Pope Francis to set off on historic 12-day visit to Asia Pacific, including Singapore and Indonesia

By:
On:
In: Asia

INTER-RELIGIOUS HARMONY

One key theme of the trip is inter-religious harmony. Pope Francis is set to engage not only with local Catholic groups, but also leaders of other faiths and political figures.

He is due to arrive in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, and will officially meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Pope is then expected to attend an interfaith meeting at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta before leading a mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium complex, where around 80,000 Catholics are anticipated to attend.

Indonesia has the largest Muslim population of any country. Catholics make up 3.1 per cent of its total population of about 280 million.

Observers said the world will look at how much Pope Francis promotes diversity, as well as how much closer he brings the Vatican to Asia.

The tour also holds great significance, given that Asia is considered an important region to the Vatican. Pope Francis has made six previous trips to the continent throughout his papacy.

Dr Michel Chambon, research fellow at the Asia Research Institute’s religion and globalisation cluster, noted that Asia is becoming “more central” in global affairs.

“Asia is maybe one of the few continents that has been able to preserve and develop alternative political models and traditions, religious traditions and political traditions,” he told CNA.

“And so, if the Holy See wants to be truly universal, it has to engage with Asian traditions that have been extremely resilient and creative in engaging with modernity.”

Singapore’s former foreign affairs minister George Yeo, who was also previously a member of the Vatican Council for the Economy, pointed out that Pope Francis has appointed bishops from all over Asia, as well as cardinals from every country in Southeast Asia.

“He does it to express the idea of a universal church, that this is not a European church. It’s not a western church,” Mr Yeo added.

Continue Reading

KL sinkhole: Repair may take 3 to 6 months, as victim’s family conduct religious rites before returning to India

By:
On:
In: Asia

SEARCH FOR MISSING VICTIM CALLED OFF

Malaysian authorities switched to “recovery” efforts after it was deemed that rescue operations were too dangerous to continue.

“After considering all expert opinions … we have decided that we will stop search and rescue operations today,” said Federal Territories Minister Zaliha Mustafa on Saturday, noting that this was for the “safety” of both rescuers and the surrounding area, citing a second sinkhole that had reappeared several metres away.

Rescuers had identified an “object” in the sewer pipes, but were unable to determine if that was the victim, she said, noting that conditions involving fast-moving water had made the operation dangerous.

“We cannot ignore public safety and the safety of tourists who walk along Jalan Masjid India. This is among the reasons why we stop search and rescue, but we will go into a situation of search and recovery,” Dr Zaliha added.

Jalan Masjid India, a street popular with tourists and which is home to several department stores and goldsmiths, had been closed while search and rescue operations were underway. Some shops facing the sinkhole site reopened on Sunday, Bernama said, although footfall was much lower than before the incident.

CNA reported last Tuesday that businesses at some shop had plunged by nearly 90 per cent, with residents worried about safety. 

Continue Reading

OCBC internet, mobile banking down for some users

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: OCBC internet and mobile banking services went down for some users on Sunday (Sep 1).

The bank said in a Facebook post at about 11.50am that users may have difficulty using its internet and mobile banking services.

In an update at 12.33pm, it added that these services are “progressively being restored”.

“If you had difficulties logging in earlier, please try again. Our ATM and card services are unaffected and continue to work as per normal,” the bank said.

It added that no customer data has been compromised and that customers’ money remains safe.

A message on its website said it was “experiencing heavy traffic” and asked customers to wait or come back later.

Those who needed to suspend their accounts and cards were told to do so via ATMs or to contact the bank.

“We apologise once again for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience,” the bank wrote on Facebook.

“We will provide another update when all services have been restored.”

One commentator said: “Appreciate that you’re working on it, but please fix the issue asap thank you.”

Another person said they were unable to pay for food using the QR code.

CNA has contacted the bank for more information.

Continue Reading

Climate change and modernisation upend Batam Orang Lauts’ lives at sea

By:
On:
In: Asia

Mr Hasan confirmed this. Years ago, it was common for Orang Laut to haul in tens of kilograms of squid after one night of fishing.

“But now, it is hard to get that same amount. We can only get three or four kilos (of squid) a night,” he said. “The same with fish. Before, we could catch five or even six red groupers. But now, only one and at times, not at all.”

FORCED TO SETTLE DOWN

Mr Leo Putra, chief of the Batam Social Affairs and Community Empowerment Agency said to mitigate the effects of climate change, his office is providing Orang Laut with outboard motors so they can sail faster and fish further.

The government is also providing training for the nomads to start their own fish farms and handing out sewing machines so the women can supplement their families’ income by becoming tailors.

In return, the office requested Orang Laut to give up their nomadic lifestyle. “If they move around so much, it will be difficult for us to help them,” Mr Leo told CNA.

The government has been trying to get the group to settle in a particular island or coastal area since the 1990s, under the notion that their nomadic way of life is backwards and primitive.

“Their children didn’t go to school. They had no identity cards. They had no religion. So we gave them houses, we built schools for their children and sent preachers and missionaries to convert them,” the agency chief said.

The programme was successful in getting virtually all Orang Laut in and around Batam to live on stilt houses in around 40 locations around the city. Unlike their parents, children know how to read and write while the adults have access to healthcare and social assistance schemes.

But it also caused a dramatic shift in their culture and tradition.

In Batam, there are several Orang Laut communities which have become completely sedentary. In these communities, their traditional rowboats – the only thing that separates them from ordinary fishermen – exist only in the memories of ageing men and women.

For those who still practise semi-nomadic lives, they build only small “child” rowboats and not the big and bulky “mother” boats that their parents used to have.

“Smaller boats are more manoeuvrable and we don’t need boats which can fit a whole family like before,” said Madam Sarina, 55. She added that nowadays in her community on the western coast of Batam, only the men embark on months-long sea journeys while the women and children stay behind.

Continue Reading

‘I’m just so grateful’: Singapore’s Yip Pin Xiu thankful for support after second gold at Paris Paralympics

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: After securing a gold in her opening event at the Paris Paralympics, Yip Pin Xiu told herself that regardless of whatever happened in the women’s 50m backstroke S2 final, she could rest in the assurance that she had done her best.

And with that ease of mind, the defending champion clocked a time of 1:05.99 to clinch her second gold of the Games.

At the La Defense Arena, Mexico’s Haidee Aceves took silver (1:08.96) while Spain’s Teresa Perales (1:10.95) finished with bronze.

“After the 100m, I really was trying not to put too much pressure on myself,” she told CNA.

“I was telling myself that regardless of what happens with the results, (I’ve) already done my best and everything … That’s the mindset I had coming in.”

Yip’s latest medal means she has won golds at both the 50m and 100m backstroke S2 events for three consecutive Paralympics.

The 32-year-old is Singapore’s most decorated Paralympian and the current world record holder for both events.

“A lot of people to thank, (those) that have shown me support along the way. I’m just grateful for the amount of support that we got from Singaporeans after the first race,” said Yip.

“Thank you so much for all of those messages coming in … I’m just so grateful. All of you have played a part in one way or another in this victory.”

Continue Reading

Struggling to get pregnant: How husbands cope with IVF, miscarriages and disappointment

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Winston Yip, 40, and his wife, Josephine, got married 15 years ago at 26. A few years into marriage, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, which caused irregular ovulation.

The couple started fertility treatments in 2013, progressing from IUI to IVF. Despite multiple attempts and two miscarriages, they continued trying, even after discovering Josephine had uterine polyps, which required surgery.

In 2020, COVID-19 delayed their plans, but they managed a fifth IVF attempt, which ended in another miscarriage. In 2021, Yip’s wife found out she had breast cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy.

After completing treatment in 2022, she was cleared for IVF again. The couple is now awaiting viability scans for their remaining frozen embryos.

Coping with infertility: “We were hit badly by our last two miscarriages. I felt sad with each miscarriage but I was more concerned about Josephine’s feelings. I would check in with her – listen to her and let her cry. There is only so much a man can do but to let grief run its course and let time heal.

When we found out that Josephine had cancer in March 2021, I did not have much time to process it. Things were happening so fast, from getting diagnosed, to a treatment plan and mastectomy within two months.

The turning point was after the surgery when the doctor called me to say the operation went well. I broke down – it dawned on me, I could have lost her.

During those tough periods, we held on to our Christian faith, the support of our family and friends, especially those from FSS. I would also confide in a close buddy of mine.”

Tips for couples:  

  • Like any road trip or a long hike, it is normal to get tired or feel unwell. It is okay to have a pit-stop, but we should always look out for each other, recharge and set off together again.
  • It is never about the destination, but always about our whys. Ours is because we are each other’s best friend and enjoy doing things together.

FERTILITY SUPPORT IN SINGAPORE

Support for your fertility journey: Fertility Support SG

Information about fertility: Healthhub

Information about co-funding for ART: Made for Families, a government initiative to support Singapore families. 

Hospital fertility centres: SGH Centre for Assisted Reproduction (CARE), KKIVF Centre and NUH Centre for Human Reproduction

Continue Reading

Trial programme gets children to befriend seniors — 5 reasons to watch this CNA series

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

It was as though Auntie Christabelle was telling Laura, “You can do it. I’m here, I’m listening to you. You don’t need to feel shy”, observed SJSM Village volunteer leader Chay Siew Ping.

Given the opportunity, older people not only can impart experience but also can model qualities like confidence, said Chay.

Confidence building through inter-generation interactions is a two-way process. During a game, Laura passed on a message from Chay by speaking into Auntie Christabelle’s only good ear.  “I love you,” Laura whispered.

“Wow, so do I. I love you!” Auntie Christabelle exclaimed.

Such encounters, said Vivien Wu Xi, an assistant professor at the NUS’ Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, help to give the elderly residents “the social confidence that ‘I’m connected, I’m engaged.’”

“Even though I’m living in a nursing home setting, I’m still having little friends coming to visit me, working together on certain activities, achieving certain milestones every session.”

WATCH PART 3: Kids learn how their senior friends live in a nursing home (45:51)

Continue Reading

An inside look at how Singapore’s egg farms keep out bird flu

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: In the far north-west, Singapore’s only three egg farms sit within a 4km distance of one another, in surroundings largely untouched by the rapid urbanisation seen elsewhere in the country.  

This Lim Chu Kang area has been earmarked by authorities for development into a high-tech agri-food zone, to raise production and strengthen Singapore’s food security. 

But an evolving development around the world threatens to upend those plans – by threatening the existence of the egg farms.

The spread of avian influenza, or bird flu, has killed or led to the culling of hundreds of millions of poultry globally in recent years.

Over a century old and carried mainly by migratory water birds, the disease has also increasingly been infecting mammals not previously thought susceptible, like alpacas, house cats, and cows.

Human cases are rare, but have been reported in nearby countries. Singapore, however, is currently free from bird flu.

And its egg farms have stringent measures as a first line of defence, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases that could compromise the health of its fowl. 

These safeguards are the “most important” strategy preventing the entry of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), said Dr Michael Banawa, head of poultry business for ASEAN, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand at pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.  

“Humans can act as mechanical vectors, meaning they can carry the virus on their skin, clothing or equipment … This can potentially lead to the spread of the virus to other birds,” he added.

Donning a hair net, rubber boots, latex gloves and a mask, this CNA reporter got a rare look at how one of Singapore’s few egg farms stops any such transmission from happening.

Continue Reading