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SingPost announces 20-cent rate hike for standard mail, now 51 cents

Singapore public postal provider, SingPost has announced a significant rate hike of 20 cents for standard regular mail to 51 cents, effective 9 October 2023, marking the largest increase since 2014.

Citing digital disruption and declining mail volumes, the company aims to simplify the domestic postage rate by eliminating weight criteria. To ease the transition, Singapore households will receive a stamp booklet.

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SINGAPORE: Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) has today stated its intention to raise the standard regular mail rate by 20 cents, making it 51 cents from the previous 31 cents, effective 9 October 2023. According to SingPost, this is the most significant rate hike since 2014.

SingPost claims the rise in rates is due to the growing costs of maintaining the postal service, a sentiment shared by many postal firms globally. The company cites the challenges of digital disruption leading to decreased postal volumes.

In what appears to be a move to streamline its services, SingPost has shared plans to simplify the domestic postage rate structure by the end of October 2023.

They will reportedly eliminate the weight criteria for a more user-centric experience.

Additionally, SingPost has announced its intention to distribute a 1st Local stamp booklet, containing ten stamps, to each Singapore household as a gesture to help customers adjust to the rate increase.

The firm has put forward figures suggesting a more than 40% decline in mail volumes between FY2018/19 and FY2022/23.

SingPost attributes this decrease to digital shifts, which they say has made it challenging to maintain commercial viability given increased operational costs like labour, utilities, and fuel.

Ms Neo Su Yin, the CEO of SingPost, commented on the rate change, indicating that despite withstanding inflationary costs since 2014, current market pressures make a price revision necessary for the company’s sustainability.

She further shared SingPost’s strategic plans to navigate towards eCommerce and logistics as potential avenues to counteract declining postal volumes and tap new business opportunities.

While reiterating its commitment to maintaining high-quality service standards, SingPost asserts its ongoing efforts in self-service, digital platforms, infrastructure enhancement, and sustainability initiatives. The company is positioning itself as an advocate for a greener and sustainable ecosystem.

In collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), SingPost has also mentioned it is reviewing its postal business model, aiming for a longer-term strategy to address what they describe as challenges in attaining commercial sustainability in the digital age.

The revision of mail rates should not come as a surprise, as Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, Mr Tan Kiat How, had previously hinted at potential postage rate adjustments to ensure SingPost’s business model remains viable without the need for direct Government funding.

Mr Tan was responding to queries from Mr Seah Kian Peng, MP for Marine Parade GRC, during the Parliamentary sitting in July—before being appointed Speaker of Parliament appointment due to Tan Chuan-Jin’s resignation.

Mr Seah had raised questions about the measures being adopted to ensure the viability of SingPost’s domestic post and parcel business in light of the declining traditional letter mail volumes.

He emphasized the potential degradation of services and the implications for local employment amidst restructuring.

Mr Tan highlighted SingPost’s dual role: as both a public postal licensee with service obligations and as a commercial entity accountable to its shareholders.

He pointed to the significant decline in domestic letter volumes due to the rise of digitalization and noted that most mail users today are businesses.

Mr Tan reassured Parliament that IMDA, as the postal regulator, will collaborate closely with SingPost. They will review costs, operations, and the relevance of current postal service obligations, especially in today’s digital age.

Furthermore, he hinted at potential postage rate adjustments to ensure SingPost’s business model remains viable without resorting to direct Government funding.

When pressed by Mr Seah about the assurance of service quality and the extent of rate adjustments, Mr Tan emphasized the existing quality of service framework and the ongoing dialogues between IMDA and SingPost.

These discussions take into account cost overheads, declining volumes, and the operating environment.

On the topic of local employment, Mr Tan underscored SingPost’s responsibility as an employer and its active engagement with unions representing postal employees.

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis, MP for Sengkang GRC, further enquired about the regulatory framework and any potential government subsidies to SingPost.

Mr Tan clarified that SingPost operates as a business in Singapore under a license without any subsidies.

The terms and conditions, including service quality, form an integral part of its regulated operations. Regarding commercial aspects, he reminded everyone that SingPost is a publicly listed company, and specific corporate decisions rest with its board and management.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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2 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Arts & Culture

Epigram Books to close SAM bookshop amid low sales and footfall

Epigram Books will shut down its bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum on 26 January 2025, citing low sales and foot traffic. The independent bookstore, known for supporting local authors, will continue to operate its online store, but its future in brick-and-mortar retail is uncertain.

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3 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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Epigram Books, a major supporter of Singaporean literature, will close its Epigram Coffee Bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) on 26 January 2025.

The decision comes after years of struggling with low sales and foot traffic at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark location, marking the end of the bookstore’s three-year lease.

The announcement on 19 September follows Times Bookstores’ closure of its final outlet in Holland Road, highlighting the growing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar bookstores in Singapore.

Edmund Wee, publisher at Epigram Books, expressed disappointment, stating: “We tried everything to make this work. Over the past three years, we’ve often asked ourselves, how many people even knew our bookstore existed here, let alone visited?”

Despite efforts to boost traffic, including operating shuttles to increase accessibility, the bookstore struggled to attract visitors consistently.

Epigram Coffee Bookshop, previously located at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre on Maxwell Road and later in a pop-up at Beach Road, relocated to SAM in May 2022 in partnership with Balestier Market Collective.

The 20-seater store featured towering shelves showcasing local and Southeast Asian titles, including books from other independent publishers like Ethos Books and Math Paper Press.

However, the location’s industrial setting, which only saw spikes in visitors during major exhibitions like Olafur Eliasson’s, limited consistent footfall.

The closure coincides with the end of Eliasson’s exhibit on 22 September 2024. Although the exhibition provided a temporary boost to the bookshop’s sales, Epigram noted that the increased traffic was short-lived.

Epigram’s future in physical retail remains uncertain. Mr Wee indicated that high rental costs make reopening a physical store unlikely: “Unless rent prices relent, it’s unlikely we’ll move into another space.”

Epigram Books has been a significant presence in Singapore’s independent book scene, promoting local authors and holding literary events.

The bookshop was also a community hub for the literary arts, hosting numerous book launches and events supporting local writers. “These spaces are special to our literary arts community. They’re where book lovers gather, where literary events and book launches happen in support of our writers,” said Mr Wee.

Despite the closure of the SAM store, Epigram will continue to operate its online store. The publisher emphasized the need for continued support from readers: “We’ve come this far with everyone’s support, and we look forward to continued support from our readers as we transition to focus on online sales.”

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