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  A 24-year-old man has been arrested by the police for his suspected role in a case of loanshark harassment that took place in the early hours of April 27, 2025. At approximately 3.30am that morning, authorities received a report about an act of vandalism at a residential unit situated along North Bridge Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered that both the main gate and the front door of the home had been defaced with red paint, a known tactic frequently employed by unlicensed moneylenders to intimidate borrowers or residents connected to them. Following the report, officers from both the Central Police Division and Woodlands Police Division commenced investigations. With assistance from police surveillance footage installed in the vicinity, investigators managed to trace the suspect’s identity. The man was apprehended the following day on April 28, 2025. He is scheduled to be charged in court on April 29, 2025, under the Moneylenders Act 2008 for his involvement in the harassm...

  A student from Bartley Secondary School was arrested on April 28 after allegedly attacking a male teacher with a penknife. The incident took place around 12.25pm at the school located at 10 Jalan Bunga Rampai. According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force, one individual was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where the teacher received outpatient treatment. Principal Britta Seet confirmed the incident, adding that the teacher is now recovering at home with medical leave. The student involved is assisting police with investigations and has not returned to school. Ms Seet said the school is in touch with the student and their parents and will continue to support both the student and affected staff members. No further details about the motive or nature of the injuries were released. The police have confirmed the student’s arrest and that investigations are ongoing.

  At the Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) first lunchtime rally of the election season, held at UOB Plaza on April 29, party chief Dr Chee Soon Juan delivered a blistering critique of the People’s Action Party (PAP), arguing that today’s leaders lack the competence and moral calibre of their founding predecessors. The rally, attended by a sizeable crowd during the afternoon lunch hour, marked the SDP’s sixth in as many days and brought together eight party speakers. Dr Chee, contesting Sembawang West SMC, began his address by rejecting the notion that he was engaging in “PAP bashing,” but insisted that past scandals needed to be revisited due to what he described as the PAP’s continuous self-praise. “Our PAP ministers keep running the propaganda that they are exceptional and don’t need an opposition to hold them accountable,” he said. He listed a series of controversies that he said undermined the PAP’s image, including: Former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s handling of ex-Sp...

  At a rally held near Sun Plaza on April 28, PAP candidate Poh Li San issued a pointed rebuttal to Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Dr Chee Soon Juan, who is contesting Sembawang West SMC. Dr Chee had pledged to hold regular town halls and become a full-time MP if elected, arguing it would help address residents’ concerns more effectively and shorten waiting times at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS). Ms Poh, 50, who is senior vice-president at Changi Airport Group, dismissed these ideas as a misunderstanding of how MPS works. She explained that MPS is meant to be a private, safe space for residents to confide in their MPs—not a public forum or political show. “It is not a town hall for public political theatre,” she said. She emphasised that while some MPS sessions can run late into the night, they are a critical avenue for personal help. “We don’t leave until we see the last family, the last man or the last woman,” she said. She also noted that she replies to residents’ email...

  At a rally held at Jurong East Stadium on April 28, 2025, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu mounted a strong defence of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike and hit back at opposition proposals to reduce the GST, saying they lack financial credibility. Addressing a crowd as the anchor minister of the PAP team contesting Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC, Fu targeted Red Dot United (RDU), whose chief Ravi Philemon had called for the GST to be cut from 9% to 7% during a televised roundtable on April 27. Fu characterised such proposals as “lovely ideas” that are “easy to say but hard to pay for,” and questioned who in the opposition would “sign the cheques” for these costly pledges. She warned that ultimately it is not the government, but Singaporeans today and in the future who would foot the bill. “The Government is only the custodian for Singapore. Ultimately, it is Singaporeans who will pay,” she said. Fu reiterated that while the GST increase from 7% to 9% ove...

  On April 28, 2025, former NTUC Income CEO Tan Suee Chieh published an open letter calling on Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to provide full disclosure regarding his role in the failed sale of Income Insurance to German insurer Allianz. The letter, which was widely circulated on social media, urged Gan to explain his actions in order to help restore public trust in Singapore’s governance processes. Tan revealed that this was his fourth attempt to seek clarification, having previously sent three letters to Gan between August and September 2024, all of which went unanswered. He noted that Gan’s past roles as Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and former Chairman of the Singapore Labour Foundation (SLF) placed him in a critical position during decisions that affected NTUC Income’s strategic direction. Tan said the collapse of the $2.2 billion Allianz deal exposed broader systemic weaknesses beyond just a failed transaction. He highlighted fragmented oversight a...

  Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered a strong message to voters during the PAP’s lunchtime rally at Fullerton on April 28, 2025, calling on Singaporeans to support the ruling party and avoid weakening the government in the face of an uncertain world. He emphasized that a stronger opposition presence could undermine Singapore's ability to navigate global challenges, even if the PAP remains in power. Addressing the crowd, PM Wong cautioned that if opposition parties secure multiple victories in the election, it could result in the loss of several ministers, weakening the Cabinet and the government. “Losing three to four ministers will weaken the Cabinet team, will weaken the government, will weaken Singapore,” he stressed. He directly countered the Workers’ Party’s argument that voters should compare candidates "backbencher to backbencher." He pointed out that ministers are contesting in GRCs, and their loss would have an immediate and serious impact on governance. ...

  Two Indian nationals were charged in a Singapore district court on April 28, 2025, after allegedly robbing a woman at a hotel along Jalan Besar. Arokkiyasami Daison, 22, and Rajendran Mayilarasan, 28, each faced a robbery charge and were ordered to be remanded at Central Police Division pending further investigations. According to court documents, the incident occurred on April 26, 2025, at the Amrise Hotel Kitchener. The two men were reportedly in a hotel room with a 38-year-old woman shortly before 7pm when they allegedly restrained her by using pieces of clothing to tie up her hands and legs. They are also accused of slapping the woman across her face during the robbery. After overpowering the woman, Daison and Mayilarasan allegedly made off with her personal belongings, including her passport, bank cards, and $2,000 in cash. The Singapore Police Force stated that they were alerted to the robbery at around 9pm the same evening. Officers from the Central Police Division quic...

  Real estate agency PropNex Realty is facing lawsuits from property buyers who were penalised by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) for using the "99-to-1" property arrangement aimed at avoiding Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). The lawsuits, which also name the involved property agents and law firms, stem from transactions that Iras later deemed as illegal tax avoidance. In one case, Kevin Rahim, 28, and Jessica Tjitra, 32, sued PropNex, property agent Amos Koh, and CK Tan Law Corporation after being required to pay nearly $850,000 in ABSD and penalties. In their case, filed in the High Court in February 2025, the couple claimed that Amos Koh had assured them the 99-to-1 method was a lawful way to reduce stamp duty obligations. Jessica Tjitra, who is from Indonesia and became a Singapore permanent resident in 2022, purchased a unit at Riviere condominium for $3.3 million under her sole name. As a new PR, her ABSD rate was 5 percent. Subsequently, she sol...

  Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan told voters at a rally in Sembawang on April 27 that if elected, SDP candidates would outperform their People’s Action Party (PAP) counterparts in both running town councils and raising issues in Parliament. Dr Chee emphasised that SDP MPs would serve full-time, unlike PAP MPs who often juggle their MP roles with full-time jobs. “Most, if not all, PAP MPs have a full-time job on the side... I just don’t see how anyone can possibly do it on a part-time basis,” he said. Speaking next to Sun Plaza, Dr Chee pointedly referred to his opponent Poh Li San’s previous comments that voters could discern between candidates who had done "real work" versus those who only appeared during elections. He countered that “real work” demands full-time presence in the constituency, Monday to Friday, not just weekend appearances. Dr Chee also noted the irony that part-time MPs receive an allowance of about $16,000 monthly. "Tell me how...

  Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong criticised opposition parties for only speaking out against foreign interference after the People's Action Party (PAP) government took decisive action to block foreign influence online. Speaking at a rally on April 27, Mr Lee accused opposition parties of responding opportunistically rather than taking a principled stand earlier. “But now, after the PAP government stood up, acted and blocked the foreign sites, all the other parties immediately say, 'I also agree,'” Mr Lee said. He added pointedly: "Day before yesterday, where were you? You didn't notice, you didn't know or buat bodoh?" — using the Malay phrase meaning "pretend not to know." Mr Lee urged voters to choose candidates who are committed to multi-racialism “truly and from the bottom of your heart,” warning that racial and religious politics could deeply divide Singapore. He emphasised that meritocracy, give-and-take, and unity under a "one Singa...

  At their rally on April 26, 2025, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) introduced a suite of proposals aimed at rejuvenating Sembawang GRC with a human-centric approach. Held at Evergreen Primary School, the rally saw SDP leaders criticising the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) for repackaging existing national projects as constituency-specific promises. SDP chief Chee Soon Juan outlined initiatives such as community storage facilities, lifts for overhead bridges, and microchipping services for cats to help reunite lost pets with their owners. He pledged that future plans for Sembawang would involve direct input from residents to better meet their needs. Responding to attacks from the PAP, Dr Chee defended his decision to contest Sembawang West SMC following the absorption of Bukit Batok SMC into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, along with PAP candidates Poh Li San and Alex Yam, had criticised Dr Chee, accusing him of abandoning Bukit Batok. In ...

  On April 26, 2025, the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) unveiled a series of major policy proposals during its rally at Bukit Gombak Stadium, aimed at tackling housing affordability, healthcare costs, and the high cost of living. The rally, which saw lively participation from supporters, also carried emotional moments as candidates reflected on the sacrifices of political life. Party secretary-general Leong Mun Wai proposed that Singaporeans purchasing Build-To-Order (BTO) flats should pay only for the construction cost, excluding the land cost. Under this plan, the price of a flat could drop to as low as $150,000, compared to current prices approaching $500,000. Homeowners would only be required to pay for land value if they profited from reselling their flats, making homes far more accessible for first-time buyers. In another major healthcare-related proposal, West Coast-Jurong West candidate Sumarleki Amjah called for MediShield Life premiums to be fully funded by the government...

  On April 26, 2025, at a rally held at Bedok Stadium, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong emphasised that policy proposals must be more than good ideas; they must be practical, executable, and make economic sense. Speaking at the East Coast GRC rally, he pointed out that while he agreed with Workers' Party (WP) candidate Yee Jenn Jong’s desire to improve Singapore, translating intentions into workable policies is crucial. Edwin Tong, who leads the People’s Action Party (PAP) team for East Coast GRC, said politics must be about service to the nation, but with clear, pragmatic plans that withstand real-world challenges. He stressed that political parties must go beyond rhetoric, demonstrating leadership, vision, and a readiness to handle trade-offs that come with policy decisions. Responding to past WP suggestions, Tong criticised proposals to either raise taxes on multinational corporations or draw more from Singapore’s reserves instead of raising the Goods and Ser...

  Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has described the economic challenges posed by recent United States tariff moves as a "tidal wave of change," warning Singaporeans not to underestimate the situation. Speaking at a People's Action Party rally at Yusof Ishak Secondary School on April 26, 2025, Mr Gan questioned critics who claimed the government’s response was excessive. Mr Gan, who also serves as Minister for Trade and Industry, explained that the ongoing global uncertainties could have lasting implications for Singapore’s role as a trading hub. He addressed concerns that the ruling party was creating unnecessary fear, countering that this situation is fundamentally different from past crises. He pointed out that Singaporeans are already feeling the impact, with multinational companies reassessing their investments and supply chains being reconfigured. This has led to a slowdown in business investments and hiring activities. While acknowledging the anxiety over job s...

  On April 26, 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called on all political parties to firmly reject identity politics and to keep race and religion separate from Singapore’s political sphere. Speaking at a press conference just a week before the General Election on May 3, he emphasised that these principles are crucial to maintaining the nation’s unity and social harmony. PM Wong explained that mixing politics with religion fractures the common space that Singaporeans of all backgrounds share. He warned that once elections become contests of faith, all communities would suffer, and external forces could exploit these divisions for their own gain. He called on political parties to exercise restraint and to avoid campaigning along racial or religious lines. Stressing that the matter was not partisan, PM Wong said that all Singaporeans, regardless of political preference, must protect the social fabric of the country. The call came after the Government blocked access to several Faceboo...

  Prime Minister and PAP secretary-general Lawrence Wong warned Singaporeans of looming global challenges as the nation heads into a crucial election. Speaking during the ruling party’s first political broadcast on April 25, he said the world is facing profound shifts — with rising tariffs, weakening global demand, and geopolitical tensions threatening Singapore’s economy and stability. “This election comes at a time of profound global change. A storm is coming upon us,” Mr Wong said, citing the impact of new US tariffs and ongoing US-China trade tensions. He noted that industries vital to Singapore, such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, could be hit hard, and warned of the possibility of a recession with potential job losses. Despite these challenges, Mr Wong assured Singaporeans that the PAP would stay focused on critical issues: jobs, housing, healthcare, education, and families. He stressed that the government would continue consulting widely when making policies, altho...

  The Workers’ Party (WP) secretary-general Pritam Singh has urged voters to support more WP candidates and constituencies in the upcoming General Election to secure Singapore’s democratic future. Speaking during the party's televised political broadcast on April 25, he said that winning more constituencies is essential for ensuring the continued presence of a credible, fully-elected opposition in Parliament. “One or even two WP GRCs can easily be lost; nothing can be taken for granted,” Mr Singh warned. He stressed that a stronger WP presence would enhance the sustainability of Singapore’s democratic system, making it more resilient for the long term. Mr Singh outlined three ways WP contributes to Singapore. First, he focused on the party’s role in Parliament, where WP MPs speak out on important national issues, ask “probing” questions, and table motions backed by rigorous research. These questions, he said, reflect the everyday concerns of Singaporeans and are based on facts and ...

  On April 25, 2025, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) founder and chairman Dr Tan Cheng Bock delivered a passionate call for a more balanced and representative parliament during the party’s political broadcast ahead of the General Election. Dr Tan said the PSP is ready to serve as a loyal opposition, offering constructive policy alternatives that reflect the needs of everyday Singaporeans. Citing the work of former Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa in the 14th Parliament, he said the party now seeks to continue that work as elected MPs in the 15th Parliament. Dr Tan, together with Mr Leong and Ms Poa, will contest in the newly formed West Coast-Jurong West GRC—considered PSP’s A-team. Other PSP candidates are fielded in Chua Chu Kang GRC, as well as in four Single Member Constituencies: Kebun Baru, Marymount, Pioneer and Bukit Gombak. In total, the party is contesting 13 seats in this election. In his roughly four-minute speech, Dr Tan desc...

  On April 25, 2025, Alfred Tan of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) delivered a firm message during the party’s first political broadcast for the General Election. Representing the party’s campaign in Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Mr Tan emphasised the urgent need for Members of Parliament (MPs) who will actively fight for the interests of Singaporeans and ensure policies are made to improve their lives. As inflation and the cost of living continue to weigh heavily on the population, Mr Tan pointed to growing frustrations among citizens. He cited job insecurity, mental health stressors, and financial pressures as key concerns affecting many households. In his words, “All this is happening while the PAP remains indifferent to our hardships,” accusing the ruling party of implementing price hikes—including increases in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), water bills, transport fares, and housing costs—at a time when many families are struggling both financially...