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The Star
4 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Black belt in taekwondo, grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements
SINGAPORE: At 15, student Lai Jia Chi holds a black belt in taekwondo and a grade 8 in piano – accomplishments that might not have been possible if her rare condition had not been detected early. Jia Chi has Glutaric Acidemia Type 1 (GA1), an inherited metabolic disorder that prevents the body from properly breaking down certain amino acids. If left unmanaged, the condition will cause brain damage and movement difficulties. She was born in 2010, when screening for metabolic and heritable diseases in newborns was already available. But her parents did not want her to have her blood taken at such a young age. Her condition was detected when she was almost three years, her father Lai Shu Hau told The Straits Times. 'One night, she became very ill and her fever was at 41 deg C. We tried to wake her up the next morning, but she was unresponsive and her eyes were rolled back. We rushed her to a nearby paediatrician, who then called an ambulance,' said the 46-year-old manager in the oil and gas industry. Jia Chi, the older of two daughters, was diagnosed with febrile fever caused by an infection and the level of uric acid in her urine was very high. Still concerned, Lai asked for a DNA test to be done. That was when they found out that Jia Chi has GA1. 'She was showing symptoms in the first two years of her life. She did not want to drink milk. Neither did she want to eat meats. We just thought that she was a fussy eater, but it was her body just not wanting to have protein,' Lai said. GA1 affects the body's ability to break down three types of amino acids – lysine, hydroxylysine, and tryptophan – which are commonly found in some protein-rich foods such as meat and fish. These amino acids must be broken down as the body cannot store them in large quantities. When the body cannot properly break down the amino acids, a toxic byproduct called glutaric acid builds up. Associate Professor Tan Ee Shien, who heads Genetics Service at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, said glutaric acid can cause serious health complications, particularly affecting the brain. She explained that the breakdown of amino acids requires an enzyme called glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH). Every person inherits two copies of the GCDH gene – one from each parent – which provide instructions for producing the enzyme. Lai Jia Chi, 15, an IP student from Temasek Junior College, counts herself lucky that she is leading a normal life despite having GA1. 'With variations in both copies of the gene, the enzyme does not work as it should, leading to a buildup of substances that can affect a person's health,' Prof Tan said. GA1 is considered rare, affecting about one in every 100,000 newborns worldwide. Babies with GA1 can appear completely healthy at birth and develop normally in their early months. 'Without screening and early intervention, the first sign that something is wrong could be a sudden and devastating metabolic crisis, often triggered by a common illness like fever or infection,' Prof Tan said. 'These crises can cause stroke-like episodes that may lead to permanent brain damage, affecting movements and development. This is why early detection through newborn screening is so valuable - allowing for preventive measures to be put in place before any crisis occurs, protecting the child's health and development.' When detected early, those with GA1 can develop normally and be effectively managed through strict dietary control, such as low protein intake, special medical formula and supplements to boost carnitine – which is essential for preventing muscle weakness as well as heart and liver problems. Regular metabolic monitoring and established emergency protocols in times of illness are also essential for their care. Lai said: 'We researched the condition and it turned out to be very scary. We had to limit her amount of protein intake, otherwise GA1 can cause muscle weakness, spasticity, and dystonia (that affects motor skills).' He noted that many individuals with the condition in Singapore are now in wheelchairs. As for Jia Chi, her condition was caught early enough, preventing any brain damage. Her parents made it their priority to ensure that she leads a normal and healthy life. They controlled her diet and made sure she kept to her regimen of medication and supplements. During her early years, they spent S$400 (US$312) a month on supplements. 'We measured everything she ate and even calculated the percentage of her carbohydrate intake' to prevent other diseases such as diabetes, said Jia Chi's mother Liew Pui Yee, a 51-year-old adjunct lecturer at a polytechnic. Lai added: 'The one thing that her mother and I are mindful of is that this condition can cause reduced muscle tone. (Since) we could not change that with meat intake, we made up with exercises and taekwondo classes.' The couple also learnt that the disorder can lead to brain damage, particularly affecting the basal ganglia, which is crucial for movement. 'That was why we sent her for piano lessons. She surprised us by doing well and she is now in grade 8,' Liew said. Jia Chi is currently an Integrated Programme student at Temasek Junior College. 'Sometimes I forget I have the condition, especially when I am in taekwondo class,' she said. At times, her muscles still twitch, and that serves as a reminder to Jia Chi and her parents that she still has the condition. Prof Tan was amazed by the teenager's achievements. 'Her obtaining a black belt in Taekwondo and reaching Grade 8 in piano are truly remarkable. These accomplishments are especially significant because GA1 can affect motor skills and coordination, further underscoring the importance of early detection and appropriate medical care,' she said. - The Straits Times/ANN
Online Citizen
09-06-2025
- Online Citizen
Driver in fatal Tampines crash faces fresh charge for grievous hurt, bringing total to five
SINGAPORE – The driver involved in a multi-vehicle accident in Tampines last year that killed two people, including a student from Temasek Junior College, was handed a fresh charge on 9 June 2025. Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 44, is now facing a fifth charge under the Road Traffic Act. His latest charge accuses him of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt to two motorists—van driver Chia Tong Chai, 65, and car driver Muhammad Azril Mahmood, 49. The incident occurred on 22 April 2024 at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4, where a chain collision involved multiple cars, a van, and a minibus. No plea was taken from Syafie during the court session. His case has been adjourned, and he is scheduled to return to court on 26 June 2025. Syafie, a Singaporean, was first charged on 25 April 2024 with four offences: dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing hurt, dangerous driving, and failing to stop after an accident. According to court documents, the fatal series of events began at around 7am on 22 April 2024. Syafie was allegedly driving along Bedok Reservoir Road towards Tampines Avenue 4 when he abruptly changed lanes to overtake a car. This resulted in a sideswipe collision, causing the overtaken vehicle to veer left and scrape its tyres against the road kerb. Syafie allegedly did not stop to provide his particulars. Subsequently, he ran a red light and collided with three cars. The impact led to further collisions with a van and a minibus. The crash resulted in two fatalities. One victim, 17-year-old Temasek Junior College student Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril, was a passenger in a car driven by her father, Muhammad Azril. The other victim, 57-year-old Norzihan Juwahib, was a passenger in the van driven by Chia. She was an employee of a pest control company. Several others were injured, including an 11-year-old boy in one of the cars and another boy on the minibus. Chia and Azril, now identified as victims of grievous hurt in the latest charge, also sustained serious injuries. Video footage of the accident was widely circulated on social media, drawing national attention to the dangers of reckless driving. In addition to the criminal charges, Syafie is facing two civil lawsuits for negligence. The plaintiffs are Chia and another passenger of the van. If convicted of dangerous driving causing death, Syafie could face two to eight years in prison and disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles. For dangerous driving causing hurt, he could be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to two years, or both, in addition to driving disqualification. A conviction for dangerous driving carries a penalty of up to S$5,000, up to 12 months' jail, or both. Failing to stop after an accident may lead to a fine of up to S$1,000, up to three months' jail, or both. The new charge of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt carries a jail term of between one and five years and a mandatory driving ban. Traffic Police: 142 killed in accidents as Singapore's traffic deaths hit five-year high in 2024 The Tampines case comes amid growing concern over traffic safety in Singapore. According to the Traffic Police's annual report, road fatalities and injuries reached a five-year high in 2024. A total of 142 lives were lost in traffic accidents last year, up from 136 in 2023. Injuries also increased to 9,302 in 2024, from 8,941 the previous year. While red-light running violations fell by 11.9%—from 32,867 in 2023 to 28,965 in 2024—the number of fatal accidents linked to red-light violations also declined. However, a more alarming trend emerged. Among the 139 fatal accidents in 2024, 46 were attributed to speeding. This represents one in three fatal crashes, compared to one in four in 2023. There was also a sharp 64.8% increase in speeding offences in 2024. To combat the issue, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam announced on 15 February 2025 that demerit points and composition fines would be increased. Additionally, from April 2025, red-light cameras islandwide were activated with speed enforcement capabilities. Speaking on the urgency of the matter, Shanmugam stated, 'People are dying and getting injured on our roads. Every vehicle is a potential missile—it's dangerous if you don't use it properly.'
CNA
09-06-2025
- CNA
Driver accused of causing fatal Tampines chain collision in 2024 given new charge
SINGAPORE: The driver charged over a multi-vehicle accident in Tampines last year that killed two people, including a Temasek Junior College student, was handed a fresh charge on Monday (Jun 9). Muhammad Syafie Ismail's new charge states that his dangerous driving caused grievous hurt to the driver of a van, Chia Tong Chai, 65, and driver of a car, Muhammad Azril Mahmood, 49. No plea was taken from Syafie. He will return to court on Jun 26 for his next hearing. The new charge brings Syafie's total number of charges to five under the Road Traffic Act for the Apr 22, 2024 incident, where two died and multiple people were injured. The chain collision occurred at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4 and involved multiple cars, a van and a minibus. Syafie, 44, was initially charged with one count each of dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing hurt, dangerous driving, and failing to stop after an accident. Footage of the incident garnered national attention. Syafie, a Singaporean, is said to have driven recklessly along Bedok Reservoir Road towards Tampines Avenue 4 just after 7am on Apr 22, 2024. He allegedly made an abrupt lane change on the two-lane road to overtake a car on his right, resulting in a "sideswipe collision". The impact caused the other vehicle to veer left and scrape its tires against the road kerb. Syafie failed to stop and provide his particulars after this accident. According to court documents, he then failed to stop at a red traffic light signal and collided with three cars. A driver and an 11-year-old boy in one car were injured along with another driver. The impact is believed to have caused one of the cars to spin and hit a van before overturning. One of the people who died in the accident, 17-year-old Temasek Junior College student Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril, was in this car. The other person who died in this accident was a passenger in the van driven by Mr Chia, 57-year-old pest control company employee Norzihan Juwahib. Another passenger were also injured. The van ended up hitting a minibus and hurting an 11-year-old boy on it. According to a court listing, Syafie is involved in two civil suits for negligence from motor accidents with the driver and passenger of the van. If convicted of dangerous driving causing death, Syafie may be jailed between two and eight years and disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles. For dangerous driving causing hurt, he could be fined up to S$10,000, or jailed for up to two years, or both, and disqualified from driving all classes of vehicles. If convicted of dangerous driving, he could face a fine of up to S$5,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. The offence of failing to stop after an accident carries a maximum fine of S$1,000, up to three months' jail, or both.
Straits Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Temasek JC wins first place and $4,000 cash prize at ST's What's The News? quiz competition
Temasek Junior College was crowned champions of at the finals of the ST What's The News? competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY SINGAPORE - While others were stunned, the four-member team from Temasek Junior College (TJC) were praying for the question on newly elected Pope Leo XIV's first words when he first appeared in public in Vatican City to be given to them. Rayner Ng, 16, said: '(The Pope's quote) had come out in ST's daily reports. I read about it from there and so, we answered correctly (when it was redirected to us).' In the past few weeks, the team of four from TJC had made reading the news a daily habit. Their efforts paid off, when they emerged the winner at The Straits Times' current affairs quiz competition on May 23. Temasek Junior College students answering the redirected question on Pope Leo XIV correctly during the short answer question round at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY 'It was more about applying what we had learnt in our day-to-day lives in this competition,' said one of the team members, 16-year-old Guo Yatian. Both excited and surprised to have won the competition, the team expressed their gratitude to the teachers and friends who had supported them throughout their journey. They took home a $4,000 cash prize for coming in first. The schools that finish second, third and fourth won $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. Presbyterian High School students during the multiple choice question round at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY What's The News?, is an interschool interactive quiz competition organised by ST as part of its 180th anniversary outreach, and is supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) is a partner. The preliminary round kicked off in April, where more than 6,000 students across 50 schools participated individually in an online current affairs quiz. Following an intense competition during the semi-finals on May 21, which featured four telematch games, four schools entered the finals – Presbyterian High School, Outram Secondary School, St Joseph's Institution and TJC. The finals were held at the event's campus partner, the National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre. Temasek JC came in first, followed by St Joseph's Institution, Outram Secondary School and Presbyterian High School. Students answering questions during the quickfire multiple choice question round at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY On a stage modelled after a television game show set, the four finalist teams were pitted against each other in a game show. Students were given three challenges with a focus on current affairs. Teams first competed in a rapid fire multiple choice round consisting of ten questions. Their critical thinking and presentation skills were then tested in the next round, when students had 15 minutes to create one slide showing their answer to questions on different future trends in areas like healthcare and jobs. They had three minutes to present their answers. The final round was a trivia quiz where teams took turns to pick questions worth varying number of points based on their difficulty levels. Topics ranged from environment and health to sports and pop-culture. Ourtram Secondary School students during the presentation round at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY The Outram Secondary School team said they were extremely nervous coming into the finals. 'As a neighbourhood school, we were not expecting to be standing up here (on stage at the finals)' said one of the teammates when asked by the host Rishi Budhrani how they were feeling during the competition. Nonetheless, the team showed their worth, scoring the most points in the quick fire questions round. When asked about their biggest takeaways from the competition, Outram Secondary School student Kara Ringling, 15, said: 'I feel that in our generation, primary, secondary and JC schoolers, they find news very uninteresting. It's just something that is seen more as a task rather than something they could do in their leisure time. 'This competition has really opened our eyes that news can actually be interesting and something fun.' ST editor Jaime Ho speaking to attendees at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY ST editor Jaime Ho said : 'The finals today were a capstone to our event for young audiences as part of The Straits Times' 180th anniversary, and, really another milestone for our work with some of the youngest of our audiences. 'From Day 1, the participants showed just how ingenious, critical, and thoughtful they were. While I'm sure the students took away some lessons about the news from this experience, we also learnt a lot from the students.' He added: 'They taught us about how young people want to be reached and what makes them sit up and take note. It's also given us a chance to introduce contemporary issues in a more friendly way to those who may have found it quite daunting in the past. 'This event was one of my favourites of the ST180 events, and we hope we can bring it back year after year in some form. I'd also like to thank our various partners for helping us bring this event to life.' St Joseph's Institution students during the presentation round at the finals of the competition at NUS University Cultural Centre on May 23. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Mr Kangtai Zhong, assistant director of planning and development at the DrugFreeSG office , said: 'ST's aim of encouraging youth to think critically about current affairs whilst having fun aligns with our approach at CNB DrugFreeSG Office. 'We aim to equip youth with essential life skills and critical thinking abilities, enabling them to learn more and think more about the world we live in, specifically about the issue of drugs, so that they can grow into their roles as future leaders of our society and advocate for a drug-free Singapore.' Mr Shawn Huang attended the event on May 23 in his capacity as the outgoing senior parliamentary secretary in MOE. He has since been appointed the same role in manpower along with his current finance portfolio. ST's What's The News competition 'promotes media literacy and raises awareness on current affairs among our students', he said . 'Participants get to analyse news stories and understand complex global issues through interactive and fun activities. This not only sharpens their critical thinking skills but also encourages our youth to become more discerning and engaged citizens.' Mr Huang encouraged students to keep on learning. 'Be curious in your pursuits, and wherever you travel to, whomever you interact with, always ask good questions,' he said. 'Most important of all is when we come together in such competitions, is to make good friends, because in the future, all of you will be working together to build the future of Singapore.'
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025 in low-res: A look back at the Singapore election through an old digicam
Fans, clappers and phones held by supporters at a PSP rally at Jurong West Stadium on May 1, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Red Dot United candidates taking the pledge at a rally at the field in Boon Lay Way on April 30, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY A WP supporter raising an inflatable hammer at a rally at Temasek Junior College on April 26, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY PAP supporters cheering at a rally at Fern Green Primary School on April 27, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY GE2025 in low-res: A look back at the Singapore election through an old digicam SINGAPORE – With a digicam in hand and sweat dripping down my forehead, I press the shutter button, hoping to capture a group of people cheering. The dim rally lighting and fast-moving crowd overwhelm the camera – it lags, and the moment slips away. I try again. Then again. I get my shot, but not without losing a few others along the way. There's a kind of beauty in the slowness of a point-and-shoot digital camera – a contrast to the electric pace of GE2025 and the speed of the latest mirrorless cameras and even smartphones. Once considered outdated, digicams have become trendy again among Gen Z digital natives aged between 13 and 27 years old. They seek the nostalgic Y2K aesthetic, having grown up with pictures taken on these cameras. Many new businesses have sprung up, selling deadstock or secondhand cameras. Photojournalist Shintaro Tay holding a Canon IXUS 275HS after the Singapore Democratic Party rally at Woodlands Stadium on April 28, 2025. PHOTO: RYAN CHIONG Armed with a Canon Ixus 275HS, I wondered what it was like for people in the past to capture their experiences of the general election. The grungy, almost nostalgic effect of the low-fi pictures made me reflect on how they might compare with photos from past eras – especially my first time taking pictures at a rally in 2013, when I was a 17-year-old student – and what they might reveal about this moment in time. Before the GE2025 rallies began, I wondered if people would show up. After all, it had been a decade since such rallies were last held. Would they prefer to tune in from the comfort of their homes instead? After all, we have all got used to wireless communication since the pandemic. However, as I looked through the lens, I realised some things have not changed. The boisterous characters, the fiery speeches and the riot of colours were just like what I remembered from my first experience. It was as though time had stood still for a moment, reminding me that despite all the changes around me, some things remain timeless. WP supporters waving inflatable hammers at a rally at Temasek Junior College on April 26, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Supporters of Mr Ng Chee Meng, PAP candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC, cheering at a rally at Fern Green Primary School on April 27, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY An SDP supporter waving flags at a rally at Woodlands Stadium on April 28, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Youth holding up their phones to capture People's Power Party candidate Samuel Lee speaking at a rally at Yio Chu Kang Stadium on April 29, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY A PSP volunteer cheering at Jurong West Stadium on May 1, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY WP supporters listening intently to a rally at Temasek Junior College on April 26, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Red Dot United supporters, standing on muddy grass after an evening rain, listening to a rally at Boon Lay Way on April 30, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY SDP supporters holding hands during a rally at Woodlands Stadium on April 28, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY PAP supporters waving party flags at Fern Green Primary School on April 27, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY A People's Power Party supporter with a flag tucked into her hair at a rally at Yio Chu Kang Stadium on April 29, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock addressing the crowd at Jurong West Stadium on May 1, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY People's Power Party secretary-general Goh Meng Seng before a rally at Yio Chu Kang Stadium on April 29, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY SDP chief Chee Soon Juan signing copies of his books after a rally at Woodlands Stadium on April 28, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Contractors taking down a camera after an SDP rally at Woodlands Stadium on April 28, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY A stage being dismantled after a PAP rally at Fern Green Primary School on April 27, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY PAP supporters waiting for the election results at Bukit Gombak Stadium on May 4, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Red Dot United supporters saying the pledge at the end of a rally in a field in Boon Lay Way on April 30, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY The Singapore flag held by a supporter at a PSP rally at Jurong West Stadium on May 1, 2025. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Shintaro is a photojournalist with The Straits Times. Through journalism, photography and documentary-making, he strives to shine a light on the everyday man. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
