Getting into character to portray

PM Lee
Captain Phuah Wei Wen studied videos of PM Lee at past NDPs to prepare
for his role. He hopes to meet Mr Lee in person today.
Photo: The Straits Times

Away from the limelight, 9,000 people from the Singapore Armed
Forces, such as Captain Phuah Wei Wen, whose job is to stand in for
the Prime Minister, and other government agencies will ensure that
the biggest show in town today goes off without a hitch.
When Captain Phuah Wei Wen steps out of the car after the Prime
Minister's motorcade pulls into the Padang, he is often greeted with
light laughter.
But the 26-year-old brushes it off, and never breaks character as
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, whom he stands in for during
National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsals.
"I have to portray PM Lee as best as I can. My role is important
because the pace at which I make my movements will(affect) the
next cue," said the regular from the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
Capt Phuah, who put his name up for the job, was picked for his
height - at 1.83m, he is as tall as PM Lee - and his confident bearing.
But Capt Phuah also does his part by observing PM Lee's
movements in videos of previous NDPs on YouTube.
At rehearsals, he also takes the chance to learn from reviewing
officers, including Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Speaker of
Parliament Halimah Yacob.
"I would observe how they come out of the vehicle and their
movements," he said.

One thing that struck him was how grand the parade looks.
"When I was standing on the saluting dais, and the whole contingent
did a salute, it looked so grand and impressive."
Today, Capt Phuah will be coordinating the entrance of the VIPs,
giving him the chance to have one wish come true. "I've not met PM
before," he said, "so hopefully I get to meet him in person."

5th mass display for parade

veteran, 65
Madam Yu Ah Lin is the oldest among the Soka performers at this years
parade.
Photo: Lianhe Zaobao

Even with four National Day Parades under her belt, Madam Yu Ah
Lin considers this year's her toughest yet.
Tonight, the parade veteran will be running, swaying her hips and
trying to keep in step with some 849 other women from the
Singapore Soka Association in a mass display segment.
"This year is different because there are a lot more dance moves. I'm
older now and I'm stiffer.
"I have to rub medicated oil at home after the rehearsals because of
the body aches," said Madam Yu in Mandarin.
The 65-year-old housewife, who is the oldest among the Soka
performers, also participated in the 1990, 1995, 1998 and 2005
NDPs.
In the seven-minute performance, the women have to peel off layers
of their long dresses to form words like unity, progress, success and
onwards in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

The 3kg costume comprises a cape and two layers attached by

velcro, which they would peel off to reveal different colours.
Ms Jennifer Phoon, 45, one of the three choreographers for Soka,
added that the performance is a "massive movement" which requires
seamless coordination.
"It's a lot of hard work. Many of the women don't have a dance
background and it's challenging for them but they are very dedicated
and really put their hearts into this," said Ms Phoon, who works as an
executive secretary.
She has been designing the choreography since last November. She
has also been putting performers through their paces since March to
perfect the dance routine.
Madam Yu said: "This is our Golden Jubilee... I'm also very nervous
about (the possibility of) forgetting the steps so I've been practising at
home every day," she said.

Pioneers to don iconic outfits in

vintage parade
Retired police officer Zailanee Othman (insert), 56, will don the old police
uniform his dad and granddad once wore.
Photo: The Straits Times

Going through 56 hours of rehearsals would be a mean feat for

anyone, but this is especially so if you are 71 years old.
However, for retired Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) warrant
officer Yunnos Shariff, who first took part in the National Day Parade
in 1968, it is a matter of pride.

He is one of 450 participants making up the vintage parade, in which

they will be wearing iconic outfits and props from past street parades.
Spectators will get to see the uniforms Singapore's soldiers, police
officers and firemen used to wear.
Mr Yunnos fell ill after his first rehearsal at the Padang in June. He is
the oldest of about 30 participants representing SCDF.
"When the committee wanted me to rest, I said 'no'," said the plucky
retiree, who has four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
"I didn't expect to still be involved in this considering my age, so I'm
very proud of it and I want to show that I can do it."
Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret) Swee Boon Chan, who was in the first NDP
in 1966, will also be marching with other veteran soldiers. When
invited to join in January, he agreed without hesitation and even
gathered the rest.
"In two weeks, I got the whole contingent of 50 people - all pioneers,"
said the 68-year- old, who retired from the Singapore Armed Forces
in 1997.
"We are donning the uniforms of the early days to remind the newer
generation where we have come from...We worked very hard (and) it
was not easy," he said.
"It's an opportune time to tell our next generation - it's time for them
to take over the baton and take Singapore to the next level."
For 56-year-old Zailanee Othman, who retired from the Singapore
Police Force in 2009, it is a special chance to don the old police
uniform with khaki shorts.
He added: "I come from a family of police officers and my granddad
and my dad used to wear this... I hope the younger generation will
remember, you have to defend Singapore."

Pioneers to don iconic outfits in

vintage parade
Retired police officer Zailanee Othman (insert), 56, will don the old police
uniform his dad and granddad once wore.
Photo: The Straits Times

Going through 56 hours of rehearsals would be a mean feat for

anyone, but this is especially so if you are 71 years old.
However, for retired Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) warrant
officer Yunnos Shariff, who first took part in the National Day Parade
in 1968, it is a matter of pride.
He is one of 450 participants making up the vintage parade, in which
they will be wearing iconic outfits and props from past street parades.
Spectators will get to see the uniforms Singapore's soldiers, police
officers and firemen used to wear.
Mr Yunnos fell ill after his first rehearsal at the Padang in June. He is
the oldest of about 30 participants representing SCDF.
"When the committee wanted me to rest, I said 'no'," said the plucky
retiree, who has four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
"I didn't expect to still be involved in this considering my age, so I'm
very proud of it and I want to show that I can do it."
Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret) Swee Boon Chan, who was in the first NDP
in 1966, will also be marching with other veteran soldiers. When
invited to join in January, he agreed without hesitation and even
gathered the rest.

"In two weeks, I got the whole contingent of 50 people - all pioneers,"
said the 68-year- old, who retired from the Singapore Armed Forces
in 1997.
"We are donning the uniforms of the early days to remind the newer
generation where we have come from...We worked very hard (and) it
was not easy," he said.
"It's an opportune time to tell our next generation - it's time for them
to take over the baton and take Singapore to the next level."
For 56-year-old Zailanee Othman, who retired from the Singapore
Police Force in 2009, it is a special chance to don the old police
uniform with khaki shorts.
He added: "I come from a family of police officers and my granddad
and my dad used to wear this... I hope the younger generation will
remember, you have to defend Singapore."

PM Lee, Najib toast good

bilateral relations 50 years on
File photo: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian PM
Najib Razak enjoying top-grade Mao Shan Wang durian on 27 August 2014 at
Agrobazaar Malaysia in Sultan Gate, off Beach Road, as Ms Ho Ching looked
on.
Photo: The Straits Times

Singapore and Malaysia decided to go their separate ways 50 years

ago today, but the ties between the neighbours have since flourished
and grown deeper, the prime ministers of both countries said in
messages on the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Najib
Razak wrote of how the countries are linked by history, geography

and kinship, and have been able to look beyond differences to work
together for the mutual benefit of their people.
Mr Lee noted that Separation was a difficult period, but both sides
decided they had to live and work together to create mutual
prosperity, and that "our deep historical, social and cultural ties
helped us to do so".
Although Singapore was part of Malaysia for less than two years from
1963 to 1965, many in its pioneer generation were born there and the
links between people remain strong.
Mr Lee also noted that both sides enjoy a warm relationship, with
their prime ministers and ministers meeting regularly to explore areas
for collaboration. Both sides are working on exciting projects,
including the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail.
They have also helped one another in difficult times, and Mr Lee
expressed Singapore's gratitude for the prompt support and help
from Malaysia in the search, rescue and recovery efforts after the
Sabah earthquake in June, which claimed the lives of 10
Singaporeans.
He said: "Malaysia will always be an important partner for Singapore.
When Malaysia does well, Singapore also prospers."
In an article for The Sunday Times, Datuk Seri Najib said Singapore
and Malaysia are "like tongue and teeth", destined to be conjoined
and co-operate, not compete.
Malaysia had, over the decades, observed Singapore's progress and
shared in mourning the death of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan
Yew on March 23. "His presence is missed during these landmark
celebrations, but his legacy is secure - it is the Singapore of today,"
he said.

Mr Najib urged Singaporeans not to judge Malaysia by what they

might read on social media, or by politically motivated statements
from some quarters, saying he will ensure Malaysia remains stable
and safe for guests and Malaysians alike.
"The reality is that we share your aspirations for good governance;
for a strong, inclusive and sustainable economy based on sound
fundamentals; and for stability, harmony and diversity," Mr Najib said.
"Fifty years ago, ties between our two nations were strained. Today,
relations have never been better and the results speak for
themselves. Happy 50th birthday, Singapore - Malaysia looks forward
to toasting many future anniversaries with you."

Ex-minister given top civilian

honour
Photo: The Straits Times

Former senior Cabinet minister S. Dhanabalan has been conferred

the nation's top civilian honour, the Order of Temasek (First Class).
Mr Dhanabalan, 77, is only the eighth person in Singapore's history
to receive the award. It was last given to former president S R
Nathan in 2013.
Mr Dhanabalan is a member of the Council of Presidential Advisers
and the Presidential Council for Minority Rights.
He tops this year's list of 3,888 National Day Award winners, who
include military staff, public servants, community and grassroots
leaders and educators.
Former Singapore National Employers Federation president Stephen
Lee, 68, received the Order of Nila Utama (First Class), another one
of Singapore's highest state awards.

Six others received the Distinguished Service Order: non-resident

ambassador to Israel Winston Choo Wee Leong; non-resident
ambassador to Switzerland Tee Tua Ba; chairman of the Centre for
Liveable Cities advisory board Liu Thai Ker; Gardens by the Bay
chief executive Tan Wee Kiat; former Tiong Bahru MP Ch'ng Jit Koon;
and former senior minister of state for education and the environment
Sidek Saniff.
Sixteen people also received Commendation Medals for their
contributions during the Sabah earthquake.
Mr Dhanabalan said in an e-mail that he is "gratified to be bestowed
this honour".
"I have been fortunate to have worked with a team of outstanding
and dedicated people whether in politics or the corporate world and
we share this honour together.
"I continue to be blessed with people with the same qualities in what I
am doing now."
He retired as chairman of Temasek Holdings in 2013 after a 17-year
tenure.
This came after a career spanning over five decades in the private
sector and in politics, 15 of them as a minister from 1978 to 1993.
He was also the chairman of Singapore Airlines from 1996 to 1998
and chairman of DBS Group Holdings from 1999 to 2005.
Mr Dhanabalan was appointed to the board of Singapore sovereign
wealth fund GIC last August.
He was among the founding board of directors when GIC was
established in 1981, and had served until 2005.

GIC group president and former civil service head Lim Siong Guan
said Mr Dhanabalan "possesses an abiding sense of duty to do all he
can for Singapore's future".
"Mr Dhanabalan's deep understanding of the country's reserve
management goals means Singaporeans today, our children, and our
children's children continue to be in the forefront of his dedicated
service to the nation," he added.
Temasek chairman Lim Boon Heng said Mr Dhanabalan played a key
role in shaping the investment company's "values and ethos as an
active investor and shareholder, a forward-looking institution and a
trusted steward".
"He was a leader, a mentor and a steward, steering the company
through our transformative years against the backdrop of
globalisation and volatility. His exemplary service as one of
Singapore's outstanding leaders continues to be an inspiration to us
all," Mr Lim added.
Mr Peter Seah, who is the chairman of DBS Bank, said that Mr
Dhanabalan made significant contributions as one of the founding
members of DBS.
"In the early years, we were known as the Development Bank of
Singapore. He personally wrote the bank's prospectus and was
instrumental in securing credit lines for the bank," Mr Seah added.

Fifty years on: 'Stronger as one

people'
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong records the National Day Message 2015 at
Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.
Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information

The full text of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day
Message:
My Fellow Singaporeans,
Fifty years ago, on this very night, Singapore was on the eve of a
momentous change. The Cabinet had already signed the Separation
Agreement.
The Government Printers were busy printing the Separation
Agreement and the Proclamation of Independence in a special
Government Gazette.
The Commissioner of Police and the Commander of the army units
had been told by the Malaysian Government to take orders from the
new government the next day. But all this happened in strict secrecy.
Our forefathers went to bed oblivious of what was about to happen,
still for the time being citizens of Malaysia.
Then morning came. The 9th of August 1965. Our world changed. At
10am, a radio announcer read the Proclamation. Singapore had left
Malaysia and would "forever be a sovereign, democratic and
independent nation".
The Republic of Singapore was born.
People were apprehensive. No one knew if we could make it on our
own. Our economy was not yet viable, much less vibrant.
We had practically no resources, and no independent armed forces.
Around noon on that first day, Mr Lee Kuan Yew gave a press
conference on TV. He broke down halfway, unable to contain his
emotions.
It was, he said, "a moment of anguish".

But that moment of anguish turned into a lifetime of determination to

forge a path for this island nation. At the end of the press conference,
Mr Lee made a promise to Singaporeans.
He said: "We are going to be a multi-racial nation in Singapore. We
will set an example. This is not a Malay nation; this is not a Chinese
nation; this is not an Indian nation. Everyone will have his place,
equal: language, culture, religion."
From that break, we began building a nation. And what a journey it
has been. It started with the first generation of leaders convincing our
pioneer generation that Singapore could succeed as a sovereign
country.
Together, leaders and the people - the lions and the lion-hearted fought with unwavering determination to secure our foundations. After
them, younger generations picked up the baton and took Singapore
further.
Year after year, Singapore progressed. Along the way, we overcame
many problems - the British withdrawal in 1971, the Oil Crisis in
1973, Sars, the Asian Financial Crisis and then the Global Financial
Crisis. We grew our economy and created jobs, built homes, schools,
hospitals and parks. We built a nation.
Year after year, we have kept the promises that Mr Lee Kuan Yew
made on the 9th of August 1965: that we will be "one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion"; that we will always have a
bright future ahead of us.
Therefore on our 50th birthday, we have ample reason to celebrate.
Let us celebrate 50 years of peace and security, underwritten by the
blood and sweat of generations of NSmen.

Let us celebrate how we turned vulnerabilities into strengths. How a

struggling economy with no domestic market made the world our
market and created jobs for our people.
How, without any domestic hinterland, we made PSA and Changi
Airport the best in the world.
How, from being utterly dependent on Johor for water, we turned the
whole island into one catchment area and developed NEWater.
How, while we had no natural resources, we educated every
Singaporean and created opportunities for their talents to thrive. We
have proven that, together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.
Most of all, let us celebrate how we journeyed from Third World to
First, as one united people, leaving no one behind. Every citizen has
benefited from Singapore's progress.
Life has improved for all - for Chinese, Malays, Indians and
Eurasians; for blue-collar as well as white-collar workers; for HDB as
well as condominium dwellers. We are a nation of home owners.
Everyone has opportunities to improve himself. Everyone can look
forward to a brighter future.
At 50 years, as we stand at a high base camp, we look back and
marvel how far we have come. We are grateful to those who made it
happen. From this base camp, we can also look forward to new
peaks ahead.
The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press on, because we
aspire to do better for ourselves and our children.
We know that we will get there, because we will always be there for
one another.
We are stronger as one people.

For example, we instinctively gather to lift a truck to save someone

trapped underneath.
Even if the music fails, we go on singing the National Anthem with
gusto. We are proud of our past and confident of our future.
Together we believe in Singapore; together we belong to Singapore;
together, we are Singapore.
I am speaking to you from Victoria Concert Hall, a place that holds
special significance in Singapore's history. In 1954, this was called
the Victoria Memorial Hall.
It was here that Mr Lee Kuan Yew launched the People's Action
Party, and inaugurated the long struggle for a fair and just society. It
was here in 1958 that "Majulah Singapura" was first performed.
It was at the Padang nearby, after independence, that we held our
National Day Parades, and sang Majulah Singapura together as a
nation.
Fifty years on, on our Golden Jubilee, we will gather again at the
Padang. We will sing Majulah Singapura proudly, and recite the
National Pledge.
We will rejoice in the success of our last five decades, and commit
ourselves anew to work together as one united people, regardless of
race, language or religion, to build Singapore, so as to achieve
happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.

Fabric of a nation
Photo: The Straits Times

Furnishings inspired by memories

Looking at Mr Mike Tay's beautiful hand-drawn wallpaper and fabric

designs, it is hard to believe he has no formal training in art or
design.
His chic Singapore-themed creations celebrate everything that is
unique about the Little Red Dot - from heritage neighbourhoods such
as Little India and Tiong Bahru to the intricate design of Peranakan
shophouse windows and tiles.
"Design is something I have been interested in since I was as young
as six, back when I noticed the intricate rangoli designs outside the
home of an Indian family who were neighbours and close friends of
my grandparents'," he recalls.
Rangoli refers to floor patterns created using rice flour, coloured
powder, flowers or beans.
Mr Tay, 44, adds: "Though I didn't study art or design formally, it has
always remained something I was passionate about."
His full-time job in sales and marketing in the media industry kept him
from pursuing his passion until last November, when he decided to
start a new chapter and invested $15,000 to set up a shop for his
brand, Onlewo.
He also started a contemporary art gallery, Flaneur Gallery. Both the
gallery and shop are housed in a two-storey conservation shophouse
in Jalan Besar.
"I called my brand Onlewo because it sounds like the characters for
home nest in Mandarin," he says. "It's apt given that I like my work to
be inspired by personal memories."
And it shows. The bachelor's stylish designs are a nod to his own
fond memories spent growing up in Tiong Bahru - from buying kueh
at Galicier Pastry for friends visiting from out of town to spending his
Sunday mornings shopping at the market.

He now lives in Upper Thomson.

His cushion covers and stools sell for $48 and $200 respectively
while the wallpaper starts at $350 for a 2m by 3m wall area. Fans of
his work range from trendy home owners to businesses such as chic
home furnishings store Space in Bencoolen Street.
But for Mr Tay, creating his uniquely Singaporean brand was more
than finding a profitable niche in the market.
"I didn't want to create Singaporean-themed work just for the sake of
it," he says.
"As a small independent brand, my focus is on producing functional
products that are conversation starters and tell a unique story about
Singapore."
He has another mission too. Flaneur Gallery helps promote the work
of local artists in their 20s and 30s, provides art residency and serves
as an exhibition space for their work. He also helped a young artist
who recently exhibited at the gallery get his biggest commissioned
work to date.
He says of his new start in the art and design industry: "I might not
have pursued this line from young, but now that I'm in it, I want to
help young local designers follow their passion as I continue to do the
same.
"What could be more SG50- appropriate than that?"
Keychain coin for supermarket carts
Having her hands full with a four-year-old daughter and 11- monthold son did not stop full-time mum Dawn Choo from creating her own
SG50-themed product to celebrate the jubilee year.
But she also wanted something functional that would come in handy
long after the National Day celebrations are over.

Her brainchild? A practical keychain trolley coin with the SG50 logo
stamped on it.
The coin, which has the same dimensions as Singapore's second
series 50-cent coins, can be used to unlock shopping carts at most
supermarkets, saving people the trouble of having to fumble around
for an appropriate coin.
Madam Choo, 36, a former civil servant, says: "I had been
considering starting a small business since the beginning of the year
and thought, why not start off with something special to
commemorate the nation's birthday?"
She wanted to create something useful, unlike the many merely
decorative products that have already flooded the market.
She struck creative gold while brainstorming ideas with her banker
husband, 37, two months ago.
"While we were chatting before bed one night, I realised not many
people were aware of the concept of a trolley coin, despite it being so
useful for Singaporeans," she says.
"Having gotten one as a corporate gift a few years back, I knew how
convenient they were and decided they would make a perfect
memento for our jubilee year."
It did not hurt that the round SG50 logo lent itself perfectly to the coin.
All Madam Choo had to do was find someone willing to manufacture
it.
Within 24 hours, she sought out a manufacturer on Chinese ecommerce site Alibaba.com and sent him the design, branding
guidelines and dimensions.
She spent a few hundred dollars to place her first order for 500 coins.

She sold the coins - for $3.50 a piece and $9.90 for a set of three on local online marketplace Qoo10.com. Within a week, she was
receiving orders of up to 100 coins a day and getting requests for
customised versions.
In the past month, she has sold more than 4,000 pieces and counts
organisations such as insurance firm AIA and the Housing and
Development Board as some of her corporate customers.
The overwhelming response has meant that she and her husband
have spent hours organising, packing and delivering packages when
new shipments of stock come in. They can prepare up to 1,000
packages a day.
But the work is worth it, Madam Choo says. "I've gotten feedback
about how useful the coin is and it makes me happy to know it's a
lasting memento that people will use and treasure.
"For me, that's been the best part of the whole experience."

NSP's Kevryn Lim dismisses

ignorant and shallow comments
Photo: The Straits Times, Internet

Racy pictures of Ms Kevryn Lim have dominated Internet forums

since Monday after the National Solidarity Party (NSP) member
emerged as a potential candidate during horse-trading talks among
opposition parties.
The pictures, taken when she was a part-time model, showed the
political hopeful dressed in lingerie and skimpy attire.

Amid the buzz among netizens, many commented about her fashion
choice - a short, tight-fitting, white dress - at the Monday talks. They
also questioned her credibility as a politician.
One wrote an open letter to sociopolitical site TR Emeritus: "Did she
think she was going to Zouk to party or attending a serious opposition
conference to decide on the outcome of Singapore?"
Yesterday, the 26-year-old, who modelled in Hong Kong, Perth and
Singapore, hit back at critics on Facebook in both English and
Mandarin.
This is what Ms Lim, a project director at an events management and
digital marketing firm, wrote: "The moment I decided to embark on
this journey as a politician, I have thus mentally prepared myself to
be up against such unavoidable situation.
"Nonetheless, the outbreak of such scandal and harsh critics allowed
me to feel deeply that my existence has create uneasiness in you... It
is indeed a real disappointment to know that we have such a group of
people in Singapore, and it has given me more reason to have to
stand out and change this phenomenon."
She added that she hoped people would focus on her capabilities
and what she can contribute to society.
"Since you guys only know and can only take such an ignorant and
shallow or apparent angle to belittle me, I guess I can only dismiss
with a smile then," she said.
NSP's acting secretary-general, Ms Hazel Poa, told The New Paper
that Ms Lim will not be accepting interviews.
Ms Lim moved to Hong Kong to study fashion design after her O
levels. She earned a Masters in Professional Communication from
Curtin University of Technology in Perth.

She returned to Singapore and set up an events management and

digital marketing company.
Since joining the party in March, Ms Lim has wiped her model profiles
on Modelmayhem.com and Perthmodel.
She also cited former NSP member Nicole Seah as her political
inspiration.
KNOWLEDGEABLE
University friends described Ms Lim as "knowledgeable about
politics" and "into volunteering for charity".
Photographers who have worked with her said that she is a pleasant
and friendly person, and did not seem like the "bimbo that others
make her out to be".
But critics say that is not enough.
Political scientist Derek da Cunha said: "NSP seems to have run out
of ideas if it has to contemplate the prospect of fielding Kevryn Lim.
"She is clearly not generating the same kind of buzz or excitement as
when NSP unveiled Nicole Seah for the 2011 election.
"Kevryn Lim is not in the same league as Nicole Seah, certainly not
at the intellectual level."
National University of Singapore sociologist Tan Ern Ser said: "There
is nothing wrong with fielding people who look good.
"But the person must come across as equal to the job of an MP:
Have a solid understanding of issues, offer practical solutions,
articulate their ideas clearly and convince voters that they are
sincere, honest, caring, competent, friendly, approachable and can
be taken seriously."

On what the public thinks of her, Associate Professor Tan added: "My
sense is that they would follow the news on her out of curiosity but
wouldn't take her seriously."

Sporean shot dead in Philippines

was coming back for parents
birthdays
Screengrabs.
Photo: Shin Min Daily, Lianhe Wanbao

He was supposed to have returned to Singapore yesterday to

celebrate his parents' birthdays and spend the Jubilee weekend with
them.
But tragedy struck when two men gunned down Mr Stanley Jang, 36,
in his office at Paranaque City in Metro Manila on Wednesday. The
Singaporean was rushed to Paranaque District Hospital where he
was declared dead on arrival.
Mr Jang, who owned Deltatronix Enterprises, a Philippine-based
company that specialises in calibration instruments, had lived in the
Philippines for more than 10 years with his Filipino wife and two-yearold child.
Chief Inspector Arnold Dugas of the Paranaque police told The New
Paper over the phone yesterday that the motive for the attack is still
unknown.
The manner in which the gunmen targeted Mr Jang in his office, shot
him at close range and left without taking anything suggests that it
could have been an execution-style hit.

Two of Mr Jang's cousins, who gave their names as Mr Lin and Mr

Han, were at his family home in Jurong East when TNP went there
yesterday.
They said Mr Jang and his younger sister had planned for him to
come home as a surprise for his mother's birthday yesterday and his
father's birthday, which is today.
Mr Lin, who works in the government sector, said: "The family is
definitely not all right. The birthday cake is still sitting in the fridge. "It
was meant to be a celebration."
FILIAL
Mr Han, who is in the private sector, said Mr Jang was very close to
his younger sister and was a filial son who took care of the family.
"Knowing that he wanted to give them a surprise for their birthdays
makes it even worse. They were a close-knit family," he said. The
cousins described Mr Jang as a jovial and caring person.
Despite being based in the Philippines for many years, Mr Jang
made the effort to meet up with his extended family whenever he
came back to Singapore.
He also kept in touch with them via Whatsapp, said his cousins who
grew up with Mr Jang and would meet him every week when they
were young.
Said Mr Lin: "Although we're all busy working now and he was
overseas, we still tried to keep in contact and help each other." When
Mr Jang's sister told them about the tragedy on Wednesday, their
initial reaction was one of disbelief.
'RISKY'
Mr Lin said: "With our Singapore mindset and the level of safety here,
you would never have expected this.

"Being overseas can be risky, but the nature of the attack is

something you think would never happen."
Asked if Mr Jang had any enemies, they said they had no idea if
anyone might have wanted to hurt him because they did not discuss
work matters when Mr Jang was back in Singapore.
"He came back only a few times a year so when we were together,
we would talk about more personal stuff and not about our jobs," said
Mr Lin.
POLICE: GUNMEN USED MODIFIED SHOTGUNS
Singaporean businessman Stanley Jang, 36, was killed on Tuesday
when two gunmen entered his Deltatronix Enterprises office in
Paranaque City in Metro Manila.
One of them shot Mr Jang once on the left side of the face and the
duo left immediately.
Chief Inspector Arnold Dugas of the Paranaque police told The New
Paper that the gunmen, who were carrying modified shotguns, have
not been identified and that no items were taken from the office.
He also said the office is located in the commercial area of the city
and is "not that dangerous and is a peaceful area".
The attack happened around noon and there were eight employees
in the office. None of them was injured and one of them alerted the
police about the incident.
Mr Jang was taken to Paranaque District Hospital where he was
declared dead on arrival.
Chief Insp Dugas said the employees present during the shooting will
be asked to help with a facial composite sketch of the two gunmen.
He added that the case is under investigation and the police are
coordinating with Mr Jang's wife and lawyer in the Philippines

'Pay $5k for illegal download of

movie'
Photo: Shaw

At least three local Internet users accused of downloading the film

Dallas Buyers Club illegally have received letters demanding they
pay $5,000 to the Hollywood studio that produced it.
Samuel Seow Law Corporation, which represents Voltage Pictures,
sent the letters to the three after they wrote back in response to
letters it sent out earlier this year. The Straits Times understands that
the latest letters could also have been sent out to others who
responded.
The first batch of demand letters went out in early April to 77 M1
Internet subscribers. Another batch was sent to hundreds of Singtel
and StarHub users in June. Singtel subscriber Louis Lim, 42, who
received the letter said he was told to pay $5,000 - even though he
claims he did not download the movie.
"If I'm guilty as claimed, I'm sure the firm would have sued me in
court and not merely told me to pay up," the events management
consultant said.
He received his first letter from the law firm on June 21.
He replied in an e-mail stating that he did not download the movie but
had rented out a room on his premises to four tenants.
Late last month, he received a second letter asking for details of the
tenants as well as a "settlement sum" of $5,000 to avoid a protracted
litigation.

One user who spoke to The Straits Times but did not want to be
named said he had written back to make an offer of less than $1,000.
This was rejected and the lawyers told him to pay $5,000, which he
called "exhorbitant".
The Law Ministry told The Straits Times that it has received two
complaints and 26 queries - for the first time in five years - about
"speculative invoicing".
Speculative invoicing - a common practice in the United States and
Britain - is the practice of rights holders sending letters to alleged
intellectual property (IP) pirates to demand that they pay up to avoid
being taken to court.
Law Minister K. Shanmugam clarified in Parliament in April that the
act of sending a letter of demand "is not wrongful by itself unless it
contravenes a lawyer's professional obligations". For instance,
lawyers are not allowed to use threats of criminal proceedings to
further civil claims.
Meanwhile, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore has advised
Internet users to question the accuracy of the investigations carried
out by copyright owners, and ask for more evidence if they feel they
had been wrongly accused.
It has also recommended the price of a DVD of the movie in question
as a possible settlement sum.
Market observers suggested that the hefty price tag of $5,000 is
meant to deter future infringement, but some lawyers disagreed with
the approach.
Mr Lau Kok Keng, IP lawyer at Rajah & Tann Singapore, said: "In the
absence of proof of actual incurrence of damages and reasonable
expenses, it would be difficult for the rights owner to justify requiring
an infringer to pay damages of $5,000 just for downloading a single
movie title."

When asked about the latest set of demand letters sent to Internet
users, Mr Samuel Seow, managing director of Samuel Seow Law
Corp, said: "We negotiate settlements on an individual basis with
infringers, depending on various factors."

They're mine, says Malaysian

moneychanger

When a Malaysian moneychanger realised he had lost about

RM150,000 (S$53,300) on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) on
Monday, he rushed back.
But by the time Mr Jihad Dudden Shaik Ali Khan, 24, got there on his
motorcycle, he could see only one man picking up the last few notes.
The moneychanger of more than three years told Malaysian
newspaper Harian Metro on Wednesday: "I approached the man, but
he ran away from me and got away with about RM200.
"I was only able to pick up a single RM50 note which the man left
behind while he was running away."
FLEW OUT OF BAG

Mr Jihad said that about 3,000 RM50 notes had flown out of his bag
when he was on the BKE after he had crossed the Causeway from
Johor Baru. His bag had been left open.
"At about 6.20pm on Monday, I was on the way to meet a customer
at Orchard Road," he said.
"But when I got there, I found that my bag zip was wide open and a
portion of the money was missing."
Mr Jihad, who did not reveal how much money had been in the bag,
said his father phoned him about five minutes later to tell him that
motorists had been seen picking up RM50 notes on the expressway.
"He also told me that there was a possibility it was my money."
That was when he rode back to the BKE. Harian Metro reported that
Mr Jihad made a police report in Singapore at about 8.30pm on
Monday.
The New Paper reported on Wednesday that hundreds of RM50
notes appeared out of nowhere along a stretch of the BKE, fluttering
in the air before landing on the expressway.
The unusual occurrence sparked chaos and traffic congestion as
motorists stopped to grab a share of the unexpected windfall.
A video, which has gone viral, shows vehicles stopping by the side of
the BKE - some even in the middle of the lanes - and their occupants
dashing out to pocket the money.
Lawyer James Ow Yong from Kalco Law LLC said that pocketing the
money could be considered an offence.
He said: "If the owner is not known (to the individuals who picked up
the money) and no reasonable steps are taken to locate him, the
'finder' may be liable for either dishonest misappropriation of property
or fraudulent possession of property.

Singapore's milestones
remembered in National Day
message
Singapore's many milestones throughout its 50-year history were
remembered and celebrated in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's
National Day message on Saturday evening.
He began his speech by detailing how Singapore left Malaysia and
would "forever be a sovereign, democratic and independent nation"
in the morning of Aug 9, 1965.
He also recalled former Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew's "moment
of anguish" when he broke down halfway on the press conference on
television.
That moment was turned into a lifetime of determination to forge a
path for this island nation, PM Lee continued.
He said: "Together, leaders and the people - the lions and the lionhearted - fought with unwavering determination to secure our
foundations. After them, younger generations picked up the baton
and took Singapore further."
PM Lee rounded his speech by highlighting Singapore's many
successes such as the award-winning Changi Airport and PSA,
NEWater, and overcoming international crisis such as SARS and Oil
Crisis in 1973.
Other than looking to the past, he urged Singaporeans to commit
"ourselves anew to work together as one united people, regardless of
race, language or religion, to build Singapore, so as to achieve
happiness, prosperity, and progress for our nation."
wjeanne@sph.com.sg

Here is PM Lee's speech in full:

My Fellow Singaporeans
50 years ago, on this very night, Singapore was on the eve of a
momentous change. The Cabinet had already signed the Separation
Agreement. The Government Printers were busy printing the
Separation Agreement and the Proclamation of Independence in a
special Government Gazette.
The Commissioner of Police and the Commander of the army units
had been told by the Malaysian Government to take orders from the
new government the next day. But all this happened in strict secrecy.
Our forefathers went to bed oblivious of what was about to happen,
still for the time being citizens of Malaysia.
Then morning came. The 9th of August 1965. Our world changed. At
10 a.m., a radio announcer read the Proclamation. Singapore had left
Malaysia and would "forever be a sovereign, democratic and
independent nation". The Republic of Singapore was born.
People were apprehensive. No one knew if we could make it on our
own. Our economy was not yet viable, much less vibrant. We had
practically no resources, and no independent armed forces. Around
noon on that first day, Mr Lee Kuan Yew gave a press conference on
TV. He broke down halfway, unable to contain his emotions. It was,
he said, "a moment of anguish".
But that moment of anguish turned into a lifetime of determination to
forge a path for this island nation. At the end of the press conference,
Mr Lee made a promise to Singaporeans. He said: "We are going to
be a multi-racial nation in Singapore. We will set an example. This is
not a Malay nation; this is not a Chinese nation; this is not an Indian
nation. Everyone will have his place, equal: language, culture,
religion."
From that break, we began building a nation. And what a journey it
has been. It started with the first generation of leaders convincing our

pioneer generation that Singapore could succeed as a sovereign

country. Together, leaders and the people - the lions and the lionhearted - fought with unwavering determination to secure our
foundations. After them, younger generations picked up the baton
and took Singapore further.
Year after year, Singapore progressed. Along the way we overcame
many problems - the British withdrawal in 1971, the Oil Crisis in
1973, SARS, the Asian Financial Crisis, and then the Global
Financial Crisis. We grew our economy and created jobs, built
homes, schools, hospitals and parks. We built a nation.
Year after year, we have kept the promises that Mr Lee Kuan Yew
made on the 9th of August 1965: that we will be "one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion"; that we will always have a
bright future ahead of us.
Therefore on our 50th birthday, we have ample reason to celebrate.
Let us celebrate 50 years of peace and security, underwritten by the
blood and sweat of generations of NSmen.
Let us celebrate how we turned vulnerabilities into strengths. How a
struggling economy with no domestic market made the world our
market and created jobs for our people. How without any domestic
hinterland, we made PSA and Changi Airport the best in the world.
How from being utterly dependent on Johor for water, we turned the
whole island into one catchment area, and developed NEWater.
How while we had no natural resources, we educated every
Singaporean and created opportunities for their talents to thrive. We
have proven that together, we are greater than
Most of all let us celebrate how we journeyed from Third World to
First, as one united people, leaving no one behind. Every citizen has
benefited from Singapore's progress. Life has improved for all - for
Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians; for blue collar as well as
white collar workers; for HDB as well as condominium dwellers. We

are a nation of home owners. Everyone has opportunities to improve

themselves. Everyone can look forward to a brighter future.
At 50 years, as we stand at a high base camp, we look back and
marvel how far we have come. We are grateful to those who made it
happen.
From this base camp, we can also look forward to new peaks ahead.
The journey ahead is uncharted. But we must press on, because we
aspire to do better for ourselves and our children.
We know that we will get there, because we will always be there for
one another. We are stronger as one people. For example, we
instinctively gather to lift a truck to save someone trapped
underneath. Even if the music fails, we go on singing the National
Anthem with gusto. We are proud of our past and confident of our
future. Together we believe in Singapore; together we belong to
Singapore; together, we are Singapore.
I am speaking to you from Victoria Concert Hall, a place that holds
special 3 significance in Singapore's history. In 1954, this was called
the Victoria Memorial Hall. It was here that Mr Lee Kuan Yew
launched the People's Action Party, and inaugurated the long
struggle for a fair and just society. It was here in 1958 that "Majulah
Singapura" was first performed. It was at the Padang nearby, after
independence, that we held our National Day Parades, and sang
"Majulah Singapura" together as a nation.
50 years on, on our Golden Jubilee, we will gather again at the
Padang. We will sing "Majulah Singapura" proudly, and recite the
National Pledge. We will rejoice in the success of our last five
decades, and commit ourselves anew to work together as one united
people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build Singapore,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity, and progress for our nation.
Happy 50th National Day!

Elderly woman's foot cut into 2 in

bus accident
Photo: Shin Min Daily

A 72-year-old woman's foot got severed into two when it was run over
by a bus at 7am Saturday morning.
The incident occurred at the juncture of Victoria Street and Jalan
Sultan Road.
Shin Min Daily reported that the woman was walking on the
pedestrian crossing when the bus knocked her down.
The bus wheel rolled over her left foot, and it is believed to have
broken her foot into two pieces.
Construction site foreman Mr Wang, 34, said that old woman was in
great pain and shouted loudly for help. A passer-by came to her aid
and helped her up, comforting her before the ambulance arrived.
He said many of his construction workers came and surrounded the
elderly woman, but he had to ask them to return to work as they were
also holding up traffic.
After the incident, three traffic police stayed back at the scene to
direct traffic.
The driver of the bus was in great shock, the Chinese evening daily
reported. Accompanied by two friends, he left the scene to assist with
investigations. He insisted that he did not see the elderly woman.
Singapore Civil Defence Force said they received the call for
assistance at 7.15am. An ambulance was dispatched and the woman
was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Madam Halimah's move to new

GRC confirmed; Arthur Fong
stepping down
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (left) thanking Mr Arthur
Fong, who announced his stepping down from politics.
Photo: The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on

Saturday announced changes to the People's Action Party's slate in
western Singapore, with a senior MP leaving for a newly-created
GRC and another long-serving legislator stepping down.
Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob will leave her Bukit Batok East
ward in Jurong GRC and join the new Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
Separately, three-term MP Arthur Fong, who has been the MP for
Clementi ward in West Coast GRC since 2001, is stepping down at
the next general election.
His ward will come under Jurong GRC at the next polls, following
boundary changes that were announced last month .
Mr Tharman, who is Jurong GRC's anchor minister, also named their
likely successors when he attended separate constituency events on
Saturday night.
Former civil servant Rahayu Mahzam looks to be Madam Halimah's
replacement. Mr Tharman introduced her to Bukit Batok East
residents at a National Day dinner in the ward, saying that as Madam
Halimah leaves to join the new Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, "a very good
young person has come in to Bukit Batok East".

Mr Fong's replacement in Clementi ward is oncologist Tan Wu Meng,

who has been understudying Mr Fong for some six months now.
Mr Tharman said at a concert in Clementi that he was confident Dr
Tan would be able to carry on the good work there.
Meanwhile at the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC's National Day dinner,
potential candidate Sun Xueling, an investment director at Temasek
Holdings, joined Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and his
fellow GRC MP on stage and said a few words.
Mr Teo told reporters afterwards that he was not formally introducing
her, but he was letting residents know who she was.
Another potential PAP candidate, CIMB Bank Catalist head Yee Chia
Hsing was spotted on Saturday at a walkabout in Chua Chu Kang
GRC with MP Alvin Yeo.

PAP member Josephus Tan

debunks talk of him running for
elections
Lawyer Josephus Tan, 36, looks more like a metal rocker than a
political candidate.
Yet social media has been abuzz with talk of him being a potential
candidate for the ruling party.
But Mr Tan stressed that "it's pure speculation".
He told The New Paper that the buzz was triggered by his
"participation in some of the grassroots activities at Choa Chu Kang".
"I was distributing the SG Funpacks with Mr Gan Kim Yong and also
attended the chit-chat and 'makan' sessions," he said.

He has been taking part in the activities in Choa Chu Kang

constituency over the last seven weeks, just as he did in Chong Pang
constituency over the last 2 years.
"I help out at the Meet-the-People Sessions, giving pro bono legal
advice to residents," said Mr Tan, who was called to the Bar in May
2009.
He has clocked over 5,000 hours of pro bono work over six years.
The pro bono cases he takes up are often to help juvenile offenders something that Mr Tan knows well.
He was a teen gangster, his bad drinking habits often landing him in
trouble. His life-changing moment came when he was 22, after he
flew into an alcoholic rage.
"I nearly threw my girlfriend off the balcony but my father wrestled me
to the ground and slapped me twice," he said.
"That woke me up. It was my best of times, also my worst of times."
His father died of multiple cancers two years ago.
"I went to Phuket to grieve soon after he died," said Mr Tan.
"That was where I tattooed two line from his favourite song, Nella
Fantasia, on my forearms.
"'Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere' which is Italian for 'I
dream of souls that are always free' and 'Pien' d'umanit in fondo
all'anima' which means 'Full of humanity in the depths of the soul'."
For his help in Chong Pang, Mr Tan was awarded a Certificate of
Appreciation by Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam,
who is also a Member of Parliament for the ward.
And last month, Mr Tan received the Singapore Youth Award for his
significant contributions to society.

Since moving to Choa Chu Kang, Mr Tan has been documenting his
"adventures" on social media platforms such as Facebook and
Instagram.
"I think, by doing so, it has also generated a lot of speculation that
perhaps I might be a potential candidate for the ruling party," he said,
adding that he is a member of the People's Action Party.
"But I would like to put on record that I have not been formally invited
to run for the upcoming general election, so the news that I might be
doing so is purely speculative."

3 wards still unresolved

They are almost there.
Singapore's opposition political parties are now closer to finalising
which party will get to contest in which constituencies in the coming
General Election.
But three wards - MacPherson Single-Member Constituency (SMC),
Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) and Ang
Mo Kio GRC - remain thorns in their sides when the parties held their
second meeting at the National Solidarity Party (NSP) headquarters
in Jalan Besar last night.
Both Workers' Party (WP) and NSP are eyeing MacPherson SMC
and Marine Parade GRC.
Surprisingly, WP was a no-show.
NSP acting general-secretary Hazel Poa said: "There are still a
couple of constituencies that we hope to be able to talk to them (WP)
about bilaterally."
She added that WP chairman Sylvia Lim had sent a text message on
Wednesday night informing her of the party's absence at the meeting.

Ms Poa said: "I think they (WP) said they have made quite clear their
intentions. So they would not be attending this meeting." WP declined
to comment when contacted last night.
Mr Goh Meng Seng, chief of the People's Power Party, said while it
was "regrettable" that WP did not attend the meeting, NSP will still
present an olive branch to WP.
Some observers have suggested that NSP and WP's firm stand on
the constituencies they want to contest in have resulted in a
stalemate or disagreement.
Mr Goh said: "What disagreement? The only disagreement is 'One
side wants to talk but the other side doesn't'."
WP chief Low Thia Khiang recently said in a report in The Straits
Times that with Joo Chiat being absorbed by Marine Parade GRC,
WP will contest the GRC.
In the last election, WP Non-constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong
contested in Joo Chiat and lost by 388 votes to the People's Action
Party's Charles Chong.
FACTOR
Mr Low had said: "That is a factor which we cannot ignore. Are we
going to say, 'Sorry, Joo Chiat residents, because you're being drawn
into Marine Parade, we back off?' We are a serious party, we take the
support of the voters seriously, we will go in."
Associate law professor Eugene Tan of the Singapore Management
University said that WP's absence last night indicated that it does not
want to have any part in the opposition pow-wow.
He said: "It's a clear sign that while the WP would want to be seen as
a part of the opposition, it is also increasingly taking the stance that it
should be apart from them so as not to be tarred by the same brush."

But behind closed doors, there was "give and take" at the meeting,
said Reform Party (RP) chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam.
This was despite the RP and the Singaporeans First (SingFirst) party
both gunning for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
Mr Jeyaretnam said: "In this round, we conceded our claim to Jurong
(GRC) to SingFirst...
"We will resolve the issue of Ang Mo Kio."

Hotel geared to go the extra mile

for guests
Photo: The Straits Times

With the supply of hotel rooms growing, one hotel is hoping to stand
out from the rest by offering an unusual and free tour.
Capri by Fraser at Changi City offers its guests cycling tours - led by
its general manager.
Every Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm, Mr Vernon Lee, 38, takes a
group of guests to explore the east coast of the island on bicycles for
two hours.
The hotel, which also has serviced apartments, allows its guests,
who are mostly here on business, to use any of its eight bicycles for
free; they can go off on their own or join the tour.
Pit stops on the tour include the NEWater plant in Tanah Merah and
the East Coast Lagoon Food Village where guests can sample local
dishes such as satay bee hoon and bak chor mee.

"Hardware-wise, a lot of hotels are similar. How do you differentiate

yourself? By building a relationship with guests," said Mr Lee.
The Singapore Tourism Board said in February that 5,000 more
rooms will enter the market this year from new hotels such as Park
Hotel Alexandra and The Patina.
Mr Lee said that during the tour he usually tells his guests about his
life in Singapore, such as his National Service days. "These little
nuggets of information are not something you can find out from a
guidebook," he said.
One guest, Mr John Maxwell, a British writer in his 40s who has been
on the tour three times, said: "Life's about building relationships. It's a
good way to get to know the staff and fellow guests."
And Ms Rosemarijn Kriek, 31, a bank manager from the Netherlands,
said: "It's great to have someone take me around to not just where
the tourists are but other parts of Singapore."
Another Changi hotel, Raintr33, which opened last December, also
has bicycles that guests can use for free. It is planning night walks
which will take in the old Changi hospital, among other places.

2 books on S'pore elections in

stores
Photo: The Straits Times

Two books on elections in Singapore - one in English by former

People's Action Party MP Chiang Hai Ding and the other in Chinese
by former political detainee Chua Yoke Lim - have hit the bookstores
ahead of the next general election.

Dr Chiang said his book, Elections In Singapore 1948-2011, is "a

mini-history of Singapore from the viewpoint of elections". It
concludes with a section assessing voters' expectations and the
challenges which the PAP and the opposition will face in the next GE.
Mr Chua's book, How GE Changes Singapore, is an analysis of the
"new normal" in Singapore's politics since the 2011 GE and how the
PAP and the opposition should respond to changes as they vie for
votes in the coming polls.
Dr Chiang, 77, now an active volunteer with several seniors' groups,
said his 80-page book was originally a background piece he wrote to
25 autobiographical essays by former PAP MPs, including himself, in
the book, We Also Served, published last year.
"But it was not used in the end, and I put it together in a book now
with photographs of key figures from Singapore's modern history as
well as events such as the 1964 racial riots," said Dr Chiang, the MP
for Ulu Pandan from 1970 to 1984.
In the preface to his book, he wrote: "For too long Singapore has
been misrepresented as a one-party State when in fact it had a oneparty Parliament for the first 16 years. Singapore has had a plethora
of political parties, though only two go back further than 50 years."
Dr Chiang told The Straits Times: "The book is timely because it can
provide voters with good political background, which includes
reasons for the formation of group representation constituencies,
facts and figures of previous elections before they go to the polls."
Mr Chua, 71, a freelance writer and political commentator, wrote his
126-page book to provide useful information ahead of the coming
elections as well.
The Malaysia-born former member of the Malayan National
Liberation Front, the armed wing of the Malayan Communist Party,
was arrested in 1974, a year after he moved here to run Communist
activities. But he later joined the Internal Security Department (ISD)

as a research officer till 1992. He then went into business, but

returned to the ISD briefly 10 years ago.
He started contributing commentaries on political issues in Singapore
to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao just a month before the May 2011
GE. "That was when I heard more opposing voices, many against
government policies, emerging both in the mainstream and social
media," said Mr Chua, who became a Singapore citizen in 1987 and
has worked briefly as a building contractor, chicken rice seller and
taxi driver.
He has contributed more than 70 commentaries, 43 of them
published in his first book of essays in June 2013. His second volume
on Singapore politics, titled Lee Kuan Yew's Era Versus Post Lee
Kuan Yew's Era, was published in April .
In his latest book, Mr Chua said the coming polls would be a tough
battle for the PAP. He said "voters may respect and be thankful for
what he (Mr Lee Kuan Yew) had done for Singapore but not
necessarily agree with the policies of the present generation of PAP
leaders".

Singapore past and present

Photo: Reuters

50 years ago, hundreds of small vessels known locally as bumboats

docked along a stretch of a then smelly and dirty Singapore River in
the centre of Singapore.
Today, as the island-state prepares to celebrate 50 years of
independence, most of the bumboats are gone, except a handful of
neon-lit ones that ferry tourists from far and wide in tours along the
river.

The traditional shophouses that traders used along the river are now
converted into hip, colourful pubs and restaurants catering to the
office crowds from the skyscrapers towering over them.
In the waters around the island, hundreds of tankers and container
ships wait in the anchorage area to dock in the terminals that operate
around the clock.
Maritime trade is still the backbone of the city-state. But decades of
rapid growth have also turned Singapore into a popular tourist
destination and a thriving global financial hub.
On one end of the Marina Bay reservoir is an evolving skyline of
office skyscrapers, with each new building more glittery, if not taller,
than the last.
On the other end is a casino and resort complex boasting a rooftop
infinity pool on the 57th floor, filled with tourists admiring the city's
skyline.
All this is possible because of the growth in the short span of 50
years. The Singapore story is often used as a case study for many
developing countries in the region.
The side effects from the phenomenal growth include the rising cost
of living and a widening wealth gap. For all the multimillionaires and
billionaires who live a life of super-yachts and fast cars, poor people
still await their next handout meal from charities.
Singapore, with a landmass of 718 square kilometres, or less than
half the size of London, is among the world's most densely populated
nations.
How will Singapore look 50 years from now?

7 heads of state and government

to attend Singapore's NDP

Photo: The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - Singapore's National Day Parade will be attended by

seven heads of state and government, and foreign senior
representatives from 18 countries on Sunday.
The foreign heads and delegates will be attending the Jubilee
celebrations at the invitation of President Tony Tan and Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a
statement released on Saturday.
They include Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Malaysian Prime
Minister Najib Razak, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, New
Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Prince Andrew, the Duke of
York, who is here as the Queen's representative.
The invited countries are members of the East Asia Summit and the
United Kingdom.
President Tan will also host a lunch at the Istana for the heads of
state, heads of government and other senior representatives on
Sunday, which will be attended by PM Lee and Minister for Law K
Shanmugam.

Longest sand sculpture on Siloso

beach featuring iconic Singapore
scenes
The sand sculpture comprises of seven scenes chronicling Singapore's
evolution over the past 50 years.

Photo: Sentosa Development Corporation

SINGAPORE - A 100m-long sand sculpture chronicling Singapore's

transformation will be on display at Sentosa's Siloso Beach from Aug
7 to 10, as part of the SG50 long weekend.
Called Sands of Time, the sand sculpture is the longest sand
sculpture on Siloso Beach by far, ranging from 3 - 4.2 metres tall.
The sand sculpture comprises of seven scenes chronicling
Singapore's evolution over the past 50 years. It will be set behind a
two-dimensional sand mural and each scene will have its
accompanying audio track, Sentosa said in a statement Thursday.
Some of the scenes include the first National Day Parade in 1966,
the Singapore heartlands, and local iconic quirks like Singlish,
Durian, Ketupat and Teh Tarik.
Led by Singaporean JOOheng Tan, the team of five sand sculptors
took nearly one month to complete the construction of the exhibition.
This is not the only masterpiece in sand showcasing Singapore's
history. Earlier this week, citizen journalism portal Stomp shared an
article about a sand artist creating a touching SG50 tribute to Mr Lee
Kuan Yew.
It showed Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Mdm Kwa Geok Choo and the young Mr
Lee Hsien Loong, as well as Singapore's journey from a third-world
country to a prosperous nation.
The video also re-enacts Mr Lee's hospitalisation in the ICU at
Singapore General Hospital, the flowers and cards he received,
followed by his tearful funeral procession after he died on Mar 23.

For some, the action's after the

show

Photo: Public Hygiene Council

When the last of the fireworks disappear from the skies tomorrow and
as crowds disperse in a post-National Day Parade high, more than
200 volunteers will spring into action.
The volunteers from the Keep Singapore Clean Movement will be
holding up trash bags to ease the load on the bins at Marina Bay
Sands and the Esplanade, where those without tickets to the parade
are expected to congregate.
This will help prevent the bins from overflowing, said administrative
officer Jonathan Lim, 33, who is one of the volunteers.
Armed with gloves and litter-pickers and dressed in red-and-white Tshirts, the volunteers will double up as "eco-ambassadors" to
encourage party-goers to dispose of their rubbish in a bin.
"For a green city like Singapore, we should not have people picking
up after us. We should always have the mindset to clean up after
ourselves. We tend to forget at times, so as ambassadors, we can be
the 'mother' to remind the spectators to keep our country clean,"
added Mr Lim.
This is the first time volunteers will be involved in clean-up operations
for the National Day Parade. For the parade's previews and National
Education shows, about 15 tonnes of waste was generated per full
show. It is estimated that the shows together generate at least 70
tonnes of waste per year. Of this, about 30 tonnes is recycled.
The problem of littering was in the spotlight earlier this year following
Facebook posts from politicians, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong, who commented on the amount of rubbish left behind by
13,000 concert-goers at the Laneway Festival at Gardens by the Bay.

During the Budget debate in March, Minister for the Environment and
Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said that the ministry will look
at ways to get people to clean up after themselves at major events,
including the NDP.
Volunteers for tomorrow's clean-up were recruited mainly from
organisations such as Singapore Glove Project, a community
movement to keep Singapore clean.
The clean-up is part of the Keep Singapore Clean movement led by
the Public Hygiene Council, the Singapore Kindness Movement and
the Keep Singapore Beautiful Movement, and is supported by the
National Environment Agency.
Project engineer Jack Nay, 30, is another volunteer who will be
making his rounds at the Esplanade tomorrow. He also helped to pick
up trash at the National Day Parade preview last Saturday.
"Since I managed to win the ballot for the tickets to the preview, I
thought I would do my part to help keep Singapore clean," said Mr
Nay, one of about 20 volunteers who stayed back after the preview.
Their efforts have already borne fruit. Volunteers at last week's
preview spotted people bagging their own trash. "Some even came
over and thanked us for what we did," said Mr Nay.
Public Hygiene Council chairman Edward D'Silva said: "A truly clean
Singapore can be realised only when all of us take action to care for
the environment."