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New Paper
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Paper
Father and son to lead NDP 2025 mobile column to celebrate commitment to defence across generations
The 2025 National Day Parade (NDP) marks several firsts for Lieutenant-Colonel (NS) Alex Chan. He has participated in previous parades in a back-end capacity, overseeing security matters, but he will now be front and centre - as the commander of the mobile column. The mobile column serves as a showcase of the Republic's military and civil defence assets. For NDP 2025, 170 assets from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Home Team and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will be on display, along with more than 800 people from participating agencies. NDP 2025 will also see LTC Chan, who is chief of staff for the SAF's 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade, participate in the parade for the first time with his son, 10-year-old Keith Chan. The pair will be leading the mobile column in a Leopard 2SG main battle tank. "It's definitely an honour to participate this year, especially together with my son," said LTC Chan, 48, whose day job involves him overseeing back-end support at Alexandra Hospital. Keith, a pupil at St Anthony's Primary School, said he was "super excited" to be taking part in the parade with his father as well as to have the opportunity to see the different vehicles up close. The pair's participation is in line with one of the mobile column's four thematic segments for 2025, titled From Generation To Generation, which emphasises the continued strengthening of Singapore through generational commitment to defence. The mobile column will feature stories of men and women from the SAF and Home Team across generations, said Major Teo Wei Kok, chairman of the NDP 2025 mobile column, noting that veterans would also be appearing. Major Teo Wei Kok said that the mobile column will feature stories from across generations. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO "We want to honour the sacrifice and contributions of past and current servicemen and women, while inspiring future generations to take up the mantle and continue building upon the strong foundations of Singapore's defence and security forces," he added. Among those participating with their family is Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Stella Tay, who will appear in a video featurette during the mobile column with her 11-year-old daughter, Shermaine Goh, and her son, Edward Goh, nine. Deputy Superintendent of Police Stella Tay will appear in a video featurette together with her son Edward Goh and daughter Shermaine Goh. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO "It's a very rare chance to be able to bring the children to work so that they experience what I do," said DSP Tay, 38, who is with the Singapore Police Force's Public Transport Security Command. "I hope that I can be a good role model to them," she added. With his father also part of the police force, Edward aspires to follow in both his parents' footsteps to become a police officer. DSP Tay said she just wishes for her children to have a positive impact on others, whatever their careers. "Whatever they want to be, just contribute back to society," she said. The mobile column's other thematic segments highlight the SAF's capabilities to protect Singapore and the coordinated defence capabilities of the SAF and Home Team, as well as their contributions to global security and ability to conduct a wide spectrum of operations. MAJ Teo noted that 2025 marks the 18th mobile column - the mobile column first appeared in the 1969 NDP and is typically held during milestone years, with the previous iteration held in 2019 to mark Singapore's bicentennial celebrations. Singapore commemorates 60 years of independence in 2025, as well as the 60th anniversary of the SAF. For the first time, the mobile column will include air and maritime elements, in addition to the drive-past along St Andrew's Road. "We will see an aerial fly-past, and at Marina Bay we'll see a maritime display with vessels from the navy, the Home Team as well as the Maritime and Port Authority," said MAJ Teo. While the mobile column has typically showcased the army and Home Team's vehicles and artillery, the MPA is included as it is an important partner in ensuring the Republic's maritime security, he added. MAJ Teo also recognised some 200 people who work behind the scenes to support operations for the mobile column, such as road marshals and the logistics team. "Without them working tirelessly behind the scenes, there will be no mobile column," he said. Assets appearing in the mobile column for the first time include the army's Hunter Armoured Engineer Vehicle and TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar, the navy's Combatant Craft Underwater, the police's Tactical Strike Vehicle, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force's second-generation Medical Support Vehicle. Selected vehicles will also enter the Padang show stage during the drive-past, giving spectators a closer look at these vehicles. On Aug 10, some of these assets will travel from the city centre along five routes to various heartland celebration sites to give more people a chance to see them up close. Details of the routes and heartland sites will be released at a later date.
New Paper
13 hours ago
- New Paper
Domestic helper jailed for stealing $12,000 from elderly employers
A 31-year-old domestic helper from Myanmar was sentenced to nine months' jail on June 24 for stealing a total of $12,000 from her elderly employers over a period of one month. Ei Zin Phyu had been working for an 81-year-old woman and her 82-year-old husband, residing with them in their flat along Hougang Avenue 8. The helper frequently accompanied the male employer on ATM visits and assisted with cash withdrawals. During these trips, she memorised the PIN for his ATM card and observed that he kept his wallet in a drawer in the living room. Between Dec 5, 2023, and Jan 13, 2024, Phyu stole the ATM card on 11 occasions and withdrew sums ranging from $500 to $1,500 each time. These amounted to a total of $12,000. On some days, she made two withdrawals. She then transferred the stolen sums to Myanmar using the Singtel Dash e-wallet service at convenience stores. While she claimed the money was sent home to repay medical debts left by her late father, some funds were reportedly used to purchase gold in Myanmar. The theft came to light on Jan 19, when the female employer noticed discrepancies in their bank account and questioned Phyu. The couple's daughter-in-law was subsequently informed and made a police report. According to Shin Min Daily News, Phyu told the court that her mother had incurred significant debt from her father's medical treatment, and that she had acted out of desperation after repeated distressing phone calls from home. She added that she regretted her actions and pleaded for leniency. However, the court noted that Phyu had not made any restitution. The male employer told Shin Min that he had first realised his ATM card was missing from his wallet, which led to the discovery of the unauthorised withdrawals. "I didn't confront her directly. But I knew she had taken it. The police later questioned her and eventually took her away," he said, adding that the stolen card was never recovered. The couple has since hired a new helper to assist with their daily needs.
New Paper
13 hours ago
- Health
- New Paper
Sure, take MC - but stay home or else: Certis Cisco's new rule sparks debate
Paid medical leave is a statutory right. But if you're a Certis Cisco auxiliary police officer, there's a catch: stay home, or risk disciplinary action - even if you have a valid medical certificate (MC). And if officers are not at home during unannounced supervisor visits, they will be required to send their live location via WhatsApp or get on a video call. The lack of a valid reason for stepping out would lead to a warning or other disciplinary measures, including dismissal. According to Mothership, the new policy started in March. An employee told Mothership that the news had raised concerns among staff, and speculated that the new policy was implemented to discourage officers from taking medical leave for minor ailments, and to reduce the overall amount of medical leave taken. Certis, however, says that's not the case. Speaking to Mothership, a spokesperson said the organisation's MC guidelines were "designed to support rest and recovery", and that managers may check in on employees who were on medical leave through home visits with "small care gestures". The spokesperson did add that they have also implemented safeguards to ensure the medical leave system "is used appropriately". "As a people-first organisation, we remain committed to building a culture of care, trust and accountability," added the spokesperson. Online reactions on Mothership's Facebook page as well as on a Reddit thread were divided, with some defending the policy. "As a former Certis employee, I can safely say that this policy is, unfortunately, likely a result of 'people spoil market'," said one Redditor, using the colloquial expression meaning the system was abused. Most of the comments, however, were critical of the measures. "So untrusting," said a commenter. "Culture of care, trust and accountability? I don't know what they smoking right there," added another. "What will they do next? Install CCTV to ensure their employees have at least seven hours of sleep each night to ensure their safety and well-being?" joked one. The issue also touched a nerve with readers who recalled a Straits Times piece earlier this week about how employees shouldn't feel guilty for taking MC. That article encouraged better communication between bosses worried about MC abuse, and workers too scared to rest. One commenter felt that while malingering would continue to exist, not everyone on medical leave should be placed under house arrest. "MC abuse should always be a case by case basis and not dealt with by treating everyone like they are guilty until proven innocent," the Redditor said.
New Paper
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Redeem free national flag via Shopee under NDP 2025 initiative
Households here can now redeem a free national flag each on Shopee, in a partnership between the online shopping platform and the National Day Parade (NDP) organisers. The initiative, called Fly Our Flag, runs until 11.59am on July 15, or while stocks last, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) said in a statement on June 27. To redeem the flag, go to log in with Singpass and choose to have the flag delivered at a cost, or collect it from a collection point for free. "This effort aims to make it easier for families to come together and proudly display the flag as a symbol of our shared identity and national pride," MCCY said on June 27. Singaporeans are encouraged to display the national flag during the National Day celebration period between July 1 and Sept 30, it added. During this period, the rules for flying and displaying the flag are relaxed. The flag may be flown without a flagpole and does not have to be illuminated at night. The flag may be displayed at offices, buildings and residential premises. The national flag should be treated with respect and used "in an appropriate and dignified manner", and torn or worn out flags should not be displayed, MCCY said. Instead, they should be put in a sealed black trash bag before disposal, and not left visible in rubbish bins. The use of the Singapore flag and national symbols is governed by the National Symbols Act and Regulations. The full guidelines on the display and use of the flag can be found here. Singapore will celebrate its 60th birthday on Aug 9. For the first time, the NDP live show will be extended from the Padang to Marina Bay. Themed Majulah Singapura, the 2025 parade will honour the past 60 years of Singapore's nation-building journey, and call on Singaporeans to celebrate the past and build their collective future together.
New Paper
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Hong Kong TVB opens auditions in Singapore for 'midlife' singing competition
Hong Kong broadcaster TVB is bringing its reality singing competition Midlife, Sing & Shine to Singapore as part of its upcoming fourth season. The series, which spotlights individuals aged 35 and above, aims to give participants a second chance to pursue dreams they may have once set aside. A live audition will be held at Gateway Theatre in Bukit Merah at the end of July, featuring a panel of celebrity judges from Singapore and TVB. Shortlisted contestants will go on to compete in Hong Kong, joining others from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and beyond. To audition, participants must be at least 35 years old. They are required to submit a performance video, along with a personal profile and a story refecting career pivots, life transitions or a renewed pursuit of passion in midlife. Applications are open until July 6, 11.59pm at Eligible contestants will be notified via email by July 19 with a time slot for the live audition. The show is produced by TVB in collaboration with Gateway Entertainment, which serves as its strategic partner in Singapore. Executive director of Gateway Entertainment Priscilla Khong said in a press release that the show is "not just a singing contest". "It's about rediscovering identity, purpose, and the courage to shine again. It's never too late to bloom and shine."
