Tuesday #sgroundup: Singapore tourism hit by MH370 mystery, Thai crisis

By Jeanette Tan | What's buzzing? – 

Here are the top trending stories for today in case you missed them:

Singapore tourism hit by MH370 mystery, Thai crisis

Tourists view the Marina Bay Sands resort hotel and casino from a pier at Merlion park in Singapore, on June 24, …

Singapore is mounting a drive in China to market itself as a standalone tourism destination, officials said on Tuesday, after a drop in Chinese arrivals to neighbouring countries affected the city-state.

The Straits Times newspaper reported Tuesday that Singapore tourism was being hurt by Chinese travellers' reluctance to visit Malaysia due to the ongoing Flight MH370 mystery, and Thailand because of its political crisis.

The five million yuan ($800,000) marketing campaign that will last until October will encourage Chinese travellers to visit Singapore alone.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-tourism-hit-mh370-mystery-thai-crisis-071001323--finance.html

Vincent Wijeysingha hits out at Singapore archbishop's open letter about LGBT individuals

Vincent Wijeysingha announced his resignation from the Singapore Democratic Party on Wednesday afternoon. (Yahoo! …

Social work lecturer Vincent Wijeysingha has condemned an open letter written by the archbishop of the Catholic church in Singapore William Goh, "Re-statement of the church's position on the family".

In a Facebook note published on Monday, the 44-year-old, whopublicly came out as a gay man last year, also revealed that he had come into "unfortunate contact with a priest who would engage me in play wrestling and attempt to touch my crotch in the process". This happened, he said, when he was 15.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/vincent-wijeysingha-hits-out-at-singapore-archbishop-s-open-letter-about-lgbt-individuals-030444396.html

Woman demands refund for shoes lined with pig skin

DURRAT AL ARRUS, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY, 2003: Shops of the seaside resort Durrat Alarrus, 50 km away from Jeddah, …

A Muslim woman in Singapore has demanded a refund for a pair of shoes that were lined with pig skin, a media report said Tuesday.

Administrative assistant Nur Najwa Abdullah, 43, is demanding the refund from footwear chain Happy Walker, claiming that the sales staff had told her the shoes were made of calf skin, Straits Times reported.

The shoes were worth $279 and Abdullah only realised the flaw after wearing them for six months.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/refund-shoes-lined-pig-skin-singapore-075613704.html

More than 60 women, girls 'abducted in Nigeria'

A screengrab taken on May 12, 2014 from a Boko Haram video obtained by AFP shows girls in an undisclosed rural …

Suspected Boko Haram militants have abducted more than 60 women and young girls in restive northeast Nigeria, a local official and a vigilante leader said on Tuesday.

The group was kidnapped in the last week during a series of Boko Haram attacks on Kummabza village in the Damboa district of Borno state, which left at least 30 dead, according to residents who escaped the violence.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/more-60-women-girls-abducted-nigeria-094008633.html

Student survivors to testify in South Korea ferry trial

Family members of victims of the Sewol ferry disaster arrive at the district court in the southwestern South Korean …

Student survivors of South Korea's ferry disaster will testify in the trial of the captain and crew in a special session at a courtroom in their traumatised home town, a district court ruled Tuesday.

The court in Gwangju, 165 miles (265 kilometers) south of Seoul, said the decision had been made to spare the students any further stress.

The ruling came as the court began to hear evidence in the trial of the captain and 14 crew, who are charged with criminal negligence and abandoning the passengers of the Sewol ferry which capsized and sank on April 16 with the loss of nearly 300 lives.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/another-body-recovered-sunken-south-korean-ferry-023300683.html

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/what-is-buzzing/tuesday--sgroundup--singapore-tourism-hit-by-mh370-mystery--thai-crisis-104636977.html

Vincent Wijeysingha hits out at Singapore archbishop’s open letter about LGBT individuals

By Michelle Kwara | Yahoo Newsroom – 

Social work lecturer Vincent Wijeysingha has condemned an open letter written by the archbishop of the Catholic church in Singapore William Goh, "Re-statement of the church's position on the family".

In a Facebook note published on Monday, the 44-year-old, who publicly came out as a gay man last year, also revealed that he had come into "unfortunate contact with a priest who would engage me in play wrestling and attempt to touch my crotch in the process". This happened, he said, when he was 15.

Wijeysingha added, "He once brought me to his bedroom and took a stack of pornographic magazines from his wardrobe to show me."

Masking real intent?

On Goh's letter, Wijeysingha termed it a "cynical attempt to portray the church as a compassionate and empathetic organisation concerned for the souls of LGBT people".

He accused the Catholic Church in Singapore as attempting to "come across as nice guys intent only upon the salvation of souls", but masking the church's "real revulsion towards LGBT people".

In his open letter, published on 21 June, the archbishop had stated that the Catholic church regarded each individual, regardless of their sexual orientation as being a child of God, "and is therefore worthy of love and respect", and that the church also discouraged discrimination of any kind.

However, the archbishop also upheld the Church's stance in discouraging LGBT sexual relationships and lifestyles as they are "detrimental" to society and "not helpful" to human development and "contrary" to Christian values". Goh then urged those who are struggling to integrate their faith and their sexual orientation to seek counselling and spiritual support.

The archbishop had mentioned setting up support groups "to assist those who are struggling with same sex attraction and their loved ones who have difficulty accepting them" in a previous open letter about LGBT issues, with regard to the Sexuality FAQ that had been posted on the Health Promotion Board (HPB) website earlier this year.

His latest letter is coming amid an ongoing controversy between the "Wear White" camp – those who support a campaign to wear white clothing during an evening Muslim prayer which will be held on the same day as an annual LGBT-rights rally – and supporters of the rally, known as Pink Dot.

Referring to the alleged episode with the priest, Wijeysingha said that the incident "never seemed momentous and so far as I'm aware, it didn't damage me".

Yahoo Singapore has contacted Vincent Wijeysingha and the archbishop for comment.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/vincent-wijeysingha-hits-out-at-singapore-archbishop-s-open-letter-about-lgbt-individuals-030444396.html

Monday #sgroundup: Singapore cracks down on illegal bets during World Cup

By Jeanette Tan | What's buzzing? – 

Here are the top trending stories of today in case you missed them:

Singapore cracks down on illegal bets during World Cup

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot during the group G World Cup soccer match between the United States …

Singapore police on Monday said they have arrested 15 people in a crackdown on illegal betting during intense World Cup fever in the city-state, which has become notorious for football-linked crime.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are believed to have received illegal bets amounting to about S$800,000 in the past two weeks," the Singapore Police Force said in a statement posted on its website Monday.

https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/singapore-cracks-down-illegal-bets-during-world-cup-054940446--sow.html

Christian paper loses battle to use 'Allah'

Muslim supporters gather in front of the Federal Court as they wait for the seven-member bench to decide on the …

Malaysia's highest court ruled today that the Catholic newspaper The Herald has no grounds to appeal a lower court decision preventing it from using the word "Allah" to refer to God.

The landmark decision on a divisive issue that has fuelled intense debate and heightened religious tensions in the country, brings to an end the Catholic Church's challenge in the Malaysian court system.

A seven-member bench at the Federal Court decided by a narrow 4-to-3 majority to deny the Catholic paper the right of appeal.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/christian-paper-loses-battle-allah-014200762.html

Costly private transport jacks up inflation in May: MAS

Costly private transport jacks up inflation in May 2014. (Vulcan post photo)

CPI-All Items inflation picked up to 2.7% in May, on the back of an 8.1% climb in private road transport costs.

According to data released today by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, May's inflation is higher than April's 2.5%, while private transport costs are also greater than the 5.7% rise in the preceding month.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/costly-private-transport-jacks-inflation-062900182.html

Rogue S. Korea soldier shoots himself, ending long stand-off

A wounded South Korean soldier who killed five comrades in a shooting incident on a stretcher is carried from an …

 A stand-off between South Korean troops and a conscript soldier who killed five comrades ended on Monday when the young recruit shot himself in an incident that has raised fresh questions over the country's rules on compulsory military service.

Troops cornered the 22-year-old soldier in a densely forested area near a small town in Goseong county, a mountainous region on the eastern coast of the peninsula near the border with North Korea.

After a 24-hour stand-off and despite pleas by his father to give himself up, the conscript shot himself in the side, and was taken to a military hospital.

Late on Saturday night the soldier threw a grenade and opened fire, killing five members of his unit and wounding seven at a base outpost in Goseong county. The conscript then fled carrying a firearm, ammunition and a grenade and exchanged gunfire with troops.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/korea-troops-corner-young-soldier-killed-five-comrades-032716466.html

China busts 32 terror groups in month of crackdown

In this Friday, May 23, 2014 photo, armed paramilitary policemen ride on military trucks during a show off force …

Authorities say they have broken up 32 terror groups and arrested more than 380 suspects in China's west in the first month of a crackdown aimed at demonstrating the Communist Party's resolve to maintain order in a borderland by recent unrest.

Officials from the Xinjiang region told reporters Monday that security forces also seized several hundred explosive devices, a few tons of explosive material and computers and books about terrorism and religious extremism.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/china-busts-32-terror-groups-month-crackdown-083442380.html

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/what-is-buzzing/monday--sgroundup--singapore-cracks-down-on-illegal-bets-during-world-cup-094840190.html

MUIS tells Singapore mosques to adopt ‘non-confrontational’ approach towards LGBT community: report

By Nurul Azliah Aripin | Yahoo Newsroom – 

The Islamic Authority of Singapore (MUIS) has distributed internal advisories to mosques in Singapore, reminding them to adopt a "non-confrontational approach" towards people in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, TODAY online reported on Saturday.

Reasons for this include preventing those people from distancing themselves from the religion, getting into unnecessary arguments with them and giving them bad publicity.

While MUIS maintains that they do not support the promotion of LGBT lifestyles, "support and help" must be given to those who have been or are inclined to lead such lifestyles, the report said.

MUIS also reminded mosques to refrain from organising programmes that oppose these people, and avoid getting involved in the "crossfire" between "Wear White" and "Pink Dot".

'Wear White' vs 'Pink Dot'

Theadvisories came after a "Wear White" campaign was launched on Facebook on 6 June to "remind Muslims not to participate" in the Pink Dot event, which rallies support for the LGBT community. Pink Dot is happening on 28 June at Hong Lim Park, which is also the eve of the first day of Ramadan - the Muslim holy fasting month.  

The "Wear White" campaign, which was reportedly launched by an Islamic religious teacher, has also called on its supporters to wear clothes in white during an evening prayer that will be held on the same day.  

The "Wear White" campaign sparked strong reactions from members of the community, including Singapore playwright Alfian Sa'at, who shared concerns on Facebook over the way the campaign organisers had expressed their views, using words such as "incendiary", among others, to describe them.
 
In another post on Friday he said that the "combatory" and "accusing tone" used was "unbecoming for a religion that promotes peace".

Church network joins 'Wear White'
Members of the Faith Community Baptist Church, led by senior pastor Lawrence Khong, as well as the LoveNetwork of churches in Singapore have reportedly joined the "Wear White" campaign as well.

"I'm so happy that Singapore's Muslim community is making a vocal and visual stand for morality and Family. I fully support the 'wear white' campaign...," Khong was quoted as saying.

Earlier in May, a Red Dot Family Moment event organised by the Touch Family Services that was slated to take place at the Padang on 28 June was cancelled. The Urban Redevelopment Authority had deemed it unsuitable for the venue.

Yahoo Singapore has contacted MUIS for comments.   

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/muis-tells-singapore-mosques-to-adopt--non-confrontational--approach-towards-lgbt-community--report-052937949.html

Singapore celebrities want to #SaveZouk in campaign video

By Nurul Azliah Aripin | What's buzzing? – 

"ZOUK: An iconic musical playground where people of varying ethnicities and backgrounds unify on the dance floor to soak up the sounds," Zouk Singapore reiterates in a YouTube video post as part of the "Save Zouk" campaign on Thursday.

It is a sentiment shared by many, including Singapore celebrities and radio deejays, who are seen in the 3-minute clip sharing their thoughts and memories on the iconic venue and its possible demise.

Earlier this week, founder Lincoln Cheng, 67, announced the closure of the club on Jiak Kim Street if he is not granted a three-year extension of lease by the end of this year.

Cheng, who has been receiving short-term lease extensions for the dance club since 2012, said he is "sick" of this.

Now, with six months left and with no confirmation from the authorities yet, the management has launched an online campaign to "Save Zouk".

As part of the campaign, celebrities such as Jade Seah and Patricia Mok have expressed their shock over Zouk's possible closure in this campaign clip.

"At first, I couldn't believe it because it feels like Zouk will always be one of those institutions that will always be there," said Seah, who also reminisced about going to the first ZoukOut, an electronic dance music festival hosted by the club, which took place just before her 'A' levels examination.

"Seriously, Zouk can stay for 23 years. It really is an icon. It has to be," said Mok.

Even if the campaign succeeds and the club is able to shift to a secure venue, radio deejays such as Rosalyn Lee said "it will never be the same feeling".

Then again, "Which other club brings you one world, one music, one tribe, one dance?"
 
Many have shown support of the campaign by voting for it on the Save Zouk website.  Fans have also flocked to its Facebook page for the venue's latest updates.
 
 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/what-is-buzzing/singapore-celebrities-want-to--savezouk-in-campaign-video-033918007.html

Friday #sgroundup: Many married couples in Singapore underestimate retirement period of 24 years

By Nurul Azliah Aripin | What's buzzing? – 

Here are today's top trending stories in case you missed them.

Many married couples in Singapore underestimate retirement period of 24 years
Many people in Singapore are underestimating their retirement period, according to survey findings unveiled by …
Many people in Singapore are underestimating their retirement period, according to survey findings unveiled by Manulife Asset Management during a media briefing on Friday.
 
In a report entitled "Live long and prosper? Retirement and longevity risk", it said that Singapore individuals have been expecting their retirement period as a married couple to be 19 years, when it should be 24.

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/many-married-couples-in-singapore-underestimate-retirement-period-of-24-years-095409235.html

Google removes Singapore hate blog against Filipinos
 A screengrab of the xenophobic blog entitled Blood Stained Singapore, which was by Wednesday morning taken down …
Google has taken down a blog that listed ways to harass Singapore's Filipino population, drawing praise from Internet users appalled by growing racial tensions in the city-state.

Police said Thursday that they are investigating the anonymous "Blood Stained Singapore" blog, which suggested Singaporeans should refuse to be served by Filipinos in restaurants, or "accidentally" shove them in crowded places.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/google-removes-singapore-hate-blog-against-filipinos-061911357.html
 
PM Lee's press sec issues letter to The Economist
 Singapore: Blogger Raises Funding to Fight PM Lee Hsien Loong's Lawsuit
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's press secretary Chang Li Lin has issued a letter to The Economist, in response to an opinion piece the magazine had written about the ongoing defamation case against Singapore blogger Roy Ngerng.

In it, she said, "You referred to an "alleged 'serious libel'" by Roy Ngerng. This is not an allegation. Mr Ngerng has publicly admitted accusing Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister, of criminal misappropriation of pension funds, falsely and completely without foundation…"

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pm-lee-s-press-sec-issues-letter-to-the-economist-003335372.html
 
Syed Alwi Road suitcase murder: Suspects held for psychiatric observation
 Rasheed Muhammad (centre in white) and Ramzan Rizwan (right in red) were charged with murder in a Singapore court …
The two Pakistani men charged with the murder and dismemberment of their fellow countryman will be held for three weeks for psychiatric observation.

This decision, made by the presiding judge on Friday morning, is due to the gravity and nature of the case, where 59-year-old Muhammad Noor's upper body was found in a bloodied suitcase on Syed Alwi Road, and his legs dumped in a Muslim cemetery at Jalan Kubor, also in a piece of luggage.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/dismembered-upper-body-found-in-luggage-on-syed-alwi-road-134754034.html
 
Search for MH370 shifts back to aerial zone, says report
 Search for MH370 shifts back to aerial zone, says report
The drawn-out search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will revert to an area hundreds of kilometres south of the previously suspected crash site following new analysis of the plane's flight path, a report said Friday.

Investigators grappling to solve the mystery of the jet's disappearance are set to scour a zone 1,800km from Perth – previously subject to an aerial search – when an underwater probe resumes in August, the West Australian newspaper said.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/search-mh370-shifts-back-aerial-zone-says-report-053342700.html
 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/what-is-buzzing/friday--sgroundup--many-married-couples-in-singapore-underestimate-retirement-period-of-24-years-100243055.html

PM Lee*s press sec issues letter to The Economist

By Esther Au Yong | Yahoo Newsroom – 

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's press secretary Chang Li Lin has issued a letter to The Economist, in response to an opinion piece the magazine had written about the ongoing defamation case against Singapore blogger Roy Ngerng.

In it, she said, "You referred to an "alleged 'serious libel'" by Roy Ngerng. This is not an allegation. Mr Ngerng has publicly admitted accusing Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister, of criminal misappropriation of pension funds, falsely and completely without foundation. After promising to apologise and to remove the post, Mr Ngerng did the opposite; he actively disseminated the libel further. This was a grave and deliberate defamation, whether it occurred online or in the traditional media being immaterial."

Ngerng is embroiled in a defamation suit initiated by PM Lee after posting an article that accused the latter of embezzling and misusing CPF funds via the vehicles of Temasek Holdings and the Government Investment Corporation, Singapore's two key investment arms. He has since been fired from his job as a patient co-ordinator at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, a move which was backed by the Ministry of Health.

In its piece, The Economist had written, "The alleged "serious libel" was made on Mr Ngerng's blog on May 15th. Mr Lee's lawyer argued that an article he posted about the Central Provident Fund (CPF), a compulsory-savings scheme to provide for Singaporeans' retirement, accused the prime minister of "criminal misappropriation of the monies paid by Singaporeans to the CPF".

"Mr Ngerng has removed the offending post and apologised, and offered Mr Lee 5,000 Singapore dollars ($4,000) in damages—an offer his lawyers dismissed as "derisory". But he has continued writing about the CPF and, on June 7th, spoke at a rally at Singapore's "Speakers' Corner" that took for its slogan "Return our CPF!"."

To this, Chang added in her letter, "What is at stake is not any short-term positive or negative impact on the government, but the sort of public debate Singapore should have. When someone makes false and malicious personal allegations that impugn a person's character or integrity, the victim has the right to vindicate his reputation, whether he is an ordinary citizen or the prime minister. The internet should not be exempt from the laws of defamation. It is perfectly possible to have a free and vigorous debate without defaming anyone, as occurs often in Singapore."

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/pm-lee-s-press-sec-issues-letter-to-the-economist-003335372.html