Singaporeans react to controversial New Creation sermon
Read the story below.
I find that he is insincere about making remarks about other religions. I don't think this is the first and not only to Taoism. The rest should have been make fun off. Unlike the lighthouse pastor, he went all the way out to show his sincerity to others that it is a mistake by him and he admit and apologise to all in the public. So far NCC has done nothing and putting up a neutral remark that show no remorse at all. furthermore, the pastor seems to have shrug it off and just kept quiet. Well, silence means "Yes" and so he is standing by his words and do not think he is wrong at all.
You do not make fun of other religions as each person has their right to their own belief. Furthermore, it is always these Mega Churches that is making all these remarks and they always think that they are right. sometimes, i wonder what is their objective? making money and going all the way out to criticise everyone just to make the followers happy and satisfied?
I can say that praying to Jesus is the same and so what would you feel.
they should have an act where all these idiots should be censure and refrain from preaching in public and teaching. like license been withdraw. with no punishment at all, they will go all the way out.
maybe just like a driving license, once your points are up, you can't drive.
what ever religion you have or are, think through your brains before you speak and don't let dont speak through your ass
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That’s the reaction of Singaporeans Yahoo! Singapore spoke to when they were asked to comment on the latest report that a New Creation Church pastor is being investigated for a controversial sermon he gave in 2008.
The Straits Times reports that the Internal Security Department (ISD) is probing Pastor Mark Ng, 48, for a sermon he gave in 2008 in which he mocked Taoist beliefs. In a 10-minute audio clip posted on YouTube, Ng is heard joking with the congregation about Chinese rituals and in one instance, compared praying to Taoist deities to “seeking protection from secret society gangsters”.
This is not the first time a pastor has mocked practices of other religions.
In February this year, founder of Lighthouse Evangelism Rony Tan, 64, was also hauled up and censured by the ISD for making insensitive comments about Buddhist and Taoist beliefs such as re-incarnation and nirvana. The senior Pastor later apologised for his remarks, but not before the issue sparked massive debate in multi-faith, multi-religious Singapore.
Freelance designer Mohd. Mokhtar, 45, told Yahoo! Singapore that he now hopes the government will intervene and put a stop to religious leaders criticising or mocking other faiths.
“It’s already the second time and I won’t be surprised it will happen again so it’s time for them to step in and give them a final warning,” he said.
Aircraft technician Danny Lim, 30, agreed.
“Such comments can harm religious harmony and it’s not right to be criticising other religions.”
Engineer K. Dinesh, 29, added that religious leaders must realise they are constantly under the spotlight and as such, must refrain from talking about other faiths they have little knowledge of.
“I think they should just speak on their own religion and there will not be any issues. It will cause a lot of unrest if they start criticising others.”
Pastor Ng, who heads New Creation’s Chinese ministry, has so far remained silent over the latest issue but a statement posted on the church’s website said that Ng did not intend for his comments to be disrespectful to other races or religions.
It also admitted that the particular sermon has been available for sale at the church bookstore since 2008 until early this year, presumably when Rony Tan was censured.
“We would like to express our deepest apologies to any person who may have been offended by the remarks made by Pastor Mark Ng during a sermon delivered in August 2008,” said the church on its website.
“Pastor Mark offers his unreserved and unmitigated apology to the public for his insensitive comments… He humbly appeals to those whom he has offended to forgive him of this serious indiscretion.”
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
CHC 17 been called up and more to come.
Individuals, firms linked to City Harvest Church under probe
SINGAPORE : The founder of City Harvest Church and 16 other individuals and staff involved in the handling of the church's financial affairs are being investigated by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD).
Police confirmed on Monday evening that Reverend Kong Hee and 16 others are assisting in an on-going investigation arising from complaints made to the Commissioner of Charities (COC) on the misuse of church funds.
CAD officers in the morning visited various premises, including the homes and offices of the individuals involved. They secured items such as financial records and computers for their investigation.
As to how long the investigation will take, the police have given the assurance that while it will be thorough, it will be without undue delay.
Earlier in the afternoon, the COC and CAD said in a joint statement that they were investigating some financial transactions involving several individuals and companies related or connected to the church.
They assured the public that despite ongoing investigations, the normal services and religious activities of the City Harvest need not be disrupted. City Harvest is one of the largest churches in Singapore, with a congregation of over 30,000 who regularly pack its venues at Jurong West and the Singapore Expo during sermons.
The church's reach online is even greater - through live webcasts, podcasts and its own broadcast channel. Much of it is driven by its charismatic founder, Reverend Kong. The pastor keeps a Facebook page that has over 30,000 fans, and has his own YouTube channel. He lives in the US with his son and wife, Sun Ho, a successful pop singer.
This is not the first time City Harvest Church has made headlines. It was just in March that eyebrows were raised over the church's S$310 million stake in Suntec City Convention Centre, and the Commissioner of Charities was called in to investigate.
In a statement to MediaCorp, the charities watchdog stressed that this round of investigations is not related to the earlier Suntec case. It added that the case involved more than just City Harvest - it included companies and individuals connected either directly or indirectly with the church. That is why, it said, the police have to be involved.
Depending on the findings, the charity's trustee may be suspended.
The statement continued: "While there was a governance review conducted on City Harvest Church in 2007, the objective and the scope are different from that of an inquiry. "The governance review essentially looks at the organisation's corporate governance with the objective of assessing and helping the charities to improve the way they are run.
"The inquiry on the other hand is a formal investigation into allegations and complaints received to ascertain that there is no mismanagement or misconduct in the administration of a charity." When asked to comment, the National Council of Churches of Singapore, of which City Harvest is a member, said it was too premature to do so at this point.
On the City Harvest's website, a notice to members by Executive Pastor Reverend Derek Dunn stated that the church was "cooperating fully" with investigations, and that services and operations would continue as usual.
MediaCorp understands the church has engaged Christina Ng from law firm Rajah and Tann to represent it.
- CNA
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17 for the first round and more to come. i believe some people will be quickly packing their bags and be on the run after eating into millions of dollars that people pay to god to be blessed. CHC policy - pay more, get blessed more :P
this is just the tip of the iceberg. it has taken years by the authorities but without concrete evidence, the CAD will not make a move. it will be hard to shake it off as all are guilty. So if they just say their prayers on sunday and verbally say that they will repent, does that means that they are guilt free again? LOLz
SINGAPORE : The founder of City Harvest Church and 16 other individuals and staff involved in the handling of the church's financial affairs are being investigated by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD).
Police confirmed on Monday evening that Reverend Kong Hee and 16 others are assisting in an on-going investigation arising from complaints made to the Commissioner of Charities (COC) on the misuse of church funds.
CAD officers in the morning visited various premises, including the homes and offices of the individuals involved. They secured items such as financial records and computers for their investigation.
As to how long the investigation will take, the police have given the assurance that while it will be thorough, it will be without undue delay.
Earlier in the afternoon, the COC and CAD said in a joint statement that they were investigating some financial transactions involving several individuals and companies related or connected to the church.
They assured the public that despite ongoing investigations, the normal services and religious activities of the City Harvest need not be disrupted. City Harvest is one of the largest churches in Singapore, with a congregation of over 30,000 who regularly pack its venues at Jurong West and the Singapore Expo during sermons.
The church's reach online is even greater - through live webcasts, podcasts and its own broadcast channel. Much of it is driven by its charismatic founder, Reverend Kong. The pastor keeps a Facebook page that has over 30,000 fans, and has his own YouTube channel. He lives in the US with his son and wife, Sun Ho, a successful pop singer.
This is not the first time City Harvest Church has made headlines. It was just in March that eyebrows were raised over the church's S$310 million stake in Suntec City Convention Centre, and the Commissioner of Charities was called in to investigate.
In a statement to MediaCorp, the charities watchdog stressed that this round of investigations is not related to the earlier Suntec case. It added that the case involved more than just City Harvest - it included companies and individuals connected either directly or indirectly with the church. That is why, it said, the police have to be involved.
Depending on the findings, the charity's trustee may be suspended.
The statement continued: "While there was a governance review conducted on City Harvest Church in 2007, the objective and the scope are different from that of an inquiry. "The governance review essentially looks at the organisation's corporate governance with the objective of assessing and helping the charities to improve the way they are run.
"The inquiry on the other hand is a formal investigation into allegations and complaints received to ascertain that there is no mismanagement or misconduct in the administration of a charity." When asked to comment, the National Council of Churches of Singapore, of which City Harvest is a member, said it was too premature to do so at this point.
On the City Harvest's website, a notice to members by Executive Pastor Reverend Derek Dunn stated that the church was "cooperating fully" with investigations, and that services and operations would continue as usual.
MediaCorp understands the church has engaged Christina Ng from law firm Rajah and Tann to represent it.
- CNA
====================================================
17 for the first round and more to come. i believe some people will be quickly packing their bags and be on the run after eating into millions of dollars that people pay to god to be blessed. CHC policy - pay more, get blessed more :P
this is just the tip of the iceberg. it has taken years by the authorities but without concrete evidence, the CAD will not make a move. it will be hard to shake it off as all are guilty. So if they just say their prayers on sunday and verbally say that they will repent, does that means that they are guilt free again? LOLz
Monday, May 31, 2010
Police statement on probe into CHC members
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100531-219396.html
The Office of the Commissioner of Charities (COC) and the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) have commenced investigations into some financial transactions involving several individuals and companies, related or connected to the City Harvest Church.
The COC received complaints of misuse of church funds and informed the CAD, when it assessed that some of these financial transactions may need to be investigated by the CAD. CAD officers visited the offices of the individuals and the companies under investigation this morning and have secured records and accounts for the purpose of the investigations. Seven individuals were detained in a raid at 6.30am on Monday by the CAD
COC and CAD
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Detaining the individuals at 6.30am. seems like the group is planning for a getaway. well, they should check into all these NPOs accounts. believe that there are more than just this 1 single case. but for a start, kill the one at the top first! Well done! BUT they better come out with good results for the public
Monday, May 24, 2010
A forum post on Star Malaysia regarding No Maternity Leave for Women
Ridiculously generous benefits will bankrupt many firms
I REFER to “Stay in step with the ILO on maternity leave” (The Star, May 21) and agree with the writer that maternity protection is an essential right of working women.
However, no reasonable woman, working or not, would argue that she should be paid while she is not working. Paying a salary to a person that is not fulfilling his or her job description is economically disadvantageous to the employer and to the economy at large.
While the woman gets paid for not working, there is another prospective employee who may have to go hungry and homeless because he can't get a job.
By asking for ridiculously generous benefits, women's rights activists have bankrupted uncountable companies in the West and now they are trying to do the same here.
I wonder if the ILO and similar rights organisations only consider the rights of the workers when formulating their recommendations, or if they also look at the balance sheets of the companies.
A pregnant woman should resign, or take unpaid leave until her child is born and until he is big enough for her to return to work. Pregnant women are already unable to fulfil their duties because their condition does not usually allow them to perform as they should. The position left vacant should be filled by temporary or contract workers.
Women should not be selfish and think they can have it all, and lawyers should consider that human rights are subservient to the performance of the economy. Every right has a price, and having no job gives you no money to pay for your rights.
A business proposition must be equitable to be successful, and by demanding that women be paid although they are not working, while others are practically starving because they can't get a job, the ILO jeopardises the interest of the mother, the child, and the future of the country.
MARISA DEMORI,
Ipoh.
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I am not sure whether this person is a male or female or half half. regarding the maternity leave issue, this person has stir it up. if this happens, no one will want to get pregnant. must be out of the mind.
The London Olympics Mascot is a dick!
Canadians upset with the British press's treatment of the Vancouver Olympics are having the last laugh after the newly introduced mascots for the London 2012 Summer Games were met with nearly instant derision.
The mascots, Mandeville and Wenlock, can only be described as one-eyed alien Teletubbies that even 1970s-era "Doctor Who" fans would find embarrassingly cheesy.
"I think this one is going to have to grow on people, it's not getting great reviews," CTV London Bureau Chief Tom Kennedy told Canada AM Thursday.
Organizers said the idea for the characters came from two drops of molten steel dropped while making the last girder for London's Olympic Stadium, and the mascots tested well with children.
Olympic organizing committee chairman Sebastian Coe said kids don't want cuddly animals as mascots and wanted "something they can interact with and something with a good story behind it,"
The mascots have been given a detailed backstory by children's author Michael Morpurgo.
Organizers had hoped to make about $25 million in merchandising sales of the mascots, Kennedy said.
But perhaps the designers might have thought of including a snickering teenager or two in those focus groups, because the Internet practically overloaded Wednesday in a rush to make comments about the mascots', er, phallic nature.
====================================================
I don't think they will see much of the mascot. look like an evil eye like the one in the LOTR. Furthermore, i think the mascot look gay. no offence but how can you differentiate which is male and which is female? One Eye Monster is also another term for Dick Head. Well, they will sure kick themselves in the ass or stick the monster into their ass for choosing this. LOL
Monday, November 30, 2009
Japanese national lodges successful appeal against six—week jail sentence
SINGAPORE: A Japanese national escaped imprisonment yesterday after he lodged a successful appeal against his six—week jail sentence for assaulting a taxi driver.Mr Taniguchi Mitsuru left the cab without paying the fare on September 2 last year, after the driver failed to find the passenger’s destination despite driving round the Punggol Estate repeatedly.
Cabbie Lim Hing Soon then pursued Mr Mitsuru to collect his taxi fare but the intoxicated passenger pushed the driver.
Mr Lim, 65, then returned to his taxi to retrieve an umbrella, but fell to the ground during the tussle. The scuffle for control of the umbrella continued and the cabbie suffered a cut on his forehead.
Lawyer Tan Lee Cheng argued that Mr Mitsuru’s actions were in "self—defence", and the case was not one where the passenger laid "direct blows" or "went for the jugular". "The minute he (Mr Mitsuru) saw the taxi driver bleed, he stopped," added Ms Tan.
But deputy public prosecutor Hay Hung Chun argued that a custodial sentence was still appropriate — the passenger could have paid part of the fare and then lodge a complaint with the taxi company instead.
Justice Lee Seiu Kin noted that Mr Mitsuru, 47, feared the cabbie would use the umbrella to hit him. The High Court Judge substituted the Japanese’s jail sentence with a $2,000 fine.
But Justice Lee drew a distinction between this assault and another against a public bus driver.
In that case, Balbir Singh, 45, kicked a bus driver on his leg after being reminded the second time to pay his fare. In appealing against the one—month jail sentence, lawyer S K Kumar argued yesterday that Mr Singh’s assault on the bus was committed in "a spur of the moment" and that he was "in a hurry".
But Justice Lee rebutted the lawyer’s argument, "Half of the people taking bus are in a hurry too."
The High Court Judge noted that the bus driver was merely doing his job when he asked Mr Singh to pay his fare.
"What business does your client have in going around kicking them? He was unreasonable and obnoxious," said Justice Lee, who also noted that the safety of other bus passengers or road users might be at stake.
The High Court Judge said a deterrent message needed to be sent out that attacks against bus drivers would not be tolerated. "If you try this kind of stunt and endanger other people on the bus, we will put you in," added Justice Lee. — TODAY/vm==================================================================
This came out in the papers today. looking at the sentences given out, i pity the mr. singh. if he is a white man, i think he will get away with the sentence and maybe sbs will need to compensate him for wasting his time. So the first person to lay hands is not necessary punished becoz he or she can act in self defense. if the guy is a not an expat, i don't think he will get away with not paying for his cab. the judge should consider that he is in an intoxicated state and did not stage his destination clearly and is not able to pinpoint where to stop that leads to the driver circling the area. Giving the driver the benefit of doubt, the jap in much in the wrong. Furthermore that he hit the driver and wounded the driver and get away with only a fine of SGD2,000 which is easily affordable.
What kind of justice system is this... The legal system is there to protect the rich, famous and foreigners and bullying the locals. Kao!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Cushion flies out bus window, work of some "smart" students
Cushion flies out bus window
THIS was one 13-year-old schoolboy's idea of fun: Open the emergency exit window on the upper deck of a moving double-decker bus and fling out a seat cushion. Fortunately, nobody was injured by his thoughtless act of mischief, but it disrupted the bus service and 40 passengers had to be transferred to another bus. The incident took place on 16 Sep.....
He continued the journey, but 10 minutes later, an indicator light on his console lit up, alerting him that the upper deck emergency exit window had been opened.
He pulled up at the next bus-stop and went to the upper deck to check.
The students had occupied the entire row of seats at the rear, including several of the twin seats.
The emergency window was closed and the latch secured, but he noticed that the bus service number plate displayed at the window was missing. Said Mr Teong: 'It was there when I started my shift. I asked the students if they knew what happened to the number plate, but they ignored me and kept quiet. He then alighted and walked to the back of the bus. 'I wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong,' he explained.
But to his shock, he saw a bus seat cushion on the ground. He said: 'I was quite upset. Some school children can be quite mischievous and rowdy but removing a seat cushion and throwing it out from the upper deck is crossing the line....
The school requested not to be named and did not want to reveal the student's identity as he had expressed remorse for his act of mischief, and that it would like to give him a chance to repent. The student does not have a prior record of misbehaving. The spokesman said: 'He was questioned and reprimanded by the discipline master and made to reflect upon his actions. It was made clear to him that his act of mischief could have injured someone.....
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The school wants to save face so that it requested not be named. Just talking to the kid and let him get away with it. if it hit someone, i wonder will they just talk to the kid. Will they implement a public caning to teach the kids a lesson?
What will the parents do? 13 year old? do you think that they do not know how to think? furthermore just focusing on the guy who committed the act. How about those 10 other accomplices?
Do they teach moral education in school at all? They deserve to be publicly named and shamed. this will warn other kids not to commit similar acts. kill 1 to frighten the 100s
Shame on the School, Shame on the kids. hope they get throw out of the bus window
THIS was one 13-year-old schoolboy's idea of fun: Open the emergency exit window on the upper deck of a moving double-decker bus and fling out a seat cushion. Fortunately, nobody was injured by his thoughtless act of mischief, but it disrupted the bus service and 40 passengers had to be transferred to another bus. The incident took place on 16 Sep.....
He continued the journey, but 10 minutes later, an indicator light on his console lit up, alerting him that the upper deck emergency exit window had been opened.
He pulled up at the next bus-stop and went to the upper deck to check.
The students had occupied the entire row of seats at the rear, including several of the twin seats.
The emergency window was closed and the latch secured, but he noticed that the bus service number plate displayed at the window was missing. Said Mr Teong: 'It was there when I started my shift. I asked the students if they knew what happened to the number plate, but they ignored me and kept quiet. He then alighted and walked to the back of the bus. 'I wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong,' he explained.
But to his shock, he saw a bus seat cushion on the ground. He said: 'I was quite upset. Some school children can be quite mischievous and rowdy but removing a seat cushion and throwing it out from the upper deck is crossing the line....
The school requested not to be named and did not want to reveal the student's identity as he had expressed remorse for his act of mischief, and that it would like to give him a chance to repent. The student does not have a prior record of misbehaving. The spokesman said: 'He was questioned and reprimanded by the discipline master and made to reflect upon his actions. It was made clear to him that his act of mischief could have injured someone.....
==========================================================================
The school wants to save face so that it requested not be named. Just talking to the kid and let him get away with it. if it hit someone, i wonder will they just talk to the kid. Will they implement a public caning to teach the kids a lesson?
What will the parents do? 13 year old? do you think that they do not know how to think? furthermore just focusing on the guy who committed the act. How about those 10 other accomplices?
Do they teach moral education in school at all? They deserve to be publicly named and shamed. this will warn other kids not to commit similar acts. kill 1 to frighten the 100s
Shame on the School, Shame on the kids. hope they get throw out of the bus window
I wonder why media keep defending Ris Low?
Not perfect, but she's our best hope
Even at 17, she know what is right and wrong. i am not sure whether using the bipolar illness is a get around excuse. she seems so determine to keep the crown.
2 things to note
1. she was not honest when she sign the form. she should declare that she has a record. what does she mean that she don't know when she sign the form. this is a common term like what we have in most of the applications. if she does not know, it could mean that the rest of her applications is blindly signed or hide on purpose
2. The competition demands someone with a clean background. if she is sent, i wonder how the world media will react to it. does it means that singapore got no more woman? i don't think she is really that great.
till date, there is no sincerity at all from her as she is just having tons of excuses to cover her tracks.
I wonder how much or what treats did she give to the organizers or judges. so far, no one has come out to clarify anything
Even at 17, she know what is right and wrong. i am not sure whether using the bipolar illness is a get around excuse. she seems so determine to keep the crown.
2 things to note
1. she was not honest when she sign the form. she should declare that she has a record. what does she mean that she don't know when she sign the form. this is a common term like what we have in most of the applications. if she does not know, it could mean that the rest of her applications is blindly signed or hide on purpose
2. The competition demands someone with a clean background. if she is sent, i wonder how the world media will react to it. does it means that singapore got no more woman? i don't think she is really that great.
till date, there is no sincerity at all from her as she is just having tons of excuses to cover her tracks.
I wonder how much or what treats did she give to the organizers or judges. so far, no one has come out to clarify anything
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
S'pore reports 1st flu case
SINGAPORE has reported its first patient infected with the new A(H1N1) flu strain.
The patient, a 22-year-old Singaporean woman, had been in New York from May 14 to 24, and arrived here on Tuesday morning.
While seated in row 55 on Singapore Airlines flight SQ25, she began to develop a cough, but she passed the thermal scanner at the airport later without being stopped, because she did not have a fever at the time.
Later that morning, she went to a general practitioner who decided to send her to Tan Tock Seng Hospital via the special ambulance service 993 meant for suspected Influenza A (H1N1) cases.
Laboratory test confirmed her infection at midnight on Tuesday.
The patient is being treated at the TTH Communicable Disease Centre and is in stable condition.
The Health Ministry said the patient has been vigilant in monitoring her condition and had sought immediate medical attention once she realised she was unwell.
"Her attending GP, through his quick response in activating the 993 ambulance for the patient, had also helped to minimise the spread of infection from this case," said a ministry statement.
The Health Ministry has begun contact tracing of those who have been in close contact with the patient.
They will be quarantined and given antivirals to prevent them from developing the disease.
The ministry asked passengers who had been seated in rows 52 to 58 on the same flight to call its hotline on 1800-333 9999, so that its officers can check on their health condition.
The Ministry has reminded all medical practitioners and healthcare institutions to continue to be vigilant to suspect cases.
Temperature screening for passengers entering Singapore at all checkpoints - land, sea and air - will continue.
All passengers passing through or entering Singapore are given Health Alert Notices on board their flights, advising them to monitor their own health if they have been to affected areas and to seek medical attention immediately if they are not well.
===================================================================================
I think they should quarantine all passengers coming in from the US for at least 7 days before they are release. seems like the whole world is getting infected from flights coming in from US
The patient, a 22-year-old Singaporean woman, had been in New York from May 14 to 24, and arrived here on Tuesday morning.
While seated in row 55 on Singapore Airlines flight SQ25, she began to develop a cough, but she passed the thermal scanner at the airport later without being stopped, because she did not have a fever at the time.
Later that morning, she went to a general practitioner who decided to send her to Tan Tock Seng Hospital via the special ambulance service 993 meant for suspected Influenza A (H1N1) cases.
Laboratory test confirmed her infection at midnight on Tuesday.
The patient is being treated at the TTH Communicable Disease Centre and is in stable condition.
The Health Ministry said the patient has been vigilant in monitoring her condition and had sought immediate medical attention once she realised she was unwell.
"Her attending GP, through his quick response in activating the 993 ambulance for the patient, had also helped to minimise the spread of infection from this case," said a ministry statement.
The Health Ministry has begun contact tracing of those who have been in close contact with the patient.
They will be quarantined and given antivirals to prevent them from developing the disease.
The ministry asked passengers who had been seated in rows 52 to 58 on the same flight to call its hotline on 1800-333 9999, so that its officers can check on their health condition.
The Ministry has reminded all medical practitioners and healthcare institutions to continue to be vigilant to suspect cases.
Temperature screening for passengers entering Singapore at all checkpoints - land, sea and air - will continue.
All passengers passing through or entering Singapore are given Health Alert Notices on board their flights, advising them to monitor their own health if they have been to affected areas and to seek medical attention immediately if they are not well.
===================================================================================
I think they should quarantine all passengers coming in from the US for at least 7 days before they are release. seems like the whole world is getting infected from flights coming in from US
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