The MRT disruption on the East-West Line (EWL) is set to continue into a sixth day on Monday (Sept 30), after stress tests on Saturday night saw new cracks appearing. Full train services are now targeted to be restored on Tuesday, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT in a joint briefing on Sunday. Train services on the western side of EWL have been disrupted since Wednesday, after a faulty train caused a power trip. The initial target was Monday, but during the stress tests, 12 new rail cracks appeared on unreplaced rail segments along a different 800m stretch between Clementi station and Ulu Pandan Depot. LTA and SMRT said these 10 segments had been weakened by Wednesday morning's faulty train. Therefore, an extra day will be needed for the segments to be replaced, before more stress tests tomorrow - including using trains filled with sandbags to simulate real-world conditions - to ensure the MRT's safety.

SINGAPORE — National postal service provider Singapore Post has closed 12 post offices, or one out of five branches, in the last two years. This comes as the company struggles with declining mail volumes as most turn to electronic communication instead. Five of the shuttered post office branches were in malls, including Suntec City, Northpoint City and Westgate, while the rest were either standalone branches or found in community clubs, office buildings or Housing Board blocks. SingPost has 44 post offices remaining. A SingPost spokesperson told The Straits Times that adjustments will be made to some post offices and locations to ensure postal services remain cost-effective and relevant. This is part of business transformation efforts to meet evolving consumer demands in a rapidly changing digital landscape, she said. One of the most recent branches to cease operations was the one at The Clementi Mall, which had operated for 11 years before it closed on Sept 20. The nearest alternative branch is a 15-minute bus trip away — in Clementi West Street 2, near West Coast Plaza.

Disruptions to SMRT's train services on the East-West line for the past five days have impacted not just commuters, but some businesses around the affected stations as well. Lunchtime crowds have visibly thinned at malls and food courts near Buona Vista station, according to Shin Min Daily News on Saturday (Sept 28), with F&B operators reportedly seeing up to a 70 per cent drop in business. Train services between Jurong East and Buona Vista in both directions were halted since last Wednesday (Sept 25) because of a train fault and subsequent damage to tracks and trackside equipment. At The Star Vista mall and The Metropolis business center located near Buona Vista station, the usual lunchtime crowds were missing when reporters visited the area on Friday, Shin Min reported. When interviewed, several F&B operators expressed that they've seen a drop in business since the start of the disruptions. One employee at a cafe shared that the number of patrons has halved.

SINGAPORE — From Oct 1, all foreign-registered vehicles entering Johor from Singapore must have a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP), though those without one can still enter the country, but receive a warning. If you have not already registered for your permit, you can find out more here. If you already have registered for one, or activated the RFID tag, here are some things to look out for before you drive into Malaysia on Oct 1. 1. Activation of RFID tag Log into the TCSens portal at vepams.jpj.gov.my. Under the «VEP Tag Application» tab, make sure that your tag is activated.

JOHOR BAHRU/SINGAPORE — Motorists from Singapore continued to throng the TCSens Centre at Danga Bay to secure a vehicle entry permit (VEP) on Sept 28 despite assurances that they can still enter Malaysia after Oct 1 without one. Drivers that The Straits Times spoke to were fraught with worry and uncertainty despite clarifications on Sept 27 from Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) that they will be allowed into Johor even if they do not yet have VEP tags. However, the agency — responsible for the enforcement of the VEP — said they will be given reminders to register, install and activate their radio frequency identification (RFID) tags upon entering Johor’s two land checkpoints as enforcement is implemented in phases. They can also be given a warning when they leave Malaysia, along with reminders to install the tags as soon as possible. Many motorists, however, were unconvinced about the leeway given to them if they drive to Johor without a VEP.

A family has accused a helper of elder abuse, after capturing footage of the Indonesian maid man-handling her employer's bedridden mum. The employer, surnamed Wang, told Shin Min Daily News that this happened «thrice in one night», with the helper accused of pushing her mother's head down onto the bed, shaking her and forcefully prying open her eyelids. According to Wang, the 26-year-old Indonesian helper named Janna (transliteration) was hired to take care of her elderly mother in her 70s, who'd suffered a stroke. The family were in the living room having dinner last Monday (Sept 23) when they saw through a CCTV camera Janna man-handling the elderly woman. The helper appeared to be rough and impatient while feeding the elderly woman milk in her bedroom, forcefully pushing her head onto the bed, reported Shin Min Daily News. On seeing this, the family rushed into the bedroom to confront Janna. The latter stated that she had reacted this way as the elderly woman refused to drink her milk. The family then left the room after giving the helper a stern warning.

Singaporeans have often shown great resilience and togetherness during adversity. Covid-19 was a good example, while the ongoing MRT disruption is proving no different. As Singapore enters day four of disruptions to the East-West Line, stories have emerged of how some Singaporeans stepped up to help others, such as the taxi drivers who provided free rides to students sitting for their Primary School Leaving Examination.  Volunteers have also been seen at some bus stops in Jurong East and Buona Vista providing directions and help to commuters. Caring Commuter Champions are ordinary commuters who volunteer to assist those in need during their daily travel on public transport.

SINGAPORE – “Is he your grandson?” That is the question Singaporean Suan Bailey, 53, often gets whenever she goes out with her 10-month-old son. “I used to get upset. After all, it was a long journey for me to get to where I am today... but not any more. He is my son, and I am proud I went through the experience to have him,” the office manager told The Straits Times.  However, she asked ST not to show her face. “I want to share my story of how, as an older woman, I overcame all odds to have my son – the excitement, the fear and the disappointment – but I don’t want the backlash and the negativity from it,” she explained. Mrs Bailey was among the 19 women in Singapore aged 50 or older who gave birth in 2023, reflecting the shift in the age boundary of women becoming mothers over the past 20 years.

On a Tuesday afternoon at a coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio, Mr Glenn Poh returns to his waiting mother with two drinks: one hot and one iced. She picks the iced lemon tea.  «All my life she never used to drink cold drinks but now, she always wants something iced. It's like she's a small kid again,» he says of his 74-year-old mother, Madam Tan Sow Meng, who has Alzheimer's disease. As the only son, Mr Poh took it upon himself to look after her, personally navigating the twists and turns of caring for an ailing parent.  «Whatever needs to be done needs to be done. It's because I was raised like this,» he says. Having seen how his mother cared for his late father after a stroke, he knew he wanted to do the same for her.  In Singapore, with its rapidly ageing population and cultural norms of filial piety, many adult children find themselves thrust into the role of caregivers.  Life can be put on hold when mum or dad falls ill, and those without siblings or other home help can find themselves shouldering the whole load.

SINGAPORE - Search-and-rescue operations have begun for a Singaporean man who has gone missing in the Everest region. According to a post circulating online, Mr Harry Tan, 76, went missing near the Kongma La Pass in Nepal, which is south of Everest Base Camp. In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it has been in close contact with the family of the missing man and the local authorities in Nepal, through the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi. «Search-and-rescue operations are under way,» the spokesperson said, adding that MFA will continue to monitor developments and give the family consular support. According to trekking websites, the Kongma La Pass is a challenging trekking route at a high altitude. It offers views of Mount Everest and is part of the Three Passes Trek that can take about two to three weeks to complete. Mr Raj Tamang, 58, the founder of Responsible Adventures, a trekking company based in Kathmandu, Nepal, told ST that he learnt on Sept 26 about what had happened to Mr Tan.

Train service disruptions along the East-West Line are now entering day four on Saturday (Sept 28). As engineers and technicians from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and rail operator SMRT work around the clock on repairs to restore full train service by Monday, staff members and fellow passengers have been helping one another out. In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao on Friday, a 42-year-old woman shared that her son, who has autism, usually travels between Bukit Batok and Bedok by himself to attend school. However, the 15-year-old encountered the service disruption on Wednesday evening and continued waiting at the platform despite the lack of trains. As those with autism have difficulties dealing with sudden changes, the housewife panicked as her son was unable to communicate with others to ask for help. Thankfully, a staff member at the MRT station noticed the teenager and contacted his father through details on a tag on his backpack.

SINGAPORE - A full-time Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) national serviceman died after he was found unconscious and unresponsive in camp on the evening of Sept 27. The death was not training related, according to the Ministry of Defence (Mindef), and a spokesman said that the police do not suspect foul play, based on their preliminary investigations. The Mindef spokesperson said late on Sept 27 that the serviceman was found next to a bed in Pasir Laba Camp. The ministry did not provide other details, such as his age. He was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in an SAF ambulance and was pronounced dead at the hospital, despite resuscitation efforts en route. Police have classified the case as an unnatural death, and investigations are ongoing. “The Ministry of Defence and the SAF extend our deepest condolences to the family of the late serviceman, and are assisting the family in their time of grief,” the spokesperson said.

SINGAPORE — An 18-year-old man died after his motorcycle collided with an unknown vehicle in Loyang on the morning of Sept 27. The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to the hit-and-run accident at about 9.20am. It occurred at the junction of Loyang Avenue and Cranwell Road, said SCDF. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic. A photo showing a blue tent in the aftermath of the accident was shared on Telegram group SGRoad Blocks/Traffic News. A motorcycle bearing a probation P-plate was seen lying on its side near the blue tent. Police investigations are ongoing. Traffic accidents claimed the lives of 136 people in 2023, a 25.9 per cent jump from the 108 deaths in 2022. Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable groups of road users. In 2023, motorcyclists or pillion riders were involved in more than half of all traffic accidents, and accounted for half of the deaths due to traffic accidents.

Grab's co-founder and CEO, Anthony Tan, went undercover as a private-hire driver and shared his experience in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday (Sept 25). By going on the ground, he aims to test the Grab driver app, get direct feedback from passengers and find areas of improvement that are potentially missed by teams not involved with ground operations. Tan assumed his role as driver on a Sunday afternoon and drove a GrabRentals Hyundai Kona EV. Throughout the vlog, the 41-year-old was candid about the user experience of Grab's driver app. He complimented the ease and accuracy of GrabMaps' lane detection features, but raised an issue with its automated safety messages. While they serve as good reminders, he noted how these messages would block his view of the map. Between «back-to-back» rides, Tan also shared feedback from his passengers. One customer told him her personal grievances regarding cancelled rides whenever drivers were too far away from her location.  In comparison, she commended Grab's exclusive Premium feature for being fast and reliable whenever she was in a rush to get to her destination.

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s Road Transport Department (JPJ) announced on Sept 27 that foreign-registered vehicles which have yet to install Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) tags by the Oct 1 deadline will still be allowed to enter Malaysia from Singapore. The announcement comes amid complaints in Singapore of delays and snags in the application process, and just three days ahead of the VEP requirement being implemented. “From Oct 1, 2024, the VEP enforcement will be implemented in phases. All Singapore-registered vehicles without a VEP may still enter Malaysia as usual,” JPJ director-general Aedy Fadly Ramli said in a statement on Sept 27. However, vehicle-owners may receive reminders from JPJ officers stationed in the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex in Johor Bahru and Sultan Abu Bakar Complex CIQ at the Second Link to immediately register, install and activate their VEP and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. “Please be reminded that warning notices will be issued to owners of Singapore-registered private vehicles without VEPs before they leave Malaysia,” Datuk Aedy said.

SHOALWATER BAY, Australia - Just a few seconds was all it took for Staff Sergeant Rachel Rodrigues to fire 150 rounds from a machine gun in an H225M helicopter on Wednesday (Sept 25). The 27-year-old, who is the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) first female aircrew specialist, was still riding the adrenaline after landing over an hour later at a camp in Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia. «The feeling I get from the vibrations when operating the gun and seeing the rounds hit the target... it gives me a lot of chills,» said Rodrigues to reporters after a weapon’s demonstration from the helicopter's door while in the air.  «I've never experienced using a machine gun before, so I'm glad that I was given this opportunity.»