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  Six men in Singapore, aged between 22 and 41, have been charged in court over various offenses related to child sexual exploitation. The charges include engaging in commercial sex with minors and possessing child abuse material. Kok Chuan Yuan, 37, faces two charges for allegedly engaging in commercial sex with a 12-year-old girl in November 2024. Court documents reveal that he had promised the victim $50 for sexual services before kissing her body and touching her over her clothing. Police investigations indicate that he had initially befriended the girl online before committing the acts. Aloysius Lim Jia En, 25, is facing eight charges for the sexual penetration of a minor under 16. Authorities state that he had contacted the girl online and paid her for sexual services on multiple occasions. The offenses reportedly took place in a residential flat between November and December 2023. George Lee Ji Qiang, 22, has been charged with possessing child abuse material and obscene film...

On 22 May 2025, Ruzdiman Salhan Mohamed Salim, a 44-year-old former route inspector with the National Environment Agency (NEA), was sentenced to 24 weeks in jail for soliciting and receiving bribes totaling S$2,420 from employees of a cleaning service provider. The court also ordered him to pay a penalty equivalent to the amount he had unlawfully obtained. Ruzdiman's role at NEA involved inspecting routes cleaned by service providers contracted to maintain public cleanliness. These inspections were critical, as any lapses could result in default points, leading to financial penalties for the service providers. Between 2017 and 2022, Ruzdiman was responsible for inspecting areas managed by YS Yong Services. Initially, Ruzdiman was diligent in his duties, issuing over 50 default points monthly. However, from 2019 onwards, he began to neglect his responsibilities, often asking YS Yong staff to send him photographs of cleaned areas instead of conducting physical inspections. This ...

  Three men were arrested in a major enforcement operation for allegedly evading more than S$936,000 in duties and Goods and Services Tax (GST) involving contraband cigarettes. The joint operation was conducted by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs on 17 May 2025, targeting illegal cigarette activities at multiple locations across Singapore. The suspects, aged between 26 and 35, were detained at Tuas Checkpoint, Jalan Kayu, and Bukit Batok. Investigations revealed that they were allegedly part of a coordinated effort to smuggle cigarettes into the country without paying the required taxes. Officers seized a total of 8,186 cartons and 60 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes. These were found concealed in modified compartments of vehicles and hidden storage areas. The unpaid duties and GST for the recovered cigarettes amounted to more than S$936,000. At Tuas Checkpoint, one of the suspects was caught driving a Malaysia-registered lorry carrying a cargo...

  In a dramatic turn of events, Eleanor Lee, daughter of veteran actress Quan Yi Fong, has been cleared of accusations that she verbally abused her former assistant. The saga that captured widespread online attention took a sharp turn on 20 May 2024, when the former assistant publicly admitted to doctoring the audio recording that sparked the controversy. The incident began when an audio clip allegedly capturing Eleanor shouting at and mistreating her assistant circulated on social media platforms. The clip gained traction quickly, leading to intense scrutiny and backlash directed at the actress. While many netizens expressed outrage, others urged caution until more facts surfaced. On 20 May, the former assistant known as Xiao Pang took to social media with a lengthy statement, revealing that the viral audio was selectively edited. She admitted to removing parts of the conversation to mislead the public into believing that Eleanor was abusive. According to her statement, the edited...

  On 21 May 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a significant post-election Cabinet reshuffle, introducing key leadership changes aimed at strengthening Singapore’s governance as the country enters a new phase of national development. The changes involve the reassignment of high-profile ministers, consolidation of leadership roles, and reaffirmation of strategic national priorities. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has taken on the role of Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, replacing Heng Swee Keat, who stepped down from Cabinet while remaining a Member of Parliament. This appointment underscores a continued emphasis on economic stability and adaptability amid global uncertainties. Gan also retains his portfolio as Minister for Trade and Industry, ensuring policy consistency. Another major shift sees Education Minister Chan Chun Sing leaving the Cabinet. He has been succeeded by Ong Ye Kung, who was formerly the Minister for Health. Ong’s reassignment to the Mi...

  Actress Eleanor Lee has issued a strong public statement denying recent allegations made against her by her former assistant, Xiao Pang. The controversy arose after an audio clip surfaced online, supposedly capturing Eleanor verbally abusing her assistant. The audio quickly went viral on social media platforms, leading to a wave of public backlash. On 20 May 2024, Eleanor took to her personal Douyin (Chinese TikTok) account to clarify the situation. In a nearly 10-minute video, she accused her former assistant of deliberately recording, editing, and leaking a fake audio clip to damage her reputation and emotionally manipulate the public. Eleanor explained that the assistant in question was dismissed in 2021 after showing repeated signs of erratic behaviour, including outbursts, passive-aggressive attitudes, and failing to maintain professionalism on set. According to Eleanor, the assistant had been given multiple chances to improve and was offered psychological support, which she...

  A 27-year-old Singaporean man, Marc Justine Landrio Chandramohan, manipulated a 16-year-old girl into a "sugar daddy" arrangement before blackmailing her for money and sexual favors. After she tried to back out, he threatened fake legal action, coercing her into compliance. Chandramohan also secretly filmed two other women during intimate acts and participated in a bank scam, allowing fraudulent transactions worth over S$304,000. On May 21, he pleaded guilty to seven charges, including extortion and distributing obscene material. Nine additional charges will be considered at his sentencing on June 2. Prosecutors labeled him a "predator of young and naive victims," highlighting his calculated exploitation. The case underscores the dangers of online grooming and financial scams.

  On May 21, 2025, a 35-year-old police officer, S Vikneshvaran s/o Subramaniam, was charged in the State Courts of Singapore for allegedly forging police statements and documents related to cases he investigated between 2021 and 2023. The charges stem from irregularities discovered during a supervisory check in January 2023, which revealed issues concerning case exhibits and document management. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) had placed Vikneshvaran under enhanced supervision in October 2022 due to concerns about his work performance. The subsequent review uncovered that he had allegedly forged nine documents, comprising seven police statements and two acknowledgment slips, across seven cases. These cases included five ongoing criminal investigations and two concluded cases that did not result in prosecution. In the five ongoing cases, Vikneshvaran is accused of conducting verbal interviews with individuals, either in person or over the phone, and then recording these as offic...

  On May 19, 2025, Lev Panfilov, a 29-year-old Singapore permanent resident originally from Russia, was sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in jail and 12 strokes of the cane for raping a woman he had met through the dating app Tinder. The sentence was handed down after he was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of outrage of modesty. Panfilov, who had previously worked as a scriptwriter and actor with the local YouTube comedy channel Wah!Banana, committed the offences on January 12, 2021. The victim, then a 30-year-old woman with experience in acting and modelling, had been seeking guidance on branching into comedy scriptwriting when she connected with Panfilov on Tinder. Their initial conversations led to a meeting at a restaurant in Robertson Quay, where the woman brought her laptop and began working on a script with him. As the restaurant was closing, Panfilov suggested they continue working at his flat. They travelled se...

  ***Update: Bus service for new Punggol Coast Bus Interchange is  34 and 117. The upcoming launch of the Punggol Coast Bus Interchange on June 29, 2025, marks a significant milestone in Singapore's public transportation landscape. As the nation's 15th integrated transport hub (ITH), this new facility is poised to enhance connectivity and convenience for residents and commuters in the Punggol region. Strategically situated within the Punggol Digital District, the interchange is designed to seamlessly connect with the Punggol Coast MRT station, which commenced operations on December 10, 2024. This integration facilitates smoother transitions between bus and rail services, thereby improving the overall commuting experience. The Punggol Coast Bus Interchange is equipped with modern amenities to cater to the needs of commuters. Features include air-conditioned waiting areas, real-time bus arrival information displays, and barrier-free access for individuals with mobility challe...

  On May 19, 2025, the Elections Department announced that Workers’ Party (WP) members Andre Low and Eileen Chong have been appointed as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), marking their official entry into Singapore’s 15th Parliament. This appointment follows the results of the 2025 General Election and is in line with Singapore’s electoral provisions to ensure a minimum level of opposition representation in Parliament. Andre Low, aged 34, contested in Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC), where he faced off against People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Ng Chee Meng. Although he lost, Low secured 48.53 per cent of the vote in a closely fought battle. His performance was the highest among all losing WP candidates in single-seat contests. Meanwhile, Eileen Chong, 33, was part of the WP team contesting in Tampines Group Representation Constituency (GRC), which received 47.37 per cent of the vote. This was the second-highest vote share among unelected opposition GRC...

  On May 18, 2025, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) launched a new public petition as part of its "Renew, Rebuild, Reignite" campaign, calling for significant reforms to Singapore’s election system. The petition proposes six key changes aimed at enhancing transparency, fairness, and participation in the political process. This move comes after SDP failed to secure any seats in the 2025 General Election, despite contesting in four constituencies. The first reform proposed is the introduction of a minimum three-week campaign period. Currently, the campaign window can be as short as nine days. SDP argues that this does not provide voters sufficient time to evaluate candidates and policy platforms. A longer campaign period, they say, would allow for deeper public engagement and more informed decision-making. Second, the petition calls for a mandatory six-month interval between the release of revised electoral boundaries and the dissolution of Parliament. The timing of boundar...

  Singaporean actor Ian Fang, known for his roles in local dramas, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison after being convicted of sexual offences against a 15-year-old girl. The offences took place in 2020, when Fang was 30 years old. The case came to light after investigations revealed that he had engaged in inappropriate conduct with the minor, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial. Fang faced multiple charges, including sexual assault and exploitation of a minor. During the trial, the court heard details of how he had communicated with the victim through social media before meeting her in person. The prosecution presented evidence showing that Fang had knowingly engaged with the underage girl despite being aware of her age. The judge emphasized the severity of the offences, noting the significant age gap and the vulnerability of the victim. Fang’s actions were deemed a breach of trust, given his public profile and the influence he held as a celebrity. The prosecutio...

  On May 16, 2025, a high-performance Ferrari registered in Singapore was involved in a fiery crash along a highway in the Malaysian state of Pahang. The incident occurred near kilometre 44.1 of the East Coast Expressway 2 (LPT2), close to the Gambang exit. The car, a red Ferrari believed to belong to a 34-year-old Singaporean driver, was traveling at high speed when it veered out of control, slammed into a guardrail, and caught fire. According to a statement from the Pahang Fire and Rescue Department, the crash was reported at approximately 12:15 p.m. Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found the Ferrari already engulfed in flames. Emergency personnel acted quickly to extinguish the blaze, which had consumed most of the vehicle by the time they arrived. Miraculously, the driver managed to escape from the burning vehicle before it was completely destroyed. Reports confirm that the driver did not suffer any injuries and declined medical assistance at the scene. No other vehicle...

  On May 16, 2025, a Singaporean couple was found dead in a homestay located in Taman Datuk Harun, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The deceased were identified as 42-year-old Xie Jinde and his 33-year-old wife, Zhuang Shuyi. Malaysian police confirmed that the couple were legally married and both held Singaporean citizenship. The discovery was made when the homestay staff noticed a foul odor emanating from the room the couple had rented. Upon investigation, the staff found the couple lying motionless on the bed. The room's windows were sealed with adhesive tape and plastic bags, and there were signs of charcoal burning, indicating a possible suicide. Police also found traces of what appeared to be ketamine in the room. Further investigations revealed that Xie Jinde was under criminal investigation in Malaysia for allegedly attempting to rape a 13-year-old girl. The incident reportedly occurred in Puchong, where Xie was renting a unit. He was caught in the act by the girl...

  On May 16, 2025, a 53-year-old man named Koh Kui Chua was charged in a Singapore court for allegedly assaulting his 83-year-old father, resulting in multiple fractures to the elderly man's hand. The incident reportedly occurred on May 13, 2025, at their shared residence. According to court documents, Koh is accused of grabbing his father's left hand and forcefully twisting it, causing fractures to the elderly man's fingers. The victim sought medical attention, and doctors confirmed multiple fractures consistent with the alleged assault. The case has brought attention to the issue of elder abuse within families, a concern that has been increasingly highlighted by social service agencies and law enforcement. Elder abuse can take various forms, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse, often perpetrated by family members or caregivers. In Singapore, the Maintenance of Parents Act and the Vulnerable Adults Act provide legal frameworks to protect the elderly from ...

  On May 16, 2025, a 36-year-old domestic helper, Nucom Loreta Talbo, was formally charged in a Singapore court after she was alleged to have repeatedly abused a baby under her care on at least 21 occasions. These alleged acts of abuse were said to have taken place between January and April 2024, while she was employed as a live-in domestic worker. According to court documents, Talbo is accused of deliberately ill-treating the infant by slapping the child on multiple occasions. Some of these incidents were captured on a closed-circuit surveillance camera system that the baby’s parents had installed in their home. The footage reportedly showed her striking the baby with her hand in separate instances, which were later reviewed and compiled as part of the evidence presented to the authorities. The abuse came to light after the child's parents began to notice unusual behavior and distress in their child. Their suspicions led them to check the surveillance recordings more closely, wh...

  On May 17, 2025, the Institute for Quality of Life released its latest global Happy City Index, placing Singapore as the third happiest city in the world, trailing just behind Copenhagen and Zurich. This significant recognition puts the city-state ahead of major international cities including Amsterdam, Tokyo, London, and Sydney. The Happy City Index is a comprehensive study assessing global urban centers across six core pillars: citizens, governance, environment, economy, mobility, and health. In total, the ranking draws from 82 indicators that provide insights into the overall quality of life in each city. Singapore’s high placement was underpinned by its consistent excellence across several of these categories. Scoring 979 out of a possible 1,000 points, Singapore stood out particularly in areas like economic prosperity, urban governance, sustainability, and innovation. The study highlighted the city’s robust governance structure, low levels of unemployment, and high life expe...

  A violent assault stemming from alleged jealousy over business success has resulted in a 62-year-old man being sentenced to 21 weeks in prison. On May 16, 2025, the accused, Tan Lai Heng (name transliterated), was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt. The incident took place on August 27, 2022, at around 4:41 PM along Block 270 of Queen Street in Singapore. Tan was working as an assistant at a dry goods and traditional medicine store named Jin Ma. The victim, a 63-year-old man, is the co-owner of a neighbouring shop called Qian Yuan Dry Goods. According to court findings, tensions had been brewing between the two businesses. The victim’s store had benefited from lower rental due to government subsidies, enabling it to sell products at lower prices and attract more customers. This reportedly led to resentment from the neighbouring store. On the day of the incident, the victim was serving customers inside his shop when Tan suddenly st...

  On May 16, 2025, Facebook user Sng Chia Huat, who uses the name Rich Sng on the social media platform, issued a public apology to three Singaporean leaders: Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, and NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng. His apology followed defamatory posts he made on Facebook earlier in the month, in which he falsely accused the three public officials of improper ties to Su Haijin, a convicted figure in the billion-dollar money laundering case that rocked Singapore in 2024. Su, a Cypriot national, was sentenced to 14 months in jail in April 2024 for his role in the case. Images had previously circulated showing Su at dinners attended by the three ministers, prompting speculation and, in Sng’s case, allegations of misconduct. On May 9 and 10, Rich Sng published Facebook posts suggesting that Minister Ong and Minister Chee had knowingly condoned Su’s illegal activities. He went further to accuse them of pretending not to know Su, and implie...