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  In Singapore, a 50-year-old married man received a 21-week jail sentence after being convicted of voyeurism and possessing manipulated videos meant to humiliate his wife's niece. The offender, whose name is withheld under a gag order protecting the victim’s identity, pleaded guilty to these charges. The incident involved him secretly recording the 23-year-old woman in private settings and later using his design skills to superimpose her face onto explicit videos. The man had been married since 2017 and lived with his wife and her niece, who had moved in with them in 2006 to pursue her studies. After buying an apartment in 2019, the offender’s marriage became strained, leading to frequent arguments. According to the court, he acted out of "frustration," becoming “curious” about the niece’s activities in the bathroom. Between May and July 2022, he placed a hidden camera in the woman’s bathroom on three occasions, capturing her in private acts, such as applying lotion and ...

  On Oct 28, 2024, Singaporean murder suspect Toh Chee Hong, 50, was taken to Clementi Avenue 4 as part of an ongoing investigation into the killing of grassroots volunteer Khoo Chin Wah Winson, 41. Wearing a red polo shirt, black pants, and slippers, Toh arrived at the scene with plainclothes police officers around 10:20 am to revisit the crime scene and assist investigators. The investigation spanned key areas near Blocks 311B, 311C, a playground, and a multi-storey car park, all cordoned off by police tape. Toh spent 50 minutes on the 19th floor of Block 311C, followed by visits to an open area near the block’s foot and a pick-up zone. He then stood on the first level of the multi-storey car park, answering investigators' questions before being driven away in an unmarked black van. The alleged murder happened on Oct 21 at the Trivelis Housing Board complex, developed under Singapore’s Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS). The gated access points and security features added a som...

  Former Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang testified on October 23, 2024, in the trial against WP leader Pritam Singh. Singh is accused of lying to the Committee of Privileges (COP) about his guidance to former WP MP Raeesah Khan regarding a false claim she made in parliament. In August 2021, Khan lied about accompanying a rape victim to a police station, sparking controversy. Low recounted two key meetings in October 2021 with Singh and WP chair Sylvia Lim. During the first meeting on October 11, Lim informed Low about Khan’s lie, and they discussed having her apologize. Low stated that an apology should be made in parliament, the forum where the lie occurred. However, Low testified that neither Singh nor Lim told him they had already instructed Khan to clarify the falsehood in parliament or speak to her parents about a sexual assault she had disclosed. In the second meeting on October 18, 2021, Low and Lim discussed Khan’s agreement to apologize in parliament, with Low em...

  On October 21, former Workers’ Party (WP) member Yudhishthra Nathan testified against WP leader Pritam Singh in a trial centered around allegations that Singh misled the Committee of Privileges (COP) regarding a lie told by former WP MP Raeesah Khan in parliament. Nathan, who left the party in 2022 after six years, admitted under cross-examination that he had considered encouraging Khan to maintain her false statement due to the party’s lack of a clear plan for her to come clean. Khan had falsely claimed in parliament on August 3, 2021, that she accompanied a rape survivor to a police station where the police questioned the victim's attire and alcohol consumption. Although Singh and WP chair Sylvia Lim told her to tell the truth in a meeting on October 12, 2021, Khan only admitted the lie on November 1, 2021, and revealed that she herself was a survivor of sexual assault. During cross-examination by Singh’s lawyer, Andre Jumabhoy, Nathan acknowledged he was initially in favor of ...

  A video capturing a tense incident on October 20 went viral on social media, showing a young boy standing on the narrow ledge outside the window of a residential unit. The boy, dressed in pyjamas, stood motionless, staring ahead, while concerned onlookers gathered on the ground floor, holding a blanket in case he fell. In the video, a man is seen carefully approaching the boy, placing his hands against the wall for support as he walked along the ledge. Once he reached the toddler, he safely picked him up and returned him to the flat through an open window. An eyewitness who posted about the event on Facebook said several residents attempted to knock on the boy’s door, but received no response. The man who rescued the child later discovered that an adult was inside the apartment, despite no one answering the door. According to a response from the Singapore police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), they were notified of the situation at Block 350C Canberra Road at around...

  Two Bangladeshi workers, Alam Foysal, 38, and Ahmed Rayhan, 32, encountered a heavily intoxicated woman on a late-night train journey and decided to take advantage of her vulnerable state. On March 8, 2022, the two men boarded the train after drinking with a friend and noticed the 32-year-old woman behaving erratically. She was walking unsteadily, sitting on the floor, and was clearly intoxicated. Upon reaching Tuas West Road station, Foysal and Rayhan decided to escort the woman off the train. Foysal guided her down the escalator, while Rayhan followed closely behind. When station staff noticed the woman struggling to exit through the gantry, Foysal falsely claimed they were helping her get home. The men led her to a dark area under the Tuas Viaduct, where Foysal raped her twice, while Rayhan molested her and attempted to rape her but failed after several tries. After the assault, the two men left the scene and returned to their dormitory by taxi. The next morning, at around 7:1...

  A 17-year-old Singaporean was arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) just weeks before executing a terror attack, according to the Internal Security Department (ISD). The teenager, described as a staunch supporter of the Islamic State (IS), intended to target non-Muslim males near Tampines West Community Centre during the September school holidays. His planned weapons were a kitchen knife or scissors, which he practiced using to inflict maximum damage, specifically by aiming for the neck. The youth had made "concrete preparations" for the attack, including a walkthrough of the route he would take. He was determined to be killed during the attack, either by police or passers-by, as he sought martyrdom. The ISD reported that he felt pride in potentially carrying out Singapore’s first terror attack in recent decades. Radicalisation began in August 2023, when the teen accessed teachings from foreign preachers while searching for religious knowledge online. He soon began...

 A 31-year-old man was arrested for his suspected involvement in loanshark harassment on 12 October 2024. The police responded to a report at around 12:05 am, after the main gate of a residential unit along Sembawang Drive was splashed with red paint, an act commonly associated with loanshark intimidation tactics. Through prompt investigations and police camera footage, officers from Woodlands Police Division and the Police Operations Command Centre identified the suspect. Further investigations revealed that he is believed to be connected to two other similar cases of harassment in Tampines and Jurong East. The man will be charged in court on 16 October 2024 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. First-time offenders for loanshark harassment may face fines of up to $50,000, imprisonment of up to five years, and caning of up to six strokes. The police reaffirmed their zero-tolerance policy towards loanshark harassment, warning that those who vandalize property or disrupt public safety wi...

  Mr Lee Hsien Yang, youngest son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, announced his intention to apply for the demolition of the family home at 38 Oxley Road. This decision comes days after the passing of his sister, Dr Lee Wei Ling, the only daughter of Lee Kuan Yew, who lived in the house until her death. Lee Hsien Yang's decision aligns with his father’s wishes, as Lee Kuan Yew had repeatedly expressed his desire for the house to be demolished after his death. However, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) have yet to receive any applications regarding the property. Built in the 19th century, 38 Oxley Road holds historical significance, having been a site of key political meetings that contributed to the formation of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). Despite Lee Kuan Yew’s wish for its demolition, Cabinet ministers opposed this, leading to a debate over its fate. In his final will, Lee Kuan Yew st...

On Tuesday (Oct 15), Pritam Singh's defense team began cross-examining former Workers' Party (WP) member Raeesah Khan, with Singh's lawyer, Andre Jumabhoy, accusing her of consistently lying, both in Parliament and to Singh personally. This cross-examination follows Khan’s infamous false anecdote made in Parliament on August 3, 2021, where she falsely claimed to have accompanied a rape victim to the police station, alleging inappropriate comments made by a police officer. Khan's admission that the story was a fabrication triggered a series of events, eventually leading to a Committee of Privileges (COP) inquiry. Singh, the WP's secretary-general, is now facing two charges for allegedly lying to the COP about the timeline of events and his involvement in addressing Khan’s falsehood. During the cross-examination, Jumabhoy pressed Khan on her pattern of deception, labeling her a “liar” multiple times. Khan, while admitting to lying in Parliament, denied lying "non...

  Wu Tao, a 41-year-old Singapore permanent resident, was escorted by police officers to the scene where he allegedly committed a murder. Dressed in a red shirt, black shorts, and handcuffed, Wu showed no visible emotions as he arrived in an unmarked van at 9 am. He kept his head lowered while being led by the officers. The police brought Wu to Dao Xiang Ju, a stall at the Kadayanallur Street hawker centre, where the alleged crime took place. He was questioned by officers for approximately 10 minutes at the scene. Afterward, they seated him outside the stall to continue their investigation, where he remained still, staring at the ground with an emotionless expression. Wu was escorted back to the van just before 10 am. The incident he is accused of occurred on September 7, when Wu allegedly killed 48-year-old Tan Kamonwan inside the hawker stall. Wu was arrested shortly after 1:30 am that day at the Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre. Wu had walked into the station and inf...

  The trial of Pritam Singh, Singapore’s Leader of the Opposition and secretary-general of the Workers' Party (WP), began on October 14. Singh is facing two charges under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act, making him the first to be prosecuted under this legislation. These charges stem from accusations that Singh lied during his testimony to a Committee of Privileges (COP) investigating former WP Member of Parliament (MP) Raeesah Khan. Khan, who resigned from WP in 2021, had made false claims in Parliament in August 2021. She stated that she had accompanied a rape survivor to a police station, where the police made inappropriate remarks about the survivor’s attire and alcohol consumption. However, Khan later admitted that her story was fabricated. Singh allegedly learned that Khan’s anecdote was false in a phone call on August 7, 2021. The next day, Singh, along with fellow WP leaders Sylvia Lim and Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, met Khan. According to the prosecu...

  A total of 26 men and nine women, aged between 17 and 47, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a series of Government Official Impersonation Scam (GOIS) cases. The arrests were made during a week-long island-wide anti-scam operation conducted between 30 September and 8 October 2024. Another 12 men and 10 women, aged between 17 and 61, as well as a 16-year-old boy, are assisting in the ongoing investigations. The Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) carried out simultaneous operations across Singapore, apprehending 35 suspects. Preliminary investigations revealed that 25 men and nine women, aged between 17 and 46, had allegedly facilitated the scam by providing their bank accounts or Internet banking credentials for financial gains. A 47-year-old man is believed to have received illicit proceeds in his bank account. Since early September 2024, police have received several reports of GOIS cases, where scammers impersonated bank and government officials, including of...

  The police have arrested 33 individuals, aged between 21 and 54, for suspected involvement in vice activities and illegal employment offences at a commercial premise near Geylang Lorong 29. The arrests took place during an enforcement operation on October 7, 2024, carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department, Bedok Police Division, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, and the Ministry of Manpower. The 33 individuals were apprehended for allegedly managing a place of assignation, an offence under Section 147 of the Women's Charter 1961, and for working without a valid work pass, which violates Section 5(2) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. Additionally, three individuals, aged between 31 and 59, were discovered conducting illegal lotteries. Cash amounting to over $140 and lottery-related paraphernalia were seized, and investigations against them are ongoing. Furthermore, a 66-year-old liquor license holder was found to have supplied liquor outside of his ...

  The Singapore Police Force (SPF) clarified on Friday (Oct 11) that Mr. Lee Hsien Yang and his wife, Mrs. Lee Suet Fern, are free to return to Singapore without any legal barriers. The couple left Singapore in 2022 after opting not to attend a scheduled police interview, but the SPF confirmed that they have always been free to return. "The police confirm that there are no legal restraints preventing Mr. Lee Hsien Yang and Mrs. Lee Suet Fern from returning to Singapore. They have always been free to do so," the SPF said in a statement responding to media inquiries. In June 2022, the police had asked Mr. and Mrs. Lee to assist in investigations by attending an interview. Although they initially agreed, they did not appear and instead left Singapore on June 15, 2022, and have not returned since. The investigation relates to potential offences of providing false evidence in judicial proceedings regarding the late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s will. In March 2023, the police clarified that ...

  On the night of October 8, 12 media members joined Singapore Customs on an enforcement operation targeting the illegal distribution of duty-unpaid liquor. This was the first time the media was invited to witness such an operation. They arrived at a Housing Board block in Jurong West, where customs officers inspected a truck filled with contraband. Inside, they discovered 129 bottles of baijiu , a Chinese liquor with 56% alcohol, hidden in the back and under the front seat. This seizure was part of a broader operation across multiple locations, resulting in the confiscation of 257 bottles of duty-unpaid liquor, amounting to 668.5 liters. The estimated amount of duty and GST evaded was approximately S$35,932. Two Chinese nationals and a Malaysian woman, aged 42 to 63, were arrested for delivering the illegal goods, while a 45-year-old Singaporean man was arrested for storing contraband liquor at his residence. During the operation, one of the Chinese nationals, a work permit holder...

  Dr. Lee Wei Ling’s wake will take place at the Singapore Casket, as announced by her younger brother, Lee Hsien Yang, in a Facebook post on the evening of October 9. The wake will be held from Thursday to Saturday in the Pearl and Sapphire Hall on level 3 of Singapore Casket, located on Lavender Street. Visiting hours will be from 2 pm to 10 pm on Thursday, 10 am to 10 pm on Friday, and 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Following the wake, Dr. Lee will be cremated at Mandai Crematorium at 2:45 pm on Saturday, according to the National Environment Agency's records. Lee Hsien Yang, who resides in the United Kingdom, will not attend his sister's wake or funeral in person. He shared that he is organizing the arrangements remotely with the assistance of his son, Huanwu, in accordance with Dr. Lee’s wishes. Lee Hsien Yang and his wife, lawyer Lee Suet Fern, have been residing in the UK since June 2022 amidst an ongoing police investigation related to judicial proceedings concerning Lee Ku...

  The Singapore Police arrested three men, aged 20 to 27, on October 7, 2024, for their suspected involvement in a loanshark harassment case. On October 5, a residential unit on Circuit Road was vandalized with brown paint, and a debtor’s note was left behind. Officers from Bedok Police Division used police cameras and follow-up investigations to identify the suspects. Preliminary findings indicate that the men may be linked to other loanshark harassment cases across the island. Three mobile phones were seized as evidence. Two of the suspects, aged 20 and 26, will be charged under the Moneylenders Act 2008. First-time offenders convicted of loanshark harassment face fines between $5,000 and $50,000, up to five years in prison, and up to six strokes of the cane. Investigations are ongoing for the third suspect, aged 27. The police reiterated their zero-tolerance policy toward loanshark harassment and encouraged the public to avoid any involvement with illegal moneylenders. Anyone wi...

  Dr. Lee Wei Ling, daughter of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, passed away at her home on October 9, aged 69. Her brother, Mr. Lee Hsien Yang, announced her death in a Facebook post, remembering her as fiercely loyal to her friends and a champion for the underdog. Dr. Lee was a renowned paediatric neurologist and former director of the National Neuroscience Institute, specializing in epilepsy. An academically gifted individual, she topped her class at the University of Singapore and received the President's Scholarship. Despite her privileged upbringing, Dr. Lee was raised with values of simplicity and responsibility. In 2020, she revealed she had progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a Parkinson’s-like illness. Her brother, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, praised her resilience in facing the disease, noting her enduring commitment to her patients and causes. The family has requested that donations be made to several charities in Dr. Lee’s memory, and funeral ar...

  Former Singapore transport minister S Iswaran has been placed in a single-man cell due to the higher safety and security risks associated with housing him alongside other inmates, according to the Singapore Prison Service. The cell, measuring about 6.9 square meters, includes toilet space. Iswaran has been provided with a straw mat and two blankets for sleeping. Singapore Prison Service emphasized that all inmates are treated equally under the same prison rules and processes. Upon entering custody, Iswaran underwent standard safety, security, and medical assessments, and his personal belongings were secured for safekeeping. All inmates receive necessities such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, clothing, and towels. They are also given plastic spoons for meals. Singapore Prison Service explained that inmates are housed based on their assessed safety and security risks, and those with medical needs may be placed in specialized units. Iswaran, 62, began his 12-month prison sentence ...

  The partial collapse of two shophouses at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road on Tuesday (Oct 8) is suspected to be caused by a gas explosion, according to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). The BCA reported being alerted to the incident and immediately deployed engineers to assess the damage. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) shared that initial findings suggest a buildup of flammable gas at the first unit, a restaurant, led to the explosion and partial collapse. The rear sections of the two shophouses were destroyed, and unit 84's facade and staircase were also damaged. However, adjacent buildings were inspected and deemed safe. BCA has ordered immediate safety precautions, closing off the affected units and requiring their owners to appoint professional engineers for a detailed investigation and repairs. Member of Parliament Denise Phua visited the site to assess the damage, stating that nearby structures seem safe but will undergo further inspections to ensure stabili...

  The body of 76-year-old Singaporean, Harry Tan, was found near Mount Everest on October 4, after he went missing on a hiking trail last Thursday. Mr. Tan, a retired teacher and former lecturer at the National Institute of Education (NIE), was hiking near Kongma La Pass when he became separated from his two companions due to a severe snowstorm. Efforts to rescue him were delayed due to treacherous weather conditions, but once the skies cleared, a search team was dispatched. A fellow hiker witnessed Mr. Tan’s fall before he disappeared, and despite efforts to help, rescue attempts were initially hampered by the extreme weather. Mr. Tan was a beloved figure, remembered by former students and colleagues for his caring nature and passion for physical education, sports, and the outdoors. His dedication as a teacher and coach left a lasting impact on many, and he will be sorely missed. Various tributes, including from Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam and veteran lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam,...

  A 46-year-old Chinese national driver, Guo Chuankui, attempted to avoid a parking fine by offering a $10 bribe to a parking warden. On April 4, 2023, Guo parked his company vehicle illegally on a road with double yellow lines near a construction site. When Certis Cisco Protection Services officer, Mr. Vikneswaran Kumaran, tried to issue a $70 parking ticket, Guo returned and pleaded with him to cancel it. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to negotiate, Guo resorted to offering $10, which Mr. Vikneswaran refused. Guo placed the money on the warden’s motorcycle, but Mr. Vikneswaran reported the incident to his superior, who advised him to alert the police. Guo was arrested and later charged in court. On October 4, 2023, Guo pleaded guilty to the corruption charge and was sentenced to three weeks in jail. Convicted of graft, he faced up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.

  Sixteen motorcyclists were arrested for driving without valid licenses and using vehicles without insurance during a Traffic Police operation at Tuas Checkpoint on Sept 26, according to a statement released on Oct 3. The individuals, aged between 21 and 62, were among some 350 motorcyclists who were stopped for checks during the operation. Those found guilty of driving without a valid license in Singapore can face fines of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders risk even more severe penalties, including fines of up to S$20,000, jail time of up to six years, or both, and their vehicles may be forfeited. For motorists caught operating a vehicle without insurance coverage, the penalty can include a fine of up to S$1,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both. The police reiterated that all motorists entering Singapore, including those on foreign-registered vehicles, must abide by Singapore's traffic regulations. They emphasized the need fo...

  S. Iswaran, former Singapore transport minister, has been sentenced to 12 months in jail after pleading guilty to charges relating to the receipt of over S$403,300 (US$313,200) in gifts from businessmen over a seven-year period. This case, which unfolded in Singapore's High Court, saw Iswaran admit to accepting luxury gifts from Ong Beng Seng, majority shareholder of Singapore GP, and Lum Kok Seng, a construction firm boss. These gifts were received while Iswaran held various high-ranking positions in government, including overseeing portfolios that had official dealings with both businessmen. The sentencing came after Iswaran chose to plead guilty at the start of trial proceedings, shortening what was expected to be a lengthy trial with 56 prosecution witnesses. Justice Vincent Hoong, who delivered the verdict, stated that he could not align with the sentencing recommendations of either the prosecution or defense. The defense, led by Davinder Singh, sought a maximum sentence of ...

The Singapore Police have issued a public alert regarding a rise in phishing scams through social media advertisements, with at least 173 reports filed since September 1, 2024, and total losses amounting to at least $162,000. The scams involve fraudulent ads or sponsored posts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, offering significant discounts on products such as accessories, electronics, food, and cleaning supplies. Victims, drawn in by the attractive offers, click on the provided links and are directed to phishing websites that prompt them to enter their bank card details and One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for "purchases." Alternatively, some victims are asked to complete a short survey and are told they qualify for an even bigger discount, leading them to provide payment details for delivery fees. Ultimately, the victims realize they've been scammed after unauthorized charges appear on their accounts, or the items they "purchased" never arrive. Preca...

  Lee Hsien Yang was ordered to pay $619,335.53 to Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan after being sued for defamation. The High Court ruled against him in November 2023, after he failed to respond or appear in court, and awarded the ministers $200,000 each in damages, plus $50,000 in aggravated damages. The court noted that Lee acted with malice, knowing his statements were false. His defamatory claims were made in a Facebook post, accusing the ministers of receiving preferential treatment in renting Ridout Road bungalows. Description of the Ridout Saga The controversy around Ridout Road began when it became known that Shanmugam and Balakrishnan were leasing state-owned black-and-white colonial bungalows. Public concerns arose over possible conflicts of interest, given that Shanmugam heads the Ministry of Law, which oversees the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), the body responsible for leasing the properties. An investigation by the Corrupt P...