LaKopiNews.com

  Autonomous driving firm WeRide has introduced its new five-seater self-driving vehicles into Singapore, likely to be deployed as community shuttles in Punggol by late 2025. This aligns with Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow’s statement in June that Singapore aims to roll out self-driving shuttles by the start of the fourth quarter this year. WeRide, based in Guangzhou, confirmed the arrival of the GXRs, which are already operating in cities like Beijing and Abu Dhabi. The Ministry of Transport is in talks with both WeRide and Pony.ai to supply vehicles for the Punggol trial.  WeRide also runs an eight-seater autonomous bus at Resorts World Sentosa, which in July became the first in Southeast Asia to operate without onboard safety personnel. Partnerships with Grab and local operators, such as SMRT, point to wider rollouts in coming years. Initial Punggol trials will start without passengers, with safety officers onboard, before eventually shifting to remote operations.

  Police in Singapore are appealing for urgent information on 11-year-old Muhammad Hairil Bin Muhammad Effendi, who has been missing since the late morning of August 29. Hairil, who has autism, was last seen at about 11.05am near Block 29 Marine Crescent. According to his family, his last known attire was grey shorts, with no shirt and no slippers. His father, Mr. Fendi, has requested the public to call him at 80256570 or the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 if they spot Hairil, and to stay with him until help arrives. As of the morning of August 30, Hairil had not yet been found. Police continue their investigations and have called for public vigilance, especially in the Marine Crescent and Marine Terrace areas. Authorities stress that all information provided will be kept strictly confidential. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZRoVVU84m/

  A tragic accident involving careless driving led to the death of a highly respected National University of Singapore (NUS) law professor, Emeritus Professor Tan Yock Lin. The case, which has since concluded in court, highlights the severe consequences of reckless behaviour on the road and the disregard for legal restrictions by repeat offenders. The offender, Natarajan Mohanraj, a 28-year-old Indian national employed as a construction worker, had already been flagged by the authorities for his history of unsafe driving. In June 2023, the Traffic Police issued him a formal notice instructing him to surrender his driving licence before July 25 that year. However, on July 7, 2023, before the deadline, Natarajan drove a lorry along Upper Thomson Road and caused a fatal collision. Court documents revealed that he had been distracted by his mobile phone, which was mounted on the lorry’s windscreen. While glancing at the device, the vehicle veered right, mounted a centre divider, crashe...

  Hotel Miramar Singapore, a long-standing hotel located along Havelock Road, will cease operations at the end of October 2025. The decision, announced jointly with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU) on August 29, will affect 108 employees. The hotel explained that the closure followed a comprehensive review of its long-term business outlook. Employees will receive retrenchment packages in line with the collective agreement, but management has gone further by providing additional payouts to long-serving staff, extending benefits to re-employment scheme workers, and offering ex gratia payments to those with less than two years of service. FDAWU and NTUC’s e2i have stepped in to help workers transition to new roles, providing career coaching, job-matching, and skills upgrading. The 344-room hotel, part of Singapore’s hospitality scene since 1968, has been in advanced sale negotiations valued below $200 million. Its closure marks the end of an era in the local hotel i...

  After an eight-month investigation, the authorities have decided no charges will be filed over the altercation involving volunteers from the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) during a walkabout in Bukit Gombak earlier this year. A political incident in Bukit Gombak that sparked intense debate earlier this year has officially concluded, with no charges filed against any parties involved. On January 4, volunteers from both the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and the People’s Action Party (PAP) crossed paths during separate walkabouts at Goodview Gardens, leading to an altercation. Allegations soon followed, with both sides accusing the other of harassment, intimidation, and even physical assault. The case became a hot topic on social media after video clips of the confrontation circulated widely. A PSP volunteer lodged a police report, while PAP representatives, including Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling, alleged that PSP members had slapped an...

  Seventeen motorists, aged between 27 and 48, will be charged in court on 28 August for drink-driving offences after being arrested between June and August during Police enforcement checks. All had failed breathalyser tests. Two of them, men aged 30 and 35, face additional charges for leaving their vehicles in positions that obstructed traffic. The 30-year-old was found asleep in his car along Rangoon Road, while the 35-year-old fell asleep in his vehicle along Tampines Avenue 5. Both are being charged with drink driving under Section 67(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961, and with leaving a vehicle in a position causing undue inconvenience under Section 122 of the same Act. Drink-driving offences carry fines of up to $10,000, jail terms of up to 12 months, or both for first-time offenders, with harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Police stressed that they will continue taking firm action against such dangerous behavior.

  A 68-year-old taxi driver paid the price when he was punched so hard during a roadside dispute that he suffered sight-threatening injuries, leaving him unable to continue working. On Aug 28, the court sentenced 26-year-old Marcus Loke Teck Soon to 28 weeks in jail, highlighting the dangers of impulsive aggression behind the wheel. The road rage incident unfolded on Aug 12, 2022, along the Ayer Rajah Expressway. Loke was driving a van when the taxi driver overtook him. Both vehicles exited the expressway and stopped at a pedestrian crossing near Alexandra Road. Words and gestures escalated the dispute with Loke noticing the cabby flashing an obscene hand gesture. Enraged, he demanded that the older man get out of the taxi. When the driver refused and tried to leave, Loke retaliated by punching him once in the right eye before leaving the scene. The consequences were severe. The victim suffered a fractured right eye socket and bleeding behind the eyeball, requiring hospitalisation ...

  From Sep 1, Singapore will enforce harsher penalties against vaping and Kpod abuse, as well as severe punishments for suppliers of etomidate. Etomidate, a substance commonly found in drug-laced vapes known as Kpods, will be officially classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). This change significantly raises the stakes for both abusers and traffickers. For abusers, fines for vaping will rise from the current S$300–S$500 to S$500 for first-time offenders under 18 and S$700 for adults. A second offence will require attendance at a three-month rehabilitation programme, while third-time or subsequent offenders face prosecution with fines of up to S$2,000. Kpod users will face similar fines but with added mandatory rehabilitation lasting up to six months. Repeat Kpod offenders will be investigated under the MDA, undergo urine testing, and face six months of mandatory supervision. Authorities have highlighted that the majority of etomidate abusers are under 30. ...

  A viral video of a private hire driver’s rider has sparked widespread debate after the passenger was allegedly caught vaping during the ride and later appeared unable to walk properly upon drop-off. The driver recorded the incident and questioned if he needed to report it, saying he disliked getting into trouble. Netizens, however, were firm in their responses. Many urged immediate police reporting, with one suggesting the driver head straight to the nearest NPC or signal any police car on the road. Others pointed out the risks of ignoring the matter, with one saying reporting could “save him, if not he will ruin his future.” Comments also linked the behaviour to vaping and possible drug use, describing it as destructive to lives. The case underlines the tough situations faced by private hire drivers when passengers break the law, and the strong public stance that reporting is the safest and most responsible response.

  At around 1:15am on 28 August 2025, a fire broke out in the living room of a fourth-floor flat at Blk 68 Redhill Close. SCDF firefighters extinguished the blaze with a water jet and confined it to the living room. Three residents were rescued from a bedroom and conveyed to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) for minor burn injuries and smoke inhalation. Another person from a different floor, who felt unwell, was also sent to SGH. About 50 residents were evacuated as a precaution. Preliminary findings suggest the fire was electrical in origin. SCDF reminded the public not to overload electrical outlets, to switch off unused appliances, and to check wiring regularly. They also warned against leaving devices charging overnight or unattended. This case highlights the dangers of electrical fires in high-rise flats and the importance of fire safety practices to reduce risks and protect lives.

  On Aug 27, a Malaysian man was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint after ICA officers uncovered more than 890 vapes and 6,700 related parts hidden in his van. The vehicle, declared as carrying air-conditioning equipment and servicing parts, was subjected to checks at about 11am. Officers found e-vaporisers concealed in boxes, within an air-conditioning unit, and across different compartments of the van. The K-9 unit was brought in to ensure all contraband was located. The seized items and the arrested driver were handed over to the Health Sciences Authority for investigation. This incident came just days after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced tougher anti-vaping measures at the National Day Rally on Aug 17, where he said vaping would be treated as a drug issue with harsher penalties. Between Aug 18 and 22, ICA had already detected 184 vape cases across Singapore’s checkpoints. From Sept 1, etomidate, a substance increasingly abused through vape pods known as Kpods, will be cl...

  Singapore’s war on vaping has intensified, with MOH and HSA reporting a sharp rise in enforcement between April and June 2025. More than 3,700 people were caught for possession or use of e-vaporisers, nearly 20% more than the previous quarter. Online platforms also came under scrutiny, with over 2,000 listings for vapes removed, while eight individuals were fined for posting vaping content on social media. At checkpoints, ICA detected 19 smuggling cases, seizing around 90,000 e-vaporisers. In court, 12 people were prosecuted for sales, while 31 others faced harsher penalties for failing to pay fines. A 21-year-old caught with nearly three tonnes of products in Bishan and Ubi was charged in July. Authorities also flagged the rising use of etomidate-laced vapes, with 29 cases detected this year. From September, etomidate will be classified as a controlled drug, with offenders facing tougher punishments. Officials warn the public: quit vaping now or face the law.

  On August 26, 2024 , Singapore influencer Genie Yamaguchi , 30, admitted in court to stealing $628.90 worth of beauty products from the Don Don Donki outlet at Orchard Central . The theft happened between 2.30am and 3am on August 25, 2024 , with her friend, Lee Suet Keay, Cheryl, 28 . Together, they took 27 beauty products , leaving the store without payment. They were later caught on CCTV and arrested the following month. Yamaguchi, who once had 14,800 Instagram followers and managed both a preserved flower business and a beauty aesthetics clinic, has since deactivated her account. She returned only nine stolen items but later compensated the store for the rest. Prosecutors noted her clean record and asked for an assessment for a Day Reporting Order (DRO) , an alternative to jail or a fine. Her case has been adjourned to September 23, 2025 , for sentencing.

  What happens when a person entrusted to guide and protect young people betrays that responsibility in shocking ways? That question was at the centre of the case of Woo Weng Chuan, a 51-year-old former secondary school teacher, who was caught secretly recording men showering at MacRitchie Reservoir. His actions, which extended far beyond a single incident, eventually led to a jail sentence of five months and five weeks, handed down on August 26, 2025. Woo’s offences first came to light on June 1, 2022, while he was accompanying his students at MacRitchie Reservoir for a track and field training session. Tasked with overseeing their belongings and ensuring smooth coordination of the session, Woo instead gave in to his impulses. He noticed several male individuals showering in the open facilities at the amphitheatre toilet and began filming them with his phone. His behaviour was noticed by a 33-year-old runner, who saw Woo repeatedly walking in and out of the shower area, holding hi...

  On August 24, 2025, chaos erupted in Toa Payoh after a violent brawl broke out at a coffee shop near Block 10B Lorong 7. According to police, at least 13 individuals were involved in the altercation, which left two victims injured and more than 10 people seen fighting in footage circulating online. The police were alerted to the fight at around 10am that morning. Preliminary investigations revealed that the group allegedly targeted two men after a dispute escalated. The victims, aged 21 and 30, both sustained stab wounds, one on the arm and the other on the back. Thankfully, both received outpatient treatment at a hospital and their injuries were not life-threatening. Authorities wasted no time in responding. With the aid of CCTV footage and police camera images, they quickly identified and tracked down the suspects. A total of 13 people, 12 men and one woman aged between 21 and 34, were arrested. Among the seized items was a cleaver, believed to be one of the weapons used in the...

  On 26 August 2025, Singapore saw its first-ever conviction linked to “Kpods”, when 41-year-old Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was sentenced to 16 months’ jail and fined $400. This historic ruling highlights the rising threat of etomidate-laced vaping pods and the tough stance authorities are taking against offenders. The case dates back to December 2024, when Akil was caught at his Yishun flat with 26.4 grams of white powder. That powder contained enough etomidate to produce over 70 vape pods. During investigations, he admitted to mixing the substance into e-liquids and filling pods for sale to customers across Singapore. Akil revealed that he had been recruited by a man known only as “Joe”, whom he met at a Johor mall. Joe supplied the raw materials, and Akil prepared the pods for distribution, earning $10 for each one. One transaction proved to be his downfall. In the early hours of 11 December 2024, Akil prepared 100 pods for a customer known as “Beast”. The delivery was picked up ...

  On the morning of August 24, 2025, a violent fight broke out at a coffee shop in Toa Payoh, leading to the arrest of three men aged between 21 and 30. Police were alerted to the incident at about 9.50am at Block 10B Lorong 7, and investigations revealed that more than 10 individuals were involved. Video footage circulating online, believed to be filmed at Block 9 Toa Payoh Industrial Park, showed chairs and tables being smashed, punches being thrown, and at least one individual being struck with an object. Some bystanders tried to intervene, while others fled the scene. When police arrived, several patrol cars and a cordon were seen at the site. Aftermath footage showed overturned furniture, broken glass, and bloodstains on chairs. The three arrested individuals are now facing investigations for rioting, while efforts continue to trace the remaining people involved.

  On August 24, 2025, a video of a heated exchange between a Land Transport Authority (LTA) engineer and a contractor’s worker at a Tanah Merah site went viral. The footage showed the engineer, wearing a white helmet, berating a worker in a yellow helmet over safety issues, questioning his driving qualifications and why he was not buckled up. At one point, the engineer smacked the worker’s head with what appeared to be his driving licence before throwing it on the ground. LTA addressed the incident in a Facebook post on August 25, stating that while the engineer was addressing safety lapses, his behaviour was “inappropriate.” The engineer has been counselled, reminded of professional standards, and has apologised to the worker involved. LTA emphasised that it does not condone such actions and will continue reinforcing respectful and professional behaviour when upholding safety rules.

  On August 23, 2025, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced stepped-up checks at Singapore’s land, air, and sea checkpoints to detect and deter e-vaporiser smuggling. E-vaporisers are illegal in Singapore, and the government maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance against vaping. Travellers carrying these devices must declare them to ICA officers. Those who fail to declare will face fines or be referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation. Singapore banned e-vaporisers in 2018 due to health risks and their potential influence on youth. ICA reiterated that offenders will face strict consequences.

  On August 25, 2025, a viral video exposed a delivery personnel allegedly stealing parcels in the Pioneer neighborhood. A resident who uploaded the footage said the rider had repeatedly taken packages after marking them as “delivered.” In the latest case, he even took a proof-of-delivery photo before carrying the parcel away. Neighbors confirmed they too had experienced missing parcels under similar circumstances. The resident has since reported the matter to the platform, urging the company to investigate quickly. The video, now circulating widely, has raised serious concerns over consumer trust and the integrity of delivery personnel. Parcel theft, while not new, has become increasingly troubling as more Singaporeans rely on e-commerce platforms for daily purchases. The online platform is expected to respond to the allegations and ensure accountability, while residents in Pioneer remain on alert.