Latest news with #RiverValley
CNA
16 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Boat Quay, Clarke Quay remain the showroom of Singapore nightlife
The window for selling alcohol in some nightlife stretches along the Singapore River will be extended by an hour on Thursdays and Fridays. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Bjorn Seegers, Owner, Penny Black, to find out how it matters to nightlife establishments.
Malay Mail
12-08-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Singapore's richest man, Nippon Paint tycoon Goh Cheng Liang, dies at 98
SINGAPORE, Aug 12 — Goh Cheng Liang, founder of Wuthelam Group and Singapore's richest person, died today at the age of 98, his family said, according to a report published in The Straits Times today. According to Forbes' 2025 ranking of the world's billionaires, Goh topped the list for Singapore with an estimated net worth of US$13 billion (RM55 billion). He held a majority stake in Japan's Nippon Paint Holdings, which he helped build into a global coatings powerhouse. Born in 1927, he grew up in a rented shophouse room in River Valley and was sent to Johor during World War II, where he helped sell fishing nets. In 1949, he bought surplus paint from a British army auction and began making his own Pigeon Brand paints using a Chinese dictionary to decipher chemical names. His business boomed during the Korean War when imports were restricted. He later became Nippon Paint's distributor in Singapore and founded Wuthelam Holdings in 1974, building it into a multinational company with nearly 60 per cent of Nippon Paint. Goh's other ventures included developing and later selling the former Liang Court mall and Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Known for avoiding publicity, he told The Business Times in 1997 that he preferred private companies to public ones. Through the Goh Foundation, he funded cancer research, treatment facilities and scholarships, and supported welfare agencies in Singapore as well as roads, schools and sanitation systems in Chaozhou, China. A cancer survivor himself, he also backed the Goh Cheng Liang Proton Therapy Centre at the National Cancer Centre Singapore. He is survived by three children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Independent Singapore
08-08-2025
- Independent Singapore
Parent showered with praise for stopping reversing car from backing into schoolchildren
SINGAPORE: A parent is being showered with praise online after dashcam footage showed him kicking a car that reversed dangerously onto a pedestrian crossing where schoolchildren were waiting. The incident occurred at approximately 7:11am on Tuesday (Aug 5) near River Valley Primary School. According to a video posted on the SGRV Facebook page, the white car had attempted a U-turn but was unable to complete the maneuver due to limited space. In an effort to reposition, the driver began reversing directly into a pedestrian crossing where numerous children were walking. At the time, the pedestrian crossing light was green and the traffic light was red. The footage shows a man in a white shirt, believed to be a parent accompanying a child, reacting immediately when the car started backing up. He stepped forward and kicked the vehicle, prompting the driver to halt. The car eventually completed its turn and came to a stop near the crossing. The video shows the parent speaking to the driver through the car window moments later. See also Hearse carrying coffin crashes head-on with taxi The scene quickly went viral online, drawing both concern and praise. Many netizens criticised the driver's decision to reverse onto a busy pedestrian crossing and noted that the move could have led to a serious accident involving young children. At the same time, the man in the white shirt was widely commended for his decisive intervention. Some netizens also called for stricter enforcement around school zones and better driving discipline, on Facebook. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
CNA
03-08-2025
- General
- CNA
Commentary: How can we recognise heroic acts of Singapore's migrant workers?
SINGAPORE: On Jul 26, migrant workers rescued a driver of a car that fell into the Tanjong Katong sinkhole. The men acted spontaneously without proper equipment or training. They exhibited humanity, selflessness and courage which generated an outpouring of praise from all quarters. This was not the first time migrant workers came to the rescue. In April, construction workers saved several children from the River Valley shophouse fire. They were also lauded online, and received the SCDF Community Lifesaver Award. The seven workers who saved the driver were given token recognitions from the gift of appreciation coins, which elicited some negative comments, to being invited to the Istana, which was seen as nice but not quite sufficient. Non-governmental organisation ItsRainingRaincoats raised S$72,000 (US$55,000) for the workers in two days, but some netizens asked whether a cash reward would make selfless acts a transaction. Would workers who do good now expect something in return? HOW SHOULD ACTS OF HEROISM BE REWARDED? The fact is, regardless of what's done for these workers, people are going to criticise. But there is no evidence that these folks acted with any expectation. Rewards do not necessarily convert an altruistic act into a transactional one. We can agree that valour ought to be publicly recognised in a dignified and tangible way that moves beyond just symbolism. It unequivocally demonstrates that we place a high value on the lives saved and the courage displayed. For migrant workers, a substantial cash reward may be life-changing as it can relieve their debts and transform their family's prospects back home by funding education, healthcare or housing. The government could set up a Public Valour Fund that could be supplemented by donations raised by charities. Besides cash prizes, there are other ways to reward heroic migrant workers that might be meaningful for their individual needs and aspirations. For instance, their work permit could be automatically renewed for a significant period, barring work-related and social misconduct. They can also be awarded access to heavily subsidised or free skills certification courses, to enhance their employability and earning potential within Singapore. Perhaps comprehensive insurance coverage for all physical injuries and mental health issues could be given to them as well. Some netizens suggest that our government could even grant heroic workers permanent residence (PR) status. This could be the most profound and transformative reward, signifying Singapore's willingness to embrace migrant workers as part of the national fabric. Of course, it should not be automatic for all. Their heroic act is a powerful merit, assessed alongside other factors like clean work record, basic language proficiency and employer's recommendation. GO BEYOND CELEBRATING MIGRANT WORKERS Singapore continues to transform itself into a world-class city. We owe a great part of this to over 1.5 million foreign workers, representing about 40 per cent of our workforce. As we celebrate our 60th year as a nation on Aug 9 with the theme 'Building Our Singapore Together', we must acknowledge the literal contribution of blood, sweat and tears of our migrant workers. This year's theme also highlights the importance of multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness in our nation's continued progress. If we espouse these values, it would be patently hypocritical if we appreciate migrant workers only in emergencies, and not when they contribute to our nation every day. Migrant workers have faced many challenges in living and working in our midst. Welfare issues from excessive recruitment fees to poor dorm conditions and getting ferried in lorries are perennial talking points. And some in Singapore still view migrant workers as second-class citizens. In sum, how they are treated daily is the litmus test of how sincere we are in valuing them. To be sure, there have been positive changes since COVID-19. In 2024, 46 per cent of Singapore respondents in an International Labour Organization (ILO) report said that the pandemic has made them 'more supportive' of migrant workers. Those who feel that foreign workers 'have an overall positive effect on the economy' has gone up to 69 per cent from 58 per cent in 2019. But there is much room for improvement. We need to be a nation that takes care of foreign workers who live here. Some, like foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah, who led his team to save the driver from the sinkhole, has worked in Singapore for decades. This is as good as their home. We are aware of the needs of the migrant worker community. We have discussed and debated them endlessly. On the eve of our 60th national birthday, it is time to go beyond celebrating migrant workers to treating them as one of us – treating them as we would like to be treated, and giving them the respect and care for building our nation.
CNA
03-08-2025
- General
- CNA
Sinkhole, River Valley fire rescuers meet the president at the Istana
More recognition for the migrant workers involved in rescue efforts for the Tanjong Katong sinkhole accident and River Valley shophouse fire. They were guests of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Istana Open House on Sunday (Aug 3). Besides meeting him, each received a pen bearing the presidential crest as a memento of their visit. Alxis Thng with more.
