Latest news with #HalimahYacob
New Paper
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Paper
Former security officer surprises Halimah Yacob at walkathon
Former president Halimah Yacob was surprised by a special guest when she attended a community event on June 1. One of her former security officers, Ms Lim Hwee Yi, turned up at the Peace and Prosperity Singapura SG60 Walkathon, where Madam Halimah was the guest of honour. Speaking to The Straits Times after the flag-off at about 5.30pm, Madam Halimah said: "I didn't expect to see her, but I'm so happy that she can accompany me on the walk today." Ms Lim, 27, told ST that she was approached by the organisers to join the former president for the walk. She added: "I was very keen because that meant I could see Madam (Halimah) again. The last time I met her was when she invited some of us to her home for Hari Raya last year." Ms Lim resigned from her job as a security officer in the police force in May 2024 to help out at her parents' porridge stall at One Punggol Hawker Centre. Said Madam Halimah, who is now Chancellor of the Singapore University of Social Sciences: "I spoke to her about her porridge stall, and I'm really happy that she's supporting her parents' business and she's doing it well." The 5km walkathon, which started at Hong Lim Green, saw over 2,000 participants walking through the city, passing landmarks such as the Esplanade, the Singapore River and Gardens by the Bay. It was organised by social service organisation Tao One Care, together with the Singapore Wushu and Dragon Lion Dance Federation, the International Long Shi Trading Hub and film-maker Jack Neo's PaPaZao, a community initiative that encourages healthy living and social connection through leisurely walks, especially among seniors. Another highlight of the event was a display of 60 nine-metre tall flags, each bearing a Chinese blessing. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Also joining the event were Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth as well as Manpower, and Jurong East-Bukit Batok MP Lee Hong Chuang. The walk ended at Marina Barrage, where Madam Halimah was welcomed by lion dancers and traditional Malay kompang and Indian drum performers. Addressing participants at the end of the walkathon, she said: "It might look like a simple walk, but it's more than that. It is the spirit of Singapore and Singaporeans. We all come together to walk, to affirm our multicultural, multiracial and multi-religious society." Former president Halimah Yacob writing Chinese calligraphy at the Peace and Prosperity Singapura SG60 Walkathon at Marina Barrage on June 1. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI At Marina Barrage, the former president was invited to complete a Chinese calligraphy piece. She wrote the characters "tian fu", meaning peace and prosperity. Another highlight of the event was a display of 60 nine-metre tall flags, each bearing a Chinese blessing. The display earned a spot in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest flag display in Singapore.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan
SINGAPORE: Singapore airport officials are considering restarting direct flights to Uzbekistan as travel demand to the Central Asian country grows. A spokeswoman for Changi Airport Group (CAG) told The Straits Times on May 29 that the operator is in the early stages of exploring the resumption of services to Uzbekistan, and will provide more details when available. Uzbekistan, she noted, has 'strong destination appeal' and is experiencing burgeoning travel demand. 'Central Asia is a growing region that CAG is looking at developing direct flights to,' she added. Uzbekistan's state-owned airport operator, Uzbekistan Airports, said on May 20 that it had discussed the prospect of opening up a flight route between Singapore and Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, with CAG representatives. The operator added that CAG had expressed 'high interest' in relaunching direct flights between the two cities amid growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination. Particular attention was paid to Tashkent International Airport's role as a strategic transit point for passenger flows between Europe and Asia during the talks. Uzbekistan Airports said it has agreed to work with CAG on issues related to logistics and marketing, and to clarify the regulatory procedures needed to launch the flights. Uzbekistan Airways previously operated a twice-weekly service that plied a circular route between Tashkent, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. But the airline dropped the Singapore leg in April 2019 due to low traffic from Changi. This was despite Singapore citizens being allowed to enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30 days since 2018. Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. The boom has been driven in part by Russian airspace closures, which has led to airlines passing through or flying over Central Asia. Another factor is the liberalisation of air transport there, with more flights by foreign airlines and new local carriers sprouting up to take advantage of the new traffic. In 2023, Changi Airports International, the consultancy and investment arm of CAG, inked a deal with Uzbekistan Airports to optimise operations at Tashkent International Airport and develop a feasibility study for a new airport project. Former president Halimah Yacob and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also spoke favourably in 2023 and 2024 about plans by Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana to launch direct flights to Singapore, though this has yet to happen. Independent analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation said passenger traffic between Uzbekistan and South-East Asia has more than doubled since 2019. But without a direct air link, Changi Airport has not benefited from this growth. There are non-stop flights from Tashkent to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam; Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand; and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent market is also set to expand, with budget airline AirAsia planning to join Batik Air Malaysia and Uzbekistan Airways in offering non-stop flights between the two cities. Malaysia Airlines recently included the route in its long-term network plan as well. In 2024, Tashkent International Airport handled more than 8.7 million domestic and international passengers. In 2019, it handled fewer than five million. Sobie, however, warned that a direct Singapore-Tashkent route will not be easy to sustain. Uzbekistan does not attract many Singaporeans, and most Uzbeks travelling to South-east Asia are price-sensitive holidaymakers, he said. Hence, a viable Singapore-Tashkent flight will need to rely heavily on passengers transiting through Singapore to leisure destinations in South-East Asia. In his view, this makes Singapore Airlines (SIA) or its low-cost arm Scoot the more feasible options to operate the route. But whether the airline group will take such a risk remains to be seen. In response to queries, SIA Group said it regularly reviews its network operations and will adjust them in response to travel demand. Uzbekistan Airways did not respond to queries. Travel agencies said a non-stop flight to Tashkent will mean greater convenience and a shorter flight time of seven hours, compared with more than ten hours today, with stopovers in places such as Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. For tour operators, a direct flight will cut costs, simplify logistics and allow shorter itineraries, said Singapore-based travel agency Adventures Unlimited. 'Overtourism in Europe and Japan has prompted travellers to seek unique experiences. Central Asia's attractions, visa-free access, affordability and exotic cultures appeal to adventurous travellers,' it added. Ganesha Balakrishnan, who owns Kyrgyzstan-based travel agency The Untold Direction, said there are still factors deterring Singaporeans from visiting Central Asia, such as cultural unfamiliarity and misconceptions about safety. Yet interest in the region is growing steadily. The Untold Direction, which has a mostly Singaporean and Malaysian clientele, ran more than 30 tours in Central Asia in 2024. So far in 2025, it has confirmed more than 50 tours. Balakrishan said there is also a sizeable Uzbek diaspora in Singapore that could benefit from a non-stop flight. It is a similar story for Chan Brothers Travel, which offers nine tours to Central Asia. Tan Jie Ni, the agency's marketing communications executive, noted broad enthusiasm for tours to the region not only from seasoned travellers, but also from multi-generational groups and young professionals. Recognising this, it launched a chartered direct flight between Singapore and Tashkent in December 2024, which led to a 20 per cent increase in tour bookings. The agency will sign an agreement in July with Bhutan flag carrier Drukair to operate four such chartered flights in 2025, with the aim of taking more than 500 travellers from Singapore to Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan
Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. PHOTO: ST FILE Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan SINGAPORE - Singapore airport officials are considering restarting direct flights to Uzbekistan as travel demand to the Central Asian country grows. A spokeswoman for Changi Airport Group (CAG) told The Straits Times on May 29 that the operator is in the early stages of exploring the resumption of services to Uzbekistan, and will provide more details when available. Uzbekistan, she noted, has 'strong destination appeal' and is experiencing burgeoning travel demand. 'Central Asia is a growing region that CAG is looking at developing direct flights to,' she added. Uzbekistan's state-owned airport operator, Uzbekistan Airports, said on May 20 that it had discussed the prospect of opening up a flight route between Singapore and Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, with CAG representatives. The operator added that CAG had expressed 'high interest' in relaunching direct flights between the two cities amid growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination. Particular attention was paid to Tashkent International Airport's role as a strategic transit point for passenger flows between Europe and Asia during the talks . Uzbekistan Airports said it has agreed to work with CAG on issues related to logistics and marketing, and to clarify the regulatory procedures needed to launch the flights. Uzbekistan Airways previously operated a twice-weekly service that plied a circular route between Tashkent, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. But the airline dropped the Singapore leg in April 2019 due to low traffic from Changi. This was despite Singapore citizens being allowed to enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30 days since 2018. Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. The boom has been driven in part by Russian airspace closures, which has led to airlines passing through or flying over Central Asia. Another factor is the liberalisation of air transport there, with more flights by foreign airlines and new local carriers sprouting up to take advantage of the new traffic. In 2023, Changi Airports International, the consultancy and investment arm of CAG, inked a deal with Uzbekistan Airports to optimise operations at Tashkent International Airport and develop a feasibility study for a new airport project. Former president Halimah Yacob and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also spoke favourably in 2023 and 2024 about plans by Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana to launch direct flights to Singapore, though this has yet to happen. Independent analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation said passenger traffic between Uzbekistan and South-east Asia has more than doubled since 2019. But without a direct air link, Changi Airport has not benefited from this growth. There are non-stop flights from Tashkent to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam; Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand; and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent market is also set to expand, with budget airline AirAsia planning to join Batik Air Malaysia and Uzbekistan Airways in offering non-stop flights between the two cities. Malaysia Airlines recently included the route in its long-term network plan as well. In 2024, Tashkent International Airport handled more than 8.7 million domestic and international passengers. In 2019, it handled fewer than five million. Mr Sobie, however, warned that a direct Singapore-Tashkent route will not be easy to sustain. Uzbekistan does not attract many Singaporeans, and most Uzbeks travelling to South-east Asia are price-sensitive holidaymakers, he said. Hence, a viable Singapore-Tashkent flight will need to rely heavily on passengers transiting through Singapore to leisure destinations in South-east Asia. In his view, this makes Singapore Airlines (SIA) or its low-cost arm Scoot the more feasible options to operate the route. But whether the airline group will take such a risk remains to be seen. In response to queries, SIA Group said it regularly reviews its network operations and will adjust them in response to travel demand. Uzbekistan Airways did not respond to queries. Travel agencies said a non-stop flight to Tashkent will mean greater convenience and a shorter flight time of seven hours, compared with more than 10 hours today, with stopovers in places such as Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. For tour operators, a direct flight will cut costs, simplify logistics and allow shorter itineraries, said Singapore-based travel agency Adventures Unlimited. 'Overtourism in Europe and Japan has prompted travellers to seek unique experiences. Central Asia's attractions, visa-free access, affordability and exotic cultures appeal to adventurous travellers,' it added. Mr Ganesha Balakrishnan, who owns Kyrgyzstan-based travel agency The Untold Direction, said there are still factors deterring Singaporeans from visiting Central Asia, such as cultural unfamiliarity and misconceptions about safety. Yet interest in the region is growing steadily. The Untold Direction, which has a mostly Singaporean and Malaysian clientele, ran more than 30 tours in Central Asia in 2024. So far in 2025, it has confirmed more than 50 tours. Mr Balakrishan said there is also a sizeable Uzbek diaspora in Singapore that could benefit from a non-stop flight. It is a similar story for Chan Brothers Travel, which offers nine tours to Central Asia. Ms Tan Jie Ni, the agency's marketing communications executive, noted broad enthusiasm for tours to the region not only from seasoned travellers, but also from multi-generational groups and young professionals. Recognising this, it launched a chartered direct flight between Singapore and Tashkent in December 2024, which led to a 20 per cent increase in tour bookings. The agency will sign an agreement in July with Bhutan flag carrier Drukair to operate four such chartered flights in 2025, with the aim of taking more than 500 travellers from Singapore to Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. Kok Yufeng is a transport correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Never allow divisive rhetoric to erode mutual respect, unity, says Faishal Ibrahim; Liverpool clinches English Premier League win: Singapore live news
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is "complicit" in a few humanitarian disasters. According to the Straits Times, he warned against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode Singapore's hard-earned spirit of mutual respect and unity. Meanwhile, in football news, Liverpool is the new Premier League champion, clinching their 20th top-flight title, and second since the formation of the Premier League. Arsenal had to settle for being runners-up. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Liverpool is the new Premier League champion, clinching their 20th top-flight title, and second since the formation of the Premier League. Arsenal again had to settle for being runners-up. Manchester City endured a tough season by their standards as they finished third, ending their four-year run as champions. Find out more about the latest Premier League news as well as how much each team earned in prize money. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is "complicit" in a few humanitarian disasters. According to the Straits Times, he warned against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode Singapore's hard-earned spirit of mutual respect and unity. In a Facebook post on Friday (23 May), Halimah said that being silent on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza "makes us complicit" in the violation of humanitarian laws. "Keeping quiet makes us complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Our world is all the poorer for it. Uphold humanity," she said. In response, Facebook page Critical Spectator, run by Polish national Michael Petraeus, said Halimah is complicit in "quite a few humanitarian disasters". "If 'keeping quiet' about Gaza 'makes us complicit' in the violations there, it stands to reason that remaining silent about every other such crisis makes us complicit in it as well," the post, put out on Friday, said. It cited situations in places such as Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Myanmar. "And yet I've tried searching if Madam Halimah expressed her horror and grief about the torment of millions of people in these and other countries – and I, sadly, found nothing." Read more about the incident and comments here. Liverpool is the new Premier League champion, clinching their 20th top-flight title, and second since the formation of the Premier League. Arsenal again had to settle for being runners-up. Manchester City endured a tough season by their standards as they finished third, ending their four-year run as champions. Find out more about the latest Premier League news as well as how much each team earned in prize money. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is "complicit" in a few humanitarian disasters. According to the Straits Times, he warned against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode Singapore's hard-earned spirit of mutual respect and unity. In a Facebook post on Friday (23 May), Halimah said that being silent on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza "makes us complicit" in the violation of humanitarian laws. "Keeping quiet makes us complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Our world is all the poorer for it. Uphold humanity," she said. In response, Facebook page Critical Spectator, run by Polish national Michael Petraeus, said Halimah is complicit in "quite a few humanitarian disasters". "If 'keeping quiet' about Gaza 'makes us complicit' in the violations there, it stands to reason that remaining silent about every other such crisis makes us complicit in it as well," the post, put out on Friday, said. It cited situations in places such as Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Myanmar. "And yet I've tried searching if Madam Halimah expressed her horror and grief about the torment of millions of people in these and other countries – and I, sadly, found nothing." Read more about the incident and comments here.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Never allow divisive rhetoric to erode mutual respect and unity, says Faishal Ibrahim: Singapore live news
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is "complicit" in a few humanitarian disasters. According to the Straits Times, he warned against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode Singapore's hard-earned spirit of mutual respect and unity. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is "complicit" in a few humanitarian disasters. According to the Straits Times, he warned against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode Singapore's hard-earned spirit of mutual respect and unity. In a Facebook post on Friday (23 May), Halimah said that being silent on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza "makes us complicit" in the violation of humanitarian laws. "Keeping quiet makes us complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Our world is all the poorer for it. Uphold humanity," she said. In response, Facebook page Critical Spectator, run by Polish national Michael Petraeus, said Halimah is complicit in "quite a few humanitarian disasters". "If 'keeping quiet' about Gaza 'makes us complicit' in the violations there, it stands to reason that remaining silent about every other such crisis makes us complicit in it as well," the post, put out on Friday, said. It cited situations in places such as Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Myanmar. "And yet I've tried searching if Madam Halimah expressed her horror and grief about the torment of millions of people in these and other countries – and I, sadly, found nothing." Read more about the incident and comments here. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim has expressed grave concern about remarks made by a Facebook page that former president Halimah Yacob is "complicit" in a few humanitarian disasters. According to the Straits Times, he warned against allowing such divisive rhetoric to erode Singapore's hard-earned spirit of mutual respect and unity. In a Facebook post on Friday (23 May), Halimah said that being silent on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza "makes us complicit" in the violation of humanitarian laws. "Keeping quiet makes us complicit in the violations of international humanitarian laws and encourages similar aggressions elsewhere. Our world is all the poorer for it. Uphold humanity," she said. In response, Facebook page Critical Spectator, run by Polish national Michael Petraeus, said Halimah is complicit in "quite a few humanitarian disasters". "If 'keeping quiet' about Gaza 'makes us complicit' in the violations there, it stands to reason that remaining silent about every other such crisis makes us complicit in it as well," the post, put out on Friday, said. It cited situations in places such as Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Myanmar. "And yet I've tried searching if Madam Halimah expressed her horror and grief about the torment of millions of people in these and other countries – and I, sadly, found nothing." Read more about the incident and comments here.
