Telling the Singapore story for 180 years
From the smell of the freshly printed morning newspaper, to the notification ping from a cellphone signalling the arrival of the evening newsletter summing up the day's key news stories, The Straits Times has become part of Singaporeans' daily life since its very first edition landed on July 15, 1845, as an eight-page weekly.
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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
New digital tool in Singapore to encourage advance care planning
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Called myACP, the tool allows users to document their preferences for medical treatment in advance, in line with their personal goals and values. SINGAPORE – A free digital tool that makes it easier for Singaporeans to complete their advance care plans (ACP) online was launched on July 19. Called myACP, the tool allows users to document their preferences for medical treatment in advance, in line with their personal goals and values. They can also designate someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become mentally incapacitated. The digital tool was launched by the Ministry of Health, Agency for Integrated Care and GovTech at Heartbeat@Bedok. Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the tool eliminates the need to meet an ACP facilitator in person. Anyone who is generally healthy and is at least 21 years old can document their care preferences and submit it online. Mr Ong said the common reasons for not completing ACPs include a lack of knowledge on the process, and the inconvenience of making an appointment with a facilitator – a time-consuming step that may also involve fees. Previously, individuals had to visit public hospitals, polyclinics, or certain social care providers to make such plans. Now, they also have the option of using the new tool, found on the My Legacy@LifeSG platform at / Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Autogate glitch causes chaos at KLIA and Johor checkpoints, foreign passport holders affected Singapore S'pore sees no baby boom in Year of the Dragon despite slight rise in births in 2024 Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died Life Don't call me a motivational speaker: Why Adam Khoo has moved on to options trading Sport Lionesses forward Danelle Tan ready for new challenge in Japan Life SG60 F&B icons: Celebrate these 14 home-grown F&B brands that have stood the test of time Asia Indonesian authorities partially close Mount Rinjani after two accidents involving foreign climbers (From left) CPF Board Retirement Income Group director Gregory Chia, Ministry of Social and Family Development Family Life Group senior director Tan Chee Hau, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Public Service Division ServiceSG CEO Lim Sze Ling and Agency for Integrated Care CEO Tan Chee Wee at the myACP launch on July 19. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI It takes about 30 minutes to complete an ACP. Users will have to indicate their preferences on hygiene, companionship and religious requirements, as well as make a decision on whether doctors should prioritise comfort or carry out life-sustaining treatments, among other matters, Mr Ong said. But those with existing illnesses, such as cancer or heart failure, will still need to complete their ACP with the help of their healthcare team or a certified facilitator. At present, about 77,000 people have completed their ACP, Mr Ong said. 'This is 40 per cent higher than the national figure as of last year, but it's still very small a number,' he added. Mr Ong said the authorities are trying to encourage more Singaporeans to plan ahead. While some people have preferences for end-of-life care, most are reluctant to broach the subject with their loved ones while they are healthy as it is considered pantang, or taboo, according to the minister. 'It will be too late to do so when they have fallen very sick and cannot communicate what they want to their loved ones. Family members, doctors, are then placed in a difficult position to decide on the care approach,' he said, noting that different opinions can escalate into family disputes. 'We need more open and early conversations about future care needs…When we plan ahead, we not only safeguard our own preferences, we also make things easier and clearer for families and healthcare teams later on.' In 2023, the Government launched the National Strategy for Palliative Care to raise awareness about end-of-life issues amid an ageing population. Since then, palliative care capacity has been expanded , rising to 3,000 home care places and 300 inpatient hospice beds currently – from the 2,400 care places and 260 beds in 2023, Mr Ong said. Palliative care competency was also strengthened, with 62 – or about two-thirds of nursing homes in Singapore – establishing partnerships with hospitals. This means that when a nursing home resident is approaching end-of-life, he will remain in the facility instead of being unnecessarily transferred to a hospital. Mr Ong noted that the efforts by the authorities have started to show results. In 2022 and 2023, 62.5 per cent of deaths happened in hospitals. This dropped to 59.8 per cent in 2024. 'While this appears to be a small improvement, it translates into thousands of patients having their wishes fulfilled. Attitudes take time to change, and we are encouraged to be heading in the right direction,' he said. Ms Clara Ng, 56, who completed her ACP online last week, said she decided to do so to be prepared for the future. 'I'm still at the stage where I have the capacity to think. It's good to log down what I want rather than wait till it's too late' said Ms Ng, who is currently completing her masters course in gerontology.
Independent Singapore
4 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Is working remotely in JB for you?
SINGAPORE: If you're tired of high living and rental costs in Singapore and have a job that allows you to work from anywhere, is Johor Bahru your best bet? After all, it's less expensive, culturally not so very different from the Little Red Dot (compared to the rest of the world), and not that far away. On the other hand, living in JB would mean saying goodbye to spontaneous meet-ups, late nights out with friends — and when you do want to come home, especially during the holidays, contending with wall-to-wall traffic during peak hours. But still, for anyone who's ever dreamed of being a digital nomad, perhaps our nearest neighbour to the north would be a stepping stone, a chance to give the lifestyle a try before moving further afield. Why not, right? Today, JB; tomorrow, the world. If you do decide to take this route, here are a few things to consider. Cost of living— that is the number one issue for most Singaporeans these days. According to Numbeo , the cost of living in Johor Bahru is a substantial 66.1per cent lower than in Singapore, excluding rent. With rent factored in, the cost of living in JB is a whopping 73.8 per cent lower, as rent is over 85 per cent less expensive there than in Singapore. This means the Singapore dollar gets stretched far more than it is at home, thankfully. If you're working in the gig economy and get paid based on the amount of work you do, it means you can hustle less and enjoy life more. Numbeo also says that in Johor Bahru, restaurant prices are 57.8 per cent lower and groceries are 54.4 per cent cheaper than in Singapore . Savings—If you do decide, however, to continue to hustle as much as it is humanly possible, living in JB naturally means more savings, which translates into more investments, if you play your cards right, and eventually, early retirement. Anyone with dreams of being part of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement should take this into consideration. Proximity—Do we need to say 'nearest neighbour to the north' again? Johor Bahru is a scant 21.4 kilometres from Singapore, tops, and with the RTS Link scheduled to open right about the same time as the next Avengers movie makes its debut at the end of 2026 (fingers crossed), the trip will take all of six minutes. See also Will democracy be a flash in the pan for New Malaysia? However, before you pack your bags, please be aware that the digital nomad life isn't all fun and games. There are legalities concerning one's visa that must always be taken into account. (There's a good explainer on the different possibilities for Singaporeans who want to work remotely in JB on the Moneysmart blog here .) But even more than that, does anyone else remember the isolation we sometimes felt while working at home during the Covid years, especially for those who live alone? Living in a new country, even if it's close by, can compound the loneliness one might feel, and it takes a while to build community. In other words, be prepared to spend a chunk of your downtime on your own, at least at the beginning. Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Another note to gig workers: work may at times be unstable. You may not always know when the next gig comes around. This is why it's important that your emergency fund of three to six months' living expenses is in place before you go off on your next adventure, and you have to tell yourself not to touch this fund unless a real emergency rolls around. /TISG See also Briton jailed for stabbing husband to death in Malaysia Read also: With the rise of remote work, fewer Singaporeans may choose to work overseas
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Telling the Singapore story for 180 years
The Straits Times commemorates its 180th anniversary with a slew of activities including a celebratory gala dinner, a roving exhibition and the launch of a new website and app. From the smell of the freshly printed morning newspaper, to the notification ping from a cellphone signalling the arrival of the evening newsletter summing up the day's key news stories, The Straits Times has become part of Singaporeans' daily life since its very first edition landed on July 15, 1845, as an eight-page weekly.
