Thursday, February 28, 2002
Top Stories
Johor Port Not Affected By Singapore Reclamation
Minister says work done is far from shipping routes.
Singapore Admits Worst Ever Recession
Singapore fell into its worst ever recession in 2001, with the economy shrank by 2% during the year.
News
Government Defends Public Hospitals' Move To Serve Foreign Patients
This will result in better healthcare for Singaporeans.
Wednesday, February 27, 2002
Top Stories
MRT Trains To Stop At Potong Pasir After All
It's not about politics, but ridership, says minister.
Singapore Ends One-Cent Coins
Singapore's one-cent coin is to go out of circulation although it will remain legal tender.
News
Never Mind The Pay Say Singapore Workers
A survey of Singaporeans has found that most workers in the country are happy with their jobs and do not consider the salary of great importance.
Monday, February 25, 2002
News
OCBC Goes The Distance - For $30
To ensure that customers were not caught out, OCBC had four 'swat teams' and $50,000 in cash on standby.
Pay-Per-Mile Singapore Style
If Britain is to adopt a route pricing scheme, the lessons learned in Singapore indicate that it may not be a solution in isolation.
Entertainment
TV Works To Become Channel I
Name change heralds new era of closer cooperation with Channel U.
Sunday, February 24, 2002
Top Stories
Singapore Land Reclamation Should Not Encroach On Malaysian Territory
The Berita Harian newspaper reported that Singapore was carrying out reclamation works that could disrupt the water flow of the Tebrau Strait off Johor.
Jakarta Says SIngapore Authoritarianism At Root Of Dispute
The Jakarta Post quoted Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda as saying that from Singapore's "authoritarian" viewpoint, mere "suspicion" of illegal activity was grounds for harsh action.
The Instant-Noodle Generation
Many teens who have grown up with maids either refuse to, or have no clue how to do household chores or cook - save for, well, Maggi mee.
News
Wedding Couple Charged $2,000 For Split Wine
When a guest split red wine on a white carpet in Westin Stamford, joy and celebration turned quickly to anger and frustration.
Sale Of Chinese New Year Goodies Down
Crunch times sees many people opting for cheaper festive menus and lower-grade sharksfin, and skipping the usual abalone.
Singapore Unemployment Rate Hits 17-Year High Of 5.3%
May even hit 6 percent before the economy recovers later this year, said Ng Eng Hen.
I'll Bite If I Have To: Case's New Chief
"I'd like to project an image that we are not just a watchdog but also an advocate for good business practices."
Technology
Some Unlicensed Financial Sites Under Scrutiny
M1 Aims To Offer 3G Services By Mid-Year
Offerings just months away, provided handsets are available.
SingTel's New Programme Solves 8-Digit Hassle
SingTel has a computer program to convert telephones numbers stored on SIM cards.
Entertainment
Europa Changi To Go
After 22 years, an image past its prime and dwindling business have forced Europa's flagship outlet to close.
Saturday, February 23, 2002
Top Stories
Government Review Of Housing Policy Coming Up
Public, private housing ratio of 70:30 also to be looked at.
News
Case President Steps Down From Post
As mayor of Northwest CDC, Dr Teo Ho Pin does not want to "put companies in a difficult position and feel they have to make donations."
MediaCorp TV Fined For Airing Sex-Scandal Video
Footage from the sex-scandal video of Chu Mei-feng "highly sexually suggestive and offensive to good taste and decency."
Thursday, February 21, 2002
Top Stories
Motorists To Pay More At Causeway, Tuas Link
New rates come next Friday, two months after Malaysia upped its rates.
News
Civil Service Aims To Recruit Fresh Graduates
R&D: Singapore On The Up And Up
Patents filed here last year up 11 per cent.
Wednesday, February 20, 2002
News
Waterboat House Set For New Lease Of Life
The URA is placing colonial building besides Merlion Park up for sale, on the condition its buyers restore it.
Round 1 Of Newspaper Battle To SPH
The Straits Times has not only survived the competition from a second morning daily, but it has also set a circulation record.
CASE To Tackle Credit Card Compalints On Its Own
CASE is fed up that nothing is being done about credit card complaints, and has decided to tackle the issues on its own.
Tuesday, February 19, 2002
Top Stories
Rear-Adm Teo Repeats Government's Stand On Foreign Meddling In Tudung Issue
"Each country should be allowed to settle its own internal affairs in the best way and appropriate way for itself."
News
Races Not Far Apart, Poll Shows
Moderate views prevail among Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Singapore Wins Global Award For Best Festivals
Singapore organizes one festival after another to lure tourists.
Monday, February 18, 2002
Top Stories
Do Business, Young Man? No Thanks, It's Far Too Risky
Readers blame the education system, maids and pressures of living in Singapore.
News
Give Us Entrepreneurs A Break, Singapore Inc
It's time what Singapore Inc, as represented by the likes of The Business Times, can do for local entrepreneuers.
January Exports Show Singapore Economy On The Up
Tudung Issue: Malaysia Denies Interfering In Singapore's Affairs
Can't stop people for voicing opinions.
Sunday, February 17, 2002
Top Stories
Tudung Issue: 'Not Wise' To Involve Outsiders
Goh Chok Tong revealed yesterday that some people here travelled to Malaysia to raise funds and got Malaysians involved.
News
Singapore Says Terror Suspects Planned Huge Bombs
20 times more powerful than that used to destroy the Federal Building in Oklahoma.
New Facilities Planned For Woodlands Residents
The new facilities planned include a regional park and new schools.
Streats Gets New Look
Besides a new purple masthead, there will be more pags devoted to financial news.
Circle Line Plans Under Way, 34 Stations Likely
Planning for the Circle Line, the next major development in public transportation here, is well under way.
Technology
Time Running Out To Adjust Phone Systems
Many smaller companies have yet to reprogramme their internal switchboards or PABXs.
Saturday, February 16, 2002
Top Stories
More ERP Gantries Coming Up Along Central Expressway
Motorists using the Central Expressway can expect rides to become more expensive as new ERP gantries are being planned.
Opposition Politican Faces Fine For Flouting Rule At Free-Speech Corner
Chee Soon Juan faces a fine of up to 10,000 dollars for flouting a rule banning the discussion of racial issues at a designated free-speech corner.
Don't Paint A Rosy Picture Of Jobs
If the labour-friendly statements reflect the official view, then Singapore has yet to wake up to the harsh reality of globalisation.
News
More Developments Afoot On Sentosa
It will spend S$3 billion on, among other things, new hotels, waterfront entertainment outlets and at least one theme park.
Singaporeans Urged To Focus On Reviving The Economy
Singapore's economy is still not out of the woods, even if it is showing signs of turning around, says DPM Lee Hsien Loong.
Is HDB Stifling Entrepreneurship?
One has to wonder about the fate of entrepreneurs when a huge government body decides to fight for a slice of the pie.
Dreams Shattered In Crash
Lum Loo Geok once aspired to be an engineer, but her hopes were dashed when she was hit by a car in April 98.
Friday, February 15, 2002
Entertainment
Thursday, February 14, 2002
Top Stories
New Team To Take Singaproe Beyond 5 Cs
New Remaking Singapore Committee will probe political, social and cultural norms to help prepare nation for the future.
Charities Urged To Account To Public
Few charities have responded to the Finance Ministry's call to help the public better understand how their donations are used.
News
Father Of Pupil In Tudung Issue May Accept Malaysia's School Offer
The New Straits Times quoed Malaysia's Deputy Education Minister Hon Choon Kim as saying his Minstry would consider the pupil's application.
Entertainment
Showcase Of Local And Filipino Erotic Poetry
"Love Gathers All" features the best poets from our country, from old lions like Kirpal Singh to new talents like Toh Hsien Min.
MediaCorp's Channel 8 Secures Biggest Market Share In Q4: SBA
SBA will start publishing quarterly TV viewership statistics.
Wednesday, February 13, 2002
News
Asians Take A Closer Look At Islamic Schools
Across Asia in countries that have significant Muslim communities, governments, intelligence services, law enforcement agencies and the military are taking a long, hard look at Islamic religious education.
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
Top Stories
Too Early For Revision To NWC Recommendations, CPF Restoration: NTUC Chief
There will be more retrenchments in the first half of the year.
News
Hold On To Your Horses, 2002 Could Be A Rough Ride
Former President Ong Teng Cheong Cremated
It was the last day of Mr Ong's wake, but there was no let up in the stream of visitors.
Technology
Monday, February 11, 2002
Top Stories
30 Give Up New Singapore Shares
"We don't really need the money, so we thought we should pass it on to those who really need it."
News
HDB Resale Market Might Soon Not Be The Same
HDB Review May Benefit Big Private Developers
Any move by the government to allow private developers to build public flats will favour the major developers with larger balance sheets.
Penalise Nets For CashCard Failure
We are forced to use CashCards, yet Nets is unable to guarantee that these cards will be available for sale everywhere.
President, PM Goh To Attend Funeral
The funeral procession will head for Mount Vero=non Crematorium, where a memorial service is scheduled to take place at 4 pm.
Singapore Suspends Third Schoolgirl For Wearing Headscarf
Singapore stuck to its hard line against headscarf-wearing Muslim schoolgirls on Monday by suspending a third child from class.
Sunday, February 10, 2002
Top Stories
Government Ups 2002 Growth Forecast To 1-3%
But continued to caution Singaporeans against being "excessively sanguine about prospects of an early economic recovery for Singapore."
Singapore Flag To Fly At Half-Mast On Monday
Feedback showed that many people were uncomfortable at having the nation's flag at half mast on an auspicious day.
Economic Outlook Less Pessimistic This Year: Matthias Yao
Singapore may not see a quick economic upturn this year but there are signs that it will be less pessimistic compared to last year.
News
Singapore A Target In Dec 4 Strike Plan
Newly-found document reveals terror plans for KL, Jakarta too.
Cupid Takes A Beating From God Of Fortune
Couples are expected to spend less to celebrate this year's Valentine's Day.
Chinatown Shopkeepers Welcome Re-Opening Of Roads
Despite the recession, businesses are reporting higher sales than last year.
DPM Lee Drops His 'BG' Title
He has reached the age of 50 and, under the Enlistment Act, he is no longer a national serviceman.
Entertainment
Lonely Hearts Club
Sick of soppy love stories? This Channel U trilogy leaves you wondering if there are any happy-ever-afters.
Wine Experts Here Know Their Drink
We threw the grape gauntlet at some local pros to see if they know their fine vines.
Saturday, February 9, 2002
Top Stories
Ex-President Ong Dies
Body will lie at his home till funeral on Tuesday; State flag will fly at half mast at all government buildings as a mark of respect.
News
Lee Kuan Yew Says Some Terror Suspects Got Away
In a wide ranging interview with CNN Talk Asia, Lee Kuan Yew said that during the December arrests, "five or eight others" got away.
Privately-Run 4th University Would Add Diversity To Singapore's Tertiary Sector: EDB
Malay MPs Do Take Stands On 'Deep-Seated' Issues
Farewall, Mr Ong
In his long political career, former president also sought to help people enjoy the finer things in life.
Government To Open Up Political Space Gradually
Aim is to address the demands of the younger generation, but changes will be in 'gradual increments', says Lee Hsien Loong.
Next Stop: Changi Airport
New MRT station at airport opens with wider fare gates and a futuristic design.
'Singapore Has Lost A Fine Son'
PM's letter to family.
Entertainment
Love Bites
Food and romance go hand-in-hand to stoke the flames of passion on Valentine's Day. And if all else fails, there's still the good old flowers and chocolates.
Singapore Bans US Comedy Film Zoolander
Singapore censors on Friday banned the film Zoolander, an American comedy about a self-absorbed male model who is brainwashed into assassinating the prime minister of Malaysia.
Friday, February 8, 2002
Top Stories
Former President Ong Teng Cheong Dies At Age 66
Former President Ong Teng Cheong, Singapore's first Elected President, died at 8.14 pm on Friday at his Dalvey Estate home.
News
Changi Airport MRT Station Opens
The Changi Airport MRT station opened on Friday with about 10,000 commuters travelling to and from the station on its first day.
Mohd Maidin Says Chee Soon Juan Undermining Mufti
Mr Maidin accused the opposition leader of simply trying to exploit the situation.
Technology
Pacific Internet's Full Year Net Loss Narrows 33% To S$15m
Broadband subscrib ers rose despite the economic slowdown.
Thursday, February 7, 2002
Top Stories
Singaporeans Shrug Off Headscarf Row, Rebukes
While the tudung row is not likely to rock racial harmony, some said Singapore must find ways to accommodate greater expression of religious beliefs as the society matured.
News
HDB Goes The Private Way To Sell Its Flats
Dazzling showflats, glossy brochures, slick adverts - these are part of HDB's new marketing efforts for its flats, just like the private sector.
Optimistic Or Gloomy? Polls Differ On Asian Outloook
Two consumer surveys painted widely differing pictures of expectations for the region's battered economies on Thursday, but both pointed to optimism in China.
Singapore Port To Build On Strengths Amid Malaysian Challenge
Singapore government should continue to strengthen the nation's advantages in the logistics sector, an EDB official said today.
Technology
Singapore 'The Most IT-Ready Asian Nation'
The study put Singapore ahead of countries such as Japan and Hong Kong in terms of readiness to participate in a networked world.
Wednesday, February 6, 2002
News
SIA Denies Responsibility For Ken-Air Collapse
Airline had dealings with only one of the group's companies.
Brunei Party Raps Singapore For Tudung Ban
A Brunei political party on Wednesday criticised Singapore for a policy banning Muslim girls from wearing the Islamic headscarf in school.
MRT Rides To Changi Airport From Friday
From Friday, the MRT will take you all the way to Changi Airport.
Entertainment
Night Safari Introduces Gourmet Ride To Woo Visitors
The latest attraction is a tram-ride that combines both culinary delights and the park's nocturnal attractions.
Tuesday, February 5, 2002
News
Airport MRT Stop Next In Line
New station at Changi Airport could open soon; bus services are likely to change, while cabbies are worried about business.
DBS Opts For Plain, Simple English
DBS is considering a move away from the traditional legalistic format towards a more user-friendly version with simpler terms.
MUIS Urges Parents Of Tudung-Wearing Students To Let Them Attend School
Islam gave precedence to those rules which benefit the masses.
Singapore's 'Osama' May Have Targeted U.S. Interests
Officials say jailed Muslim is local leader of regional terror group linked to Al Qaeda.
Technology
Panpac Media Makes Foray Into Dotcoms - Again
After losing about $40 million in its dotcom ventures, Panpac Media.com is back at it again.
Entertainment
The X Factor
Xiang Yun, now 40, has moved on to play mostly mothers and aunties and has landed a plum role in Jack Neo's latest movie, I Not Stupid.
Monday, February 4, 2002
Top Stories
Recession? Don't Forget The Sharksfin
Most families are still going the whole hog and eating out for their annual reunion dinner this year.
News
Good Response To 'Keep Left' Call In MRT Stations
Commuters have welcomed the practice as keeping left has helped speed up commuter flow.
Singapore Mulls Trading Electricity With Other Countries
Two Girls Suspended Over Wearing Of Tudung To School
Singapore Schoolgirls Defy Headscarf Ban
A Muslim schoolgirl who defied a Singapore government ban on the wearing of traditional bheadscarves has been suspended from school.
Technology
Public Sector At Forefront Of KM
Singapore seen as a leader in the e-government game.
Infocomms Spending Stayed Constant Last Year
But jobs created fell 20% to 4,500 and total value added fell 26% from 2000 to $1.4b.
Taiwan Sex Scandal Is Hot With Singapore Surfers
Biggest group worldwide on Lycos search engine.
Sunday, February 3, 2002
Top Stories
PM Firm On Tudung Issue
Two Primary 1 schoolgirls will be suspended if they turn up in Islamic headscarves for classes tomorrow.
News
Singapore May Hit High End Of Growth Forecast
Economy may even go beyond upper limit of 2 per cent, says upbeat DPM Tan, but this depends on world, regional security.
Muslim Girls Test Singapore Government With Headscarves
Two young Muslim girls will put Singapore's government in a testing position on Monday if they wear headscarves to primary school as officials weigh the emotive issues of religous sensitivities and ethnic cohesion.
Singapore Flocks To Altar On Double Happiness Day
Some 300 Singaporean men will have no excuse for forgetting their wedding anniversary. Four times the usual number of couples tied the knot on Saturday, a day deemed lucky because of the 02-02-02 numbers in the date.
Smoother Ride On Upper Serangoon Road
Government Looking At Ways To Enable SAP School Students To Mix With Those From Other Communities: PM Goh
An emphatic 'no' came from the Prime Minister when he was asked if the government will do away with SAP schools in the name of national integration.
Hot Air Over Hot Spring?
As Singaporeans crowd the Sembawang hot spring in search of a cure for skin problems, rheumatism, and other aches and pains, we asked doctors whether it's all jsut a lot of, er...
Entertainment
Pop Stars Hope Inaugural MTV Asia Awards Will Raise Awareness Of Asian Music
Many artists expressed hope the hype would raise the profile of Asian music.
East-West Fusion Lights Up MTV Awards
Regional artistes take to the stage with their Western counterparts at extravaganza attended by 7,000.
Saturday, February 2, 2002
Top Stories
Singapore Denies Malsyain Claims On Water Issue
It was Malaysia that offered in February last year to sell raw water at 60 sen per thousand gallons.
News
Ken Air Tours May Go Bust
The company will fold if it fails to find a partner by next week.
Charities Need To Lift Veil On Use Of Donations
Greater transparency will give charities an edge with donors.
Technology
Singapore Telcos Cool To Sharing 3G Facilities
The difficulties raised would outweigh any benefits.
Entertainment
Takeaway Reunion Dinner
Yes, save yourself the stress.
Friday, February 1, 2002
Top Stories
Private Sector May Manage CPF Savings
Private-sector fund managers could take over the CPF's role in managing Singaporeans' retirement savings.
News
Parents Have Till Monday To Rethink Tudung Stand
Two defied the Friday deadline and a third has withdrawn from her school.
Chee Accuses Courts Of Crippling His Case
"The courts have imperiled my case even before it has begun."
Technology
Koh Boon Hwee Joins Singapore Internet Company
Koh Boon Hwee, chairman of SIA, was appointed executive director of Media Ring. The compnay also said it would layoff 35 per cent of its staff and restructure its operations to focus on higher growth telecommunications products and services.
Entertainment
Watch S-League Live - Only On TV Works
Its 'one match every Saturday' offer edges out rival's weekly highlights.