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KUCHING: Kim Teck Cheong Consolidated Berhad (KTC) will invest RM30 million to establish Gardenia Bakeries (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sanjung Etika Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Yayasan Sarawak. The collaboration aims to establish a joint venture that combines Gardenia’s expertise in bakery manufacturing with Yayasan Sarawak’s role in human capital and community development. Under the MoU, both parties are expected to conclude a Joint Venture Agreement and Shareholders’ Agreement within the next three months before the new entity commences operations. As part of the project, KTC has applied for a 7.56-acre parcel of land from the Sarawak government to develop a Gardenia bread manufacturing plant. The project is expected to create about 500 employment opportunities, particularly for local graduates and skilled workers in Sarawak. KTC Executive Director Datuk Dexter Lau said the investment reflected the group’s long-term confidence in Sarawak’s economic prospects and workforce. “Ten years ago, KTC started its operations in Sarawak without any employees. Today, we employ about 400 Sarawakians, representing 32.5 per cent of our total workforce. “This demonstrates the state’s ability to produce highly skilled and competitive talent through its effective administration, education system and human capital development,” he said. According to Lau, KTC has invested approximately RM300 million in Sarawak to date, generating annual revenue of about RM400 million while managing operating and trading assets worth RM140 million. He said the establishment of the Gardenia manufacturing facility is expected to strengthen the state’s food supply chain, stimulate economic activities and create greater employment opportunities. The company also plans to introduce a special Gardenia “Sarawak Edition” product range featuring exclusive packaging inspired by Sarawak’s unique identity and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, KTC expressed support for the Sarawak government’s long-term economic agenda, including the establishment of the Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office (STATOS) in Pontianak, Indonesia. The company said it intends to leverage the platform to explore cross-border trade and investment opportunities, positioning Sarawak as a strategic regional operations hub. KTC expressed hope that the RM30 million investment would be implemented expeditiously with the continued support of the Sarawak government, contributing towards food security, sustainable economic growth and broader socio-economic development in the state.

Driver involved in Stamford Road crash gets 4 months’ jail | The Straits Times https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/driver-who-sped-on-cte-and-overturned-car-in-stamford-road-crash-gets-4-months-jail   Full Details: CTE Joyride & Stamford Road Crash Case   Source: The Straits Times | Published: 13 July 2026 | Reporter: Claudia Tan       Sentenced on 13 July 2026   Lee Jun En Gilviz, 23, pleaded guilty to one charge of dangerous driving:   - Sentence: 4 months’ imprisonment - Disqualification: 3-year driving ban starting from his release date - Prior record: Convicted in 2023 for using a mobile phone while driving - Restitution: He has fully compensated for all property damage caused       Background of the Incident   Date & Time: Early hours of 27 October 2024, about 1am Location: Along PIE → CTE → Orchard Road → Bras Basah Road → Raffles Boulevard → Stamford Road (near Fort Canning Tunnel) Group: 6 drivers who met at a Stadium Boulevard carpark for a high-speed joyride   Speeding Details   - CTE (Rangoon Road exit, limit 90km/h): Lee drove 141–181km/h - Stamford Road/Victoria Street junction (limit 50km/h): He entered at 122–144km/h (more than double the limit) - Other group members reached up to 203km/h on CTE   How the Crash Unfolded   1. Goh Jared-Kane braked hard while turning right from Stamford Road into Queen Street 2. Kong Jia Quan collided into the rear of Goh’s car 3. Lee swerved sharply right, mounted the grass verge, and his vehicle overturned 4. Second collision: Marcus Lau braked to avoid debris; Damien Chia crashed into Lau’s car 5. Sherman Quah avoided collision and left the scene; others drove to a nearby building   Losses & Injuries   - Property damage: Roadside plants, road sign, traffic light – total over $2,900 - Lee’s injuries: Neck sprain, chest/abdominal bruises, right hand grazes; passenger unhurt - Vehicle damage: Lee’s car front end dented/torn off, mirror shattered, windscreen cracked - Arrest: Lee was taken into custody on 2 March 2025       Prosecution & Defence   - Prosecution: Asked for 4–6 months’ jail + 3–4 year ban; said driving was deliberate and sustained, not a momentary error - Defence: Highlighted full compensation paid by Lee - Penalty for dangerous driving: Up to $5,000 fine, 12 months’ jail, or both       Co-Accused Status   Name Age Sentencing Date Outcome  Marcus Lau Yong Wei 35 26 June 2026 4 months’ jail + 3-year ban  Damien Chia Hwa Chuan 29 29 June 2026 4m 2w jail + 3-year ban  Sherman Quah Kok Rong 22 29 June 2026 2m 3w jail + 3-year ban  Goh Jared-Kane 26 — Case pending  Kong Jia Quan 24 — Case pending        🔗 Original article: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/driver-who-sped-on-cte-and-overturned-car-in-stamford-road-crash-gets-4-months-jail      

Shrinkflation? Singaporean wishes their paycheck went up in tandem with prices of goods: "New bottle of 300ml green tea. Is this the accepted size going forward? Same price but less 200ml. Wow inflation sucks big time. 😔 Never knew this was coming. I wish my pay check went up in tandem but this is unacceptable," a Reddit user wrote 🔗 Read more: https://theindependent.sg/shrinkflation-singaporean-wishes-their-paycheck-went-up-in-tandem-with-prices-of-goods   Full Article Details: Shrinkflation in Singapore – Green Tea Incident & Public Grievances   Source: The Independent Singapore | Author: Anna Maria Romero | Date: July 14, 2026       📌 What Sparked the Discussion?   On July 12, 2026, a user posted on Reddit’s r/Singapore, sharing a photo of a new 300ml bottle of unsweetened green tea, asking:   “Is this inflation at work? 300ml vs 500ml… New bottle of 300ml green tea. Is this the accepted size going forward? Same price but less 200ml. Wow, inflation sucks big time. Never knew this was coming. I wish my paycheck went up in tandem, but this is unacceptable.”   The post quickly resonated with many, who saw it as a clear example of shrinkflation – when product size/quantity drops but the retail price stays the same, effectively raising cost per unit.       🧐 Fact-Check Clarification   It was later confirmed that the brand still sells both sizes in Singapore:   - 500ml bottle: ~S$1.65 - New 300ml bottle: ~S$1.35 The smaller size is not a replacement, but an added option – though the poster may have only seen the new variant and assumed it replaced the larger one. Bulk purchases also lower unit costs.   One commenter noted: “It’s a concept in Japan where people just get enough to prevent wastage, even if it’s much worse value.”       💬 Broader Public Complaints   The thread turned into a litany of examples of shrinkflation Singaporeans have noticed:   - Beverages: 7-11 500ml drinks rose from S$1 to S$1.20 + S$0.10 deposit under the BCRS scheme; cans shrank from 375ml → 330ml → now some at 320ml; Yeo’s bottles reduced in size - Groceries: Milk/juice downsized from 2L to 1.89L; pre-packed foods like cookies, cereals, chips lighter; Ribena pastilles same price (~S$2.30) but dropped from 20 to 15 pieces - General sentiment: Prices keep climbing while wages lag behind – the core frustration voiced by the original poster was widely echoed.   Some shared practical workarounds, such as: “Just brew your own using teabags and store in fridge, much cheaper – 1 box of 50 makes 8 x 1.5L batches.”       ℹ️ What is Shrinkflation?   It is a hidden form of inflation: manufacturers cut quantity instead of raising the ticket price, so consumers pay more per millilitre/gram without an obvious price hike. Recent SingStat data notes instant coffee/tea, milk powder, ice cream, detergents and diapers are among categories most affected in Singapore.       Original link: https://theindependent.sg/shrinkflation-singaporean-wishes-their-paycheck-went-up-in-tandem-with-prices-of-goods    

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