Tuesday, October 31, 2000
Top Stories
Singapore Jet Crashes On Take-Off
The crash occurred at 11.18pm local time. The SIA Boeing 747-400 was taking off during a storm and hit by strong winds. It hit two other planes on the tarmac, including a China Airlines plane, police said.
Singapore Airlines 747 Crashes In Taiwan
A Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 bound for Los Angeles crashed during takeoff late Tuesday from Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan.
News
Singapore Jet Crashes In Taipei
John Diaz, a passenger on the flight, said flames ``shot up right next to me'' as the plane tried to take off. He said there was ``heavy, heavy rain'' at the time.
SIA Plane Crashes During A Storm In Taiwan
L.A.-Bound 747 With 179 On Board Crashes In Taiwan; No Fatalities Reported
Singapore Plane Crashes In Taiwan
A Singapore Airlines jetliner bound for Los Angeles crashed Tuesday night after taking off in a storm and collided with another aircraft on the tarmac, Taiwanese officials said.
Singapore Plane Crashes In Taiwan
There is so far no news of casualties among the 179 people on board the Singapore Airlines 747.
Engine Failure Forces SIA Plane To Make About Turn
SIA said Flight SQ 320, which was headed for London, had just taken off at about 12.53pm when one of its four engines failed.
Technology
Indian States Wooing Singapore Investors
Singapore is fast becoming a popular destination for Indian's famous cyber states, in their bid to attract investment and to open opportunities in the subcontinent.
Monday, October 30, 2000
Top Stories
Testing Political Limits
"Shame furthers the discussion of politics locally," said lawyer Kevin Tan of the discussion group Roundtable at the publication's launch. "That is a very good sign."
Make It Service With A Smile, Not A Snarl
Hospitality industry needs facelift to change negative public image of service staff and boost their quality.
Memoirs Recall Past, Which Cannot Be Changed
Yeog Yoon Ying, Press Secretary to the Senior Minister: Because he insisted on being legal and logical, there were riots in Butterworth. There were none in Singapore because the Singapore Government decided to be practical, not legal and logical.
News
Malaysia's (Not So) International Irport
With the advent of super jumbos like the new Airbus A3XX or Boeing's 747-Stretch X, airports around the world will be further divided into hubs and spokes. Hubs will be airports where all the major regional and global airlines fly to and from, while local and regional airlines take passengers to nearby spokes. Singapore and Hong Kong have already carved their niches as Asia's premier hubs.
Half Of Tang Dynasty City Artefacts Sold
Resort developer Citiraya Group pays about $1 million for them. Other items will go under the hammer at an on-site public auction at 10 am today.
Panic Buttons Stops MRT Trains Daily
More than 300 times a year, a train grinds to a stop and operators rush to reset the buttons and check that all is well.
Singapore Opposition Leader To Go To Bankruptcy Court
One of Singapore's opposition politicians Joshua Jeyaretnam said Monday his offer to pay damages in a defamation suit against him had been rejected, and that the country's ruling party was trying to bankrupt him out of politics.
Technology
Telstra Eyes Singapore As 3G Auction Looms
Telstra Corp, Australia's No 1 telecommunications company, said it was keen to expand its business into Singapore, though it was too early to comment on how much it would spend on spectrum auctions.
Dot.coms Join Forces To Trade
As venture capital dries up, members of new website network to raise cash, offer their services and products, and trade intellectual properties.
Sunday, October 29, 2000
Top Stories
Arts Environment Debate May Re-Open
The storm over Talaq might provide the opportunity to broach the topic of the ideal arts environment for Singapore, said several arts practitioners yesterday.
President Of Drama Group Behind Talaq Play Arrested
Ms S Thenmoli, the founder and President of the group behind the controversial play, "Talaq", was arrested by the police after she refused to leave the premises despite repeated warnings to do so.
Asia's Next Tech Hub: Singapore
Singapore has officially launched its bid to compete with other Asian countries to become the No. 1 technology hub in the region following a government announcement that it will inject S$7 billion into the tech and science sector over the next five years.
Quality Of Service Here Not Up To Par, Says PM
"We can have beautiful hotels, fascinating tours and gourmet cuisine. But if the service is bad, it will negate all these efforts."
News
Singapore's Lee Sees No Need For Western-Style Democracy
Asked how he can reconcile his nation's prosperity with its perceived lack of civil liberties, Lee said: "The fact that we're part of the First World economically doesn't mean we have to be part of the First World in Western terms."
Singapore Theater Director Arrested For Rehearsing Banned Play
"It's so obvious that they don't want this play to go on," Thenmoli said before her arrest.
Controversial Theatre-Group Leader: I Was Treated Well
"I was treated in a very civil manner by the police at the station and I have no intention to run afoul of the law."
6,500 Brave Rain For First Second Link Run
Among the runners were about 600 Singaporeans who ran quarter and half marathons in an event aimed at promoting tourism and bilateral ties.
Zoo Takes Flak For Getting Chimps To Pose
Singapore zoo denies charges of cruelty after it is accused of keeping young chimpanzees in cages and training them for snapshots with visitors.
Entertainment
Beethoven Music Store To Close Sunday
Singapore's familiar classical music shop, Beethoven Record House, bids farewell after 36 years in business.
Saturday, October 28, 2000
News
COE Open Bidding To Be Launched, Despite Low Support From Banks
The government will introduce the open bidding system for Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) during the second quarter of next year, even if some major banks have chosen not to take part in the scheme.
Friday, October 27, 2000
Top Stories
Arts Council Respects Decision To Call Off Play
The NAC noted that it supported the staging of the play subject to some changes being made.
News
Don't Blame Oil Crisis For Bigger Power Bills: PUB
Consumers here may blame the recent oil crisis for rising electricity bills, but the Public Utilities Board (PUB) says the main culprit is increased consumption.
Private Singapore Showing Of Publicly Banned Play About Indian Muslim Women
A play depicting marital violence within Indian Muslim society is to be staged privately in Singapore after authorities refused a public performance licence for the work.
Technology
Government To Pump $200m Into Wireless Services, Products
To be administered by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, the three-year programme called "Wired With Wireless" will focus on three key areas: location-based services, wireless multimedia and mobile commerce.
Travel Woes
Don't look to the Web for your next holiday.
Entertainment
Jamal's Set To Shake Up TV Scene
After successes in Malaysia, head of English media & entertainment unit is looking to grab eyeballs, ad revenue.
Thursday, October 26, 2000
Top Stories
Comparing Broadband Net Access
There are now four providers to choose from, as well as different price plans and options such as constant connectivity and video-on-demand.
Consumers "Will Pay More" With 3G Licence Auction
In the most openly critical remarks against the Government's move so far by any local telecommunications operator, StarHub president and chief executive Terry Clontz said in no uncertain terms yesterday that end users would definitely draw the short end of the stick with the auction route.
News
Suntec City Helps Push Up Marina Centre Rentals
Strong demand from New Economy tenants for offices at Suntec City helped push the average office rental in Marina Centre past the level at prime Raffles Place in the third quarter.
Singapore Authorities Reject Play On Muslim Women
Talaq: Controversial Play Won't Get Licence
"After taking into consideration views from the National Arts Council and the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) I regret to inform you that we are unable to approve the application to stage the play."
Club Med To Open In Singapore
Club Med is looking to bring its brand of recreational fun to Singapore with Club Med World, an urban entertainment centre where one can dine, "travel", be entertained and even learn some circus tricks.
Technology
PacNet Draws Flak For Its "Power" Package
"How can you call this broadband if you cannot watch video, cannot play online games, cannot download MP3, cannot this, cannot that?"
Entertainment
Cheap Thrills At Ang Mo Kio
You could easily get lost because the shops are all spread out, but you could still strike it lucky.
Wednesday, October 25, 2000
News
Singapore Employers Caned For Unsympathetic Approach To Illness
Singapore employers have been accused of being heartless and unreasonable, forcing parents to lie in order to get time off work to care for sick children.
Technology
Tuesday, October 24, 2000
News
Media Should Be Guided "By Values, Not Profits"
SAT Swotting? Save Your Time
Studying and taking courses for the Scholastic Assessment Test will not boost students' results, but it will steal time from other subjects.
Technology
Overseas Players Cool On Singapore's 3G Auction
Singapore's plan to auction four third-generation (3G) mobile telecommunications licences has drawn a muted international response, reports said Tuesday and only three local players have shown an immediate interest.
Monday, October 23, 2000
Top Stories
Price Hike For Movie Tickets On Weekdays
"We saw increased attendance after the reduction, especially from office workers. But we also found that we couldn't meet operating costs."
SAT For University Admission From 2003
American reasoning test will make up 25 per cent of entry score for A-level holders; it will be held six times a year.
News
Singapore Writer Unfazed By Death Threat
A Singaporean writer said Sunday he was unfazed by a death threat over his play about marital violence and the rape of Indian Muslim women.
English A Killer In SAT I Paper
Kids sixteen and below: Go brush up on your English-language skills.
Entertainment
Big Names Out Of Star Awards
Last year's winners of the Star Awards were not even nominated for the honour this year. But Xie Shaoguang and Cynthia Koh are far from disappointed.
Party Fever At Siloso Beach
Forget about full moon parties in foreign lands. Come December, you can dance with the tides at Sentosa's Siloso Beach in an all-night dance music fest.
Sunday, October 22, 2000
Top Stories
More Than We Cna Chew
"Eat first, pay the bill, go home and sleep; maybe a belch in between. Very few [people] will consider the environmental and ecological impact of obtaining food, seafood in particular."
Censorship Rules Will Stay As They Are
That's despite the Government hinting at a review and claims that there is room to relax the guidelines.
News
No One Home As Singapore Goes Networking
It was near impossible to find a Singapore politician at home last week — most were scattered around the globe establishing ties at political and business levels.
Power Supply Overcharges 300 New Customers
Singapore's utilities provider Power Supply overcharged 300 new customers on their water bills during a three-month period between December 1998 and February 1999.
Singapore Maths, Science School Textbooks Used In US
It's happening because American parents and their educators are trying to find ways to improve the way mathematics and science are taught in US classrooms.
Technology
Real-Time Info For Bus Commuters By 2003
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced yesterday that it has awarded a $40.3-million contract to Stratech Systems to beam bus travel schedules into cyberspace.
Saturday, October 21, 2000
Technology
Bidders Begin To Queue For Singapore's 3G Licences
Singapore stood to make two billion dollars from the sale of four third-generation (3G) mobile telecommunications licences, analysts said Saturday, as bidders began queueing for the February auction.
E-Banking Yet To Hit Right Note With Everybody
Most prefer traditional banking for security reasons, but the number of people who bank online is likely to rise.
End-Users Will Not Lose Out, Says Government
"One of our prime considerations is whether the initial upfront auction fee for successful bidders will translate into high end-user pricing for 3G access. The answer is "no', since the 3G market will have a competitive multi-operator environment."
M1 CDMA Users Hit By 3G Move
Mobile phone group will have to move out of its existing spectrum slot and wants to be compensated for doing so.
Friday, October 20, 2000
Top Stories
SilkAir MI 185 Crash Draft Report Ready: MCIT
Under international civil aviation practices, Indonesia, which conducted the investigation, is required to extend a copy of the draft report to Singapore, the state where the aircraft had been registered, as well as the United States, where the plane was manufactured. Both Singapore and the US have up to 60 days to revert to the Indonesian authorities with the specific technical comments.
News
Singaporean Playwright Receives Death Threat Over Muslim WOrk
A Singaporean playwright said Friday he had received a death threat over attempts to stage an English production of his work "Talaq" about marital violence and rape in the Muslim Indian community.
Technology
Singapore To Issue Four 3G Licenses
Singapore will issue up to four third-generation mobile licenses through an auction that will be held in February 2001, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore said Friday.
Entertainment
High Hopes For "Chicken Rice War"
Hopes are pinned on the upcoming Singapore film Chicken Rice War to be the breakthrough hit for the English-speaking market here and abroad.
Co-Productions To Help Boost Singapore's Film Industry
The Singapore Film Commission, which has been helping to fund local projects, now wants to help local filmmakers work with experienced filmmakers from other countries.
Thursday, October 19, 2000
Top Stories
Talaq Still In Limbo
It is a face-off in the best tradition of a John Woo movie. The fate of controversial play Talaq is still in limbo because all parties involved in deciding whether it will staged again are playing taiqi.
Nothin' On The Radio
Call it a case of ''mixed frequencies''. Many Singaporeans feel that radio stations here are not hearing their pleas for more varied radio programming.
More Leeway In Restoring Shophouses
"The buildings and the area must be given the chance of evolution," said first vice-president of SIA, Mr Richard Ho.
News
Taxi, Taxi, Who's The Cheapest
All the journeys were taken on different routes and different days at different times. The Tibs taxis turned out to be most expensive on four of the 10 routes.
Singapore: Further Evidence That Services Will Be The Savior
Technology
HK Top Earners Match Singapore's In Computer Use: Survey
Hongkong's elite have caught up with their Singaporean counterparts in computer ownership and are rapidly closing the gap on Internet penetration. The latest Asian Target Markets Survey by AC Nielsen found that Singapore no longer has the comfortable lead it had in using technology.
"SPH AsiaOne One Of The Few" That Will Survive Net Shakeout
When the dust settles on the Singapore Internet scene, only a few major players will be left standing, says ING Barings regional Internet analyst Douglas Kim.
Entertainment
No Listing On Taekwondo, Says SportsCity
Hass Aminian, Assistant Vice-Preisdent SportsCity: We did a thorough check after Mr Wong's letter. Our press listings sent to the various press agencies did not reflect "taekwondo" at 4 am on Sept 30. Neither did our website list "taekwondo" on Sept 30.
Lan Kwai Fong Club Folds
The disco-winebar, which drew in the party-goers when chinoiserie was popular, has closed permanently due to poor business.
Chicken Rice On Movie Menu
Chicken Rice War, which cost $880,000, is set to open on Nov 16. The stakes are high. It is Raintree Pictures' first English movie and the Singapore Film Commission's long-awaited debut project.
Singapore's East Side Becomes A Night-Life Haven
Food and beverage operators are heading down to Siglap like prospectors on a gold rush.
Wednesday, October 18, 2000
News
Would You Toss This Coin Away?
The unwanted five-cent piece is often thrown into the donation box or palmed off on a reluctant stallholder.
SingTel Trade At $3.50 Valid
Yesterday's statement had put an end to rumours that the buy order for the 662 lots of SingTel shares during the pre-close session last Friday was a case of an oversight by a dealer.
Ordinary Account For New CPF Payback
It was logical to put money in the Ordinary account in future because the cut of four percentage points in workers' Special CPF retirement accounts would be restored fully in January.
Singaporeans Gloomy Despite Bright Economic Figures
Clouding the outlook are a weakening stock market, declining export growth and rising oil prices.
Technology
Color Handspring Visor To Hit Singapore In Q1, 2001
Handspring Visor fans here will have to wait a little longer for the latest color Visor Prism.
Schools GO Wireless, Enabling Net Access Anywhere Anytime
Fifteen schools have gone wireless so students can access the Internet anywhere, anytime within the school compound.
Entertainment
Uplifiting Place For Women
A 2,700 sq-ft flagship store at Scotts Shopping Centre was opened on Sunday.
Carre-Four Some New Fashion?
Walking down the aisles of Carrefour will reap more rewards than just food as the hypermarket has breathed new life into its clothing department.
Tuesday, October 17, 2000
Top Stories
Singapore And Malaysia Will Not Merge, Says SM
The governments, peoples, languages and philosophy of life of the two nations are at variance, adds Mr Lee.
Siew Sin Wasn't Anti-Singapore
Tan Siok Choo: As a daughter, it is a little disappointing to know that my father's sense of closure has proved to be illusory.
News
NAC "Threatened" To Withhold Play Licence: Group
In a press statement issued last night, a spokesman for the NAC explained that the panel members were chosen "as their sensitivities were relevant to the evaluation process".
A Free Press Can Help Forge An Open Society
Francis Lim Khek Gee: Nobody is saying that democracy is the cure of all evils, but as history has shown repeatedly, the alternative is too hideous to contemplate. In the forging of an open society, then, the press has a tremendous role to play.
SIngapore Body Accused Of Intimidation Over Play About Muslim Women
Singapore's National Arts Council (NAC) has been accused of using intimidatory tactics in a row over a play depicting the harrowing experiences of married Indian Muslim women. Producers of the play "Talaq" — meaning divorce in Malay — have questioned the council's decision to bring in two Muslim men to judge the work about oppressed Muslim women.
Technology
StarHub To Invest $100m More On Mobile Coverage
Start-Ups Get Shown The Door By Banks
Tan Sin Yat: If we are to succeed in nurturing promising enterprises, then more must be done to encourage them, instead of turning them away without even understanding their business.
KRDL, China Venture Capitalist To Help Start-Ups Expand
Under the arrangement, KRDL spin-offs will have easier access to the China market while Shenzhen Venture Capital Company Ltd (SZVC) start-ups can reach global markets via Singapore.
Monday, October 16, 2000
News
Singapore Exchange Continues SingTel Share Trade Probe
Singapore Beaches Still Being Cleaned After Oil Spill
Workers were still cleaning Singapore's resort area beaches Monday, almost two weeks after an oil tanker ran aground and spilled thousands of metric tons of crude oil.
Sexuality Education For Lower Secondary Students
The Education Ministry on Monday launched a multimedia package called "The Growing Years Series" which will address not just the physical but also the emotional, social and ethical aspects of sexuality.
FairPrice Chairman FRejects SGX Listing
"Bottom line is important now, but we can still override and say social objectives, the community's interests, are greater."
Entertainment
Is Local TV Racist, Or Honest?
The quality of local sitcoms and dramas was one of the issues addressed during the press briefing held last week by the Media Feedback Group.
Changi Airport's Allure Laid Bare
As construction work starts on Changi Airport's Terminal 3, Life! checks out the existing two terminals to see what wins them so much praise.
Sunday, October 15, 2000
News
Childcare Centres And Kindergartens Reopen On Monday
With its centres closed and teachers freed from daily caregiving, NTUC Childcare took the opportunity to bring forward training programmes scheduled for next year to this week.
Entertainment
More Adult Dramas On Goggle Box
Four shows steal the scene from teens and bring things into a more adult focus, but some of the cuts are unkind.
Friday, October 13, 2000
News
PUB To Penalise Firms Which Cause Voltage Dips
Measures announced by PUB yesterday are aimed at high-voltage electrical installations, or consumers that take electricity supply at 22kV or more. These are usually large factories, high-rise commercial buildings and big hotels.
Plans For Mega Theme Park In The Works
"If someone says they want to take over Sentosa or want to start up something in Marina South, it can also be discussed."
Technology
Pilot Phase Of First Internet HDB Home Launched
With the system, the couple will be able to telecommute from home, access community services online and even make an appointment with their neighbourhood doctor so they can "queue" at home instead of at the clinic.
Entertainment
Mega Shows Slated To Boost To Tourism Here
Miss Saigon and Cirque du Soleil are part of the STB's efforts to promote the country as a place where people Live It Up — the tagline of its campaign.
MediaCorp, Nera To Roll Out TV For Public Transport
The programme line-up will include live telecasts from TCS stations, such as programmes on Channel News Asia, and edited snippets of other shows such as sitcoms like Ally McBeal.
Thursday, October 12, 2000
News
CPF Restoration Unlikely To Affect Pay Rises: Boon Heng
Workers can still expect pay rises of about 5 per cent, as bosses know they have to top up CPF contributions.
CPF: When Will The Other 4% Be Restored?
Analysts bullish on prospects for full restoration soon.
4-Pt CPF Restoration "Not Enough"
The Disabled Too Need Compulsory Education
Eng Whan Seng: I am sure schools and the various ministries will be willing to help parents of disabled children to enable the children to go to school, be it normal or special education.
One.Tel Hangs Up On Singapore
News Corp-backed mobile phone company One.Tel is pulling out of the Singapore telecommunications scene — because of a "completely unfavourable environment" created by Singapore Telecom (SingTel).
Entertainment
Give Us Better Sports Coverage And Schedules
Nicholas Jermey Wong Jak-Sern: SportsCity can do better to plan ahead instead of making last-minute changes to its programmes.
No More Free World Cup On Television
Singapore Cable Vision announced yesterday that it had successfully outbid Sportscity to screen all 64 matches of the 2002 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by Japan and Korea.
New Film Studio Unveils Virgin Project
Launching movie company CineArt Pictures, Europa kingpin Dennis Foo announced that its virgin project is titled Is It Murder?
Wednesday, October 11, 2000
News
Employer's CPF Contributions Rate Raised To 16% Next Year
In a statement, the Ministry of Manpower said the decision to restore the CPF contribution rate was taken in view of the strong economic growth and rising wage pressures, a higher quantum of the employers.
Wheelchair Access Proposal For CityLink Submitted
Tan Hoon Wee, Corporate Service Division for Chief Executive Officer, Building and Construction Authority: The developer for CityLink Mall has already submitted a proposal to the Building and Construction Authority on the provision of access facilities for persons in wheelchairs.
Singapore Wins UN Security Council Seat
It will represent Asia for two years from Jan 1, the first time Republic will take its turn on the world body.
Tuesday, October 10, 2000
News
MPs' Speeches: Rules Changed
Chiam See Tong can now speak at constituency events organised by his political party - the only catch: He can't invite his party cadre.
Entertainment
Women Are Worse Culprits In Age-Old Game Of Chest-Gazing
Yup, however you call them - tatas, boobies, titties, melons, knockers - every single person checks them out. And women are the worst culprits.
Monday, October 9, 2000
Top Stories
Singapore's Dotcom Flip-Flops
Unlike Hong Kong, where there have been over 30-odd dotcom IPOs and several old-economy companies reborn as dotcom companies through injection of Internet assets (or reverse takeovers), Singapore caught the dotcom fever a bit too late. But in trying to play catch up, it may have spoiled the party for my friend and even for genuine dotcom entrepreneurs with technology and decent business models.
Golf Still A Rich Man's Game Here
As long as the Singapore Golf Association (SGA) has its way, golf looks set to be a sport for the creme de la creme.
News
6 Years' School For All Children
All children born from Jan 1, 1996, will be assured of at least six years of education, as a bill has been passed to make sure their parents send them to school.
Government Supports Retaining Of Cultural Identities: DPM Lee
In The Grip Of A Virus
The result: a challenge for working parents and a time for employers to reveal just how pro-family they were ó or were not.
Technology
$2b SingTel, StarHub Payout Justified
Against a barrage of criticism, Communications and Information Technology Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said the $2 billion payout to Singapore Telecommunications and StarHub was "a small price to pay" to strengthen Singapore's economic competitiveness and ensure its share of new investments.
Singtel Plans 3G Asian Mobile Network
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Asia's eighth largest telephone company, plans to build a Pan-Asia third generation (3G) mobile network though joint ventures with regional telecom players.
Sunday, October 8, 2000
Top Stories
Why Not Restore CPF Rate Fully By April 1?
Leong Ching: If it is true that Singapore's economy is going through restructuring, and new skills must be acquired to be competitive, it is better to have these reflected truly and transparently in the wages of the workers.
News
Virgin Mobile To Offer Services Early Next Year
"We have been working very hard to finalise all the terms in the shareholders agreement, trademark licensing and telecoms supplier agreement. We will conclude all these very soon," said Lucas Chow, SingTel Mobile's chief executive.
Air Hub For 64m Passengers
Changi Airport's new $1.5 billion Terminal 3 will not only look futuristic, but will also be capable of handling the super-jumbo of the 21st century — the Airbus A3XX.
Entertainment
Joe Augustin Heads For Power
Power 98FM, that is. But he won't be hosting any programmes there.
A Saucier Mee Pok Man
Stage version of the movie about a love affair comes with extra spice as the two lead actors agree to show some skin, for the play's sake.
Saturday, October 7, 2000
News
Childcare Closure May End Thursday
Thursday is the earliest that childcare centres and kindergartens may reopen since the hand, foot and mouth disease scare caused their closure this week.
Entertainment
Discover Labrador Park On A Trail
Go on a walking tour at the park led by the National Parks Board next month and discover the mystery of the many historical relics and wonders it holds.
Friday, October 6, 2000
Top Stories
Are We A Nation Of Whiners?
"People have this notion that unless you complain, you won't have what you want."
News
Singapore Employers Slow, Reluctant To Implement Family-Friendly Policies: NUS Study
Privatisation Should Go With Liberalisation
Alamelu Subramaniam, Senior Assistant Director (Public Affairs) for Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry: A better solution is for privatisation to be accompanied by market liberalisation. Then competition will raise efficiency and lower prices, and no monopoly will need to be regulated.
PMs Can Work Out Formula: Syed Hamid
A formula will have to be worked out between the Prime Ministers of Malaysia and Singapore to resolve the package of outstanding bilateral issues and, while no timetable has been set, the sooner this is done the better, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has said.
Technology
Two CEOs Tell How They Got Dotburned
Failure doesn't mean that you're a loser. You have to learn EVERYTHING when you start a dotcom, and there's great value in the skills, such as marketing knowledge or knowing how to source funds.
Wednesday, October 4, 2000
Top Stories
Field For Debate 'Wide Open'
"The field is wide open as far as public debate is concerned, but normal laws apply, like in Britain or anywhere else."
Let People "Meet" MPs Through The Net
Xie Yanming: This would also help to lessen the workload and reduce the queues at RC centres during meet-the-people sessions. Residents would also be more willing to share their problems from the privacy of their homes and MPs could gather more feedback from the ground.
News
A-Level 'Guinea Pigs' Are Worried
No 10-year series or spotting of questions for this exam.
Production Of MediaCrop's First Newspaper Goes High Tech
"If you've seen Streats, it's more like a supplement to a main newspaper, whereas we aim to be a complete paper by ourselves. We will be a paper with very comprehensive entertainment, lifestyle, sports, so in that sense, I don't think we are streats at all. While the content we give you is probably worth more than 60 cents, we just happen to give it away for free."
One Design School Will Do, Says Sculptor Iskandar Jalil
Merger of 3 institutions here will give students a vibrant education.
"3 Points May Be Restored To CPF"
Workers may get three percentage points of their Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions from employers restored next year, National Trades Union Congress secretary-general Lim Boon Heng said yesterday.
Technology
AsiaOne Incurs $15m Loss; Still Confident About Future
AsiaOne chief executive officer Low Huan Ping attributed the growth in online advertising to the ""stickiness'' of the AsiaOne website, on which surfers spend about 22 minutes a time. He said that the website had about 750,000 users, of which 280,000 were registered visitors.
Entertainment
Cantonese Opera WIth European Flair
The first appearance together of opera artistes from five European countries will feature in the S'pore International Cantonese Opera Festival 2000.
Tuesday, October 3, 2000
News
One Step, Two Step, Three... : A Three-Way Relationship May Suit DBS
Analysts are now saying that unless they hear of big purchases from DBS in the next six months, the price could move even further southward. CEO Olds, who has just seen his former bank, J. P. Morgan, gobbled up by Chase Manhattan, must be wondering whether a similar fate awaits DBS.
Tanker Spills Oil Between Indonesia And Singapore
New Syllabuses As MOE Takes More Control Of 'A' Levels
Education Minister Rear-Admiral Teo Chee Hean told a news conference Tuesday this will allow his Ministry more flexibility in developing the syllabus and exam formats to incorporate recent initiatives and programmes in Singapore's education system.
More Accurate Utilities Estimates Soon
Stephen Chew, Manager, Custom Relations, Power Supply: Should customers prefer to be billed on actual readings every month, we encourage them to read their own meters in the alternate months, when the meters are not read, and to submit them to us for billing.
Entertainment
TV Stars Raise $1.8m For Charity
At the Affairs Of The Heart, MediaCorp stars showed their true mettle when they bent metal rods and kissed a (fake) cobra.
Monday, October 2, 2000
News
Singapore's Elder Leader Opens Up In Online Chat
Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's outspoken elder statesman, gave his first online chat Friday, musing over the Internet on everything from God to bigamy to whether the government has the people's well-being at heart.
Technology
Sunday, October 1, 2000
Top Stories
Bridging The Causeway Gap
Lee Kim Chew: Two countries, one system? Could Singapore and Malaysia, faced with global cometition, forge more economic linkages to take on the world?
News
Deadly Virus Or Not, The Kids Are Out In Numbers
Parents turn a blind eye to the threat hand, foot and mouth disease poses and get out to enjoy Children's Day.
Time To Review Immigrant Laws That Jail Good Singaporeans
Manjit Singh: The objective behind laws dealing with illegal immigrants is obvious. That objective is blurred when the laws are applied to landlords whose only crime is a lack of diligence.
Save Voters From Monopolies
Ho Yew Kee: Another way to interpret this is SingTel would not have lowered its rates if StarHub had not entered the market. This means SingTel had enjoyed monopoly rent at the expense of the trapped customers in Singapore.
Biotech Buzz
With the mapping of successive genomes, biotech is on a roll again. Can Asia catch the coming wave?
All Childcare Centres Shut As 2 More Die
The week-long closure, which also applies to kindergartens, follows the deaths of four children, possibly from hand, foot and mouth disease.
Entertainment
Richmond, Chia To Sizzle On Screen
Mark Richmond and Beatrice Chia get physical again, this time in a film about a minister's son who is bored with the lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Hotels Cater To Needs Of New-Generation Travellers
Lux Ad Boosts Quek's Career
Velvety-skinned Phyllis QUek should be darn happy.