Car driver and 3 others arrested after Bukit Timah accident involving school bus; 2 children taken to hospital

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: A car driver and his three passengers were arrested on Wednesday (Mar 6) after a major accident along Bukit Timah Road that also involved a school bus. 

Two children were among the six people taken to hospital.

The police said they were alerted to the incident at about 6am.

The car caught fire when it crashed, the police said, adding that its officers pulled two passengers – a 27-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman – to safety. 

“A 26-year-old male car driver was arrested for failing to provide (a) breath specimen,” the police said. 

Another man in the car, aged 22, was arrested for traffic-related offences along with the other two passengers.

The four people in the car were taken to hospital. The other two taken to hospital were children from the school bus, aged eight and nine. Police said all of them were conscious.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Continue Reading

Accident along Bukit Timah Road involving school bus and burning car

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

In the early hours of Wednesday night &nbsp, a major accident along Bukit Timah Road, involving a school bus and a car, snarled prospects for hours.

Near a fallen light post, the vehicle was seen engulfed in flames. A light was spotted several meters away from the burned-out car. &nbsp,

The light school bus’s front wheels were missing, according to photos and video of the incident shortly after Sixth Avenue. Its visor was smashed, and the road’s dirt, which appeared to be publications, was scattered across it.

Many police cars, officers, and members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were present at the picture.

Beyond recollection,” BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION”

An observer reported to CNA that he heard an “extremely loud sound” from his house at Royalgreen condominium at around 6 am. &nbsp,

According to Mr. Ang, who claimed the incident occurred along Bukit Timah Road near a U-turn after Anamalai Avenue, it was “like great copper crashing into the earth.” &nbsp,

” I peered out of the balcony and realized the incident was extremely severe. The retirement recalled witnessing some primary school students being ushered out of the vehicle in the wake of the incident. He claimed that the pupils appeared to be all kids. &nbsp,

After the car caught fire and” a lamp-post was shattered,” he claimed, noting that traffic was also congested at around 10.45am. &nbsp,

” One vehicle was burnt so badly that it was beyond recognition.”

One observer reported that as he drove past at around 8.45am, all other roads in the area were closed, with the exception of one. He spoke of seeing a “burnt-out automobile.”

Continue Reading

DBS CEO Gupta’s total pay dropped 27% to S.2 million in 2023

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

In addition to its quarterly earnings statement, DBS announced last month that Mr. Gupta’s 30 % variable pay cut amounted to S$ 4.14 million.

Additionally, another committee members of the group administration committee experienced a decrease in their adjustable pay.

” We made it known that we’re taking responsibility for the top administration, starting with me and the rest of my senior management team.” At a effects briefing on February 7th, Mr. Gupta stated that that constitutes a” great aspect of governance.”

” It’s a good place to start if you can build accountability and figure out who takes the lead in making fixes.” We’ve been able to demonstrate that, and that’s certainly despite a record-profit year,” he told investigators.

However, we made the decision to assume social duty for this.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore ( MAS ) was forced by the string of banking disruptions to forbid DBS from any acquisitions of new business ventures for six months.

DBS was even required to put a six-month suspension on non-essential IT changes, and it was not permitted to reduce the size of its ATM and tree networks in Singapore.

Continue Reading

MFP urges caution over censure talks

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

According to an MP, it’s way too early to griddle the government.

MFP urges caution over censure talks

The main opposition group, the Move Forward Party ( MPF), has stated that any grilling should only take place when necessary.

The opposition parties have not officially discussed a no-confidence conversation being filed against the authorities, according to MFP listing- MP Pakornwut Udompipatskul, who is the opposition’s chief whip.

He claimed that just informal discussions have taken place over the phone.

This occurs as opposition parties consider whether to submit a no-confidence action before the upcoming legislative period comes to an end on April 9th.

A censure debate, according to Mr. Pakornwut, should n’t turn into a weekly ritual. Instead, it would be pointless to hold one when there are n’t any serious allegations to address, for which the government needs to be held accountable.

He noted that a number of traditional politicians believed that regular censure debates should be pushed away regardless of the circumstances.

” Well, I wo n’t go for it if such a no-confidence debate drags personal issues into the open,” he said.

According to Mr. Pakornwut, the topics to question must be specific, and they must support the justification of censuring some cabinet ministers and demonstrate that they are unqualified to carry out their ministerial duties.

He said a condemnation argument based on absurdity could be seen as a hoax or a social game.

However, according to Mr. Pakornwut, the MFP is closely monitoring 40 to 50 issues involving federal functionality.

He claimed that the group needs more time to obtain proof of incompetence before attempting to start a no-confidence discussion.

On Tuesday, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the former leader of the now-defunct Future Forward Party ( FFP), which was reborn as the MFP, refuted rumors that the MFP has made a secret deal with the ruling Pheu Thai Party to prevent the latter from being grilled in a censure debate anytime soon.

The MFP should avoid using it very frequently because the no-confidence conversation is really the most crucial system for the antagonism to keep the government in search.

The MFP’s major political ally, Mr. Thanathorn, said,” The group may end up embarrassing itself” without a compelling reason to hold a reprimand debate.

Given that the government has only been in power for a short while, Mr. Thanathorn said he understands why the MFP have initially appeared afraid to request a censure debate.

He claimed it would be fair to let the Srettha management to work on a protracted amount of time before the opposition party considers filing a motion for reprimand.

He demanded that the general public be aware of why the MFP would n’t move quickly to a censure motion.

Continue Reading

AI, more cameras mulled to boost revellers’ safety

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Mar 2024 at 06 :45

AI, more cameras mulled to boost revellers' safety
In Bangkok, April of last year, people celebrated the Songkran event. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) unveiled a plan to use more cutting-edge technology to increase security measures for the upcoming year’s extended Songkran Festival on Tuesday.

Bangkok government Chadchart Sittipunt’s advisor, Pol Gen Adit Ngamjitsuksri, reported that the BMA has ordered the Traffic and Transportation Department to operate on installing more CCTV along Khao San Road, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bangkok.

The road accommodates large crowds of largely foreign visitors, especially during holidays. At least 100,000 people turned out for the Songkran events there last year.

In order to lessen the risk of overcrowding, which may cause security and safety concerns, Mr. Chadchart has also instructed City Hall to assist fan visitors leaving other locations, Pol Gen Adit added.

Additionally, the BMA has been considering using AI to improve the safety measures taken by the police and adding more camcorders to tourist places.

According to Bangkok lieutenant governor Wisanu Subsompon, the BMA intends to install at least 17 000 additional cameras along main roads and attach them to those that are already in place for greater efficiency.

Pol Gen Adit said images from CCTV cameras installed on both sides of Ratchaprasong Road, a major tourist route, will be periodically reviewed and used to chart out ways to stop taxis and other people vehicles from taking advantage of their customers during the trip.

According to Pol Gen Adit, the BMA said it will work with the authorities to strengthen security measures at the locations in the city where the” Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024″ will take place along Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and Sanam Luang.

Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said on Tuesday that the Tourism Authority of Thailand ( TAT ) has chosen Anntonia Porsild, the first-runner-up of Miss Universe 2023, for the role of this year’s Songkran goddess, or” Mahothon Devi.”

The government has even produced an English translation of Suntaraporn Band’s rendition of Roeng Songkran, the festival’s music.

Continue Reading

PM impressed by Singapore’s Swift deal

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Mar 2024 at 05 :48

PM impressed by Singapore's Swift deal
At the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, held in Melbourne, Australia on March 5, 2024, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ( not pictured ) speak in a joint press conference. ( Photo by Reuters )

The region’s prime minister said on Tuesday while defending the mysterious arrangement that Singapore struck, guaranteeing Taylor Swift played in the city-state but nowhere else in Southeast Asia.

Swift, the only city in the area to feature on her blockbuster Eras world tour, is currently way through a run of six sold-out shows in Singapore.

The actor’s plan has sparked controversy in the area, with Singapore accusing Swift of refusing to pay her a visit.

Surprisingly, the Asean-Australia summit in Melbourne, a calm affair generally more focused on security and economic growth, brought up the subject.

At a joint press event with his American counterpart, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said,” Our organizations negotiated an agreement with her to come to Singapore and conduct, and to make Singapore her only cease in Southeast Asia.”

” A deal was reached,” reads the statement. And so it has turned out to be a very fruitful design. That does n’t strike me as being unfriendly.

Singapore has consistently declined to provide more information about the financial terms of the deal.

Swift’s Eras Tour may travel to Europe after Singapore.

Srettha Thavisin, the perfect minister, previously claimed he was aware of Taylor Swift’s decision to withdraw from Thailand. With the government providing grants of about US$ 3 million ( 107.4 million baht ) per show, she was able to do that as a result of the Singapore agreement to lure her to only do music.

According to Mr. Srettha, it would be beneficial for Thailand to follow suit in the future.

When Mr. Srettha mentioned Swift’s musical deal in Singapore without performing in another Asean nations, he brought this up, according to Chai Wacharonke, a government official. He praised Singapore for persuading the vocalist to accept the deal.

I regret misinterpreting the prime minister’s motives, and I urge those who want to criticize him on this matter to stop, Mr. Chai said.

” It is unnecessary to act to undermine the authority of a nation like this. Should n’t we collaborate to promote cleaner politics? This work together to overcome the difficulties in the nation.

Continue Reading

NACC takes over gambling probe involving senior policeman

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 6 Mar 2024 at 05 :44

NACC takes over gambling probe involving senior policeman
Surachate: Charge of laundering money

The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) has made a decision to take over the investigation into the alleged involvement of deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn and four other parties in a major online gambling network that was earlier investigated.

The solution was approved by the agency’s majority vote at its meeting on Monday, and it was made public on Tuesday.

The NACC may look into the Pol Col Phakphum event for inspection as well because the situation is closely related to another research in which Pol Col Phakphum Phitsamai, a assistant chief investigator at Provincial Police Region 4, and seven other parties are accused of being connected to the same online gambling network, according to the NACC.

Due to the fact that Pol Col Phakphum is not a high-level state official that the NACC has the authority to investigate alleged wrongdoing or another misconduct, the NACC added, it had formerly turned down a request from the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau to look into the next event.

However, according to the NACC, on December 27, police authorities submitted a letter to the NACC claiming that Pol Gen Surachate and four other events were connected to gifts received from the online gaming community, which has resulted in money-laundering charges being brought against them.

The police investigation staff inquired in a letter on February 2 about whether the NACC would consent to hear the Pol Gen Surachate circumstance, which prompted the organization to hold a meeting, according to the letter.

However, the NACC has the power to choose freely whether or not to research these cases, according to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew, deputy director of the Central Investigation Bureau. Police investigators you also look into associated legal factors, including the money trail of the online gambling system, which could lead to more defendants being named and detained, he said, despite the NACC having handled both instances.

He noted that some of these offenders might be senior officers officers.

Pol Gen Surachate was one of five suspects facing a NACC investigation in connection with the online gaming ring, according to Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat earlier this month, prompting the latter to come ahead and refute the incident.

Continue Reading