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AsiaOne
08-06-2025
- AsiaOne
Today's norms, tomorrow's 'you did what?!' moments - 60 Singapore things we'll one day have to explain, Lifestyle News
Every generation has its quirks, catchphrases, and cultural milestones. But in Singapore, things move so fast that what felt totally normal just a few years ago now feels like ancient history. From the way we commute to the way we dabao our food, life in the Lion City has changed in big and small ways — sometimes without us even realising. To celebrate Singapore's 60th birthday this year, here's a fun (and, honestly, kind of mind-blowing) look-back at how far we've come — things we'll tell future generations about. Some random, some ridiculous, all real, all peak Singapore. 1. The MRT Circle Line wasn't always a full circle. From the last extension to Marina Bay station that opened January 2012, the loop never closed until 2026. 2. Believe it or not, $3 cai png used to get you a proper meal - two veggies and one meat, with rice and maybe even a fried egg. Now? Hard leh. 3. There was once a whole mall dedicated to tech. It was called "Funan, the IT Mall" — the place to build your own PC, buy games, and hunt down obscure cables. Now it's all climbing gyms and cafes. 4. NS Square used to be The Float@Marina Bay, where the National Day Parade was held. If you were lucky enough to get tickets, you sat on colourful plastic chairs and waved flags as you welcomed the marching contingents. 5. The old IPPT had five test stations, including the dreaded standing broad jump. Some have said they're still mentally scarred from it today. 6. Our passports used to be valid for only five years. Every renewal felt like a mini Reservist cycle. We were so happy when ICA switched to passports with a 10-year validity. 7. TraceTogether became the most downloaded app in Singapore during the pandemic. Aunties and uncles had to quickly learn how to scan a QR code. 8. At one point, there were seven Merlions in Singapore — including a giant one at Sentosa (RIP). The OG is still standing strong at Merlion Park. 9. Exams meant shading OAS sheets with a HB pencil. Your future depended on how well you coloured in bubbles. 10. Before you could use credit cards for public transport, you had to rely on physical EZ-Link cards. If you forgot yours, good luck getting on the bus or MRT. 11. If you forget to top up your EZ-Link card? Die. You had to find a 7-Eleven or waste time queuing up at a machine. 12. Long before Netflix, we had Kids Central (and later, Okto). Cartoons came with commercials, and many of the jingles would be stuck in our heads. 13. Pirated CDs and DVDs were a thing. You bought them at pasar malams or from "that one shop". And yes, the video quality was always a gamble. 14. Swensen's and Jack's Place were once considered "fancy", ok. Going there for a birthday dinner was a huge treat, complete with sizzling hotplates and firehouse sundaes. 15. When Lee Kuan Yew passed away, the entire nation grieved. It was the first time Singapore felt so silent, yet so united. 16. During the early days of the pandemic, people panic-bought toilet paper. FairPrice aisles were wiped clean. 17. One of Singapore's most wanted fugitives, Mas Selamat, escaped from detention — barefoot! The breakout became national news and was talked about during school assemblies. There were posters of him were everywhere. 18. Pokemon Go turned Singaporeans into zombies. People were crossing roads dangerously in Hougang just to catch a Snorlax. 19. "Un-un-un-un-believable!" became a viral hit, thanks to the TV show "Spouse for House" and actor Chen Tianwen's un-un-un-un-rivalled delivery. It still randomly lives rent-free in our heads. 20. Plastic bags were free — and double-bagging was normal. Today, it's 10 cents per bag along with 100per cent eco-guilt. 21. Singpass went from boring Government login to our most-used app. From showing our IC to booking vaccine slots — everything was at our fingertips. 22. People used to submit things to Stomp before helping others. Got MRT drama or fights? Snap a photo first, assist later. 23. During Circuit Breaker, bubble tea shops closed - and Singapore lost its collective mind. The queues when they reopened were legendary. 24. Our biggest celebrity wasn't a pop star. It was Le Le, the panda cub at River Wonders. He had more media coverage than most influencers. 25. There was a time when locals didn't have to fill in the SG Arrival Card. Now you need to quickly fill it up before crossing the border home. 26. Once upon a time, driving to JB required just your IC and car key. Now? Better make sure you've sorted that VEP otherwise kena fine. 27. We used to book cabs via SMS. You'd text your pickup location to a short code and pray a Comfort cab showed up. 28. Mobile phone plans used to cost $60 for a measly 4GB of data. Now we get 100GB for $10 — and we still complain not enough. 29. Marina Bay Sands used to be just three towers and a SkyPark. No floating Apple Store. 30. During the Covid-19 pandemic, people sang "Home" from their windows in unison. It wasn't even National Day — just a show of the Singapore spirit. 31. MRT etiquette was taught via characters called the Thoughtful Bunch: Stand-Up Stacey, Move-In Martin, Give-Way Glenda, Bag-Down Benny, and Hush-Hush Hannah. 32. ERP was suspended during Circuit Breaker. Singaporeans had a taste of what life without road tolls felt like. 33. Hawker centres used to be cash-only zones. Some uncles may still give you a side-eye if you try to PayNow. 34. A $1 million HDB flat used to be a joke. Now it's an actual property listing, and we're the punchline. 35. McDonald's ice cream cone used to cost just 50 cents. That was the ultimate after-school treat. 36. Before Koi and Gong Cha in every shopping mall, we had Cup Walker, Sweet Talk, and Happy Cup. Their drinks were full of sugar and joy. 37. In Singapore, applying for a BTO flat was basically a proposal. No ring needed. HDB = commitment. 38. Dabao-ing food once meant sweating it out to the food centre in 35°C heat. Before food delivery apps, we were our own delivery guys. 39. NDP tickets were impossible to get. Actually… NDP tickets are still hard to get. Haiz. 40. Before Google Maps, we used street directories, bus guides, and vibes. Getting lost built character. 41. McDonald's curry sauce used to be free-flow. You could dip your fries, nuggets, and even burger in it — no judgement. 42. Brunch used to be kaya toast and kopi at Ya Kun. No avocado, no sourdough, no truffle anything. 43. PMDs once ruled the pavements. Walking outside meant dodging mini speed demons at every corner. 44. National Service was once three years long. 45. Before PDPA, we gave our NRIC numbers to every lucky draw, roadshow and event booth. Privacy? What privacy? 46. Tengah used to be jungle. Now it's a car-lite town with smart homes. 47. Getting an MC meant going to the clinic and coughing with everyone else. Telehealth wasn't even a concept yet. 48. Pasar malams used to pop up everywhere. Ramly burgers, fried Oreos, neon lights, scary rides that would put the "ill" in "thrill" — it was a showcase of local culture. Good times! 49. NS food was actually… not bad at all. Western was a solid highlight, and some guys even "double dipped" — queueing for non-halal food and going back for the halal one. Once you unlock canteen access? Confirm put on weight. 50. eMart was just a physical store. No online browsing, just sweaty queues for socks and camo gear. 51. GST used to be seven per cent. Every hike since then has hit our wallets (and hearts) hard. 52. Daiso used to be a truly $2-store. You could be "just looking", end up grabbing five random things and still only pay $10. 53. Every Singaporean guy owned a Uniqlo oversized t-shirt. It was practically the de facto male uniform. 54. PSLE used to be all about that T-score. Kids compared results like Pokemon stats. Now? Just AL bands and a bit less stress. 55. COEs became more expensive than actual cars. Imagine paying six figures just for the right to drive your vehicle on the road. 56. Before Nike and On Cloud, Bata were the OG white school shoes. Add some white Kiwi polish and you were ready for the day. 57. Those Nike squirt bottles during school days were awesome. All the kids carried one. 58. We didn't always have Full Subject-Based Banding. It used to be Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streams. 59. We all bought fancy luggage for the holidays but still travelled with our trusty green SAF duffel bags. Durable and iconic. 60. Before PayLah and PayNow, we had to awkwardly split bills and use, ugh, coins. And someone always said, "I'll pay you next time ok?" (spoiler: they never did). [[nid:718280]] This article was first published in .
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Award-winning wireless alert device for seniors to be installed in more rental flats
The button lets seniors – particularly those living alone or without family support – reach emergency services with a single press. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Award-winning wireless alert device for seniors to be installed in more rental flats SINGAPORE - A local firm has clinched a contract potentially worth more than $50 million to extend its emergency buzzer system for seniors to 170 additional rental blocks over the next five years after a successful pilot since 2019. The wall-mounted, wireless red button lets seniors – particularly those living alone or without family support – reach emergency services with a single press. The expanded roll-out is part of a second contract awarded to local tech firm Buddy of Parents (BOP) in early 2025 by the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) to procure wireless alert devices for more seniors in Housing Board rental flats over the next five years. Specialising in wireless devices and seniorcare tech, BOP is owned by Singapore-based iWow Technology, which made a name for itself developing the TraceTogether contact-tracing tokens used here during the Covid-19 pandemic. On May 29, BOP received a $1 million grant under DBS Foundation's Impact Beyond Award for its efforts to support seniors and caregivers through smart technology. The award will support the development of new products and the firm's outreach to vulnerable seniors and international growth, said BOP executive director Chen Jer Yaw. Mr Chen said: 'As part of the grant, there are milestones that we will have to hit, such as the number of people that will be benefited by our products and services... We are committed to fulfilling these milestones and to support more seniors.' The company will focus on the distribution of emergency buzzers for HDB, which is expanding its initiative to provide wireless alert devices to seniors. A total of some 36,800 seniors aged 60 and above are expected to have the devices installed free of charge by 2030, according to a spokesperson for HDB. As at February, at least 10,000 seniors living in 50 public rental blocks have had the wireless devices installed, HDB's spokesperson added. Seniors with older models will soon receive a new device, which has improved durability and performance. Each BOP button is connected to a 24-hour hotline, giving vulnerable seniors, especially those who live alone or lack family support, a way to seek help in life-and-death situations. (From left) IOT Solutions EVP Chen Jer Yaw, CEO and executive director Raymond Bo and chief marketing officer Ashokan Ramakrishnan with iWow's new wireless alarm system for seniors. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH The alert systems have been triggered around 20,200 times, ince the system's roll-out to rental flats in November 2019, according to HDB. Roughly 1,600 required emergency help, while the rest were non-urgent calls or accidental presses, it said. The button is an upgrade of an older pull-cord system, which seniors can use to activate an alarm at their block's void deck to alert people in the vicinity or to an active ageing centre during working hours. The new devices come with better batteries that exceed five years, and two-way voice calling for users to speak to operators over the phone. They are also resistant to water and dust – a requirement under GovTech's tender – so the devices can be placed reliably in bathrooms, where the risk of falls is higher. Announced by iWow in February, the contract with GovTech includes the option to purchase its fall detector module and portable alert device over the next 10 years. BOP's catalogue of devices includes a wall-mounted infrared scanner with image-recognition software to tell when someone has fallen and is in need of assistance. The DBS Foundation awarded three other businesses, which are tackling urgent needs among ageing residents, from nearly 100 submissions worldwide. One of them is Hong Kong's Evercare Health – a health tech platform which developed a mobile app for patients and caregivers to schedule appointments, contact staff members and make payment. The award will support the firm's development of AI-powered medical notes to improve the efficiency of healthcare services. DBS also awarded India's Life Circle Health Services, which operates a mobile app that connects families with trained caregivers based on their needs. DBS Bank has disbursed $21.5 million in grant funding for more than 160 social enterprises and recipients since 2015. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Quality of PAP ministers 'leaves very much to be desired': Chee Soon Juan
SINGAPORE: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan laid out a slew of 'PAP scandals and screw-ups' during a lunchtime rally at UOB Plaza on Tuesday (April 29), as he pointed out how the quality of current ministers 'leaves very much to be desired'. Asserting that he has 'no interest in conducting PAP bashing', Dr Chee said that he had to list the scandals 'only because our PAP ministers keep running the propaganda that they are exceptional and they don't need an opposition to hold them accountable'. Speaking about controversies such as the way then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong handled an affair between two MPs, the use of TraceTogether data, the NRIC number disclosures, he said: 'My message is not that the PAP, this government, is 100 per cent bad, or that it is 100 per cent good. What I want to get across to you, is that the PAP is most certainly not the exceptional party that it says that it is.' Calling on ministers to be humble and recognise that Singapore needs an opposition, he added, 'Most of all, acknowledge and accept the fact that the PAP needs meaningful opposition in parliament to govern Singapore better.' He also criticised relying on 'astronomical salaries' to prevent ministers from falling into 'the seductive hands of corruption'. He said, 'We must educate our ministers that corruption is bad and that if they are caught, there are consequences, period. We don't pay them exorbitant salaries to not be corrupt. We elect our leaders based on their moral rectitude. Anything less, and we are better off without them.' Calling on voters to refrain from having blind faith in the ruling party, he said, 'Blind faith allows society into thinking that things are fine when they are clearly not, and worse, that there is no alternative to the PAP.' He also appealed to voters to 'be bold, be brave, be on the right side of history', saying, 'Let us lead not with fear, but with faith in our people. Let us lead not by clinging on to the past, but by focusing boldly in the future.' The veteran opposition figure who is mounting a one-on-one challenge at Sembawang West SMC added, 'Times have changed, and the people want openness and transparency. They want to be reasoned with, not talked down to. 'They want and demand a more democratic system, one where the government censors less and listens more.'
CNA
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: SDP chief Chee Soon Juan questions quality of PAP's present ministers, bringing up recent controversies and scandals
SINGAPORE: While the first generation of ministers from the People's Action Party (PAP) were 'capable and competent', the quality of present ministers 'leaves very much to be desired," Singapore Democratic Party's chief Dr Chee Soon Juan said on Tuesday (Apr 29). During the SDP's lunchtime rally speech at UOB Plaza, Dr Chee said that while he has 'no interest in conducting PAP bashing,' he had to list out the 'PAP scandals and screw-ups, only because our PAP ministers keep running the propaganda that they are exceptional and they don't need an opposition to hold them accountable.' Dr Chee, who is standing in Sembawang West SMC, then spent a large part of his speech retracing past controversies around the PAP. These included former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's handling of then Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin's affair with a fellow PAP parliamentarian, two ministers' rental of state bungalows at Ridout Road, the government's use of TraceTogether data, and how it handled the disclosure of individuals' full NRIC numbers on a government business portal. 'My message is not that the PAP, this government, is 100 per cent bad, or that it is 100 per cent good. What I want to get across to you, is that the PAP is most certainly not the exceptional party that it says that it is,' Dr Chee said. He added that ministers need to be "humble" and acknowledge that the country needs an opposition, like the SDP, in parliament to make the nation stronger. 'Most of all, acknowledge and accept the fact that the PAP needs meaningful opposition in parliament to govern Singapore better.' On salaries of ministers, a topic that has been largely discussed by opposition parties, Dr Chee said ministers in the country are being paid 'such astronomical salaries'. He said that the reasoning was that if ministers are not paid 'what they demand, then they might fall into the seductive hands of corruption'. "We must educate our ministers that corruption is bad and that if they are caught, there are consequences, period. We don't pay them exorbitant salaries to not be corrupt. We elect our leaders based on their moral rectitude. Anything less, and we are better off without them," he said. He urged the crowd that gathered on Tuesday afternoon to avoid giving 'blind support' to the PAP. 'Blind faith allows society into thinking that things are fine when they are clearly not, and worse, that there is no alternative to the PAP,' Dr Chee said. There were eight speakers at UOB Plaza on Tuesday afternoon, marking the first opposition lunchtime rally this election. It was the SDP's sixth rally in as many days. The SDP is fielding 11 candidates in four constituencies this General Election – Bukit Panjang SMC, Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Sembawang GRC and Sembawang West SMC. REJECT "FEARMONGERING" SDP candidates who spoke at the rally also called on voters to reject the PAP's 'fearmongering' when they cast their ballot. "They tell you that if you vote for the opposition, Singapore will collapse. That if you bring in anyone other than the PAP to parliament, Singapore's success story will crumble," said SDP candidate Dr James Gomez. "When the PAP behaves this way, do not let fear guide your decision. Let your hopes, your needs and your future be the courage that guides your vote." He took aim at Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's comments on Sunday that losing key ministers could place Singapore in "quite a lot of trouble". "Such logic is unbelievable, but I can understand it comes from the PAP's desperation. After all, losing ministers will be a problem for the PAP but not for us Singaporeans," said Dr Gomez. He also described as "nonsense" Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's comments on Monday that having more opposition seats would "weaken the PAP team" and make it harder for them to serve Singaporeans effectively. "Effective government demands accountability, transparency and debate. It requires different voices in parliament, including SDP MPs, to challenge bad policies, policies that hurt Singaporeans," said Dr Gomez. "If Lawrence Wong says that his team can only function when given unchecked power, then the problem is not with us Singaporeans, but with the PAP – a PAP that fears scrutiny. "When you vote for a strong opposition, you are not hurting Singapore. You are only threatening the PAP's desire for total control. It is their plans that will be disrupted, not the prosperity of Singaporeans." SDP chair Dr Paul Tambyah made a reference to a Straits Times interview of a young voter at an SDP rally, whose father working in a government-linked corporation cautioned her against revealing her name to the newspaper. Dr Tambyah said it was "disturbing" that young people still felt this fear. He called on Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing to "make a strong statement reassuring Singaporeans they can vote freely without fear of retribution, no matter whether they work in the civil service, the military, the police or any other government organisation". "No matter whether they work in the civil service, the military, the police or any other government organisation, their loyalty is to the government and people of Singapore, regardless of whoever is in power," said Dr Tambyah. He also responded to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's jab the night before that SDP's proposals did not have "a snowball's chance" of contributing to a thriving Singapore. "The SDP's proposals will be like a snowball in Greenland, gaining momentum and building up for real change in Singapore," said Dr Tambyah. Dr Chee urged voters to "be bold, be brave, be on the right side of history". "Let us lead not with fear, but with faith in our people. Let us lead not by clinging on to the past, but by focusing boldly in the future," he said.
Business Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: SDP's Paul Tambyah calls on Chan Chun Sing to reassure voters they can vote ‘without fear of retribution'
[SINGAPORE] Education Minister Chan Chun Sing should step forward to reassure Singaporeans that they can 'vote freely without fear of retribution', Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah said on Tuesday (Apr 29). 'I would call on Mr Chan Chun Sing… to make a strong statement reassuring Singaporeans they can vote freely without fear of retribution, no matter whether they work in the civil service, the military, the police or any other government organisation,' said Dr Tambyah at an election rally. In addition to his education portfolio, Chan also serves as Minister-in-charge of the Public Service. Dr Tambyah cited a Straits Times article published on Monday, in which a 21-year-old law student – who attended an SDP rally the day before – declined to reveal her name after her father, an employee at a government-linked corporation, advised against it. Such fears could be 'generational', Dr Tambyah said in his 12-minute address, noting that the student's father 'may have grown up in the era of Operation Coldstore or Operation Spectrum, when the 3 am knock on the door was a reality for critics of the PAP'. 'It is disturbing that today, many young people still share the same fear,' he added. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Dr Tambyah was speaking at a lunchtime rally at UOB Plaza's promenade, an event traditionally known as the Fullerton rally. He was the seventh of eight SDP speakers, with party chief Chee Soon Juan delivering the final speech. In his 23-minute speech, Dr Chee criticised several incidents that occurred under the government's watch. Said Dr Chee: 'I'm going to list out a list of PAP scandals and screw-ups only because our PAP ministers keep running the propaganda that they are exceptional, and that they don't need an opposition to hold them accountable.' He cited Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong's handling of former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin affairs; the use of TraceTogether data for police investigations; the Ridout Road controversy; and the six-day MRT breakdown on the East West Line, as some examples. 'My message is not that the PAP (or) this government is 100 per cent bad or that it's 100 per cent good,' Dr Chee said. 'What I want to get across to you, is that the PAP is most certainly not the exceptional party that it says that it is. And if you're not exceptional, then be humble.' Tuesday's event was the second lunchtime rally of this year's General Election (GE), following the People's Action Party's (PAP) rally at the same venue on Monday. The SDP is the only opposition party to have held a lunchtime rally since 1997, when the Workers' Party last did so; the last time the SDP held such a rally in the Central Business District was during GE2015. Dr Tambyah is contesting Bukit Panjang SMC, where he faces a rematch against the PAP's Liang Eng Hwa, who narrowly defeated him five years ago with 53.73 per cent of the vote – the closest margin among all the single-ward contests that year. Fear tactics At the rally, other SDP candidates spoke about the ruling party's 'fear tactics', urging voters not to let 'fear guide (their) decisions'. 'As we turn into the final days of the campaign, you will hear the PAP turn up the fear rhetoric,' said James Gomez, a candidate for Sembawang GRC. 'When you vote for a stronger opposition, you are not hurting Singapore – you are only threatening the PAP's desire for total control,' he added. First-time candidate Ariffin Sha, standing in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, also urged voters to reject what he described as the 'policy of fear'. 'Do not let the PAP's fear tactics sway you in any way,' he said. 'You are not shortchanging yourself by voting for an SDP MP in Parliament – the government's programmes will still go on your estate.' Other speakers at Tuesday's lunchtime rally included Jufri Salim, contesting Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, as well as Alfred Tan, Damanhuri Abas, and Bryan Lim, who are all part of the Sembawang GRC slate.
