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Singapore businesses record lowest ransomware attacks in Southeast Asia in 2024

Mary Alavanza
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Singapore businesses record lowest ransomware attacks in Southeast Asia in 2024

SINGAPORE: Singapore businesses recorded the lowest number of ransomware attacks in Southeast Asia in 2024, according to data from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, even as the rest of the region faced a sharp rise in cases. Out of more than 135,000 ransomware attempts, or nearly 400 ransomware attacks per day, detected across the region, only 208 were reported in Singapore.

According to Singapore Business Review, ransomware attacks jumped in the second half of 2024, with nearly 80,000 cases—a big jump from just 57,000 in the first half of the year.

Kaspersky’s report pointed to growing cyber threats to businesses of all sizes, with attackers using more advanced tools and tactics.

Indonesia had the highest number of ransomware attacks recorded last year, with 57,554 cases. This was followed by Vietnam with 29,282 cases and the Philippines with 21,629 cases. Meanwhile, Malaysia saw the most dramatic jumps in ransomware attacks, with 12,643 detections, up 153% compared to the previous year.

The report noted that several high-profile breaches included ransomware attacks on a government foreign worker portal, a national data centre, a postal service provider, and several retail systems.

Malaysia’s southern state Johor just signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) on Monday to raise public awareness on cybersecurity and digital literacy, among other initiatives.

In Singapore, amid cybersecurity threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), and the Elections Department (ELD) recently issued a joint advisory to election candidates, warning of potential threats from foreign interference and cybersecurity breaches as the 2025 general election (GE2025) nears.

There are threats of covert and deceptive tactics by foreign actors to sway political discourse and decision-making, as happened in the 2024 Moldovan and Romanian presidential races, and the 2017 French presidential election. /TISG 

Read also: Expert warns that Singapore’s growing digital device reliance raises “living room” cybersecurity risks

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

Singaporeans aware of climate risks but worry about higher bills from renewable energy shift: Ipsos study

Mary Alavanza
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Singaporeans aware of climate risks but worry about higher bills from renewable energy shift: Ipsos study

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are among the most climate-aware in the APEC region, but many remain concerned about the cost of going green. According to the Ipsos 2025 People & Climate Change Study, while 81% of Singaporeans expressed concerns about climate change, higher than the global average (44%), half believe that switching to renewable energy will lead to higher household electricity bills, Singapore Business Review reported.

More than half of Singaporeans (58%) also believe the government has a clear plan to tackle climate change—well above the global average of 32%.

The study, which surveyed over 500 respondents in Singapore, also found relatively low scepticism towards green technologies. Only 30% believe electric vehicles are as harmful to the environment as petrol cars, slightly below the global average of 34%.

While the push for green energy is welcomed by Singaporeans, the pinch of high electricity bills has always been felt by locals trying to make ends meet.

In June last year, a Singaporean woman living in a two-room flat shared that her electricity bill was “getting ridiculously high” despite her efforts to curb electricity usage after moving in.

She had limited her air conditioning use to night-time at 24°C, stopped using a portable dishwasher and induction cooker, and made sure to switch off plugs when not in use. Still, she said her electricity costs “went up even more”.

In neighbouring Malaysia, a separate press release by Ipsos on Tuesday (April 22) highlighted that seven in 10 Malaysians believe urgent climate action is needed, while six in 10 believe the government has a clear plan in place.

However, the statement also pointed to a declining trend—both in Malaysia and globally—in the number of people who believe urgent action is still needed.

“It is likely that the rising cost of living in recent years, alongside other factors, has impacted people’s sense of individual responsibility. At the same time, Malaysians perceive the climate change initiative as potentially detrimental to the economy and energy supply, fearing that transitioning to renewable energy may cause economic challenges and energy disruption. This trend suggests that while there is an agreement on the need for climate change, there are concerns about the associated economic costs,” it stated. /TISG 

Read also: 95% Singaporeans value commute time when considering a job: Survey

Featured image by Freepik (for illustration purposes only)

Woman says she found receipt under rice and vegetables in her food order

Anna Maria Romero
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Woman says she found receipt under rice and vegetables in her food order

SINGAPORE: A woman took to social media with the complaint that she had found a receipt under a pile of rice and vegetables included in her order.

On the popular COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook group page on Monday (Apr 21), the woman wrote that she had placed her order via a food delivery service to the Tampines Hub outlet of Thunder Tea Rice.

The post author appealed to Thunder Tea Rice to “please look into the hygiene and food safety of this outlet!!” She said she was “very shocked to find receipts underneath the base of thunder rice ordered. The receipt is well hidden underneath the pile of rice and vegetables”.

She added that the rice appeared to have been left over from the day before, as it was “cold and hard to digest”.

The woman posted several photos, with a number of them showing a receipt mixed in with a food order. In one caption, she wrote, “Rice still sticking onto the receipt at the base of the food.”

FB screengrab/ COMPLAINT SINGAPORE

She also posted a picture of a disposable bowl with a receipt at the bottom along with some grains of rice. Under a picture of an egg dish, she wrote, “Foreign unchewable object found in egg too! Omg!”

FB screengrab/ COMPLAINT SINGAPORE

The Independent Singapore has reached out to the post author, as well as to Thunder Tea Rice, for further comments or updates.

One netizen commenting on the post, shared by some group members, wrote that the post author could send feedback to the Singapore Food Agency, which is under the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment. It oversees food safety and security in Singapore.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time someone has found a foreign object in their food. It happens from time to time.

In October, a woman posted a picture of an unwanted object in her ordered meal and called herself “lucky” that she did not eat it. Her food, which she had bought at the Sembawang MRT, appeared to contain a piece of metal.

Commenters on this particular photo said the piece might have come from a scrubbing ball or pad used for washing plates or cooking pans. One noted these pieces can easily break off when the scrubber has been used too many times and is worn out.

This does not only happen in Singapore, however. In September, a customer at a Sam’s Club in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, discovered a human tooth embedded in a mooncake she had purchased. The incident, which quickly gained attention after the woman shared a video on Douyin, sparked an investigation into the US supermarket chain’s food safety practices.

/TISG

Read also: Mother disgusted to find live caterpillar in chicken rice of her 3yo child while dining at Jurong Point food court

Letter to the Editor: Lax regulation of IVF embryo selection may decrease Singapore’s fertility rate

Letters to the Editor
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Letter to the Editor: Lax regulation of IVF embryo selection may decrease Singapore’s fertility rate

Dear Editor,

I refer to the article “NUS study invites public to weigh moral dilemmas of embryo selection in IVF”.

In an era of ultra-low fertility rates, prospective parents inevitably invest more money, time, and effort in their fewer children, very often resulting in unrealistic and unreasonable parental expectations, with the phenomenon of “tiger parenting” being commonplace in Singapore.

Nevertheless, the major confounding challenge to every parent’s great expectations and best-laid plans is the unpredictability and randomness of the natural fertilization process, which involves mixing and recombining genes from the egg and sperm to produce new genetic variants. This often results in siblings born from the same pair of parents differing so much in looks, health, and academic performance.

Hence, there is no guarantee that the offspring of high-achieving parents may necessarily be high-achievers, with the risk that all the money, time, and effort invested in an “inherently mediocre” child will ultimately go to waste. Genetic testing for IVF embryo selection thus attempts to overcome the randomness and unpredictability of the natural human fertilization process to yield the best possible outcome.

Although genetic testing for IVF embryo selection may not be that expensive, the cost of the accompanying IVF procedure is high. There is a risk that healthy and fertile couples might deliberately and unnecessarily choose to conceive via IVF, just to avail themselves of embryo selection to optimize the health and intelligence of their offspring.

Social pressure may make it difficult to resist such predictive genetic testing if it becomes trendy and fashionable. Prospective parents might feel guilty for not utilizing IVF embryo selection to give their offspring the best start in life. As a result, many prospective parents desiring two or more children may ultimately decide to have just one superior “genetically optimized” child due to the high costs involved.

Because prospective parents naturally and instinctively desire the best future for their offspring, these thus represent particularly lucrative business opportunities for fertility clinics, which may encourage patients with their aggressive sales pitches and slick marketing gimmicks.

Hence, the following regulatory safeguards are thus proposed to ensure the judicious use of IVF embryo selection only in cases of genuine medical necessity, and to protect the patient’s welfare.

First, genetic testing for IVF embryo selection should be restricted only to preventing disease traits. The selection of socially-desirable traits such as high IQ, musical talent, and athletic prowess should be banned.

Second, patients must provide certified medical records validating that at least one parent or grandparent (of the tested IVF embryos) has been diagnosed with clinically relevant heritable disease traits such as propensity to type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, before being allowed to proceed with IVF embryo selection. Additionally, genetic testing for IVF embryo selection should be restricted specifically only to those disease traits that have been diagnosed in parents/grandparents.

Third, it must be mandated that patients should receive professional counselling to ensure that they receive proper guidance in IVF embryo selection, given the complexity of genetic information presented to them.

Dr. Alexis Heng Boon Chin
Associate Profesor
Peking University, China

The views expressed above are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Independent Singapore

If you have a juicy story, witnessed an injustice, or want to share your views on current events, email us the details with proof to make your voice heard: [email protected]

CIMB commits RM10 billion to power cross-border growth in Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

Merzsam Singkee
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CIMB commits RM10 billion to power cross-border growth in Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone

MALAYSIA: CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has committed RM10 billion (S$2.98 billion) in funding facilities aimed to improve growth in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). With the JS-SEZ poised to become a cornerstone of Malaysia-Singapore economic cooperation, CIMB’s investment underscores growing private sector confidence in the zone’s potential.

“The JS-SEZ represents a transformative move in regional economic collaboration, deepening connectivity and unlocking new avenues for sustainable growth between Malaysia and Singapore while strengthening the region’s resilience against global uncertainties,” said Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Group.

This substantial financing pledge, one of the largest to date from a regional bank, puts CIMB at the forefront of ASEAN’s next wave of economic integration, aligning capital with infrastructure and policy to fast-track cross-border business.

ASEAN Financial Passport: Turning vision into action

At the heart of CIMB’s initiative is the launch of its ASEAN Financial Passport, a platform designed to offer businesses seamless cross-border banking support across every stage of growth. It is expected to include regulatory expertise, simplified account onboarding for clients from Malaysia and Singapore, and banking solutions such as SMEBizReady, GreenBizReady, HalalBizReady, and remittance services.

CIMB is seeking to position itself not only as a lender but also as a partner for businesses navigating the complexities of cross-border expansion by delivering end-to-end support. The passport is not just conceptual but a tangible enabler in making the JS-SEZ operational.

“As a leading ASEAN-focused financial institution, we are committed to our purpose of advancing customers and society… backed by our strong on-ground presence in both Johor and Singapore,” said Novan.

Empowering SMEs in an uncertain world

While the JS-SEZ is expected to attract high-value investments and multinationals, CIMB’s move also seeks to empower small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing tools and support systems that help them scale, optimise costs, and boost production efficiency—particularly in sectors like manufacturing, digital economy, halal trade, and sustainable development. This is particularly important in an increasingly destabilising status quo.

The move could dramatically lower regional SMEs’ barriers to entering new markets, tapping into ASEAN’s 660-million-strong consumer base.

Operational muscle to match ambition

To ensure execution matches intent, CIMB has mobilised a dedicated team of 30 bankers across Singapore and Malaysia. With 28 branches in Johor, six of which are able to serve clients from JS-SEZ, the bank is also exploring locations near the upcoming Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) checkpoints to better serve cross-border traffic.

Beyond financial services, CIMB is actively building the business ecosystem through foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI) partnerships, client familiarisation visits, and thematic seminars covering legal, regulatory, and tax frameworks.

These business matching and market access platforms are central to CIMB’s approach as a regional enabler. It seeks to bridge the gap between investors, government stakeholders and on-ground opportunities.

Public sentiment: Optimism across the Causeway

The project also made netizens from both countries optimistic, with many users showing hope and pride in the shared vision. “As a S’porean, I hope this becomes successful. It’s important to have good friends and neighbours we can count on,” noted one netizen.

Another user commented that they foresee a bright future for the two collaborating countries, stating, “I have high confidence that this project will work and will benefit both countries in the near future. Let’s go, Singapore and Malaysia!”

“Singapore and Malaysia, given how much they have in common, can be a prime example for the world of how strong and mutually beneficial bilateral ties can be.”

These opinions show the growing belief that the JS-SEZ is not just a strategic platform for economic cooperation but a symbol of enduring regional solidarity.

A strategic catalyst for ASEAN’s future

CIMB’s commitment marks an important step in making the vision for JS-SEZ a reality. As the public and private sectors converge around this shared vision, the bank’s RM10 billion commitment and ASEAN Financial Passport platform represent more than financial support; they signify that ASEAN’s economic architecture is maturing, with integrated solutions emerging to support cross-border enterprise.

In a region where political goodwill has often outpaced on-the-ground tools, CIMB’s initiative may well become the benchmark for how institutions can drive meaningful regional cooperation.

Read also: Johor turns to Singapore’s NIE to raise school standards and curb brain drain

As part of her 2025 Asia tour, J-pop artist Ayumi Hamasaki will perform in Singapore

Lydia Koh
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As part of her 2025 Asia tour, J-pop artist Ayumi Hamasaki will perform in Singapore

SINGAPORE: According to CNA, J-pop artist Ayumi Hamasaki will perform in Singapore in 2025. Avex, the artist’s agency, announced the news on its website on April 9. However, further information about the concerts, including dates, venues, and tickets, has not been announced yet.

Photo: Instagram/Ayumi Hamasaki

The following day, Hamasaki updated her Instagram bio to include the cities she will be heading to. The itinerary includes Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Nagoya, Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, Sendai, Fukuoka, and more. It’s been a while since Singaporean fans last saw Hamasaki live. Her last performance in the country was back in 2014. 

Held at Marina Bay Sands, Hamasaki was part of a Japanese musical festival called A-Nation.

Loss of hearing

In 2008, she shared that she had lost all hearing in her left ear because of a bad ear infection she picked up back in 2000, right in the middle of one of her tours. As if that wasn’t tough enough, she also started losing hearing in her right ear around 2017. Despite these challenges with her hearing, she’s never stopped touring and making music. 

At 46 years old, Hamasaki is famous for some fantastic songs, especially “Seasons” from 2000 and “Blue Bird,” which came out in 2006. She started her music journey in 1998 with her first single, “Poker Face,” and just recently, on April 8, she dropped a brand new single called “Mimosa”—a special way to celebrate her incredible 27th anniversary in the music industry.

Talented singer, songwriter, and producer

Ayumi Hamasaki (浜崎あゆみ, born Oct 2, 1978) is a highly influential Japanese singer-songwriter and producer, nicknamed the “Empress of Pop” due to her significant impact throughout Asia. She is well-known for her varied songwriting, music production, and engaging live performances. Notably, Hamasaki holds the title of the best-selling solo artist in Japan and is considered a cultural icon of the Heisei era.  

Hamasaki grew up in Fukuoka. She moved to Tokyo in 1993. She wasn’t just focused on singing from the start—she initially went there to try her hand at modelling and acting.

Rapid rise to fame

Her music career took off in 1998 with the release of her debut single, “Poker Face”, followed by her first major-label album, “A Song for ××”, in 1999. It was a huge hit, topping the Oricon charts for five weeks and selling over a million copies. Her relatable and insightful lyrics were a primary reason for her rapid rise to fame.
Over the years that followed, Hamasaki just kept releasing amazing music. Ten more albums were released, each selling over a million copies in Japan.
Duty (2000), her third album, almost reached three million in sales. A Best (2001), her first compilation album, cemented her superstar status. It sold over four million copies domestically and represented more than 40% of her record label’s income.
After the massive success of her A Best album, it seems that Hamasaki felt she could explore her creativity. That’s when she started playing around with her music and the lyrics she wrote. She began mixing in English lyrics, starting with her Rainbow album in 2002. Her subsequent albums explored various genres, from electronic dream-pop to rock.

For the sake of her little son, actress Sora Ma becomes a Singaporean

Lydia Koh
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0
For the sake of her little son, actress Sora Ma becomes a Singaporean

SINGAPORE: Sora Ma, an established actress, is finally a Singaporean after many years, as reported by CNA via 8 Days. Sora Ma, who’s 41 and originally from Malaysia, shared a bit of her personal story on Instagram on April 16. She mentioned that she was far along in her pregnancy, just a week or two away from meeting her baby. A friend of hers named Karen suggested something practical: changing her citizenship. Karen thought it would just make things smoother down the road when it came to dealing with anything related to her child.

Photo: Instagram/Sora Ma

Ma gave birth to her son, Skye, last August. He is now nine months old. Sadly, in June last year, Sora Ma’s husband, whom the public only knew as Mr R, passed away unexpectedly. This happened before their son, Skye, was born. He was only 48 years old. They had been in a relationship for 11 years and got married in 2021.

Wake-up call

Ma revealed that she did not think much about changing her citizenship at the beginning, but Karen’s words were a “wake-up call” for her. She was still getting used to managing everything alone.

So, facing this tough situation, Ma decided to reach out for help. She emailed her Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Koh Poh Koon. He’s been representing the Tampines area since 2020.

Impressed by his efficiency

Ma remembers sending that email on a Saturday at 7:06 a.m. She was taken aback when she got a reply just 40 minutes later! It even looked like Dr Koh Poh Koon had replied straight from his phone. Ma was genuinely impressed by his efficiency. Just a week or two later, Ma had all the necessary paperwork sorted out and was able to go to Minister Koh’s office in person.

The application for her citizenship went through much faster than Ma had anticipated. She wasn’t sure if her situation was particularly special or if having her MP, Dr Koh Poh Koon, involved made the process quicker. Either way, the important thing is that on Jan 22, 2025—which was also her birthday—Ma received her pink Singaporean identity card (IC).

Stay hopeful

In her post, she described getting her citizenship as a “new birthday” and a “new beginning”. It sounds as though she’s faced some incredibly tough times, but she’s choosing to stay hopeful and is appreciative of every little bit of progress she makes. That kind of resilience and appreciation is inspiring, especially considering everything she’s been through.

Sora Ma, born on Jan 22, 1984, is a Singaporean actress.

Originally from Malaysia, Sora Ma gained recognition after finishing in the top five of Star Search 2010, a talent competition. Until 2017, she was a full-time artiste with Mediacorp, a major media and entertainment company in Singapore.

While actively involved in the entertainment industry, Sora Ma is also a qualified Pilates instructor and is the founder of Heartworks SG, a charity organisation.

In 2022, she received the Best Supporting Actress award at the Asia Contents Awards for her performance in the drama This Land Is Mine.   

Johor to expand internet, boost 5G, cybersecurity, and digital literacy under RM300M funding

Mary Alavanza
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0
Johor to expand internet, boost 5G, cybersecurity, and digital literacy under RM300M funding

JOHOR BAHRU: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Johor state government on Monday (April 21) to expand the state’s internet coverage, strengthen infrastructure, and raise public awareness on cybersecurity and digital literacy.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said RM300 million (S$90.19 million) will be spent over two years to support the successful implementation of these initiatives, including the expansion of 5G coverage, particularly in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), as reported by Bernama.

The communications minister told a press conference after the MoU ceremony that the initiatives would be carried out immediately. Mr Fadzil said they would be rolled out in phases, with the first move on expanding internet coverage to ensure that areas like the JS-SEZ will have sufficient internet coverage and can fully benefit from the 5G technology.

The strategic collaboration was witnessed by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. Others present were Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi, State Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh, and MCMC executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.

Mr Fadzil added that the collaboration will also focus on improving mobile coverage across Johor to support the use of smart technology and artificial intelligence (AI) by the public, private sector, and government agencies.

He stressed that 5G access, especially in major cities and areas with data centres, is crucial for pushing forward the state’s economic growth and digital transformation.

He noted that other initiatives include training programmes to help locals take part in the digital economy, along with efforts to raise awareness in promoting the safe use of technology.

Johor’s 5G coverage is currently at 84%, Mr Mohamad Fazli said. He said the MoU is key to improving security in Johor, which plans to install more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras across four local authorities to help curb crime, traffic issues and more, and upgrade 4G to 5G coverage in 1,169 industrial areas, including the JS-SEZ.

He added that Sultan Ibrahim Stadium will also see enhanced 5G Internet access. /TISG 

Read also: Johor’s April investment pipeline at RM23B as it targets high-tech and green investments to create better-paying job opportunities

Carlos Alcaraz struggles with the clay-court season as Rafael Nadal’s legacy remains intact

Aiah Bathan
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Carlos Alcaraz struggles with the clay-court season as Rafael Nadal’s legacy remains intact

After his nine-match winning streak on clay ended with a loss to Rune, Carlos Alcaraz once again pointed out how tough the clay-court season is. With this, he reflected on Rafael Nadal’s  achievements on the clay surface.

In 2024, Carlos Alcaraz was one of the players who spoke out openly about the packed tennis schedule, saying he often struggles to stay motivated for tournaments. After winning the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters, he made it clear that he prefers one-week Masters 1000 events over the longer, two-week formats. He said: “One-week tournaments are better. Some people might think that two weeks involve rest days, but that’s not the case. You train, you have to mentally prepare for the match, prepare for it… You’re not really resting.” 

The Spaniard also said how “demanding” the sport can be, especially during the intense clay-court season. He added: “Having played so many matches without a break is what it’s all about. I didn’t think about that, but I did know it would be tough and demanding. I had faith in playing good tennis, which I think I did. This is demanding; you have to give 100% every day.” 

With this, he reflected on how Rafael Nadal managed to play on the clay surface and admitted: “Playing in Monte Carlo and arriving in Barcelona with just a few days to spare is always complicated. I surrender at Rafa Nadal’s feet, what he did week after week. Something you have in your mind is how difficult it is.” 

Alcaraz’s relationship with Nadal 

Carlos Alcaraz has always shared a special bond with tennis legend Rafael Nadal. He shared: “Rafa doesn’t give me advice; he’s written to me encouragingly, saying he hopes it’s nothing and that I’ll be at my best in Madrid. People, including me, even though I play tennis and know what it’s like, admire him, especially for this clay-court tour. You appreciate how difficult it is. Winning everything in a row is impossible. And you appreciate it even more when you experience it firsthand; it’s a bit crazy, yes.”

Carlos Alcaraz also praised Rafael Nadal’s amazing achievements in an interview with MARCA.  When asked if he thought Nadal’s records could ever be matched, he gave a clear and honest answer: “Yes. What Rafa has done on clay is the greatest thing in sports, not just in tennis. Winning 14 Roland Garros titles, 11 times in Monte Carlo, including eight in a row—that’s unbelievable. Only people who are out of this world can achieve that.” 

It is notable that Rafael Nadal recognised the huge talent and potential of Carlos Alcaraz. He’s spoken highly of the young Spaniard in the past, showing support and confidence in his future in the sport.

Alcaraz’s current 2025 season 

Recently, Carlos Alcaraz left the Barcelona Open with mixed feelings. He was proud of his performance, making it to two straight finals in just two weeks, which is a clear sign of his strong form during the clay season. However,  he couldn’t hide his disappointment as he had hoped to win back-to-back titles on European clay, and falling just short in Barcelona left him feeling a bit frustrated.

Despite the loss, Alcaraz remains focused and motivated, knowing that the clay-court season is long and full of opportunities. His ability to reach the finals shows he’s still one of the top contenders in men’s tennis today, and he’ll be looking to bounce back stronger in the next tournaments.

PM Wong deeply saddened by death of Pope Francis

Anna Maria Romero
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PM Wong deeply saddened by death of Pope Francis

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of Pope Francis, whose death was announced by the Vatican on Monday (April 21), after he had presided over the Catholic Church for 12 years.

“I extend my condolences to the Catholic community in Singapore and around the world, the Vatican, and all those who mourn this loss. His leadership and compassion have touched countless lives, inspired hope, and strengthened efforts to build harmony across all faiths and bring people together,” PM Wong wrote in a social media post.

Screenshot

Posting a black and white photo of Pope Francis’ State visit to Singapore last September, the Prime Minister added that he had met the Pope on that occasion, the first papal visit to the city-state in almost four decades.

“Pope Francis brought with him an uplifting message of compassion and inclusivity that resonated with many Singaporeans. He leaves behind a lasting and strong legacy that will be remembered for years to come,” he wrote.

Pope Francis, 88, had been suffering from health issues and had grown increasingly frail just before his death. Early this year, he was hospitalised for several weeks due to an infection. The Vatican said in a statement that he died of a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure on Easter Monday.

The death of the first Latin American Pontiff has sparked an outpouring of grief worldwide. In a statement, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore honoured Pope Francis as “a model of mercy and compassion” and noted that he had spoken up for the most vulnerable in society, including the poor, displaced refugees,  and victims of war. It also underlined how he had been an advocate for the environment.

“During his State visit to Singapore, in a meeting with youth from different faiths, he emphasised dialogue and understanding between the religious communities. He urged the youth of today to be courageous and open to feedback in order to have sincere dialogue with one another,” the statement reads.

When he spoke in Singapore during his visit, the Pope also put in a good word for the city-state’s migrant workers. There are around 1.5 million foreigners in Singapore’s total population of 5.6 million. Among them are 286,000 domestic workers and 441,000 people in construction, shipping, and maintenance jobs who help keep the city-state’s economy going.

Among Singapore’s foreign workforce, 1.1 million earn less than S$3,000 a month as of December 2023, a Reuters report at the time noted. At present, there is no official minimum wage in Singapore.

Pope Francis expressed the hope that special attention would be paid to Singapore’s poor and elderly and appealed for the dignity of migrant workers to be protected.

“These workers contribute a great deal to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage,” said the 87-year-old Catholic leader in his speech at the National University of Singapore, which government authorities, civil and religious leaders, and the diplomatic corps attended.

Pope Francis was in Singapore from Sept 11 to 13, 2024. The previous papal visit was by Pope John Paul II who presided over a Mass at the National Stadium in 1986, drawing thousands of faithful attendees. /TISG

Read also: Pope Francis appeals for fair wages for Singapore migrant workers who ‘contribute a great deal to society’

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