Friday, October 30, 2015
Trick Question ~ Car Lot ~ A Lot Of Thought
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Trick Question
~ Car Lot
~ A Lot Of Thought
of the Parking Space
containing the Car?
Click HERE for Answer:
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Disputed islands in the South China Sea
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My Title ~ My Blog
Disputed islands in the South China Sea
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Hague court agrees to take up South China Sea row
An international tribunal ruled on Thursday it had the power to hear a case brought by the Philippines over disputed islands in the South China Sea, in a move likely to trigger fury in Beijing.
POSTED: 30 Oct 2015 01:42
UPDATED: 30 Oct 2015 03:11
THE HAGUE: An international tribunal ruled on Thursday (Oct 29) it had the power to hear a case brought by the Philippines over disputed islands in the South China Sea, in a move likely to trigger fury in Beijing.
Manila has insisted the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which the Philippines and China have both ratified, should be used to resolve the bitter territorial row over isolated reefs and islets, which has triggered growing international alarm.
But China has refused to participate in the proceedings, arguing the Permanent Court of Arbitration - which is more than a century old and based in The Hague - had no jurisdiction over the case.
"Reviewing the claims submitted by the Philippines, the tribunal has rejected the argument" by China that the "dispute is actually about sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and therefore beyond the tribunal's jurisdiction," the court said in a statement.
Instead, the court ruled the case reflects "disputes between the two states concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention" - something which falls within its remit.
China insists it has sovereign rights to nearly all of the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which about a third of all the world's traded oil passes.
The disputed waters - claimed in part by Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Brunei - have also become the stage for a tussle for regional dominance between Beijing and Washington, the world's two largest economic and military powers.
Following a stand-off between Chinese ships and the weak Filipino Navy in 2012, China took control of a rich fishing ground called Scarborough Shoal that is within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
China has also undertaken giant reclamation activities, raising fears it will use artificial islands to build new military outposts close to the Philippines and other claimants.
Ruling in 2016
The tribunal - set up in 1899 to resolve international disputes between countries - stressed on Thursday its ruling did not yet go to the heart of the merits of Manila's case, which was first filed in 2013. A new hearing will now be held behind closed doors in The Hague, and a final ruling is not expected until next year.
The tribunal agreed it would take up seven of the 15 submissions made by Manila, in particular whether Scarborough Shoal and low-tide areas like Mischief Reef can be considered islands, as China contends. It will also mull whether China has interfered with Philippine fishing activities at Scarborough Shoal.
But it set aside seven more pointed claims, mainly accusing Beijing of acting unlawfully, to be considered at the next hearing on the actual merits of Manila's case.
In a July hearing in the Hague, Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario warned the integrity of UN maritime laws was at stake. China's behaviour had become increasingly "aggressive" and negotiations had proved futile, del Rosario said.
But the court on Thursday also directed Manila to narrow down the scope of its final request that it should order that "China shall desist from further unlawful claims and activities."
China has said it will not abide by any ruling. But the Philippines hopes a judgement in its favour will pressure China into making concessions.
The tribunal said Thursday's ruling establishing its competence in the affair had been "unanimous" among the panel of five judges. And it stressed the ruling "concerns only whether the tribunal has jurisdiction to consider the Philippines' claims and whether such claims are admissible."
- AFP/de
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Date: Wed, Oct 28, 2015 at 11:25 AM
Subject: News ~ China Disputed island ~ China slams US warship sail-by near disputed isle
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Disputed islands in the South China Sea
Disputed Chinese Islands
Mischief Reef
Subi Reef
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China's Foreign Ministry said the warship "illegally" entered Chinese waters, calling the US action "deliberate provocations".
Subi and Mischief are part of a chain of seven massive islands that China has created across the Spratly archipelago.
The United States has expressed concern that these islands, with their air strips and mall-size garrisons, will allow China to control the US$5 trillion (S$7 trillion) in trade that passes through the South China Sea annually. China claims nearly the whole area, which the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan are challenging.
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China slams US warship sail-by near disputed isle
The USS Lassen (right) with a Republic of Korea Navy ship during an exercise east of the Korean Peninsula in March.PHOTO: REUTERS
PUBLISHED: 2015 Oct 28, Wed
Beijing calls guided-missile destroyer's run near Subi in South China Sea 'irresponsible'
Jeremy Au Yong
Teo Cheng Wee
China Correspondent
A US warship sailed through disputed waters near a Chinese- claimed island in the South China Sea yesterday, turning months of verbal sparring over Beijing's land reclamation in the region into a direct military challenge.
The move drew a swift rebuke from China, raising tensions between the two powers ahead of meetings at a pair of regional summits in the coming months.
China's Foreign Ministry expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with the US action, and its Defence Ministry called the US "irresponsible" and said it would take all necessary measures to safeguard national security.
Related Story
Beijing's restrained response won't make a difference
The USS Lassen (right) with a Republic of Korea Navy ship during an exercise east of the Korean Peninsula in March. The US vessel yesterday went within 12 nautical miles of islands China has built on the Subi and Mischief reefs.
Related Story
Nothing provocative in what the US is doing, says Aquino
At around 6.40am yesterday, the USS Lassen guided-missile destroyer began a run that took it within 12 nautical miles of the Subi reef - crossing into what would be Chinese territory if the United States recognised the man-made island.
The mission was intended to make the point that Chinese land reclamation in the South China Sea should not affect freedom of navigation.
In 2013, Washington flew two bombers over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in direct violation of a new air defence identification zone established by Beijing.
It was unclear if Washington had spoken to Beijing before yesterday's mission, though US State Department spokesman John Kirby stressed that nations do not need to consult each other when sailing through international waters.
The Chinese authorities followed, monitored and warned the US vessel following what it described as "illegal entry" into the waters, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement posted on the ministry website.
"China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition," Mr Lu said, stressing that China's construction works do not affect freedom of navigation or flight in the South China Sea .
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier warned the US to "think carefully before acting, not to take reckless action and not to make trouble out of nothing".
The Chinese government summoned the US Ambassador to China, Mr Max Baucus, over the matter.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino, whose country also has claims in the region, said he saw no issue with the US operation.
The voyage was lauded by Washington pundits who had pushed for such an operation since the beginning of the year when US concerns started to grow about the pace of Chinese land reclamation in the disputed waters.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 28, 2015, with the headline 'China slams US warship sail-by near disputed isle'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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Thursday, October 29, 2015
Udang Sebalek Batu (Hidden Truth)
Eugene Tay, 36, plays the romantic male lead in the upcoming comedy alongside actress Audrey Tan as his childhood love interest Daisy.
Question to Eugene: How did you prepare for this role?
Said Eugene, "...important thing I did was hit the gym because there's a scene in which I have to carry Daisy and I've got to do it without looking like I'm breaking a sweat."
A perfect explanation for Udang Sebalek Batu (Hidden Truth).
The article is at this link:
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Off Stage
Finding Peranakan roots through theatre:
Udang Sebalek Batu (Hidden Truth)
~ by Gunong Sayang Association
by Nabilah Said, PUBLISHED: OCT 27, 2015, 5:00 AM SGT
Eugene Tay, 36, plays the romantic male lead in the upcoming comedy, Udang Sebalek Batu (Hidden Truth) by Gunong Sayang Association.
Alongside actress Audrey Tan as his childhood love interest Daisy, he plays soft-spoken Jeff in this tale about a love that has to overcome the odds, including Daisy's matchmaking mother.
This production marks the 105th year of Gunong Sayang Association, which aims to create awareness of Peranakan culture through acting, singing and dancing.
Tay, who is single, is the founder of creative agency Monsters Under The Bed.
How did you get involved with Gunong Sayang Association?
I'm one of the rare few Peranakans left in this generation who can still lay claim to being full-blooded. I was in my late 20s and suffering from an early onset of terminal mid-life crisis - that was when I started looking for my roots.
Coincidentally, the son of the proprietor of a Peranakan restaurant was working for me in 2007. He knew the association was looking for actors for a production titled Pagar Makan Padi (Unreliable) and signed me up for it.
Nobody told the Gunong Sayang Association that I couldn't speak the language. I was given a pretty key role as a character that was in every scene and I had to master the language and pronunciation in a very short span of time.
This is, I think, my fifth performance with the association.
How did you prepare for this role?
I did something that I have been avoiding all my life: I watched romantic comedies as I have to play a lovey-dovey guy, but I initially looked sneaky and cheeky in rehearsals.
One other important thing I did was hit the gym because there's a scene in which I have to carry Daisy and I've got to do it without looking like I'm breaking a sweat.
How similar or different are you to your character Jeff?
Jeff is a goody two-shoes who grew up alongside his single mother and is very proficient in housework.
I'm extremely terrible at housework. Coming from a Peranakan family, the men weren't allowed in the kitchen and generally were not allowed to do housework.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I absolutely refuse to touch the script. You will find me bouncing around backstage singing songs and doing improvisational comedy or just clowning around.
This allows me to discharge any stale energy. I want it to be that when I'm on stage, the reaction and the emotions are brand new. Audiences tend to pick up on these things.
Do you get stage fright?
I get the jitters when I'm standing by the curtain waiting for my turn.
Will I trip? Is my zip up? Is this my turn? What if I forget my lines? What if...
And then it's my cue to go up on stage. The minute I step out and the stage light is on my face, I'm a different person. I simply love the thrill it gives me.
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 27, 2015, with the headline 'Finding Peranakan roots through theatre'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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Friday, October 23, 2015
News
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Here's the news?
CHC slammed for ‘secrecy, culture of insecurity
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http://www.todayonline.com/
CHC slammed for ‘secrecy, culture of insecurity
by NEO CHAI CHIN - OCTOBER 23, Friday, TODAYonline, Singapore
SINGAPORE — Criticising what he called the culture of insecurity that six City Harvest Church leaders convicted yesterday (Oct 21) operated under, Presiding Judge of the State Courts See Kee Oon saved some of his strongest words for church founder Kong Hee in his 270-page written judgment released to the media today.
The six leaders — Kong, his deputy Tan Ye Peng, former church accountant Serina Wee, former church investment manager Chew Eng Han, former church finance manager Sharon Tan and former church board member John Lam — were found guilty on all counts of criminal breach of trust and/or falsification of accounts.
The judge had delivered his oral judgment, a condensed version of the written grounds, yesterday. He found that they had acted dishonestly and in breach of the trust reposed in them to cause wrongful loss of S$50 million to the church and to defraud auditors.
The judge said Kong capitalised on the church climate of paranoia and fear in 2003 to galvanise support for the Crossover Project — using his wife Ho Yeow Sun’s secular pop music to reach out to non-Christians.
The collective fear arose after then-church member Roland Poon publicly commented that church funds had been used to promote Ms Ho’s music career. Kong’s response to the incident revealed “both his personal dominance and deep insecurity”, said judge See.
The pastor rallied the church “around the big idea that ... CHC’s leaders and by extension the entire church were being maligned and under attack, and hence had to be discreet”, he added.
The effort to keep the church’s financing of the Crossover discreet led to the set-up of Xtron Productions to manage Ms Ho’s career. The criminal charges in this case relate in part to sham bonds worth millions of dollars that the church bought from Xtron to channel church funds to the Crossover Project.
All six leaders’ committed zeal for the Crossover vision may have clouded their objectivity and judgment and obscured the need to safeguard money that was not theirs to use as they wished, said Judge See. They chose to create cover stories and clever round-trips concealing their unlawful conduct, he added.
“The allure of power that can be exercised in secrecy is difficult to resist. When shrouded under a cloak of invisibility, much like the mythical ring of Gyges, persons in such positions of power have no fear of accountability and tend to become their own worst enemies,” he wrote.
The ring of Gyges is a mythical artefact that grants its owner the power to become invisible at will, mentioned in Greek philosopher Plato’s The Republic.
Judge See wrote: “It has thus been wisely said that the real tragedy is when men are afraid of the light, and if they choose not to come into the light they do so for fear that their deeds will be exposed, as they surely will in time.”
Kong would not have been able to act alone and could not orchestrate every move, and the five other leaders were both trusted and trusting, he added.
Noting that none of the six was aware of all the details, the judge said it could be because there were far too many moving parts in the plan for the Crossover to the United States, which grew more ambitious over time.
The US foray involved Ms Ho’s debut English album, which had hip-hop star Wyclef Jean roped in at one point. It led to the church’s sham bond investments worth S$24 million in Xtron and another company, and four of the leaders then misused another S$26.6 million of church funds to try to cover up the first amount.
“But this may have also been the inevitable consequence of CHC’s election to carry out its affairs and operations relating to the funding of the Crossover in a discreet fashion. This was merely a euphemism for a culture of insecurity mired in secrecy and opaqueness where asking difficult or awkward questions was taboo,” the judge wrote.
Separately, Kong broke his silence on the verdict today, posting on Facebook his belief that God would use the outcome of the case for good.
The pastor also thanked his supporters and said: “The days and steps ahead are challenging, but with God’s grace and love, I have no fear.”
The six will be back in court on Nov 20, where they could be sentenced.
Picture Below:
A combination photo shows City Harvest Church's members (top left to right, to bottom left to right), former finance manager Serina Wee, former fund manager Chew Eng Han, former finance manager Sharon Tan, founder Kong Hee, deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng and former treasurer John Lam. Photo: Reuters
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Coaches & Students
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Coaches & Students
Questions that make you think:
I realized that they are in very different time zones,
but... in making all things equal...
1). should coaches be better than their students?
2). is it enough for coaches to have been better than their students?
3). is it enough for coaches to have more experience than their students?
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Chang excited at Nishikori’s rise
~ TODAYonline, Sports
~ PUBLISHED: 4:16 AM, OCTOBER 23, 2015, Friday
~ UPDATED: 7:47 AM, OCTOBER 23, 2015, Friday
SINGAPORE — Dressed in his Uniqlo tennis gear, he strode through the Fullerton Bay Hotel’s al fresco area unnoticed by the office executives enjoying an after-work tipple.
While Michael Chang may not be turning heads here in Singapore, there is no doubt that the former Asian-American tennis ace has had a huge influence on the sport.
At the 1989 French Open, he became the youngest male player to win a Grand Slam singles title at the age of 17, defeating Stefan Edberg in the five-set final. Chang went on to win 34 singles titles, hitting a career high of world No 2 before retiring in 2003, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire many Asian players on the professional circuit.
And it is fitting that Chang is now working with one of tennis’ most exciting Asian superstar — Japan’s world No 6 Kei Nishikori. Since signing on Chang as a coach in 2013, Nishikori has won seven of his 10 ATP titles, climbed to a career high of world No 4, and qualified for his first Grand Slam final at the 2014 US Open.
WATCH: Interview with Michael Chang (Oct 22)
Fans are hopeful that Nishikori will become the first Asian-born men’s singles player to win a Grand Slam title, and it is a question that Chang gets asked often as well. And the 43-year-old believes his protege has what it takes to make history.
“He came very close last year (at the US Open); he had a great opportunity against Marin (Cilic),” said Chang, who is in town for Tag Heuer’s unveiling of the first tennis floating platform yesterday with tennis superstar Maria Sharapova ahead of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore.
“He’s beaten all the best players in the world so that obviously gives him confidence, and hopefully it’s just a matter of time. I get that question asked almost every time I do an interview with Japanese media — it’s either which one, or when?
“Right now on the men’s side Kei stands out and everybody knows he’s very talented and opportunities for him to do well in big tournaments and Grand Slams are there.
“I’m excited for him and I think he’s approaching the best years of his tennis career and hopefully he can fulfil his goals.”
Regarded as one of the best defensive baseliners of all time, Chang has, ironically, helped Nishikori develop a more aggressive, offensive game on court.
The father-of-two travels with Nishikori on tour and both men enjoy a good relationship both on and off-court, as Chang added: “We have a pretty good relationship. Kei’s more on the quiet, reserved side. He doesn’t talk a lot. The nice thing is he learns very quickly and he works hard. It’s pretty easy to relate to him and talk to him, both being Asian. Our playing styles are a little similar as well.”
While Chang may be focused on his coaching duties, he is also keeping an eye out on the next generation of American youngsters such as Taylor Fritz, Michael Mmoh and Tommy Paul.
He remains optimistic that the United States will soon see another superstar the likes of former world No 1 Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
“It’s tough to follow in our generation’s footsteps when you’ve got the likes of Sampras, (Jim) Courier, Agassi, myself and a couple others. Tough shoes to follow,” he said.
“We’ll got eight or nine of the world’s best juniors right now. They’ve been dominating the junior circuit. So in four to five years’ time, it’s going to be a lot of fun to see them come out and do well.”
Picture Below: Michael Chang (left) is in town with Maria Sharapova (right) for Tag Heuer’s unveiling of the first tennis floating platform yesterday here. ~ Photo: Don Wong  |
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Joke ~ Law News
Don't understand this... see News Article below. The Lawyer lost the case so this guy went to jail and lost his job, but still charge him legal fees amounting to $38,000. The Lawyer should have known the chances of wining is zero and not taken the direction that he took. I don't know the Law, but I am very sure that the lawyers fees for this case of graft did not have to be so expensive. Even if this guy insisted on going on with this case, the lawyer could have refused to proceed. I'll have to speak with a lawyer to understand this... but I'm afraid to... because it may cost a $38,000. This is not a laughing matter... this is a joke.
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| . News Article http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/afro-asia-building-fire-murder-accused-kept-legal-and-financial-troubles-away Afro Asia Building fire:
Murder accused kept legal and
financial troubles away from family
PUBLISHED
by Amir Hussain
Thu, 2015 Oct 22
SINGAPORE - The man accused of murdering the wife of his former lawyer in his office in the Afro Asia Building four years ago kept his legal and financial troubles away from his children, the High Court heard on Thursday (Oct 22).
More details about Govindasamy Nallaiah, 70, emerged in court as his three children, a son-in-law and a family maid took the witness stand on the third day of the murder trial.
The prosecution alleges that on Aug 10, 2011, Govindasamy, angered over a legal fee dispute lasting almost a decade, took a bicycle chain and padlock from his bag and hit Madam Low Foong Meng, 56, on the head until she collapsed.
He then purportedly used a lighter to set alight some files on a table, then watched the fire spread before leaving Madam Low unconscious inside the burning unit.
On Thursday, the court heard that Govindasamy was a Customs officer for over 30 years when he was investigated for graft in 2002.
He engaged Madam Low's husband, lawyer Rengarajoo Rengasamy Balasamy, to represent him during the trial, but never settled his legal fees.
His eldest children, daughter Letchmi Ghandi Govindasamy and son Ramanathan Govindasamy, both civil servants at the time, stood as guarantors for the fees which amounted to $25,000.
But the children told the court they did not know what their father's corruption case was about. After his conviction, Govindasamy was sacked and had his retirement benefits terminated.
He became a taxi driver after he came out of prison, working seven days a week. He also sold his private property at 24 Casuarina Road below valuation in 2005.
Later, with his wife and their younger son, he moved into his daughter's Jurong West home. She lived with her husband, their daughter and a maid.
When she and Mr Ramanathan started getting letters from Mr Rengarajoo's firm, indicating that legal action would be taken to recover the outstanding fees, he reassured them that he would settle the matter.
Sometime in late 2010 to early 2011, Ms Letchmi Ghandi offered to pay the $38,000 owed. But her father stopped her from doing so, saying that a legal action had already been taken against her.
In July 2011, Mr Ramanathan also went to see Mr Rengarajoo as he had received a letter indicating that his law firm would be proceeding with a Writ of Seizure and Sale.
He offered the lawyer $10,000, with the remainder to be repaid in instalments, but this was rejected by Mr Rengarajoo.
Mr Ramanathan later got a letter stating that if full repayment was not made by Aug 10, the lawyer would proceed to take a writ of seizure against the former's home.
When Mr Ramanathan scolded his father for getting him into trouble, possibly losing his job, Govindasamy told his son not to worry and said he would find a way out.
The trial continues.
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50km per day over 50 days
Wow! And he is 62 years old.
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THEY DID IT: Ultramarathoners Lim Nghee Huat and Yong Yuen Cheng have been running 50 km a day since mid-April to mark Singapore50. The duo crossed the finishing point at the Promontory at Marina Bay this morning.
Ultramarathoners Lim Nghee Huat (left)
and Yong Yuen Cheng (right)
(Photo: Goh Chiew Tong)
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.| . http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ultramarathoners-lim/1891960.html
Ultramarathoners Lim Nghee Huat, Yong Yuen Cheng complete Go50 run
~ by Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Goh Chiew Tong, and Alice Chia.
~ Channel NewsAsia
~ POSTED: 04 Jun 2015 11:41
~ UPDATED: 05 Jun 2015 00:31
The last day of the run began at 2am from Ion Orchard and the duo crossed the finishing point on Thursday morning (Jun 4) at the Promontory at Marina Bay at about 10.30am.
SINGAPORE: Ultramarathoners Lim Nghee Huat and Yong Yuen Cheng have accomplished their mission to run 50 kilometres each day over the last 50 days. They crossed the finishing point of their last run on Thursday morning (Jun 4) at the Promontory at Marina Bay at about 10.30am.
Upon crossing the finishing line, Mr Lim said triumphantly: "Mission complete! I feel very relaxed actually."
The 62-year-old said that the marathon, called Go50, was "tougher than expected".
"The toughest thing was to wake up and do the same thing every day. It can be very boring. But I had a strong belief that I will overcome every day of the run," he said. "I didn't look at the run as an entire 50 days, but I focused on each day as it is."
The duo usually start running at around 7am each day. After extensive warm-up exercises in the wee hours of the morning, they then embark on their daily run, clocking 50 kilometres sometime in the afternoon.
Mr Lim and Mr Yong both agreed that the one thing they wanted to do after completing their mission was catch up on sleep.
"I have been waking up every morning at about 5am and am lacking sleep," said Mr Lim, who admitted that his body is definitely "not structured" to handle 2,500 kilometres. He is currently suffering an injured tendon on his left foot. "If you touch the lower parts of my legs right now, I would definitely feel pain."
On top of that, unexpected challenges also surfaced during the run. Mr Lim faced diarrhoea and vomiting on one of the days - to which the route had to be adjusted so that he could have easy access to toilets. Yet, the duo recorded the fastest run on that very day.
The pair started the run on Apr 16 to mark Singapore's 50th birthday. Each day takes on a different theme. There are altogether 50 themes in the Go50: A Nation in Motion initiative, each symbolising the nation's founding father, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s contributions and character traits.
The duo finished the marathon together with over 50 runners representing different SEA Games celebratory partners.
"This run is more than just a run," said Mr Yong. "It's a project where youths of Singapore can learn values, values of hard work, discipline, mental toughness, resilience and perseverance."
The last day of the run began at 2am from ION Orchard. For their efforts, they have also been chosen to ignite the 28th SEA Games flame (pictured below), which will be used at the SEA Games Torch Parade later on Wednesday evening.
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| . News Article http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ultramarathoners-push-on/1804036.html http://www.channelnewsasia.com/blob/1804310/1429849381000/lim-nghee-huat-and-wife-data.jpg
SINGAPORE
Ultramarathoners take SG50 run to MediaCorp
Ultramarathoners Lim Nghee Huat and Yong Yuen Cheng plan to cover 50km per day over 50 days, to celebrate Singapore's 50th year of independence. On the 9th day of the challenge, they ran from MediaCorp's headquarters to its upcoming campus at one-north.
by Lin Xiaoqian, Channel NewsAsia
POSTED: 24 Apr 2015 13:37
UPDATED: 25 Apr 2015 00:41
SINGAPORE: Despite challenging weather and physical exhaustion, ultramarathoners Lim Nghee Huat and Yong Yuen Cheng are pushing ahead with their plan to run 50km daily over 50 days, as a tribute to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew and to commemorate Singapore's 50th birthday.
They kicked off the ninth day of their challenge on Friday morning (Apr 24) at Caldecott Broadcast Centre, along with about 50 MediaCorp staff.
The run, called Go50: A Nation in Motion, commemorates the late Mr Lee’s contributions to building the nation, and honours some of his character traits. It also marks Singapore's 50th year of independence.
Each day of the run will be anchored by a theme based of one contribution or character trait. A total of 50 themes have been decided by the Institute of Technical Education students, such as independence, self-reliance, and kindness. The theme for Friday's run was "Multi-cultural Vibrancy".
“Every part of our bodies is aching,” said the 61-year-old Mr Lim, before the broadcaster’s senior management flagged off the run. Mr Lim is a Current Affairs editor at MediaCorp.
"Two days ago, my legs felt so heavy that even walking was difficult, but I managed to get through it. Yesterday I felt my toes were a little painful. But today, I feel better. I haven’t run continuously for so many days, but I think I’m still getting used to it."
Mr Lim’s wife, Mdm Deborah Mok, revealed that he had injured his knee, but is still in high spirits.
“He fell on the third day and his knee was swollen,” Mdm Mok said. “They were supposed to run along the pavement, but it wasn’t very runner-friendly.”
She said that the roots of some trees lining the route had caused the pavements to be uneven, making the runners susceptible to tripping.
Mr Yong, 43, also fell because of uneven pavements on the way back to Caldecott Hill on Friday, said Mr Lim. He sustained minor injuries but completed the run.
Mdm Mok added that Mr Lim is still in high spirits despite the setbacks. “He’s feeling very good today, especially with support from colleagues,” she said.
MEDIACORP STAFF JOIN IN
The duo's route on Friday passed locations including the Bukit Batok Transmission Centre and MediaCorp’s new premises at one-north.
Variety show host Kym Ng was among those who joined Mr Lim and Mr Yong in their run. “I really admire (Mr Lim),” she told reporters ahead of the run. “We would think that we won’t be able to run when we get older, but he has persevered in exercising.”
“I hope that when I’m at his age or older, I’ll still be able to carry on exercising,” she added.
Mr Lim Hwa Meng, an Assistant Vice President for Production Resources at MediaCorp, took part as well. “I’m a runner myself, so I know how tough it is,” he said. “I just want to support the cause.”
Mr Jon Li, also from MediaCorp's production resources, called Mr Lim Nghee Huat a “hero”. “He’s like Ironman,” quipped Mr Li. “I think this is a very good opportunity for us to take part, to celebrate SG50."
Despite the heavy downpour in the afternoon, hordes of supporters turned up at the finish line to greet the runners. They waved and cheered as the duo jogged towards the entrance of Caldecott Broadcast Centre, about eight hours after kicking off their run at the same location.
Mr Lim said the outpouring of support has been "inspirational and encouraging". "We had ups and downs over the days, and the people around us gave us motivation," said Mr Lim. "For runs that last seven hours, it can be very boring (without them). We met many residents along the way and they also cheered for us."
The run will end on Jun 4, the eve of the start of the Southeast Asian Games.
Mdm Deborah Mok helps her husband Mr Lim Nghee Huat
to prepare for his run ahead of the flag-off.
(Photo: Lin Xiaoqian)
- CNA/xq
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