Latest news with #Seah
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Advanced Systems lodges police report over former execs' alleged offences, unauthorised fund transfers
[SINGAPORE] Catalist-listed Advanced Systems Automation (ASA) has lodged a police report with the Singapore Police Force over potential offences committed by its ex-chief executive officer and a former director. On Tuesday (Jul 22), ASA said it lodged a report in relation to alleged breaches made by Seah Chong Hoe, who was terminated as CEO on Jun 19, and former director Mohd Sopiyan Bin Mohd Rashdi, who resigned as non-independent, non-executive director on the same day. Seah and Mohd Sopiyan were found to have bypassed the board in making themselves authorised bank signatories of the company's Maybank bank account. This was revealed during an investigation of the company's past transactions made from January 2025 till Seah's termination on Jun 19. The two told Maybank that a board resolution was passed to authorise a change in the bank account's signatories, although the company investigation showed that no such resolution was passed, ASA said. Following the unauthorised change in bank signatories, cheques were issued from the Maybank account to Seah, totalling (more than) S$1 million, without the knowledge or authorisation of the board. These included a first cheque for S$442,052.18, a second for S$259,013 and a third for S$310,000. Prior to the three cheques being issued, Seah on or around Jun 12, 2025, had instructed S$903,594.46 to be transferred to ASA's bank account from a bank account belonging to its Malaysia-based wholly owned subsidiary, Emerald Precision Engineering. Additionally, Seah has yet to return ASA several company documents that he had control over during his tenure as CEO, despite 'repeated requests' for him to do so, the company said. The documents include financial, commercial and other corporate records. ASA is a provider of backend equipment solutions, technologies and distribution services. It manufactures automated backend equipment for the semiconductor assembly process and equipment contract manufacturing.
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Advanced Systems lodges police report over ex-staffs' alleged offences, unauthorised fund transfers
[SINGAPORE] Catalist-listed Advanced Systems Automation (ASA) has lodged a police report with the Singapore Police Force over potential offences committed by its ex-chief executive officer and a former director. On Tuesday (Jul 22), ASA said it lodged a report in relation to alleged breaches made by Seah Chong Hoe, who was terminated as CEO on Jun 19, and former director Mohd Sopiyan Bin Mohd Rashdi, who resigned as non-independent, non-executive director on the same day. Seah and Mohd Sopiyan were found to have bypassed the board in making themselves authorised bank signatories of the company's Maybank bank account. This was revealed during an investigation of the company's past transactions made from January 2025 till Seah's termination on Jun 19. The two had represented to Maybank that a board resolution was passed to authorise a change in the bank account's signatories, although the company investigation showed that no such resolution was passed, ASA said. Following the unauthorised change in bank signatories, cheques were issued from the Maybank account to Seah, totalling (more than) S$1 million, without the knowledge or authorisation of the board. These included a first cheque for S$442,052.18, a second for S$259,013 and a third for S$310,000. Prior to the three cheques being issued, Seah on or around Jun 12, 2025, had instructed S$903,594.46 to be transferred to ASA's bank account from a bank account belonging to its Malaysia-based wholly owned subsidiary, Emerald Precision Engineering. Additionally, Seah has yet to return ASA several company documents that he had control over during his tenure as CEO, despite 'repeated requests' for him to do so, the company said. The documents include financial, commercial and other corporate records. ASA is a provider of backend equipment solutions, technologies and distribution services. It manufactures automated backend equipment for the semiconductor assembly process and equipment contract manufacturing.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Ride-hailing robot on trial for airport police is 2-in-1 patrol robot and PMD
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The Singapore Police Force showcasing the hybrid human-rideable robot called Gibson, at Changi Airport Terminal 4, on July 16. SINGAPORE - A police patrol robot that doubles up as a personal mobility device (PMD) for officers is being trialled at Changi Airport Terminal 4. The autonomous robot, called Gibson, is outfitted with multiple cameras and sensors to help it avoid obstacles and people. Officers can also use it for transportation, to cover long distances at the airport quickly. The Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) developed Gibson in collaboration with the A*Star Institute for Infocomm Research. The trial began in early July. 'Gibson was inspired by the concept of creating a buddy robot for our officers,' said HTX engineer Seah Qi Yan, from the Ground Systems, Robotics, Automation and Unmanned Systems Centre of Expertise. 'They can use it as a PMD in their operations and transform it into an autonomous robot when not in use.' Gibson was developed to advance human-robot collaborations in the Home Team, Ms Seah added. Its ride-hailing function is a key feature that was developed in-house. Using their phone or tablet to access the robotics platform, officers can call for an available robot to meet them at a nearby pick-up point. While travelling aboard Gibson, they can select the autonomous function to reach their destination as they tend to other matters, such as reviewing incidents on their devices. Alternatively, officers may choose to drive it manually by using a physical key. Two of the robots were shown to the media on July 16 at Terminal 4. Each robot has a battery life of about four hours, and have safety features such as an automatic stop if someone attempts to get on it while it is moving . Attempts to block Gibson intentionally as it is patrolling will cause it to sound a horn. Named after inventor Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson, who made the first motorised scooter in the early 1900s, it is the second type of police robot to be used at the airport. The first police patrol robots were introduced at the airport in April 2023, after more than five years of trials and smaller-scale roll-outs. Superintendent of Police Patrick Pang, an operations officer for planning and readiness from the Airport Police Division, said Gibson will complement existing police patrols and enhance police presence in the airport. He said: 'The ride-hailing function makes it convenient for officers to summon Gibson without having to manually search for one. 'And with the autonomous mode, our officers do not have to worry about where to park, as it can resume its patrols without returning to a designated parking lot.'
Business Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Nearly 400 firms recognised as Companies of Good by NVPC in 2025; SMEs comprise 77%
[SINGAPORE] Seah Kah Howe, project director at Seah Kim Cheok Construction, works closely with migrant workers daily. Having seen how language barriers can limit both their productivity and their potential, he wanted to build a mobile app to provide them with free English and digital literacy lessons. Grow Studio was launched in 2021. It explores topics such as doctor visits and mobile banking as Seah wanted something that is 'human-centred'. The app is available in multiple languages and offers bite-sized lessons and self-paced assessments. 'The app began as a grassroots initiative with volunteers recording lessons. As interest grew, we realised the need to formalise the work, build proper governance and expand our reach,' he said. Seah – along with partners from other sectors – established Grow Education, a charity focused on digital access to learning. It has about 1,500 beneficiaries in total – the majority of whom are foreign workers. In early 2025, Seah Kim Cheok Construction spun off the grassroots education initiative into a registered charity. For its efforts, the organisation was one of the 62 companies named Champions of Good at the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre's (NVPC) Company of Good conferment ceremony on Thursday (Jul 17) at Fairmont Singapore. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Champions of Good are exemplary organisations with multiplied impact for various stakeholders, and is the highest tier of recognition. In total, a record number of 393 organisations were recognised as Companies of Good across four categories this year – a 36 per cent year-on-year increase. Lin Sufei, director of corporate and industry partnerships at NVPC, said: 'This shift signals an encouraging trend where companies are no longer viewing corporate purpose and giving back as peripheral activities, but as integral to how they operate and grow.' SMEs' participation Among those conferred, 77 per cent or 301 organisations were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This was higher than last year's 53 per cent. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, who was guest of honour, noted: 'SME participation has doubled this year, showing that you don't have to be big with lots of resources to make an impact.' Ang Yuit, president of the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises who was also a judge this year, said awareness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) among SMEs is higher compared to almost a decade ago. However, due to the size of SMEs, one of the biggest challenges they face is structuring and designing a CSR strategy 'in such a way that it becomes part of the enterprise'. 'Most of the time, SMEs are purely responding to market forces, so there wouldn't be a real CSR component,' he said, adding that SMEs do not have a dedicated team or initiative for CSR unlike large enterprises. When SMEs conduct CSR activities, it is more of a 'personal activity'. Ang observed that more SMEs are partnering organisations that align with their CSR strategy and articulating how they want to give back to the community. From left: Charmaine Low, founder and director of smol (Appetite for Good); Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung; and NVPC chairman Seah Chin Siong. PHOTO: NVPC Appetite for Good is another SME that was awarded Champion of Good. Through its food brand smol and its cafe, the social enterprise supports marginalised communities by hiring ex-offenders, seniors and persons with disabilities. Charmaine Low, founder and director of smol (Appetite for Good), said: 'As a small enterprise, recognition like this helps amplify our voice and mission, especially in a competitive industry like food and beverage. It… validates that small businesses can lead change in big ways.' Appetite for Good works with organisations such as SG Enable and Metta School to co-design training and job pathways for its beneficiaries. 'Hiring inclusively strengthens our team culture, builds empathy and helps address systemic inequalities at the ground level… We want to use our platform to create more space for others – whether that's through employment, advocacy or daily interactions in our cafe,' she said. Hegen, an SME that creates sustainable products for breastfeeding mothers, received a Champion of Good award. Since 2019, it has been supporting Safe Place, an initiative by Lakeside Family Services, by hosting workshops and educational talks for women and families with unsupported pregnancies. It also runs a programme where parents can trade in their used baby bottles – regardless of brand – for new Hegen bottles at a special price. The used bottles are recycled. The SME will soon launch The Hegen Foundation to continue improving maternal and child health. Yvon Bock, chief executive and founder of Hegen, said: 'The Hegen Foundation will focus on three pillars... accessible education by creating opportunities for the next generation; developing children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds; and empowering vulnerable women by enabling and building a community of support.'
New Paper
15-07-2025
- General
- New Paper
'It's almost revolting': Singapore's durian craze is not for all
When wildlife advocate Robert Irwin tried durian for the first time in Singapore a year ago, he called it the "most polarising food in the world". He might have a point. As durian season, which typically occurs between June and September, hits its peak and Singaporeans flock to satisfy their durian cravings, not everyone is sold on the king of fruits. "I don't hate it but it's not something I will want to have," 19-year-old polytechnic student, Mr Seah, told The New Paper: "I used to be quite fond of it but as I grow older, I find the smell to be quite unpleasant. It's so strong that it's almost revolting, and when people have it, it just fills the entire space with that pungent smell." He added: "If you paid me to eat it I think I would, but durian is not something I'll squeeze with people in queues for." On a Reddit thread detailing different durian varieties with over a hundred comments, some netizens shared similar sentiments. "I swear, I really tried, but as soon as I had a piece in my mouth and it was all creamy and tasted like carrion, I just could not bring myself to have it," said one. "Am I missing something crucial here? Because it was as horrendous in taste as in smell." Operations executive Fu Jia, 24, echoed this sentiment. "I dislike the smell of it in general, it smells so foul. My instinct when I see a durian stall is to avoid it or walk really fast if I have no choice but to go near it," she said. A shared experience for all But durian fanatics could care less about such misgivings. At Block 964 Jurong West Street 91, prices dip as low as $2 per durian, amid the hustle and bustle of the afternoon crowds and stall owners. Durian lovers flock to stalls offering low prices. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS Durian stall vendor Cai Ming Hong (transliterated) noted that this year's durians are of excellent quality. He expects an even larger harvest by mid-July. His stall receives at least 5,000kg of durians daily, most of which sell out. The 26-year-old told Shin Min Daily News: "For example, the B-grade Musang King durians are now going for $12 per kg, and we're using premium durians from Pahang for our promotions. "A-grade ones are priced at $20 per kg and are of even better quality. Earlier batches had some weather-related issues, but the current supply tastes great across all varieties." There are also durian delivery services like Durian Delivery, while others opt to visit durian cafes. Durian vending machines, installed by local durian retailer Kaki Kaki, have even popped up in Tampines. So why do so many Singaporeans have such a fondness for the pungent delight? One Reddit poster suggested that it serves as a form of community building, creating shared experiences that bring people together. "It's a seasonal thing, so getting together to eat it is a cultural/social thing that has developed over the years. It's just another way to chill with friends and family." Another Redditor suggested that it is inextricably tied to national identity: "For a country as small as Singapore and only 50 years old, there's not much solid items of culture to look forward to. Especially because it's an amalgamation of other cultures like Chinese, Malay and Indian heritage. "Other than the practices belonging to those races, there's not much physical things Singapore can attribute its original culture to. And that's why we cling to the things we can define as Singaporean." While reactions remain varied, and sometimes even extreme, the durian continues to unite Singaporeans in the common experience of rushing to buy it - or avoiding it completely.
