Commuters travelling from Bedok and Kembangan MRT stations could face waiting times of up to 17 minutes during off-peak hours as planned works on the East-West Line (EWL) enter the final phase. This is because one platform at the two train stations will be closed for tests to be done on the newly fitted tracks linking the EWL to the new East Coast Integrated Depot, said Chia Choon Poh, group director of rail at the Land Transport Authority (LTA). «We need to retest the system to make sure that it is safe, reliable, and ready for passenger service,» he said on Friday (Dec 5). Since Nov 29, there has been no train service between Bedok and Tampines stations, as well as between Tanah Merah and Expo stations due to the track works which saw the removal and installation of several track segments. Shuttle bus services have been made available for commuters travelling between the closed stretches. 

A Singaporean man has made the news in Thailand after marrying a nurse from Kalasin province in Northeast Thailand. Their whirlwind romance reportedly involved him quitting his $12,000 a month job in Singapore to settle down in Thailand, with the wedding dowry of cash and gold valued at over $250,000, according to Kalasin News. The 32-year-old man, identified only as Jordan, told the news outlet that he'd met his wife, «Eve» Ratchadaporn, 29, at a cafe in Bangna district in Bangkok. They exchanged contact numbers and began texting on the Line messaging app, sparking a long-distance relationship. The pair decided to marry after dating for a year, with Jordan making the move to Thailand. Jordan, who speaks Thai, told the news outlet that he and his wife wanted to build a life for themselves in Thailand. He added that he'd taken on a job at a local company for half his original salary at a bank in Singapore — equivalent to about 300,000 baht (S$12,162). Jordan expressed that he appreciates the Thai culture where «you have to create whatever you want yourself». 

Taxi rides between Singapore and Malaysia are set to become more convenient and accessible, as both countries will each increase their fleet of licensed cross-border taxis and allow passengers to be freely dropped off at their desired destinations. This comes after a meeting between Singapore's Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke at the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat on Wednesday (Dec 4). In a joint statement on Dec 5, both transport ministries said the ministers had acknowledged the demand for more convenient cross-border ride services and agreed to enhance the cross-border taxi scheme. Each country's quota for licensed cross-border taxis will be gradually raised from the current 200 to 500, subject to the implementation of safeguards against illegal domestic trips and insurance requirements. 

Minister of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim will be appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development on Jan 1, 2026.He had been set to take up the position on Feb 1, but his appointment has been brought forward as Zhulkarnain «has discharged his professional obligations earlier than initially scheduled», the Prime Minister's Office said on Friday (Dec 5).Zhulkarnain was a senior partner at law firm Dentons Rodyk, where he handled dispute cases and corporate and regulatory advisory matters.He made the decision to give up legal practice to join Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's Cabinet as a political office holder after the 2025 General Election in May.Singapore's code of conduct for ministers states that a minister who is a partner in a professional firm or other business must, cease to practise for remuneration or to play any part in the day-to-day management of the firm's affairs upon taking office.The two-term MP oversees the Keat Hong ward and is vice-chair of the South West Community Development Council and Chua Chu Kang Town Council. [[nid:718138]]

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has taken over 14,400 enforcement actions this year for smoking in prohibited areas, as of November 2025.Smoking is currently banned in more than 49,000 indoor and outdoor premises, with NEA enforcement officers patrolling hotspots.For instance, smoking is prohibited within five metres of bus stops to protect the public from second-hand smoke exposure.In response to queries by AsiaOne, a NEA spokesperson said: «We encourage smokers to be socially responsible when smoking in public places, and not to light up in smoking-prohibited places.»Friendly and timely reminders from family, friends and other members of the community can help to reinforce the right social behaviour and norms."Earlier this month, a man claimed he was fined $300 after leaving his extinguished cigarette butt on top of a rubbish bin. [[nid:725338]]esther.lam@asiaone.com 

Food handlers will no longer be required to wear masks or spit guards from Jan 1, 2026, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).The change was announced in a press release on Dec 4, and is part of SFA's regular review of Singapore's food safety regulatory framework.Food handlers involved in the sale and preparation of food were previously required to wear masks and spit guards since April 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.At the time, the rule was implemented to prevent any substance expelled from the mouth or nose from contaminating food.«Food contamination has primarily been due to inadequate sanitation, poor handling and temperature management, and contact between raw and ready-to-eat foods,» said the agency in its latest statement.It also assessed that there is a low risk to food safety when handlers do not wear such gear.«Nonetheless, food businesses should continue adopting good food safety practices to ensure food safety for all consumers,» said SFA. Such practices may include proper food handling, time and temperature control, thorough cleaning, and good housekeeping.

A 15-year-old teen was among 268 people assisting in police investigations for their suspected involvement in scams as scammers or money mules, where victims reportedly lost more than $4.66 million.Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department and the seven police land divisions conducted a two-week operation between Nov 21 and Dec 4, said the police in a statement on Thursday (Dec 4). A total of 91 women and 177 men, aged between 15 and 78, are believed to be involved in more than 800 cases of scams, comprising mainly e-commerce scams, friend impersonation scams, job scams, government official impersonation scams, investment scams and rental scams.They are being investigated for the alleged offences of cheating, money laundering and providing payment services without a licence.The latest enforcement operation comes right after another two-week operation conducted between Nov 7 and 20.During that operation, 250 people were asked to assist in police investigations. 

A 23-year-old man was charged in court on Thursday (Dec 4) with trafficking 28 etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods. Basil Wang Zhuang Zhen was found with a disposable vape when he drove into Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint on Tuesday evening, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Thursday. HSA officers then conducted a raid at his home in Marsiling in the early hours of Wednesday. A total of 33 e-vaporisers and pods, 104 bottles of cough syrup as well as prescription medicines including over 3,500 tablets of diazepam and codeine phosphate were discovered and seized by HSA. Diazepam is an anti-anxiety medicine while codeine is used as a cough suppressant. HSA said Wang intended to sell 28 of the vape pods, along with all the cough syrup and all the prescription tablets. 

Stay in the know with a recap of our top stories today.1. Outstanding bilateral issues are 'complex', do not mar overall Singapore-Malaysia relations: PM WongThe outstanding bilateral issues between Singapore and Malaysia are complex and not easy to resolve, but will not be allowed to «colour or undermine» the two countries' overall co-operation, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (Dec 4)... » READ MORE2. 100 residents evacuated after fire at Boon Keng coffee shop, 1 taken to hospital

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has revoked the licence of a travel agency on Thursday (Dec 4) over concerns about the authenticity of the financial information it provided. In a statement on Dec 4, STB said Toyou Travel was no longer permitted to carry out any travel agent activities. «STB has reason to be believe that the company contravened Section 13(b) of the Travel Agents Act 1975 by submitting false financial statements for some years, constituting an offence involving dishonesty,» the statement read.Toyou Travel must now refund all its existing customers or hand over their existing obligations to licensed travel agents to fulfil.Checks by AsiaOne on Toyou's website show that it offered mainly inbound travel services to Singapore under the categories of educational tours, overseas studies, leisure and customised tours. The website is written mostly in Mandarin.Under the Act, licensed agencies must submit their auditor-certified financial statements to STB each year, within six months of the close of the licensee's financial year. 

A Malaysian man who successfully escaped from a job scam syndicate based in Cambodia has shared how he and others were forced to make scam calls to victims, posing as «officers from a cyber security agency from Singapore». During a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (Dec 3) following his release, Muhammad Syafiq Pubalan Abdullah, 40, also said that under his watch, «one Singapore was scammed out of $67,000». The businessman shared that he had been tricked into the syndicate by a friend of more than 12 years who urged Syafiq to open a Malaysian restaurant in Cambodia, reported The Star. After arriving in Bangkok, he was taken to Cambodia by a driver. Syafiq estimated that there were about 700 Malaysians held at the centre, with many facing torture while being held captive. The victims, aged between 17 and 35, were often beaten up, he said. He shared that he was also hit every day during his first week in the centre, and was forced to eat pork or be beaten up. 

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has coordinated a delivery of over seven tonnes of humanitarian aid to Thailand, in response to cyclonic storms and monsoon rains that have caused severe flooding to the city of Hat Yai in Thailand.The southern city, a major transport and trade hub in Thailand's Songkhla province, saw widespread damages and casualties after heavy rains inundated Thailand's south late last month.As of Wednesday (Dec 3), the death toll in Hat Yai alone has hit 142 — more than half of the 267 people who lost their lives across eight provinces. In a Facebook post on Dec 3, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said more than seven tonnes of aid contributed by the SAF was transported via a Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircraft to Thailand. The ministry added that the relief supplies included food, hygiene supplies, medicine and water.The delivery was coordinated by the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (Changi RHCC). 

Workers' Party (WP) chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh's appeal against conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee in 2021 was dismissed by the High Court on Thursday (Dec 4). In delivering the verdict, Justice Steven Chong said he found that Principal District Judge Luke Tan's decision to convict Singh, 49, in February of lying to the Committee of Privileges was supported by evidence. «From the time Singh learnt about the untruth to the time it was decided Ms (Raeesah) Khan should clarify the untruth... the appellant was hoping that he would not have to deal with it,» said the judge. Singh paid the $14,000 fine right after the court session on Thursday morning. «Might as well get it done,» he told reporters at the payment station, accompanied by his lawyers Andre Jumabhoy and Aristotle Eng, along with his father Amarjit Singh.Speaking to reporters afterwards, Singh said he was «disappointed» with the verdict, but accepted the judgment «fully and without reservation». 

About 100 residents living in a Boon Keng HDB block were evacuated after a fire broke out at a coffee shop slightly after midnight on Thursday (Dec 4).The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it was alerted to the fire at Block 11 Upper Boon Keng Road at 12.30am.When firefighters arrived, the kitchen exhaust duct of the coffee shop was on fire. Several stalls had heat and smoke damage. SCDF then extinguished the blaze with two water jets. One person was assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital, SCDF said. The damaged kitchen exhaust duct following the fire. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Sean Ler When AsiaOne arrived at the scene this morning, a strong charred odour was still lingering in the air.Several residents said that they immediately evacuated their homes after noticing the burning smell.

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers have foiled an attempt to smuggle in over 300 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes via Woodlands Checkpoint on Nov 29. In a Facebook post on Wednesday (Dec 3), ICA said that its Integrated Targeting Centre identified the Malaysia-registered car for enhanced checks. During the checks, ICA search and examination officers found more than 300 cartons and 1,500 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within various modified compartments of the car. In the video posted by ICA, packets of cigarettes are seen behind the front bumper and in the engine bay. The 27-year-old Malaysian man was detained and referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. Buying, selling, conveying, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are considered serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act. If convicted, offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will visit Singapore on Thursday (Dec 4) for the 12th Singapore-Malaysia annual leaders retreat, where the two countries are expected to sign several bilateral agreements. He will be hosted by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, according to a statement from Singapore's Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Wednesday (Dec 3). The annual leaders' retreat is a key platform for the two leaders to take stock of bilateral cooperation, explore new avenues of collaboration and provide guidance on how to take bilateral relations forward. On Thursday, Anwar will be hosted to lunch by Wong. Both countries will then hold a delegation meeting. The events will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel in the Marina Bay area. [[nid:726108]]The two leaders will also witness the exchange of bilateral memorandums of understanding and agreements in areas including the fight against drugs and health. 

Customers of massage and foot reflexology chain Wan Yang have reported losses of over $904,000 in unused prepaid packages, said Melvin Yong, president of Consumers Association of Singapore (Case).In a statement to AsiaOne on Wednesday (Dec 3), Yong said that Case has received 439 complaints following Wan Yang's sudden closure on Nov 21.The current amount far exceeds the initial $29,000 previously announced by Yong on Nov 24.According to the Radin Mas MP, Wan Yang confirmed that all three of its entities — Wan Yang Holdings, Wan Yang Foot Reflexology Centre and Wan Yang Health Product & Foot Reflexology Centre — have ceased operations as of Nov 21, and are undergoing liquidation proceedings.«Wan Yang has proposed liquidators, care of RSM SG Corporate Advisory Pte Ltd, to oversee the liquidation administration,» said Yong, adding that they will be appointed following a creditors' meeting on Dec 10.

The police have arrested 13 men, aged between 21 and 39, for being suspected members of unlawful societies.The islandwide secret-society suppression operation on Nov 28 and 29 was led by the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department and was supported by five police land divisions.About 40 public entertainment outlets, nightlife establishments, and food and beverage outlets, as well as close to 100 people, were checked.Police investigations on the 13 are ongoing. Anyone found guilty of being a member of an unlawful society under Section 14(3) of the Societies Act 1966 shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.From 2022 to 2024, more than 1,300 suspected members of unlawful societies were arrested.Figures from the Singapore Prison Service show that there has been a spike in the number of young people jailed for their involvement in secret society activities under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act.

SINGAPORE — On the night of Dec 2, some passengers travelling on the East-West Line (EWL) between Bugis and Bedok stations experienced a delay of at least 20 minutes.From around 8pm, posters and digital screen displays were put up at various stations indicating that a track fault had occurred, resulting in extra travelling time of 20 minutes between Bugis and Bedok stations — a stretch of eight stations.At Paya Lebar station, one of the affected stops, trains called at platforms opposite to their designated ones and station staff were also said to have been unclear about the trains' direction of travel.SMRT, which operates the EWL, did not announce the delay on its social media pages, irking some passengers.Responding to queries from The Straits Times on Dec 3, SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said a track point failure took place near Aljunied station on the EWL at around 7.50pm on Dec 2.A track point failure refers to a malfunctioning railway switch that allows trains to change tracks.

Malaysia will not permit Singapore tour buses to operate express bus services in the country, its transport minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday (Dec 2). He told Malaysia's Parliament that under a reciprocal arrangement, Singapore tour buses can bring tourists into Malaysia, just as Malaysia's tour buses are allowed into Singapore, reported The Star. Loke reportedly stated that the Republic had requested for its express buses to run in Malaysia, in return for Malaysian buses operating in Singapore. «However, Singapore does not have a legal category for express buses. Their system only recognises tour buses and scheduled buses,» he said. Adding that his ministry's position «remains firm», Loke said that «action will be taken» against illegal operators.Malaysian MP Ahmad Marzuk Shaary raised his concern in a supplementary question that some Singaporean tour buses have operated in Malaysia for years without inspections or local safety standards. In response, Loke said that such bus operators «have taken advantage of the system».