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Gaddafi CaPtured, killed


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MiCa (P) 057/10/2010 a PubliCation of

friday october 21, 2011 www.todayonline.com we set you thinking

EU delays euro rescue plan by a few more days


FRANKFURT Germany and France, still at odds over a plan for a more forceful response to the sovereign debt crisis, yesterday put off a decision-making summit meeting for several days amid signs that the complexities of European politics may preclude the kind of all-encompassing resolution that markets crave. France and Germany said in a joint statement that European leaders would discuss a global solution to the crisis on Sunday, but no decisions would be adopted before a second meeting to be held by Wednesday at the latest. The major sticking point is over how to scale up the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), a 440-billion (S$771billion) fund so far used to bail out Portugal and Ireland. France and Germany disagree over the best way to bolster the facility, with Paris fearing its triple-A credit rating could come under threat if the wrong method is chosen. Failure to agree on leveraging the EFSF will further damage confidence in the euro zones ability to tackle its debt crisis after nearly two years of trying to get on top of a problem that started in Greece and now threatens Italy, Spain and even France. Underlining the threat the euro zone crisis poses to the broader global economy, U.S. President Barack Obama held a video conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, reiterating that he hopes a solution will be in place in time for a summit of G20 leaders in France on Nov 3 to 4. Mrs Merkel and Mr Sarkozy fully understand the urgency of the issues in the euro zone and are working diligently to develop a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenge and which will be politically sustainable, the White House said. In their effort to agree a comprehensive resolution plan, euro zone leaders are striving to agree new steps to reduce Greeces debt, strengthen the capital of banks exposed to weak sovereign debt and leverage the EFSF to stem contagion to bigger economies. The communique, issued after Mr Sarkozy and Mrs Merkel spoke by telephone, said Paris and Berlin wanted negotiations to start immediately with the private sector over its contribution to a sustainable plan for Greeces mountainous debt. The statement from the euro zones dominant two leaders, who will meet in Brussels for talks tomorrow, suggested little >> Continued on PaGe 2

roMan to tHe reSCue

euroPa leaGue lateSt: tottenHaM, Stoke and birMinGHaM viCtoriouS; fulHaM falter PaGe 60

We can face the future with confidence, says PM Lee


teo XuanWei
xuanwei@mediacorp.com.sg

reuterS

What is needed: an inclusive society, vibrant economy and constructive politics


SINGAPORE Singapore needs to create an inclusive society, develop a vibrant economy and ensure politics remains constructive, if President Tony Tans vision of a better life for all is to be achieved, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday. In his first address to the Republics 12th Parliament, which lasted for more than an hour, Mr Lee said he was confident of the continued success of the Singapore Story even against a backdrop of a decade of global uncertainty, and at a time when there was a real risk of a protracted global slowdown, stagnation. By building an inclusive society, a vibrant economy and constructive politics, we can face the future with confidence, he said. In his speech, the Prime Minister laid out the Governments priorities, following an inter-ministry review of the countrys social policies, which was led by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and which involved agencies like the manpower, education, national development and health ministries. It began work after Mays General Election. Yesterday, Mr Lee began his speech by emphasising the fact that we are one Singapore family and that no one would be left behind. It was important, he said, to ensure the nations progress benefitted all and there was a real chance to move up, especially as society grappled with the emergence of an increasing number of interest groups, an increasingly stark wealth divide and a visible ageing population. In short, Singapore had to be a place where every citizen had a say, a stake, and a sense of belonging, he said. If we are inclusive, if we work together we stand together and succeed. But if not, we fall apart and we fail, Mr Lee added. Give every CHild tHe CHanCe to do better tHan HiS ParentS The Government, the Prime Minister promised, would strive to maintain social mobility, ensure that the needy and disadvantaged did not fall through the cracks, and enable Singaporeans to age in a dignified and graceful fashion. That there were equal opportunities for all to succeed was key, Mr Lee said. He added, we must continue to give these and many more Singaporeans every chance to succeed. Thats how weve built our prosperity based on self-reliance, based on personal endeavour and I think that is still the right direction because if you want a resilient Singapore, if you want a prosperous Singapore, if you want a Singapore where everybody is doing well, we cannot have passengers, he said, adding that education and training were the foundation. Mr Lee said effort would go into ensuring good, quality pre-school education, while those in Primary 1 and 2 would have help in the form of Learning Support Programmes so they would not fall further behind. The Government would also expand capacity and raise quality in special education schools. Mr Lee also reiterated the Governments stand that no childs progress would be impeded by financial or social backgrounds. To that end, more scholarships and bursaries would be given out, and access to higher education would be widened in the form of a greater number of university places and better facilities in the Institutes of Technical Education and polytechnics. >> Continued on PaGe 2

today Friday october 21, 2011

PARLIAMENT

today Friday october 21, 2011

PARLIAMENT

Jobs put off surgery which may have saved him, biographer says
i didnt want my body to be opened, said apple co-founder
SAN FRANCISCO Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs had secret treatments for pancreatic cancer while telling people he was cured, his biographer told CBS News. Mr Jobs, who died on Oct 5, regretted the decision to initially refuse surgery for pancreatic cancer, Mr Walter Isaacson, who wrote an authorised biography, told CBS Newss 60 Minutes programme, according to excerpts released last night. He said: I didnt want my body to be opened ... I didnt want to be violated in that way. Hes regretful about it, said Mr Isaacson. I think that he kind of felt that if you ignore something, if you dont want something to exist, you can have magical thinking. We talked about this a lot. Mr Jobs had a slow-growing form of pancreatic cancer and put off surgery for nine months while he sought out spiritual and dietary therapies, against the advice of his wife, the biographer said. Once he had the surgery he told his employees about it while playing down the seriousness of his condition, CBS said. I will not require any chemotherapy or radiation treatments, Mr Jobs wrote in an Aug 1, 2004, email from his hospital bed to Apple employees. He said then that he had been cured after having successful surgery to remove a cancerous tumour. Mr Isaacson also revealed that Mr Jobs, who was adopted, had met the man who turned out to be his biological father without knowing who he was. A spokesman for Apple declined to comment. The interview, conducted by correspondent Steve Kroft, will be broadcast on Oct 23. bLoomberg

We can face future with confidence: PM


>> continUed From Page 1 We have to see meritocracy widely, not as a narrow, one-dimensional definition of success, examinations and results, but a broader range of abilities, many models of achievement, many ways to make your mark ... Many ways to do well and society to recognise and celebrate all the different people who do well, he said. Singapore also had to remain an open and egalitarian society, where people could mix and interact freely and comfortably, so we can integrate into one Singapore team. SociaL SPending by State WiLL groW Turning to the Republics social safety nets, Mr Lee said help would continue to flow the way of low-income and disadvantaged households. In particular, ensuring lowerend workers such as cleaners could make a decent living in Singapore was key, he added. With this in mind, Workfare and ComCare would be enhanced, while best sourcing would be emphasised to ensure lowincome workers could earn a decent living. Support would also be extended to those who are not so poor, whenever it was deserved and justified, he said. Noting that the home ownership policy of the Government was one major way for us to level up the less successful, Mr Lee pledged to keep HDB flats affordable, even for lower-income families. One day, the Government might even provide an Extra Special Housing Grant in addition to the existing Additional Housing Grant and Special Housing Grant for the lower-income Mr Lee said. As to how the Government would ensure Singaporeans are able to age with grace and dignity, Mr Lee said the focus was on ensuring older workers stayed employed longer, through skills-upgrading and productivity gains. To prepare for this silver tsunami, healthcare costs had to be contained and shared. That meant more care services such as hospitals, nursing homes, community facilities and home care, he told the House. While he stated the commitment to increase State spending for measures that were effective and would truly help Singaporeans, adding that the Governments coffers had enough for the next five years, Mr Lee warned against going down the welfare route, as the West had done. He said: The programmes have to work, and at the very least, they must not make things worse. And in social spending, it is quite possible for more money to make things worse. a need For a Vibrant economy to imProVe aLL LiVeS Amid accusations that the Government had in the past focused too much on economic growth and ignored Singaporeans well-being, Mr Lee noted that, to create confidence in a brighter future, Singapore needed to

SingaPore WorLdS eaSieSt

PLace in Which to do bUSineSS

EU delays euro rescue plan


>> continUed From Page 1 progress had been made in that area either. Despite the divisions on the EFSF, EU leaders have made headway on another critical element in tackling the crisis the recapitalisation of European banks while a draft statement for Sundays summit showed euro zone countries will make rules to limit budget deficits and public debt part of national legislation by the end of next year. EU officials said all 27 member states had agreed that just short of 100 billion was required to bolster bank balance sheets, a substantial step forward in attempts to protect the system against the threat of a default in Greece or elsewhere. The figure has been discussed with member states. It is now acceptable for everybody, an EU source involved in the discussions said. Banks will be required to come up with the capital from shareholders first, and if that fails then national governments will provide the support. Only as a last resort will the EFSF be used to recapitalise institutions. A deal on bank capital clears one hurdle ahead of Sunday, but at least three others remain a deal on a revised second bailout package for Greece, the extent of the private sectors involvement in that, and the EFSFs structure. The International Monetary Fund and the EU also do not see eye-to-eye over the sustainability of Greek debts, with the IMF concerned that EU projections may be too optimistic and that deeper debt reduction is needed, EU sources told Reuters. Despite the differences of opinion, EU and IMF inspectors are expected to go ahead and approve an 8-billion aid payment to Greece next month, the sixth tranche from a 110-billion package of EU/IMF loans agreed last May.

French doWngrade LikeLy: S&P

France is among euro-region sovereigns likely to be downgraded in a stressed economic scenario, according to Standard & Poors. The sovereign ratings of Spain, Italy, Ireland and Portugal would also be reduced by another one or two levels in either of S&Ps two stress scenarios, the ratings firm said in a report. These assume low economic growth and a double-dip recession in the first set of circumstances, and add an interest-rate shock to the recession in the second. Ballooning budget deficits and bank recapitalisation costs would likely send government borrowings significantly higher under both scenarios, wrote the S&P analysts. Credit metrics would deteriorate sharply as a result. France would follow the so-called peripheral euro-region nations that have already been downgraded, with Moodys Investors Service saying earlier this week that its top rating was under threat. bLoomberg
Without that payment Greece faces default, possibly dragging the larger economies of Spain and Italy into the mire and sending shockwaves through the European banking system. A German government spokesman said the second meeting would allow the budgetary committee of the German parliament to consider plans for the euro zone rescue fund. The committee has to consider such plans, according to German regulations. The President and the Chancellor affirmed their complete agreement to provide a global, ambitious response to the crisis currently facing the euro zone, the Franco-German statement said. reUterS

Singapore has been named the worlds easiest place in which to do business for the sixth straight year, the World Bank said yesterday. Its annual Doing Business report tracks regulatory changes in 183 countries for businesses throughout their life cycle from ease of business startups and getting credit to protecting investors and dealing with insolvency. From January to June 2011, the report found that 125 economies implemented 245 reforms to make it easier to do business an increase of 13 per cent over the previous year. The top five places were unchanged from last year, with Singapore followed by Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United States and Denmark. But South Korea and Iceland broke into the top 10, edging out Sweden and Saudi Arabia. The report noted that the highestranked countries all have efficient regulatory processes, efficient court systems that protect property and investor rights and credit bureaus and collateral registries that facilitate lending. With the survey now in its ninth year, more countries are using it as a benchmark for improvements that can help attract investment, said Ms Dahlia Khalifa, World Bank global indicators and analysis adviser. agencieS
develop a vibrant economy that improved all lives through job creation and wage growth. Because if the economy is slow, if nothing is happening, its very hard to be optimistic, to find new opportunities, and to have a zest for tomorrow, he said. Without growth, its the poor who are going to be worst-hit. So when members say, weve overemphasised growth, I would say ... focus on social issues, focus on intangibles, focus on emotional connection, but dont forget, we need to feed our people and we need to grow our economy. Facing hyper-competition from China and India, and the likelihood of slower growth, it was more important than ever to aim for high-quality and inclusive growth, Mr Lee said. Other than retuning our economy towards new industries and know-how, Singapore had to raise workers productivity and skills so as to rise above the competition, even as Singapore retained its top spot as the worlds easiest place to do business for the sixth straight year. Special effort would go towards helping older workers and professionals, managers, executives and technicians, Mr Lee noted, as Singapore was expected to see more problems with them in the next 10 years. One thing that had set Singapore apart, Mr Lee said, was that the country could make its entire system not just individual components work well together. Many business leaders also recognised this special Singapore premium which Singapore must never lose and that, Mr Lee said, depended very much on getting the countrys politics right.

today Friday october 21, 2011

Parliament

Government can do better in communicating with Singaporeans, says WPs Pritam Singh
ong dai Lin
dailin@mediacorp.com.sg

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SINGAPORE Rather than fearing a cowboy town, the Government should consider how far the explosive popularity of the new media is partly a function of the Peoples Action Party (PAP) Governments politics of indirect control over the mainstream media, said Workers Party Member of Parliament Pritam Singh yesterday. Making his maiden speech in Parliament, Mr Singh, the MP for Aljunied GRC, made several proposals, including the creation of a Freedom of Information Act, which sparked vigorous rebuttals from PAP MPs, including a 13-minute exchange with Law Minister K Shanmugam. The Government needs to improve communications with Singaporeans in the digital age, said Mr Singh, noting that many Singaporeans have well-founded doubts, perceptions that the mainstream media operates with the long shadow of Government firmly cast upon it. He added: Little wonder why some Singaporeans, particularly those in the post-65 generation, have more faith and confidence in the new media and why some may even tolerate misinformation or get taken in by disinformation to varying degrees online.

With a Freedom of Information Act where anyone can go to a public body for statistics and information, no Singaporean will be able to accuse the Government of selectively putting out information it wants to, since ordinary Singaporeans will be empowered to seek the information they require, said Mr Singh. He also suggested the Government order the automatic release and disclosure of official information at fixed intervals of 30 years or so to, which would provide Singaporeans with valuable insights. Another suggestion was for an office of the Ombudsman which is an agency that independently receives and investigates allegations of maladministration. Establishing such an office today is likely to go some way to opening new channels of communication between citizen and State, regardless which government is in charge of Singapore, he said. He also called for a whistle-blowing law to protect corporate whistle-blowers, with Singapore being a prime target for economic crimes as so much commerce passes through our shores. Responding to his speech, MP Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) asked Mr Singh if he thought there was indirect control of the mainstream media by the Government to which Mr Singh said his speech was about suggestions for the Government to improve its communication.

This prompted Mr Shanmugam to press Mr Singh to answer Ms Indranees question. As an elected Member of Parliament, you come here and express your views, youve got to put your hand on your heart and say this is what I believe in. In response, Mr Singh stressed: If (Mr Shanmugam) thinks that answer is so important that it will have some effect on real Singapore society, then I think hes mistaken Im essentially saying the Government can do better. Im saying that with my hand on my heart. Mr Singh also asked Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Yaacob Ibrahim, if his ministry would consider looking at the suitability of a Freedom of Information Act for Singapore. Dr Yaacob replied that the Government will consider all necessary legislation. He said that while the act will allow individuals more access to government information in theory, there are exceptions to the access in practice. He cited how the government in the United Kingdom may refuse disclosure of classified information that may endanger certain public interest or if it is too costly to retrieve the information. In Singapore where information is released on various platforms this incremental value of the Freedom of Information Act may be limited.

government must evoLve communications approach: yaacob

With the population more educated and vocal, and younger Singaporeans more adept at using social media and receptive to all kinds of news and views, minister for information, Communications and the arts Yaacob ibrahim said the Government must evolve its communications approach and style. addressing Parliament yesterday, he added: Openness, empathy, responsiveness, authenticity and transparency are key pillars in good public communications. Guided by these principles, we can go a long way to expand public spaces to deliberate issues objectively and constructively, and more importantly address the challenges facing Singapore. He said the ministry of information, Communications and the arts (miCa) will work closely with other ministries to ensure that the voices of Singaporeans are heard and considered in policy formulation. Dr Yaacob added that social media is a valuable platform that agencies can use to do this, and miCa is spearheading efforts to better equip public officers in social media engagement. the levelling up of online engagement will serve to complement existing efforts and broaden the Governments communication outreach, Dr Yaacob said.

He also felt more can be done to boost the level of cyber literacy and etiquette among Singaporeans. Several members of Parliament (mP), such as ministers of State amy Khor and mr lawrence Wong, had shared their concerns on the internet becoming a conduit for undesirable behaviour. While many netizens were respectful of other internet-users, Dr Yaacob noted some, hiding behind the cloak of anonymity, have been less than considerate, posting comments that incite racial or religious animosity, spreading misinformation, and even cyberstalking. He cited the case of the two Singapore youths who had traded racially insensitive remarks on Facebook, making vulgar comments about each others religions. Dr Yaacob agreed with mP lam Pin min (Sengkang West) who earlier this week highlighted the need to enhance the digital quotient among Singaporeans, and said the community can play an important role in defining socially-acceptable norms. We hope to engage the community for their views and together build a culture of civility and responsible behaviour on the internet, where a diversity of views can thrive for the benefit of all, he added. esther ng

today Friday october 21, 2011

today Friday october 21, 2011

Parliament

equal treatment for all nSmen: ng eng Hen


SINGAPORE As he maintained that there is no preferential treatment in National Service (NS), Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced yesterday that the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) will publish annually a list of those who disrupt NS to pursue University studies for public scrutiny. This is to assure Singaporeans that MINDEF implements the policy of selected disruption for university studies fairly, openly and in accordance with existing criteria, said Dr Ng who was responding to a parliamentary question. MP Lim Wee Kiak (Nee Soon GRC) had asked if President Tony Tans sons prolonged disruption from NS adhered to the MINDEFs policies, and if he had been accorded preferential treatment. This had been an issue during the Presidential Election in August, when Dr Tony Tan was a candidate. Dr Ng said that explicit schemes were open to applicants to disrupt NS for medical studies locally and overseas, and no preferential treatment was accorded to Dr Tan or any other individual because of their connections, as the disruptions were awarded based on stated criteria applicable to all who qualify. Between 1981 and 1992, a total of 1,026 National Servicemen disrupted NS for medical studies. Three men including Dr Tony Tans son Patrick Tan disrupted for medical studies in the United States, and the disruption time was between nine and 12 years. The disruption for those who studied medicine in the US were

Pulau Bukom blaze to have no impact on economy, gas tariffs, electricity supply

typically longer as a pre-mediindicates that both Shell Bukom tanya Fong oil and diesel which are not stored tanyafong@mediacorp.com.sg cal degree was required. and SCDF responded expedion Pulau Bukom. Dr Ng said that Dr Patrick Tan, tiously and in an organised and Fuel prices, Mr Iswaran said, SINGAPORE Last months fire at who disrupted his NS for 12 years, well-coordinated manner, said continue to be driven by global Shells Pulau Bukom refinery had spent four years to obtain his preMr Teo, who is also Home Affairs demand and supply trends. a minimal impact on the overall med degree in Harvard and five Minister. He said that based on cureconomy and would not affect years for his combined medical This was largely due to the rently available data, the GovernSingapores electricity supply and degree and doctorate at Stanford. close relationship established ment does not expect the Pulau fuel prices, Second Minister for MINDEF had written to between Shell and SCDF through Bukom fire to have an impact on Trade and Industry S Iswaran said Stanford University to find out if their regular joint exercises. electricity and gas tariffs. yesterday. Dr Tans course could be shortHe added that Shell reFire fighters took 32 hours to Responding to Workers Party ened but was told that it was not sponded according to estabput out the blaze which engulfed chairman Sylvia Lim (Aljunied possible. lished protocols, while the SCDF the oil refinery on Sept 28. GRC) who had asked for an inDr Ng added that Dr Tans dedeployed resources quickly and To Ms Lims question on the terim assessment on the impact ployment to the Defence Medical appropriately. emergency preparedness of the of the Shell oil refinery fire and and Environmental Research InShell staff and responses from facilities shut down, Mr Iswaran >> more hdb rental stitute was not unique 32 men the Singapore Civil Defence Force said the impact on downstream FlatS by 2015 28 have been deployed there since (SCDF), Deputy Prime Minister Teo chemicals plants is small as there its opening in 1995, before Dr Tan. Chee Hean detailed the mandatory are alternative sources of feedmore Said Dr Ng: I want to assure safety and emergency response restock though there was a loss Parliament all Singaporeans that equity of quirements for all oil companies in of petroleum output in the short StorieS treatment for National Service has Singapore, as well as how the fire term. on www. been, and must remain, a cardinal was handled by the SCDF, police He added that while the retodayonline.com/ principle. and Ministry of Health. finery accounts for a significant SingaPore Because without strict adOur preliminary assessment portion of the chemicals cluster, herence to this fundamental tenet the cluster as a whole accounts of fair and transparent treatment, for less than 3 per cent of Singacommitment to NS will be sepores Gross Domestic Product. verely eroded. As for local electricity supply, In response to Workers Party he said that Singapores primary MP Pritam Singhs (Aljunied GRC) fuel for generation of electricity question about the white horse is natural gas and while fuel oil is programme where sons of civil used for some power generation, servants allegedly receive prefthe generation companies here do erential treatment in NS and not have any existing supply conwhether medical dockets continue tracts with Shell for fuel oil. Instead, to be stamped today with the white these power companies maintain horse stamp, Dr Ng said no. their own reserve stockpiles of fuel Citing MP Cedric Foos (Pioneer) reply in a previous Parliament session where Mr Foo said the white horse policy was meant to ensure no preferential treatment was given, Dr Ng said:If members of this House know of specific cases of preferential treatment, I open access to you to bring it right to me and we will Smoke and flames at the royal dutch Shells Pulau bukom offshore petroleum complex during last months fire. reUterS deal with it, he said.

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today Friday october 21, 2011

today Friday october 21, 2011

hot nEWS
Libyans celebrating at Martyrs square in tripoli yesterday. Far right, an image of the dead man purported to be former Libyan leader Muammar gaddafi. reUters

Gaddafi killed as his hometown falls to rebels


He ruled with iron fist for 42 years, remained defiant in hiding
SIRTE (Libya) Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who ruled Libya with a dictatorial grip for 42 years until he was ousted by rebels in a bloody civil war, was killed yesterday when fighters overwhelmed his hometown of Sirte. Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril confirmed the news. We have been waiting for this moment for a long time. Muammar Gaddafi has been killed, he told a news conference in Tripoli. It was not clear, however, precisely how he died. Al Jazeera television showed footage of a man resembling the 69-year-old leader lying dead or severely wounded, bleeding from the head and stripped to the waist as fighters rolled him over on the pavement. Witnesses said his body was put on display in the nearby city of Misrata. Initial reports from fighters said Gaddafi had been holed up with the last of his fighters in a furious battle with revolutionary forces. At one point, a convoy tried to flee the area and was blasted by NATO airstrikes, though it was not clear if Col Gaddafi was in the vehicle. Libyans rejoiced as news of his death spread. Car horns blared in Tripoli as residents poured into the streets to celebrate. In Sirte, revolutionary forces fired endless rounds into the sky and sang the national anthem. One fighter who said he was at the final battle said it took place at an opulent compound for visiting dignitaries built by Col Gaddafis regime. We found him there, said Mr Adel Busamir. We saw them beating him (Gaddafi) and someone shot him with a 9mm pistol ... then they took him away. After the battle, revolutionaries began searching homes and buildings looking for Gaddafi fighters. At least 16 were captured, along with cases of ammunition and trucks loaded with weapons. Col Gaddafi, wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of ordering the killing of civilians, was toppled by rebel forces on Aug 23, a week short of the 42nd anniversary of the military coup that brought him to power in 1969. But he remained defiant in hiding, denying that the country he had ruled for decades had turned against him, telling interviewers: All my people love me. In one of his last messages broadcast on Syrian television, he said his downfall was a Western conspiracy that could be reversed by his supporters. An erratic and provocative dictator, Col Gaddafi anointed himself with a string of titles over the years: Brother Leader, The Guide to the Era of the Masses, The King of Kings of Africa and his most preferred The Leader of the Revolution. The modern Arab worlds longest-ruling figure, he displayed striking contrasts. He was a sponsor of terrorism whose regime was blamed for the blowing up of two passenger jets, who then helped the United States in the war on terror. He was an Arab nationalist who mocked Arab rulers. And in the crowning paradox, he preached a revolutionary utopia of people power but ran a one-man dictatorship that fuelled the revolution against him. Following his death, Libyas new leaders are expected to declare the countrys liberation. They face the challenge of healing divisions and holding credible elections in a country wracked by months of fighting.
agencies

today Friday october 21, 2011

today Friday october 21, 2011

hot nEWS

10

Make a living from Youtube? now you can


its singapore site will share ad revenue with content creators
tan Weizhen
weizhen@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE Singaporeans who have always wanted to make a living by broadcasting their own content on YouTube now have a chance to do so. YouTube is making its official debut in Singapore, which means that artistes or other content creators here can finally earn revenue through the worlds largest video sharing platform. The YouTube Partner Programme, which is now open to Singaporeans, will allow all video creators here to earn revenue through advertising. More than 50 per cent of the ad revenue will go to the creator, with the rest going to YouTube. At the launch of its localised site for Singapore yesterday the second in South-east Asia after Philippines last week YouTube also announced its licensing agreement with the Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS). This allows

music artistes to earn revenue via advertising on YouTube. However, these earnings will have to be shared between the composer, lyricist and COMPASS. The localised site for Singapore means that videos that are most relevant to Singaporeans will be brought to the attention of users. This would increase exposure for Singapore creators. Elsewhere, singing sensations such as Canadian superstar Justin Bieber and Charice of the Philippines have shot to fame after their videos were spotted on YouTube. Dr Edmund Lam, chief executive and director of COMPASS, said this new site allows the local music industry to be more focused. Within the YouTube community, there are many artistes competing around the world. (This site) will give Singaporeans very focused exposure, and we can discuss with the industry how best to leverage on YouTube to promote local songwriters.

Under this agreement, COMPASS also reserves the right to ask YouTube to take down videos under the Singapore domain. Of the companys decision to establish a presence in Singapore only now six years after its founding Mr Adam Smith, director of product management at YouTube, said that the Singapore community has grown more active in recent years. One factor is the very high rate of smartphone penetration here. He said that Singaporeans watch hundreds of thousands of videos every day, hitting millions of views, with a significant number coming from mobile gadgets. Singaporeans are generally very tech savvy, we see ... adoption of a lot of gadgets which enable them access to YouTube. For a small country, the penetration is quite significant in terms of impact and volume,added Mr Julian Persaud, South-east Asia managing director of Google, which owns YouTube.

eye-catching ads may pose a challenge to industry norms

Following the brouhaha over an Abercrombie & Fitch advertisement featuring a shirtless mans torso, the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) plans to work more closely with other authorities to ensure that non-traditional mediums have the same high standard of advertisement as other mediums. ASAS chairperson tan Sze Wee said yesterday: the recent inter-

est relating to an advertisement in orchard Road highlights the trend of more vibrant and eye-catching advertisements in non-traditional mediums, which include bus-stop shelters, lamp posts, bus facades, building billboards and facades. this segment of advertisement may, from time to time, pose a challenge to the industry norms ... noting that the Singapore Code of Advertising Practices basic ten-

ets call for all advertisements to be legal, decent, honest and truthful, Dr tan added: Moving forward, it (ASAS) will work even more closely with various agencies, such as the Land transport Authority and Building and Construction Authority to ensure the same high standard of advertisement in these non-traditional mediums of advertisement as in any other medium.

today Friday october 21, 2011

11

today Friday october 21, 2011

hot nEWS

12

Inner Bangkok dry for now, but ...


BANGKOK Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday Thailand was in crisis and efforts to block floodwaters from entering Bangkok are failing. She said every means to slow the water from flowing into the capital had been tried and at least some of the water must now be allowed to drain through the city. We must allow the water to flow through. Very little has been driven to the sea, Ms Yingluck said at a crisis centre set up at Bangkoks Don Muang airport. The authorities will open, either entirely or partially, every sluice gate in the city to allow water estimated at 8-10 million cubic metres per day to flow to the sea. But they did not say which sections would experience flooding, or how badly. Record water levels have already spilled over the edges of the Chao Phraya River, causing minor flooding in a Bangkok district housing the centuries-old Grand Palace. The water has flooded some shops in belowknee water but has yet to reach the complex. Still, there remains plenty to worry about. The authorities have urged residents in seven of the citys northern districts to prepare for inundation and move belongings higher. Yesterday, vehicles began parking on elevated expressway bridges on the northern

MFa advises sporeans to

deFer travel plans to thailand

a woman walking past a wall of sandbags used to protect a building from possible floods in bangkok yesterday. reuters

outskirts of the city, snarling traffic as trucks piled high with people apparently fleeing flood-hit zones moved through the streets. Much of downtown looked totally normal, if eerily calm, and a quiet panic was palpable. Water now covers a third of Thailands provinces, some 1.6 million hectares in the north, north-east and centre of the country. Huge industrial estates to the north of Bangkok have been swamped and the central bank yesterday put the damage to industry at more than 100 billion baht (S$4.1 billion). Ms Yingluck, under fire for her man-

agement of the flooding, called for national unity in the face of the crisis. I have to admit the government cant keep a close eye on every spot. Now is a time of national crisis. Everybody should work together. Blaming each other wont help, she said. Meanwhile, Japans Sony Corp said it would delay the launch of several new cameras due in November after floods forced a halt in production at some of its Thai plants. Japanese car makers said their output has also fallen by about 6,000 units a day because of the flooding. agencies

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Singaporeans to continue to defer non-essential travel to Bangkok until the flood situation improves. thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has declared the flood situation in Bangkok a national crisis and has directed the citys floodgates to be opened so that water can be drained into the sea. there is a possibility that parts of Bangkok may be affected, including disruptions to fresh water and electricity supplies. If Singaporeans in Bangkok have any concerns about their personal safety, they should consider moving to higher ground or areas unaffected by the flooding, said an MFA spokesperson in a statement yesterday. the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok has been advising Singaporeans in Bangkok to take all necessary precautions and will render the necessary consular assistance. Singaporeans who are travelling to or in thailand and have yet to eRegister with MFA should do so at http://eregister.mfa.gov.sg. Singaporeans who require consular assistance can contact the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok or the MFA Duty office (24-hours) at +65 6379 8800 or +65 6379 8855, or email mfa_duty_ officer@mfa.gov.sg.

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Comment&analysis
Khaled hroub

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Qatars source of arab spring is Al Jazeera


the Middle easts falling regimes maintained that the tV station was not neutral and they were right
and religious radicalisation. Islamists who praise it as a platform for their own views must deal with the fact that it also offers a voice to Israelis. Al Jazeera journalists are household names; they also suffer more harassment, imprisonment, and fatalities than their colleagues at other major news organisations. Al Jazeera is not a tool of the Central Intelligence Agency, Israel, or Al Qaeda. Rather, it is the sophisticated mouthpiece of the state of Qatar and its ambitious Emir, Sheikh Hamad Al Thani. Simply put, the Al Jazeera success story would not have been possible without Qatars backing. For Sheikh Al Thani, Al Jazeera is integral to the national branding of Qatar and its foreign-policy aspirations. The motivation for these aspirations is unclear, but several possibilities are worth pondering. After deposing his father in a palace coup in 1995, Sheikh Al Thani was suddenly confronted with a hostile Saudi Arabia and Egypt, whose elites despised the ambitious young ruler and preferred his more timid father. Many suspected the Egyptians and Saudis of organising the military coup that targeted him the following year. In response, under the young Emirs firm hand, Al Jazeera attacked the two governments for many years, nearly ending Qatars diplomatic relations with them. Having received carte blanche from Qatars political leadership to support the Arab revolutions, Al Jazeera became fully engaged in live coverage of events in Tunisia, and then in Egypt, by relying on social-media networks away from the eyes of local security officials. Its coverage was filled with Arab masses declaring their demands to the world. revolution to another. So, while the Arab Spring has been a genuine popular uprising against decades of corrupt and oppressive authoritarian regimes, its rapid spread, which caught almost everyone by surprise, was due in part to the influence of Al Jazeera, which became the voice of the voiceless throughout the Middle East. As for Qatar itself, Sheikh Al Thani provided various forms of support to all of the Arab revolutions, except in Bahrain, where the Saudis and, more pointedly, the Americans, drew a very sharp red line. Sheikh Al Thanis political audacity stems partly from Qatars enormous gas resources, which have allowed him to develop vigorous policies in all areas, especially foreign affairs. Protecting himself and Qatar by hosting the largest American military base outside the United States, his strategy has been to wrest control from regional third parties, such as the Saudis, who might otherwise dominate the smaller Gulf states. At the same time, Qatar has created strong links with both Israel and many Islamist movements, including Hamas and Hezbollah. It has been an aggressive and risky foreign policy, but Sheikh Al Thani clearly believes that he can fill a regional leadership vacuum. His support, via Al Jazeera, of the Arab Spring revolutions and of the new generation of leaders that they have spawned has only strengthened Qatars position. The falling regimes consistently maintained that Al Jazeera wasnt neutral. They were right. ProJect SyNdicate Khaled Hroub is Director of the Media Program at the Gulf Research Center University of Cambridge.

heres a joke making the rounds in the Middle East these days: Three of Egypts former presidents, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar El Sadat and Hosni Mubarak, meet in hell and ask each other how they fell. Nasser replies poison, Sadat says assassination and Mubarak answers Al Jazeera. During the 15 years that it has broadcasted from Qatar, Al Jazeera has served as far more than a traditional television station. With its fearless involvement in Arab politics, it has created a new venue for political freedom, which has culminated in its unreserved support for Arab revolutions. Al Jazeera has pushed the boundaries of information by providing live coverage of major developments in the Arab world and elsewhere. It is a platform for political and religious opposition groups in the Arab countries. It hosts Israeli spokespersons and embraces state-of-the-art broadcasting techniques. In short, it has become a global brand and a role model for other Arab media. Success breeds confidence, but it also attracts envy. Al Jazeera has no shortage of enemies, from the most radical Islamic fundamentalists to American and Israeli intelligence gatherers. And, between these two extremes, there is fierce debate over whether Al Jazeera is friend or foe. Liberals who welcome it as a beacon of freedom and progress in the Arab world confront those who accuse it of Islamism

bankrolled by Qatars Sheikh hamad al thani (inset), the news station was instrumental in giving a voice to the revolutionaries during the arab Spring and it acts as Qatars covert foreign policy tool.
blooMberg

Banned from local media and mostly on the run, revolutionaries used Al Jazeera to reach and mobilise their own people. The channel cancelled its regular programmes, and was transformed into a round-the-clock workshop of live news and interviews, switching from one

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ter Benjamin Netanyahu and the country. My head told me that by giving in to Hamas demand for a thousand prisoners in exchange for Sergeant Shalit, Israel would encourage more abductions and free terrorists who would almost surely murder many more Israelis. But my heart told me that these bereft parents deserved all the support they could get. In the end, my heart won and I walked up to the tent, signed the petition and gave a donation. I knew Id done wrong. Last week, Israel agreed to exchange Sgt Shalit for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. When Sgt Shalit arrived in Israel, the first 477 of the prisoners were released. I dont blame Mr Netanyahu, his Cabinet or his security services for giving in to their hearts, too. It couldnt have been easy. The prisoners released include those who orchestrated suicide attacks on a Jerusalem pizzeria (15 killed), a Passover seder in Netanya (30 killed), a bus in Jerusalem (11 killed) and a bus in Haifa (17 killed). The remaining 550 prisoners, not yet named, are set to be released in two months. Clearly, the Israeli leaders and officials who approved the exchange were willing to pay a high price to maintain Israels sense of solidarity. They want Israeli parents to feel reassured that the government will do all it can to save their captured sons and daughters. And Israeli soldiers are presumably more ready to go into battle if they know that. Yet, Israels leaders should have listened to their heads, painful though it would have been. The consequences of past prisoner releases should have convinced them that the exchange would almost surely prove, in the long run, the more costly choice. In the past three decades, according to one estimate, Israel has released about 7,000 Arab prisoners in exchange for about 16 Israelis and the bodies of 10 more. Another estimate has put the number of Arab prisoners exchanged since 1985 at about 10,000. According to a 2007 report by an Israeli terrorism victims group, 177 Israelis were murdered in the five years before the study by recidivist terrorists who had been freed. Abbas ibn Muhammad Alsayd, released in 1996, was subsequently involved in three terrorist attacks, including the 2002 bombing of a Netanya Passover Seder. In 1998, Iyad Sawalha was released as a good-will gesture; in 2002 he detonated a bomb that killed 17.
Sergeant Gilad Shalit arriving at his home in northern israel on tuesday. reUterS Uri dromi

19

saving shalit, encouraging terror


Walter reich

Dealing with the enemy: Pragmatism for peace?


T
he exchange of more than a thousand Palestinian prisoners for one Israeli soldier was brokered by a German mediator and by Egypt, because Israel regards Hamas as a terrorist organisation with which it will not negotiate. But the fact remains that this was a deal Israel cut with Hamas. The question now is whether this show of pragmatism can lead to further developments, with broader ramifications for the Arab-Israeli conflict. When Hamas took power more than five years ago, I wrote that the development had a potentially positive side: Things might now become much clearer. There will be no whitewashing, no Arafat-style double-talk, or endless Abbas impotence. Its better to deal with a pure enemy: Fight him ruthlessly while he is your enemy, and sit down and talk to him when he is genuinely willing to cut a deal. This has happened. Israelis have become weary of the Palestinian Authority, suspecting that the elusive rival has been systematically dodging the negotiating table in the hope of getting better results elsewhere. Not so with the Hamas. For Israelis, the organisation is simply an enemy. Their answer to the Qassam rockets launched from Gaza was blockade, air attacks, targeted killings and even a full military operation. Hamas, on its part, remained resilient in its determination to fight Israel forever. The Gilad Shalit case, however, introduced an element of pragmatism into this zero-sum game. Suddenly an ideologue like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in the two books he has edited on terror warns against negotiating with terrorists, has found himself acting against his own strong belief. Hamas, for its part, has had to compromise on its vow to get its top leaders out of Israeli jails. The prisoner swap materialised because both sides an ideologue and Islamic zealots had a lot to gain from it, although not all they wanted. This is a sign of a good deal, when both sides walk away equally dissatisfied. That Israel should tighten its measures against future kidnappings and exact a heavy personal price from perpetrators of terror goes without saying. At the same time, this show of pragmatism should not be seen as a one-time exception to the rule, but rather carried over to other areas the economy, to start with. While the masses in Gaza celebrate the return of their brothers and sisters from Israeli jails, the economy there is ruined, unemployment is extremely high and there is no hope for the young generation. With a bold move, Mr Netanyahu can have a dramatic impact on the Gaza situation, and indeed on the whole Middle East. He can propose to ease the blockade on Gaza and to look favourably at any measure that would make life easier there. In exchange, Hamas would commit itself to a 10-year hudna (truce) a well established notion in Islamic tradition. This would resonate well with the spirit of progress driving the Arab Spring. This is a down-to-earth idea that can address the basic needs of the people here: An economic horizon for the people in Gaza; security for the Israelis. After all, former US President Richard Nixon didnt go to China to reform the Chinese; neither did the visit change America. He gave hitherto mortal enemies a break, allowing them to funnel their energies into more productive channels.
the NeW yorK timeS

lmost every day, during a recent stay in Jerusalem, I walked past the tent that the parents of Sergeant First Class Gilad

Shalit, the Israeli soldier who was captured in 2006 by Hamas, had pitched near the residence of Israels Prime Minister. Theirs was a long vigil. Distraught but dignified, and most of the time not knowing whether their son was dead or alive, the Shalits have haunted the conscience of Prime Minis-

Uri Dromi was the spokesman of the Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres governments from 1992 to 1996.

And in 2003, Ramez Sali Abu Salmin was released; seven months later he blew himself up in a Jerusalem cafe, killing seven people. Israeli leaders should realise that releasing 1,027 prisoners for one abducted Israeli soldier will result in more abductions, and that such extortionist and hugely disproportionate mass releases must, finally, stop. The spokesman for the military wing of Hamas has stated publicly that Sgt Shalit will not be the last soldier kidnapped by Hamas as long as Israel keeps Palestinian prisoners detained. Another group, the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza, which was involved with Sgt Shalits abduction, announced, The abduction of soldiers is our strategy. And Wafa Al Bass, who was imprisoned in 2005 when she was caught smuggling a suicide bomb through a Gaza checkpoint while pretending to seek medical treatment, said after being freed that Palestinians should take another Shalit each year until all remaining Palestinian prisoners were free. You dont have to read the work of the psychologist B F Skinner to understand the danger of positive reinforcement as it applies to the exchange of prisoners for abducted Israelis. You need only read Mr. Netanyahu himself, who in his 1995 book, Fighting Terrorism, wrote that prisoner releases only embolden terrorists by giving them the feeling that even if they are caught, their punishment will be brief. Worse, by leading terrorists to think such demands are likely to be met, they encourage precisely the terrorist blackmail they are supposed to defuse. Nor is the return to terrorist attacks on Israelis the only consequence of freeing such prisoners.

The case of Samir Kuntar, who was set free in 2008 in exchange for the remains of two Israeli soldiers, should serve as a lesson. Kuntar had killed an Israeli man in front of his four-year-old daughter and then killed the daughter by bashing her head with his rifle while the mans wife, hiding nearby, accidentally smothered their two-year-old trying to keep her quiet. Kuntar is now a hero among Palestinians and across the Muslim world. He and other prisoners released by Israel were honoured by Irans President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for the elimination of Israel. Mr Ahmadinejad gave Kuntar a medal for supporting the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance. Given this history, it is absurd to see Israels exchanging a soldier, or even dead bodies, for hundreds of prisoners as a policy that strengthens the countrys sense of solidarity or morale. Continuing to take existential risks for peace, even ones unlikely to bear fruit, may be necessary for Israeli leaders. What is not necessary is taking suicidal risks that will save one sergeant but guarantee the abductions of many more soldiers and the murders of many more Israelis.
the NeW yorK timeS

Walter Reich, a psychiatrist and a professor of international affairs at George Washington University, was director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum from 1995 to 1998. He is the editor of Origins of Terrorism.

>> Some oF thoSe Freed too daNGeroUS to Go home 38

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comment&analysis
roSabetH MoSS KaNter

20

the cure for horrible bosses


I
n the recent film comedy Horrible Bosses, three truly dreadful managers make their employees lives miserable. The first is a cruel executive who dangles a promotion in front of a subordinate as bait, only to snatch it away once his stupid demands have been met. The second is a mean cokehead who inherits the family business from his kindly deceased father. The third is an orthodontist who sexually harasses her assistant, threatening to tell his fiancee that it is his fault. The victims in the movie cannot quit. They need the jobs. Instead, they compose elaborate, farcical plots to eliminate the bosses. In real life, horrible bosses are the stuff of tragedy, not comedy. Workplace discontent is no joke. Some surveys show that as many as half of American workers feel low levels of work engagement, stemming in part from poor management. It is not insults that cause the greatest harm but, rather, callousness about peoples time. Horrible bosses want control. They expect subordinates to be on call 24/7 and to hit unrealistic deadlines with limited resources. When the work product is delivered, horrible bosses may ignore it for long intervals, making it clear that the deadline was artificial and the stress unnecessary. To minimise the impact of horrible bosses, companies can ensure that performance reviews are based on objective measures, not subjective ones. They can examine tasks and workloads for relevance and fairness. They can offer training to teach respectful behaviour. They can police sexual harassment and make flexibility a right. But formal processes go only so far. Employees sometimes find themselves worse off when they use official complaint mechanisms. The best cure for horrible bosses is alternative relationships and collaboration. Organisations that foster strong, multi-dimensional relationships among colleagues weaken the control of a single autocratic boss. They make it more likely that the sins of horrible bosses will be exposed to others who can stop them. Groups caught in a horror show can end the misery by banding together to focus on goals and show compassion for one another. Professor Jane Dutton of the University of Michigan, a leader in the positive psychology movement, has shown that simple gestures of caring can humanise the workplace and raise levels of performance. Another good way to neutralise horrible bosses is to focus on the mission and help others around you succeed. A manager I shall call Pierre was sent by his company to lead a turnaround, as chief operating officer, of a low-performing subsidiary in a developing country. The country chief executive officer was imperialistic and antagonistic. He gave Pierre a basement office with no staff and proceeded to ignore him. Pierres corporate bosses told him to work it out. After a few days of feeling depressed, Pierre decided to move into the tiny office next to the CEO and find his own assistant from outside the company, someone with no history with or allegiance to the CEO. Then he forged ahead with relationship-building. He identified the best performers in the unit who he thought would be the most independent of the CEOs power. He met with them in small groups and provided abundant performance data and ideas for growing the business. Soon they were leading their peers in making changes. The horrible boss could not control Pierre and could not stop the momentum. The boss became impotent in his irrelevance and later was fired for corruption. In the movie, the three friends help one another, and the horrible bosses fall on their own swords. Real life is not as dramatic or entertaining. Still, an underlying truth holds: The best cure for horrible bosses is wonderful colleagues. 2011
Harvard buSiNeSS PubliSHiNg (diStributed by tHe New yorK tiMeS SyNdicate )

Rosabeth Moss Kanter holds Harvard Business Schools Arbuckle Professorship and specialises in strategy, innovation and leadership. Her latest book is Supercorp.

coMMeNtary oNliNe
there is too much double-talk about whether financial institutions exist to make money solely for themselves and their shareholders, or to make decisions based on the best interests of their clients. Firms that pursue the personal profit objective above all others will ultimately alienate themselves from customers, regulators, and sound ethical practice. John rogers, in How The Finance Industry Can Repair Its Image

available at todayoNliNe.coM or oN our Mobile aPPS

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imagined in america
tHoMaS L FriedMaN

fter spending last week talking with Hong Kong entrepreneurs about a Bill, just passed by the United States Senate, to clear the way for tariffs on Chinese exports to America if China does not revalue its currency, there are three things I have to say. One, I really hope the people pushing this Bill do not give up. Two, I really hope the people pushing this Bill do not succeed. And, three, I really hope no one thinks this legislation will make any sustainable dent in our unemployment problem, which requires much more radical rethinking. I support this legislation in theory because China needs a wake-up call. I know, China never responds to in-your-face pressure not immediately. But it began revaluing its currency upward in 2005, the last time the Senate brandished a big stick. The fact is, Chinas strategy of using low wages and a cheap currency to build up an enormous export-led growth engine while using its huge market to lure and compel companies to transfer their nextgeneration technology to China as well is now hurting both sides. China is spending tons of money manipulating its currency downward and, in the process, creating domestic inflation and a real estate bubble, which is weakening its competitiveness. Meanwhile, it is hairraising to hear stories in Hong Kong about the number of American companies feeling the need to transfer advanced technology to China under pressure from Beijing officials and being afraid to complain to Washington about unfair trade practices. Yes, Chinas leaders, fearing unemployment, will revalue their currency at their own pace. But if pushing this Bill even marginally slows the pace of American firms shifting operations here, and gives others more time to adapt, it will be worth it. But, Lord in heaven, do not let the House pass this Bill. That would trigger a trade war in the middle of our Great Recession. We tried that in 1930. It did not end well. Worse, today it would distract us from thinking about the real issue: How do we adjust our labour market to the simultaneous intensification of globalisation and the IT revolution, the biggest thing happening in the world today? The intensification of globalisation means more parts of any product or service can be produced anywhere, and the intensification of the IT revolution means more parts of any product or service can be created by machines and software. I am typing this column on a Dell laptop that says Made in China on the bottom. In fact, it was assembled in China

but the design, memory board, screen, casing and dozens of other parts were all made in other countries. And while the machine says Made in China, the lions share of its value and profit goes to the firm that conceived the idea and orchestrated that supply chain Dell in Texas. We are never going to get those labourintensive assembly jobs back from China the wage differentials are far too great, no matter how much China revalues its currency. We need to focus on multiplying more people at the high-value ideation and orchestration end of the supply chain, and in the manufacturing processes where one person can be highly productive, and well paid, by operating multiple machines. We need to focus on Imagined in America and Orchestrated From America and Made in America by a smart worker using a phalanx of smarter robots. In total value terms, America still manufactures almost as much as China. We just do it with far fewer people, which is why we need more start-ups. But we also need to stop thinking that a middle class can be sustained only by factory jobs. Thirty years ago, Hong Kong was a manufacturing centre. Now its economy is 97 per cent services. It has adjusted so well that this year the Hong Kong government is giving a bonus of US$775 (S$986) to each of its residents. One reason is that Hong Kong has transformed itself into a huge tourist centre that last year received 36 million visitors 23 million from China. Their hotel stays, dining and jewellery purchases are driving prosperity here. The US Commerce Department says 801,000 mainland Chinese visited the US last year, adding US$5 billion to the US economy. More Chinese want to come but, for security reasons, visas are hard to obtain. If we let in as many Chinese tourists as Hong Kong it would inject more than US$115 billion into what is a highly unionised US hotel, restaurant, gaming and tourism industry. Another idea officials here offer is that the US invites Chinese firms to invest in toll bridges, toll roads and rail systems across the US, in partnership with American companies. They could build them, and operate them for a set number of years, until their investment pays out, and then transfer them to full US ownership. It may be the only way we can rebuild our infrastructure. Yes, China manipulates its currency and market access. But the reason we are so vulnerable is that we have no leverage. We do not save; we overconsume; we do not plan; and we have not invested enough in infrastructure and education. Dealing with a superpower like China without leverage? Let me know how that works out for you.

tHe NeW yorK tiMeS

Thomas L Friedman is a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner.

Voices
T oday
we set you thinking todayonline.com
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TODAY FRiDAY OCTOBER 21, 2011

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i SAY

creating a tobacco-free generation


Remove shine from the perception that it is an adults right to smoke
Joy Quah
will have at least seven years before they turn 18, the legal age to buy cigarettes, to accustom themselves to this idea. During this period, their most impressionable years, the authorities could present the concept to them, reinforced year by year within the education system. Past attempts to eradicate smoking have long been stymied by human rights. But if we create the right atmosphere and instil a pride among our children that they could be the first tobacco-free generation, the move need not be viewed as authoritarian. The proposal is also likely to succeed because of several factors. The 2007 National Health Surveillance study showed that the smoking rate is highest, at 17.2 per cent, among young adults aged 18 to 29. Youths are curious to try out smoking. Being in this age group, I have tried it once. We want to know what it feels like, and the long-term health effect is the last thing on our minds when we feel young and invincible. furthermore, the current concept of smoking being illegal for those under 18, but perfectly okay for adults, is counterproductive. Smoking becomes more desirable,
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refer to Ms Coral Angs letter The nosmoking path (Oct 17) and Mr Muhammad Haziq Janis letter No-smoking path is Utopian (Oct 18). One of the measures described by Ms Ang was to ban the sale of tobacco products to those born in or after the year 2000, which Mr Muhammad Haziq felt would make Singapore seem more authoritarian than it already is. I am not a smoker, although I concur with him that smoking may have a certain meaning to current smokers. But this tobacco control method, proposed last year by a team from the National Cancer Centre Singapore and the National University of Singapore, does not target current smokers and would be effective yet far less antagonistic. Children now aged 11 and below

like a badge of adulthood, and youths cannot wait to be old enough to smoke. So let us remove the shine from the perception that it is an adults right to smoke. Picking up smoking is largely due to peer pressure. So, if we can send the message of a tobacco-free generation to our youth with this proposal, we can clamp down on this significant contributing factor. It is simple: My peers do not smoke, so I will not smoke because there is no fun in it. This is the demonstration effect we should aim for, not that of intolerance and antagonism towards current smokers when it comes to tobacco control. The Towards Tobacco-free Singapore facebook group, which is pushing for the legislation of the proposal, has garnered 13,000 supporters. We need the support of society at large, smokers and non-smokers alike, schools and government, and from youth as well. It is time we stop segregating society into smokers and non-smokers but instead stand together to protect our children and their children. The writer is 23 years old.

Currently, smoking is not banned at overhead bridges in Singapore. I suggest that the National environment Agency consider such a ban. At the bridge linked to Jurong Point, for instance, shoppers or staff often have to brave a cloud of second-hand smoke when they enter or leave the shopping centre.
Joanne Lim

Allow motorists to buy new cars with renewed coes


Letter from Francis Tan Kee Hock
I refer to the letter De-registration not a solution to congestion problems (Oct 18) by Mr Pang Meng Yam and the article Slower vehicle growth to match road capacity (Oct 15). Both Mr Pang and Motor Traders Association president Cheah Kim Teck have valid arguments. The latter has a responsibility to keep the motoring industry here from falling into the doldrums. But with all due respect, it is not wise to accelerate the de-registration of older vehicles by making it more expensive and difficult to renew their Certificates of entitlement. Mr Pang touched on the environmental impact of buying new cars, which we should acknowledge. But driving old cars which do not meet the latest emission standards may equally increase our carbon footprint. We need to address the needs of industry and environment. I suggest that we allow car owners who renew their COes to subsequently buy a new car to replace the old one, if they wish, using the same COe.

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Voices
Give 25 dolphins at Marine Life Park the choice
Letter from christina Lee Jiawei
Campaigns Officer, Animal Concerns Research & Education Society

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swim at RWs or in the ocean?


dolphin will do just about anything for a fish, even a dead, frozen one. While it is true that wild dolphins may not enjoy a carefree life, they do enjoy freedom and choice. With regard to conservation, we agree it is vital, but we cannot agree that catching dolphins from the wild is supporting these efforts. According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the threats facing Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (the species purchased by RWS) include live capture for oceanariums. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) does allow the capture of dolphins from the wild. However, according to the IUCN, catching more dolphins such as the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, which is preferred as a captive, display species, makes them vulnerable to depletion from such catches. The IUCN states that exports of this species should not take place from the Solomon Islands and that CITES parties should not issue permits to import dolphins from these islands. How then can RWS claim to be protecting these dolphins while contributing to one of their threats to survival in the Solomon Islands? Over 680,000 people have joined ACRES to urge RWS to release the dolphins. Our challenge to RWS is simple, and it leaves the decision to the dolphins. If it believes that its remaining 25 dolphins are happy in their current situation, then ACRES asks that RWS gives the dolphins a chance to swim freely again in the ocean. If they truly wish to remain living with their trainers and in captivity, then surely they will not swim away but remain with the trainers. Will RWS agree to this challenge?

I REFER to the letter We should support RWS Marine Life Park (Oct 18), whose main theme was about choice and which suggested that, if given a choice, Singaporeans would choose a small but safe flat instead of a large country estate. The reality for the Resorts World Sentosa dolphins is that they had no choice. They were removed from their natural habitat and will be confined against their will. They have lost control over their lives, from what and when they eat to whom they socialise with and where. The Animal Concerns Research & Education Society doubts that any Singaporean would want the lives these dolphins are now living. Captive dolphins, in general, are not choosing to interact with humans during contact sessions or to perform certain behaviours on demand but instead are often doing so to get fed. Yes, they could choose to go hungry, but most animals will avoid hunger at all costs, and a hungry

Marine Life Park should be supported


Letter from auw chor Wah
I COULd not agree more with Mr Neil Wilkinson, in his letter We should support RWS Marine Life Park (Oct 18). Resorts World Sentosas dolphins are the lucky few who will not only be given balanced and nutritious food, but imagine the love their caregivers would bestow on them. Others may say that these animals are best appreciated in the wild, but for senior citizens like me, I would relish to see them up close without having to travel overseas. It is a rare opportunity for both young and old Singaporeans to learn more about dolphins.

children under pressure ...


Letter from Ng Woon yang
ALMOST every child I know up to the age of 10 is attending some form of enrichment lessons or training, in addition to their usual school commitments. Instead of attending kindergarten from the age of five, as in the past, children as young as six months are being exposed to enrichment programmes. This is an additional financial burden for parents. But what becomes of those who are unable to afford such additional education? What becomes of those who choose not to send their children for such activities? It makes me wonder if our mainstream education system is no longer capable of nurturing our children. do those parents realise they are creating a vicious circle of even more parents trying to ensure that their children beat the system? Children today are growing up at a breakneck pace. I see this with my nieces and my friends children. They have no chance to explore, to play in an uninhibited way or to develop their own inclinations for arts, sports and so on. They are not allowed to experience failure. How then do they learn to recover from one, when it is no longer just a paper chase? did past generations of Singaporeans grow up in such a way? This phenomenon is deterring me from having a child of my own.

casino self-exclusion: Help to fill in forms


Letter from edwin Pang
Executive Director, Migrant Workers Centre

dURING the Oct 17 episode of Get Rea!, a presenter helped a migrant worker, Mr Huang, to fill up and mail his casino self-exclusion form to the National Council on Problem Gambling. We wish to highlight that the Migrant Workers Centre, which was mentioned in the programme,

offers similar services to migrant workers. Located conveniently at 62, Rangoon Road, near Farrer Park MRT Station, MWC has staff who can explain and assist workers in completing the process. Compared to the usual twoweek waiting period that applies to manual applications, online selfexclusion which we provide in partnership with NCPG takes

effect within a day. Our opening hours 11am to 3pm on weekends and 9am to 7pm from Tuesday to Friday cater to the tight work schedules of workers like Mr Huang. In our efforts to tackle the gambling scourge among migrant workers here, we reiterate that workers with problem gambling may also approach MWC for assistance.

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Voices
Letter from caitlin Fua
Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications, StarHub

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starHub assisting customer on other services HDB has studied local parking needs carefully
WE REFER to Ms Kee Puay Kiangs letter Contractual fine print unfair to consumers (Oct 17). StarHub contacted Ms Kee early this month pertaining to her StarHub television subscription and is now assisting her on other StarHub services. We thank Ms Kee for her understanding and look forward to her continued support.

Letter from Ho Shu yee


Head, Clementi Branch Office, Housing & Development Board
oct 17

MS Kee Puay KiangS rePLy I thank StarHub for its reply to my letter. Following my feedback to the company, it has offered me a

one-time credit to cover the subscription fee increase till the end of my contractual period.

I REFER to Mr Yuen Mun Leongs letter The wrong direction for multi-storey car parks (Oct 8), Mr Yan Chung Hoongs letter More value with more car parks? and Mr Tan Kok Tims letter 10-storey car parks in Spore? (Oct 11). The car park mentioned by Mr Yuen is Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP) Q75M, which serves residents from Blocks 10 to 13, Holland Drive. Parking demand is high and season parking tickets are fully sold each month. The Housing & Development Board has studied the local parking needs carefully. As part of ongoing redevelopment plans, the nearby surface car park in front of Block 12 will be removed soon, which means there will not be sufficient lots to meet local parking needs. Hence, the HDB is planning ahead to expand and add more lots to Q75M, to ensure that residents parking needs will continue to be met at all times. We are mindful to keep a balance between meeting parking demand and the need for sufficient recreational spaces within the precinct.

By extending the existing car park instead of building a new one, we have reduced the amount of land required. The HDB has also put in place measures to minimise inconvenience to residents. Firstly, we will site the extension as far away as possible from the existing residential blocks. The site identified is lower than the residential blocks by three floors in view of the difference in ground level, so as to minimise the impact on residents. Secondly, there will be vertical screens to prevent vehicle headlights from shining directly into nearby flats. Thirdly, the HDB is looking into having a landscaped garden with communal facilities atop the MSCP for residents. There will be planter boxes on the parapet to beautify the surroundings. Fourthly, there will be a new covered walkway and drop-off point. HDB car parks are designed with natural ventilation to keep costs low. To have windowless, high-rise car park buildings, as suggested by Mr Tan, would be costly due to the need for mechanical ventilation systems. We thank the writers for their feedback and suggestions.

GsT payable beyond the reliefs provided


Letter from edgar Lee
Acting Head, Corporate Communications, for Director-General of Customs, Singapore Customs

WE THANK Mr Charlton Wee for his letter Why tax items bought abroad for personal use? (Oct 17) and for the opportunity to explain the policy on Goods and Services Tax and GST relief granted for travellers. GST is a local consumption tax. As such, it is levied on all goods brought into Singapore, regardless of whether they are imported through commercial shipments or hand-carried by travellers for personal use. Levying GST on imported goods also ensures a level playing field for local GSTregistered businesses selling to local consumers. To minimise inconveniences, GST relief is provided to people who bring in small amounts of goods for personal use, with the

amount of relief granted tiered according to specific conditions. Visitors can refer to the Singapore Customs website at www.customs.gov.sg for more information on the GST relief limit. Travellers carrying taxable products exceeding their GST relief or duty-free allowance have to declare the goods at the Red Channel, for tax payment. If they do not have receipts, they may be asked to estimate the value of the goods. Singapore Customs officers will compare the estimate with the values of similar products when computing the GST payable. Prominent signboards highlighting information on GST relief are located before the customs clearance points in the arrival halls of Singapores checkpoints. Brochures to inform travellers are available in different languages at the airport arrival halls.

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Singapore
neW integrated care PrograMMe For elderly launched

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The Singapore programme for integrated Care for the elderly (SpiCe), which provides integrated centre and home-based care services, was rolled out at the newly-renovated Tembusu rehabilitation and Day Care Centre yesterday. The programme allows the elderly to be cared for at home or in a nursing home setting, and also gives caregivers greater flexibility and respite from patient care. The SpiCe pilot programme was first introduced at The Salvation armys Bedok Multi-Service Centre last year. Launching SpiCe@Tembusu yesterday, Minister of State for Health amy Khor stressed the importance of industry collaborations in such ventures. among Tembusus partners are the national University Hospital, private medical group Frontier Healthcare, and the agency of integrated Care (aiC). The aiC has been working with voluntary welfare organisations

80% of private homes bought by Singaporeans


carolyn Quek
carolynquek@mediacorp.com.sg

Patients undergoing therapy at the tembusu centre. Photo by don Wong

(VWos) to implement SpiCe in Singapore. Speaking at the launch, Dr Khor said: as our healthcare providers continue to take steps towards integrating care across different settings, the government will support you in your efforts. With a shared belief in a patient-centric system of care, i believe that aiC will also continue to identify and facilitate even more win-win partnerships between VWos, hospitals and gps in rolling out SpiCe around the island. channel neWsasia

SINGAPORE The number of foreigners purchasing private homes here grew from 12 per cent to 16 per cent in the first half of this year, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan yesterday. Locals, nonetheless, still account for more than four-fifths of all private home purchases, said Mr Khaw, in response to a question by Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) on whether the minister would consider measures to restrict the number of private property units a foreigner can purchase. We are monitoring market conditions closely and if need be will take further measures. For landed property, we have longstanding rules restricting foreign purchases which we recently tightened, said Mr Khaw. However, we have to be very careful not to precipitate a loss of confidence, especially with the international backdrop of continuing uncertainty in financial markets and weak growth in the US and Europe. Mr Khaw also noted that the rising property prices cannot be attributed solely to foreign purchases. There are many factors at play such as low interest rates and Singapores strong economic fundamentals. He said Singaporeans are also understandably anxious when they see property prices rising, especially those who are

We are monitoring market conditions closely and if need be will take further measures. For landed property, we have longstanding rules restricting foreign purchases which we recently tightened.
national development Minister khaw boon Wan
first-time buyers of private property. Mr Khaw added that in the first nine months of this year, developers sold 12,000 units of private housing, about the same as the corresponding period last year. Demand for private housing has remained firm, despite growing uncertainties in the global economy, and the supply of land has been ramped up through the Government Land Sales programme. Land for over 14,500 units has been released this year, compared to 10,000 units last year, Mr Khaw added. A series of measures to cool the property market and cut speculative demand have also been taken and are having a clear impact. While the private housing market is still rising, the rates of price increase have been trending down since the third quarter of 2009, he said.

More HDB rental flats by 2015


SINGAPORE The Government plans to boost the number of Housing and Development Board (HDB) rental flats to 57,000 by 2015, but cautioned at the same time against incentivising the growth of these units. National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said this yesterday, in response to a parliamentary question filed by Workers Party Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Gerald Giam on the number of rental flats needed to meet the current high demand and when these flats will be built. There are currently 44,000 households living in HDB rental flats, while another 1,600 are on the waiting list. We are building more rental flats, with a view of shortening the waiting time further through speeding up the allocation of flats to these low-income families, said Mr Khaw. The supply of rental flats will soon reach 47,000 and another 3,000 units will be added next year. With the total number of rental flats rising to 57,000 by 2015, Mr Khaw said this would make up 5 per cent of all HDB households. Mr Giam then asked the minister on whether the new rental flats being built had factored in greater demand due to the looming economic crisis. Mr Khaw replied that the figures were larger than the projection of annual demand, and said he would keep an open mind as to how the situation would pan out. As a stretch target, the minister added he would prefer zero rental, meaning every Singaporean would become home owners. Whatever we do, we must not unwittingly incentivise the growth of these rental blocks. While we need some, but I think if we make it too easy for rental units to be accessed to, you can unwittingly create other types of problems, said Mr Khaw. Mr Giam also asked whether flats for the lower income were out of their reach, given that the application rates for smaller two-room and three-room flats were lower. Mr Khaw said that a typical two-room Build-To-Order flat, which has an income ceiling of S$2,000, would cost less than three years of income, factoring in the grants available. Meanwhile, larger four or five-room flats with an income ceiling of S$10,000 cost less than five years of income. carolyn Quek

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singapore

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Unregistered agent charged


SINGAPORE A second person has been charged with representing himself as a property agent without being registered with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA). Raymond Sim Soon Leong, 30, was also charged with failing to obtain a written authorisation from a licensed real estate firm before practising. The CEA said in a media release yesterday that Sim had advertised two Housing and Development Board flats for rental on an online property portal, describing himself as a sales director with a licensed estate agent. The CEA said he also represented clients in making offers, negotiated property transactions and conducted flat viewings. Sim was exposed when his prospective clients checked the CEAs Public Register of

Estate Agents and Salespersons, and reported him to the council. Sim, who faces a total of eight charges under the Estate Agents Act 2010, will be back in court on Nov 17. For each of his offences, he could be fined up to S$25,000 or jailed for a year, or both. The CEA said the public can now search for the particulars of property agents on its website, in addition to searches using the agents name or registration number.

Since Jan 1 this year, all property agents must register with the CEA and possess written agreements with their companies before they are allowed to perform their jobs. Failure to comply with these rules is an offence. The council said the public should not respond to any real estate agency flyer or advertisement that does not provide an agents details or registration number, and should report any unregistered agents to the CEA.
channel newsasia

international arbitration act may be amended


SINGAPORE To strengthen Singapores arbitration regime and maintain its lead as an international arbitration venue, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) is considering the introduction of several amendments to the International Arbitration Act (IAA). Among others, it is considering the conferment of power to the Singapore courts to review negative rulings made by arbitral tribunals. Currently, if an arbitral tribunal decides at an early stage that it cannot hear a dispute because it has no jurisdiction, the courts cannot review this decision. Under the proposed amendment, the Singapore courts will be allowed to do so. According to a MinLaw spokesman, this would grant parties in dispute the choice to arbitrate in Singapore as potential claimants may favour an arbitration centre where the judicial review of negative jurisdictional rulings is possible. The arbitration caseload has been increasing in Singapore, with more cases from China and India seen at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). The cases at the SIAC increased to 198 last year compared to 160 in 2009, while the number of cases heard in Maxwell Chambers more than doubled from 46 in 2009 to 120 last year. Singapore is also the fifth top seat of arbitration for International Chamber of Commerce-International Court of Arbitration cases. Another amendment being considered is granting the Singapore arbitration tribunals the power to award interest. In support of the emergency arbitrator procedure that was introduced in the SIAC rules in July last year, MinLaw is also proposing that orders made by emergency arbitrators be enforceable.

In support of the emergency arbitrator procedure that was introduced in the SIAC rules in July last year, MinLaw is also proposing that orders made by emergency arbitrators be enforceable.
And to keep Singapores legislative framework progressive, MinLaw is proposing that the IAA also recognise arbitration agreements concluded by any means, such as orally or by conduct, as long as its content is recorded in any form. Currently, the IAA only recognises such agreements made in writing. Said a MinLaw spokesman: MinLaw has received feedback that this requirement does not accord squarely with commercial reality, as arbitration agreements are often concluded orally ... Another proposal is the enactment of the Foreign Limitation Periods Act (FLPA), to clarify the question of which countrys time limitation the time allowed for claimants to make a claim laws will apply when the dispute is brought for arbitration here. For example, if the dispute happens in the United Kingdom and it is brought for arbitration in Singapore, the FLPA will allow arbitration tribunals here to follow the time limit set in the UK. Those interested in the consultation papers and Draft Bill can view them at www.minlaw.gov.sg and www.reach.gov. sg/YourSay/EConsultationPaper. aspx. Feedback to MLAW_Consultation@mlaw.gov.sg can be submitted by Nov 21.

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World
approval of bill will not sit well with thousands of protesters lining athens streets
aFternoon latest

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Greece opts for austerity

Basque group ETA calls an end to violence


MADRID The Basque separatist group ETA said yesterday it was ending four decades of armed struggle and called for talks with the Spanish and French authorities on ending Europes last major guerrilla conflict. ETA has decided the definitive cessation of its armed activity, the group said in a statement through Basque-language newspaper Gara and an online video. ETA calls upon the Spanish and French governments to open a process of direct dialogue with the aim of addressing the resolution of the conflict. Three masked ETA members sat behind a table to read the statement, raising their fists in the air at the end of the video. The declaration is a significant shift for ETA, whose goal was to carve out an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southern France. The nationalist group has been severely weakened in recent years by the arrests of hundreds of its members and seizures of its weapons. It has also come under pressure from its own political arm and former members, now in prison, to disband. The three ETA members in the video did not say whether the guerrilla force would turn in its weapons, which Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has said was a pre-condition for any negotiations with ETA. The Spanish government welcomed the announcement but it was not clear whether Madrid would engage in talks with ETA, which was formed more than 50 years ago and began violent actions some 40 years ago. This has been possible thanks to the mettle and strength of Spanish society, guided by the rule of law, which triumphs today as the only possible way for people to coexist, said Mr Zapatero. Our democracy will be one without terrorism, but not one without memory. reUters

ATHENS After a day of violent demonstrations against government cutbacks, Greek Socialist lawmakers yesterday gave their final approval to a raft of tough new austerity measures, taking a critical step toward securing crucial foreign aid and averting a default. The measures including additional wage cuts, pension cuts, layoffs for public sector workers and changes to collective bargaining rules to make it easier to hire and fire were passed last night with the support of all but one of the governing Socialist partys 154 legislators. Earlier in the day, a demonstration that started out peacefully devolved into violent skirmishes. For the first time in recent memory, demonstrators hurled firebombs not at the police but at one another, as anarchists apparently battled a pro-Communist group. Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister George Papandreou and Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos appealed to lawmakers to approve the entire package. Greeces foreign lenders say the changes are needed to liberalise Greeces economy, but they have met with intense popular anger. They are cutting our wages and diminishing our way of life for the sake of the banks, said Mr Nick Zolotariof, 40, who works in the public administration in Dionysos, a suburb of Athens. He said his salary had been cut to US$1,235 (S$1,570) a month, from US$1,650. The Athens police said that about 50,000 demonstrators poured into the

Greek riot police hit by firebombs thrown during yesterdays protests. ap

central Syntagma Square outside Parliament yesterday. It soon became a war zone, as anarchists began throwing stones and firebombs at members of the Communistbacked labour union, PAME, who fought back while the police stood by. One man, a 53-year-old member of a construction workers union, died of a heart attack shortly after being admitted unconscious but apparently uninjured to a hospital, according to a doctor at the hospital. The Greek news media reported that 16 people were injured, three seriously, but there was no official confirmation. In recent years, with the proliferation of cellphone videos and YouTube, the idea that there is vague cooperation between the police and violent demonstrators has grown beyond conspiracy theory and entered more mainstream discourse. Every time we have these manifestations, we have these videos that show some kind of protection from the police to these groups, said Professor Giannis Panousis

of the department criminology at the University of Athens. Perhaps in these groups there are some ex-policemen or some exmilitary people who play some role inside the group, as agents provocateurs. Yesterdays vote came as European Union leaders prepare to meet Sunday for a final decision on the release of the next US$11-billion instalment of aid to Greece, part of a US$150-billion bailout engineered last year. They will also be looking at a much broader European rescue designed to protect the bloc should Greece default. A draft report prepared by the commission, in liaison with the European Central Bank, recommended that the next instalment of financial support to Athens be released as soon as possible after the latest austerity measures are enacted. Yesterdayy, Reuters quoted unidentified European officials as saying that the IMF believes European assessments are too optimistic and wants to await a clearer outlook before signing off on the next instalment. tHe new yorK times

two Formally indicted For assassination plot

A United States grand jury yesterday formally indicted two men suspected of being part of an Iranian plot to kill the Saudi Ambassador to Washington. The US authorities said last week they had foiled a plot by two men linked to Irans security agencies to assassinate Saudi Ambassador Adel Al Jubeir. The two men are charged with one count of conspiracy to murder a foreign official, two counts of use of interstate and foreign commerce facilities in the commission of murder for hire and one count each of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass

destruction and conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism. one suspect, 56-year-old Manssor Arbabsiar, was arrested in the US last month and the other is believed to be in Iran. US officials say the other man, Gholam Shakuri, is a member of Irans shadowy Quds Force, the covert operations arm of Irans powerful Islamic revolutionary Guard Corps. Arbabsiar will have a chance to enter a plea to the charges on Monday, when he is scheduled to be arraigned. His attorney has previously stated her client would plead not guilty. reUters

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World
BEIJING The Chinese toddler who was ignored by 18 passers-by after she became a victim of a hit-and-run is now on the verge of death, her doctors said yesterday. Two-year-old Wang Yue known by her family pet name Yueyue was run over by two cars last Thursday in a market in the southern province of Guangdong. Closed-circuit television footage showed 18 people had walked past her body without helping her. Dr Su Lei, the director of the Guangzhou Military Hospitals Intensive Care Unit, said yesterday the toddler could die at any moment. He said: I cannot tell how long she has left. We are still trying to save her, but the scenario is getting worse and worse. In a statement to the media, the hospital said her other key organs were deteriorating and there was no sign of her brain functions recovering. The girls parents have been keeping vigil at a hotel next to the hospital, refusing to give up hope. The hit-and-run incident has ignited outrage both inside China and worldwide. Many blame the 18 passers-by

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Hit-and-run toddler on the verge of death


for Yueyues current condition. But psychologists in China are also calling on parents to pay more attention to their children and not leave them alone, reported the China Daily. The incident has now prompted a call for a law to be enacted, forcing people to help others in distress. Provincial groups from the ruling Communist Party, government departments and associations are currently discussing the new law, which could make it illegal for people to ignore those in need of help, reported the BBC.
agencies

beijing deFends great Firewall oF china

Some of those freed too dangerous to go home


JERUSALEM Dozens of Palestinians released by Israel as part of a prisoner exchange but deemed too dangerous to be allowed to return to Gaza or the West Bank have expressed anger as they began their exile in other Middle East countries. While most of the 477 prisoners released on Tuesday in the swap for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit were welcomed by family members, 42 were taken to the other countries by plane or by bus. Nimer Darwaze, one of those released, vowed to keep fighting Israel although he refused to say how. The resistance is increasing and it will continue until there is victory, he told CBS News. An unsuccessful suicide bomber released from prison after six years also vowed to fulfil a childhood ambition by sacrificing her life for the Palestinian cause. Wafa Al Bass was only 21 when, in 2005, she volunteered to undertake a suicide mission in Israel. Her target, Israel says, was a hospital where she had been given permission to seek treatment for burns she sustained in a gas tank explosion. She never got there as she

China yesterday defended its right to censor the Internet, saying it was necessary to safeguard the public, after the United States pressed it to explain online curbs. The US wants to know why the so-called Great Firewall of China blocks so many US companies from providing services via the Internet, according to a letter obtained on Wednesday, another sign of growing trade tension between the worlds two largest economies. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said China had actively encouraged the development of the Internet and protected freedom of

speech online. At the same time, in terms of Chinas lawful Internet management, its purpose is to maintain a good Internet environment and to safeguard public interest, she told reporters. These are in line with internationally accepted practices. She added: We are willing to work with countries and communicate with them on the development of the Internet... But we do not accept using the excuse of Internet freedom to interfere in other countries internal practices.
reuters

japan to allay public concerns on radiation

Japans government will issue guidelines on testing for radiation and open call centres for the public after more hot spots were found in Tokyo and other areas far from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant. The guidelines will provide advice on using dosimeters to improve the consistency of surveys, said Mr Hirotaka oku, an official handling the response to the Fukushima disaster at

the Science Ministry. The guidelines will be issued as early as tomorrow, he said. Two more locations with radiation levels exceeding safety limits were found this week in Tokyo, which is about 220km from the daiichi nuclear plant that was damaged in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
bloomberg

ma says peace treaty with china needs vote

wafa al bass being greeted by dozens of friends and relatives at a celebration in her home the day after she was released. the new york times

was discovered with explosives at a checkpoint on Gazas border. Speaking from her home in northern Gaza, she said: I had wanted to be a martyr since I was a kid... I would be a suicide bomber three times over if I could. Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said there is

little chance for the prompt renewal of peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis that the United States seeks. My own assessment is that conditions are not ripe at this juncture for a meaningful resumption of talks, Mr Fayyad said on Wednesday.
agencies

Taiwan President Ma Yingjeou said yesterday that voters on the island may need to weigh in on any future peace treaty with China, a statement that appears to signal a retreat from an earlier declaration. on Monday, he said any peace treaty with China would only require parliamentary approval and a consensus on the island. Mr Ma placed a treaty among the goals to be

achieved over the next decade, suggesting for the first time a timetable for discussion of the sensitive issue with Beijing. We will consider a referendum for the peace treaty, he said, insisting that it would not compromise Taiwans sovereignty but rather strengthen the current status of no unification, no independence and no war, a status that now has the support of 80 per cent of the public. ap

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World
French First lady gives birth to girl

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French First lady Carla BruniSarkozy gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday night the first infant born to a sitting President of modern-day France. The baby is rumoured to be named dahlia, according to speculation on Twitter. President Nicolas Sarkozy, finishing up a meeting in Frankfurt on the euro debt crisis, was absent

when the couples first child was born, but arrived at the private clinic in Paris three hours later. reports said the birth went well for the 43-year-old mother. The President has three sons from two previous marriages, while his wife has a son from a previous relationship.
agencies

lost in translation: man gets size 1,450 slipper

A British man who ordered a special size 14.5 slipper to fit his oversized left foot was sent a size 1,450 after the Chinese manufacturers failed to spot a decimal point in his order. Mr Tom Boddingham, 27, has a size 13 right foot, while his left measures size 14 and a half. He said he now plans to sell the giant slipper on eBay. It was sent directly from Hong Kong and measures 210 x 130 x 65cms the same length

as a grizzly bear or a family car. I reckon I must be the owner of the biggest slipper in the world. Im going to sell it online and if I can make a few quid out of it then all the better. A spokesman for Monster Slippers apologised to Mr Boddingham and said the mistake occurred because of a translation error. But a spokesman for the factory said they thought the slipper was for a shop window display.
the daily telegraph

French guiana halts historic russian rocket launch

a new planet (right) forming around a star is shown, in this undated artists rendering provided by the university of hawaii. the planet, lkca 15 b, is 450 light years away from earth and is being built by dust and gas. ap

The launch of the first two satellites of the European Unions Galileo navigation system was postponed yesterday because of technical problems at the base in French Guiana, according to officials. officials hope to delay the launch of the russian Soyuz rocket by only 24 hours, although a new date will be announced once the investigation is complete, said Mr JeanYves le Gall, chairman and CEo

of Arianespace, the commercial arm of the European Space Agency. Authorities postponed the launch after they discovered a leak inside a valve, he said. The European Galileo system is being launched to challenge the American GPS system. The EU has said the new system will provide more coverage and more accurate locations. ap

Astronomers discover youngest planet


HONOLULU Astronomers have captured the first direct image of a planet being born. Dubbed LkCa 15 b, it is the youngest planet found so far. Dr Adam Kraus, of the University of Hawaiis Institute for Astronomy, used telescopes on Mauna Kea island to find the planet. He was working with Dr Michael Ireland from Macquarie University and the Australian Astronomical Observatory. LkCa 15 b named after its star is estimated to have started taking shape about 50,000 to 100,000 years ago. The previous record holder was about five times older. The planet is 450 light years away from Earth and being built by dust and gas. Scientists had not been able to see such young planets before because their parent solar systems light outshines them. Dr Krause and Dr Ireland used mirrors to cancel out the starlight and were able to see discs of dust near the planet. They also used 10m Keck telescopes to reveal the forming planet sitting inside a wide gap between the young parent star and the outer disc of glowing dust. LkCa 15 b is the youngest planet ever found, about five times younger than the previous record holder, Dr Kraus said. This young gas giant is being built out of the dust and gas. In the past you couldnt measure this kind of phenomenon because its happening so close to the star. But for the first time weve been able to directly measure the planet itself as well as the dusty matter around it. The astronomers presented their discovery at the National Aeronautics and Space Administrations Goddard Space Flight Centre on Wednesday. Their research paper is due to appear in The Astrophysical Journal. Dr Kraus and Dr Ireland plan to continue their planet search around nearby young stars. agencies

men have a biological clock too

shark massacre reported in colombian waters

It is not only women who have a ticking biological clock, according to a Brazilian study that has found the chances of men fathering children fall with every passing year once they reach middle age. Analysis of patients at an infertility clinic found that the chances of a man getting his wife pregnant dropped by 7 per cent each year between the ages of 41 and 45, reducing even more sharply among older men. The quality of the husbands sperm was also found to deteriorate with time. Until now the pressure has been on women to start a family before they turn 40, when their reserves of eggs run low and their quality declines. But experts from Brazils Huntingdon reproductive Medicine Centre say that men should not leave it too late either if they want to be sure of having children.
the daily telegraph

Colombian environmental authorities have reported a huge shark massacre in the Malpelo wildlife sanctuary in the countrys Pacific waters, where as many as 2,000 hammerhead, Galapagos and silky sharks may have been slaughtered for their fins. Ms Sandra Bessudo, the Colombian Presidents top adviser on environmental issues, said a team of divers who were studying sharks in the region reported the mass killing in waters about 500km from the mainland. They counted a total of 10 fishing boats, all flying the Costa rican flag. When the divers dove, they started finding a large number of animals without their fins. They didnt see any alive, Ms Bessudo said. Calculating an average of 200 sharks per boat, our estimates are that as many as 2,000 sharks may have been killed, she added. The sanctuary covers 8,570 sq km of marine environment that provides a habitat for threatened marine species. In 2006, Unesco included the park on its list of World Heritage sites. the guardian

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BUSINESS
Keppels Q3 profit up 33%
SINGAPORE Keppel Corp, the worlds largest oil-rig maker, posted a 33 per cent jump in third-quarter profit as higher crude prices stoked demand for drilling equipment. Net i n c o m e i n t h e p e riod ended Sept 30 climbed to S$406.1 million from a restated S$304.6 million a year earlier, the company said yesterday. Sales gained 18 per cent to S$2.7 billion. The offshore and marine business sees good prospects for its deepwater solutions with the projected increase in deepwater capital expenditure for the next few years, said the company, which has a market value of about S$15.9 billion, Drilling in the North Sea has been revitalised by new major oil finds and the Gulf of Mexico is returning gradually to normalcy with the issue of permits. aster in Japan and Germanys turning away from nuclear energy, global demand for oil and gas is expected to continue growing, Keppel chief executive Choo Chiau Beng said. Keppel, about 20 per cent owned by Singapore investment firm Temasek Holdings, has won a record S$8.7 billion of new orders so far this year as energy companies boosted spending on offshore and deepwater drilling equipment to benefit from an increase in oil prices. Keppel also announced yesterday the appointment of Mr Loh Chin Hua as its chief financial officer from Jan 1, succeeding Mr Teo Soon Hoe. Keppel shares fell 0.8 per cent to close at S$8.78 before the earnings announcement. The shares have dropped 15 per cent this year, compared with the Straits Times Indexs 16 per cent decline. agencieS

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European shares fall on summit delay report


LONDON European stocks fell yesterday after a report that Germany was considering postponing a European Union leaders summit planned for Sunday. German newspaper Die Welt reported, citing sources from both Chancellor Angela Merkels centre-right coalition as well as from her government, that the stalled negotiations on the possible leveraging of the euro zone bailout fund were the reason for the possible delay. Late afternoon in London, the FTSE was down 0.7 per cent, Germanys DAX fell 1.7 per cent while Frances CAC shed 1.5 per cent. France favours creating a bank out of the 440 billion (S$770 billion) European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), boosting its financial clout with backing from the European Central Bank, a proposal that Germany rejects, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said. Meanwhile, draft guidelines show proposed changes to the enhanced EFSF so that it may be able to offer loans worth up to 10 per cent of a member states gross domestic product in precautionary aid before they face difficulties raising funds in bond markets. This may open the door to massive credit lines for countries such as Italy and Spain. The draft advises that primary market government bond purchases by the enhanced EFSF should be limited to 50 per cent of the issued amount. agencieS

keppel anticipates increased demand for oil rigs in the future. today File photo

Keppel said it was hoping to get a fair share of an order from Brazilian state oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro, which recently announced a tender for 21 drilling rigs. With sharpened concerns over nuclear safety arising from the dis-

More SMEs turn to local market: Survey


Millet enriQuez
emelita@mediacorp.com.sg

9 bidS For kaki bukit road 4 induStrial Site

SINGAPORE Small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore are shifting their focus on the local market for growth in a dramatic about-turn. While only 16 per cent of companies sought to expand their revenue from domestic sources last year, concerns over global uncertainties and foreign currency exchange losses have now prompted 45 per cent to seek expansion locally. According to a SME Development Survey by DP Information Group, a

domestic credit information provider, 43 per cent of SMEs experienced foreign currency exchange losses this year, compared with 12 per cent last year. Exacerbated by global economic uncertainty, the number of SMEs generating overseas revenue also fell to 44 per cent from 66 per cent. Ms Chen Yew Nah, managing director of DP Information Group, noted that while SMEs have become more cautious about the prospects of the global economy, 29 per cent still believe that overseas expansion is a key strategy they need to pursue.

More SMEs are also using debt financing 76 per cent compared with 52 per cent last year to fund additional staffing and operation costs as they pursue expansion to meet demand, the report shows. According to the DP Credit Rating system, about 38 per cent of SMEs are at risk of defaulting on loans up from 30 per cent last year. A quarter may also have difficulty meeting their short-term debt financing, the report said. A total of 2,504 SMEs participated in the DP Information Group survey, its ninth of the series.

The tender for a 30-year leasehold industrial site along Kaki Bukit Road 4 attracted nine bids at the close yesterday, with the highest bid of S$66 million from NSS Properties. The site measures 25,960.4 sq m and has a maximum permissible gross plot ratio of 2.0. The bid, which works out to S$118 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr), is 20.4 per cent higher than the second-highest bid of $55 million from Vantage Properties, according to CBRE executive director Li Hiaw Ho. However, it is also 24.8 per cent lower than the winning bid of S$157 psf ppr for a 30-year leasehold neighbouring site that was awarded to Soon Hock Realty in March. Mr Li said strata-titled leasehold factory and warehouse units in the Kaki Bukit area have been selling well this year. Five units at the 30-year leasehold Eastpoint Terrace, located along Kaki Bukit Road 3, transacted for an average price of S$274 psf.

Spore regulator okayS Sia, Virgin auStralia alliance

thai airwayS now planning

Singapore Airlines has received approval from the countrys competition watchdog for its proposed alliance with Virgin Australia, the carrier said yesterday. The approval by the Competition Commission of Singapore comes one week after its Australian counterpart announced preliminary approval of the proposed tie-up.

Under the agreement announced in June, both carriers will codeshare each others flights, offer reciprocal lounge access to customers, frequent flier miles and coordinate flight schedules. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is now seeking further submissions before making its final decision.

new ultra low-coSt carrier

lonza group trading on SgX today

Swiss-listed Lonza Group is scheduled to make its trading debut on the main board of the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) today. Lonza, a supplier to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life sciences industries, will be the first Swiss-listed company to

be secondary listed by way of an introduction on the SGX. Based on the closing market price of the companys shares quoted on the SIX Swiss Exchange on Oct 19, Lonza has a market capitalisation of about 2.98 billion francs (S$4.2 billion).

Thai Airways is planning to launch an ultra low-cost carrier in addition to Thai Smile, the budget unit which will begin services from July next year. Thai Airways president Piyasvasti Amranand said the ultra low-cost airline would be necessary to capture market share in the fast-growing budget sector. He did not provide a timetable for the launch. In the meantime, Thai Airways is concentrating on its Thai Smile unit, which will serve mainly regional markets and some domestic routes. Thai Smile is considering routes such as Bangkok-Macau and Bangkok-Shenzhen. The first of the 11 Airbus A-320 aircraft ordered for Thai Smile is scheduled to be delivered in June next year. The new airline will likely need additional aircraft as it expands, Mr Amranand said. rachel kelly

today Friday october 21, 2011

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TOdaY FRIdaY OcTObER 21, 2011

Business
aFTERNOON LaTEST

44

Microsoft posts a profit, but hit by drag on PC sales


SEATTLE Microsofts quarterly profit rose 6 per cent, meeting Wall Streets modest expectations, helped by strong sales of its popular Office applications package, but limited by only slight gains from its flagship Windows operating system. Windows sales edged up only 2 per cent from the year-ago quarter, in line with limp personal computer sales last quarter. While the rise in Windows sales broke the streak of three straight quarters of declines, it fell short of some analysts hopes. We still had Windows miss again, although not by nearly as much as it has the last couple quarters, said Pacific Crest Securities analyst Brendan Barnicle. The brightest spot for the worlds largest software company was an indication that its money-losing online services unit which includes the MSN Internet portal and Bing search engine may have turned a corner. The unit lost US$494 million (S$629 million) in the quarter, the lowest loss in the last seven quarters, slowing the flood of red ink that has cost Microsoft more than US$5 billion

since it launched Bing in mid-2009, as it invests heavily to catch up with Google. Microsoft reported fiscal first-quarter net profit of US$5.74 billion, or 68 US cents per share, up from US$5.41 billion, or 62 US cents per share, a year ago meetingt Wall Streets average estimate, according to Thomson Reuters. Overall sales rose 7 per cent to US$17.37 billion, helped by Offices 8-per-cent gain in sales to US$5.6 billion.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

nokia, ericsson report encouraging earnings


BERLIN Nokia and Ericsson reported better-than-expected financial results yesterday, lifted by strong demand for mobile phones and network gear in Asia, India and other emerging markets as more consumers bought smartphones and used mobile Internet services. Shares of Nokia rose more than 10 per cent in Helsinki after the company reported a 68-million (S$119-million) loss in the third quarter, less than many analysts had expected. The result was helped by an 8-percent increase in global shipments of basic mobile phones. Nokias gains in basic phones partly overshadowed its 39-per-cent drop in smartphone sales. Ericsson, the market leader in phone network equipment, rose more than 5 per cent after the company said sales rose 17 per cent in the quarter to 55.5 billion Swedish kronor (S$10.7 billion), from 47.5 billion kronor a year earlier. Adjusted for currency fluctuations, sales rose 24 per cent. Net profit rose 6 per cent, to 3.8 billion kronor.
THE NEW YORK TIMES

dOW
THURSdaY cLOSE
NaME

Wednesday Tuesday Monday Friday

11,504.60 q 11,577.00 p 11,397.00 q 11,644.50 p

0.63% 1.58% 2.13% 1.45%

NYSE TOP 5 bY vOLUME


vOL PRIcE cHaNgE

11,541.80 (+0.32%) US
NaSdaq 2,598.62 (-0.21%) S&P500 1,215.39 (+0.46%)

bank of america Nokia boston Scientific Ford general Electric

251.0m 87.9m 74.8m 61.7m 54.2m

$6.47 p 1.09% $6.50 p 6.21% $5.39 q 4.43% $11.70 p 1.21% $16.63 p 0.67%


US$1 US$1 US$1 US$1 US$1

OvERNIgHT
US MaRKETS Traders tentative
Stocks ended with modest gains, shifting back and forth on incremental developments in Europe where leaders sought to reassure investors that a solution to the debt crisis would come soon. The S&P has alternated gains and losses for seven days at the close and has kept to a tight range as markets watch for the latest news out of Europe and as earnings season unfolds.

EUROPE
FTSE100 5,384.68 (-1.21%) daX 5,766.48 (-2.49%) cac40 3,084.07 (-2.32%)

OIL brent up, US crude down


Brent crude prices rose US$1.37 to US$109.76 after a joint statement from France and Germany eased concerns about deep divisions hampering efforts to resolve Europes debt problems. US crude pared losses, falling US$0.81 to settle at US$86.07.

FOREX
s$1.273 0.633 0.725 76.813 a$0.977

today Friday october 21, 2011

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marketbuzz
A SUPERSTARS WATCH Casio has collaborated with singer/songwriter Ke$ha to design Casio Baby-G watches. Known for her fashion bravado and smashing hit songs such as Tic Tok, Ke$ha has used her iconic style to develop two exclusive models. The Casio BGA-200KS-1E (S$147) design harkens to Ke$has wild side with leopard print patterns on the watchs face and its black strap. The patriotic all-American BG-5600KS-7 (S$137) timepiece features the colours and shapes of the American flag, complete with stars. Available at all Casio G-Factory stores and authorised dealers. SNACK ON PASTA SHRIMPS KFCs new Pasta Shrimp Snackers (S$3.90) features a unique fusion of shrimp and pasta with a tomato-based sauce all wrapped in a crispy, golden-brown batter. Best of all, for every Snackers purchased, KFC will donate 20 cents to the World Hunger Relief Programme. Available at selected KFC restaurants for a limited period.

SAVE MONEY WITH MIDEA AIR CONS Designed with DC Inverter technology, the Midea range of multi-split air conditioners are energy-efficient and helps cut down on utility bills. The air conditioner has a Follow Me function on the remote control so the indoor unit can sense the temperature of the remote controls location and stop cooling once the air around the unit has reached its preset temperature. Available at authorised dealers. For details, visit www.midea.com/sg.

REFRESHING FRUITY DROPS Perk yourself up with Lakerols new Refreshing Fruity Drops. The sugar-free hard candy comes with a fruity liquid centre that is bursting with flavour all contained in a stylish, modern package. Choose from two flavours lemon or cassis. Available at all leading supermarkets, personal care stores, convenience stores and petrol marts.

SPARKLE WITH AMETHYST For radiant sparkling skin, try the new Ginvera Amethystory range of products. Infused with Amethyst crystal granules, it helps cellrejuvenation, anti-oxidation and can promote micro-blood circulation for more luminous looking skin. The Amethystory Mineral Aqua Gel removes dead skin cells and helps improve skin clarity. Available at all major personal care stores.

SOUTH-WESTERN-INSPIRED DELIGHTS Chilis Grill & Bar has revamped its menu with new dishes and lower prices! Look out for 25 new items such as the Fire Grilled Corn Guacamole served with tostada chips, and sweet and tangy Shiner Bock BBQ Ribs. Theres even a vegetarian section added to its menu so everyone can enjoy the southwestern-inspired cuisine. Chilis Grill & Bar is at #02-23 Tanglin Mall and #01-072/073/074 Resorts World Sentosa. For details, visit www.chilis.sg.

EVERYDAY COFFEE FAVOURITES Enjoy your perfect cup of coffee with OWLs Everyday Favourite range of instant coffee. Combining time-tested recipes with more than 50 years of experience, OWL offers a familiar blend of classic coffee. OWL has introduced a fresh look featuring modern packaging and a stylish blue logo. It has also added new flavours such as the OWL 2-in1 Coffee with Creamer so that you can enjoy your cuppa just the way you like it. For details, visit www.owl.com.sg.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH This month, Guardian Health & Beauty and Singapore Cancer Society will be promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Do your part and buy a Chain of Care (S$3.90) keychain from Guardian. All proceeds will go to the Singapore Cancer Society. In addition, Guardian Health & Beauty will be distributing S$20 subsidy coupons from the Singapore Cancer Society to Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) to encourage women to go for mammogram screening.

COLD STORAGE GOES GREEN To do its part towards caring for the environment, Cold Storage has revamped its store at Jelita (Holland Road) and made it a fully-integrated green supermarket. The 16,800 sq ft pilot green store features environmentally-friendly refrigerating equipment, lighting and storage features such as energy-saving freezers and chillers with glass doors. With this initiative, Cold Storage hopes to save up to 71 per cent per year on overall lighting energy. The store will also carry a wide selection of sustainable seafood as well as initiate a no-sharks-fins policy at all its Cold Storage and Market Place stores here.

NUTRITION FOR YOUR SKIN Revive your skin from within with Health Domain S-Skin. Formulated with 100-per-cent natural ingredients, the skin nutrition supplement helps firm skin, keep it hydrated and promote cell regeneration. Whats more, it contains silk peptide that helps block UV rays, enhance skin tone and minimise signs of ageing. The result is smooth, supple skin that looks youthful and refined. Plus, it promotes healthy nail and hair growth. Available at Watsons, Guardian and Unity.

today Friday october 21, 2011

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ProPerty
coMMeNtary
Adding to the momentum is the ongoing collective sales but with a big difference this time. The en bloc sale scene has clearly entered a new phase where the majority of owners for some projects are determined to sell.
coLiN taN
property@ mediacorp.com.sg

today Friday october 21, 2011

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Private home market gaining momentum


F
or the past couple of weeks, you get the sense that momentum is building up in the private housing market. In an ironic twist, a private residential site tender at Flora Drive in Upper Changi broke new ground on Wednesday, the same day National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said it was not time yet to remove the property market cooling measures. It was the first site sale to reverse the tide of cautious bids for the past few land tenders. The tender attracted eight bids, with the top offer coming at S$163 million or S$361 per sq ft per plot ratio. This is 11 per cent higher than the S$325 psf winning bid for an adjacent site sold in June which attracted only four bids. You could say that this day was some time in the making. Even as the past few state land sales attracted lower and fewer bids, the point is that they still got sold. The past few years have been golden years for developers, with many achieving strong profits. Many are facing the good problem of how best to re-invest these profits. But more important than profits for developers is that housing sales are continuing, albeit at stable price levels. The latest developer sales numbers for last month showed housing units sold jumping by 20.7 per cent from the previous month, or by 25.8 per cent, including the sale of Executive Condominiums. Can the buying momentum continue and surpass the record 16,292 private homes achieved last year? It is a tall order but why not, if as many have predicted developers are rushing over themselves to push out their units. And if sales continue to be robust, can we expect prices to remain unchanged for long since rising prices and sales often always go hand-in-hand? Adding to the momentum is the ongoing collective sales but with a big difference this time. The en bloc sale scene has clearly entered a new phase where the majority of owners for some projects are determined to sell. This week alone saw five developments being put up for collective sale Faber Garden, Dragon Mansion, Newton Lodge, Dunearn Gardens and Jasmine Court. For the majority of owners in Dragon Mansion and Dunearn Gardens, they are openly lowering their price expectations. If owners are determined to sell, I strongly suspect they will get it sold eventually. What will be the impact of this continuous stream of collective sales? For one, they will remove some of the housing stock and possibly some rental units which will lend some support to the rental market. Some owners will choose to rent while others will downgrade for the time being. This will again impact both the rental market and raise housing sales for existing developments. Others will seize their opportunity to make big money, enough to possibly retire comfortably. For these owners and other investors, the path is clear. There is price stability in the private housing market which means no more cooling measures for the time being. They may even derive some comfort from Mr Khaws announcement on Wednesday that his top priority for the next two years will be to tend to the housing needs of two groups: Newlyweds and vulnerable families. As the saying goes, when the cats away, the mice will play. Colin Tan is head of research and consultancy at Chesterton Suntec International.

dragon Mansion was put on sale with the majority of owners lowering their price expectations. today FiLe pHoto

Grade A offices seen weak but downside limited


taN cHiN KeoNG
property@ mediacorp.com.sg

coMMeNtary

he macroeconomic headwinds blowing from the United States and Europe have raised concerns that Singapores office rental market could head for the kind of tough times it experienced during the last global financial crisis. Back then, Grade A office rentals fell from a high of S$18.80 per sq ft (psf) per month in the second quarter of 2008 to S$8.00 psf in the first quarter of last year, translating to a jaw-dropping peak-totrough decline of 57 per cent. Singapores prime office rentals are notoriously volatile as the market is highly sensitive to the economy, given that it counts the financial sector as one of its biggest tenants, including some the worlds largest commercial, investment

and private banks. This sector is now facing an overhang from the sovereign debt default risks in Europe and the threat of a double-dip recession in the US. Our base-case scenario is that only Greece would default and the US would avoid another recession. That said, Singapore office rentals could still decline from current levels should external conditions continue to deteriorate. Still, we do not expect to see the same magnitude of decline as in the previous crisis, for three reasons: Better affordability, tighter supply and financially stronger landlords. First, the current office rental rates are more affordable than before. Although the average Grade A rent has recovered by a robust 38 per cent from the S$8.00 psf bottom during the last crisis, the current rate of S$11.06 psf is still about 40 per cent below the S$18.80 psf peak in late 2007. In short, tenants are paying considerably less now for the same quality space than they did four years ago.

Second, we expect new office supply in the Central Business District to tighten from next year. From 2009 to the present, we have seen a large supply of new office space entering the market, with the addition of new prime office buildings in the CBD such as the Marina Bay Financial Centre, Ocean Financial Centre, OUE Bayfront and Asia Square. Fortunately, these offices were generally well absorbed by the market, as their launches coincided with the recovery from the global financial crisis. The supply of new office space is poised for a decline as most of the large new office developments are near completion. We expect new supply to ramp up again only in 2016 and 2017, when the joint venture between Temasek Holdings and Malaysias Khazanah is scheduled to complete its Marina View and Ophir/Rochor office development. The project is being undertaken in conjunction with the recent railway track land swap between the Singaporean and Malaysian governments.

Tighter new supply conditions until 2016 should help support Singapore office rentals. Finally, Singapores office landlords are generally in better financial shape. With their net gearing levels lower than in 2008, they should be able to withstand a new cyclical downturn. While office landlords may be willing to lower their asking rental prices given the potentially tougher economic times ahead, we do not expect many of them to be so desperate as to accept huge cuts in order to fill up their buildings. Thus, while Singapore office rentals could decline in the current market environment, todays lower rental levels, tighter supply outlook and financially stronger landlords mean we are less likely to see a repeat of the crash experienced in the previous crisis. Tan Chin Keong is an analyst at UBS Wealth Management Research.

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Digital
NEW YORK Changes in cameras and photography are often incremental: A faster autofocus, a smaller body, a better sensor. Which is why change real change is so surprising when you encounter it. Today, the start-up Lytro has unveiled a new kind of camera that makes a significant leap forward from where photography was yesterday. Whats the big deal? With Lytros camera, you can focus on any point in an image taken with a Lytro after you have shot the picture. The problem? It will not be available until after the holidays. When viewing a Lytro photograph on your computer, you can simply click your mouse on any point in the image and that area will come into focus. Change the focal point from the flower to the child holding the flower. Make the background blurry and the foreground clear. Do the opposite you can change the focal point as many times as you like. Lytro does this by capturing what is called lightfield data. The technology has existed in research facilities for more than a decade, but early lightfield cameras were the size of a wall unit in your den. Lytros camera fits in your hand. Where a traditional image sensor as in your point-and-shoot or DSLR can only record where light strikes the sensor surface, Lytros image sensor can also record the angle that beam of light had when it struck it. By capturing that information, the sensor can pull in far more data about an image, allowing you to move through the picture, clicking and refocusing along the way. There are additional advantages to a lightfield sensor. By capturing the angle of light beams, all pictures shot with a Lytro camera are natively 3-D (you still need a 3-D display and glasses, but the information is already there). More importantly, the camera no longer has to focus because it is capturing every focal point, which means there is no focus lag. The camera can respond almost instantly to a shutter-release button.

today Friday october 21, 2011

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lytro camera: Shoot now, focus later

google Music expected to launch next month


LONDON Google is understood to be a month away from unveiling its first music service, which will combine an MP3 download store with a cloud storage system to allow people to store songs remotely and play them on multiple devices, according to sources in the music industry. The search giant has signed up fourth music major EMI and is in negotiations with market leader Universal who, together, account for a third of all music worldwide. Google is also in talk with Sony Music and Warner Music, the remaining two majors, although neither are understood to be close to signing up as yet. Mr Andy Rubin, the head of development for Google subsidiary Android, told a conference in Hong Kong that I think were close to launching Google Music, and added that the service would have a little twist it will have a little Google in it. We wont just be selling US$0.99 (S$1.26) tracks. He offered no timing for the launch, but sources indicated they believed Google Music would emerge next month. Universal acts range from Lady Gaga to U2, with the smaller EMI holding the rights to The Beatles and Pink Floyd. The cloud storage service roughly mirrors Apples iTunes Match, in that it will scan a computer hard drive for all the music stored on it whether paid for or pirated and will make those songs available to be listened to legally from the remote services. Music executives are enthusiastic about the idea because it gives consumers an amnesty for all previous illegal copies or downloads. However, some of the music majors are keen that Google charges for its matching service, amid concerns that they do not want to see the search engine dramatically undercut its competitor. Apple charges consumers US$25 a year cash, which largely goes to the record companies as royalty payments, as a partial indemnity for years of piracy. Google is aiming to sign up worldwide agreements with the music majors, although music executives believe that the company is most likely to offer Google Music in the United States before expanding the offering to other countries, including the United Kingdom.
tHe GUardiaN

the 11.3cm-long Lytro camera has a lens on one side and a touch screen on the other. PHotoS coUrteSy Lytro

Images taken with a Lytro are saved in file sizes similar to regular photos, so you can email and post them easily. Furthermore, each file contains the viewer software, so friends who want to see your Lytro photos do not have to download a viewer or additional programs to see them. The shape of the camera itself is also something new and different. The aluminiumand-rubber rectangular case is about 11.4cm long and features a lens on one side and a touch screen on the other. On top is a shutterrelease button and a slider for the 8X optical zoom. On the bottom is a power button and a micro-USB port. Photos taken with a Lytro can be stored, viewed and shared on a private account on www.lytro. com, which will be free. One-touch links to social

networks and email are also featured. The camera is powered by a lithium-ion battery. The entire assembly weighs about 227g. Blue and grey models have 8GB of built-in storage (about 350 pictures) and cost US$399 (S$505). A red model has 16GB of storage (about 750 pictures) and costs US$499. The Lytro only works with Macs, but Windows software is in development. Orders in America can be placed on www. lytro.com, but delivery will not take place until March next year. tHe NeW yorK tiMeS

See HoW tHe Lytro LiGHtFieLd caMera WorKS.


download the free tag reader app for your smartphone from http:// gettag.mobi and scan the tag, and youll be led straight the video.

Kindle Fire a holiday hot seller, say analysts


LONDON The Kindle Fire tablet may be the hottest selling gadget this holiday, pressuring Amazon. coms profit margins but giving the worlds largest Internet retailer potentially millions of new high-spending customers. Since Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos unveiled the tablet at a lower-than-expected price of US$199 (S$252) on Sept 28, some analysts have increased their sales estimates for the device. Amazon got 95,000 Fire preorders on its first day and has been averaging about 20,000 a day since then, email-monitoring firm eDataSource estimated. The device ships on Nov 15. Technology blog AllThingsD reported on Oct 6 that Amazon is selling over 25,000 Fires a day, citing unidentified sources close to the company. The rumoured numbers out on the Web are far too low, said Mr Mark Gerber, an analyst at Detwiler Fenton & Co. Really strong pre-orders and the surprising US$199 price means they will easily do five million units this quarter. Mr Gerber previously expected Amazon to sell three to four million Fire tablets in the fourth quarter. Amazon declined to comment. But Mr Gerber and other analysts will be watching closely for clues on tablet orders when the company reports results next Tuesday. Mr Peter Rojas, head of gdgt.com and co-founder of gadget websites Gizmodo and Engadget, expects the Kindle Fire to be the hottest holiday product this season, ahead of Roku Internet TV boxes and Canons new PowerShot S100 camera. The Fires low price means people who already own Apples more expensive iPad will buy the device as a second tablet for their family, Mr Rojas said. A lot of people started to have more than one computer in the home in recent years and cheaper netbooks fulfilled that need perfectly, he added. The Kindle Fire could meet the demand for a second tablet. Other buyers will be people who dislike Apple or passed on buying an iPad because it was too expensive, Mr Rojas noted. They have been waiting for that iPad alternative to emerge and it never did, Mr Rojas said. Amazon played it smart theres just enough dissatisfaction out there with iPad alternatives. reUterS

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today Friday october 21, 2011

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today Friday october 21, 2011

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SportS
tan yo-Hinn
yohinn@mediacorp.com.sg

@tdysports oN tWIttEr
sports sCorEs | ANALysIs | NEWs
today Friday october 21, 2011

58

Footballers return home as Italian school awaits payment


Singapore Volkswagen Group managing director Zeno Kerschbaumer and Stta president Lee bee Wah. PHoto by erneSt cHua

Not a full house yet for Womens World Cup


SINGAPORE World No 1 Li Xiaoxia, reigning world champion Ding Ning and Singapores Feng Tianwei, the world No 4, are among the table tennis stars headlining the Volkswagen 2011 Womens World Cup, which will be held at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall from Oct 28 to 30. The worlds best women players will be in town for the US$150,000 (S$190,100) tournament, but tickets sales have been slow. According to the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), about half of the 3,000 tickets have been purchased since sales commenced on Aug 18, but STTA president Lee Bee Wah is confident they will be snapped up. Speaking after the Official Car Handover Ceremony at the Volkswagen Centre Singapore yesterday, Lee said: Ticket sales are a little bit slow, a lot of my friends are asking me which days our Singapore players are competing so I guess they are waiting for the draw on Oct 27. Im very sure that we have Singapore players playing on the opening day. Im sure many people will come and buy the tickets, especially for those days that we have Singaporeans playing. I would like to urge all Singaporeans to come forward, cheer and spur our players on to do well. Nineteen of the worlds top female paddlers will compete at next weeks event, with Chinas Li and Ding Ning, Japans Ai Fukuhara, and Singapores world team champions Feng, Wang Yuegu and Li Jiawei all in the mix. Feng has been training hard and she said: Im mentally and physically more fatigued so I need a bit of recovery, but I think my condition will be much better next week. It is quite pressurising to play at home but I hope many Singaporeans come to support us. LoW Lin FHoonG

Volkswagen 2011 Womens World cup contest today is giving away five pairs of season passes to the Volkswagen 2011 Womens World Cup. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/todaysports, provide a caption for our daily table tennis photo and the one with the most likes wins.

SINGAPORE Perhaps many of them had dreamed of such moments, when they would walk into the arrival hall at Changi Airport to be greeted by popping flashbulbs and a scrum of reporters and TV crew. But the 24 young footballers from the Sembawang Soccer Academy (SSA) were not returning as conquering heroes yesterday. Instead, controversy has dogged their training tour of Italy, after the SSA failed to pay the Genova International School of Soccer (GISS) for the boys attachment there. The group of aspiring footballers, aged between 17 and 21, have been in Italy since Aug 6 and they have occasionally been featured by the press here after GISS first complained about SSAs non-payment. Many of their parents and siblings were waiting for them at Terminal 1 yesterday afternoon, and when approached, they said they would only know their next step when there is movement in the dispute between GISS and SSA. The SSA has until Oct 27 to pay the 179,500 (S$314,179) owed since July 22, or GISS lawyers here will begin legal proceedings. Many parents Today spoke to remain upset that promises like an 800 monthly allowance and a three-day holiday trip in Italy for the players did not materialise. It is unfortunate this has happened, but we will wait and see what their (SSA) response is first. Hopefully there will be no more

empty promises, said one mother. The contract signed between SSA and GISS states that the football group will only return here for a week, before going back to Italy to continue training with GISS until December, although that now seems in jeopardy. The total cost of the training stint is 364,500, but the Italian football school has yet to ask for the second amount of 185,000, which was due on Sept 22. SSA general manager Alfred Loi claimed the boys chose to train instead of going on the three-day break, and he insisted the whole issue will be resolved. It depends on the negotiations between SSA and GISS, and we will come to a conclusion by the end of the month, said Loi, who met the group at the transit lounge in Rome on Wednesday. There was a party who wanted to sponsor SSA for this trip, but the funds were delayed ... We expect funds to come in soon. This is a football project, the people doing this are doing this for the sake of Singapore football development. The SSA was set up in July. It hired Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad, who is also a GISS project manager for Asia and scout for Italian side Vicenza Calcio, as technical director and the plan was to send talented youngsters to Italy for training stints. The SSA has also made a bid to form a club and join the S-League next season. Fandi, who selected the boys after he conducted trials here from

February to April, was at the airport yesterday but declined to comment. GISS lawyer, Gloria James-Civetta, who was at the airport with a representative from the Italian school, said: We gave them (SSA) time to make payments because we know its a huge project, but unfortunately they did not. There was information given to GISS that there was an anonymous donor, and with Fandi Ahmad on record, who would want to doubt that it wasnt a valid contract? Weve been assured by their lawyers that payment will be made by Oct 27, so well just have to wait and see, she added. Loi said the controversy may force the SSA to review its partnership and look elsewhere. But if that happens, GISS can take action against them for breaching their one-year deal, which is worth 740,000. Vice-captain Farhan Shamsudin, who helped the academy finish fourth in an under-19 tournament in Italy featuring eight Serie B sides, said: This was already a very good opportunity for us. Regardless of the money issues, were thankful.

SSa, GiSS diSPute


download the free tag reader app for your smartphone from http://gettag.mobi and scan the tag, and youll be led straight to the interview.

Sembawang Soccer academy players on their return to Singapore yesterday had with them a trophy for a fourth-place finish at a youth tournament in italy. PHoto by erneSt cHua

today Friday october 21, 2011

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romans rocket shoots down rubin


Second-string Spurs side edge out russian rivals, second-tier birmingham continue to impress in europe
aFterNooN lateSt

LONDON A sensational first-half freekick from Roman Pavlyuchenko put Tottenham top of Group A of the Europa League. A much-changed Spurs side found it hard to settle against Rubin, who consistently threatened on the break. However Russian Pavlyuchenko stunned his compatriots with an unstoppable 25-metre drive into the top corner. Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, making only his third start of the season, made a string of fine saves to earn his side an important victory. With only two fit centre-backs available, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp employed young midfielder Jake Livermore at the back alongside Sebastien Bassong. However, Spurs struggled against a seasoned Champions League outfit, who continually worked their way between the home defence to create some golden opportunities. Despite resting so many players, Spurs will have to assess the injured this morning, with both Sandro and Giovani dos Santos both withdrawn as precautions. More worryingly, Aaron Lennon once again failed to complete a match because of his hamstring problems. He doesnt seem to be able to get

tottenham have not lost a game since there were thrashed 5-1 by Manchester city in august . ap

through a game at the moment, Redknapp said. Its a problem for him. By the end Redknapp threw on three of his most experienced players to shore matters up but he husbanded his resources and gained the right result. It was a good result for us, Redknapp said. I didnt want to over-stretch too many senior players and one or two of the young kids like Livermore and Carroll did well. The win puts Spurs two points clear at the top of Group A, meaning Redknapp can rest his big names for their next European game in Kazan in two weeks time.

I will be taking a very, very young team out to Russia now for sure for the second game, Redknapp added. I find the competition difficult to be honest. There are so many games, so much travelling and the league is our priority. In Belgium, Chris Wood scored a stunning winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time to secure Birmingham City a thrilling Europa League Group H away win against Club Brugge. The Championship side had trailed to Joseph Akpalas third-minute opener but they equalised through David Murphys

slick finish in the 26th minute. Then, following more than six minutes of treatment for defender Pablo Ibanez after he was knocked unconscious in a challenge with Akpala, Wood stole in at the near post to score a dramatic winner. The win took City, who are 16th in the Championship, level with their hosts at the top of the group to fuel hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Birmingham manager Chris Hughton confirmed after the match that Ibanez had seemingly suffered no serious injury. Pablo was a real concern for us so were very happy it was just concussion and hes okay, Hughton said. Weve had two results today. One is the scoreline and the other is the fact he is okay. It showed great professionalism to do what we did after a stoppage of six minutes. aGeNcieS
Selected europa leaGue reSultS Group d Fc Zurich 1 lazio 1, Sporting lisbon 2 Vaslui 0 Group e dynamo Kiev 1 besiktas 0 Group F athletic bilbao 2 Salzburg 2, Slovan bratislava 0 paris St-Germain 0 Group i rennes 1 celtic 1, udinese 2 atletico Madrid 0 Group J aeK larnaca 0 Schalke 5

stoke cruise, Fulham see red in Europa League


LONDON Martin Jol said Fulham had been hard done by after Moussa Dembeles red card turned a difficult night for Fulham into a frustrating 1-0 defeat against Wisla Krakow in the Europa League. The Belgium internationals sending-off paved the way for the Polish champions to secure their first Group K points, with David Biton claiming the goal at Stadion Miejski. Wisla were fortunate not to lose a man themselves in the opening two minutes after Ivica Iliev planted his foot in Brede Hangelands chest. Fulhams feeling of injustice was strengthened just before the half-hour mark when Dembele was harshly sent off for a push on Gervasio Nunez, who appeared to exaggerate the effect of the Fulham strikers offence. After a 13-minute delay to the second period due to a power failure, Bitons 22metre effort condemned Fulham to defeat in their 20th competitive match of the season. Defeat left Fulham manager Jol lamenting an awful night in which he felt a string of refereeing decisions went against his side. Referees make decisions but I would say that in the first minute one of my players was kicked and it should have been a red card, he said. Okay, he didnt give it. There were three other fouls but we didnt complain. We are an English team, we stood up and got on with the game.
despite making their europa league debut this season, Stoke remain unbeaten and are likely to qualify for the tournaments knockout stages.
reuterS

In honour of Dan Wheldon ...


INDIANAPOLIS Funeral services for twotime Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon will be held tomorrow in St Petersburg, Florida. The two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed in a fiery 15-car crash at Sundays season-ending IndyCar race in Las Vegas. Wheldons fun-loving ways made him one of IndyCars most popular drivers and he developed a special bond with fans in both American cities that he called home Indianapolis and St Petersburg after moving from his native England. Fans from both cities dropped off notes of condolence and items ranging from teddy bears to checkered flags at impromptu memorial sites this week. NASCAR drivers will honour Wheldon with a special decal at this weekends race in Talladega, Alabama. Although the last few days have been unbearable for our family, the overwhelming love and support we have received are rays of sunshine during these dark days, said Wheldons wife Susie. The outpouring of sympathy and condolences has been so comforting, and I want to thank everyone for their kind notes, letters, gifts and flowers. Wheldon is survived by his wife and two young children, Sebastian and Oliver. ap

Of course we would never complain about the red card but it was a push on the shoulder. After being kicked. He made a meal of it. Elsewhere, Stoke Citys march towards the knockout stages of the competition continued with a 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. However, their win was overshadowed by two red cards, including what must go down as one of the most farcical dismissals in European football. With Cameron Jerome already off the field after picking up a second yellow card

for elbowing Yoav David Ziv, the Maccabi left-back decided to take out some retribution of his own. Infuriated that the assistant referee failed to raise his flag for a foul against Ryan Shotton on the touchline, Ziv kicked the boot that was hanging off his foot in the direction of the official, striking him on a leg. He attempted to persuade the Greek referee that it was accidental but the straight red card that followed was as predictable as the matchs outcome after Kenwyne Jones, Jerome and Ryan Shotton had scored in the opening 32 minutes. tHe GuardiaN

today Friday october 21, 2011

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OctOber 21, 2011


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Today Friday ocTober 21, 2011

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wine & dine

Naturally exclusive
Jacquesson Champagnes decision to ride a different tide is paying off
Don Mendoza
donm@mediacorp.com.sg

Boutique grower-producer Jacquesson Champagne recently announced the releases of its singlevineyard range namely blanc de blancs Avize Champ Cain 2002 and Dizy Corne Bautray 2002, and the Ay Vauzelle terme 2002 made from 100 per cent pinot noir alongside the latest in the bold 7-series range, the Cuvee N 735 (picture). A rush to acquire a share of the limited amount will no doubt ensue, given the houses repute as one of the rising wine makers from Champagne that grow their grapes and handcraft small batches of stellar bubbly. to be sure, a limited yield alone in Jacquessons case, approximately 300,000 to 350,000 of any given 7-series release per annum doesnt guarantee the best adaptation of a given harvest and the regions iconic terroir. ensuring optimum grape ripeness and quality, in step with traditional wine making methods and careful control of yield, is critical. But Jacquesson Champagne is also one of only six houses in the region to be awarded the prestigious three stars in Le Classement by La Revue du Vin de France, the maximum a producer can receive. those looking for further affirmation of the

producers commitment to making only the best might applaud the houses decision to drop its line of vintage blended wines. At a lunch tasting of its latest offerings here last week, co-owner Jean-Herve Chiquet told today that the 2002 Millesime will be Jacquessons final blended vintage bottling. He and his brother, co-owner and cellar master Laurent, have decided that the non-vintage 7-series (dubbed the 700 cuvees) will consequently continue to represent the houses top blended wines, based on a vintage but blended with their best reserve wines. in short, rather than dumb down individual vintages in an effort to make a uniform non-vintage, Jacquessons non-vintage series which began with the Cuvee N 728 (vintage 2000 based) through to the latest, the Cuvee N 735 (which boasts two thirds of the 2007 harvest) will still emphasise the best qualities of a given year, dependent on the wines base vintage. the key distinction lies in the fact that unlike standard non-vintage bottling, each numbered release will also boast a different personality. this is a brave move, because it means the house will be without an industry calling card, a consistenttasting non-vintage flagship option that industry giants

Laurent (left) and Jean-Herve Chiquet.

have been investing in for decades to ensure brand loyalty. But JeanHerve assured that two things will remain: the limited global supply, and the taste of my brother and myself, who decide the blends. He asserted: Sure, there are variations (in the blend), but you are not going from black to white. to compare, the Cuvee N 734 comprises 54 per cent chardonnay, 20 per cent pinot noir and 26 per cent pinot meunier, while the 735 is 47 per cent chardonnay, 33 per cent pinot noir and 20 per cent pinot meunier. However, he did acknowledge the risk of losing a regular stream of imbibers: those who might avoid Jacquesson after experiencing a blend they didnt enjoy. the upside

though is the excitement of a new wine every year. While he did say he could not guarantee that you will like all of (the wines), the house isnt exactly pressured to move anywhere close to the millions of bottles per annum that the market giants do. Jean-Herve could, however, confirm that the best it has released was the super vintage 2002 based cuvee 730, with the next best being Jacquessons vintage 2008 based Cuvee N 736, slated for release next November. that may just be enough reason to hunt down a few cases. The Cuvee N 735 and the single-vineyard range will be available at the end of the month, sold exclusively at The Beam Cellar (229 Mountbatten Road, #01-0307, Mountbatten Square, Tel: 6559 1162).While stocks last.

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entertainment
Lamb saddle

RECIPE: CLEVER CASSEROLES

Chef Jonathan Koh

Gratin of cevennes onions a la lyonaise


Chef Jonathan Koh recommends a French classic
LOCAL talent Jonathan Koh is famously trained in classical French cooking. And like many Singaporeans, the young head chef of Boathouse, a modern European restaurant, also has a palpable penchant for seafood and vegetables, particularly seasonal vegetables. The 29-year-olds personal favourites include dishes like his symphony of radishes, texture of heirloom tomatoes, and a slow-roasted lamb saddle with flavours of Iberian. His innovative style is nonetheless unmistakably influenced by his mentor and top chef David Mollicone of three-star Michelin restaurant Le Jardin de Sens in Montpellier, France. Although Im trained in classical French cuisine, my approach is modern and I also take cues from Mother Nature. When I create new items, it will be food that I want to eat, he said. This onion casserole dish is not on

Courgette trompette

FOOD REVIEW

Have a arty meal


French chef Julien Royer keeps the fire of culinary artistry at Jaan burning bright
OFTENTIMES, to master restraint is to master ones craft. It is far easier to overdo something than it is to recognise when something needs to be left well alone. Fresh off his post at Brasserie Les Saveurs, Chef Julien Royer, now installed at Jaan, shows precisely that mastery of judiciousness. At Jaan, the Frenchman has continued the expressive style of nouvelle cuisine set up by Andre Chiang who, in 2008, turned what was once an unexceptional hotel restaurant known more for its views into a gastronomic hotspot. Like Chiang and Royers predecessor Swedish chef Ebbe Vollmer Royer has displayed artistry in every plate, with a distinct ability to elevate products in simple but sensational ways.There is a sense of purity in each dish, a thoughtful finesse that yields that elusive, magical formula for wowing and satiating at the same time. His courgette trompette (S$49) is a painterly plate, a strip of the jade-fleshed vegetable surrounded by creamy little pieces of burrata cheese, a dusting of olive sugar, smears of black olive paste and pristine ivory slivers of fresh almonds. Also on the plate was what I could have sworn were creamy tassels of cheese. And even when the waiter insisted that it was zucchini, I just couldnt get my head around it. Only upon tasting it did the penny drop. The many different textures and subtle flavours of the dish unravelled themselves ever so slowly. There were small smiles, some nodding and hushed, contented eating. This is food that quietly delights it is never robust but always elegantly understated.

There was a sweet nugget of langoustine tartare, which is part of the menu prestige, served on paper-thin slices of pink radish and covered with a shaving of pickled white radish. Though the portion of langoustine was the size of a small scallop, I found myself cutting it into yet smaller portions to savour it for longer. And knowing that no one would down this dainty starter in just one bite, Royer had hidden a tadpole radish within. It was as small as a flower bud but bursting with flavour almost like radish concentrate. A rectangular slice of salt march Welsh lamb saddle (S$85) was placed alongside a beautiful slice of lamb belly that melted in the mouth. The gentle flavours of the meat were accented by the smallest drizzle of bitter caramel and tiny pieces of preserved lemon and anchovies to give it that little, but important, nudge of acidity. The son of farmers from the Auvergne region of France, Royer is adept at working simple seasonal produce into top-notch creations, which is probably what earned him the coveted position at Jaan. Perhaps his heritage explains his respect for produce and, as a result, the ability to retain their essence while forming such modern fare. Naturally, a meal of this calibre doesnt come cheap. Eating a la carte will drain your expense account quickly, which means you may as well splurge on the tasting menus that start from S$195 for five courses, without wine pairings (the seven-course menu goes for S$238 without wine). A three-course set lunch is available for S$52, while a five-course lunch will set you back S$82. ANNETTE TAN Jaan Address: Level 70 Equinox Complex Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Road Telephone: 6837 3322 Opening hours: Noon to 2.30pm, 7pm to 10pm (Mon to Sat). Closed on Sundays and public holidays.

his current menu, but the inspiration behind the recipe is timely. Led by the fact that it is now autumn in France and its the season for onions and a variety of root vegetables, Koh adds that the dish is delicious comfort food, which can be served with warm crusty bread, or as a dish to accompany roasts. For a more complete one dish meal, chicken or beef can be added. Cevennes onions, he advises, are available all year from gourmet supermarkets, but Australian white onions would do just fine. DON MENDOZA

Gratin of Cevennes Onions ala Lyonaise Serves 4 Ingredients 4 Cevennes onions or any white onions 1 clove garlic Leaves from 4 sprigs of thyme 100g lardons (cured pork belly) or streaky bacon 200ml beef stock 200g butter 150g milk 200g plain flour 1 baguette cut into small chunks 100g Comte cheese, grated 20g flat leave parsley, chopped Olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Utensils 1 casserole (15cm by 10cm) 1 small 20cm pot 1 frying pan 1 small whisk Method 1. Peel and half onions and season heavily with salt, pepper and olive oil. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat and place onion flat side down. 2. Next, slice garlic cloves into half and rub against the side of the casserole. Then take a dollop of butter and coat the casserole generously. Sprinkle thyme leaves around the casserole, and place all the lardon at the bottom of the casserole. 3. Season heavily onto the casserole. Next, place the charred onions into the casserole flat side up. Pour in the beef stock and add 100g butter into the casserole. Cook in oven for 2 hours at 140C. It should be almost dry when time is up. 4. Melt some butter in a small (20cm) pot and bring to a boil being careful not to let it burn. Remove from heat and add in the flour and whisk vigorously to form a paste. Add in the milk and bring it back to the stove over medium heat, whisking continuously. It should form a thick white sauce. Season with salt and pepper. 5. After onions are baked, pour the white sauce onto the onions and add the chunks of baguette. Top with grated cheese and bake for another 15 minutes at 160C. 6. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and a pinch of sea salt to serve.

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entertainment
BITE SIZED

Theres room at the top


IN CELEBRATION of 10 delectable years at the top (not least in a literal sense), Swissotel the Stamfords Equinox Complex is presenting 10 stellar dining opportunities at this years Chefs With Attitude. In line with its garden party theme, the weeklong event aims to serve up some of the freshest foods, headiest beverages and most refreshing entertainment. Highlights marking this milestone include a groundbreaking collaboration with celebrity chef Jamie Olivers Fifteen London, the pioneering restaurant named after the first 15 apprentice chefs of flagship Fifteen Apprentice Programme. Head pastry chef Dean McClumpha (a graduate and alumni of the programme) together with executive head chef Andrew Parkinson and senior sous chef Trevor Howard will present their signature Fifteen menu. Brunch by Fifteen London is served this Sunday at S$168 a person, inclusive of a free-flow of Moet Brut Imperial. A pink brunch option featuring the Moet Rose Imperial is scheduled for Oct 30. A semi-buffet lunch (S$68) and a set dinner menu priced at S$170 a person can also be had from Oct 24 to 29. Call 6837 3322 for more information or to make a reservation. DON MENDOZA
Jamie Oliver with 15 London apprentices.
Photo: Simon Burt

Drink up and get clued in


WINE For Asia (WFA), a comprehensive annual trade show, has always featured a segment, dubbed the Wine Fiesta @ WFA, for the public. This year, though, organisers have decided to launch this invitation to sample, purchase and learn more about a wide variety of wines as an event in itself, slated right after the trade show. One of the key aspects of this consumer show is a strong focus on education. To be exact, 48 wine clinics covering topics such as basic wine appreciation, buying wines and even guidelines on ordering wines at a restaurant are being offered during the 10-hour event (11am to 9pm). Each session lasts 20 minutes and can accommodate up to 20 visitors. WFA 2011 will be held from Oct 27 to 28 and Wine Fiesta (admission charge is S$10 per person; S$30 for a premium ticket inclusive of a bottle of wine) on Oct 29 at Suntec Singapore.Visit www.winefiesta. com.sg for more information or to purchase tickets.

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entertainment
This rounds on ...

DiningCitys Desi Wentink

The next draw could be wine dinners. wine and food go hand-in-hand so the wine pairing deals will be popular as Singaporeans have sophisticated palates and are open to trying new things, said wentink. DON MENDOZA Whats your favourite aperitif? i love champagne but the bubbles make me tipsy quickly, so i always have some San Pellegrino water in-between drinks. Dutch or Russian vodka? Dutch, of course! never alienate your roots, although i am not a big fan of vodka in general. Which drink would you take to a desert island? The best bottle of champagne, louis Roederer Cristal, and i would drink it with my wonderful hubby while talking about our amazing kids, Maas, liz and otis. Strangest drink youve come across? liquor bottles with dead insects (inside) which i have seen in some Asian countries. i dont understand how they are appealling. Fill in the blanks: i drink Cristal champagne when life is good, limoncello to forget the bad times and Heineken when contemplating windmills. Has the climate here affected your drinking habits? in Holland it is unheard of to chill your red wines. now, we cant drink a nice red wine without a bit of a chill. And i drink more summer cocktails here in the warm climate.

Boozy conversations about what makes people smile


Following the successful debut of Restaurant week Singapore earlier this year, organiser DiningCity Singapore decided to make this a biannual event. Having a double feature for the popular Restaurant week is not uncommon, particularly in Europe, said DiningCity Singapores managing director Desi wentink, who added that the 12,000 reservations garnered in the first instalment helped greatly. The 37-year-old native of the netherlands had bought the rights for Singapore and started the business four years ago. it now has a reliable client-base of mid-level to top quality restaurants, a dedicated sales and marketing team, as well as photographers. The second instalment, which happened earlier this month attracted over 30,000 seats, booked across 95 participating restaurants. wentink felt that the success of Restaurant week Singapore has everything to do with its clear-cut concept. The locals are internet-savvy, and love food and good deals, she said.

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entertainment
M83,The Drums confirmed for Laneway Singapore 2012
FANs in singapore can expect next years Laneway Festival to be bigger and better, promised Michael Chugg, who heads Chugg entertainment, the organiser for the festival. Despite a heavy downpour at the festival in January this year, thousands still turned up to watch their favourite indie bands such as Warpaint, Foals,Yeasayer and The Temper Trap. The reviews for the last one here were amazing, he said. everybody was just blown away (by the reaction). Weve had enquiries from other countries to go there but, right now, we just want to develop it here. Indie music is developing in this part of the world and Laneway singapore is a big part of that. And wed like it to continue. Next year, Chugg said more artistes would be added to the singapore roster than last year. The line-up will feature acts such as electronic shoegaze band M83 and indie pop outfit The Drums. The venue will still be at Fort Canning Park, but the layout will be tweaked. For one thing, to accommodate the turnaround time for the larger number of artistes, there will be two stages side-by-side instead of just the one, said Chugg. We learnt a lot from this year, especially with the rain, so were making changes, he explained. Were putting in more food outlets, were re-jigging the plan, but I think the two stages side-by-side will make it more of an event. And, of course, the quality of production keeps getting better. everybody loved the staging last time, so hopefully theyll be more excited this time. Unfortunately, there wont be any local talent, said Chugg. Its a tough one that, admitted Chugg. We really do need to look at that in the future a bit more than we have. But weve got a couple of acts coming in January and well be putting some local acts on that. I cant tell you who yet though. still, the Laneway momentum is moving steadily. Already, there are over 700 singapore subscribers on the website, and over 1,000 subscribers on their Facebook page. We want to do great events. And were happy to build it here, said Chugg. But were only in Year Two, so its still brewing. ChRiSTopheR Toh Laneway Festival Singapore is slated for Feb 12, 2012 at Fort Canning Park.Tickets at S$135 will be on sale on Nov 28.Visit Poparazzi (http://blogs.

entertainment

NO FREE LIST (CS) Session times are subject to change

6311 9162

@ www.gv.com.sg

m.gv.com.sg

Just six-stringing along


A majority of people here havent heard of Randolf Arriola its their loss
Hes one of the most innovative guitarists, and the leading live looping artiste, in singapore. Hes been making waves overseas with his performances, and was also one of the headliners at the Y2KX International Live Looping Festival held last year in the United states. (Live looping is when one person overlays or loops rhythms and musical riffs one on top of each other, while playing live.) And hes been playing music in the scene here for over 20 years, either solo or with bands like embryo or Camra. But few know who Randolf Arriola is. still, not being famous isnt a bugbear for Arriola. Its okay. I take it that there are so many great artistes out there, but many people dont relate to them, he said. so its either I make music with the notion to be popular or rich and famous; or do what I truly love and still be able to survive. Truth be told, what bugs the 44-yearold more is that people think hes not singaporean. That happens a lot. Recently, I did an interview, and the girl asked me if I was getting PR (permanent residence), he said, bemused. I was born and bred here. People say, Your surname is Arriola. Hello Im under the Others category. Because I live this lifestyle making music, (people think) that I must be from somewhere else. But right now, Arriolas focus is on the launch concert for his debut album, CCCD, which will be held at the esplanade Recital studio on Oct 28. Technically, it isnt really an album, as it contains only one song that lasts for 67 minutes. Whats interesting though, is that the song was recorded live in one take, with Arriola using his live looping rig and three guitars, including his familiar Klein electric guitar, and which his son dubbed Optimus Klein. But whats up with the title? No, its not a chord progression. The original title was ridiculously long and when I tried to explain what the song is about to people, I realised it really didnt matter (to them), he explained. The best thing to do was just to shut up and play. And when I played, people got different reactions (and) emotional attachments to the same song. so what does CCCD mean? I leave it up to you. Copy Cat Copy Dog also can. It has meaning to me, but Id like to leave the listeners to make up their own mind about it. Arriolas concert would not only include a recreation of CCCD, but also other material hes written through the years. And while he would like people to come to the show to partake in the music, he added that it was more important to partake in the passion behind the music. Id like to encourage and share the passion with other people, he said. I know that there are many talented, passionate people in singapore I want help them to find it within themselves to take that step (and continue to make music). We need to find and create our own musical identity.You cannot sell sand to the Arabs. Do what you must to do what you love. spoken like a true singaporean, dont you think? ChRiSTopheR Toh Randolf Arriola performs Oct 28, 9.30pm at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets at S$25 available from Sistic. Read the full interview on Poparazzi (http://blogs.todayonline.com/poparazzi)

Photo by Jason Ho

todayonline.com/poparazzi)
to see the full line-up.

BISHAN JUNCTION 8

The Drums

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wine & dine

Grin and beer it


The combination of cleavage and 240,000 litres of Erdinger beer makes for a surprisingly wholesome Bavarian experience
herbstfest, erding
Fairground for the young and young at heart.

Bottoms up! Bonding through beer and traditional wear.

Tonnes of food to go with tonnes of beer.

phin@mediacorp.com.sg

Phin WonG

The half-eaten pork knuckle on the table spoke to me. Pssst! it winked conspiratorially as I sat, slumped in my chair, dazed and rubbing my swollen belly. Wie geht es dir?

Terribly sorry, but I dont speak German, I whispered back, using my inside voice so as not to alarm my dining companions. Conversing with roasted meat tends to have that effect. eat me.You know you want to. Look how crispy my crackling is ... it cooed. Its just you, me and another pint of erdinger. Now, I dont usually take instructions from inappropriately forward cuts of swine, but I was jetlagged, boozed up and

SUNS CAFE
Restaurant & Bar

didyou knoW? Every drop of Erdinger lapped up around the world in 82 countries has come from this quaint town of only 34,500 people.

vulnerable. And I really like pig. Alrighty, I smiled, just a little bit more. And stabbed it with my fork. I had wolfed down roasted pork knuckle and potato dumplings, washed down with a pint of erdinger weissbeer. Steak, onion rings and fried potato, sent down the hatch with a pint of dark and spicy erdinger Dunkel. Schnitzel, assorted sausages, more potato and some sort of giant meatball, with a pint of extrastrong erdinger Pikantus. There were four desserts on the table all consisting of some form of complex carb drenched in cream. And it was only 2pm. I was now the size of the hindenburg. And from all the sauerkraut Id consumed, Im guessing just as flammable. Welcome to Erding The town of erding is located in the state of Bavaria, a short 40-minute drive from Munich. Crops like maize, wheat and cabbage are grown here. Its the sort of small country town where the birds chirp sweetly and the fresh air smells vaguely of cow not the sort of place youd associate with your nightlife in Singapore. But youd be horribly wrong. For 125 years, every drop of erdinger lapped up around the world in 82 countries including your lovely bottle in holland Village has come from this quaint town of only 34,500 people. erding isnt just the mothership of erdinger its the only ship. each day, about 1 million bottles of weissbeer, or

PACIFIC TUNCH
(Avail every Sat, Sun & Public Holiday)

Enjoy an extra-long meal this weekend and dawdle over desserts while catching up with friends and family. We have an extensive spread of local and continental favourites guaranteed to satisfy all tastes and appetites.

12.00 noon to 4.00pm

$23.80++ $17.80++
(Child 3-11 years old) (Adult)

wheat beer, leave the erdinger brewery, all made in accordance to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 decreeing the only ingredients to be water, malt, hops and yeast additives and preservatives are banished from the land. Weissbeer is serious business here. Proof of which can be found in the almost ridiculous variety of merchandise that can be bought at the erdinger brewerys gift shop: Polo shirts, hoodies, cardigans, shirts, jackets, track pants, one-piece triathalon unitards, caps, towels, assorted sports gear, keychains, coasters, umbrellas, plush toys, beer-and-mug gift sets of every size, and the cutest little shot glass in the shape of a beer mug for those, Im assuming, watching their carb intake. Watching tourists raid the store with a crazed glint in their eyes, I couldnt help but think of our own missed merchandising opportunities. If wed only picked the kaya toast as a national icon instead of the Merlion. Today, erdinger Weissbier is the global market leader for wheat beer in over 70 nations, with about 150 million litres produced annually. And every year in early September, thousands of beer-swigging party people show up in an attempt to drink the town dry. My beer mugs bigger than yours The annual herbstfest, or Autumn Festival, is the third largest festival in Bavaria. The >> Continued on T4

Prices are subject to 10% service charge and prevailing taxes.

101 Victoria Street Singapore 188018. Tel: (65) 6336-0811 Fax: (65) 6339-7019 Email: meetings@hotelgrandpacic.com.sg

6336-0811 ext 1823 / 1824

For reservations, please call

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T4
Pretzels and beer (yes, beer) for breakfast.

wine & dine


Grin and beer it
>> Continued from T2 massive Erdinger tent hosts up to 4,000 revellers at a time, adding up to 12,000 people a night. A whopping 240,000 litres of Erdinger is gulped down over 10 nights. Thats a lot of beer math. During Herbstfest, the streets are filled with people dressed in traditional outfits little checked dirndl dresses and suede lederhosen everywhere I looked. It was all exceptionally cute, this sight of fully-grown adults playing dress-up to drink themselves silly. I, of course, didnt quite fit in to the festivity of it all, seeing as I wasnt dressed as Heidi. Also, Im pretty sure I was the only guy there without hair on his chest. It wasnt all traditional though. A smattering of disenchanted teenagers in skinny jeans and sour dispositions skulking about served as a kind reminder of what year it really was. In the tent, party people feast on massive portions of Bavarian sausages, grilled chicken, roasted ox and pretzels thats when theyre not dancing on the tables and benches, merrily singing along to live traditional German drinking music, swigging and spilling their steins of beer in equal measures. A stein, by the way, is a one-litre ceramic mug of goodness. It weighs more than my cat. And my cat has three chins. Holding up a stein and toasting each other by clanging the bases of these gigantic mugs and yelling, Prost!!!, is both a night out and a work-out. My feeble arms struggled to keep up with my muscular liver. A stein is also a multi-pass ticket to the loo, which is perhaps the best reason for men to dress in traditional gear: Forget button fly the lederhosen has a crotch flap for easy access. Ever efficient, the Germans did away with silly portaloos and urinals on the festival grounds. The mass consumption of weissbeer by the litre requires the capacity to handle a considerably large output, and they did so by rigging up what was pretty much a long metal trough that ran all around the mens room like a gleaming indoor moat. No one said efficiency was pretty. Outside the tent is a playground for

the kiddies and adults who act like kiddies. (I won a keychain at a shooting game! Whee!) Its an old-school fairground with candy apples, bumper cars and thrill rides that go up and down and round and round till you say hello again to the litre of beer you swallowed 15 minutes earlier. Herbstfest is what a constituency block party would be like if it served up this much beer and cleavage. It is strangely wholesome for something so hedonistic. And surprisingly warm and inviting.The average German, you see, isnt exactly known to be the most cuddly or effusively friendly of the species.They arent what one might readily describe as cuddly. In fact, it rather took me by surprise one night when my straight-faced taxi driver attempted to crack a joke. (Der fare vill be 36 euro, yah? That is a funny joke, no? Ha ha!) Do not take this information unkindly. I do not mean to suggest that the Germanoid is without myrrh only

that one should not expect it from the stranger next to you at the bar. I myself am a card-carrying member of the United Nations Of Bar Inhabitants and still had the experience every night in neighbouring Munich of being sized up as if I had burst through the doors asking if anyone at all was interested in purchasing the little red books I was carrying in my horse carriage parked outside. But stepping into Herbstfest, as alien as I appeared, almost every Bavarian followed their curious stares with the beginnings of a smile and a raising of their beer mugs. Seeing as its not often that they see an Asian slacker in a Care Bears T-shirt sitting at the next table struggling to lift a massive stein to his lips, it was a more than welcoming gesture. Warmer, I might hazard a guess, than the welcome a lederhosen-clad Bavarian would receive if he were to amble into an open-mic Chinese karaoke bar in Tanjong Pagar. And thats enough to warm the roasted pork knuckles of my heart. This trip was made possible by Asia Pacific Breweries. Party on with Erdinger in Singapore at the Roktoberfest at Timbre@The Substation, on till Oct 23. Enjoy the specially created Roktober! menu while local bands The Marilyns and The Cheating Sons perform. For details, visit www.timbregroup.asia/ timbremusic/event_roktober2011.html.

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Cars
CAR REVIEW

Cars
new 6 Series, BMWs luxury two-door offering. If it looks familiar, thats because the smooth-driving cabriolet version debuted earlier this year. Both are beautiful in the classic real coupe vein with a long snout and powerful haunches, while the visual movement is mostly horizontal, the better to imply cruise missile-like speed. And it does what it says on the packet the 640i here is the slowest model and has no trouble hitting 100kmh far shy of six seconds. Like the CLS, you wont register the speed since the vault-like cabin does a superb job of insulating you from the outside world. Adaptive suspension means you can tweak the ride to your liking, but the funny thing is that the 640i is really quite comfortable, almost languid in a very unBMW way. the steering is meaty and substantial, but whats key is the ability to hustle into turns at ease and a little lag. Most BMWs arent content to do that and instead egg you on to do silly things with your licence. Whether this a good or bad thing is up to the driver really, but the writing on the wall was clear when Munich let the droptop version out to meet the world first. Its also apparent in the equipment load out. the list features a huge list of cool things to make your life on the road easier, like full-LED adaptive lights, navigation, a full-colour head-up display and so on. In fact, what we found neatest is the new Eco Pro driving mode its the first local BMW to get it which optimises the start-stop system, air conditioning and other driving parameters to save you more fuel. It even shows you how much further youve gone to add to the smugness. DERRYN WONG

Harley-Davidson launches 2012 line-up with new features


ICONIC American motorcycle brand HarleyDavidson has premiered its line-up of 2012 models here in Singapore. Harley being the classic-minded brand it is, the annual improvements to its bikes are usually incremental but this launch marks the first major one since the company set up a regional headquarters in Singapore in May. the launch, which saw media from China, Korea, Indonesia and India in attendance, involved a sightseeing ride around Singapore and a (extremely loud) launch party at the Marina Barrage last Friday with the HOG (Harley Owners Group) and various motorcycle clubs. Highlights of the 2012 range include an all-new model called the Dyna Switchback, which can be converted from a tourer to an urban cruiser thanks to a quick-release windscreen and saddlebags. Also new is the XL 1200 Custom, which comes with numerous personalisation options as part of the package. the companys impetus is towards new markets, as it sells about 7 per cent of its output here in Asia, but its also aiming at new demographics, such as women or younger riders. to this end, Harley also showed off its Fit Shop retail concept, which lets the customer try out a number of different seats, bars and simulates the effect of lowering the bike for improved ergonomics. Harleys 2012 line-up, and the Fit Shop, are already on display at the Harley showroom in Alexandra Road.
DERRYN WONG

A class act
The Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 shows the world how a beautiful, fun-driving car can be practical
Derryn Wong
cars@mediacorp.com.sg

Some exciting 6
tune because of its complexity, is light, quick and communicative too. take this, the refinement and power together with the finely-finished cabin and the CLS is the rare sort of vehicle you can pilot all day without fatigue. Even if you do, being a modern Mercedes the cars packed to the gills with safety features a drowsiness detection system and a blind spot alerter in addition to essential systems like ABS and ESP. Its not perfect the car doesnt come with a generous equipment loadout for the money but considering the competence of the overall package its still well worth it. It drives very much like a coupe, looks like one too, has four doors, and seats four adults in comfort. Its even got a huge boot. So no matter what they say, its still a sedan. Just now its a really good one.

YOu may not know this, but categorising cars isnt easy. Really. Sure, the old lines are drawn well: Sedans, hatchbacks and coupes. But gone are the days when you could tell what a car does by counting the number of doors two for coupe, five for hatchback since sport utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles have entered the fray. Experts even argue on typology and end up sounding like berserk lepidopterists. Which is just the way the marketing people at Mercedes-Benz wanted it when the CLS came out in 2004. It was simply an E-Class sedan in new clothes but kickstarted the four-door coupe segment, which operated on the principle of if anybody asks, just say its a coupe. But being a vehicle one had to take on faith and Mercedes buyers are

very faithful it was a big success and spawned a genre, which includes the likes of Audis A7 Sportback and BMWs X6. I still dont buy the four-door coupe thing, but the fact remains that the new CLS is a seriously classy vehicle. the old CLS didnt drive particularly well but the new one, designed by KoreanAmerican Hubert Lee, takes its cues from classic Mercedes machines and looks stunning, especially in red (though less so with the maroon you see here). Yet the thing that sets it apart is the drive. the engine and gearbox are the latest, significantly-improved units from Stuttgart and deliver power in a smooth, refined swell. It sounds serene, but its deceptively fast 304bhp puts you in illegal highway territory almost imperceptibly. Its still a big sedan at heart, so it rolls into corners, but the overall control is excellent and it flows through bends and over bumps in a way few other cars of its size can match. the steering, which is completely electric and took engineers months to

BMWs new 6 series is everything that you want a coupe to be and then some
SvELtE lines, the term coupe, a deep shade of red do we sense a rivalry brewing here? Actually escalating rivalry might be a more accurate term, since fiercer rivalries in the car world are often found inside, rather than across, international borders. BMW is known for its idiosyncratic designs, never afraid to rock the boat with vehicles like the BMW 5 Series Gt (a luxury-sedan sized hatchback) or X6 (a big Suv that looks like a coupe). And they have once again done something bizarre, but not in the way you think. this is the

BMW 640i
Engine: 2,979cc turbo i6, 320bhp & 450Nm Performance: 250kmh, 0-100kmh in 5.4 seconds, 7.8L/100km (quoted) Price: S$355,800 with COE

Mercedes-Benz CLS 350


Engine: 3,498cc v6, 304bhp & 370Nm Performance: 232kmh, 0-100kmh in 6.1 seconds, 6.9L/100km (quoted) Price: S$327,888 with COE

TodaY fridaY ocTober 21, 2011

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things to do
Journeys of Love and More Love This is the personal tale of Ali Zaidi, artistic director of British independent theatre company motiroti. Indian by birth, Pakistani by immigration and British by chance, this interactive one-man show chronicles the milestones in his life and the key people that influenced his development across continents and in-between social and cultural divides. The performance combines projected media and a tasting menu created with local chef and food consultant Gabriel Cher. In English, Italian and Urdu with English subtitles.
Today, 8pm, and tomorrow, 3pm and 8pm, Gallery Theatre, National Museum of Singapore. Tickets at S$32 from Sistic. Note that non-halal plates will be used. www.nationalmusuem.sg

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Singapore presents a large scale scare-fest that will be held at the transformed theme park. There will be a haunted house with an Asian twist alongside special scare zones and hundreds of trained actors bringing Halloween characters to life. Selected rides and attractions, including Revenge of the Mummy

and Battlestar Galactica will be in operation. This event promises to be intense and is not recommended for children below the age of 13. No costumes or masks allowed.
Today to Oct 23, Oct 27 to 30, 8pm to 12am, Universal Studios Singapore, Resorts Worlds Sentosa. Tickets at S$60, special packages and discounts available. Visit www.rwsentosa.com for details.

Until Nov 30, 11am to 9pm, The Arts House. Free admission. www.theartshouse.com.sg

Dinosaurs Live! Step into the world of dinosaurs at this interactive and educational exhibition which features close to 50 larger-than-life animatronic creatures. Learn about dinosaurs from different prehistoric periods and find out more about their anatomical characteristics, food patterns, habitats and evolution patterns. Documentaries will be screened and there are also activities such as dino-drawing and dino-riding.
Until Feb 26, 10am to 6pm, The Annexe, Science Centre Singapore. Tickets at S$18 to S$23 and S$75 for a family of four. www.science.edu.sg

UPCOMING Huayi Chinese Festival of the Arts Tickets for next years Huayi festival highlights are now available. This 10th edition has the theme of courage in particular, the courage that artists intrinsically possess to create art. Huayi takes the spirit of courage beyond its traditional interpretations to present its different faces as perceived in contemporary Chinese culture. Dont miss Crosstalk Travellers, a hilarious tale of two globetrotters that is the latest collaboration between acclaimed playwright Stan Lai and top Taiwanese television producer Wang Weizhong. More programmes to be announced next month.
Jan 27 to Feb 5, show times vary, Esplanade. www.huayifestival. com/2012/home.html

Singapore, A Giant Poem On Sept 3, more than 1,000 people gathered at the Empress Place River Promenade to pen the longest Giant Poem in Asia. Spanning a record 170m, Singapore, A Giant Poem consists of close to 150 poems written in more than 20 languages. Now a selection of these poems have been immortalised on The Arts House hoarding. The worldwide project, which started in Spain, has attracted thousands of participants, and collected as many poems written by various local communities. The poems will all contribute to a wider project, The World, A Giant Poem.

SIM Interest Group Convention 2011 Learn the latest industry trends, best practices and inspiring experiences from leading professionals at this annual gathering of the Singapore Institute of Managements 12 interest groups. The full-day programme includes a range of parallel sessions hosted by different interest groups on topics including communication and public speaking skills, entrepreneurship, information technology, human resource, innovation, organisation development, quality management and strategic management.
Tomorrow, 9am to 5pm, Marina Mandarin Singapore. Tickets at S$30 to S$150, register at sim.edu.sg/igc.

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Today Friday ocTober 21, 2011

T17

today Friday october 21, 2011

t 18 on mediacorp
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on mediacorp LeGend of tHe seeker ii


Channel 5, 10pm
Unbeatable Banzuke AM Live! Martha Stewart Living: 2010 Holiday Specials: Halloween & Christmas 10.00 True Hollywood Story: Adam Lambert 10.45 Just For Variety 11.00 Americas Funniest Home Videos XX 11.30 Great Ideas From JML NOON My Sassy Neighbour 12.30PM Spin II 6.00AM 6.30 9.00

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rapsodi skrin 2011 (Live)


Suria, 8.30pm

CHANNEL
Journey with Richard Cypher, a mysterious woman named Kahlan Amnell, wizard Zeddicus Zul Zorander and warrior Cara as they defend against tyranny and destruction.
Dont Worry, Be Happy Battle Of The Best III Good Morning Singapore Meng Li Jun Part 1 (Huang Mei Diao Opera) NOON Trivia Trove 2 12.30PM Destroyed In Seconds 1.00 News 8 At One 1.30 Simply Overseas 2 2.00 Smart Tips With 6.00AM 6.30 7.00 10.00 2.30 3.30 4.30 5.30 6.30 7.00 8.00 8.30 9.00 Shop N Save 2011 Love At Last Golden Age Talentime 2011 Pay It Forward The Score Singapore Today Love (Last Episode; PG) Buffet Buffet 2 HDB Tai Tai 3 Love Thy Neighbour (PG) News Tonight (With Highlights From Parliament) 10.45 Frontline 11.15 Golden Ferris Wheel (PG) 12.15AM The Ultimatum 1.15 Immortal Love 3.15 Invincible Warriors 4.15 Taiwan Tornado 10.00

The theme for this years Rapsodi Skrin, hosted by Singapores TG and Bruneis Norbaizura Andy, is An Evening At The Theatre.

okto @ tHe movies: eraGon


okto, 6.30pm

Love (Last episode; pG)


Channel 8, 7pm

CHANNEL
11.00AM 3.00PM 5.00 6.00 7.00 Home Shopping Daughters In Law 100% Entertainment D.I.E. The Great Queen Seon Deok 8.00 9.00 10.00 11.00 11.30 Diamond Club Ladies First Whos The Hero (PG13-Gambling Theme) News Tonight The Fugitive: Plan B 12.45AM 1.45 2.45 3.45 Paladins In Troubled Times Ladies First 100% Entertainment Close

After a three-year run, this drama is finally bidding viewers goodbye. How will the enmity between Zhou Ying Ming, Ah Xian, Xie Ming Ming and Guo Cong Min all end?

9.00AM 9.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 NOON

Zigby (prescHooL) Pocoyo (prescHooL) LazyTown (prescHooL) Charlie & Lola


(prescHooL) (prescHooL) (prescHooL)

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Charlie & Lola


(prescHooL)

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Bo On The Go Wild Animal Baby Explorers

My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic (prescHooL) 12.30PM Hi-5 (prescHooL) 1.00 Zigby (prescHooL) 1.30 Pocoyo (prescHooL) 2.00 LazyTown (prescHooL)

Art Factory Kids United Sports On! Groom My Room Sid The Science Kid Wild Kratts oktoLIVE! okto @ The Movies: Eragon Inside Life: Gibbons Earth Report 3 Agatha Christies Marple Sleeping Murder Close

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A teenage boy becomes a dragon rider with the help of a wise old man. With his newly hatched dragon, he avenges the murder of his uncle, rescues a beautiful warrior and battles a tyrannical king.

ON STARHUB CABLE TV

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Anjaraipetti II Sathy Leelavathi Take It Easy Vazhkai IV Mythilli Nijangal

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My Dear Kudumbam D For Dancer Chuttis Club IV Ha Ha Ha Sirippu Vaira Nenjam

8.30 9.00 1.00AM 1.30

Tamil Seithi Vasantham Box Office: Aval Sumagalithan Tamil Seithi Close

american Horror story


Season Pass (mio TV Ch 706), Available Now, New Episode Every Friday, Anytime On Demand
The Harmons move from Boston to Los Angeles as a means to reconcile with their past anguish. Little do they know that the decrepit mansion they now call home is haunted. Stars Dylan McDermott, Connie Britton, Taissa Farmiga, Jessica Lange, Evan Peters and Denis OHare.
HeadLines

12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 6.30pm, 8pm, 9.30pm, 10.30pm, 11.30pm, 12.30am, 1am, 1.30am
HeadLines/spore Updates

9.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm, 4.30pm


HeadLines/ sinGapore market report

10.30am Programmes may be pre-empted due to breaking news

Asian Home News AM Live! Early Edition AM Live! Asia Today World Watch World Today 11th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention 11.00 World Today 11.33 Asian Home News NOON World Today 12.32PM World Watch 1.02 Insight 1.32 Asia Exposed II 2.00 Asia Today 2.33 AM Live! Bite-size 3.00 Asia Today 3.32 Velocities Of Growth: The Singapore 1000 Stories

6.00AM 6.30 7.00 9.00 9.38 10.00 10.33

4.00 4.33 5.00 5.32 6.02 6.32 7.00 8.02 9.00 9.31 10.00 10.31 11.00 11.31 MN 12.31AM 1.01 1.31 2.00

Asia Today World Watch Asia Market Report Mind Your Money BlogTV.sg VI Conversation With VII Primetime Asia Forgotten Few Primetime News Get Rea! X Singapore Tonight Asia Business Tonight Asia Tonight Talking Point World Tonight Get Rea! X Singapore Tonight Asia Business Tonight Full Page Headlines

tHe Book of Bantorra


Animax (StarHub TV Ch 532), 11pm
The Book Of Bantorra is set in a world where dead people turn into books stored in the Bantorra Library. The library is maintained by the Armed Librarians, who wield supernatural abilities. Their leader is the powerful Hamyuts Meseta, a woman targeted by a psychotic cult trying to gain the secrets of the library.

iparty WitH victorioUs


Nickelodeon (StarHub TV Ch 314), 4.30pm
Carly suspects that her new boyfriend, Steven, is cheating on her with Tori Vega. The gang plans a trip to Los Angeles to catch Steven in the act at a party thrown by Andre at Kenan Thompsons house. They get professional disguises so they can spy on Steven.

criminaL minds season 7 (Hd)


Season Pass (mio TV Ch 724), New Episode Every Friday, Anytime On Demand
The BAU team investigates the abductions of young children in St Louis. Rossi reconnects with his first wife, who has shocking news for him. Isabella Hoffman, Heather Tom and Annie Fitzgerald guest star.

today Friday october 21, 2011

t 19

today Friday october 21, 2011

t 20

today Friday october 21, 2011

Today is published by MediaCorp Press Ltd, Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Annex Building, Level 1, Andrew Road, Singapore 299939 Tel: 6333 3888. Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd, 57, Loyang Drive, Singapore 508968. Tel: 65432222

FIRST-TIME BUYERS EDITION


October 21, 2011

YOUNG BUT NOT RESTLESS


COMMENT & ANALYSIS

Desmond Tan, Sora Ma, Andie Chen and Romeo Tan talk about their dream home PAGES 2 & 4

Colin Tan ponders the MRT premium


PAGE 6

Whats the entrance fee for first-time buyers, asks Ku Swee Yong
PAGES 8 & 10

Plus interviews with top developers and details on the latest launches

02

Dreaming of home
Caldecotts hot young artistes tell us what theyd like to see in their dream home
DESMOND TAN, 25 This fresh graduate from NUS will soon be seen in the year-end MediaCorp drama series A Song to Remember. Tell us about your dream home ... The thing about public housing is that I cannot apply for one unless I have a fiancee. So, I guess my dream home is one that comes with a wife? Jokes aside, assuming that Ive a hypothetical fiancee, I would want an Executive Condominium (EC) unit in Punggol. ECs provide condominium facilities at a fraction of the price of private condominiums, so theyre value for money. The aesthetic pleasure and healthy lifestyle that waterfront Punggol could offer appeals to me, and also its greater potential for capital gain as compared to mature estates. And what features should it have? My dream home should encompass two main qualities, namely privacy and space. Im quite a homebody and I prefer to host my friends over at my place instead of going out. A penthouse would be an ideal living space as I would have privacy even from adjacent neighbours and have an abundance of space. Whats the most important thing to you about your living space? My living space should be inspiring, a place where I can have my quiet time to read, prepare for my filming work and search for ideas. Because I spend most of my time at home other than at work, my living space should be an inspiring and relaxing space. Which is your favourite neighbourhood in Singapore? I fell in love with Punggol at first sight. As a teen, I took a powerboat course at Punggol Marina and I was just fascinated by the scenic view. I dreamt of owning my boat at the marina and loved the idea of going out to sea anytime. Ive been cycling in the area recently and it is one of the most relaxing places to cycle in Singapore. A perfect chillax spot is the food cluster at Punggol East, there are restaurants and bars with a calming view of the river-like reservoir. What cant you live without? If I live in a development without facilities, I would like to stay in a neighbourhood with great accessibility to sports facilities such as a lap pool and gym. In addition, it is essential to have a charming park for my daily runs. Due to my irregular and long working hours, I would like to have a mall near my place with 24-hour amenities, such as supermarkets and cafes, so I can eat and shop anytime in the night when I am done with filming.
>> CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

The thing about public housing is that I cannot apply for one unless I have a fiancee. So, I guess my dream home is one that comes with a wife?
Desmond Tan
THINKSTOCK

today Friday october 21, 2011

04

Dreaming of home
>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

SORA MA, 27 (LEFT) This up-and-coming Malaysian actress recently moved to Singapore and was last seen in Love Thy Neighbour. Tell us about your dream home ... What I want is a totally integrated, intelligent home system. My priorities are safety, comfort and high-quality construction materials. I have seen builders skimp on construction costs by using cheap materials, which results in greater problems in the long run, such as leaking pipes and clogged drains. Its very frustrating. What cant you live without? If I were to live in an HDB flat, then what I really need is enough parking space. If I were to live in a private condo, what I really want is free WiFi! ANDIE CHEN, 26 (RIGHT) Last seen alongside Romeo Tan in C.L.I.F., this Star Search 2007 champion has also just finished filming Code Of Honour in Malaysia. The martial arts drama is set to air on Dec 5, 7pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 8. Tell us about your dream home ... Right now, Im looking for a place thats not too far from the city and big enough to fit my family of six. And what features should it have? Location and space would trump luxury for me.

Space, because I want the best of both worlds. I want to be able to live with my family and yet have my own space and that requires a really big house. Whats least important to you? Luxury. The difference between an S$8,000 sofa and an S$800 sofa is a man with too much money and too little life. Which is your favourite neighbourhood in Singapore? Serangoon Central is one of the best locations to live in Singapore. Its close to town, relatively cheap and all you have to do is just walk around the corner and you get all the privacy you need. What cant you live without? Whats important to me is that it should be a safe area. That said, there arent that many dangerous streets in Singapore. So, I guess having a supermarket and a gym nearby would be a big plus! ROMEO TAN, 26 (CENTRE) This Tampines lad was last seen in Bountiful Blessings and C.L.I.F. Tell us about your dream home ... Buying a home (especially in Singapore) is a serious commitment. I hope to buy one when the right time comes. And what features should it have? I am picky when it comes to audio and visual

effects. A good sound system and projector in a soundproof entertainment room would be perfect. Whats the most important thing to you about your living space? It has to be cosy. I wouldnt spare any expense to engage a good interior design company to help out. Which is your favourite neighbourhood in Singapore? I have a soft spot for homes with a view of the sea it has a calming effect on me. East Coast any time. What cant you live without? What I really need is a gym and swimming pool facilities plus lots of lush green space.

The difference between an S$8,000 sofa and an S$800 sofa is a man with too much money and too little life.
Andie Chen on why luxury just isnt important to him

today Friday october 21, 2011

06

What its really worth


Colin Tan takes a closer look at the premium commanded by properties close to MRT stations
COLIN TAN Head, Research and Consultancy Chesterton Suntec International MEDIA stories and analysts reports about the rising values of properties located close to an MRT station never fail to pop up whenever a section of a line is completed never mind that it has been well-publicised and under construction for many years. In fact, the premium such properties command over similar ones in other locations would have started to rise on the very first day the location of the station was determined. And, it would have been fully factored into the price, weeks before the station started operating. Any further price increases is more likely due to other market factors or buyers ignorance. Nevertheless, there are some who maintain that stations could still work their magic some time down the road. This is unlikely. The only time when values may go up again is when another section of line is completed and adds to the overall accessibility. There is no logic to sellers not taking the full value of the premium when they can. Because it is difficult to isolate the premium arising from being close to the station from other market factors, there tends to be a lot more hype over the significance over this so-called MRT factor. This premium is supposed to vary depending on the distance to the station. It rises as you get closer but this is not always the case. It depends on whether the station is above or below ground level. If it is above ground level, you want to be near but not too close. If you have ever lived in an apartment close to an above-ground station, you will know that you have to turn up the volume of your TV really high just to watch a programme. The amenities like shops and eateries found near stations are also not built automatically. These depend on the size of the population catchment in that location, not whether the station is operating or not. No sizeable catchment, no amenities. The question of connectivity accessibility The time savings and accessibility of being connectivity close to MRT stations are also debatable. These depend on whether it is peak hours or off-peak hours. During morning peak hours when most people commute to work, those owners of properties close to, say the five furthest stations from the city centre benefit the most. They experience the greatest time savings. At the same time, those owners with homes nearest to the five closest stations to the worth the agitation for those living near the city as it is easier to take the bus. Again, owners living furthest reap the most benefits. The impact of the MRT factor is therefore the greatest for homes furthest away from the city. The irony is that, as more people take to the trains, it is a lot easier to travel on the roads. The vast improvement in Singapores network of roads and expressways in recent years has made travelling by car a lot more convenient and less time consuming. During off-peak hours, when there are fewer commuters, there is no doubting the time savings and enhanced accessibility. But how connectivity. many of us travel then? Another factor to consider is that not all stations are equal. The major lines like the North South, East West and North East Lines are fairly straight which means the trains travel a lot faster. The frequency of trains is also higher than that for the Circle Line and other secondary lines. Because the route is a lot more circuitous, the trains servicing the Circle Line tend to amble along rather than whiz away. It can test your patience if you are in a real hurry. As for the benefit to retailers, it cuts both ways. It is not always positive. While it may increase the size of your catchment by bringing in more people to your location, it can take them away just as quickly if you are not competitive or do not offer value-for-money for your goods and services. As a transport node, the rail station can attract more amenities and facilities but these can also turn into disamenities when traffic jams occur and air and noise pollution levels rise. There are some who claim that the good thing about a property near an MRT station is its price resilience. They tend to hold their value better during a downturn and see better price appreciation during an upturn. This is not true. The resilience actually comes from the profile of the owners. They may have more resources to hold onto their properties or would prefer to sell any other properties first before selling the one closest to the stations. Owners of properties closest to rail stations tend to be investors rather than owneroccupiers. How much value a property loses in a downturn depends on how much it has gained during boom times. The market reaches its own equilibrium. If more people believe it holds its value, the higher will be its price inflation. However, what a property close to a station guarantees is that, it will be much easier to divest during troubled times. It is simply a matter of price. For other properties, you simply cannot find buyers or find them quickly enough whether or not you lower your price. You may then end up having a fire sale.

THINKSTOCK

city centre are the worst off. This is because, by the time the trains arrive, the carriages are so packed that it will take maybe two or three attempts to get on the train. Actually, residents of these households may be better off taking a

bus. And thats why my intern, who lives near the city, prefers taking the bus to taking the MRT, although both options are open to her. The evening peak hours are not that much better. The fight to get on the trains may not be

today Friday october 21, 2011

08

Whats the entrance fee?


Whether youre a first-time buyer or market watcher, International Property Advisors Ku Swee Yong breaks down the second quarter numbers for you

KU SWEE YONG Chief executive officer, International Property Advisor THE Urban Redevelopment Authority released its Q3 2011 flash estimate of the private residential property index on Oct 3. The index

rose by 2.7 points from 203.0 in Q2 2011 to 205.7, representing a 1.3-per-cent gain. This is the ninth consecutive quarter of growth for the island-wide index since the previous low in Q1 2009. Many who did not believe in the recovery of the residential sector in 2009 waited for the correction last year and even

more waited for a correction this year. Those waiting include first-time private property buyers. The percentage growth in each quarter has slowed down, but mathematically, when the denominator becomes bigger, the percentage growth naturally has to moderate. In a mature economy and a mature real estate market like ours, a slowing rate of growth is to be expected. Otherwise, we would need to be seriously worried about the market overheating or about bubbles forming or even about the often-quoted too-many-foreign-investors-buying theory. Breaking down the price index into the constituent regions, we see that the Outside Central Region (OCR) led the pace of growth with a 2.1-per-cent increase. Mass market, entry level, non-landed private residences have seen a higher than average pace of price growth in the past few quarters. No doubt the steady increase in HDB resale prices has helped to support the price growth in the private residential sector. For younger families who are looking for their first private residence in the mass market, the membership fee has been rising. In Oversupply risks in Outside Central Region, published Sept 23 in Today, the average price of non-landed homes transacted in the OCR in the second quarter broke the S$1-million mark, probably for the first time in Singapores history.

No doubt the steady increase in HDB resale prices has helped to support the price growth in the private residential sector. For younger families who are looking for their first private residence in the mass market, the membership fee has been rising.
Looking at this number from another way, S$1 million now represents the average entry price for buyers of mass market private nonlanded homes. Which means that those who are aspiring to upgrade from HDB to private homes, or those plunging straight into the private residential market, need to have on hand at least (on average) S$200,000 in cash and CPF funds. For those who have built up sufficient equity in the HDB flats which they might have owned and lived in for several years, owning a private residential unit is relatively easier.
>> A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DETAILS: CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

today Friday october 21, 2011

10

Whats the entrance fee? Whats the entrance fee?


>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

A closer look at the details Note that the headline S$1-million price tag merely represents the average price per unit (which is defined as the total value of transactions in OCR during the Q2 2011 period, divided by the number of transactions). When International Property Advisor and Singapore Condo looked deeper and considered details around new sale, subsale and resale prices, we saw the following (see Chart 1): Over the six quarters under review, the average price per unit for subsale and resale transactions edged upwards while prices in the new sale category fluctuated depending on the numbers and mix of small and large units launched and sold by developers. During Q2 2011, the last complete quarter of data, the average price of a new sale unit was lower than that for a subsale or a resale unit. However, that is partly due to the smaller average sizes of the new sale units. In dollar per sq ft terms, new sale units trade at a rate higher than subsale and resale units (see Tables 2 and 3). You can see from Table 4 that the numbers for subsale transactions are low, and as such, the price-related data for subsales may see wider fluctuations. And since the hefty seller stamp duty was introduced in January, we should expect the volume of subsales to shrink further. Table 4 clearly shows that the new sale and resale units remain popular with buyers in the OCR. First-time buyers then have to decide (with reference to Table 3) whether they prefer to buy a brand-new property at a higher average dollar per sq ft price or an older resale property at a 15- to 25-percent lower dollar per sq ft price. So, what should buyers do? For those who have recently started their careers and who are only beginning to build up their wealth, I would actually recommend that they consider the attractively-priced Built To Order (BTO) flats. First-time Singaporean buyers of BTOs are eligible for subsidies and recent launches have been priced much more attractively than they were just six months ago. Permanent Residents (PRs) and foreigners do not have the option of purchasing the attractively-priced BTOs. There are also young Singaporean families who may not be able to wait for BTOs to be completed and they need to turn to resale HDB flats. A small percentage will even make their maiden property purchase straight in the private residential market. With the mass market transactions broken down, young buyers can make better informed decisions as to whether they should look in the new sale, subsale or resale markets, depending on their budgets and the sizes of apartments they are looking for. Another option ... One interesting point to note: Singaporeans and PRs who would like to purchase a unit for immediate use do have one more option apart from private residential homes and resale HDB flats Executive Condominiums that are more than five years old and less than 10 years old. These projects, such as Bishan Loft, The Eden at Tampines, Lilydale, The Dew, Park Green, Nuovo, Whitewater, The Esparis and The Quintet, will be privatised, which means that there will be no restrictions on foreign ownership once they are more than 10 years from TOP. Whats more, the wider demand pool might unlock value when it is time to upgrade to a larger apartment or even to landed properties. Well leave that analysis to another story. Choices are aplenty. Do your homework. Choose wisely.

1 NEW SALE PRICES FLUCTUATE ...


Source: URA Realis, Singapore Condo, IPA

S$1,000,000

S$900,000

S$800,000

| Q1 2010

| Q2

| Q3

| Q4

| Q1 2011

| Q2

Q1 2010 Q2 2011

SUBSALE NEW SALE RESALE

2 & 3 BUT PSF PRICES CLIMB


Sizes in square feet 2010 Q1 New Sale Subsale Resale Average 1,151 1,211 1,289 1,235 Q2 1,171 1,181 1,282 1,230 Q3 982 1,207 1,299 1,173 Q4 1,002 1,152 1,294 1,136 2011 Q1 934 1,200 1,322 1,122 Q2 1,004 1,204 1,316 1,157 New Sale Subsale Resale Q1 $819 $850 $676 Prices per square foot in S$ 2010 Q2 $886 $885 $709 Q3 $1,022 $894 $731 Q4 $969 $909 $759 2011 Q1 $998 $918 $784 Q2 $960 $930 $822

*Average size is derived by taking the total strata area transacted divided by total number of units transacted

4 AND NEW SALE VOLUME RISES


Total number of units transacted 2010 Q1 New Sale Subsale Resale Total 1,158 295 1,915 3,368 Q2 1,532 296 2,027 3,855 Q3 1,275 265 1,865 3,405 Q4 1,946 260 1,618 3,824 2011 Q1 1,588 217 1,414 3,219 Q2 1,895 288 1,748 3,931 EDITORS NOTE As defined by the URA: New Sale is the sale of a unit direct by a developer before the issuance of the Certificate of Statutory Completion and the Subsidiary Strata Certificates of Title or the Certificates of Title for all the units in the development. Subsale is the sale of a unit by one who has signed an agreement to purchase the unit from a developer or a subsequent purchaser before the issuance of the Certificate of Statutory Completion and the Subsidiary Strata Certificates of Title or the Certificates of Title for all the units in the development. Resale is the sale of a unit by a developer or subsequent purchaser after the issuance of the Certificate of Statutory Completion and the Subsidiary Strata Certificates of Title or the Certificates of Title for all the units in the development.

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Fostering greater connectedness


Changing demographics and aspirations mean greater demand for mixed developments Changing demographics and aspirations mean greater demand for mixed development says Far East Organizations chief operating officer (Property Sales) Chia Boon Kuah says Far East Organizations chief operating officer (Property Sales) Chia Boon Kuah
Looking ahead to next year, how Looking ahead to next year, how is Far East Organization (FEO) is Far East Organization (FEO) continuing to grow and develop? continuing to grow and develop? Mr Chia: From Jurong West to Paya Lebar, Mr Chia: From Jurong West to Paya Lebar, from Woodlands to Marina Bay, Singapore is from Woodlands to Marina Bay, Singapore is undergoing a transformation. There is renewal undergoing a transformation. There is renewal and revitalisation of townships and a slew of and revitalisation of townships and a slew of exciting never-before-seen developments in the exciting never-before-seen developments in the making. This is not only taking place within the making. This is not only taking place within the city and traditionally prime locations, but in outcity and traditionally prime locations, but in outlying precincts as well. lying precincts as well. We are seeing new developments around We are seeing new developments around the Expo and Changi Business Park, creating the Expo and Changi Business Park, creating a new hub in the East. Jurong Gateway will a new hub in the East. Jurong Gateway will create a key commercial hub in the western recreate a key commercial hub in the western region. The opening of the Downtown MRT line gion. The opening of the Downtown MRT line along Bukit Timah will bring dramatic change along Bukit Timah will bring dramatic change to the area, linking residents as far as Bukit to the area, linking residents as far as Bukit Panjang to the city. Panjang to the city. Combine that with the countrys stable Combine that with the countrys stable Government, an equally strong and stable Government, an equally strong and stable Singapore dollar, enhancement of the medical Singapore dollar, enhancement of the medical and educational hubs, and we have a market and educational hubs, and we have a market that is in constant growth. Despite concerns that is in constant growth. Despite concerns about the global economy, we remain bullish about the global economy, we remain bullish about the residential property market. about the residential property market. Space is at a premium in Singapore and Space is at a premium in Singapore and with strong demand for quality homes coming with strong demand for quality homes coming from residents and foreign investors, we will from residents and foreign investors, we will continue to seek and assess opportunities and continue to seek and assess opportunities and play a meaningful role in making Singapore play a meaningful role in making Singapore one of the most exciting and desirable global one of the most exciting and desirable global cities to live in. cities to live in. Recent FEO launches have Recent FEO launches have incorporated mixed developments. incorporated mixed developments. Is this the start of a new trend? Is this the start of a new trend? Mr Chia: Both Woodhaven and euHabitat ofMr Chia: Both Woodhaven and euHabitat offer a unique composition of different residential fer a unique composition of different residential options all in one development one-bedroom options all in one development one-bedroom suites, SOHO-style apartments, condominium suites, SOHO-style apartments, condominium apartments and townhouses. Such multi-layered apartments and townhouses. Such multi-layered developments are designed to cater to differdevelopments are designed to cater to different buyers and their lifestyles, from families and ent buyers and their lifestyles, from families and young couples and singles, to professionals and young couples and singles, to professionals and work-from-home entrepreneurs seeking creative work-from-home entrepreneurs seeking creative spaces to live, work and play. spaces to live, work and play. Sited in excellent locations, our two inteSited in excellent locations, our two integrated residential projects offer residents amgrated residential projects offer residents ample opportunities for social interaction, without ple opportunities for social interaction, without compromising on privacy and exclusivity. For compromising on privacy and exclusivity. For instance, the four housing styles at euHabitat instance, the four housing styles at euHabitat are clustered within distinct enclaves with dediare clustered within distinct enclaves with dedicated social and recreational spaces. At the cated social and recreational spaces. At the condominium cluster, families have direct accondominium cluster, families have direct access to kids pools and a playground while cess to kids pools and a playground while the SOHO residents who are largely young the SOHO residents who are largely young professionals and entrepreneurs have meeting professionals and entrepreneurs have meeting pods for discussions and an aqua gym right at pods for discussions and an aqua gym right at their doorstep. their doorstep. What does FEO think are the most What does FEO think are the most important factors influencing buyers? important factors influencing buyers? Mr Chia: We believe that the market is ready Mr Chia: We believe that the market is ready for multi-component residential developments for multi-component residential developments and that projects such as euHabitat and Woodand that projects such as euHabitat and Woodhaven will drive a new trend and become the haven will drive a new trend and become the new reference point for future private property new reference point for future private property developments. The combination of a growdevelopments. The combination of a growing population, changing demographics and ing population, changing demographics and changing aspirations, is leading home buyers to changing aspirations, is leading home buyers to demand new living environments that meet their demand new living environments that meet their diverse functional and lifestyle needs. Location diverse functional and lifestyle needs. Location will always be an important consideration for will always be an important consideration for home buyers and investors but the increasingly home buyers and investors but the increasingly sophisticated market also expects residences sophisticated market also expects residences to be creative, have a unique identity, yet celto be creative, have a unique identity, yet celebrate diversity and foster greater connectedebrate diversity and foster greater connectedness with the broader community. ness with the broader community. The success of Woodhaven in WoodThe success of Woodhaven in Woodlands launched in June this year, and the lands launched in June this year, and the positive sales of euHabitat to date, signal this positive sales of euHabitat to date, signal this demand for integrated multi-component residemand for integrated multi-component residential projects. dential projects.

So whats next for FEO? So whats next for FEO? Mr Chia: We will be launching The Seawind Mr Chia: We will be launching The Seawind soon. This is a 222-unit freehold development soon. This is a 222-unit freehold development located in the exclusive enclave of Telok Kurau located in the exclusive enclave of Telok Kurau in cosmopolitan East Coast. An integrated in cosmopolitan East Coast. An integrated multi-component residential project, it will ofmulti-component residential project, it will offer condominium apartments, SOHO units and fer condominium apartments, SOHO units and townhouses. townhouses.

FAR EAST ORGANIZATION


CURRENT PROJECTS
The Cape Boasting both function and fine aesthetic form, the 76 units in this SOHO-concept development offer individuals a space for stylish living that doubles as a home office. With a soaring 3.4-metre floor-to-ceiling height and featuring a semi-white plan, homeowners have the option of working with appointed designers to plan their apartment layout and to customise their living space. Each unit features a kitchen designed by celebrity chef Willin Low and is furnished with appliances from German label Gaggenau. Two landscaped terraces, one on the 14th floor, serve as green recreational spaces and offer a panoramic view of East Coast Park, which is a short stroll away. Located at Amber Road, the development is a 10-minute drive from the Central Business District and 15 minutes from Changi Airport, and in proximity to the future Eastern Region MRT Line which will link Marine Parade to the city and to Changi. euHabitat Located along Jalan Eunos, euHabitat features a holistic work-play environment with four housing options in one community one-bedroom suites, SOHO apartments, condominium apartments and townhouses. These four styles are clustered within distinct enclaves, while sharing access to the tropical landscaping, pools and

Waterfront Isle wide array of leisure facilities throughout the 444,000 square foot grounds. euHabitat is located near the Eunos MRT station as well as the upcoming Ubi and Kaki Bukit MRT stations on the future Downtown Line 3. euHabitats complimentary shuttle bus service to Eunos MRT and Paya Lebar MRT Interchange stations, Parkway Parade and 112 Katong (formerly Katong Mall), will whisk you closer to nearby amenities, while the PIE/CTE and main trunk roads offer speedy connection to the city and the airport. euHabitat is also close to a number of business centres such as Changi Business Park, Tampines Regional Centre, Kaki Bukit Industrial Estate and the Pasir Ris Fabrication Park. Waterfront Isle The final project within the Waterfront Collection fronting the scenic Bedok Reservoir, Waterfront Isle features lifestyle facilities suited to every member of the family, such as BBQ pavilions, library lounge, entertainment villas and hydrotherapy pools. Nature lovers can wakeboard or kayak on the reservoir, or explore the 3.8km green corridor connecting the six parks in the east. Waterfront Isle is near amenities such as the Tampines Regional Centre, Changi Business Park and the upcoming Singapore University of Technology and Design. For shopping, residents can head to Bedok Town Centre, Tampines 1 and megastores like Courts, Ikea and Giant.

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Redefining condominium living


Ms Betsy Chng, head of sales and marketing, tells us more about the unique features of Hong Leong Holdings latest projects
Hong Leong Holdings (HLH) is known for its innovative design. With regards to its upcoming launches, what is HLH doing to stand out from the crowd? Ms Chng: Hong Leong Holdings (HLH) has always developed projects with interesting facilities that redefine condo-living. Examples include Hedges Park that recreates waterfront living with waterways running through the landscape. It has three themes that encompass unique facilities like pedal-boat rides and a flying fox to delineate the new style of condo living. These unique features, coupled with affordable and functional living spaces, make our properties a choice buy among first time buyers and families. What does HLH think are the most important factors influencing buyers? Ms Chng: Location, functional layout and price. This is especially so for first-time home owners who may want to live in the same vicinity as their family and have a modest budget. These are also the factors that HLH

Hedges Park has three themes that encompass unique facilities like pedal-boat rides and a flying fox to delineate the new style of condo living.
Ms Betsy Chng, head of sales and marketing, HLH

financial and economic sectors, many buyers are taking a slightly longer time to decide. However, we still see some good projects with more than 70 per cent of the launched units taken up. How have your projects been received by buyers? Ms Chng: For the mid-market range, Hedges Park (launched in April 2011) has been very well received with more than 80 per cent of the launched units sold to date. For high-end luxury apartments, The Meyerise, which was recently launched, saw 70 per cent of 120 units released snapped up at the preview weekend. Looking ahead to 2012, how is HLH continuing to grow and develop? Ms Chng: HLH has several projects in the pipeline. These projects range from luxury developments that are located in the city area, to affordable ones near the Bartley MRT Station. All Hong Leong projects have well-designed homes for first-time home owners and young families.

considers very carefully for every project. We try to ensure that even our mid-tier properties are suitably priced and conveniently located with access to major transport links. Specifically, what is HLH doing to attract first-time buyers? Ms Chng: HLH is committed to delivering homes that meet buyers needs and expectations. Our properties are suitably priced and as a provider of quality homes, we also believe that buyers value quality furnishings and

finishes. In addition, for developments like Hedges Park, we pride ourselves in delivering functional layouts and include core household appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators so that first-time home owners can save the hassle of getting them on their own. Have recent euro zone worries dampened buying interest? Ms Chng: The interest level is still there, although buyers have become a little more cautious. Due to the uncertainties in the global

HONG LEONG HOLDINGS


CURRENT PROJECTS
Aalto Located in the highly sought after Meyer Road area, this freehold project received a very good response when it was first launched in 2008. In addition to its prime location and generous sea views, Aalto also offers spacious units, private lift lobbies and quality fittings. A perfect blend of exclusivity and convenience, Aalto is just minutes from scenic East Coast Park and the bright lights of Marina Bay Sands. Hedges Park Launched in April this year, this development has seen more than 80 per cent of the launched units sold to date. With its suitably priced apartments, Hedges Park is an ideal buy for first-time home owners and HDB upgraders. Located among private residential estates in the eastern region of Singapore, Hedges Park is within easy reach of major expressways, malls, Changi Business Park and the upcoming fourth university of Singapore it is a draw for both professionals and families alike. The Meyerise A stones throw away from Aalto, this freehold project was launched in August and saw 70 per cent of its 120 units released snapped up during the preview weekend. Perfect for those who crave tranquil living, but who dont want to be too far away from the city, this 239-unit ultraluxe project gives its residents panoramic views of both Singapores eastern coastline and the Singapore city skyline. Just minutes away from East Coast Park, it is also within easy reach of Raffles Place, Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands. Secondary School, Anglo-Chinese School and Singapore Chinese Girls School. This luxury freehold development will comprise 91 units. Bartley Road Located next to the Bartley MRT Station on the Circle Line, this project is expected to comprise about 700 apartments aimed at first-time buyers, young families, professionals and upgraders. Apart from having Maris Stella High and Primary School as well as Paya Lebar Methodist
Main Meyerise Top Hedges Park Bottom Sage

Girls Primary School within its vicinity, the Circle Line also connects the Bartley Road site to a host of shopping malls and schools. Sage Comprising 33 super luxurious apartments, Sage is located in the heart of Singapores most prestigious precinct Nassim Road. Each freehold apartment is outfitted with the finest materials, with kitchens boasting top-ofthe-line Alno cabinets and Miele appliances.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
1 Balmoral Road Conveniently located minutes from the shopping hub of Orchard Road, Balmoral Road is just a short walk to Balmoral Plaza, Newton MRT Station and Newton Food Centre. It is also close to schools such as Raffles Girls

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Main and below Setia Eco Gardens

Looking across the Causeway


SP Setias general manager (Singapore office) Neo Keng Hoe on why some Singaporeans are heading overseas for their next purchase
Why is investing in Malaysian Why is investing in Malaysian homes an attractive proposition homes an attractive proposition for Singaporeans? for Singaporeans? Mr Neo: Malaysia real estate prices are Mr Neo: Malaysia real estate prices are still low compared to neighbouring countries. still low compared to neighbouring countries. Some Singaporeans may also be planning for Some Singaporeans may also be planning for a second home in a city where the cost of liva second home in a city where the cost of living is still relatively low. This year, ECA Intering is still relatively low. This year, ECA International has ranked Kuala Lumpur as the 33rd national has ranked Kuala Lumpur as the 33rd most expensive city in Asia to live in, compared most expensive city in Asia to live in, compared to Singapore which was ranked 6th. to Singapore which was ranked 6th. Besides taking advantage of the lower Besides taking advantage of the lower cost of living, Malaysia also offers investors cost of living, Malaysia also offers investors the opportunity to invest in freehold landed the opportunity to invest in freehold landed properties and condominiums without many properties and condominiums without many restrictions (although investors are subject to restrictions (although investors are subject to a minimum purchase price and must buy at a minimum purchase price and must buy at least a double storey house), unlike some other least a double storey house), unlike some other countries in South-east Asia. Banks in Malaysia countries in South-east Asia. Banks in Malaysia are also willing to grant financing of up to 85 are also willing to grant financing of up to 90 per cent to Singaporeans with a good credit per cent to Singaporeans with a good credit rating, thus appealing to investors who seek to rating, thus appealing to investors who seek to maximise their returns on equity by playing the maximise their returns on equity by playing the leverage game. leverage game. Are Malaysian properties gaining Are Malaysian properties gaining favour among Singaporean buyers? favour among Singaporean buyers? Mr Neo: Yes, they are. SP Setias Singapore Mr Neo: Yes, they are. SP Setias Singapore office sales revenue (contributed by properties office sales revenue (contributed by properties in Malaysia) has risen by 25 to 30 per cent in Malaysia) has risen by 25 to 30 per cent per year since its incorporation in 2009. per year since its incorporation in 2009. What sort of properties are in demand What sort of properties are in demand KL condos or houses in Johor? KL condos or houses in Johor? Mr Neo: In the past, weve seen a different Mr Neo: In the past, weve seen a different profile of buyers in Johor (as compared to KL), profile of buyers in Johor (as compared to KL), with owner-occupiers making up the bulk of with owner-occupiers making up the bulk of the buyers. More recently, weve seen an inthe buyers. More recently, weve seen an increasing number of buyers who are buying creasing number of buyers who are buying properties in Iskandar Malaysia for investment, properties in Iskandar Malaysia for investment, though the proportion is still small. Most investhough the proportion is still small. Most investors in Iskandar Malaysia see the potential in tors in Iskandar Malaysia see the potential in this region with upcoming developments such this region with upcoming developments such as the edu-city, health park, theme parks and as the edu-city, health park, theme parks and the Chelsea Premium Outlets. the Chelsea Premium Outlets. Singaporeans preference for secure highSingaporeans preference for secure highrise developments with full facilities is also rise developments with full facilities is also evident with about 50 per cent of sales in evident with about 50 per cent of sales in IsIskandar Malaysia attributable to condominikandar Malaysia attributable to condominium um sales Setia Sky Gardens Residences has sales Setia Sky Gardens Residences has been fully sold and Sky Loft in Bukit Indah is been fully sold and Sky Loft in Bukit Indah is about 95 per cent sold, though these figures about 95 per cent sold, though these figures do not include sales of bumiputera lots, which do not include sales of bumiputera lots, which have yet to be released. have yet to be released.

SP SETIA
CURRENT PROJECT
Setia Eco Gardens Following hot on the heels of the awardwinning Setia Eco Park, SP Setia has launched the Setia Eco Gardens in Johor Bahru, an eco-friendly township set within a lush, tranquil 765-acre estate. The township is located in Nusajaya and is about a 20-minute drive from the Second Link (Exit 307C). The township has won two awards for Best Master Plan the FIABCI Malaysia Property Award 2008 and the FIABCI Prix dExcellence Award 2009. In addition, its sales office was awarded the BCA Green Mark Gold award 2010 by the Building and Construction Authority in Singapore. What sets Setia Eco Gardens apart is the priority given to open space and greenery, with 15 per cent of the township dedicated to landscaping, water bodies and open spaces. Plus, there are fewer homes per acre, resulting in a less dense living environment. Homes are located in double gated and guarded precincts (with CCTV monitoring) and are protected by 24-hour security patrols and Centrax secuity systems.

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CITY DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED


CURRENT PROJECTS
H2O Residences Nestled in the heart of Sengkang New Town next to Layar LRT Station, H2O Residences features unobstructed views of lush surroundings and charming waterways. Specially designed to integrate with the water around it, H2O Residences puts an active riverfront lifestyle right at your doorstep, with easy access to the Sengkang Riverside Park and Sengkang Hockey Stadium. Located at the junction of Sengkang West Avenue and Fernvale Link, H2O Residences is near major expressways, including the CTE, TPE, SLE and KPE. It is also located near reputable schools such as Nan Chiau Primary and Secondary Schools and is close to a wide range of amenities. Blossom Residences A stylish 602-unit Executive Condominium (EC) located along Segar Road, Blossom Residences offers a combination of comfort, style and luxury. With three 18-storey towers, this EC is equipped with comprehensive facilities, while offering magnificent views of the surrounding greenery including the Bukit Panjang Park, Upper Seletar Reservoir and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. With a wide range of apartment configurations from two-bedroom to four-bedroom units, including penthouses, the development caters to every lifestyle need. Selected special

Blossom Residences

four-bedroom units also offer double-volume space in the master bedroom. All units provide generous interior space and large windows, designed to encourage natural cross-ventilation and lighting. A wide range of shopping and entertainment spots including Bukit Panjang Plaza, Bukit Timah Plaza, Fajar Shopping Centre and the upcoming Junction 10 mall, are also nearby.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
Before the end of the year, CDL is planning to launch two more projects, depending on market conditions and subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. The first is a condominium at Pasir Ris, located beside NV Residences and the fully-sold Livia. This project, comprising about 890 units in

12- to 14-storey high towers, will be launched in phases. The second is an EC project at Choa Chu Kang. This joint-venture project is located close to Choa Chu Kang MRT/LRT Station and Bus Interchange and other convenient amenities such as Lot One shopping mall. The development will be up to 20 storeys high with about 460 units.

CEL DEVELOPMENT
CURRENT PROJECT
Belvia Located along Bedok Reservoir Road, this new Design, Build and Sell Scheme development features 488 residential units within six 14- and 15- storey blocks. Belvia is also within easy reach of the reservoir and surrounded by a number of quality schools. The upcoming Bedok Reservoir MRT Station will further enhance accessibility when it opens in 2017. Lush landscaping capitalises on the existing terrain, creating an idyllic estate where residents can really get away from it all.

HOI HUP SUNWAY YUAN CHING

CURRENT PROJECT
Lake Vista @ Yuan Ching With a total of 682 units, this new Design, Build and Sell Scheme development in the western region is just a stones throw away from the scenic Jurong Lake and surrounding attractions. IMM and Jurong Point are nearby, and residents can look forward to the opening of JCube in 2012 and JEM. Theres a plethora of entertainment options, as Lake Vista @ Yuan Ching is close to Fairway Country Club, Jurong Country Club, The Chevrons and SAFRA Jurong. Residents will enjoy smooth access to the central region and the rest of the island, as Lake Vista @ Yuan Ching is near Lakeside MRT Station and a short drive away from major expressways such as the AYE and PIE. Units are designed for maximum comfort, with the largest five-room units even boasting a walk-in closet in the master bedroom. Some units have balconies with views of Jurong Lake or the estates verdant landscaping. Amenities at Lake Vista @ Yuan Ching include an adventure playground, precinct pavilion, sculpture courtyard, BBQ corner, soft lawn court, reflexology path, function plaza, open green court and fitness corner.

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today Friday october 21, 2011

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