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CNA
a day ago
- General
- CNA
National Day Parade 2025: SCDF to field guard of honour contingent for the first time
SINGAPORE: For the first time in Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP) history, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will march alongside the armed forces and police as one of six guard of honour contingents. The guard of honour contingent units will also include the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Digital and Intelligence Service. The inclusion of SCDF in this year's guard of honour contingent is an affirmation of their key role in safeguarding the lives of Singaporeans, Deputy Commissioner Ling Young Ern told members of the media on Thursday (Jun 12). 'SCDF has always worked very closely with the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) and the SPF (Singapore Police Force) in our Total Defence strategy, so this inclusion … really reflects how the three uniform services come together in protecting our country,' he said. After celebrating 40 years of Total Defence last year, the Ministry of Defence and SCDF reviewed suggestions from members of the public to include the latter, Mr Ling said. They thought it would be 'fitting', as this year's parade, to be held at the Padang, celebrates Singapore's 60th year of independence. SCDF members participating in the guard of honour contingent had to learn how to handle arms for the feu-de-joi or rifle salute, Mr Ling said. 'This is something that they will have to pick up, but they are working hard, and they are practising every week to do it well,' he said. For the first time, the Singapore Armed Forces Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) will also field a full contingent. Volunteer Pang Xuehui Arlene, a contingent commander, said this was significant as the SAFVC celebrates its 10th anniversary. 'Being able to field an entire contingent on our own speaks about how the SAFVC has grown over the past 10 years, that we are able to earn a spot in the parade,' said Ms Pang, who volunteers as a bridge watch keeper in the SAFVC. LARGEST CONTINGENT IN OVER 30 YEARS This year's parade will also feature the largest number of contingents for parades held at the Padang since 1990, with 40 marching contingents and 18 civilian contingents. In total, there will be around 2,100 participants in the parade and ceremony segment. Besides contingents from the SAF, SCDF and SPF, 10 contingents from uniformed youth organisations and 18 civilian contingents from local social and economic groups will participate in the parade. Having more contingents adds 'a bit of complexity' in terms of the way they move and how fast they can march, said Colonel (COL) Lim Yu Sing, the chairman of the parade and ceremony segment. But the contingents were able to overcome challenges through 'very detailed planning' led by the regimental sergeant major team, trainers, and guidance from the SAF, COL Lim said. 'The trainers, every Saturday, together with the current regimental sergeant major, will progressively train up the contingents to make sure that the complexities are well-drilled, well-rehearsed,' he said. This year's parade will be led by first-time parade commander, Lieutenant Colonel Firdaus Ghazali. 'I'm truly humbled that what began as a young boy's dream at Kallang National Stadium has now become a reality on the Padang parade ground,' said the 38-year-old. He first participated in the parade in 2002, as a student at Temasek Secondary School. 'The parade in itself is a melting pot of people from all walks of life, all coming together to move in unison and in perfect harmony and with one shared goal, which is to deliver an excellent parade,' he added. WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PARADE Besides traditional crowd favourites such as the presidential ceremonial vehicle drive-past and the aerial display by the RSAF's fighter aircraft, this year's parade and ceremony segment will bring elements closer to members of the public and audiences, COL Lim said. The public will be able to get up close to the uncasing ceremony of the SAF colours, which will take place at an open area at Marina Square, opposite the Esplanade. A 127-strong live choir comprising students from Greendale Secondary School and musicians from Voices of Singapore will also perform 2021's NDP theme song The Road Ahead, from "island" stages placed at locations closer to the seating gallery around the Padang.
CNA
26-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
GE2025: Recent missteps have 'chipped away' at trust in PAP government, says PSP's Hazel Poa
SINGAPORE: From the SimplyGo saga to the blocked Income-Allianz deal, recent incidents have chipped away at trust in the ruling party, said Progress Singapore Party's (PSP) Hazel Poa on Saturday (Apr 26) night. Speaking at the PSP's second rally at Bukit Gombak Stadium, she also highlighted the last-minute change to the People's Action Party's (PAP) team in Chua Chu Kang GRC as something that has damaged trust. The party's vice chairperson said building trust can be painstaking, but that Singapore's first-generation leaders managed to do so with the bulk of the population. "It would be a waste to chip away at that," she said. "Unfortunately, there have been many incidents in recent years doing exactly that." RECENT MISSTEPS Although the Land Transport Authority ultimately reversed its decision on SimplyGo, it only did so after 'huge public outcry', the former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament said. She said members of the public had already given feedback on the shortcomings of SimplyGo, but the government still wanted to go ahead with phasing out the older system and pushing users to SimplyGo. 'The question is, were the decision makers not aware of the public feedback?' she asked. If they were not aware, it is a case of poor management. If they were aware but disregarded the feedback, it is a case of poor judgement, she added. 'Either way, not a world-class performance commensurate with world-class salaries,' she said. Ms Poa also brought up the Income-Allianz deal which was blocked, with Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong telling parliament that the deal in its current form "would not be in the public interest". 'I find it astounding that NTUC supported the deal while being unaware of the capital reduction exercise to the tune of S$1.85 billion (US$1.41 billion),' she said, adding that she believes that NTUC and Income Insurance did not perform their duties responsibly. 'I suspect that if any of these were to happen during the time of our first-generation leaders, heads would have rolled,' she said. Another incident she brought up was the food poisoning cases which were reported by some students after they consumed ready-to-eat (RTE) meals that were handed out as part of a Total Defence exercise. The Singapore Food Agency and Ministry of Health said earlier this month that there was no conclusive evidence linking the gastroenteritis cases to the RTE meals. Ms Poa said this is a cause for concern. She added: "Is our public service falling in competence as compared to before? There are many instances telling us that it is important for us to have more opposition in parliament to check on the government." CHANGES TO CHUA CHU KANG SLATE The opposition party leader also suggested that trust may have been broken when Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong unexpectedly left Chua Chu Kang GRC to be fielded in Punggol GRC. She noted that Mr Gan had said he would lead the Chua Chua Kang team around 10 days before the surprise on Nomination Day. 'I'm sure CCK residents were shocked as well, to lose their long-time MP so suddenly. What made the PAP go back on their public announcement?' she said, asking where the line should be drawn between what can be believed and what cannot be believed. She said she would have preferred if the PAP did not announce its slate for Chua Chu Kang, rather than change its mind after doing so, adding: "This is so damaging to trust." Citing Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's comments that there is nothing wrong with switching constituencies as long as candidates are upfront about it, she said: 'I totally agree. PAP should practice what he is preaching." In her rally speech, Ms Poa also called on the government to release the outcome of the investigation into police reports made by PAP and PSP after volunteers clashed in January. PSP claimed that PAP volunteers intimidated them while they were distributing flyers to residents, while Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling said PSP 'twisted the truth'. Ms Poa said she understands that the police have finished investigations and that the matter is now with the Attorney-General's Chambers. 'If the accusation that a PSP member has slapped a PAP volunteer is baseless, do you agree that an apology is due to the poor fellow who is falsely accused of assault?' she asked supporters at the rally. 'This is only fair and it is the standard we expect,' she said. A total of 10 PSP candidates spoke at the rally on Saturday night. PSP is fielding 13 candidates across two GRCs and four SMCs.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Singapore's School of the Arts students fall ill after ready-to-eat meals from Total Defence exercise
SINGAPORE, Feb 20 — Some students at Singapore's School of the Arts (Sota) have fallen ill after consuming ready-to-eat (RTE) meals distributed as part of Total Defence activities. On February 19, Sota said it had received feedback that some students became unwell after eating the meals and that the school is working with the relevant authorities to investigate the matter. As a precaution, students with unconsumed RTE meals have been asked to return them, according to an e-mail sent to parents by Sota's vice-principal Ann Tan. Tan also advised students who felt unwell after consuming the meals to seek medical attention. The meals were provided as part of Sota's food resilience preparedness programme on February 18. In a joint statement, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health, and food solutions provider Sats, which produced the meals, confirmed they are investigating the cases of gastroenteritis reported by Sota students. As of February 19, 20 students — about 1 per cent of those who ate the meals — reported symptoms. One student, who wished to be known only as Lim, 16, said she experienced diarrhoea on February 19 after consuming two boxes of chicken bolognese pasta the previous day. Another student, who also declined to be named, said she ate a box of curry chicken briyani on the morning of February 18 and developed a stomach ache hours later. 'I went to the toilet three times in the span of 2½ hours,' she said. However, some students who ate the RTE meals reported no ill effects. A 16-year-old student, who identified himself only as Chia, told The Straits Times he felt fine after eating a box of sweet spicy tomato fish with basmati rice. SFA and MOE said they are working with participating schools to implement precautionary measures, including replacing RTE meals from the same batch. They added that based on preliminary findings, the cases appear to be an isolated incident at Sota, with no reports of similar issues at other participating venues. Authorities also reiterated the importance of food safety, advising students and staff to check for signs of compromised packaging or food deterioration and to maintain good personal hygiene, such as washing hands thoroughly before eating. The RTE meals were a new product developed by Sats for public consumption during national emergencies. The halal-certified meals, which include curry chicken with briyani rice, fish porridge with sweet potato and pumpkin, and vegetable marinara pasta, were produced using sterilisation techniques similar to those used for Singapore Armed Forces combat rations. As part of Exercise SG Ready, a national preparedness initiative, 150,000 of these meals are being distributed to schools and active ageing facilities across Singapore between February 15 and 28. The 2025 edition of the exercise focuses on food resilience amid simulated power outages, involving more than 100,000 students and teachers from over 90 schools and three ITE colleges, as well as around 8,000 senior citizens. Sats stated that the RTE meals were stored in sealed, leak-tested packaging and kept at room temperature in cool, shaded conditions before distribution.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Battle for Singapore 2025 from 15 Feb to 2 Mar with heritage tours
With Total Defence around the corner, commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Fall of Singapore at Battle for Singapore 2025 from 15 Feb to 2 Mar. Organised by The Museum Roundtable (MR), a group of museums and heritage institutions and the National Heritage Board (NHB), the events include tours, talks, and exhibitions. These will highlight familiar and lesser-known stories and historical locations around Singapore during WWII. All programmes require prior registration. While you'll have to pay to attend some of the activities, a good number of them are free. Check out these highlights. If you have time in the evening to spare, the Fort Siloso Twilight Tour takes participants through the historic fortifications and the strategic areas of Fort Siloso. It is unique in that the guns originally pointed south to the sea, and were flipped to face northwards into mainland Singapore when the Japanese attacked by land via Malaya. Throughout the tour, learn more about the events leading to the decline of Singapore during World War II. As dusk falls, hear the stories of the soldiers and civilians who prepared for the war and enter preserved areas of the fort that played an important role in defending the country. Registration costs S$25 per person. 15 Feb – 2 Mar (weekends only) Sat & Sun: 6pm – 7.30pm Closed Mon to Fri Are you a nature lover and military geek? If so, join heritage veteran Jerome Lim on a trip to the sensitively reconstructed Cashin House at Lim Chu Kang Nature Park. The site witnessed some of the initial landings of the Japanese forces during World War II. This experience takes you into the minds of troops from both sides as they fought each other. It's an eye-opening peek into perspectives that you may not have considered before. While you are there, also explore the area's historical surroundings. Registration is free. 15 & 22 Feb 9am – 10.30am & 11am – 12.30pm Explore a soldier's kit with items from World War II and replicas owned by Alvin Lee, a local collector of WWI and WWII militaria, at war museum Reflections at Bukit Chandu. Discover what soldiers in the 1940s ate, how they groomed themselves, and the evolution of rations and hygiene kits from then to now. Every participant will get to bring home a mini World War II ration pack. Registration costs S$21.80 per adult-child pair and S$10.90 per adult. 15 Feb 10am – 11am for families with children aged 7 and above 11.30am – 12.30pm for those aged 16 and above Singapore HeritageFest 2024: Greatest number of activities post-COVID The post Battle for Singapore 2025 from 15 Feb to 2 Mar with heritage tours appeared first on
