Asia Pacific

SummaryA coroner's inquiry revealed that 23-year-old foreign worker Mr. Ponraman Eazhumalai died from a work-related accident on December 2, 2023, after being crushed by machinery at a construction site in Tengah. He failed to follow his colleague's instructions regarding safety protocols while they were retracting a truck's hydraulic jacks, resulting in him being trapped and subsequently suffering fatal injuries. The inquiry noted no foul play and indicated that the Ministry of Manpower is considering enforcement actions related to the incident. Full Article

SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party's Andre Low and Eileen Chong have been announced as the Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) for Singapore’s 15th parliament, following the recent General Election.Low, who contested in Jalan Kayu SMC, received the highest votes among unelected candidates, while Chong, who ran in Tampines GRC, garnered the second-highest votes.Both candidates are first-time contenders, with the WP successfully retaining its 10 parliamentary seats and now utilizing the NCMP seats to enhance their representation in parliament. Full Article

SINGAPORE: Don Don Donki has announced the return of biodegradable plastic bags for 5 cents each, seven months after discontinuing them, aiming to better support customer needs while fulfilling environmental responsibilities. The eco-friendly bags are designed to break down over time, and the retailer continues to encourage customers to use reusable bags. Following a law mandating large supermarkets to charge for disposable bags, Don Don Donki previously charged 10 cents before lowering it to comply with the new regulations. Full Article

Read a summary of this article on FAST.SINGAPORE: The managing director of Nail Palace, Kaiden Cheng, was sentenced to three months in jail for contempt of court after failing to comply with consumer protection orders related to unfair trade practices. Despite attempts to argue for a reduced sentence, Justice Audrey Lim deemed the breaches substantial and ongoing, emphasizing public interest in compliance. Cheng’s sentence follows a history of non-compliance, and he must also cover costs to the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore. Full Article

Former actor Ian Fang was sentenced to 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to sexual offences involving a minor, specifically three charges of sexual penetration of a girl under 16. The victim, who was 15 at the time, shared her experiences after a gag order on Fang's identity was lifted, while the victim’s identity remains protected. The offences occurred in 2024, when Fang, then 34, engaged in sexual acts with the victim during their relationship, which began after they met at an entertainment event. Full Article

SINGAPORE: A doctor who posted offensive remarks against Muslims was fined S$10,000 (US$7,700) on May 19. Dr. Kho Kwang Po, 85, had his medical license expired in 2020 and faced police reports for his racist comments on social media. The court noted his guilty plea and advanced age, deciding against imprisonment but imposing the maximum fine, while emphasizing the need for accountability for his "objectively insulting" actions. Full Article

SINGAPORE: Four Indonesian men were arrested early on Saturday (May 17) for illegally entering Singapore via a small boat, landing outside Pulau Tekong. They were found without travel documents, and authorities seized 2,700 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes and the boat. The men will face charges in court, which may result in up to six months' imprisonment and caning, highlighting Singapore's efforts to secure its borders against unauthorized entry. Full Article

SINGAPORE has seen a significant rise in sea robbery incidents, with 50 reported in the Singapore Strait since the beginning of 2025, compared to 14 during the same period last year. This area, a critical shipping lane, has been flagged by ReCAAP due to its increasing trend in sea robberies, with attacks primarily occurring in the eastbound lane near Singapore's neighboring islands. The thieves, often organized criminal gangs operating from Indonesian waters, typically target unsecured portable items, with many incidents resulting in robbers leaving empty-handed. Full Article

Read a summary of this article on FAST.SINGAPORE: Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan reiterated his call for electoral reforms on May 18, following the party's losses in the 2025 General Election. He announced a campaign titled "renew, rebuild, reignite" and introduced an online petition advocating for six electoral changes, including removing the Elections Department from the Prime Minister's Office. Additionally, he launched the Orange and Teal Social Enterprise Co-operative to create fair-wage employment, emphasizing the need for a people-centric approach to counter the ruling PAP's dominance.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6_wP-Lu1WY Full Article

Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FASTSINGAPORE: The National Parks Board (NParks) reported no clear evidence of animal cruelty in the case of an injured community cat in Punggol, which later died. Initially investigated as a suspected cruelty case, NParks determined that the injuries were likely the result of a vehicular accident, not a deliberate act. The cat was found injured and subsequently euthanized; NParks has concluded its investigation, urging the public to refrain from speculation...