Latest news with #MrLim
Time Out
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Come for the salty spicy Korean eats at this Sydney diner and stay for the late-night open-mic karaoke
There's a little pocket on Potts Point's Macleay Street that's home to a powerhouse of ritzy joints that are oh-so-cool without even having to try. Cult-favourites include The Apollo, Franca, Cho Cho San and Yellow, but the lesser-known joint you should add to your hit list stat is Diana. Book in a dinnertime reservation because this dimly lit diner is magic when the sun goes down (and it means you can stick around for some sing-along action later). The long narrow space is lined with abstract Asian artwork, colourful cushions brighten the booths and fuchsia orchids perk up in ceramic vases at each table – it's bold, fun and we dig it. The menu spans classic Korean dishes and pan- Asian eats. Some are well-known – kimchi fried rice, Korean fried chicken, springy japchae noodles and plump bossam pork belly bites, for example. Others are a little less familiar, but equally delicious – like hwae moochim, a fresh, sashimi-style vegetable salad dressed with sesame oil and gochujang, and Korean street donuts with butterscotch. Is it your first visit to Diana? We recommend letting Korean-born chef Sammy Jeon (Mr Lim, Avido Ristorante Italiano) feed you. The $75 set menu gets you going with seven of their most popular dishes (some served stacked on bamboo steamers or made tableside – *fancy*), and if you're feeling swanky, you can add on a mud crab course. While you're fuelling up, order some liquid courage for later too. The cocktails are well priced, many starting at $17. There's plenty of fruity mixes that play with Asian spirits like soju and sake and flavours like green grape, plum and ginger. Ready to sing now? Let's go. At 9.30pm the restaurant transforms into an open-mic karaoke joint. The stage? The centre of the space. The dining room is subtly split up into little sections, so you can settle in with a couple of your besties, or prepare to wow your whole office with your pipes at a work dinner.
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Straits Times
Marina Bay views, vibrant neighbourhood charm and easy city access: Live next to the rejuvenated Golden Mile Complex
With its sought-after location beside the Beach Road landmark, Aurea offers luxury residential living in the heart of a transforming urban district Located in a neighbourhood steeped in history and culture, Aurea offers a luxe respite, while being close to the pulse of the city. Adjacent to the Golden Mile Complex undergoing transformation, a new residential development is taking shape in an area where heritage shophouses sit alongside modern buildings. Here, residents will find themselves in the heart of a district that offers both established neighbourhood character and the conveniences of contemporary city living. Living here means stepping out of your front door to find yourself within walking distance of hip cafes, bustling hawker centres and green spaces along the Kallang River. When you need to commute to work, the Central Business District and the Civic District are just minutes away by car or public transport. That is what you can expect when living at Aurea, the new luxury residential tower by Far East Organization and Perennial Holdings, nestled in the heart of an ever-evolving cityscape. The surrounding area adds to the appeal, with culinary gems and cultural attractions within walking distance. Food enthusiasts will delight in the proximity to establishments such as The Coconut Club on Beach Road, Michelin-starred Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodles on Crawford Lane and Birds of Paradise – Singapore's only gelato boutique to earn a Michelin Guide mention. For a taste of local heritage, Heap Seng Leong, a traditional 1970s Nanyang coffee shop, serves authentic breakfast fare including the signature black coffee with butter. The popular Golden Mile Food Centre is also steps away, featuring well-loved local stalls such as Chung Cheng Chilli Mee and Wen Li Taiwanese Food. There is an endless list of hidden, and not so hidden, gems for those in the know. Beyond dining, residents can explore the vibrant street art scene with murals along Muscat Street and Haji Lane, or visit art galleries and studios in the vicinity such as Mr Lim's Shop of Visual Treasures. This gallery includes curated art from both the local and international scene, and has been featured on publications such as The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and Esquire. The vibrant Haji Lane is perfect for a weekend stroll to the shops and cafes in the area. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES The area also offers easy access to green spaces with Kallang Riverside Park nearby, which links to Kallang Park Connector for those who appreciate a modern work-life balance and want to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle. Framed by the iconic Beach Road and the bustling Ophir-Rochor Corridor, Aurea is also close to the upcoming Kallang Alive hub for sports, entertainment and leisure activities as well as the Marina Bay business district, and the arts-cultural precinct of Bras Basah-Bugis and Orchard Road. The Marina Bay financial district is close by, making the commute to work an easy one. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Right next door, the development is connected directly to The Golden Mile via an elevated link bridge. When fully rejuvenated, The Golden Mile will comprise retail, offices and medical suites. Getting around the city is equally convenient. Drivers will appreciate the easy connectivity to major expressways including Nicoll Highway, East Coast Parkway, Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway, and the upcoming North-South Corridor. But for a car-lite lifestyle, the Nicoll Highway MRT station is just a five-minute walk away. Low-density luxury with high-rise views Despite placing you near the city centre, Aurea offers a calm, relaxing living space, thanks to its many thoughtful touches and details. For one, the 45-storey residential tower has only 188 residential units. What this means: More privacy and exclusivity, and the promise of more investor-friendly units due to their limited numbers. Homes here have been designed to maximise light, space and functionality to cater to every family lifestyle. Spaces in each of the Prestige Collection two-bedroom homes at Aurea have been designed to maximise light and space, allowing you to plan your home layout as you desire. PHOTO: FAR EAST ORGANIZATION For instance, the Prestige Collection consists of two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 635 sq ft to 1,001 sq ft, maximises usable enclosed spaces with no balconies; a highly efficient layout offering homeowners optimal use of indoor areas. Instead, your home comes with wall-to-wall windows, with some units on the higher floors offering breathtaking views of the city or Kallang Basin. They have also been oriented to enhance light and cross-ventilation, with the kitchens and bathrooms in the two-bedder units designed to let in natural ventilation. Likewise, the kitchen-dining space is creatively integrated to offer a seamless activity zone for those who love hosting friends and bonding over homecooked meals. One home, a multitude of ways to enjoy urban life All around the development, residents can enjoy a fresh take on urban living in the tropics with Aurea's verdant landscaping and Zen-evoking shared spaces like rock and hammock gardens. The Dining Room on level 17 offers unblocked panoramic views of Kallang Basin and Marina Bay. PHOTO: FAR EAST ORGANIZATION Meticulously curated facilities are spread generously across levels three, 17 and 33 for greater privacy, including a well-equipped gym, a bouldering wall and an indoor lounge. The Dining Room on level 17 and the Sky Infinity Pool on level 33 offer unblocked panoramic views of Kallang Basin and Marina Bay, just the place to host unforgettable soirees against this amazing backdrop. In addition, viewing decks on multiple levels let residents soak in the picturesque scenery of their dream home. Enjoy panoramic bay vistas such as the view from level 15. PHOTO: FAR EAST ORGANIZATION With amenities spread across multiple levels, residents have various options for enjoying the surroundings. It is this combination of prime location, well-crafted design and distinctive amenities that sets Aurea apart in the area's changing landscape. From now till July 31, 2025, enjoy a limited-time promotion for two- and three-bedroom luxury homes starting from $2,629 psf*/$1.765 million*. Experience modern city living at the Aurea and The Golden Mile Sales Gallery – 10A Central Lane 1, Singapore 019927. For viewings and appointments, contact Far East Organization at 6534 8000, or visit . *Valid for the first 10 units sold from now until July 31, 2025. Psf and unit price shown are for different units. Subject to change without prior notice. Terms and conditions apply.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Besra Gold Inc. Addresses Statements Made by Quantum Metal Recovery Inc., Calls Them Misleading
Besra Gold Inc. issues the following statement: Quantum has demonstrated a pattern of flagrant disregard of corporate and securities laws Quantum and its nominees have not articulated any plan for advancing Besra'sobjectives or furthering shareholder interests Quantum's attempts to remove independent directors risk irrevocable destruction ofshareholder value Besra's independent directors are evaluating all legal avenues to address Quantum'smisrepresentations and misconduct Melbourne, Victoria--(Newsfile Corp. - June 12, 2025) - Besra Gold Inc. (ASX: BEZ) ("Besra" or the "Company") is compelled to respond to a news release issued on 6 June 2025 by Quantum Metal Recovery Inc ("Quantum"), a company founded and controlled by Dato' Lim Khong Soon ("Mr Lim"), one of Besra's current directors. The other directors of Besra (the "Independent Directors") are concerned that Quantum has made material misrepresentations in its press release and elsewhere and therefore wish to set the record straight to ensure that the market is not misled by Quantum and shareholders have all relevant facts ahead of the special meeting of shareholders scheduled for 24 June 2025 (corresponding to 23 June 2025 in Canada) (the "Meeting"). Quantum's Personal Grievance On 15 May 2025, Quantum commenced legal proceedings alleging, among other things, that Besra's board of directors (the "Board") (other than Mr Lim) conducted the affairs of the Company in a manner that was oppressive of Quantum's interests. At the heart of Quantum's grievances are its unfounded allegations that Besra has not met its obligations under the May 8, 2023, gold purchase agreement (the "GPA") between Quantum and Besra because the Bau Gold Project is not yet a producing mine. Quantum's lawsuit against the Company alleges that that Mr Lim repeatedly raised concerns that the Bau Gold Project was not progressing as expected "because the Board lacked the necessary experience in the mining industry and the specialised skills to direct an endeavour on that scale." The lawsuit glosses over that within days of the GPA becoming effective, Mr Lim was appointed as Executive Chair of Besra and another nominee of Quantum, Mr Chang Loong Lee ("Mr Lee"), was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Besra. From that time until Mr Lee's recent resignation on 20 May 2025, Quantum's nominees have represented at least 50% of the Board (at times as much as two-thirds of the Board). Mr Lim was additionally Chair of the Board until he resigned on 14 February 2025. At the time Quantum filed its lawsuit against the Company, Mr Lim and Mr Lee continued to represent 50% of Quantum's Board. While the GPA doesn't specify a timeline for the development of the Bau Gold Project, the causes of the delay are no secret and include the following issues that have been previously announced: Quantum failed to continue remitting funds under the GPA: Besra received its last payment from Quantum under the GPA in November of 2023. A further payment of US$9,827,855 due and payable by Quantum in December of 2023 was never received. As a result, Besra became subject to a lawsuit by other shareholders alleging, among other things, that the Board failed to assert its rights in connection with Quantum's failure to remit the committed funds as "any assertion of Besra's rights would be against [the interests of Mr Lim, Mr Lee and Quantum, and] Mr Lim and Mr Lee prefer their (and [Quantum's]) interest above Besra's." The shareholders who commenced this action are advised that the Independent Directors are actively considering litigation options to cause Quantum to comply with its funding obligations under the GPA and are concerned that Quantum's director nominees (the "Quantum Nominees"), if elected, may be able to take steps to prevent Besra from requiring Quantum to comply with its obligations under the GPA. Besra's mining tenements have not been renewed: Besra's mining tenements over the Bau Gold Project came due for renewal in 2024 and early-2025. Whilst renewal of the mining licences occurred in May and June of 2024, in advance of their expiry, the renewals have yet to be approved. Besra (on behalf of the licencees) continues to engage with the Sarawak Government regarding the tenements, but until such time as the tenements are renewed, Besra is unable to progress with the development of the Bau Gold Project. Through its appointed nominees on Besra's Board, Quantum oversaw the delays of which it now complains. Quantum now proposes the removal of the Independent Directors so that it can regain control of the Company. Quantum's lawsuit was initiated nearly a month ago, but as of the date hereof, Quantum has not delivered any supporting evidence as required by the applicable rules of civil procedure, and as a result Besra has not yet been able to respond. Quantum's notice of application also includes several other inexplicable claims, including that Besra's Board has oppressed Quantum by, among other things, "failing to take necessary steps to restore the Company's trading status on the TSX" (Besra was delisted from the TSX more than ten years ago and has no present intention of relisting) and declining to call a separate shareholder meeting for the purpose of considering the business proposed by Quantum (all of which is tabled for consideration at the Meeting). Quantum's Repeated Material Misrepresentations At all relevant times, Quantum was fully aware of the delays at the Bau Gold Project. However, even as Quantum's Board nominees continued to oversee such delays, Quantum repeatedly made material misrepresentations and exaggerations regarding the status of Besra's operations. Most recently (and just one week before Quantum filed its lawsuit), an affiliate of Quantum published a video (the "Unauthorised Video") that: incorrectly identified Mr Lim as the Executive Chairman of Besra; repeatedly misrepresents Besra as a "mining company"; promoted a "QMR Gold Contract Note USB Device with DGM Software" launched by Quantum, which purportedly offers purchasers the opportunity to buy gold "at a more favourable price"; stated that Besra gives Quantum "a significant edge - [Quantum's] gold supply is more secure and reliable than many others in the market"; stated that Quantum entered into the GPA with Besra, "using the physical gold as backing to develop a market segment focused on gold digitalisation"; stated that "Quantum Metal's gold ecosystem forms a complete and integrated value chain; this not only ensures a stable and secure gold supply but, most importantly, it allows [Quantum] to deliver the full value of gold directly to consumers. . . Every part of [Quantum's] ecosystem is real, operational and already active; this is not a blueprint - it's a fully implemented, functioning system"; materially overstated the gold reserves at the Bau Gold Project and stated that it is being mined by Besra; showed images of Besra's equipment at the Bau Gold Project and an unauthorised photograph of the head of the Company's development team, who is erroneously stated to have "personally confirmed" all of the information provided in the video; and offered "1,000 units of bonus shares from [an unnamed] ASX-listed gold mining company" with each purchase of a QMR Gold Contract Note USB Device with DGM Software. The Unauthorised Video was not authorised by or produced with the permission or involvement of Besra. The Unauthorised Video's portrayal of Besra and its operations stands in stark contrast to Quantum's characterisation of Besra in the ongoing lawsuit, which was filed just a week after the publication of the Unauthorized Video. While it is unclear to the Independent Directors precisely what Quantum is selling, it is inaccurate to suggest that whatever interests are being sold are backed by physical gold mined by Besra. The Unauthorised Video does not acknowledge the reality that Besra does not have any active mining operations and that there is no guarantee that its mining tenements will be renewed or that Besra will ever obtain physical gold from the Bau Gold Project. As the Unauthorised Video misrepresents Besra as having a "secure and reliable" gold supply that forms part of Quantum's "fully implemented, functioning system", Besra was compelled to publicly correct those misrepresentations. The Independent Directors also have significant concerns as to whether the "1,000 units of bonus shares from a ASX-listed gold mining company" promised by Quantum are in fact Besra securities that are (or were) owned by Quantum. Quantum's website indicates that the identity of the issuer of the "bonus shares" will be "revealed within 365 days". Other than unsubstantiated assertions, Quantum has refused to provide any confirmation that the "bonus shares" are not securities issued by Besra. If the "bonus shares" are securities issued by Besra, as suspected by the Independent Directors, then Quantum is effectively selling its interest in the Company without disclosure to the market and with the intention of nonetheless voting those securities at the Meeting. Quantum's Repeated Failures Complying with Legal Requirements and Processes Quantum has demonstrated a clear pattern of flagrant disregard of corporate and securities laws and other legal requirements: Though claiming to beneficially own approximately 29.88% of Besra's voting securities, Quantum continues to contravene insider reporting obligations under applicable Canadian securities laws despite Besra's repeated demands for Quantum to bring itself into compliance. Besra is aware that Quantum transferred 40,000,000 CDIs in early February 2025, and the Independent Directors are additionally concerned that Quantum may have disposed of beneficial ownership of other CDIs in connection with Quantum's free "bonus share" offer. However, as Quantum will not comply with its insider reporting obligations, the market has no way of knowing the extent of Quantum's current interest in Besra. On 24 March 2024, the Securities Commission of Malaysia (the "SCM") directed Mr Lim and Quantum Metal Exchange Inc ("QMEI"), the parent company of Quantum, to immediately cease and desist the offering of securities of QMEI to the Malaysian public, following the determination by the SCM that QMEI was offering its securities to the public in contravention of Malaysian securities laws. QMEI was consequently placed on the SCM's Investor Alert List. Mr Lim is the founder and Chairman of QMEI. Besra's legal counsel was required to engage extensively with Quantum's counsel in order to obtain information required in respect of the Quantum Nominees under the Company's advance notice by-law. The advance notice by-law is similar to by-laws adopted by many other Canadian public companies and is intended to ensure that shareholders have relevant information about persons proposed for election as directors of Besra. The Company has been advised that more than one thousand other Canadian issuers have adopted advance notice requirements as a good governance practice. However, rather than simply following this standard process and making its nominations in accordance with the by-law, Quantum has alleged that the by-law is oppressive and improper. Besra is aware that Quantum has illegally solicited proxies in connection with the Meeting despite repeated cautions from the Company that any solicitation of proxies by Quantum must be conducted in accordance with applicable laws. The Company's investigation regarding Quantum's illegal solicitation of proxies is ongoing. As an inducement to purchase its products, Quantum is offering free "bonus shares" of an unidentified ASX-listed gold mining Company. Given the secretive nature of the offer and Quantum's refusal to provide further information, Besra has been unable to confirm with certainty whether the offer has been or will be conducted in accordance with applicable law; however, the offer serves as a public example of Quantum's apparent unwillingness to act with transparency and follow the usual processes applicable to public companies and their securities. Besra's counsel has put Quantum on notice that if Quantum does not comply with its insider reporting obligations and disclose the extent of its interest in Besra in accordance with applicable law, objections may be raised to the extent it is unclear how many votes Quantum is entitled to cast at the Meeting. Objections may also be raised in connection with Quantum's illegal solicitation of proxies. Quantum's Nominees Quantum and the Quantum Nominees have not articulated any plans for achieving Besra's objectives or advancing the interests of the Company's shareholders. As Quantum has disclosed only limited information regarding the Quantum Nominees, the Board considers it necessary to disclose the following information: William John Blake: Based on information provided by Quantum, Mr Blake has been retired since 30 March 2017, when the shareholders of Rapier Gold Inc ("Rapier") (then listed on the TSX Venture Exchange) voted not to re-elect him to Rapier's board of directors. He served on Rapier's board for less than one year. Prior to Rapier, Mr Blake's most recent role was serving as President and CEO of Luna Gold, before retiring on 20 March 2014. Neither Quantum nor Mr Blake have given any indication as to why Mr Blake is seeking a director role more than ten years after retiring from the mining industry (excluding his brief tenure on Rapier's board more than eight years ago). Matthew Greentree: Quantum has disclosed that Mr Greentree has been self-employed since 2024. On 11 November 2024, Ausgold Limited (ASX: AUC) ("Ausgold") announced that Mr Greentree resigned from his position as Managing Director and CEO of Ausgold "to pursue other opportunities". Quantum has refused to provide any further information regarding in what capacity Mr Greentree has been self-employed since his resignation from Ausgold. Prior to Quantum nominating Mr Greentree under Besra's advance notice by-law, Mr Lim introduced Mr Greentree to the Board, and after meeting with Mr Greentree and consulting with industry sources, the Board determined that, although Mr Greentree is a qualified geologist, his qualifications and experience are not aligned with Besra's project development objectives. David Izzard: Mr Izzard is an accountant. Quantum has disclosed that Mr Izzard has held three non-executive board positions with ASX-listed mining and exploration companies, all of which he resigned from between November 2024 and February 2025. In addition to the appointments disclosed by Quantum, Mr Izzard was appointed as a non-executive director of Paterson Resources Ltd (ASX: PSL) in 2019, a position he held for 5 months before resigning. Based on the information provided by Quantum, Mr Izzard does not currently hold any position in the mining sector but is presently serving as a non-executive director of a health technology company, Ticking Heart, and as chair of an ESG and sustainability consulting company, Parvate ESG. Shareholders are reminded that the only way to stop Quantum from replacing the Independent Directors with Quantum's hand-selected director nominees is through strong shareholder turnout and resolve at the Meeting. Vote to Protect Your Investment in Besra On 20 May 2025, Mr Lee, Quantum's previously appointed Board nominee, resigned from the Board following Quantum seeking to have him removed as a director of the Company. Accordingly, once Mr Lim is removed from the Board, Quantum's influence on the governance and direction of Besra will cease. The Independent Directors have articulated and are poised to execute their plan for creating shareholder value. Your vote is important regardless of the number of securities you own. The Independent Directors urge you to submit your proxy form or CDI voting instruction form today and vote as recommended by the Board: vote FOR removing Dato' Lim Khong Soon as a director of the Company; vote FOR fixing the number of directors of the Company at three; vote AGAINST removing David Potter, Jon Morda and Sean Williamson from the Board; vote AGAINST electing the Quantum Nominees as directors of the Company; and vote FOR confirming and ratifying the Company's advance notice by-law. Completed CDI voting instruction forms must be returned no later than 11:30 a.m. (Sydney, Australia time) on 18 June 2025. The Meeting of Besra's shareholders will be held at the offices of Hall Chadwick located at Level 40, 2 Park Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2000 on Tuesday, 24 June 2025 at 11:30 a.m. (Sydney, Australia time) (corresponding to Monday, 23 June 2025 at 9:30 p.m. (Toronto, Canada time)). For more information, shareholders are encouraged to access the Company's management information circular, which is available on Besra's profile at If you have any questions or require more information with regard to voting your proxy, please contact Georgeson, toll free in Australia at 1300 116 265 or at +61 3 9415 4319 outside of Australia, or by e-mail at This announcement was authorised for release by Mr David Potter - Non-Executive ChairMichael Higginson,Chief Corporate Officer and Company Secretary Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). In some cases, forward-looking statements are identifiable by the terminology used, such as "may," "expect," "believe," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate," "continue," or similar expressions or the negative of such expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterisations of future events or circumstances are considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, among other things, references, expressed or implied, to the date of the Meeting, the matters to be considered by shareholders at the Meeting, the renewal of Besra's mining tenements, and objections that may be raised in connection with illegal proxy solicitations and voting of securities at the Meeting. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of Besra, which could cause actual events, results, expectations, achievements or performance to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the Meeting will be postponed or adjourned and other risks and uncertainties. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made) and are subject to change after such date. However, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable laws. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
CNA
04-06-2025
- Health
- CNA
Commentary: ‘I felt abandoned' - caregivers of loved ones with dementia still feel so alone
SINGAPORE: When my grandfather was diagnosed with vascular dementia in the 1990s, my family became caregivers overnight. Back then, there were no hotlines to call, no daycare centres to drop him off at, no respite help to take over when we were exhausted. Today, such programmes exist and offer much-needed relief and education. Yet, these are not lasting solutions when families still feel like they face this isolating journey with little support. Take Mr Lim*, who after his father's dementia diagnosis, received help from the Post-Diagnostic Support (PDS) programme. He had access to a dedicated caseworker, home visits by a multidisciplinary team and personalised care plans. This was a remarkable S$2.6 million initiative by the Lien Foundation and Dementia Singapore, launched in 2020 to help newly diagnosed families, However, support lasts only for a maximum of 12 months, for a disease marked by mid- to long-term decline. 'The caseworker said I'd have to re-apply with the hospital again but we are not a priority anymore. I felt abandoned,' he told me. His father's dementia worsened after support ended. There are no good choices for families: re-navigate hospital referrals to apply for support and wait with uncertainty or shoulder caregiving alone. CAREGIVING LOAD ONLY ESCALATES Dementia is not static; mild cases transition to moderate or severe, demanding escalation of care. The challenges from diagnosis of the reality of long-term caregiving only increase with time. My grandfather, a police station inspector whose career demanded sharp wits and physical vigour, faced a cruel decline after retirement and a stroke. Kept homebound for safety, his active life dwindled to watching TV all day. Over the course of 10 years, dementia robbed him of speech, medications sedated him, his muscles weakened and left him wheelchair-bound, then bedridden with bedsores and reliant on nasal tube feeding. Families toil relentlessly through the pain of grieving someone still alive. All this takes a toll on mental health: 74 per cent of caregivers grapple with overwhelming responsibilities – managing aggression, preventing falls, coping with grief – as revealed by a 2024 joint study by Milieu Insights and Dementia Singapore. Support channels tend to be disjointed. Family and friends are well-meaning but are limited by knowledge, time and emotional strain. Caregivers often turn to public hospitals for practical guidance on managing dementia's complexities. This includes phone consultations that typically last 15 to 20 minutes with nurses at dementia clinics or wards. Non-urgent support requiring doctor's consultation can face longer waiting time, leaving caregivers stranded. Social organisations and support groups provide critical resources but face capacity constraints and come with a cost. They also conduct regular workshops on dementia, but as one caregiver lamented to me: 'After the workshop, we're left with paper printouts – not ongoing follow-up.' The PDS programme's four-year target of assisting 1,400 clients and 1,300 caregivers over four years is a drop in the ocean when over 152,000 are projected to live with dementia by 2030. This underscores a sobering reality: Even well-funded interventions struggle to match the scale of need. Hotline support is closed after office hours. But what about the nights, weekends, and public holidays? Caregiving doesn't take a break. Compare this to Australia's National Dementia Helpline, staffed 24/7 by trained professionals, or the United Kingdom's Admiral Nurses, who journey with families for years. Both nations treat dementia care as continuous education, counselling and crisis prevention – not episodic triage. A CALL FOR SYSTEMIC REINVENTION The gap for caregivers lies in continuity and fragmented coordination. Transforming dementia care in Singapore will require a shift to a more proactive integrated ecosystem. Here are three suggestions: First, invest in lifelong care teams – a permanent support model that pairs families with nurses and social workers who track disease progression. Continuous, evolving support could preempt crises, like falls at home or caregiver burnout. Second, create seamless care pathways. Existing resources can be siloed and time-limited, which is incompatible with the increasing level and cost of caregiving when those with dementia inevitably deteriorate. Ensuring more cross-sector collaboration between hospitals, social agencies and community groups could help make the most of finite resources. Third, apply technology thoughtfully: Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, like an AI hotline agent trained on caregiver interactions could answer non-emergency queries (How to manage refusal to shower?), making care support accessible at all times, thereby reducing reliance on overwhelmed hotlines. MEETING CAREGIVERS WHERE THEY ARE Caregivers today – typically spanning ages 33 to 55, a generation balancing careers, parenting and caregiving – are a digital-first generation. They spend 2 hours and 2 minutes daily according to a local study, on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, seeking answers in stolen moments between work and caregiving. Yet, support systems cling to analog methods: pamphlets, dense websites and bureaucratic loops. Take Helen*, whose father was diagnosed last year. 'After the diagnosis, the nurse gave us a 45-minute overview of dementia, handed a stack of pamphlets and said, 'Approach AIC (Agency for Integrated Care) for further help.' But when we did, the caseworker just sent more website links to read. We felt shuffled and overwhelmed with information, not supported,' she shared with me. Singapore's robust resources are rich in content but poorly adapted to modern consumption. Their reliance on lengthy PDFs and static web pages clashes with the needs of a generation that scrolls, swipes, and searches for instant answers. Imagine AI chatbots guiding users through AIC's respite care applications via WhatsApp, voice assistants 'talking' to users through symptom guides in English, Malay, Tamil or Mandarin, or even Generative AI summarising self-care tips into 30-second TikTok scripts. Compare this to Dementia UK's Instagram, which transforms clinical guidelines into Instagram Reels like '5 Steps After Diagnosis' and carousel posts like 'Is It Dementia or Normal Ageing?' – bite-sized, visually engaging content that meets caregivers mid-scroll. While we do not know how much this moves the needle for UK families, this approach at least taps into modern habits to reach families where they are. Singapore need not reinvent the wheel – only repurpose its existing resources into formats that resonate with a generation relearning how to seek answers. Singapore's dementia care gap deserves more than temporary fixes. Every averted crisis – broken hip from a fall, medication overdose – preserves independence for persons living with dementia and saves families long-term costs. While initiatives like PDS, daycare centres and hotlines are vital steps forward, systemic change demands having proactive ecosystems.
