Under The Angsana Tree: March 2024

31/03/2024

Happy Easter 2024

Best Wishes from Jennie @ Amino Apps

30/03/2024

Diarrhoea Bank of Sinkapoor DBS

Without offence, this Viral Whatsapp message must surely be the most Hilarious Joke of all times. His Witty reply that before he could "Think, Blink or Turn on the light", it's already done. He definitely Outwits his 3 Opponents. Share it if you like it HaHaHa!

Singaporean bank DBS CEO Gupta's total pay dropped 27% to $8.3 mln in 2023

The logo of DBS pictured outside an office in S'pore 5 Jan 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Piyush Gupta, CEO of Singapore's biggest bank DBS Group (DBSM.SI), opens new tab and one of the highest paid CEOs in the city-state, saw his total compensation dropped 27.3% for 2023, according to the lender's annual report published on Wednesday.

Gupta's total compensation fell to S$11.2 million ($8.34 million) in 2023 from S$15.4 million in 2022, the annual report showed.

The lower total compensation followed a cut in variable pay to take accountability of last year's digital banking disruptions at DBS, even as the Southeast Asia's largest lender posted a record 2023 profit with return of equity of 18%.

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Banks - Now you know who to employ as your CEO

$2,000 + $3,000 = $4,000

29/03/2024

Good Friday 2024

Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, and Black Friday.

Members of many Christian denominations, including the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Reformed traditions, observe Good Friday with fasting and church services.

The date of Good Friday varies from one year to the next on both the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Eastern and Western Christianity disagree over the computation of the date of Easter and therefore of Good Friday. Good Friday is a widely instituted legal holiday around the world, including in most Western countries and 12 U.S. states. Some countries, such as Germany, have laws prohibiting certain acts, such as dancing and horse racing, that are seen as profaning the solemn nature of the day.

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28/03/2024

Should fairy tales be cancelled?

Mum believes they create 'depression and anxiety'

A mum believes fairy tales negatively influence children's beliefs and even mental health due to things like "representation, women, [and] body image".

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, commentator Bushra Shaikh said, "There's this element of airy-fairy, head in the clouds, romanticised idea, unrealistic expectations of adulthood..." to which presenter Ranvir Singh can be heard jumping in to ask – "Is that not what childhood's all about?"

"No it's not," Shaikh, who has three children, insisted. "It's about being real, what are we teaching our kids? We know that 90% of under 30s have this unrealistic idea of life. Yes we need to redefine the fairy tale [but] why call it a fairy tale?"

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27/03/2024

Dōng Nán Xī Běi 東南西北

"East, South, West, North" - Dōng Nán Xī Běi 東南西北

Dōng Nán Xī Běi 東南西北 (traditional) 东南西北 (simplified) - East South West North

Why 东南西北 East, South, West, North in Chinese?

In the Chinese language, we do not call the directions literally as North, South, East, West but East, South, West, North which is 东南西北 Dōng Nán Xī Běi. Even the Chinese tile-based game, Mahjong, uses the four directions 东南西北 as one of its rules.

The four diagonal directions (Inter-cardinal or Ordinal) are North-East (NE), South-East (SE), South-West (SW), and North-West (NW). The table will give you the exact directions in Chinese.

The translation of the inter-cardinal points in English is the opposite direction in Mandarin. Eg. North-East in English would read as East-North 东北 Dōngběi in Chinese and South-East in English would be East-South 东南 Dōngnán. Very confusing. I know.

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26/03/2024

Anchor Beer since 1933

ANCHOR SMOOTH DRAUGHT – REAL BEER FOR REAL MOMENTS

I remember growing up seeing my dad and uncles drinking Anchor Beer, one of the leading choices of beer from one generation to another that has blazing through 84 years of heritage in Malaysia.

Brewed locally with several methods that have evolved with time, ranging from the traditional German pilsner brewing method to the latest advancements in brewing technology, one thing still remains unchanged – the same traditional European recipe for an authentic smooth taste without compromising its quality. “Our commitment to continue offering an unchanging taste that is smooth and refreshing has made Anchor the fastest growing brand with a double digit growth in 2016. This success is a result of the team constantly ensuring the quality remains at its most original form as our brewing methods evolve over the years, while staying connected to our loyal consumers,” said Jessie Chuah, Marketing Manager of Anchor.

Anchor has stayed true to its identity and original taste since it was first introduced and is widely known as “Malaysian favourite since 1933”. In the same light of being real and genuine, the brand will embark on a new campaign called ‘Real Beer for Real Moments’ that is set to inspire Malaysians to celebrate realness with their friends and families.

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Real beer for real moments

A popular brew with a smooth, refreshing taste

A Malaysia favourite since 1933, Anchor was birthed from a Europe recipe. This champion beer has won many international awards but still tastes the same at your neighborhood tai chow, staying true to its identity as a local brand.

Anchor’s quality is benchmarked against international quality standards, making its mark globally through various accolades. This includes three consecutive Monde Selection Gold Awards, an international quality label since 1961.

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Guinness stout 'Ang Ji Gao' since 1759

It takes a thirst for adventure to do things the Guinness way. From our humble beginnings in 1759 to the present day, we’ve gone to extraordinary lengths to bring you exceptional beer. But we’re not ones to rest on our laurels. As we like to put it: our greatest work is yet to come. At this stage you'd be forgiven the story of ‘Arthur Guinness’ was a myth. But he was very real, and every pint served around the world is one more pint of his undeniable legacy. Arthur Guinness was the first in a long line of Guinness Master Brewers and the craft of brewing at St. James’s Gate Brewery was handed down from generation to generation. Arthur himself most likely developed his passion for brewing from his father, Richard, who was said to be in charge of brewing in the Celbridge estate of Dr. Arthur Price, later Archbishop of Cashel.

On 31st December 1759, the man signed a NINE THOUSAND YEAR lease on St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin. If that’s not belief, we don’t know what is. And now we can see that his belief was a vision. A vision he saw before any of us were even born. His entrepreneurial spirit was on another level. Arthur Guinness was a philanthropist, a pragmatist, an innovator, a family man, and a fighter. The terms of the lease granted him use of a limited supply of water, and when Dublin Corporation tried to cut off the supply due to overuse, it’s written that ‘Mr Guinness violently rushed upon them wrenching a pickaxe from one and declaring with very much improper language, that they should not proceed’. You see, signing the lease was one thing. Holding onto it, was another thing altogether. And Arthur was not about to let go during his lifetime. So, the journey continued. More beer was brewed. More jobs created. And more tastebuds tantalised.

If you see the cover of an Irish passport, you’ll see nothing but a Harp. It’s the official national emblem of Ireland. You’ll notice the harp on Irish coins too. In fact, if you see someone tossing a coin in Ireland, you might even hear them call ‘Heads or Harps?’ instead of ‘Heads or Tails.’ The design stems from the15th Century "Brian Boru" harp, a symbol that reflects Irish culture and arts. But it was Guinness that staked a claim on the harp first. By the 1860’s, Guinness stout was available all over the world and the Guinness family were in search of a symbol that would firmly identify Guinness as an Irish product and the harp was recognised as the symbol of all that was great about Irish culture and heritage. Therefore, when the Irish Free State was created in 1922, the Irish government in turn had to position their harp facing the other way due to trademark registration. If you’re looking back at old Guinness memorabilia, you’ll notice that the number of strings on the Guinness Harp varies. That’s because the design became more minimal over the years, losing strings along the way, since it first made its appearance on a Guinness bottle label in 1862.A designer called Gerry Barney was instrumental (excuse the pun) in the Harp’s evolution having re-designed the Harp in 1968, and again in 2005. Cheers, Gerry! And if you’re ever in Dublin, before you pop into the Guinness Storehouse, slip into the Trinity College Library. You can see the real "Brian Boru" harp, sitting unaware of its own history. Or is it?

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Tiger Beer since 1932

Tiger Beer is a Singapore brand of beer first launched in 1932. It is currently produced by Heineken Asia Pacific, formerly known as Asia Pacific Breweries. The company is a joint-venture between Heineken N.V. and Singaporean multinational food and beverage company Fraser and Neave.

The Tiger Brewery Tour is a tourist attraction located at the Tuas district of the country, which offers guided visits as to how the beer is brewed. According to a Brand Finance report, Tiger is amongst Singapore's top 10 most valuable brands.

Launched in 1932, Tiger beer became Singapore's first locally brewed beer. It is a 5% abv bottled pale lager. Heineken Asia Pacific's flagship brand, it is available in more than 60 countries worldwide.

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Heineken to close Singapore’s Archipelago Brewery

Singapore’s second oldest commercial brewery, Archipelago opened its doors in 1933

Singapore’s Archipelago Brewery is closing down brewing operations. The brewery, owned by Heineken subsidiary Asia Pacific Breweries (APB) Singapore, will continue to operate until June 30.

In a statement sighted by ABN, the brewery shared the closure is due to “evolving craft beer market realities and high operational costs” and that APB’s new strategy is to “streamline our portfolio, maximize value and re-invest in growing our core business”. APB has undergone recent leadership changes, including appointing a new managing director, Reinoud Ottervanger, in August last year.

Singapore’s second oldest commercial brewery, Archipelago opened its doors in 1933 after German investors expanded brewing operations from the then-Dutch Indies to Singapore. The brewery continued to operate during World War II. The Allies first seized it as an enemy asset, and production continued during the Japanese occupation. After the war, regular brewing operations resumed, and Archipleago’s stable of beer brands—Anchor and ABC Stout among them—became popular and widely distributed in Singapore. After the brand was retired in 1990 in favour of Asia Pacific Breweries, Archipelago was revitalised as APB’s craft brewing arm in 2006 by then-Anderson Valley brewmaster Fal Allen and experienced several years of growth in Singapore’s then-nascent craft beer market.

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25/03/2024

ENERGY DRINKS & ITS HARMFUL IMPACTS ON THE BODY

All of us have witnessed a sharp increase in the consumption of energy drinks, especially among the youth. There are specific claims that these brands make to offer a day of energy along with the ability to stay alert throughout the day.

Well, we will undoubtedly bust a series of myths in this blog. No matter which brand you are going for and how much the terms ‘natural’ and ‘fresh’ are used on their packaging, you must keep yourself away from making its consumption a habit. The key aspects that make it such a harmful habit are the presence of two great ingredients, i.e., sugar and caffeine. An energy drink’s detrimental impact is much more complex than coffee consumption. In the long run, it will not only ruin your health to a greater degree but also drastically impact your concentration levels.

The energy drinks available in the market are commonly known to be a perfect fit if you want a sudden boost in your energy levels. Specific research papers suggest this sudden boost will tamper with your functionality and give you a series of health concerns. In this blog, let’s understand why it harms our bodies:

Extra Caffeine
Sugar Will Alter Your Appetite
Poor Impact On Teeth
Added Vitamins Might Also Be Harmful

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24/03/2024

The World's Youngest Grandmothers

Ah Girls Go Army actress Shirli Ling becomes grandma at 34

'Since it's already happened, I'll teach them how to face it'

Shirli Ling shocked netizens recently when she announced that she became a grandmother at age 34. Although the Ah Girls Go Army actress, now 35, has previously mentioned it briefly, she discussed her experience in greater detail in an Instagram video on March 7. In her caption, she wrote that becoming a grandma at that young age was both "good and bad". "Depends on how you look at it and how you manage it," she added.

Shirli, a mother of five, gave birth to her first son at 17. Her oldest son turns 18 this year and her other children are aged 17, 13, 10 and eight. She revealed in a follow-up video yesterday (March 11) that her son was also 17 when he got his girlfriend pregnant last year. "When he told me that his girlfriend got pregnant, I felt that I wanted them to decide for themselves and be responsible for their own actions," she shared.

Shirli explained that she couldn't make the decision to keep or give up the child for them, "because this is your future". "If I help you decide, you will dislike me if you regret it in the future," she said. She added that she would never "encourage" her children to have kids young, as she knows the difficulties as a young mother herself. "Being a parent at a young age is not advisable, but since it's already happened, I'll teach them how to face it, how to decide, how to be responsible for your own actions," she said. Shirli added that she can't guarantee if they aborted the first baby, that they wouldn't have another one. "If they don't know how to think, they will still make the same mistake," she said.

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Woman Became World's Youngest Grandmother At The Age Of 23

Rifca Stanescu gave birth to daughter Maria when she was just 12 years old. But despite her mum's warnings, Maria fell pregnant even younger

A Romanian woman who gave birth at the age of 12 holds the title of the world's youngest grandmother, having welcomed her first grandchild into the world at the age of just 23. Rifca Stanescu gave birth to daughter Maria when she was just 12 years old, but despite warning her child not to follow the same path, she had a child of her own when she was only 11.

The young grandmother, from the village of Investi, Romania, told how she pleaded with her daughter to stay in school, but she fell pregnant with son Ion at an even younger age. Rifca, who is now in her early 30s, told the Sun in 2011: "I am happy to be a grandmother but I wished something else for Maria - and something else for me. "Ion is a good boy - and he is already engaged to a girl aged eight. Boys are always good to have - they don't have to suffer as much girls, I think."

Born in 1985, Rifca rebelled and went against her family's wishes for her by running away with jewellery seller Ionel Stanescu when they were 11 and 13 respectively. The two got married and soon after that Rifca fell pregnant. She said: "I wanted to marry him, so I agreed, and of course after we had spent the night together then there was no way anyone could separate us. I had been promised to another boy's family since I was two years old but I didn't want that." In Rifca's culture, women are married early to guarantee their virginity, thus ensuring a good dowry from the families of prospective husbands.

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Woman, 23, Becomes World's Youngest Grandmother

A woman from Romania said she became the world’s youngest grandmother – at the age of 23. Ridca Stanescu, who gave birth to her daughter Maria when she was just 12 years old, said she urged her daughter not to follow in her footsteps – but Maria gave birth to her son when she was just 11.

Now 25, Stanescu, said she wanted more for her daughter. “I am happy to be a grandmother but I wished something else for Maria – and something else for me,” she said. Stanescu said “marrying young” is a way of life in the Romanian gypsy culture. She was married at the age of 11.

“I did not try to stop my daughter getting married because this is the tradition, it's what happens,” she said. The youngest British grandmother was an unnamed 26-year-old from Rotheram, Yorkshire, whose 12-year-old daughter gave birth in 1999.

UK Grandmother at 26

Britain's youngest grandmother has spoken of her shock over learning that her 12-year-old daughter had given birth. The 26-year-old woman said she had been devastated by the news but intended to support her daughter and baby grandson. The youngster, who is in her second year at comprehensive school, had the baby in the bathroom of their home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire on Thursday. She had not known she was pregnant. The girl and child were taken to Rotherham District General Hospital, where they are both said to be doing well.

The baby's grandmother, who gave birth herself at 14, told a news conference at Rotherham police station: "We had no idea she was pregnant. Nobody in the family did. "She had put on a little bit of weight but we didn't suspect anything. "I couldn't believe it when it started happening and I even threatened to smack an ambulance man when he said she had given birth." The family revealed the youngster had been to see her GP in the weeks before the birth but the pregnancy had not been detected. The day before the birth the girl was at hospital for a dental visit, but again nobody realised anything was amiss. The grandmother, who lives in a council house, described her daughter as a normal youngster who enjoyed playing on her bike, watching television and listening to pop music. Her favourite group is Boyzone. The child's grandfather added: "It would have been better if this had happened in a few years' time but we won't turn her away. "We are obviously all upset but our main concern has to be the child and the baby in hospital. We just want to be left alone to get on with things." Police and social services are investigating and will question the girl about the identity of the father.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: "We are treating this as a 12-year-old girl who is a victim of crime. "The sexual offences unit is investigating but we will not be able to speak to the girl until after the weekend. Her welfare is paramount." Rotherham has one of Britain's highest incidences of teenage pregnancy. Only this week its health authority announced that more cash was being provided to tackle the problem. In some parts of the town, one in six pregnancies involve girls under the age of 19. Britain's previous youngest grandmother is understood to have been 28 when her daughter gave birth.

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'Becoming a grandmother at 29 is my worst nightmare' says mum after discovering her 14-year-old daughter is pregnant

History repeating itself: Kelly John and Shem Davies became parents at 14 - now their daughter Tia is expecting a child with her boyfriend Jordan Williams

A woman who is set to become Britain's youngest grandmother at 29 said it was 'her worst nightmare' when she discovered her 14-year-old daughter was pregnant. Kelly John said she always hoped Tia would not repeat her mistake and become pregnant at 14. But after getting over the shock, the grandmother-to-be has vowed to do 'everything' to bring up the new baby.

Schoolgirl Tia and her baby-faced 4ft 11in 15-year-old boyfriend Jordan Williams have vowed to prove they can be good parents despite their age. But Tia's father - Shem Davies - who split with her mother years ago, said at the same age he had expected to stay with Kelly forever and bring up his daughter. He told the News of the World: 'I just didn't know how to be a dad - I was still a kid myself.' The couple broke up at the age of 15 - and now his daughter has fallen pregnant he is hoping she will not do the same thing. Tia and her boyfriend Jordan said they usually used condoms - and see the baby as a blessing.

The teenager, from Bridgend, Wales, was preparing to break the bombshell news to her mother when she found the positive pregnancy test results. Kelly told the Sunday newspaper: 'My worst nightmare has always been that Tia would repeat my mistake and get pregnant young. '(When I found out) I felt the colour drain from my face and all I could do was cry.' Kelly, a £92 per week cafe waitress, have vowed to help her daughter to get through her GCSEs while the baby grows up. Father-to-be Jordan is hoping to become a fitness instructor in the marines - as long as he gets good enough GCSE results. When Tia's child is born in August there will be six generations of the same family still alive - including the newborn's 92-year-old great great great grandmother Mabel. Tia's unemployed father Shem still lives six doors away and has a newborn 16 week old son with his 21-year-old partner. Both the schoolgirl and her mother went to the Ynysawdre school in the Welsh town. Kelly John lives with boyfriend Carl Zaccardelli, Tia and three other children from a marriage that collapsed.

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I’m becoming a grandma at 32 — and I’m ready for it

She’ll be one glam gran. A young TikToker is going viral after revealing she’s set to become a grandmother at the tender age of 32. The British blond — known only as Shannon — shared the news in a video earlier this month, revealing that her teenage daughter, Molly, is set to welcome a baby boy in early 2023.

“You’re a mom to a 16-year-old and now she’s carrying your first grandchild,” the nana-to-be wrote in the clip, which has garnered more than 338,000 views. The footage shows Shannon sassily dancing around with pregnant Molly who sports a burgeoning baby bump.

“She’s my double,” Shannon further cooed in the caption, appearing thrilled about her 16-year-old’s pregnancy. “10 weeks to go!! I got her fully! I had her at 16 with no support & I swear on my life I’ll never ever let them down! I got you fully.”

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Woman becomes Britain's 'youngest grandma' at just 33 years old

Ruth Clayton gave birth when she was 15, with her own daughter then giving birth at 18 years old. A woman has become a grandmother aged just 33. Ruth Clayton, now 34, gave birth to her daughter Rose in 2005, aged 15, while she was still at school. Rose then had her own daughter last year, aged 18 - making Ruth one of Britain's youngest grandmothers.

The support worker from Lincoln says she initially tried to talk Rose out of having birth but, is now delighted with granddaughter, Cora, reports SWNS. Ruth, 34, said: "Once I knew Rose was serious about having this baby I was fully on board and so, so excited. "I met up with her boyfriend's family. They were so amazing; they are the most amazing family. I was in tears watching her give birth - she was like a warrior. Seeing my daughter turn into an amazing mum is the best gift she could have given me."

Ruth fell pregnant with Rose when she was 14 and decided to have an abortion, but on the way to the clinic she realised she couldn't go through with it, which she now says was "the best decision ever". Ruth said: "I arranged for an abortion but me and my friend got on the bus to Lincoln and I turned to her and said, 'I can't do it'. It was the best decision ever. I still got my GCSEs, went to college and everything was fine." Ruth gave birth to her daughter Rose on May 17, 2005 at home, Rose weighed 7lbs 9oz. Rose then told Ruth she was pregnant in February 2022, when she was 17.

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Grandma, 34, Reveals She And Her Daughter, 18, Are Often Mistaken For Sisters

Mother and daughter welcomed babies together, which has “brought them closer than ever.” Last year Clare Milner, 34, welcomed her youngest son Hunter. Within just a few months, her oldest daughter, Elisse, 18, fell pregnant with her son Lucas. Having the amazing opportunity to raise their babies together, the mother-daughter due have never felt so close to one another.

Interestingly, the young grandma shares strangers often assume she is actually Elisse’s sister, especially when they are out and about with the babies. Speaking to Daily Mail, Clare said: “Becoming a mum again at a similar time to my daughter has brought us closer together than we have ever been before.”

The 34-year-old granny revealed she is no longer in a relationship with Hunter’s father because his behavior drastically changed when she told him she was pregnant. Instead of chasing after him, she decided to raise her baby on her own. With the help of Elisse, of course. Clare explained: “I decided to leave the relationship and go it alone, for my own sake and the children’s sake. I have three elder children, Elisse, 18, Makenzie, 16, and Macauley, 13.”

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'I became a grandma in same year I had my son - at 34 I'm one of UK's youngest nans'

Clare and her daughter Elisse are raising their sons together

Clare Milner, from Newport, Shropshire, had her eldest child when she was just 16 years old. Now her daughter has welcomed her own son into the world - just a year after Clare's youngest was born. A woman has become a grandmother in the same year she welcomed her own baby boy - and is now helping to raise both children.

Clare Milner from Newport in Shropshire is often confused for 18-year-old daughter Elisse's sister, after having her when she was just 16 years old. And now Elisse has welcomed a baby boy, Lucas, making Clare one of the UK's youngest grandparents. Just 12 months earlier, Clare welcomed a son of her own - little Hunter. Now the pair take their boys - who are uncle and nephew at just a year apart - out together in the pram, confusing people on the street who think the mum and daughter are siblings.

But Clare is used to turning heads after becoming a teenage mum and brushes off a lot of comments she receives. "People would tell me I was too young to be a mum and then when my daughter fell pregnant people were saying I'm too young to be a nana," she said. "If Elisse and I are out together with Hunter and Lucas, they assume we are sisters rather than mother and daughter. "Or people assume that both of the boys are my kids when in fact, one is my son and the other is my grandson."

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Woman reveals what it was like to be a grandmother at 34 years old

The UK woman discovered she was pregnant at 15 and last year her 17-year-old daughter announced she would be having a child as well. A model has revealed she has become a grandmother at the age of 34 – yet still gets asked for identification when she goes to the pub.

UK woman Rachel McIntyre had her first child after finding out she was pregnant at 15 and, last month, became a grandmother after her 18-year-old daughter gave birth. She said she had some reservations about being a grandmother so young, knowing the difficulty of being a teenage mother, and often gets mistaken for her grandchild’s mother. Rachel, who is an OnlyFans model and swinger, told Caters News: “My daughter’s only just turned 18, and I was very shocked when I found out she was pregnant.

“But once it sunk in, I started getting excited. I knew that I was obviously going to support her as well. “People don’t even believe I’m my daughter’s mum. They look at me in complete shock when I tell them. They’re like, ‘Wait, are you not sisters? When I say I’m a granny too, it’s even more of a shock.’ “I always get asked for ID because I look so young. It’s annoying, but it’s a bit of a compliment too.” Rachel, who also has a 10-year-old daughter, also revealed it was stressful watching her daughter experience labour, adding it was a horrific birth but her granddaughter was a well behaved baby.

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I Was A Grandmother At 34

I learned that it’s OK to not have my life revolve around my grandchildren

When Julie Baines discovered she was going to become one of Britain's youngest grandmothers at the age of just 34, she was shocked and disappointed. "I became a first-time mum at 15 years old and had tried to instil in my own kids the importance of having the chance to grow up yourself before becoming a parent.

"But here was my own daughter repeating my mistake and facing a teenage pregnancy, just as I had," she explains. Her daughter Jade was 18 when she told Julie she was pregnant. Julie adds that she didn't feel ready to become a grandma when many of her own aged friends were just starting their own families. "I half expected the tabloids to come knocking on my door," laughs Julie, who is mum to Charlotte, 22, Jade, now 21, Rebecca, 18, and Sam, 10.

Indeed, there's only a handful of British grandmothers reported to be younger than Julie, although the youngest one on record had her first grandchild at just 26 in 1999. But Julie admits she has been surprised and impressed by her daughter's parenting skills. "Having had her son, who is now three, Jade went on to have a little girl, who is eight months old and she's a good mum.

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Woman who still gets asked for ID becomes one of the UK's youngest grandmothers at 34

Rachel McIntyre has become one of the UK's youngest grandmothers at the age of just 34. (@rachelmcintyre6/Caters)

A woman, who looks so young that she still gets asked for ID, has become one of the UK's youngest grandmothers at the age of just 34. Rachel McIntyre, a model from Edinburgh, Scotland, welcomed her first grandchild at the end of July and shared the happy news on social media, where users claimed she looked far too young to be a granny and others congratulated her on what they assumed to be hew own newborn.

McIntyre found herself pregnant for the first time when she was just 15, so when she discovered that her then 17-year-old daughter was pregnant last year, she had some reservations about being a young granny because she knows how hard it is being a young, full-time mum. "My daughter's only just turned 18, and I was very shocked when I found out she was pregnant," McIntyre explains. "But once it sunk in, I started getting excited. I knew that I was obviously going to support her.

"People don't even believe I'm my daughter's mum," the new gran continues. "They look at me in complete shock when I tell them. They're like, 'Wait, are you not sisters? When I say I'm a granny too, it's even more of a shock.' "I still get asked for ID because I look so young," McIntyre adds. "It's annoying, but it's a bit of a compliment too."

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Youngest grandma at 34

AT the age of just 34 Shila Begum is one of Britain's youngest grandmas. In fact Shila, from Werneth, Oldham, was just 32 when little Mehrunnissa was born.

"When people find out I'm a grandma they are always really shocked, but it's brilliant and I love every moment of it," she said. Mum-of-four Shila gave birth to daughter Rubaiyath at the age of 16 and she also had her first baby at just 16.

Shila said she is glad to be a young grandma so she has the energy to help her daughter with childcare. She realised that she is among Britain's youngest grandparents after a TV programme called `Britain's Youngest Grannies' spotlighted a 34-year-old woman.

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GRAN YOU BELIEVE I’m a nan at 34, I wasn’t happy when I found out my grandson was on the way and I refuse to be called granny

A 34-year old woman who has become a grandmother says everyone thinks her grandson is her child. Rosie Morant, from Edinburgh, always knew she would be a young grandmother, as she had her daughter Morgan at 16.

However, Rosie had not even reached her mid-30s last November when now 19-year-old Morgan,gave birth to baby Rox. Rosie has since turned 35, and says that she had mixed emotions becoming a nan so young. She said: "I knew I would always be younger than most grandparents but I didn't think it would happen so soon." "I was apprehensive and I had no idea what I wanted to be called to my grandson because I wasn't comfortable with any of the terms" she added.

Rosie said that she felt uncomfortable being a granny at her age, and when she is out with baby Rox people assume she is his mum. "But I am totally not surprised because why on earth would they think I would be his gran?" she said. Although surprised, Rosie sai she happy she gets to have such a good oppertunity to bond with baby Rox. "Although I was nervous about the whole thing, it has been a really good experience and I am happy to take such an involved role in my grandson's life."

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The Ups and Downs of Being a Young Grandparent

Many grandparents are more running shoes than rocking chairs, more social media than social security. The average age of becoming a grandparent is 50, although many individuals become grandparents even earlier, perhaps even in their 30s. These younger grandparents may face a number of challenges. Becoming a grandparent at a young age can scramble all expectations for the second half of life. It can also increase joy and, ironically, keep grandparents young.

It's possible to become a grandparent at a very young age by marrying someone older who has children from an earlier marriage. Technically, those who acquire grandchildren in this way are step-grandparents, but for many, the difference is academic. They consider themselves grandparents. The way most young grandparents are created, however, is when a parent who reproduced at a young age has a child who does the same. Of course, this is happening less often, as the average age of first-time childbearing has risen to over 26 for American women. Still, teen pregnancies continue to occur, accounting for approximately 13% of first births. Many times, young grandparents-to-be are more concerned about the young parents' situation than they are their own. The statistics on teen pregnancy are fairly scary. The infant mortality rate is considerably higher than average when the mother is a teenager, particularly for Black mothers who may have less access to quality prenatal care.3

Only around 40% of teen moms finish high school, and as a group, they are much less likely to earn a college degree than their peers—only 2% have graduated from college by age 30.4 Teen fathers aren't as well tracked, but what data there is suggests a similar pattern. Of course, grandparents are concerned. Translating that concern into the right kind of assistance can be tricky. Give too much help, and young parents may not mature into fully responsible adults. Give too little, and everyone in the young family could be at risk. Grandparents want the best for their grandchildren. In seeking to make that happen, it's easy for them to overstep boundaries. In the end, families have to find their own way. Measures that work for one family may not work for others. Clear communication helps, but what helps the most is for grandparents to let the parents do it their way as much as possible while being available when needed.

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Too young to be a grandparent

People who become grandparents at 40 or 50 may have more energy to keep up with their grandchildren but may also experience conflicted feelings. When her daughter gave birth to a baby girl, Ms L. Loh found it hard to accept becoming a grandmother at the age of 43. She asked her granddaughter to call her "auntie", but the girl, now five, persisted in calling her "ah ma".

Putting aside the joy of welcoming a new addition to the family, becoming a grandparent in your 40s and early 50s can be unsettling. There can be an uncomfortable period of self- scrutiny, with conflicting emotions. Some, like Ms Loh, a manager in the logistics industry, feel that being called "grandma" or "grandpa" makes them feel old. Others, like Mr Mohd Shariff Mohd Yatim, 55, feel they want to look more mature. When his first grandchild, Ryanna Sofia Raihan, was born five months ago, he grew a beard. The executive director of Jamiyah Halfway House, a rehabilitation centre, wanted to signal - to others and himself - that he was "ready to lead as a grandfather". But when people started offering him their seats in public places, he felt embarrassed.

Young grandparents may experience other kinds of conflicted feelings about arriving at a stage of life earlier than expected, says Ms Theresa Bung, principal therapist at the non-profit Family Life Society. She specialises in counselling families and couples. Some have to set aside projects or plans. Some may still be working and feel guilty about the limited time they can spend with their grandchildren, especially if they have their own children to care for. Some are unhappy that their unwed teenaged children become parents. But those The Sunday Times interviewed say there are more advantages than disadvantages to their early grandparenthood.

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Lina Medina, the world’s youngest mother gave birth at 5

Lina Medina with her baby born on 14 May 1939

In 1939, in the remote area of a small Peruvian village, Lina Medina became what historians consider the youngest mother in the world at the age of 5. While hard to believe, doctors determined that Lina was physically able to get pregnant due to a rare medical condition called precocious puberty. Many of the circumstances around the young girl’s pregnancy remain unknown to this day, and her situation has baffled doctors and drawn public attention for the last century.

It was early spring when Lina’s parents noticed their daughter’s engorged stomach. As one of nine kids, the family lived in one of the poorest villages in Peru. But upon discovering their daughter’s stomach, they feared she had a tumor or some other deadly condition. They rushed her to the closest hospital in Pisco — a two-hour drive through the bumpy roads of Peru’s countryside. Upon examination by the doctors, it was determined that the cause of Lina’s enlarged stomach wasn’t due to cancer — she was in her seventh month of pregnancy. Based on her September birthday, it was determined that Lina got pregnant at the age of 4. Word began to spread across the world that there was a five-year-old girl in Peru pregnant, as fascination and curiosity took over the world. Newspapers and reporters from all over the world asked the interview her, and there were scientific institutions that wanted to record her birth for educational purposes. However, Lina and her family adamantly did not want to be a part of the international attention that this was bringing.

Just a few weeks after the pregnancy was discovered by doctors, Lina gave birth to a baby boy via a Caesarian section on May 14, 1939. The small size of her body didn’t allow for a natural birth, but the baby’s delivery was successful and safe. The baby was named Gerardo, after Dr. Gerardo Lozada, the overseeing doctor on Lina’s case. Front page headlines worldwide read, “Five-and-Half-Year-old Mother and Baby Reported Doing Well.” Doctors worldwide tried to study and understand how a four-year-old girl could get pregnant and successfully carry a healthy baby to full term. After giving birth, Lina brought the baby back to their village, where they lived a mostly normal life. Doctors who visited her post-birth determined that Gerardo was a “perfectly normal” baby with an “above normal intelligence.” For the first several years of baby Gerardo’s life, he was raised to believe that Lina was his sister — not his mother. But when Lina was 15, he discovered that his sister was his mother.

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23/03/2024

Zero shadow at 1.11pm on March 23 in Singapore

Zero Shadow Day

The bollards outside Stadium MRT station did not cast a shadow at 1.11pm on March 23. ST FOTO:SHINTARO TAY

A Lahaina Noon phenomenon, where one’s shadow appears minimal, took place at 1.11pm on March 23 in Singapore. Also known as zero shadow day, it is a natural event in which objects standing upright, such as a stick or pole, will cast no shadow.

Professor Matthias Roth, who teaches geography at the National University of Singapore, said the phenomenon will also happen on Sept 19 at 12.58pm, when the solar altitude is as close to or at 90 degrees. He noted that the phenomenon on March 23 comes about four days after the start of the spring astronomical season, which is determined by the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun.

As Singapore is not exactly on the Equator, the midday sun will be overhead only about four days after the astronomical spring equinox, Prof Roth added. The astronomical spring equinox results in an equal amount of daylight and darkness. “Due to historical reasons, Singapore’s time is one hour ahead compared with the solar time. This means that solar noon does not occur until about 1pm, rather than noon, which also explains why sunrise and sunset times are observed at about 7am and 7pm respectively.”

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Lahaina Noon

A level photographed during Lāhainā Noon in Hawaiʻi

Lāhainā Noon, also known as a zero shadow day, is a semi-annual tropical solar phenomenon when the Sun culminates at the zenith at solar noon, passing directly overhead (above the subsolar point). As a result, the sun's rays will fall exactly vertical relative to an object on the ground and cast no observable shadow.

A zero shadow day occurs twice a year for locations in the tropics (between the Tropic of Cancer at latitude 23.4° N and the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.4° S) when the Sun's declination becomes equal to the latitude of the location, so that the date varies by location. The term "Lāhainā Noon" was coined by the Bishop Museum in Hawaiʻi. The subsolar point travels through the tropics. Hawaiʻi is the only US state in the tropics and thus the only one to experience Lāhainā Noon. In 2022 and 2023, the phenomenon occurred in Honolulu on May 26 and July 16. Hawaii and other locations between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn receive the sun's direct rays as the apparent path of the sun passes overhead before and after the summer solstice.

Lāhainā Noon can occur anywhere from 12:16 to 12:43 p.m. Hawaii–Aleutian Standard Time. At that moment objects that stand straight up (flagpoles, bollards, telephone poles, etc.) cast no outward shadow. The most southerly points in Hawaii experience Lāhainā Noon on earlier and later dates than the northern parts. For example, in 2001 Hilo on the Island of Hawaiʻi encountered the overhead sun around May 18 and July 24, Kahului, Maui, on May 24 and July 18, Honolulu, Oʻahu, on May 26 and July 15 and Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, on May 31 and July 11. Between each pair of dates, the sun is slightly to the north at solar noon. Chosen in a contest sponsored by the Bishop Museum in the 1990s, Lāhainā Noon was the selected appellation because lā hainā (the old name for Lāhainā, Hawaii) means "cruel sun" in the Hawaiian language. The ancient Hawaiian name for the event was kau ka lā i ka lolo which translates as "the sun rests on the brains.

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Remembering Lee Kuan Yew 2024

Born 16 Sep 1923 & Died 23 Mar 2015 aged 92 yrs

A Tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew to remember his Life Journey

Dabu County: The Ancestral Place of Lee Kuan Yew and Overseas Hakka

HOUSE OF LEE BOK BOON, THE PATERNAL GREAT GRANDFATHER OF LEE KUAN YEW

A trip to Dabu County of Meizhou Municipality in Guangdong Province, exploring the Hakka history, houses and heritage.

Why is the ancestral house of Lee Kuan Yew a Chaoshan-style house? Check out the video.

LKY already has a memorial to his name in Chinese region he has never visited

The Ancestral Place of Lee Kuan Yew and Overseas Hakka

The Founders’ Memorial notwithstanding, there is already a memorial to the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kwan Yew. Mr Lee, on the other hand, had been known to say that he had no wish for a monument dedicated solely to himself. In Parliament on April 13, 2015, however, his son, now Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, called to honour his father but said that his father had been conscious that he had been part of a team that worked together to build the city-state. “One idea that has been suggested is to have a memorial for all of the founding fathers, perhaps coupled with an exhibition gallery to honour their legacy and educate future generations.

Indeed, Mr Lee himself had thought that there was value in such a memorial,” he said. The project broke ground last month and is set to open in 2028. The Business Standard reported two days after Mr Lee’s death on March 23, 2015, that many Chinese were coming to Mr Lee’s ancestral home in droves to pay homage to him. The report said that the village is located 500 kilometres away from Guangzhou “in search of a glimpse” into his life. It described the ancestral home as made of brick and wood, having been constructed in the traditional Chinese style in 1884 by Mr Lee’s great-grandfather, Li Muwen, with his earnings from Singapore. The home was called Zhonghandi. It also noted that the Lee family descended from the Hakka, a subgroup of China’s Han community, and came to Singapore in the middle of the 18th century. Local authorities refurbished the home and its surroundings between 2007 and 2008. Exhibitions of the Lee family tree, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s family and political accomplishments, and an introduction to Mr Lee Kuan Yew were also set up within the structure.

In 2016, the year after Mr Lee passed away, authorities in Dabu County in Guangdong said that his ancestral home would be turned into a tourist attraction. Hong Kong’s Wen Wei Po daily reported at the time that the site would become an international rural tourist destination that incorporated Chinese Hakka cultural characteristics. A total of 40 million yuan, then equivalent to S$8.8 million, was allocated for the endeavor. Constructing the site had begun the previous year, and the first phase, Lee Kuan Yew Memorial Hall, was set for completion by the end of 2016.

A glimpse into the private life of Lee Kuan Yew
Lee Kuan Yew (back row, centre) outside his Norfolk Road home in 1936 with siblings (front, from left) Suan Yew, three; Monica, seven; Freddy, nine; and Dennis, 11; and parents Chua Jim Neo, 29; and Lee Chin Koon, 33
The night before Mr Lee (standing, centre) left for England, his family had a steak dinner at Pavilion Steakhouse in Orchard Road before walking to nearby Lloyd Studio for this family portrait, taken in 1946. (Clockwise from top left) Siblings Monica, Dennis, Freddy and Suan Yew, and parents Chua Jim Neo and Lee Chin Koon. Source: Lee Kuan Yew
Mr Lee asked his cousin Harold Liem to take photos of him and Ms Kwa together on Sept 5, 1946, in anticipation of the three years the couple would be apart while he studied law in England and she remained in Singapore
The couple, seen here in academic robes, graduated from Cambridge University on June 21, 1949, and was called to the Bar a year later
Mr Lee on a marine patrol boat named Tekong with (from left) Hsien Loong, Wei Ling, Hsien Yang and Mrs Lee on a Sunday outing in 1965. Source: Lee Kuan Yew

Growing up in colonial Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew was like any typical child – footloose and fancy-free. The boy who would grow up to become prime minister would catch fighting fish from drains, fly kites and take leisurely swims in the sea. Born on Sept 16, 1923, to a wealthy Straits Chinese family, he was the eldest of five children of Shell Oil Company depot manager Lee Chin Koon and Mrs Chua Jim Neo. In 1935, he topped his school in an islandwide examination and clinched a place at the prestigious Raffles Institution. He was active in scouting, playing cricket and tennis, and debating.

Four years later, he came in first in Singapore and Malaya in the Senior Cambridge examinations, winning a scholarship to read English, economics and mathematics at Raffles College. His education was interrupted by World War II. A resourceful survivor, he found work as a clerk and an English-language editor for the Japanese propaganda department. He traded food on the black market, started a stationery gum business with Mr Yong Nyuk Lin in 1944, where he met Mr Yong’s sister-in-law, Ms Kwa Geok Choo, a former Raffles College classmate whom he started dating.

After the war, Mr Lee sailed for England in 1946 on his 23rd birthday. He enrolled in the London School of Economics to read law but transferred to the more idyllic Cambridge University the next year. Ms Kwa won the Queen’s Scholarship and joined Mr Lee at Cambridge in 1947 to read law. Eager to start their life together, Mr Lee and Ms Kwa married secretly on Dec 23, 1947, at Stratford-upon-Avon. Both Mr Lee and his wife graduated from Cambridge on June 21, 1949, with first class honours, with Mr Lee winning the only star for distinction on the final Law Tripos II honours list. A year later, they were called to the Bar at Middle Temple and returned to Singapore on Aug 1, 1950.

They held their official wedding at the Registry of Marriages on Sept 30, 1950, and began married life at the Lee family’s two-storey bungalow at 38 Oxley Road. Both found jobs as pupils at Laycock & Ong in Malacca Street. Five years later, they founded their own law firm, Lee & Lee, with Mr Lee’s brother Dennis.

Mr and Mrs Lee have three children, Hsien Loong, Wei Ling and Hsien Yang, and seven grandchildren. Mrs Lee died on Oct 2, 2010, at the age of 89, and Mr Lee on March 23, 2015, at the age of 91.

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Lee Kuan Yew In His Own Words

Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew was a man equally at home whipping up a crowd at a rally or commanding attention on the international stage. Known for his acumen, foresight and wit, he held his own with the brightest minds and most powerful leaders and laid the foundation for the country's success.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth on Sep 16, CNA looks back at 10 of his more memorable quotes that were synonymous with the country's milestones and development:

On separating from Malaysia - For me, it is a moment of anguish because all my life ... You see, the whole of my adult life ... I have believed in Malaysian merger and the unity of these two territories.
On taking a long-term view for Singapore - I am calculating not in terms of the next election ... I am calculating in terms of the next generation; in terms of the next 100 years; in terms of eternity.
On how Singaporeans are not a people who can be bullied - You know, some people think: Oh well you know, we are a small place - they can put the screws on us. It is not so easy. We are a small place in size yes, geography.
On how governing Singapore is not simply a game - Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him or give it up. This is not a game of cards. This is your life and mine.
On micromanaging people's private lives - I am accused often of interfering in private lives of citizens. And I say without the slightest remorse that we wouldn't be here, we would not have made the economic progress if we had not intervened on very personal matters
On what it takes to be a good minister - Remember this: Good ministers are not just those who kiss babies and smile and have dialogue sessions; you can have endless sessions, it's very good, you keep on listening and so on.
On how political leaders are judged - Political leaders are judged, first, by how effectively they have exercised their authority in the interests of their people.
On being an ardent advocate for Singapore's success - Even from my sickbed, even if you are going to lower me into the grave and I feel that something is going wrong, I will get up.
On saving and investing for a rainy day - They say we got enormous reserves. Yes, we do. But, you know, a few years of a recession, an economic setback, and all that will suddenly be depleted.
On what he cherished most - I cannot say I planned my life. That's why I feel life is a great adventure - exciting, unpredictable, and at times exhilarating and sometimes excruciating.

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Born: 16 September 1923 / Died: 23 March 2015

Lee Kuan Yew Doppelganger Spotted At Coffee Shop On 18 May 2022

Resemblance Leaves Internet Shook

The term doppelganger is used to describe someone who is a spitting image of another, although they are entirely biologically unrelated. While it’s incredibly rare to meet one in person, it’s not entirely impossible, as seen in this video posted on 18 May.

In the clip, a man resembling the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew chows down on a meal at a coffee shop. Perhaps it’s the camera’s angle, but the uncanny resemblance left the Internet shook. The video, which a Facebook user shared in the Singapore Incidents group, left commenters reeling from laughter, and they spared no expense when cracking jokes.

One joked that the man was the late Mr Lee’s body double. He had probably lost his job since the Minister Mentor (MM)’s passing. With the latest release of the CDC vouchers, another person suggested that he might be taking the opportunity to use them to pay for his lunch. Considering how eerie it must be to see the likes of someone who has passed, a Facebook user said the OP should count his lucky stars that the encounter happened in broad daylight.

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Iving Iving May 18

Look like LKY having his meal !!!

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Remembering Lee Kuan Yew @ March 24, 2016

Heng Swee Kiat @ 23 Mar 2016

"Singapore really was a venture then. Together with the pioneer leaders, he didn’t just raise funds, he mobilised a whole people. We were a people who had little else besides our spirit, but our pioneers energised us, gave us the faith, strength and vision to draw together as one and move forward in the same direction. In doing so, we showed the world that we are a people who can get things done, and we built something special and enduring – our Singapore.

I don't think Mr Lee would want us to grieve over his passing. I think he would expect us to keep that spirit alive, and carry on with the work of building this nation. He would hope that all of us continue to stay united and think long term; be courageous and bold to find new ways and to try and try again until we succeed; and to leave no one behind, and always do our best for one another and for Singapore."

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Remembering Lee Kuan Yew

Photograph by Tara Sosrowardoyo, National Museum of Singapore Collection

Mr Lee Kuan Yew died on March 23, 2015 at the age of 91. In his long years as Singapore’s first Prime Minister, he spearheaded policies that not only changed the country but also shaped the Public Service to be what it is today. As a tribute to the man and his ideas, the Challenge team has produced a special edition to commemorate his impact on the Public Service.

“As a young civil servant, Mr Lee’s leadership left a deep impression on me and I had the great privilege of watching, from close up, the way he handled many important issues, such as relations with major countries, in both good and bad times. For Mr Lee, if something was worth doing for Singapore and Singaporeans, it was worth doing it very well. We saw this, for example, in his dedication to the cause of the trade unions, so that workers can have a share in the fruits of the nation’s progress; his promotion of home ownership so that every Singaporean has a stake in the country; his personal attention to the greening of Singapore which he saw as a means of gifting to every Singaporean, no matter his station in life, a very conducive urban environment. The list is endless. As we mourn the passing of a great leader, an astute statesman and an exceptional Singaporean, let us seek to emulate his passion and dedication in serving Singapore and Singaporeans. Let that be Mr Lee’s legacy to the public service.”

“Mr Lee embedded in us the psyche of survival and security when it comes to water, and it has been our guiding principle in PUB ever since. I recall the most critical afternoon meeting with him (in 2002) when my officer and I had to persuade him that our water master plan with NEWater is the answer to our water challenge. In the midst of the discussion, he fell strangely silent for some time, deep in thought. Suddenly he turned to me and pointedly asked me, as if cross-examining me in a court of law, whether we could deliver on our plan to wean Singapore out of water dependency on imported water. After spending so many afternoons with him, listening to his intense concern for water, how else could I respond except to give him a resounding “Yes”. A man of his vision and passion demanded and deserved nothing less. I remembered so well his reaction. He fell back into his chair, became silent again for a long while, and then to my amazement, he gave a smile the likes of which I have never seen before from him. With that, he rose and left the meeting. I knew he had decided we could make it. I was left in awe at the very calculated way he weighs the risks and takes a firm decision with no turning back.”

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Commemorative coin, exhibition among initiatives to mark 100th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew’s birth

Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew waves as he attends an event in Tokyo in 2011

A commemorative coin will be launched this year, along with exhibitions and other ground-up initiatives, to mark the 100th anniversary of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s birth.

The late Mr Lee, Singapore's founding Prime Minister and co-founder of the ruling People's Action Party, was born on Sep 16, 1923. He died on Mar 23, 2015, at the age of 91. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 7), Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said some government agencies have planned initiatives to pay tribute to Mr Lee. For instance, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will issue a commemorative coin later this year “as a reminder of Mr Lee’s values and vision”, he said.

The National Heritage Board has an ongoing travelling exhibition for the Founders’ Memorial, which will be developed to commemorate the legacy of Singapore's pioneers. Later this year, the agency will put together a more extensive exhibition at the National Museum on key historical milestones. “This year also marks the 60th year of Singapore’s greening journey since Mr Lee launched the first tree planting campaign in 1963 and NParks will have various activities to mark this milestone,” Dr Tan said. "As our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew holds a special place in Singapore’s history," he told the House, adding that many groups from the community have also come up with ideas to pay tribute to him.

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“Not appropriate” to celebrate LKY’s 100th birth anniversary given ongoing family feud

Ms Henson asserted the view that Mr Lee Kuan Yew did want his house at 38 Oxley Road demolished after his death which was the main point of contention in the brothers' feud

Veteran journalist Bertha Henson has suggested that it may not be appropriate to celebrate founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s centennial birth anniversary, given the ongoing feud between the late elder statesman’s children. Her comment comes just days after Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean revealed that Mr Lee’s son and daughter-in-law, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Suet Fern, are being investigated by the police for allegedly lying in a legal proceeding relating to his last will. Mr Lee Hsien Yang subsequently hit out at the continued “persecution” against his family by the Singapore authorities.

The police probe marks what some have perceived to be an escalation of a longstanding and bitter dispute between Mr Lee Hsien Yang and his estranged elder brother, current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Calling the latest development “wranglings,” Ms Henson – a heavyweight editor who spent 26 years at Singapore Press Holdings – wrote on Facebook yesterday (3 Mar): “Do we really want to celebrate LKY’s 100th birth anniversary given all this wrangling going on? Not appropriate methinks. He needs to rest in peace.” Asserting her view that Mr Lee Kuan Yew did want his house at 38 Oxley Road demolished after his death – the main point of contention in the brothers’ feud – Ms Henson added, “In any case, I doubt he would have wanted a celebration, just like I don’t doubt he wanted his own house demolished.”

The Government announced last month that it is putting together initiatives to pay tribute to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary. Alongside exhibitions, publications and even an education fund, the Government is also set to launch a commemorative coin later this year “as a reminder of Mr Lee’s values and vision.” At the time, Ms Henson said on Facebook: “I wonder what LKY would make of all this…”

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Bertha Henson @ March 3 at 9:24 AM

Do we really want to celebrate LKY’s 100th birth anniversary given all this wrangling going on? Not appropriate methinks. He needs to rest in peace. In any case, I doubt he would have wanted a celebration, just like I don’t doubt he wanted his own house demolished.

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Lee Hsien Yang & Lee Wei Ling say LKY would have “cringed” at hero worship in commemorative coin, exhibition to mark 100th anniversary of his birth

"Papa was dead set against a personality cult and any hint of cronyism... He is a rare politician and leader, who did what he had to do with no thought to any gain for himself", she wrote

Lee Hsien Yang was quick to point out his sister’s comments that their father Lee Kuan Yew would have cringed at the hero worship just one year after his death. The younger Mr Lee’s comment came in response to an article shared by former ST editor Bertha Henson. Ms Henson shared an article titled ‘Commemorative coin, exhibition among initiatives to mark 100th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew’s birth’. In her post, Ms Henson wrote: “I wonder what LKY would make of all this…”

Some in the comments section had tagged Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s younger brother. Responding to them, the younger Mr Lee commented: “My sister Ling never minces her words”. He also referenced a Mothership article ‘Lee Wei Ling says her dad “would have cringed at the hero worship just one year after his death”‘. A commemorative coin will be launched this year, along with exhibitions and other ground-up initiatives, to mark the 100th anniversary of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s birth.

The late Mr Lee, Singapore’s founding Prime Minister and co-founder of the ruling People’s Action Party, was born on Sep 16, 1923. He died on Mar 23, 2015, at the age of 91. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 7), Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng said some government agencies have planned initiatives to pay tribute to Mr Lee. For instance, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will issue a commemorative coin later this year “as a reminder of Mr Lee’s values and vision”, he said. A year after her father’s death, on Mar 25, 2016, Dr Lee Wei Ling wrote: “Lee Kuan Yew would have cringed at the hero worship just one year after his death”. “Papa was dead set against a personality cult and any hint of cronyism”, she wrote.

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The Oxley Saga Hasn’t Ended

Overwhelming Grief & Support For Lee Hsien Yang As He Flees The Country

On 7 Mar, Lee Hsien Yang made a Facebook post describing how he has been made a fugitive by his own country. This happened just because he stood up for a promise to his father Lee Kuan Yew. Both he and Lee Wei Ling have been fighting for what the late Lee Kuan Yew wanted – that he didn’t want his house to be preserved.

The Oxley Road saga is a controversial dispute among Lee Kuan Yew’s children, over the fate of their family home. Lee Kuan Yew had expressed in his will that he wanted the house to be demolished after his passing. This is to prevent it from becoming a place of worship or a political shrine. However, Lee Hsien Loong argued that the house should be preserved as a historical monument. Lee Hsien Yang noted that his brother had political motivations for preserving the house and accused him of abusing his power as Prime Minister to influence the decision. The dispute became public in 2017 when Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling accused their brother of abusing his power and of not fulfilling their father’s wishes. The government formed a ministerial committee to examine the options for the house. However, the siblings noted that committee was biased and lacked transparency.

In 2020, the government announced that it would not demolish the house, but would instead preserve it and open it to the public for visits. However, they did not only continue to go against Lee Kuan Yew’s wishes. They also continued to prosecute Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling. He has been his sister’s caregiver ever since the death of their father. Yet he is forced to leave the country because his family has been subjected to harassment and smear campaigns. Lee Hsien Yang expressed sadness that he is “unlikely ever to be able to see my sister face to face again”, and it pains him “beyond words”.

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The famiLEE feud hots up over LKY's last will

Mr Lee Hsien Yang and his wife Mrs Lee Suet Fern left Singapore and remain out of the country during the police's investigations, says Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean

Mr Lee Hsien Yang and his wife, lawyer Lee Suet Fern, are being investigated by the police for potential offences of giving false evidence in judicial proceedings over Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s will.

As part of the investigations, the police requested an interview with the couple, and they initially agreed to attend the interview, said Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean in a written parliamentary answer on Thursday (Mar 2). But the couple later had a change of heart and refused to attend the interview, Mr Teo added. In response to CNA's queries, the police said on Thursday night that it started investigations against the couple following a referral in October 2021.

The police contacted both of them in June last year and asked them to assist in investigations by attending a police interview. "They agreed to assist but requested a different date. The police acceded to the request and scheduled an interview in July 2022 based on their availability," the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said. But the couple did not turn up on the agreed date and sent a letter via email stating that they would not take part in the investigation. The police have advised them to reconsider taking part in investigations, but they left Singapore and have remained out of the country, said Mr Teo. In a Facebook post on Thursday night, Mr Lee Hsien Yang responded to the latest developments by claiming that the "persecution of my family by Singapore authorities continues unabated" and that he "was the real target".

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The famiLEE feud: PM Lee "I'm not sure that it is solved"
Ms Kwa Kim Li (pictured), a managing partner at law firm Lee and Lee, prepared the wills for the late Lee Kuan Yew

The siblings of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong are seeking the convening of a disciplinary tribunal to investigate the conduct of their cousin, Ms Kwa Kim Li, who prepared six wills for their late father Lee Kuan Yew. Ms Kwa, a managing partner at law firm Lee and Lee, prepared the wills for Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s founding prime minister, between Aug 20, 2011 and Nov 2, 2012.

Court documents obtained by TODAY showed that Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang, who are executors and trustees of Lee Kuan Yew’s estate, filed the High Court application against the Law Society (LawSoc) on Sept 21 last year. The Lee siblings’ application states that an inquiry committee investigated Ms Kwa following three complaints made in 2019.

The application seeks an order from the High Court directing the LawSoc to apply to Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon “for the appointment of a disciplinary tribunal for a formal investigation into the conduct of Ms Kwa Kim Li” over three of the 2019 complaints.

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MAS unveils commemorative S$10 coin to mark Lee Kuan Yew's 100th birth anniversary

The front of the coin features a dual latent image that shows the year 1923 when viewed from one angle and the year 2023 when viewed from another. (Image: Monetary Authority of Singapore)

A commemorative S$10 coin marking the 100th birth anniversary of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was unveiled by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Monday (May 15). Minted in aluminium bronze, the gold-coloured LKY100 coins will be available at face value by application. The coins will have a diameter of 30mm, making them about 22 per cent larger than the Third Series S$1 coins currently in circulation.

"The coin pays tribute to his strategic vision, boldness and indomitable spirit that transformed Singapore from a regional trading port to a global manufacturing, business and financial hub, creating opportunities for all Singaporeans," MAS said in a news release. "The design features a portrait of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, accompanied in the foreground by the Marina Barrage, representing Mr Lee's vision to build a freshwater reservoir in the city, strengthening Singapore's water resilience," the central bank added, describing the design on the coin's reverse.

"The backdrop is the skyline of the Raffles Place financial district, and two heritage buildings which have witnessed significant milestones in Singapore's history – Fullerton Hotel (formerly the Fullerton Building/General Post Office) and National Gallery Singapore (formerly the Supreme Court and City Hall)." In addition to the Singapore Coat of Arms, the front of the coin features Mr Lee's name, his years of birth and death, the words "100th Birth Anniversary" and a dual latent image that shows the year 1923 when viewed from one angle and the year 2023 when viewed from another. The coin was designed by local artist Weng Ziyan, whose previous works include banknotes commemorating Singapore's 50th year of independence, Singapore's bicentennial and the 50th anniversary of the Brunei-Singapore Currency Interchangeability Agreement.

PAP to grow 10,000 trees in its wards to commemorate Lee Kuan Yew | Video

Commemorative coin, exhibition among initiatives to mark 100th anniversary of Lee Kuan Yew’s birth

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Lee Kuan Yew medallion range to mark his 5th death anniversary “temporarily suspended” by Singapore Mint

Just hours after launching a series of medallions and busts dedicated to the founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, The Singapore Mint has decided to “temporarily suspend” the range. At around 12.45pm on Monday (2 March), The Singapore Mint revealed in a statement that it had released medallions with the face of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew’s face engraved on it, as well as busts resembling him to mark his fifth death anniversary.

Titled “The Pride of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew”, the series comprises of four commemorative gold, silver, and base-metal medallions, and made-to-order copper busts that come in two sizes. This latest range is part of the Singapore Salute collection. The ½ oz 999.9 fine gold and 1 oz 999 fine silver medallions in an oval shape are engraved with late Mr Lee portrait on it. The copper and nickel-plated zinc medallions also have pictures of sampans and Singapore’s skyline on the other side, showcasing the country’s development from its earlier days. As for the copper busts, they come in two different sizes – 110mm and 430mm.

Based on the Singapore Mint, the collection is “meticulously engraved and sculpted by the Singapore Mint’s master engravers with their skillful craftsmanship”, with a “dignified interpretation” of late Mr Lee’s image. “Mr Lee’s great foresight and determined pursuit of Singapore’s growth have played an important role in bringing Singapore to where it is today, and shaping the history of modern Singapore.” It continued, “The Pride of Singapore medallion range also seeks to remind Singaporeans to be resilient and indomitable to concur challenges and adversity in unity”. However, as of 7pm on the same day of the launch, the medallions and busts, priced between S$10 and S$1,888, were not available for orders anymore on The Singapore Mint’s website. The website has now a notice saying, “We have temporarily suspended this program until further notice.”

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Parliamentary Statement by PM Lee Hsien Loong on calls to honour Mr Lee Kuan Yew, on 13 April 2015

An Outpouring of Grief and Gratitude

During the month of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s final illness, and the week of National Mourning after he passed away, Singaporeans experienced a tremendous outpouring of emotions – gratitude, sorrow, and solidarity. People prayed for, grieved over and paid their last respects to the founding father who had done so much to create today’s Singapore. Many wrote touching messages in condolence books and cards, and made special tribute books and items. During the Special Session of Parliament, Members spoke movingly about Mr Lee’s contributions, what he meant to them, and their personal experiences of him. I thank this House, and all Singaporeans, for their tributes to my father.

Those of us who lived through this special moment in our history, and experienced this sense of togetherness in our shared grief, will remember it for the rest of our lives. Mr Lee’s passing brought us closer together as one people and intensified our sense of nationhood. It was his last gift to us. How should we remember and honour him – his person, his contributions, his ideals? Members of the House and the public have made many suggestions. There were several questions on the Order Paper today. Ms Foo Mee Har and Dr Lily Neo suggested printing his image on our currency notes and coins; Mr Ang Wei Nang and Dr Lily Neo suggested re-naming Changi Airport after him; and Ms Foo Mee Har suggested designating a day to commemorate our founding fathers every year. And there are many more suggestions.

These are all good ideas. But we should not rush into making decisions on this matter, especially so soon after Mr Lee has passed away. We should allow some time to pass, consider the ideas carefully, and make calm, considered decisions which will stand the test of time. We want to honour Mr Lee, but we must do so in the right way: