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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
HSA seeks Kpod investigators to arrest abusers, conduct anti-trafficking ops
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Health Sciences Authority officers count vaping devices seized during a raid for suspected vape distribution on June 23. SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has advertised job openings for investigators specifically to crack down on etomidate-laced e-vaporisers, also known as Kpods. According to the listings on LinkedIn and the Careers@Gov job portal, HSA is looking for full-time investigators and senior investigators, who will be part of a team responsible for a range of challenging enforcement activities to safeguard public health. These include arresting Kpod abusers, conducting surveillance operations for possible importing, peddling and trafficking offences involving Kpods, and collaborating with international police organisations such as Interpol. The investigators will also be expected to conduct preventative education talks for youth, relevant stakeholders and organisations, said the job listings posted around Aug 12. As of 2pm on Aug 13, there had been 13 applications submitted via LinkedIn. Applications for the roles close on Aug 24. Salary details were not mentioned in the listings. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business Singapore banks face headwinds in rest of 2025, but DBS is pulling ahead: Analysts Singapore Yishun man admits to making etomidate-laced pods for vaporisers; first Kpod case conviction Asia Malaysia's anti-graft agency busts arms smuggling ring masterminded by senior military officers Asia Mixed reactions among Malaysia drivers on S'pore move to clamp down on illegal ride-hailing services Singapore Allianz insures Singapore's first fully driverless bus amid challenges posed by autonomous vehicles Business Singapore life insurance sales surges in first half, led by boost in investment-linked plans Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story The Straits Times has reached out to HSA for more information. The listings come after the Ministry of Health (MOH) had asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for help in tackling the Kpod scourge. On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said his ministry will second its officers to HSA . Aside from enforcement, they will also help in the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of abusers. The authorities are still working to list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. MHA is expected to do so in the coming weeks as an interim measure while MOH continues to study further legislative action. If etomidate is listed as a Class C drug, abusers can be subjected to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, similar to what drug abusers undergo. Members of the public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, or online at Under current laws, possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. Those who need help to quit vaping can join the Health Promotion Board's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine at 1800-438-2000.
Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Fresh grads should ‘stay calm' in job search, uptick in hiring seen: Tan See Leng
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The employment rate for the 2025 graduating cohort was 51.9 per cent in June, which is 4 per cent higher than the June 2024 rate. SINGAPORE – Fresh graduates should press on with their job search even if the future appears uncertain, said Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng. The employment rate for the 2025 graduating cohort was 51.9 per cent in June, he said, which is 4 per cent higher than the June 2024 rate. 'I would really appeal to graduates and parents to stay calm. We have taken a more granular and careful look at the data on jobs and graduate employment this year. While it is still early days... we do see some silver lining in the data,' Dr Tan told a Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce press conference on July 10. 'If you compare June 2025 with June 2024, actually, the employment rates have gone up,' he added, noting that many graduates may still be in the early phases of their job hunts. 'Rest assured, the Government, our tripartite partners, will continue to support you and walk every step with you.' Dr Tan, who is also the Second Minister for Trade and Industry, also urged businesses to invest in young graduates who will be future leaders of the workforce. He added that the number of entry-level vacancies in Singapore has remained steady. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties Singapore HDB flats less attainable in 2024 compared with 2022: Report Asia Dr Mahathir at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma Sport No pain, no gain for Singapore's water polo teams at the world championships World 'Do some homework': 6 key exchanges between US Senator Duckworth and S'pore envoy nominee Sinha World Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore Anjani Sinha has a rough day at Senate hearing Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite? Within the public service, there were around 2,400 immediately available entry-level jobs, spanning across roles like engineers and software developers, Dr Tan said. Graduates can learn more about these opportunities at the public service career fair in August, the Careers@Gov job portal, or social media, he added. More broadly, employers in the health and social care industries, as well as the sustainability sector, were looking to grow their headcounts. This comes on top of a hiring push in teaching, technology, financial and insurance services, as well as professional services. Closer attention has been given to young job seekers during this time of global uncertainty, said NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng. He said they face four main challenges when looking to enter the labour market: A skills gap, where they would need to acquire technical or soft skills. An expectation gap, where employers and job seekers have different expectations on matters like work-life balance. An opportunity gap, as global instability and artificial intelligence could change the nature and availability of jobs. An experience gap, where some employers may prefer candidates with prior industry experience for entry-level jobs. The experience gap puts first-time job seekers at a disadvantage, as they need a job to gain experience, but may not be able to get a job without work experience, Mr Ng said. Considering this, he urged young graduates to keep an open mind. 'As Minister Tan has highlighted, the labour market remains resilient today. There are job opportunities for our young,' he said. 'We do encourage our young workers, our youth to keep an open mind, consider all the different possibilities and the job offers available, even when they may not feel that the job checks every box. These jobs can open the first doors to experience, networks and potentially new directions,' he added. (From left) Singapore National Employers Federation president Tan Hee Teck, Minister Tan See Leng, NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Singapore Business Federation chairman Teo Siong Seng and Minister Josephine Teo at a press conference on July 10. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY On the labour movement's part, Mr Ng said he is looking to scale up the NTUC Youth Excel programme, which offers job search, skills training, networking and mentorship opportunities. Around 12,000 youth have benefited from the initiative since its launch in 2017. He also asked youth to consider signing up for a NTUC Starter membership, which provides access to career programmes that includes one-on-one mentorship. These add to a slate of measures targeted at entrants to the workforce as well as current workers. Earlier in the day, a national initiative, Career Health SG , was launched to support workers in accessing the right mix of training and on-the-job learning. A new one-stop website, Career Health SG, was also unveiled. It offers both workers and employers an overview of the available support measures, to help with career and workforce planning.
