Latest news with #SHINTAROTAY
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
New study to look at impact of food allergies in Singapore children, as cases rise
Ms Izlin Ismail with her husband Mohamed Huzaini and their 13-year-old son Hayden Anash. Ms Izlin and Hayden are participating in the story. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY New study to look at impact of food allergies in Singapore children, as cases rise SINGAPORE – A new four-year study will examine how common food allergies are in children here, as well as the impact of these allergies on children's nutrition, growth, metabolic and mental health. Led by the National University Hospital (NUH) and the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), the study was launched in response to a rising number of such cases locally. KKH has seen a steady rise in the number of patients visiting the hospital's allergy clinics in recent years, said Dr Chong Kok Wee, the study's co-investigator and head of the allergy service at KKH's paediatric medicine department. 'Between 2012 and 2022, the number of children who have tested positive for common food allergies such as milk, eggs, peanuts and shellfish has risen threefold,' added Dr Chong. Allergies to eggs, milk, and peanuts are more common in younger children, while teens and young adults tend to report shellfish allergies. Emergency visits for food-related anaphylaxis in children have shot up 2½ times between 2015 and 2022, Dr Chong noted. Anaphylaxis can result in difficulty breathing and a severe drop in blood pressure, and can be fatal. Other common symptoms range from itchy skin or eczema to swelling of the lips or tongue, as well as difficulty breathing. Such allergies have typically been thought to be uncommon among Asian populations, said Associate Professor Elizabeth Tham, the study's lead principal investigator. 'However, in our clinical setting, we have been seeing rising numbers of food allergy patients,' said Prof Tham, who heads the paediatric allergy, immunology and rheumatology division at the Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children's Medical Institute at NUH. NUH said it was unable to provide exact figures on the number of food allergy cases. The Straits Times has asked KKH for its data on such cases. Both hospitals said they performed 60 per cent more allergy tests between 2022 and 2024. In these tests, known as food challenges, patients are exposed to allergens under clinical supervision to assess whether they are allergic to a specific food. Prof Tham said the increase in allergies could be due to changes in diet and lifestyle, while Dr Chong pointed to an increased use of antibiotics by children, as well as the hygiene hypothesis – the theory that cleaner environments reduce early exposure to infectious agents, leading to increased susceptibility to allergic diseases – as possible reasons. A local study conducted between 2011 and 2013 on more than 4,000 children aged between 11 and 30 months found allergy rates of 0.51 per cent for cow's milk and 1.43 per cent for chicken eggs. However over the past decade the prevalence has not been well-documented, Prof Tham said. The study will provide an update to existing data on food allergy prevalence, and for the first time, evaluate the impact, as well as the social and economic burden, of food allergies in Singapore, the researchers say. For instance, Prof Tham noted, a 2013 study in the United States found that the economic impact of food allergies in children amounted to US$24.8 billion ($31.6 billion), of which US$20.5 billion ($21.6 billion) was borne by individual families. The researchers hope these new insights will bring greater social and infrastructural support for affected children and families. The study will also involve clinicians and researchers from the National University of Singapore's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Polyclinics and the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. It will entail two years of recruitment and two years of data analysis. The first phase of the study began in February, with a target of surveying at least 2,000 parents and caregivers of children aged between one and two who attend routine developmental and immunisation visits at NUP polyclinics. They will be asked to complete questionnaires, with those reporting possible allergic reactions to food referred to NUH or KKH for further evaluation. Of the 549 participants recruited by mid-June, 79 reported a food allergy. The second phase will begin in July, and will involve about 400 children aged 18 and below, who have been diagnosed with allergies to milk, egg, peanut and shellfish for at least six months. Participants from the first phase of the study, as well as existing NUH and KKH patients, will be invited to take part in this phase, which will include questionnaires, growth and nutritional assessments, as well as the collection of blood and stool. Findings from the study will help identify nutrient deficiencies, growth and metabolic abnormalities, in addition to feeding behavioural issues. These findings will inform future guidelines and educational materials on nutrition, dietary management, as well as mental health support for affected families. The team is also working with groups such as Singapore Parents of Eczema and Allergy Kids (Speak). Speak director and creative head Izlin Ismail, 50, and her 13-year-old son Hayden Anash, are participating in the study. Hayden was three months old when he had to be rushed to the KKH emergency department after experienced swelling of the face and body after drinking a bottle of formula milk. He was later diagnosed with allergies to milk, eggs and peanuts. Ms Izlin – who is also studio manager at a creative agency – shared that besides Hayden's medical expenses, the family has to spend more on groceries, as allergen-free milk and butter are often more difficult to find and pricier. Awareness of food allergies has grown over the years, but more can still be done to make matters easier for parents of children with such allergies, she said. For example, eateries can sometimes see questions about allergens in dishes as patrons being 'fussy'. 'I think restaurants and other places should be able to help us accommodate, and understand when we tell them we have a child with food allergies,' Ms Izlin said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New housing areas in Dover, Defu, Newton and Paterson unveiled in URA's Draft Master Plan 2025
New private homes will be developed in the Paterson area (foreground), alongside a mixed-use development above Orchard MRT station. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY New housing areas in Dover, Defu, Newton and Paterson unveiled in URA's Draft Master Plan 2025 SINGAPORE – New neighbourhoods are set to be established in areas such as Dover, Defu, Newton and Paterson, offering a mix of public and private homes islandwide. Also in the pipeline are new office spaces and amenities in Bishan, more parks in Singapore's north-west, as well as community hubs in Sengkang, Woodlands North and Yio Chu Kang fashioned after Our Tampines Hub. These development plans were laid out on June 25 at the launch of the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition, which presents the agency's latest blueprint that will guide Singapore's development for the next 10 to 15 years. Besides new housing areas and recreational facilities, the draft masterplan also includes proposals to revitalise Singapore's city centre and preserve its heritage by conserving buildings like the NatSteel Steel Pavilion and former Pasir Panjang English School. The launch follows an extensive public engagement campaign since October 2023, with the URA getting feedback from nearly 220,000 people through exhibitions, dialogues, focus groups and surveys. National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said this was URA's most extensive public engagement yet, and that the exhibition brings together ideas that Singaporeans have put forth into a 'shared vision' for the coming years. Homes will be built in areas such as Kranji, Dover and Newton, he said at the launch at The URA Centre in Maxwell Road. Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat speaking at the launch of the Urban Redevelopment Authority Draft Masterplan 2025 on June 25. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY New amenities and recreational spaces will be built in the upcoming Dover-Medway neighbourhood, which is near one-north and education institutions such as the National University of Singapore and Singapore Polytechnic. The first phase will focus on the eastern section near one-north and Kent Ridge MRT stations, and provide around 6,000 public and private homes. Development is set to begin in November 2025 with a Government Land Sales site in Dover Road that can yield 625 private apartments. Plans for the development of Medway Park, which currently houses colonial bungalows, will be studied in the coming years, URA added. The development of the Dover-Medway neighbourhood will be kick-started later in 2025 when a Government Land Sales site in Dover Road is launched. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG In Newton, a new neighbourhood that draws on the area's greenery and identity will be introduced. The precinct will have 5,000 private homes, and be anchored by a high-density, mixed-used development to be built next to Newton MRT station and Newton Food Centre. Monk's Hill Road will be turned into a linear park, said URA, adding that existing mature trees and heritage buildings will be integrated in the neighbourhood so that it retains its sense of place. Private homes will also be developed in Paterson, with about 1,000 new units planned for the area – including some in a mixed-use hub above Orchard MRT station that also has retail and office spaces. URA also outlined longer-term plans for towns in larger areas such as Sembawang Shipyard, which will cease operations in 2028, and the former Singapore Racecourse in Kranji, which held its final race in October 2024. Another new town with public and private homes will be built in the Defu industrial area, after Paya Lebar Air Base is relocated in the 2030s. Defu, which is located just outside the air base, will be prepared for development when leases of existing firms expire in the coming years. Residents of the new neighbourhood will have essential services and amenities within a 10-minute walk. Plans for the future town will not affect the ongoing leases of businesses in the industrial estate, URA said, without stating when these leases will end. URA also gave more details for the Greater Southern Waterfront, which will have its first flats launched in October. In the area's next phase of development, residential precincts will be built at Keppel Distripark and Keppel Terminal. The authorities are looking to rejuvenate existing neighbourhoods as well, with towns such as Pasir Ris and Yishun set to get new homes and amenities. Plans to liven up the Orchard and Downtown areas are also underway, URA said, announcing an elevated pedestrian link bridge at Dhoby Ghaut Green that will link the expanded Istana Park to Fort Canning Park. An artist's impression of a new destination park in the heart of Orchard Road that includes the existing Istana Park. PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD Another new bridge will be built by 2029 to give cyclists and pedestrians a direct link between Marina Centre and Bay East Garden. Meanwhile, as part of ongoing studies for a 'Long Island' to be reclaimed off East Coast, investigation works will begin in July in the waters off East Coast Park, to obtain data on the site's geological and seabed conditions. This is expected to take a few months. URA's exhibition also touched on efforts to spread jobs across the island and to optimise the country's limited land. In Bishan, new office and retail spaces will be built, alongside a new hawker centre, a revamped bus interchange and a polyclinic. An artist's impression of future mixed-use development within Bishan sub-regional centre. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY URA said some Government agencies may move to Bishan, which will be positioned as a sub-regional centre, with office space equal to that of Paya Lebar Central. Sub-regional centres are business nodes such as Paya Lebar that bring jobs closer to homes, but are not as large as regional centres in Woodlands, Jurong and Tampines. Agencies such as JTC Corporation are pressing on with studies for Gali Batu Cavern, an underground aggregate storage facility to be built near Mandai to free up surface land. Mr Chee said land use plans continually need to be refined to deal with new challenges, such as a more uncertain global environment and its impact on business activities and supply chains, the effects of climate change and the need to meet housing demand and refresh older towns. 'Tackling these challenges will require a concerted effort by government, stakeholders and all Singaporeans,' he said. 'We need to work together to shape our collective future. Along the way, there will be some difficult trade-offs that we need to discuss and find a way to strike a careful balance.' URA's masterplan is reviewed once every five years. The current edition came into force in 2019. The Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition will run until Nov 29, 2025, at The URA Centre from Mondays to Saturdays. The exhibition will also be brought to locations across the island from Aug 2 and Nov 9. More details are available at Ng Keng Gene is a correspondent at The Straits Times, reporting on issues relating to land use, urban planning and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Sengkang, Woodlands North and Yio Chu Kang to get integrated community hubs
An aerial view on June 21, 2025, showing the existing site in Sengkang that has been earmarked for the upcoming integrated community hub. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY SINGAPORE – Residents of Sengkang, Woodlands North and Yio Chu Kang can look forward to having recreational facilities and other amenities under one roof at new integrated community hubs proposed for the towns. Meanwhile, those living in the north-west may get up to four new parks in future as the authorities fine-tune plans for Kranji Nature Corridor, which comprises green spaces and water bodies, as well as roadside greenery that will aid ecological connectivity and increase leisure options. These plans were laid out at the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition, which launched on June 25 at The URA Centre in Maxwell Road. Among other plans for new recreational facilities are a park in Orchard Road, a new bridge connecting Bay East Garden and Marina Centre in downtown Singapore, as well as a revamped Jurong Hill and Jurong Bird Park. At the exhibition's launch, National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat said that the hubs in Sengkang, Woodlands and Yio Chu Kang – to be built in the next 10 to 15 years – will be located near public transport nodes and combine sports facilities, healthcare and community spaces in one location. An example of an integrated hub is Our Tampines Hub, which houses a regional library, a community club, a football field and a hawker centre, among other amenities. The Sengkang hub will be located near Compass One mall, while the hub in Woodlands North will be near the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link terminus. An artist's impression of Sengkang integrated community hub. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The Yio Chu Kang hub will likely be located on the site of the town's existing sport centre, which the authorities have plans to redevelop. As for the parks under study as part of the Kranji Nature Corridor, all four will be near existing water bodies in the area and complement the upcoming 72.8ha Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park, which is set to open in 2028. A planned park by Kranji Reservoir that is about 26ha in size will have waterfront habitats, while a park of about 10ha next to Sungei Pang Sua will incorporate elements of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu railway line that ran in the area. Two parks will be situated along Sungei Mandai – one in an upcoming residential estate at the former Singapore Racecourse in Kranji, and another farther north that will be about 5ha in size and include mangrove habitats. Also on display at URA's exhibition were winning proposals for the Jurong Hill and Jurong Bird Park area that were submitted for an ideas competition launched in October 2024. The authorities plan to transform the 39ha site into an area for work and play that is integrated with the Jurong Industrial Estate. An artist impression of a future park at Sungei Pang Sua. PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD The competition drew 10 submissions in the professional category, which was open to those trained in architecture, urban design, urban planning, real estate, environmental planning and related fields, and 27 in the open category, which welcomed submissions from the public and tertiary students. Topping the professional category was architectural assistant Kenneth Chiang, 29, whose entry featured a central loop connecting research labs, commercial offices and play areas. One idea in his plan was to house a museum dedicated to Singapore's industrialisation in Jurong Hill Tower and its surrounds, from where visiting foreign dignitaries once enjoyed panoramic views of the Jurong Industrial Estate. Architectural assistant Kenneth Chiang proposed that the iconinc Jurong Hill Tower could be repurposed as a museum that showcases Singapore's industrial heritage. PHOTO: KENNETH CHIANG The winning entry in the open category – by a team of students and fresh graduates who studied urban planning and architecture and who call themselves Bird's Eye View – proposed that the former Jurong Bird Park's Waterfall Aviary be repurposed as a wellness facility with pools, saunas and steam rooms. Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, a new park will be created by combining the existing Istana Park, Dhoby Ghaut Green as well as a 500m stretch of Orchard Road and include a play area inspired by nature. Pedestrian connectivity between this park and Fort Canning Park will be improved with a new elevated pedestrian bridge. An artist's impression of an elevated link, which is under study, to connect Dhoby Ghaut Green to Fort Canning Park. PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD A pedestrian and cycling bridge will also be built by 2029 near Benjamin Sheares Bridge to link Marina Centre and Bay East Garden, where the Founders' Memorial is slated to open in 2028. This bridge will give cyclists a more direct link between the city and East Coast, said URA. On Singapore's southern coast, a continuous waterfront promenade will be developed in phases, alongside developments that are part of the Greater Southern Waterfront. The waterfront promenade will allow users to get from West Coast Park to Marina Bay. They will pass areas such as a new residential estate at the former Keppel Club, as well as the Keppel Terminal and Keppel Distripark, where new homes will be built under the next phase of the Greater Southern Waterfront's development. Ng Keng Gene is a correspondent at The Straits Times, reporting on issues relating to land use, urban planning and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Digital token service providers relocating should not be surprised at new licensing rule: MAS
The Monetary Authority of Singapore will require DTSPs offering services to customers outside Singapore to be licensed from June 30. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Digital token service providers relocating should not be surprised at new licensing rule: MAS SINGAPORE – Digital token service providers (DTSPs) scrambling to relocate their operations and staff ahead of new regulations taking effect on June 30 should have anticipated the changes and prepared accordingly, the Singapore authorities said. In a June 6 clarification to a consultation paper setting out proposed regulations for the sector on May 30, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said DTSPs offering services solely to customers outside Singapore – whether involving digital payment tokens or tokenised capital market products – will need to be licensed from June 30 or stop their operations. Digital payment tokens include cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, while tokenised capital market products are digital representations of securities such as stocks or bonds. In its June 6 clarification, MAS also noted that it has set the bar high for licensing, and will generally not issue a licence to such providers. MAS said service providers for digital payment tokens or tokens of capital market products that serve customers in Singapore are already regulated, and there will be no change to what these licensed providers can do. It added that providers serving customers in Singapore may also offer services to overseas clients, while those dealing with other types of tokens – such as utility or governance tokens – are not subject to licensing or regulation under the new regime, and are therefore unaffected. These clarifications follow MAS' response to industry feedback in the May 30 paper, in which it noted that firms serving only overseas clients may be more vulnerable to money laundering and terrorism financing risks owing to the internet-based and cross-border nature of their services. MAS added that the rationale for the new regulations is to better exercise oversight over money laundering risks and preserve Singapore's reputation as a progressive and well-regulated hub for digital assets. The move has nevertheless sparked concerns among some DTSPs, prompting them to rethink their presence in Singapore in favour of more lenient jurisdictions. A Bloomberg article on June 12 reported that the new regulations had caused confusion and job losses as firms rush to comply, with some unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges considering exiting the Republic. Firms like Bitget and Bybit were cited as examples. Meanwhile, industry sources who declined to be named told The Straits Times that more than 500 staff – from management to junior levels across various firms supporting Singapore's fintech ecosystem – are likely relocating to the United Arab Emirates or Hong Kong, drawn by the softer regulatory stance on digital assets in those markets. When asked by ST to comment on the Bloomberg report, MAS said the new regulations should not come as a surprise, as its position has been consistently communicated to the industry from as early as 2022, and the regulations are not expected to affect a 'significant number' of entities in Singapore. The central bank added that its regulatory framework is still intended to be facilitative of responsible digital asset innovation and real-world applications that boost efficiency and create economic value. 'There are 33 licensed digital payment token service providers, while capital market services licensees are already allowed to provide services relating to digital capital market products,' said MAS, adding that these licensed entities and activities will not be impacted. Observers and locally licensed players said the new rules provide regulatory clarity and support responsible innovation, but warned that they could also drive talent out of Singapore. Ms Grace Chong, head of the financial regulatory practice at law firm Drew & Napier, said the new rules reflect Singapore's continued focus on a well-regulated digital asset ecosystem, prioritising stability, integrity and consumer protection. But firms are also seeking legal clarity on how roles based in Singapore may be perceived under the new regime, particularly where teams support offshore activities, and this has prompted conversations around legal structuring, governance and location of key functions. 'While some firms may explore other jurisdictions, others value regulatory certainty – these shifts mirror broader global trends and how firms respond will shape the industry's direction,' said Ms Chong. Ms Hannah Puganenthran, compliance head at cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve Singapore, said the new rules would benefit licensed providers. 'When all serious players must meet the same standards, it reduces the advantage of those who previously operated with fewer controls or lower compliance costs – it encourages firms to be proactive and responsible,' she said. Still, the Republic could also risk losing talent and support structures that help the digital asset industry mature, depending on how broadly the rules are applied. 'If an entity is purely administrative and does not handle customer funds, the money laundering and financial terrorism risk may be more perceived than real,' said Ms Puganenthran. 'Licensed entities already face challenges opening bank accounts for operational or administrative purposes – applying the same standards to non-fund-handling entities might be excessive, and could drive valuable talent, experience and expertise out of Singapore.' While MAS has tightened its rules on retail access to digital assets, it continues to explore their institutional adoption. For example, the central bank launched Project Orchid in 2021 to examine the infrastructure needed to develop a digital Singapore dollar. The following year, it announced Project Guardian to explore the use of public blockchains in building open and interoperable networks for trading digital assets across platforms and liquidity pools. In 2023, it introduced Global Layer One, which explores a new blockchain infrastructure for financial institutions to collaborate and prevent the fragmentation of global liquidity. Mr Gerald Goh, chief executive of digital asset banking group Sygnum Singapore, said MAS' latest regulatory move is likely to strengthen Singapore's position as Asia's premier hub for institutional digital asset adoption. 'These new developments will reinforce market confidence in Singapore's approach to digital asset regulation,' he added. Mr Gong Yefeng, risk and strategy director at digital asset trading platform HashKey OTC, said the recent policy clarification is not a retreat , but rather a progression towards a more mature, sustainable and internationally credible ecosystem. 'We view these developments as foundational for sustainable growth, and we remain fully invested in Singapore as a strategic base for our global business,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
$18.6 million from SG Eco Fund disbursed to over 350 sustainability projects since 2020
Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu (front row, fourth from left) and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment Goh Hanyan (front row, third from right) with recipients of the SG Eco Fund at Vidacity on June 21, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY $18.6 million from SG Eco Fund disbursed to over 350 sustainability projects since 2020 SINGAPORE - Over 350 individuals, groups and organisations received funding worth $18.6 million for their ground-up initiatives to promote sustainability in Singapore over the last five years. Giving an update on the SG Eco Fund, a $50 million grant launched in November 2020, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Ms Grace Fu said the fund has since engaged over 700,000 people on sustainability-related efforts. The initiatives span areas like waste reduction, community growing of food, conservation of nature and sustainability education. Speaking at an event held at Vidacity to mark SG Eco Fund's fifth anniversary, Ms Fu said that climate action does not solely depend on government policies, but also the everyday choices Singaporeans make. 'This was why we launched the SG Eco Fund five years ago, recognising that policies itself is insufficient. We really need ground action... we need acceptance on the ground,' she said. Grant recipient Altimate Nutrition used the fund to promote awareness of insect-based protein before their products were even approved for sale by the Singapore Food Agency. Co-founder Mr Gavriel Tan, 23, said the start-up received funding in late 2023 and used it to run educational workshops in schools, introducing students to the concept of edible insects as an alternative and sustainable protein source. Altimate Nutrition's Gavriel Tan, 23, at the SG Eco Fund fifth anniversary event at Vidacity on June 21, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY 'Insect protein is still very new, and most people don't even know it's edible or understand the benefits.' 'So we focused on education first, especially among students, who are more open-minded and represent the next generation of consumers,' he said. With the grant, the company conducted 20 workshops, and over time, expanded to more than 80 sessions reaching about 800 students across primary to tertiary levels. Mr Tan told The Straits Times that around 75 per cent of participants were willing to try insect-based products after learning about their sustainability benefits and sampling them during the sessions. The company now plans to apply for a larger grant to explore farming crickets locally. Ms Fu said that a recent report on the impact of SG Eco Fund showed that 90 per cent of those surveyed were satisfied with the activities, and a majority of them were more ready to adopt sustainable practices. She said that she was encouraged to see more projects taking root in communities and growing beyond their initial scope. For example, grant recipient Repair Kopitiam, trained residents to become handymen and help their neighbours during the pandemic. Today, Repair Clinics and Repair Kampungs run at more than 10 locations, with 300 coaches and 6,000 volunteers to combat throwaway culture. Project Black Gold, a community food scrap composting initiative, used the funding to conduct community composting events to teach residents how to reduce and recycle food waste. It has now expanded to over 30 composting clubs across Singapore. Ms Fu also announced an enhancement to the fund's Sprout category, which supports smaller-scale projects. The maximum grant amount for projects submitted in 2025 has been raised from $8,000 to $30,000. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment Goh Hanyan (centre) and Vintage Wknd models taking part in a runway show as part of the fifth anniversary event of the SG Eco Fund on June 21. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Over 90 applications were received between January and April this year, the highest number to date within a four-month period since the category's launch in 2021. 'We did this in response to your desire to organise bigger projects and to reach out to more members of the community. 'And in part to celebrate the SG60 spirit, where each one of us can play our part in building Singapore,' she said. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment said that the focus of SG Eco Fund is to outreach to as many people as possible. The fund utilisation will depend on the project take up rate and there is currently no expiration date. Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore's education landscape. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
