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  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...

  Around 50 Singaporean drivers faced frustration on New Year’s Day after arriving at the Woodlands Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) information centre, only to find it closed. The centre, which issues mandatory VEP tags for foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia, was unexpectedly shut despite scheduled appointments made via the online system. Malaysia mandates VEP tags for foreign-registered vehicles entering the country, with penalties of up to RM2,000 or six months' jail for non-compliance. Although enforcement was initially set for October 1, 2024, Malaysian authorities announced a phased implementation in September, allowing vehicles without VEP tags to enter temporarily. Drivers are currently reminded at border crossings to register, install, and activate their radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, with warning notices issued for non-compliance when exiting Malaysia. Madam Yang, 56, who had a 9am appointment, arrived early only to find a locked office and a dark corrid...

  Credit: Mothership The decomposed body of 15-year-old Yap Xin Yuan was discovered in a river in Banting, Selangor, on December 29, 2024, ten days after she was reported missing. Authorities believe the body belongs to Yap, though confirmation through DNA testing is pending. The case, initially a missing person’s report, has escalated into a murder investigation. Yap, who lived in Selangor, disappeared on December 19 after informing her family she was attending a lion dance practice. Her father dropped her off at the lion dance center that morning, but when she failed to return home, her family became alarmed. They later discovered that the center was closed because its manager was overseas. Attempts to contact Yap proved futile, as her phone was switched off. Her family reached out to her 16-year-old boyfriend via Instagram, but he did not respond. Desperate, the family lodged a police report and sought help through social media. The boyfriend initially denied involvement, tellin...

  Credit: Facebook@ 伟安 A Singapore-registered Toyota Raize was caught on video cutting the queue at the Second Link on Malaysia's side, sparking a chain collision on Dec. 24. The incident, which took place during peak traffic, highlights the dangers of reckless driving at border crossings. Incident Breakdown The Toyota Raize was seen traveling in the heavy vehicles lane before crossing over a double white line to join the congested car lane. Its sudden maneuver caused two other queue-cutting cars behind it to slow down sharply. This led to a lorry, which was traveling in the heavy vehicles lane, ploughing into the two cars. Smoke could be seen rising from the lorry following the impact, but the Toyota Raize appeared to escape unscathed and moved ahead. Meanwhile, the two cars involved in the collision were stopped. Reactions on Social Media The video of the incident drew widespread criticism. Commenters blamed the Toyota Raize for initiating the chain of events while also calling ...

  A Singaporean family's trip to Johor Bahru turned into a stressful ordeal on December 18, 2024, when they discovered their car had been broken into while they were shopping. Azhar, who was traveling with his wife and their one-year-old son, had borrowed his colleague's car for the trip. They arrived at Little Genius Baby Products Centre in Tebrau 3 around 10 am, parking the car before heading into the store to shop. When they returned to the car at noon, they found the right passenger window shattered. A backpack, left visibly on the back seat, was missing. The stolen items included a hot water thermos for their son and the wife's AirPods. Azhar explained, "We thought it was broad daylight, and the compound was supposed to have security walking around." He speculated that the thief may have targeted the car because it was an older Hyundai Sonata without an alarm system. The Aftermath The family had to abandon their plans for the day, which included visiting an i...

  A dramatic encounter between armed burglars and a house owner in Muar, Johor, went viral after CCTV footage of the incident was shared online. The break-in occurred on Dec 17 at around 5pm, with footage showing two intruders targeting a residential property in broad daylight. The incident began when one burglar climbed over the gate and waited inside the compound. Moments later, a white car reversed into the driveway. One of the burglars, armed with a machete, approached the vehicle and opened a door. Footage showed the burglars entering the house while a woman, identified as the domestic helper, was in the living room with a baby. One intruder walked past her unnoticed before leaving empty-handed. Another clip captured a burglar rummaging through drawers in a separate room, again leaving without items. The homeowner, alerted by surveillance cameras, rushed home with a male relative to confront the burglars. Armed with objects, they engaged in a fight, damaging the burglars' vehi...

  A tragic motorcycle accident on December 10, 2024, claimed the life of a 21-year-old Singaporean woman and left her 23-year-old boyfriend seriously injured. The accident occurred on the North-South Expressway near Sedenak, as the couple was traveling back to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur on a high-powered motorcycle. The Kulai police were notified of the incident at around 9:15 a.m. According to Kulai OCPD Asst Comm Tan Seng Lee, the motorcyclist lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a steel road divider. The pillion rider, who sustained severe head injuries, was pronounced dead at the scene. The rider, meanwhile, suffered leg injuries and was taken to the Temenggong Seri Maharaja Tun Ibrahim Kulai Hospital. The couple’s ill-fated journey highlights the dangers of high-speed travel on highways. While investigations are ongoing, it is believed that the motorcyclist’s loss of control led to the fatal crash. Emergency responders acted swiftly to transport the deceased and the inj...

  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...

  Summary : Malaysian authorities have announced that vehicles from Singapore without Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) tags will still be allowed entry into Malaysia beyond the Oct 1 deadline, with the enforcement of the VEP system to be phased in. The Road Transport Department (JPJ) stated that drivers will be issued reminders at land borders to register and install their RFID tags promptly. Warnings will be given to drivers upon exiting Malaysia if they haven't installed their VEP tags. Despite concerns among Singaporean drivers about possible penalties after Oct 1, JPJ reassured that vehicles can enter as usual, though the system will eventually be enforced. Malaysia has expanded RFID tag installation capacity to meet demand, including opening centres in Woodlands and Johor Bahru. Since May, over 60,000 Singapore-registered vehicles have activated their VEP RFID tags. The VEP system, first introduced in 2019, requires foreign-registered vehicles entering Malaysia to have RFID tags, wi...

A 34-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for suspected drug trafficking during a Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) operation on September 9, 2024. Drugs valued at approximately $305,000, including 3.14kg of cannabis, were seized. CNB officers apprehended the man near Chin Swee Road on the night of September 9. A search of his car uncovered about 264g of 'Ice,' 1.88kg of heroin, and 3.14kg of cannabis. The drugs seized could sustain the addiction of around 1,500 users for a week. Under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, trafficking in controlled drugs, or offering to do so, is a serious offense. Trafficking more than 15g of pure heroin, 250g of methamphetamine, or 500g of cannabis carries the mandatory death penalty. Investigations into the suspect's drug activities are ongoing.

  A driver, Pua Yui Loon, was sentenced to three years and ten months in prison and banned from driving for ten years after causing a fatal accident on an expressway. The 28-year-old Malaysian had been speeding at least 141 km/h when he sideswiped a motorcycle, causing the 22-year-old motorcyclist, Joshua Chiam Chee Wai, to fall and die at the scene. Pua fled to Johor Bahru, where he lived, but was arrested the next day when he returned to Singapore. The incident occurred on February 6, 2024, along the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). Pua, who worked as a cashier in a lounge bar in Singapore, was driving home after a night shift and had consumed alcohol earlier. Despite seeing the motorcycle ahead, Pua continued speeding and struck the motorcycle while trying to pass it on the rightmost lane. The accident was captured by in-car cameras from vehicles behind. After the collision, Pua did not stop to help the victims. Mr. Chiam’s girlfriend, who was riding pillion, sustained injuries but...

  Two Malaysian men, Goh Boon Tong and Muhammad Tauffiq Ahmad Fauzi, were charged with armed gang robbery for stealing over S$4.3 million worth of valuables in a King Albert Park residence on April 18th.  A group of more than four men had robbed 6 victims. They allegedly used parangs and baseball bats during the robbery and also restrained five other individuals.  Both men were arrested in Malaysia and are facing charges that carry up to 20 years in jail and 24 strokes of the cane.  Police are searching for the remaining suspects involved.

  *Picture for illustration purposes In Singapore, a 32-year-old man from Malaysia admitted to five counts of voyeurism after secretly filming his girlfriends and female colleagues without their consent. The man installed a motion-sensing camera in his toilet to capture intimate moments and invited friends over, recording them using the facilities. When confronted, he defended his actions as "normal" voyeurism in liberal relationships. The court heard how one victim discovered the recordings on his phone and reported the incident, leading to the man's arrest. The prosecution argued against the weight of a defence psychiatrist's report, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the man's actions. The defence contended that the man showed remorse by deleting the recordings and argued for a contextual understanding of his mental state. Sentencing was adjourned to March for further deliberation.

  The Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducted an enforcement operation last week, apprehending four drivers providing illegal cross-border chauffeured services between Singapore and Malaysia without proper licensing. LTA emphasized the safety risks and legal consequences associated with such unauthorized services, including potential accidents and lack of insurance coverage. Drivers caught engaging in illegal hire-and-reward services may face jail time, fines, and vehicle forfeiture. Currently, only licensed Singapore and Malaysian taxis with ASEAN Public Service Vehicle Permits are authorized for cross-border point-to-point services. LTA is collaborating with various platforms to remove advertisements for illegal services. Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat commended LTA's efforts and urged strict enforcement against unlawful practices, warning potential offenders of undercover operations. Since 2022, 12 drivers have been apprehended for illegal cross-border transport, resulting in...

A transnational scam syndicate involved in fake friend call scams, which targeted Singaporean victims, has been dismantled in a joint operation by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Johor Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) in Malaysia. Over 6,300 victims fell prey to these scams from January to November 2023, resulting in losses exceeding S$21.1 million. Following collaborative efforts between the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), five Malaysian men, aged 19 to 36, were arrested in Johor. The syndicate, operating since June 2023, is linked to more than 500 reports with losses surpassing S$1.4 million. The suspects will face charges in Singapore, emphasizing the authorities' commitment to combat transnational scams. The public is cautioned to remain vigilant against fake friend call scams, urging caution regarding urgent financial requests from unknown callers claiming to be friends.

  In the early hours of December 27, 2023, a tour bus en route from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur overturned on the North-South Expressway in Malaysia near Kulai. The accident occurred due to heavy rain, causing the 29-year-old driver to lose control. Of the 37 passengers, three required medical assistance, including a Singaporean man with a cracked kneecap. The injured were taken to a Johor hospital, while Malaysian authorities are investigating the driver for speeding. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of overnight coach rides during adverse weather conditions.

  In Malaysia Genting highland room, a 45-year-old Chinese national has been arrested for the alleged murder of a security guard. The 51-year-old security is believed to be working for a loan shark. The suspect, who lost a significant amount gambling, borrowed money from the loan shark but failed to repay. After being detained in a hotel room, a confrontation ensued between the suspect and the guard, leading to a fatal incident. The police are now seeking two additional suspects connected to the case.

  Malaysian singer Yuki Koh, 26, tragically lost her life after being stabbed eight times by a 44-year-old man who had reportedly been trying to pursue her for the past two years. The incident occurred around 2 pm on December 18, 2023, in Klang. The accused allegedly stabbed Koh after a meal together, then drove to his home with her body in the car. Police discovered Koh's lifeless body in the vehicle around 4:30 pm, and the man was subsequently arrested. The accused, who referred to himself as Yuki's "boyfriend" during his arrest, reportedly worked as a fruit seller and had misled Koh about his wealth. Yuki, who had a boyfriend, was fatally stabbed both from the front and back, with the fatal wound believed to be to the heart. Koh's funeral is scheduled for December 21, and her boyfriend expressed deep sorrow and heartbreak at her untimely passing. Rest in Peace Ms Yuki Koh!

  In Johor Bahru, Malaysia, two Singaporean men in their 20s and a Malaysian woman were arrested in connection with the murder of a 25-year-old Xie Zhiyu  Malaysian man. The incident occurred on 27 October 202, after a reported fight, and the victim suffered multiple stab wounds. The suspects attempted to flee in their vehicle but crashed into two other cars and the royal palace's gate. They all tested positive for methamphetamine, and a knife, clothing, and phones were seized. The case is under investigation, with charges related to the Penal Code and Dangerous Drug Act. New information suggests a complex background involving relationship issues and a demand for compensation, leading to the murder. One of the Singaporean suspects Fu Yiming  was charged with various offenses, including murder, while another Pan Xuanyao  was released on bail for driving under the influence of drugs. The case is scheduled for further hearings. What are your thoughts?