Passenger movement at Singapore's Changi Airport hit a record high of 69.98 million in 2025, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said in a press release on Thursday (Jan 22).The figure is a 3.4 per cent increase over the 67.7 million passengers in 2024. Last year, 374,000 flights landed at or took off from Changi Airport, up 2.2 per cent compared to 2024.Meanwhile, airfreight throughput - the volume of cargo that passes through an airport or air cargo facility over a certain period - totalled 2.08 million, up 4.5 per cent compared to the previous year.New routes, expanded connectivityAmid the 374,000 landings and take-offs, 13 new routes were added last year. This includes: Changchun, Harbin, Lanzhou, Yichang and Zhangjiajie in China; Labuan Bajo, Padang and Semarang in Indonesia; Vienna in Austria; Vijayawada in India; Kota Bahru in Malaysia; Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia and Nha Trang in Vietnam. Two new passenger airlines - MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Pelitia Air - were also added last year.

An accident along the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) on Wednesday (Jan 21) evening left one car overturned, though no significant injuries were reported.The accident, involving one car and one tipper truck, happened at about 7.40pm along AYE towards the Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE), before Clementi Avenue 2 exit.When AsiaOne arrived at the scene at around 7.45pm, debris was seen strewn across two of the three lanes along the AYE. There was also debris on the leftmost lane of the slip road towards Clementi Avenue 2.A man in army uniform was seen next to a red car which was overturned on the third lane. Nearby, a tipper truck and another car were stopped along the slip road. A man wearing a safety vest, presumably the driver of the tipper truck, and another man dressed in black were seen near the overturned car.Responding to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said that one person was assessed for minor injuries but he declined to be sent to hospital.Although a Traffic Police expressway patrol unit was seen at the scene, AsiaOne understands that the two drivers involved agreed to settle the matter privately.

More than 70 travellers were caught for various offences — including failing to declare large amounts of cash and evading taxes on cigarettes and liquor — in a week-long, multi-agency enforcement operation conducted across Singapore's land, air and sea checkpoints.In a joint statement on Thursday (Jan 22), the police, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Singapore Customs said more than 10,000 travellers and 260 vehicles were checked during the operation, which took place between Jan 13 and 19. Law enforcement officers conducting checks at Singapore's land, air and sea checkpoints during the operation. PHOTO: SPF, ICA In addition, more than 14,000 pieces of luggage and hand-carry bags were scanned or searched. 

The office of the Leader of the Opposition (LO) will remain vacant until the Workers' Party (WP) is ready to nominate someone to take on the responsibility,  said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Wednesday (Jan 21).In response to WP's letter shared earlier on Wednesday, the PMO said that it accepts the party's decision.While agreeing with WP that the main opposition party in Parliament is «indeed the natural choice to serve», it said that Singapore is currently in an «exceptional situation» due to Pritam Singh's criminal conviction.«In Singapore, we place a high premium on honesty and integrity in our political system, and on respect for the rule of law,» the PMO said.MPs must exemplify these values and uphold the integrity of our system, it said.The PMO also said that in other jurisdictions, members convicted of crimes involving dishonesty or lying under oath would typically resign from their roles.«This has not happened here,» said the PMO, adding that the office of the LO will thus remain vacant until WP nominates another member to take the role.[[nid:728551]]

Tower Transit bus captain of service 858 Lim Chwin Chien, who was seen on video helping to put out a vegetation fire, had to rush home to register his marriage in Malaysia after his shift ended.The fire happened at about 12.10 am on Tuesday (Jan 20) behind a bus stop before Punggol Road and along the Tampines Expressway.

A diner was left concerned after trays of cutlery and dirty dishes were left scattered across tables and seats at a hawker centre, preventing other patrons from using them.In a Facebook video shared on Saturday (Jan 17), the user highlighted the incident, showing an overwhelming number of plates and trays piled on top of tables and chairs.According to the post, the incident is believed to have occurred at Chong Boon Market and Food Centre, located at Block 453A, Ang Mo Kio Ave 10.In the video, a woman can be seen clearing the plates alone. She appears shorthanded, given the large number of piled-up trays.Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, one vendor, who wished to be known only as Zheng, said that the hawker centre's cleaning package, which used to cost about $1,200 a month had increased by $100 starting in January. The package includes both the washing of dishes as well as the return of the plates and cutlery to the respective stalls.Despite the increase in cleaning fees, many vendors noted that the service had not improved. 

An wild sambar deer spotted lying on its side at Chestnut Nature Park on Tuesday (Jan 20) died of injuries believed to have been sustained from a traffic accident.Images and a video of the injured animal were shared on Facebook group SG Wildlife by user Karen Chiam, who said she reported the sighting to the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) and the National Parks Board (NParks).The 27-second clip she filmed shows the deer kicking its legs while on the ground. It subsequently stops struggling, and what appears to be blood is seen on its front leg.Acres CEO Kalaivanan Balakrishnan confirmed to AsiaOne that it had received Chiam's report and had requested her to contact NParks as the animal was in a nature reserve.On Wednesday (Jan 21) morning, the Love Sambar Facebook page said that the male adult deer died by the time the NParks team arrived at the nature trail.The post said that the deer had been in a accident with a vehicle at Bangkit Loop on Tuesday morning and crawled towards Chestnut Nature Park, where it was found.

A 33-year-old female motorcyclist died after colliding with a lorry on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on Wednesday (Jan 21). The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told AsiaOne that they were alerted to the accident at about 9.25am, involving a lorry and a motorcycle on the PIE towards Changi Airport.She was pronounced dead at the scene, SCDF added. The police said that the 40-year-old male lorry driver is assisting with investigations. In a Facebook video posted on the same day, paramedics can be seen standing beside the body, which was covered with a white sheet and lying next to the crashed motorcycle. In a post on X in the morning, the Land Transport Authority said there was an accident on the PIE, towards Changi and after the Lornie Road exit, adding that the accident led to traffic delays until the Bukit-Timah Expressway and advised commuters to avoid the fifth lane. Investigations are ongoing. [[nid:728432]]esther.lam@asiaone.com 

Eighty people were evacuated after a fire broke out at an eatery in Boat Quay on Tuesday (Jan 20). In response to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it was alerted to the fire at 78 Boat Quay at about 11.20pm.  «The fire involved cooking equipment on the ground floor,» said SCDF, adding that the blaze was extinguished using a water jet. As a precautionary measure, the police and SCDF evacuated 80 persons from neighbouring units. One person was assessed by a paramedic for smoke inhalation but declined to be sent to the hospital. The cause of the fire is under investigation, said SCDF.  PHOTO: Xiaohongshu/Orbit [[nid:728504]]esther.lam@asiaone.com 

A viral video, first posted in 2024, showing a man in Malaysia breaking out in a series of impromptu dance moves as a dog charges at him has recently resurfaced on social media amid laughter and debate.In the 2024 video posted by TikTok user NrDahliaRostam, a man is seen walking out from a landed residential property when a free-roaming dog across the street starts charging towards him, albeit with a slight limp.The man stops briefly for a second to consider his actions before breaking out into a series of dance moves.As he starts shuffling his feet in all directions, the dog is seen mirroring his moves. After about 10 seconds, the man stops and stands his ground before backing off. The dog then moves away from the gate as well.The original video, which reached two million views, was reposted by TikTok user nobitasan8693 on Jan 18 and has reached nearly 300,000 views at the time of writing.Across both videos, most users found the interaction funny, with several users amused by how the man reacted in the situation as well as the dog's response.

An initiative helping children and adolescents lead a healthy lifestyle will be expanded to include kindergarteners and Primary 4 and 5 students.Known as the Health Plan, school children are given a set of goals after consulting with a trained professional, who assesses their annual health screening results and a parent-completed questionnaire to create their tailored «lifestyle prescription».About 114,000 Primary 1 to Primary 3 pupils have received their health plans in 2025, since the scheme under the national health promotion strategy Grow Well SG was launched that year.From January 2026, the personalised health plans will be introduced to preschoolers enrolled in Kindergarten 1 and 2 as well as P4 and 5 students, announced the Ministries of Health, Education and Social and Family Development on Wednesday (Jan 21).The three ministries said in a joint statement that the initiative had received positive feedback from parents and educators after a pilot with approximately 840 kindergarteners in July 2025.

A 70-year-old male bus driver is assisting police with investigations into a traffic incident in the early hours of Tuesday (Jan 20), after he mistakenly entered a residential estate at Loyang Rise and damaged several vehicles.In a post uploaded to Facebook, Go-Ahead said the incident occurred following the temporary closure of Loyang Avenue, towards Tampines Avenue 7.«The bus captain involved made an incorrect turn and grazed several vehicles parked along the roadside,» said Go-Ahead.According to CCTV footage from a resident shared on Instagram, a bus can be seen entering a landed estate and colliding with several parked cars before driving away.Responding to queries from AsiaOne, the police confirmed that they were alerted to a hit-and-run accident involving a bus and three cars along Loyang Rise at around 5.05am.The police added that no injuries were reported and that a 70-year-old male bus driver is assisting with ongoing investigations.

The Workers' Party (WP) MPs He Ting Ru and Jamus Lim, as well as former MP Png Eng Huat, are on a disciplinary panel convened to examine party chief Pritam Singh's conduct and conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee, reported local media.Two-term Sengkang GRC MPs He and Lim are part of the opposition party's central executive committee (CEC) — He is treasurer and Associate Professor Lim is deputy head of policy research.Png was elected MP for Hougang SMC in 2012 and held onto the constituency till the 2020 General Election, which he did not recontest in. He left the CEC in 2022.An unnamed WP cadre told CNA that past incidents had seen CEC members appointed to similar panels. The inclusion of Png, however, is unusual, according to both former and current party cadres.

Two Tower Transit staff service members have been praised for stepping forward to restrain a 58-year-old man, who allegedly assaulted and injured another staff member in Yishun on Jan 19. In a Facebook post on Jan 20, Tower Transit Singapore shared that a man physically assaulted a female service ambassador and sprayed commuters with a fire extinguisher. The transport operator said that interchange supervisor Faisal and bus captain Zaki confronted the man and followed him into Northpoint City. The man proceeded to spray the extinguisher and threw it at a shopper. Seeing a critical opening, Faisal rushed forward to restrain the man before the police arrived and the man was subsequently arrested.  

A patient has accused nurses at Sengkang General Hospital of using force on her and «making inappropriate and threatening remarks», among other allegations, during her stay.The 27-year-old woman, who declined to give her full name, told AsiaOne that the incidents occurred after 10pm on Sunday (Jan 18) night, after she'd left her hospital bed out of boredom.She alleged that one of the male registered nurses had told her: «Since your parents are not around, I can do whatever I like», while transferring her back to her bed.He had allegedly followed it up by saying, «I have no patience with you as I have no children.»«I hope actions can be taken to improve patient care and hopefully it will never happen again,» she told AsiaOne.Admitted to hospital after suffering seizureThe patient told AsiaOne that she was admitted to the hospital on Jan 18, after suffering from a seizure from urinary retention issues.Feeling bored while alone in the hospital room, she sat on a chair near the nurses' counter for «fresh air». 

A 22-year-old Malaysian man was arrested on Jan 13 for attempting to smuggle over 250 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jan 20), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that the attempt was detected at Tuas Checkpoint.After directing the vehicle for enhanced checks, ICA's search and examination officers found the cigarettes concealed behind the Malaysia-registered car's rear passenger seats.The case has been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations.Buying, selling, conveying, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act. Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. Vehicles used in these offences and proceeds of sales of duty-unpaid goods may also be forfeited.

A Tower Transit bus captain has earned praise from a young mother after going out of his way to assist her with the baby stroller.In a Facebook post on Monday (Jan 19), Tower Transit shared the heartwarming feedback sent in from the new mother about her experience on bus service 169 with bus captain Liew Kok Soon.It was her first time taking the bus with the stroller, and was «completely unfamiliar with how to board the bus with it».«I was very fortunate to meet Kok Soon,» she said.Speaking about the encounter, she said that Liew alighted from the bus to help her take the stroller onboard.He also alighted to assist her when she reached her destination at Ang Mo Kio Interchange, and even explained the proper procedures and safety measures for boarding and alighting the bus with a stroller to her.«I truly felt his strong sense of responsibility and care for passengers,» she said, adding that Liew was «very patient and kind».He said that he thought of his own children and empathised with the mother.

Bus captains have received plaudits in recent weeks for jumping into «hot situations» to put out fires, and it seems this trend is not stopping.In a series of Instagram stories posted to his account, user milokopipeng shared videos showing a Tower Transit bus captain of service 858 putting out a vegetation fire in Sengkang.«Just as I thought the service 858 bus driver for my bus is driving off, he actually helped extinguish the fire...He later on apologised to the passengers for the delay,» the user wrote.The incident happened at about 12.10am on Tuesday (Jan 20), at a bus stop before Punggol Road and along the Tampines Expressway.In the video, the bus captain is seen approaching a bush fire behind the bus stop with a fire extinguisher, calmly douses the fire, and observes before going in for a second pass.He appeared unfazed even as commuters passed him.

A grant of up to $2,500 will be given to registered beverage producers after the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) kicks in from April, said the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a statement on Monday (Jan 19).The BCRS Producer Transition Grant, which will be automatically awarded, can be used to offset costs related to product registration fees, producer fees and the cost of stickers for the scheme. It will be available until Sept 30, 2027.The BCRS is a new recycling initiative, expected to roll out on April 1, under which a 10-cent refundable deposit will be added to all pre-packaged beverages sold in plastic and metal containers. This is to encourage consumers to return them at designated collection points for proper disposal and reuse. 

Despite having purchased a resale flat, a family of three was forced to sleep in a car for two weeks after renovation issues left them without a home. Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, homeowner Li, 47, said she and her husband had received the keys to their HDB maisonette at Block 408 Fajar Road in June last year.As the home was still in good condition, they decided to only replace some floor tiles, tear down several walls, and renovate the kitchen.The contractor, whom they found from Facebook in May, told them the work would take up to a month, from August 5 to September 4.Li said that the total cost came up to $13,916, including a $1,688 deposit. This did not include the floor tiles, which she had purchased from Malaysia.She allegedly however, that the contractor had requested on at least six occasions for additional work to be done, including taking down more walls in the kitchen and living room.This increased the cost to more than $20,000, Li claimed, which was more than what was agreed upon.The payments had been made by the time she sensed something was wrong, said Li.

After her car plunged into a sinkhole that appeared in Tanjong Katong last July, Pearlyn Lim found herself hanging upside down with her legs pinned as debris fell around her. In an interview with Christian publication Salt&Light, the 43-year-old recalled her brush with death and how she «felt like giving up» for a split second. Thinking she might never see her loved ones again, Lim felt more «overwhelming sadness» than fear, she said. As she was trapped inside the vehicle, Lim's thoughts fixated on just one thing: Her then-13-year-old daughter, Anya.Lim said: «I remember crying out, 'Please, God, don’t leave my daughter alone in this world.'»«At that moment, I really, really missed Anya,» she added. «I was very thankful that the last thing I’d said to her was, 'love you.' And that I’d hugged her before I left the house.»Upside down, stuck and in shockOn July 26, 2025, a sinkhole suddenly appeared around 5pm at a junction in Tanjong Katong Road and Mountbatten Road. 

Leaders from some 60 countries, including Singapore, have received an invitation to join a US-led «Board of Peace» initiative that would initially aim to end conflict in Gaza but then be expanded to tackle conflicts elsewhere. In response to media queries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed on Tuesday (Jan 20) that Singapore has received an invitation.«The Singapore Government has received an invitation from the US to join the Board of Peace and is currently assessing the invitation,» a spokesperson from MFA said.What is the Board of Peace?Reuters on Monday reported that the board would be chaired for life by US President Donald Trump. Other names on the board include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British prime minister Tony Blair and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kusher, according to a White House announcement on Friday. 

Six crew members of a vessel which sunk in Singapore's waters were rescued within 30 minutes and reported safe.The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a social media post on Monday (Jan 19) that the incident occurred sometime last week, without specifying the date and location.The sinking small craft had been spotted by a nearby vessel, which alerted the Marine Safety Control Centre to the situation.MPA immediately deployed its vessels to the scene, and the Police Coast Guard (PCG) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were also informed, the authority said.Six men were found treading the waters and quickly rescued by PCG. One of the men who required medical assistance was treated by the SCDF.

A 27-year-old man died on board a cruise ship docked in Singapore.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police said that they received a call for assistance at Marina Bay Cruise Centre at around 6.35am on Monday (Jan 19).He was found motionless on a cruise ship and was pronounced dead at the scene by an in-house doctor.The cruise ship is believed to be Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, which docked at the Singapore port at 6.30am according to data from CruiseMapper.No foul play is suspected based on preliminary investigations, said the police. Investigations are ongoing.AsiaOne has reached out to Royal Caribbean for additional information.[[nid:727390]]dana.leong@asiaone.com

A 59-year-old pedestrian died of his injuries in hospital after being hit by a car at Ang Mo Kio on Monday (Jan 19) night.The incident occurred at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 and Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.In response to AsiaOne's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that they were alerted to the accident at 8.30pm.An eyewitness who was near the accident site told AsiaOne that he was riding along the park connector network at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 when he heard a loud 'bang'.«When I looked back, the car and a man were on the HDB courtyard between Blocks 230 and 231,» he said.Other passersby also said that the man was crossing the road when the accident happened, though they are unclear of what led to it.Lois Koh, a 25-year-old enrolled nurse, told AsiaOne that she was passing by the area when she heard the collision and went to investigate.«That's why I'm a nurse, I cannot just stand there and do nothing,» she said.According to Koh, the pedestrian was «desperately trying to gasp for air» and «wasn't breathing» at one point.

The police arrested a 61-year-old man on Sunday (Jan 18) for his alleged involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt. The police said on Monday (Jan 19) that the alleged incident took place at about 4.20pm on Sunday along Geylang Road, adding that the victim suffered severe head injuries after allegedly being punched by the man during a fight.He was identified through follow-up investigations and with the aid of police cameras.The man will be charged in court on Tuesday (Jan 20).If found guilty of voluntarily causing grievous hurt, he may be sentenced to jail of up to 10 years, and a fine or caning.editor@asiaone.com 

Lower-income households who have yet to receive public transport vouchers (PTV) for the 2025 exercise can submit their applications starting Tuesday (Jan 20).Each household with a monthly per capita household income of not more than $1,800 is eligible for the voucher, worth $60, to help defray transport costs, said the Ministry of Transport and the People's Association in a joint statement on Monday (Jan 19).Bus and train fares had increased by up to 10 cents per journey for adult commuters from Dec 27, 2025.About 300,000 households who previously received the vouchers during the 2024 PTV exercise would have been notified via post or SMS last month.Those who have not received the vouchers can apply online or visit their local Community Centres/Clubs from Jan 20 to Oct 31.Households that require additional help, including those who did not qualify based on the household income eligibility criteria, can also submit an application.

Suspected cases of gastroenteritis are being investigated after 147 students at North View Primary School (NVPS) developed symptoms last week.In a joint statement on Monday (Jan 19), the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said that students across levels were affected.They developed symptoms since Jan 13 and most have recovered as at Jan 18.One student was hospitalised on Jan 17 and discharged the next day in stable condition, said the agencies, who added that the school has been in touch with affected students and their parents.The school said that it will continue to monitor the students' well-being, and that it will work closely with SFA and CDA to investigate the incident. According to the joint statement, NVPS is not one of the 13 schools under the Central Kitchen Meal Model implemented earlier this year.Since the incident, NVPS has also taken precautionary measures including cleaning and sanitising all classrooms and common areas, and minimising whole-school gatherings.

Grab's fleet of self-driving vehicles will continue their test run in Punggol, after an autonomous shuttle operated by ComfortDelGro collided with a road divider on Saturday (Jan 17).Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said in a Facebook post on Monday (Jan 19) that the transport authorities take the safety of all road users seriously.Routes one and three of Punggol's designated shuttle services will operated by Grab and route two by ComfortDelGro.The autonomous vehicles on route one have begun community rides after it completed testing and preparatory work, travelling more than 10,000km without any incident.Sun noted that while the shuttles of both operators bear a similar colour scheme, they use different software and are of a different vehicle type.

Kidneys are vital for removing waste and toxins from our bodies. And when they fail, haemodialysis (HD), which is done at dialysis centres, has long been the option here.There's another option, peritoneal dialysis (PD), which is done in the comfort of the home and also gives kidney failure patients a better quality of life. But among patients in Singapore suitable for it, the take-up rate remains low, despite efforts to encourage its adoption.Both forms of dialysis remove waste and fluid from the body — a process that occurs naturally in healthy patients through urination. HD does it through the blood, while PD extracts them through the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal wall.In Singapore, three out of four new kidney failure patients still opt for HD, where patients go to a dialysis centre three times a week for three to four hours to have their blood removed from their body, cleansed and then put back.

A woman who was recently in the spotlight for tearing down Chinese New Year decorations from the gate of a HDB flat in Boon Keng has apologised for her «spur of the moment» actions after seeing a photo of her relative pasted on the door of Lee, the flat owner. In a TikTok video on Sunday (Jan 18), she admitted that her actions were «completely not right», but explained that Lee is «not just an innocent victim» as he makes himself seem in a YouTube video he uploaded on Jan 12. 

A man was taken to hospital on Saturday (Jan 17) evening after being knocked down by a car in Sengkang.Based on dashcam footage, the accident happened at about 5.55pm at the junction of Buangkok Drive and Sengkang Central. Map showing where the approximate location of the accident on Jan 17. IMAGE: Google Maps In a video posted on TikTok, the pedestrian is seen running across the crossing when the red light comes on.Midway through, he notices a car coming from his left and tried to dodge, but to no avail.The impact sends him flying halfway across the junction before he gets up and limps towards the traffic island. He is seen clutching his left thigh.

SINGAPORE — A Canadian man quit his high-paying job in Singapore and moved back to his home country after his estranged wife applied for maintenance for herself and their four children.A warrant of arrest was issued against him after he failed to attend a court mention in January 2024.The warrant was cancelled only in December that year after he attended a court mention held via Zoom with his lawyers.He has been ordered by a district judge to pay nearly $634,000 in maintenance backdated to September 2023, when he reduced financial support to the family after he moved out to live with another woman.The sum covers the period between September 2023 and September 2025.The judge also ordered him to pay $23,500 in monthly maintenance starting from October 2024, when he started working for an employer in Canada.In a judgment dated Dec 29, 2025, District Judge Phang Hsiao Chung said that until the man started in his job in Canada, his earning capacity should be based on his income while he was employed by the Singapore employer.The man's annual income in 2023 was more than $860,000.

With the United States celebrating its 250th year of independence, its embassy here is calling for «financial contributions» from Singaporean businesses for the July 4 festivities. In a letter dated Jan 8, Ambassador Anjani Sinha wrote that the milestone is «a major White House priority», coinciding with 60 years of diplomatic relations between the US and Singapore. «Your partnership and financial contributions will help us honour the history we are proud to share and inspire us to look to future opportunities,» he said.«We are encouraging our partners to consider substantially larger gifts than in previous years in support of our 250th anniversary.»The letter was sent to members of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Singapore, which represents some 700 member companies, including American firms and global companies with US business interests. Responding to media queries, the US Embassy in Singapore said the practice of soliciting funds is in line with the practices of every American embassy worldwide.

The public may make bookings to collect fit-for-gifting bank notes for Chinese New Year (CNY) from Jan 27, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Monday (Jan 19).CNY falls on Feb 17 and 18.Singaporeans are also encouraged to be environmentally-conscious by choosing «fit» notes or electronic hongbao (e-hongbao), the authority said.These «fit» notes are similar to those from ATMs and may have fold lines or minor stains.A MAS survey of 1,853 Chinese Singaporeans and permanent residents conducted in July 2025 found that two in three people were open to receiving «fit» notes in their red packets. «The respondents also indicated that the condition of the notes did not matter and 'fit' notes were as meaningful as new notes,» MAS said.The finding is consistent with DBS' observations, with a 7 per cent year-on-year decline in cash withdrawals recorded in 2025.Last year, over 16 million pieces of «fit» notes were exchanged at the banks, enabling emission savings equivalent to the annual carbon footprint from powering 280 four-room HDB flats.