Latest news with #NTUC
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
We visited i Light Singapore 2025 and here are the best 8 installations you should check out
Singapore's mega light art festival is lighting up the city once again. i Light Singapore 2025 is finally here, with 17 striking installations spread out across various locations at Marina Bay, South Beach, Singapore River and Raffles Place. We got a sneak peek of the installations before they open to the public, and here's the lowdown on the must-see highlights you won't want to miss. It's a visual feast, so make sure your phone and camera are fully charged – and don't hesitate to bring along handheld lights too. If you've got the time, we definitely recommend exploring all 17 artworks. But if you're after a quick hit of the festival's highlights, here are the top installations you absolutely shouldn't miss. 1. Saulux Location: Fountain Plaza, South Beach Avenue Level 1 Saulux encourages you to engage with nature in a playful, sensory way. This immersive patch of slender twigs is embedded with sensors that detect your movement, triggering each twig to respond with bursts of light and sound. Go ahead and run your fingers through the installation and watch the glowing landscape come to life. 2. Mozart Artist: StudioGEAR (China) Location: Helix Steps at Marina Bay At first glance, this installation resembles a massive glowing orb. But take a closer look and you'll discover a deconstructed grand piano hidden in plain sight. Each step on the staircase functions as a piano key, lighting up and producing sound as you move. The ambient soundscape features reimagined versions of Mozart's compositions, and with every step you take, you're composing your own unique melody. It's also a fun way to sneak in a cardio session as you walk up and down the stairs. 3. Take a walk through the meadow with me Artist: Megan Tan and Tan Shao Xuan (Singapore) Location: Lawn beside NTUC building at Marina Bay The name says it all – Take a walk through the meadow with me invites you to stroll through a glowing field of flowers crafted from repurposed acrylic waste. Each flower lights up and emits a gentle melody upon sensing movement, creating an enchanting symphony and visual spectacle as more people join in. It's a beautiful reminder that even discarded trash can be transformed into something magical. 4. Sign Artist: Vendel and de Wolf (The Netherlands) Location: The Promontory at Marina Bay Sign is an installation that commands attention from afar – the fiery red glow is visible from across the waters. Each 'flame' is formed from bamboo poles wrapped in reflective aluminium tape, flickering as light catches the surface. Designed to resemble flames dancing in the air, the installation creates the illusion of a giant campfire, drawing crowds to gather around it in awe. 5. Bridge of 1,000 dreams Artist: Studio Toer (The Netherlands) Location: Cavenagh Bridge at the Singapore River This towering installation is crafted from a thousand bamboo sticks, like its name suggests, symbolising the power of collective imagination and the determination it takes to bring a grand vision to life. Take a closer look and you'll spot Singapore-inspired motifs on each stick, intricately designed by local studio Binary Style. Bridge of 1,000 Dreams has been extended and will be available till July 20, 2025. 6. This is Not a Screen Location: South Beach Avenue, Level B1 This installation cleverly captures the idea that everyone sees things differently, especially in today's digital age. At its core is a luminous monolith projecting vibrant geometric shapes, and surrounding it are movable screens of varying sizes and angles. As you rotate these screens and peer through them, the light from the centre distorts, offering a unique perspective each time. It's an interactive experience that gets even more fun when you compare what you and your friends each saw. 7. Embrace Artist: Beamhacker (Australia) Location: Event Square at Marina Bay Embrace is a fun one to check out, especially if you're visiting with a big group of friends. Made just for i Light Singapore 2025, the installation is inspired by children's paper chain dolls and comes to life through human touch. To activate it, everyone needs to stand between the figures and hold hands with the figures. Once the circle is complete, the figures glow in vibrant colors while a beautiful melody fills the air. 8. VJYourself! Get ready to show off your best dance moves at this installation. VJYourself! acts like a mirror, capturing your every movement and projecting it onto a giant wall – with a fun twist. You'll see multiple versions of yourself in a playful montage, complete with cool special effects that bring your performance to life. When is i Light Singapore happening in 2025? i Light Singapore 2025 will run from May 29 to June 21, 2025. What are the opening hours for i Light Singapore 2025? i Light Singapore runs daily from 7.30pm to 11.00pm, with extended hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Do note that timings for various programmes may vary. Is there an admission fee for i Light Singapore? General access to the festival is free. However, certain programmes may require a separate ticket purchase. What is i Light Singapore 2025's theme? This year's theme is To Gather, celebrating Singapore's 60th birthday, with red as the main colour. Where are the i Light Singapore 2025 installations located?
Independent Singapore
27-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Ng Chee Meng's political resurrection sparks debate — Bertha Hanson's Comic characters trace how past NTUC leaders rose
SINGAPORE: Veteran journalist and commentator Bertha Henson has weighed in on the growing speculation surrounding Ng Chee Meng's political future, following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's recent remarks suggesting that the labour chief could soon return to Cabinet. In a Facebook post, Henson pointed out that there has traditionally been a close link between the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). Typically, Cabinet ministers are seconded to helm NTUC, not the other way around. This practice has historical precedent: Several senior PAP politicians were appointed as NTUC Secretary-Generals while already serving in Cabinet. For example: Lim Chee Onn (1979–1983): Appointed while he was Minister without Portfolio in the Prime Minister's Office. Ong Teng Cheong (1983–1993): Took on the NTUC role while serving as Second Deputy Prime Minister and later continued as Deputy Prime Minister. Lim Boon Heng (1993–2006): Held the NTUC post concurrently with his roles as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Chairman of the PAP. Lim Swee Say (2006–2015): Moved from Minister in the PMO to NTUC Secretary-General, and was later reappointed to Cabinet as Minister for Manpower. In contrast, Ng Chee Meng was brought into NTUC in 2018 after a Cabinet reshuffle and continued as Secretary-General even after losing his parliamentary seat in the 2020 General Election. This makes his path a notable departure from tradition. Ng had previously served as Education Minister and was co-opted into NTUC's Central Committee in 2018 before being appointed Deputy Secretary-General. A year later, he was made Secretary-General, a post he retained even after his electoral defeat. He continued to play a high-profile role in the labour movement and was returned unopposed to the NTUC Central Committee in 2023. Henson noted that despite controversies, including public criticism over NTUC Income's tie-up with Allianz, questions about his past conduct as Education Minister, and a photo circulated online showing him with convicted money launderer Su Haijin—Ng was fielded again in the 2025 General Election. He narrowly defeated a first-time Workers' Party candidate in Jalan Kayu SMC. During the election campaign, Ng addressed some of the controversies, offering apologies but providing limited details. On the issue of his photo with Su, Ng explained he was meeting people from various sectors as part of his role at NTUC and stated he did not know Su personally. Unlike other ministers, he said he would not pursue legal action over the matter. Henson also pointed out that the NTUC has remained silent on the latest developments — neither expressing support for Ng's decision to remain out of Cabinet nor commenting on the Prime Minister's remarks, which implied this could be a temporary situation. 'Never has a PAP politician come under so much public scrutiny for so many different aspects of his past,' Henson wrote. She questioned whether Ng's narrow victory and past controversies might impact his potential Cabinet return, even as Prime Minister Wong appeared to leave the door open. The post concludes with a teaser: 'Chin and Chai take a look at how past NTUC sec-gens came to be,' suggesting a follow-up analysis on historical precedent in the NTUC-PAP relationship. Source: Bertha Henson's Facebook Page
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Wong maps bold global playbook
A rock in a storm: Wong swearing in as Singapore's Prime Minister at the Istana in Singapore. — Reuters The new government's first priority is to secure for Singapore an assured place in a changed world, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. With major world powers reassessing strategies and shifting positions to gain the upper hand, competition is intensifying, and smaller nations risk being caught in the crossfire, or being cut out of the conversation altogether, he warned. 'Singapore will not stand still. We cannot afford to be passive. We must be clear-eyed, proactive and adapt nimbly to the shifting dynamics,' he said on Friday, at the swearing-in ceremony of his new Cabinet at the Istana. In a world that is more uncertain and unpredictable than before, the conditions that once underpinned success are shifting, Wong said. 'The rules-based international order, which formed the foundation for peace, security and free trade, is fraying. 'Multilateral cooperation is giving way to a tangle of bilateral and transactional deals, where might often makes right.' He added: 'Our goal is not just to navigate this uncertain world, but to help shape it for the better – by working with like-minded partners, upholding shared principles and values, so that small nations too have a place under the sun.' This will be done on several fronts. The government will deepen Singapore's relations with the major powers, especially the United States and China. 'We will stay friends with both, without being caught in their rivalry. We will engage openly and honestly with each, in a consistent and principled manner. 'Where our interests align, we will work with them. Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore's security and sovereignty,' he said. The republic will also strengthen its ties with friends near and far, while seeking new ones in parts of the world such as Africa and South America where it does not yet have much presence, Wong added. The government will also work with tripartite partners to develop a new economic blueprint for the next phase. 'We will work closely with NTUC to support our workers and job seekers, so that every Singaporean who is prepared to work is able to secure a job and progress in their careers,' he added. Beyond immediate concerns, the government will also prepare Singapore for the future. It will accelerate the nation's transition to cleaner energy and create smarter, more connected and greener homes for all Singaporeans. The new government will continue to engage Singaporeans from all walks of life, and actively involve them in creating and implementing solutions. 'This is how my team and I will govern – in partnership with Singaporeans. Everyone will have a say in shaping our way forward and building our shared future,' said Wong. — The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New Govt's top priority is to secure for Singapore an assured place in a changed world: PM Wong
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from right), flanked by PM Lawrence Wong and Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of Singapore's new Cabinet at the Istana on May 23. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH New Govt's top priority is to secure for Singapore an assured place in a changed world: PM Wong SINGAPORE – The new Government's first priority is to secure for Singapore an assured place in a changed world, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. With major world powers reassessing strategies and shifting positions to gain the upper hand, competition is intensifying and smaller nations risk being caught in the crossfire, or being cut out of the conversation altogether, he warned. 'Singapore will not stand still. We cannot afford to be passive. We must be clear-eyed, proactive and adapt nimbly to the shifting dynamics,' he said on May 23, at the swearing-in ceremony of his new Cabinet at the Istana. In a world that is more uncertain and unpredictable than before, the conditions that once underpinned success are shifting, he said. 'The rules-based international order, which formed the foundation for peace, security and free trade, is fraying. 'Multilateral cooperation is giving way to a tangle of bilateral and transactional deals, where might often makes right.' He added: 'Our goal is not just to navigate this uncertain world, but to help shape it for the better – by working with like-minded partners, upholding shared principles and values, so that small nations too have a place under the sun.' This will be done on several fronts. The Government will deepen Singapore's relations with the major powers, especially the United States and China, he said. 'We will stay friends with both, without being caught in their rivalry. We will engage openly and honestly with each, in a consistent and principled manner. 'Where our interests align, we will work with them. Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore's security and sovereignty.' The Republic will also strengthen its ties with friends near and far, while seeking new ones in parts of the world such as Africa and South America where it does not yet have much presence, PM Wong added. 'In a world of shifting alliances, we will be a steady and constructive partner – one willing and able to contribute to peace and stability, to advance dialogue and fraternity, and support a rules-based global order.' The Government will also have to steer the economy through the challenges ahead, and update its economic strategies for the new landscape. This will include creating good jobs and remaining competitive, as well as helping businesses and households. The Government will work with tripartite partners to development a new economic blueprint for the next phase, said PM Wong. 'We will work closely with NTUC to support our workers and jobseekers, so that every Singaporean who is prepared to work is able to secure a job and progress in their careers,' he added. In addition, the Government will press on with the Forward Singapore agenda, to refresh and strengthen the social compact. Beyond immediate concerns, the Government will also prepare Singapore for the future. It will accelerate the nation's transition to cleaner energy and create smarter, more connected and greener homes for all Singaporeans, he said. 'Above all, we will work shoulder to shoulder with all Singaporeans to write this next chapter of our nation's story,' said PM Wong. The new Government will continue to engage Singaporeans from all walks of life, and actively involve them in creating and implementing solutions. 'This is how my team and I will govern – in partnership with Singaporeans. Everyone will have a say in shaping our way forward and building our shared future,' he said. The team is not afraid of differing views – it welcomes constructive debates that will push it to think harder, plan better and serve Singaporeans more effectively, he added. 'But at the same time, we must always respect one another, and remember that even with our differences, we share more in common with each other.' The election outcome reflects the collective desire of Singaporeans, said PM Wong. 'In these uncertain times, you understood what was at stake – our vulnerability and our future,' he said. 'You chose leaders you could trust, a Government you could rely on, and a steady course for our nation's next phase of development.' PM Wong had on May 21 announced a slew of changes to the Government's top leadership, bringing in fresh faces who will have fresh perspectives and ideas, as well as having experienced ministers with steady hands. It was his first big overhaul of the Cabinet since assuming the role of head of Government in May 2024, and after he had led the ruling People's Action Party to a convincing majority at the May 3 polls, with 65.57 per cent of the vote. The international community and investors would have taken note of the election outcomes, he said. 'They would see a nation that is united – standing firmly behind its leaders, and placing confidence in a Government with the strength and security to secure Singapore's place in an unpredictable world.' 'The outcome leaves no room for doubt – no one in the world can question the resolve of Singaporeans and the Government they have chosen,' he said. 'This is a clear advantage for Singapore, especially in the conduct of our foreign policy.' President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who presided over the ceremony, also spoke about the global challenges ahead. Small states like Singapore will feel the weight of the geopolitical cross-currents more than most countries, he said. 'Our well-being has always depended on a stable, rules-based international order. That order is unravelling, forcing us to adapt and find new ways to remain in control of our destiny, and hold together as a people with our values intact,' he said. 'There is no telling whether this global disorder will eventually subside. But there is no returning to the world we knew over our first 60 years of nationhood.' PM Wong noted that history has not been kind to small nations like Singapore. 'We have always been vulnerable, caught between the interests of greater powers. Yet for 60 years, Singapore has defied the odds,' he said. This was not due to good luck, but Singaporeans' courage, conviction and collective will, he stressed. 'As long as we continue to believe in ourselves, have faith in one another, and work together, we will endure. 'Singapore will endure. So be it SG100, or even beyond, there will still be Singaporeans – standing strong and free,' said PM Wong. 'And not only will we survive – we will prevail.' Goh Yan Han is political correspondent at The Straits Times. She writes Unpacked, a weekly newsletter on Singapore politics and policy. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New Govt's top priority: To secure S'pore an assured place in a changed world, says PM Wong
New Govt's top priority: To secure S'pore an assured place in a changed world, says PM Wong SINGAPORE – The new Government's first priority is to secure for Singapore an assured place in a changed world, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. With major world powers reassessing strategies and shifting positions to gain the upper hand, competition is intensifying and smaller nations risk being caught in the crossfire, or being cut out of the conversation altogether, he warned. 'Singapore will not stand still. We cannot afford to be passive. We must be clear-eyed, proactive and adapt nimbly to the shifting dynamics,' he said on May 23, at the swearing-in ceremony of his new Cabinet at the Istana. In a world that is more uncertain and unpredictable than before, the conditions that once underpinned success are shifting, he said. 'The rules-based international order, which formed the foundation for peace, security and free trade, is fraying. 'Multilateral cooperation is giving way to a tangle of bilateral and transactional deals, where might often makes right.' He added: 'Our goal is not just to navigate this uncertain world, but to help shape it for the better – by working with like-minded partners, upholding shared principles and values, so that small nations too have a place under the sun.' This will be done on several fronts. The Government will deepen Singapore's relations with the major powers, especially the United States and China, he said. 'We will stay friends with both, without being caught in their rivalry. We will engage openly and honestly with each, in a consistent and principled manner. 'Where our interests align, we will work with them. Where they do not, we will stand firm and protect Singapore's security and sovereignty.' The Republic will also strengthen its ties with friends near and far, while seeking new ones in parts of the world such as Africa and South America where it does not yet have much presence, PM Wong added. 'In a world of shifting alliances, we will be a steady and constructive partner – one willing and able to contribute to peace and stability, to advance dialogue and fraternity, and support a rules-based global order.' The Government will also have to steer the economy through the challenges ahead, and update its economic strategies for the new landscape. This will include creating good jobs and remaining competitive, as well as helping businesses and households. The Government will work with tripartite partners to development a new economic blueprint for the next phase, said PM Wong. 'We will work closely with NTUC to support our workers and jobseekers, so that every Singaporean who is prepared to work is able to secure a job and progress in their careers,' he added. In addition, the Government will press on with the Forward Singapore agenda, to refresh and strengthen the social compact. Beyond immediate concerns, the Government will also prepare Singapore for the future. It will accelerate the nation's transition to cleaner energy and create smarter, more connected and greener homes for all Singaporeans, he said. 'Above all, we will work shoulder to shoulder with all Singaporeans to write this next chapter of our nation's story,' said PM Wong. The new Government will continue to engage Singaporeans from all walks of life, and actively involve them in creating and implementing solutions. 'This is how my team and I will govern – in partnership with Singaporeans. Everyone will have a say in shaping our way forward and building our shared future,' he said. The team is not afraid of differing views – it welcomes constructive debates that will push it to think harder, plan better and serve Singaporeans more effectively, he added. 'But at the same time, we must always respect one another, and remember that even with our differences, we share more in common with each other.' The election outcome reflects the collective desire of Singaporeans, said PM Wong. 'In these uncertain times, you understood what was at stake – our vulnerability and our future,' he said. 'You chose leaders you could trust, a Government you could rely on, and a steady course for our nation's next phase of development.' PM Wong had on May 21 announced a slew of changes to the Government's top leadership, bringing in fresh faces who will have fresh perspectives and ideas, as well as having experienced ministers with steady hands. It was his first big overhaul of the Cabinet since assuming the role of head of Government in May 2024, and after he had led the ruling People's Action Party to a convincing majority at the May 3 polls, with 65.57 per cent of the vote. The international community and investors would have taken note of the election outcomes, he said. 'They would see a nation that is united – standing firmly behind its leaders, and placing confidence in a Government with the strength and security to secure Singapore's place in an unpredictable world.' 'The outcome leaves no room for doubt – no one in the world can question the resolve of Singaporeans and the Government they have chosen,' he said. 'This is a clear advantage for Singapore, especially in the conduct of our foreign policy.' President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who presided over the ceremony, also spoke about the global challenges ahead. Small states like Singapore will feel the weight of the geopolitical cross-currents more than most countries, he said. 'Our well-being has always depended on a stable, rules-based international order. That order is unravelling, forcing us to adapt and find new ways to remain in control of our destiny, and hold together as a people with our values intact,' he said. 'There is no telling whether this global disorder will eventually subside. But there is no returning to the world we knew over our first 60 years of nationhood.' PM Wong noted that history has not been kind to small nations like Singapore. 'We have always been vulnerable, caught between the interests of greater powers. Yet for 60 years, Singapore has defied the odds,' he said. This was not due to good luck, but Singaporeans' courage, conviction and collective will, he stressed. 'As long as we continue to believe in ourselves, have faith in one another, and work together, we will endure. 'Singapore will endure. So be it SG100, or even beyond, there will still be Singaporeans – standing strong and free,' said PM Wong. 'And not only will we survive – we will prevail.' Goh Yan Han is political correspondent at The Straits Times. She writes Unpacked, a weekly newsletter on Singapore politics and policy. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
