Latest news with #Sg
Khaleej Times
05-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Singapore splashes millions to flush out dirty toilets
Already renowned for its cleanliness, Singapore will spend $7.5 million to upgrade and deep clean public toilets at coffee shops, the environment ministry has said. A "Public Toilets Taskforce" was formed by the ministry last year to identify lavatories that consistently fared poorly in cleanliness surveys. However, "toilets that demonstrate excellence in design and cleanliness will be able to apply for HTP (Happy Toilet Programme) certification", said the ministry in a statement Tuesday. The Happy Toilet Programme, run by Singapore's Restroom Association, was launched in 2003, primarily to grade public toilets from a single star to a maximum six-star rating. "In total, we spend almost three years of our lives in the toilet; it's natural and it's normal, so let's learn to say, 'Wow! That's a great toilet!' and tell our friends about it," the Restroom Association's website says. Under the new scheme, coffee shop operators can apply for government funding for up to 95 per cent of toilet renovation costs, capped at $50,000. There are grants for deep cleaning as well. Singapore has a global reputation for its cleanliness and it is often hard to find litter in public spaces. After independence in 1965, Singapore authorities poured capital and resources into changing local mindsets on littering as well as forging a clean and green city. Besides boosting tourism, the pristine image of the city-state and praise from foreign visitors became an important source of pride for citizens during the initial nation-building decades. The government has run countless anti-littering campaigns and there are heavy fines for littering -- and not flushing public toilets after use. Failing to flush carries a maximum fine of Sg$150 ($110), with second-time offenders facing a Sg$500 fine. The environment ministry said legislation and law enforcement were critical to set standards for public toilet cleanliness. More than 1,000 "enforcement actions", including fines and warnings, were taken last year against premises owners and managers for not having clean toilets, the ministry said.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Singapore to fork out billions for Changi airport upgrades
Singapore will pour an additional $3.7 billion into upgrades at Changi airport, including a long-awaited fifth terminal, as the nation seeks to maintain its position as a top global aviation hub, its leader said Tuesday. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the fresh infusion while presenting the city-state's 2025 budget, which also included a wide range of cash incentives for locals ahead of elections later this year. Serving in a dual role as finance minister, Wong said part of the funds will be used to construct a fifth terminal at the airport, which saw around 67.7 million passengers pass through its gates last year. "When completed, Terminal 5 will expand our airport's capacity by more than 50 percent and will ensure that Singapore remains a critical gateway for global travel and trade," he said. The fresh top-up of Sg$5 billion (US$3.7 billion) to the Changi Airport Development Fund will "ensure sufficient resources to develop our air hub", added Wong. Terminal 5 was first proposed in 2013 and construction is expected to go ahead later this year, following pandemic delays, officials said. The new terminal is expected to be operational in the mid-2030s. Singapore's Changi has been consistently ranked as among the best airports in the world, but it has faced challenges from other hubs like Doha and Seoul. It is one of the largest transit hubs in Asia with more than 100 airlines operating from the airport. The government put Sg$3 billion in its airport development fund in 2015 when it was set up, adding Sg$1 billion in 2016, and Sg$2 billion in 2023, according to local media. - Budget giveaways - Also in Tuesday's budget speech, his first as prime minister since taking over in May, Wong unveiled a raft of government handouts, including to help citizens cope with high living costs and upgrade jobs skills. The giveaways include Sg$800 worth of vouchers for every Singaporean household to be distributed from May -- part of regular state disbursements. The budget items came ahead of general elections, which must be called before November. The People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled Singapore since 1959, is expected to face a tough challenge from a resurgent opposition, building on gains during the last polls in 2020. The PAP won 83 of the 93 seats at stake in that election, but the opposition Workers' Party surprisingly captured an unprecedented 10 seats. Wong also said the government will put in an additional Sg$5 billion to a coastal and flood protection fund and another Sg$5 billion to a pool supporting clean energy. Singapore was also studying the potential of nuclear energy and would "take further steps to systematically build up our capabilities in this area", the prime minister added. mba/jhe/sco
The Guardian
17-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Singapore opposition leader, found guilty of lying to parliament, could face electoral ban
Singapore's opposition leader has been convicted of lying to parliament while helping a fellow party member to cover up a false witness account, in a case that could disqualify him from running in upcoming national elections. Pritam Singh, 48, secretary-general of the Workers' Party, was found guilty on Monday on two counts of lying to a parliamentary committee that was investigating a fellow MP. The conviction is a blow to the south-east Asian nation's struggling political opposition, which is seeking to challenge the overwhelming dominance of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in elections expected within months. The PAP has ruled the wealthy city-state since 1959. Singh's sentence could have a devastating effect as it will determine whether the MP could stand in general elections to be held before November. Singh had pleaded not guilty and his sentencing was due later on Monday. Under the constitution, a person fined a minimum of Sg$10,000 ($7,400) or jailed for at least one year, is disqualified from running for election or holding a parliamentary seat for five years. Singh faces a maximum sentence of three years' behind bars and a fine of up to Sg$7,000 on each charge. The Attorney-General's Chambers had previously said the prosecution will seek a fine for each charge. Raeesah Khan who resigned from the legislature following the scandal, had admitted to making up a story she told in parliament about a female rape victim she accompanied to make a police report. The former MP confessed that she lied when telling parliament in 2021 that a police officer supposedly made 'insensitive comments' about the way the alleged victim was dressed and that she had drunk alcohol. But home affairs minister K. Shanmugam had said there was no record in the police files of such an incident and Khan eventually admitted to lying about the story. Singh was then accused of lying to the parliamentary committee investigating Khan. He allegedly told the committee that he was not aware that Khan had made up the story about the rape victim, in an apparent attempt to downplay his own responsibility as party leader, court documents said. In the 2020 general elections, the PAP won 83 of the 93 seats at stake to retain its dominance. But the main opposition Workers' Party stole the show when it captured 10 seats, four more than previously held, in its strongest performance yet since independence in 1965. Its leaders have said they hope to further increase the party's numbers in parliament in the upcoming elections which will be new premier Lawrence Wong's first major political test. With Reuters
Khaleej Times
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Singapore opposition leader convicted for lying, covering up false testimony
Singapore's opposition leader was convicted Monday of lying to parliament while helping a fellow party member to cover up a false witness account, in a case that could disqualify him from running in upcoming national elections. Pritam Singh, 48, secretary-general of the Workers' Party, was found guilty on two counts of lying to a parliamentary committee which was probing a fellow MP. The conviction is a blow to the Southeast Asian nation's struggling political opposition which is seeking to challenge the overwhelming dominance of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in elections expected within months. The PAP has ruled the wealthy city-state since 1959. District court judge Luke Tan said that contrary to what he told the committee, Singh had not done enough to get rookie MP Raeesah Khan to admit to her lie in parliament. The judge also gave credence to Khan's testimony that Singh had told her during a meeting to "take the lie to the grave". Singh's sentence, which will likely be handed down at a later date, could have a devastating effect as it will determine whether the MP could stand in general elections to be held before November. Under the constitution, a person fined a minimum of Sg$10,000 ($7,400) or jailed for at least one year, is disqualified from running for election or holding a parliamentary seat for five years. Singh faces a maximum sentence of three years' behind bars and a fine of up to Sg$7,000 ($5,226) on each charge. The Attorney-General's Chambers had previously said that the prosecution will seek a fine for each charge. Lies in parliament Raeesah Khan who resigned from the legislature following the scandal, had admitted to making up a story she told in parliament about a female rape victim she accompanied to make a police report. The former MP confessed that she lied when telling parliament in 2021 that a police officer supposedly made "insensitive comments" about the way the alleged victim was dressed and that she had drunk alcohol. But Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam had said there was no record in the police files of such an incident and Khan eventually admitted to lying about the story. Singh was then accused of lying to the parliamentary committee investigating Khan. He allegedly told the committee that he was not aware that Khan had made up the story about the rape victim, in an apparent attempt to downplay his own responsibility as party leader, court documents said. But the judge tore through Singh's credibility as a witness. In the 2020 general elections, the PAP won 83 of the 93 seats at stake to retain its dominance. But the main opposition Workers' Party stole the show when it captured 10 seats, four more than previously held, in its strongest performance yet since independence in 1965. Its leaders have said they hope to further increase the party's numbers in parliament in the upcoming elections which will be new premier Lawrence Wong's first major political test.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Court finds Singapore opposition leader guilty of lying to parliament
Singapore's opposition leader was convicted Monday of lying to parliament while helping a fellow party member to cover up a false witness account, in a case that could disqualify him from running in upcoming national elections. Pritam Singh, 48, secretary-general of the Workers' Party, was found guilty on two counts of lying to a parliamentary committee which was probing a fellow MP. The conviction is a blow to the Southeast Asian nation's struggling political opposition which is seeking to challenge the overwhelming dominance of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in elections expected within months. The PAP has ruled the wealthy city-state since 1959. District court judge Luke Tan said that contrary to what he told the committee, Singh had not done enough to get rookie MP Raeesah Khan to admit to her lie in parliament. The judge also gave credence to Khan's testimony that Singh had told her during a meeting to "take the lie to the grave." Singh's sentence, which will likely be handed down at a later date, could have a devastating effect as it will determine whether the MP could stand in general elections to be held before November. Under the constitution, a person fined a minimum of Sg$10,000 ($7,400) or jailed for at least one year, is disqualified from running for election or holding a parliamentary seat for five years. Singh faces a maximum sentence of three years' behind bars and a fine of up to Sg$7,000 on each charge. The Attorney-General's Chambers had previously said that the prosecution will seek a fine for each charge. -- Lies in parliament -- Raeesah Khan who resigned from the legislature following the scandal, had admitted to making up a story she told in parliament about a female rape victim she accompanied to make a police report. The former MP confessed that she lied when telling parliament in 2021 that a police officer supoosedly made "insensitive comments" about the way the alleged victim was dressed and that she had drunk alcohol. But Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam had said there was no record in the police files of such an incident and Khan eventually admitted to lying about the story. Singh was then accused of lying to the parliamentary committee investigating Khan. He allegedly told the committee that he was not aware that Khan had made up the story about the rape victim, in an apparent attempt to downplay his own responsibility as party leader, court documents said. But the judge tore through Singh's credibility as a witness. In the 2020 general elections, the PAP won 83 of the 93 seats at stake to retain its dominance. But the main opposition Workers' Party stole the show when it captured 10 seats, four more than previously held, in its strongest performance yet since independence in 1965. Its leaders have said they hope to further increase the party's numbers in parliament in the upcoming elections which will be new premier Lawrence Wong's first major political test. mba/skc/hmn
