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Economic Times
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Economic Times
Jeffrey Siow addresses COE system, private-hire cars, ERP 2.0 and EV plans in Singapore
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow discusses Singapore's COE system, ERP 2.0 rollout, private-hire vehicle policies, and EV adoption at a media interview on June 11, 2025 Synopsis Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow stated that no major changes to Singapore's COE system are expected in the short term. He also discussed private-hire vehicle impacts, the ERP 2.0 rollout, electric vehicle adoption, and late-night transport access. This article summarizes key points on transport policy and urban mobility in Singapore Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the Singapore government will not implement significant changes to the certificate of entitlement (COE) system in the near term. He emphasized that the current focus is on completing the installation of on-board units (OBUs) in all vehicles as part of the ERP 2.0 transition. ADVERTISEMENT 'The reality is there won't be space for every Singaporean to own a car in Singapore,' Siow said during a media interview on June 11. He explained that the COE system remains a method to allocate a limited and valuable resource, vehicle ownership, within a land-scarce city-state. Also read: Singapore announces six public holiday long weekends for 2026 On the question of usage-based charging, Siow stated that this may be considered in a future phase of the ERP 2.0 rollout. The system was introduced to replace the aging ERP infrastructure, which had become unsustainable due to unavailable of June 2025, over 500,000 vehicles in Singapore have been equipped with OBUs. The government aims to complete installation across the country's vehicle fleet, totaling approximately one million, by to concerns that private-hire vehicles may be inflating COE prices, Siow challenged that narrative. He pointed out that these services provide pay-per-use access to private transport, potentially reducing the demand for individual car ownership. ADVERTISEMENT 'If we didn't have private-hire cars today, actually the reverse would be true, that a large number of these people will feel that they need to buy a car, and then... they will bid the price of the COE up,' Siow added that private-hire cars offer more efficient use of COEs. 'If you had one COE left to allocate, is it better to allocate it to a private car owner, who then drives maybe two trips a day and leaves the car in the garage? Or is it better to share the car among a much larger group of Singaporeans who can have access to the use of a car when they need it? Surely it must be the latter, right?' ADVERTISEMENT Also read: Top insolvency lawyer and former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61However, Siow indicated that if driving behaviors shift significantly over time, the COE allocation model could be reviewed also addressed questions regarding work hours for private-hire drivers following the recent death of 49-year-old driver Gavin Neo, who reportedly worked up to 15 hours daily. Siow noted that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) does not currently regulate the hours private-hire drivers spend on the road. ADVERTISEMENT He added that the unions have not requested regulations on driver hours, citing individual flexibility. Siow said that LTA would consider intervention if accident rates involving private-hire vehicles exceeded those involving private vehicles, which has not been the Workplace Safety and Health Council recommends limiting driver shifts to no more than 12 hours. Siow further commented on ride-hailing company Grab's incentive structures, suggesting they may merit closer review. ADVERTISEMENT 'I have a lot of sympathy for (Mr Neo)... The union has reached out to (the family), and we want to see how we can help the family in that particular instance,' he said. Siow identified electric vehicles (EVs) as a 'game changer' for urban planning. Because EVs are quiet and non-polluting, roads can be designed closer to or even through buildings. The government has announced that all new car registrations must be cleaner-energy models from 2030. Also read: Trade Tensions & Tariffs: Will Singapore enter a technical recession? 'It is a matter of managing the transition,' Siow said. 'It just takes time for people to switch. We don't want to force them to suddenly have to give up their vehicle for a new one.'On late-night public transport, Siow cited manpower limitations as the main constraint. 'Between choosing to deploy a night bus versus choosing to deploy a new bus service, I have to weigh which is the more immediate priority,' he said. For MRT services, nightly maintenance work limits the feasibility of extending service hours. However, the completion of the Circle Line loop between HarbourFront and Marina Bay may allow partial overnight maintenance while maintaining network connectivity. Siow stated that the current operational pressures are leaning more toward reducing service hours to accommodate maintenance needs rather than extending them. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Time of India
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Jeffrey Siow addresses COE system, private-hire cars, ERP 2.0 and EV plans in Singapore
No immediate revisions to COE system, ERP 2.0 rollout ongoing Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the Singapore government will not implement significant changes to the certificate of entitlement (COE) system in the near term. He emphasized that the current focus is on completing the installation of on-board units (OBUs) in all vehicles as part of the ERP 2.0 transition. 'The reality is there won't be space for every Singaporean to own a car in Singapore,' Siow said during a media interview on June 11. He explained that the COE system remains a method to allocate a limited and valuable resource, vehicle ownership, within a land-scarce city-state. Also read: Singapore announces six public holiday long weekends for 2026 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo On the question of usage-based charging, Siow stated that this may be considered in a future phase of the ERP 2.0 rollout. The system was introduced to replace the aging ERP infrastructure, which had become unsustainable due to unavailable parts. As of June 2025, over 500,000 vehicles in Singapore have been equipped with OBUs. The government aims to complete installation across the country's vehicle fleet, totaling approximately one million, by 2026. Live Events Private-hire cars and COE prices Responding to concerns that private-hire vehicles may be inflating COE prices, Siow challenged that narrative. He pointed out that these services provide pay-per-use access to private transport, potentially reducing the demand for individual car ownership. 'If we didn't have private-hire cars today, actually the reverse would be true, that a large number of these people will feel that they need to buy a car, and then... they will bid the price of the COE up,' Siow said. He added that private-hire cars offer more efficient use of COEs. 'If you had one COE left to allocate, is it better to allocate it to a private car owner, who then drives maybe two trips a day and leaves the car in the garage? Or is it better to share the car among a much larger group of Singaporeans who can have access to the use of a car when they need it? Surely it must be the latter, right?' Also read: Top insolvency lawyer and former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61 However, Siow indicated that if driving behaviors shift significantly over time, the COE allocation model could be reviewed accordingly. Driver hours and road safety for private-hire sector Siow also addressed questions regarding work hours for private-hire drivers following the recent death of 49-year-old driver Gavin Neo, who reportedly worked up to 15 hours daily. Siow noted that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) does not currently regulate the hours private-hire drivers spend on the road. He added that the unions have not requested regulations on driver hours, citing individual flexibility. Siow said that LTA would consider intervention if accident rates involving private-hire vehicles exceeded those involving private vehicles, which has not been the case. The Workplace Safety and Health Council recommends limiting driver shifts to no more than 12 hours. Siow further commented on ride-hailing company Grab's incentive structures, suggesting they may merit closer review. 'I have a lot of sympathy for (Mr Neo)... The union has reached out to (the family), and we want to see how we can help the family in that particular instance,' he said. EV infrastructure, public transport priorities, and maintenance Siow identified electric vehicles (EVs) as a 'game changer' for urban planning. Because EVs are quiet and non-polluting, roads can be designed closer to or even through buildings. The government has announced that all new car registrations must be cleaner-energy models from 2030. Also read: Trade Tensions & Tariffs: Will Singapore enter a technical recession? 'It is a matter of managing the transition,' Siow said. 'It just takes time for people to switch. We don't want to force them to suddenly have to give up their vehicle for a new one.' On late-night public transport, Siow cited manpower limitations as the main constraint. 'Between choosing to deploy a night bus versus choosing to deploy a new bus service, I have to weigh which is the more immediate priority,' he said. For MRT services, nightly maintenance work limits the feasibility of extending service hours. However, the completion of the Circle Line loop between HarbourFront and Marina Bay may allow partial overnight maintenance while maintaining network connectivity. Siow stated that the current operational pressures are leaning more toward reducing service hours to accommodate maintenance needs rather than extending them.
Singapore Law Watch
7 days ago
- Business
- Singapore Law Watch
Top lawyer and former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61
Top lawyer and former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61 Source: Business Times Article Date: 15 Jun 2025 Author: Tessa Oh The leading insolvency lawyer acted in high profile cases involving Hin Leong, Lehman Brothers and Swiber; leaves behind his wife and three daughters. Patrick Ang, the former managing partner of 'Big Four' law firm Rajah & Tann (R&T), has died at age 61. The law firm confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday (Jun 14). Ng Kim Beng, R&T managing partner, said: 'R&T has lost a celebrated lawyer, a selfless leader, and most of all, a cherished and deeply loved friend and colleague.' 'His sudden and unexpected passing leaves an immense void,' he added. Ang was a top insolvency lawyer with three decades of experience. He was best known for his handling of high-profile collapses including the likes of China Aviation Oil, Hin Leong, Lehman Brothers and Swiber. The top lawyer was also the first Singaporean and the fourth lawyer from Asia to be inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy, a global organisation for leading bankruptcy and insolvency practitioners. Ang became managing partner of R&T in 2019, taking over from Senior Counsel Lee Eng Beng. During his tenure, he led the law firm's decade-long regionalisation drive under Rajah & Tann Asia, a regional network of law firms spanning South-east Asia and beyond. His leadership was recognised with the Managing Partner of the Year award at the Asia Legal Business South-east Asia Law Awards in 2024 and 2025. Just earlier this year, Ang handed the reins over to Ng, an arbitration lawyer, while remaining vice-chairman of Rajah & Tann Asia. Ang is survived by his wife, Marina Chin, senior counsel and joint managing partner at Tan Kok Quan Partnership, as well as their three daughters. It is believed that he suffered from prostate cancer. Formidable legal mind In a tribute on Saturday morning, Minister for Law Edwin Tong called Ang a 'formidable legal mind' with an 'unwavering stout heart for Singapore'. 'In my earlier years of practice, we often found ourselves on opposite sides of the table in complex restructuring matters,' said Tong. 'Even then, I found it impossible not to respect him.' He added: 'Patrick had a remarkable way of thinking several steps ahead – calm, strategic, incisive. He approached even the most difficult negotiations with integrity and grace, and never stole a march with an unfair point.' Tong said Ang also helped with drafting Singapore's emergency Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill and was recognised for his help with the Public Service Star (Covid-19) National Day Award. 'His passing is not only a profound loss to his firm, but also to the legal profession and to Singapore, which he served with quiet resolve, unwavering strength and deep purpose,' the minister said. In a LinkedIn post, the Law Society said: 'Patrick was not only an outstanding lawyer and respected leader, but also someone known for his grace, integrity and kindness. 'He earned the deep respect of all who had the privilege of working with him, and his passing is a profound loss to the legal profession.' Source: The Business Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Economic Times
15-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Top insolvency lawyer and former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61
Patrick Ang, former managing partner at Rajah & Tann, passed away at 61. The top insolvency lawyer played key roles in landmark cases and contributed to Singapore's legal reforms Former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61 Patrick Ang, former managing partner at Rajah & Tann, one of Singapore's Big Four law firms, has died at the age of 61. The firm confirmed his death in a statement on June Kim Beng, managing partner at Rajah & Tann (R&T), said, 'R&T has lost a celebrated lawyer, a selfless leader, and most of all, a cherished and deeply loved friend and colleague. His sudden and unexpected passing leaves an immense void.' Also read: Marelli files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US as hedge funds take control Ang was a leading insolvency lawyer in Singapore, with over three decades of legal experience. He was known for his role in major corporate collapse cases including China Aviation Oil, Hin Leong, Lehman Brothers, and Swiber. He was the first Singaporean and the fourth Asian lawyer inducted into the American College of Bankruptcy, an international body of top bankruptcy and insolvency professionals. Ang became managing partner at R&T in 2019, succeeding Senior Counsel Lee Eng Beng. During his leadership, he spearheaded the law firm's regionalisation through Rajah & Tann Asia, a network of legal practices operating across Southeast was named Managing Partner of the Year at the Asia Legal Business South-east Asia Law Awards in both 2024 and 2025. Earlier in 2025, Ang stepped down from his managing partner role but remained as vice-chairman of Rajah & Tann to law and public service recognizedMinister for Law Edwin Tong paid tribute to Ang in a statement on June 14, calling him a 'formidable legal mind' and commending his 'unwavering stout heart for Singapore.''In my earlier years of practice, we often found ourselves on opposite sides of the table in complex restructuring matters,' Tong wrote. 'Even then, I found it impossible not to respect him.' Also read: Motherson's Marelli takeover faces US hedge fund bump Tong noted that Ang approached negotiations with 'integrity and grace,' and consistently maintained professionalism, even in difficult legal also contributed to Singapore's public service. He played a role in drafting the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Bill and was awarded the Public Service Star (Covid-19) National Day Award in recognition of his work.'His passing is not only a profound loss to his firm, but also to the legal profession and to Singapore, which he served with quiet resolve, unwavering strength and deep purpose,' said Tong. Family and academic legacy Ang is survived by his wife, Marina Chin, Senior Counsel and joint managing partner at Tan Kok Quan Partnership, and their three brother, Ang Peng Hwa, is a professor at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Children with chronic illnesses attend medically-supervised Camp Rainbow in Singapore
Camp Rainbow 2025 hosted 65 children with chronic illnesses for a three-day, two-night event in Singapore. Supported by 113 volunteers including 22 medical professionals, the event offered recreational activities while ensuring health needs were met. Club Rainbow (Singapore) has run the program since 1991 to promote independence and inclusion Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Club Rainbow (Singapore) hosted its annual Camp Rainbow from May 31 to June 2, 2025, providing a medically supervised recreational experience for 65 children aged six to 16 with chronic illnesses. Held at D'Resort @ Downtown East in Pasir Ris, the event featured 113 volunteers, including 22 doctors and participants were paired with a befriender to ensure safety and companionship throughout the three-day, two-night camp. Those with special needs or disabilities were assigned two befrienders for additional read: Top insolvency lawyer and former Rajah & Tann managing partner Patrick Ang dies at 61 The camp itinerary included outdoor games at Pasir Ris Park, an indoor campfire event at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, and a sports carnival at Goodwood Park Hotel. Campers were organized into six groups, each accompanied by a dedicated doctor and nurse, with additional medical staff on Rainbow began in 1991 before the official formation of Club Rainbow (Singapore) the following year. Executive Director Teo Siang Loong noted that a group of volunteers launched the camp after identifying the lack of recreational opportunities for children with chronic illnesses.'Camp Rainbow existed before Club Rainbow. The organization was born out of the camp in 1992 because the volunteers realized there was so much more they could do for these kids,' Teo continue to be the foundation of the program. They include tertiary students, working adults, and medical professionals, many of whom return annually. Among them is Dr. Junaidah Badron, a senior staff physician at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. After 11 years with Camp Rainbow, she currently serves as medical director on Club Rainbow's management read: From IP to cosplay influencer: Singapore student builds career in fashion and wig design 'The overnight camp offers these children an opportunity to build independence and confidence as they are away from their parents,' Dr. Junaidah participants, Syarifah Alawiyah Alaydrus, age seven, and Annabel Ong, age 12, received special arrangements due to their medical diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, a severe brittle bone disease, attended as a day camper. She used a wheelchair and received support from staff nurse Nurdiyanah Shaiffah, who served as her diagnosed with central hypoventilation syndrome, a sleep-related breathing disorder, did not stay overnight with the other campers. Her father, Ken Ong, booked a room at the same resort to ensure close proximity while she participated in daytime favorite activity was the indoor campfire and group dance performance. 'In that instant, they were simply children dancing and having fun, not defined by disabilities or special needs,' said her befriender Eileen Chang, a volunteer from Singapore Management read: Singapore faces tough times as US tariff move to hit growth, jobs Club Rainbow (Singapore) emphasizes the value of inclusive community engagement . Executive Director Teo Siang Loong explained that the camp helps young volunteers better understand the challenges faced by children with chronic conditions.'We aim to develop community inclusivity by giving volunteers the opportunity to engage with the vulnerable,' Teo said. 'Through this interaction, we hope they will gain a better understanding and realize that this group, although vulnerable, are not very different from able-bodied or neurotypical individuals.'The organization continues to support children with chronic illnesses through year-round programs and outreach, building resilience and social connection among its young beneficiaries.
