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Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Charity concert featuring young performers raises $2.3 million for President's Challenge
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from left) with (from left) ABS director Ong-Ang Ai Boon, UOB chief executive Wee Ee Cheong and Credit Bureau Singapore executive director William Lim at Victoria Concert Hall on June 3. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR SINGAPORE - To mark Singapore's 60th year of independence, the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) – together with its member banks and industry partners – and its associate company Credit Bureau Singapore (CBS) have raised $2.3 million for the President's Challenge. The funds came from donations and ticket sales for a charity concert that was held at Victoria Concert Hall on June 3. The concert is one of the industry's initiatives that complement the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes of the individual banks. It was organised together with Wolfgang Violin Studio Singapore. The President's Challenge helps to raise funds for many social service agencies to run their programmes. The concert, titled 'SG60 Celebrate! Honour the Past, Inspire the Future', featured a 60-member ensemble of young musicians aged three to 15 on the violin, viola and cello. Among the budding performers from Wolfgang Violin Studio Singapore were Mark Chia, a Primary 6 pupil from Temask Primary School, and Isabel Heng, a Secondary 3 student from Methodist Girls' School. The ensemble was guided by Singapore's own virtuoso violinist Min Lee. In 1995, at just 12 years old, Lee had performed as a soloist at the Singapore Symphony Orchestra's first Presidential Charity Concert. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam was guest of honour at the June 3 concert, which drew an audience of 660. The concert programme was arranged by acclaimed international artiste-composer Aleksey Igudesman. In a statement, Ms Helen Wong, chairman of ABS, said: 'The growth and development of the financial sector is inextricably tied to Singapore's success, and ABS is pleased that banks have come together as an industry to organise this charity concert to celebrate SG60 and raise funds for the President's Challenge, like we did in 2013 and 2003. 'Through the years, ABS has galvanised the banking sector for various industry charity programmes that complement individual banks' CSR efforts.' Mr William Lim, CBS' executive director, added: 'This concert is a tribute to Singapore's journey of resilience, unity and progress… We are pleased to be investing in Singapore's future through strengthening the financial industry and giving back to the community.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
GE2025: ‘We are not beggars', says PPP's Goh Meng Seng on GST support schemes
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – Singapore is not a nation of beggars, said People's Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng on April 29 in reference to support schemes the PAP Government has in place to help Singaporeans cope with the GST hike. At his party's rally at Yio Chu Kang Stadium, Mr Goh, 55, said: 'I'm telling you, the vision of PAP is this, it's not only going to be a nation of fear, it's going to be a nation of beggars. Why? Because GST vouchers are going to be the norm, every year you can expect money from the Government. 'Of course Singaporeans like it, but it is not the value we should have as a nation. We have built this nation with hardworking people that don't expect a free lunch.' Over the years, the Government has rolled out several programmes such as the permanent GST Voucher (GSTV) scheme, introduced in 2012 to help lower-income Singaporeans. Enhanced at Budget 2022, the GSTV scheme now offers continued support for lower- to middle-income households and most retiree households, beyond the transitional period covered by the Assurance Package. The GST rate increase – from 7 per cent to 9 per cent, phased in over 2023 and 2024 – has been a major point of contention in the general election, with several opposition parties proposing a return to 7 per cent or under to provide relief from living expenses. Addressing this at the PAP's lunchtime rally at UOB Plaza's promenade on April 28, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that great care was taken in implementing the goods and services tax increase so that Singaporeans who are less well off pay less than the 9 per cent rate. Mr Goh, who is leading a five-member team in a four-cornered fight in Tampines GRC, added: 'It's difficult to tell the truth because if I say I'm against the GST vouchers, people will boo me right? 'But I'm telling everyone this is not right, this is not fiscal discipline. You do not overtax people and return money to other people and expect them to be calling you God, appreciating you for giving them money.' The PPP team running in Tampines GRC will come up against incumbent PAP, the WP and the National Solidarity Party. All 10 of the PPP's candidates spoke at the rally, which was delayed for nearly an hour due to inclement weather. The party is also fielding a five-member team of new faces in Ang Mo Kio GRC, where they will face the PAP, fronted by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and the Singapore United Party. Throughout the evening, PPP's speakers raised a range of issues, highlighting concerns over MRT breakdowns, the cost of living and the national vaccine programme. Party treasurer William Lim demanded answers to issues such as the SimplyGo roll-out by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which was eventually reversed after public outcry, and the six-day East-West Line MRT breakdown in September 2024. PPP party treasurer William Lim demanded answers to issues such as the SimplyGo roll-out by the Land Transport Authority. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Pointing to Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, Mr Lim said: 'We want to demand the LTA to give all Singaporeans an answer. What has happened? Is there anything SMRT breached in the maintenance schedule?' The party will hold their fourth and final rally on May 1 at the field next to the Tampines Concourse bus interchange. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Online Citizen
22-04-2025
- Business
- Online Citizen
People's Power Party to contest Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs, exits Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat
The People's Power Party (PPP) will contest Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) and Tampines GRC in Singapore's upcoming General Election on 3 May, 2025. This was announced by party secretary-general Goh Meng Seng at a press conference held at Jayleen 1918 Hotel on Tuesday (22 April). The party will no longer field candidates in Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), a shift from its earlier plans. With the revised approach, PPP intends to field a total of 10 candidates across the two GRCs. According to earlier statements by the party, treasurer William Lim will lead its Ang Mo Kio GRC team. The remaining candidates include Goh Meng Seng, 55; party chairman Derrick Sim, 44; landscaping executive Vere Nathan, 26; and construction professional Thaddeus Thomas, 43. Also on the slate are horticulturist Heng Zheng Dao, 24; green tech firm founder Peter Soh, 65; entrepreneur Arbaah Haroun, 50; and central executive committee members Martinn Ho, 64, and Samuel Lee, 33. In Ang Mo Kio GRC, PPP is expected to face a three-cornered fight. The People's Action Party (PAP) team is led by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and a team from the Singapore United Party (SUP) is also expected to run. Tampines GRC may see a four-way contest. The PAP will be led there by Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli. In addition to PPP, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and possibly the Workers' Party (WP) could enter the race. PPP's withdrawal from Jalan Kayu SMC aligns with decisions by Red Dot United (RDU) and the People's Alliance for Reform, who have also stepped aside from the constituency. The move may facilitate a clearer race between PAP labour chief Ng Chee Meng and a WP candidate, though WP has yet to formally confirm its contest. Earlier the same day, RDU confirmed its withdrawal, citing the importance of avoiding vote-splitting and putting voter interests before party ambitions. In a similar move, NSP announced on 20 April its exit from the race in Sembawang West SMC, shortly after indicating plans to contest there and in Sembawang GRC. NSP member Kevryn Lim, who contested in the 2015 General Election, called the decision 'a hard but necessary compromise'. In a video released on 21 April, Lim said the choice was made after thorough internal deliberation, stating that it would allow Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leader Dr Chee Soon Juan to challenge PAP directly. 'These discussions reflect our broader commitment to a united opposition front,' she said. As GE2025 draws closer, analysts anticipate further shifts in the electoral landscape as opposition parties negotiate to avoid multi-cornered fights.
CNA
22-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: People's Power Party to contest Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs
SINGAPORE: The People's Power Party (PPP) plans to contest in Tampines and Ang Mo Kio GRCs at Singapore's upcoming General Election on May 3, party secretary-general Goh Meng Seng announced on Tuesday (Apr 22). The opposition party will be dropping out of the Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat SMCs which it earlier said it intended to field candidates in. With its current plans, PPP will look to field 10 candidates. The party previously said party treasurer William Lim will lead its team in Ang Mo Kio GRC. The other nine candidates are: party chief Goh Meng Seng, 55; party chairman Derrick Sim, 44; landscaping executive Vere Nathan, 26; construction professional Thaddeus Thomas, 43; horticulturist Heng Zheng Dao, 24; green tech firm founder Peter Soh, 65; entrepreneur Arbaah Haroun, 50; as well as central executive committee members Martinn Ho, 64, and Samuel Lee, 33.
