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Singapore Flyer will try to get wheel moving in few days' time
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 31 December 2008 1922 hrs



SINGAPORE: The Singapore Flyer will try to get the wheel moving in a few days' time.

But it told Channel NewsAsia this does not mean the Flyer is resuming its flight operations to the public.

Earlier, Singapore authorities said the Flyer will be allowed to resume operations after public safety has been fully assured.

The attraction's management also met its tenants on Wednesday. Rentals which cost about S$4,000 a week per unit have been waived for the eight days since the stoppage.

However, most tenants want this waiver extended till the Flyer reopens.

"We actually ask for compensation in terms of rental and in terms of advertisements we have put in for the first quarter of next year, and the management has heard us. They will get back to us in early January," said the director of Jalapeno's Pepper, Serene Tjokro Lau.

The general manager of the Singapore Flyer, Stephen Yeo, said: "It is important to point out that all these waivers and rebates which we are offering are really ex gratia. It is obviously not an obligation of the owners. However, I think the owners have demonstrated certain empathy with the tenants.

"We've put up proposals to the board as to how we should support and assist these tenants who have been very supportive of us."

The Flyer's management says it plans to step up promotional activities to bring visitors back.

Carnivals could also be organised. Some tenants plan to offer S$1 rides on the Flyer with the purchase of a meal.

"We are confident that once everything is in place, there will be a boom again," said the operations director of Seafood Paradise, Edlan Chua.

The Flyer's management says it will take a few days to rectify the problem and get the wheel moving again. However, to put in an additional back-up mechanism to keep the wheel moving when a similar incident occurs could take weeks, or even months.

It now remains to be seen if the authorities will allow the Flyer to resume operations without an additional back-up mechanism. The police say they are looking into the matter with the assistance of international experts.

- CNA/yt

fatz2

Jan 1, 2009
S'pore Flyer Incident
Turning again, for checks
By Yeo Ghim Lay


It is still not known yet when the Flyer will reopen to the public. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

NINE days after the Singapore Flyer came to a grinding stop, the world's largest observation wheel started turning again at 6pm yesterday - although without any passengers on board.

The 165-m high wheel kept spinning until midnight, after the Flyer's systems were completely repaired and restored, the wheel's management said.

It will turn for a few hours each day over the next few days for cleaning, maintenance and testing.

However, the Flyer's chairman Florian Bollen would not commit to when the wheel will re-open for rides.

The police, which issues the Flyer with the public entertainment licence to operate, had ordered the wheel to shut after an electrical fault caused it to stop for six hours on Dec 23, leaving 173 people stranded in the capsules of the wheel.

Eleven of them had to be lowered down to the ground by ropes before the wheel started turning again.

Mr Bollen said the management, with the help of a panel of eight overseas experts, has identified two back-up systems to ensure the wheel does not break down again and is evaluating the options.

'There should be an independent system that can work the wheel almost immediately,' said Mr Bollen, adding that this should be done so seamlessly that passengers on board would not even notice a difference.

Back-up systems must be put in place and checked before the management applies to the police to reinstate its licence.

'I will not ask for a renewal of the licence unless I am a hundred per cent confident that it will never ever come to such a situation again,' said Mr Bollen.

He did not reveal details about the back-up systems being explored.

fatz2

Jan 1, 2009
GROUNDED WHEEL
Plans to get Flyer up
Experts to work on reinstating electrical parts; struggling tenants to get more help too
By Tessa Wong



THE international team of experts flown in over Christmas to inspect the Singapore Flyer has outlined a rough plan to get the temporarily grounded observation wheel up and running again - and more safely too.

Engineers from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the wheel's contractor, are now looking into how the wheel stalled and the extent of damage wrought by an electrical fire that short-circuited the system.

Mr Steven Yeo, the general manager of the Flyer, said: 'Once they have done that, they will reinstate the electrical components to their original state, and we should be able to turn the wheel.'

He was speaking to reporters during the Flyer management's discussions with the complex's 31 tenants on how they could be helped.

Asked whether the Flyer would reopen within days, he would only say that the management would like to err on the side of safety as some repair works might take a bit more time.

He said a proposal to help the tenants had been submitted to the Flyer's board of directors. Among the ideas are rental rebates and promotions such as events and a carnival to draw the crowds.

One tenant said the management was thinking of lining up Chinese New Year activities, but details were vague.

Tenants who were interviewed yesterday said the management promised to help struggling businesses and were considering waiving rents for longer than the one week initially offered two days ago.

These offers of help come as a relief, as some tenants had earlier complained about the management's lack of communication following the temporary closure of the world's largest observation wheel.

The police ordered it shut after it ground to a halt last week, trapping 173 passengers in mid-air for six hours.

Tenants said the management promised that more subsidies would be doled out when the wheel is operating again.

Ms Serene Tjokro-Lau, who owns the Jalapeno's Pepper cafe, said the management appeared confident this would happen early in the year.

An official relaunch of the wheel, in either March or April with a new image and promotional activities, has been broached.

'It is meant to coincide with the anniversary of the official launch of the Flyer,' she said.

Ms Tjokro-Lau said she had asked for a rental waiver longer than the one week offered, and Flyer officials said they would consider her request.

The management also told her that help would be given to tenants on a case-by-case basis, and this help was assured for those who were struggling.

What seemed to matter most to the tenants was that the management finally gave a personal apology. This olive branch appeared to have mollified them, going by interviews after their meetings with officials.

Ms Joanna Caston, the director of sales and marketing of the Flight Experience flight simulator attraction, said: 'The waiver is a great start. We are optimistic that the wheel will turn soon.'

She said she would raise the issue of her loss of earnings later, with the next meeting likely to be in the coming weeks.

Others now just want to move on.

Mr Samuel Seong Koon, director of Love The World bistro, said: 'This is something nobody wanted, and the Flyer also has made losses. If people keep pointing fingers, nothing will happen.'

[email protected]

fatz2

2 Madrasahs under the Joint-Madrasah System stop Primary One intake
By Dhilla/Cheryl Frois, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 02 January 2009 2137 hrs



SINGAPORE: Two Madrasahs under the Joint-Madrasah System (JMS) have stopped the intake of Primary One students for the new school year.

Under the new system, Madrasah Aljunied and Madrasah Al-Arabiah will be focusing on Secondary students from this year.

The third Madrasah under the JMS, Madrasah Al-Irsyad will be the centre for the Primary School level.

At Madrasah Al-Arabiah, teachers who previously taught Primary One students will be redeployed to assist other teachers.

The Joint Madrasah System will be fully implemented by 2015. - CNA/vm

fatz2

Cigarette smugglers nabbed at Woodlands Checkpoint
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 02 January 2009 2219 hrs



SINGAPORE: Officers from Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have busted another attempt to smuggle cigarettes into Singapore.

The latest incident involved a Malaysian-registered lorry which arrived at the Cargo Complex of the Woodlands Checkpoint at 10.55pm on January 1.

The driver and his accomplice, a Malaysian, had tried to pass off the loot as a consignment of 1,250 cartons of detergent.

Checks by ICA officers, though, uncovered 6,311 cartons and 1,875 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in boxes amidst the detergent packing.

The Customs duty and GST payable for the haul amounted to nearly S$500,000.

The 22-year-old driver and his 20-year-old accomplice had been working at a trading and logistics company for between six months and a year.

They claimed that they had been instructed to deliver the lorry to Hub Logistics in Singapore and to wait for two Malaysian men who would then collect the cigarettes.

If convicted, first-time offenders could be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and jailed for up to three years.

Repeat offenders could be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded and jailed for up to six years.

Offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded.

- CNA/ir

fatz2

Singapore students can register for identity cards at school
Posted: 05 January 2009 1614 hrs



SINGAPORE: From this year, Singapore students who turn 15 can register for their National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) at school, instead of going down to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building at Kallang Road.

They just need to bring along their school smart cards for identification.

Under a joint initiative by the ICA and the Education Ministry, the former will send mobile registration teams to secondary schools that have made prior arrangements to conduct identity card registration.

Students can collect their identity cards from school after the registration exercise is completed. More than 48,000 students from 167 schools will benefit from this initiative.

Under the law, it is mandatory for Singapore citizens and permanent residents to register for their NRIC when they reach 15 years old.


- CNA/so

fatz2

Singapura : 5 Januari 2009         

IBU TERIMA SMS TERAKHIR ANAK YANG LEMAS DI KOLAM RENANG
Ayah kumpul foto allahyarham untuk diabadi dalam blog

Oleh
Ervina Mohd Jamil

DIA tidak pernah gagal memberitahu ibunya ke mana sahaja dia pergi atau di mana dia berada kerana tidak mahu membimbangkan ibunya itu.

Malah, SMS terakhir yang dihantar kepada ibunya adalah untuk memberitahu beliau bahawa dia berada dalam bas menuju ke majlis ulang tahun rakannya dan akan hanya pulang sekitar 5 pagi.

Namun, Sufyan Sulaiman, 15 tahun, sebaliknya pulang ke rahmatullah selepas mati lemas dalam sebuah kolam renang di Costa Sands Resort di Pasir Ris pada 5 pagi, 30 Disember lalu.

Tragedi itu berlaku selepas Allahyarham bersama sekumpulan rakannya pergi ke kolam renang itu sekitar 4 pagi untuk mengambil angin dan berehat.

Menurut sepupu Allahyarham, Muhammad Hafique Perkasa, 14 tahun, mereka berdua berenang ke hujung kolam tetapi Allahyarham lemas dalam kolam tersebut.

Ibunya, Cik Sri Ratna Dewi Ahamad, 42 tahun, berkata beliau tidak sangka SMS tersebut merupakan yang terakhir daripada anaknya dan merupakan 'isyarat' tentang 'kepulangannya'.

Menyingkap kembali peribadi anaknya itu, Cik Dewi berkata Allahyarham adalah seorang yang pendiam, manja, menghormati orang tua dan tidak lokek dengan senyuman.

Semasa Ramadan lalu, dia selalu memberikan ibunya wang gaji hariannya hasil bekerja sambilan di sebuah kedai pakaian di Geylang.

Menurut beliau, Allahyarham hanya memintanya sekeping kad Ez-Link untuk menaiki bas dan kereta api ke tempat kerja.

'Walaupun anak saya itu sudah besar, kadang-kadang saya masih menyuapkannya makanan,' ujar Cik Dewi tentang sifat manja anaknya itu.

Bapanya, Encik Sulaiman Sarif, 45 tahun, pula berasa amat sedih dengan kematian anaknya itu kerana tidak sempat berbaik-baik semula dengan Allahyarham ekoran marah dengan tindakan anaknya itu berhenti sekolah.

Bekas pelajar Sekolah Menengah Damai itu membuat keputusan berhenti sekolah awal tahun lalu, dan ini membuatkan bapa dan anak itu tidak bertegur sapa sehingga saat Allahyarham meninggal dunia.

Namun, tanpa diketahui bapanya, Allahyarham sebenarnya mempunyai rancangan untuk mengambil peperiksaan Sijil Am Pelajaran (GCE) peringkat 'N' secara privet dan sedang mengumpulkan wang dengan bekerja sambilan untuk berbuat demikian.

Menurut Encik Sulaiman, jika beliau tahu tentang niat anaknya itu, beliau tentu akan lebih berlembut dengannya dan memujuknya agar kembali ke sekolah.

'Saya amat sesal dan kecewa kerana tidak sempat untuk berbaik semula dengan anak saya itu.

'Pada luarnya, memanglah saya marah, tapi setiap hari saya berharap agar anak saya itu akan memberitahu saya yang dia ingin kembali bersekolah,' ujar bapa empat anak itu sambil bergenang air mata.

Allahyarham adalah anak keduanya.

'Walaupun anak saya tak minat untuk sekolah dan suka keluar malam, dia tak pernah meninggikan suaranya terhadap saya dan isteri saya, atau melawan kata-kata kami,' tambah Encik Sulaiman, seorang pereka web.

Kini, beliau sedang berusaha mengumpulkan gambar-gambar anaknya itu untuk dimuat naik dalam blog yang dicipta khas untuk mengenang arwahnya itu, dinamakan Sufyan Anakku Sayang.

Diminta mengulas tentang kejadian tersebut, seorang jurucakap NTUC Club yang mengendalikan Costa Sands Pasir Ris itu berkata pengawal keselamatan mereka sering meronda kawasan resort berkenaan, namun ketika kejadian itu berlaku, mereka tidak nampak kumpulan remaja tersebut.

'Kami amat berdukacita dengan kejadian malang itu. Pihak polis sedang menjalankan siasatan. Kami sedang membuat segala yang kami mampu untuk membantu dalam siasatan,' kata Encik Ringo Leung, pengarah resort tersebut.

fatz2

Singapura : 5 Januari 2009         
         
KELAB MALAM THAILAND TERBAKAR
HANTAR ISTERI SMS SEBELUM MAUT

Mendiang Teo kirim ucapan 'Selamat Tahun Baru'

Oleh
Nurulhuda S. M. Albukhari

LIMA minit sebelum menyambut Tahun Baru 2009, Encik Teo Sze Siong menghantarkan khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) kepada isterinya yang sedang berada di China kerana tugas untuk mengucapkan 'Selamat Tahun Baru'.

Ia SMS terakhir yang diterima Cik Ho Mei Shih daripada suaminya, yang ketika itu berada di kelab malam Santika di Bangkok.

Malah, itulah kali terakhir mereka berhubung kerana sejurus kemudian Encik Teo terkorban apabila kelab malam itu terbakar.

Demikian menurut abang sulung mendiang Teo, Encik Teo Sze Lam, ketika Berita Harian mengunjungi rumah mendiang di Lorong 2 Toa Payoh semalam.

Ramai sanak saudara dan kawan mendiang datang ke rumah mendiang semalam untuk memberikan penghormatan terakhir sebelum mayatnya dibakar lusa.

Mendiang Teo, pegawai Penguasa Penerbangan Awam Singapura (CAAS), antara tiga warga Singapura yang mati dalam kebakaran pada awal pagi 1 Januari lalu itu.

Dua lagi ialah rakan sekerja beliau, Encik Leslie Yeo, 40 tahun, dan Encik Lu Weiye, 26 tahun, seorang pelajar.

Menurut Encik Sze Lam lagi, mendiang Teo pergi ke Bangkok bersama beberapa rakan kerjanya pada 28 Disember lalu untuk menyambut Tahun Baru.

Mendiang seharusnya pulang seminggu kemudian.

Belum sempat Encik Sze Lam menyambut Tahun Baru bersama adiknya itu, beliau menerima panggilan sekitar 3 petang Khamis lalu mengenai tragedi yang menimpa mendiang.

Bersama seorang lagi adiknya, Encik Sze Lam bergegas ke Bangkok untuk mendapat kepastian bahawa adiknya itu benar-benar telah terkorban.

'Apabila nampak mayat yang dikatakan adik saya, saya kurang pasti adakah itu benar-benar dia. Tetapi parut di tangannya mengesahkannya. Sebelum dikenal pasti, beliau hanya dikenali sebagai 'mayat 42',' ujar Encik Teo, 47 tahun, manahan sebak di dada.

Menurutnya, mendiang, yang tinggal serumah dengan ibu mereka, Cik Yeo Siok Kheng, adalah anak kesayangan ibunya.

Kehilangan itu tragedi pahit bagi Cik Yeo setelah kematian suaminya, Encik Teo Tai Hup, lapan tahun lalu.

Menurut seorang kakak isteri mendiang, Cik Julie Lim, mendiang sangat peramah walaupun pendiam dan sifatnya yang baik hati membuatnya digemari ramai.

'Kami telah merancang untuk mengadakan majlis perjumpaan keluarga pada 23 Januari untuk menyambut Tahun Baru Cina. Selalunya beliau yang membawa ayam dan itik panggang,' ujar Cik Lim sayu.

fatz2

Singapura : 8 Januari 2009         

KEMATIAN BUDAK DUA TAHUN

KESAN LEBAM PADA TUBUH BUDAK, LELAKI DITAHAN

Oleh
Linilidia Abdul Hamid dan Atiqah Fairuz Md Salleh

TERDAPAT kesan lebam di lengan, kaki, belakang badan dan leher budak perempuan berusia dua tahun yang meninggal dunia malam kelmarin.

Allahyarhamha Natalie Nikie Alisyia Sallehan gagal diselamatkan setelah Pasukan Pertahanan Awam Singapura (SCDF) menerima panggilan kecemasan mengenainya sekitar 8.06 malam.

Allahyarhamha, yang tidak sedarkan diri semasa dibawa ke Hospital Universiti Nasional (NUH), disahkan meninggal dunia di hospital sekitar 9.30 malam.

Menyusuli kejadian itu, seorang lelaki berusia 26 tahun, yang dipercayai bapa Allahyarhamha, kini dalam tahanan polis.

Polis menyifatkan kes itu sebagai kes bunuh dan masih menyiasat.

Semalam, suasana pilu menyelubungi rumah mayat Hospital Besar Singapura (SGH) dengan kehadiran anggota keluarga Allahyarhamha untuk menuntut mayatnya.

Namun, mayat Allahyarhamha dijangka dikeluarkan dari rumah mayat hari ini setelah bedah siasat.

Sekitar 15 anggota keluarga dan sanak-saudara hadir untuk memberi sokongan moral kepada ibu Allahyarhamha, yang dikenali hanya sebagai Cik Nana.

Beliau kelihatan menangis tersedu sedan. Malah, anggota lain keluarga Allahyarhamha turut kelihatan terkesan oleh pemergiannya.

Kisah menyayat hati itu bermula di Blok 191 Boon Lay Drive apabila SCDF menerima panggilan kecemasan daripada seorang wanita yang dipercayai Cik Nana.

Pegawai SCDF kemudian menemui kanak-kanak itu dalam keadaan tidak sedarkan diri bersama ibu bapanya di kolong blok flat mereka.

Budak itu kemudian dikejarkan ke NUH.

Seorang jiran yang tinggal sederet dengan keluarga Allahyarhamha di tingkat 11, Cik Normah Udin, berkata beliau dan keluarganya tidak mendengar bunyi pergaduhan atau budak menangis pada malam itu atau sebelumnya.

Namun semasa menonton televisyen, beliau terlihat kanak-kanak itu didukung ayahnya dan ibunya mengekori dari belakang.

'Saya dengar ibu arwah memberitahu suaminya 'cepat, cepat' dan bertanya sama ada suaminya ada membawa wang,' ujar Cik Normah, 43 tahun.

Beliau menyifatkan ibu bapa Allahyarhamha sebagai mesra tetapi tidak bercampur dan tidak banyak berbual dengan jiran-jiran.

Cik Normah mula mengenali mereka sejurus setelah mereka berpindah ke flat itu sekitar Oktober lalu.

Semalam Berita Harian mendapati pintu dan tingkap flat itu bertutup rapat.

Sebuah basikal kanak-kanak dan kereta sorong bayi kelihatan di luar flat sewa satu bilik itu.

Seorang jiran yang ingin dikenali hanya sebagai Encik Ahmad, 30-an tahun, berkata bapa Allahyarhamha akan membalas sapaan beliau jika mereka bertemu di kolong blok.

Beliau juga menyifatkan ibu dan bapa Allahyarhamha sebagai pasangan mesra.

Semasa dihubungi Berita Harian semalam, datuk Allahyarhamha, yang dikenali hanya sebagai Encik Yusof, juga tidak mahu mengulas tentang kemelut yang melanda keluarganya.

Nenek Allahyarhamha yang tidak memberitahu namanya ketika didekati wartawan juga enggan mengulas panjang dan cuma berkata:

'Tolonglah, dia (ibu Allahyarhamha) tengah susah.'

fatz2

Jan 1, 2009
GROUNDED WHEEL
Plans to get Flyer up
Experts to work on reinstating electrical parts; struggling tenants to get more help too
By Tessa Wong

Singapura : 8 Januari 2009         
  
PENGURUS BESAR SINGAPORE FLYER LETAK JAWATAN

PENGURUS Besar Singapore Flyer, Encik Steven Yeo, yang menjadi wajah bagi roda raksasa itu sejak kejadian 173 penumpangnya terperangkap lebih enam jam pada 23 Disember lalu, telah meletak jawatan.

Encik Yeo menyerahkan surat peletakan jawatan Isnin lalu dengan memberi notis enam bulan. Namun pengurusan Singapore Flyer mengarahkan beliau berhenti serta-merta, dan menjelang tengah hari kelmarin, Encik Yeo telah pun mengemas barang-barang beliau.

Peletakan jawatan Encik Yeo secara tiba-tiba mencerminkan ketegangan yang wujud di kalangan pengurusan atasan Flyer. Encik Yeo enggan mengulas ketika dihubungi.

Ketika diminta mengulas tentang peletakan jawatan Encik Yeo, pengurusan Singapore Flyer hanya mengesahkannya.

Menurut surat peletakan jawatan Encik Yeo, beliau berhenti kerana perbezaan pendapat dengan majikannya dan perjanjian kerjanya telah dicabuli.

Encik Yeo, 46 tahun, bekas timbalan ketua pegawai eksekutif (CEO) Majlis Sukan Singapura (SSC) dan setiausaha agung Persatuan Badminton Singapura (SBA).

Dalam surat peletakan jawatannya, Encik Yeo berkata beliau menyertai Flyer kerana difahamkan sebagai pengurus besar beliau akan memegang 'jawatan pengurus paling kanan dan akan bertanggungjawab terhadap semua fungsi operasi'.

Namun, seminggu sebelum insiden Singapore Flyer itu, pengerusi syarikat, Encik Florian Bollen, memutuskan untuk membentuk jawatankuasa eksekutif dan Encik Yeo perlu lapor kepada jawatankuasa itu.

Tindakan itu, ujar Encik Yeo, 'menggugat' peranannya.

Difahamkan ketegangan itu turut menjejas lembaga pengarah Flyer, yang merangkumi Encik Bollen, Encik Joerg Loewejohann, Encik Peter Purcell dan Encik Thomas Bone Winkel.

Encik Bollen dan Encik Purcell Penduduk Tetap Singapura, sementara dua yang lain rakyat Jerman.

Encik Purcell berkata beliau dan Encik Bollen sering bertelingkah mengenai pelbagai isu melibatkan cara perniagaan itu harus diurus. Beliau enggan mendedahkan lebih lanjut.

Ketika ditanya mengenai ketegangan itu, jurucakap syarikat itu berkata: 'Ada perbezaan pendapat dari semasa ke semasa, tetapi lembaga pengarah mempunyai sokongan majoriti. Dalam sebarang perbincangan, perbezaan pendapat adalah suatu yang semula jadi. Terdapat perbezaan pendapat, tetapi tiada isu khusus.'

Ketika diminta mengulas lebih lanjut, beliau berkata perkara itu rahsia.

Persoalan mengenai keadaan kewangan Flyer turut ditimbulkan.

fatz

Singapura : 8 Januari 2009        
KEMATIAN BUDAK DUA TAHUN

KESAN LEBAM PADA TUBUH BUDAK, LELAKI DITAHAN

Oleh
Linilidia Abdul Hamid dan Atiqah Fairuz Md Salleh

Man charged with murder of 2-year-old daughter
By Nurfadhilla Kamarul, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 January 2009 2108 hrs


Burial rites being performed for Natalie Nikie Alisyia Sallehan


SINGAPORE: Sallehan Allaudin, 26, was on Thursday charged with the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Natalie Nikie Alisyia Sallehan.

The kitchen cleaner allegedly committed the crime at around 7.30pm on Tuesday at the family's rental flat in Boon Lay Drive.

The toddler was pronounced dead two hours after she was taken to the National University Hospital with severe injuries and bruises on her body.

The case will be heard again on January 15.

Burial rites for the girl were carried out on Thursday at the Pusara Abadi cemetery at Lim Chu Kang.

Relatives and neighbours remember her as a cheerful child and her sudden death was dearly felt.

- CNA/ir

fatz2

Singapore Flyer may re-open by Lunar New Year
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 January 2009 1855 hrs

  

SINGAPORE: The wheels are in motion to put in new back-up systems at the Singapore Flyer and its management is hopeful to get the observation wheel back in business by the Lunar New Year.

Operations at the world's giant observation wheel have been suspended since December 23, after the Flyer ground to a halt for over six hours due to an electrical fire.

Eleven people had to be manually lowered from the Flyer when it broke down last month, doing little for the image of the observation wheel, an iconic tourist attraction.

In all, 173 visitors were stuck, most of them for over six hours. But its management says new back-ups will now kick in, in case of a breakdown.

On top of improving its current drive system, it will also put in a secondary back-up that will operate independently.

Florian Bollen, chairman of Singapore Flyer, said: "The whole aim here is that we have a situation where we can switch from one system to the next very very quickly. And ideally it's going to be a situation where the people in the Wheel don't even learn, realise that they're moving from one system to the other."

Even if that fails, a separate mechanism will allow the Wheel to move by gravitational force.

This will involve releasing the brakes on the Wheel using an electrical winch system.

The Flyer's management says it is confident that with these systems in place, passengers will be able to disembark within a few hours.

The comfort of trapped passengers has also been addressed.

The Singapore Flyer says emergency supplies such as water, salt tablets and portable toilets will be stored in each capsule.

It will also open up more communication channels to keep passengers better updated in times of an emergency.

The Flyer may re-open in time for the Lunar New Year holiday.

But its management says this depends on how soon its contractor is able to implement the new back-up mechanisms.

The Flyer is also in talks with tenants and the trapped visitors on the issue of compensation.

- CNA/ir

fatzcomel

A new IC in 10 mins
NRIC registration is a breeze for students as it's now done in schools.
By Cheryl Ong


Students queued up inside a classroom as they waited to be ushered to tables manned by ICA staff. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM


ICA said students will receive their brand-new identity cards within three to four weeks from the day of registration. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM  

THE entire process to register for an identity card took no more than 10 minutes for Bedok Green Secondary Three student Vanishaa Doshi, 15.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Friday sent a team to the school, where they registered more than 350 students for their NRICs.

Armed with a passport-sized photograph, application form and their student pass, which doubles as an Ez-Link card, students queued up inside a classroom as they waited to be ushered to tables manned by ICA staff.

There, they submitted the three items and a scan of their thumbprints, and paid a $10 processing fee with their student pass, an Ez-link card, or credit card.

Permanent residents are charged $50. This is the first year since 2000 that NRIC registration is taking place in schools. Before, 15-year-olds had to go to the ICA building in Lavender Road.

NRIC registration used to take place in schools before 1991, but this was discontinued because ICA found it not practical to bring bulky equipment from school to school and moved the process to its headquarters instead.

Mr Tan Kok Guan, ICA's citizen services centre senior manager, said that since secondary schools became single-session, many students would throng the ICA building in the afternoon, leading to long waiting times for both the student and their parents who accompanied them.

Now, a mobile team from the ICA will visit each school every day with laptops and portable thumbprint scanners. Bedok Green Secondary School is the fifth school the ICA team visited on Friday.

'It's quite a smooth process and very convenient,' said Ms Doshi, who lives in Bedok. 'Since it's within school time, I don't have to spend too much time travelling to ICA and back.'

ICA said students will receive their brand-new identity cards within three to four weeks from the day of registration.

fatz2

$3.6 million iPhone
by |10 January 2009
Keywords: gold, diamonds, apple iphone, apple, mobile, jewellery



A diamond-encrusted 3G Apple iPhone is laying claim to the title of the world's most expensive phone.

The 18-carat gold gadget was designed by Austrian jeweller Peter Aloisson and priced at 1.6 million pounds ($3.6 million), Britain's Daily Telegraph said on Thursday. Its most prominent feature is a button featuring a rare 6.6-carat diamond.

Meanwhile, in Chiba, east of Tokyo, a Mercedes-Benz SL600 customised with 300,000 Swarovski crystals went on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2009. The annual car show will run until tomorrow.

emmo

TECH News... sja nak memeriahkan thread nih...

Windows 7: the public beta explained
Microsoft has said the public download will be available from the Windows 7 site from today. Although, the company didn't state when during the day it would be made available (we checked at 11am GMT and it still wasn't available). In the past , Microsoft has sometimes open...

http://www.msfn.org/comments.php?shownews=23098

Microsoft: Windows 7 means business
The first beta version of the successor to Windows Vista is immediately available as a downloadable disk image to MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet subscribers, while the general public will get to test drive the new operating system from Friday 9 January.

http://www.activewin.com/awin/comments.asp?HeadlineIndex=45897

Windows 7 Beta: Quick Review
Our friends at Neowin posted a quick review..."The installation was very simple and it just took 20 minutes. It was a hassle free installation. The thing which surprised me was that Windows 7 had installed most of the drivers for my PC, unlike in Vista where I had to insert manufacturer's disc to install drivers. This saved a lot of time to get started with Windows 7!"

http://www.activewin.com/awin/comments.asp?HeadlineIndex=45901

Facebook firing sparks ethics debate
W hen esthetician Crystal Bell was fired via Facebook, she spawned a debate over"cyber sacking" and what employers owe their employees in times when electronic communication has become the norm. "I think it's going to be the way of the future, but for me it's not the human way to go," said Bell, a single mother from Kelowna, B. C. who found out ...

http://www.msfn.org/comments.php?shownews=23092

Facebook Is No Friend of Power.com
Power.com is a start-up based in Brazil that aims to be the portal through which people access all of their favorite social networking sites. Facebook would prefer that its members access it directly, thank you very much. On Wednesday, Facebook filed a complaint against Power.com in United States District Court in San Jose, Calif., for copyright...

http://www.msfn.org/comments.php?shownews=23080

Twitter warning: your account data is being sold
You iknow the spammer? Twply? Well, it’s worse than it seems. They now have your user name and password and are looking to sell your data to the highest bidder. Twitter needs a real third-party authentication system and it needs it now. Thanks to Mark Trapp and other friendfeeders for bringing this to my attention.    Tagged: data, [...]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f ... zer/~3/yx0pPoxyjrM/

Twitter spam, effective or idiotic?
This morning the replies kept crossing my screen. They look like this: Just started using http://twply.com/ to get my @replies via email. Neat stuff! Aaarrrrrggggghhhhh. To me this marks this company forever that it’s a spammer. I will never try this tool just because of this. It is why I am increasingly finding myself unwilling to put my [...]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f ... zer/~3/o0tqxPt9hB4/

Twitter War
Israel and Gaza are going at it on Twitter (and in real life, as reported over on news site Memeorandum). Shel Israel reports. Tagged: gaza, Israel, Twitter

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f ... zer/~3/jqopv8bONpM/

Got a real-time ego problem? Get a room!
Oh, be honest. You’ve searched for yourself on Google, right? That’s an ego search. Here’s mine. But doing ego searches today is far more complex than it was back in 1998 when I did my first Google ego search. Today you have to look at what people are saying about you on Twitter, I use Twitter Search for [...]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f ... zer/~3/WuPpElFhAf0/

fatzcomel

MP hospitalised after man pours flammable liquid on him, sets him on fire
By Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 January 2009 1419 hrs

  
Mr Seng Han Thong

SINGAPORE : Member of Parliament (MP) for Yio Chu Kang, Seng Han Thong, is in hospital with between 10 and 15 per cent burns after a man poured flammable liquid on him and set him on fire on Sunday.

Mr Seng was at a bursary and hong bao presentation ceremony at Yio Chu Kang Community Club when the attack happened.

The chairman of a nearby Chinese temple, Aw Chui Seng, also suffered burns.

Both men are now at the Singapore General Hospital.

Yio Chu Kang Community Club was filled with police and Civil Defence officers who were going about their investigations, but reporters were barred from entering the premises.

It is believed that a 70-year-old man approached the MP and Mr Aw from behind, poured the flammable liquid on them and set them on fire using a lighter.

A caller to the MediaCorp Hotline, Mr Zhang, said: "A man ran in, lit a bottle of kerosene and threw it at Mr Seng. Half of Mr Seng's hair was burnt...his back suffered burns as well. The man who threw the bottle tried to escape, but some people caught him and brought him to the CC."

Police have arrested the assailant.

Temple officials said the man was disgruntled for not being selected to receive the hong bao containing S$200.

Residents in the area whom Channel NewsAsia spoke to said the man is a familiar face in the neighbourhood, but not much else is known about him.

The charity event was organised by the chairman of the nearby Chu Sheng Temple.

Mr Aw has been the temple chairman for more than 10 years. He is also a popular and prominent figure in the community, with his temple giving out bursaries and red packets annually for 28 years.

As for Mr Seng, this is not the first time he has been attacked.

He was assaulted by a disgruntled taxi driver in 2006.

The man, who had sought Mr Seng's help about a revoked taxi licence, was acquitted after he agreed to Mr Seng's undisclosed terms. - CNA/ms

virgomal

Singapura : 12 Januari 2009         
  
AP YIO CHU KANG CEDERA SERIUS DISIMBAH CECAIR

Seorang lelaki berusia 70 tahun ditangkap polis

Oleh
Linilidia Abdul Hamid

ANGGOTA Parlimen (AP) kawasan undi Yio Chu Kang, Encik Seng Han Thong, mengalami kecederaan serius setelah disimbah cecair mudah terbakar oleh seorang penduduknya pagi semalam.

Encik Seng, 58 tahun, mengalami kelecuran pada leher, tangan dan badan. Rambut beliau pula terbakar.

Beliau kini dirawat di unit jagaan rapi (ICU) Hospital Besar Singapura.

Menurut jurucakap SGH, pemimpin gerakan buruh itu mengalami hampir 15 peratus kelecuran pada tubuhnya dan beliau mungkin memerlukan pembedahan graf tisu.

Media dimaklumkan Encik Seng berada dalam keadaan mantap.

Dalam kejadian semasa satu acara kemasyarakatan di Kelab Masyarakat Yio Chu Kang sekitar 11.45 pagi itu, pengerusi Kuil Chu Seng, Encik Aw Chui Seng, turut mengalami kecederaan setelah cuba melindungi Encik Seng.

Lebih 200 penduduk dan warga tua yang sedang makan tengah hari di acara itu terperanjat melihat kejadian tersebut.

Menurut polis, seorang lelaki berusia 70 tahun menyimbah belakang badan Encik Seng dengan sebotol cecair sebelum menyalakan api.

Encik Aw, yang berdiri dekat Encik Seng, dengan pantas menolak lelaki tersebut. Tindakannya itu menyebabkan beliau turut tercedera.

Penyerang itu, yang dipercayai pernah dimasukkan ke Institut Kesihatan Mental (IMH), cuba melarikan diri tapi dapat ditahan beberapa orang dan diserah kepada polis.

Semasa kejadian, Encik Seng baru hendak menyertai penduduk makan tengah hari setelah selesai menyampaikan dermasiswa Edusave kepada pelajar dan hongbao kepada warga tua di kawasannya.

Penyerang itu dikatakan menyerang Encik Seng kerana tidak berpuas hati tidak diberi hongbao. Encik Seng mengenalinya dan pernah bertemunya beberapa kali.

Ramai pemimpin, termasuk AP, dan pemimpin akar umbi, melawat Encik Seng semalam. Mereka termasuk Perdana Menteri, Encik Lee Hsien Loong, dan isteri, Cik Ho Ching.

Ketika ditemui di luar unit kebakaran SGH, Encik Lee menyifatkan kejadian itu 'amat malang sekali'.

'Saya harap Han Thong cepat sembuh dan memberitahunya supaya menjaga dirinya,' kata Encik Lee, sambil menekankan pentingnya AP menjaga keselamatan mereka tetapi tetap mengekalkan sikap ramah.

Ditanya Berita Harian adakah sesiapa menjaga kawasan undi selama beliau menjalani rawatan, Encik Lee berkata: 'Kami akan membantu menjaga Yio Chu Kang.'

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Encik Wong Kan Seng, menyifatkan serangan itu sebagai 'ganas' dan 'tidak disangka'.

Ditemui di SGH, beliau, yang juga Menteri Ehwal Dalam Negeri. berkata insiden itu akan disiasat secara menyeluruh dan si penyerang akan diadili dengan sewajarnya mengikut undang-undang.

'Sememangnya ini kejadian ganas dan serius, dan langsung tidak dijangka,' kata beliau.

Encik Wong bagaimanapun berkata sukar untuk mengelak serangan sedemikian walaupun AP mengambil pelbagai langkah berjaga-jaga.

Pakar perubatan SGH dijadual memeriksa Encik Seng hari ini bagi menentukan adakah beliau perlu menjalani pembedahan graf kulit.

Turut melawat Encik Seng ialah Menteri Pembimbing, Encik Lee Kuan Yew, dan Menteri Negara Kanan (Kesihatan), Dr Balaji Sadasivan.

Pada Julai 2006, Encik Seng diserang seorang pemandu teksi yang marah, semasa sesi bertemu rakyat di tadika Yayasan Masyarakat Parti Tindakan Rakyat (PAP) di Blok 644, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.

Beliau ditumbuk lelaki berusia 74 tahun itu, yang marah kerana berasa Encik Seng tidak membantunya mendapatkan kembali lesen teksinya yang telah dibatalkan.

fatzcomel

Yio Chu Kang residents express concern over attack on MP
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 January 2009 2133 hrs


Mdm Halimah Yakob

SINGAPORE: Residents of Yio Chu Kang and those who have been working closely with Member of Parliament Seng Han Thong have expressed concern over Sunday's incident where a man threw thinner at the MP and set him on fire.

They described Mr Seng, who is also the adviser to the Taxi Operators' Association, as someone who is always willing to help. In fact, Mr Seng announced several measures to help taxi drivers tide over the economic downturn last Friday.

The MP underwent a skin graft operation on Monday after suffering burns on about 10 per cent of his body. His condition is now stable and he is expected to stay in hospital for at least 15 days.

Mr Seng's attacker, 70-year-old Ong Kah Chua, has been charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

Describing the incident as a senseless act, Albert Ong, president of the Trans-cab Operators' Association, said: "We are very saddened to hear about this because Mr Seng always helped a lot of taxi drivers and this type of violent act should not have happened."

Robin Ng, president of the City Cab Operators' Association, said: "He did a lot to help our drivers and fight for our benefits. He also helped us to solve a lot of daily operations problems."

Residents in Mr Seng's ward were also taken aback by the attack. One of them said: "MP Seng Han Thong is very kind to all the residents here. This case is very unfortunate."

"I feel that he's a good man – not proud and very approachable," another added.

Residents also recalled how Mr Seng had helped them in one way or another when a fire broke out at the old Ang Mo Kio Market last year. The MP was involved in setting up the current temporary market and food centre.

Fellow unionist and MP for Jurong GRC, Halimah Yacob, found the incident "extremely disturbing". She said: "I want to appeal to residents and to those who come to us for help – if you do have any concerns, there is a way of dealing with them. There is no need to resort to violence and aggression.

"As MPs, we have to make decisions all the time. Some decisions are favourable to residents, but some decisions are tough. It is not that we want to make it tough for them.

"Sometimes it is the situation, the circumstances... I don't think we can completely insulate ourselves, that's not possible and that's really not necessary."


- CNA/so

fatzcomel

Jan 16, 2009
First prayer at new mosque
By Lee Siew Hua, Senior Political Correspondent




THE first Friday Prayer was performed at the gleaming Muhajirin Mosque, which reopened on Friday after a $6.9 million tranformation.

The rebuilt mosque is set in the Singapore Islamic Hub, a new complex in Braddell Road. Also in the cluster are the Islamic school Madrasah Al-Irsyad and the 11-storey headquarters of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).

The mosque will 'be plugged into the wider community' to enrich lives of Muslim and non-Muslim residents in Toa Payoh and beyond, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim.

Toa Payoh, he noted, is uniquely filled with grassroots and religious groups that the mosque can work with.

'I am happy with our achievement today. We have been able to optimise land use with three facilities,' said Dr Yaacob, who is Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

Also, the fact that funds had been raised for the mosque reflects the desire of Muslims to be in step with the wider Singapore society, he said.

Mufti Syed Isa Semait led the perwakafan or consecration of the mosque, which first opened its doors in 1977 and is now a three-storey contemporary Islamic building clad in glass and black granite.

The Mufti also preached a sermon on compassion before 2,500 of the Muslim faithful. He urged them to help meet the $2.8-million shortfall in mosque funding.

In the congregation was businessman Raden Abdul Rahem, 51, who had visited the mosque since his teenage years. He still visits every day, as his 10-year-old son is studying at the madrasah.

'The mosque has changed with the generations. But it still brings back all the memories,' he said.

Redevelopment began in Nov 2006. The barrier-free building is now equipped with modern facilities and a lift. Inside are an imam room, board room, office and basement carpark.

[ Last edited by  fatzcomel at 17-1-2009 12:32 AM ]

fatzcomel

Jan 16, 2009
Crash into NY Hudson river
A boom, then a jolt



NEW YORK - FRED Berretta was just nodding off when the boom jolted him awake.

In seat 22-A, Mr Jeff Kolodjay turned to the window to see flames leaping from the engine, just as the floor seemed to drop out.

One seat back, Mr Bill Zuhoski interlocked arms with the passengers seated next to him, as the waters of the Hudson River closed in.

Ms Vallie Collins quickly pressed out a text message to her husband, Steve, back in Tennessee, and hit send: 'My plane is crashing.' US Airways Flight 1549 was not even 5 minutes old.

Was this really happening? Barely an hour before, 150 passengers, three flight attendants and two pilots had boarded the Airbus A320 for what had seemed the most ordinary of journeys, plagued by nothing more than routine frustrations.

First, the Spirit Airways flight that Mr Kolodjay, his father and four buddies were ticketed for was cancelled. Now this one, bound for Charlotte, North Carolina, was running behind.

But Mr Kolodjay, already wearing his checkered golf cap despite the afternoon's 20-degree chill, was looking ahead. By night, he and his friends would be in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where temperatures in the 50s and a few days on the links awaited.

From where he sat, it looked as if plane was full. A mother holding a 9-month-old baby. Three executives from Wells Fargo, traveling on business.

By 3 pm, the flight was running about 15 minutes late. But that was certainly typical for New York's tangled LaGuardia Airport.

It was nothing Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III - with 40 years of flying experience - hadn't seen before.

Three minutes later, the flier known as 'Sully' pushed back from the gate and pivoted his craft toward the runway. At 3.26, Flight 1549 was airborne.

As the plane climbed over Flushing Bay and the Bronx came into sight 1,800 feet (550 metres) below, passengers began to get comfortable. In his seat on the left side of the plane, Mr Berretta, heading home to Charlotte after a business trip, closed his eyes.

The plane continued its ascent - 2,800 feet (850 metres), then 3,200 feet (975 metres). The apartment towers of Washington Heights quickly slipped below the plane, with the Hudson River and New Jersey ahead.

But up in the cockpit, Sullenberger knew something was wrong.

Less than a minute into the flight, he radioed an air traffic controller at New York TRACON, or Terminal Radar Approach Control, in Westbury, New York. His plane had suffered a 'double bird strike' and would have to return to the airport.

As the controller began routing the aircraft back to LaGuardia, Mr Sullenberger looked down at northern New Jersey and asked the controller about the runway he had spotted below. What was it? That was Teterboro Airport, a strip popular with corporate jets.

Mr Sullenberger asked for permission to make an emergency landing.

In the cabin, passengers, too, were certain things had gone wrong. Mr Berretta sat up straight upon hearing a loud boom, and looked out the window. Smoke was billowing from the engine mounted on the wing outside his window.

'There were fire and flames coming out of it and I was looking right at it,' Mr Kolodjay said.

The plane banked left, heading due south over the Hudson and losing altitude quickly - 2,000 feet (600 metres), 1,600 feet (500 metres), 1,200 feet (400 metres), 400 feet (100 metres).

'Brace for impact!' the pilot barked over the intercom in the cabin.

Mr Berretta leaned forward in prayer. Mr Kolodjay said a Hail Mary.

Moments later, the blue-tailed craft slammed into the water with a jolt.

Sitting in traffic at the corner of Ninth Avenue and 34th Street, construction sales representative Jeremy Maycroft stared west toward the Hudson.

Was that a plane? Inside the cabin of Flight 1549, 'it was just controlled chaos', said passenger Dave Sanderson, of Charlotte. 'People started running up the aisle. People were getting shoved out of the way.'

'There was a mixed emotion of yelling and crying,' passenger Alberto Panero said. 'But then a couple people just kind of took charge and calmed everyone.'

The gray waters of the Hudson lapped at the windows and began pouring into the cabin.

'For a second, I thought I was just going to die right there in the plane,' Mr Zuhoski said. 'I was going to drown to death.'

He clambered up on top of one of the seats. But less than a minute after the plane hit the water, passengers started moving toward the exits. The mother with the baby, seated near the back, tried to crawl over the seat in front of her.

'Women and children first!' some of the male passengers shouted. They made their way out the doors at the front and middle of the plane, and onto the wings.

Mr Panero took a look back down the empty aisle of the plane to make sure there was no one else behind him before jumping into a life boat.

The last to go was Mr Sullenberger, who walked the length of the plane twice to make sure all were out.

Outside, the water was frigid, soaking Mr Kolodjay from the waist down. But help was already at hand, with 14 vessels from the NY Waterway commuter ferry service and the Circle Line sightseeing fleet rushing to the scene.

At the helm of the ferry Thomas Jefferson, Capt Vincent Lombardi pulled alongside, greeted by cheers. People were spread across the plane's wings. Others were in inflatable rafts. A few people were in the water. You see a lot of things in New York's waters, but who would believe this story? The ferry passengers grabbed life vests and lines of rope and tossed them to the survivors.

'We had to pull an elderly woman out of a raft in a sling. She was crying,' Mr Lombardi said. 'We gave them the jackets off our backs.' One woman had a 3-year-old child, and other passengers on a raft told her to toss the girl to them. She did and then got on the raft herself.

Another lady had a 9-month-old child. They helped her onto the wing and she didn't want to toss the baby to them, but she finally did after people kept encouraging her to do it.

Sanderson said one woman initially refused to get off the plane until she had her luggage, but they eventually persuaded her to get out.

'I felt no fear until I got on the boat,' Mr Sanderson said. 'I had no balance, I couldn't feel my hands.'

Back on shore, the stunned passengers, many wrapped in blankets, walked around and shook each others hands. Some embraced. Nearly all were strangers, but now they shared a unique comradery.

Hours later, Mr Panero marvelled to CNN: 'All of the sudden, all the strangers we didn't know had a common bond.' -- AP