Saturday, May 31, 2025
26.7 C
Singapore
Home Blog Page 1275

12-year-old multi-millionaire buys S$300,000 Range Rover after arriving in Singapore

0
Photos: IG screengrab/Pixie Curtis, Roxy Jacenko

SINGAPORE: Ms Pixie Curtis, daughter of Australian businesswoman and socialite Roxy Jacenko and a millionaire in her own right, recently moved to Singapore.

And upon arriving, one of the first things she did was buy a Range Rover Vogue, which is said to cost around S$300,000.

Pixie posted a photo of herself in the driver’s seat, although it will be years before she can legally take the wheel. She captioned her Aug 6 Instagram post, “New car game strong – pre delivery viewing w @roxyjacenko 😍 @landroversg #rangerovervogue #firstedition”

Aside from the Range Rover, another big spend was getting Pixie’s French Bulldog, Minnie Curtis, to Singapore. Flying the pup to Singapore may have cost the young entrepreneur S$7000 for vaccination fees, a vet health certificate, an import license, and air freight reported The Daily Mail.

Ms Jacenko announced in June that she was moving from New South Wales, Australia, with her daughter and nine-year-old son, Hunter, to Singapore, where her husband, Oliver Curtis, is based.

A former investment banker, Curtis was jailed in Australia between 2016 and 2017 for insider trading.

Early last year, Pixie was featured in Business Insider after one of her companies, Pixie’s Fidgets, earned more than $140,000 in its first month (S$187,000).

The article said that Pixie could have been one of the world’s youngest retirees at 15 if her businesses continued to do as well as they had been up to that point.

Her mother started her other business, Pixie’s Bows—which sells hair accessories—when Pixie was just a baby.

But shortly before leaving Australia, Pixie threw a retirement party on her 12th birthday at Sydney’s five-star Crown Hotel.

Pixie’s net worth is estimated to be over $12 million (S$16 million).

Photos of the lavish celebration were posted on her and her mum’s social media accounts.

The family now resides in a luxury apartment on Orchard Road. /TISG

Why Ramit Sethi, the self-made millionaire, still drives an 18-year-old Honda Accord he bought in 2005

Maid wants to know if she can stay in Singapore even after her employer cancels her work permit

0
(Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)

SINGAPORE: A foreign domestic helper took to social media asking if there was any chance she could stay in Singapore even after her employer cancelled her Work Permit (WP).

In a post to a support group for domestic helpers and employers alike, the maid asked: “Hi – what happens if an employer cancel the work permit and buys the ticket to send home? Can the helper stay in Singapore after work permit cancellation?”

She asked for quick responses and added that the matter was urgent.

Netizens who commented on the post said that there was not much that she could do, but they added that she needed to ask her employer for a reason as to why her Work Permit was cancelled.

Here’s what they said:

According to the Manpower Ministry (MOM), before cancelling a helper’s Work Permit, employers must:

  1. Agree on the last day of work with your helper.
  2. Settle all outstanding employment issues that your helper may raise, including salary payment.
  3. Ensure your helper has a valid passport.
  4. Buy an air ticket and pay for any connecting transport costs to the international port of entry in your worker’s home country/region nearest to their hometown:
    • You must pay for the air ticket and it must include check-in luggage.
    • The departure date must be within 2 weeks from the cancellation.

You and your helper should also discuss and agree on the following in writing before buying an air ticket:

  • Transit arrangement, such as connecting flights and layover hours
  • Allowance needed to sustain her during the transit”

The MOM added that if the helper is still in Singapore, employers should:

  1. Log in to our FDW eService to cancel the Work Permit.
  2. Print the Special Pass and give it to the helper. The Special Pass allows the helper to stay in Singapore before leaving.
  3. The helper needs to show the Special Pass and a valid passport to the immigration officer when leaving Singapore.
If you need your helper to work only for a short period beyond the Work Permit expiry date, you can request for a short extension of her permit. You must ensure your helper leaves Singapore as scheduled. The security bond will usually be discharged 1 week after your helper’s departure, and other conditions are met.

After cancelling

Once the Work Permit is cancelled, your helper cannot work, even while waiting to leave Singapore.

Levy will be charged until 1 day before the cancellation.

Once the Work Permit is cancelled, please cut the card in half and discard it to prevent misuse.

 

 

Morning Digest, Aug 8

0

Jamus Lim: New residents—whether from China, India, or elsewhere—have often been extremely welcoming of our visits

 

Photo: FB screengrab/Jamus Lim

SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) addressed the common perception that Singapore’s new residents would always vote for the ruling party. He noted that they have always warmly welcomed him in the course of visiting homes and coffee shops, and many have told him that they see the value of alternative voices in government.

He noted in an Aug 5 (Saturday) Facebook post that the residents he meets have been “extremely welcoming” of visits from him and his team, writing this in the context of having visited 318C and 318D Anchorvale this week, as well as the eating house at 289 Compassvale.

Read more here…


 

Ng Kok Song explains why Singapore’s reserves have to be kept secret

 

SINGAPORE: Presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song, a former Chief Investment Officer of the GIC, spoke in a recent interview about why keeping the number of the country’s reserves a secret is important.

Mr Ng posted a series of video clips on his Instagram account wherein he tackled a number of topics, including financial literacy, investing, the reserves and meditation, which is one of his passions.

Read more here…


 

GetGo customer claims he was charged $50 late return fee for no fault of his own

 

Aditya Parakh FB

SINGAPORE: A dissatisfied customer has taken to social media to express his frustration with leading car-sharing company GetGo, claiming he was charged a late return penalty despite facing problems from GetGo’s end.

In a post on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on Sunday (6 Aug), Aditya Parakh detailed his negative experience with the service, including technical issues and unjust fines, when he booked a car through the GetGo app on Friday (5 Aug).

Read more here…


“Can drive expensive car but can’t afford parking fees; always park illegally at loading/unloading bay!” — HDB resident calls driver out online

 

Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore

SINGAPORE: An online user took an issue with an illegally parked car, sharing pictures of the vehicle and calling out the driver.

“Can drive expensive car but can’t afford parking fees,” was the message shared by an online user who took to the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Monday (Aug 7) to make an issue public. “Always parked illegally at loading and unloading bay!” the netizen included.

Read more here…


 

Ho Ching reshares FB post: “Just because someone is “family” doesn’t mean you have to tolerate lies, chaos, drama”

 

Ho Ching (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)

SINGAPORE: On Sunday (Aug 6), Ho Ching shared a rather pointed post on social media.

She shared a post by FB user Dodinsky who said: “Just because someone is “family” doesn’t mean you have to tolerate lies, chaos, drama, manipulation and disrespect”.

Read more here…


Stories you might’ve missed, Aug 7

0

Ho Ching reshares FB post: “Just because someone is “family” doesn’t mean you have to tolerate lies, chaos, drama”

 

Ho Ching (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)

SINGAPORE: On Sunday (Aug 6), Ho Ching shared a rather pointed post on social media.

She shared a post by FB user Dodinsky who said: “Just because someone is “family” doesn’t mean you have to tolerate lies, chaos, drama, manipulation and disrespect”.

Read more here…


 

Tan Kin Lian becomes first to publish campaign manifesto for 2023 presidential election

 

Tan Kin Lian FB

SINGAPORE: Ex-NTUC Income CEO and 2011 Presidential Election candidate Tan Kin Lian has become the first presidential hopeful for the upcoming 2023 race to release his campaign manifesto, weeks after he became the first to submit his eligibility application forms to the Elections Department (ELD).

Mr Tan could potentially face off with ex-Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, entrepreneur George Goh Ching Wah and ex-GIC chief economist Ng Kok Song if all four are declared eligible for the polls by the ELD.

Read more here…


 

Over $6 for simple 2-meat-1-veg mixed rice shocks customer

 

Photo: FB screengrab/COMPLAINT SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE: An increasing number of Singaporeans are expressing their dismay over what seems to be a surge in food prices at mixed rice stalls in food courts and hawker centres. In one of the more recent such cases, a diner said he was shocked to be charged more than $6 for a two-meat-one-veg mixed rice meal at the food court at Woodlands Interchange.

Facebook user Ggoo Lee recently took to the Complaint Singapore page to share their dissatisfaction with the prices and the behaviour of the mixed rice stall vendor at Woodlands Interchange. Lee had chosen only three ingredients with rice, but to his surprise, the total price amounted to a staggering $6.30.

Read more here…


School bus operators warn that fares may rise again as hiring more foreign drivers won’t stop long-term problems

 

Woodlands Transport FB

SINGAPORE: A group of school bus operators has reportedly warned that bus fares may have to rise again, as the Government’s approval to hire more foreign drivers will help ease short-term demand but won’t solve the long-term problems they are grappling with.

Since June this year, 14 bus operators have been approved to hire additional foreign employees. The Ministry of Education is assessing applications from more operators.

Read more here…


 

Maid says her day off is only from 9am to 4pm as she’s required to come back and work at 5pm

 

In this picture taken on March 5, 2019, Baby Jane Allas, a 38-year-old mother of five Filipina domestic worker who was sacked after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, cries during an interview with AFP in Hong Kong. – The case of a Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong who was sacked after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer — leaving her without healthcare — shines a light on the exploitation of tens of thousands of foreign women who toil as maids in the wealthy city. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) / To go with Hong Kong-Women-8March-rights-domestic,FOCUS by Elaine Yu

SINGAPORE: A domestic helper who still had to work after 5 pm on her day off took to social media asking others for advice.

In an anonymous post to a support group for domestic helpers and employers alike, the maid wrote that she had been working with her employer for four years and nine months. She added that while she got two Sundays off a month, she was only free between 9 am and 4 pm and had to work after 5 pm.


Michelle Yeoh shares snippets of her wedding; netizens love her ‘Face of Happiness’ wedding dress

0
Photo: IG screengrab/ Michelle Yeoh

Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh recently announced that she finally got married to the ex-Ferrari CEO, Jean Todt. The couple exchanged their wedding vows in an intimate wedding ceremony held in Geneva, attended by their closest family and friends. 

As the couple continues to host more wedding receptions for their loved ones, Michelle’s beautiful and unique wedding dress has caught the attention of many netizens. 

In an Instagram post, the actress shared more snippets of their wedding reception in Geneva. She stated in her caption: “Thank q my darling big Brother Diego and Daniel for my stunning @schiaparelli Face of Happiness dress to say hello as Mr & Mrs Todt ❤️❤️”

The wedding dress was an ivory bridal gown with a train and a corset with a face on it. It had eyes, a pair of lips, and a nose with a septum piercing. It was designed by the French fashion house Schiaparelli and was named ‘Face of Happiness’ dress. 

Photo: Michelle Yeoh’s Instagram

Netizens expressed their opinions in the comments section. 

One IG user stated: “So happy for you and that dress is amazing. Love SchiaparelliI love Schiaparelli.” 

Another IG user remarked: “OMG the bodice🔥🔥🔥 Congratulations to you both 💜💜💜💜” 

More users declared: “Stunning 😍 congratulations ♥️”, “You looked absolutely stunning! Many congratulations 💖”, and “stunning Madame, congratulations”. 

Michelle Yeoh continued to post more behind-the-scenes photos of her wedding on her Instagram page. In another post, she mentioned: “More joyful moments from beautiful family to the amazing Chef Massimilliano our Four Seasons friends in geneva” 


In social media X, formerly known as Twitter, Jean Todt confirmed his wedding with Michelle Yeoh. He stated in his post: “I can happily confirm the union with the Love of my life, Michelle.”

Michelle Yeoh finally ties the knot with ex-Ferrari CEO after 19 years engagement!

 

Ng Kok Song explains why Singapore’s reserves have to be kept secret

0
Ng Kok Song says he is the only non-partisan candidate as Tharman was a PAP leader and Tan Kin Lian was endorsed by two members of opposition parties

SINGAPORE: Presidential hopeful Ng Kok Song, a former Chief Investment Officer of the GIC, spoke in a recent interview about why keeping the number of the country’s reserves a secret is important.

Mr Ng posted a series of video clips on his Instagram account wherein he tackled a number of topics, including financial literacy, investing, the reserves and meditation, which is one of his passions.

In talking about the reserves, he underlined that the reserves are part of the country’s overall defense, calling them Singapore’s financial defence.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ng Kok Song (@ngkoksong.official)

He captioned his post, “Some have asked why we cannot reveal how much we have in the reserves. Our reserves are our financial defence. In a war, you do not reveal to your enemy how much resources you have. Similarly, keeping the value of our reserves a secret is strategically important for Singapore. #ngkoksong2023 #unitedforourfuture #finance #adulting #secrets

On the need for secrecy regarding Singapore’s reserves, he said the following:

“It is a very strange thing that when you’re confronting a hostile force, an enemy who wants to do damage to you, do you tell your enemy how much resources you have?

That is why we keep our resources a secret. Singaporeans say, ‘Why can’t you tell us how much reserves we have?’ Our reserves are our financial defence; they are part of our total defence for Singapore.

We have our military defence. We have our social defence. We must have our financial defence. The more reserves we have, the more people will think twice or three times to undermine the stability of our currency.

That’s what I mean when I say the reserves are strategically important for Singapore.”

Mr Ng was with the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) for 42 years, serving as Group Chief Investment Officer from 2007 until his retirement in 2013.

He is a 2012 awardee of the Meritorious Service Medal from the Singapore Government.

Prior to working at GIC, he was with the Monetary Authority of Singapore from 1972 to 1986 and began his career at the Ministry of Finance in 1970. /TISG

Ng Kok Song confident in mounting a good challenge against Tharman

Read also:

Presidential candidate Ng Kok Song backed by former presidential hopeful Mohamed Salleh Marican

Ng Kok Song on CPF savings: Govt saves Singaporeans the headache of investing money, guarantees risk-free interest rate – Singapore News

Beyond winning: Ng Kok Song’s spiritual and philosophical approach to the presidential race – Singapore News 

Singapore goes to the polls: Tharman, Ng Kok Song, Tan Kin Lian qualify as presidential candidates

Ng Kok Song explains why Singapore’s reserves have to be kept secret 

George Yeo backs Ng Kok Song’s bid for presidency, amid scrutiny over “Tharman wants it” comment 

Ng Kok Song confident in mounting a good challenge against Tharman 

“One of the Zouk family otters has trash around its neck” — Netizens share concern for poor otter

0
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab

SINGAPORE: A Reddit user took to the online news forum on Monday (Aug 7) to share a heart-wrenching photo of a family of otters, one of which seemed to be trash wrapped around its neck.

“One of the zouk family otters has trash around its neck,” the post read. “Picture taken at Robertson quay.” The online user asked Singaporeans on the forum who to call for such problems. “Is there someone in Singapore that traps or rescues otters with problems?” the netizen asked.

A handful responded to the post.

“If you encounter otters in distress, please call NParks Animal Response Centre helpline at 1800-476-1600 or ACRES Wildlife Rescue hotline at 97837782,” one said.

The post author claimed to have already called ACRES and shared what the wildlife rescue centre reportedly said. “I called ACRES which resulted in a WhatsApp chat,” the netizen shared. “They have the picture, location, and time that I saw the otter. They say if the otter’s mobility doesn’t seem effected (it doesn’t, IMO) they’ll just monitor for a while.”

Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab

Another online user took the initiative as well, saying, “I have sent a screenshot of this post to Singapore Otterwatch. They’ll know what to do.”

Still, one netizen commented, showing empathy for the animal. “Youch, just looking at it, i can feel pain.”

A third wondered, “Not an animal expert here. Just wondering if the otter family is smart enough to try and bite free the entanglement? Curious to know.”

Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab
Image: Reddit Singapore screengrab / @orcsab

One of the zouk family otters has trash around its neck
by u/orcsab in singapore

 

Workers’ Party holds National Day flag distribution at Serangoon Gardens

0
Photo: FB screengrab/Pritam Singh

SINGAPORE: On Sunday morning (Aug 6), Workers’ Party MPs held a flag distribution activity ahead of the upcoming National Day this Wednesday, with WP chief Pritam Singh, party chair Sylvia Lim, and their fellow Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam meeting and mingling with residents of Serangoon.

Their choice of venue for the activity is perhaps significant, as Serangoon had been the ward of former MP Leon Perera, who recently stepped down. In the wake of his resignation, the WP leadership immediately reassured Serangoon residents that they would be taken care of.

In a video posted on the WP TikTok channel, the three MPs can be seen giving out mini flags to smiling residents, many of whom gamely wave them.

@thehammertok

National Day Flag Distribution in Serangoon Gardens & Serangoon North with Pritam, Sylvia & Gerald 🤩🇸🇬❤️ #wpsg #singapore #ndp2023 #sg58 #OnwardAsOneSG

♬ Shine Your Light – NDPeeps

 

The fourth Aljunied GRC MP, Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap, also the party’s vice chairman, was brought to the hospital on July 24 for a cardiac condition but is now recovering.

Ms Lim, who, like Mr Singh and Mr Giam, was dressed in red and black, wrote in an Instagram post, “Happy 58th National Day to everyone and this morning, to residents at Serangoon Gardens and Serangoon North!

We were also happy to see the good progress of the artwork on a mural at Blk 151A, a project started by Leon Perera. With @pritamsingh76 @geraldgiam and volunteers. #SerangoonGardens #SerangoonNorth #AljunuedGRC

The three MPs posed in front of the wall where the mural is being painted, which now has different birds painted on it.

On his part, Mr Singh, the Leader of the Opposition, wrote that he was “Grateful to meet many residents during our flag distribution exercise at the Serangoon Gardens hawker centre and in the Serangoon North commercial centre on the occasion of the upcoming National Day celebrations.”

He added that while having some Bak Chor Mee after the flag distribution activity, he talked to Mr Leow Hock Sin, who happened to have been the local winner of the 1986 Singapore marathon.

Never a dull moment in Aljunied GRC!” added Mr Singh. /TISG

WP’s National Day flag distribution brings smiles to many, even as Pritam Singh acknowledges the challenges younger Singaporeans face today in achieving their dreams

“Can drive expensive car but can’t afford parking fees; always park illegally at loading/unloading bay!” — HDB resident calls driver out online

0
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore

SINGAPORE: An online user took an issue with an illegally parked car, sharing pictures of the vehicle and calling out the driver.

“Can drive expensive car but can’t afford parking fees,” was the message shared by an online user who took to the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Monday (Aug 7) to make an issue public. “Always parked illegally at loading and unloading bay!” the netizen included.

Attached to the post were photos of the same car, taken from different angles and at different times of the day.

Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore

Many online users took to the post’s comments section to share their two cents on the matter.

A handful argued that the driver could afford the fine. “Driver is rich to pay for illegal parking fine…. No need to worry!” said one.

Another wrote, “He/she can afford the fine.”

Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore

Still, a third commented, “It’s not (that) they can’t afford parking fees. They want to be nearer to their destination, less walking. My friend’s flat in Yishun, multistorey carpark is 8 blocks away. Every time I go sent or collect my dog for dog sitting I have to walk 8 blocks to and flow. So I think (forget) it, I’m paying the fine if LTA catch me, so I park double yellow line. I only stop for 15mins, was never fine, it’s been 2 years every Saturday sometimes Sunday. I’m not telling you the location incase you guys report me lol.”

Some netizens brought up convenience, with one saying “$100 for the convenience is worth it as the MSCP can be too far away. Probably his/her few minutes worth more than $100. As long as they are willing to face the music or the fine, then it’s their own business.”

Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore
Image: FB screengrab / Complaint Singapore

“Meanwhile delivery people kena saman because no place to park because the loading unloading lot is taken up by these ‘rich people'” said another.

Still, one user pointed out, “I love that you made the effort to take pictures from different angles.”

Jamus Lim Shares Positive Experiences with New Residents, Highlights Appreciation for Alternative Voices

0
Photo: FB screengrab/Jamus Lim

SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) addressed the common perception that Singapore’s new residents would always vote for the ruling party. He noted that they have always warmly welcomed him in the course of visiting homes and coffee shops, and many have told him that they see the value of alternative voices in government.

He noted in an Aug 5 (Saturday) Facebook post that the residents he meets have been “extremely welcoming” of visits from him and his team, writing this in the context of having visited 318C and 318D Anchorvale this week, as well as the eating house at 289 Compassvale.

“This perception may not just be mistaken, but unfair; after all, if we hold it, we strip our new Singaporean brothers and sisters from any agency over their choice of who represents them. And I, for one, happen to think that the desire for voice and accountability transcends borders, and is one closely held by people all over the world, new immigrant (or new #SengkangGRC resident!) or not,” wrote Assoc Prof Lim.

He wrote that the warm welcome they’ve experienced has come from new residents of China, India, and other countries, adding that this could partly be because “of their recent experience of being a guest in another country, which heightens their sense of hospitality overall.”

Assoc Prof Lim added that another reason may be due to the new residents coming from a country that “deeply respects democratic traditions (India) or from where such considerations have been given short shrift (China), and therefore imbuing them with a keen appreciation for what we have here.”

Or it could be, he added, that new residents “see the tremendous value of alternative voices even if, on balance, they value the work that the government has done thus far (a sentiment that many have shared directly with us, and one not limited to recent immigrants).”

The insight that new residents appreciate alternative voices in government is useful, given the common sentiment that new immigrants would always favour the ruling People’s Action Party, he noted. /TISG

Read also: 

Jamus Lim: Resident shares concerns over migrant professionals crowding out locals – Singapore News 

Resident talks to Jamus Lim about challenges singles face in Singapore 

Resident tells Jamus Lim that higher prices are “too close, too many, can’t breathe” – Singapore News 

Jamus Lim: Expand CPIB reporting line to other branches of government, not just PM and President