Latest news with #Tung
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Former pentathlete Shermaine Tung switches to kayaking for one last shot at glory
Shermaine Tung rediscovered her passion for canoeing while recovering from an injury. PHOTO: TEAM NILA Former pentathlete Shermaine Tung switches to kayaking for one last shot at glory SINGAPORE – Over the course of her 18-year sporting journey, Shermaine Tung has trained and competed in shooting, kayaking and pentathlon, which comprises five events – fencing, swimming, shooting, running and equestrian show jumping. With the clock ticking as she enters the twilight of her career, the 30-year-old former national pentathlete is aiming for one last shot at sporting glory as she returns to the kayak. The unexpected move happened in 2022, after she broke her back from falling off a horse. Feeling restless as she recovered from surgery, the break gave her room to rediscover her aptitude and love for kayaking. She said: 'I had to undergo back surgery and because of that, I actually had to stop horse riding entirely… It was quite a bad fall. 'When I was resting, I tried to give canoeing a go again, purely just for leisure. Then the current head coach told me to give it a shot, at competitive canoeing (kayaking). So I decided, why not? 'I came back purely because I love the sport.' Tung's sporting career began at the Singapore Sports School in 2007, when she trained and competed in shooting. Ahead of the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games, she took up modern pentathlon and despite not meeting the Games' age requirement, she continued training before moving on to kayaking in Singapore Polytechnic, which did not offer shooting or pentathlon. After graduating from university and hitting a plateau in kayaking, she returned to pentathlon and donned national colours, winning a bronze medal at the 2019 UIPM Biathle-Triathle World Championships in the United States. That same year, she won bronze at the SEA Games in the Philippines. Tung eventually quit the sport after the world championships in December 2023. Shermaine Tung is seen competing in shooting during her stint as a national pentathlete, PHOTO: UPIM WORLD PENTATHLON 'When I left pentathlon, I initially thought that I would stop competitive sports altogether, I just wanted to chill, keep fit, paddle for fun and not gain weight,' said Tung. 'But then I think I missed the competitiveness, and that was what made me try competitive sports again. I'll just give it all that I have to qualify for the SEA Games (in December) and ultimately the Asian Games next year. 'There's a lot of work to be done, because compared to my peers, I'm still quite far behind, and they are younger, so definitely they're improving at a much faster rate.' For this versatile athlete, choosing a preferred sport can be a challenge. Tung admitted that she misses the multi-discipline pentathlon sometimes, adding: 'I like running in general… And shooting, it's my strongest discipline out of all the five. 'But then training for five disciplines is actually quite hard when you're juggling a full-time job and furthermore, I was training alone, so that was really one of the main reasons why I left. 'I was quite tempted (to return) a few months ago, when they had the trials for the SEA Games. But it just so happened that it clashed with a canoeing trial and I really had to pick one.' With her focus now on kayaking, Tung quit her job as a marketing executive with Singapore Singapore's CoachSG department to train full time. She is now living off her savings and hopes to be carded as a national athlete again to 'to pour all my efforts and time into this one last shot that I have'. Noting that Tung had 'already quite good competency in the sport', national canoe coach Bill Lee, 39 said: 'As with every Olympic sport, especially our sport, which is a bit like swimming, both technical and also requires a lot of strength and endurance… It definitely requires time for you to see the hard work pay off. 'She may see it as one last effort, but she could surprise herself. It could potentially be even longer than just a short-term project, because she could achieve more in the sport and that could keep her going.' Tung recently competed in the Asian Canoeing Championships in China, and is pencilled in for the South-east Asian Canoeing Championships in Thailand in June. The SEA Games selection trial will be held a month later. While there are only four spots up for grabs for the Games in December, she said: 'Once I set my mind to go back to competitive sports, it's really my goal to achieve sport excellence in terms of winning medals. 'Because if I don't have the end goal in mind of winning, it will make it challenging to actually stay in sports because of how vigorous the training is and how taxing it is on the body and the mind. 'Yeah, so I have to really be mentally prepared that if I want to win, I have to go through this.' Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Free medical check-ups part of CSR event by mStar, healthcare firm
Chin handing a bag of needed items to a recipient. Also present is Tung (in white). — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star A mobile clinic will be stationed at Lorong Haji Taib, Kuala Lumpur, fortnightly to provide free check-ups for residents and the homeless in Chow Kit. The mobile clinic, operated by KPJ Healthcare Bhd, was present during the corporate social responsibility event organised by Star Media Group's (SMG) Malay entertainment-and-lifestyle portal mStar in collaboration with KPJ Healthcare. A team of volunteers from both organisations descended on Chow Kit to carry out the 'Ziarah Jalinan Kasih' programme. The recent event at Lorong Haji Taib 2 saw a spread of dishes laid out for 600 of the asnaf (destitute), including the homeless. A mobile clinic providing free medical check-up to the people in Chow Kit during the charitable event. The charity project is in its second year, after the first collaboration last year received encouraging response. mStar chief news editor Niezam Abdullah said 'Ziarah Jalinan Kasih' was a special project with KPJ Healthcare to support the homeless and others in need. He said, KPJ set up mobile clinics to provide free health checks to the people, who could also get health advice from KPJ doctors. He added that mStar provided publicity to raise awareness for society to continue helping people in need, regardless of their background. Meanwhile, KPJ Healthcare president and managing director Chin Keat Chyuan said, 'KPJ Healthcare is committed to working with mStar and Bank Muamalat to bring healthcare services to those in need.' Niezam (left) serving food to visitors. Also present at the CSR event were KPJ Healthcare chief operating officer Datuk Mohamad Farid Salim, Bank Muamalat social finance department head Zaharuddin Alias, SMG executive editor Tung Eng Hwa and non-governmental organisation Jejak Jalanan's Mohd Azhan Mohd Adnan. The event started with a health talk by Dr Syafiruz Azira Saleh. There were also performances from Caliph Buskers singer Fendi and Nurul Shakina Abdullah Teh, a former Paralympic athlete.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
World's largest ship, which survived a war, met its end in India
The journey of the world's largest ship to be ever built, the Seawise Giant, was as majestic as the vessel itself. Over three decades of being in service, the ship underwent several renames and owners, survived a war and made it back to serving in the oceans, a journey no less than a hero's. The Seawise Giant was ordered to be built by a Greek business mogul who ended up not buying it, according to a report by the Telegraph UK. Japanese shipbuilder Sumitomo Heavy Industries had built the massive vessel by 1979. However, with the Greek tycoon backing down from the deal, the ship waited for its fate to be changed for some time. Eventually, it was sold to a Hong Kong based shipping magnate CY Tung who founded Orient Overseas Container Line. Tung, determined to make the ship world's biggest, made modifications to it and increased its capacity by over 140,000 tonnes. The ship was 458 meters (over 1,500 feet) long and had a carrying capacity of over 600,000 tonnes, according to Virtue Marine, a Netherlands based Marine ship surveys & maritime consultancy. The ship towered the likes of Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower in height and was much bigger than the popular Titanic. While Seawise Giant's massive size made her majestic and one of the biggest water carriers, it also posed maneuvering challenges during its navigation through oceans and seas. It took the ship a radius of around two miles (over three kilometers) to turn around and over five miles (around eight kilometers) to come to a complete stop from its full speed of 16.5 knots (around 30 km/h), says the Telegraph report. Also, because of its gigantic size, the vessel could not enter major ports such as the Suez Canal or Panama Canal. Seawise Giant, primarily used for the transportation of crude oil between the United States and the Middle East, began its journey in the early 1980s. However, a tragedy hit the ship, quite literally in 1988 when the ship was caught between the Iran-Iraq war. Seawise Giant was attacked by the Iraqi Air Force while it was carrying Iranian crude oil and anchored off Larak Island in May,1988. It was hit by two missiles, blowing the flammable cargo on the ship into huge flames, damaging it almost completely, according to Virtue Marine. The ship got a second innings of its illustrious journey after the war was over and it was salvaged by a Norwegian firm called the Norman International. The ship was taken to Singapore where it was repaired. Around 3,700 tonnes of new steel was replaced during the process, according to the article by the Telegraph. It was renamed to the 'Happy Giant' by the Norman International and restarted its journey by 1991. It was then bought by Norway's Jørgen Jahre for £30 million ($39 million) and renamed again to 'Jahre Viking'. The ship served in the oceans for another decade after that, however, by this time, her huge size had started becoming a challenge in the modern economy. The ship's fuel consumption was a lot and its maneuvering challenges limited it from visiting key trade ports. 'Jahre Viking' was renamed to 'Knock Nevis' and was tasked to serve as a floating stationary storage facility in Qatar's Al Shaheen Oil Field. Its 4.1 million barrels storage facility made it suitable for the job, according to Virtue Marine. After years of service in Qatar, the ship was bought by Amber Development Corporation and was renamed to 'Mont' in 2009, says Virtue Marine. It was brought to Alang, India and was scrapped and dismantled for over a year, marking the end of its journey in 2010. The vessel's 36-tonne anchor is at display at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
Business Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
‘To be associated with crooks really sucks': interior designer on why the industry needs an uplift
[SINGAPORE] Social media influencers. Renovation contractors. Ordinary homeowners. All can call themselves interior designers, with rogue ones easily shutting down failed businesses and starting afresh, while others – paid via commissions – are driven to sell as many renovation packages as possible. This is a phenomenon that has long irked many practitioners in an industry that lacks regulation. So much so, an accreditation scheme was started to raise professionalism, gain recognition and help consumers separate the real deals from the fly-by-nights. But it has not been an easy task. Just ask Tung Ching Yew, president of the Society of Interior Designers, Singapore (Sids), which is spearheading the industry's first accreditation scheme. Currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, the organisation had been pushing for such a framework for years before it was officially launched in November 2021. Taking baby steps The government-supported Singapore Interior Design Accreditation Scheme has since garnered more than 620 accreditations. This is seen against some 400 to 500 interior design graduates from local institutions entering the market annually and an estimated total of around 10,000 players altogether, says Tung. The Singapore Interior Design Accreditation Committee – which sits within Sids – oversees the accreditation scheme and includes representatives from key stakeholders such as government agencies, trade associations, industry practitioners and institutes of higher learning. 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 It awards accreditation to interior designers in three tiers – from Class 1 to 3, with Class 1 being the highest – based on applicants' educational qualifications, skills and experience. The categories help clients distinguish between designers with structural expertise, decorators and stylists, so they can select the appropriate practitioner for their project. 'The whole idea of getting accreditation is to differentiate our profile from the rest who do not hold qualifications relevant to the trade,' says Tung. 'On top of that, the experience they have is definitely on par with the best practices we're pushing for.' Tung Ching Yew, president of the Society of Interior Designers Singapore, says the accreditation scheme differentiates trained interior designers from unqualified ones. PHOTO: HARPI PHOTOGRAPHY The aim is to weed out errant players in the industry, which are responsible for 'shameful stories of running away with down payments and incomplete or shoddy renovation work'. Apart from recognition for their competency, the benefits of accreditation include access to continuing professional development, greater professional exposure, as well as opportunities to pitch for bigger and more complex projects – including international ones via recognised accreditation. But most of all, it is to establish the accreditation as an emblem to help legitimate interior designers gain public trust. Client complaints will be investigated, with recommendations given on the next steps to be taken by both parties. Kachee Chin, design director at Quirky Haus, is one of more than 200 interior designers who are applying for accreditation. 'Accreditation gives clients more confidence to engage us, rather than a random uncle,' she says. 'When I pitch for more high-end jobs, it's important for clients to know who they're talking to, so my experience and studies are not wasted.' Accreditation not a priority Yet, there are many other interior designers who currently have no plans to join the scheme. 'The industry has very low barriers to entry, but Singapore is a small place and if you're not good at what you do, people will find out,' says Stacey Leong, who runs her eponymous interior design studio. 'Similarly, if you're very good, word gets out, and you'll get clients.' Stacey Leong, who runs her eponymous interior design studio, will consider accreditation later on, but it's not something she prioritises. PHOTO: STACEY LEONG INTERIORS While Leong says she may consider accreditation later on, it's not something she prioritises. 'Running a business is so time-consuming, and we're constantly on the ground. There's just never a spare moment.' Similarly, Angela Lim, co-founder of interior design firm SuMisura, says she does not mind getting accredited, but it 'isn't an urgent issue'. 'I'm sure it will make a difference to perhaps a budding firm. But mine is very well-established in terms of portfolio and track record, so I don't think accreditation will validate us.' SuMisura's Angela Lim says there are many other factors more important than accreditation. PHOTO: SUMISURA In addition, she works a lot with developers 'who are not going to scroll through a directory or ask if you are accredited before hiring you'. 'They will hire you because you did well in the last job, can give them something trendy, understand the market, have proven that you are reliable and can hand over on time. There are so many other factors that are more important.' Tung is well aware of this reluctance, but says Sids is working to get more onboard. 'Ultimately, it is the programme that we have to keep improving because not only do we want them to be accredited, we want them to continuously improve themselves and stay updated on trending topics in the interior design space,' he says. For instance, designers are more focused on aesthetics but, increasingly, need to respond to underlying issues such as healthcare, an ageing population and sustainability. 'These are topics that require a certain level of education, and that is what we're aiming for. Clients are better educated now and will ask about our level of understanding on such matters.' Also in the pipeline this year – a platform for those looking to expand into regional or international markets to network and go on trade missions. Pictured here is Interior design by SuMisura. Lim, co-founder of the interior design firm, says she works with developers 'who are not going to scroll through a directory or ask if you are accredited before hiring you'. PHOTO: SUMISURA Crucially, there needs to be buy-in from the public for the accreditation to carry weight. Hence, Sids is taking a two-pronged approach, he says. The first is its ongoing work with the Consumer Association of Singapore (Case) to secure CaseTrust accreditation specifically for interior design firms. Instead of individual practitioners, CaseTrust accredits companies that abide by fair and transparent business practices in their dealings with customers. Tung hopes to have a conclusion by the third quarter of this year. The second approach involves reaching out to homeowners via different platforms, including social media, roadshows and strategic partnerships. More than one trade association It does not help that the industry is a fragmented one, with another trade association, Interior Design Confederation Singapore, also representing interior designers. 'When I started taking part in interior design competitions organised by the associations, I was also a bit confused,' admits Tan Yue Wei, founder and principal architect of YWA Studio, a multidisciplinary design and engineering firm. He joined Sids – which has more than 1,800 members, including associate and student members – in 2023 because of its accreditation programme. 'I thought accreditation was a step in the right direction and I wanted to be part of that,' he explains. 'Coming from an architectural background, I felt the interior design industry needed something like this. For clients, it gives a bit more credibility because there will always be those who say 'you're an architect, can your skills translate into handling interior works?'' Pictured here is Interior design by Stacey Leong Interiors. There is more than one trade association representing interior designers in Singapore. PHOTO: MARCUS LIM The consensus seems to be that given Singapore's small market, there should be a consolidation with just one association representing interior designers. As the DesignSingapore Council can only support the accreditation efforts of one industry body, the national agency for design has suggested the two associations have a conversation. Tung says two of his council members have reached out to IDCS to set up a meeting, but 'it did not come to fruition' because the other party did not respond. The Business Times has also reached out to IDCS but did not receive a reply by press time. 'Our doors are always open,' says Tung. 'We will definitely welcome all practising interior designers to be part of our accreditation programme.' There's hope yet The latest figures from Case show that the number of complaints against renovation contractors and interior designers has been steadily falling since 2022 – when there were 1,454 complaints, making it the top complaint by consumers. The number dropped to 1,168 in 2023, and 962 in 2024. Quirky Haus' Chin notes that the thinning of margins will force some players out of the industry. This is because many of them, trained or otherwise, jumped onto the interior design bandwagon when renovation prices spiked after the pandemic, thinking it was 'good business'. Many also poured money into sleek videos and advertisements on social media. 'I've lost some clients to influencer interior designers who are heavily marketed but do not deliver results that meet clients' expectations,' she says. 'But when so many are fighting for the same pie, and with costs rising significantly, profit margins have dropped by half. So I just need to stay calm and wait for those who are not serious interior designers to leave. I think in half a year, 30 per cent will go.' For Tung, the aim is not just to see a drop in the number of complaints, but to elevate the profession. 'We want to increase the awareness of and gain recognition for our profession, because there are just too many out there calling themselves interior designers without proper training or qualifications.' For Lawrence Puah, founder and design director of akiHAUS Design Studio, it was precisely the stain of that negative association that drove him to join the Sids council. The architecturally trained designer became a member of the trade association just three years ago. Lawrence Puah, founder and design director of akiHAUS Design Studio, joined the Sids council because he wants to improve the industry. PHOTO: AKIHAUS 'The industry is weighed down by a bad reputation because there are no controls and any Tom, Dick or Harry can call themselves an interior designer,' he says. 'But if homeowners ask for accreditation, just like you'd expect of professionals like doctors, lawyers and architects, then interior designers will apply for it.' Instead of just complaining about the state of affairs, he wants to see how he can help to uplift the industry through more efficient outreach and publicity efforts, and through teaching. 'If this is just about decoration, then anyone can do it, you don't need an interior designer,' Puah adds, noting that technology now allows things to be done 'with just the press of a button'. 'One of the key reasons I want accreditation to work is because people associate interior designers and the renovation industry with crooks.' 'I hate that because we do design consultancy and professional work. So to be associated with crooks really sucks. I want the industry to be improved, I love what I do, and I want us to get respect.'
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Taiwan's ASE evaluates how it will support Nvidia's $500 billion US plan
Taiwan's ASE Technology Holding Co. has yet to decide how it will support a plan by Nvidia to build artificial intelligence servers worth as much as $500 billion in the US over the next four years, it said on Wednesday. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack PM Modi-led 'Super Cabinet' reviews J&K security arrangements Pakistan's General Asim Munir is itching for a fight. Are his soldiers willing? India planning to launch military strike against Pakistan within 24 to 36 hours, claims Pak minister The company, the world's largest chip packaging and testing provider, is still evaluating an invitation from a customer to invest in the US and has yet to decide on the investment size or timing, its Chief Financial Officer Joseph Tung told an earnings call. He did not name the customer but the company later confirmed to Reuters that he was talking about a plan announced by AI chip giant Nvidia made public earlier this month to expand production in the U.S., with the help of partners including ASE subsidiary Siliconware Precision Industries. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Undo Analysts have questioned whether the sum of $500 billion is realistic, given difficulties suppliers may have in moving production. Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Live Events The customer had invited ASE to "evaluate the possibility of having some operations to support their business in the US," Tung said. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories "Currently we are engaging in discussion and are evaluating opportunities with interest. There are no further details so far in terms of the actual investment size or the timing of it. But any decision that we will eventually make will be made with economic viability." When asked by analysts about what kind of product would be considered, Tung he said it would be an extension of what the company offers in Taiwan. Siliconware Precision Industries, which carries out chip packaging for Nvidia, has no manufacturing presence in the US. Another ASE subsidiary, ISE Labs, has two testing factories in California.
