Public nuisance or public service? Someone had installed gym equipment on the 25th-floor staircase landing of Block 423A Northshore Crescent in Punggol. According to Stomp contributor Ben, the equipment was there «for a long time, about more than six months». He shared photos showing the equipment mounted on the wall and a notice put up by Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council about the issue. The notice, dated Sept 2, appealed for residents to be gracious and keep the estate safe for everyone. It said that an inspection on Aug 27 found an «unauthorised item» installed on «common property» without a valid permit. The notice added: «We seek your cooperation to remove all the items at the staircase landing of Staircase 3A-1, by Monday, 16 September 2024, failing which, we will remove them without further notice.» However, Ben told Stomp on Sept 20 and 24 that the equipment was still there.

Engaging businesses such as car dealers to report suspicious activities and inter-agency data-sharing are some of the new measures the government has proposed on Friday (Oct 4) to tackle money laundering in Singapore. The tightened framework comes after an inter-ministerial committee was formed to review and make recommendations following the country's biggest money laundering case last August involving $3 billion in assets and property. In that case, nine men and one woman, originally from China, were sentenced to jail where over $940 million worth of their assets were forfeited to the state.  The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Anti-Money Laundering, led by Minister in Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, also recommends training 'gatekeepers' to detect and report suspicious activities. These 'gatekeepers' include lawyers, property agents and bank relationship managers.

Residents and motorists waded through ankle-deep waters after construction workers accidentally struck an underground water pipe on Friday (Oct 4). Workers whom AsiaOne spoke to said they were conducting shoring around Block 67 Marine Drive, when one of the beams accidentally struck a water pipe.  Convenience store owner Abdul Rawoof, 51, whose shop is located at Block 67, told AsiaOne that the flooding started at about 11.30am.  As a result, he had to switch off the electrical appliances in his shop, and move several items out of the unit.  «Some goods were damaged, especially carton boxes on ground,» he recounted, adding that business has been affected.

Public nuisance or public service? Someone had installed gym equipment on the 25th-floor staircase landing of Block 423A Northshore Crescent in Punggol. According to Stomp contributor Ben, the equipment was there «for a long time, about more than six months». He shared photos showing the equipment mounted on the wall and a notice put up by Pasir Ris - Punggol Town Council about the issue. The notice, dated Sept 2, appealed for residents to be gracious and keep the estate safe for everyone. It said that an inspection on Aug 27 found an «unauthorised item» installed on «common property» without a valid permit. The notice added: «We seek your cooperation to remove all the items at the staircase landing of Staircase 3A-1, by Monday, 16 September 2024, failing which, we will remove them without further notice.» However, Ben told Stomp on Sept 20 and 24 that the equipment was still there.

A young pianist in Bedok dedicated a performance to Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat despite his shock at being approached by him. In a Facebook post in celebration of Childrens' Day on Friday (Oct 4) DPM Heng expressed his well-wishes and hopes for children in Singapore. «This Children's Day, let us all encourage our young ones to embrace their curiosity - to explore, play, learn, create and try something new,» he wrote. «I'm always happy to see many children in East Coast doing just that and having fun. Whether they are playing sports or musical instruments, exploring nature at the beach or spending precious time with family and friends.» «Just like young Bedok resident, Jace, who is often at Bedok CC (Community Centre) to play the piano or enjoy a game of basketball with his friends. Enjoy this beautiful piece!» Included in the post was a video of DPM Heng's heartwarming interaction with Jace. In the clip, DPM Heng – who is also an MP for East Coast GRC – is seen asking the young pianist which level of primary school he was in, and whether he attended the nearby Bedok Green Primary.

Billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng has been charged with abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts, and obstruction of justice in court on Friday (Oct 4).  Ong did not indicate how he would plead to the charges. His defence lawyer is seeking six weeks' adjournment to take further instructions, reported CNA. His bail was also extended. Ong had arrived at the State Courts at about 2.20pm. The 78-year-old was dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, and was accompanied by four others, including his lawyer Aaron Lee from Allen and Gledhill. Declining to answer any questions from the media, Ong told them: «Please don't make me fall.» Closer to the entrance, a minder asked the media to make space for the group.

A 42-year-old woman was charged in court on Thursday (Oct 3) for attempting to bribe an auxiliary officer at Woodlands Checkpoint, reported Lianhe Zaobao. Wang Xiping was stopped for illegally driving in the bus lane on July 17 earlier this year, according to the charge sheet. In hopes of avoiding the penalty charges, she allegedly offered an auxiliary officer RM50 (S$15) and S$50 to turn a blind eye. The officer did not accept Wang's bribe. Wang was charged with one count of violating Section 6(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. If convicted, she will be sentenced to a maximum fine of $100,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.  She intends to plead guilty when she returns to court on Nov 15, reported Zaobao.

Billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng is set to be charged in court on Friday (Oct 4), a day after former transport minister S Iswaran was sentenced to one year in jail yesterday.  Ong, who is the chairman of Formula One (F1) race promoter Singapore GP, faces one charge for abetment under Section 165 and another charge under Section 204A of the Penal Code.  Section 165 punishes obtaining gifts in public office when there are official business dealings between the parties involved, while Section 204A relates to the obstruction of justice.  The 78-year-old was previously arrested by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau on July 11, 2023, amid investigations involving the former transport minister.  Ong was later released on $800,000 bail, but no charges were filed against him then.  When Iswaran pleaded guilty on Sept 24, the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said it would «take a decision in respect of [Ong]».  Two of the four counts under Section 165 for which Iswaran was convicted for are related to Ong.

SINGAPORE — A fishball product is being recalled after the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) found that it contained egg, an undeclared allergen. The product, Jing Li Hwa Fish Ball with Fish Roe Filling, is being recalled by its importer Sin Hin Frozen Food, the agency said in an Oct 3 statement. The recalled product is from Taiwan and expires on Aug 5, 2026. While egg is not a food safety issue to most people, SFA said those who are intolerant of, or allergic to eggs could get an allergic reaction after eating them. Symptoms of egg allergy usually happen a few minutes to a few hours after consumption, and they include skin rashes, hives, nasal congestion, vomiting or other digestive problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. Under Singapore's food regulations, products containing ingredients that are known to cause hypersensitivity must be declared on food packaging labels to protect consumers with food allergies, said SFA. Those who are intolerant of or allergic to egg should not consume the fishball product, or seek medical advice if they have already done so and have health concerns, the agency added.

Bidadari resident Darwin has received one too many property agents knocking on his door in the past year. To ward them off from disturbing his dinnertime, the 40-year-old IT solutions executive has since put up a sign outside his four-room flat. «Dear property agents,» it said. «Please do not knock on our door. We are not planning to sell our house anytime soon.» Similar signs were seen outside dozens of other units at Block 106A Bidadari Park Drive when AsiaOne dropped by on Thursday (Oct 3). Darwin and seven other Bidadari residents said that they have been receiving more approaches from property agents after a five-room unit there was sold for $1.2 million last month. According to Housing Board data, three four-room flats in Bidadari Park Drive were sold in the resale market for between $937,500 and $1.17 million.

SINGAPORE – Four people were taken to the Raffles Hospital after a multi-car accident on the East Coast Parkway (ECP) on Oct 3. The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to the accident – which happened on the expressway towards Changi Airport, after the Fort Road exit – at about 5.20pm. The Land Transport Authority said in a post on X at about 5.30pm that the accident had caused a traffic jam from before the Tanjong Katong Road exit to the Fort Road exit. The authority also advised motorists to avoid the first two lanes of the ECP. Several videos of the accident’s aftermath, posted on social media, show three taxis and five cars involved in the accident. https://www.facebook.com/SGRVigilante/videos/1113256510312331/ Two cars are seen at the top of the heap of vehicles. Directly below them is a red taxi with a crushed front bumper and hood, and its doors are flung open. A black car that is directly behind the red taxi is seen with a crushed hood in the videos.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has reiterated that the integrity of the Singapore system and the tone of our society depend critically on the senior political leadership remaining clean, incorruptible and unflinching in acting against corruption whenever it is discovered. «We will do what is right by Singapore and Singaporeans, regardless of the political costs or the personal pain we feel when a colleague and friend has been jailed,» he said on Thursday (Oct 3) evening. PM Wong's statement came after S Iswaran, a former cabinet minister, was sentenced to one year's imprisonment earlier in the day. He had been found guilty of four charges of obtaining gifts as a public servant under Section 165 of the Penal Code, and one charge of obstructing justice. PM Wong expressed his disappointment and sadness that Iswaran's political career ended this way. He noted Iswaran's contributions as a Member of Parliament for over 25 years and his stints as minister for transport, trade and industry, and communications and information.

Homegrown talents are taking their place on the international stage. After receiving a record-breaking total of 718 film submissions this year, the upcoming 61st Golden Horse Awards unveiled the list of nominees yesterday (Oct 2) and two films — Stranger Eyes and Mongrel — directed by Singaporeans garnered a total of 13 nominations. Thriller film Stranger Eyes, directed by Yeo Siew Hua, received six nominations: Best Narrative Feature, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Lee Kang-sheng), Best Original Screenplay (Yeo Siew Hua), Best Original Film Score and Best Sound Effects. Stranger Eyes is a thriller following Darren, played by Wu Chien-ho (Days We Stared at the Sun, The Last Thieves) whose baby daughter has gone missing. He receives voyeuristic videos from someone who has been filming their daily life and suspects that his neighbour Goh, played by Lee Kang-sheng (Stray Dogs, What Time Is It There?) is behind the disappearance.

SINGAPORE — A 14-year-old girl who ran away from home took refuge in the flat of a man she had met through her cousin as she had nowhere to go. There, the man and his friends plied her with alcohol before taking turns to rape her while she was drunk. Umar Abdul Rahim, then 18 years old and doing national service, was one of the three who gang-raped her in May 2021. Now 21, he was sentenced to 11 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane on Oct 1 by the High Court after he pleaded guilty to a charge of rape. His cousin, Muhammad Uzair Abdul Rahman, 21, was sentenced to 16 years' jail and 20 strokes of the cane in October 2023. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and a count of sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 16. The third man involved in the rape, Noor Asri Mohd Tahil, 37, and another alleged accomplice, Mohammad Shahridzmie Salleh, 21, have not been dealt with yet. The victim, whose identity is protected by a gag order, was placed under a Beyond Parental Control (BPC) order in March 2020.

The body of an 18-year-old man was found at a hostel in the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Thursday (Oct 3). In response to queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at 37 Prince George's Park at about 7.25am. The address belongs to a hostel block in Prince George's Park Residences. The man was found lying motionless at the foot of the building and pronounced dead at scene by a paramedic from the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play. Investigations are ongoing. In response to AsiaOne's queries, NUS shared a memo sent to residents of Helix House. Associate Professor Lee Kooi Cheng, who is master of Helix House, expressed the university's deepest condolences to family and friends of the dorm resident who had died on Thursday morning. «We have been in touch with the family and friends of the resident to provide any support and assistance that they need. We would like to encourage everyone to respect the family's privacy,» said Lee.

In the end, neither the prosecution nor the defence got what they argued for regarding the sentence for the five charges former Transport Minister S Iswaran was convicted for on Sept 24.  The defence, led by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, asked for no more than eight weeks' jail, while the prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong, pushed for six to seven months then. In court today, Justice Vincent Hoong considered the prosecution's request to be «manifestly inadequate' and, therefore, »appropriate to impose a sentence in excess of both parties' positions".  Why general deterrence assumed centrestage Section 165 of the Penal Code punishes obtaining gifts in public office when there are official business dealings between the parties involved.