Singapore



'Tears and laughter': Fish merchants reflect on 27 years of memories after moving from Senoko to Jurong Fishery Port

After 27 years of calling Senoko Fishery Port their home, some 21 fish merchants have begun moving to new market lots in Jurong on Monday (March 18) night. For Tan Yew Meng, the move to Jurong Fishery Port, which is Singapore's only other fishing port, is
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'Tears and laughter': Fish merchants reflect on 27 years of memories after moving from Senoko to Jurong Fishery Port

After 27 years of calling Senoko Fishery Port their home, some 21 fish merchants have begun moving to new market lots in Jurong on Monday (March 18) night. For Tan Yew Meng, the move to Jurong Fishery Port, which is Singapore's only other fishing port, is a fresh start after two years of low footfall at the Senoko facility. The 64-year-old, who manages San Wong Fishery, told AsiaOne on the first day of relocation in Mandarin: «I miss the lively crowds during Chinese New Year in the first few years at Senoko. »But business has been getting from bad to worse over the past two years. There aren't a lot of people there anymore.« In June 2020, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced that the Senoko port would be closed and the land it sits on, the size of four-and-a-half football fields, would be returned to the state. Its future use is not known. SFA said that the closure of Senoko Fishery Port is due to »declining activity and customer patronage" there. The volume of seafood handled at Senoko dropped from 15,190 tonnes in 2000 to 2,743 tonnes 22 years later.

PAP says it will not seek Pritam Singh's suspension as MP while legal proceedings are ongoing

The People's Action Party (PAP) has said it will not seek to suspend Pritam Singh as a Member of Parliament (MP) while legal proceedings are ongoing. On Tuesday (March 19) morning, the Workers' Party (WP) chief pleaded not guilty to two charges of making fa
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PAP says it will not seek Pritam Singh's suspension as MP while legal proceedings are ongoing

The People's Action Party (PAP) has said it will not seek to suspend Pritam Singh as a Member of Parliament (MP) while legal proceedings are ongoing. On Tuesday (March 19) morning, the Workers' Party (WP) chief pleaded not guilty to two charges of making false statements before a parliamentary committee that was looking into the conduct of former WP MP Raeesah Khan, who lied in the House in 2021. PAP's organising secretary Grace Fu said in a media statement on Tuesday there have been queries if the party will, through its MPs, seek to suspend the Leader of the Opposition, given that he has now been formally charged in court. «The PAP MPs will not be seeking Mr Singh's suspension as an MP while legal proceedings are pending,» she said, adding that this is in line with Parliament's resolution to defer any sanctions until after the conclusion of the investigations and criminal proceedings, if any, against Singh.

82-year-old nearly loses $3.7 million to scammers, saved by Anti-Scam Centre and banks

SINGAPORE — An elderly man was targeted in three scam attempts over two months and would have lost a total of S$3.7 million, if not for the swift intervention of the police and his banks. The 82-year-old was repeatedly victimised in February and March, bu
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82-year-old nearly loses $3.7 million to scammers, saved by Anti-Scam Centre and banks

SINGAPORE — An elderly man was targeted in three scam attempts over two months and would have lost a total of S$3.7 million, if not for the swift intervention of the police and his banks. The 82-year-old was repeatedly victimised in February and March, but the Anti-Scam Centre (ASC), CIMB bank and Hong Leong Finance helped to reduce his losses and shield him from further harm. The police said on March 19 that in the first case, several transactions in the victim's bank account totalling $2.1 million were detected by CIMB's fraud management team on Feb 6. This prompted ASC and CIMB officers to visit him at his home. CIMB officers also suspended his bank account to prevent further losses. Subsequently, $1.3 million was recovered, but $800,000 was lost to scammers and sent overseas before a police report was filed. On Feb 7, ASC was alerted by the victim's son that three cheques amounting to $1.2 million were issued by Hong Leong Finance under the victim's instruction to three individuals. ASC instructed the bank to hold the cheques as they waited for further verifications.

Yishun resident convicted after failing to pay town council charges since 2017

SINGAPORE — A Housing Board resident who stopped paying service and conservancy charges because she was unhappy with Nee Soon Town Council found herself in court over unpaid bills amounting to $565.50. Chan Geok Eng failed to pay town council fees from Ma
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Yishun resident convicted after failing to pay town council charges since 2017

SINGAPORE — A Housing Board resident who stopped paying service and conservancy charges because she was unhappy with Nee Soon Town Council found herself in court over unpaid bills amounting to $565.50. Chan Geok Eng failed to pay town council fees from March 2017 to July 2018. Despite getting letters of demand, she stopped paying the charges because the town council did not carry out her wishes to dispose of shoes and potted plants that her neighbours had placed along the common corridor. To date, Chan owes the town council $3,040.70, according to a court judgment regarding her conviction that was published on March 16. Under the Town Councils Act, the owner or tenant of a flat who fails to pay charges or interest owed to the town council within 14 days from the date a written demand is served on him can be fined up to $1,000. Chan, who was self-represented, was found guilty of the offence following a trial. In the judgment, District Judge Wong Li Tein noted that the failure to pay town council charges was a strict liability offence.

Man jailed after trying to help another man 'tailgate' into Taylor Swift concert

SINGAPORE – A man who attempted to get another man to “tailgate” a concertgoer into Taylor Swift’s concert has been jailed for two weeks in what is believed to be the Republic’s first concluded prosecution linked to the American pop star’s Eras To
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Man jailed after trying to help another man 'tailgate' into Taylor Swift concert

SINGAPORE – A man who attempted to get another man to “tailgate” a concertgoer into Taylor Swift’s concert has been jailed for two weeks in what is believed to be the Republic’s first concluded prosecution linked to the American pop star’s Eras Tour. Eleven days after the failed attempt on March 7, Chinese national Wu Zhihong, 54, had to face the music as he pleaded guilty to one charge of criminal trespass. Appearing in court on March 18 via video-link from remand and speaking via a Mandarin interpreter, Wu said: “I never knew that there would be such serious consequences for this.” The court heard that between February and March 2024, Mr Yan Shuqing, 20, searched Chinese e-commerce platforms for resale Singapore Eras Tour tickets. He bought a ticket online for 3,000 yuan (S$570) from a seller on March 6. The seller told him to arrive at the National Stadium ahead of the concert on March 7 – Swift’s fourth show – for his “staff” to help him go through the gates. On the day of the concert, Mr Yan met Wu at the Singapore Sports Hub, where Wu gave him a lanyard and an A4-sized Taylor Swift poster.

Worker, 23, dies following accident in Bedok industrial building

A 23-year-old foreign worker died last Saturday (March 16) afternoon after he was involved in an industrial accident in Bedok North. The accident happened at a kueh factory in the building owned by JTC Corporation, 8world reported. According to the Chines
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Worker, 23, dies following accident in Bedok industrial building

A 23-year-old foreign worker died last Saturday (March 16) afternoon after he was involved in an industrial accident in Bedok North. The accident happened at a kueh factory in the building owned by JTC Corporation, 8world reported. According to the Chinese publication, the worker was taken to Changi General Hospital after he was reportedly crushed by a machine. Responding to AsiaOne's queries on Monday, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said they conveyed a man to hospital after receiving a call for assistance at 8.25am on March 16. The police said that they received a call for assistance from the hospital at 3.35pm, after the man died. «Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play,» they added. Police investigations are ongoing. AsiaOne has contacted JTC Corporation for more information. There were 36 fatal workplace accidents in 2023, according to the Ministry of Manpower.

NTU scientist admits sending messages asking for sex with 12-year-old girls

SINGAPORE — A scientist from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) sent messages to foreign mobile phone numbers in 2019 and 2020 in an attempt to arrange for commercial sex with children as young as 12 years old. Jason Scott Herrin, 49, a principal resea
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NTU scientist admits sending messages asking for sex with 12-year-old girls

SINGAPORE — A scientist from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) sent messages to foreign mobile phone numbers in 2019 and 2020 in an attempt to arrange for commercial sex with children as young as 12 years old. Jason Scott Herrin, 49, a principal research fellow at NTU at the time of the offences, was also found to have 31 obscene films and 90 photographs of child abuse after his phone was seized in August 2020. On March 18, 2024, the American pleaded guilty to two charges — communicating with another person for the purpose of obtaining commercial sex with a minor under 18, and another of possessing child abuse material. Another two charges were taken into consideration for sentencing. When Herrin was charged in January 2022, NTU's website listed him as a staff scientist at the Facility for Analysis, Characterisation, Testing and Simulation. The Earth Observatory of Singapore's website stated at the time that he was «involved in volcano research and the study of meteorites and asteroid impacts on Earth».

Secondary 3 students invited to NDP NE shows after missing out due to Covid-19 restrictions

Students who missed out on the National Day Parade National Education (NE) shows during the Covid-19 pandemic will be invited to attend the shows in 2024 and 2025. In a press release on Monday (March 18), the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said that these s
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Secondary 3 students invited to NDP NE shows after missing out due to Covid-19 restrictions

Students who missed out on the National Day Parade National Education (NE) shows during the Covid-19 pandemic will be invited to attend the shows in 2024 and 2025. In a press release on Monday (March 18), the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said that these students were the Primary 5 cohorts who were unable to attend the shows due to pandemic-related restrictions in 2020 and 2021. Primary 5 students are usually given the opportunity to attend a NE Show, which is part of the students' collective NE learning experience since 1997. «This experience aims to celebrate Singapore's progress as a nation and deepen our youths' appreciation of the Singaporean identity,» the defence ministry added.  All current Secondary 3 students in Ministry of Education institutions will be invited to attend one of three NE shows which will take place on July 6, 13, or 20 this year. Invitations will be sent out to parents via MOE's Parents Gateway portal between March 20 and 21. All interested attendees must indicate their interest by March 27, in order to apply for a ticket.

China warns citizens in Singapore to stay away from gambling

BEIJING — China's embassy in Singapore on Monday (March 18) urged its citizens in the city-state to stay away from all forms of betting, saying gambling overseas violates Chinese laws. The warning comes as Beijing intensifies its efforts to crack down o
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China warns citizens in Singapore to stay away from gambling

BEIJING — China's embassy in Singapore on Monday (March 18) urged its citizens in the city-state to stay away from all forms of betting, saying gambling overseas violates Chinese laws. The warning comes as Beijing intensifies its efforts to crack down on Chinese citizens gambling across Southeast Asia, a popular tourist destination. In a statement, the embassy «solemnly reminded» the majority of Chinese in Singapore to enhance their legal awareness and stay away from gambling. Singapore is home to two casinos, one operated by Las Vegas Sands and the other Genting Singapore. «Even if overseas casinos are legally opened, cross-border gambling by Chinese citizens is suspected of violating the laws of our country,» the embassy said, adding that embassies and consulates may not be able to provide consular protection for violations. China has been intensifying its crack down on cross-border, off-shore and online gambling, sending similar warnings to several countries as it tries to curb these illegal activities and threats to citizens abroad.

'Some passengers were bleeding': Private bus crashes into SBS Transit bus at JB checkpoint

Several travellers had their early morning commute across the Causeway disrupted after two Singapore-bound buses collided at the Johor CIQ complex today (March 18). Photos and videos shared on Facebook show the shattered door and window of an SBS Transit b
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'Some passengers were bleeding': Private bus crashes into SBS Transit bus at JB checkpoint

Several travellers had their early morning commute across the Causeway disrupted after two Singapore-bound buses collided at the Johor CIQ complex today (March 18). Photos and videos shared on Facebook show the shattered door and window of an SBS Transit bus, with glass shards littering across the seats and floor of the vehicle. Meanwhile, there was visible damage on the rear of the private bus that had caused the crash. Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Chen, a passenger who was on board bus service 160, said that the bus was leaving the checkpoint when the private bus reversed and collided into it. The 29-year-old woman was standing at the exit of the bus and suffered a cut on her calf from the broken pieces of glass. Her ankle was also bleeding. «Some passengers were bleeding from their wrists, and I saw a passenger on the private bus who was bleeding from his forehead. My husband's arm was slightly injured,» she recounted.

Woman gets probation for failing to promptly report friend's rape to police

SINGAPORE — A woman, who failed to alert the police despite having reasons to believe that a man had raped her friend, was ordered to undergo probation for a year and nine months on March 18. The 22-year-old woman had also committed other unrelated offence
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Woman gets probation for failing to promptly report friend's rape to police

SINGAPORE — A woman, who failed to alert the police despite having reasons to believe that a man had raped her friend, was ordered to undergo probation for a year and nine months on March 18. The 22-year-old woman had also committed other unrelated offences including cheating. As part of the sentence, she has to remain indoors from 11pm to 6am every day and perform 100 hours of community service. Her mother was also bonded for $5,000 to ensure her good behaviour. The names of all parties linked to this case have been redacted from court documents. On Feb 1, the offender admitted in court that she had failed to immediately give information to police about the rape. The prosecution said she was legally bound to do so. The woman had also pleaded guilty to cheating and other offences. The woman, the 23-year-old victim, a 19-year-old male youth and a 20-year-old man were part of a party of eight who had gathered in a room at Hotel Royal in Newton Road during the Covid-19 pandemic on Nov 28, 2021. The teenager was identified in court documents as B1, and the 20-year-old man, B2.

Supper surcharge? Man says he paid extra $4 for meal at Lau Pa Sat

Does it cost extra to have supper at Lau Pa Sat?  One diner was left puzzled after he was charged extra for his plate of fried rice and chicken wings.  Sharing his experience on Reddit, the unnamed diner visited a Western food stall at Lau Pa Sat after
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Supper surcharge? Man says he paid extra $4 for meal at Lau Pa Sat

Does it cost extra to have supper at Lau Pa Sat?  One diner was left puzzled after he was charged extra for his plate of fried rice and chicken wings.  Sharing his experience on Reddit, the unnamed diner visited a Western food stall at Lau Pa Sat after attending Taylor Swift's concert on March 9. He wrote that his meal originally cost $7.80, but he was told that he would be charged an additional $2 as it was after midnight, which he agreed to.  As the stall owner was keying in his order into the cash register, he noticed she selected a different item.  He tried to stop her, but was told to «wait» as she continued keying in the wrong order.  «I was expecting to pay $9.80 but was surprised when the lady asked me to pay $11.80 and didn't give me the receipt.»  When the diner tried to ask for his receipt, he was given one with random items such as «ramyeon», «cheese», and «take-away», which added up to $11.80, the amount he ended up paying.  He was told that the Western food stall that he ordered from was a sister company of the Korean food stall next door. 

No loitering on property: Marina Bay Sands rolls out new guidelines for visiting tour groups

They're welcome to visit, but they're advised not to linger. From March 16, large groups of tourists visiting the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) have to comply with a new set of guidelines introduced to «ensure an optimal guest experience for visitors»
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No loitering on property: Marina Bay Sands rolls out new guidelines for visiting tour groups

They're welcome to visit, but they're advised not to linger. From March 16, large groups of tourists visiting the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) have to comply with a new set of guidelines introduced to «ensure an optimal guest experience for visitors», said an advisory issued by the integrated resort. One of the four new measures prohibits tour groups from loitering around MBS' premises, including its hotel lobby, convention centre and luxury shopping mall. Tour guides will also not be allowed to use handheld signage, flags and portable microphones. Group briefings should also be conducted elsewhere, such as in the coach or at the public areas outside of MBS. Tour groups visiting the SkyPark Observation Deck should avoid passing through the hotel lobby and proceed directly to the entrance located at the exterior of Tower 3.

Family of 5 rides PMA outside Anchorpoint, sparks debate online

It's a family road trip - but they're travelling on a personal mobility aid (PMA) instead. Two adults and three young children were seen riding a single PMA along a road outside Anchorpoint in a video uploaded to Facebook group SG Road Vigilante on Sunda
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Family of 5 rides PMA outside Anchorpoint, sparks debate online

It's a family road trip - but they're travelling on a personal mobility aid (PMA) instead. Two adults and three young children were seen riding a single PMA along a road outside Anchorpoint in a video uploaded to Facebook group SG Road Vigilante on Sunday (March 17). In dashcam footage captured by another motorist, they can be seen driving out from the sidewalk and onto the road. Onboard the PMA is a family of five — a child sits in front of the father while the mother occupies the back seat, clutching two other kids in her arms. The PMA navigates over two road bumps and scoots past a third before driving down a slope that merges into the main road. Before entering the road, however, the man turns his PMA back onto the footpath, driving off. After viewing the video clip, many netizens expressed outrage at the PMA rider for bringing his family on board the device. «First world country, third world citizens,» said one Facebook user. Another commented: «Creating trouble for others only.»

Singapore exploring use of nuclear energy in densely populated areas; safety study underway

SINGAPORE - With limited options for renewable energy, Singapore is not ruling out the use of nuclear energy to cut emissions from its power sector while safeguarding the nation’s energy security – and the Republic is learning from the best minds in the f
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Singapore exploring use of nuclear energy in densely populated areas; safety study underway

SINGAPORE - With limited options for renewable energy, Singapore is not ruling out the use of nuclear energy to cut emissions from its power sector while safeguarding the nation’s energy security – and the Republic is learning from the best minds in the field as part of the decision-making process. The Straits Times understands that teams from government agencies in Singapore, such as the Energy Market Authority (EMA), have conducted visits to countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Germany to engage international organisations and partners on nuclear energy. In response to queries, a spokesman for EMA said: “Given the technical complexity and ongoing developments in advanced nuclear energy and fusion technologies, Singapore is building capabilities to better understand the safety implications of deploying such technologies in small and densely populated countries. “(This includes) engaging international organisations and partners to deepen our understanding of evolving nuclear technologies and facilitate information sharing.”

Elderly PMA rider taken to hospital after accident in Bukit Panjang, driver arrested

SINGAPORE – A 68-year-old woman was taken unconscious to hospital after an accident between a car and two personal mobility aids (PMAs) in Bukit Panjang on March 16. The 32-year-old male car driver was arrested for careless driving causing grievous hurt.
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Elderly PMA rider taken to hospital after accident in Bukit Panjang, driver arrested

SINGAPORE – A 68-year-old woman was taken unconscious to hospital after an accident between a car and two personal mobility aids (PMAs) in Bukit Panjang on March 16. The 32-year-old male car driver was arrested for careless driving causing grievous hurt. The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were alerted to the accident, which happened at the junction of Bukit Panjang Ring Road and Segar Road, at about 4.15pm. The woman was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Another person declined to be taken to hospital after being assessed for minor injuries, said the SCDF. Photos of the accident’s aftermath, posted by Facebook group SG Road Vigilante – SGRV, show a black multi-purpose vehicle in the middle lane, just after the traffic light. A PMA with a blue seat cushion can be seen crushed under the front of the car. Some belongings are scattered on the ground near the site. Four paramedics and two police officers can be seen attending to a person on the ground. Two police cars can also be seen near the accident site, with several safety cones put up around it.

Maid threw stolen $10k downstairs for her friend to send to Indonesia, gets jail

When domestic helper Kiswanti was tasked with assisting her 92-year-old wheelchair-bound employer to withdraw money, she seized the opportunity to take some for herself. And while her former employer was in the hospital, Kiswanti stole their ATM card and wi
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Maid threw stolen $10k downstairs for her friend to send to Indonesia, gets jail

When domestic helper Kiswanti was tasked with assisting her 92-year-old wheelchair-bound employer to withdraw money, she seized the opportunity to take some for herself. And while her former employer was in the hospital, Kiswanti stole their ATM card and withdrew a total of $11,700 in just four months, reported Shin Min Daily News.  Consequently, the 47-year-old was sentenced to six months in prison on Friday (March 15). She had been charged with theft and criminal breach of trust.  According to investigations, Kiswanti had been working at her former employer's house since 2018 but was mainly responsible for cleaning and cooking at the time.  It was not until Nov 18, 2022, when the former employer began to use a wheelchair, that he asked the helper to aid him in withdrawing money. Typically, the former employer would be pushed by the maid to an ATM near Bedok Reservoir Road, where he would specify the desired bank account for withdrawal, handing her the ATM card and password.

11-year-old daughter of Sabah crash victim 'wants to hug mum', says aunt

The 11-year-old daughter of a woman who died after a tour bus ferrying passengers from Singapore crashed and overturned in Semporna, Sabah could not speak for some time after the accident and pined for her mother's embrace, the girl's aunt shared. The minibu
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11-year-old daughter of Sabah crash victim 'wants to hug mum', says aunt

The 11-year-old daughter of a woman who died after a tour bus ferrying passengers from Singapore crashed and overturned in Semporna, Sabah could not speak for some time after the accident and pined for her mother's embrace, the girl's aunt shared. The minibus that they were travelling in was involved in an accident with a lorry on March 11 at about 4pm, The Star reported. A 60-year-old Singaporean man identified as Lee Siong Huat and 40-year-old Vietnamese national Ngo Trinh Buu Dung died on the spot. The bus driver and five other passengers — including Ngo's 11-year-old daughter who suffered light injuries — were sent to the hospital, according to Shin Min Daily News. Ngo's remains arrived in Singapore on Friday (March 15) and a funeral was held in Bukit Batok.

37 victims form Telegram group to expose Taylor Swift ticket scammer

SINGAPORE - A 19-year-old student who lost about $510 to a scam involving the sale of tickets to American singer Taylor Swift’s concerts on Carousell went online to see if there were other victims. She was stunned when she and her friend, who had also bee
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37 victims form Telegram group to expose Taylor Swift ticket scammer

SINGAPORE - A 19-year-old student who lost about $510 to a scam involving the sale of tickets to American singer Taylor Swift’s concerts on Carousell went online to see if there were other victims. She was stunned when she and her friend, who had also been scammed, found a Telegram chat group called Taylor Swift Scammer with 35 people in it. They said they had been duped by the same woman on online marketplace Carousell. They shared screenshots of their interactions with the culprit, and many lodged police reports. Sarah (not her real name), who just completed her A-level examinations, said she was desperate to see Swift perform in The Eras Tour at the National Stadium between March 2 and 9, as she has been a fan since she was five years old. When Sarah and her friend could not get tickets on ticketing website Ticketmaster in July 2023, they scoured online platforms for sellers. Sarah, who currently works part-time in the banking industry, said: “My friend and I found a seller on Carousell who claimed she could guarantee us tickets. All we had to do was pay her the cost price of the tickets and $50 commission each.

Land the size of over 60 football fields to be reclaimed to expand Woodlands Checkpoint

SINGAPORE - About 44ha of land will be reclaimed as part of works to expand the Woodlands Checkpoint - a smaller area than what was initially studied, so as to minimise the impact on the environment. JTC Corporation and the Immigration and Checkpoints Author
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Land the size of over 60 football fields to be reclaimed to expand Woodlands Checkpoint

SINGAPORE - About 44ha of land will be reclaimed as part of works to expand the Woodlands Checkpoint - a smaller area than what was initially studied, so as to minimise the impact on the environment. JTC Corporation and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said about 34ha of land will be reclaimed on the western side of the Causeway linking Malaysia and Singapore, and 10ha on the eastern side. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted by JTC had studied a larger reclamation area - 36.4ha on the western side and 30.2ha on the eastern end. The size of the area has been reduced to 44ha - the size of more than 60 football fields - to minimise the environmental impact of reclamation work, said the agencies in response to queries. This will also maximise the distance between the Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat nature park and reclaimed land on the western side. Reclamation is tentatively scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2024 and slated to be completed by 2029.

Over $500k lost in 10 weeks: About 1,000 fans in Singapore fall victim to Taylor Swift ticket scams

SINGAPORE - The sixth and last concert American pop star Taylor Swift held in Singapore was on March 9, but police reports of e-commerce scams involving tickets to The Eras Tour are still coming in. Assistant Commissioner of Police Aileen Yap, who is also as
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Over $500k lost in 10 weeks: About 1,000 fans in Singapore fall victim to Taylor Swift ticket scams

SINGAPORE - The sixth and last concert American pop star Taylor Swift held in Singapore was on March 9, but police reports of e-commerce scams involving tickets to The Eras Tour are still coming in. Assistant Commissioner of Police Aileen Yap, who is also assistant director of the police's Anti-Scam Command (ASCom), said this in an exclusive interview with The Straits Times on March 11. AC Yap said the reports lodged include some from victims who bought tickets from resellers and went to the National Stadium, only to discover that the tickets were fake and they could not enter the venue. In other cases, scammers became uncontactable after receiving money from victims. AC Yap said: «Within the first few days of Taylor Swift arriving in Singapore, the number of reports relating to concert ticket scams just shot up.» The police said that between Jan 1 and March 12, at least 1,551 victims had fallen prey to e-commerce scams involving concert tickets, with total losses amounting to at least $737,000. At least 960 of these victims had fallen for scams involving tickets to Swift's concerts, and more than $538,000 was lost.

Singaporean man gets trapped after his car plunges into Johor river

KOTA TINGGI - A 49-year-old Singaporean man was rescued by Johor authorities after his multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) plunged into Ulu Sedili River in Johor on March 15. Mr Christopher Lim Teck Wnye was driving along Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing when he was believ
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Singaporean man gets trapped after his car plunges into Johor river

KOTA TINGGI - A 49-year-old Singaporean man was rescued by Johor authorities after his multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) plunged into Ulu Sedili River in Johor on March 15. Mr Christopher Lim Teck Wnye was driving along Jalan Kota Tinggi-Mersing when he was believed to have lost control of his Toyota Alphard and fell into the river, the Johor Fire and Rescue Department said in a statement. Eight officers were dispatched to the scene after passers-by made an emergency call at around 4pm. The rescue team found the man trapped in the driver’s seat of the car, which was partially submerged in the river. The bonnet of the MPV appeared damaged. Its windscreen was shattered. According to a China Press report on March 16, the man was almost drowned when water gushed into the MPV.

More people in Singapore getting kidney failure, number up by 40% over past decade

SINGAPORE - The number of people getting kidney failure here has gone up by 40 per cent over the past decade, with significantly more men and Malays suffering from it. Among patients starting dialysis in 2022, three in five were men, while proportionately, t
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More people in Singapore getting kidney failure, number up by 40% over past decade

SINGAPORE - The number of people getting kidney failure here has gone up by 40 per cent over the past decade, with significantly more men and Malays suffering from it. Among patients starting dialysis in 2022, three in five were men, while proportionately, three times more Malays than Chinese suffered from kidney failure. For every one million Malays, 459 required dialysis in 2022, compared with 150 per million for Chinese, and 183 for the Indian population. Kidney failure, or fifth-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD5), happens when the kidneys lose their ability to function, resulting in the accumulation of waste products and fluid in the body. Kidney disease is a major problem in Singapore. Globally, one in 10 people suffer from CKD. In Singapore, it is higher. The National Population Health Survey 2022 found that 14 per cent of the population had CKD, up from 9 per cent two years earlier.

'Super inconsiderate': Man and wheelchair-bound mum unable to board bus due to parked cars blocking the way

Grayson Yun, 43, and his wheelchair-bound mother, 65, had simply wanted to board a bus after a visit to the nursing home. Unfortunately, they ended up having to take a taxi home instead as the bus stop was blocked by cars parked along the side of the road.
Singapore

'Super inconsiderate': Man and wheelchair-bound mum unable to board bus due to parked cars blocking the way

Grayson Yun, 43, and his wheelchair-bound mother, 65, had simply wanted to board a bus after a visit to the nursing home. Unfortunately, they ended up having to take a taxi home instead as the bus stop was blocked by cars parked along the side of the road. Yun shared the incident in a post on the Facebook page Complaint Singapore on Friday (March 15).  He said that they had visited NTUC Health Nursing Home in Pasir Ris on that same day and went to the bus stop outside the nursing home.  However, the entire lane was lined with parked cars, several of which were unattended.  «This is super ultra inconsiderate and unacceptable! How is a [person in a] wheelchair going to board the bus?!» Yun said.  Speaking to AsiaOne, Yun shared that the incident happened at around 1.30pm.  He said that this was the first time he had witnessed something like this, adding that even more drivers came eventually and parked their vehicles at the bus stop.

Lorry driver who fled to Malaysia after fatal hit-and-run accident in Jurong charged

SINGAPORE - A lorry driver allegedly involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in August 2023 that killed a pedestrian in Jurong was arrested in Malaysia, and charged in court here on Saturday (March 16). Malaysian Safuan Tehda, 35, was handed one charge of d
Singapore

Lorry driver who fled to Malaysia after fatal hit-and-run accident in Jurong charged

SINGAPORE - A lorry driver allegedly involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident in August 2023 that killed a pedestrian in Jurong was arrested in Malaysia, and charged in court here on Saturday (March 16). Malaysian Safuan Tehda, 35, was handed one charge of dangerous driving causing death. According to his charge sheet, Safuan allegedly drove a lorry on Aug 25, 2023, at about 9.30am, and hit Mr Goh Eng Loo at the junction of Jurong West Avenue 2 and Bulim Avenue. Safuan had purportedly failed to stop and give way at the zebra crossing as Mr Goh was crossing it. The police said in a news release on March 15 that Mr Goh, 57, was taken conscious to the hospital, where he died. Safuan did not stop to help him nor report the accident to the police within 24 hours, said the police. He immediately fled to Malaysia. Through evidence, including video footage, from a witness and the Land Transport Authority, officers from the Traffic Police (TP) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority identified the driver and the lorry's vehicle registration number on the same day.

339 suspects being investigated over scam cases where victims lost more than $10m

SINGAPORE – The police are investigating 339 people for their suspected involvement in scams in which victims lost more than $10 million. A total of 231 men and 108 women, aged between 16 and 76, were rounded up in a police operation between March 1 and 14
Singapore

339 suspects being investigated over scam cases where victims lost more than $10m

SINGAPORE – The police are investigating 339 people for their suspected involvement in scams in which victims lost more than $10 million. A total of 231 men and 108 women, aged between 16 and 76, were rounded up in a police operation between March 1 and 14, the police said in a release on Friday (March 15). The suspected scammers or money mules are believed to be involved in more than 1,100 cases of scams, including investment, e-commerce, job, Internet love and friend impersonation scams. The suspects are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering or providing payment services without a licence. The offence of cheating carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of money laundering carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. The offence of carrying on a business to provide any type of payment service in Singapore without a licence carries a jail term of up to three years, a fine of up to $125,000, or both.

Man's body found at Bedok flat after neighbours discover foul-smelling fluid from unit

The decomposed body of a 76-year-old man was found inside his home after his neighbours noticed a foul-smelling liquid leaking from his unit.  The body was discovered at about 10.45am on Thursday (March 14) inside an eighth-floor unit at Block 713 Bedok Re
Singapore

Man's body found at Bedok flat after neighbours discover foul-smelling fluid from unit

The decomposed body of a 76-year-old man was found inside his home after his neighbours noticed a foul-smelling liquid leaking from his unit.  The body was discovered at about 10.45am on Thursday (March 14) inside an eighth-floor unit at Block 713 Bedok Reservoir Road, reported Shin Min Daily News.  When a reporter from Shin Min arrived at the scene that afternoon, three Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) personnel had broken into the unit.  Several police officers were also present.  There was also a pool of liquid outside the man's flat, and a foul smell in the air.  Four members of the elderly man's family were present to identify the body, but none of them wanted to be interviewed.  A resident, who did not want to be named, said that the deceased was a Chinese man who had been living in the flat alone for more than 40 years.  «I noticed the foul smell these few days and I saw the liquid on the floor, so I called his aunt who works nearby. She then informed his family members,» said the man, who lives on the same floor as the deceased. 

New playground for sleaze? 'Dodgy' beauty parlours from Orchard Towers find new home at Parklane mall

Nightlife outlets at the vice-tainted Orchard Towers were snuffed out last year when the police would no longer renew their public entertainment licences. But other dodgy businesses that used to thrive in the building — massage and beauty parlours tha
Singapore

New playground for sleaze? 'Dodgy' beauty parlours from Orchard Towers find new home at Parklane mall

Nightlife outlets at the vice-tainted Orchard Towers were snuffed out last year when the police would no longer renew their public entertainment licences. But other dodgy businesses that used to thrive in the building — massage and beauty parlours that offered sexual services — could also have quietly packed up and moved. Their new home appears to be at Parklane Shopping Mall in Selegie Road, reported Lianhe Zaobao.  Wu Jiashun (transliteration), chairman of the mall's management corporation, told the Chinese daily that there used to be 10 to 15 massage and beauty parlours at Parklane, but at least 10 new outlets have popped up since last November.  Wu said that they have been cooperating closely with the police over the past decade to weed out the establishments suspected of vice activities. «The police will conduct regular spot-checks and the dodgy establishments will suspend operations afterwards. But they will typically open for business the next day as if nothing had happened,» he said. «We recently issued notices to owners suspected of engaging in such illicit activities, but some denied being involved.»

Photo of servicemen at training with racist caption posted online, SAF investigating

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is investigating a photo posted on social media that featured its servicemen during training, and was accompanied by a racial slur. The photo, which was put up on Instagram Stories on March 13, showed six soldiers with camouf
Singapore

Photo of servicemen at training with racist caption posted online, SAF investigating

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is investigating a photo posted on social media that featured its servicemen during training, and was accompanied by a racial slur. The photo, which was put up on Instagram Stories on March 13, showed six soldiers with camouflage paint on their faces, posing with their rifles in a forested area. It was accompanied by a caption that said: “Chiong sua n*****s”, using a racial slur that has long been used to degrade black people. The Instagram account that posted it has since been made private and removed its profile picture. In response to queries, the Ministry of Defence said the SAF holds its service personnel to “high standards of discipline and integrity”. It said that there are clear policies and rules on unauthorised photography in restricted areas, adding that the SAF does not condone the use of derogatory or abusive language. Restricted areas may include places such as SAF camps and training areas. “The SAF... will take appropriate disciplinary actions against those found to have broken the rules or engaged in misconduct.”

Singaporean accused of punching and injuring police officer in Phuket over traffic fine

A Singaporean man reportedly attacked a police officer in Phuket who issued him a traffic fine on Wednesday (March 13). Lim Jia Jie, 37, was stopped by officers at a police checkpoint in Cherng Talay on Wednesday afternoon, reported Thai news outlet Thaig
Singapore

Singaporean accused of punching and injuring police officer in Phuket over traffic fine

A Singaporean man reportedly attacked a police officer in Phuket who issued him a traffic fine on Wednesday (March 13). Lim Jia Jie, 37, was stopped by officers at a police checkpoint in Cherng Talay on Wednesday afternoon, reported Thai news outlet Thaiger. The motorcyclist was issued a fine for not wearing a helmet and not producing a valid licence during the check. The penalty amount was not stated, though a fine of up to 2,000 baht (S$75) and 1,000 baht can be imposed for the offence of failing to wear a helmet and riding without a licence respectively. When paying the fine at Cherng Talay police station, however, Lim allegedly threw the cash at corporal Siriphet Kasemun, prompting the police to request him to leave the station. Refusing to comply, the Singaporean man allegedly punched Siriphet in the back of his head, causing the officer to suffer a minor injury. According to The Phuket News, Lim was subsequently restrained by officers and handed over to an investigation team for legal action. The Singaporean is facing criminal charges of insulting an officer on duty and attacking or obstructing an officer on duty.

Lorry driver arrested after crane hits Chinatown overhead bridge

SINGAPORE — A male driver was arrested on March 13 after the crane on his lorry hit an overhead bridge in Chinatown. The police said it was alerted to the accident in Eu Tong Sen Street towards Hill Street at about 11.10am and that the 46-year-old driver
Singapore

Lorry driver arrested after crane hits Chinatown overhead bridge

SINGAPORE — A male driver was arrested on March 13 after the crane on his lorry hit an overhead bridge in Chinatown. The police said it was alerted to the accident in Eu Tong Sen Street towards Hill Street at about 11.10am and that the 46-year-old driver suffered minor injuries. He refused to be taken to hospital, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said. The driver was subsequently arrested for driving a heavy motor vehicle exceeding an overall height of 4.5m without being escorted by a police officer or auxiliary police officer. Chinese news outlet Shin Min Daily News reported that the lorry was tilted to one side after the incident and its windshield was cracked. The lorry's door had the company's name, KH Waste Haulage Services, printed on it. The driver was handcuffed at the scene and taken away in a police car. An eyewitness working at a nearby bakery told Shin Min that she went out to see what had happened after hearing a loud bang, and saw the driver gripping his waist while exiting the lorry. The driver was handcuffed at the scene and taken away in a police car. PHOTO: Shin Min Daily News

$13m Toto jackpot: 3 lucky punters each walk away with about $4.5m

Three punters shared a jackpot of $13.4 million from the Toto draw on Thursday (March 14), each walking away with about $4.5 million. The jackpot had snowballed from $10 million before the results were announced last night. With no winners in the last thre
Singapore

$13m Toto jackpot: 3 lucky punters each walk away with about $4.5m

Three punters shared a jackpot of $13.4 million from the Toto draw on Thursday (March 14), each walking away with about $4.5 million. The jackpot had snowballed from $10 million before the results were announced last night. With no winners in the last three draws, the chance to win big had seen long queues at Singapore Pools outlets. One of the winners placed a $1 Quickpick Ordinary ticket at an NTUC FairPrice outlet under Block 135 Jurong Gateway Road. The other two winning tickets that cost $7 each were sold at an NTUC FairPrice outlet in Nex and a Singapore Pools betting shop under Block 505 Canberra Link. The winning numbers were: 8, 26, 34, 35, 45, 46. Fifteen other punters, who won the Group 2 prize, took home $101,000 each. The next Toto draw will be on next Monday (March 18) with an estimated jackpot of $1 million.

'Be responsible': JB petrol kiosk owner calls on drivers of 2 Singapore-registered cars to settle bills

A petrol kiosk owner in Johor Bahru has taken to Facebook hoping to get leads on drivers of two Singapore-registered cars who allegedly left without paying for their gas. Syanaz Naz posted her request on Facebook group Complaint Singapore along with a s
Singapore

'Be responsible': JB petrol kiosk owner calls on drivers of 2 Singapore-registered cars to settle bills

A petrol kiosk owner in Johor Bahru has taken to Facebook hoping to get leads on drivers of two Singapore-registered cars who allegedly left without paying for their gas. Syanaz Naz posted her request on Facebook group Complaint Singapore along with a still image from a CCTV footage of the car in question. The image shows a female driver pumping petrol on Wednesday (March 13), as well as the car's license plate number. Syanaz wrote that after the driver pumped the petrol into her car, she tapped her card on the reader to pay. However, the card payment failed, and the driver allegedly left before a petrol station staff could stop her. «If u want to pay by card, you must tap first — not pump first and then tap,» she explained. «Please [be] responsible and make [the] payment,» she added. Syanaz therefore requested that the driver pay an outstanding amount of RM144.14 (S$41.02) to the Shell petrol station in Taman Sri Tebrau, which is near KSL Mall in JB.

Body of missing Malaysian man found in waters near Woodlands

The body of a 51-year-old man was found in the waters off Senoko Way, near Woodlands, on March 11. The victim is believed to be a Malaysian man who worked as a private-hire driver, reported Malaysian news outlet Sin Chew Daily, citing the Johor police. The
Singapore

Body of missing Malaysian man found in waters near Woodlands

The body of a 51-year-old man was found in the waters off Senoko Way, near Woodlands, on March 11. The victim is believed to be a Malaysian man who worked as a private-hire driver, reported Malaysian news outlet Sin Chew Daily, citing the Johor police. The man’s car was found on a bridge in Permas Jaya in Johor at about 6am on March 11. His identification card and mobile phone had been left in the car, the Johor police told Sin Chew. To search for him, the man’s family took to social media to appeal for eyewitnesses and footage from dashboard cameras of nearby vehicles. His body was later found in Singapore waters, reported Sin Chew. His family was notified and left for Singapore to collect his body. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the police said they were alerted to a case of suspected drowning in the waters near 27 Senoko Way at 3.24pm. The body was retrieved from the waters and the man was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic, said the police, adding that based on preliminary investigations, they do not suspect foul play. ST has contacted the Johor police for more information.

'I'm not going to be rich with $5 or $10': Worker at Little India MRT station topped up woman's card, surprised she returns amount with note

A worker at Little India MRT station went the extra mile to help a passenger in need — and was surprised when she returned the favour. The incident occurred on Jan 6, at around 5pm. Stomp contributor Silan said a Myanmarese woman had approached him at hi
Singapore

'I'm not going to be rich with $5 or $10': Worker at Little India MRT station topped up woman's card, surprised she returns amount with note

A worker at Little India MRT station went the extra mile to help a passenger in need — and was surprised when she returned the favour. The incident occurred on Jan 6, at around 5pm. Stomp contributor Silan said a Myanmarese woman had approached him at his workplace at the MRT station's passenger service centre. He recounted: «She said she was there to visit her boss in hospital and was going back when she realised that her EZ-Link card did not have enough value to take the train. She had also forgotten to bring her wallet. »When I asked her where she stayed, she said Tiong Bahru. I took her EZ-Link card and topped it up with $10 from my bank card, then passed it back to her.« Silan said he does this for passengers in need often, adding: »Normally, I just tell them to return the money when they come to Little India again, though no one usually does. «I don't take it as a big loss because I am not going to be rich with $5 or $10. »However, the woman asked me to write my name on paper so that she could return me the money.

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