Latest news with #DennisTan
Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: Ensure reliable mobile connectivity in buildings and basements
I n today's digital age, reliable mobile connectivity is no longer a luxury but a necessity. While Singapore boasts excellent telecommunications infrastructure, many buildings and underground spaces such as basements, carparks and even some above-ground condominium units still suffer from weak or non-existent mobile signals. This not only inconveniences subscribers but also poses safety risks in emergencies. Currently, mobile operators are required by the Infocomm Media Development Authority to provide coverage of at least 85 per cent within buildings, including first-level basement carparks. With more new buildings having environmental decks and more basement levels for parking cars, this requirement seems grossly inadequate. Last-mile deliveries have become more important to daily life. With the Tripartite Workgroup for Last-Mile Deliveries aiming to enhance the safety of platform workers and minimise the inconvenience that delivery pickups and drop-offs may cause others, more buildings are situa ting their drop-off and pickup points in basements, and there is greater need for adequate telco signal provision. Telecoms providers and building owners must collaborate to improve in-building coverage, ensuring seamless connectivity for all users. Enhanced signal penetration in basements and high-rise buildings will not only improve service quality but also support Singapore's Smart Nation vision, where constant connectivity is vital for work, safety and daily life. I urge the authorities and service providers to prioritise this issue, ensuring that all subscribers – whether in a mixed development shopping mall, residential basement or high-floor residential tower – receive the reliable service they deserve. Dennis Tan President MCST Association of Singapore More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: WP supporters left with mixed emotions over results
WP supporters at Serangoon stadium on May 3. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG SINGAPORE - The colourful party streamers were still draped on the trees outside the coffee shop at Block 322 Hougang Avenue 5 and there were smiles aplenty, but WP supporters said they had mixed feelings. Mr Ng, a 60-year-old who declined to reveal his full name, said that a WP victory in Hougang, the party's stronghold of more than three decades, was expected. But the party's showing in other constituencies was not. WP contested and lost in Punggol, East Coast and Tampines GRCs, as well as in Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat SMCs. 'I wouldn't say that we are disappointed — but we had hope,' said the driver in Mandarin. He had hoped for the WP to gain more seats in Parliament in the 2025 General Election, saying that cost of living concerns are top of mind. His group of six friends - all senior citizens and long-time residents of Hougang - had gathered on May 4 near the coffee shop to greet elected MP Dennis Tan. The 54-year-old was re-elected for his second consecutive term in the single-seat constituency. Mr Ng, with his friends chiming in, said that WP MPs have been a consistent presence on the ground over the years. 'Unfortunately, for the PAP candidate in Hougang, they only have a chance to win if they are moved to other constituencies,' said a resident in her 60s, who declined to reveal her name. At the polls on May 3, Mr Tan beat PAP newcomer Marshall Lim, 38, with 62.17 per cent of the vote share. Mr Wang, a Tampines GRC voter and WP supporter, was at the coffeeshop as well. WP supporters watching the results of the general election at the coffeeshop at Block 322 Hougang Avenue 5 on May 3. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN Residents have often gathered there across the different elections to wait for results on polling day. Mr Wang, who declined to reveal his full name, was armed with a copy of Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao . He said : 'I thought Tampines GRC had a 50-50 chance.' The PAP team retained the seat with 52.02 per cent of the vote in the constituency. Hougang residents, who have collectively voted for WP MPs in the constituency since 1991, poked their heads out of their windows to applaud Mr Tan. They shouted cheers of 'Workers' Party', when he arrived in Hougang Avenue 5 for a victory parade at about 12.20pm. Elected Hougang MP Dennis Tan (right) waving to residents during a victory parade on May 4. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Residents greeting Mr Tan during his victory parade in Hougang Avenue 5 on May 4. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Mr Eric Goh, who there was with his two children, said: 'MP Dennis Tan has been such a constant presence that even my 5-year-old daughter recognises him.' The taxi driver said Mr Tan had previously attended an event at his daughter's infant care centre . The WP team in Sengkang GRC also held a victory parade . The opposition party won 56.31 per cent of the vote share against the PAP in the 2025 General Election, up from 52.12 per cent in 2020. The team - elected MPs Ms He Ting Ru, 41; Mr Jamus Lim, 49; Mr Louis Chua, 37; and Mr Abdul Muhaimin, 36 - waved to supporters from a truck. The WP team in Sengkang GRC - (from left) Ms He Ting Ru, Mr Jamus Lim, Mr Abdul Muhaimin and Mr Louis Chua - holding a victory parade on May 4. ST PHOTO: ANGELICA ANG Mr Chua spoke with The Straits Times during a brief stop at Rivervale Community Club (CC). He said: 'We're out here this morning to thank our residents for their support. 'We are very grateful for the support that they have given to us and their trust.' Sengkang resident Andrew Yap, 60, made a s pecial trip to catch a glimpse of the 'Sengkang Four,' as they are known on social media. The businessman, who usually spends Sundays resting at home, said he took a walk that morning in hopes of meeting them. 'They came in only five years ago but really made a difference . 'When the lift in my block was spoiled, they fixed it quickly. When any facilities are spoiled, they fix it quickly,' Mr Yap said. Other WP supporters in Sengkang told ST that the MPs have gained residents' support over the past five years through estate improvements, including the introduction of more bus services and sheltered linkways. Ms Shirley Leong and her friend Pamela Tan, both 30, have lived in Sengkang since they were children, but arrived too late to meet the WP at Rivervale CC. Ms Tan, who works as a freelancer in the construction industry, said the improved infrastructure has made it easier to take public transport to her places of work. Both attended four WP rallies during the campaign period and said GE2025 had felt more personal than the 2020 election. Ms Tan said : 'I felt the kampung spirit, with people from different backgrounds getting together even outside the rallies.' At around 10.30am, a handful of WP supporters waited at Kopitiam Square near the Compass One mall, but missed WP's victory parade. Among them was a 40-year-old mother of two, who declined to give her name. She said she and her family had moved over from Punggol a few years ago because Sengkang was held by the WP. 'I'm touched by what they contribute, not just to Sengkang, but by speaking up in Parliament about issues like housing.' She added: 'My husband asked me what we would do if they lost the election. 'I said: 'We can move again.'' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Singapore election 2025: WP retains Aljunied GRC with 59.68%, Hougang with 62.17% of votes
[SINGAPORE] The Workers' Party (WP) has retained its strongholds Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC. The opposition party holds Aljunied GRC for a fourth term, winning 59.68 per cent of valid votes. This is marginally lower than the 59.95 per cent it secured in GE2020 against the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). WP received 78,847 votes in Aljunied GRC, while 53,263 voted for PAP. There were 1,341 rejected votes. In Hougang SMC, WP incumbent Dennis Tan secured 62.17 per cent, extending the party's 34-year hold on the Single-Member Constituency. There were 16,900 votes for WP, and 10,285 for PAP new face Marshall Lim. There were 296 rejected votes. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up This is an improvement over its GE2020 result at 61.21 per cent. At that time, Tan was up against PAP's Lee Hong Chuang, who was moved to Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC for this year's polls. WP's line-up in Aljunied GRC consisted of secretary-general and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh, party chair Sylvia Lim, incumbent Gerald Giam, as well as lawyer Fadli Fawzi and first-timer Kenneth Tiong, who is the founder of an artificial-intelligence startup. Fadli took over from Faisal Manap, who leads WP's team in Tampines GRC, while Tiong replaced Leon Perera, who resigned in 2023 over an extramarital affair with fellow party member Nicole Seah. The People's Action Party (PAP) team was led by Chan Hui Yuh, who contested there in the previous election, and comprised four first-timers: Chye Thiam Maintenance director Adrian Ang, managing director of an urban planning consultancy Daniel Liu, dental surgeon Faisal Abdul Aziz and unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo. Aljunied GRC became the first Group Representation Constituency to be won by the opposition in GE2011, when WP's historic victory unseated three political heavyweights in one fell swoop, including then foreign affairs minister George Yeo. The PAP has not been able to reclaim the constituency since, even though it came very close in 2015. For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Business Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Singapore election 2025: WP holds Hougang with 62.17% of votes; leads in Aljunied GRC sample count
[SINGAPORE] The Workers' Party (WP) has retained its strongholds Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC. The opposition party holds Aljunied GRC for a fourth term, winning 59.68 per cent of valid votes. This is marginally lower than the 59.95 per cent it secured in GE2020 against the ruling People's Action Party (PAP). WP received 78,847 votes in Aljunied GRC, while 53,263 voted for PAP. There were 1,341 rejected votes. In Hougang SMC, WP incumbent Dennis Tan secured 62.17 per cent, extending the party's 34-year hold on the single member constituency. There were 16,900 votes for WP, and 10,285 for PAP new face Marshall Lim. There were 296 rejected votes. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up This is an improvement over its GE2020 result at 61.21 per cent. At that time, Tan was up against PAP's Lee Hong Chuang, who was moved to Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC for this year's polls. WP's line-up in Aljunied GRC consisted of secretary-general and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh, party chair Sylvia Lim, incumbent Gerald Giam, as well as lawyer Fadli Fawzi and first-timer Kenneth Tiong, who is the founder of an artificial-intelligence startup. Fadli took over from Faisal Manap, who leads WP's team in Tampines GRC, while Tiong replaced Leon Perera, who resigned in 2023 over an extramarital affair with fellow party member Nicole Seah. The People's Action Party (PAP) team ws led by Chan Hui Yuh, who contested there in the previous election, and comprised four first-timers: Chye Thiam Maintenance director Adrian Ang, managing director of an urban planning consultancy Daniel Liu, dental surgeon Faisal Abdul Aziz and unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo. Aljunied GRC became the first Group Representation Constituency to be won by the opposition in GE2011, when WP's historic victory unseated three political heavyweights in one fell swoop, including then foreign affairs minister George Yeo. The PAP has not been able to reclaim the constituency since, even though it came very close in 2015. For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Business Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: WP holds Hougang with 62.17% of votes, leads in Aljunied GRC sample count
[SINGAPORE] The Workers' Party (WP) has retained its stronghold Hougang SMC and is likely to also keep Aljunied GRC, with the sample count putting it in the lead for the latter. The opposition party won 62.17 per cent of the votes in Hougang, extending its 34-year hold on the Single Member Constituency. In Hougang, WP's Dennis Tan is defending his turf against PAP new face and lawyer Marshall Lim. This is a slight improvement over its GE2020 result of 61.21 per cent. At that time, Tan was up against PAP's Lee Hong Chuang, who was moved to Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC for this year's polls. In all, WP received 16,900 of the votes in Hougang, while the PAP took 10,285. There were 296 rejected votes. In Aljunied GRC, the sample count puts WP's vote share at 59 per cent. If the final result proves similar, that means the WP will retain Aljunied GRC for a fourth term. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up WP's line-up in Aljunied GRC consists of secretary-general and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh, party chair Sylvia Lim, incumbent Gerald Giam, as well as lawyer Fadli Fawzi and first-timer Kenneth Tiong, who is the founder of an artificial-intelligence startup. Fadli takes over from Faisal Manap, who leads WP's team in Tampines GRC, while Tiong replaces Leon Perera, who resigned in 2023 over an extramarital affair with fellow party member Nicole Seah. The People's Action Party (PAP) team is led by Chan Hui Yuh, who contested there in the previous election, and comprises four first-timers: Chye Thiam Maintenance director Adrian Ang, managing director of an urban planning consultancy Daniel Liu, dental surgeon Faisal Abdul Aziz and unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo. Aljunied GRC became the first Group Representation Constituency to be won by the opposition in GE2011, when WP's historic victory unseated three political heavyweights in one fell swoop, including then foreign affairs minister George Yeo. The PAP has not been able to reclaim the constituency since, even though it came very close in 2015. Note: As this is a sample count, the election result could be different. Counting is still in progress. The public should wait for the announcement of the election result by the returning officer, Han Kok Juan, which will be broadcast live on television. For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
