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Economic Times
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Economic Times
Singapore gets relief from scorching heat; prepares for breezier, cooler weather as monsoon season sets in
TIL Creatives Singapore gets relief from scorching heat Following weeks of stifling, record-breaking heat, Singaporeans are to see a much-needed improvement in the weather as the Southwest Monsoon sets in. The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) says the switch to this monsoon season, which began in early June, will result in significantly breezier and more pleasant weather around the island. Throughout the Southwest Monsoon, which occurs from June to September, Singapore sees more frequent southeast and southwest wind patterns. With these winds and a greater likelihood of afternoon showers, they tend to ease the heat and humidity that have been prevalent throughout the preceding months. Temperatures, which had reached some of the highest earlier in the year, largely between 36°C to 37°C by day, are now expected to moderate into a more bearable temperature range. 'While humidity will remain a factor, the increased wind and rain will make the heat feel less severe and offer some relief to both residents and visitors,' noted a spokesperson from the MSS. 'This is the typical pattern we see as the Southwest Monsoon sets in.'The recent heatwave saw health advisories and warnings issued for the public to remain hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during hot sun hours. With the onset of changed weather, officials are positive that these threats may decrease, but they ask to remain alert of heat-related illnesses. Also, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is reminding people to be proactive in controlling mosquitoes. The spells of rain during the monsoon can result in more still water, which provides breeding ground for mosquitoes and may lead to an increase in cases of dengue fever. As Singapore enters the monsoon season, the forecast is for balmy, breezy days to come - although experts warn that the weather can still be volatile, with hot spells breaking out between the showers.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Jail for foreigner who tried to bribe two auxiliary cops when caught urinating in public
Thai national Nanjaijumpa Kham-Ai was sentenced to 10 days' jail after he pleaded guilty to one count of offering corrupt gratification. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Jail for foreigner who tried to bribe two auxiliary cops when caught urinating in public SINGAPORE – A foreigner who urinated in a drain tried to evade a fine by attempting to bribe two auxiliary police officers who caught him in the act in December 2024. But by offering the $7 bribe to the pair – who rejected it – Nanjaijumpa Kham-Ai, 54, landed himself in jail instead. On June 2, the Thai national was sentenced to 10 days' jail after he pleaded guilty to one count of offering corrupt gratification. A similar charge was taken into consideration for his sentencing. The court heard that Nanjaijumpa has worked in Singapore since 2017. The incident happened at about 7pm on Dec 17, 2024. Nanjaijumpa was employed as a farm worker in Lorong Semangka in Sungei Tengah, a district near Choa Chu Kang. On that day, he had just ended work and cycled to a place near Sungei Tengah Lodge. He parked his bicycle near a shop where he sought repairs for his malfunctioning cellphone. Upon realising he did not have enough cash for payment, he decided to cycle back to the farm to get money. Before he got back onto his bicycle, he urinated into a nearby drain. Two auxiliary police officers employed by Certis Cisco and deployed to the National Environment Agency, Mr Ong Seng Hock and Mr Prabakar Hisparan, were on patrol nearby and saw Nanjaijumpa's act. They approached him and told him he had committed an offence. Subsequently, they asked for his identification in order to prepare a printed summons requiring him to pay a fine. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tung Shou Pin said: '(Nanjaijumpa) was in a rush to collect the money and pay for his phone repairs before the shop closed, and wanted the (officers) to let him go quickly.' Nanjaijumpa told Mr Ong that it was 'common for people to urinate there', and asked the latter to 'let the matter go' in Hokkien, DPP Tung added . The foreigner then offered $7 cash to Mr Ong, who declined and explained they could not accept the money. Mr Prabakar similarly rejected the bribe when Nanjaijumpa repeated the same offer to him. Seeing that both men refused the cash, Nanjaijumpa put it directly into Mr Prabakar's sling bag . Mr Ong immediately asked Nanjaijumpa to take the money back, explaining that they were public servants and could not accept bribes. Mr Prabakar called the police and Nanjaijumpa was arrested. DPP Tung said there would be considerable damage to Singapore's reputation if the officers had accepted the gratification. Nanjaijumpa, who did not have a lawyer, apologised to the court during his mitigation. He said via a Thai interpreter: 'I promise not to do it again.' For corruptly giving gratification, he could have been jailed for up to five years and fined up to $100,000. Christine Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times reporting on crime, justice and social issues in Singapore. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Fading out: What it takes to save S'pore's wet markets
Mr Delonix Tan, a third-generation fishball maker, has grown his social media presence to capture more customers. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR DELONIX TAN Fading out: What it takes to save S'pore's wet markets SINGAPORE - Brothers Marcus and Max Tay, who are in their 20s, are a rare sight in Singapore's largest wet market, where most hawkers and customers are older than them. In November 2024, they set up The BeefFellas in Chinatown Complex, selling air-flown chilled Japanese wagyu beef, which is trimmed, sliced and vacuum-sealed on the spot. But young hawkers like them are far from the norm. The current median age of market stallholders is 63, said the National Environment Agency (NEA), which manages 83 markets or appoints operators to do so. Occupancy rates remain high, at an average of 96 per cent over the past five years. But NEA said consumer behaviour has shifted over time due to changing demographics and the widespread availability of alternative options, such as supermarkets and online retailers. 'Many patrons of markets are observed to be older, around 60 years old and above,' it said. 'NEA will continue to assess the needs of the local community and the availability of market produce when considering whether new markets are required.' Mr Marcus Tay, 29, worked in a local Japanese butchery for four years. His fluency in Japanese means that the stall has attracted Japanese customers too. 'We wanted to sell mainly online but realised that the rental here is affordable,' he told The Straits Times, adding that they pay about $900 for three stalls monthly, including utilities. Besides the quality and packaging, personal service is their secret sauce, he said. 'We remember customers' names and their preferences, and will drop them a message when their preferred items are here.' (From left) Brothers Max and Marcus Tay, in their 20s, have seen good business since they started at Chinatown Complex about six months ago. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Besides their physical market store, they are active online and offer delivery. While most customers at their physical stall are middle-aged or older, their online customers are younger, they said. They also supply to butcheries and bars. Mr Max Tay, 24, said that although there are few young hawkers like them, their youth is an advantage. 'People notice us,' he said. 'We have old customers who support us because we are young.' One of these is Ms Peggy Tan, 72, a retired bank executive who lives in Kovan. 'We must support young people in this trade,' she said. 'It's so rare.' Another is Mr David Lum, 74, a retired financial consultant living in the Orchard Road area. 'I hope to see more young people working in wet markets,' he said. 'If not, our wet markets will die one day.' Wet markets – are their days numbered? The latest market built by NEA was Fernvale Hawker Centre and Market, which officially opened in 2022. It is also the smallest market by NEA, with about 20 stalls. Since 2011, the Government has built and opened 14 new hawker centres in newer housing estates, such as Punggol, Bukit Canberra, Jurong West and Woodleigh. Two of these have wet markets – the one in Fernvale, and another in Bukit Panjang. Separately, HDB manages 17 wet markets, 13 of which are rented out to private operators. The remaining four have been sold on 30-year leases. These 17 markets were mostly built by the Housing Board in the 1990s, originally as part of a larger group of over 20 wet markets to be run by private operators. Over time, some have been converted to supermarkets to meet residents' evolving needs, said HDB. Quality, service and online presence Mr Delonix Tan, a third-generation fishball maker of SanDai Fishball, said his products stand out, as he uses yellowtail fish to handcraft his fishballs and yong tau foo from scratch. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR DELONIX TAN Like the Tay brothers, 27-year-old Delonix Tan, a third-generation fishball maker of SanDai Fishball in Kim Keat Palm Market, believes having an online presence is key to survival and success. To extend his customer base beyond Toa Payoh, he launched a website and grew the business' social media presence to over 20,000 followers on Instagram, over 10,000 on Facebook, and over 8,000 on TikTok. He said his products also stand out, as he uses yellowtail fish to handcraft his fishballs and yong tau foo from scratch. This differs from many others selling factory-made, surimi-based fishballs. Al-Masyhur, a halal meat and seafood stall located at Block 724 Ang Mo Kio Central wet market, has also adapted to changing customer habits by embracing the digital space. It hosts live-stream sales three times a week. Al-Masyhur, a halal meat and seafood stall located at Block 724 Ang Mo Kio Central wet market, hosts live-stream sales three times a week. PHOTO: AL-MASYHUR Online sales have grown to about 50 per cent more than in-store purchases, said its social media manager Firuz Ali Khan. 'While our physical stall still attracts older, long-time customers, we've found new momentum online,' Mr Firuz said. 'But ultimately, it's the quality of our products and our service that keep customers coming back. 'Walk-in traffic has declined, but instead of seeing that as a setback, we've focused on new ways to reach our audience and define our niche in the market,' he added. Freelance writer Fatmah Khan, 22, agreed that having an online presence is a must for wet market vendors to attract younger customers like her. She gave the example of how a wet market stall in her Yishun neighbourhood, Jeya Spices, had a Hari Raya promotion for ketupat on TikTok. She placed an order on its website, which was linked to its TikTok account. Mr J Jeyaseelan of Jeya Spices in Yishun, is active on social media. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO 'How simple is that? It was a lifesaver, since we just moved into the area and had no idea where to get ketupat to complete our meal,' she said. Jeya Spices' Mr J. Jeyaseelan, 35, said his business has grown by about 20 per cent since he started going online and on social media from 2020, with the latest being TikTok in 2024. 'We are getting a sea of younger customers eager to cook and learn with our spices,' he said. Jeya Spices' Mr J Jeyaseelan, 35, said his business has grown by about 20 per cent since he started going online and on social media from 2020, with the latest being on TikTok in 2024. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO He has also ventured into supermarkets, with a spice station at FairPrice Xtra Parkway Parade. Other regular customers of wet markets are drawn to their fresh offerings and personalised service. Bai He Herbs at the Chinatown wet market, which is known for its medicinal herbs, spices and herbal tea, has been around for over 40 years. Its fourth-generation owner, 53-year-old He Xiao Ying, banks on her unique items and personalised service to generate business. She advises customers on the types of herbs that will help with ailments like flu, cough and nose bleed, and how to prepare them. 'There are fewer young customers, as they'd rather go see a doctor or buy medication from the pharmacies,' she said. 'But I have my regular clientele.' At Chinatown Complex, Ms He Xiao Ying, 53, runs the only stall selling herbal plants. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Similarly, Mr Horace Khoo of Chinatown Yong Tau Foo is confident of his business' longevity because of his quality food and prompt service. The 47-year-old helms a yong tau foo stall that his mother started in 1978. The uncooked items are handmade at the Chinatown wet market and snapped up quickly. 'I always maintain good quality of my items and I try them myself to ensure this,' he said. 'I service my customers sincerely – service is king.' At Chinatown Complex, Mr Horace Khoo sells handcrafted yong tau foo alongside his mother. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Designer Lawrence Tan, 58, patronises the stall once every two weeks, as he works nearby. 'The items are very fresh and made on the spot,' he said. 'I also go to the wet market near my house in Hougang for fresh chicken and vegetables.' More changes needed But more changes may be needed for the next generation of wet market vendors to thrive, say market observers. For one thing, they may need to extend operating hours. Unlike supermarkets, which operate late into the night or even round the clock, wet markets are usually open from early morning to around noon. 'Supermarkets cater to younger people whose schedules are busy with work and children, many of whom are unable to shop for food on weekday mornings,' said Associate Professor Lyle Fearnley, associate head of humanities, arts and social sciences at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. Digitalisation may help overcome the challenge posed by short opening hours, said Associate Professor Lau Kong Cheen, the Singapore University of Social Sciences' marketing programme head. He suggested that government agencies provide a framework to help wet market vendors upgrade their business models using technology, branding and digital engagement. At present, eligible stallholders can apply for the Hawkers' Productivity Grant to purchase equipment to improve productivity, such as electric fish scalers and bone saws. They can also benefit from a subsidy under the Hawkers Go Digital programme when adopting e-payments. In addition, one-off rental support of $600 per stall is being given to cooked food and market stallholders across hawker centres and markets managed by government and government-appointed operators, including those managed by NEA or NEA-appointed operators. The funds have been disbursed progressively from April 2025. The move is also in celebration of Singapore's diamond jubilee and the fifth anniversary of the inscription of Singapore's hawker culture on the Unesco Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. HDB said that it has kept rents unchanged for the past five years to keep costs low for market operators. Observers also cited the importance of comfort and cleanliness. Prof Lau said there is a need to upgrade the infrastructure of wet markets to make them more conducive for a younger generation of customers. Professor Lawrence Loh of NUS Business School said air-conditioning the wet markets will help, but this will increase the rentals and prices. He is unsure if public funds should be allocated to help wet markets flourish. 'It will be difficult to prop up a fading sector and upkeep the vanishing trades of wet market stallholders,' he said. 'Wet markets may just dwindle into the twilight by themselves.' But Professor Lily Kong, who is president of Singapore Management University, made a case for their continued existence. She has done extensive research into Singapore's hawker culture and authored two editions of a book which celebrates Singapore's hawker centres. Wet markets are not just places to buy produce, but also vibrant cultural ecosystems that nurture community bonds and traditions, she said. This is especially so for older generations that see them as spaces of belonging and routine. 'Looking ahead, with Singapore's ageing population, we must reimagine retail spaces as social spaces that serve our seniors' needs,' she said. 'Traditional wet markets excel at this. They are natural gathering places where seniors maintain social connections while going about their daily marketing.' Chin Soo Fang is senior correspondent at The Straits Times, covering topics such as community, politics, social issues, consumer, culture and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
7 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Corruption-related reports drop 18% in 2024; private sector cases account for majority of investigations: CPIB
SINGAPORE: The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) received fewer corruption-related reports in 2024, with the number of cases registered for investigation also remaining low. The anti-graft agency received 177 corruption-related reports last year, a drop of 18 per cent from the 215 reports in 2023. Of these reports, the bureau registered 75 as new cases for investigation. In its annual report on Wednesday (May 28), CPIB said 91 per cent or 68 cases registered for investigation were from the private sector. The public sector accounted for the remaining 9 per cent with seven cases. This is lower than the annual average of 11 cases of the preceding four years, said CPIB. Of the 68 private sector cases, 12 involved public sector employees rejecting bribes offered by private sector individuals. This was higher than the annual average of nine cases of the preceding four years. Public sector employees who rejected bribes comprised officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the National Environment Agency and the Singapore Police Force, said CPIB. The agency also reported that 133 people - 128 from the private sector - were prosecuted in court for offences investigated by them in 2024. "HIGH CLEARANCE RATE" The 75 reports registered as new cases for investigation constituted 42 per cent of the total number of corruption-related reports received last year. This is an increase of 7 per cent compared with the average of the preceding four years. The agency said a report is registered for investigation if the information received is pursuable. "This is determined by the quality of relevant information provided," it said. "Investigative enquiries and intelligence probes by CPIB also uncovered further information that enabled a higher percentage of reports to be registered for investigation." CPIB said it maintained a "high clearance rate", completing investigations into 87 per cent of subjects it investigated last year. Its conviction rate stood at 97 per cent, with four acquittals in 2024 and three cases currently pending appeal hearings. CPIB said it continues to take "firm enforcement action without fear or favour in corruption cases involving both the public and private sectors". "Effective international cooperation with foreign counterparts is also vital in ensuring that cross-border criminals cannot escape the long arm of the law." CPIB cited three cases where such "firm enforcement" was taken - the investigation into former transport minister S Iswaran, the Citiraya case and the Seatrium investigation. Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months' jail in October last year for obtaining gifts worth about S$403,300 (S$313,000) over seven years, from two businessmen he considered his friends - Ong Beng Seng and Lum Kok Seng. He pleaded guilty to four charges under Section 165 of the Penal Code, which forbids all public servants from obtaining any valuable thing from someone involved with them in an official capacity, and one charge of obstruction of justice. Ong's case is currently before the courts, while the Attorney-General's Chambers has said the prosecution will not file charges against Mr Lum. Ng Teck Lee, the former CEO of Citiraya Industries, and his wife Thor Chwee Hwa were on the run for 19 years in connection to an embezzlement case involving more than S$72 million. They were arrested in Malaysia on Dec 3 last year and given holding charges in Singapore the following day. CPIB investigations against them are ongoing. The Seatrium case involved corrupt payments to advance the company's business interests in Brazil. Former Sembcorp Marine CEO Wong Weng Sun and Lee Fook Kang, a Jurong Shipyard senior general manager, were directly involved in making corrupt payments. Both men were charged in March last year, with the case still pending. IMPROVEMENT IN RANKINGS, PUBLIC PERCEPTION CPIB said Singapore continues to be "well-regarded internationally" for its anti-corruption framework and efforts. The latest Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International ranked Singapore as the world's third least corrupt country in 2024, with a score of 84 out of 100. "This is Singapore's highest position since 2020 and the first time since 2010 that Singapore is top in the Asia Pacific region," said the agency. The Political and Economic Risk Consultancy also ranked Singapore as the least corrupt country out of 16 economies in its 2024 Report on Corruption in Asia. Singapore has held this position since 1995. In the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index 2024, CPIB said Singapore maintained its ranking of third out of 142 countries for the absence of corruption in government. There was also an improvement in the public perception of CPIB's corruption control efforts. In a 2024 survey commissioned by the agency, 97 per cent of respondents rated corruption control efforts in Singapore as good, very good or excellent - up from 96 per cent in 2022 and 94 per cent in 2020. Heavy punishment for corruption offences, effective anti-corruption law, political determination to keep corruption under control and a zero-tolerance culture for corruption were cited as the top factors contributing to the low corruption rate in Singapore. CPIB said that "prevention, outreach and deterrence" form the cornerstone of Singapore's efforts to remain corruption-free. It engages key stakeholders, the community and the private sector to combat corruption. "Singapore's corruption situation remains firmly under control.
Independent Singapore
27-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
HDB residents at Bukit Batok lose sleep over noisy late-night litterbugs
SINGAPORE: A group of people is reportedly bothering residents with their loud noises at night at a Housing & Development Board (HDB) block at Bukit Batok. A Tuesday morning (May 27) report in Shin Min Daily News said that not only does the group that gathers at the void deck of the block at night bother others with their noise, they also leave alcohol bottles and other types of rubbish, such a food packaging, in their wake. This is not a new problem for the residents of Block 460B Bukit Batok West Avenue 9, who first encountered the issue last year. Unfortunately, the laughing and talking that the group does at night is so loud that it becomes challenging for people nearby to sleep, one 60-year-old resident told the Chinese daily. 'They talked and laughed loudly, and when they left, the ground was full of cigarette butts, wine bottles, food packaging and other garbage,' the report quotes him as saying, expressing concerns over cleanliness and hygiene in the area. Evidence of the nightly gatherings was also seen by a journalist from Shin Min Daily News, including alcohol and soft drink bottles, cups, and plastic bags. Worse yet, there were also cigarette butts scattered in the vicinity of the void deck. Although both the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Chua Chu Kang Town Council have put up signs in the area reminding people not to litter, the problem appears to persist. Both signs carry warnings of enforcement action for those who refuse to comply, with the notice from the Town Council saying that first-time violators are required to pay as much as $1,000 in fines, and those who persist in offending could be issued a Corrective Work Order (CWO). Moreover, the Town Council told Mustshare News that it has referred the issue to the police and is closely monitoring the situation. Netizens commenting on the issue underlined the need for close surveillance in order to solve the problem once and for all. ' Install a CCTV camera in that area. Call the police, and from there they can identify the group for any illegal gathering,' a Facebook user suggested. Another underlined that since personnel from the Town Council and the NEA don't work at night, the best way forward is for police to be involved more. One commenter, however, said that they have a similar problem. 'Same problem at Tampines… teenagers play guitar, and sing, and eat till late… get drunk and noisy till morning. Asked MP to remove tables and chairs – not possible because old people need them. But when I monitored, not many old people sat there.' /TISG Read also: Man says his inconsiderate neighbour has been very noisy for the past 4 months, constantly hammering and drilling in the morning and evening
