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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Murali Pillai, Dinesh Vasu Dash chair new committee to take Indian community forward
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox (From left) Senior Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai, Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam and Minister of State for Manpower and Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash at a reception organised by PA's Indian Activity Executive Committees Council on Aug 7. SINGAPORE – A new committee, chaired by political office-holders Murali Pillai and Dinesh Vasu Dash, has been set up to take the Indian community forward over the next five years. It will work with the civil service, collect feedback and look at areas to help the community progress and assist the less advantaged within it, said Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam on Aug 7. Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said the pair will be supported by other Indian political office-holders such as himself, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, and Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment and Education Janil Puthucheary. Speaking to community leaders at a reception organised by the People's Association's Indian Activity Executive Committees Council (Narpani Pearavai) at HomeTeamNS in Khatib, Mr Shanmugam said: 'We hope that we will get your support, and you've got to look at this as the start of a new phase. (The) community is in a good place. It's ready for a further take-off.' Following the May general election where the People's Action Party was returned to power with a 'good majority', it is a good time to take stock of where the community is, Mr Shanmugam said. He noted that two new Indian MPs were elected under the PAP banner in May. They are Mr Dinesh, who was later appointed Minister of State for Manpower and Culture, Community and Youth , and orthopaedic surgeon Hamid Razak, an MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC. The Indian community has progressed well over the past few decades, Mr Shanmugam said, pointing to income, education and home ownership statistics. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Incomes have also grown in the community – at the highest rate among the three major ethnic groups in Singapore, he said. In terms of political representation, the community is doing well, Mr Shanmugam added. It forms 17 per cent of the Cabinet, more than double its share of the national population at around 7 per cent, he noted. 'I think we need to get this in perspective,' he said. 'Sometimes we talk ourselves into thinking about discrimination and about other issues, but actually, the position of minorities in Singapore, particularly the Indian community, is a very, very strong one.' The community is also strongly represented across the professions, he added. 'That doesn't mean that there is no casual racism. That doesn't mean that people on the ground don't face issues, but you face issues everywhere, and the question is whether you face more or less in Singapore, and whether there are pathways of dealing with those issues in Singapore.' Speaking to reporters during the event, Mr Murali, who is Senior Minister of State for Transport and Law, said the new committee's immediate plan is to get suggestions from Indian community organisations. 'Ultimately, it's to galvanise the community together and there are a number of issues,' he said. One is to ensure these organisations are active and have good succession plans. Another is to help reduce recidivism within the community, said Mr Murali, who was first elected in 2016 and moved to the frontbench in 2024. When asked who else would be on the committee, Mr Murali said it will take guidance from Mr Shanmugam and bring in 'whoever can help us'. Mr Dinesh, who led the Agency for Integrated Care before entering politics, said the committee also wants to better coordinate and communicate policies with Indian organisations as a whole, from the ground up. 'We inherit a lot of the micro-cultures from the subcontinent, historically and even now,' he said. 'So we'll have to find a way to be as inclusive as we can, so the (committee's) structure must allow for some degree of inclusivity, so that we can hear the comments and find ways in which all of us are able to then support the community.'
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
8 smart buoys in S'pore waters from 2026 to enhance sea safety
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai speaking at the the International Safety@Sea Week on July 15. SINGAPORE – Eight smart buoys will be installed in Singapore's waterways from 2026, as part of a push by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to use technology to boost safety at sea. The buoys will be equipped with sensors that can collect and transmit data about the marine environment, such as currents. They will also be able to transmit this data in real time to MPA to help it monitor Singapore's waters, the agency said. 'These smart buoys serve as digital sentinels supporting safe navigation,' said Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai on July 15. He announced MPA's plans in his opening address at International Safety@Sea Week that is being held at the Conrad Singapore Marina Bay. MPA said data collected from smart buoys will be used for marine traffic management, incident response planning and environmental monitoring and modelling. 'The data can also be shared with government agencies, institutes of higher learning and research institutes to support various use cases to benefit Singapore,' MPA said. It added that the smart buoys will be installed within Singapore's port waters where marine traffic is high, and where data collected may be useful for environmental modelling. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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The use of smart buoys is one example of how the maritime industry can 'complement human capabilities … to better predict, prevent and respond quickly to safety hazards and incidents at sea', said Mr Murali. He also spoke of the increasingly complex challenges faced by the maritime industry, such as heightened geopolitical tensions and climate change. An attack on a bulk carrier in the Red Sea earlier in July underscores the 'urgent need' to protect the safety of seafarers, Mr Murali said. The Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated carrier sank in the Red Sea on July 9, following attacks over two consecutive days by Yemen's Houthi militants. Ten of the ship's complement of 22 crew and three guards were rescued. The remaining 15 are considered missing, including five who are believed to be dead. The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez thanked Mr Murali 'for recognising the challenges we're facing when it comes to safety and security, particularly in the Red Sea'. Speaking at the same conference, Mr Dominguez said: 'I will continue to condemn those cowardly attacks. 'Shipping should not be collateral damage for geopolitical situations. Seafarers should not be negatively affected because of geopolitical situations, and we need to do our best not just to invest in people, but in protecting them as well.' On the issue of climate change, Mr Murali noted that changing weather patterns and the rise in extreme weather events are making navigation increasingly more challenging and uncertain . 'We can ride the waves': Murali But 'it is not all rough seas and dark skies ahead', Mr Murali said. He called for collaboration in training the maritime workforce, collaboration and partnerships within the sector, and leveraging technology to augment existing capabilities. One way Singapore is supporting the ongoing training of the maritime workforce is through a maritime energy training facility (METF) to equip maritime workers with skills to handle clean marine fuels. So far, the facility has trained more than 600 seafarers and maritime professionals. Its target is to train more than 10,000 seafarers by the 2030s. The MPA is also developing a METF digital platform that will give individuals and companies easy access to training courses. Mr Murali said the digital platform will be ready by end-2025. On fostering closer collaboration and partnerships, Mr Murali announced that the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) will open a regional office in Singapore. The Straits Times understands the office will open this month. The ICS is the global trade association for shipowners and operators, and represents over 80 per cent of the world's merchant fleet. 'ICS' regional office in Singapore contributes to our thriving ecosystem, reflecting Singapore's commitment to being a trusted global hub port and contributing to the advancement of maritime safety,' Mr Murali said. In terms of leveraging technology, Mr Murali pointed to Singapore's Maritime Digital Twin, a dynamic real-time virtual model of the Port of Singapore, powered by artificial intelligence. Integrating live data from vessels, port operations and environmental sensors, this digital twin will improve navigational safety, operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, MPA said in March 2025. The digital twin is also expected to enhance situational awareness and emergency response to oil and chemical spills.
Singapore Law Watch
23-05-2025
- Business
- Singapore Law Watch
Singapore's alternative dispute resolution ecosystem must evolve to stay relevant: Murali
Singapore's alternative dispute resolution ecosystem must evolve to stay relevant: Murali Source: Straits Times Article Date: 23 May 2025 Author: Zaihan Mohamed Yusof This will ensure businesses have certainty amid a volatile world, says Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai. Hubs for alternative dispute resolution (ADR) must evolve to deliver certainty and the rule of law for businesses amid the volatile global landscape. In a speech on May 22 to about 200 delegates at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference, Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai said Singapore aims to navigate the complex and dynamic global environment in three ways – upholding the rule of law, innovation and creating partnerships. On the rule of law, Mr Murali said Singapore is a strong proponent of multilateralism, noting that the Republic had signed and ratified a number of key international conventions, including the New York Convention, the Hague Choice of Court Convention and the Singapore Convention on Mediation. He said these instruments enhance the enforceability of arbitral awards, court judgments and mediated settlement agreements across borders. Mr Murali highlighted the most recent addition – the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which currently has 18 parties and 57 signatories, including many countries from Asean and Asia. 'We hope that more countries will sign and ratify the convention, allowing mediation to become a truly effective and trusted means for resolving cross-border disputes – complementing arbitration as a key pillar of international dispute resolution,' he said. Speaking at the conference, held at the Pan Pacific Singapore and jointly organised by the Law Society of Singapore and LawAsia (The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific), Mr Murali said that Singapore must consistently innovate, improve and create better ways to meet global needs. He said changes were made to introduce a framework for fee agreements to align the ADR landscape in Singapore with practices and developments on the international front. Singapore has also embraced technology, with the Singapore International Mediation Centre offering the use of the Mediation Artificial Intelligence Assistant. The tool allows users to quickly make sense of large volumes of information, including generating a chronology of events, outlining the roles of individuals, providing a table of common positions and differences between parties, and summarising the documents and data provided by parties. Mr Murali said Singapore recognises that it cannot operate in isolation because of the international nature of the disputes. At the government-to-government level, he noted that the Ministry of Law has signed memorandums of understanding with counterparts around the world. ADR institutions here have also collaborated with foreign ADR institutions, trade bodies, bar associations, hearing centres and law schools to exchange knowledge and best practices. Mr Murali said ADR institutions in Singapore have an international board, court and panel from both common law and civil law jurisdictions. 'Just as Singapore is integrated into the global trading system, our ADR ecosystem must also be globally connected. 'To this end, we have liberalised our dispute resolution regime,' he added, noting that parties can appoint counsel, arbitrators and mediators of any nationality. In his speech, Mr Murali said he is optimistic that globalisation is here to stay, though in a different form, with new ties forged between like-minded jurisdictions. He said he was especially confident about the future of Asia, noting that three of the top five largest economies in the world are in Asia – China, Japan and India. 'Asean, as a collective bloc, is around the same size as India. This region is dynamic and full of promise. The Asia-Pacific is home to over 60 per cent of the world's youth aged 15 to 24, representing not only a significant source of talent but also a growing base of consumers. 'With an expanding middle class and increasing urbanisation, we are witnessing a surge in infrastructure development and economic activity. And where business thrives, so too does demand for legal and dispute resolution services. There is room for all of us to benefit from this growth,' he added. Legal experts speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of the event said new trends are emerging in the ADR environment. One of the delegates at the conference, Mr See Chern Yang, director of dispute resolution at Drew & Napier, told ST: 'We are starting to see more commercial disputes, especially now... cross-border, commercial disputes between two parties of different countries getting through the mediation system. 'We are also starting to see a trend of what we call pre-commencement mediation, which means even before the case is found in the court, before litigation commences, parties with their lawyers collectively decide, 'let's mediate'.' Parties from around the world have chosen Singapore as the dispute resolution forum, even when the dispute has no direct connection with Singapore. In the latest Queen Mary University of London and White & Case's International Arbitration Survey, Singapore continues to rank among the top four most preferred seats of arbitration across all regions, including Africa and Latin America. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre has received cases from parties in 110 jurisdictions. Mr Shyam Divan, president of LawAsia, said ADR can bring cost savings and more efficiency to feuding parties. In international trade disruptions, such as during the Covid-19 pandemic, parties may find themselves having a problem that needs to be solved quickly. Mr Divan told ST: 'So in situations like that, I think ADR, without having to go through the court system, is much more efficient – either through the arbitration or the mediation route – in trying to have a solution that is acceptable to two sides.' He added that he sees mediated settlements gaining popularity. Mr Murali, who will be appointed Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport on May 23, told ST about his new role of 'being a team player in the team captained by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong'. 'The goal is simple but difficult – to win the match to secure our country's future at local, national and international levels,' he said. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore's dispute resolution ecosystem must evolve to stay relevant: Murali
Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Law and Transport, speaking at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference on May 22. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN SINGAPORE – Hubs for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) must evolve to remain relevant to businesses, to deliver certainty and rule of law amid the volatile global landscape. In a speech on May 22 to about 200 delegates at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Conference, Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Law and Transport, said Singapore aims to navigate the complex and dynamic global environment in three ways – upholding the rule of law, innovation and creating partnerships. On the rule of law, Mr Murali said Singapore is a strong proponent of multilateralism, noting that the Republic had signed and ratified a number of key international conventions, including the New York Convention, the Hague Choice of Court Convention, and the Singapore Convention on Mediation. He said these instruments enhance the enforceability of arbitral awards, court judgments, and mediated settlement agreements across borders. Mr Murali highlighted the most recent addition - the Singapore Convention on Mediation, which currently has 18 parties and 57 signatories, including many progressive countries from ASEAN and Asia. 'We hope that more countries will sign and ratify the Convention, allowing mediation to become a truly effective and trusted means for resolving cross-border disputes – complementing arbitration as a key pillar of international dispute resolution,' he said. Speaking at the conference, jointly organised by the Law Society of Singapore and LawAsia (The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific), held at the Pan Pacific Singapore, Mr Murali said Singapore must consistently innovate, improve, and create better ways to meet global needs. He noted changes were made to introduce a framework for fee agreements, to align the ADR landscape in Singapore with practices and developments on the international front. Singapore also embraced technology, with the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) offering the use of the Mediation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistant. The tool allows users to quickly make sense of large volumes of information, including generating a chronology of events, outlining the roles of individuals, providing a table of common positions and differences between parties, and summarising the documents and data provided by parties Mr Murali said because of the international nature of the disputes, Singapore recognises that it cannot operate in isolation. At the government-to-government level, he noted that the Ministry of Law has signed memorandum of understanding with counterparts around the world. ADR institutions have also collaborated with foreign ADR institutions, trade bodies, bar associations, hearing centres and law schools, to exchange knowledge and best practices. Mr Murali said ADR institutions in Singapore have an international Board, Court and panel from both common law and civil law jurisdictions. 'Just as Singapore is integrated into the global trading system, our ADR ecosystem must also be globally connected. 'To this end, we have liberalised our dispute resolution regime,' he added, noting that parties can appoint counsel, arbitrators and mediators of any nationality. In his speech, Mr Murali said he is optimistic that globalisation is here to stay, though in a different form, with new ties forged between like-minded jurisdictions. He said he was especially confident about the future of Asia, noting that three of the top five largest economies in the world are in Asia – China, Japan and India. 'ASEAN, as a collective bloc, is around the same size as India. This region is dynamic and full of promise. 'The Asia-Pacific is home to over 60 per cent of the world's youth aged 15 to 24, representing not only a significant source of talent, but also a growing base of consumers. 'With an expanding middle class and increasing urbanisation, we are witnessing a surge in infrastructure development and economic activity. 'And where business thrives, so too does demand for legal and dispute resolution services. There is room for all of us to benefit from this growth,' he added. Legal experts speaking to The Straits Times at the sideline of the event said new trends are emerging in the ADR environment. One of the delegates at the conference, Mr See Chern Yang, director of dispute resolution at Drew & Napier, told The Straits Times: 'We are starting to see more commercial disputes, especially now... cross border, commercial disputes between two parties of different countries getting through the mediation system. 'We are also starting to see a trend of what we call pre-commencement mediation, which means even before the case is found in the court, before litigation commences, parties with their lawyers collectively decide, 'let's mediate'.' Mr See Chern Yang, director of dispute resolution at Drew & Napier, said that they are starting to see more commercial disputes, especially now. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Parties from around the world have chosen Singapore as the dispute resolution forum , even when the dispute has no direct connection with Singapore. In the latest Queen Mary University of London and White & Case's International Arbitration Survey, Singapore continues to rank amongst the top four most preferred seats of arbitration across all regions, including Africa and Latin America. The Singapore International Arbitration Centre has received cases from parties from 110 jurisdictions. Mr Shyam Divan, president of LawAsia, said ADR can bring cost-savings and be more efficient to feuding parties. In international trade disruptions, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, parties may find themselves having a problem which needs to be solved quickly. Mr Divan told ST: 'So in situations like that, I think ADR, without having to go through the court system, is much more efficient – either through the arbitration or the mediation route – in trying to have a solution which is acceptable to two sides.' He added that he sees mediated settlements gaining popularity. Mr Shyam Divan, president of LawAsia, said ADR can bring cost-savings and be more efficient to feuding parties. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Mr Murali, who will be appointed Senior Minister of State for both portfolios from May 23 , told ST about his new role as 'being a team player in the team captained by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong'. He said: 'The goal is simple but difficult – to win the match to secure our country's future at local, national and international levels.' Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Straits Times
Coffee on wheels: Union thanks public transport workers with mobile ‘cafe'
The ribbon cutting ceremony for the mobile coffee bus with the Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai (3rd from left), and NTWU executive secretary Yeo Wan Ling (4th from left) at the Toa Payoh bus interchange on May 14. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG SINGAPORE - Over 2,000 public transport staff will be treated to free coffee and snacks at 12 different locations over the next three weeks , served from the National Transport Workers' Union's (NTWU) Coffee Bus. First launched in the 1970s to offer bus drivers an affordable quick bite in between their shifts, the concept was replaced with proper canteens run by NTWU following its formation in 1981. The Coffee Bus initiative made its return to honour the service and contributions of public transport workers in Singapore, in conjunction with SG60 and May Day celebrations organised by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). The exterior of the mobile coffee bus at Toa Payoh bus interchange on May 14, 2025. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG The retrofitted public bus, whose exterior bears resemblance to the classic 1970s public bus design, was unveiled on May 14 at the opening ceremony, which was attended by Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Law and Transport. The bus also has a small gallery on Singapore's public transportation history, featuring old bus tickets and driver uniforms. Vintage bus components such signboards and uniforms decorate the interior of the mobile coffee bus at Toa Payoh bus interchange on May 14, 2025. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Over the next three weeks, it will be travelling to the busiest bus and train deports, and bus interchanges in areas including Punggol, Bukit Merah and Tampines. Some of these stops will be open to the public, for them to know more about public transport staff's contributions to Singapore. NTWU's executive secretary, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, 48, said: 'The idea that we want to inculcate is to not take our public transport workers for granted. These are the uncles and aunties that you meet right every single time when you go to school, or work, and they are also the same people that greet you warmly when you come back home.' Ms Yeo, who is also MP of Punggol GRC, said the Coffee Bus was launched to express the union's gratitude for public transport workers' contributions, and reaffirm its commitment to understand workers' needs. The Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce released its recommendations in March, which were developed together with tripartite partners like NTWU. Among the proposals, which were accepted by the Government, made to improve bus captains' working conditions include protected meal break durations, keeping new bus routes' scheduled runtime to within two hours and improving technology to enhance bus safety. The taskforce's report is the culmination of a months-long exercise led by Mr Murali. Guest-of-honour Mr Murali Pillai (right), the Minister of State for Transport and Law and NTWU executive secretary Yeo Wan Ling (centre) with a member of public at the launch of a mobile coffee bus at Toa Payoh bus interchange. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG In a speech at the event, Mr Murali highlighted how the shift from confrontational employer-employee relations in the 1950s and 60s to today's cooperative tripartite system benefits all parties through initiatives like the Coffee Bus. In light of the current economic climate , he added: 'When we face uncertainty, we must make sure we stand with (our public transport workers), stay resilient as a team, and better help them. We need to have that spirit of innovation.' A staff hands a member of the public a cup of coffee inside the mobile coffee bus at Toa Payoh bus interchange. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG For Mr Lim Yew Huat, 74, a senior bus captain, the Coffee Bus initiative was a flash from the past. 'In the past, it provided a convenient energy boost for bus captains. Seeing the bus again brings back warm memories of the good old days when I first started as a bus captain.' said Mr Lim, who recalled moments of camaraderie with his colleagues over a cup of coffee before their shifts. Mr Lim, who will be celebrating his 50th year with SBS Transit in July, also shared his hope for passengers to treat bus captains and public transport staff with understanding, especially when there are unexpected delays. 'A little kindness from passengers can go a long way. It makes my day when my passengers greet me with a smile,' he added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
