SingaporeSurf

Singapore And Malaysia To Tussle Over Water Next Week
by John O'Callaghan, Reuters
Singapore and Malaysia meet next week to try to hammer out a pact on the price of water and other contentious issues, but some observers see little chance of the neighbours narrowing their differences in two short days.

A-Level Students Jittery About New-Style Exam
by Sandra Davie, Straits Times
They are concerned that the 'thinking' questions will be too tough for students. Another worry: the Education Ministry will tighten up on grading in response to rumblings that the A levels have become too easy.

Overseas Singaporeans Allowed To Vote
by Lee Seng Lup, Elections Department, Straits Times
The Elections Department is now looking into increasing the number of overseas polling stations to allowmore Singaporeans to cast their votes while abroad during the next Parliamentary General Election.

No Plans For Great GLC Sale
by M. Nirmala, Straits Times
No evidence to show government-linked companies are less efficient.

Don't Flout Yellow Pages Rule, Don't Nudge Out Small Players
by Straits Times
Stat boards take flak for not staying out of areas that can be serviced by private sector.

Singapore Economy 'Needs Surgery'
by BBC News
Singapore prime minister Goh Chok Tong has warned of the growing economic threat of competition from China.

A Turnaround
by Trish Saywell, Far Eastern Economic Review
Falling prices and sluggish sales of electronics chips underscore how fragile the recovery is.

Holland Village Bohemian?
by Natalie Soh and Shahida Ariff, Straits Times
The three areas identified as being 'little Bohemias', have drawn surprised looks from some of the people they are meant to cater to.

Public Should Not Subsidise New MRT Stations
by Leong Yit Chun, Straits Times
Not only is there no differential pricing, but there is also no extra charge for travelling on the Changi extension.

Minister: NEWater Won't Affect Our Stand
by The Star
Singapore's newly-discovered water source is not expected to have a significant effect on Malaysia's stand on the water pricing issue.

MediaCorp Ch 8 Most Watched Channel In Q2
by Business Times Singapore
Channel 8 commanded a 37.2 per cent share of the local free-to-air market. MediaWorks Channel U was second, with a share of 26.9 per cent.

Foreign Films Galore At A Cineplex Near You
by Karl Ho, Straits Times
Many embassies here are realising that film festivals make for effective branding and marketing tools for their respective countries.

Singapore Needs To Make Foreign Talent Feel At Home: SM Lee
by Straits Times
If Singapore does not want to be relegated to the second or third division in world-class contests, it would have to welcome foreign talent and make them feel part of the Singapore team, he said.

Eldershield — Ill-Conceived Or Just Badly Explained
by Salma Khalik, Straits Times
Whichever direction the finger points, the Health Ministry cannot escape part of the blame.

Subsidise Bus Routes, Not Companies
by Joseph Teo Chin Guan, Straits Times
The PTC should continue to ensure that bus companies adhere to standards that meet commuters' needs, and it should aim to subsidise bus routes, and not companies.

Singapore To Relax Restrictions On Neon Signs
by Business Times Singapore
Flashing neon signs will, initially, be allowed on three tourist and shopping districts - Orchard Road, Marina Centre and Chinatown.

Feeder-Bus Rules Lock Us Out: Private Operators
by Karamjit Kaur and Goh Chin Lian, Straits Times
New plan to open up feeder-service market is self-defeating, because the fine print means new players must risks millions, say critics.

Renong To Develop Universal Studios Park Jointly With Singapore Firm
by Business Times Singapore
In what is seen as a significant milestone in close collaboration between two neighbours in promoting tourism, Malaysia today announced that it would develop the Universal Studios' theme park project in Johor jointly with Singapore.

Journalists 'Do Not Have Right To Protect Sources'
by Straits Times
High Court rejects the British practice of exempting journalists from courts' power to order disclosure in civil cases.

Singapore Politician Faces Ruin From Lawsuits
by Amy Tan, Reuters
An outspoken Singapore opposition leader may face financial and political ruin next week in defamation lawsuits by the two most senior government figures.

Centrepoint Skybridge Plan Still Up In The Air
by Andrea Tan, Business Times Singapore
Chief Valuer awaits details of bridge's floor area to carry out assessment.

Singapore On Course To Achieve New Growth Target: Economists
by Business Times Singapore
Singapore looks set to achieve its new growth forecast of three to four per cent in 2002 after rebounding from a recession but there are concerns over next year's performance, economists said.

HDB Flat Not A Ticket To Extra Loan Cash
by Neo Hui Min, Straits Times
Flat owners will not be able to use their homes as collateral to take out more loans.

Upgrading Of Schools Is To Meet Long-Term Needs
by Tang Tuck Weng, Ministry of Education, Straits Times
Schools are upgraded only after a thorough evaluation of the costs and benefits of different options.

As Singapore Marks 37th Anniversary, Economy Mars Celebrations
by Anindya Mukherjee, Bloomberg
Singapore marked its 37th anniversary of independence amid signs that an end to the island's worst recession may not restore its status as one of Asia's fastest-growing economies.

Spat Set Aside For Celebrations
by Paul Gabriel, The Star
The spat over the water issue between Malaysia and Singapore was momentarily set aside.

Ez-Link Woes Will Improve Soon
by Straits Times
The hippcus with ez-link cards on buses are teething problems, and will get better when commuters get used to the system, said Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong.

Super Mega Hyper
by Tee Hun Ching, Straits Times
Supermart chains are expanding here, opening themed and no-frills outlets plus hypermarts to capture customers in a mature market.

Adult Novelties Come To Town - But Forget The Porn
by Chong Chee Kin and Suhaila Sulaiman, Straits Times
Several shops sell them, albeit 'mild' versions - you won't find anatomically-correct vibrators, as it is an offence to deal in obscene objects.

Where Have All The Flags Gone This Year?
by Straits Times
The decrease does seem to reflect the loss of public interest in buying flags and hanging them up, as well as the bad state of the economy.

Malay Village Shrugs Off 'Ghost Town' Tag
by Krist Boo, Straits Times
With $600,000 poured into repairs and refurbishment each year, the attraction has been making profits.

Unique Building Not Being Preserved
by Straits Times
The owner is resigned to losing the building to road-widening works for Lavender Street.

Tampines Bus Commuters May Get To Ride In Comfort
by Karamjit Kaur, Straits Times
The estate is in line to be the first to have private feeder services, with Comfort Bus tipped to be the operator.

Why LTA Shelved Plans For New $500m HQ
by Straits Times
The 120,000-sq-m building would have been too big, says Transport Minister, who adds that adverse public reaction has affected plans too.

Indoor Stadium Claims Best View For Fireworks
by Ginnie Teo, Straits Times
"Because the fireworks will burst between the National Stadium and the Indoor Stadium, our North entrance's forecourt is definitely the best place to catch the fireworks."

Popular Orchard Road Taxi Stand To Go
by Karamjit Kaur and Low Siok Hwee, Straits Times
LTA moving Centrepoint stand to carpark across the road to help smoothen traffic flow, but shoppers chafe at longer walk.

KL Study On Singapore Reclamation Work To Be Completed In Sept
by Business Times Singapore
"We are seeing some interesting results but it is premature to tell you what they are."

SingTel First Quarter Net Profit Down 37.3%
by Business Times Singapore
SingTel said today net profit fell 37.3 per cent in the first quarter to June over the previou syear due to interest costs and goodwill hcarges from its acquisition of Australian subsidiary Optus.

Local Flavour For Stops Along N-E Line
by Straits Times
Each of the 16 stations has its own unique character to blend with the surroundings, like the leaf-shaped motifs at Little India.

Singapore Telecom CEO Weighs Public Image, Profits In Rate Push
by Greg Chang, Bloomberg
The same agency that Singapore Telecommunications defeated in the courtroom, the Infocomm Development Authority, will rule on the price increase.

Mahathir Tells Singapore Not To Wait Until 2011 To Halt Water Pact
by Business Times Singapore
In the latest tit-for-tat exchange on the issue, the premier said Malaysia was merely doing its neighbour a favour by supplying it with water under accords signed in 1927.

90-Min Blackout Stops Work In Its Tracks
by Lee Hui Chieh and Tan May Ping, Straits Times
Shops lost businesses and ofices came to a standstill as Singapore's worst blackout in 10 years hit seven areas yesterday.

Why Upgrading Upon Upgrading?
by Eugene Lim Chin Hon, Straits Times
Two counter-productive upgrading projects in less than five years do seem a tad prodigal.

Breastfeeding Mums Spread Message On Trains
by Ginnie Teo, Straits Times
A group of nursing mothers whent public yesterday in a bid to educae and encourage other mothers to do the same.

Boost For Teaching Career With New MOE Scholarships
by Tracy Quek, Straits Times
Three new scholarships for undergraduate studies here and abroad from next year after system overhaul.

JB Cabbies Unhappy Over Singapore Entry Rule
by Lam Li, The Star
Taxi drivers plying the Johor Baru-Singapore route have complained of the Singapore's Immigration Department's reluctance to issue Multiple Journey Passes, which allow drivers to make multiple trips into the island for a year.

Get Ready For MacDonald's McCafe
by Siow Li Sen, Business Times Singapore
The fast-food chain plans to open its first gourmet coffee shop in Singapore next year.

KL And SIngapore To Meet Again Next Month
by The Star
The second ministerial meeting to discuss a bilateral package of issues will be held on Sept 2 and 3 in the island republic.