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  On May 31, 2025, the Singapore Police Force announced the arrest of 13 men, aged between 23 and 42, suspected of being members of secret societies. These arrests were part of a comprehensive two-day islandwide operation conducted on May 23 and 24, 2025. The operation, led by the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, involved checks on nearly 90 individuals and inspections of over 40 public entertainment outlets, nightlife establishments, and food and beverage venues. The police stated that investigations into all suspects are ongoing. They emphasized their commitment to conducting such operations regularly and taking firm action against individuals associated with secret societies. The public was advised to avoid involvement in secret society activities and to report any such activities to the authorities. Under Singapore law, being a member of an unlawful society is a serious offense. Individuals found guilty may face imprisonment for up to three...

  Four male teenagers aged between 17 and 19 have been arrested by the Singapore Police Force in connection with two attempted robbery cases involving luxury watch sellers. These incidents took place at Block 432 Clementi Avenue 3 on consecutive days, leading to swift arrests and charges for some of the suspects. The first reported case occurred on May 29, 2025. The police received a call for assistance around 1.44pm. The victim had posted a luxury watch for sale on Carousell and had arranged to meet the buyers in person at the aforementioned HDB block. During the meeting, two teenagers attempted to rob the victim. One of them carried a knife and tried to cover the victim’s head with a plastic bag, possibly in an attempt to subdue or disorient the individual. The victim managed to break free and immediately called for police assistance. Officers from the Singapore Police Force acted swiftly, identifying and arresting both suspects later that same day. Authorities were also able to ...

  On May 29, 2025, a fire broke out at Whampoa Heights, a residential complex in Singapore. The blaze involved items placed along common corridors outside two units, one on the second floor. Approximately 40 residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. A 51-year-old man was arrested for suspected mischief by fire in connection with the incident.   The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded promptly to the scene, and the fire was extinguished without any reported injuries. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. The incident has raised concerns about fire safety in residential buildings, particularly regarding the storage of items in common corridors, which can pose fire hazards and impede evacuation routes. Authorities have reminded residents to keep common areas clear of obstructions and flammable materials. The arrest of the 51-year-old man underscores the seriousness with which such incidents are treated. Mischief by fire is a serious of...

  From January 1, 2026, motorists in Singapore will face tougher penalties for speeding, with increased fines and a revised demerit point system, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on May 28, 2025. This regulatory change is part of Singapore’s broader effort to address the rising number of traffic violations and fatal road incidents linked to speeding. Under the new rules, drivers who exceed the speed limit by 20kmh or less will be penalised with six demerit points—up from the current four. These offenders will also face composition fines ranging from S$200 to S$250, depending on the type of vehicle involved. More severe infractions, such as speeding over 50kmh above the legal limit, will carry 24 demerit points, leading to an immediate suspension of the motorist’s licence and potential court prosecution. These changes were first signalled earlier in February by Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam during the Traffic Police’s Road Safety Day, although specific deta...

  On May 29, 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong issued his first “rules of prudence” letter to all People’s Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament (MPs), laying down comprehensive expectations for conduct, advocacy, and leadership. This traditional letter, issued after every general election, serves as a guide for MPs on how to carry out their duties with integrity and accountability. This edition follows the 2025 General Election in which the PAP secured 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats, with a vote share of 65.57 percent. In his eight-page letter, Prime Minister Wong emphasized that PAP MPs must take ownership of causes they are passionate about, and champion them not just in words but with actions backed by research and deep engagement. He urged MPs to study issues thoroughly, understand the trade-offs involved, and present thoughtful and well-reasoned arguments in order to effect meaningful policy change. This approach, he asserted, is what distinguishes effective advocacy in...

  Between 13 March and 22 May 2025 , an island-wide anti-scam operation in Singapore led to the arrest of 17 men and 5 women , aged between 22 and 56 , for their suspected roles in Government Official Impersonation Scam (GOIS) cases. An additional 4 men and 5 women , aged 22 to 77 , are assisting in ongoing investigations. The police began receiving reports of GOIS cases in early March 2025 , involving victims receiving unsolicited calls from individuals impersonating bank staff or employees of China-based financial services. The impersonators often claimed to be from major banks such as DBS , OCBC , UOB , or Standard Chartered , or platforms like UnionPay and WeChat . Victims were falsely accused of being involved in criminal activities and were then "transferred" to scammers posing as police officers. These fake officers would then coerce the victims into surrendering valuables such as cash, bank cards, jewellery, or gold bars , supposedly for investigation purposes. In so...

  On 27 May 2025 , the mother of the underage victim involved in the sexual assault case against former Mediacorp actor Ian Fang publicly expressed her disappointment over the criminal sentence handed down to the 34-year-old. Ian Fang was sentenced to 40 months in prison for sexually assaulting her daughter, but the family believes this punishment is insufficient given the seriousness of the offence. The incident took place in 2021 when Fang allegedly took advantage of the young girl during a time she was suffering from health issues. According to the victim’s mother, Fang used his celebrity status to exploit her daughter, an act she described as predatory and manipulative. The mother highlighted that the trauma left behind has had a significant and lasting impact on the victim’s emotional and mental health. While the court has already sentenced Fang to 40 months in jail, the victim’s family has announced plans to pursue a civil lawsuit against him. The mother stated that the ...

  On May 27, 2025 , a serious traffic accident involving two lorries occurred along Braddell Road , near Raffles Institution , resulting in the death of a 36-year-old man , who was later identified as one of the lorry drivers involved in the crash. The collision took place at around 2pm , in the direction of Bartley Road before the Bishan Flyover . Both the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded promptly to the scene. SCDF officers deployed hydraulic rescue equipment to extricate two individuals who were trapped in the driver’s cabins of their respective lorries. Three people were taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital while still conscious. They included the 36-year-old lorry driver who later succumbed to his injuries, a 59-year-old male driver , and a 48-year-old male passenger . The crash led to massive traffic disruptions. At 2.56pm , the Land Transport Authority (LTA) posted on platform X (formerly Twitter), informing the public that the Lorn...

  On 26 May 2025 , a 67-year-old man , Soo Ah Seng , was sentenced to two months’ jail for launching a violent assault on a taxi driver in a carpark at Block 307 Hougang Avenue 5 . The incident occurred on 1 August 2023 , after a minor collision between the driver’s taxi and Soo’s personal mobility aid (PMA) . According to court proceedings, the victim, a 65-year-old taxi driver , had accidentally reversed into Soo, who was riding his PMA through the carpark. The collision caused Soo to fall off his mobility device. The taxi driver immediately apologised and offered assistance. However, Soo reacted by demanding S$2,000 in compensation , later revising his demand to S$1,000 . When the driver declined to pay, Soo escalated the situation. He retrieved a knife from his PMA compartment and charged at the driver. A bystander intervened and successfully disarmed Soo, preventing more serious harm. However, the situation did not de-escalate. Soo went into a nearby coffee shop, grabbed a ...

  On 27 May 2025 , a day of celebration in Liverpool turned into tragedy when a car ploughed into a crowd of fans during a parade celebrating the club's Premier League title win , injuring 47 people , including two seriously . The incident occurred around 6:00 PM on Water Street , shortly after the Liverpool team bus had passed the area. The vehicle, driven by a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area , struck a large group of supporters gathered along the parade route. Videos on social media captured the horrifying moment fans were thrown into the air as the vehicle surged through the crowd. Witnesses reported that after an initial stop, the driver accelerated again, causing additional injuries. According to the North West Ambulance Service , 27 people were taken to hospital, including four children . One child and one adult remain in serious condition . Another 20 individuals were treated on-site for minor injuries. Eyewitness Mike Maddra described the car turn...

  On 26 May 2025, former police officer Koh Kian Tiong was sentenced to nine years in prison for accepting bribes totaling $47,700 and deserting his post, after evading authorities for nearly 17 years. Koh, now 53 years old, had been on the run since 2008 before his eventual arrest and return to Singapore. Between July and December 2006, while serving in the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, Koh accepted bribes from nightclub operators in exchange for advance notice of police raids and information about investigations into unlicensed employment of foreign hostesses. In 2008, as the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was closing in on him, Koh fled Singapore. A warrant for his arrest was issued, and he remained a fugitive until his return to Singapore in October 2023, when he was arrested at Changi Airport after arriving from Vietnam. Koh faced 14 charges, including eight for corruption and six for failing to report for duty without rea...

  On 26 May 2025, an 84-year-old male pedestrian tragically lost his life following a traffic accident in Choa Chu Kang, Singapore. The incident occurred when the elderly man was struck by a minibus while crossing the road. Emergency services were promptly dispatched to the scene, and the victim was transported to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The Singapore Police Force confirmed the arrest of the minibus driver in connection with the accident. Investigations are currently underway to determine the circumstances leading to the collision. Authorities are examining factors such as the driver's actions, road conditions, and any potential violations of traffic regulations. This incident has raised concerns about pedestrian safety, especially for the elderly population. Community leaders and traffic safety advocates are calling for increased measures to protect vulnerable road users, including enhanced pedestrian crossings, better lighting, a...

  On 23 May 2025, a 36-year-old man was arrested within two hours for his suspected involvement in a loanshark harassment case at McNair Road. At approximately 9:05 AM, the police received a report regarding two residential units along McNair Road that had been vandalized with red liquid splashed on their main gates and doors. Officers from the Central Police Division promptly initiated investigations, utilizing police camera footage and conducting ground inquiries. Their swift actions led to the identification and arrest of the suspect within two hours of the initial report. The suspect is believed to have carried out the act of harassment under the instructions of an unlicensed moneylender. Such acts are typically intended to intimidate and pressure debtors into repaying loans. The man was charged in court on 24 May 2025 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, imprisonment of up ...

  On 23 May 2025, the Singapore Police Force announced the arrest of two men and one woman for their suspected involvement in a government official impersonation scam. The trio allegedly posed as government officials to deceive victims into transferring money under false pretenses. Investigations revealed that the suspects contacted victims, claiming to be from various government agencies. They informed the victims that they were under investigation for criminal activities and instructed them to transfer funds to designated accounts for verification purposes. The victims, fearing legal repercussions, complied with the instructions, resulting in financial losses. The police conducted extensive inquiries and gathered evidence leading to the identification and subsequent arrest of the suspects. The authorities seized multiple items, including mobile phones and documents, believed to be linked to the scam operations. The suspects are currently assisting with ongoing investigations....

  On 23 May 2025, a significant traffic incident occurred at approximately 12:30 PM at 60 Jalan Lam Huat, the location of the Carros Centre, an automotive industrial complex in Kranji. A 65-year-old male driver operating a private bus was involved in a collision that affected five other vehicles. The Singapore Police Force was alerted to the incident and responded promptly. Upon arrival, authorities found that the private bus had collided with multiple vehicles in the carpark area outside the storefront of One Drive Automobile, a car dealership located within the complex. Video footage circulating on social media platforms depicted the white private bus driving through the carpark, striking several parked cars. The impact resulted in visible damage to at least one vehicle and caused the displacement of outdoor furniture, including tables, chairs, and traffic cones. The bus driver was conscious at the scene and was transported to the hospital for medical evaluation and treatment...

  On 17 May 2025, the Singapore Police Force responded to a report of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Senja Close in Bukit Panjang. The main door and gate of the unit were found splashed with black and green paint, and the wall beside the unit was defaced with loanshark-related graffiti. Through ground enquiries and the aid of images from police cameras, officers from Jurong and Woodlands Police Divisions established the identity of the suspect. A 19-year-old teenager was arrested on 21 May 2025 for his suspected involvement in the case. Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenager is believed to be involved in another similar case of loanshark harassment along Woodlands Street 41. The teenager was charged in court on 22 May 2025 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine of between $5,000 and $50,000, with imprisonment of up to five years and caning of up to six strokes. The police have...

  On the morning of 24 May 2025 , a traffic accident occurred at Woodlands Checkpoint , causing significant delays and sending four individuals to the hospital. The collision, which involved a car and a bus , happened along the viaduct leading to the immigration counters , resulting in a lane closure that lasted for approximately three hours . The incident was reported to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) at about 6.40am . Upon receiving the alert, emergency responders were quickly deployed to the scene. According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) , one lane had to be shut down to facilitate emergency response and recovery efforts, leading to traffic disruptions during the early morning rush hour. Four people involved in the accident sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. The authorities have not disclosed the severity of their injuries, and investigations are currently ongoing to determine the cause of t...

  In response to a surge in fire incidents associated with non-compliant active mobility devices (AMDs), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has intensified its enforcement actions, resulting in the impoundment of 78 devices. This operation is part of LTA's ongoing efforts to address the rising number of fire incidents involving non-compliant AMDs in residential areas.   The LTA's enforcement operations targeted various residential areas where non-compliant devices were suspected to be in use. These devices, often modified or lacking proper certification, pose significant fire hazards, especially in densely populated housing estates. The impounded devices were found to be in violation of safety standards, including the absence of UL2272 certification, which is a critical benchmark for fire safety in personal mobility devices. The UL2272 certification is a safety standard that evaluates the electrical and fire safety of personal mobility devices. Devices that do not meet thi...

  On 23 May 2025, a 20-year-old man pleaded guilty in a Singapore court to committing a series of disturbing acts, including sexually abusing a cat and assaulting a classmate with special needs. The man, whose identity has been withheld due to a gag order protecting the victims, admitted to one count of performing an indecent act with an animal, as well as charges related to harassment and physical assault. The indecent act involving the cat took place on 8 April 2023, at approximately 1:50 a.m., in the vicinity of the man's residential block. According to court documents, he encountered a cat near his home, fed it some cat food, and shortly after, was seen performing a sexual act on the animal. The entire incident was captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) installed by a neighbour. The footage showed the man squatting near the cat, appearing to rub himself against it. When the cat fled, he pursued it, picked it up, and continued the act. Eventually, the cat managed to escape...