Heavy Security For ‘Red Shirt’ Rally In Bangkok
BANGKOK: Thai police are braced for a “huge turnout” at a Bangkok rally marking the second anniversary of a deadly military crackdown on “Red Shirt” opposition street protests, a police spokesman said on Thursday.
At least 1,200 officers will be deployed Saturday in the retail heart of Bangkok, authorities said, where the 2010 protests in support of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra descended into the kingdom’s worst violence in decades.
“We expect a huge turnout but at this stage I have no estimate of the numbers,” said police spokesman Colonel Preeda Sataworn.
Red Shirt leader Thida Thavornseth said more than 100,000 people from across the country could converge on Bangkok for the 12-hour gathering at the Ratchaprasong intersection, close to upmarket hotels and shopping malls.
More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed and nearly 1,900 wounded during the two months of rallies, which ended on May 19 2010 after the government of then premier Abhisit Vejjajiva sent in armed troops.
The Red Shirts have called on the new government, led by Thaksin’s sister Yingluck, to prosecute soldiers and officials responsible for causing scores of deaths and hundreds of injuries, many to unarmed demonstrators.
Thailand has seen a string of violent protests since 2005, involving the arch royalist and nationalist Yellow Shirts, the mainly rural working-class Red Shirts and several smaller factions.
Rights groups say the military – and some armed elements within the Red Shirts – have so far evaded justice for their roles in the violence, causing anguish to the victims’ families.
“The government needs to prosecute all those responsible for crimes, whatever their political affiliation or official position, to end the cycle of violence and impunity,” said Brad Adams, Asia director for Human Rights Watch.
Yingluck’s government came to power last year with a promise of reconciliation in the deeply divided nation.
Her government in January agreed a 2.0 billion baht ($65 million) pot to compensate all victims of political unrest in recent years.
But criminal investigations into the 2010 deaths have yet to lead to any prosecutions and the government is debating plans to offer a sweeping amnesty for the violence as part of reconciliation efforts.
The opposition says the proposed amnesty aims to bring home Thaksin, who lives abroad, to avoid a jail term for corruption. He also faces terrorism charges relating to the 2010 violence.
Families of the victims have also decried the idea of an amnesty.
Nutthaputt Akahad, the brother of a nurse who was gunned down in the grounds of a Buddhist temple while treating injured Red Shirts on May 19, said Thailand risked becoming a “lawless country” unless the killers are prosecuted.
“We have sacrificed our loved ones, some have sacrificed their freedom, but we can’t sacrifice the truth, we can’t sacrifice justice,” he said at an event on Tuesday in the run-up to the anniversary.
- AFP/de
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New International School To Open In August
SINGAPORE : A new international school will open its doors in August this year.
Costing some S$300 million, the school has been described as the most advanced learning environment ever built.
Students at Stamford American International School located at Upper Serangoon Road will be able to enjoy an interactive school environment where teachers can conduct lessons about faraway places like ancient Egypt from the base of the country’s most prominent icon, the Great Pyramid.
There will be “one-to-one” iPad programmes for students as young as six years old while older students will get their own MacBooks.
A virtual lecture hall will also allow them to interact with teachers from around the world.
The company behind the school said the number of international school students here has grown from 32,000 to 40,000 over the past four years, similar to markets like Hong Kong.
The only difference is that most of the students in Singapore are not local.
Sixty-five per cent of international school students in Hong Kong are local, while in Singapore, locals are generally not admitted into international schools.
Brian Rogove, CEO (Asia Pacific) of Cognita, said: “Singapore and Hong Kong are fundamentally different markets. Fundamental demand that is driven in Singapore is actually driven by expatriates, not by local demands, and that is a fundamental strong selling point for Singapore, it shows how strong Singapore is a hub for attracting foreign talent.”
The new facility will accommodate 2,500 students aged between two and 18.
The Cognita Group – one of the world’s largest K-12 education providers – currently runs over 58 schools across the United Kingdom, Europe and Southeast Asia.
- CNA/ms
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Former Hougang MP Yaw Apologises To Voters
SINGAPORE: Former Hougang MP Yaw Shin Leong has broken his silence.
In a media statement, Mr Yaw apologised for the incovenience caused to Hougang voters for having to go through a by-election.
This is the first time Mr Yaw has spoken up since he was expelled from the opposition Workers’ Party in February for refusing to account for his alleged extramarital affair.
Mr Yaw did not address the allegations but said he’s proud of the Hougang spirit and urged voters to “keep the flame of parliamentary democracy alive by supporting the candidate in blue”.
Mr Yaw also revealed that since February 15, he and his wife have travelled out of Singapore in an attempt to rebuild their lives as “private individuals away from the glare of the media”.
He added that even as he begins a new chapter, both he and his wife regard Singapore as home and will be back regularly.
Mr Yaw, who was Hougang’s MP for nine months, said the time he spent serving residents was most valuable and he takes pride in being able to serve residents, even for a short period of time.
- CNA/cc
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SMRT Raises Bus Drivers’ Pay
SINGAPORE: SMRT on Thursday raised the basic monthly salary for Singaporean bus drivers.
The bus drivers will now get S$1625, a 35 per cent increase compared to the previous pay of S$1,200.
SMRT said with the change, bus drivers could expect to take home about S$2,500 per month, including overtime, allowances and other incentives.
SMRT said current bus drivers would also receive a pay rise.
The public transport operator said the higher remuneration is aimed at attracting more Singaporeans into the industry.
The pay raise also comes on the back of a similar move by the other bus operator, SBS Transit, less than a month ago.
Singaporean bus drivers with SBS Transit now bring home a basic pay of S$1,600, compared to the S$1375 previously.
- CNA/wm
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Don’t Confuse Issues In By-Election: Desmond Choo
SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party’s Hougang by-election candidate Desmond Choo on Thursday asked voters not to mix up the democratic process with the need for alternative voices in Parliament.
Mr Choo said that the by-election itself shows that Singapore’s democracy was working.
He added that there were already five alternative voices in Parliament.
“This by-election is really about selecting a candidate that can best serve the long-term interests of the residents,” he said.
“So do not mix up the democracy part with providing alternative voices and the real purpose of this by-election, which is that Hougang residents need somebody to take care of them.”
Mr Choo was speaking to reporters during his house visits on Wednesday.
He stressed that he too, could be an alternative voice in Parliament who would bring up both local and national issues.
Since he is a unionist, he said he would raise issues such as education and the plight of low wage workers.
In a mailer distributed to residents, Mr Choo said his vision for Hougang is one where everyone shares a brighter future.
This includes making preschools more affordable and creating more family-friendly spaces, as well as improving job conditions for low and middle-income workers.
Mr Choo has not confirmed a date for his rally.
- CNA/wm
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No Airbags In Most Taxis?
SINGAPORE: The recent accident involving a Ferrari crashing into a taxi – killing the taxi driver – which then hit a motorcycle has cast the spotlight on the safety of those who ply the roads here to make a living.
The accident took place at Rochor Road on Saturday morning. The driver of the Ferrari, Mr Ma Chi, died at the scene, while ComfortDelGro taxi driver, Mr Cheng Teck Hock, and his passenger, Ms Shigemi Ito, succumbed to injuries in hospital.
ComfortDelGro did not respond to Today’s queries by press time but according to ComfortDelGro taxi drivers Today spoke to the transport operator’s Hyundai Sonata taxis are not equipped with airbags.
A check with other taxi operators here showed that airbags are not an essential feature of most taxis here despite the fact that taxi drivers spend most part of a day in their vehicles.
Only Prime Taxi, which has a fleet of 700, has installed airbags in all its taxis. Its general manager, Mr Eric Ang, said: “(Taxi drivers) spend 10 hours on the road daily, so we feel it’s essential.”
TransCab, which has a fleet of 4,490, said its 1,890 older Toyota Crowns do not have airbags. But these cars will be gradually phased out by 2014, said its general manager Jasmine Tan. The remaining Toyota Wish, Chevrolet and Mercedes vehicles all have airbags.
Similarly, SMRT Taxis’ older models of Toyota Crown, Nissan Cedric and London taxis are not fitted with airbags. SMRT Taxis director Tony Heng said: “These taxis will be replaced progressively with new taxis that are equipped with airbags.”
According to SMART Cab director Johnny Harjantho, his company’s older fleet of Toyota Crown taxis do not have airbags. He noted that technical specifications of these taxis may also not allow for airbags to be installed. He acknowledged: “Airbags do not prevent accidents but it is a way to keep both the driver and passengers safe.”
Taxi drivers whose vehicles are not equipped with airbags told Today that they are concerned about bearing the cost of installing the safety feature. Mr Tan H K, 56, said: “I would also have to send my cab in and that means loss of earnings.”
But Mr Patrick Aw, 54, said: “It is something I am okay living without. If it is your time to go, not even airbags can save you.”
Public Transport Council chairman Gerard Ee said he personally felt that all taxis should be equipped with airbags, since such a safety feature is commonly available.
He said: “I don’t think that safety is something that one should compromise on, especially considering the number of hours that the taxi spends on the road.” He also noted that given that taxis here can only ply the roads for a maximum of seven years, even the oldest taxis can be installed with airbags.
Mr Ee said: “Taxi operators should show concern for their drivers by ensuring the taxis they rent out have airbags – they can arrange to install airbags on those which do not have them by arranging for fitting to be done on (taxi drivers’) day-off and to schedule it to minimise downtime.”
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Gong Li’s Singaporean Husband Confirms Divorce Rumours
BEIJING: China-born actress Gong Li’s husband, Singaporean businessman Ooi Hoe Seong, confirmed on Wednesday that they got divorced three years ago, reported Chinese media.
“This is true … Gong Li and I are indeed divorced,” Ooi told Chinese media.
Ooi revealed that they had “never quarrelled” in their 13 years together, but eventually decided to amicably part ways in 2009 because of the nature of their work.
“She is an actress who often goes overseas to shoot. I am a businessman who often travels overseas on business. These few years, we have been apart more often than we have been together.
“There was more friendship than romantic love between us,” explained Ooi.
He went on to stress that they may no longer be man and wife, but they still kept in touch.
“It was an amicable separation with no conflicts over asset division
Speeding Violations Drop In First Quarter Of 2012
SINGAPORE – The number of speeding violations in the first quarter of this year has fallen compared to the same period last year.
Figures from the Traffic Police, released today, show that there were 46,650 violations in the first quarter of the year, a drop of 13,650.
However, on a yearly basis, the number of speeding violations increased by about 20,550 last year when compared to 2010.
The Traffic Police stressed that it would be relentless in carrying out anti-speed operations.
The police added that besides various static speed cameras located island-wide, officers also carry out anti-speed operations on a daily basis.
Motorists who are caught speeding will be slapped with a hefty fine and given demerit points.
This update comes in the wake of the fatal Ferrari crash on May 12 that claimed three lives.
To date, police have interviewed 12 witnesses, including the taxi driver who caught the accident footage with his in-vehicle camera.
The video footage, and those from LTA’s surveillance cameras, have also been seized for investigation.
The video footage will be considered by Police in conjunction with other avenues of evidence, such as witnesses’ accounts, to establish the cause and circumstances of the accident.
The police will also obtain a toxicology report of the driver which could help establish if the driver had been drinking. CHANNEL NEWSASIA
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LTA’s Predecessor Rejected Improved Rail Claw Design In 1987, Says Engineer
SINGAPORE: The Land Transport Authority’s predecessor Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRTC) had rejected the idea of an improved rail claw design back in 1987, as it was contented with the older design’s performance, said an engineering director at a court hearing on Thursday.
Testifying at the public inquiry into last December’s train disruptions, Mr David Hartland said at that time, the new design had not been used elsewhere.
Mr Hartland is an engineering director from Brecknell Willis – the company tasked to design and manufacture components such as the rail claw of the third rail system back in 1985.
In 1987, Brecknell Willis had proposed an improved new design that comes with a split pin-locking system which will ensure that claws would not jump out, even under severe vibration.
But Mr Hartland shared that as the new design has not been in service, MRTC was naturally “nervous about introducing” it into the system and felt it was “better not to” change the claw design.
The new design has since been used in other metro systems like in Taipei, with no failures reported.
Instead, MRTC had placed an additional spring clip design feature after it was found that claws will jump out at specific sections of the track.
Mr Hartland told the court that based on this move, he believed that the spring clips had “cured the problems.”
He also revealed that SMRT has tasked him to study the possibility of material components in the latest generation of claws. The latest claws come with a positive locking system and the Committee of Inquiry has been told that there have been instances of the latest claws dislodging from the third rail.
Separately, concerns were raised about the role of the Land Transport Authority’s Public Transport Crisis Management Team in a disruption.
Mr Yeo Teck Guan, LTA’s Deputy Group Director of Vehicle and Transit Licensing, said the team is required to convene within two hours of activation.
COI Chairman Tan Siong Thye asked if the two hours is too long, as SMRT would require assistance especially in the first critical hour of the disruption.
Mr Yeo said the LTA team’s main role is to tackle the disruption at a higher strategic level.
This includes coordinating with other agencies and to do forward planning, while the operator will be at a “tactical level” such as managing passengers and restoring of services.
He also clarified that it does not mean that LTA would not render any assistance to SMRT in the first hour of disruption.
Mr Yeo said SMRT did not ask for any assistance for bus bridging services during the December 15 disruption.
LTA also dismissed earlier claims that it had directed SMRT to resume services on the night of the December 15 disruption.
Mr Yeo said around 10pm, LTA knew that SMRT had already restored the third rail.
And when SMRT did safety checks, this was a “prelude to the resumption of services”.
He then asked another colleague to check with SMRT and tell them to resume services if they had completed safety checks.
Mr Yeo said he did not recall SMRT expressing any reluctance.
- CNA/de
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Chinese Nationals Must Adhere To Singapore Law: Chinese Embassy
SINGAPORE: The Chinese Embassy has advised its citizens living in Singapore to abide by the country’s laws and regulations.
The advisory comes after the fatal Ferrari crash on May 12 which claimed three lives.
The embassy also offered their condolences to the victims and their families.
The accident involved a China national crashing his Ferrari into a taxi near Bugis Junction. The taxi then hit a motorcycle.
According to
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