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  A 17-year-old was the youngest among 13 individuals arrested in a week-long police operation targeting illegal SIM card distribution. The crackdown, conducted between February 18 and 24, focused on individuals who registered and provided post-paid SIM cards to criminals in exchange for cash or gambling credits. The suspects, 11 men and two women aged between 17 and 33, were allegedly involved in supplying SIM cards to syndicates that use them for illegal activities such as scams, unlicensed moneylending, and vice operations. Another five individuals, two men and three women aged between 20 and 30, are assisting with investigations. Preliminary findings suggest that each suspect handed over between 10 and 30 SIM cards after being lured by offers of cash or gambling credits. These illegally obtained cards allow criminals to communicate without being easily traced, making it harder for authorities to track illicit operations. Singapore recently tightened regulations on SIM card frau...

  A resident of Marine Parade was shocked when a section of her ceiling broke off and crashed onto the floor of her HDB flat at Block 52 Marine Terrace Haven. The incident occurred around midnight on February 16 while the family was asleep, and fortunately, no one was injured. The resident, who moved into the unit in June 2023, shared images of the damage, expressing her disbelief at the incident. The block, built in 1974, has stood for over 51 years. According to HDB, spalling concrete is a common issue in older buildings, particularly in areas with high humidity, such as kitchens and bathrooms. This deterioration occurs due to carbonation, which causes steel reinforcements inside the concrete to corrode. As the steel expands, the surrounding concrete cracks and eventually breaks off. While spalling concrete can be prevented with regular maintenance, the responsibility typically falls on the occupant. However, after the resident reported the incident, HDB assured her that repairs ...

  A 29-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated rape, sexual exploitation of a child, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of his 11-year-old stepdaughter. The man, who cannot be named due to a gag order protecting the victim’s identity, committed the offenses between November and December 2022. Nine additional charges, including performing sexual acts of self-gratification in the victim’s presence, were taken into consideration during sentencing. The man married the victim’s mother in 2019, and they moved into a one-bedroom flat with her three children from a previous marriage. The victim and her two older brothers shared the living room with the couple, with the victim sleeping on a sofa beside her mother and stepfather. The abuse began when the man, frustrated after being interrupted by the victim during an intimate moment with her mother, decided to watch porn and pleasure himself in the ...

A young girl was taken to the hospital after her foot became trapped in an escalator at a shopping mall in Buangkok on February 22. A video of the incident, shared on social media, shows a woman crouching beside the distressed child, attempting to comfort her as she cries out in pain. Another woman can be heard on a phone call with emergency responders, clarifying that she is not the girl’s mother. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed receiving a call for assistance at approximately 6.50 pm. The incident occurred at 70 Compassvale Bow, the location of Sengkang Grand Mall. The child’s left foot had become wedged in the side of the escalator. Rescuers used specialized equipment to release her before transporting her to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital for treatment. The severity of her injuries remains unclear, but the incident has sparked discussions about escalator safety, particularly concerning children. Escalator accidents are not uncommon, and experts stress the imp...

  In Singapore, Montfort Secondary School has taken disciplinary action against students involved in a bullying incident where a boy was tripped and kicked by his schoolmates. A video of the incident was posted on Facebook on February 22, 2025, and quickly went viral, garnering over 10,000 shares before it was removed by the following night. In the footage, a group of students was seen approaching the victim from behind. One student tripped him, causing him to fall, while another kicked him twice. As the boy stood up and walked away, another student came from behind and tripped him again. The incident raised concerns about bullying in schools and sparked online discussions. Montfort Secondary School’s vice-principal, Mr. Wilson Tay, confirmed that the school was aware of the incident and had taken appropriate disciplinary action against those involved. While he did not specify the exact measures taken, he stated that the students had been counseled and their parents were engaged in...

Six coffee shops in Toa Payoh, Balestier, Punggol, Geylang, and Little India were issued a one-day suspension on February 21 due to hygiene lapses related to toilet cleanliness. The affected establishments—Al Mubin Restaurant, 27A Coffee Shop, 7 Stars, Teck Wah, Teck Seng, and 1002 Food Court—had accumulated 12 demerit points within a 12-month period, triggering their suspension under Singapore Food Agency (SFA) regulations. Al Mubin Restaurant and Teck Seng were fined $1,100 for three violations, including failing to maintain sanitary fittings and keep toilets in good condition. 27A Coffee Shop, 7 Stars, and Teck Wah were each fined $1,300 for similar offences, while 1002 Food Court was fined $1,200 for failing to provide toilet paper and soap, among other lapses. SFA enforces a demerit point system, where food establishments accumulating 12 or more points within a year may face suspensions ranging from one to three days. The agency emphasized the importance of hygiene compliance, sta...

A fire involving waste materials broke out at 11 Kranji Crescent on February 19, 2025. Firefighters responded swiftly, working tirelessly over the past four days to fully extinguish the flames. The fire was particularly challenging due to deep-seated pockets within waste heaps, requiring continuous effort to eliminate remaining embers. Now that the fire has been fully put out, the firefighting operation is being scaled down. However, as a precaution, a fire engine and crew will stay on-site to monitor the area and ensure no further flare-ups occur. The site will be progressively handed back to the premises owner to facilitate recovery and cleanup operations. The incident highlights the persistence and dedication of emergency responders in handling large-scale fires, particularly in industrial areas where materials can pose a risk of reignition. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of proper waste management to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  A controversy has emerged over hawker centre regulations following a social media post by Noorman Mubarak, who operates a nasi lemak stall at Yishun Park Hawker Centre with his wife, Mrs Noorman. The dispute arose after the National Environment Agency (NEA) issued a warning because Mrs Noorman, the registered stallholder, was not physically present at the stall, despite managing it remotely. This sparked widespread debate, with many expressing concern over her situation as she was heavily pregnant. According to NEA regulations, stallholders are required to personally operate their stalls to prevent subletting. NEA stated that allowing subletting could drive up rental costs, making it harder for individuals to enter the industry and ultimately raising food prices. Stallholders who are unable to be present have the option to appoint a joint operator or a nominee. Additionally, NEA offers temporary rental rebates to those who need to close their stalls temporarily due to unforeseen ...

  A 28-year-old Australian man, El Sayed Aladdin, was sentenced to eight months and two weeks in jail on February 21 after pleading guilty to verbally abusing immigration officers and attempting to leave Singapore using a passport that did not belong to him. He was also fined S$6,500 (US$4,860), with a default sentence of 20 days' imprisonment if he fails to pay. The incident began on December 14, 2024, when Aladdin was stopped at Changi Airport during routine security checks. Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers discovered prohibited items in his baggage, including knuckle dusters and flick knives. When informed that the matter would be referred to the police for further investigation, Aladdin reacted aggressively, hurling derogatory and insulting remarks at the ICA officers. Authorities took a serious view of his behavior, and his passport was confiscated to prevent him from leaving Singapore while investigations were ongoing. Attempted Escape at Woodlands Checkpo...

  A state coroner has issued a stark warning about the dangers of unregulated carpooling services, such as those offered on Telegram, following the death of a 21-year-old passenger in a road accident. On December 31, 2023, Michael Ong Wee Siong was travelling in a van along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) towards Tuas when the vehicle collided with a lorry and flipped over. Mr Ong, who was seated in the front passenger seat, suffered fatal neck injuries and likely succumbed to them before emergency responders could extricate him from the wreckage. The driver of the van was only 18 years old at the time and did not hold a Class 3 Driving Licence or even a Provisional Driving Licence. According to the coroner’s report, the driver had no authorisation to use the van from its registered owner and was unlikely to have had significant driving experience. Investigations revealed that the driver had been offering rides through a Telegram carpooling chat, where unlicensed drivers ferry pass...

  A 68-year-old man was sentenced to six weeks in jail and fined $21,000 after being caught drink driving for the second time. On February 20, 2025, Chua Ah Seng admitted to one count of drink driving and another of driving without due care and attention. In addition to his jail term and fine, he was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 84 months after his release. Chua’s offence took place on August 20, 2024, at around midnight when he attempted to enter the carpark of Block 109 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh through the exit. Failing to gain access, he reversed his car but lost control, mounting a road kerb. When tested, he was found to have 79 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol in 100 millilitres (ml) of breath—more than twice the legal limit of 35mcg. Chua had previously been convicted of drink driving in May 2008, when his breathalyser test recorded 73mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Despite the earlier offence, he reoffended with an even higher alcohol level this time...

  In Singapore, four individuals, including a 22-year-old woman and three men aged between 22 and 30, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a series of loanshark harassment cases. The arrests stem from three separate incidents reported between February 15 and February 20, 2025. The first incident occurred on February 15 at around 12:00 pm at a residential unit along Edgefield Plains. The police were alerted after discovering that the unit’s gate had been locked with a bicycle lock, and a debtor note had been left behind. Following investigations, officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division identified a 22-year-old woman as the suspect. She was arrested on February 19, and authorities believe she may have been involved in similar harassment cases. The second case took place on February 19 at around 8:50 pm at a residential unit along Hougang Avenue 3. In this incident, red paint was splashed on the front door of the unit, and a debtor note was left behind. Investiga...

  A 20-year-old woman has been arrested for her suspected involvement in a loanshark harassment case in Singapore. The incident took place on February 18, 2025, at approximately 11:55 pm at a residential unit along Bendemeer Road. The police were alerted when the unit’s main gate and door were found splashed with green and yellow paint, a common act of intimidation used in loanshark-related crimes. Following swift investigations, aided by police cameras, officers identified the suspect and arrested her on February 19, 2025. During the arrest, authorities seized $455 in cash, believed to be her earnings from carrying out multiple acts of loanshark harassment. Preliminary investigations suggest that she is connected to several similar harassment cases across Singapore. Loanshark harassment typically involves acts of vandalism, threats, and intimidation, often targeting debtors or their family members to pressure them into repayment. The woman will be charged in court on February 21, ...

  Three youths, aged between 16 and 17, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a robbery with hurt in Yishun. The incident occurred on February 20, 2025, at around 2:55 am along Yishun Avenue 4. A 16-year-old victim was reportedly assaulted by three unknown youths, who allegedly stole $60 from him. The attack left the victim with facial injuries, and he was subsequently taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Upon receiving the report, officers from the Woodlands and Ang Mo Kio Police Divisions launched investigations. Through ground inquiries and surveillance footage from police cameras and CCTVs, they were able to establish the identities of the suspects. The three youths were arrested on the same day. They are set to be charged in court on February 21, 2025, under Section 394 of the Penal Code 1871 for robbery with hurt. If convicted, they face a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years and at least 12 strokes of the cane. The police have emphasized thei...

  A couple was sentenced to three weeks in jail after engaging in a public obscene act at an HDB void deck in Boon Lay during a TikTok live-streaming session. The incident took place on September 27, 2024, when 31-year-old Vietnamese national Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan performed the act while her Singaporean husband, 36-year-old Adrian Ching Kah Siang, kept watch. Lan, who frequently live-streams on TikTok and Vietnamese platform MMlive, was dressed in a translucent outfit that left her nude body visible. She began her live stream at 11:30 am, engaging with viewers until 2:30 pm. Around 1:30 pm, she accepted a challenge from her viewers to perform explicit acts in exchange for virtual gifts, which could be converted into money. Residents in the area noticed Lan’s inappropriate behavior. A male resident, who lived in the HDB block, first witnessed the act and informed his wife. They decided to record video evidence before calling the police. Moving to the second floor of their block, they ...

  Malaysian national Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, sentenced to death in 2017 for importing 51.84g of heroin into Singapore, was granted a stay of execution on February 19. This ruling follows the introduction of the Post-Appeal Applications in Capital Cases Act (PACC), which took effect in June 2024, providing clearer legal guidelines on post-appeal applications for death row inmates. Pannir was scheduled for execution on February 20, but the Court of Appeal allowed him to file applications challenging his sentence on two key grounds. First, he has lodged a complaint with the Law Society against his former lawyer, alleging misconduct. Second, a constitutional challenge against the presumptions in the Misuse of Drugs Act is ongoing, which could potentially impact his conviction. Complaint Against Former Lawyer One of Pannir’s arguments revolves around his former lawyer, Mr. Ong Ying Ping. He claims Mr. Ong pressured him into signing a notice to act in person and withdrew legal represen...

  A coroner’s inquiry has been launched on 20 Feb 2025 into the death of seven-year-old Nivya Rameshwar, who was fatally hit by a minibus at The Topiary condominium in Sengkang on August 15, 2024. That morning, Nivya was heading to school as usual with her family’s helper, Ms Sivakumar Ilavarasi. At around 6:20 a.m., Ms Sivakumar told the girl to wait at their block’s gate while she crossed the service road to place Nivya’s school bags down. However, when she turned back, the girl was no longer at the gate. At the same time, a minibus driven by 67-year-old Phua Hak Heong was picking up students inside the condominium estate. As he drove along the service road, he noticed Ms Sivakumar crossing but claimed he did not see Nivya. Moments later, he felt an impact on the front right side of his vehicle and realized he had hit someone. Hearing the helper’s screams, Nivya’s father rushed downstairs to find his daughter bleeding. Her mother, a nurse, also hurried to the scene. The girl suff...

  A total of 21 motorists, aged between 31 and 68, are set to be charged with drink-driving offences on February 20. These motorists were arrested between July 2024 and February 2025 after failing breathalyser tests during routine police checks. Among the 21 offenders, three were repeat offenders. In addition, a 68-year-old man faces an additional charge for driving without due care or reasonable consideration. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has been conducting regular enforcement operations to deter drink driving and enhance road safety. Those found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol face strict penalties. First-time offenders may be fined between S$5,000 and S$20,000 and could face a jail term of up to two years. Repeat offenders will serve mandatory jail time if convicted. Offenders may also be disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles, affecting their ability to hold a valid driving licence in the future. One of the more serious incidents involved a 68-y...

  Authorities have suspended the Total Defence food resilience programme after 20 students from the School of the Arts (Sota) reported food poisoning symptoms. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), Ministry of Education (MOE), Agency for Integrated Care, and food solutions provider Sats have launched an investigation to determine the cause. The students fell ill after consuming ready-to-eat meals as part of a food resilience preparedness session in conjunction with Total Defence Day. The initiative, aimed at raising awareness about food sustainability and emergency preparedness, involved students sampling meals meant for crisis situations. However, some students began experiencing gastroenteritis symptoms, prompting concerns about food safety. As of February 19, 20 students had reported symptoms of food poisoning, though none required hospitalization. Teachers and school staff have been checking on the students’ well-being, and parents have been informed of the situation. In response, S...

  A former group CEO of Apollo Aquaculture Group, Ng Woei Kiat, has been charged with corruption-related offenses, including accepting a bribe and failing to disclose conflicts of interest in company transactions. Ng, 51, allegedly received S$450,000 in bribes from Alan Koh Joon Seong, a director at two engineering firms, Alric Projects and Alric MEP Engineering. The payment, allegedly made on August 24, 2018, was reportedly meant to ensure that Ng did not show disfavor towards the Alric companies in their business dealings with Apollo Aquaculture Group. Authorities claim that Ng used the bribe to partially fund a S$471,000 down payment for a condominium unit at 159 Wak Hassan Drive just three days later. As a result, he faces charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA). In addition to the corruption charges, Ng faces seven other charges under the Companies Act for failing to dec...