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Straits Times
7 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Servicemen's contributions recognised at Police Day Parade
SINGAPORE – 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Police National Service (PNS), which was conceived after a terror incident in Singapore. And PNS officers have contributed much to keeping the country safe, said Mr Edwin Tong, who was attending his first police event as the second minister for Home Affairs. He made these comments on June 3 at the Police Day observance ceremony, which took place at the Home Team Academy at Choa Chu Kang. Mr Tong, who is also the Minister for Law, thanked police officers past and present for their sacrifices . He said: 'Policing, we know, is an inherently challenging profession. Threats to our public order and security remain ever present, and your operating environment is increasingly complex and highly demanding. 'Thank you for your steadfast dedication round the clock, for putting your lives on the line to uphold and enforce our laws, to keep Singapore safe and secure.' PNS was introduced in 1975, a year after the Laju incident, in which four armed attackers targeted the oil refinery on Pulau Bukom and hijacked a ferry, called the Laju, with civilians onboard. It was Singapore's first brush with international terrorism. The hostages were released after a group of 13 'guarantors', including former President S R Nathan, boarded the vessel to take their place. Said Mr Tong: 'We recognised the urgent need to strengthen the protection of our vital installations. And so, full-time PNS was introduced — where their role was established to serve as a credible deterrent against future threats.' PNS officers now work with regular police officers to perform frontline duties such as patrolling the streets and responding to incidents. Mr Tong said that in the recent general election more than 8,000 PNS officers were recalled and deployed at rallies, polling stations and counting centres to control crowds and ensure public safety. Two batches of NSCOs have been deployed to the Anti-Scam Command and Cybercrime Command. NSCOs detect and disrupt cybercrimes and scams, including operating the ScamShield dashboard to review user-reported scams. Said Mr Tong: 'They are at the forefront of safeguarding Singapore's digital space as our new generation of cyber defenders.' Scams and cybercrimes account for the majority of crime in Singapore. A record $1.1 billion was lost here to scams in 2024. To commemorate the 50 years of PNS, Mr Tong announced that SPF will be holding a series of events including the launch of a PNS50 time capsule, and a graduation parade for the 200th PNSF intake. Said Mr Tong: 'To our PNS officers, both past and present, thank you very much for stepping up to serve the nation, taking your training seriously, and discharging your duties with the utmost professionalism. 'You have played an invaluable role in keeping Singapore safe and secure. To your families and employers, thank you too for your support as our PNSmen perform their duties.' Police day also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) band. Established in 1925, it is the oldest uniformed band in Singapore, consisting of more than 60 officers. In recognition of their achievements in 2024, the police Central Division was lauded as the Best Land Division during the ceremony. It is the second time it has received the award, after winning it in 2018. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Wong Keng Hoe, commander of the Police Central Division, received the award from Mr Tong during the ceremony. DAC Wong told the media in an interview on June 2 that the award was due to the efforts of his predecessors and his officers on the ground. In 2024, the Central Division was responsible for ensuring the safety of the public during the Marina Bay Countdown 2025 and taking down scam syndicates who were trying to cheat retailers of electronic devices and jewellery. The runners-up for the Best Land Division were Clementi Police Division and Jurong Police Division. Tanglin Police Division was named Best NS Operationally Ready Unit, with Jurong Police Division and Woodlands Police Division achieving second and third place respectively. The award recognises national service divisions for their management of NS men in fitness, operations and recall rates. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Some 1,500 join charity walk to raise more than $320,000 for the deaf community
Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong (second from left) with participants at the charity walk on May 25. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Some 1,500 join charity walk to raise more than $320,000 for the deaf community SINGAPORE - As a D eaf student in a mainstream secondary school in the 1990s , Ms April Chia struggled to communicate with her peers, who did not know sign language. Unfazed, Ms Chia continued attending workshops for deaf individuals by the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), which her parents had taken her to when she was a child. She also received help from SADeaf's resource teachers, who are specially trained to provide sign language interpretation and address the learning needs of Deaf students. Deaf, with a capital D, refers to people with hearing loss who use sign language as their preferred communication mode, and identify as members of the Deaf community. Such programmes and resources helped her to become more confident and made her more comfortable to express herself, said Ms Chia, who is in her 40s . Some three decades later, Ms Chia, who recently landed a new job as a public servant, has come full circle and teaches sign language and serves as a community interpreter at SADeaf. Programmes by SADeaf that Ms Chia has engaged with throughout her life will get a boost following the association's fund-raising of more than $320,000 through a charity walk – with 3km and 5km routes – along Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay on May 25. SADeaf, which marks its 70th anniversary this year, estimates that there are about half a million people here with some form of hearing loss. Ms April Chia said the programmes and resources by the Singapore Association for the Deaf helped her to become more confident and made her more comfortable to express herself. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Besides deaf education courses, the charity also provides sign language interpretation and employment support – among other services – to people with hearing loss. Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Chia told The Straits Times: 'SADeaf has helped deaf people like me enjoy more equal access to information. 'When I take my parents to the doctor, having an SADeaf interpreter by my side allows me to get fuller details and makes me feel more included compared with when the doctor has to communicate with me in writing.' Addressing about 1,500 participants before he flagged off the walk, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong thanked SADeaf for its work in raising awareness and advocating for the deaf community over the last seven decades. He added that everyone in society – not just the deaf community – has a role to play in building a more inclusive Singapore. 'All the plans, all the programmes that we have won't take us very far if you and I are not invested, (if) we are not aware, and we are not inclusive,' said Mr Tong. At the event, participants wore T-shirts with the Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) alphabet emblazoned across the back. Participants wore T-shirts with the Singapore Sign Language alphabet emblazoned across the back. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG SgSL, which contains uniquely Singaporean signs and colloquial expressions, is the native sign language recognised and used by the deaf community here. During the walk, participants tried their hand at learning basic SgSL phrases like 'wow' and 'Marina Bay Sands' with the aid of signboards at different points along the route. The association's executive director Josh Lye said sign-ups for SADeaf's SgSL classes have increased over the past three years, particularly in the last year. In its 2023-2024 financial year, SADeaf had more than 3,000 students, both deaf and hearing, in its SgSL classes, up from about 2,700 in the previous financial year. Mr Lye said SADeaf plans to open more classes to meet the growing interest in SgSL, including from beyond the deaf community. Ms Rashidah Zulkifli, a senior sign language interpreter at SADeaf, pointed to the video-relay service launched by SADeaf in December 2024 as another example of the inroads made in promoting accessibility for deaf individuals. The service connects deaf individuals with interpreters on video conferencing platform Zoom to help them communicate with banks, hospitals or businesses over the phone. However , the 33-year-old interpreter expressed that more needs to be done to 'create a society where deaf people feel more included, not just accommodated,' such as by providing sign language interpretation at more events, the creation of more media content, and raising awareness of interpretation as a viable professional career. Ms Rashidah Zulkifli pointed to the video-relay service launched by SADeaf in December 2024 as another example of the inroads made in promoting accessibility for deaf individuals. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG A study by the National Council of Social Service revealed a decline in positive attitudes towards people with disabilities here in 2023, largely due to a dip in positive sentiments at the workplace. Calling on employers to give deaf individuals an equal shot, Ms Rashidah said: 'Employers play a big role in giving deaf people ways to contribute instead of assuming they cannot help.' Participants of the charity walk , which was sponsored by property agency ERA Singapore, also set a new record in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest mass walk in SgSL T-shirts. SADeaf was established by the government in 1955 to oversee the welfare of the deaf community in Singapore. After its formation, SADeaf called for deaf individuals to register themselves with the association as it studied plans to build a school for deaf children staffed by specially-trained teachers. In 1963, it opened the Singapore School for the Deaf for deaf children aged six to 16. It then started the Vocational Institute for the Handicapped for deaf students aged between 16 and 21 to learn basic technical skills in 1975. Moving forward, SADeaf will work on supporting the growing number of seniors who are hard of hearing as Singapore's population ages, said Mr Lye. 'We have about 400,000 to 500,000 seniors who already have hearing loss. That number doubles by 2030, so we don't have a lot of time to address it... and we will work with our partners to address this.' Wong Yang is a journalist at The Straits Times, covering housing, property, land use and community stories. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
23-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Chee Hong Tat to lead Chinese Community Liaison Group, succeeding Edwin Tong
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has appointed National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat as chairman of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG) with effect from Friday (May 23). He succeeds Law Minister Edwin Tong, who will continue to serve as the group's adviser. In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Friday, Mr Wong noted that Mr Chee has been a member of CCLG since 2015 and that he has been "actively involved with the Chinese community and regularly engages various segments, in particular the clans and business associations". "I look forward to Hong Tat working closely with key Chinese community organisations to strengthen leadership renewal so that they can remain relevant and dynamic. I am confident that Hong Tat will continue the good work of CCLG and further deepen ties between the government and the Chinese community," he said. Mr Wong also thanked Mr Tong for his contributions to CCLG since he assumed its chairmanship in November 2020, saying that he has done much to engage the Chinese community. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, Edwin and CCLG members worked with key Chinese community organisations to identify innovative ways to maintain contact with the members of the Chinese community and provide support to vulnerable segments," said Mr Wong. "Notably, Edwin also played a key role in successfully mediating the settlement between the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and Ngee Ann Kongsi over redevelopment plans for the historic Teochew Building." Established in 2000, the CCLG aims to improve the government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and enhance cooperation among various Chinese community groups. It comprises office holders and members of parliament who work to regularly engage the Chinese community.
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Singapore's Wong Unveils New Cabinet, Keeps Finance Minister Job
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled his new cabinet Wednesday, opting to retain his role as finance minister following a convincing electoral victory earlier this month, CNA reported. Among a number of senior officials switching jobs, Chan Chun Sing becomes the city-state's new defense minister, relinquishing the role of education minister to another cabinet official, Desmond Lee. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth in the last government, will serve as law minister.
AsiaOne
21-05-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
PM Wong unveils Cabinet line-up; new faces David Neo and Jeffrey Siow to be acting ministers, Singapore News
In the new cabinet since his maiden General Election triumph as prime minister, Lawrence Wong announced on Wednesday (May 21) changes to ministers in seven of the 15 ministries. Seven new MPs will also be appointed political office holders, including two who will be acting ministers with Jeffrey Siow helming the Transport Ministry, and David Neo heading the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The pair will also be Senior Ministers of State — Siow in the Ministry of Finance and Neo in Education. As for the fourth-generation leadership, Chan Chun Sing will become the new Minister for Defence, taking over from Ng Eng Hen, who has retired. He will also be appointed as Coordinating Minister for Public Services. Desmond Lee moves from the Ministry of National Development to succeed Chan as Minister for Education. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat will become the new National Development Minister. Edwin Tong to be Minister for Law K Shanmugam will relinquish his law portfolio and remain Minister for Home Affairs. He will take up an additional role of Coordinating Minister for National Security, succeeding the retired Teo Chee Hean. In turn, Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong will move up to helm the Ministry of Law in Shanmugam's place. Tong will also be Second Minister for Home Affairs. Masagos Zulkifli will continue to helm the Social and Family Development Ministry, while losing his role as Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs to Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim. Dr Tan See Leng will keep his manpower portfolio, while also moving from Second Minister for Trade and Industry to helm the ministry with Gan Kim Yong. PM Wong has retained Gan as deputy prime minister. In addition to the trade and industry portfolio, he will also oversee the National Population and Talent Division, and is appointed National Climate Change Secretarist. There is no change in portfolios of Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu intact. Ong will be appointed Coordinating Minister for Social Policies. Indranee Rajah will remain as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. On his thinking behind the Cabinet reshuffle, PM Wong said at a press conference that he has kept most of the experienced ministers in core ministries — such as Foreign Affairs and those overseeing the economy — due to his Government's priority to "steer Singapore through great economic uncertainties and changes". "I expect to make further adjustments in one or two years time, when more of our junior office holders are ready to step up," he added. No second DPM: PM Wong While Singapore has traditionally had two deputy prime ministers after a new prime minister's first general election, PM Wong has decided not to replace the recently retired Heng Swee Keat. PM Wong said that he has opted for one DPM and three coordinating ministers who will be part of a "core team" to assist and advise him, as well as "provide guidance and mentorship to the new and younger ministers". Elaborating on coordinating ministers, PM Wong said that Public Services, which Chan will be taking up, is about "coordinating wide range of different amenities and facilities in new housing estates". Shanmugam has been appointed the National Security role due to his "extensive experience in government" - from the Home Affairs to Foreign Affairs portfolio. And Ong will look into reviewing and update Singapore's social policies in his appointment as Coordinating Minister. PM Wong was joined by Faishal, Chan, Gan, Shanmugam, Ong and new Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Jasmin Lau. Lau, a former high-ranking civil servant, has been appointed as Minister of State for Digital Development and Information as well as the Education Ministry. The other new faces who are appointed Ministers of State are Dinesh Vasu Dash (culture, community and youth, manpower), Goh Pei Ming (home affairs, social and family development). Meanwhile, two new MPs will be Senior Parliamentary Secretaries — Goh Hanyan (culture, community and youth, sustainability and the environment) and Syed Harun Alhabsyi (education, national development). Backbencher MPs Desmond Choo and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim will be stepping up as office-holders. Choo will be Minister of State for Defence and Abdul Rahim Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development. In addition, among existing office-holders, Assoc Prof Faishal, Murali Pillai and Sun Xueling have been promoted to Senior Ministers of State, while Baey Yam Keng has been promoted to Minister of State. PM Wong moves current office-holders to new ministries Beyond his Cabinet, PM Wong also announced a reshuffle of existing office-holders, who will move to different ministries. Sim Ann will be appointed Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs. She will continue as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, but will relinquish her appointment as Senior Minister of State for National Development. Dr Janil Puthucheary, who is currently Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, as well as Health, will relinquish both appointments - he will be Senior Minister of State for Education and in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. Dr Koh Poh Koon will be appointed Senior Minister of State for Health, while continuing as Senior Minister of State for Manpower but will leave the Sustainability and the Environment Ministry. Zaqy Mohamad will join the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment as Senior Minister of State. He will continue as Senior Minister of State for Defence, but will relinquish his appointment in the Ministry of Manpower. Tan Kiat How will be appointed Senior Minister of State for Health. He will remain as Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, but will leave the National Development Ministry. Gan Siow Huang, who has been serving as Minister of State for Education and Manpower concurrently since 2020, will leave both positions to be Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, as well as Trade and Industry. Alvin Tan will be appointed Minister of State for National Development. He will continue as Minister of State for Trade and Trade and Industry, but will leave the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Eric Chua, who is currently Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth and for Social and Family Development, will now be Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law. Shawn Huang will relinquish his appointment as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, remain in the Finance Ministry, and will be Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Law. PM Wong noted that the nine new office-holders – the highest in recent history – reflects the 'importance' he has placed on leadership renewal. 'For those where we assess to have the potential and the ability, we are stretching them. We are giving them significant responsibilities,' he said, while name-checking Siow and Neo. 'Maybe even amongst those whom I have not brought in this time around, existing back-benches and other MPs.. there may be a chance for them to come in later. And then gradually, I will want to build up a next generation team to take Singapore forward,' added PM Wong. The new Cabinet and other office-holders will be sworn in on Friday. [[nid:718036]] chingshijie@
