Wednesday, January 31, 2001
Top Stories
"Homosexuals Can Change" Church Poster Prompts Protest
According to a counsellor at the church, the banner was to promote a programme called Choices, aimed at helping homosexuals who aren't happy with their lifestyle to get on the "right" path. The result: 79 members of an e-mail list for gay, lesbian, transsexual and transgender Singaporeans have issued a protest online demanding the banner be taken down.
News
Study On Overseas Voting
A study will be done to see if arrangements can be made and what criteria should be used to decide who is eligible to vote. It will be completed by the end of the year and, if the Government decides to proceed, legislation will be passed.
Most Singaporeans Want To Retire Before Age 62
But they want to keep occupied with part-time work, and few have planned retirement finances, a survey shows.
SMA Not Acting To Preserve Income Of Private-Sector Doctors
Goh Lee Gan, President, Singapore Medical Association: The SMA would like to state that in its position paper to the Health Minister on Jan 2, 2001, the SMA was not acting to preserve the income of private-sector doctors. Also, our position paper and the ministry's subsequent reply do not represent an oppositional or antagonistic relationship.
SingTel Surprises With 27% Earnings Surge
Singapore Telecommunications has continued to show resilience nine months after the full liberalisation of the telecom industry — its net earnings for the nine months to Dec 31 surged 27.3 per cent to $1.89 billion.
Technology
No Action On Modem Splitting
We won't take action against those who share their cable modem hook-ups, but we won't encourage the practice either, Singapore Cable Vision (SCV) told Eyeball yesterday.
Entertainment
Taking Centre Stage
The stage is set for the inaugural Life! Theatre Awards, to be presented on Feb 26 in a celebration of the year's best theatre in Singapore productions.
Tuesday, January 30, 2001
Top Stories
Drought Of Teachers Could Get Worse
Because of shortage, some new recruits are forced to teach subjects they barely understand.
News
Miniature Golf Set To Swing In Singapore
Singapore May Seek To Boost Economy Soon
The Singapore government could begin to offer fresh initiatives as soon as next month to protect its trade-dependent economy from a slowdown in the U.S., analysts say.
OCBC Scraps Fee, After Public Outcry
Chairman for Case's consumer affairs committee, Mr Stephen Loke, said: 'If they want customers to use electronic banking, they must at least make sure that they have the infrastructure.'
'Time For Neighbours To Put Malay Issue Behind'
POSB Account Holders Deserve Better Service
Cedric Trevor Bryer: The service offered by POSB compared to four years ago when I first came to Singapore is abysmal.
Technology
'SCV, Please Increase Your Upload Speed'
CyberWorks Eyes 3G Licences In HK And Singapore
Pacific Century CyberWorks executive chairman Richard Li said his company would be bidding for a third-generation (3G) mobile phone network licence in Hongkong and would consider bidding for a licence in Singapore.
Monday, January 29, 2001
Top Stories
Singapore Senior Minister Says Tiananmen Papers Are Real
Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew says leaked secret papers on the tense discussions among top Chinese leaders ahead of the bloody 1989 army crackdown on Tiananmen Square are too detailed to be dismissed as a fake.
Singapore Revisited
In Singapore what Lee Kuan Yew decides still goes - just as it did during my watch a generation ago.
Singapore: Green Paradise Or Polluted City?
Things get a little murky when the methodology of some green rankings favours large countries, and there is no universal energy-efficiency yardstick.
News
Minister Says Water Supply Discussion Won't Be Affected
Malaysian, Singapore Ministers Play Down Diplomatic Row
Illicit Horse Betting A Big Business In Singapore - Report
Ways To Beat The Great CTE Crawl
Major roadworks under way include a three-tier junction at nightmare Braddell exit, which will cut tailbacks.
Technology
In The Pipeline: New Cable Modem For Networking
Vivien Chiong, Senior Manager, Corporate Communication, Singapore Cable Vision: We have continued with the discounts while investing in more overseas bandwidth for Internet connectivity at the same time.
Sunday, January 28, 2001
Top Stories
Why Nationals Abroad Can't Cast Ballots, For Now
Mr Lim explained that when people vote for their MPs, they have a vested interest to make sure that their constituency is represented by able men and women. But for Singaporeans living abroad, there is no such vested interest.
News
A Fourth University? Let's Keep It At Three
The fourth university sounds too much like the second. In fact, all things considered, let's stop at three for now.
Zoo's 'Snapshot' Chimps Now Run Free
Singapore Zoo ends confinement of trained chimpanzees on the back of criticism by animal-welfare groups.
Saturday, January 27, 2001
Top Stories
Singapore Rights Activist Ordered To Report To Police
Kevin Liew, program coordinator for the Open Singapore Center, said his office Friday received a police letter ordering him to appear at Singapore's Central Police Division Tuesday.
Singapore Fights Back Over Malaysian Criticism Of Goh Speech
Singapore's High Commissioner to Kuala Lumpur, K. Kesavapany, summoned by the Malaysian foreign ministry on Friday to explain Goh's speech, defended it as a necessary counter to a series of articles in the Malaysian media.
Will Having More Universities Lower Standards?
The number of universities has been growing to meet the demands of parents and their children, and the changing needs of the economy.
News
Litter Replaces Police On Streets Of Singapore
Now Lee has gone and things have changed, As well as graffiti there is litter in Singapore now. Not much of it. Not the masses of McDonald's boxes, plastic bags and other detritus that mar London. But there is some.
Minister Defends Malaysian Media Over Row With Singapore
Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Saturday defended Malaysia's media against criticism by Singapore that it was damaging relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
Technology
SCV Internet TV Trial Completed
Response was positive, but users want more PC-like capabilities, says Singapore Cable Vision.
Friday, January 26, 2001
Top Stories
MFA Explains Why PM Goh Made Speech On Singapore Malays
The Singapore spokesperson added that both sides should be sensitive and exercise restraint when commenting on developments in each other's countries and that Singapore looks forward to Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's coming visit to Singapore.
Singles Want To Be Home Alone
Despite the restrictions, the HDB flat is still the cheapest way for singles below 35 to find some privacy and personal space.
News
Singapore Leader Seeks To End Lingering Differences With Malaysia
Pressed on whether the problems with immediate neighbour and former federation partner could be resolved this year, Goh said he was hopeful but "I have to look at the offer from Malaysia first before I can comment.
Sinapore Rejects Selfish Image, Sees Itself As An Equal
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has rejected the perception of Singapore as a selfish nation, and stressed the island-state, envied for its wealth but belittled for its size, should be treated as an equal.
Why Shut So Many Branches?
Ramesh Babu: It is disappointing that the bank merger has not brought any benefit to POSBank account holders.
Change Banks To Convey Disapproval
Dudley Au: Customers acting in concert is a power to be considered. The converse is each man for himself, which then allows the establishment to divide and rule.
FairPrice Investigating 'Date Of Slaughter'
Poh Leong Sim, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Ltd: If the supplier concerned is found to be guilty of misleading our customers on the slaughter date, we will not hesitate to take the appropriate course of action.
Entertainment
Botanic Gardens To Get S$1.4m Light Up
The lighting will show off the plants and flowers and yet soft enough to cast a romantic glow on its surroundings.
Thursday, January 25, 2001
News
Singapore Founder's Son To Be New Leader
Singapore thus joins North Korea in keeping its leadership in the family and marks itself out from the rest of South East Asia, where the trend is towards rapid democratisation.
Entertainment
SBS Changi Airport Midnight Bus Receives Poor Response
Apart from the airport employees have been using the bus service, it has been running empty most of the time. However, many interviewed at the airport said they were unaware of the bus service.
Growing Trend Of People Going To The Airport For Coffee Session
When asked why people chose to hangout at Changi Airport, most cited the spacious, clean and safe environment as the pull factor. And they are hoping that more facilities will be added so that it can become a social hub.
Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Top Stories
Singapore's Goh In New Race Row
Singapore's prime minister, Goh Chok-Tong, has sparked a new row with neighbouring Malaysia by saying that ethnic Malays are treated better in Singapore than in Malaysia.
News
Malaysia Party Leaders Rap Goh's Comments On Malays
Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, head of the youth wing of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), accused Goh of undermining — intentionally or otherwise — the achievements of Malays in Malaysia. "The comparison, based on 400,000 Singapore Malays in the urban (area) and 13.5 million bumiputeras (Malays and other races considered indigenous) in urban and rural Malaysia, is inappropriate and clearly imbalanced," said Hishammuddin, quoted by Bernama news agency late Tuesday.
Lee Kuan Yew's Son Singapore PM's Preferred Successor By 2007
Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said in remarks published Wednesday he has chosen Lee Hsien Loong, his deputy and the son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, as his preferred successor. But Goh said in an interview with the Straits Times he still wants to lead his government into another victory at the polls, scheduled for August 2002, before handing over leadership to a new team by 2007.
Tuesday, January 23, 2001
Top Stories
DBS Should Not Have Acquired POSBank In The First Place
Yen Hoon Long: But in the end, in order not to have to bear the high costs of continuing to cater to the needs of POSBank customers, DBS had to bulldoze its way and pass those costs on to POSBank customers, thereby risk losing them, which defeats the purpose of the acquisition in the first place.
Singapore's Lee Says Bankruptcy Laws Hurt Entrepreneurs
Singapore founding father Lee Kuan Yew said Monday that the country must abandon its fear of taking risks and change a law that bars bankrupts from sitting in parliament, saying the legislation quells the entrepreneurial spirit.
News
Waning Confidence In Singapore Growth
The Singapore Government has for the first time signalled waning confidence in its 2001 growth forecast, with Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan eyeing the lower end of the 5-7 per cent projection.
Why PUB Fined Power Supply
Choo Wai Chan, Head (Public Relations) for Chief Executive, Public Utilities Board: Besides instances of market abuse, PUB does not interfere with matters which are commercial.
Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew: "I Don't Have The Final Word"
"I don't have the final word. I give an input, they decide."
Chickens On Sale A Day Before 'Date Of Slaughter'
Lynn Ng Siew Cheng: Were the chickens slaughtered way ahead of time, or was it an error?
Technology
Apple's Own AppleCare Service Centre
From 1 February 2001, Apple Singapore will have their very own Service Centre located at the Apple building in Ang Mo Kio. Customers who require hardware support for their desktop Macs and PowerBook can now bring them to the Service Centre reception located at the side entrance to the building.
3G Auction Rules Released By IDA
In its statement, IDA clarifies that it intends to seek views and comments from the industry which has to be submitted by 12 February 2001. A final bid package will be issued by 5 March, and IDA has noted April as a possible auction date in its earlier announcement.
Entertainment
Monday, January 22, 2001
Technology
Singapore Teen Holds On To Web Site Despite Legal Threat
Christie Chan started her Web site dedicated to the Harry Potter children's book series in October 1999, but has now been asked by Time Warner Entertainment and the books' author, J.K. Rowling, to surrender the site's name.
Career Portals Are Attracting Higher-Level Job Seekers
It's not just entry job seekers who suss out job prospects at Internet recruitment sites. Senior executives — even CEOs, it seems — tracking career alternatives are also migrating online.
Entertainment
Bare, Naked Lady In Butterflies Are Free
What's the big deal about showing some skin? That's what director Clifton Ko wants to know with Butterflies Are Free, his Mandarin play about an affair between a blind man and a jaded woman.
Tower Records 'Quitting Pacific Plaza'
American music chain Tower Records will quit its Orchard Road space by March, sources say.
Local Drama Slot Cut
HK-produced programmes will replace more costly homegrown drama series like As You Like It and SNAG on TCS 8 at 10.30 pm on Wednesdays.
Sunday, January 21, 2001
Top Stories
Singapore's Lee Ready To Adjust To Fast-Changing Times
Listen as Lee Kuan Yew, senior minister of Singapore, contemplates leadership and his island nation's prospects in a fast-changing world, and you wonder if his people are as prepared as he seems to be.
Brace For A Possibly Difficult 2001: DPM Tan
Singapore might still achieve growth this year, but this is likely to be at the lower end of the 5 to 7 percent range projected by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
News
Be Mindful Of All Races, Malays Told
Malay-Muslim groups should synergise community plans but operate within the nation's context, says minister.
Why Can't There Be Just Space In A Park?
I do not know why the authorities, be it the town council or the National Parks board, have decided to do that. It just seems to me, in Singapore, that few people can leave any piece of empty land alone.
Minister Outlines New System
The Ministry of Education plans to establish three career tracks to let teachers develop in areas they excel in and find challenging.
Saturday, January 20, 2001
Top Stories
OCBC Charging For Bulk Cash Deposits
Will the day come when customers have to pay for just standing in a bank queue? It has yet to happen, but OCBC Bank has implemented what could be the next worst thing — charging customers for depositing large amounts of cash over the counter.
News
Singaporeans Head To JB For New Year Goodies
Singapore's Opposition Leader Declared Bankrupt
"The bankruptcy proceedings have always been held up as one way to get rid of political opponents and this, of course, confirms it," said James Gomez, an author and outspoken critic of the government.
Get Basis For Tariff Hike Right
Denis Distant: Singaporeans must have doubts as to whether they should be charged higher tariffs at a time when they cannot even get accurate monthly bills on time due to computer glitches.
Power Supply Flexing Monopoly Muscle
Daniel Ong Boon Wah: As every household needs electricity and it is the sole vendor, it can raise its prices any time.
'New' National Anthem Is Easier To Sing
'The new arrangements have been transposed down a tone from the key of G to F for easier singing, and are more spirited in nature.'
Junior Colleges Preparing Students For SAT
Students are getting their first taste of the test in special classes designed to familiarise them with its format.
Technology
Singapore Hospital Gives Birth To Internet Baby-Viewing
Anxious new parents can now view over the Internet live images of their babies slumbering in a Singapore hospital cot.
Entertainment
Face Of CNA To Join CNN
'It is a natural progression, a time for new opportunities in the international arena. Besides, I have had all the opportunities that I have asked for and was given more that I didn't even ask for,' she said.
Friday, January 19, 2001
Top Stories
Apple's Titanium Notebook, Others Come To Singapore
A week after showing off its latest products at the Macworld Expo in San Francisco, Apple launched a few new additions to the Singapore market.
News
PAP Lines Up At Least 3 More Potential Election Candidates
More Singaporeans Drive To Work
Affluence has driven up the percentage of Singaporeans who travel by private car to work.
Sexy Singapore?
Yes, Sammyboy is a porn site, aimed very directly at the country which arguably least tolerates porn: Singapore. Which is all very well except Official Singapore has yet to close it down.
Power Supply Adjusts Tariffs
Power Supply noted that fuel prices climbed from August to November but retreated in December. However, the lower fuel prices are insufficient to offset the under-collection for the low-tension users.
Night Clinics Won't Affect GPs: Minister
Night polyclinics do not duplicate services provided by general practitioners and expenditure on this was 'resources well spent', contrary to the stand taken by the SMA in a position paper two weeks ago.
Entertainment
Compass Rose To Close For Renovations
The Compass Rose, one of Singapore's most well-known restaurants, will be closed for six months from March 15 for major renovations.
MediaWorks Bags Deals Worth $2m
In a show of confidence in the fledgling station, several major clients have signed deals to advertise on MediaWorks' two channels, TV Works and Channel U.
Thursday, January 18, 2001
Top Stories
What Kind Of Politics For Singapore In 2007?
The Government would continue to consult citizens and welcome feedback without giving up "strict top-down policies for major policies". This scenario, which Dr Lim considered the most likely of the three, would not satisfy those who wanted "real, meaningful change", she argued.
News
Economists Retain Confideence In Singapore Achieving GDP Target
Economists said Thursday they were confident Singapore would achieve its 5-7 percent economic growth target this year despite a fall in exports, provided the US economy has a soft-landing.
Singapore's New India Play
With a huge appetite for infrastructure coupled with a vast pool of skilled manpower, India offers Singaporean companies great opportunities.
Readers 'Happy' With More Newspapers
While readers are generally happy that there are more newspapers on the market, they are reserving judgment on the value of competition for when more contentious issues arise, such as the upcoming elections.
Technology
Entertainment
Diff'rent Shops For Diff'rent Folks
Call it a shopping divide. Suburban shopping malls seem to attract the older family-type customers while younger shoppers are still gravitating towards Orchard Road.
Wednesday, January 17, 2001
Top Stories
JBJ May Lose Parliament Seat
Workers' Party chief and Non-Constituency MP J.B. Jeyaretnam may lose his seat in Parliament because of his failure to pay $235,000 in defamation damages to eight people.
News
Have More Dialogue Sessions And At Void Decks: Participants
Tony Tan Reappointed PAP Chairman
Singapore's 4th Varsity To Be Application- And Development-Based
Singapore's fourth university will place more emphasis on practical applications and technical training rather than research work, said Senior Minister of State for Education Peter Chen.
Singapore JB Jeyaretnam Seeks Bankruptcy Petition Recall
Jeyaretnam said in a statement that he had paid the installment in cash on Wednesday. He said he asked the plaintiffs' lawyer, ruling-party politician Davinder Singh, to withdraw a petition to take him back to court for bankruptcy.
GE Real Test For Papers: Feedback Group
The next General Elections in Singapore could help the public decide whether newspapers here have been fair and balanced in their coverage, says the chairman of the Media Feedback Group.
Employer's CPF Restoration Depends On Economy
NTUC's Secretary-General Lim Boon Heng said if things turn out alright, Singapore will be in a better position in the middle of this year to consider whether the restoration of the remaining four percentage points of the employer's CPF contribution could be done anytime soon.
Not Much Support For Civic Groups
Ngiam Shih Tung: The contrast between the way the Government treats the business sector and 'people-sector' organisations reinforces the view that the Government's first concern is business and that it considers people no more than cogs in the Singapore Inc economic machine.
Technology
SCV Leaves SingTel Standing
In just one year of operation, Singapore Cable Vision (SCV) has upstaged SingTel, by grabbing 38,000 residential subscribers - 3,000 more than SingNet's asynchronous digital subscriber lines, or ADSL, users.
Tuesday, January 16, 2001
Top Stories
Gus Dur And Singapore: Is All Forgiven?
If there is a contract that epitomises the saying 'business first, politics later', Indonesia's multi-billion-dollar West Natuna gas sales to Singapore might be it.
News
Indonesia's Wahid Seen Thawing Ties In Singapore
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid visits Singapore on Monday to sign a gas deal, in what is being seen as a chance to thaw frosty ties with the country he chastised as money-grabbing.
Get Power Supply To Give Rebate In Lieu Of Fine
Ivan Loh Teck Chuan: The $150,000 PUB fine is simply not the right thing to do. Instead of a fine, PUB should make Power Supply give a rebate or other benefits to customers, amounting to $150,000.
Technology
Broadband: SIngapore's Industry Get Boost With Association Launched
Singapore's growing broadband community will get another boost after the official launch of its first association of the broadband industry Tuesday.
Singapore's IDA Fines MobileOne For Message Inseration
Singapore's InfoComm Development Authority said Tuesday it has imposed a fine of S$5,000 (US$1=S$1.7345) on MobileOne (Asia) Pte. Ltd. for its insertion of a 10-second message in the International Direct Dial (IDD) calls of its rivals.
Hong Kong Bank Overtake Singapore In Internet Banking Survey
Hong Kong banks have overtaken Singapore to offer the best Internet banking services in the Asia-Pacific region, a regional survey released Tuesday showed.
Unlimited Connectivity With Second Cable Modem
Cassie Fong, Executive Corporate Communication, Singapore Cable Vision: Unlike the sharing of a single cable-modem connection, having a second cable modem from SCV provides a separate Internet connection via SCV's broadband network, hence the performance of one cable modem is independent of the other.
Entertainment
Private Musings In The Vagina Monologues
The Vagina Monologues, a series of stories in which women talk about their secret parts and thus examine different facets of the feminine experience, has made it to Singapore. Our reporter finds out what the first-night audience thought of this unusual play.
Monday, January 15, 2001
Top Stories
Singapore: The Lion Roars
Despite the much-heralded liberalization of the media, deregulation of the broadcast industry has simply redistributed the balance of power between two existing giants: print monopoly-holder Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and broadcast-television monopoly the Media Corp. of Singapore (MediaCorp).
Sunday, January 14, 2001
Top Stories
Free For All
Donít want to be alone in a cafe? The solution is simple ó head for that stack in a stand near the door. Our reporter looks at the thriving industry of free magazines in Singapore.
News
ECs Won't Be Scraped: Mah
He notes there is still a demand for such housing; price gap situation may change in the future.
HDB May Help Those Who Get Flats Early
Minister for National Development says Housing Board may also review policies to shorten the queue for others waiting to receive their keys.
Singapore Minister Tells Muslims To Portray Right Image
Singapore's Minister of Muslim Affairs, Abdullah Tarmugi, has called on Muslims to correct "negative perceptions" of Islam, but added Muslims are also to blame for media stereotyping.
Singapore Steps Up Anti-Immigrant Measures
Singapore will start using mobile x-ray machines to hunt for people hiding in cars and trucks on their way into the wealthy city-state from neighboring Malaysia, Singapore's Parliament said today.
Technology
Telecoms Liberalisation Has Benefited Consumers
Dulcie Chan, Corporate Communications Infocomm, Development Authority of Singapore (IDA): In order not to stifle competition, IDA does not restrict nor dictate the types of service packages that can be offered, so long as terms and conditions of contracts are made known upfront.
HDB Flats - Let Your Fingers Do The Walking
HDB launches online tour of Jurong West and Sengkang showflats, with detailed information on apartments.
Saturday, January 13, 2001
Top Stories
Lion City's Not Quite Number One Yet
Can we hold our heads high each time an international ranking shows up Singapore as Number One when the picture on the ground does not mirror this achievement?
'Push Community Interests Within Limits'
Each community must be circumspect in pushing its agenda or disharmony could result, cautions DPM Tan.
Firm 'No' To Raiding Reserves
A suggestion to use part of the nation's financial reserves to subsidise health-care costs for the elderly moved Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew to make one of his rare speeches in Parliament yesterday.
News
MAS Will Not Object To Cash-Back System At Retail Outlets: DPM Lee
Banks and retailers are free to implement the scheme using NETS or cashcards.
DPM Lee To Be My Successor: PM Goh
Mr Goh called Mr Lee Hsien Loong the "obvious" choice as his successor.
Tomorrow's Supermart?
Following the success of similar ventures in Europe, the idea of an ATM kiosk-supermarket-petrol pump rolled into one is being floated here.
Entertainment
MediaWorks Signs Deal With Taiwan TV Group
The two-year alliance will provide Channel U, MediaWorks' Mandarin channel, with 156 episodes of the Taiwanese company's top variety programmes, less than one month after they are shown in Taiwan.
Friday, January 12, 2001
Top Stories
Many Channels, But Is There Anything On?
Censorship rules have been eased, but racy drama Sex And The City and gay sitcom Will & Grace are still banned from our screens by the SBA.
News
Singapore Government Defends Arrest Of 15 Falun Gong Members
"If any group wants to meet and assemble, they can apply for an assembly permit," said Singapore Minister of State for Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee.
CPF Top-Ups: Co-Payment Explained
Pek Beng Choon, Director (Budget), Ministry of Finance: The principle of co-payment was maintained to underline the importance of individual responsibility in saving and planning for one's future and retirement.
'Let Fourth Varsity Cater To Adults Of All Ages'
Panel of international experts advising Singapore also suggests that the university should have a practical bent.
Technology
Cashcards Going Places
Use it to shop online with overseas e-tailers or to ease your parking woes.
Entertainment
Crouching Tiger Unleashed
Due to its overwhelming popularity all over the world, Taiwanese director Lee Ang's fluid swordfighting saga has been re-released on screens.
Thursday, January 11, 2001
Top Stories
Singapore Relies On Regionalism
Singapore is calling on Asia to begin working towards regionalism, as the Europeans have, to take advantage of new opportunities and to meet unprecedented challenges.
News
New Firecracker Puts Boom Back In Singapore Revels
An air-powered firecracker invented in Singapore promises plenty of bangs without burns as Chinese New Year nears.
Technology
StarHub Ends Discounts On Budget Overseas Calls
When StarHub launched the service last July, it had planned for a one-month promotion which gave users up to 60 per cent discount on the published rates. However, the promotion was extended for nearly half a year. Last month, however, StarHub decided to end the promotion and charge the full rates for I-Call 018.
Entertainment
TV Viewers To Get An Eyeful Of Shows
Viewers of MediaCorp's Channel 8 will be spoilt for choice in coming months as the group spreads its wings further by forming strategic alliances with regional Chinese broadcasters.
Wednesday, January 10, 2001
Top Stories
Sharp Rise In Child Viral Disease
A total of 126 new cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) were seen here last week, a significant change that is being monitored closely.
We Pay Good $ For Bad TV?
Viewers divided over SBA using $110 licence fee to fund weak programmes.
Wanted: More Women In Cabinet
More women Cabinet ministers, please - that was what participants at a feedback session on women's issues in the new economy wanted.
News
Inform Public On TV Funding
Alex Tan Tuan Loy: I believe that the SBA should not be in the business to fund programmes, social values notwithstanding, that can solicit the necessary funding themselves.
LTA Reviewing Penalties For Breaches In Performance Standards By SLRT
Speaking to the media after the opening of the Expo MRT station, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Yeo Cheow Tong said he agrees with public sentiment that the S$10,000 fine slapped on the Singapore Light Rapid Transit for last November's accident, was too light.
Why Are So Many Wet Markets Catching Fire?
Ang Mo Kio blaze is fifth market fire in 18 months; serial arsonist or careless stallholders to blame?
Technology
Singapore Says Incentives, Not Sweeteners For Foreign 3G Bidders
Singapore has ruled out specific sweeteners to ignite lacklustre interest in its third-generation (3G) mobile phone licence auction but is pointing potential foreign bidders towards existing incentives.
Copycat Site Could Be Sued
For the second time in less than a year, a Singapore-based website has found itself being in the centre of a copycat controversy.
Entertainment
Tuesday, January 9, 2001
News
Truth In Advertising
Savvy advertising slogans could help our region's embattled leaders.
Entertainment
Laughter Clubs Multiply In Singapore After Expert's Visit
Dr Madan Kataria visited Singapore last year - and since then several clubs have appeared with members practising lion laughs, swinging laughs, one-metre laughs and teh tarik laughs.
Monday, January 8, 2001
Top Stories
SBA Backs Meaningful Local Dramas
The Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) supports programmes like Stepping Out, Growing Up and Price Of Peace because they portray certain social values and heritage.
Opposition Parties Free To Speak At Speakers' Corner
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng has said the Opposition parties are free to speak at the Speakers' Corner and even launch their publications, as long as they keep to the rules spelt out.
Is Education A Form Of Terrorism?
Simran Kaur, a 12-year-girl, committed suicide just as her father found out that she had doctored her Primary School Leaving Examination results. Should education be executed for its role in the death of a child?
New Faces In Opposition? Let's See Quality, Says BG Lee
Alluding to reports on the formation of a youth wing in the Singapore Democratic Party, he said: 'They've got the label, but what's underneath that label? Let's see.'
News
Falungong Can Stay If It Obeys Laws
Backpacker Land No More As Hotels Close
Permits for Bencoolen hostels have not been renewed. Budget tourists say this may be the end of their stopovers.
Advisers Meet To Discuss University Education Here
Foreign panel of experts on a four-day visit will also look at the setting up of fourth university, among other issues.
Technology
I-One.Net Cuts Back On Kiosks
Listed company scales back Internet spending in S'pore but has tied up with partner to export the concept to China.
Singapore Denies Offering Extra Incentives In 3G Mobile-License Auction
The government was 'very disappointed' with local media reports claiming Singapore would offer perks and tax breaks to foreign bidders, but not to local players.
Orange In Talks To Buy Into M1
France Telecom unit is eyeing Cable & Wireless and CyberWorks' stakes in the mobile phone operator.
Entertainment
Take A Big Bite Out Of TVWorks' Big Buffet
Moving House
Touted as Singapores pioneering, longest-running English sitcom, Under One Roof is downing shutters after six seasons of slapstick and Singlish. Is it exiting with a bang, or is it more a case of good riddance?
Reality TV In Real Time Here
Singapore viewers will get the same nail-biting suspense as US audiences with the simultaneous broadcast of Survivor 2 starting Jan 29.
Sunday, January 7, 2001
News
CPF Top-Up Not Automatic Entitlement: Lim Hng Kiang
Singapore Urged To Stand Fast Against Gus Dur's Flak
Singapore should not be provoked, should behave with dignity and stand fast in responding to Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid's recent allegations about the Republic and its leaders, a veteran regional observer said here yesterday.
Camera At 100 Junctions
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) intends to make images of selected road junctions available online, when surveillance cameras go up at 100 traffic junctions over the next 18 months.
Saturday, January 6, 2001
Top Stories
Opposition Parties Expect Election To Be Called This Year
Opposition parties in Singapore are expecting the general elections to be called this year, and they have zoomed in on potential constituencies to work the ground.
News
Malay Muslim Leaders Rethink Future In Singapore Society
Malay members of the Singapore parliament have unveiled the blueprint of a 10-year plan which they say will fit the Muslim community into the city-state's high-tech drive into the new economy.
Singapore Child Health Fears Resurface With Death Of Four Year Old
Singapore health authorities fear a lethal strain of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) which killed four toddlers three months ago has struck again with the death of a four-year-old boy.
DBS' Terms Favour Bank
Paul Ezekiel: I am not a lawyer but, from what I read, the terms and conditions are so heavily in favour of the bank that it seems to me it does not accept responsibility for anything.
Opposition Parties Busy Enlisting Young Members
They are recruiting new blood, mostly in their 20s and 30s, to join their ranks in preparation for elections.
Technology
Singapore Ready To Prosecute Overseas Porn Sites
Kopi-Online
Coffeeshop and food-court operators can order and pay for supplies electronically with a new e-commerce site that promises to save time.
IDA 'Offers Sweeteners' To Attract 3G Bidders
Perks are unlikely to attract players holding out for open access to existing mobile phone networks, say sources.
Friday, January 5, 2001
News
Singapore Mint Wants Your 1-Cent's Worth
Small-change savers can help the environment when they exchange their one- and five-cent coins for notes at the Lunar Collectibles Fair.
Technology
Web Not Wide Enough For Local Porn
Web-savvy Singaporeans here who are tempted to display naked flesh on websites and want to get away with it by using a foreign server better think twice. The message from local authorities is clear: You can and will be caught. And punished.
Entertainment
Zoe Tay Loses Out To No. 2, Fann Wong
Queen of Caldecott Zoe Tay has fallen behind heir-apparent Fann Wong in the ratings game as viewers showed little interest in Tay's Home Affairs.
Thursday, January 4, 2001
News
Falun Society 'Did Not Organise Meeting'
Society distances itself from events that took place on New Year's Eve, saying it always applies for a permit before organising public events.
Technology
IDA Moves 3G Licence Auction From Feb To April
It said the auaction has been deferred so it can "attract as many qualified bidders as possible ... both from within and outside the local market". It also said many potential bidders "have asked for additional time to consider the auction document ... and comment on the draft auction rules".
Tuesday, January 2, 2001
News
Falungong Members Remain In Detention After Refusing To Post Bail
Fifteen followers of the Falungong spiritual movement remained in detention in Singapore on Tuesday after refusing to post bail and demanding freedom without conditions, a group spokesman said.
Pasir Ris To Get Injection Of Town Spirit
Pubs, restaurants and commercial outlets along the beach, a nature reserve with mangrove swamps and an exploration canal to Hougang through the Serangoon River could make Pasir Ris the next hot neighbourhood.
Monday, January 1, 2001
Top Stories
Falun Gongs Refuse To Post Bail
Followers of the Falun Gong spiritual movement refused to post bail Monday after being detained in Singapore for staging an unauthorized vigil in memory of fellow believers they say died in police custody in China.
Singapore's Growth Last Year A Storng 10.1 Per Cent
Economy beat 4.5-to-6.5% growth forecast and most Singaporeans benefited as jobs were created and unemployment fell, says PM Goh.
News
MRT Borading, Alighting Times Being Reviewed
Fong Seck Kong, Deputy Managing Director, Singapore MRT Ltd: On the subject of extending the stopping time for alighting passengers, we would like to explain that we monitor the train load regularly and a timetable is drawn up based on demand, the loading and the time required for the train to stop at each station.
New PAP Man Helping Out In Potong Pasir
For the past two months, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, 37, has been making his rounds, meeting residents in the opposition-held constituency.
Technology
WizOffice Goes For Speedy Profit
Hit by a dismal stock performance, firm begins a shake-up to achieve gains two years earlier than projected.
MediaRing Leads Rout Of Tech Stocks
The stock hit a high of $2.01 on Jan 4, but ended last year at a lowly 25 cents as investors lost patience with 'concept' stocks that are rich in potential but have no certainty in realising their potential.