News

The CPI for Apr 2012 rose to 5.4% on a year-on-year basis, from 5.2% last month. The increase was mainly due to higher accommodation costs. Excluding the costs of accommodation and private road transport, MAS Core Inflation edged down from 2.9% in March to 2.7% this month, due to lower services and food inflation.

The Elections Department said that 25 May is Cooling-off Day, when campaigning is disallowed and election advertising must not be published or displayed. This is to let voters reflect rationally on various issues raised at an election before going to the polls. For 26 May, Polling Day, the polling stations will open from 8am to 8pm. Voters in Hougang constituency are reminded to bring along their original NRIC, passport and poll card to the polling station.

The 2011/12 Internationalisation Survey conducted by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore shows that overseas endeavours will continue to contribute to revenue growth for Singapore companies. The increasingly global exposure of Singapore companies has also led to jobs creation for Singaporeans. Given our small domestic market, overseas investments are the natural way for our companies to create good jobs for their employees and value for shareholders.

The MCYS will be awarding grants to taxi companies to operate taxis that can accommodate larger and high-back motorised wheelchairs. Wheelchair commuters can expect to ride in such taxis next year when the licences of the 15 London Cabs expire in March 2013. Through this grant, MCYS seeks to encourage taxi operators to operate a new fleet of wheelchair accessible taxis about double the number of the current London Cabs to offer persons with disabilities greater co

The Syariah Court has launched the Singapore Syariah Appeals Reports (SSAR). The SSAR is the official report series on grounds of decisions delivered by the Appeal Board and covers landmark decisions of the Appeal Board from the years 1980 to 2010 on cases from both the Syariah Court and the Registry of Muslim Marriages. The SSAR aims to provide a source of authoritative reference to Muslim law here and provide greater transparency and confidence in the way the Appeal Board presides over cases.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is launching its inaugural Community Week from 21 to 27 May 2012. The Community Week aims to further strengthen community bonds, raise awareness, and to try to recreate the old kampong spirit in HDB towns again. The exhibition at Heartland Youthoria! (HDB Hub Atrium) will see over 100 students exhibiting their creativity using Lego bricks and make a commitment to enhance community bonding through the use of pledges.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is conducting the Comprehensive Labour Force Survey from 23 May to 31 July 2012 on a sample of 33,000 households. The annual survey aims to collect data on employment, unemployment and other economic characteristics of the population to help in the planning and formulation of manpower-related policies and programmes.