Far East Organization’s The Serra Residences sells less than a quarter of units released at average S$3,460 psf

About 80% of the demand came from buyers purchasing for their own stay, Far East Organization said.

https://bt.sg/FRL8

Start your day with BT ☕️:

Stocks to watch: Bumitama Agri, Wee Hur Holdings, Indofood Agri Resources https://bt.sg/vsf5

Top stories:
1. Asean: Indofood Agri tracking hotspots, says no legal notices received over haze https://bt.sg/ncxB

2. Singapore: 5 internships and counting: Is ‘internmaxxing’ in Singapore becoming an arms race? https://bt.sg/s552

3. Singapore: A bumpy road ahead for some of Singapore’s fresh graduates in their job search https://bt.sg/3MGCg

Temasek director Lee Theng Kiat joins SIA board

Carlsberg chairman Henrik Poulsen will also join the board, with both serving as independent, non-executive directors.

https://bt.sg/385Lk

Indofood Agri tracking hotspots, says no legal notices received over haze

Management stated that aggressive ground monitoring allowed specialised teams to extinguish these flare-ups immediately, preventing actual fires and ensuring its operations did not contribute to the regional pollution.

https://bt.sg/gSpm

5 internships and counting: Is ‘internmaxxing’ in Singapore becoming an arms race?

“I think employers treat a clueless intern with more grace than a clueless graduate,” said 24-year-old Jasariel Chee who delayed her graduation by a year to take on an extra internship, bringing her total internship count to five.

https://bt.sg/xjir

Youtrip reports major service outage, most operations down

Of the 19 operations included in its tracking system, only four were functional: log in, view card details, sign up, and eSim.

https://bt.sg/cRho

MAS, SGX must address our IPO problem

More IPOs do not necessarily mean a stronger stock market. With many newly listed companies on the Singapore Exchange trading below their offer prices, BT’s Ben Paul says MAS and SGX need to look beyond attracting new listings and address why so many companies struggle after going public.

https://bt.sg/y6c2g

Employers urged to give lower-wage workers 6%-8% pay rise under NWC’s 2027 guidelines

Firms that are unprofitable get a new category, with a S$120 minimum pay rise for workers.

https://bt.sg/CuUC

Singapore issues three new legal notices to firms responsible for haze fires

Buana Megatama Jaya, Mananjung Hayak and Baratama Putra Perkasa have been issued notices.

https://bt.sg/zcBH

En bloc sales of old condos: Offer affected owners ABSD concessions when buying replacement homes

Lower consent thresholds could make it easier to redevelop ageing condos, but homeowners may still be reluctant to sell.

With hefty stamp duties and the hassle of finding a new home posing major hurdles, BT's Leslie Yee argues that more support and tax relief could help encourage collective sales.

https://bt.sg/JzZBH

‘Panic’ selling hits Indonesian markets on MSCI expulsion threat

A shift to standalone status would risk cutting South-east Asia’s biggest economy off from international capital, relegate it to an investment backwater and club it with a group of standalone markets that includes Lebanon and Zimbabwe.

https://bt.sg/umwe

Haze-linked firms ‘cannot play hide and seek’ behind corporate structures to escape Singapore action: Shanmugam

“Some companies may try to deny responsibility. They may think that it is hard to get evidence, and that they may think that they can escape scrutiny. But they should not underestimate the Singapore government’s determination to act,” he said.

https://bt.sg/72gf

Companies cannot greenwash their behaviour: K Shanmugam

“Companies cannot claim to be environmentally responsible while refusing to subject themselves to scrutiny,” said senior minister K Shanmugam on Mon (Oct 19). He clarified the government’s approach to holding companies behind the haze accountable.

Iras unveils new digital tools for easier corporate income tax filing

“Clear and seamless tax processes are important for companies to reduce the administrative effort of tax filing, allowing companies to focus more time on running and growing their business,” said Iras on Monday (Oct 19).

https://bt.sg/AVxV

What’s ailing the group medical-benefits market? Integrated Shield Plans offer clues

Escalating claims and rising cost of care – usually in private-care settings – are causing companies’ group-health premiums to rise by an average of 15% to 20% a year.

https://bt.sg/5bTS6

Sinar Mas’ APP says most fires began outside 3 supplier concessions amid Singapore haze scrutiny

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) said that there had been no fire-related violations by its suppliers between 2023 and 2026

https://bt.sg/5sGHJ

Palm oil company First Resources “confident” of clearing name in haze allegations

First Resources said it will cooperate fully with authorities.

https://bt.sg/8iYW

Start your day with BT ☕️:

Stocks to watch: First Resources, Keppel Reit https://bt.sg/qRza

Top stories:
1. Property: Keppel Reit to buy 51% stake in Keppel South Central for S$610.9 million https://bt.sg/biaV

2. Companies: ‘IPOs are not the only vehicle’: KKR heads for record exits even as firms stay private for longer https://bt.sg/qnyk

3. Companies: Asus secures US$2 billion HSBC-arranged loan to support AI push https://bt.sg/L8mE

Indonesia shields consumers from oil shock as energy import bill jumps 40%

Government subsidies have limited the impact on household energy bills, while higher coal and palm oil prices are helping to offset the pressure from costlier oil imports.

https://bt.sg/syqJ

Citi Asean investment banking revenue up 35% as regional dealmaking picks up

The bank expects a record year for client activity in its investment banking business in South-east Asia.

https://bt.sg/o72Zw