Me and My Money: Following in her father's footsteps to become her own boss
SINGAPORE – If entrepreneurship is a trait that can be inherited, Ms Jasmin Tay would be living proof of it.
The love of entrepreneurship runs in her blood, as she takes after her father, who built his own textile firm to design and manufacture high-quality fabric.
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Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
First of 8 Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link trains unveiled; system works 56% done
A dynamic route map display showing the next station in the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The control panel, when not concealed, in the front cab of the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The 76 metre-long train of four cars, each with three doors on either side, seen at the commemorative event held by Ministry of Transport on June 30. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Each of the eight RTS Link trains has an optimal capacity of 607 passengers, or a maximum of 1,087. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM SINGAPORE - The first of eight driverless trains that will serve the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link has been delivered to Singapore , and will be put through its paces at an $800 million testing centre in Tuas from July. The delivery marks the latest milestone for the highly anticipated cross-border rail link, which observers say will be a significant driver of Singapore-Malaysia connectivity and economic growth when it starts passenger service by the end of 2026. The arrival of the new 76.5m-long, four-car train was commemorated at an event at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC) on June 30, attended by Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi. 'The RTS Link is more than a transportation system and it is more than an engineering milestone,' said Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad, chairman of RTS Operations (RTSO), a joint venture between Singapore transport operator SMRT and Malaysian public transport firm Prasarana that was appointed to run the rail line. 'It is actually a powerful symbol of our partnership that will deepen bilateral relations between both Malaysia and Singapore,' he added. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow (centre), with his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke (right) and Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi (left) at the commemorative event on June 30. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Overall, works to install the RTS Link's systems are now at 56 per cent completion, RTSO said on June 30. This includes track installation, which is expected to be completed by the end of July, as well as the installation of the traction power system, which supplies the electricity that powers the trains. Each of the eight RTS Link trains, made by Chinese manufacturer CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive, has an optimal capacity of 607 passengers, or a maximum of 1,087. Each train car has 32 seats, including four that can be folded to make space for a wheelchair, pram or luggage. Each train car has 32 seats, including four that can be folded to make space for a wheelchair, pram or luggage. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM The trains come with other accessibility features, including a hearing induction loop system that uses a magnetic field to transmit public announcements directly to the hearing aids of passengers who use such devices. It is the first time such a system is being rolled out on a train in Singapore and Malaysia, so that broadcasts can be heard clearly by the hearing-impaired without background noise and distortion. The hearing loop that transmits announcements to hearing aids of the hearing impaired on the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM In the event of an emergency, passengers can use a call button to speak to the operations control centre. They can also evacuate by opening one of several red hatches that contains a lever to open the train doors. Opening the hatch will send an alarm to the operations control centre, and the lever can be used only when the train comes to a standstill. Passengers can evacuate by opening one of several red hatches that contains a lever to open the train doors. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Only the doors that face an emergency walkway along the RTS Link's viaducts and tunnels can be opened. There are also smoke and fire detectors on the train, and hopper windows that can be opened to allow fresh air into the cabin. The first RTS Link train, which arrived in Singapore in April, is expected to undergo tests that ensure it works well with other rail systems, such as signalling and platform screen doors. These tests are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2025. 'Carrying out an initial round of off-site testing at SRTC allows RTSO to identify and resolve potential integration issues early before commencing testing of the trains on the RTS Link tracks,' said Singapore and Malaysia's transport ministries in a joint statement. The first RTS Link train, which arrived in Singapore in April, is expected to undergo tests that ensure it works well with other rail systems. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM After testing at SRTC, the first train will be moved to the RTS Link tracks between Singapore's Woodlands North station and Johor's Bukit Chagar station for more extensive trials that simulate actual service. This will last until the third quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, the next four trains that are due to be delivered are now being assembled at CRRC's facility in Batu Gajah, a town in Perak, Malaysia. The remaining three trains will also be assembled there. Display panels showing the next station in the train. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Once completed, these seven trains will be sent directly to Wadi Hana depot in Johor Bahru for further testing before the 4km rail link opens. The final train is expected to be delivered by December. When operational, the RTS Link trains will travel at a maximum speed of 80kmh, carrying up to 10,000 people an hour in each direction. When operational, the RTS Link trains will travel at a maximum speed of 80kmh, carrying up to 10,000 people an hour in each direction. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Trains will run from 6am to midnight daily, with a peak-hour frequency of 3.6 minutes. The journey will take about five minutes. The contract to manufacture the RTS Link trains was awarded to CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive in 2021. The original plan was for the cross-border link to connect to Singapore's Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), adopting the same systems and trains, and using the same depot as the TEL to reap economies of scale. But the bilateral project was suspended in 2019 at the request of Malaysia, which proposed to use a light rail system instead to lower costs. The project officially resumed in July 2020 on revised terms. When completed, the RTS Link is expected to ease congestion on the Causeway. More than 300,000 people cross the land bridge daily. Kok Yufeng is a transport correspondent at The Straits Times. 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Straits Times
7 days ago
- Straits Times
askST Jobs: Ever thought about who HR professionals get work-related assistance from?
When internal channels are insufficient or inappropriate, HR professionals can approach lawyers specialising in employment matters. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH askST Jobs: Ever thought about who HR professionals get work-related assistance from? Journalist Megan Wee offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career. Get more tips by signing up to The Straits Times' Headstart newsletter. Q: Human resources professionals are the go-to people for help at work, but who do they turn to when they face problems? A: Human resources (HR) professionals typically operate within established support frameworks that begin with direct supervisors – HR managers, directors or chief human resources officers, says Ms Sally Lee, head of people and administration at the Institute for Human Resource Professionals. 'These provide oversight for complex employee relations matters, policy interpretation and compliance issues.' If the issue escalates, departmental hierarchy would be followed with clear documentation to ensure sufficient risk management and transparency in decision-making, she adds. These formal guidelines emphasise maintaining confidentiality while ensuring appropriate oversight. However, situations where the source of professional difficulty involves direct supervisors or HR colleagues require a more nuanced approach. Organisations typically provide alternative paths, such as reporting to executives outside of the HR department. Employees could seek guidance via employee assistance programmes to address personal matters that may affect professional performance, notes Ms Lee. When internal channels are insufficient or inappropriate, HR professionals can approach lawyers specialising in employment matters. However, HR employees typically turn to internal supervisors or trusted external mentors to address more sensitive issues that may not be suitable for discussion outside internal networks, says Ms Lee. She adds that HR employees need to pay careful attention to professional boundaries and their communication approach if they raise an issue internally, noting: 'The most effective strategy involves framing requests for support in terms of professional development and collaborative problem-solving, rather than expressions of uncertainty or distress.' This involves articulating specific questions, providing relevant context without compromising confidentiality and demonstrating preliminary analysis of the situation. Crucially, Ms Lee stresses the importance of clearly documenting the process of seeking guidance, including records of advice given, the rationale for decisions made and the outcomes achieved. She notes that such documentation would support future decision-making and provide audit trails when necessary. Ms Lee notes that progressive organisations increasingly recognise the need for HR professionals to also have support structures comparable to that enjoyed by other departments. She points out that HR and supervisors typically conduct check-ins at the 30-, 60- and 90-day marks to align job responsibilities and expectations. These regular one-on-one meetings differ from standard performance reviews, as they should focus on professional growth, case management skills and organisational culture adaptation. These emphasise learning and confidence-building in complex decision-making, she adds. Ms Lee says companies with support systems for HR professionals typically see reduced turnover in such roles, improved decision-making and better risk management. She adds that companies need to first recognise the positive impact HR professionals can have on an organisation's culture and its employees. 'The organisations that understand this connection and invest accordingly position themselves for sustainable success in human capital management,' notes Ms Lee. Have a question? Send it to askst@ Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Straits Times
Me and My Money: Following in her father's footsteps to become her own boss
Ms Jasmin Tay is the founder of beauty salon Perky Lash. It has four outlets in Singapore and one in Malaysia. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM SINGAPORE – If entrepreneurship is a trait that can be inherited, Ms Jasmin Tay would be living proof of it. The love of entrepreneurship runs in her blood, as she takes after her father, who built his own textile firm to design and manufacture high-quality fabric. Check out the Headstart chatbot for answers to your questions on careers and work trends.
