President Halimah was a ‘president for the people’, championed important causes, say advocates
Heads of social welfare groups and non-governmental organisations said they will remember her as a champion of causes, ranging from mental health issues to help for disadvantaged groups.
Dr Radiah Salim, the founder and president of Club HEAL, a social service agency focused on mental health and wellbeing, described Madam Halimah as a President who was “very caring, very compassionate and very deeply concerned about Singapore and the people in Singapore”.
“Even before she was a President, she was at the forefront of advocating for mental health,” said Dr Radiah. She added that Madam Halimah has been a long-standing patron of Club HEAL, helping the organisation gain awareness and funding for various programmes through the President’s Challenge.
At the President’s Challenge 2018 launch, Madam Halimah announced a fund to support vulnerable groups through skills upgrading, capacity-building and employment. The Empowering for Life Fund saw donations receiving dollar-to-dollar matching from the government.
“She has always been a wonderful advocate for mental health even as a President, she supports a lot of charities and initiatives to help people with mental health challenges. She’s the kind of President, she doesn’t just talk, she really walks the talk,” said Dr Radiah.
Echoing her views, Mr Abdul Rahman Mohd Hanipah from the Muslimin Trust Fund Association (MTFA), a Muslim charity, said Madam Halimah was not one to shy away from committing herself to ground-up initiatives.
“She’s always there responding whenever community-driven efforts reach out for her support. Even from the time she was not yet President, she was always happy to be patron for many different organisations and events that I’ve been to,” the vice president of the MTFA Council of Management said.
He recalled the numerous events he had met Madam Halimah at and described her personable character.
“Although at the beginning you may be intimidated by the fact that she is Madam President, she has a way about communicating that is very calming, is very pleasant, she speaks to you just like any other normal Singaporean.”
President of the Singapore Taoist Federation Tan Thiam Lye said that Madam Halimah was committed to safeguarding interfaith harmony in Singapore and showed care for the development of the religion in Singapore.
Speaking to CNA in Mandarin, Mr Tan said: “She treated every religion equally, no matter how big or small scale the activity was, she would support and attend the event.”
STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF WORKERS
NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng expressed his gratitude to Madam Halimah in a Facebook post.
Mr Ng said that Madam Halimah had been a “staunch supporter” of workers in her 33 years of service with the labour movement and as President.
“If there is one individual who holds a special place in her heart for workers, it is undoubtedly Madam President Halimah Yacob,” he said.
“During her time at NTUC Singapore, Madam President displayed remarkable compassion for all workers, particularly those who were vulnerable.”
He added that Madam Halimah regularly engaged union leaders and showed deep care for workers, encouraging younger unionists to remain dedicated to their cause despite the challenges and demanding nature of their work.
“Both union leaders and workers alike have shared countless stories of Madam’s genuine concern for people, always making herself available to those in need,” Mr Ng said.
“In her various roles within NTUC, she personally championed programmes and initiatives that made a tangible difference in the lives of workers, particularly women and those earning lower wages. At the time, such policies needed tripartite consensus and she always persevered and pushed for their implementation.”
HOLDING THE SECOND KEY TO SINGAPORE’S RESERVES
Beyond championing social causes, Madam Halimah leaves a legacy as the President to have steered Singapore through a global pandemic, giving her assent to the government to draw on past reserves for COVID-19 public health expenditure.
Chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) Eddie Teo said Madam Halimah was “easy to work with” as “she was clear and forthright in stating her opinions and views”.
The CPA advises the President in exercising custodial and discretionary powers in safeguarding the government’s past reserves and the integrity of the public service. It also advises the President on the appointments of key personnel in public service.
Mr Teo said: “There was no need to second-guess her position on any issue. CPA members could see how well she understood the subjects she was briefed on by government ministries.
“Very often, she was the one who asked the most difficult questions.”
Mr Teo also described Madam Halimah as an authentic and genuine champion of causes close to her heart.
“These included the plight of the poor and disabled. Even before she became President, she spoke up often for these groups; as President, she could, and did, do more for them.”
This was a sentiment echoed by Dr Radiah, who recalled her interactions with Madam Halimah since meeting her in 2011.
“She’s really a President for the people. So she’s stepping down, I’m a bit sad that she’s stepping down but I think that she will continue to advocate and help people with mental health conditions.”
Thanking Madam Halimah for her gumption, Mr Abdul Rahman said: “I think she had a good run. We benefited a lot from her steadfastness, from the different social movements that she has supported. We have benefited from her ability to handle the situation during COVID. I think she deserves a good rest.”
PPRP resolves internal row over canvassing money
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has resolved an internal rift stemming from its former election candidates’ complaints they did not receive enough financial support during the May 14 poll, according to the party’s election strategy panel for the North.
Capt Thamanat Prompow, head of the panel and the MP-elect for Phayao, said he had patched things with the 22 poll candidates who failed to get elected.
According to the former candidates, the party had set aside a canvassing budget for the May 14 election within the legal limit. However, the 22 candidates were not getting enough funds for their campaigns, which inhibited their winning chances and subsequently led to their electoral defeat.
The group claimed a certain party member had acted as a “broker” and laid their hands on part of the financial assistance which should have gone to them.
The PPRP won 40 MP seats both from the constituency and list systems, down 76% from the previous general election in the 2019 election when it gained 116 House seats.
The 22-candidate group raised the complaint with Capt Thamanat through Khomdet Matchamawong, a former poll candidate for Constituency 7 in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Capt Thamanat, also a former PPRP secretary-general, on Monday put the complaint down to a miscommunication problem between the former candidates and the party.
He said he has acted on PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon’s order to talk to the former candidates. The group and the party have now settled their differences.
The former candidates have maintained they have respect for and trust in Gen Prawit and vowed to continue their support for the party.
Mr Khomdet said the discussion between Capt Thamanat and the former candidates took place on Sunday. “We understood each other better now,” he added.
The group will be waiting to see what steps the party will take to solve the issue with the canvassing finances.
The group held a press conference at the weekend to complain about the inadequate financial support from the party and called on Gen Prawit to deal with the matter.
Mr Khomdet said during the conference that the former constituency candidates were given less canvassing money than they were promised.
He added he had to sell all the cows on his farm to raise the money to cover his campaign expenses.
Mr Khomdet blamed the party’s election setback in many areas on money matters.
“The party was very popular in several constituencies, but some vital financial lifelines were cut off.
“It was obvious we were being left to fend for ourselves. The party has to grow, but unless we clean up our act, the party may never be able to carry on,” he told the conference.
Palang Pracharath resolves internal row over canvassing money
The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has resolved an internal rift stemming from its former election candidates’ complaints they did not receive enough financial support in the lead-up to the May 14 election, according to the party’s election strategy panel for the North.
Capt Thamanat Prompow, head of the panel and the MP-elect for Phayao, said he had patched things with the 22 poll candidates who failed to get elected.
According to the former candidates, the party had set aside a canvassing budget for the May 14 election within the legal limit. However, the 22 candidates were not getting enough funds for their campaigns, which inhibited their winning chances and subsequently led to their electoral defeat.
The group claimed a certain party member had acted as a “broker” and laid their hands on part of the financial assistance which should have gone to them.
The PPRP won 40 MP seats both from the constituency and list systems, down 76% from the previous general election in the 2019 election when it gained 116 House seats.
The 22-candidate group raised the complaint with Capt Thamanat through Khomdet Matchamawong, a former poll candidate for Constituency 7 in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Capt Thamanat, also a former PPRP secretary-general, on Monday put the complaint down to a miscommunication problem between the former candidates and the party.
He said he has acted on PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon’s order to talk to the former candidates. The group and the party have now settled their differences.
The former candidates have maintained they have respect for and trust in Gen Prawit and vowed to continue their support for the party.
Mr Khomdet said the discussion between Capt Thamanat and the former candidates took place on Sunday. “We understood each other better now,” he added.
The group will be waiting to see what steps the party will take to solve the issue with the canvassing finances.
The group held a press conference at the weekend to complain about the inadequate financial support from the party and called on Gen Prawit to deal with the matter.
Mr Khomdet said during the conference that the former constituency candidates were given less canvassing money than they were promised.
He added he had to sell all the cows on his farm to raise the money to cover his campaign expenses.
Mr Khomdet blamed the party’s election setback in many areas on money matters.
“The party was very popular in several constituencies, but some vital financial lifelines were cut off.
“It was obvious we were being left to fend for ourselves. The party has to grow, but unless we clean up our act, the party may never be able to carry on,” he told the conference.
âCalm zonesâ to be available at some mall stores to provide respite from hustle and bustle for shoppers
The specially tailored training programme will cover consumer inclusiveness led by SG Enable, and first responder training to support persons with dementia and shoppers on the autism spectrum, the retail operator said in a press release on Friday (May 26).
TRAINING TO BE PROVIDED
The training, to be provided to frontline workers at Frasers Property Singapore’s malls and employees of its retail tenants, will be conducted by Dementia Singapore and St Andrew’s Autism Centre respectively.
Mall tenants who have pledged their support as inaugural “inclusion champions” include Better Vision, Cathay Cineplexes, EC House, Eu Yan Sang, Golden Village, Metro, OSIM, Scoop Wholefoods, Shaw Theatres and Toys”R”Us.
“It’s just the launch and we are sure that when we announce the program a lot more to our tenants, I’m very sure that more like-minded tenants will join us,” said Frasers Property Singapore CEO Soon Su Lin.
Shanghai records hottest May day in 100 years
SHANGHAI: Shanghai on Monday (May 29) recorded its hottest May day in 100 years, the city’s meteorological service announced, shattering the previous high by a full degree. Scientists say global warming is exacerbating adverse weather, with many countries experiencing deadly heatwaves and temperatures hitting records across Southeast and South Asia inContinue Reading
Jail for driver who collided with 4 vehicles on CTE while speeding, killing motorcyclist
SINGAPORE: A woman was speeding on the Central Expressway (CTE) when she lost control of her vehicle and hit a guard railing before colliding with two motorcycles, a lorry and a car.
The impact threw both motorcyclists onto the road and caused one of them, a 31-year-old man, to suffer fatal injuries. Two men who were seated in the back of the lorry were also flung onto the road.
The driver of the Mazda3, Ng Wen Xun, was sentenced on Monday (May 29) to two-and-a-half years’ jail (30 months) and banned from driving for 10 years.
Ng pleaded guilty to one charge each of dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing grievous hurt. Another two charges were considered in sentencing.
The court heard that Ng, 35, was driving her car along the first lane of the CTE towards Seletar Expressway at about 9.15pm on Jul 23, 2021.
She was going at a speed of at least 118kmh, above the limit of 80kmh.
Ng failed to maintain proper control of her vehicle and collided with the centre guard railing, before veering left.
She hit the victim’s motorcycle before veering right and colliding with the other motorcycle, a lorry ferrying passengers and a car.
The vehicle came to a stop only after colliding with the left guard railing of CTE and caught fire.
AFTERMATH
The impact of the various collisions threw the two motorcycles on their sides and flung their riders onto the road.
The lorry toppled on its right side, flinging two of its rear passengers onto the road.
Almost all involved in the accident were taken to hospital. These include: The 31-year-old motorcyclist who died in hospital from multiple injuries, a 28-year-old rider of the second motorcycle, a 25-year-old lorry driver and three passengers from the lorry aged 26, 31 and 50. The 65-year-old car driver did not go to hospital.
The victims sustained injuries ranging from fractures of the wrist and spine to bruising.
Footage of the accident was analysed by the Health Sciences Authority. Ng was found to be travelling at an average of between 118kmh and 215kmh just before the accident.
The prosecutor said Ng had a prior conviction for speeding in 2013, when she was fined and given demerit points.
Ng’s lawyer, Ms Josephine Chee of Rajah & Tann, said her client had exhibited a “very limited manner of dangerous driving”.
She said they accepted that Ng was speeding, but said this was the only manner of dangerous driving Ng was displaying.
Referring to the estimated average speed her client was driving at, she said it was “a bit questionable” that a Mazda 3 would be able to travel at 200kmh or 215kmh.
As the accident occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were fewer road users due to the hybrid work situation, said Ms Chee.
She said her client has “genuine remorse” and is deeply apologetic and “very, very sorry” for the loss of life she has caused.
The judge allowed Ng to begin serving her jail term on Jun 12.
For dangerous driving causing death, an offender can be jailed between two and eight years and banned from driving for 10 years.
The penalties for dangerous driving causing grievous hurt are a jail term between a year and five years, as well as a driving ban of eight years.
Trust Bank attracts more than S$1 billion in deposits, aims for breakeven by 2025
The digital bank is 60 per cent owned by Standard Chartered and 40 per cent by NTUC’s enterprise arm. It holds a full bank licence, which means it is able to offer services similar to those of conventional banks such as having physical ATMs.
Its competitors include GXS Bank, which is backed by Grab and Singtel GXS Bank, and MariBank which is owned by tech giant Sea.
Both GXS and MariBank hold “digital full bank” licences which permit the offering of online-only banking services to retail and corporate customers. These retail digital banks are also subject to a cap of S$50 million in deposits during the entry phase.
Trust Bank said it is confident that its growth rate can be sustained despite market competition and lingering economic uncertainties.
For one, the depth of NTUC’s membership programme of more than 2.4 million customers presents opportunities for growth.
The digital bank’s proposition is also “not based on one-time offers or a high acquisition gift or a promotional interest rate”, said Mr Sadhu.
Its positioning on daily savings which help with the cost of living, such as earning rebates and reward points at FairPrice supermarkets and other partner merchants, will remain “relevant and highly sustainable” in an uncertain macroeconomic environment, the CEO told CNA.
Beyond that, Trust Bank is hoping to get more customers on board through its offerings, which currently include deposit accounts, digital credit cards and family personal accident insurance.
With travel back in demand as borders reopen, the lender announced on Monday the launch of its travel insurance product underwritten by Income.
Mr Sadhu said Trust Bank also tries to solve existing customer pain points with its fully digital service. This includes allowing customers to have digital supplementary cards to share their credit cards in real-time, set spending limits and track expenses.
Moving forward, the digital bank intends to introduce instant loan products, enable GIRO payment services and other in-app self-services, as well as expand its insurance offerings.
“The continued growth of clients and the new products that we are introducing gives us a very solid footing for meeting both (the goals to be the) fourth largest bank by next year, as well as be profitable by 2025,” Mr Sadhu said.
1.2 tonnes of crystal meth seized in Songkhla
Narcotics police seized 1.2 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine, known as ice, and a convoy of of three vehicles at a house in Na Mom district, Songkhla province.
Narcotics Control Board secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkol released details on Monday.
He said the raid followed intelligence reports that a large quantity of drugs was being trafficked from the northern border to the South, for storage before being smuggled into Malaysia.
On May 24, the Insee 19 special operations team staked out a house at Moo 5 village in tambon Thung Khamin of Na Mom district before dawn. They raided the premises after seeing two pickup trucks and a car arrive there.
A search of the house found bags containing 900 kilogrammes of crystal meth. A search of the three vehicles found bags containing another 300kg of ice on the two pickups. All were impounded.
The occupants had already fled the property. There were no arrests.
Mr Wichai said the ONCB had informed the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department of Malaysia of the seizure of the drugs, so that it could investigate further and identify the intended recipients.
China says Mongolia main source of severe sandstorms this year
SINGAPORE: Mongolia was the main source of northern China’s worst sandstorms in five years from January to April, and may have contributed as much as 70 per cent of the dust floating over capital Beijing, China’s environment ministry said on Monday (May 29). Northern China is routinely hit by heavyContinue Reading
Rare albino giant panda spotted again at Chinaâs Wolong natural reserve
A rare albino giant panda – believed to be the only one of its kind – has been spotted again in the wild in southwestern China. Camera footage of the all-white animal was released by the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan province, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday (MayContinue Reading