On February 2 2026, a 34-year-old crane operator named Muhammad Sukaimi Gasali was sentenced to four years and seven months’ jail and a fine of 5,000 dollars for orchestrating an extensive corruption and smuggling scheme. Sukaimi, who worked for a company called GL Crane at Jurong Port, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of corruption. Between 2021 and 2024, he systematically bribed four Certis security officers to facilitate the smuggling of contraband cigarettes into Singapore. The prosecution described the case as one of the most methodical attempts to undermine border security in recent years. Sukaimi did not simply offer money; he cultivated friendships with officers contracted by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and exploited their personal and financial vulnerabilities. The scheme began in late 2020 at Jurong Port when Sukaimi befriended officer Muhammad Haaziq Karudin. Sukaimi gained influence by helping Haaziq pay for motorcycle rep...
On February 3 2026, the Singapore Parliament officially implemented a change in its seating arrangements, moving the Workers’ Party (WP) Secretary-General Pritam Singh from his prominent position in the House. For several years, Mr Singh had occupied the seat directly opposite Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, a position traditionally reserved for the Leader of the Opposition (LO) to facilitate direct debate and oversight of the government. However, following his formal removal from the LO role on January 15 2026, Mr Singh has been relocated two seats down in the same front row. According to the updated seating plan released on the Parliament website, Mr Singh is now seated between Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan, who is also a Deputy Speaker, and Sembawang GRC MP Mariam Jaafar. This new placement puts Mr Singh directly across from Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung, rather than the Prime Minister. The seat previously held by Mr Singh across the ...