SMRT reports unauthorised post on its X account, says investigation under way
At 11.08pm on July 27, a photo of a woman in traditional attire was posted on SMRT's official X account, accompanied by the caption 'R'.
SINGAPORE – SMRT has reported an unauthorised post to X that appeared on the train operator's official social media account late on July 27.
At 1 1.08pm on July 27, a photo of a South Asian woman in traditional attire was posted on the account, accompanied by the caption 'R'.
Checks by The Straits Times showed that the post remained online for about 10 minutes before it was removed.
During that brief window, it garnered over 2,000 views and was reposted more than 20 times , a figure that is higher than the account's usual engagement rate. SMRT's official X account SMRT Corporation has over 471,000 followers. The page typically posts announcements and update s on disruptions to train services .
In response to queries from ST, SMRT on July 28 sa id it was looking into the matter.
'We are aware of an unauthorised post that appeared on our official X account late Sunday night. We have reported the incident to X and are currently investigating this matter,' said Ms Margaret Teo , its group chief communications officer.
The post sparked confusion online, with users of online platforms Reddit and HardwareZone sharing screenshots and speculating that SMRT's X account might have been hacked, or that a page administrator had accidentally posted a personal photo. Others questioned if the account had been spoofed.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole backfilled; road to be repaved after LTA tests
Singapore MRT platform screen doors at 15 underground stations to undergo renewal
Singapore 'Medium risk' of severe haze as higher agricultural prices drive deforestation: S'pore researchers
Singapore Jail for former pre-school teacher who tripped toddler repeatedly, causing child to bleed from nose
Singapore Police statements by doctor in fake vaccine case involving Iris Koh allowed in court: Judge
Singapore Authorities say access to Changi intertidal areas unaffected by reclamation, in response to petition
Singapore No change to SIA flights between S'pore and Cambodia, S'pore and Thailand, amid border dispute
Singapore Not feasible for S'pore to avoid net‑zero; all options to cut energy emissions on table: Tan See Leng
ST has sent further queries to SMRT.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- Straits Times
3 taken to hospital after fire in Marsiling flat
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The living room and bedroom of the 13th floor unit was on fire and was extinguished with a water jet. SINGAPORE - Three people were assessed for smoke inhalation and taken to Singapore General Hospital after a fire broke out in a HDB flat in Marsiling on the evening of July 30. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it responded to a fire at Block 4 Marsiling Road at about 5.50pm. The living room and bedroom of the 13th floor unit was on fire. The flames were extinguished with a water jet, the SCDF said in a Facebook post. In a separate photo circulating on Facebook, dark smoke can be seen billowing from the windows of the unit. Based on preliminary findings, the fire had likely originated from the battery pack of a power-assisted bicycle in the living room, said SCDF. Based on preliminary findings, the fire had likely originated from the battery pack of a power-assisted bicycle in the living room. PHOTO: THE SINGAPORE CIVIL DEFENCE FORCE/FACEBOOK It reminded the public not to leave batteries or devices charging for prolonged periods or unattended overnight, as well as to avoid purchasing or using non-original batteries. This comes a day after a fire broke out at a HDB flat in Toa Payoh. Seven people, including a child and a firefighter, were taken to hospital after th e fire 10th floor unit. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Earlier in July, two people died after a fire erupted at Block 173, Toa Payoh Lorong 1.
Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- Straits Times
China calls for more engagement with US, warns against confrontation
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File Photo BEIJING - China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called for more engagement with the United States, and warned against confrontations between the two global powers, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. Wang made the comments during a meeting in Beijing with a delegation of U.S. businesses that include executives from Goldman Sachs, Boeing and Apple, the ministry said. "China is willing to enhance engagement with the U.S., avoid misjudgment, manage differences, and explore cooperation," Wang was quoted as saying. His remarks came a day after top Chinese and U.S. negotiators wrapped up a latest round of trade talks in Stockholm, with both sides agreeing to seek an extension of their 90-day tariff truce struck in May. Wang said that China-U.S. relations are affected by global developments and exert a "profound impact" on international dynamics. "China and the U.S. need to establish more channels of communication and consultation, view each other objectively, rationally, and pragmatically, and foster a correct strategic perception," he said, urging both countries to reject "unilateralism and bullying". He encouraged U.S. companies to maintain confidence in the Chinese market, and welcomed them to continue to invest in China, the ministry statement said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore 3 taken to hospital after fire in Marsiling flat Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made A high-level delegation of U.S. executives is visiting China this week and has also met with China's commerce and industry ministers. The trip comes as Beijing and Washington work towards a summit between the two countries' leaders later this year, probably around the time of the APEC forum in South Korea from October 26 to November 1, sources previously told Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he thinks he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the end of the year, but did not elaborate. REUTERS
Straits Times
17 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Democrats use obscure law to seek release of Epstein files
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The White House has been facing increasingly intense demands to be more transparent about Jeffrey Epstein. WASHINGTON - Democrats moved on July 30 to force Mr Donald Trump to release files from the investigation into notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein , invoking an obscure law to keep up the pressure on an issue that has roiled the US president's administration. The White House has been facing increasingly intense demands to be more transparent about the disgraced financier, who died in federal prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The president raised further questions about his past relationship with Epstein on July 29 when he told reporters he fell out with his former friend after the disgraced financier 'stole' employees from the spa at his Mar-a-Lago resort . The Justice Department angered Mr Trump supporters earlier in July when it said Epstein had died by suicide and had no 'client list' – rebuffing conspiracy theories about the supposed complicity of high-profile Democrats that leading figures in Trump's Maga movement had been pushing for years. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee wrote to the Justice Department asking for the materials under a section of federal law known as the 'rule of five'. The measure – introduced a century ago but rarely used – requires government departments to provide relevant information if any five members of the Senate's chief watchdog panel request it. It is not clear if it could be enforced in court but even if the effort fails it keeps the spotlight on an issue that has upended Mr Trump's summer, dividing Republicans and leading to the early closure of the House of Representatives. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore 3 taken to hospital after fire in Marsiling flat Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Mr Trump has urged his supporters to drop demands for the Epstein files, but Democrats in Congress – with limited Republican support – have been seeking a floor vote to force their release. House Oversight Committee Democrats, backed by some Republicans, approved a subpoena last week for the Justice Department to hand over the documents, although the demand has yet to be sent. Lawmakers have also been seeking testimony from Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in prison for her role in his crimes. Maxwell's lawyer has said she would speak to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee if granted immunity for her testimony . 'The Oversight Committee will respond to Ms Maxwell's attorney soon, but it will not consider granting congressional immunity for her testimony,' a spokesman for the panel said. Democrats have also sought to attach votes on the Epstein files to unrelated bills multiple times, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson to send lawmakers home for the summer a day early last week rather than risk them succeeding. 'Donald Trump promised he would release the Epstein files while he was on the campaign trail. He made that promise, and he has yet to do it,' Mr Schumer said in a speech on July 29 on the Senate floor. AFP
