LAKOPINEWS.COM

  On January 22 2026, legal proceedings commenced against a 30-year-old man involved in what has been described as the largest seizure of etomidate-laced vaporiser pods, commonly referred to as Kpods, in Singapore's history. Muhamad Khairuddin Abdullah was handed a charge for allegedly importing a staggering 1,989 of these pods through the Woodlands Checkpoint. The scale of this haul highlights the ongoing challenges authorities face regarding the illegal distribution of substances that have recently seen increased regulation and stricter penalties. The events leading to the charge began late on the night of January 20 2026. At approximately 11:05 PM, Khairuddin was driving a rental car into Singapore from Malaysia. Accompanying him in the vehicle were his 63-year-old mother and his four-month-old niece. During a routine inspection at the Woodlands Checkpoint, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) uncovered two boxes hidden in the car’s boot. Upon closer i...

  On January 14, 2026, a 63-year-old Malaysian man who is a Singapore permanent resident was fined RM9,000 (approximately S$2,850) by a magistrate’s court in Kulai, Johor. The sentencing follows a viral incident in which the man, Long Sa Kow, was filmed using black tape to partially cover the registration plate of his Singapore-registered vehicle to illegally purchase subsidised RON95 petrol. Long was charged under Section 108(3)(e) of the Road Transport Act for displaying a vehicle registration plate that did not belong to his vehicle. The charge falls under the broader category of furnishing false statements or registration. During the court proceedings before Magistrate R. Salini, Long pleaded guilty but initially raised objections regarding the specific wording of the charge. He argued that he had not "altered" or "changed" his physical plate. This led to a brief recess in the court session. When the proceedings resumed, the prosecution clarified that police inv...

  Nominated Member of Parliament-designate Dr Haresh Singaraju has addressed public concerns regarding his past political affiliations. Following his appointment announcement on January 2 2026, photos surfaced on online platforms like Reddit showing Dr Haresh wearing a People’s Action Party T-shirt during an activity in Tampines in September 2023. In a social media clarification on January 6 2026, Dr Haresh, who serves as a family physician at National University Polyclinics, confirmed that he is not currently a member of any political party. He explained that the images were from past volunteer work and that he had made his Instagram account public recently, leading him to archive certain photos to protect the privacy of others featured in them. While his LinkedIn profile indicated he has served as a grassroots leader since January 2023, Dr Haresh did not provide specific details on when his PAP membership ended. This incident has reignited a broader debate about the non-partisan ...

  A high-profile case of road rage and a staged accident at the entrance of Sentosa has concluded with 60-year-old Feng Tianxing pleading guilty to multiple charges on December 30 2025. The incident, which took place on January 28 2024 at approximately 9:30 AM, began on Telok Blangah Road as both vehicles were heading toward the Sentosa island entrance. According to court documents, Feng initiated the conflict by changing lanes without signaling, which forced a 63-year-old driver to halt abruptly. As they proceeded through the Sentosa gantry, Feng braked suddenly once more. Angered by these provocations, the other driver—who was transporting his family, including elderly relatives and children—overtook Feng and braked, resulting in a physical collision between the two cars. Following the impact, both men exited their vehicles to argue. When the other driver attempted to take photos for insurance purposes and leave the scene, Feng physically obstructed the vehicle’s path and repeate...

  On January 4 2026, a dramatic road accident on Adam Road resulted in a vehicle fire and significant damage to public utility equipment. At approximately 3:50 PM, a car driven by a 27-year-old woman was travelling towards Lornie Highway when it is believed to have self-skidded near the slip road to Arcadia Road. The vehicle crashed directly into gas equipment located on the side of the road, causing the equipment to become dislodged. The impact triggered a fire that quickly involved both the car and the gas infrastructure. The Singapore Civil Defence Force was alerted at 3:55 PM and deployed two water jets to extinguish the blaze. Due to the involvement of gas equipment, SP Group officers were called to the scene to safely isolate the gas supply. The driver and her 30-year-old female passenger remained conscious and were transported to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for medical attention. Police investigations into the cause of the accident and the subsequent fire are ongoing. Earlier the...

  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...