Parliament to discuss billion-dollar money laundering case, Kinderland abuse incident, and electoral roll issue

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September 17, 2023

SINGAPORE-POLITICS — This photograph taken on April 29, 2019 shows a couple takeing photograph outside the parliament house in Singapore. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)

SINGAPORE: Parliament is gearing up for a crucial session on Monday (18 Sept) as Members of Parliament (MPs) prepare to delve into a range of pressing issues that have gripped the nation’s attention. Among the key topics to be discussed are the billion-dollar money laundering case, a disturbing incident at a Kinderland preschool, and concerns over electoral processes.

More than 20 MPs have submitted questions regarding Singapore’s largest money laundering case. Last week, 10 foreigners faced charges in court after authorities seized and froze approximately S$1 billion in assets. These assets included properties, vehicles, luxury goods, and gold bars. This marked one of the most extensive police investigations into money laundering and forgery offences in Singapore’s history.

Some of the questions raised by parliamentarians include the government’s plans to enhance scrutiny of individuals from “golden passport” jurisdictions, the necessity of tightening anti-money laundering laws, the number of money laundering cases reported by financial institutions, and the extent to which real estate transactions were obstructed once the case came to light.

The Kinderland child abuse incident has also sparked significant concern among MPs. Parliamentarians seek answers on how the Early Childhood Development Agency intends to improve the quality of childcare services, measures to protect whistleblowers, the mental health support provided to affected children and their families, and whether regulations mandating the installation of closed-circuit televisions in preschool education centres should be implemented in advance.

The issue of 200 eligible voters omitted from the electoral roll during the 2023 presidential election is also expected to be discussed, with Leader of the Opposition and Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh set to question any past incidents of a similar nature and the measures authorities plan to undertake to prevent such occurrences in the future. Some MPs will also inquire about the number of polling stations that experienced technical difficulties during the presidential election.

Monday’s session will also see three amendment bills receive their first reading. These include amendments to the Income Tax Act, the Free Trade Zones Act, and the Societies Act.

WP chairperson and Aljunied GRC MP Sylvia Lim is also introducing a motion addressing the losses incurred due to fraud and malware scams. This motion underscores the growing concern surrounding cyber threats and the need for comprehensive measures to safeguard individuals and organizations from digital threats.

Police rule out foul play after 29-year-old found dead at Marsiling block

By

Jewel Stolarchuk

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September 17, 2023

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SINGAPORE: The police have preliminarily ruled out homicide after a 29-year-old man was discovered lifeless on the ground floor of Block 37 Marsiling Drive on Friday morning (15 Sept).

The authorities revealed that they received an urgent call for assistance at approximately 7am. Responding swiftly, officers arrived at the scene to find the young man lying motionless on the ground floor. Paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defense Force pronounced the individual deceased at the location.

The police have confirmed that preliminary findings have ruled out the possibility of homicide and that foul play is not suspected in this case. Investigations are ongoing.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to one of the following helplines for immediate assistance:

Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24-hour hotline) or 9151 1767 (24-hour CareText via WhatsApp)
Singapore Association of Mental Health: 1800 283 7019
Emergency helpline of the Institute of Mental Health: 6389 2222 (24-hour hotline)

As PM Lee promotes LKY100 events, some remember Lee Wei Ling’s appeal against hero worship

By

Jewel Stolarchuk

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September 17, 2023

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SINGAPORE: Today marks exactly 100 years since the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew was born, and his eldest son, current PM Lee Hsien Loong, acknowledged this occasion by promoting the events and activities the Government has organized to commemorate the late elder statesman’s centennial birth anniversary.

Mr Lee Hsien Loong wrote on Facebook: “Today would have been my father’s 100th birthday. Those of his generation saw and experienced how Mr Lee and our founding fathers shaped the values and ideals of a newly independent Singapore, and launched us on our journey of nation building. Succeeding generations of Singaporeans upheld these fundamental ideals — meritocracy, religious freedom and racial harmony, justice and equality, self-reliance, integrity and incorruptibility — and collectively created a vibrant, thriving metropolis.”

He then provided a list of the initiatives organised to mark his father’s birth centenary and said that these activities “highlights an aspect of Mr Lee and the values he upheld.”

How Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s remaining children view these events remains unclear. In response to events organized to commemorate their father’s first death anniversary in 2016, Mr Lee’s only daughter, Dr Lee Wei Ling, said he would have “cringed at the hero worship.”

In a Facebook post, she added, “…in looking at acts of commemoration in general, I would ask how the time, effort and resources used to prepare these would benefit Singapore and Singaporeans.”

Asserting that “Papa was dead set against a personality cult and any hint of cronyism,” Dr Lee said:

“Papa’s focus never wavered. What he did was all for the welfare of the nation and its people. Yes, it is good that we remember history. But it would be even better if we honour Lee Kuan Yew by working for the well-being of Singapore and Singaporeans.

Any veneration could have the opposite effect and lead future generations of Singaporeans to think that my father’s actions were motivated by his desire for fame, or creation of a dynasty. He strove hard and determinedly in life to advance Singapore, and not for his place in history, or leaving a great legacy. He is a rare politician and leader, who did what he had to do with no thought to any gain for himself.”

Dr Lee and her younger brother, Lee Kuan Yew’s youngest son, Lee Hsien Yang, are estranged from their elder brother, PM Lee Hsien Loong.

Dr Lee is now extremely unwell, diagnosed with a rare brain disorder with no cure. Mr Lee Hsien Yang, meanwhile, was served legal papers today (16 Sept) by two prominent members of his elder brother’s Cabinet as part of a defamation lawsuit.

Lee Hsien Yang served papers by Shanmugam, Vivian on LKY’s 100th birth anniversary

“You’re a BTO partner, not a wife” — Netizen tells woman whose husband barely communicates with her

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 17, 2023

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Screenshot 2023-09-16 at 12.57.10 PM — Photo: Freepik/tirachardz (for illustration purposes only).

SINGAPORE: After a woman took to Reddit asking, “How often do u expect ur spouse to contact u or talk to u?” many netizens on the platform gave it to her straight, with one telling her, “It doesn’t sound like he wants to marry you. You’re a ‘BTO partner’ not a wife.”

u/Ok-Age7899 wrote on r/askSingapore on Friday (Sept 15) that while she and her husband registered their marriage a year ago, they’ve been living apart and only recently received the keys to their BTO flat. The problem is that her husband barely communicates.

“I am feeling very alone in this marriage and I don’t know how to go on as it feels like there’s almost no love, no affection, no care and concern and no appreciation from him.”

She described her husband as a workaholic who immediately answers texts from colleagues but lets days go by before responding to her.

“I started being unhappy and disappointed with our communication during the house keys collection. At that time, even though it is his choice to retain the 20k cpf, it wasn’t communicated by him prior despite all my prior communication with him on housing installments were based on if we wipe out each of our cpf.

As I didn’t have any intention to retain cpf prior, at the moment it feels to me he don’t care about me to share prior why/ how it may be useful to retain some amount. I feel disappointed when at the moment I thought I should retain some amount too after hearing that he’s retaining, he pointed out that loan amount / cash amount for me will increase if I retain, when it already increased when he retains,” she wrote.

Since then, she has been working on the house renovation on her own and has grown resentful because of it.

Her husband says he’s always busy at work but does not seem to realize she is busy and tired as well, and she feels like he takes her for granted.

Moreover, after the renovation, she’s been moving her things in by herself, while he has yet to do so.

She wrote that she hopes things will get better when they live under the same roof but added, “but it feels like he is not looking forward to stay with me which is unlike what I feel a couple should be.”

“All I wanted was for him to understand what I was feeling but I feel that the saddest part is when I tried explaining to him how I felt he just thought I’m trying to start an argument, because he states ‘I don’t understand wth is the issue’. The issue is there’s a lack of/ no communication and how can a relationship/ a marriage continue like this?”

Many Reddit users chimed in with straight-shooting advice.

“Don’t be a pushover,” one wrote, adding, “If he really cannot reciprocate, cut loss and move on. The more you try to drag on, the more attached you’ll be and the harder it’ll get. Meanwhile he’ll just be getting his free personal assistant/housekeeper.”

“Why be with someone who treats you as his lowest priority?” asked another.

“My only advice and i am very sincere in saying this, is to split up. the short term pain would be lesser than the long term suffering if you continue to stay on in this relationship. please do not view your years together as a ‘sunk cost’. you still have a lot of years ahead of you,” advised one.

One warned, “The unequal CPF contribution was already a big red flag. Don’t collect any more red flags. 🚩🚩🚩”

/TISG

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Adorable Malayan Colugo baby spotted by nature enthusiasts at Dairy Farm

By

Jewel Stolarchuk

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September 17, 2023

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378270858_6373935226065358_5948350698038755532_n — Jkai Chan

SINGAPORE: An adorable Sunda Colugo was spotted at the Dairy Farm Nature Park by nature enthusiasts on Friday (15 Sept).

Facebook users Jkai Chan and Moses Tan spotted the rare creature hanging on its mother and peeking its head out as the adult Colugo scaled a tree. While the mother sported a beautiful grey coat, the little one was distinctive, with a shiny copper coat with a sprinkling of white freckles.

Photos of the pair were posted on the Nature Society (Singapore) Facebook group today (16 Sept). Check out the beautiful pictures of the rare creatures here:

The Sunda Colugo, also known as the Sunda Flying Lemur or the Malayan Colugo, is a remarkable mammal native to Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it is not a true lemur nor a bat but rather a member of the Colugo family. Known scientifically as Galeopterus variegatus, the Sunda Colugo is renowned for its unique gliding ability, aided by the patagium—a membrane stretching from its neck to its fingertips and toes.

Singapore’s urban environment makes it an unlikely habitat for this species, making sightings of the Sunda Colugo exceedingly rare but the lush greenery in Dairy Farm Nature Park is a suitable habitat for the creature, making the species easily able to forage for food and navigate the treetops.

Ex-gambling addict settles S$186,000 debt and now makes S$100K monthly by turning his life around

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 17, 2023

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362952640_10160785093143695_2890193798608412806_n — Photo: FB screengrab/Raymond Lim

SINGAPORE: If there’s one word that would characterize how Mr Raymond Lim is feeling right now, it would probably be grateful. Mr Lim has a difficult past but is not ashamed of telling his story.

The 46-year-old founder of business and management consulting firm RL Consultancy has a compelling story of how he overcame a gambling addiction and mounting debt. He is now at a place in his life not only for success but also for helping others.

At the age of 18, he was lured into Casino Blackjack, Jackpot Machines, Toto, 4D, Horse racing “and every known gambling vice,” an obsession that only got worse three years later.

“The thrill of winning and excitement ensnared me further into the abyss. Working part-time as a bartender, drawing a salary of S$1500 to S$1800 were used to liquidate the debts incurred.

At the legal age of 21, the obsession escalated. Armed with an array of credit cards and credit lines to feed my compulsive addiction got me into a vicious cycle of debts piling up,” he writes on his website.

His crisis peaked when he was 25, when Mr Lim worked as an Assistant Sales Engineer, earning S$3000 a month. By then, his debts had reached S$186,000 from 10 different credit cards, and he was in turmoil as creditors pursued payment.

“Fears of my family unveiling my predicament along with the inability to settle the debt, I was driven to the brink,” he wrote, adding that he had even thought of suicide.

However, at rock bottom, instead of giving up, he decided to dig his way out, thanks to his now-wife’s support and drawing strength from his Christian beliefs.

With the goal of repaying his debts, Mr Lim took a job in insurance.

He told Yahoo! Finance that he lived on S$20 per day for several months, consuming just “pau, bread and water,” spending S$10 on his commute, and treating himself to cai png when closing a deal.

“I worked about 14 hours a day, seven days a week. I was out prospecting, street canvassing, doing road shows, door-knocking, or even industry door-knocking. Then, the commissions came in. When the ability to pay (my debt instalments) became achievable, I became very motivated,” Yahoo! quotes him as saying.

While he struggled with addiction and even gambled again in the months after making his life-changing decision, he made it through with the support of caring people around him, settling his debt in full after only 14 months. However, with interest rates, he probably paid back between S$250,000 and S$300,000.

Today, he is a successful business owner and entrepreneur, taking home S$100,000 a month.

“Life has a funny way of teaching us valuable lessons. There was a time when I hit the lowest point of my life. But you know, it’s a lot like a ball; when it hits the floor, it bounces back. I’m just so grateful that the ball didn’t burst,” wrote Mr Lim in a Facebook post on Sept 15. /TISG

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Lizard crossing on F1 Practice: “I’m sorry to tell you, but the lizard seems to have been run over” — Netizen

By

Mary Alavanza

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September 17, 2023

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Lizard on F1 track — Photo: Reddit / u/Nickemonio

SINGAPORE: In a rather peculiar turn of events, a Reddit user has claimed that a lizard on F1 practice may have met an untimely demise. He said: “Im sorry to tell you, but the lizzard seems to have been run over.”

Most comments said their condolences to the lizard, dubbed with many names. One user said, “RIP Lizzy.. we barely knew ye”, to which another responded, “Shoutout to its family.” Someone even jokingly pointed fingers, claiming, “If you wondering, it was alonso :(”

Another chimed in, “Alonso v. Godzilla 2023.”

A Redditor in the science field commented, “I’m in a herpetology/reptile society in Singapore and we collect data on roadkill reptiles and amphibians. I am totally adding this to our database, anyone know which turn this was at?” Which was answered with, “I think they said turn 9.”

Another commenter added, “Godzilla will come for revenge lmao”, and was answered jokingly with, “Need that ‘I’m in danger’ meme, but for all of Singapore.”

Another user, aware of what followed, humorously noted, “Love how they cleared the yellow flag after someone just run the poor thing over”

While another was just too stunned to know who let the lizard down, “IT WAS ALONSO!!!”

One joked about disqualifying the one who did it, saying, “Disqualification from the championship to whoever did it /s”

Yet another added to the funny narrative, saying, “Find the driver and get him. We all will suffer Godzilla’s wrath for killing his child now.”

A user even shared a video capturing ‘Lizzy’ or ‘Godzilla’s’ untimely demise, saying, “Checked Alonso onboard since he was ahead of lando when they showed him dead on the broadcast rip :(”

With a weather forecast indicating a ’21 per cent chance of rain’ in S’pore’s F1 race, another noted, “Godzilla about to summon a typhoon in Singapore as retribution.”

The story of ‘Lizzy,’ or if you prefer, ‘Godzilla,’ takes an unexpected turn, much like its appearance on the F1 track.

Mum asks Singapore parents: ‘How do you ask a stranger to delete a photo they’ve taken of your toddler?’

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 17, 2023

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Screenshot 2023-09-11 at 1.08.18 PM — Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only).

SINGAPORE: A woman who grew uncomfortable after seeing a sales assistant take a photo of her little girl crowdsourced ideas for how to ask someone you don’t know to delete pictures they’ve taken of your child.

“I was at a clothing store with my toddler today and I caught one of the sales assistants quietly snapping a picture of my daughter with her phone. I know she didn’t mean any harm as I overheard her mumbling the word ‘cute,’” wrote u/kouroubao on r/askSingapore on Sunday (Sept 10).

But the thought of a stranger having pictures of her child made the woman very uneasy, which prompted her to ask the sales assistant to delete the photo.

“She complied (at least, I think she did). Now in hindsight, I’m wondering if I overstepped any boundaries. Technically speaking, the lady didn’t do anything illegal. If she had denied my request, there was probably nothing I could have done either.

Fellow parents in Singapore, have you had any similar experience and what would you have done?” she added.

Reddit users were quick to assure her that she had done nothing wrong.

“No you didn’t overstep any boundaries. It doesn’t sound like you were nasty to the salesperson either, so it’s all good,” one wrote.

Another suggested that had the sales assistant declined to delete the photo, the mum could have escalated the matter to the manager. “Law or not, the customer felt uncomfortable after an experience in the shop. Management would likely ask the employee to delete it, and any sensible employee would do just that.”

One fellow parent advised her to teach her child about consent or to say no when asked.

A parent with the same experience shared her story: “It’s inappropriate to take pictures of children without asking their parents’ consent and people need to learn that.”

/TISG

‘Great parenting there!’ — Netizens tell parent who scolded an uncle after he patted her 3-year-old daughter on the head

Singapore home sales down 72% since January due to Hungry Ghost month, lack of big launches

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 17, 2023

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guide-to-buying-your-first-private-property-in-singapore-(2023)

SINGAPORE: August saw the lowest number of home sales for the year, a sign some say that the property market could finally be slowing down.

Figures from the Urban Redevelopment Authority on Sept 15 (Friday) showed that 394 units of new private apartments were purchased in August, in stark contrast to July, when 1,412 units were bought, marking a one-year-high. This shows a 72 per cent decrease from last month.

However, it should be noted that there were a number of big launches in July, while there were hardly any in August. Also noteworthy is that 68 per cent of the new purchases of private homes were made before Aug 16, when Hungry Ghost Month began.

Some still adhere to the belief that buying property or moving to a new home or office should not be done during Hungry Ghost Months because bad spirits could follow a person to their new space and cause misfortune.

“The stellar sales in July were a tough act to follow in August, which coincided with the start of the Hungry Ghost month – a period when activity tends to slow due to fewer launches.

As more new projects come on, we expect buyers to return to some previously launched projects, should they perceive those units as offering more value,” The Straits Times quotes Ms Wong Siew Ying, PropNex’s head of research and content, as saying.

The slowdown in sales could be a sign that Singapore’s sizzling hot property market, which defied trends worldwide, could finally be cooling in the wake of new measures introduced last April that raised stamp duties.

“The property market could be showing signs of slowing down… partly due to the slower economic growth, stubbornly high interest rates, the effects of the cooling measures and the shadows of further policy risk,” Mr Nicholas Mak, the chief research officer at real estate platform Mogul.sg told Bloomberg. /TISG

Singapore home prices fall for the first time in 3 years

“How do you spend your weekends winding down in Singapore?”

By

Mary Alavanza

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September 17, 2023

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A woman reading a book in her bed. — Photo: Image by pressfoto on Freepik / for illustration purposes only

SINGAPORE: Life in bustling Singapore can be fast-paced and demanding, leaving little time for relaxation and leisure. Amid this urban hustle, a Singaporean Redditor recently posed a simple yet profound question: ‘How do you spend your weekends winding down?‘

On Sunday, a Reddit user posted how she has very little energy to spend her time outdoors after moving into a new place. She said, “Having just moved into our new place, I find myself much less motivated to go to town, or even to the nearest mall. This is despite our place being extremely accessible to the mrt or buses.”

How do you spend your weekends winding down?
byu/allquirkpuns insingapore

She shared how she enjoys staying in: “I tend to enjoy the time of being at home, especially Sundays (like today), where I basically did almost nothing. Perhaps the most comfortable and therapeutic thing to do was to explore recipes for meals, and cooking them for my significant other.”

After that, she asked, “How do you spend your weekends? What are some hobbies or skills you picked up?”Concerned about why she didn’t enjoy going out like others, she asked, “Is doing nothing perfectly okay?”

One commenter reassured her, “Doing nothing is perfectly okay. I have my perfect day off today. Spend 6 hours just read random stuffs at library@harbourfront.”

Another commented, “You can also spend 6 hours doing nothing at home.”

The first commenter jokingly replied, “but that requires AC hahaha. come to the library for the AC tbh.”

A parent commented, “As a parent of a 3yo, it’s my dream to just do nothing. Go to the park with no objective. Window shopping without an agenda.”

She then added, “If you ask me it’s necessary to have down time where you do nothing and just lepak (loiter)“

Another who shared how she spends her weekends said it’s a good time to stay away from digital gadgets: “Lazy slow quiet Sundays catching up on reading (preferably physical paperbacks) with your favorite beverage on your comfy spot is the best! Let your eyes take a break from screens and notifications, and let your mind take a break by immersing in the book, even if it is for an hour or so. Hugely beneficial for sanity.”

Another comment summed up the question of the Singaporean who started the conversation, saying, “Time you enjoy wasted isn’t wasted time”

So how do you spend your weekends in the bustling city of Singapore? Do you enjoy going out? Or are you like the Redditors who like to ‘just lepak‘?

Parliament to discuss billion-dollar money laundering case, Kinderland abuse incident, and electoral roll issue

Police rule out foul play after 29-year-old found dead at Marsiling block

As PM Lee promotes LKY100 events, some remember Lee Wei Ling’s appeal against hero worship

“You’re a BTO partner, not a wife” — Netizen tells woman whose husband barely communicates with her

Adorable Malayan Colugo baby spotted by nature enthusiasts at Dairy Farm

Ex-gambling addict settles S$186,000 debt and now makes S$100K monthly by turning his life around

Lizard crossing on F1 Practice: “I’m sorry to tell you, but the lizard seems to have been run over” — Netizen

Mum asks Singapore parents: ‘How do you ask a stranger to delete a photo they’ve taken of your toddler?’

Singapore home sales down 72% since January due to Hungry Ghost month, lack of big launches

“How do you spend your weekends winding down in Singapore?”

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