your biggest worries?

There may be different motivations, imperatives and strategies on how to mobilise the talents and skills of the members of his team.

Institute of Policy Studies senior research fellow Gillian Koh

Why there is no SM this time ...

Ch eow Xin Yi

cheowxinyi@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

But the value of experience and the need for continuity in times of leadership transition are some reasons the PAP MPs, as well as a political observer, gave as to why Singapore might not see the last of the role.

Access to water tanks tightened

SINGAPORE

and  nOt  by  Political Party  ? ? ? ?— PAP town councils will further enhance the current security measures on access to the water tanks of HDB blocks, following the discovery of a body in a water tank at a block of flats earlier this week.

We thank the HDB for the transparency in providing free access to the data on its website, which also helps potential buyers and sellers to gauge their future transactions.

The latest publication is available at www.temasekreview.com.sg.

Temasek’s past reserves

Letter from Stephen Forshaw

Managing Director, Corporate Affairs Temasek Holdings

While the President does not direct Temasek’s investment and company decisions, prior approval from the President is required for any activity which may draw on Temasek’s past reserves.

To date, Temasek has not drawn on its past reserves.

GE results a factor to Mr Mah’s stepping down?

GE results a factor to Mr Mah’s stepping down?

 

Mah Bow Tan

SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said he accepted responsibility for the unhappiness over the sharp rises in housing prices.

In addition, he acknowledged that his housing portfolio may have cost him some political points with the electorate.

Mr Mah said this to reporters on the sidelines of a Building and Construction Authority event held Thursday evening.

" Housing is always a very sensitive topic, a very sensitive subject," Mr Mah said.

" And I guess to the extent that in the last couple of years, housing prices went up very sharply, coinciding with the very dramatic turnaround in the economy. Yeah, I guess.... that resulted in a lot of unhappiness on the ground and I accept responsibility for that."

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced on Wednesday that Mr Mah was stepping down from Cabinet.

In a statement issued earlier Thursday, Mr Mah revealed that two years ago, he had expressed his desire to retire at the end of the last term of Parliament.

But he was asked to stay on to fight in the elections.

Now that the elections have been " fought and won" , Mr Mah said it was all the more reason to step down.

" I have been privileged to serve under three prime ministers, which has been an exceptionally satisfying and invaluable experience. I’ve never imagined that I could have been given the great honour to serve my country in such a meaningful way," he said.

Mr Mah said he welcomes Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, who will be taking over as National Development Minister.

" I am confident that (Mr Khaw) will lead the ministry to even greater heights," he said.

Asked if his decision was motivated by the outcome of the election results, Mr Mah said it was one of the factors.

He said it was a " clear signal" that he should retire " sooner rather than later" , and that there was a need for fresh minds and fresh ideas.

Mr Mah helmed the People’s Action Party team that contested in Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC), which garnered 57.2 per cent of votes.

On his future plans, Mr Mah, who remains a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tampines GRC, said he plans to spend more time with his residents, family and friends.

—CNA/wk

to 4% this year: MAS MD

LINETTE LI M

linettelim@mediacorp.com.sg

Speaking at the Merrill Lynch Asian Stars Conference yesterday, Mr Ravi Menon (picture), the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s managing director, said inflation in Singapore was expected to average 3 to 4 per cent this year.

He also said core inflation, which excludes private transport and accommodation costs, is expected to be 2 to 3 per cent.

According to Mr Menon, food price increases and capital inflows were the main factors contributing to inflation in emerging Asian economies. These are expected to be largely temporary.

This is because much of the recent food price increases reflect the impact of supply disruptions.

In addition, capital inflows are also “unlikely to persist at the volumes seen in the last two years, as monetary policy settings in the advanced economies are normalised,” he explained.

Mr Menon believes that policy-makers in most Asian economies are not behind the curve in the inflation fight. Asean central banks, including Singapore’s, have successfully used exchange rate appreciation to dampen import price pressures.

“Allowing the Singapore dollar to strengthen has had a dampening effect on inflation in Singapore, which would otherwise have been much higher,” he said.

#Which  products' prices have come down  ? ? ? ?#

Concluding his keynote address, Mr Menon talked about the Asean Economic Community, which is envisioned to be created by 2015.

This will be a single market and production base allowing goods, services, investments and capital to flow more seamlessly across the Asean region. “More importantly, it will give Asean an economic heft and relevance that corresponds to that of China and India,” he added.SINGAPORE — Inflation in Singapore has peaked and will probably moderate in the months to come.

Immediate appointments not surprising

ESTHER NG

estherng@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

Yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that Mr Heng Swee Keat would head the Ministry of Education (MOE), one of two new faces to helm a ministry. The other is Major-General (NS) Chan Chun Sing, as Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).— It has been 26 years since a political entrant was ushered directly into Cabinet, when Mr Richard Hu was appointed Finance Minister.

“I’ve made the same offer to Mr Lee (Kuan Yew) and Mr Lee said ‘I don’t need that. It is not necessary’,” said the Prime Minister.

I have thought this over carefully over the last five days and decided to accept their decision. I thanked them for all that they done, not just on my behalf, but on behalf of all of Singapore.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

Water supply at Block 686B Woodlands Drive 73 is safe: PUB

 

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s national water agency PUB, has released a statement saying that the water supply at Block 686B Woodlands Drive 73 has been tested and is safe for drinking.

The building’s water supply was shut off on Monday morning after the discovery of a dead body in the water storage tank.

Although water was restored around 2am on Tuesday, residents are still squeamish about using water from the tap.

According to the statement, the first three floors of the building are served directly from PUB’s water mains, while the fourth to fifteenth floors are served by two sets of four high—level tanks.

The body was found in one of the high—level tanks.

When the body was discovered, Sembawang Town Council had isolated both sets of tanks serving the block.

The contaminated set of tanks was cut off from the building and left alone for police investigations.

The other set of tanks, while unaffected, was sterilised and flushed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure.

PUB said that it is this unaffected set of tanks that is currently serving the block.

The cleaning process involved emptying the water tanks and physically cleaning and washing the walls and floors of the tanks. The tanks were then sterilised using a concentrated form of cleaning solution containing chlorine.

After sterilisation, the chlorinated water was discharged and the tanks flushed again and filled up with fresh PUB water.

PUB officers tested the water using samples taken from the water tanks and pipes. Results confirmed that the water was safe for consumption before the Town Council reinstated the water supply to residents.

Residents have been advised to leave their taps running for about five minutes to clear their internal pipes as a precaution.

PUB officers have been and will continue their door—to—door visits to reassure residents who still have concerns about their water supply.

Residents can contact PUB’s 24—Hour call centre at 1800—2846600 should they have any concerns with their water supply.

—CNA/ac

SPP, SDP comment on Cabinet shake—up

 

Chiam See Tong, SPP

SINGAPORE : Singapore People’s Party (SPP) Secretary—General Chiam See Tong said credit for the new Cabinet change should go to Singaporeans who voted for the opposition.

In an email to Channel NewsAsia, he said they have " forced a change within the People’s Action Party" .

Mr Chiam also asked why Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng did not let voters of Bishan—Toa Payoh know before Polling Day that he would be retiring from Cabinet.

He said it would have affected the way they voted.

Mr Chiam anchored a five—member SPP team that lost to the PAP team led by DPM Wong in the May 7 General Election.

Separately, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has asked the new ministers to articulate new policies soon.

In his email response to the new Cabinet change, Secretary—General of the SDP Chee Soon Juan said he looks forward to seeing each new minister come out over the next few days and weeks to clearly articulate new policies and initiatives.

He said he expects to see policies that are significantly different.

Otherwise, he said, it will be clear message that it is politics—as—usual.

— CNA /ls

Growth  Chemical  FORCHLORFENURON

New Cabinet signals govt’s commitment to start with clean slate

 

Heng Swee Keat

SINGAPORE : Several new MP office holders said the changes in Cabinet show that the government is serious about change.

The last time a newly—elected MP was appointed minister was in 1984, when Dr Richard Hu was appointed Trade and Industry Minister after winning the Kreta Ayer seat.

Mr Heng Swee Keat, the former Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), is now Education Minister.

He was the first director of higher education at the Ministry of Education (MOE) between 1995 and 1997, overseeing higher education policies involving ITEs, polytechnics and universities, and hence not new to the ministry.

" I’m very humbled by PM, entrusting me with this very important responsibility. My team and I will have to do our best to take this education system forward," said Mr Heng.

He added: " I think what will be very useful for someone new like me, is to be able to hear the diverse viewpoints and to forge agreements on what we need to do. I think one of the things we need to do is to forge partnerships with different groups in order to achieve the desired outcome."

Mr Heng said this is to ensure citizens are prepared to meet the challenges of globalisation, and to build character and values in youths, and a caring and gracious society.

Brigadier—General Tan Chuan—Jin and Mr Lawrence Wong have been appointed as Ministers of State.

They said even with a new team, the government will be mindful of fundamentals, and with new challenges, new responses are needed to tackle problems.

Brigadier—General Tan, who is MP for Marine Parade GRC said: " Policies have a very real impact on people’s lives and these are things that can’t be taken academically. And I think it’s important to — in the process of making policies — to study and learn.

" So for me is really to level myself up as quickly as I can to understand the issues at hand, and as fast as possible, be able to contribute in a meaningful way in the whole policy making process, as well as the delivery of the policy to the population at large. And to make sure that the policies are implemented in the correct spirit."

Mr Wong, MP for West Coast GRC said: " It’s not just about knowing what are the right ways to design policies I think increasingly it’s about knowing how to explain, how to engage, and to convince people these are the policies that we have and to sell the policies better."

New face Ms Sim Ann has been appointed as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Law.

She said: " The first priority for me is to really learn a lot more about the work that both ministries do. The second thing is to listen with a heart. The third approach is really to embrace partnership with the civil service, with community organisations and associations, and also very importantly, with the public."

— CNA /ls