Latest news with #Tharman
Business Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Times
Records galore: Six things to know about the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore
[SINGAPORE] Not long after sundown on Thursday (Jul 10), President Tharman Shanmugaratnam declared the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore open, kickstarting 24 days of action that will, in all likelihood, see some record-breaking feats in the pool. At the opening ceremony held at the Esplanade's Singtel Waterfront Theatre, he spoke of how the world of aquatics has seen 'remarkable advances' in recent years, as records that were long unbroken – and even regarded as unbreakable in some instances – have been surpassed. The 22nd World Aquatics Championships is also an opportunity to celebrate the 'quiet but profound' way in which sport can unite people, even as we root for different teams. 'In a world increasingly divided, sport reminds us that we can strive together even as we compete, that we can demonstrate our common humanity,' said President Tharman. President Tharman graced the opening ceremony on Thursday that was held at the Esplanade's Singtel Waterfront Theatre. PHOTO: MDDI Among the 500-plus guests in attendance were World Aquatics president and former Kuwaiti national swimmer Husain Al-Musallam, several Singapore ministers, and some of the athletes from all over the world. The championships began on Friday morning with water polo and will finish with the final swimming and diving events on Aug 3. 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 Here are six things to know about the World Aquatics Championships: A first for South-east Asia Singapore is the first country in South-east Asia to host this championships, which is considered the second most prestigious aquatics event after the Olympic Games. It was back in February 2023 when it was announced that the Republic would stage the 2025 edition, taking over from Kazan, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Three competition venues Swimming and artistic swimming events will take place at the new 4,800-seater WCH Arena, which was built earlier this year on a former open-air car park next to the Leisure Park Kallang mall, a short walk from the National Stadium. The other two competition venues are the OCBC Aquatics Centre, where diving and water polo will take place; and Palawan Green in Sentosa, where spectators can catch the open water and high diving events. Record participation There will be over 2,500 athletes from 206 countries and territories competing across a record 77 medal events in six aquatics disciplines: swimming, artistic swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming, and water polo. In a speech at the opening ceremony on Thursday, Husain also revealed that, for the first time, there will be more female swimmers than males at the global meet. Singapore is fielding a total of 72 athletes, its largest contingent to date. The group includes 32 athletes who are making their debut at the championships. Plenty of stars It is a star-studded affair in Singapore, with Paris 2024 gold medal winners Leon Marchand, Summer McIntosh, Katie Ledecky, Thomas Ceccon and Kaylee McKeown all set to race in the pool. Keep a lookout for Hungary's Kristof Rasovszky, the current world and Olympic champion in the men's 10 km open water swimming. For the women, Australia's Moesha Johnson is one to watch. She won a silver in the 10 km open swim in Paris and is one of the favourites to claim her first individual world title in Singapore. In diving, China made a clean sweep of all the gold medals at the Paris Games and at last year's world championships. If all goes according to plan, the likes of women's four-time 3-metre springboard world champion Yani Chang and the men's 10-m champion Hao Yang will take gold in Singapore too. In artistic swimming, Olympic champions China will probably dominate the team competitions once again. For the men's solo and mixed duet categories, check out the teams from the US, Japan, Ukraine and Spain who are all expected to do well. Emergence of more swimming medallists At the last championships held in Doha last year, 29 countries won swimming medals, which was the deepest medal table in the event's history. World Aquatics executive director Brent Nowicki is expecting to see that number surpassed in Singapore. 'The sport is really at that point where general dominance of individuals or countries is dissipating,' the American said at a press conference on Thursday. World Aquatics executive director Brent Nowicki (left) and World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam at a press conference in Singapore on Thursday. PHOTO: EPA-EFE 'We are seeing more rising stars. Will we see more than 30 world records? I don't know. Will we see more than 29 medallist countries? Yeah, maybe that's what I expect. If we can pull that off, that would be a real testament to the growth of our sport.' In Doha last year, the US won eight gold medals out of 20 overall in swimming, while China was second with seven golds from 11 medals. More prize money The Singapore edition will see athletes competing for a slice of a record prize money pool of more than US$6 million, with an additional US$30,000 world-record bonus in swimming. Last year in Doha, the total amount awarded was US$5.6 million. For more information and to buy tickets, visit the official website for details
The Star
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Trapped in echo chambers
Tharman giving his opening address at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies on June 24. — The Straits Times/Asia News Network NO one can escape the reality that much of what is seen on social media has been shaped by algorithms designed by tech giants – and these algorithms, more often than not, deepen divisions rather than bridge them, says Singapore president Tharman Shan-mugaratnam. In his speech at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies 2025, Tharman said citizens in many societies no longer have a shared reality, a shared framework of facts upon which they form different views. 'We no longer live in that world because increasingly, a more divided media space and social media algorithms are leading to a more divided public and more divisive politics. 'Studies have shown that if people have regular exposure to a feed of stories that accord with their ideological preferences or views, it strengthens their preferences. 'It makes them more partisan and it polarises society. In other words, it's not like just another consumer good that is meeting people's preferences. Here, it is accentuating preference and it is a polarising force.' He also points out that the advertising-based social media business model also has an incentive to maximise attention. 'Studies here too have shown that to maximise attention, you propagate negative messages. And wait for what is coming. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are setting in motion further changes. 'AI-driven search interfaces and chatbots may very well create a flood of synthetic media of dubious provenance. It's not yet prevalent, but it's coming.' He outlines a reminder that both government and civil society have to actively work together – with the tech companies that run the largest social media platforms – to make democracy safer and more sustainable. Tharman cites the European Union's new Digital Services Act as a good example, as he says it holds the social media platforms accountable for content and requires quick removal of hate speech. 'We do essentially the same in Singapore and Australia, and a few other countries. The EU has also gone further to address the systemic risks posed by social media algorithms. 'They require the larger platforms to dial back the risks of algorithmic amplification of disinformation. It's not easy, because a lot of the onus is on the platforms themselves, but the laws are in place and it's an important start.' Tharman says he is aware that some may describe the measure as 'over-regulation'. 'It is more regulation than the big tech players are used to. One can debate the specific mechanisms, but an unregulated media landscape will only see democracy gradually unravel. 'There is no easy step off from this race between the leading tech companies and the platforms that they run. They have an incentive to keep people and traffic within their own platforms. They have the incentive to maximise attention through negative news. 'So this is an market-driven algorithmic treadmill, and there's no easy stepping off. It can only be addressed through regulation of the market – regulation set by the public sector, but with significant engagement of both civil society and the tech companies. In fact, in the case of the European Union's Digital Services Act, civil society was very actively involved in working with public sector officials in formulating the plans.' He also says established news media will also have to respond to the challenge of a fragmenting landscape. 'If they can show that they have a brand of journalism that is built on accuracy and transparency; if they can show that they are reporting the world as it is, and separating news from opinion; and if they can show that when they publish opinions, they're providing different perspectives for people to assess – that will help restore trust and the value of their brands.'
Straits Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Multicultural societies must be woven together like batik, not a patchwork quilt: Tharman
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam giving his opening address at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies on June 24. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Multicultural societies must be woven together like batik, not a patchwork quilt: Tharman SINGAPORE – The fabric of a multicultural society must be like a piece of batik – a single cloth woven by different hands to create a larger motif of many colours, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on June 24. In contrast, many societies see multiculturalism as a quilt of different patches stitched together, he said. But in times of stress, when economic insecurity or polarising forces intensify, the stitches weaken and the quilt is easily forced apart. Mr Tharman has often used the quilt analogy when speaking on multiculturalism. He added the batik twist in his opening address at the three-day International Conference on Cohesive Societies held at Raffles City Convention Centre, where batik was the preferred attire of many audience members. 'We have to weave threads of different colours, even different textures, into a single tapestry – or involve many artisans in making a single fabric... that creates a larger motif of a nation with many strands and many histories, but at one with itself,' he said. More than 1,000 people, including policymakers and young leaders from more than 50 countries, attended the conference organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. The conference was first held in 2019 to provide an international platform for interfaith and multicultural dialogue, and for participants to exchange ideas and develop solutions to create cohesive and resilient multicultural societies. Mr Tharman's address focused on reasons for division across the world while highlighting areas that societies should work on to nurture multiculturalism. He first provided context, noting that enthusiasm for multiculturalism is waning and social cohesion is weakening worldwide. No political system can guarantee that a government or people will prioritise integration of different cultures, and recent evidence suggests the opposite – people are moving away from moderate tendencies towards more polarising behaviour, views and politics, he said. 'Shared values and belief in a common future do not come naturally, and there are always countervailing sentiments below the surface. Multicultural societies must therefore be actively woven,' he said. Advancing political polarisation is weakening the moderate middle ground and fuelling the rise of extremes, especially the radical right, said Mr Tharman. A startling trend observed in the last decade is the widening social and political divide between the better educated and the less, as well as those who live in the countryside and those who live in cities. 'What is most worrying is the way in which culture and identity is being injected into normal contentions over economic issues,' he said. Economic insecurity has converted identity and culture into a more virulent and more divisive political tool, he added. There are several deep forces behind the growing division, said Mr Tharman. First, the failure to control immigration and integrate immigrants, as seen in Europe. Second, the polarising effects of a fragmented media landscape and social media algorithms. While social media empowers many voices and frees access to information, much of it is now shaped by algorithms run by large technology companies, which have a polarising effect, said Mr Tharman. These algorithms offer a feed of stories that aligns with an individual's ideological preferences and strengthens them. Tech firms also have an incentive to maximise attention by propagating negative messages, he added. The third force contributing to division is the growing isolation in how people live their lives, especially in advanced countries. People are living more on their own and interacting less with neighbours who would have helped them to understand differences and accept disagreements. 'Societies can advance economically whilst regressing socially,' said Mr Tharman. Weaving a multicultural society requires sensible guard rails to prevent extremism and self-reinforcing polarisation, while allowing and encouraging differences in views, he said. This must begin from education, the most powerful tool available to integrate people, he added. Apart from allowing for social mixing, effective education can also uplift people of all backgrounds, said Mr Tharman. Without evidence that people can get ahead on their merits – with necessary support for those who start from behind – it will be difficult to sustain a sense of togetherness, he added. 'Education systems must be effective in uplifting every individual and every group. And I must say that's what we put great effort into, in Singapore,' he said. Another area is urban design to prevent ethnically or socially defined enclaves. He cited Singapore's public housing estates where more than 75 per cent of the population live, with a mix of ethnicities and income groups in every block. 'It's not just about housing. It's (also) about the facilities for recreation, for learning, for interaction, for morning qigong, a whole set of activities that bring people together,' he said. 'Common spaces in every neighbourhood, where you can develop your skills in a futsal court or watch others, or try out a new dance together. It's not just housing, it's an estate for social life.' While not every society can replicate what Singapore has done, it is still important to provide public spaces in societies with existing segregated neighbourhoods, he added. The third area to work on is that of media fragmentation and social media algorithms, which Mr Tharman characterised as 'one of the most complex'. He noted that the world is nowhere near agreement on the regulation of social media platforms, though advances have been made. 'It requires bold thinking. Both government and civil society have to actively work together, and with the tech companies that run the largest social media platforms, to make democracy safer and more sustainable,' he said. He cited the European Union's new Digital Services Act as a good example of how this can be done. The Act requires social media platforms to be accountable for content, such as the quick removal of hate speech. Singapore and Australia are also doing similarly. While some may say this is over-regulation – it is more regulation than big tech players are used to – an unregulated media landscape will only see democracy gradually unravel, Mr Tharman said. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with the working committee of the Young Leaders Programme 2025 on June 24. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY Established news media will also have to show journalism that is built on accuracy and transparency, he said. They have to separate news from opinion, and when they publish opinion, they should provide different perspectives without it becoming a shouting match, he added. While he would not promote Singapore media as a model for the world, he pointed out that the mainstream media here is by far the largest chosen source of news among citizens, among many alternatives. That is critical, as it keeps that shared reality and common framework of facts for citizens, said Mr Tharman. Fourth, society must develop a culture of respect and solidarity that comes from everyday actions and not just governments and politicians. Civil society, educators, religious and community leaders and individuals also have to pitch in, he said. Each society must aim to build a community of respect, which goes to the heart of social cohesion and multiculturalism, said Mr Tharman. Respect is a source of upliftment as a society, he said. 'We need something more intrinsic to upliftment, we need the motivation that drives people to strive to overcome difficulties and to do their best. And the respect we lend each other is the most powerful source of motivation.' Goh Yan Han is political correspondent at The Straits Times. She writes Unpacked, a weekly newsletter on Singapore politics and policy. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore and Indonesia will blaze a path forward for the rest of Asean: Tharman
Singapore and Indonesia will blaze a path forward for the rest of Asean: Tharman SINGAPORE - Deep, honest friendship built on understanding and trust - like what Singapore and Indonesia share - is the most precious geopolitical asset in a changing world, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on June 16. Speaking at a state banquet hosted for his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto on June 16, he added: 'Over the past few years, Singapore and Indonesia have opened a new era in our relationship. With regard to longstanding bilateral issues, we have listened closely to each other and found ways to move forward constructively for mutual benefit.' He added: 'By working together, Singapore and Indonesia will also blaze a path forward, as two of the founding members of Asean, for the rest of Asean .' Mr Tharman said both countries are now making bold strides to push the frontiers of cooperation, in areas such as in the green economy, manufacturing, digitalisation, and education. Mr Prabowo, who grew up in Singapore when it was still a British colony, said he is convinced that the interests of both countries are intertwined. 'We have our ups and downs. We did have our suspicions. We do have differences in backgrounds,' he added. 'We have issues that we must resolve, but the fact of the geopolitics of the world today emphasises that only collaboration and partnership can benefit neighbours.' Mr Tharman noted how the Expanded Framework Agreements, which came into force in 2024, were a historic milestone as they addressed bilateral issues which had been unresolved for decades. These agreements covered defence cooperation, airspace management and extradition. President Prabowo, as Defence Minister then , was crucial to this process, Mr Tharman said. For his contributions to the strong defence relations between both countries, Mr Prabowo was given Singapore's highest military honour, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera), in 2023. Mr Prabowo is in Singapore to attend the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat, which he co-chaired with Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on June 15 and 16. It was t he first such retreat for both leaders in their current capacities. It is also his first state visit to Singapore since he took office in October 2024. Earlier on June 16 , PM Wong and President Prabowo witnessed the exchange of pacts on renewable energy and sustainability projects. Mr Prabowo said the leaders had a very productive and successful retreat, and agreed on 19 deliverables across many sectors. Mr Tharman said he looks forward to working with President Prabowo and PM Wong to bring a new generation of Singaporeans and Indonesians closer in the spirit of friendship, and in pursuit of shared interests. The ties between the two countries go far back to before each nation gained independence, and even before they were colonised, he said. 'People travelled freely across the seas, and between the archipelago of islands and trading posts that linked us together,' said Mr Tharman. 'They were also part of the dance of civilisations that shaped the cultures of Southeast Asia over the centuries, and which remains alive in their people's common heritage to this day.' He noted that Singapore's first overseas mission after it gained self-government was its trade and cultural office in Jakarta. This was opened in 1961 before Singapore gained full nationhood in 1965. The first minister to the office was Mr S Rajaratnam, who was then Minister for Culture and became Singapore's first Foreign Ministe r in 1965. Mr Rajaratnam was a friend of Indonesia and a close observer of its struggle for independence, Mr Tharman said. When he penned Singapore's national pledge in 1966, he drew inspiration from Indonesia's deep wealth of experience. Mr Prabowo noted that leaders from both countries helped form Asean , proving that they could have a zone of peace, prosperity and growth for more than half a century. While it has problems to resolve, it is still one of the few regions in the world that has achieved this era of stability, peace and growth, he said. 'It is my political decision to enhance the best possible cooperation and partnership with Singapore,' Mr Prabowo added. 'I believe sincerely that it's Indonesia's national interest and Singapore's national interest to be close partners, not only friends, but partners.' Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Overseas cadets commissioned in S'pore a reminder of ‘enduring friendships' in the region: Tharman
A total of 444 cadets were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Overseas cadets commissioned in S'pore a reminder of 'enduring friendships' in the region: Tharman SINGAPORE - The commissioning of four Asean cadets alongside their Singaporean counterparts is a reminder of close friendships in the region, which will become even more vital in the years ahead , said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on June 14. Speaking at the commissioning parade for the 137th Officer Cadet Course at Safti Military Institute, he said that the graduating cohort included one cadet from Malaysia and three from Thailand. 'Their presence is a reminder of the enduring friendships we share with our Asean neighbours,' said President Tharman. 'These bonds of trust and cooperation will become ever more vital in the years ahead.' This is especially so in a world of turmoil and conflict, and more nationalistic approaches to trade , he said. Such conflicts and economic fragmentation erodes that foundation of Singapore's growth and security. 'Our ability to survive and thrive depends on staying open, connected and relevant,' he said. 'We must continue to work closely with like-minded partners, including those in the region, to uphold a rules-based order that safeguards the rights of states large and small,' he added. At the parade, where President Tharman was reviewing officer, a total of 444 cadets, comprising 349 from the Singapore Army, 53 from the Republic of Singapore Navy and 42 from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, were commissioned as officers of the Singapore Armed Forces. Also present at the parade were Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Zaqy Mohamad, and Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng. While Singapore builds strong ties with the region, it also has to continue to protect itself, President Tharman said, as the SAF plans hardware upgrades in the coming years. This includes a new infantry fighting vehicle called the Titan, the first batch of F-35 fighter jets by 2026, two new submarines from 2034, and the first multi-role combat vessel in the later part of 2025. The Digital and Intelligence Service has also established two new commands to address emerging digital threats. In addition, SAF is using new technologies - including autonomous surface vessels and unmanned aerial systems - and has the new Safti City facility to help officer cadets better understand the complexity of urban terrains. While Singapore builds strong ties with the region, it also has to continue to protect itself, President Tharman said, as the SAF plans hardware upgrades in the coming years. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO But it will not be these advanced technologies or the number of missions that determines one's success, said President Tharman, addressing the newly commissioned officers. 'While the challenges you face may be different from those of previous generations of officers, some things remain constant and timeless, such as the values that will guide you and keep you strong, even as the world around us shifts,' he said. Continue to build on the foundations laid by pioneers, said President Tharman, as Singapore celebrates its 60th year of independence. 'Through each crisis, Singapore and Singaporeans have emerged stronger because we learned to adapt, stood shoulder to shoulder, and believed that our future was worth fighting for,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
