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Straits Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Film-maker M. Raihan Halim's perfect weekend: 4am writing, 100km cycling, and family time
Who: M. Raihan Halim, 43, is a Singaporean film-maker known for films such as sport drama-comedy Banting (2014) and the social comedy La Luna (2023), which was selected as Singapore's entry in the Best International Feature category at the 2025 Academy Awards. The writer-director is among the six film-makers contributing to Kopitiam Days, the SG60 film anthology celebrating Singapore's diamond jubilee. His short film, iZ-1, is set in the near future and explores the universal tensions between an ageing mother and her daughter through a curmudgeonly makcik paired with an android caregiver. Free community screenings of Kopitiam Days will be held on Aug 16, 7pm, at Tampines Changkat Community Club, as well as on Aug 26, 27 and 31 and Sept 27 at Our Tampines Hub and Sept 6 at One Punggol. Timings for the last two venues have not been released. (From left) Siti Khalijah, M. Raihan Halim and Zaliha Hamid on the set of iZ-1, one of six short films from the SG60 anthology film Kopitiam Days. PHOTO: CLOVER FILMS 'A perfect weekend is when there's no rain in the morning, so I can go for my long bike rides. I'm 43, so I really have to keep as fit as possible. Ever since the pandemic, I have found my own schedule. I wake up every morning at four to write. Once I get my writer's block, that's when I know it's time to cycle. By 7.30am, I'm wiped out, so I get ready slowly. By 8.30am, I'll be out. I start from my home in Serangoon. On Saturdays, I usually go north, so I'll go up to Woodlands, then back down. On Sundays, I go west, all the way to Tuas, then come back home. On Saturdays, I usually hit around 60km. On Sundays, if I reach Tuas Lamp Post 1 – the famous one covered in stickers from cyclists – it will be 100km. Sometimes, it might take five to six hours, depending on how many stops I make. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: SCDF says PMD battery could have started fatal blaze Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups in digitalisation, skills, industrial parks Business More seniors remain employed after retirement and re-employment ages raised in 2022: MOM study Asia From Brazil to Vietnam: How footballer Rafaelson became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Singapore To Vers or not to Vers: How will this scheme affect HDB prices? Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength Weekends are the best because there are fewer vehicles, especially on Sundays. When I smell the chocolate factories out west, that's when I know I'm far from home. If you cycle through the Tuas area, you see ship-building companies with huge anchors outside their offices. It feels like being out of the country, but yet still being in the country. I don't eat or drink when cycling. I wait till I get home to eat lunch. My lunch, for the past five years, has been Greek yogurt , peanut butter and bananas. Every single day. I don't think I've eaten rice in years. Ever since the pandemic, when I began the low-carb diet, combined with the cycling, I've lost about 20kg. After the ride, I'll take a short nap. Then I make dinner plans with my family, who is well-known for having terrible planning when it comes to meeting. I'll have these fun little quibbles on WhatsApp with my sisters. Then we'll meet at one of their homes , with my grandma and my mum. I have a sweet tooth, so I eat every kind of dessert. I love cakes and chocolates. But by the time I have sugar at night, I'm knocked out. So, I try to reserve dessert till after 9pm because, if not, I'm useless. I'm ready to sleep. And then the routine starts again in the morning at four o'clock. '
CNA
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Better integrated services, coordination by agencies, career growth priorities for public service: Chan Chun Sing
SINGAPORE: More seamless and integrated services for citizens, better coordination across government agencies, and career development for public servants are key priorities of Singapore's public service moving forward, said Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing on Tuesday (Jul 8). Speaking at the opening of this year's Public Service Festival at One Punggol, Mr Chan said the public service now faces tighter constraints on manpower, budget and carbon emissions, alongside rising public expectations and intensifying global competition. 'As the Coordinating Minister for Public Services, my priority is to help build a public service where agencies come together, facilitate trade-offs and ensure timely decisions that translate into better experiences for both citizens and businesses,' said Mr Chan, who is also defence minister. He was one of three coordinating ministers appointed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the latest Cabinet reshuffle in May this year. Mr Chan added that his personal key performance indicator is not the number of projects coordinated across public agencies, but instead how well everyone can adopt the whole-of-government approach and think beyond individual agencies. 'The less I need to intervene to coordinate, the prouder I am of our public service,' said Mr Chan. On Tuesday, Mr Chan also presented 140 Public Sector Transformation awards to agencies and officers who have demonstrated exemplary efforts in service delivery, innovation and developing themselves and their teams. INNOVATION AND COORDINATION In his speech, Mr Chan emphasised the need for the public service to provide citizens with more seamless and integrated service as needs become more complex and interlinked. He cited the example of someone visiting a doctor, whether in public or private practice. "Nobody enjoys going to the doctor and having to be asked the same question over and over again. Everyone expects to tell the doctor once, and the records will be there to be shared across different agencies. And that is the same standards we expect across all agencies," he said. One example of an integrated solution is ServiceSG, which brings together 600 services from over 25 agencies under one roof, eliminating the need for citizens to make multiple visits to different agencies. Businesses have also benefited from platforms like GoBusiness, which lets businesses apply for licences seamlessly, while the Municipal Services Office coordinates responses to estate maintenance issues raised by residents, said Mr Chan. Another priority of the public service is optimising resources at the whole-of-government level, said Mr Chan. He cited the challenges in building integrated hubs like One Punggol and the Our Tampines Hub. There are typically many different considerations at play, including budget allocation and land use, but they are ultimately more efficient in the long run, he said. DEVELOPING PEOPLE AND PROCESSES Mr Chan also shared that a Career Fitness Movement was being launched to help public officers further their careers. A new series of training programmes will be launched from this month to equip all individual officers with the skills and mindset to navigate across different career life stages, he said. To build stronger leadership teams, the public service is scaling up the use of 360 feedback, and also bringing together officers with deep domain expertise and those with broad policy experience to create diverse teams. 'This intentional mixing of perspectives helps us spot blind spots and develop more robust solutions,' said Mr Chan. Experienced public officers will also be equipped with foundational career coaching skills and tools to provide personalised guidance to fellow officers at every career stage, added Mr Chan. Officers will also have better ownership of their own development and careers, through new systems and processes, said Mr Chan. For instance, the One Talent Gateway platform will be scaled to most of the public service by the end of this year. The platform helps officers identify their competency gaps and explore career development opportunities, including beyond the public service. 'Last year alone, over 5,000 officers participated in short-term attachments, gigs, and job rotations. Another 1,200 officers developed skills while doing good through the Public Service For Good movement,' said Mr Chan. These efforts ensure that Singapore's public service 'remains dynamic, resilient, and ready for tomorrow's challenges', he said. Emphasising the role individuals play in transforming organisations, Mr Chan said that leaders must create environments where innovation flourishes and teams thrive. "I hope all our leaders and supervisors will embrace this spirit, and I hope that we will also embrace the leadership opportunity for us to take care of our people and to help them grow in their roles, individually in the agencies and collectively as a whole of government," said Mr Chan. TODAY'S CHALLENGES Mr Chan noted that among the key challenges moving forward is tightening constraints in manpower, budget and carbon emissions. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be over 65, up from one in 40 in 1965, he said. 'This ageing will more than triple our healthcare spending from what we spent just 10 years ago in 2015, and this will tighten our fiscal space considerably,' he said. Climate change has also introduced carbon budget as a new constraint to manage, and these interconnected limitations need holistic solutions, said Mr Chan. Public expectations are also rising today, he said. 'I'm quite sure if we flip up our phones to order a meal through one of the delivery platforms, we will be able to do so within a few minutes. This is what Singaporeans have got used to," said Mr Chan. "This is what they have achieved in the commercial sector. And when Singaporeans transact with the government and when Singaporeans use government services, they expect no less, if not better." Mr Chan added that Singaporeans these days also want to be partners in shaping policy solutions. The minister noted that the Singapore public service will be benchmarked not just by how well it has done compared to the past, but also how well it performs compared to other countries. "We must also be honest with ourselves that there are many jurisdictions in different fields that have perhaps overtaken us in certain areas, and there are many things that we can learn from them," he said. He cited the examples of Estonia becoming the first country to fully digitise its government services, and China serving its more than a billion citizens with artificial intelligence-powered services. Warning against complacency, Mr Chan said the challenges also serve as calls to action to continue with what has been done well, while improving to stay ahead of the competition.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Colour Socks Parade 2025 – Colourful celebration by MINDS entertains again
One was awash in a sea of colours and happy faces on Sat, 28 Jun, at the 2025 Colour Socks Parade (CSP). CSP is the signature fundraising campaign of MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore), now in its fourth year. The celebration was officiated by longstanding patron Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Social and Family Development & Ministry of Law. The Colour Socks Parade 2025 theme of 'One Heart, One MINDS: Celebrating Inclusivity through Sports' was on display all around One Punggol's huge plaza. The mini golf, archery, bowling, basketball and soccer stations were a hive of activity with over 1,000 guests trying their hand(s and feet). Alongside them were participants from MINDS schools, caregivers, corporate partners and volunteers. On the other side of the plaza, lines of stalls displayed food and wares created by Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs). These ever-popular items, especially the baked goodies, often sell out very quickly. I have a pair of very well-made 'Spirited-Away'-themed coasters that I bought last year on my desk right now. A bottle of MINDS cookies joined them this weekend and will probably be all eaten up by the end of today. Events like Colour Socks Parade 2025 are more than a day of recognition for those who often are invisible in society. 'My son has never felt this seen before,' said a parent whose 15-year-old boy beamed as he showed off his self-painted socks. 'Today, he got to be the star.' A volunteer added, 'I think this is one of the happiest events I've ever attended. There's no performance here — just pure, genuine joy.' That joy was apparent for all to see and I was glad to be there. You should see it for yourself. Colour Socks Parade 2024 – MINDS's colourful campaign begins The post Colour Socks Parade 2025 – Colourful celebration by MINDS entertains again appeared first on
CNA
27-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
US wants to explore ‘creative solutions' on trade with Singapore, says DPM Gan
SINGAPORE: The US wants to explore 'creative solutions' for some critical exports from Singapore, including pharmaceuticals, as both sides discuss concessions on the global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on Sunday (Apr 27). Mr Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, told reporters that he spoke to his US counterpart, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, on Friday when they identified key areas to address. 'Secretary Lutnick has emphasised several times that he's prepared to start this discussion with us, because we are a friend, an important trading partner, and because the US trusts Singapore,' he told reporters at One Punggol. Mr Gan chairs the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, looking into the impact of the tariffs on the country. He is also the anchor minister for the People's Action Party (PAP) team contesting Punggol GRC in this General Election. He said he decided to take some time off the campaign trail to take the call, as it was 'an important discussion' to have and one which turned out to be 'very good'. Mr Trump on Apr 2 announced sweeping tariffs on all imports, with a baseline rate of 10 per cent on countries that include Singapore. Dozens of other trading partners, including China, were slapped with higher tariffs. While there is now a 90-day pause on most of the hefty "reciprocal tariffs", the baseline 10 per cent duty kicked in on Apr 5. Mr Gan said Mr Lutnick explained during their call that the 10 per cent baseline tariff is an umbrella one which is 'not likely to be subject to negotiation'. 'However, he also pointed out that Singapore being an important trading partner and a friend, he would like to explore creative solutions to see how we can strengthen the bilateral trade between Singapore and the US, particularly with regard to critical exports from Singapore to US, exports that are important to us,' he said. This could include products such as pharmaceuticals, which is something 'very important' to Singapore, contributing over 10 per cent of the country's exports to the US, said Mr Gan. Another area discussed is artificial intelligence chips. 'It's an area that we are very concerned about, and we want to make sure that our companies will continue to have access to this critical technology. It's important for us in areas such as data centres,' said Mr Gan. He said the US is also concerned about the export controls on such chips, not just in Singapore. Mr Gan therefore took the opportunity to explain to his US counterpart about Singapore's export control system and how both countries have been working together on this front. 'We also do not condone companies taking advantage of their presence in Singapore to undermine export controls by other countries,' said the deputy prime minister. TIMELINE NOT YET DECIDED Mr Gan told reporters that his US counterpart emphasised the trust between Singapore and the US multiple times in their conversation. While a timeline on the implementation of the tariff concessions has not been decided, Mr Lutnick has 'made it quite clear that he doesn't want to drag on the discussion', said Mr Gan. 'He actually wanted for us to speed up our discussion and negotiation between the two countries, because ... America has many countries to negotiate with, and if each country takes a long time, I think it's not going to be productive,' he said. Mr Gan added that as a very small country, Singapore has an advantage as it can 'move very quickly and we're also very nimble' in responding to any changes. 'We also have a very strong team of officials who are able to negotiate the details, guided by all the political office holders who provide guidance and direction,' he added. His team first has to finalise the scope of negotiations and then come up with an implementation plan, before a specific timeline can be set, said Mr Gan. The minister also apologised to residents of Punggol GRC for taking time off the campaign trail to handle this matter. As for whether the issue will impact voters' choices, Mr Gan said: 'I think the voters will have to evaluate what are the factors they will consider in their voting decision. 'But as far as I'm concerned, I must focus on doing what is the right thing for Singapore, and then I will just leave it to the voters to decide on the basis they want to vote.' At a rally on Saturday, Mr Gan spoke about his ongoing talks with his US counterparts on the tariffs. 'They are willing to enter into talks with us because of the long-standing partnership the PAP government has with the US administration as well as the US leaders,' he had said. 'They know us and they trust us … It is not a done deal, but it is a good start. There's still a lot more to do, and we intend to pursue this rigorously to create more opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans.'
