Reclaimed 'Long Island' off East Coast will likely house a mix of public and private properties: Analysts

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

EXISTING SEA VIEWS COULD BE BLOCKED

Analysts said housing on Long Island will probably be a combination of low- and high-rise developments, similar to Sentosa. 

“There could be a mix of public and private housing units, as well as more recreational facilities, nature spots and green belts,” said OrangeTee & Tie’s senior vice president of research and analytics Christine Sun. “There may even be some alfresco dining options offering an outdoor dining experience along the seaside.”

Mr Lee Sze Teck, senior director for data analytics at Huttons Asia, said it was “highly likely” that there will be more land allocated for public housing rather than private housing. Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats will be launched under the Prime or Plus model given the prime location along the East Coast, he added.

“The chances of creating a second Sentosa are low as the government wants to create an inclusive society allowing everyone access to good homes and not just for the rich,” he said.

Mr Lee also raised the potential for between 30,000 and 60,000 homes to be built “with a good mix of commercial, recreational and greenery”, given that Long Island is likely to be similar in size to the Kallang/Whampoa district.

With the majority of private developments along East Coast being freehold estates, these homeowners will benefit from future developments on Long Island. This may even increase the potential for en-bloc, Mr Lee added.

However, he warned that the views from some lower-level homes may be blocked by developments on Long Island in the future.

Other analysts said it was too early to tell how many homes could be built, but concurred that some existing homes along the East Coast with unblocked sea views may eventually be affected, depending on the type and location of housing developments on Long Island.

It was announced on Tuesday that Long Island would create an enclosed waterbody in front of East Coast Park, transforming it into a freshwater reservoir.

Ms Sun said that some homes with sea views may ultimately have reservoir views, but some homes could still enjoy “beautiful skyline views” at night if high-rise buildings are built on Long Island.

She further noted that the master plan for Long Island is not expected to be revealed until 2030, with construction set to take place many years after the government has explored the feasibility of the project.

“In the long term, the market impact will depend on the specifics of the development plan. Factors such as the type and height of buildings, as well as the setback from existing coastlines, will have an impact on existing housing in the vicinity,” she added.

Any upcoming projects may only be launched in 20 years or more since time is needed for the reclaimed land site to settle, said ERA Singapore’s key executive officer Eugene Lim.

Continue Reading

Analysis: Visa-free travel with China welcomed in Malaysia but hurdles remain for tourism sector

By:
On:
In: Asia

SINGAPORE: Even as Malaysia anticipates an influx of Chinese travellers following the implementation of a visa-free programme between both sides, it must make efforts to maintain the expected momentum of inbound tourists, an analyst told CNA. 

Among the initiatives Malaysia could explore are to implement hassle-free immigration lanes to ensure the ease of travel, as well as conduct studies to understand Chinese tourist purchases and behaviour. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Sunday (Nov 26) that visitors from China – as well as India – would be granted visa-free travel for visits of up to 30 days. This will take effect from Dec 1. 

“Next year, Malaysia will be celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties with China,” Mr Anwar was quoted by local media as saying during the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) annual congress over the weekend.

Dr Puvaneswaran Kunasekaran, a senior lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia’s faculty of human ecology, told CNA that the occasion is “a big advantage for Malaysia to (carry out a) massive promotion” to attract tourists from China. 

China is one of the biggest markets for Malaysia’s tourism businesses, he said. He warned, however, that other dominant players in the region could pose a threat to Malaysia’s goal of drawing in Chinese tourists. 

Malaysia’s neighbouring country of Thailand, for example, has waived visas for Chinese nationals from Sep 25 until February next year, to middling results. 

Meanwhile, a similar visa-free policy was also announced by China for Malaysia and five other European countries – namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain – that will begin on Dec 1. The visa-free entry into China for these countries is valid for visits of up to 15 days and is part of a one-year trial. 

Malaysian tourists whom CNA spoke to said that the removed hurdle of a visa application has piqued their interest to travel to China, although they said that the inability to access everyday apps like Google may pose an issue to their travels.

MAINTAIN MOMENTUM OF CHINESE TOURISTS, URGE ANALYST 

The move by Malaysia to grant 30 days of visa-free entry will increase the number of Chinese visitors, said Dr Puvaneswaran, who urged local tour and travel authorities to maintain the expected momentum of Chinese tourists. 

“This move is actually a ‘promotion trailer’ to introduce a bigger ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2026’ to the Chinese market,” he told CNA, adding that the influx of Chinese tourists has the potential to reach its peak in 2026. 

“Visit Malaysia Year” is a campaign held by the Malaysian government every several years to promote the country as a tourist destination. The most recent in this series was Visit Malaysia Year 2020, themed “Visit Truly Asia Malaysia”. 

Dr Puvaneswaran noted that Chinese tourists make up the biggest market for Malaysian tourism businesses, apart from travellers from Singapore and Indonesia in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Commenting on the travel pattern of Chinese visitors, Dr Puvaneswaran said that many tourists from China also visit neighbouring countries like Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. 

“Thus, their travel to Malaysia is not always a lengthy stay,” he told CNA. 

To address this, he stressed that Malaysia should diversify its tourism products in order to set it apart from its competitors, especially Thailand. 

“There are many cultural and community-based tourism products which are unpolished diamonds in Malaysia. These could be properly established for the Chinese market,” he said. 

Beyond that, a mega Chinese New Year Festival next year in Malaysia – marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries – could be organised, suggested Dr Puvaneswaran. 

He added that to increase tourism numbers, both the Chinese and Malaysian governments could implement hassle-free immigration lanes, as well as an app to track tourist data in order to further understand their purchases and behaviour. 

Continue Reading

CNA Explains: China's pneumonia outbreak – should you be concerned?

By:
On:
In: Asia

BEIJING: China is dealing with a surge in respiratory illnesses that is straining its healthcare system and sparking global concern over a possible new pandemic threat, four years after COVID-19 first emerged in the country.

What do we know about the outbreak?

A nationwide increase in respiratory diseases, mainly affecting children, was first reported by China’s National Health Commission on Nov 13, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Patients have reported symptoms such as fever, fatigue and cough. No deaths have been reported.

China reported 205 influenza/flu clusters for the week starting Nov 13, compared with 127 the week before that.

The rising caseload has led to long queues and gruelling waits at children’s hospitals in cities like Beijing, Tianjin and Liaoning.

The National Health Commission attributed the increase in infections to the circulation of known pathogens – primarily influenza, but also mycoplasma pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinoviruses, adenoviruses as well as COVID-19.

Another contributing factor cited was the arrival of winter and China’s first full cold season since it lifted its zero-COVID policy nearly a year ago.

An increase in respiratory illnesses in winter is not uncommon.

In the US, for instance, RSV cases were on a sharp upward trend in the middle of October, according to the Centers for Disease Control, with weekly infection numbers at their highest since the last winter.

Continue Reading

'Not possible' to offer fixed prices for funerals as customers have different demands: Funeral parlours

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

DIFFICULT TO FIX PRICE OF FUNERALS

Funeral directors CNA spoke to – who were not part of the association – echoed Mr Hoo’s point on the diversity of client’s requirements, which made it challenging to list package prices. 

Those who did list prices on their websites said that these were “standard” or “basic” packages, with extra costs likely to be incurred with add-ons. 

Funeral director Vincent Ng pointed out that funeral arrangements were “quite personalised”. 

“Many times, the family of the deceased added items to the standard packages during the process which resulted in actual payment differing from website prices,” the founder of funeral parlour A.LifeGrad said.

Costs may also change as the wake progresses. For example, the company provides clothes for bereaved family members. But some customers request more clothes for changing and exceed the amount provided, resulting in additional costs, Mr Ng said. 

“Drinks are also included based on a fixed number of packets. However, consumption may increase if they have a lot of visitors. All these are also chargeable. You can’t really say that the ultimate price differs from the quote as all these are additional items,” he said. 

Another funeral director Eugene Tan agreed, saying: “It really is not possible to have an all-in-one inclusive package because of the customisation.

“We try to be as transparent as we can. The way I design my packages is everything that can be expected, I have already included it. But there are some things we cannot expect until we meet the client,” said Mr Tan, who is the founder of Empathy Funeral Service. 

Both Empathy Funeral Service and A.LifeGrad list the prices of the packages offered on their websites, along with a catalogue of what the package includes. A.LifeGrad even goes so far as to list what is excluded. 

Passion Bereavement Care’s funeral director Deborah Kang said that while she understands and agrees with the study’s findings, these practices are due to the nature of the funeral industry. 

“One reason funeral service providers might be reluctant to disclose package prices in advance on websites is that services often need to be customised based on the specific needs of the client,” she said. 

Instead of listing prices, she prefers talking directly to the client to give them an accurate price based on their needs. 

PROBLEMS WITH LISTING PRICES

Even with packages listed on their website, Mr Tan said some clients do not read the listing or focus only on the price. 

“Even if they do read it … I don’t think (they) understand the things that are inside,” he said. “I tell you that this is a Buddhist table and set up, then you’re like okay. Do you really know what it means? You don’t really know.” 

He cautioned customers against going for the cheapest funeral package when comparing prices between providers. These often come with additional costs that are not listed, he said.  

If the funeral director fails to inform customers of possible additional costs, that would be a red flag, Mr Tan said, as it is very likely that packages listed only include basic products. 

Basic products for a Buddhist funeral package, for example, include tentage, tables, chairs, chanting by monks and offerings, but may exclude post-cremation services. 

Continue Reading

'It's not just gory pictures or death': Singapore’s top coroner finds meaning in giving closure

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

To those in legal circles, the 52-year-old has been a familiar face for years. He first joined the Subordinate Courts – now known as the State Courts – in 1999, before becoming a prosecutor in 2004.

He then went over to the Competition Commission of Singapore, rising to deputy director of its legal and enforcement department.

In 2014, he made his return to the State Courts, cutting a stern figure as a sentencing judge in criminal courtrooms before being appointed State Coroner in June 2021.

Since then, while working closely with forensic pathologists and investigation officers to piece together what could have led to someone’s untimely demise, Mr Nakhoda has helmed several high-profile coroner’s inquiries.

These include the Tanjong Pagar car crash that killed five men; the death of a jogger struck by a termite-infested tree; Singapore’s first death linked to a COVID-19 vaccine; and the electrocution deaths of three family members due to a faulty water heater.

This is no small task. About 5,000 unnatural deaths on average are reported in Singapore every year. While a majority of these cases are closed on the first day, 20 to 25 per cent eventually warrant a full investigation by the State Coroner.

A few other district judges also serve as coroners.

The cases they handle can be extremely technical, and come with their own set of challenges.

FAMILY CANNOT SAY NO TO AUTOPSY

Misconceptions among the public and managing the expectations of the bereaved are also issues that coroners have to grapple with, with emotions running high after a sudden death.

One common misunderstanding, Mr Nakhoda pointed out, is that a coroner determines if someone was responsible for a death. For example, when a pedestrian dies in a road accident, loved ones sometimes expect the coroner to make a finding that the driver was to blame.

The Coroners Act – a set of laws that governs coronial proceedings in Singapore – states that a coroner is not supposed to ascribe liability, whether it be criminal, civil or disciplinary.

After an inquiry, prosecutors may proceed to charge individuals in court based on the coroner’s findings.

Mr Nakhoda said: “Often, I need to explain to next-of-kin during the coroner’s inquiry that I will not be finding anyone at fault; the process is not fault-finding.

“If they feel that there is fault or someone is responsible for the deceased’s death, then they need to bring other actions in order to establish that.”

Mr Nakhoda reminds himself that next-of-kin are understandably upset about events.

“They might be very angry, so I have to remember – when I deal with them, deal with them with as much empathy as possible,” he said.

“I think that will be the greatest challenge: Trying to let the next-of-kin know the limitations that I have as a coroner.”

Continue Reading

43% spike in Malaysia’s divorce cases last year due to effects of COVID-19 lockdown, experts say

By:
On:
In: Asia

MUSLIM MARRIAGES: POLYGAMY AND THE THREE “TALAK”

Lawyers told CNA that Muslim women who may have been mistreated in polygamous marriages may decide that a divorce would be the best course of action. 

In Malaysia, polygamy is allowed for Muslims and permission must be granted by the Shariah courts. 

“Some men (in a polygamous marriage) may not really invest time, energy and effort into the first or second wife when there is a third and fourth to look after.

“In those kind of scenarios, the older wives may not want to tolerate it anymore (and seek) other options such as being independent. They know their rights and they seek a share of the assets or maintenance,” Ms Goh told CNA. 

She added that she has handled cases where the second wife is made to be the “wealth generator” while the husband does not not contribute to the marriage. 

“I see sometimes the husband ‘goyang kaki’ (idles) and the wives are the ones looking after the house and working because they have to put food on the table and put the kids through school. And these wives are sometimes abused physically, sexually and emotionally,” said Ms Goh. 

“So these women (decide that) this is not acceptable and say ‘I would rather be independent and be free of all this abuse’ than to be in an unhappy and abusive marriage.” 

Sisters In Islam – a local civil organisation which promotes women’s rights within the framework of Islam – noted in its 2021 findings that the top concern raised by women in a polygamous marriage was that their husbands did not provide them any maintenance. 

Data gathered from the organisation’s legal clinic also found that the second most recurring issue was that their husbands had entered a polygamous marriage without their permission, followed by unregistered polygamy.

Mr Gomez noted that in civil marriages, couples can only seek a divorce after two years of marriage. Meanwhile, Muslim men are allowed to declare the “talak” three times for an immediate divorce. 

The utterance of the word “talak”, which means to release or untie in Arabic, is a method of divorce recognised by the Shariah court, though Islamic law varies from state to state. In the east coast state of Terengganu, for example, the declaration of the “talak” must be made thrice in court for the divorce to be recognised. 

Ms Jazzmine Khoo, a managing partner at Jazzmine Khoo & Associates, also noted the quick process for a Muslim divorce.

“A Muslim (couple) … can get a divorce done within a short amount of time – a few hours only or less than that. (Meanwhile), a non-Muslim divorce would still need a few months to get done,” she said.

Continue Reading

Singapore Silat Federation chief Sheik Alau’ddin arrested for suspected criminal breach of trust

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: Singapore Silat Federation’s (SSF) chief executive officer Sheik Alau’ddin has been arrested for suspected criminal breach of trust, said the Singapore Police Force on Saturday (Nov 25).  In response to CNA’s queries, the police added that the two-time world champion was arrested on Thursday.  “We are not able to comment furtherContinue Reading

Toddler dies of COVID-19; Singapore's first patient under 12 to die from the disease in 2023

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: A 13-month-old Singaporean boy who contracted COVID-19 died on Oct 12, becoming the country’s first COVID-19 death under the age of 12 this year.

In response to CNA’s queries, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Saturday (Nov 25) that the baby was “unvaccinated for COVID-19” and had a “significant medical history of a congenital condition” with a poor prognosis prior to his infection by the virus.

“He tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct 10, 2023 and was admitted to the hospital on the same day,” MOH added.

“The patient passed away on Oct 12, and the cause of death was acute COVID-19 infection, with his congenital condition being a contributing cause.”

MOH also confirmed this is Singapore’s first death caused by COVID-19 in a patient aged below 12 years old in 2023.

Three children died from COVID-19 last year, while there were no COVID-19 deaths in children in 2020 or 2021. 

“The risk of severe COVID-19 in young children is lower than that in older adults, but severe outcomes can still occur, particularly in those who have underlying medical conditions and who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19,” MOH said.

The ministry also urged all individuals aged six months and above are encouraged to ensure that their COVID-19 vaccination status is up to date, based on the prevailing recommendations for them. 

In October, Singapore updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, encouraging people aged six months and above to receive an additional dose in 2023 or 2024.

Eligible individuals may receive the additional dose about a year – and no earlier than five months – after their last shot.

Operating hours for the Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres can be found here.

People may also receive COVID-19 vaccinations at these clinics.

Continue Reading

No approvals for new massage parlours in Yuhua area since December 2022: Grace Fu

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

MASSAGE PARLOURS AROUND “FOR SOME TIME”

Residents and businesses CNA spoke to did not appear to be concerned about the proliferation of massage parlours in the area.

An employee at a nearby bakery told CNA that most of the massage parlours have been operating in the estate “for quite some time”, and that she did not notice any new ones opening recently. 

“I’m not interested in massages so I don’t know much. I only walk past them. Some of them look a bit suspicious, but I haven’t really seen anything happen before,” said the woman, who declined to be named.

A 67-year-old male resident who wanted to be known as Mr Sim told CNA that he has dinner at the nearby hawker centre on most days. However, he has not been approached by anyone from the massage parlours before. 

“I don’t really walk past very often. None of them have been so daring to approach me.”

A shopkeeper who runs a clothing store in the estate said most of the massage parlours have been here for at least a few years. 

“I haven’t seen any women sitting around outside, so I don’t really have any reasons to find the outlets suspicious,” she added. 

A furniture store employee who declined to be named said he personally had no problem with the numerous massage parlours in the area, but could understand why others would feel differently. 

“Maybe they think that there are just too many outlets in one small area. But I think it’s because the rent here is relatively cheaper.”

He said he had not seen anything suspicious in the one-and-a-half years he has been working at the furniture shop. When asked if any of the massage parlours were new, he could not recall any that had opened in the time he had been here. 

“Maybe those people who live in the area who haven’t been here in a while would come back and be surprised at the number of outlets that opened,” he said.

“If there is really an issue, the police should come and investigate.” 

Continue Reading