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Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
S'pore shows what's possible when digital innovation is matched with purpose: Britain's Lammy
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Singapore has proven over generations that it is not size that determines success but strategic clarity, and this is true too of technology, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on July 12. 'Singapore has shown what's possible when digital innovation is matched with long-term thinking and national purpose,' said Mr Lammy, speaking at the Fullerton Hotel on 'Diplomacy in the Digital Age'. Mr Lammy, who was on a one-day official visit to the Republic, highlighted how Singapore set up a National Computerisation Committee as early as 1981. He also cited the launch of the whole-of-government Smart Nation initiativ e in 2014, followed by the launch of a National AI Strateg y in 2019. 'Each time, your leaders were ahead of the game. Each time there was a broader lesson,' said Mr Lammy, noting that Singapore did not get ahead by just throwing money at the private sector and hoping for the best. Instead, serious public capabilities were built through deep technical expertise within the government and investment in areas like compute and data infrastructure, such as Singpass, he added. 'Starting in this job, I said that Britain needed to do more listening and less lecturing. A huge part of my trip this week has been to listen and, I hope, learn lessons on how we can pursue a similarly long-term strategy embracing technology,' said Mr Lammy. The British Foreign Secretary said any vision for the world of tomorrow must include a specific focus on the intersection of AI and diplomacy. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Mr Lammy posited that AI was not just the next rung in the technological ladder, but would deliver a paradigm shift in the distribution and exercise of power. 'It will redefine how nations project influence, how threats emerge and how we defend ourselves. It will, therefore, transform how diplomacy is conducted,' he said in his speech. He underlined that AI would not solve all foreign policy issues, as it could not eliminate risk, nor remove the need for human judgment and the ability of people to build relationships based on trust. Nevertheless, he argued that diplomacy in 2025 needs machine speed and a human touch, which would help leaders make better decisions amid rising uncertainty. 'These capabilities are not science fiction. They are already being employed,' pointed out Mr Lammy, highlighting the DARPA and KAIROS projects in the United States that simulate complex political developments and anticipate conflict escalation, as well as the use of predictive analytics by Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry to flag risks to critical supply chains. 'The question before us is not whether AI will shape foreign policy. It is who will shape it, and how,' he said. Given that outside of the US and China, no country had the scale to deliver all the capabilities that decision-makers worldwide need independently, Mr Lammy said the need of the hour was more collaboration and more AI diplomacy within a perimeter of values. 'I want partners such as Britain and Singapore to align standards, share tools and develop models that reflect our shared principles,' he said, while also drawing attention to Britain's other partnerships with the US, the European Union and India. Mr Lammy concluded his speech by reiterating that Singapore had shown the world the power of long-term thinking and the importance of a vision, and expressed hope that the same approach could be used to break down the silos between foreign policy and technology. 'We live in a volatile world. Technology is reshaping our societies, making power more diffuse,' said Mr Lammy. 'Nations like Britain and Singapore need to equip ourselves with the tools to navigate these shifts and that means fusing AI and diplomacy, focusing on a long view of change and doubling down on our shared interests.' Mr Lammy's first visit to Singapore as foreign secretary 'reaffirms the substantive and longstanding relationship' between the two countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a press statement. During the course of the day, Mr Lammy paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, who affirmed the strong and multifaceted relationship between Singapore and Britain. This includes cooperation in areas like trade and investment, defence and security, and science and technology, MFA said. They also discussed developments in the UK, and exchanged views on geopolitical issues, including trade and the situation in the Middle East. Mr Lammy was hosted to lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, during which the two leaders reaffirmed the close and longstanding ties shared by Singapore and the UK, which celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. The duo discussed ways to strengthen UK-Singapore bilateral cooperation in areas like trade and investment, AI and innovation. Dr Balakrishnan welcomed Mr Lammy's stated intent for Britain to step up its engagement with Asean, and the ministers also exchanged views on international and regional developments. They also reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to uphold and strengthen international law and the multilateral trading system. Mr Lammy also met Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is Minister for Trade and Industry and chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. DPM Gan welcomed the UK's investment of £70 million (S$ 121 million) in Singapore's Financing Asia's Transition Partnership (FAST-P) initiative earlier this year, which is aimed at supporting green and transition financing in the region.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Today in Pictures, June 27, 2025
Today in Pictures, June 27, 2025 The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore being lit up for a DrugFreeSG event, French soldiers taking part in a military exercise, and other photos from around the world in Today in Pictures.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Singapore landmarks glow green and white in support of DrugFreeSG campaign
Fullerton Hotel, Cavenagh Bridge, Anderson Bridge, Esplanade, and Millenia Tower being lit up in green and white on June 26. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Singapore landmarks glow green and white in support of DrugFreeSG campaign SINGAPORE – Iconic landmarks across Singapore, including Parliament House and Marina Bay Sands, were bathed in green and white lights on the evening of June 26, 2025, as part of the annual DrugFreeSG Light-Up. Organised by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), the initiative marked International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. From 7.30pm to midnight, 48 buildings and public spaces across the island glowed in the signature colours of the Anti-Drug Ribbon – green symbolising health, and white representing strength and vitality. First adopted in 1996, the ribbon was launched during the National Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign held under the direction of the National Council Against Drug Abuse. This year's light-up had new partners, such as the National Gallery Singapore and The Fullerton Heritage precinct, which joined other landmarks in lending their facades to the cause. Now in its eighth year, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and galvanise public support for a drug-free Singapore. Parliament House, Marina Bay Sands, and Fullerton Hotel lit up in green and white on June 26. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO While the overall number of drug abusers arrested has fallen by nearly eight per cent – from 3,439 in 2018, when the DrugFreeSG initiative was launched, to 3,175 in 2024 – recent figures by CNB show a troubling upward trend. Between 2021 and 2024, arrests increased by 16 per cent, rising from 2,729 to 3,175. Of particular concern is the growing number of younger abusers: the number of new drug abusers below 20 years old arrested in 2024 went up by 38 per cent from 2023, underscoring the continued challenge of protecting youth and communities from the dangers of drug abuse. The light-up is part of a broader national effort to engage communities, especially youth, in preventive drug education. National Gallery lit up in white on June 26. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO In May, the Drug Victims Remembrance Day was held by the Inter-Ministry Committee on Drug Prevention for Youth to highlight the impact of drugs on abusers and loved ones. DrugFreeSG advocate Kim Why Kee, 49, a former drug abuser, hopes to remind youth struggling with addiction that they are not alone. Mr Kim, who has been drug free since 2008, and has turned his life around to become a successful ceramicist, first experimented with drugs at the age of 16, a decision that cost him years of lost time with his family. To fuel his addiction, he even resorted to pawning his mother's gold jewellery and selling gifts from his sister. Fortunately, despite the pain he caused, his family never gave up on him. 'If you feel trapped in addiction, the first and bravest step is to reach out for help – and often, the best place to start is with your family. They love you more than anyone and will stand by you, even when things feel hopeless,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
NDP 2025: Show at Padang to feature largest mobile stage in parade history
The National Day Parade 2025 features creative director Boo Junfeng (centre) and performers such as (from left) Matthew S.T. Sunil, Jennifer Thevajenner, Rahimah Rahim and Benjamin Kheng. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI SINGAPORE – The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) will feature a 360-degree moving stage that will bring the performances close to the audience at the Padang, the largest mobile stage in NDP history. Measuring 15m in diameter, the three-tiered 20,000kg stage can rise up to 7m high and includes 270 LED screens. There will also be eight additional island stages around the Padang. The facades of buildings in the area, including the Fullerton Hotel and the UOB Plaza One, will also come alive with projections of SG60-themed artworks by local artists such as Sam Lo. Land and water floats designed by artists with disabilities will be featured. NDP 2025, which marks Singapore's 60th year of independence, marks the return of acclaimed home-grown film-maker Boo Junfeng as its creative director. The 41-year-old was also creative director of the 2018 and 2021 editions of the NDP. Audiences can expect to be entertained by 39 home-grown artistes from different generations and genres, as well as over 3,000 performers. These include seasoned names such as Dick Lee, Kit Chan, Rahimah Rahim and Ramli Sarip, as well as contemporary acts ranging from singer-songwriters Charlie Lim and Benjamin Kheng to actor-musician Tosh Zhang and rapper Yung Raja. To reach as many Singaporeans as possible, the live show will extend from the Padang to Marina Bay, another first for the NDP. Another first for the NDP is having performances on a mobile floating stage in Marina Bay mounted on a Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Fast Craft Utility. Kheng will sing on the 9m-long stage with 12 dancers from the Music and Drama Company. A pre-parade segment will open with a musical film, also a first for the NDP, with an original song, Makin' Our Way, directed, written and composed by Kheng. This is followed by the inaugural Jump of Unity, featuring the Red Lions parachutists from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and naval divers from the RSN. A segment called Our Singapore Wish will air videos of Singaporeans sharing their aspirations, with music from the Combined Schools Band. The show is itself is divided into four acts, each inspired by words and lines from the national anthem, Majulah Singapura. Act One will celebrate Singapore's diverse society and features Chan and Lim performing this year's NDP theme song, Here We Are, and a spoken rendition of the national anthem by Ramli and other artistes such as Zhang. Singer-songwriter Charlie Lim performing the NDP 2025 theme song Here We Are during a preview on June 26. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Act Two, with performances by singer-songwriter Linying and rising singer Heema Izzati, focuses on Singaporeans' personal dreams and collective aspirations. There will also be performances by groups and schools such as Soka Gakkai Singapore and Greendale Secondary, as well as Diverse Abilities Dance Collective of Maya Dance Theatre, who are performing at the NDP for the first time. The performances in the third act, about resilience through family bonds and the community spirit, includes Lee singing NDP 2002 theme song We Will Get There in a floating balloon at the Padang. Act Four shapes the dreams and aspirations of different Singaporeans into a collective national destiny, and includes a synchronised performance of NDP 2021 theme song The Road Ahead by SMU Samba Masala Drummers at the Padang, Extraordinary People at the NTUC building and Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds) at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The final act culminates in a sing-along of classic NDP anthems such as Stand Up for Singapore (1984), Count On Me Singapore (1986), We Are Singapore (1987) and One People, One Nation, One Singapore (1990), in sync with a fireworks display lighting up the Padang and the Marina Bay. The fireworks show is specially designed to commemorate SG60. Audiences at the Padang and Bay Celebration sites will also get to write their wishes for themselves and for their community on a double-sided placard found in their NDP Packs. These will then be featured at various points throughout the show. There will also be a series of interconnected short films depicting the challenges the nation overcame over the past 60 years, shown throughout the four acts. All 27,000 spectators at the show will wear LED wristbands that will emit a light show in sync with the performances. Water floats on display at Esplanade's Singtel Waterfront Theatre on June 26. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Boo tells The Straits Times that he hopes that the audience, whether they are watching at the Padang, in the surrounding areas or on television, will reflect on what makes Singapore a home. 'Beyond just being a celebration, I think it's also a point of reflection so that we can contemplate why we love our home, and what we wish for Singapore to become.' Veteran singer Rahimah says that she is proud to do a duet in Act Three with Kheng on his 2024 NDP theme song Not Alone. 'I'm so honoured to be able to do this inter-generational collaboration,' she tells ST. Kheng, who also co-wrote the tune, says Rahimah's singing adds a new layer to the song. 'She's unabashedly herself and (with) that kind of energy she brings, and the warmth, she really grounds everyone in a room, and that shines through so well.' The pair will be physically apart during the duet, as Rahimah will be at the Padang, and Kheng on the floating stage in Marina Bay. Singers Rahimah Rahim and Benjamin Kheng performing 2024 NDP theme song Not Alone during a media preview on June 26. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Among the many performers are dancers Jennifer Thevajenner and Matthew S.T. Sunil, a married couple who are returning for their seventh NDP performance. The pair of amateur dancers, who have been married for two decades, said that the 2025 performance is special. 'Our segment is under People's Association, and the theme is our resilience and our spirit. So the two songs we are doing are flowing with emotions. We feel very touched when we dance,' said Mr Sunil, 49. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Malay Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Cheers of ‘vive la France' as Macron visits Singapore's Lau Pa Sat hawker centre before major defence, AI talks
SINGAPORE, May 29 – French President Emmanuel Macron and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mingled with crowds at the bustling Lau Pa Sat food centre last night, marking the start of Macron's two-day state visit to the city-state. CNA reported that duo arrived just after 9pm, accompanied by their wives Brigitte Macron and Loo Tze Lui. Diners expressed surprise at the leaders' presence and described them as friendly, while many stood on tables and chairs to capture the moment on their phones. Some onlookers live-streamed the scene or video-called friends and family, adding to the festive atmosphere of the evening visit. Despite the commotion, Macron managed to sample some local fare, showcasing a casual and approachable side during the informal outing. The pair later walked to the nearby open-air satay street, where they were greeted with cheers of 'vive la France' (long live France) from enthusiastic diners. They departed the food centre around 9.45pm to head to the Fullerton Hotel, according to a video on Wong's social media. Today, Macron is scheduled to attend an official welcome ceremony at Parliament House and meet with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, followed by a state banquet held in honour of him and his wife. He will also meet Wong again to witness the signing of several memoranda of understanding, covering cooperation in defence, legal affairs, artificial intelligence, and transport, among other sectors. Macron is set to deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security and defence forum, during his visit.
