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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...

  A Chinese national, Li Guorui, 41, was fined S$2,000 on January 14 after urinating on an escalator handrail at Outram Park MRT station. Li, in Singapore for a business trip since January 2, became intoxicated after a business dinner at Brotzeit German Bier Bar on January 10. At around 10 p.m., while leaving Outram Park MRT station, Li unzipped his trousers and urinated on the handrail of a downward escalator. His actions were captured and widely shared on social media, garnering public outrage. A member of the public reported the incident via the SGSecure app the next day. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin highlighted the seriousness of Li’s actions, which caused widespread annoyance, health risks, and potential damage to the escalator’s internal components. He also noted this incident occurred amid a spate of similar cases at other MRT stations. Li was arrested on January 12 and cooperated fully with authorities. The court considered his act spontaneous, not premeditated, but ...

  Repeated lift breakdowns at Block 547 Serangoon North Avenue 3 during four days of heavy monsoon rain caused significant inconvenience to residents. Ang Mo Kio Town Council announced on January 11 that repairs were underway after water ingress disrupted the functioning of two lifts. Despite repair efforts, issues persisted, sparking frustration among residents. Repairs initially commenced on January 10, with one of the lifts restored on January 12. However, a Shin Min reporter observed on January 13 that the supposedly repaired lift displayed erratic behavior, with its doors opening and closing repeatedly before functioning normally. By 11 a.m. that day, the same lift malfunctioned again, displaying an “Out of Order” and “Power Failure” notice. The other lift remained under maintenance as of that morning. Residents were forced to use the stairs, creating significant inconvenience, particularly for those living on higher floors. Many expressed their frustrations, citing the lifts’...

  The recent kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Thailand has sparked safety concerns among Chinese tourists, dampening Thailand’s appeal ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday. Many Chinese travelers have canceled plans to visit Thailand, citing fears for their safety. Flight cancellations from China to Thailand surged 155% over the weekend compared to the same period last year, according to travel analytics firm ForwardKeys. Wang Xing’s ordeal began in a Thai town bordering Myanmar, where he was abducted and taken to a scam center by human traffickers. Thai authorities successfully rescued him, but the incident gained widespread attention on social media, leading many to cancel their trips to Thailand. The backlash has extended beyond tourism. Hong Kong singer Eason Chan canceled a sold-out Bangkok concert scheduled for February 22, citing fan safety concerns. Comedian Zhao Benshan also postponed a Bangkok performance. In Chonburi province, a popular tourist area that include...

  Credits: The Straits Time Three men were sentenced to jail on January 13, 2025, for a violent, unprovoked assault on two strangers near Prinsep Street in April 2024. The men – Shahrul Danish Zainal Abidin, 24; Shamirul Azwat Sainal, 21; and his brother Muhammad Fatula Sainal, 23 – were convicted of voluntarily causing hurt, with Fatula additionally charged for using a dangerous weapon. The incident occurred on April 25, 2024, after the trio left a bar around midnight. While walking near a sheltered area, Shamirul approached a man, referred to as V1, who was with a friend vomiting on the ground. The two started chatting about motorcycles, but tensions escalated when Fatula joined the conversation. Without warning, Fatula shoved and punched V1, igniting a physical altercation. Shamirul and Shahrul joined in, with Shamirul punching V1's face and Shahrul landing additional blows. Fatula then used a karambit knife, which he had brought for "protection," to slash V1 on his up...

***Update: HDB, Maincon and Consultant has came down to the unit to check. Will update on status once we have more information. A homeowner in Punggol Northshore is dealing with a severe water leakage problem in his newly renovated Build-to-Order (BTO) flat, which he moved into just six months ago in July 2024. The issue has caused extensive damage, including water seeping through an electrical powerpoint, bubbling walls, and paint peeling from the affected areas. Pools of water have also formed on the floor, making the flat unsafe and unlivable. According to the main contractor, the source of the problem appears to be a structural issue with an external wall adjacent to the master bedroom. Despite the assessment, the homeowner remains frustrated as the damage has already rendered the flat unsuitable for daily living. Compounding the problem is the contractor's warning to avoid using electrical switches in the living room and bedroom due to the risk of short circuits. However, the ...

  The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has suspended its electronic Change of Address (eCOA) service after uncovering about 80 unauthorized attempts to fraudulently change residential addresses using stolen or compromised Singpass accounts. The fraudulent activities targeted the “others” option in the eCOA service, introduced in October 2020 to allow proxies to assist individuals in updating their addresses online. This module has been temporarily disabled while the rest of the eCOA service is under review, slated to resume on Jan. 14 with enhanced security measures. How the Fraud Was Carried Out The perpetrators exploited compromised Singpass accounts by acquiring victims’ NRIC numbers and issue dates, enabling them to change addresses through the eCOA service. A verification PIN mailer was sent to the new fraudulent address, which the perpetrators used to confirm the change. This new address was then used to reset Singpass account passwords, allowing access to the vict...

  Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Chairman Dr. Ta n Cheng Bock emphasized the importance of maintaining gentlemanly conduct and clean politics during the upcoming general election, calling for an end to political violence. Dr. Tan made these remarks on Jan. 12 during a walkabout at Keat Hong Food Centre and Market, where he interacted with residents and distributed the party’s newsletter, The Palm . His comments come in the wake of an incident between PSP and People’s Action Party (PAP) volunteers during a Jan. 4 walkabout in Bukit Gombak, Chua Chu Kang GRC. Both parties have alleged harassment from the other side, offering differing accounts of the altercation. PAP’s Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Low Yen Ling claimed that a PAP volunteer was slapped twice, among other aggressive acts. However, PSP leaders categorically denied any use of violence, asserting that their volunteers were falsely accused. In a Facebook post on Jan. 10, Dr. Tan reiterated that PSP does not condone violence and pro...

  ***Update: HDB, Maincon and Consultant has came down to the unit to check. Will update on status once we have more information. A Punggol Northshore BTO homeowner, who moved into his newly renovated flat in July 2024, has voiced frustration over severe water leakage issues that have left his unit unsafe and unlivable. Water has been observed seeping from an electrical powerpoint, with puddles forming on the floor and walls showing bubbling and signs of damage from moisture. The source of the leak appears to be an external wall adjacent to the master bedroom, according to assessments by the main contractor. However, the leakage has already caused significant damage to the flat's walls and paintwork, leaving the homeowner distressed. Adding to the frustration, the main contractor advised the homeowner to avoid using the affected power switches in the living room and bedroom due to the risk of a short circuit. Despite the warning, the homeowner has no choice but to turn on the light...

  Heavy rains triggered flash floods in multiple areas of Singapore, including Marine Parade, Woodlands, and Sembawang, after continuous downpours since Jan. 10, 2025. The National Environment Agency (NEA) had earlier issued an advisory warning of potential flash floods between Jan. 10 and Jan. 13 due to a monsoon surge. This weather phenomenon, caused by strong winds over the South China Sea, leads to extensive rainclouds and prolonged rainfall. Over the affected days, Singapore experienced moderate to heavy thundery showers accompanied by cool and windy conditions. The NEA reported that daily minimum temperatures could drop to 22°C in some areas. Flash floods were observed in low-lying regions, with water levels rising rapidly in canals and drains. Residents in affected areas reported temporary disruptions to transport and daily activities. Authorities reminded the public to stay vigilant and avoid flood-prone areas. National water agency PUB also urged residents to use tools lik...