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Portable chilling units (on the left) at Resorts World Sentosa
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SINGAPORE : Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) said it expects its air-conditioning system to be fully restored by this Friday.
This came after the resort encountered a malfunction in the system's chilling units on Monday.
RWS said the impact has been minimal, as back-up systems are in place.
It will also be reviewing procedures to avoid a similar incident.
The integrated resort (IR) said it's due to a technical fault in the motor unit of its chilling system.
The resort uses a centralised system, so the problem is resort-wide.
Clement Ng, Senior Executive of Communications at Resorts World Sentosa said: " Our chiller units actually undergo regular maintenance and at the same time, they are monitored round the clock. However, the part at fault this time round is the motor, and the parts are not being observed during the regular maintenance. As such it triggered this incident.
" We view this incident very seriously and we will be stepping up and reviewing our provisions for air-conditioning as well as learning from this incident."
The resort said back-up chillers were activated once it got word of the situation.
The move does not restore conditions to a 100 per cent, but it's expected to minimise the impact on visitors.
A family from Malaysia said their dining experience at the IR was affected.
" It's very humid, very hot inside so it's very uncomfortable, it's totally unacceptable. It made the dining experience very unsatisfactory," said a visitor.
At another store, a couple from New Zealand had a different view.
" It's very pleasant, we do not have a lot of air-conditioning from where we come from," said the New Zealand couple. " When you come inside, it cools you right down nicely."
The resort's Festive Hotel said business has not been affected and it has not received any complaints from guests.
" We are monitoring the situation very closely. Our room attendants are working on the floors. We have briefed (them) already to be in touch with us immediately if they notice the air-conditioning system is having problems. So we are monitoring from there and we will take corrective action," said Henry Cheah, director of Rooms, Festive Hotel, Resorts World Sentosa.
Still, the incident has had some impact.
Two shows of Voyage De La Vie had to be cancelled - with the next show slated for Friday.
RWS said some customers are seeking a refund, though numbers are small.
Visitors have the option to switch dates for other shows.
Universal Studios' extended operating hours of 10am to 9pm for the school holiday period will also resume on Friday.
It's unclear if tenants have lodged complaints for loss of business as a result of the incident.
RWS said it will work closely to assist them in providing a pleasant experience for guests.
- CNA /ls
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Clearing the air on ‘awkward’ comment
Letter from Inderjit Singh
Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC
I wish to highlight to you an article carried by your publication on May 28, “PAP MPs surprised Dr Tan might run for President”.
I was quoted as saying: “For Presidential Elections, there’s always been a candidate that the Government supports ... it’s quite clear that we will be fully behind this person so it will be very awkward (to have Dr Tan in the contest).”
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Victim of bike rage
Letter from Harshal Patil
I became a victim of bicycle rage on Monday.
A friend and I were walking on a footpath from my workplace at the Changi Business Park (CBP) when I heard a bicycle bell ringing behind me.
As I moved to give way, I felt a bump as the cyclist hit me.
He rode on but not without first telling me that it was my fault as he had rung his bell.
I ran and caught up with this person at the traffic light.
He argued that he was justified in assuming the footpath belonged to him and in bumping into anyone who did not move fast enough.
I was able to identify him as a foreign national.
As a foreigner myself, I feel ashamed that such people are perpetuating the negative stereotypes of foreigners with his rudeness
Perhaps the relevant authority could post circulars clarifying the rules of using bikes on footpaths. Such circulars should especially be posted in all CBP offices where many foreign nationals work. Specifying a hefty deterrent fine and clarifying which authority can impose such a fine is also important.
That way, next time, this person will think twice before hitting someone else.
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Don’t compare delays
Letter from Goh Fang Min
Chief Financial Officer
Singapore Sports Council
Changi Motorsports Hub contractual arrangement differs from that of Sports Hub
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S$5.3-billion deal baffles CEO President
South Korea’s Lee Myung Bak has yet to prove Asia’s fourth-biggest economy is truly open for business
For a man who billed himself as the CEO President, Mr Lee Myung Bak of South Korea sure seems to lack business sense.
WILLIAM PESE K
In February 2008, voters turned to Mr Lee, the former chief executive officer of several Hyundai Group businesses, to see through the reforms needed to break the economic gridlock.
Who better to drive change than a guy famed for bulldozing the competition?
Buyer’s remorse is setting in as Mr Lee’s management proves to be more erratic than steady.
Koreans were patient when Mr Lee’s missteps involved diplomacy.
His move to reverse efforts by his two predecessors to negotiate with North Korea was a case in point.
They also overlooked his support of the Bush administration’s foreign policy adventures and his steps to censor the Internet.
Yet tolerance is running thin as Mr Lee misplays what should be his strong suit: Promoting economic stability and accomplishing financial reform.
If he does not get serious about both, investors will hand down their own verdict, which would not be good for the nation’s markets.
The first issue — economic overheating — is an immediate danger.
On the surface, this seems more a concern for central bank governor Kim Choong Soo than for Mr Lee.
Since the global economy collapse in 2008, central banks around the world have sought to maintain their independence from the politicians who need sound economic growth in order to stay in office.
Korea is no exception as Mr Kim struggles to tame inflation, at the same time offering up monetary policy that supports growth.
While Mr Lee’s policy-makers deny it, investors in Seoul believe the Bank of Korea is under intense pressure to leave interest rates low.
Each time the central bank raises rates, the Korean won’s rise accelerates.
This undermines key exporters like Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, making their
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Higher wages for maids not long-term solution
Tanya Fong
tanyafong@mediacorp.com.sg
The Association of Employment Agencies of Singapore is asking the Ministry of Manpower to reduce the minimum age requirement for foreign domestic helpers and to review the current English language entry test.
To overcome shortage, industry mulls over how to make Singapore a more attractive destination
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Ex-relationship manager accused of cheating ocbc of s$4.9m
A former relationship manager with OCBC was yesterday charged with 31 counts of cheating involving nearly s$4.9 million.
Tan Wei Chong, 32, is believed to have cheated the bank between November 2007 and August last year.
In most of the cheating charges, he had allegedly deceived OCBC into believing that a woman, known as Irene Lee, had instructed the bank to debit money from her accounts.
This was allegedly done to apply for cashiers’ orders in the name of one Mr Lee Liang Loon. However, it is believed that it was Tan who had ordered the transactions.
As a result, the bank is said to have delivered the money to Mr Lee.
Other than cheating, Tan is also accused of 15 counts of transferring benefits of criminal conduct involving more than s$2.5 million.
He is believed to have committed this offence between September 2009 and August last year.
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Man is first to be charged with
being unregistered property agent
SHA FFIQ ALKHAT IB & ESTHER NG
shaffiq@mediacorp.com.sg
It is believed Tan Cher Peng had also failed to obtain written authorisation from a licensed real estate firm before practising.
Since the start of the year, all property agents must register with the council and possess written agreements with their companies before they are allowed to perform their job.
Tan had applied to the CEA to register as a salesperson in December last year but he allegedly stated that he had not been convicted in a court of law in any country — a statement that is believed to be untrue. SINGAPORE — Six months after stricter rules governing real estate work came into force, a 45-year-old has become the first person to be charged in court for representing himself as a property agent when he was not registered with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).
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ELECTION BLACK SWAM
B L A C K S E A
pharoah88 ( Date: 02-Jun-2011 11:11) Posted:
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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 01/06/2011
HAVE YOUR SAY: George Yeo running for President?
Mr George Yeo at a recent news conference (photo by Melissa Tan, channelnewsasia.com)
SINGAPORE: Former minister for foreign affairs George Yeo said he is thinking hard about running for the Presidential Election.
Writing on Wednesday on his Facebook page, Mr Yeo said he is " praying for wisdom" .
He also indicated many Singaporeans had asked him to reconsider his decision.
Mr Yeo had previously said he did not have the temperament to become President.
When contacted, Mr Yeo declined comment, only saying that he will " leave it as it is for the time being" .
The Elections Department on Wednesday distributed, as of 5pm, at least seven sets of applications for the certificate of eligibility.
First to pick up the forms was seventy—year—old Ooi Boon Ewe.
Mr Ooi failed in his bid to contest the recent General Election as an independent candidate.
He said he has resigned as chairman of his political party —— the People’s Liberal Democratic Party —— in order to run for President.
Meanwhile, former People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Tan Cheng Bock also collected his forms.
Dr Tan said he would go back to his roots to rally support, and intends to carry out walkabouts at his former ward of Ayer Rajah, which he describes as his " base camp" .
He said he came personally to collect the forms along with supporters to show he is serious about contesting the Presidential Election.
Dr Tan said he believes Singaporeans should vote for a presidential candidate based on individual merit.
" I would prefer that people take a deep analysis of the individual candidate, irrespective of his (past) party," Dr Tan said.
" I will lose some votes maybe because of my past association with PAP. But that’s all in the game, it’s ok.
" If they don’t like me because I belong to the PAP, they are free not to elect me. But I want to believe that Singaporeans generally would assess me on a slightly different view."
Another person who collected two sets of forms on Wednesday was Mr Martin Lee, who said he was collecting them on behalf of his friend, an entrepreneur in his 50’s whose surname is also " Lee" .
Mr Martin Lee gave little away, adding that the person is from the private sector, who fulfils all the eligibility criteria for running for President.
The Elections Department also saw many who came to restore their names on the Registers of Electors after failing to vote in the recent General Election.
One of them was famous water—colour artist Ong Kim Seng, who said he wishes " his good friend" —— current President SR Nathan —— would run for President again.
—CNA/wk
YOUR SAY: Should George Yeo run for President? How do you think he can contribute in this role? Sign in here and let us know your thoughts.
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BLACK SWAM
B L A C K S E A
pharoah88 ( Date: 02-Jun-2011 11:05) Posted:
TRAGIC SINGAPORE SCHOOL HOLIDAY
ON A STORMY DAY
AT FLOOD JUNCTION
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BLACK SWAM
B L A C K S E A
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SINGAPORE
B L A C K S W A M
         
pharoah88 ( Date: 02-Jun-2011 11:00) Posted:
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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 01/06/2011
Teen found dead after falling into drain
Teen found dead after falling into drain
Rescuers searching a canal for the missing Indonesia teenager. (Photo by Ernest Chua - TODAY)
SINGAPORE: The body of a 15—year—old Indonesian teen, who had been swept away after falling into a drain swollen with rain water was found on Wednesday night.
Rescuers found his body in the canal next to Block 82, Whampoa Drive, close to the 1— to 1.5—kilometre stretch that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had been combing since late afternoon.
Paramedics pronounced him dead at about 11 pm.
The tragedy happened during a period of intense rain, which caused flooding at the junction of Novena Square and a tree to fall elsewhere.
The teen, identified only as William, was here on holiday. He was with two friends, Singaporean student Brian Lee and his Indonesian cousin, who was William’s friend.
He was wading through shin—deep waters at 2.30pm along a flooded section in the Balestier area when he fell into the drain.
The drain is guarded by a railing but William is believed to have stepped through a break in the railing at the flooded junction of Martaban Road and Minbu Road. He fell into the submerged drain, which is about 1.2—metre deep.
" My cousin’s friend (William) grabbed the railings but he was soon swept away," Brian said.
The two other teens were walking just behind William.
Brian said his cousin then ran towards the drain along Mandalay Road. " My cousin told me to take care of our belongings and he ran towards the drain to try and save William. He grabbed William’s T—shirt and cried for help," Brian said.
But his cousin could not hold on for long.
The Indonesian also tried to extend his feet to the stricken teen but the rushing water proved too strong and swept William away, Brian added.
On Wednesday night, Brian told MediaCorp that they had contacted William’s father in Jakarta and that he was on his way to Singapore.
The SCDF said it received a call at about 4pm on Wednesday. Eighteen personnel and several vehicles, including an ambulance and a water—rescue vehicle, were despatched.
Watched by a crowd of curious onlookers, SCDF officers searched the drain and the canal at Whampoa West and Serangoon Road, into which the drain empties.
The case has been handed over to the police, who said that investigations are still ongoing. —
TODAY
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By Flora McCraith, MSN, 24/05/2011
Common germ spreading habits
Think twice before being nice as a kiss on the cheek or shaking hands could affect your health
iStock
There are a million and one things that we do every day that put us at risk of germs, bacterias and viruses and our immune system works hard to fight those that are dangerous. However, there are some things that we do as we go about our business which we don’t even think about when it comes to sharing germs.
Here are some common habits that make us susceptible to all sorts, landing us in the sick bay. (Not for the germ-a-phobic!)
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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 01/06/2011
HAVE YOUR SAY: George Yeo running for President?
Mr George Yeo at a recent news conference (photo by Melissa Tan, channelnewsasia.com)
SINGAPORE: Former minister for foreign affairs George Yeo said he is thinking hard about running for the Presidential Election.
Writing on Wednesday on his Facebook page, Mr Yeo said he is " praying for wisdom" .
He also indicated many Singaporeans had asked him to reconsider his decision.
Mr Yeo had previously said he did not have the temperament to become President.
When contacted, Mr Yeo declined comment, only saying that he will " leave it as it is for the time being" .
The Elections Department on Wednesday distributed, as of 5pm, at least seven sets of applications for the certificate of eligibility.
First to pick up the forms was seventy—year—old Ooi Boon Ewe.
Mr Ooi failed in his bid to contest the recent General Election as an independent candidate.
He said he has resigned as chairman of his political party —— the People’s Liberal Democratic Party —— in order to run for President.
Meanwhile, former People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Tan Cheng Bock also collected his forms.
Dr Tan said he would go back to his roots to rally support, and intends to carry out walkabouts at his former ward of Ayer Rajah, which he describes as his " base camp" .
He said he came personally to collect the forms along with supporters to show he is serious about contesting the Presidential Election.
Dr Tan said he believes Singaporeans should vote for a presidential candidate based on individual merit.
" I would prefer that people take a deep analysis of the individual candidate, irrespective of his (past) party," Dr Tan said.
" I will lose some votes maybe because of my past association with PAP. But that’s all in the game, it’s ok.
" If they don’t like me because I belong to the PAP, they are free not to elect me. But I want to believe that Singaporeans generally would assess me on a slightly different view."
Another person who collected two sets of forms on Wednesday was Mr Martin Lee, who said he was collecting them on behalf of his friend, an entrepreneur in his 50’s whose surname is also " Lee" .
Mr Martin Lee gave little away, adding that the person is from the private sector, who fulfils all the eligibility criteria for running for President.
The Elections Department also saw many who came to restore their names on the Registers of Electors after failing to vote in the recent General Election.
One of them was famous water—colour artist Ong Kim Seng, who said he wishes " his good friend" —— current President SR Nathan —— would run for President again.
—CNA/wk
YOUR SAY: Should George Yeo run for President? How do you think he can contribute in this role? Sign in here and let us know your thoughts.
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TRAGIC SINGAPORE SCHOOL HOLIDAY
ON A STORMY DAY
AT FLOOD JUNCTION
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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 01/06/2011
Teen found dead after falling into drain
Teen found dead after falling into drain
Rescuers searching a canal for the missing Indonesia teenager. (Photo by Ernest Chua - TODAY)
SINGAPORE: The body of a 15—year—old Indonesian teen, who had been swept away after falling into a drain swollen with rain water was found on Wednesday night.
Rescuers found his body in the canal next to Block 82, Whampoa Drive, close to the 1— to 1.5—kilometre stretch that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had been combing since late afternoon.
Paramedics pronounced him dead at about 11 pm.
The tragedy happened during a period of intense rain, which caused flooding at the junction of Novena Square and a tree to fall elsewhere.
The teen, identified only as William, was here on holiday. He was with two friends, Singaporean student Brian Lee and his Indonesian cousin, who was William’s friend.
He was wading through shin—deep waters at 2.30pm along a flooded section in the Balestier area when he fell into the drain.
The drain is guarded by a railing but William is believed to have stepped through a break in the railing at the flooded junction of Martaban Road and Minbu Road. He fell into the submerged drain, which is about 1.2—metre deep.
" My cousin’s friend (William) grabbed the railings but he was soon swept away," Brian said.
The two other teens were walking just behind William.
Brian said his cousin then ran towards the drain along Mandalay Road. " My cousin told me to take care of our belongings and he ran towards the drain to try and save William. He grabbed William’s T—shirt and cried for help," Brian said.
But his cousin could not hold on for long.
The Indonesian also tried to extend his feet to the stricken teen but the rushing water proved too strong and swept William away, Brian added.
On Wednesday night, Brian told MediaCorp that they had contacted William’s father in Jakarta and that he was on his way to Singapore.
The SCDF said it received a call at about 4pm on Wednesday. Eighteen personnel and several vehicles, including an ambulance and a water—rescue vehicle, were despatched.
Watched by a crowd of curious onlookers, SCDF officers searched the drain and the canal at Whampoa West and Serangoon Road, into which the drain empties.
The case has been handed over to the police, who said that investigations are still ongoing. —
TODAY
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By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 01/06/2011
Germany still in dark over mystery killer bacteria
A mysterious killer bacteria claimed another life as Germany hunted for its source Wednesday, while fears of tainted vegetables saw sales plummet across Europe and farmers threatened lawsuits.
Germany still in dark over mystery killer bacteria
A mysterious killer bacteria claimed another life as Germany hunted for its source Wednesday, while fears of tainted vegetables saw sales plummet across Europe and farmers threatened lawsuits.
An 84-year-old woman whose death was announced Wednesday brought the European toll from the outbreak to 17, all but one in Germany, and hundreds more have fallen sick. But there was still no clear word on its cause.
The outbreak started nearly a month ago, Germany's national disease centre said, although reports of infections only emerged in mid-May.
Spain threatened to file a suit on behalf of its farmers against German authorities who had announced that the virulent bacteria was borne by Spanish imported cucumbers, before later correcting their findings.
The European Commission late Wednesday lifted its warning over the Spanish cucumbers, saying tests " did not confirm the presence of the specific serotype (O104), which is responsible for the outbreak affecting humans."
" After this development, the European Commission has removed the alert notification on Spanish cucumbers from the Rapid Alert System on Food and Feed," it said in a statement.
The Spanish health ministry welcomed the move as " a very important step to restore normalcy as soon as possible to the Spanish agricultural sector" .
Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said Madrid might sue the city of Hamburg, whose officials first issued the warning, for damages already estimated at more than 200 million euros ($290 million) per week.
Europe's top health official described the issue as " serious," but ruled out the need for a ban on cucumbers or for a warning against traveling to northern Germany.
" The outbreak is limited geographically to an area surrounding the city of Hamburg," said European Union health commissioner John Dalli. " It appears that the outbreak is on the decline."
Scene: Fear walks German hospital wards hit by killer bacteria
Fear led many consumers throughout Europe to swear off fresh vegetables, hitting the agricultural sector hard, and not only in Spain.
The Netherlands and Germany both said they might call on the European Union to financially help their farmers.
German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner, who is also responsible for consumer affairs, was to discuss such aid with European commissioner Dacian Ciolos on the phone later Wednesday, her ministry said.
A spokesman for the German Federation of Farmers (DBV) said vegetable producers " are losing at the very least two to three million euros per day," because " consumers everywhere are suspicious" .
Scientists and health officials said they have identified the virulent E. coli bacteria responsible for the outbreak, which has mainly affected northern Germany.
" We hope that newly developed tests will allow the source of the infection to be identified," the German Institute for Safety Assessment (BfR) said.
More than 1,500 people have fallen ill to the E. coli poisoning, with cases reported in Denmark, Britain, The Netherlands, Austria, France, Spain, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. All apparently stemmed from people who recently travelled to northern Germany.
Confirmed cases of the full-blown disease -- known as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) -- a condition associated with bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure, meanwhile rose to 470 on Tuesday from 373 on Monday, according to the latest figures by the national disease centre.
German officials have maintained their warning to consumers about eating raw cucumbers, tomatoes or lettuce, seen as the most likely source for the contamination, and consumer affairs' ministry spokesman Holger Eichele told reporters that the advisory issued by Hamburg had been " justified" .
" Given the potential risks, quick warnings were needed independently of the strand of bacteria involved," he said.
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By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 01/06/2011
British author starts Singapore jail term
A 76-year-old British writer who published a book denouncing judicial hangings in Singapore started a prison term on Wednesday for contempt.
On Friday he lost his appeal against a six-week sentence, the toughest ever imposed in Singapore for contempt.
Shadrake could not afford to pay a Sg$20,000 ($16,200) fine on top of the prison term, resulting in another two weeks in jail, taking the term to eight weeks in total. He could be released earlier for good behaviour.
He was allowed to undergo a medical test before serving his sentence.
" I feel fine. I feel that Singapore has shamed itself again by jailing me," Shadrake told AFP by telephone.
" For Singapore not to allow this free expression, to jail someone for their opinions... it's bloody nonsense," added the author of " Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock" .
London-based Amnesty International denounced Shadrake's imprisonment and urged Singapore to release the author.
" Singapore has thrown Alan Shadrake in prison solely for exercising his basic right of free speech," Lance Lattig, Amnesty Southeast Asia researcher, said in a statement.
" The Singapore government should release Shadrake and scrap laws that criminalise peaceful criticism with imprisonment and crippling fines," he said.
Shadrake's book includes a profile of Darshan Singh, the former chief executioner at Singapore's Changi Prison who, according to the author, hanged around 1,000 men and women including foreigners from 1959 until he retired in 2006.
Shadrake's book features interviews with human rights activists, lawyers and former police officers, and alleges that some cases involving foreigners may have been influenced by diplomatic and trade considerations.
He was arrested by Singapore police in July last year while visiting the city to launch the first edition of his book, which was first published in neighbouring Malaysia.
Shadrake said previously that the second edition of his book was already on sale in Australia and was due to be launched in Britain on June 1.
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