Year 2011

Highest Visitor Arrival Into Singapore

Saturday, 31st December 2011

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) claimed that tourist arrivals in 2011 reached a record 13.2 million, a rise of 13 percent from the previous year in 2010. Tourism receipts were at a record S$22.2 billion for 2011. The highest number of visitors came from Indonesia at 2,592,000 which is followed by China (1,577,000), Malaysia (1,141,000), Australia (956,000) and India (869,000). The biggest growth sector for Singapore in terms of dollars spent was visits to the Singapore's two casinos - Resort World and Sands - Huat Ah!


HDB Households To Receive S$40 Million of Rebates

Saturday, 31st December 2011

About 800,000 HDB (Housing Development Board flats) households to receive SGD $40 Million of U-Save rebates. The U-Save rebates in January 2012 are the final batch of the five years of rebates that were granted as part of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Offset Package beginning in 2007.


S$130 Billion Wiped Out During 2011

Friday, 30th December 2011

Singapore Shares went down 17% in year of wild swings and near panic sell-off. Almost SGD $130 Billion was wiped out from the SG share market. The market will enter 2012 with a valuation at about SGD $700 Billion. The blue-chip Straits Times Index (STI) close at 2,646.35 points. At the start of 2011, the STI it was at a high of 3,190.04.


Turf City Sub-Tenants Moving Out

Sunday, 25th December 2011

At Turf City Shopping Mall, it is estimated that 70% of the retailers are expected to move out by 29 Feb 2012 because of the high rental and expected renovation works to be carried out by new Singapore Land Authority (SLA) master tenant SH Cogent Logistics. A few current tenants say they are not renewing their leases with SH Cogent Logistics because the new rent they are asking is several times higher than what they are paying now. But SH Cogent said the new rates are no higher than the market rate, and it was the previous master tenant Singapore Agro Agricultural (SAA) was charging far lower rents.


Mass Caroling In The City

Saturday, 24th December 2011

The 1,000 strong choirs from South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia and Singapore took part in a 1,000-strong mass caroling event outside Marina Square. And some of the caroler rode one of the seven dazzling Christmas mobile float up and down Orchard Road into the Christmas Morning.


Over 4 Million Dollars To Upgrade Central Sikh Temple

Friday, 23rd December 2011

The Central Sikh Temple in Towner Road was reopened after a S$4.5 million upgrade and renovation. The event was graced by President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam.


Great Singapore Flood Version 2.0

Friday, 23rd December 2011

Liat Towers again ponded (flooded) due to the prolonged heavy rain which fell directly into the building's outdoor area. Ponded (flooded) area was at a sunken plaza and the primary means to drain water away there is through pumping. The unlucky shops at Lucky Plaza were also ponded (flooded). This is the second time, ponding (flooding) affected the shopping belt along Orchard Road. The Public Utilities Board officially claimed that No floods in Orchard Road, just 'ponding'.


Police Officer Shot At VivoCity

Thursday, 22nd December 2011

An auxiliary police officer from Cisco shot himself inside a toilet cubicle on the first floor of Vivocity. It is also possible this is a case of suicide, as there are no apparent signs of foul play, and the toilet cubicle was locked from the inside. At the time of the shooting, he was attached to Citibank branch in Vivicity.


MRT Broke Down During Evening Rush Hour

Thursday, 15th December 2011

First time in MRT 24 years history, train services on both directions of the North-South Line from Marina Bay to Braddell stations were disrupted at around 7pm. Passengers affected by the breakdown described scenes of total confusion. Emergency services were seen outside Dhoby Ghaut and City Hall MRT stations. Traffic congestion on Orchard Road as many opted for Taxi to get them home. 17 December 2011 Update: MRT broke down yet again along the same stretch. This time at around 7am in the morning.


Singapore Minister Visited Aung San Suu Kyi

Wednesday, 14th December 2011

Mr K Shanmugam met Myanmar's opposition leader and nationalist Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Yangon (formally known as Rangoon). Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law has reaffirmed theties between Singapore and Myanmar, during his meetings with Myanmar (formly known as Burma) leaders and opposition leader. The Minister visit follows the recent meeting between Ms Aung San and U.S. Secretary of State.


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