SingaporeSurf

KL Wants Singapore To Act Now...
by Reme Ahmad, Straits Times
Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said yesterday Malaysia had no intention of causing inconvenience, but it was up to the Republic to act on complaints about its reclamation works.

... But What, Exactly, Is The Problem?
by Straits Times
Lim Swee Say said yesterday that Singapore was still 'awaiting Malaysia's input, basically on what issues concern them'.

Singapore's Actions Will Not Add To The Burden Of Neighbours: Environment Minister
by Channel NewsAsia
"As long as the leaders on both sides continue to adopt a constructive attitude, continue to enhance our communications, make sure that we can continue to enhance our mutual understanding, mutual respect, I think there's no reason why Singapore and Malaysia cannot cooperate more."

Ghani: Singapore Feeling The Threat
by The Star
The economy of the island republic was slightly affected following the creation of the Pasir Gudang Port.

MFA Rejects Malaysia's Reclamation Claims
by Channel NewsAsia
It was incorrect to state that Lee Hsien Loong had offered to consider halting the reclamation.

Singapore Aims To Ligthen Business Burden
by Reuters
Singapore will budget for modest surpluses, keep taxes light and government fees and charges low.

Stem Loss Of Airlines To Other Airports
by Gan Yung Chyan, Straits Times
CAAS should not view Hongkong as its only rival. Civil aviation in the 21st century belongs mainly to Thailand, China and Malaysia, with Bangkok leading the charge.

Reclamation Will Not Hit Shipping Lanes
by Natalie Soh Chang Ai-Lien, Straits Times
A check by The Straits Times with several government agencies and shipping sources showed that the existing shipping lane south of Pulau Tekong will remain unchanged even after reclamation works.

PM Surprised By Singapore Stand
by Frenderick Fernandez, The Star
Point 20, which was part of the area being reclaimed, was still under dispute as it could involve Malaysian territory.

Singapore To Further Liberalise Maritime Sector To Fend Off Rivals
by Business Times Singapore
Yeo Cheow Tong also said the Republic will pursue its liberal air and transport policy to extend Changi airport's network and connectivity to China and India.

Women Who Come And Go And May Almost Be As Smart As Michelangelo
by Tom Plate, Korea Times
Why do (bad) men put good women down?

IDA Mindful Of Economic Impact
by Dulcie Chan, IDA, Straits Times
As far as possible, enhanced features are made available as options, so that only users who need them pay for them.

Top Civil Servants To Break Down Barriers
by Straits Times
Goh Chok Tong told senior civil servants that they needed to change the way they worked, knocking down the barriers between themselves and pulling together to work for the best interests of Singapore.

Singapore Drug Dealer Death Sentence Lifted
by CNN
A chemist's analysis revealed that the block of vegetable matter she was carrying only contained 281 grams.

Sleepless In Singapore, Clueless In Delhi
by Bibek Debroy, Indian Express

Examinations Authority May Be Set Up To Set And Grade Papers
by Channel NewsAsia

Sleepless In Singapore
by Straits Times
Nearly half the population of Singapore suffers from insomnia.

Singapore Opposition Veteran Headed Back To Court
by Reuters
Veteran Singapore opposition politician J.B. Jeyaretnam will defend himself by arguing the suits were politically motivated.

Singapore Adamant About Reclaiming Land
by The Star

German Drugs Woman Set To Escape Singapore Gallows
by Reuters
"They are breaking down the cannabis charge into two."

HSBC, Maybank And Stanchart Share ATMs
by Quak Hiang Whai, Business Times Singapore

Are Moves For Openess Just Cosmetic?
by Kelvin Tan Wei Hann, Straits Times
Is it not merely a cosmetic policy if MPs are limited in their vote by the sheer ambiguity of the demarcation of which issues they are allowed not to toe the party line on?

Chee Misses Defamation Hearing
by Straits Times

Manpower Ministry To Review CPF Scheme
by Straits Times
It wants to ensure Singaporeans have enough CPF savings to meet their housing, medical and retirement needs.

SMU To Open Air-Con Tunnel Link To Public
by Jane Lee, Straits Times
Come 2005, pedestrians can stroll from one end of Bras Basah Road to junction of Victoria Street and Stamford Road.

Banks Act To Serve Small Savers
by Ignatius Low, Straits Times
New ideas being considered may allow customers to open an account with just $10 and enjoy limited free transactions.

U.S. Watch Group: Southeast Asia's Reefs Threatened By Overfishing, Pollution
by Sean Yoong, Associated Press

Taiwan Says No Singapore Input Into Crash Analysis
by Reuters
Taiwan's top investigator into the crash of a Singapore Airlines jet insisted on Wednesday that Taiwanese authorities alone would determine the cause of the accident.

No Indonesians Involved In Terrorist Network In Singapore: Embassy
by Jakarta Post
The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore has found no indication that any Indonesian in the island-state has links to international terrorism, an official said on Wednesday.

Singapore Left Out Of Talks In SQ 006 Probe
by Lawrence Chung, Straits Times
Views vital for a 'more balanced' crash report, says official.

Singapore Is Preferred Destination Of Asian Travellers: Survey
by Business Times Singapore
A regional survey by MasterCard also showed Singapore Airlines was the most preferred airline.

Hope For 'Swop Operators And Keep Number'
by Denesh Divyanathan, Straits Times
Just a day after appearing to rule out a rquirement for full mobile number portability, IDA said yesterday that a review may be timely.

President Warns Of Tough Times Ahead For Singapore
by Tan Tarn How, Straits Times
Singapore now existed in a world and immediate neighbourhood that have changed greatly from the past.

Singapore Activist Questions Effectiveness Of Intelligence Units
by AFP
James Gomez raised doubts over the effectiveness of singapore's vaunted security agencies following the discovery of an alleged terrorist group here.

SIA-Taiwan Officials To Meet Before Releasing Crash Report
by Associated Press

Singapore CPI Up 0.3% In February
by Channel NewsAsia
Singapore's consumer price index went up by 0.3 per cent in February after registering monthly declines for the past six months, due to dearer food, followed by higher costs of transport and communications.

Plans To Sell HDB Centre Put Off
by Kalpana Rashiwala, Business TImes Singapore
Weak market conditions prompt HDB to lease out its present headquarters after it moves to new premises at Toa Payoh in a couple of months.

Iras Should Provide Better Service, Interest On Refunds
by Png Paak Liang, Straits Times
Iras should pay interest on money that it has over-collected from taxpayers.

Consumers Lose Out Without Mobile Number Portability
by Denesh Divyanathan and William Choong, Straits Times
It is costly and inconvenient for users to change their phone numbers each and every time they switch operators.

STB Tours Target Singaporeans
by Straits Times
A programme was organised to promote Singapore to Singaporeans.

Nearly All Studio Apartments For The Elderly Taken Up: HDB
by Channel NewsAsia
Among the reasons for the popularity are the custom-made facilities for the elderly and proximity to neighbourhood facilities.

Singapore Official Warns Southeast Asia To Deny Haven For Al-Qaida Terror Network
by Voice Of America

Johor Chief Denies Sand Sold For Singapore Reclamation
by Straits Times
What is sold to the Republic is gravel dust for road projects.

Next Parliament Likely To Have Nominated MPs: Wong Kan Seng
by Channel NewsAsia

Why It Might Be Difficult For The Government To Withdraw From Business
by Tan Boon Seng, Singapore-Window.org
The government's withdrawal from business could hurt the employment, income and ownership interests of people closely connected to it.

More Men Saying They Cannot Pay
by Straits Times
More men are defaulting on maintenance payments to ex-wives, or applying to the courts to reduce the sums due.

Ez-Link Software Bug Fixed: LTA
by Channel NewsAsia
The LTA says Friday's software problem involving the contactless ez-link smart card on buses has been rectified.

Virgin Mobile Has 0.6% Market Share Here
by Angela Tan, Business Times Singapore

Is Country Club Keeping To 'Green' Pledge?
by Ho Hua Chew, Nature Society, Straits Times

SQ 006 Crash Report May Stir Controversy
by Leslie Koh and Goh Sui Noi, Straits Times

US-Singapore Trade Pact Could Create 50,000 Jobs
by William Choong, Straits Times
Envoy highlights advantages as well as concessions sought, such as the right for US banks, service firms to operate here.

Brain Drain To Singapore
by The Australian
Singapore is likely to emerge as a regional centre for research on embryonic stem cells if Australia decides to impose restrictions next month.

Car Free Day Back Again Despite Poor Response
by Straits Times

Singapore Charges Security Levy For Cruise Passengers
by Straits Times
S$6 levy on pasengers from luxury cruises from May 1.

Buyers Zero In On New Exec Flats
by Alicia Yeo, Straits Times
At latest selection exercise for non-mature estate units, many head for the bigger flats which HDB no longer builds.

Survey Shows Singapore Offers Best Quality Of Life In Asia
by Reuters
Expatriates living in Asia have ranked Singapore as offering the best quality of life for the second year running.

Net Reported To Widen In Singapore Terror Probe
by Reuters
Singapore authorities have interviewed more people suspected of having terror links in the city state.

Get Set For Livelier Debates In Parliament
by Straits Times
Wong Kan Seng said that the Whip would be lifted on issues of conscience, and MPs can ask for the Whip to be lifted for them on a case-by-case basis.

Reprieve For High Street Merchants, Building Owners
by Ling Su Ann, Business Times Singapore
Owners told to spruce up area after government decides against acquisitions.

Stop Singapore Reclamation Work, DAP Urges Government
by The Star
DAP's national publicity bureau secretary said despite knowing how reclamation would affect traffic at the Tanjung Pelepas Port, the Malaysian Government did not take any measures to pressure the Singapore Government to stop work.

Flood Threat From Singapore Project
by Lam Li, The Star
Reclamation work in Singapore's north-eastern islands could turn settlements located along several rivers in Johor into flood-prone areas, said a coastal engineering specialist here.

Who Pays To Replace NRIC Is Left To Individuals
by Lee Boon Hwee, SIR, Straits Times

Put Back Arrival Times On Screens
by Vincent Kessler, Straits Times
These screens do everything except tell the estimated arrival times.

Fifth Poly To Open Next March
by Tracy Quek, Straits Times
It will take in 800 students at MOE's former Tanglin premises; campus to be built in Woodlands by 2006.

Singapore May Bid For 2010 Commonwealth Games
by Straits Times

Surge In Bookings For US Holidays
by Ginnie Teo, Straits Times
With improved airport and flight security and cheaper tickets, the US has become a popular destination with Singaporeans again.

Singapore Reported Upset Over Taiwan Crash Inquiry
by Reuters
Singapore transport investigators were barred from taking part in a key phase of the investigation, the Today newspaper said.

Electronic Tracking For Singapore School Buses
by Reuters
A wireless tracking system that links school buses to schools and the parents of pupils in order to strengthen the children's security has been launched in Singapore.

NRIC Re-Registration For Those Who Turn 30
by Channel NewsAsia
Singaporeans who turn 30 this year may be required to re-register their NRIC, or identity cards.

Singapore's Reclamation Work Now Affecting Johor Ports
by The Star
Singapore's reclamation works at Pulau Tekong and Tuas are already affecting the Malaysian ports of Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Pelepas in Johor.

SPH Now Offers Ad Inserts Every Day
by Business Times Singapore

An Eye For An AYE
by Karamjit Kaur, Straits Times
LTA uses cameras at ERP gantries to identify motorists waiting at expressway shoulders for charges to end or go down.

$3b Tax Surplus Despite The Recession
by Narendra Aggarwal, Straits Times

Sudden Change In Ties With KL 'Unlikely'
by Brendan Pereira, Straits Times
Bilateral ties will always be up and down thought hey may improve over time, says DPM Lee as he wraps up Malaysia visit.

Public-Sector Bulge A Short-Term One
by Seah Yam Meng, Straits Times
Once the economy picks up, graduates would move to the private sector in hopes of better pay.

Guards Retain ICs So Passes Are Returned
by Ngiam Shih Tung, Straits Times
There are legitimate reasons for inspecting a person's identity card to verify his particulars. There are no legitimate reasons for retaining it.

Road Diversions For Circle MRT Line Works Less Disruptive: LTA
by Channel NewsAsia
LTA has assured that road diversions due to the building of the Circle MRT Line will be less disruptive compared to the construction of the North East Line.

Singapore's Land Reclamation To Go On Until Malaysia's Claims Verified
by Sa'odah Elias, The Star
Singapore has assured Malaysia that it will look seriously into any concern raised over the republic's reclamation project provided there is proper study and proof.

Drive To Make Malay Official Asean Language
by The Star

Contractor Faces Dilemma Moving Merlion Statue To New Fullerton Site
by Channel NewsAsia
Moving the Merlion under the Esplanade Bridge's six-metre height is giving contractors a headache.

Eating Out In Singapore An $8b Obsession
by Straits Times
Study shows the average person spent $2,000 last year at food outlets, forking out more money to eat out than at home.

PSA 'Must Beat PTP In Pricing'
by Nicholas Fang, Straits Times

Ring Tone Providers Accuse SingTel, M1 Of Feet Dragging
by Adeline Chia, Business Times Singapore
SingTel says it is moving cautiously on the matter because of concerns over possible unresolved copyright issues.

Graduates Should Look Abroad To Find Jobs
by Seah Yam Meng, Straits Times
The competitive environment abroad would help unveil latent talents in some Singaporeans.

Singapore Not At Risk From Rising Sea Levels
by Sharmilpal Kaur, Straits Times

Case Boss Slams 'Quiet' Price Rise
by Straits Times
Petrol companies' move is ill-timed, astonishing and an unnecessary new burden on consumers, says new chief.

Can Sentosa Erupt Once Again?
by Koh Boon Pin, Straits Times
In remaking Sentosa to draw in eight million visitors, some things may have to go, under a new masterplan being drawn up for the island.

Visitors To Kallang Play Circle Game
by Tee Hun Ching, Straits Times
Road diversions at Stadium Boulevard have seen takings for some shops plummet, while other establishments say that beyond the dust and chaos, there are bright prospects ahead.

ISA Detainee 'Brainwashed' By Cell Leader
by Alethea Lim, Straits Times

Say Goodbye To Small Cabs
by Karamjit Kaur, Straits Times
Taxi firms plan to phase out small cabs over the next five years.

Malaysia Should Stop Stalling On Bilateral Package
by Sebastian Tan, Straits Times
Malaysia should also not be seen as trying to subjugate Singapore with actions like abrupt decisions or changes of mind.

Bulging Public Sector Not The Way To Go For Singapore
by Brian Lynch, Straits Times

Singapore Pools To Take Bets On World Cup, Premier League
by Tay Cheng Khoon, Straits Times

Have Fewer Night Markets At Bedok Central
by Rachel Woo Ern Ern, Straits Times
Having the pasar malam once or twice a year is reasonable bu thaving it almost every month will, in the long term, bring only distress to the residents as well as the shop owners there.

Why Pay If Third Party Loses NRIC?
by Lee Kwok Weng, Straits Times
May I suggest SIR imposes a rule that when an IC is lost while in the possession of a security guard, his employer and/or the owners of the building pay the replacement fee.

New Graduates Find Relief In Government Jobs
by Sandra Davie, Straits Times
Aggressive public-sector recruitment resulted in most NUS, NTU graduates finding work by the end of last year.

Ethics Panel Against Payment For Donated Organs To Science
by Natalie Soh, Straits Times
The donation of human tissue for scientific research should be encouraged here but there should not be any dollar value attached to such contribution.

Show HDB's Land Costs More Clearly
by William Lim Siew Wai, Business Times Singapore
The actual land cost should not be governed by the market, as the role of the HDB must include the important social objective to provide public housing to those unable to participate in the private sector.

Singaporeans 2nd-Class Citizens Even In Homeland
by Lee Kah Hui, Straits Times
With the shortage of doctors and nurses in Singapore, why do hospitals here see the need to woo foreign patients?

Travel Fares Take A Tumble In Price War
by Ginnie Teo, Straits Times
Firms go all out to woo travellers, with airfares slashed by almost half and package tours 20 per cent cheaper now.

Johor To Report On Reclamation
by Straits Times
The Johor government will today submit a detailed report to the federal government.