Singapore



Commentary: Global trade policy at a lull, but for how long more?

With the economies of the world facing stress from the fallout of COVID-19, not being able to come together to work out international policy is a problem, says this observer.

East-West Line to resume regular MRT train services a day earlier on Dec 8

Regular train services on the MRT's East-West Line (EWL) will resume from the start of passenger services on Monday (Dec 8), a day ahead of schedule, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA). In a Facebook post on Dec 7, LTA said that they have completed
Singapore

East-West Line to resume regular MRT train services a day earlier on Dec 8

Regular train services on the MRT's East-West Line (EWL) will resume from the start of passenger services on Monday (Dec 8), a day ahead of schedule, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA). In a Facebook post on Dec 7, LTA said that they have completed comprehensive testing, including safety and ultrasonic checks on the tracks, power supply, and train signalling systems. The checks and tests follow works over last weekend to remove the existing track, including trackside components, and laying new tracks to connect the EWL to the new East Coast Integrated Depot. Works had originally been planned to be completed by Monday, with normal services resuming by Dec 9. 

Passengers evacuate from smoke-filled train at Tanjong Pagar MRT station due to power bank incident

Passengers on a Pasir Ris-bound train on the MRT's East-West Line (EWL) were evacuated on Friday (Dec 5) after smoke was found emitting from a passenger's power bank.The incident was posted on XiaoHongShu by a user surnamed Liu. According to Liu, the tra
Singapore

Passengers evacuate from smoke-filled train at Tanjong Pagar MRT station due to power bank incident

Passengers on a Pasir Ris-bound train on the MRT's East-West Line (EWL) were evacuated on Friday (Dec 5) after smoke was found emitting from a passenger's power bank.The incident was posted on XiaoHongShu by a user surnamed Liu. According to Liu, the train was at Tanjong Pagar MRT station when a passenger's power bank started to emit smoke.The commuter added that there were no flames or explosions.Another passenger pressed the emergency communication button and staff arrived swiftly to assist with the evacuation, with a new train arriving within five minutes of the incident.Liu shared that the incident was a «rare sight». It was also the first time Liu had witnessed the emergency communication button being activated. The commuter praised SMRT: «Accidents are inevitable but it matters that they were able to handle the incident swiftly and efficiently. The passengers also did not panic.»Responding to AsiaOne's queries, SMRT Trains President Lam Sheau Kai said that station staff responded immediately after the emergency communication button was activated on the train.

Police block SRS Auto from disposing of its vehicles as probe into car leasing firms widen

SINGAPORE - The police have issued 121 prohibition of disposal orders against vehicles registered under SRS Auto amid a multi-agency probe into possible money laundering activities in the car leasing business.The order blocks the sale and transfer of vehicle
Singapore

Police block SRS Auto from disposing of its vehicles as probe into car leasing firms widen

SINGAPORE - The police have issued 121 prohibition of disposal orders against vehicles registered under SRS Auto amid a multi-agency probe into possible money laundering activities in the car leasing business.The order blocks the sale and transfer of vehicles owned by the car leasing firm.Investigations had started in 2024, after police received financial intelligence from the Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office regarding Cambodian businessman Chen Zhi and his associates.The 38-year-old tycoon, who chairs real estate and financial services conglomerate Prince Group, was later indicted in the US on Oct 14, 2025, over alleged wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, and for allegedly directing the operation of forced-labour scam compounds in Cambodia.The probe in Singapore involves the police and member agencies of the Anti-Money Laundering Case Coordination and Collaboration Network, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and intelligence agencies.The Straits Times understands that police investigators are speaking to a number of industry insiders, including Ms Chen Xiaoxuan.

Singapore's independence 'hardly foreordained': Albatross File shows separation from Malaysia suggested by Goh Keng Swee, says SM Lee

The Albatross File — created, named and kept by Singapore's first Defence Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee — sheds new and never before published insights on the story of Singapore's separation from Malaysia on Aug 9, 1965.It contains cabinet papers, conversatio
Singapore

Singapore's independence 'hardly foreordained': Albatross File shows separation from Malaysia suggested by Goh Keng Swee, says SM Lee

The Albatross File — created, named and kept by Singapore's first Defence Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee — sheds new and never before published insights on the story of Singapore's separation from Malaysia on Aug 9, 1965.It contains cabinet papers, conversation records and handwritten notes detailing vividly, a «dramatic, blow-by-blow record» of how Singapore came to separate from Malaysia. Speaking at the launch of the Albatross File exhibition and a 488-page book titled The Albatross File: Inside Separation at the National Library along Victoria Street on Sunday (Dec 7), Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he decided, when he was prime minister, to declassify and publish the file. SM Lee said he also asked for the file to be published alongside relevant extracts from the oral histories of key participants involved in the separation, to bring together and put on public record a «full documented account» of the separation, which he describes as «a seminal event» in Singapore's independence journey. 

Gojek passengers who identified themselves as doctors praised for stopping to help victim in fatal Bukit Batok accident

Two Gojek passengers who identified themselves as doctors have received praise for stopping to help the victim of a fatal accident after their driver drove past the scene.In a dashcam video shared in the Facebook group SG Road Vigilante on Saturday (Dec 6), p
Singapore

Gojek passengers who identified themselves as doctors praised for stopping to help victim in fatal Bukit Batok accident

Two Gojek passengers who identified themselves as doctors have received praise for stopping to help the victim of a fatal accident after their driver drove past the scene.In a dashcam video shared in the Facebook group SG Road Vigilante on Saturday (Dec 6), paramedics can be seen attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation on an individual laying on the road. A motorcycle can be seen laying on the side of the road.The two passengers can be heard in the video stating that they are doctors and able to help the victim. The driver then stops the car and allows them to do so.According to the caption, the video was allegedly provided by a Gojek driver, who was ferrying the two individuals from Tan Tock Seng Hospital to Bukit Batok.«[I would] like to compliment two doctors from TTSH,» the caption wrote. «It was close to 12 midnight and despite a tiring day at work, both doctors without any hesitation identify themselves as doctors and volunteered in helping.»The video has since received around 130,000 views and 1,600 reactions.

47 arrested in police raids over 4 days for suspected illegal gambling and vice activities

A total of 10 men and 37 women were arrested in a series of multi-agency operations aimed at curbing illegal and criminal activities, said the police in a statement on Sunday (Dec 7).Led by Tanglin police division and supported by officers from the Health Sci
Singapore

47 arrested in police raids over 4 days for suspected illegal gambling and vice activities

A total of 10 men and 37 women were arrested in a series of multi-agency operations aimed at curbing illegal and criminal activities, said the police in a statement on Sunday (Dec 7).Led by Tanglin police division and supported by officers from the Health Sciences Authority, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Central Narcotics Bureau and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the four-day operation conducted from Dec 3 to 6 involved individuals aged between 20 and 88.Targeted areas included public entertainment outlets, massage establishments, residential units, and commercial premises across Orchard Road, Whampoa, Toa Payoh, Novena, Balestier, Kim Keat Road, and Robertson Quay.AsiaOne was among the media invited to observe two such enforcement operations on the night of Dec 3.The crackdown took place at a coffee shop in Whampoa, where several seniors were arrested for suspected illegal horse-betting activities. 

Elderly woman yelled at pregnant DBS employee protecting her savings from a scam

SINGAPORE - Less than two weeks before she gave birth, Fionice Teoh, a DBS assistant service manager at the bank's Century Square branch, served a woman in her 70s who looked agitated.She had gone there on the afternoon of Dec 24, 2024, demanding to withdraw
Singapore

Elderly woman yelled at pregnant DBS employee protecting her savings from a scam

SINGAPORE - Less than two weeks before she gave birth, Fionice Teoh, a DBS assistant service manager at the bank's Century Square branch, served a woman in her 70s who looked agitated.She had gone there on the afternoon of Dec 24, 2024, demanding to withdraw $190,000 in cash.As customers looked on, she shouted: «This is my money, how can you control and not let me withdraw? If you don't let me withdraw everything, I'll close all my accounts.»But the bank refused, as it suspected that she was a scam victim.Teoh, 31, was 38 weeks pregnant and on one of her final shifts before her maternity leave began.The woman verbally abused her for almost two hours.Teoh said: «I kept reminding myself to stay calm. It would have been easier to just let her withdraw everything.»But my job isn't just about transactions. It's about protecting people, especially those who are most vulnerable."The woman initially claimed the money was for festive shopping, before saying it was for an investment. She also asked for her money to be given in cash.

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