From taking our readers into the new Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and behind the scenes of the Singapore Grand Prix to making sense of the numbers and nuances in the news, The Straits Times Infographics team hit several highs this year. We take a look back. TOURIST SPENDING 1960: $38m 1990: $6.4b 2013: $23.5b PUBLIC FLATS 1959: 22,975 (Singapore Improvement Trust) 1990: 667,575 2013/2014: 1,062,153 VISITOR ARRIVALS 1960: 0.1m 1990: 5.3m 2014: 15.1m AIR LINKS 1960: 125 weekly flights, 11 airlines 1990: 1,900 weekly flights, 52 airlines 2014: 6,500 weekly flights, 100 airlines HOTEL ROOMS 1960: 1,310 “first-class” air-con or fan-ventilated rooms 1990: 23,807 rooms 2014: 57,172 rooms 1959: $300m GOVERNMENT REVENUE 1990: $16.4b 2014: $61.4b Chng Choon Hiong and Fiona Chan looked at how Mr Lee and his team changed the destiny of Singapore and Singaporeans. 4 The Singapore that LKY built ECONOMIC GROWTH 1960: 5.2%* 1990: 8.3% 2014: 2.9% *Economic growth averaged 5.2% a year between 1960 and 1964 CURRENCY IN CIRCULATION 1960*: $1.1b in notes and $52.2m in coins 1990: $7.2b in notes and $489.5m in coins 2014: $28b in notes and $1.1b in coins *For Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei combined New location Old location Tree is lifted up Tree is lowered Heavy duty crawler crane swivels slowly Balancing frame 9 Moving house Weighing from 40 to 92 tonnes each, eight raintrees have been uprooted and then re-planted outside Victoria Theatre as part of the efforts to transform the civic district into an arts and culture precinct. Lim Yong looked at how the tricky procedure was. 6 The Budget in numbers 2 Still the street with the richest pickings 3 State funeral procession After nine days and 520 speeches by MPs, Parliament approved Singapore’s Budget for 2015. Lim Yong looked at the numbers that mattered. $73.2 BILLION The Government’s revenue this year, a rise of 4.7 per cent from last year $ 79.9 BILLION The Government’s spending this year, a rise of 19.3 per cent from last year $11 BILLION The rise in the Government’s spending this year in dollar terms, compared with last year $6.7 BILLION The Government’s deficit for this year $3 BILLION for Changi Airport Terminal 5 $1.5 BILLION to top up the National Productivity Fund Average weight (including 2-3 litres of water) drivers lose every race. Amount of water drivers drink in the days preceding the race. 4 KG 8 LITRES 2 HOURS DRIVERS Time some drivers spent playing tennis in an F1 driving suit in temperatures of 38 deg C and running 10km to condition themselves for the hot and humid weather of Singapore Drivers have low-fat, low-salt meals, such as pasta without salt, to fuel their bodies. The Singapore Grand Prix will see the use of electronic flag displays - ‘digiflags’ which come in handy this night race. They are controlled by officials at each marshal’s post and mounted around 300 metres apart on fencing along the street circuit. GREEN FLAG All clear RED FLAG Session stopped, due to accident or poor track conditions BLUE FLAG Warns a driver that he is about to be lapped and to let the faster car overtake YELLOW AND RED STRIPED FLAG Warns drivers of a slippery track surface, usually due to oil or water BLACK WITH ORANGE CIRCLE FLAG Warns a driver that he has a mechanical problem and must return to pit HALF BLACK, HALF WHITE FLAG Accompanied by a car number, it warns of unsporting behaviour BLACK FLAG Accompanied by a car number, it directs a driver to return to his pit WHITE FLAG Warns of a slow-moving vehicle on track FLAGS, DIGI-STYLE CHEQUERED FLAG Indicates to drivers that the session has ended YELLOW FLAG Indicates danger ahead. Drivers must slow down and not overtake DRIVERS’ STANDINGS UNIQUELY SINGAPORE FACTS & FIGURES Total number of projectors will light up the track. Each spaced 4m apart and hung 10m above ground. 1,500 How bright the Marina Bay Circuit lighting system as measured in lux, a unit for illuminance. This is four times brighter than a typical stadium’s lighting and 30 times a Singapore street lamp’s. Sunlight is 50,000 lux. 3,000LUX 86,000 The total estimated cost of the lights made by Philips. $7,938,513 The total number of corners of the Marina Bay Street Circuit. It has more corners than any other circuit on the F1 calendar (14 left-handers and 9 right-handers). Total number of Safety Car deployments over the seven races held thus far. Number of fans expected to cross the turnstiles daily at this year’s race. 23 10 2AM 1ST 1 out of 4 71% From the sweltering humidity to the floodlights to the physical toll it takes on drivers, the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix is a standout on the Formula One calendar. The Straits Times takes a look at what makes the night race special even in its eighth year. TYRES The two softest compounds - the supersoft and soft - will be taken to the streets of Marina Bay for the floodlit race. Pirelli said they are “perfectly suited” to the street circuit characteristics, providing a rapid warm-up and maximum mechanical grip. HELMET The F1 helmet, made of carbon fibre and Kevlar, is four times stronger than a typical motorcycle helmet. For Singapore’s night race, drivers can don a light smoke-coloured visor to increase the contrast in vision. COCKPIT The cockpit can hit temperatures of 60 deg C. Drivers have drinking bottles or bags inside the cars, which dispenses water mixed with mineral salts to combat dehydration. Press the drinks button on the steering wheel, and water is pumped through a tube attached to the helmet and squirted into the mouth of the driver. DRS Detection Zone DRS Detection Zone DRS Activation Zone DRS Activation Zone Singapore Flyer Paddock Club Paddock Club PIT GRANDSTAND PIT GRANDSTAND TURN 1 GRANDSTAND TURN 1 GRANDSTAND TURN 2 GRANDSTAND TURN 2 GRANDSTAND TURN 3 PREMIER GRANDSTAND TURN 3 PREMIER GRANDSTAND 300m NICOLL HIGHWAY STATION Ritz Carlton Millenia BAY GRANDSTAND CONNAUGHT GRANDSTAND CONNAUGHT GRANDSTAND PADANG A GRANDSTAND PADANG A GRANDSTAND STAMFORD GRANDSTAND STAMFORD GRANDSTAND PADANG B GRANDSTAND PADANG B GRANDSTAND ESPLANADE OUTDOOR THEARTE STAGE The Float @Marina Bay Mandarin Oriental Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre Fountain of Wealth Fountain of Wealth Centennial Tower Marina Square One Raffles Link The Padang Singapore Cricket Club The Adelphi National Gallery Singapore Supreme Court of Singapore Singapore Cricket Club The Adelphi National Gallery Singapore St Andrew’s Cathedral St Andrew’s Cathedral Swissotel The Stamford Swissotel The Stamford Supreme Court of Singapore Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall PADANG STAGE PADANG STAGE MAMBO STAGE BY ZOUK MAMBO STAGE BY ZOUK Esplanade- Theatres on the Bay Singapore River Singapore River Esplanade Park Meritus Marina Mandarin 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 6 Turns 1, 2and 3are very crucial on the Singapore circuit, and if the two Mercedes cars claim the first row in qualifying, then whoever manoeuvres those turns best will take it and be hard to over-take. 1 SPEED KMH BRAKING 3 GEAR 150 SPEED KMH TOP SPEED 8 GEAR 310 11 12 13 JubileeBridge GATE 9 GATE 1 GATE 2 GATE 8 GATE 5 GATE 6 GATE 3 GATE 4 Entry from 3pm-9.30pm only GATE 7 Entry from 3pm-9.30pm only GATE 8A Turns 11, 12and 13have been reconfigured to alter the approach to the Turn 13 hairpin, which leads onto one of the longest flat-out sections on the track. Where Turns 11 and 12 previously formed a fast chicane, Turn 11 has now been tightened to produce a lower apex speed. PROMENADE STATION PROMENADE STATION CITY HALL STATION CITY HALL STATION ESPLANADE STATION MARINA BAY STREET CIRCUIT NUMBER OF LAPS 61 CIRCUIT LENGTH 5.065KM RACE DISTANCE 308.828KM 116MINUTES 1 TOTAL POINTS: 252 WINS: 7 2014 POSITION: 1 TIMING: 2:00:04.795 LEWIS HAMILTON (Mercedes) 2 TOTAL POINTS: 199 WINS: 3 2014 POSITION: 21 TIMING: N/A NICO ROSBERG (Mercedes) 3 TOTAL POINTS: 178 WINS: 2 2014 POSITION: 2 TIMING: +13.534 sec SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Ferrari) 5 TOTAL POINTS: 92 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 8 TIMING: +1:00.641 sec KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN (Ferrari) 4 TOTAL POINTS: 97 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 5 TIMING: +42.161 sec FELIPE MASSA (Williams) 6 TOTAL POINTS: 91 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 11 TIMING: +1:05.065 sec VALTTERI BOTTAS (Williams) 7 TOTAL POINTS: 58 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 14 TIMING: +1:12.008 sec DANIIL KVYAT (Red Bull) 8 TOTAL POINTS: 55 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 3 TIMING: +14.273 sec DANIEL RICCIARDO (Red Bull) 9 TOTAL POINTS: 38 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 13 TIMING: +1:08.029 Sec ROMAIN GROSJEAN (Lotus) TOTAL POINTS: 33 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 7 TIMING: +59.038 sec 10 SERGIO PEREZ (Force India) 12 TOTAL POINTS: 26 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A MAX VERSTAPPEN (Toro Rosso) TOTAL POINTS: 16 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A 13 FELIPE NASR (Sauber) TOTAL POINTS: 12 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 12 TIMING: +1:06.915 sec 14 PASTOR MALDONADO (Lotus) TOTAL POINTS: 11 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 4 TIMING: +15.389 sec 15 FERNANDO ALONSO (McLaren) TOTAL POINTS: 9 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A 16 CARLOS SAINZ JR (Toro Rosso) TOTAL POINTS: 9 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 15 TIMING: +1:34.188 Sec 17 MARCUS ERICSSON (Sauber) TOTAL POINTS: 6 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 18 TIMING: N/A 18 JENSON BUTTON (McLaren) TOTAL POINTS: 0 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A 19 ROBERTO MERHI (Manor) TOTAL POINTS: 0 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A 20 WILL STEVENS (Manor) TOTAL POINTS: 30 WINS: 0 2014 POSITION: 9 TIMING: +1:00.661 sec 11 NICO HUELKENBERG (Force India) SPEED KMH BRAKING 3 GEAR 125 SPEED KMH TOP SPEED 8 GEAR 320 T TRACK TURN DRS DETECTION ZONE DRS ACTIVATION ZONE ZONE 1 START END PODIUM RESTRICTED ZONE (Authorised pass holders only) ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 LEGEND Average weight (including 2-3 litres of water) drivers lose every race. Amount of water drivers drink in the days preceding the race. 4KG 8LITRES 2HOURS DRIVERS Time some drivers spent playing tennis in an F1 driving suit in temperatures of 38 deg C and running 10km, to condition themselves for the hot and humid weather of Singapore Drivers have low-fat, low-salt meals, such as pasta without salt, to fuel their bodies. DRS Activation Zone The drag reduction system (DRS) is an overtaking aid, which involves the use of driver-activated adjustments to the angle of the rear wing - reducing drag and adding 10 to 15kmh to straight-line speed. It can be activated in the two DRS zones (the pit straight between Turn 23 and 1, and between Turn 5 and 7) when the trailing car is within one second of the car in front. Success rate of pole holders, who have won five of the seven previous editions. Singapore’s tight and twisting street circuit makes overtaking difficult, thus placing a premium on pole position. Singapore is almost always the longest race of the season. None of the previous seven races in Singapore has been completed under this time. Dinner time for drivers during the Singapore race as they still maintain their body clocks on European time. Singapore is the first anti-clockwise track to make an appearance on the 19-race calendar in 2015, with the others - USA (Oct 25), Brazil (Nov 15) and Abu Dhabi (Nov 29) - coming later. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is one of only 4 tracks that run anti-clockwise this year. This places more strain on drivers, particularly their necks, than clockwise circuits which they are used to. ESPLANADE WATERFRONT GRANDSTAND DRS Detection Zone Helix Bridge EAST COAST PARKWAY (ECP) 5 Uniquely Singapore From the sweltering humidity to the floodlights to the physical toll it took on drivers, the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix was a standout on the Formula One calendar. Carol Gan and Bryandt Lyn looked at what made the night race special even in its eighth year. HOW THEY FARED A look at how the parties did in previous GEs NOTE: *The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) was formed in 2001. National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Singapore People’s Party (SPP) contested under the SDA banner in 2001 and 2006. NSP left the alliance in 2007 while SPP left in 2011. The Reform Party (RP) was formed in 2009. Figures refer to the parties’ share of the votes in the constituencies they contested. SDA*: 27.11% PPP: 23.11% SingFirst: 21.49% WP: 39.75% RP: 20.6% PAP: 69.86% SPP*: 27.08% NSP*: 25.27% SDP: 31.23% 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 30.1% 63.2% 39.5% 34.6% 61% 65% 75.3% 66.6% 60.1% 32.5% 23.2% 39.3% 27.2% 48.6% 37.9% 41.1% 33.1% 38.5% 20.4% 27.6% 37.6% 38.4% 46.6% 41.4% 39.3% 36.8% 31.8% 30.1% 1988 1991 1997 2001 2006 2011 2015 Marsiling- Yew Tee GRC Sembawang GRC Nee Soon GRC Ang Mo Kio GRC Pasir Ris- Punggol GRC Tampines GRC East Coast GRC Aljunied GRC Mountbatten SMC Fengshan SMC Bukit Panjang SMC Hong Kah North SMC Bishan- Toa Payoh GRC Tanjong Pagar GRC Jurong GRC West Coast GRC Marine Parade GRC Chua Chu Kang GRC Holland- Bukit Timah GRC Potong Pasir SMC Radin Mas SMC Pioneer SMC Sengkang West SMC Hougang SMC Punggol East SMC Jalan Besar GRC MacPherson SMC Yuhua SMC Bukit Batok SMC Pulau Ubin Pulau Tekong Sentosa Pulau Brani Jurong Island How the fights went NOTE: *The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) was formed in 2001. National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Singapore People’s Party (SPP) contested under the SDA banner in 2001 and 2006. NSP left the alliance in 2007 while SPP left in 2011. The Reform Party (RP) was formed in 2009. Figures refer to the parties’ share of the votes in the constituencies they contested. How parties did HOW THEY FARED A look at how the parties did in previous GEs Top 5 closest fights Single-member constituencies Winner Ward PAP Punggol East Charles Chong PAP Fengshan Cheryl Chan WP Hougang Png Eng Huat % of votes 51.76 57.52 57.69 Winner Ward PAP Sengkang West Lam Pin Min PAP MacPherson Tin Pei Ling % of votes 62.11 65.58 The results Winner Ward WP Aljunied Low Thia Khiang Sylvia Lim Chen Show Mao Pritam Singh Faisal Manap PAP East Coast Lim Swee Say Lee Yi Shyan Mohd Maliki Osman Jessica Tan % of votes 50.95 60.73 PAP Marine Parade Tan Chuan-Jin Goh Chok Tong Seah Kian Peng Fatimah Lateef Edwin Tong 64.07 Group Representation Constituencies Winner Ward PAP Holland-Bukit Timah Vivian Balakrishnan Sim Ann Christopher de Souza Liang Eng Hwa PAP Nee Soon K. Shanmugam Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim Lee Bee Wah Kwek Hian Chuan Louis Ng % of votes 66.62 66.83 ^ Total percentage of votes in the wards they contested. NOTE: * The third party in this constituency, independent candidate Samir Salim Neji, polled 150 votes (0.6%) ** The third party in this constituency, NSP, polled 215 votes (0.82%) *** The third party in this constituency, independent candidate Han Hui Hui, polled 2,629 votes (10.04%) Who won what PAP WP 89 83 28 6 12 0 11 0 11 0 10 0 8 0 6 0 4 0 69.86 39.75 25.27 31.23 20.60 21.49 27.08 27.11 23.11 SDA Singapore Democratic Alliance WP Workers’ Party SDP Singapore Democratic Party RP Reform Party NSP National Solidarity Party SingFirst Singaporeans First PPP People’s Power Party SPP Singapore People’s Party PAP People’s Action Party Seats contested Seats won Total % of votes^ Constituency Party Votes % share Party Votes Margin of victory (No. of votes) % share Rank WINNERS LOSERS 2,612 98,404 55,465 59,271 19,434 31,250 33,278 70,232 37,310 37,328 41,401 78,513 59,572 58,282 64,505 51,699 11,619 11,792 3,240 12,991 3,469 8,401 9,298 12,416 5,228 1,156 16,901 6,848 9,793 29 2 9 6 25 20 18 1 23 16 19 12 13 14 4 3 11 17 27 8 26 22 15 7 21 28 5 24 10 69,929 135,115 86,514 84,731 54,981 62,630 63,561 95,080 84,939 68,485 82,197 125,021 96,639 95,202 90,448 71,091 18,204 21,935 12,398 19,612 13,012 17,227 15,290 17,994 10,581 16,957 20,230 17,564 15,298 50.95 78.63 73.59 76.89 60.73 66.62 67.73 79.28 64.07 68.73 66.83 72.89 72.28 72.06 77.71 78.57 72.99 68.38 57.52 74.76 57.69 65.58 71.84 76.34 66.41 51.76 77.25 62.11 73.54 WP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP WP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP PAP GRC Aljunied Ang Mo Kio Bishan-Toa Payoh Chua Chu Kang East Coast Holland-Bukit Timah Jalan Besar Jurong Marine Parade Marsiling-Yew Tee Nee Soon Pasir Ris-Punggol Sembawang Tampines Tanjong Pagar West Coast SMC Bukit Batok* Bukit Panjang Fengshan Hong Kah North Hougang MacPherson** Mountbatten Pioneer Potong Pasir Punggol East Radin Mas*** Sengkang West Yuhua PAP RP SPP PPP WP SDP WP SINGFIRST WP SDP WP SDA NSP NSP SINGFIRST RP SDP SDP WP SPP PAP WP SPP NSP SPP WP RP WP SDP 67,317 36,711 31,049 25,460 35,547 31,380 30,283 24,848 47,629 31,157 40,796 46,508 37,067 36,920 25,943 19,392 6,585 10,143 9,158 6,621 9,543 8,826 5,992 5,578 5,353 15,801 3,329 10,716 5,505 49.05 21.37 26.41 23.11 39.27 33.38 32.27 20.72 35.93 31.27 33.17 27.11 27.72 27.94 22.29 21.43 26.40 31.62 42.48 25.24 42.31 33.60 28.16 23.66 33.59 48.24 12.71 37.89 26.46 SDA*: 27.11% PPP: 23.11% SingFirst: 21.49% WP: 39.75% RP: 20.6% PAP: 69.86% SPP*: 27.08% NSP*: 25.27% SDP: 31.23% 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 30.1% 63.2% 39.5% 34.6% 61% 65% 75.3% 66.6% 60.1% 32.5% 23.2% 39.3% 27.2% 48.6% 37.9% 41.1% 33.1% 38.5% 20.4% 27.6% 37.6% 38.4% 46.6% 41.4% 39.3% 36.8% 31.8% 30.1% 1988 1991 1997 2001 2006 2011 2015 7 The results of GE2015 Rain Sky gardens Rainwater- harvesting tank RAINWATER HARVESTING Rainwater collected from the towers and the canopy is funnelled to a harvesting tank underground Rainwater is pumped back up to three holding tanks to irrigate plants and trees in sky gardens and tower planters This system of harvesting rainwater helps South Beach save 174,000 cu m of water annually Canopy 8 Built on green foundations The new landmark of Beach Road, South Beach, boasts state-of-the-art environmental features. It received two Green Mark Platinum Awards from the Building and Construction Authority. Graphics by Bryandt Lyn, Tien Chung Ping and Mike M Dizon. 10 A peek into the past Orchard Road may have lost some glitz, but it is still the street that draws the top names in retail and F&B offerings. The Straits Times Infographics team looked at who owns what in Orchard Road. Funeral procession passed landmarks that represent Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s lasting legacy for Singapore. Graphics by Lim Yong. In the final investigation report, an authorised examiner reconstructed how the doors of a lift at Block 322, Tah Ching Road, might have severed the hand of Madam Khoo Bee Hua. Graphics by Chng Choon Hiong. 1 What could have happened By THAM YUEN-C ASSISTANT POLITICAL EDITOR PARLIAMENT yesterday ap- proved a record $79.9 billion Budget, with the Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen, as well as Speaker Halimah Yacob lauding it as one that will bring Singapore closer to its vision of a fair and in- clusive society. With this Budget, and the three before it, the Government has “surely and steadily” made the deep structural changes needed to prepare Singapore for the challeng- es ahead, said Dr Ng, who is also Defence Minister. As he wrapped up nine days of discussions on the Government’s spending plans and policies, he said the initiatives introduced in the past four years have strength- ened social safety nets and redis- tributed more wealth to the low- er- and middle-income groups. “This represents a fundamen- tal shift... so that we can maintain our precious social compact and bring opportunities and benefits to all,” he added. Likening Singapore to a fleet of cars and trucks speeding towards growth in the fast lane, he said it was as if coaches had been added in the slower lane to bring along the elderly, disadvantaged and less able. “The entire fleet must arrive at our destination,” he said. Madam Halimah, who presided over the debate, welcomed the greater stability, security and peace of mind that this would bring Singaporeans. People would be more willing to embrace the change that eco- nomic restructuring will bring “if there is a safety net to catch them if they fall”, she said. Also noting how the shift had sparked an ideological debate, she warned that policies should be de- termined by how much benefit they bring, and not by what ideo- logical position they conform to. The Budget had garnered unani- mous support, they both said, with the ruling party’s Members of Parliament, opposition MPs and Nominated MPs alike backing it. But the MPs had also raised concerns about whether the Gov- ernment can afford the spending, added Madam Halimah. Dr Ng said these MPs “showed good judgment and honesty be- cause it would have been so much easier and populist not to sound these warnings”. He added that whether or not the spending is sustainable will de- pend on whether Singaporeans can work together to make sure the country continues to thrive. The Budget, for government spending from April 1, is $11 bil- lion more than last year’s. During their speeches, both Dr Ng and Madam Halimah also praised the performance of the nine Nominated MPs who were sworn in last September. Dr Ng said they had “added substance and style” with their “passionate and stirring speech- es” at their Budget debut. Madam Halimah said she was also proud to have in lawyer Chia Yong Yong – who has peroneal muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair – an NMP represent- ing the special needs community. Adding that it is a first, she said: “I am glad our Parliament is truly inclusive and no disability or impairment is an impediment to any Singaporean who wants to contribute and has the people’s welfare at heart.” Over the nine days of debate, MPs spoke about the new SkillsFu- ture scheme that will help people master skills throughout their working lives, stimulating produc- tivity and the need to retain Singapore’s historical and cultural traits, including hawker food. Dr Ng said these topics differed from those in previous Budget de- bates, as the Government had suc- cessfully addressed the past issues such as help for the poor, the old and the lower-skilled, and the in- flux of foreign workers. In all, 54 MPs spoke on the Budget statement, while 65 MPs spoke during the debate on the in- dividual ministries’ budgets. Wrapping up, Madam Halimah said the work was not over. “The end of this Budget debate is but the beginning of more concerted efforts to reach out to Singapore- ans on these policies.” [email protected] By PRISCILLA GOY COMING to housing estates with many young families: Jumbo child- care centres that can each take in 300 to 500 children. The Government is helping an- chor operators (AOPs) to develop bigger childcare centres, provid- ing 2,400 more places over the next few years. This is to help young families living in areas with high demand for childcare, Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said in the debate on his ministry’s budget yesterday. The plan to add 2,400 places goes beyond the original goal of adding 20,000 childcare places be- tween 2013 and 2017 – a target that will be met ahead of sched- ule. Some 17,000 places have been added so far. The five appointed AOPs, in- cluding NTUC My First Skool, currently get government grants and priority in securing Housing Board sites to set up centres, but they have to keep fees below $720 a month, among other things. They will get funding help and will be allocated the sites to build the bigger centres. A centre in a HDB void deck can usually admit only about 100 children. Yesterday, Mr Chan asked for support as his ministry tries build- ing bigger childcare centres. “With bigger centres, there might be issues with transportation, and I seek Members’ support to mobi- lise your respective grassroots or- ganisations to help us build and de- sign such centres that are closer to the needs of the young parents among us,” he said. The Early Childhood Develop- ment Agency (ECDA) will give de- tails about the locations of these new large centres later this year. Mr Chan also announced other initiatives to improve the quality of the pre-school sector. A three-year Professional De- velopment Programme will be in- troduced to help pre-school staff develop their careers. ECDA will offer new certifiable courses and cash incentives. Starting next year, this is for staff who have about three years of experience and are identified by their employers as having the po- tential to take on bigger job roles. Childcare centres and kinder- gartens, which are now regulated under different Acts, will be li- censed under a new Early Child- hood Development Centres Act. ECDA will also get more regula- tory powers, raising the quality of pre-schools, Mr Chan said. “Parents will have greater as- surance of the standards... Opera- tors will similarly benefit from having a clearer and more consist- ent requirement, regardless of the type of early childhood services that they provide,” he said. The new Act is expected to be introduced in the second half of the year. [email protected] Jumbo childcare centres for estates with many young families Parliament approves record $79.9b Budget Govt made deep changes to prepare S’pore for challenges: Ng Eng Hen Source: MINISTRY OF FINANCE BUDGET DEBATE AT A GLANCE After nine days and 520 speeches by MPs, Parliament approved Singapore’s Budget for 2015. KEY MEASURES Building on the Budget statement, each ministry also announced new schemes and initiatives on their to-do lists this year: ŶThe SkillsFutureinitiative that will give adult Singaporeans credits for lifelong learning. The credits will cost the Government over $1 billion in total from 2016 to 2020. Ŷ$740 million is being poured into revamping the Civic District, from sprucing up the new National Gallery Singapore to upgrading the National Museum and the Esplanade forecourt. Ŷ$450 million for the second edition of the Construction Productivity Roadmapto help construction companies work more efficiently. ŶThe Silver Support Scheme will give the poorest elderly a basic pension for the rest of their lives. It will cost the Government $350 million in its first year, but this amount is likely to grow over time. Ŷ$160 million more in the Aviation Development Fundto help airlines and ground handlers boost productivity. Ŷ$16 million more to voluntary welfare organisations, with the bulk of this for ensuring that social workers are paid competitively. ŶThe National Monuments Fund will be doubled to $12 million to help with costs of restoring and maintaining such buildings. Ŷ2,400 new childcare placesto be made available over the next few years – on top of the 20,000 new places already scheduled by 2017. ŶA new Cybercrime Commandunit to be set up under the Criminal Investigation Department to combat online wrongdoing. ŶTen new hawker centres to be built by 2027, bringing the total in the pipeline to 20 hawker centres with 800 food stalls. ŶA third desalination plantto be built in Tuas by 2017. With this, Singapore can produce 130 million gallons of water per day from seawater. ŶThe Medisave minimum sum will be axed, while the maximum sum, to be renamed Basic Healthcare Sum, will be fixed for each cohort when they turn 65. ŶA nationwide survey to assess Singapore’s landmarksand sites of historical and cultural significance will be launched soon to better preserve the country’s heritage. TRADE AND INDUSTRY Higher R&D spending $3.1b 6.8% $0.9b FINANCE Taxman gets largest share of operating spending 26.5% $0.5b OTHER ORGANS OF STATE Judicature will see biggest rise in spending 18.2% $0.5b FOREIGN AFFAIRS Partly for properties used by overseas missions 11.1% $0.5b PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE Includes marriage and parenthood schemes 16% NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT More Housing Board flats $2.7b 21.2% CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH Provisions for SG50 and SEA Games $2.7b 39.8% $2.1b SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT More childcare centres, adult disability homes 16.8% $1.5b MANPOWER Silver Support and SkillsFuture schemes 16% $1.8b ENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES Cleaning costs and dengue management 17.3% $12.1b EDUCATION Higher budgets for SkillsFuture 3.2% $10.9b TRANSPORT Expansion of airport and rail lines 80.6% $9.3b HEALTH Subsidies for MediShield Life 29.3% HOME AFFAIRS New buildings like Sentosa fire station $5b 11.7% SPECIAL TRANSFERS $3b for Changi Airport Development Fund $11.7b 9.1% $1.2b COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION Partly for Cyber Security Agency 0.5% $0.5b LAW Acquiring land with lower compensation costs 19.4% $13.1b DEFENCE Bigger SG50 National Day Parade 5.7% THE BUDGET IN NUMBERS The Government’s revenue this year, a rise of 4.7 per cent from last year $73.2 BILLION $ 79.9 BILLION The Government’s spending this year, a rise of 19.3 per cent from last year $11 BILLION The rise in the Government’s spending this year in dollar terms, compared with last year $6.7 BILLION The Government’s deficit for this year $3 BILLION for Changi Airport Terminal 5 $1.5 BILLION to top up the National Productivity Fund ST GRAPHICS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING ON TOTAL $79.9b 19.3% Figures may not add up due to rounding off Decrease over the previous year Increase over the previous year NOT TAKING POPULIST ROUTE They showed good judgment and honesty because it would have been so much easier and populist not to sound these warnings, but instead give false assurances that all will be well. – Dr Ng Eng Hen, on MPs who raised concerns about fiscal sustainability INCLUSIVE PARLIAMENT I am glad our Parliament is truly inclusive and no disability or impairment is an impediment to any Singaporean who wants to contribute and has the people’s welfare at heart. – Madam Halimah Yacob, on having an NMP, Ms Chia Yong Yong, who represents the special needs community A6 SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015 Singapore’s first natural history museum – the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum – opened on April 28. The 8,500 sq m museum highlights some of its centuries-old exhibits and three dinosaurs from the Jurassic period. Chng Choon Hiong and Tay Chern Hui gave a first-hand view of some of the specimens. • This is an artist’s impression of how Twinky might have looked like, based on the skeleton on exhibit. • Around 12m long, possibly a juvenile. • Arrived here in 12 giant customised crates. • It is the first diplodocid found with an undisturbed series of vertebrae. • Its disproportionately longer legs may be a sign that the lengths of different body parts change as they grow. TWINKY 2015, in graphic detail The Straits Times Art Department did a detailed breakdown of the results. • The 2mm- thick leash is too narrow to activate lift sensors that would have reopened the doors. • Instead, it is caught in between the doors. Ngee Ann City
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From taking our readers into the new Lee Kong Chian Natural HistoryMuseum and behind the scenes of the Singapore Grand Prix to making senseof the numbers and nuances in the news, The Straits Times Infographicsteam hit several highs this year. We take a look back.
TOURIST SPENDING1960: $38m1990: $6.4b2013: $23.5b
PUBLIC FLATS1959: 22,975 (Singapore
Improvement Trust)
1990: 667,5752013/2014: 1,062,153
VISITOR ARRIVALS1960: 0.1m1990: 5.3m2014: 15.1m
AIR LINKS1960: 125 weekly �ights,
11 airlines
1990: 1,900 weekly �ights,52 airlines
2014: 6,500 weekly �ights,100 airlines
HOTEL ROOMS1960: 1,310 “�rst-class”
air-con orfan-ventilated rooms
1990: 23,807 rooms
2014: 57,172 rooms
1959:$300m
GOVERNMENTREVENUE
1990:$16.4b
2014:$61.4b
Chng Choon Hiong and Fiona Chan looked at how Mr Lee andhis team changed the destiny of Singapore and Singaporeans.
4 The Singapore that LKY built ECONOMIC GROWTH1960: 5.2%*1990: 8.3% 2014: 2.9%*Economic growth averaged 5.2% a year between 1960 and 1964
CURRENCY IN CIRCULATION1960*: $1.1b in notes and
$52.2m in coins
1990: $7.2b in notes and
$489.5m in coins
2014: $28b in notes and
$1.1b in coins*For Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei combined
New locationOld location
Tree is lifted up Tree is lowered
Heavy duty crawler crane swivels slowly
Balancingframe
9 Moving houseWeighing from 40 to 92 tonnes each, eight raintrees have been uprooted and then re-planted outside Victoria Theatre as part of the efforts to transform the civic district into an arts and culture precinct. Lim Yong looked at how the tricky procedure was.precinct. Lim Yong looked at how the tricky procedure was. looked at how the tricky procedure was.
6 The Budget in numbers
2 Still the street with the richest pickings
3 State funeral procession
After nine days and 520 speeches by MPs, Parliament approved Singapore’s Budget for 2015. Lim Yong looked at the numbers that mattered.
$73.2BILLION
The Government’s revenue this year, a rise of
4.7 per cent from last year
$ 79.9 BILLIONThe Government’s spending this year,
a rise of19.3 per cent
from last year
$11 BILLION
The rise in the Government’s spending this year in dollar terms,
compared withlast year
$6.7BILLION
The Government’s de�cit for this year
$3 BILLION
for Changi AirportTerminal 5
$1.5BILLION to top up the
National Productivity
Fund
Average weight(including 2-3litres of water)drivers loseevery race.
Amount of waterdrivers drink in the dayspreceding the race.
4 KG
8 LITRES
2 HOURS
DRIVERS
Time some drivers spent playing tennis in an F1 driving suit in temperatures of 38 deg C and running10km to conditionthemselves for the hot and humid weather of Singapore
Drivers have low-fat, low-salt meals, such as pasta without salt, to fuel their bodies.
The Singapore Grand Prix will see the use of electronic �ag displays − ‘digi�ags’ which come in handy this night race.They are controlled by of�cials at each marshal’s post and mounted around 300 metres apart on fencing along the street circuit.
GREEN FLAGAll clear
RED FLAGSession stopped, due to accident or poor track conditions
BLUE FLAGWarns a driver that he isabout to be lapped and tolet the faster car overtake
YELLOW AND RED STRIPED FLAGWarns drivers of a slipperytrack surface, usually due to oil or water
BLACK WITH ORANGE CIRCLE FLAGWarns a driver that he has amechanical problem and must return to pit
HALF BLACK, HALF WHITE FLAGAccompanied by a car number,it warns of unsporting behaviour
BLACK FLAGAccompanied by a carnumber, it directs a driver to return to his pit
WHITE FLAGWarns of a slow-movingvehicle on track
FLAGS, DIGI-STYLECHEQUERED FLAGIndicates to drivers that the session has ended
YELLOW FLAGIndicates danger ahead.Drivers must slow downand not overtake
DRIVERS’ STANDINGSUNIQUELY SINGAPORE
FACTS & FIGURESTotal number of projectors willlight up the track. Each spaced 4mapart and hung 10m above ground.1,500
How bright the Marina Bay Circuit lighting system asmeasured in lux, a unit for illuminance. This is four timesbrighter than a typical stadium’s lighting and 30 timesa Singapore street lamp’s. Sunlight is 50,000 lux.
3,000LUX
86,000The total estimatedcost of the lightsmade by Philips.$7,938,513
The total number of cornersof the Marina Bay StreetCircuit. It has more cornersthan any other circuit on theF1 calendar (14 left-handersand 9 right-handers).
Total number of Safety Cardeployments over the sevenraces held thus far.
Number of fans expected tocross the turnstiles daily atthis year’s race.
23
102AM
1ST 1 out of 4
71%
From the sweltering humidity to the �oodlights to the physical toll it takes on drivers,the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix is a standout on the Formula One calendar.The Straits Times takes a look at what makes the night race special even in its eighth year.
TYRESThe two softest compounds - the supersoft and soft - will be taken to the streets of Marina Bay for the �oodlit race. Pirelli said they are “perfectly suited” to the street circuit characteristics, providing a rapid warm-up and maximum mechanical grip.
HELMETThe F1 helmet, made of carbon �bre and Kevlar, is four times stronger than a typical motorcycle helmet.For Singapore’s night race, drivers can don a light smoke-coloured visor to increase the contrast in vision.
COCKPITThe cockpit can hit temperatures of 60 deg C. Drivers have drinking bottles or bags inside the cars, which dispenses water mixed with mineral salts to combat dehydration. Press the drinks button on the steering wheel, and water is pumped through a tube attached to the helmet and squirted into the mouth of the driver.
DRSDetectionZone
DRSDetectionZoneDRS
ActivationZone
DRSActivationZone
Singapore Flyer
Paddock ClubPaddock Club
PITGRANDSTANDPITGRANDSTAND
TURN 1GRANDSTANDTURN 1GRANDSTAND
TURN 2GRANDSTANDTURN 2GRANDSTAND
TURN 3 PREMIERGRANDSTANDTURN 3 PREMIERGRANDSTAND
300mNICOLL HIGHWAYSTATION
Ritz CarltonMillenia
BAYGRANDSTAND
CONNAUGHTGRANDSTANDCONNAUGHTGRANDSTAND
PADANG AGRANDSTANDPADANG AGRANDSTAND STAMFORD
GRANDSTANDSTAMFORDGRANDSTANDPADANG B
GRANDSTANDPADANG BGRANDSTAND
ESPLANADEOUTDOOR THEARTESTAGE
The Float@Marina Bay
MandarinOriental
Suntec Convention& Exhibition Centre Fountain
of WealthFountainof Wealth
CentennialTower
MarinaSquare
One RafflesLink
The Padang
SingaporeCricket Club
TheAdelphi
National GallerySingapore
Supreme Courtof Singapore
SingaporeCricket Club
TheAdelphi
National GallerySingapore
St Andrew’sCathedralSt Andrew’sCathedral
Swissotel The StamfordSwissotel The Stamford
Supreme Courtof Singapore
Victoria Theatreand Concert HallVictoria Theatreand Concert Hall
PADANGSTAGEPADANGSTAGE
MAMBO STAGEBY ZOUKMAMBO STAGEBY ZOUK
Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay
SingaporeRiverSingaporeRiver
EsplanadePark
MeritusMarinaMandarin
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
2223
6
Turns 1, 2 and 3 are very crucial on the Singapore circuit, and if the two Mercedes cars claim the �rst row in qualifying, then whoever manoeuvres those turns best will take it and be hard to over-take.
1
SPEED KMHBRAKING
3GEAR
150
SPEED KMHTOP SPEED
8GEAR
310
11
12
13
Jubilee Bridge
GATE 9
GATE 1
GATE 2
GATE 8
GATE 5
GATE 6
GATE 3
GATE 4Entry from
3pm-9.30pmonly
GATE 7Entry from
3pm-9.30pmonly
GATE 8A
Turns 11, 12 and 13 have been recon�gured to alter the approach to the Turn 13 hairpin, which leads onto one of the longest �at-out sections on the track.Where Turns 11 and 12 previously formed a fast chicane, Turn 11 has now been tightened to produce a lower apex speed.
PROMENADESTATIONPROMENADESTATION
CITY HALLSTATIONCITY HALLSTATION
ESPLANADESTATION
MARINA BAY STREET CIRCUITNUMBER OF LAPS
61CIRCUIT LENGTH
5.065KMRACE DISTANCE
308.828KM
116MINUTES
1
TOTAL POINTS: 252 WINS: 72014 POSITION: 1 TIMING: 2:00:04.795
LEWIS HAMILTON (Mercedes)
2
TOTAL POINTS: 199 WINS: 32014 POSITION: 21 TIMING: N/A
NICO ROSBERG (Mercedes)
3
TOTAL POINTS: 178 WINS: 22014 POSITION: 2 TIMING: +13.534 sec
SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Ferrari)
5
TOTAL POINTS: 92 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 8 TIMING: +1:00.641 sec
KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN (Ferrari)
4
TOTAL POINTS: 97 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 5 TIMING: +42.161 sec
FELIPE MASSA (Williams)
6
TOTAL POINTS: 91 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 11 TIMING: +1:05.065 sec
VALTTERI BOTTAS (Williams)
7
TOTAL POINTS: 58 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 14 TIMING: +1:12.008 sec
DANIIL KVYAT (Red Bull)
8
TOTAL POINTS: 55 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 3 TIMING: +14.273 sec
DANIEL RICCIARDO (Red Bull)
9
TOTAL POINTS: 38 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 13 TIMING: +1:08.029 Sec
ROMAIN GROSJEAN (Lotus) TOTAL POINTS: 33 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 7 TIMING: +59.038 sec
10
SERGIO PEREZ (Force India)
12
TOTAL POINTS: 26 WINS: 02014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A
MAX VERSTAPPEN (Toro Rosso)
TOTAL POINTS: 16 WINS: 02014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A
13
FELIPE NASR (Sauber) TOTAL POINTS: 12 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 12 TIMING: +1:06.915 sec
14
PASTOR MALDONADO (Lotus)
TOTAL POINTS: 11 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 4 TIMING: +15.389 sec
15
FERNANDO ALONSO (McLaren) TOTAL POINTS: 9 WINS: 02014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A
16
CARLOS SAINZ JR (Toro Rosso)
TOTAL POINTS: 9 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 15 TIMING: +1:34.188 Sec
17
MARCUS ERICSSON (Sauber) TOTAL POINTS: 6 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 18 TIMING: N/A
18
JENSON BUTTON (McLaren)
TOTAL POINTS: 0 WINS: 02014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A
19
ROBERTO MERHI (Manor) TOTAL POINTS: 0 WINS: 02014 POSITION: N/A TIMING: N/A
20
WILL STEVENS (Manor)
TOTAL POINTS: 30 WINS: 02014 POSITION: 9 TIMING: +1:00.661 sec
11
NICO HUELKENBERG (Force India)
ST Graphics: CAROL GAN,BRYANDT LYNText: SANJAY NAIRPhotos: LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC,REUTERS
SPEED KMHBRAKING
3GEAR
125
SPEED KMHTOP SPEED
8GEAR
320
T TRACK TURNDRSDETECTIONZONE
DRSACTIVATIONZONE
ZONE 1
START END PODIUM
RESTRICTED ZONE (Authorised pass holders only)
ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4
LEGEND
UNIQUELY SINGAPORE
Total number of projectors willlight up the track. Each spaced 4mapart and hung 10m above ground.
How bright the Marina Bay Circuit lighting system asmeasured in lux, a unit for illuminance. This is four timesbrighter than a typical stadium’s lighting and 30 times
The total estimatedcost of the lightsmade by Philips.
Average weight(including 2-3litres of water)drivers loseevery race.
Amount of waterdrivers drink in the dayspreceding the race.
4 KG
8 LITRES
2 HOURS
DRIVERS
Time some drivers spent playing tennis in an F1 driving suit in temperatures of 38 deg C and running10km, to conditionthemselves for the hot and humid weather of Singapore
Drivers have low-fat, low-salt meals, such as pasta without salt, to fuel their bodies.
DRS Activation ZoneThe drag reduction system (DRS) is an overtaking aid, which involves the use of driver-activated adjustments to the angle of the rear wing - reducing drag and adding 10 to 15kmh to straight-line speed. It can be activated in the two DRS zones (the pit straight between Turn 23 and 1, and between Turn 5 and 7) when the trailing car is within one second of the car in front.
Success rate of pole holders, who have won �ve of the seven previous editions. Singapore’s tight and twisting street circuit makes overtaking dif�cult, thus placing a premium on pole position.
Singapore is almost always the longest race of the season. None of the previous seven races in Singapore has been completed under this time.
Dinner time for drivers during the Singapore race as they still maintain their body clocks on European time.
Singapore is the �rst anti-clockwise track to make an appearance on the 19-race calendar in 2015, with the others - USA (Oct 25),Brazil (Nov 15) and Abu Dhabi(Nov 29) - coming later.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit is one of only 4 tracks that run anti-clockwise this year. This places more strain on drivers, particularly their necks, than clockwise circuits which they are used to.
ESPLANADEWATERFRONTGRANDSTAND
DRSDetectionZone
Helix Bridge
EAST COASTPARKWAY (ECP)
5 Uniquely SingaporeFrom the sweltering humidity to the �oodlights to the physical toll it took on drivers, the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix was a standout on the Formula One calendar. Carol Gan and Bryandt Lyn looked at what made the night race special even in its eighth year.
HOW THEY FAREDA look at how the parties did in previous GEs
NOTE: *The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) was formed in 2001. National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Singapore People’s Party (SPP) contested under the SDA banner in 2001 and 2006. NSP left the alliance in 2007 while SPP left in 2011. The Reform Party (RP) was formed in 2009. Figures refer to the parties’ share of the votes in the constituencies they contested.
SDA*: 27.11%
PPP: 23.11%
SingFirst: 21.49%
WP: 39.75%
RP: 20.6%
PAP: 69.86%
SPP*: 27.08%
NSP*: 25.27%
SDP: 31.23%
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
30.1%
63.2%
39.5%
34.6%
61%
65%
75.3%
66.6%
60.1%
32.5%
23.2%
39.3%
27.2%
48.6%
37.9%
41.1%
33.1%
38.5%
20.4%
27.6%
37.6% 38.4%
46.6%
41.4%39.3%
36.8%31.8%
30.1%
1988 1991 1997 2001 2006 2011 2015
Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC
SembawangGRC
Nee SoonGRC
Ang Mo KioGRC
Pasir Ris-Punggol
GRC
TampinesGRC
East Coast GRC
AljuniedGRC
MountbattenSMC
Fengshan SMC
BukitPanjang
SMC
Hong KahNorth SMC
Bishan-Toa Payoh
GRC
Tanjong PagarGRC
Jurong GRC
West CoastGRC
MarineParade GRC
Chua Chu KangGRC
Holland-Bukit Timah
GRC
Potong Pasir SMC
Radin Mas SMCPioneer SMC
Sengkang West SMC
Hougang SMC
Punggol East SMC
Jalan Besar GRC
MacPherson SMC
Yuhua SMC
BukitBatokSMC
Pulau Ubin PulauTekong
Sentosa
Pulau Brani
JurongIsland
How the �ghts went
NOTE: *The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) was formed in 2001. National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Singapore People’s Party (SPP) contested under the SDA banner in 2001 and 2006. NSP left the alliance in 2007 while SPP left in 2011. The Reform Party (RP) was formed in 2009. Figures refer to the parties’ share of the votes in the constituencies they contested.
How parties did
HOW THEY FARED A look at how the parties did in previous GEs Top 5 closest �ghtsSingle-member constituencies
Winner Ward
PAP Punggol EastCharles Chong
PAP FengshanCheryl Chan
WP HougangPng Eng Huat
% of votes
51.76
57.52
57.69
Winner Ward
PAP Sengkang WestLam Pin Min
PAP MacPhersonTin Pei Ling
% of votes
62.11
65.58
The results2015 GENERAL ELECTION
Winner Ward
WP AljuniedLow Thia KhiangSylvia LimChen Show MaoPritam SinghFaisal Manap
PAP East CoastLim Swee SayLee Yi ShyanMohd Maliki OsmanJessica Tan
% of votes
50.95
60.73
PAP Marine ParadeTan Chuan-JinGoh Chok TongSeah Kian PengFatimah LateefEdwin Tong
64.07
Group Representation ConstituenciesWinner Ward
PAP Holland-Bukit TimahVivian BalakrishnanSim AnnChristopher de SouzaLiang Eng Hwa
PAP Nee SoonK. ShanmugamMuhammad Faishal IbrahimLee Bee WahKwek Hian ChuanLouis Ng
% of votes
66.62
66.83
^ Total percentage of votes in the wards they contested.NOTE: * The third party in this constituency, independent candidate Samir Salim Neji, polled 150 votes (0.6%)** The third party in this constituency, NSP, polled 215 votes (0.82%)*** The third party in this constituency, independent candidate Han Hui Hui, polled 2,629 votes (10.04%)
Who won whatPAP
WP
89 83
28 6
12 0
11 0
11 0
10 0
8 0
6 0
4 0
69.86
39.75
25.27
31.23
20.60
21.49
27.08
27.11
23.11
SDASingaporeDemocraticAlliance
WPWorkers’Party
SDPSingaporeDemocraticParty
RPReform Party
NSPNationalSolidarityParty
SingFirstSingaporeansFirst
PPPPeople’sPower Party
SPPSingaporePeople’s Party
PAPPeople’sAction Party
Seatscontested
Seatswon
Total %of votes^
Constituency Party Votes % share Party VotesMargin of victory
(No. of votes)% share
Party Votes Margin (votes)% share
Rank
Party Votes % share Rank
WINNERS LOSERS
2,61298,40455,46559,27119,43431,25033,27870,23237,31037,32841,40178,51359,57258,28264,50551,699
11,61911,7923,24012,9913,4698,4019,29812,4165,2281,15616,9016,8489,793
292962520181
23161912131443
1117278262215721285
2410
69,929135,11586,51484,73154,98162,63063,56195,08084,93968,48582,197125,02196,63995,20290,44871,091
18,20421,93512,39819,61213,01217,22715,29017,99410,58116,95720,23017,56415,298
50.9578.6373.5976.8960.7366.6267.7379.2864.0768.7366.8372.8972.2872.0677.7178.57
72.9968.3857.5274.7657.6965.5871.8476.3466.4151.7677.2562.1173.54
WPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAP
PAPPAPPAPPAPWPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAPPAP
GRCAljuniedAng Mo KioBishan-Toa PayohChua Chu KangEast CoastHolland-Bukit TimahJalan BesarJurongMarine ParadeMarsiling-Yew TeeNee SoonPasir Ris-PunggolSembawangTampinesTanjong PagarWest Coast
SMCBukit Batok*Bukit PanjangFengshanHong Kah NorthHougangMacPherson**MountbattenPioneerPotong PasirPunggol EastRadin Mas***Sengkang WestYuhua
PAPRPSPPPPPWPSDPWPSINGFIRSTWPSDPWPSDANSPNSPSINGFIRSTRP
SDPSDPWPSPPPAPWPSPPNSPSPPWPRPWPSDP
67,31736,71131,04925,46035,54731,38030,28324,84847,62931,15740,79646,50837,06736,92025,94319,392
6,58510,1439,1586,6219,5438,8265,9925,5785,35315,8013,32910,7165,505
49.0521.3726.4123.1139.2733.3832.2720.7235.9331.2733.1727.1127.7227.9422.2921.43
26.4031.6242.4825.2442.3133.6028.1623.6633.5948.2412.7137.8926.46
SDA*: 27.11%
PPP: 23.11%
SingFirst: 21.49%
WP: 39.75%
RP: 20.6%
PAP: 69.86%
SPP*: 27.08%
NSP*: 25.27%
SDP: 31.23%
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
30.1%
63.2%
39.5%
34.6%
61%
65%
75.3%
66.6%
60.1%
32.5%
23.2%
39.3%
27.2%
48.6%
37.9%
41.1%
33.1%
38.5%
20.4%
27.6%
37.6% 38.4%
46.6%
41.4%39.3%
36.8%31.8%
30.1%
1988 1991 1997 2001 2006 2011 2015
7 The results of GE2015
Rain
Skygardens
Rainwater-harvesting tank
RAINWATER HARVESTINGRainwater collected from the towers and the canopy is funnelled to a harvesting tank underground
Rainwater is pumped back up to three holding tanks toirrigate plants and trees in sky gardens and tower planters
This system of harvesting rainwater helps South Beach save 174,000 cu m of water annually
Canopy
8 Builton greenfoundationsThe new landmark of Beach Road, South Beach, boasts state-of-the-art environmental features. It received two Green Mark Platinum Awards from the Building and Construction Authority.Graphics by Bryandt Lyn, Tien Chung Ping and Mike M Dizon.
10 A peek into the past
Orchard Road may have lost some glitz, but it is still the street that draws thetop names in retail and F&B offerings. The Straits Times Infographics teamlooked at who owns what in Orchard Road.
Funeral procession passed landmarks that representMr Lee Kuan Yew’s lasting legacy for Singapore. Graphics by Lim Yong.
In the �nal investigation report, an authorised examiner reconstructed how the doors of a lift at Block 322,Tah Ching Road, might have severed the hand of Madam Khoo Bee Hua. Graphics by Chng Choon Hiong.
1 What could have happened
Lim Yong looked at the numbers that mattered.
By THAM YUEN-CASSISTANT POLITICAL EDITOR
PARLIAMENT yesterday ap-proved a record $79.9 billionBudget, with the Leader of theHouse, Dr Ng Eng Hen, as well asSpeaker Halimah Yacob lauding itas one that will bring Singaporecloser to its vision of a fair and in-clusive society.
With this Budget, and the threebefore it, the Government has“surely and steadily” made thedeep structural changes needed toprepare Singapore for the challeng-es ahead, said Dr Ng, who is alsoDefence Minister.
As he wrapped up nine days ofdiscussions on the Government’sspending plans and policies, hesaid the initiatives introduced inthe past four years have strength-ened social safety nets and redis-tributed more wealth to the low-er- and middle-income groups.
“This represents a fundamen-tal shift... so that we can maintainour precious social compact andbring opportunities and benefitsto all,” he added.
Likening Singapore to a fleet ofcars and trucks speeding towardsgrowth in the fast lane, he said itwas as if coaches had been addedin the slower lane to bring alongthe elderly, disadvantaged andless able.
“The entire fleet must arrive atour destination,” he said.
Madam Halimah, who presidedover the debate, welcomed thegreater stability, security andpeace of mind that this wouldbring Singaporeans.
People would be more willingto embrace the change that eco-nomic restructuring will bring “ifthere is a safety net to catch themif they fall”, she said.
Also noting how the shift hadsparked an ideological debate, shewarned that policies should be de-termined by how much benefitthey bring, and not by what ideo-logical position they conform to.
The Budget had garnered unani-mous support, they both said,with the ruling party’s Membersof Parliament, opposition MPs andNominated MPs alike backing it.
But the MPs had also raisedconcerns about whether the Gov-
ernment can afford the spending,added Madam Halimah.
Dr Ng said these MPs “showedgood judgment and honesty be-cause it would have been so mucheasier and populist not to soundthese warnings”.
He added that whether or notthe spending is sustainable will de-pend on whether Singaporeanscan work together to make surethe country continues to thrive.
The Budget, for governmentspending from April 1, is $11 bil-lion more than last year’s.
During their speeches, both DrNg and Madam Halimah alsopraised the performance of thenine Nominated MPs who weresworn in last September.
Dr Ng said they had “addedsubstance and style” with their“passionate and stirring speech-es” at their Budget debut.
Madam Halimah said she was
also proud to have in lawyer ChiaYong Yong – who has peronealmuscular dystrophy and uses awheelchair – an NMP represent-ing the special needs community.
Adding that it is a first, shesaid: “I am glad our Parliament istruly inclusive and no disability orimpairment is an impediment toany Singaporean who wants tocontribute and has the people’swelfare at heart.”
Over the nine days of debate,MPs spoke about the new SkillsFu-ture scheme that will help peoplemaster skills throughout theirworking lives, stimulating produc-tivity and the need to retainSingapore’s historical and culturaltraits, including hawker food.
Dr Ng said these topics differedfrom those in previous Budget de-bates, as the Government had suc-cessfully addressed the past issuessuch as help for the poor, the oldand the lower-skilled, and the in-flux of foreign workers.
In all, 54 MPs spoke on theBudget statement, while 65 MPsspoke during the debate on the in-dividual ministries’ budgets.
Wrapping up, Madam Halimahsaid the work was not over. “Theend of this Budget debate is butthe beginning of more concertedefforts to reach out to Singapore-ans on these policies.”
By PRISCILLA GOY
COMING to housing estates withmany young families: Jumbo child-care centres that can each take in300 to 500 children.
The Government is helping an-chor operators (AOPs) to developbigger childcare centres, provid-ing 2,400 more places over thenext few years.
This is to help young familiesliving in areas with high demandfor childcare, Minister for Social
and Family Development ChanChun Sing said in the debate onhis ministry’s budget yesterday.
The plan to add 2,400 placesgoes beyond the original goal ofadding 20,000 childcare places be-tween 2013 and 2017 – a targetthat will be met ahead of sched-ule. Some 17,000 places havebeen added so far.
The five appointed AOPs, in-cluding NTUC My First Skool,currently get government grantsand priority in securing Housing
Board sites to set up centres, butthey have to keep fees below $720a month, among other things.
They will get funding help andwill be allocated the sites to buildthe bigger centres. A centre in aHDB void deck can usually admitonly about 100 children.
Yesterday, Mr Chan asked forsupport as his ministry tries build-ing bigger childcare centres.“With bigger centres, there mightbe issues with transportation, andI seek Members’ support to mobi-
lise your respective grassroots or-ganisations to help us build and de-sign such centres that are closerto the needs of the young parentsamong us,” he said.
The Early Childhood Develop-ment Agency (ECDA) will give de-tails about the locations of thesenew large centres later this year.
Mr Chan also announced otherinitiatives to improve the qualityof the pre-school sector.
A three-year Professional De-velopment Programme will be in-
troduced to help pre-school staffdevelop their careers. ECDA willoffer new certifiable courses andcash incentives.
Starting next year, this is forstaff who have about three yearsof experience and are identified bytheir employers as having the po-tential to take on bigger job roles.
Childcare centres and kinder-gartens, which are now regulatedunder different Acts, will be li-censed under a new Early Child-hood Development Centres Act.
ECDA will also get more regula-tory powers, raising the quality ofpre-schools, Mr Chan said.
“Parents will have greater as-surance of the standards... Opera-tors will similarly benefit fromhaving a clearer and more consist-ent requirement, regardless of thetype of early childhood servicesthat they provide,” he said.
The new Act is expected to beintroduced in the second half ofthe year.
Jumbo childcare centres for estates with many young families
Parliament approvesrecord $79.9b Budget
Govt made deep changes to prepareS’pore for challenges: Ng Eng Hen
Source: MINISTRY OF FINANCE
BUDGET DEBATE AT A GLANCEAfter nine days and 520 speeches by MPs, Parliament approved Singapore’s Budget for 2015.
KEYMEASURESBuilding on the Budget statement, each ministry also announced new schemes and initiatives on their to-do lists this year:
The SkillsFuture initiative that will give adult Singaporeans credits for lifelong learning. The credits will cost the Government over $1 billion in total from 2016 to 2020.
$740 million is being poured into revamping the Civic District, from sprucing up the new National Gallery Singapore to upgrading theNational Museum and theEsplanade forecourt.
$450 million for the second edition of the Construction Productivity Roadmap to help construction companies work more e�ciently.
The Silver Support Schemewill give the poorest elderly a basic pension for the rest of their lives.It will cost the Government$350 million in its first year, but this amount is likely to grow over time.
$160 million more in theAviation Development Fund tohelp airlines and ground handlers boost productivity.
$16 million more to voluntary welfare organisations, with the bulk of this for ensuring that social workers are paid competitively.
The National Monuments Fund will be doubled to $12 million to help with costs of restoring and maintaining such buildings.
2,400 new childcare places to be made available over the next few years – on top of the 20,000 new places already scheduled by 2017.
A new Cybercrime Command unit to be set up under the Criminal Investigation Department to combat online wrongdoing.
Ten new hawker centres to be built by 2027, bringing the total in the pipeline to 20 hawker centres with 800 food stalls.
A third desalination plant to be built in Tuas by 2017. With this, Singapore can produce 130 million gallons of water per day from seawater.
The Medisave minimum sum will be axed, while the maximum sum, to be renamed Basic Healthcare Sum, will be fixed for each cohort when they turn 65.
A nationwide survey to assess Singapore’s landmarks and sites of historical and cultural significance will be launched soon to better preserve the country’s heritage.
TRADE AND INDUSTRYHigher R&D spending
$3.1b6.8%
$0.9bFINANCE
Taxman gets largest share of operating spending 26.5%
$0.5b
OTHER ORGANS OF STATEJudicature will see biggest rise in spending
18.2%
$0.5b
FOREIGN AFFAIRSPartly for properties used by overseas missions
11.1%
$0.5b
PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICEIncludes marriage and parenthood schemes
16%
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
More Housing Board flats
$2.7b21.2%
CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH
Provisions for SG50 andSEA Games
$2.7b39.8%
$2.1bSOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
More childcare centres,adult disability homes
16.8%
$1.5bMANPOWER
Silver Support and SkillsFuture schemes 16%
$1.8bENVIRONMENT AND WATER RESOURCES
Cleaning costs anddengue management
17.3%
$12.1bEDUCATION
Higher budgets for SkillsFuture
3.2%
$10.9bTRANSPORT
Expansion of airport and rail lines
80.6%
$9.3bHEALTH
Subsidies for MediShield Life
29.3%
HOME AFFAIRSNew buildings likeSentosa fire station
$5b11.7%
SPECIAL TRANSFERS
$3b for Changi Airport Development Fund
$11.7b9.1%
$1.2bCOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
Partly for Cyber Security Agency 0.5%
$0.5b
LAWAcquiring land with lower compensation costs
19.4%
$13.1bDEFENCEBigger SG50
National Day Parade
5.7%
THE BUDGET IN NUMBERS
The Government’s revenue this year, a rise of
4.7 per cent from last year
$73.2BILLION
$ 79.9 BILLION
The Government’s spending this year,
a rise of
19.3 per cent from last year
$11 BILLION
The rise in the Government’s spending this year in dollar terms,
compared withlast year
$6.7BILLION
The Government’s deficit for this year
$3 BILLION
for Changi AirportTerminal 5
$1.5BILLION to top up the
National Productivity
FundST GRAPHICS
WHAT THEGOVERNMENT
IS SPENDING ONTOTAL
$79.9b19.3%
Figures may not add updue to rounding o�
Decrease over the previous year
Increase over the previous year
NOT TAKING POPULIST ROUTEThey showed good judgment and honesty because itwould have been so much easier and populist not to soundthese warnings, but instead give false assurances that allwill be well.– Dr Ng Eng Hen, on MPs who raised concerns about fiscal sustainability
INCLUSIVE PARLIAMENTI am glad our Parliament is truly inclusive and no disabilityor impairment is an impediment to any Singaporean whowants to contribute and has the people’s welfare at heart.– Madam Halimah Yacob, on having an NMP, Ms Chia Yong Yong,who represents the special needs community
A6 TOP OF THE NEWS S A T U R D A Y , M A R C H 1 4 , 2 0 1 5
Singapore’s �rst natural history museum – the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum – opened on April 28. The 8,500 sq m museum highlights some of its centuries-old
exhibits and three dinosaurs from the Jurassic period. Chng Choon Hiong and Tay Chern Hui gave a
�rst-hand view of some of the specimens.
• This is an artist’s impression of how Twinky might have looked like, based on the skeleton on exhibit.• Around 12m long, possibly a juvenile.• Arrived here in 12 giant customised crates.• It is the �rst diplodocid found with an undisturbed series of vertebrae. • Its disproportionately longer legs may be a sign that the lengths of different body parts change as they grow.
TWINKY
2015, in graphic detail The Straits Times Art Departmentdid a detailed breakdown of the results.
• The 2mm-thick leash is too narrow to activate lift sensors that would have reopened the doors.• Instead, it is caught in between the doors.
Ngee AnnCity
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