Tham Yuen-C

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Tham Yuen-C

SINGAPORE - Global conditions that had allowed Singapore to flourish and which are now in retreat are not a temporary change, and the country has to be careful and realistic about the profoundly unpredictable and volatile new world order that is taking shape, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said on Feb 3.

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Tham Yuen-C

SINGAPORE - Housing Board flats will remain affordable in the long run, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as he sought to assure Singaporeans that the Government would ensure their basic needs will always remain within reach. The focus for now is to ensure there are enough new flats for young couples and families buying a home for the first time. Once the overall market has stabilised, the Government will have scope to look at meeting the needs of other groups of flat buyers too, he added.

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Tham Yuen-C |Anjali Raguraman

SINGAPORE - As the House sat for a second day to debate the Government’s Budget, MPs turned their attention to support for workers, businesses and caregivers. Many spoke about the link between creating a good environment for local firms, and boosting wages for Singaporeans, while others asked if more could be done to help businesses tap on AI. Amid Singapore’s green transition, MPs also suggested ways to encourage businesses to decarbonise. In all, 26 parliamentarians spoke.

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Tham Yuen-C

SINGAPORE - Parliament debated Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong’s Budget statement on Feb 26, with 28 MPs speaking. The topics they covered ranged from the timing of the Goods and Services Tax hike, to cost of living concerns and the effectiveness of government spending. The House sits again on Feb 27 for day two of the three-day debate.

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Wong Pei Ting |Tham Yuen-C

SINGAPORE – An unprecedented number of multi-cornered fights could feature in the next general election, with at least six group representation constituencies (GRCs) drawing interest from multiple opposition parties. Checks by ST found that five GRCs might see three-cornered contests between the PAP and two opposition parties. They are Ang Mo Kio, Nee Soon, Pasir Ris-Punggol, Sembawang and Tanjong Pagar. And one constituency – Tampines – could form the backdrop of a four-way showdown.