Crimson tides

KUALA LUMPUR: It has been months since Naeem Nassir was terminated from Oman Air in July, and the 30-year-old pilot still longs for the adrenaline rush and glamour of his previous work. His job of two years was quite different from the traditional deskbound nine-to-five. The senior first officer counted frequent international travel, an above average income and an office above the clouds as some of its perks. For now, taking to the skies is out of reach for Naeem and hundreds of his pilot and flight attendant colleagues in Malaysia who have been grounded or sacked as COVID-19 pandemic has decimated the air travel industry. Over the last few months, two major airlines in Malaysia, Malindo Air and AirAsia, have confirmed that there have been layoffs while national carrier Malaysia Airlines has implemented cost-cutting measures such as unpaid leave and pay cuts. Some of those impacted have turned to entrepreneurship to earn a living, kick-starting businesses in the hope that … [Read more...] about ‘Don’t know if I’ll ever fly again’: Pilots, aircrew in Malaysia turn entrepreneurs to tide over COVID-19

SINGAPORE: The business community needs to work together to pull through the novel coronavirus crisis, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Wednesday (Feb 26) as he urged larger firms to pass on rebates given by the Government and extend a helping hand to smaller players. “Big businesses have to help the small businesses,” he said. “We need to have a sense that we are all in this together.” Mr Chan raised the example of the 15 per cent property tax rebate for landlords of private commercial properties announced during Budget 2020 as part of the special S$4 billion Stabilisation and Support Package . Big landlords “must translate these benefits … down the chain to the smallest tenant”, he said, noting that several major property players such as CapitaLand have done so by granting rental rebates and other measures. READ: Budget 2020: S$4 billion support package for workers, firms amid COVID-19 outbreak READ: Businesses welcome S$4 billion package as timely … [Read more...] about Big businesses need to help smaller players, work together to tide through COVID-19 ‘crisis’: Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE: At one level, the unprecedented three-in-one Unity, Resilience, and Solidarity Budgets demonstrate the resolve of Singapore to ensure businesses and households are helped amid the public health concerns and the economic fallout of the COVID-19 global pandemic. But fiscal resolve alone is not enough. Everyone must play his part. If it’s every person for himself, then we will all be worse off for it. Unfortunately we have already seen some examples of this self-seeking behaviour. Besides being socially undesirable, such behaviour also undermines policies and measures that are targeted at a macro-level but intended to trickle down to all levels of society. LANDLORDS "CAPTURING RENT" For instance, in the Unity Budget unveiled on Feb 18, a S$4 billion Stabilisation and Support Package was created for businesses and workers affected by the evolving COVID-19 situation. READ: Commentary: Has COVID-19 made e-commerce and online shopping the new normal? Measures … [Read more...] about Commentary: In Singapore, laws are necessary for trickle-down policies to work

SEOUL: South Korea's ruling party won a landslide victory in Wednesday's general election, partial results showed, after the coronavirus pandemic turned the political tide in President Moon Jae-in's favour. The country uses a mix of first-past-the-post seats and proportional representation, but even before all the individual constituencies were decided, Moon's Democratic party had taken 163 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, an absolute majority. Its sister party was expected to win another 17 proportional representation seats - due to be declared later Thursday - for a total of 180. The main conservative opposition United Future Party (UFP) and its satellite party were forecast to secure a total of 97 seats. Turnout was 66.2 per cent , higher than any parliamentary elections held in the South since 1992. WATCH: COVID-19: Precautions taken to ensure safety as South Koreans prepare to vote Just a few months ago scandals over power abuse and sluggish economic … [Read more...] about South Korea ruling party wins parliamentary majority amid COVID-19 pandemic

A risky water rescue battling fading light, sharp rocks and strong currents to save four people has won a Taranaki team of surf lifesavers a national award. The Todd Energy Surf Lifesaving Rescue Squad won the BP rescue of the month for the dramatic rescue of four teenage girls from Pararaki Rock at New Plymouth’s Back Beach on January 5. It was dusk when the squad was alerted by police search and rescue to the plight of the girls who found themselves trapped on the rock after the tide changed so called for help on a cellphone. Rescue swimmer Andy Cronin was first on the scene, battling through the strong currents to find the girls and checked them for injuries before moving them to a more sheltered position to wait for backup to arrive. READ MORE: Surf rescue squad saves four females stranded on Sugar Loaf Island 'Very lucky' surfer brought to shore after water rescue at Waitara beach Jet ski proving invaluable to Taranaki Rescue Squad Cronin assessed the safest … [Read more...] about Taranaki rescue squad wins award for saving four teenagers