Temasek CEO advises that large amount of capital in AI should be spread out
At the Forbes Global CEO Conference, Temasek CEO Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara said during a panel discussion that the “phenomenal” amount of capital going into AI could be more spread out. He warned that so much capital is moving into AI infrastructure that it may drive up the overall cost of capital.
Mr Dilhan also said there is a difference between how one would approach AI as an investor versus as an owner of businesses.
“As an investor, you can rotate your investments,” he said, “But when you are the bone of a business, you own the morning after; you own everything about that company in good times and in difficult times.”
Singapore to deepen integration and widen external ties as ASEAN Chair in 2027: Vivian Balakrishnan
At the Milken Institute Asia Summit 2026, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that Singapore will aim to deepen integration between ASEAN member countries and widen partnerships beyond traditional dialogue partners when the Republic becomes ASEAN Chair in 2027.
Singapore would consider its chairmanship a success if ASEAN’s economy continues to grow and become more integrated and if its strengths – such as in energy and technology – are brought to a point where the whole is more than the sum of its parts, said Dr Vivian.
Parliament approves increases to salaries of President, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speakers
Parliament has unanimously approved increases to the salaries of the President, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speakers.
Leader of the House Indranee Rajah proposed the changes in three parliamentary motions on Oct 6, after the Government accepted recommendations by an independent committee that had been appointed to review Singapore’s political salary framework.
Home Affairs Minister Shanmugam signals new laws to ensure deterrent sentences for all scam mules
New laws will be introduced soon to ensure deterrent sentences for those who facilitate scams regardless of age, following a recent High Court ruling that gave young scam mules probation and community sentences.
The legislation will make clear that the court’s ruling in that case is not to be repeated, said Senior Minister K Shanmugam, noting that while scammers are ultimately responsible, the crime was made possible because of the young scam mules who gave up their bank or Singpass accounts for money.
PSI readings in the unhealthy range across the island
Haze continues to plague Singapore, as the air quality across the island remained in the unhealthy range on Oct 8, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) at 1pm, with the worst reading in the central region at 140.
Air quality is considered unhealthy when the PSI is in the range of 101 to 200.
Even the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile announced that Singapore Grand Prix entertainment may be curbed if haze worsens.
Johor too suffers from the conditions, with flight disruptions at Senai Airport and schools shutting on Oct 8 and 9.
About one in 10 SPED teachers resigned between 2021 and 2025: Desmond Lee
In a written parliamentary reply, Education Minister Desmond Lee said that about one in 10 special education (SPED) teachers resigned over the past five years, with the most commonly cited grounds being a desire to change job type, personal reasons, and family commitments.
Among other education-related announcements, the Ministry of Manpower announced that 49 schools will get new principals in 2027, including 13 first-timers.
Telok Blangah incident: Man charged with murder of 73-year-old
Gabriel Foong Shi Cheng, 32, is accused of killing 73-year-old Tham Nam Poh at the void deck of Block 57, Telok Blangah Heights, with the incident taking place on Oct 5.
In an earlier statement, the police said that at around 6pm on Oct 5, officers had received calls for help near Block 61. They found Tham lying motionless on the ground floor of the block.
An unnamed 53-year-old man was also found injured nearby. Both men were taken to hospital, and Tham died later.
7-year-old girl’s death after minibus struck her ruled a road traffic-related accident
The death of a seven-year-old girl struck by a minibus at a Sengkang condominium in 2024 was ruled a “road traffic-related accident” by the state coroner on Oct 7.
State Coroner Adam Nakhoda also said pedestrians might not be seen by drivers in oncoming vehicles because of the height of some bushes and walls within the property.
The accident took place around 6.20am on Aug 15, 2024, and Nivya Rameshwar died in hospital about an hour later.
MOM weighs ‘action’ against firms that can afford retrenchment benefits but refuse to pay: Jasmin Lau
Acting Manpower Minister Jasmin Lau told Parliament on Oct 6 that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is weighing possible “administrative action” against employers that are able but unwilling to pay retrenchment benefits despite repeated engagements and warnings.
Retrenchment benefits are not mandated by law in Singapore. Employers are guided by a tripartite advisory, which sets the prevailing norm for retrenchment payouts at two weeks to one month’s salary per year of service.
Eight public officers referred to police after review of property purchases near future MRT stations
Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing said that eight public officers whose property purchases warrant further examination have been referred to the police.
He also said that the Public Service Division has reviewed property transactions made by 191 public officers who worked in agencies involved in rail planning and bought properties between 2007 and 2014 near locations that were subsequently announced as MRT stations.
