Latest news with #KShanmugam
CNA
9 hours ago
- General
- CNA
Yishun resident taken to hospital after spalling concrete falls in HDB flat
SINGAPORE: A 65-year-old man was taken to hospital after spalling concrete fell in the bathroom of his flat in Yishun on Thursday (Jun 19). In response to queries from CNA on Friday, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) said its officers were alerted to the accident at Block 127 Yishun Street 11. "The incident resulted in injuries to a 65-year-old resident. Upon being notified, our officers conducted an immediate investigation on the same afternoon and found loose spalling concrete on the floor of the master bedroom bathroom," it said. HDB also inspected the whole flat and found "slight bulging of concrete" in the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom. "While there is no sign of the imminent spalling of concrete at the ceiling of the kitchen bathroom, for the residents' peace of mind and safety, HDB has arranged for our contractor to remove the bulging concrete next Monday," it added. HDB is assisting the flat owners with repairs under the Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme and is coordinating with the local grassroots to render financial assistance for the cost of the repair works. Minister for Home Affairs, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, K Shanmugam visited the affected flat. In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Shanmugam said the owner of the flat is in hospital receiving treatment. He added that he spoke with the man's wife and informed her that assistance would be given, including on payment for the repair works. "My volunteers are linking with HDB and Town Council on the matter," he wrote. HDB added it will continue to render assistance and support to the affected resident and his family. COMMON ISSUE FOR OLDER BUILDINGS Spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, especially in areas with damp conditions such as kitchens and toilets, according to HDB's website. The issue is largely caused by carbonation, a natural deterioration process that causes steel reinforcement bars in the ceiling to corrode and the concrete to crack. The affected Yishun unit was completed 41 years ago and was upgraded under the Home Improvement Programme in 2018, HDB said in its statement on Friday. As part of the toilet upgrading, which the resident opted for, new tiles and fittings were installed in the toilets and the ceilings were repainted, it said. "No repair works for spalling concrete were conducted as there were no signs of spalling concrete in the unit then." HDB also provided advice on preventing spalling concrete. Visible signs of cracks or holes should be promptly sealed, and residents can also paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete. Proper ventilation is also encouraged as humid environments will speed up carbonation. Residents can do so by opening the windows, vents or doors when these areas are not in use. "If there is spalling concrete, you can repair it yourself if the area is small. If the affected area is large, you should engage a contractor to repair the ceiling promptly before more concrete dislodges and causes injury.
Malay Mail
11-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Singapore government extends The Online Citizen's financial ban to 2027 over falsehoods
SINGAPORE, June 11 — The Online Citizen (TOC) will remain barred from receiving any financial benefits through its website and social media platforms until 2027, after Singapore authorities extended its designation as a Declared Online Location (DOL) under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma). In a statement today, Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) said the extension — effective from July 21, 2025, to July 21, 2027 — was necessary 'to ensure Singaporeans continue to be alerted to TOC's record of communicating falsehoods.' The website and its associated Facebook, Instagram and X pages were first labelled as DOLs in July 2023. This status means the operators cannot monetise their content or receive financial support during the declaration period. According to MDDI, TOC 'continued to communicate falsehoods through its online platforms over the past two years', even while under the initial DOL designation. Between July 2023 and June 2025, the site was issued eight correction directions under Pofma. One such direction, issued on February 25, related to an article TOC published about modification works at the Ridout Road colonial bungalow leased by Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam's wife. In it, TOC claimed that the Singapore Land Authority had promised Shanmugam a lease extension beyond 2027 and that public funds were used for earthworks at the property from 2024 — claims which the ministry said were false. The latest DOL order requires TOC to carry a notice on all its platforms stating that it has 'communicated multiple falsehoods' and warning viewers to exercise caution when accessing its content. In addition, the MDDI said service providers, including digital advertising agencies, 'will have to take steps to ensure that their paid content on TOC's platforms are not made available in Singapore.' 'Individuals and companies must also not provide financial support to TOC's DOLs to avoid promoting the communication of falsehoods in Singapore on these platforms,' the ministry added. TOC may continue operating its platforms but is barred from monetising them during the DOL period. Under Pofma, the Singapore government can also instruct internet intermediaries to block access to DOLs if operators fail to comply with restrictions. Companies that flout such orders face fines of up to S$20,000 (RM65,900) per day, capped at S$500,000. Operators of DOLs may apply to the minister to vary or cancel the declaration. If unsuccessful, they may appeal to the High Court. TOC is one of four entities currently designated as DOLs, alongside Gutzy Asia, the Transformative Justice Collective, and Opposition politician Kenneth Jeyaretnam's platforms.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Time of India
Mass failures: Teachers given the boot; one shunted, seven transferred
Pudukottai: The mass failure of students at the Aranthangi Govt Model Boys School in Pudukottai in board exams has sparked disciplinary action against teachers of the school. The district education office has suspended one teacher for consuming alcohol on campus and transferred seven others for negligence that directly contributed to the poor academic performance, where more than 40% of students failed to make it past the line. While the seven teachers were transferred for 'failing' in their duty to help students pass, the suspended teacher was also found to be irregular to classes due to his drinking habit and was described as a 'hindrance' to the academic growth of students in the suspension order. "There has been a thorough inquiry, and we found that the vocational teacher had attended classes in an inebriated state multiple times and had also consumed alcohol on campus," chief educational officer K Shanmugam told TOI. Sources also said the action was not solely due to the results but also stemmed from 'blatant' negligence of duty—such as irregular attendance, frequently being distracted by their phones during class hours, and even running personal businesses from within the campus. The disciplinary measures follow an inquiry ordered by the district education authorities on May 19 to ascertain why an unusually high number of students had failed en masse. The orders, issued on June 6 and handed over to the teachers on Monday, include various streams, including chemistry, history, commerce, mathematics, science, and agriculture. Among them, three held undergraduate degrees and four were postgraduates. The former headmaster retired on May 31, and the school is currently being overseen by an in-charge HM deputed from Avudaiyarkoil school. Aranthangi MLA ST Ramachandran, who had also been part of the inquiry, welcomed the move. "A WhatsApp group has been created—including locals, parents, SMC members, and education officials—to monitor the situation from now on. Hopefully, many students will clear the supplementary exams soon. This should be a wake-up call. I hope things take a turn for the better," he told TOI. The poor performance drew attention after 107 of the 256 students who appeared for the Class XII board exams failed, while 99 out of 240 Class XI students also did not clear the exams. In Class X, 36 out of 107 students failed as well.
Hindustan Times
09-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Consecration ceremony held at one of oldest Hindu temple in Singapore
More than 20,000 devotees attended the consecration ceremony at the Sri Sivan Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore with a history dating back to the 1800s. Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam on Sunday joined the devotees at the temple popularly known as Geylang East Temple in the suburban housing estates. Shanmugam, the guest of honour at the ceremony, told the media: 'Today's consecration ceremony is very significant. This temple itself has a very special place in the heart of the Hindu community in Singapore.' Shanmugam unveiled a plaque commemorating the consecration ceremony. Devotees began streaming into purpose-built tents outside the temple from 7 am, eagerly waiting for the main event, a Maha Kumbhabishegam or 'grand consecration'. It is the process of pouring sanctified water from vessels on the roof of the temple. These vessels, called kumbhams, are filled with holy water and energised through chanting of sacred Sanskrit mantras over seven consecutive days. From around 7.30 am, chants and traditional music filled the air as the procession of priests holding kumbhams headed to the roof of the temple. Thousands of devotees followed the elaborate proceedings via large screens showing a multi-camera live stream of the priests pouring the sacred water cascading from 22 golden 'kalasams' or pinnacles at the peak of the temple structure. However, the over-eager crowd at times threatened to break through barricades set up to control people entering the temple after the main ceremony ended, The Straits Times reported. At around 11.30 am, part of the crowd bulged out of barricades at one of the tents as organisers and volunteers implored in Tamil for people to stop pushing, according to the report. The crowd, which had been waiting to enter the sanctum to pray, dissipated after the police were called to the site at Geylang East Avenue 2. According to the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB), assistance was rendered to a few, but no injuries were reported during the event. More volunteers were deployed, and the HEB 'subsequently sought the assistance of the police to quickly bring the situation under control'. This was the third such consecration for the temple, which started on a parcel of land in Orchard Road in 1868, then relocated to temporary premises in 1983, before moving to its current location in Geylang East in 1993. This year, the temple underwent a refurbishment and saw all its sculptural features restored and deity sanctums refurbished. Other upgrades included expanding prayer spaces to cater to the growing congregation and renovating the existing multi-purpose hall, among other areas. The temple will hold 48 days of prayers, rituals and cultural programmes from June 9 to July 26.
Straits Times
08-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Over 20,000 devotees attend Sri Sivan Temple consecration, crowds almost break through barricades
Priests holding golden 'kalasams' or pinnacles as they make their way to the consecration of the Sri Sivan Temple on June 8. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY SINGAPORE - Over 20,000 devotees gathered to witness the consecration of the Sri Sivan Temple on June 8. The Geylang East temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, has a history that dates to the 1800s. The event was attended by Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam. Speaking to media on the sidelines of the event, the ceremony's guest of honour said: 'Today's consecration ceremony is very significant. This temple itself has a very special place in the heart of the Hindu community in Singapore.' He unveiled a plaque commemorating the consecration ceremony. Devotees began streaming into purpose-built tents outside the temple by 7am, waiting eagerly for the main event - a Maha Kumbhabishegam ('grand consecration' in Sanskrit). It refers to the process of pouring sanctified water from vessels on the roof of the temple. Devotees began streaming into purpose-built tents outside the temple by 7am, waiting eagerly for the main event - a Maha Kumbhabishegam ('grand consecration' in Sanskrit). ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY From around 8am, chants and traditional music filled the air as a procession of priests holding pots of sacred water headed to the temple roof. The thousands of devotees followed the elaborate proceedings via large screens showing a multi-camera live stream of the priests pouring purified water, which cascaded down from 22 golden 'kalasams' or pinnacles at the peak of the temple structure. Madam Navamany Gopalkrishnan, 68, was among the faithful who had managed to get seats to the grand occasion two weeks ago. 'If I am in the country, I never miss a temple's consecration…and this is the biggest one I've been for,' said the retired caterer. However, the over-eager crowd at times threatened to break through barricades that had been set up to control people entering the temple after the main ceremony concluded. At around 11.30am, at one of the tents, crowds bulged out of barricades as organisers and volunteers implored in Tamil for people to stop pushing. The crowds who had been waiting to enter the sanctum to pray dissipated after police were called to the site at Geylang East Ave 2. The crowds who had been waiting to enter the sanctum to pray dissipated after police were called to the site at Geylang East Ave 2. PHOTO: TAMIL MURASU Two young children had been pulled out of the crowd and given seats and water by volunteers, while another man was seen being attended to by a medic. Among those stuck in the queue was Madam Kumari Muthu, 63, a nurse who had been on site from 5.30am. 'The pushing was terrible…I've never experienced anything like this before,' said Madam Kumari. 'I was so afraid they were going to push all the old people especially, next time they should have separate queues for men, and women, elderly and children.' Crowds let up once police arrived on site from around noon, and dissipated within 45 minutes . ST has contacted the Hindu Endowments Board, which manages the temple, for comment. Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam (third from right) at the consecration of the Sri Sivan Temple on June 8. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY This was the third such consecration for the temple, which started off on a parcel in Orchard Road in 1868, and relocated to a temporary premises in 1983 before moving to its current location in Geylang East in 1993. Its second consecration ceremony in 2008 drew 15,000 devotees. The third consecration, which was supposed to happen 12 years later, was disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Anjali Raguraman is a correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers politics, as well as consumer stories spanning tourism, retail and F&B. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
