are day trips available to Menjangan Island, which include snorkelling at three sites praised for their coral reefs. 2. Lovina Beach: dolphin watching and relaxation Continue east along Bali's north coast to Lovina Beach, famous for its playful dolphins. The best time to see them frolicking two kilometres offshore is between 7.00-8.00am. Local boats take tourists out for close encounters, and the sight of dolphins racing alongside the boat is unforgettable. Traditional outrigger boats called 'pinisi', seen here racing with dolphins, which make their appearance at 7.30am. (Yamin Vong pic) 3. Kintamani Highlands: volcanoes and hot springs From Lovina, drive about three hours south to Kintamani, a highland region with breathtaking views of the twin Caldera lakes of Kintamani and Batur. The cooler climate is a refreshing break from Bali's coastal heat. Budget-friendly hot springs are available for day use, while Batur Green Hill and Hot Spring Resort offers stunning lake views and an on-site hot spring pool. The hot-spring bath at the Caldera Kintamani Hotel offers a breathtaking view of Batur Lake. (Yamin Vong pic) 4. Ubud: culture, food and traffic After relaxing in the highlands, head to Ubud, Bali's cultural heart. Avoid driving in the town centre – traffic is chaotic, even for motorcyclists. Instead, stay at BelVilla Y Resort (RM130/night), just one kilometre from the town centre, allowing you to explore on foot. Ubud is perfect for food lovers, offering everything from Mediterranean cuisine to authentic Balinese dishes. Budget breakdown for 10 days A motoring holiday in Bali for two is possible for RM6,000, covering: Accommodation: Twin-sharing in 3-star hotels (approximately RM130–RM360/night) Car rental: from RM50/day for eight days (RM400) Fuel: RON92 petrol (approximately RM3/litre, totalling approximately RM100 for 450 km) Food and activities: three meals a day, spa treatments, dolphin tours, snorkelling, and hot spring visits. Final thoughts Driving in Bali can be slow and intimidating for nervous drivers, but it's an exciting adventure for those who enjoy exercising their driving skills on narrow roads packed with trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. If you have motoring or travel tips to share, message Yamin Vong on Facebook.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store