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  On December 31 2025, the Singapore Tourism Board issued an immediate suspension to Sunshine Tours and Travel. The travel agency failed to provide its audited statement of accounts and annual business profile returns within the required six-month period following the end of its financial year. These documents are essential for the board to monitor industry health and licensee performance. The suspension began on the final day of the year and will last until the documents are submitted or for a maximum of six months. During this time, the company is prohibited from accepting new travel bookings, though it remains legally obligated to fulfill its existing commitments to current customers. In a significant criminal case, 63-year-old Tan Beng Kwee was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison on December 31 2025. Tan, who served as a spiritual medium at a home temple in Ang Mo Kio, was found guilty of sexual penetration of a minor, attempted sexual penetration, and procuring a...

  On December 29, 2025, the Singapore Police Force announced a significant breakthrough in its ongoing battle against transnational organized crime with the arrest of 24-year-old Eugene Goh. A Malaysian national, Goh was apprehended at the Woodlands Checkpoint on December 28 as he attempted to enter Singapore. Authorities have linked him to a notorious Cambodia-based organized criminal group that has successfully defrauded victims in Singapore of tens of millions of dollars. The criminal syndicate in question specialized in government official impersonation scams. According to police data, this group is believed to be responsible for approximately 440 reported cases, resulting in financial losses totaling at least $41 million. The operation was managed from a secure compound located in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The sophisticated nature of the group’s activities prompted a massive joint enforcement operation between the Singapore Police Force and the Cambodian police on S...

  On December 18, 2025, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) reported that 11 vehicles were recently impounded during islandwide enforcement operations against illegal cross-border ride-hailing services. These arrests took place at land checkpoints and areas including Fernvale Road and Mandai Road. Since July 2025, the LTA has checked over 2,700 vehicles and impounded a total of 152 vehicles. These enforcement efforts are supported by the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and the National Taxi Association to protect passenger safety and the livelihoods of licensed drivers. Drivers caught providing these unlicensed services face heavy penalties, including fines up to $3,000, six months in jail, and the potential forfeiture of their vehicles.  Passengers are encouraged to use licensed services provided by companies like ComfortDelGro, Strides Premier, Trans-Cab, and Prime, which offer safe transport to Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor. The LTA remains committed to monitor...

Four members of the public are being hailed as "heroes" after they helped contain a fire on the back of a pickup truck along Tanjong Katong Road on December 10 at 1:30 PM. A viral TikTok video by @ks83706 showed the truck's rear engulfed in flames. The footage captured four men—including a petrol station attendant with a larger extinguisher—using fire extinguishers to bring the blaze under control. The TikToker claimed the fire was out before fire trucks arrived. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed they were alerted to the fire at the junction of Tanjong Katong Road and Sandy Lane and ultimately extinguished the blaze using a hosereel. SCDF reported no injuries and that the cause of the fire is under investigation. Netizens praised the men for their "kampong spirit" and public-spirited teamwork.

  On December 1, 2025, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Woodlands Checkpoint foiled an attempt to smuggle a significant haul of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. Acting on information from the Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), ICA Search & Examination officers conducted enhanced checks on a Malaysia-registered car. They discovered over 370 cartons and 1,600 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within modified compartments of the vehicle. A 44-year-old male Malaysian driver was arrested in connection with the smuggling case. The driver and the seized contraband were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation. The ICA stated its commitment to facilitating trade and travel while upholding the safety and security of Singapore’s borders.

  A viral video from December 6, 2025, documented a failed daylight snatch theft in Johor Setia Indah. The footage showed a woman walking by the roadside when a motorcycle carrying two individuals approached. The passenger, acting as the thief, attempted to grab her handbag. The attempt caused the thief to fall from the motorcycle and the victim to fall to the floor. The thief fled on foot without the bag, while the motorcyclist immediately drove off. The driver of the recording vehicle played a role in deterring the thief by honking non-stop. The video's poster commented that the security situation in the area is "terrible," emphasizing that "robberies are happening in broad daylight." The incident highlights significant safety concerns for pedestrians and calls for increased security measures in the Johor Setia Indah locality.

  A distressing incident involving an aggressive passenger and a Grab driver in Malaysia has garnered attention following a viral social media post by the affected driver on December 4, 2025. The driver, who operates at night to earn extra income for his children’s schooling, detailed a violent encounter with an intoxicated customer that resulted in significant physical injury and damage to his vehicle. The incident began in the early hours of December 3, 2025, at approximately 12:40 AM. The driver picked up the customer, whom he described as a "Type C customer" and intoxicated, noting that he is accustomed to transporting drunk passengers as he typically drives only at night. Upon reaching the designated destination, the situation quickly escalated when the customer refused to exit the vehicle. The passenger made an immediate and unusual demand, stating he would only leave the car if the driver gave him 20 dollars. Complicating the matter, the driver had already lined up his...

  On December 1, 2025, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority reported that its officers at Tuas Checkpoint foiled a significant smuggling attempt on November 17, 2025. The operation involved a 55-year-old Singaporean man driving a Singapore-registered car. Officers directed the vehicle for enhanced checks, leading to the discovery of over 2,800 e-vaporisers and related components. The illegal items were found meticulously concealed within various compartments of the car, indicating a deliberate attempt to evade detection at the border. The prompt intervention by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority prevented a large quantity of prohibited goods from entering the country. The case was promptly referred to the Health Sciences Authority for detailed investigation into the illegal importation. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority emphasized that robust border security is a crucial aspect of its enforcement strategy against e-vaporisers, reiterating its commitment to...

  The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has arrested a 73-year-old Malaysian woman for her suspected involvement as a money mule in at least three cases of the Government Official Impersonation Scam (GOIS), in which scammers posed as officials from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The Scam and Modus Operandi The scam incidents occurred between October 8 and November 24, 2025. Impersonation: The scammers contacted victims, claiming to be officials from the "Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)". The Lie: Victims were falsely informed that their bank accounts were linked to money laundering activities or that their personal information had been compromised. Instruction to Victims: Victims were instructed to surrender their cash and valuables (including gold bars) to the scammers for the purported purpose of investigations. The Handover: Victims complied, meeting unknown individuals at various locations across Singapore to hand over the items. The victims realized they had...

  The Land Transport Authority (LTA), supported by tip-offs from the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and National Taxi Association, recently arrested 15 drivers for providing illegal cross-border ride-hailing services. The drivers were apprehended at key locations, including the land checkpoints, Changi Airport, Arab Street, and Ban San Street, and all their vehicles were impounded. Drivers caught providing these illegal services face strict penalties, including fines of up to S$3,000, imprisonment for up to six months, and possible vehicle forfeiture. The LTA continues its enforcement efforts and urges the public to report any illegal ride-hailing services they spot via the government portal at go.gov.sg/report-illegal-rides .

  Singapore Customs successfully concluded a significant enforcement operation, resulting in the arrest of four men and the seizure of a large quantity of duty-unpaid cigarettes and vehicles. The operation, conducted on November 13, 2025, at the Pasir Laba heavy vehicle carpark, targeted a ring involved in a massive tax evasion scheme. Details of the Seizure and Evasion During the operation, Customs officers conducted checks on a parked bowser (a type of tanker) and an adjacent forested area. They discovered that duty-unpaid cigarettes, allegedly smuggled from the bowser, were being packed into carton boxes. Contraband Seized: A total of 3,100 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found concealed within the bowser and the forested area. Tax Evasion: The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded on the seized cigarettes amounted to about $335,785. Vehicles Seized: Customs seized three vehicles involved in the operation: a prime mover with the bowser attached, a truck, and ...

  A 32-year-old man was arrested after a viral video showed him driving a Range Rover Velar on the Sungai Besi Highway on November 22 with a completely shredded rear tyre. The man surrendered to the KL Traffic police station on November 23 after the video, which showed him ignoring motorists' warnings and driving on the metal rim, went viral. The driver subsequently tested positive for ketamine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine but was negative for alcohol. The driver claimed his tyre burst after hitting a pothole and he chose to continue home. Authorities are now investigating the case under Section 45A for driving under the influence of drugs, and Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act for reckless and dangerous driving.

  A fight between a man and a woman at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, on November 12, has gone viral via video clips. The altercation reportedly stemmed from a dispute while commuters were "scrambling to get on the bus" at the checkpoint. Multiple video shows the two individuals pushing each other in front of a bus, culminating in the woman attempting to tackle the man, resulting in both falling to the ground. Johor Bahru South district police confirmed that no official police reports have been filed. However, authorities are investigating after being alerted to the footage on November 13, and are working to identify the individuals and witnesses involved.

  The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged two men for the alleged importation of e-vaporisers into Singapore. The men, Muhammad Amirul Iqbal Bin Mohd Nazri , 21, and Lim Teck Wee , 19, appeared in court on November 17, 2025. The Checkpoint Bust The arrests followed major seizures made by officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Woodlands Checkpoint on November 15, 2025, in two separate cases occurring on the same day. First Case (Amirul Iqbal): ICA officers discovered 1,000 e-vaporisers concealed in a Malaysian-registered car driven by Amirul Iqbal. Second Case (Lim Teck Wee): In a separate incident, ICA officers found a larger cache of more than 1,600 e-vaporisers and related components in a Malaysian-registered van driven by Lim. Both accused persons were arrested by the HSA on November 15, and investigations are ongoing. Their cases have been adjourned to December 15, 2025. Penalties for E-Vaporiser Offences The importation, distribution, s...

  A Malaysian man, Bernard Goh Yie Shen, 24, has been arrested and will be charged in Singapore for his suspected involvement in a Cambodia-based organised criminal group responsible for a massive government official impersonation scam. Goh was among the 32 remaining suspects who had been on the run. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced on November 17 that Goh was initially apprehended by foreign police in Cambodia and subsequently deported to Malaysia, where Malaysian authorities formally arrested him. He was then handed over to Singapore authorities on the same day. The Organised Criminal Group and Its Scope Goh is believed to be a member of an organised group primarily based in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. The syndicate operated from a scam compound and focused on running government official impersonation scams that targeted victims in Singapore. The criminal group is believed to be responsible for at least 438 reported impersonation scam cases, resulting in signific...

  Malaysian rapper Namewee (Wee), aged 42, is scheduled to be released on police bail on Thursday, November 13, following a decision by the country’s Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC). This marks a significant development in the high-profile murder investigation of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin, aged 31, who was found dead in a Kuala Lumpur hotel bathtub on October 22. Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar confirmed the impending release late on Wednesday, stating that the police probe currently lacks any evidence that could connect the rapper to Hsieh’s death. "So far, there is no evidence that shows the suspect was involved in causing the influencer’s death," Dusuki was quoted as saying, though he added that the AGC has instructed further investigation and would take appropriate action if any new findings surface. The case’s investigation paper was formally referred by the Kuala Lumpur police to the AGC on Tuesday. Under Malaysian law, the police are required to eit...

  The remand for controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee has been extended by an additional three days, as law enforcement continues its investigation into the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin. Namewee, whose full name is Wee Meng Chee, aged 42, will remain in detention until November 13, according to a statement released by Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus on Monday, November 10. His legal representative, Joshua Tay, confirmed the new remand date. Mr. Tay was quoted outside the Dang Wangi police headquarters as stating that police investigations had not yet been finalized. He assured the media that his client is in good health and maintains a positive demeanor while cooperating with the authorities. The musician, who has long been known for courting controversy through his music which often touches upon issues like government inefficiency and corruption, voluntarily presented himself to the police on November 5 after the case had been significantly reclassifie...

  A former cook at a local preschool facility in Singapore has been handed a stringent sentence, marking the culmination of a case that prosecutors described as one of the most horrendous acts of sexual abuse ever committed in a childcare setting in the nation. The offender, Malaysian national and Singapore permanent resident Teo Guan Huat, aged 61, was sentenced on November 10 to a total of nine years, four months, and seven weeks in jail. Mr. Teo had previously entered a guilty plea on October 27 to three charges of molestation. During the sentencing proceedings on November 10, the court took into consideration five additional molestation charges. District Judge Vince Gui, in delivering the sentence, emphasized the abhorrent nature of the former cook’s actions. The Judge stressed that the offenses represented a profound abuse of trust, highlighting the fact that the victims were extremely young and completely defenceless. The court heard that Mr. Teo abused three female victims, ...

  A viral video posted on November 7, 2025, showing a submarine traveling between Singapore's Punggol Northshore District and Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, has sparked public curiosity. The vessel appears to be a Gotland-class submarine, though this is unconfirmed.  Online community members questioned the submarine's identity and its presence near residential areas. Key questions included the vessel's specific model, whether it belonged to Singapore or Malaysia, and why it was operating near Punggol instead of the main naval base in Changi. The sighting also revealed to some Netizens that Singapore possesses its own submarine fleet. 

  The death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh Yu-hsin (known online as the "Nurse Goddess") at a luxury hotel in Kuala Lumpur has escalated into a high-profile murder investigation. What was initially classified as a sudden death has been reclassified by Malaysian police, deepening the legal troubles and public scrutiny faced by controversial Malaysian rapper Namewee (Wee Meng Chee), who was the last person seen with Hsieh. This is a breakdown of the suspicious timeline and the public demands that forced the case reclassification. Part I: The Discrepancies and the Manager's Public Challenge Iris Hsieh, 31, was found unresponsive in a hotel bathtub on October 22, 2025, while in Malaysia to collaborate with Namewee on a video project. Namewee reported the incident, but the investigation quickly raised serious questions. The Key Points of Contradiction: Namewee's Arrest: During the initial investigation, police reportedly found pills suspected to be ecstasy in the hotel...