Latest news with #JamusLim
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
In Singapore, you don't just buy a car—you compete for the right to own one
SINGAPORE: 'Singaporeans are the most entitled people in the world. And we have the Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) to prove it.' Most probably said in jest, this remark recently caused a stir on LinkedIn, triggering insightful reactions from citizens across the city-state. Underneath the humour is a multifaceted, emotional discussion about how a small city-state manages one of its most prickly issues: car ownership. In the 'pressed-for-space' Singapore, roads aren't just about movement and flexibility; they compete with businesses, parks, homes, and public spaces. The question isn't whether Singapore can build additional highways, but whether it should. That's where the COE system comes in. Why cars come with certificates In 1990, Singapore instituted the Certificate of Entitlement system—a market-based allocation mechanism that requires potential automobile owners to bid for the right to own and use a vehicle for ten years. The objective is to limit the number of automobiles on the road and avoid the kind of urban gridlock that can be witnessed in capitals like Jakarta. Despite all the infrastructure development over the years, the Lion City just doesn't have the physical space for everyone to drive. And so, Singapore opted for guidelines over pandemonium. See also Jamus Lim Shares Heartwarming Hari Raya Wishes and Family Moments 'It's doing what it's designed to do' Detractors of the COE system frequently cite spiralling prices as an indication of a fragmented system. But defenders contend that this is exactly the point. The high cost of COEs discourages unwarranted car possession and guarantees that traffic stays controllable. In this interpretation, the system isn't a failure, but a complete success. As one commenter puts it: 'An open bidding system for a limited number of COEs means some people will be priced out. That's not a flaw. That's the function.' A question of fairness Still, the 'fairness' question is huge. Opposition MP Jamus Lim recently expressed concerns about the COE system's transactional character, saying that 'those with genuine needs may not have the purchasing power to meet those needs.' Several online users echoed the sentiment: 'Shouldn't a middle-class family in need of a car for school runs and groceries have greater priority than a billionaire buying their third Bentley?' 'Maybe,' the commenter acknowledges, 'but the billionaire isn't driving all three Bentleys at once.' If the objective is to lessen the number of cars on highways — not to produce a seamlessly impartial society — the system functions as envisioned. If we're responding to 'fairness,' then yes, the model may need an about-turn. But designing for fairness is not simple. As former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong once said, there are 'so many good arguments' for exclusions—infirmities, elderly family members, job requirements—that any system attempting to account for all would rapidly become unfeasible. Is there room for improvement? Some commenters provided suggestions: -A distinct COE grouping for families with young children or those taking care of elderly parents; -Higher COE tiers for the affluent possessing numerous automobiles—reflecting Singapore's liberal property tax structure; -Inducements for individuals who oblige themselves to limit their car use. -More investment in independent ride-hailing options that can be summoned on demand, reducing the necessity of personal ownership overall. One commenter asked, 'Isn't it also about pollution? Why allow billionaires so many cars when climate change is real?' Another mentioned how Singapore's Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, soon to become more cutting-edge with satellite monitoring, is now a vital tool in handling road usage. See also Photos go viral -- WP MPs-elect at Istana and in Parliament The role of public transport What many netizens agreed on was the superiority of Singapore's public transport system. 'Sometimes taking the MRT is faster than a car in Singapore,' one commenter hooted, comparing it with what they went through on Jakarta's MRT. Undeniably, Singapore's transport system is top-notch. Perhaps that's the reason why the city's car-lite strategy has functioned better than most. Parroting Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá, one contributor reminded us: 'A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation.' Entitled or enlightened? Are Singaporeans 'entitled,' or just wrestling with an intensely multifaceted problem that impacts daily life, flexibility, family planning, and financial choices? As the feisty discussion on LinkedIn showed, there's no single answer. What's evident is that the COE system is more than just a mechanism for traffic administration. It's a mirror—reflecting the pressures between impartiality and competence, sustainability and ease, autonomy and regulation. Singapore may not have found the picture-perfect equilibrium yet. But at least, it's having the conversation.
Independent Singapore
4 days ago
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Ho Ching appears to take aim online at Jamus Lim, but some netizens stand up for him
SINGAPORE: After Workers' Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim (Sengkang) commented on social media on a speech made earlier this week by Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong, the former Prime Minister answered him, and they had a short and respectful exchange on Facebook. Afterwards, SM Lee's wife, Ho Ching, waded into the fray with a Facebook post that appeared to be aimed at the WP MP, an associate professor of economics, who had attended the Economic Society of Singapore's annual dinner where SM Lee had made remarks on a number of issues, including the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) and access to car ownership in Singapore. While Assoc Prof Lim praised SM Lee's 'masterclass in the economist's way of thinking' and called him a 'mighty fine economist,' he also explained how he differed from SM Lee, advocating for policies that lead towards a 'more empathetic and just economy and society'. While Mdm Ho did not name Assoc Prof Lim in her post, she asked why, instead of standing up 'to propound his proposal', he had gone out 'to post some virtue signals on social media'. She surmised that 'he' — the unnamed person — 'was afraid to lose his credibility among the thinking people,' that is, academicians, investors, business leaders, and political leaders. The most telling part of the post that suggested it was aimed at the WP MP came at the end, when she wrote, 'Beware Hep A virus in raw or uncooked cockles!' Assoc Prof Lim had gone viral during the 2020 general election campaign period for having said in a debate that when Singapore Democratic Party's Chee Soon Juan highlighted inequalities in the education system, it ' warms the cockles of my heart.' When the WP's Sengkang team won that year, he thanked residents, saying it 'warms the cockles of our hearts to be able to work for the people of Singapore, and for all Singaporeans,' and holding up a finger heart as he spoke. Afterwards, he joked that he had been banned from using the phrase. While some netizens sided with Mdm Ho, others did not. 'Mdm Ho – you should attack the point, not the speaker,' wrote one. Some stood up for the WP MP. 'I don't think that was what Jamus intended. You knew that there was not enough time for everyone to ask questions due to time constraints. Only a few questions were entertained,' a Facebook user chimed in. 'Maybe Jamus was courteous and didn't want to put people in a difficult position? What if those esteemed folks agreed with Jamus but didn't want to offend your husband? How are they supposed to react in public? Jamus spared them from having to make a difficult decision between staying true to themselves and keeping their rice bowl,' another opined. 'Imagine thinking that post is virtue signalling, when the man literally delivered a policy rebuttal with nuance and restraint. Must've hit a nerve,' a netizen commented. A Facebook user reminded others: 'All said and done and dusted, Jamus and his team gave PAP a knockdown in Sengkang, in the recent GE . That speaks for something.' /TISG Read also: SM Lee vs Jamus Lim on COE and the 'best way to meet people's needs and take care of them'
Independent Singapore
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
SM Lee vs Jamus Lim on COE and the ‘best way to meet people's needs and take care of them'
Photos from Facebook SINGAPORE: In a social media post on Wednesday (Jul 16), Workers' Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim described Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong as 'a mighty fine economist.' He explained, however, that he does not share the former Prime Minister's perspectives on everything, giving the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) and access to car ownership in Singapore as an example of where their beliefs differ. Car ownership in the city-state is arguably the most expensive in the world, and the COE, the document allowing someone to own and operate a private vehicle for ten years, starts at around S$100,000. SM Lee had acknowledged in a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore 's annual dinner, which the WP MP, an Associate Professor of Economics, had attended, that certain households may have a greater need for a car than others, such as those with elderly or disabled family members. Assoc Prof Lim wrote, 'But instead of saying that there was a reasonable way to adjudicate between these competing needs, he then pivoted to how competitive bidding represented the best way to allocate between these claims.' His post received a lot of attention on Facebook, including a comment from SM Lee himself, who provided further clarification of the remarks he had made, saying that the government has ensured that Singaporeans have an efficient public transport system, and that there are possibilities for families who need a vehicle to apply for grants to help them pay for a COE. SM Lee put it this way in his comment: 'Where we disagree is not over who cares more for our fellow Singaporeans, but what is the best way to meet people's needs and take care of them.' In response, Assoc Prof Lim thanked SM Lee for his comment, but added that he favours 'a more targeted mechanism, because it would not only better channel behaviour toward a specific social objective, but also signal more directly as to how the government is helping certain groups out (while also blunting the transactional nature of the system).' He then reiterated SM Lee's point regarding the difference between them, which speaks to their divergent views on the 'behaviour of people and the efficacy of markets.' Many other Facebook users have since also commented on Assoc Prof Lim's post, with some saying they agree with him, and others seeming to side with SM Lee. Some commenters, however, expressed their appreciation for the exchange between the two. 'I see this as a respectful dialogue between two fine economist-minded gentlemen who both have put in their best to serve the nation. Genuinely grateful for this!' one wrote. /TISG Read also: Jamus Lim: COE system is broken; time to implement changes () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
AsiaOne
17-07-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Daily roundup: What is the best way to meet the people's needs? SM Lee, Jamus Lim debate COE scheme — and other top stories today, World News
Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today. 1. What is the best way to meet the people's needs? SM Lee, Jamus Lim debate COE scheme While they are both keen on addressing the needs of Singaporeans, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim disagreed on the means of doing so, according to an exchange between the two on Facebook on Wednesday (July 16)... » READ MORE 2. Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025: Boon Tong Kee in Balestier and Kotuwa among 11 new entries on list The 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand list is out and 11 establishments in Singapore have been added to the list... » READ MORE 3. 'Everyone's time is respected': ComfortDelGro to introduce new taxi cancellation, waiting fee policy ComfortDelGro, Singapore's largest taxi operator, will be implementing a new cancellation and waiting fee policy for customers who book taxis through the CDG Zig app... » READ MORE 4. 'I hope Wang Xiaofei earns a lot of money': Ken Chu scolded for selling products by Barbie Hsu's ex-husband, explains his actions Taiwanese singer-actor Ken Chu has responded to netizens criticising him for selling products by Barbie Hsu's ex-husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei... » READ MORE editor@
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ho Ching takes veiled swipe at Jamus Lim in FB post; Jail for van driver who tragically hit and killed his 2-year-old daughter: Singapore live news
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's recent social media exchange with opposition MP Jamus Lim on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme made headlines locally. And now SM Lee's wife Ho Ching appears to have entered the debate. She did not name Lim specifically in her Facebook post on 17 July but warned her followers to "beware of Hep A virus in raw or uncooked cockles" which has been seen as a reference to Lim. A father has been jailed after the delivery van he drove – without a licence – fatally ran over his two-year-old daughter in a Woodlands carpark in March 2023. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and banned from driving for three years on Wednesday (16 July). Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates: Ho Ching takes veiled swipe at Jamus Lim in FB post? Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife Ho Ching has warned her Facebook followers to "beware of Hep A virus in raw or uncooked cockles" in a post which has been seen as a veiled swipe at Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim, who was not named specifically. The comment was in a FB post which was directed at a male individual who – in her words – posted "some virtue signals on social media" instead of expressing opinion in a "roomful of economists, practitioners, investors and academic leaders, as well as younger professionals and academicians." She added: "Maybe he was afraid to lose his credibility among the thinking people - academicians who test their ideas with knowledgeable peers through publications, investors and business leaders who live with the consequences of their decisions, or political leaders who have to balance the diverse needs of a population against the constraints of resources whether land or money?" The FB post follows a social media exchange between SM Lee and WP's Lim about the former Prime Minister's comments on the certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. The "cockles" reference at the end of Ho's post is likely in relation to Lim's famous remarks following WP's stunning win of Sengkang GRC at GE2020 where he said the victory "warms the cockles of our hearts". Jail for van driver who tragically hit and killed his 2-year-old daughter A man who tragically hit and killed his two-year-old daughter while driving a delivery van without a licence has been jailed. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and banned from driving for three years on Wednesday (16 July). On the day of the fatal accident (13 March 2023), his wife was initially driving the rented delivery van – with the man, their son and daughter in the vehicle – to the Woodlands Street 32 area to deliver parcels. After the couple made some deliveries, the man asked to drive the van to several other blocks to clear the remaining deliveries quickly so the family could have lunch. When the man drove off, the van was too close to the side of the road and it made contact with the foot of his wife as well as the stroller resulting in his daughter being run over. The couple cannot be named to protect the identity of their surviving child. The man was on the run for an unlicensed moneylending offence at the time of the accident and previously fined for unlicensed driving. You can read more of the events in court in the link. Police probe 15 people for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams Police are investigating 15 people for sharing their Singpass credentials, which were later used in scams where victims lost over $890,000 in total. Authorities alleged that some people sold their Singpass credentials – these were later used to open new bank accounts and register for new mobile phone lines. Others appeared to have given parties access to their Singpass accounts without verifying their identities. And some people also shared their Singpass information after being deceived by scammers. Among the 15 under probe, police said five men and one woman were arrested. Disclosing your Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence is a crime, and those found guilty face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Fire destroys main stage at Belgium's Tomorrowland festival ahead of opening The main stage at Belgium's world-famous Tomorrowland electronic music festival has been destroyed by a huge fire. Footage of the fire showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the main stage on Wednesday (16 July). Festival organisers confirmed that no one was injured during the incident. Tomorrowland is a major dance music event with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz among the big names scheduled to perform this year. The annual festival attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends. The event was set to open this weekend and organisers have said their DreamVille campsite will go ahead as planned on Thursday (17 July). Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen was quoted as saying by CNN that a lot of workers were devastated to see the main stage destroyed given that it took years to build. "We're going to make it a great festival. It will be without a main stage. But hopefully, we can do something else, but I can't say much about that yet." Less rain, more warm days forecast for second half of July Singapore can expect less rain and more warm days the rest of July, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). "More warm days are expected in the second half of July 2025, as compared to the first half of the month, with daily maximum temperatures reaching slightly above 34°C on some days," said MSS. While the skies will be mostly fair, MSS forecasts short-duration thundery showers in the late mornings and afternoons. Sumatra squalls may also result in gusty winds before dawn on one or two days. More on what to expect from the weather for 16-31 July, here. SM Lee, WP's Jamus Lim exchange differing views on COE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Workers' Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim recently exchanged views on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme for car ownership. The hot topic of COE came up during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. ESS president Euston Quah had asked SM Lee about calls to let some groups pay less for COEs. The Senior Minister said there were many 'good arguments' for why certain groups are more deserving of a car but he felt if the government were "to design a scheme which worries about all those things, it will fail." You can read the full transcript of SM Lee's response on COE and other topics, here. Professor Lim, who was also at the ESS dinner, penned his thoughts on Lee's comments in a Facebook post the following day (16 July) saying that what is "sorely missing" in the current COE system is "how those with genuine needs may not have the purchasing power to meet those needs, even if their needs may have more merit." You can read professor Lim's full FB post on COE, here. Lee, in the comment section of Lim's post, later clarified that he had "also made the point that rather than complicate the COE scheme", the government has ensured "that everyone has access to affordable and efficient transport options, though not necessarily to own a car" and directly helped "the groups who need more help, e.g. increasing the grants to families with young children, so that if they want they can use it to help pay for a COE." "Therefore where we disagree is not over who cares more for our fellow Singaporeans, but what is the best way to meet people's needs and take care of them," wrote Lee. Lim has since responded to SM Lee's "additional elaborations" and closed his reply by saying: "I should also add that I did not mean to suggest that you do not care for Singaporeans, or that one of us somehow cares more. The disagreement, as you state, is the manner by which this is done. And that, in turn, hinges on our differing beliefs about the behaviour of people, and the efficacy of markets." You can read both of their replies in full in the comment section of Jamus Lim's original post. Trump turns on MAGA 'weaklings' for believing Epstein 'hoax' US President Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters for continuing to question if his administration is hiding details of crimes related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, in a lengthy post on Truth Social, called his usually loyal Make America Great Again (MAGA) base gullible "weaklings" for falling for what he called a 'radical left' hoax by the opposition to discredit him. The high-profile socialite Epstein has long been associated with running a network of super-rich and privileged people rumoured to have exploited young women and girls as part of a sex-trafficking scheme. Republican voters have been pressing Trump to publicly release documents related to the case, which have become known as the 'Epstein Files'. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," wrote Trump. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." Trump added: "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support any more!" HSA cracks down on vaping in schools The Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) crackdown on vaping has extended to areas near schools, reveals the Straits Times. The paper reported enforcement officers had conducted checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on 14 July. A total of 27 people were caught and fined while 31 e-vaporisers were also seized. "Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years," HSA was quoted as saying. Teachers – mentioned in the report on the condition of anonymity – said vaping has been a problem in Singapore schools. This week the HSA said more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and drug-laced Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down since April 2024. Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter named CEO of Shangri-La Asia Kuok Hui Kwong, who is the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, has been named the chief executive of Shangri-La Asia. Hui Kwong is the sixth of Kuok's eight children and has been the company's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. She will assume her new role on 1 August. Her current employment contract has a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (S$94,300). The Shangri-La group was founded in 1971 by billionaire Robert Kuok, who retained top spot on Forbes list of Malaysia's 50 Richest in 2024. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife Ho Ching has warned her Facebook followers to "beware of Hep A virus in raw or uncooked cockles" in a post which has been seen as a veiled swipe at Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim, who was not named specifically. The comment was in a FB post which was directed at a male individual who – in her words – posted "some virtue signals on social media" instead of expressing opinion in a "roomful of economists, practitioners, investors and academic leaders, as well as younger professionals and academicians." She added: "Maybe he was afraid to lose his credibility among the thinking people - academicians who test their ideas with knowledgeable peers through publications, investors and business leaders who live with the consequences of their decisions, or political leaders who have to balance the diverse needs of a population against the constraints of resources whether land or money?" The FB post follows a social media exchange between SM Lee and WP's Lim about the former Prime Minister's comments on the certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. The "cockles" reference at the end of Ho's post is likely in relation to Lim's famous remarks following WP's stunning win of Sengkang GRC at GE2020 where he said the victory "warms the cockles of our hearts". A man who tragically hit and killed his two-year-old daughter while driving a delivery van without a licence has been jailed. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and banned from driving for three years on Wednesday (16 July). On the day of the fatal accident (13 March 2023), his wife was initially driving the rented delivery van – with the man, their son and daughter in the vehicle – to the Woodlands Street 32 area to deliver parcels. After the couple made some deliveries, the man asked to drive the van to several other blocks to clear the remaining deliveries quickly so the family could have lunch. When the man drove off, the van was too close to the side of the road and it made contact with the foot of his wife as well as the stroller resulting in his daughter being run over. The couple cannot be named to protect the identity of their surviving child. The man was on the run for an unlicensed moneylending offence at the time of the accident and previously fined for unlicensed driving. You can read more of the events in court in the link. Police probe 15 people for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams Police are investigating 15 people for sharing their Singpass credentials, which were later used in scams where victims lost over $890,000 in total. Authorities alleged that some people sold their Singpass credentials – these were later used to open new bank accounts and register for new mobile phone lines. Others appeared to have given parties access to their Singpass accounts without verifying their identities. And some people also shared their Singpass information after being deceived by scammers. Among the 15 under probe, police said five men and one woman were arrested. Disclosing your Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence is a crime, and those found guilty face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Police are investigating 15 people for sharing their Singpass credentials, which were later used in scams where victims lost over $890,000 in total. Authorities alleged that some people sold their Singpass credentials – these were later used to open new bank accounts and register for new mobile phone lines. Others appeared to have given parties access to their Singpass accounts without verifying their identities. And some people also shared their Singpass information after being deceived by scammers. Among the 15 under probe, police said five men and one woman were arrested. Disclosing your Singpass credentials to facilitate an offence is a crime, and those found guilty face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Fire destroys main stage at Belgium's Tomorrowland festival ahead of opening The main stage at Belgium's world-famous Tomorrowland electronic music festival has been destroyed by a huge fire. Footage of the fire showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the main stage on Wednesday (16 July). Festival organisers confirmed that no one was injured during the incident. Tomorrowland is a major dance music event with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz among the big names scheduled to perform this year. The annual festival attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends. The event was set to open this weekend and organisers have said their DreamVille campsite will go ahead as planned on Thursday (17 July). Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen was quoted as saying by CNN that a lot of workers were devastated to see the main stage destroyed given that it took years to build. "We're going to make it a great festival. It will be without a main stage. But hopefully, we can do something else, but I can't say much about that yet." The main stage at Belgium's world-famous Tomorrowland electronic music festival has been destroyed by a huge fire. Footage of the fire showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the main stage on Wednesday (16 July). Festival organisers confirmed that no one was injured during the incident. Tomorrowland is a major dance music event with David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia and Eric Prydz among the big names scheduled to perform this year. The annual festival attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends. The event was set to open this weekend and organisers have said their DreamVille campsite will go ahead as planned on Thursday (17 July). Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen was quoted as saying by CNN that a lot of workers were devastated to see the main stage destroyed given that it took years to build. "We're going to make it a great festival. It will be without a main stage. But hopefully, we can do something else, but I can't say much about that yet." Less rain, more warm days forecast for second half of July Singapore can expect less rain and more warm days the rest of July, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). "More warm days are expected in the second half of July 2025, as compared to the first half of the month, with daily maximum temperatures reaching slightly above 34°C on some days," said MSS. While the skies will be mostly fair, MSS forecasts short-duration thundery showers in the late mornings and afternoons. Sumatra squalls may also result in gusty winds before dawn on one or two days. More on what to expect from the weather for 16-31 July, here. Singapore can expect less rain and more warm days the rest of July, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). "More warm days are expected in the second half of July 2025, as compared to the first half of the month, with daily maximum temperatures reaching slightly above 34°C on some days," said MSS. While the skies will be mostly fair, MSS forecasts short-duration thundery showers in the late mornings and afternoons. Sumatra squalls may also result in gusty winds before dawn on one or two days. More on what to expect from the weather for 16-31 July, here. SM Lee, WP's Jamus Lim exchange differing views on COE Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Workers' Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim recently exchanged views on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme for car ownership. The hot topic of COE came up during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. ESS president Euston Quah had asked SM Lee about calls to let some groups pay less for COEs. The Senior Minister said there were many 'good arguments' for why certain groups are more deserving of a car but he felt if the government were "to design a scheme which worries about all those things, it will fail." You can read the full transcript of SM Lee's response on COE and other topics, here. Professor Lim, who was also at the ESS dinner, penned his thoughts on Lee's comments in a Facebook post the following day (16 July) saying that what is "sorely missing" in the current COE system is "how those with genuine needs may not have the purchasing power to meet those needs, even if their needs may have more merit." You can read professor Lim's full FB post on COE, here. Lee, in the comment section of Lim's post, later clarified that he had "also made the point that rather than complicate the COE scheme", the government has ensured "that everyone has access to affordable and efficient transport options, though not necessarily to own a car" and directly helped "the groups who need more help, e.g. increasing the grants to families with young children, so that if they want they can use it to help pay for a COE." "Therefore where we disagree is not over who cares more for our fellow Singaporeans, but what is the best way to meet people's needs and take care of them," wrote Lee. Lim has since responded to SM Lee's "additional elaborations" and closed his reply by saying: "I should also add that I did not mean to suggest that you do not care for Singaporeans, or that one of us somehow cares more. The disagreement, as you state, is the manner by which this is done. And that, in turn, hinges on our differing beliefs about the behaviour of people, and the efficacy of markets." You can read both of their replies in full in the comment section of Jamus Lim's original post. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Workers' Party (WP) MP Jamus Lim recently exchanged views on Singapore's certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme for car ownership. The hot topic of COE came up during a dialogue at the Economic Society of Singapore's (ESS) annual dinner on 15 July. ESS president Euston Quah had asked SM Lee about calls to let some groups pay less for COEs. The Senior Minister said there were many 'good arguments' for why certain groups are more deserving of a car but he felt if the government were "to design a scheme which worries about all those things, it will fail." You can read the full transcript of SM Lee's response on COE and other topics, here. Professor Lim, who was also at the ESS dinner, penned his thoughts on Lee's comments in a Facebook post the following day (16 July) saying that what is "sorely missing" in the current COE system is "how those with genuine needs may not have the purchasing power to meet those needs, even if their needs may have more merit." You can read professor Lim's full FB post on COE, here. Lee, in the comment section of Lim's post, later clarified that he had "also made the point that rather than complicate the COE scheme", the government has ensured "that everyone has access to affordable and efficient transport options, though not necessarily to own a car" and directly helped "the groups who need more help, e.g. increasing the grants to families with young children, so that if they want they can use it to help pay for a COE." "Therefore where we disagree is not over who cares more for our fellow Singaporeans, but what is the best way to meet people's needs and take care of them," wrote Lee. Lim has since responded to SM Lee's "additional elaborations" and closed his reply by saying: "I should also add that I did not mean to suggest that you do not care for Singaporeans, or that one of us somehow cares more. The disagreement, as you state, is the manner by which this is done. And that, in turn, hinges on our differing beliefs about the behaviour of people, and the efficacy of markets." You can read both of their replies in full in the comment section of Jamus Lim's original post. Trump turns on MAGA 'weaklings' for believing Epstein 'hoax' US President Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters for continuing to question if his administration is hiding details of crimes related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, in a lengthy post on Truth Social, called his usually loyal Make America Great Again (MAGA) base gullible "weaklings" for falling for what he called a 'radical left' hoax by the opposition to discredit him. The high-profile socialite Epstein has long been associated with running a network of super-rich and privileged people rumoured to have exploited young women and girls as part of a sex-trafficking scheme. Republican voters have been pressing Trump to publicly release documents related to the case, which have become known as the 'Epstein Files'. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," wrote Trump. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." Trump added: "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support any more!" US President Donald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters for continuing to question if his administration is hiding details of crimes related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, in a lengthy post on Truth Social, called his usually loyal Make America Great Again (MAGA) base gullible "weaklings" for falling for what he called a 'radical left' hoax by the opposition to discredit him. The high-profile socialite Epstein has long been associated with running a network of super-rich and privileged people rumoured to have exploited young women and girls as part of a sex-trafficking scheme. Republican voters have been pressing Trump to publicly release documents related to the case, which have become known as the 'Epstein Files'. "Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," wrote Trump. "They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years." Trump added: "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support any more!" HSA cracks down on vaping in schools The Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) crackdown on vaping has extended to areas near schools, reveals the Straits Times. The paper reported enforcement officers had conducted checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on 14 July. A total of 27 people were caught and fined while 31 e-vaporisers were also seized. "Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years," HSA was quoted as saying. Teachers – mentioned in the report on the condition of anonymity – said vaping has been a problem in Singapore schools. This week the HSA said more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and drug-laced Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down since April 2024. The Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) crackdown on vaping has extended to areas near schools, reveals the Straits Times. The paper reported enforcement officers had conducted checks outside five institutes of higher learning (IHL) across Singapore on 14 July. A total of 27 people were caught and fined while 31 e-vaporisers were also seized. "Another eight persons were caught for underage smoking. Those caught were aged 17 to 66 years," HSA was quoted as saying. Teachers – mentioned in the report on the condition of anonymity – said vaping has been a problem in Singapore schools. This week the HSA said more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and drug-laced Kpods to Singaporeans have been taken down since April 2024. Tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter named CEO of Shangri-La Asia Kuok Hui Kwong, who is the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, has been named the chief executive of Shangri-La Asia. Hui Kwong is the sixth of Kuok's eight children and has been the company's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. She will assume her new role on 1 August. Her current employment contract has a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (S$94,300). The Shangri-La group was founded in 1971 by billionaire Robert Kuok, who retained top spot on Forbes list of Malaysia's 50 Richest in 2024. Kuok Hui Kwong, who is the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, has been named the chief executive of Shangri-La Asia. Hui Kwong is the sixth of Kuok's eight children and has been the company's executive director since June 2016 and its chairman since January 2017. She will assume her new role on 1 August. Her current employment contract has a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (S$94,300). The Shangri-La group was founded in 1971 by billionaire Robert Kuok, who retained top spot on Forbes list of Malaysia's 50 Richest in 2024.
