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  The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) concluded an extensive island-wide anti-drug operation from January 6 to 16, 2025, resulting in the arrest of 116 suspected drug offenders. The operation covered areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Geylang, Tampines, and more. Authorities seized a staggering 2.9kg of heroin, 1.2kg of methamphetamine (‘Ice’), 643g of ketamine, 262g of ‘Ecstasy,’ 218g of cannabis, 419 Erimin-5 tablets, and other narcotics, with an estimated street value exceeding SGD550,000. Among the arrested individuals were students as young as 14 years old. Significant Arrests and Seizures Bukit Batok Raid: 18-Year-Old Student Arrested On January 7, CNB officers raided a residence at Bukit Batok Street 52. After the 18-year-old suspect ignored officers’ orders to open the door, they forced entry and arrested him. Before his arrest, the suspect was seen throwing a packet containing about 500g of ketamine out of the kitchen window. In a related follow-up operation, a 34-year-...

  A 72-year-old taxi driver is assisting police with investigations following a crash involving his cab into the Far Kor Sun Monkey God Temple on Marne Road. The incident occurred on January 16, 2025, at around 2:50 PM. A 49-year-old female pedestrian was injured in the accident and was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, conscious, by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The taxi, believed to belong to the SMRT fleet, reportedly skidded before crashing into the temple. Videos circulating on TikTok captured the aftermath, showing onlookers gathered at the scene. One video, shared by a user, speculated whether it was part of a movie shoot before realizing it was an accident. The crash caused significant damage to the Far Kor Sun Monkey God Temple, which has been operating since 1959. The temple’s president, Mr. Heng Thiam Swee, described the damage as severe, affecting a metal gate, pillars, and concrete blocks. Inside, lanterns, food packets, and even a horse statue were seen sca...

  A 27-year-old man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a loanshark harassment case reported along Admiralty Drive on January 12, 2025. The incident involved two residential units where the main doors and gates were vandalized with red paint. Additionally, a debtor’s note was left at the scene. Through meticulous follow-up investigations and the use of Police camera footage, officers from Woodlands Police Division quickly identified the suspect. He was apprehended the following day, January 13, 2025. During the arrest, officers seized a debtor’s note and two cans of paint as evidence. Credit: Singapore Police Force The suspect is scheduled to be charged in court on January 15, 2025, under the Moneylenders Act 2008. First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment face a fine ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, imprisonment for up to five years, and up to six strokes of the cane. The Police emphasized their zero-tolerance stance against loanshark harassment, statin...

  Singapore is set for another weekend of non-stop downpours from January 17 to 19 as a second monsoon surge descends. Following a recent surge that ended on January 13, this new weather event is expected to bring strong winds, cooler conditions, and heavy rainfall, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS). Coastal areas are at a heightened risk of flash flooding this time, as tides are forecast to peak at 3.2m on January 17 and 3.1m on January 18. During seasonal high tides, areas like East Coast Park often experience flooding even without heavy rain. The last surge saw tides of up to 2.9m, with significant disruptions caused by the deluge. The northeast monsoon season, spanning December to January, typically sees two to four monsoon surges annually. These surges are driven by bursts of cold air from Central Asia, which travel across the South China Sea, picking up moisture and forming dense rain clouds as they approach the tropics. This process results in widesprea...

  A motorcyclist lost his life following a tragic accident at the junction of Woodlands Avenue 10 and Woodlands Avenue 7 on January 14. The 40-year-old man succumbed to injuries sustained in a collision involving a van. Authorities were alerted to the accident around 1:15 PM. Emergency responders from the Singapore Civil Defence Force arrived on the scene and transported the unconscious motorcyclist to Woodlands Health for urgent medical treatment. Despite their efforts, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the hospital. A video circulating on social media shows the aftermath of the crash. In the footage, a red motorcycle can be seen lying on its side near a white van. A helmet rests on the ground nearby, surrounded by police officers conducting their investigation. The 49-year-old van driver involved in the incident is assisting police with inquiries as investigations continue. The authorities are working to determine the events that led to the fatal collision. The accident has...

  Jeremy Su Zhiwei, 33, was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail on January 16 after pleading guilty to assaulting his 84-year-old grandmother and violating a personal protection order (PPO). The PPO, implemented in 2022, prohibited him from using violence against her due to a history of physical altercations. Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Cheah Wenjie revealed that Su’s past behavior required interventions from the police and social services. Between 2021 and 2023, he was admitted multiple times to the Institute of Mental Health for aggressive behavior towards his grandmother, including incidents of choking and pinching her. The latest incident occurred on November 22, 2024, when Su went to his grandmother's home and demanded money. She refused, as he would not explain the purpose of his demand. An argument ensued, and she eventually went to bed. Still dissatisfied, Su began kicking the bed frame, waking his grandmother. He then grabbed her by the neck, choking her. When she attempted t...

  An Australian tourist, Moncrieff Marli Curtis Philip, 36, was sentenced to eight weeks’ jail on January 15 for threatening to crash his flight at Changi Airport. The incident stemmed from frustrations over disrupted holiday plans. Moncrieff had planned a trip to Phuket from Perth with a stopover in Singapore, investing significant resources in the vacation. However, he was denied entry in Phuket due to missing visa pages in his passport. After being sent back to Singapore, he was denied entry again for the same reason. At Changi Airport, immigration officers assisted Moncrieff in retrieving his anxiety and depression medication from his luggage and escorted him to a holding room to await repatriation. Around 5:40 AM on November 20, 2024, while boarding Jetstar flight JQ96 to Perth, Moncrieff expressed his anger, saying, “I want the aircraft to crash and kill everyone.” A flight attendant overheard the remark and informed her managers, leading to Moncrieff’s removal from the fligh...

  Public urination at MRT stations has become an unusual trend recently, with two more Singaporean men charged for separate incidents, adding to a case reported just a day earlier. Zhou Hongwei, 57, was charged on January 15 for urinating in front of the passenger service centre at Potong Pasir MRT station on January 13 at 7:30 PM. Zhou reportedly admitted to the act, acknowledging its potential to annoy the public. Appearing in court without legal representation, he expressed a desire to plead guilty. District Judge Paul Quan reminded Zhou to avoid reoffending, setting February 26 as the date for Zhou's formal plea. In another case, Soo Fook Khan, 53, was charged for urinating on the platform of Tanah Merah MRT station on January 8 at 12:30 PM. Soo has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for evaluation, and his case will resume on January 28. Apart from the public urination charge, Soo faces a separate charge under the Moneylenders Act. He allegedly acted on behalf of ...

  In a tragic case that marked Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) first firefighter fatality, Warrant Officer 2 (WO2) Muhammad Kamil Mohamed Yasin, 39, was sentenced to six months' jail on January 15 for causing grievous hurt by a rash act. The incident occurred during a fire at Block 91 Henderson Road on December 8, 2022, when Kamil left 19-year-old national serviceman (NSF) Sgt Edward H. Go alone to fight the blaze. Despite knowing SCDF’s protocol requiring firefighters to operate in pairs, Kamil left the flat, citing dizziness from heat exhaustion. Before departing, he gave Sgt Go a thumbs-up but did not verbally inform him or colleagues that the NSF was left alone. Kamil chose to rest at a nearby staircase landing instead of the designated rest area, avoiding detection. The fire remained uncontrolled, and another officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Hassan, who took over as ground commander, assumed the firefighters had exited the flat. However, when more personnel arrived, Sgt Go w...

  South Korean authorities arrested suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on January 15 over charges of insurrection related to his controversial martial law declaration on December 3. Yoon, who called the investigation illegal, surrendered to avoid violence after police forces stormed his residence. Yoon's arrest marks the first for a sitting South Korean president. Following his martial law declaration, which shocked the nation and disrupted its political and economic stability, parliament impeached Yoon on December 14. The Constitutional Court is deliberating whether to uphold his impeachment. Surrounded by tight security, Yoon was taken from his residence in Seoul's affluent district to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). The office now has 48 hours to decide whether to seek a warrant for extended detention. Yoon’s lawyers argue that the arrest warrant is invalid, citing jurisdictional errors. Yoon’s martial law declaration, based on unproven a...

  Credit: Facebook/SamCheong A Malaysian pedestrian was severely injured on January 12 when struck by a Singapore-registered car while walking across the Johor-Singapore Causeway in heavy rain. The incident occurred at 5:38 p.m., with the pedestrian, surnamed Tan, returning to Johor Bahru from Singapore. Johor Bahru Southern District police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat reported that the Singaporean driver lost control of his vehicle due to slippery road conditions, causing it to skid, hit a road divider, and collide with Tan. The crash left Tan with serious injuries, and he is receiving treatment at Hospital Sultanah Aminah in Johor Bahru. A video of the accident circulating online shows the car skidding sideways before striking Tan, who was wearing black. Images shared on social media also depict the injured man lying on the road before being taken away by ambulance. The driver and a passenger, both Singaporeans in their 20s, were in the car during the accident. The p...

  A Chinese national, Li Guorui, 41, was fined S$2,000 on January 14 after urinating on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station. Li, in Singapore for a business trip since January 2, became intoxicated after a business dinner at Brotzeit German Bier Bar on January 10. At around 10 p.m., while leaving Outram Park MRT station, Li unzipped his trousers and urinated on the handrail of a downward escalator. His actions were captured and widely shared on social media, garnering public outrage. A member of the public reported the incident via the SGSecure app the next day. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin highlighted the seriousness of Li’s actions, which caused widespread annoyance, health risks, and potential damage to the escalator’s internal components. He also noted this incident occurred amid a spate of similar cases at other MRT stations. Li was arrested on January 12 and cooperated fully with authorities. The court considered his act spontaneous, not premeditated, but ...

  Repeated lift breakdowns at Block 547 Serangoon North Avenue 3 during four days of heavy monsoon rain caused significant inconvenience to residents. Ang Mo Kio Town Council announced on January 11 that repairs were underway after water ingress disrupted the functioning of two lifts. Despite repair efforts, issues persisted, sparking frustration among residents. Repairs initially commenced on January 10, with one of the lifts restored on January 12. However, a Shin Min reporter observed on January 13 that the supposedly repaired lift displayed erratic behavior, with its doors opening and closing repeatedly before functioning normally. By 11 a.m. that day, the same lift malfunctioned again, displaying an “Out of Order” and “Power Failure” notice. The other lift remained under maintenance as of that morning. Residents were forced to use the stairs, creating significant inconvenience, particularly for those living on higher floors. Many expressed their frustrations, citing the lifts’...

  The recent kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has sparked safety concerns among Chinese tourists, dampening Thailand’s appeal ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday. Many Chinese travelers have canceled plans to visit Thailand, citing fears for their safety. Flight cancellations from China to Thailand surged 155% over the weekend compared to the same period last year, according to travel analytics firm ForwardKeys. Wang Xing’s ordeal began in a Thai town bordering Myanmar, where he was abducted and taken to a scam center by human traffickers. Thai authorities successfully rescued him, but the incident gained widespread attention on social media, leading many to cancel their trips to Thailand. The backlash has extended beyond tourism. Hong Kong singer Eason Chan canceled a sold-out Bangkok concert scheduled for February 22, citing fan safety concerns. Comedian Zhao Benshan also postponed a Bangkok performance. In Chonburi province, a popular tourist area that include...

  Credits: The Straits Time Three men were sentenced to jail on January 13, 2025, for a violent, unprovoked assault on two strangers near Prinsep Street in April 2024. The men – Shahrul Danish Zainal Abidin, 24; Shamirul Azwat Sainal, 21; and his brother Muhammad Fatula Sainal, 23 – were convicted of voluntarily causing hurt, with Fatula additionally charged for using a dangerous weapon. The incident occurred on April 25, 2024, after the trio left a bar around midnight. While walking near a sheltered area, Shamirul approached a man, referred to as V1, who was with a friend vomiting on the ground. The two started chatting about motorcycles, but tensions escalated when Fatula joined the conversation. Without warning, Fatula shoved and punched V1, igniting a physical altercation. Shamirul and Shahrul joined in, with Shamirul punching V1's face and Shahrul landing additional blows. Fatula then used a karambit knife, which he had brought for "protection," to slash V1 on his up...

***Update: HDB, Maincon and Consultant has came down to the unit to check. Will update on status once we have more information. A homeowner in Punggol Northshore is dealing with a severe water leakage problem in his newly renovated Build-to-Order (BTO) flat, which he moved into just six months ago in July 2024. The issue has caused extensive damage, including water seeping through an electrical powerpoint, bubbling walls, and paint peeling from the affected areas. Pools of water have also formed on the floor, making the flat unsafe and unlivable. According to the main contractor, the source of the problem appears to be a structural issue with an external wall adjacent to the master bedroom. Despite the assessment, the homeowner remains frustrated as the damage has already rendered the flat unsuitable for daily living. Compounding the problem is the contractor's warning to avoid using electrical switches in the living room and bedroom due to the risk of short circuits. However, the ...

  The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has suspended its electronic Change of Address (eCOA) service after uncovering about 80 unauthorized attempts to fraudulently change residential addresses using stolen or compromised Singpass accounts. The fraudulent activities targeted the “others” option in the eCOA service, introduced in October 2020 to allow proxies to assist individuals in updating their addresses online. This module has been temporarily disabled while the rest of the eCOA service is under review, slated to resume on Jan. 14 with enhanced security measures. How the Fraud Was Carried Out The perpetrators exploited compromised Singpass accounts by acquiring victims’ NRIC numbers and issue dates, enabling them to change addresses through the eCOA service. A verification PIN mailer was sent to the new fraudulent address, which the perpetrators used to confirm the change. This new address was then used to reset Singpass account passwords, allowing access to the vict...

  Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Chairman Dr. Ta n Cheng Bock emphasized the importance of maintaining gentlemanly conduct and clean politics during the upcoming general election, calling for an end to political violence. Dr. Tan made these remarks on Jan. 12 during a walkabout at Keat Hong Food Centre and Market, where he interacted with residents and distributed the party’s newsletter, The Palm . His comments come in the wake of an incident between PSP and People’s Action Party (PAP) volunteers during a Jan. 4 walkabout in Bukit Gombak, Chua Chu Kang GRC. Both parties have alleged harassment from the other side, offering differing accounts of the altercation. PAP’s Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Low Yen Ling claimed that a PAP volunteer was slapped twice, among other aggressive acts. However, PSP leaders categorically denied any use of violence, asserting that their volunteers were falsely accused. In a Facebook post on Jan. 10, Dr. Tan reiterated that PSP does not condone violence and pro...

  ***Update: HDB, Maincon and Consultant has came down to the unit to check. Will update on status once we have more information. A Punggol Northshore BTO homeowner, who moved into his newly renovated flat in July 2024, has voiced frustration over severe water leakage issues that have left his unit unsafe and unlivable. Water has been observed seeping from an electrical powerpoint, with puddles forming on the floor and walls showing bubbling and signs of damage from moisture. The source of the leak appears to be an external wall adjacent to the master bedroom, according to assessments by the main contractor. However, the leakage has already caused significant damage to the flat's walls and paintwork, leaving the homeowner distressed. Adding to the frustration, the main contractor advised the homeowner to avoid using the affected power switches in the living room and bedroom due to the risk of a short circuit. Despite the warning, the homeowner has no choice but to turn on the light...

  Heavy rains triggered flash floods in multiple areas of Singapore, including Marine Parade, Woodlands, and Sembawang, after continuous downpours since Jan. 10, 2025. The National Environment Agency (NEA) had earlier issued an advisory warning of potential flash floods between Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 due to a monsoon surge. This weather phenomenon, caused by strong winds over the South China Sea, leads to extensive rainclouds and prolonged rainfall. Over the affected days, Singapore experienced moderate to heavy thundery showers accompanied by cool and windy conditions. The NEA reported that daily minimum temperatures could drop to 22°C in some areas. Flash floods were observed in low-lying regions, with water levels rising rapidly in canals and drains. Residents in affected areas reported temporary disruptions to transport and daily activities. Authorities reminded the public to stay vigilant and avoid flood-prone areas. National water agency PUB also urged residents to use tools lik...

  A fight between two teenage girls at the lift landing of an HDB block has drawn criticism after a video of the altercation surfaced online. The footage was posted on SGFollowsAll's Telegram page on Jan. 8, showing the girls grappling as three other teens — two females and a male — looked on. The male youth, seated on a plastic chair near the lift, appeared to be orchestrating or supervising the fight. It is believed someone else was recording the incident. The fight began with a girl in a white t-shirt wrestling her opponent, who was dressed in black, to the ground. The girl in white landed several blows, prompting retaliation from the girl in black. Applause followed, with the male youth commenting, "This is what I wanna see." The roles reversed when the girl in black regained control, dragging her opponent down and striking her in return. The video sparked widespread criticism. Viewers lamented the apparent normalization of such behavior among youths. While some expre...

  A 45-year-old man was arrested on Jan. 8, 2025, for his suspected involvement in loanshark harassment at Tampines Avenue 9. The police were alerted to the incident on Jan. 4 at around 8:40 pm when two residential units were found with their main gates secured using blue bicycle locks. Loanshark-related graffiti had also been scribbled on the walls beside the units. Credit: Singapore Police Force Credit: Singapore Police Force Through investigations aided by police camera footage, officers from Bedok Police Division identified the suspect and apprehended him four days later. Case exhibits including two blue bicycle locks, two rolls of masking tape, and two red markers were seized. The suspect is scheduled to be charged in court on Jan. 9 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment face penalties that include a fine of $5,000 to $50,000, up to five years of imprisonment, and up to six strokes of the cane. In a statement, the police rei...

  The Ministry of Education (MOE) has responded to public concerns following a Facebook post by a mother detailing her daughter’s tragic death in 2023 after experiencing bullying. The mother alleged that her daughter, who was under 16 and a student at Admiralty Secondary School, had suffered from depression due to bullying, which ultimately led her to take her own life. This case comes in the wake of another incident at Admiralty Secondary, where a 12-year-old boy sustained a severe head injury on Jan. 7 after being repeatedly hit with a water bottle by a classmate. These events have brought the school’s approach to handling bullying into question. MOE’s Response In a statement addressing the situation, an MOE spokesperson expressed the ministry’s deep sorrow over the loss of the student and extended condolences to her family and loved ones. The spokesperson emphasized the complexity of suicide, stating that its causes and triggers are often “complex and multifaceted.” The school, ...

  A Thai national, 45-year-old Reuangthieng Miss Varinda, was fined $3,000 on Jan 8 after pleading guilty to obstructing an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer during a chaotic incident at Changi Airport. The event unfolded on Aug 28, 2024, at Terminal 1, when Varinda arrived from Bangkok. She had consumed alcohol on her flight and was allegedly intoxicated upon landing. Her disruptive behavior escalated during immigration clearance. While using the automated clearance lane, Varinda ignored an ICA officer's instructions to look into the camera and attempted to exit the lane without completing the process. The officer intervened, requesting her travel itinerary and noting her slurred and incoherent speech. She was then directed to the duty office for secondary checks and asked to wait near a counter where her passport was placed. As she grew increasingly agitated, another officer attempted to assist by directing her to clear immigration manually. Instead, Varinda gra...