The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has declared two websites linked to local independent media platform The Online Citizen (TOC) as Declared Online Locations (DOLs) under Section 32 of the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act 2019 (POFMA).

The two websites are TOC's alternate website and Heidoh's website, MDDI said in a statement on Jun. 30.

Existing DOL declaration

TOC’s primary website, alongside its Facebook, Instagram and X pages, were declared as DOLs in June 2025 for repeatedly communicating falsehoods.

It marked the second time TOC's website, Facebook and X pages had been designated as DOLs.

The declaration took effect on Jul. 22, 2025, and remains in force for two years till Jul. 21, 2027.

During this period, each of TOC’s DOLs must display a notice informing platform users that the platform:

• Has been declared as a DOL;
• Has communicated multiple falsehoods; and
• Should be approached with caution when used as a source of information.

The operator of the declared online locations is also prohibited from receiving financial or other material benefits from operating the platforms.

Set up alternate websites

According to MDDI, following the initial declaration of TOC's primary website as a DOL in 2025, the platform's operator set up alternative online locations to publish content.

As the new websites use different Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), they are not automatically subject to the existing DOL declaration.

According to the ministry, this has enabled the operator to continue receiving financial benefits from the sites through paid content, including online advertisements.

TOC's alternate website

MDDI said TOC's alternate website is hosted on the same domain as its primary website and closely mirrors its branding and appearance.

Since May this year, visitors to TOC's primary website have also been redirected to the alternate website through links on its homepage.

Heidoh's website

Heidoh is an alternative news site set up by TOC’s operator in 2025, which republished content carried on TOC's websites for a period in 2026.

MDDI added that TOC's operator continues to communicate falsehoods to readers in Singapore through both websites.

In March 2026, both websites were issued two POFMA Correction Directions each over falsehoods relating to:

• The re-appointment of Attorney-General Lucien Wong; and
• The reply by the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs to Parliamentary Questions on Singaporeans allegedly serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.

One was issued on Mar. 23 after TOC published an article on Wong's reappointment.

According to MDDI, the article falsely alleged that:

1. Wong has not recused himself from matters pertaining to the compulsory acquisition of 38 Oxley Road, the home of Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
2. Workers' Party chair Sylvia Lim was not allowed to ask follow-up questions during a parliamentary debate on the attorney-general's reappointment process
3. The Constitution provides for the Attorney-General to retire at age 60 without any qualification or proviso, but has appointed Wong until he is 75.

The second Correction Direction was issued after TOC published an article about Shanmugam's parliamentary reply on Singaporeans allegedly serving in the Israeli Defense Forces.

According to MDDI, the article falsely alleged that Shanmugam had deliberately provided incomplete answers and suggested that the government possessed sufficient information to take action.

Alternate sites declared as DOLs

MDDI said it has decided to declare both websites as DOLs as TOC had continued communicating falsehoods through the alternate platforms while attempting to circumvent the requirements imposed on its existing DOLs.

"This ensures that Singaporeans visiting these sites are alerted to their record of communicating falsehoods, and prevents TOC’s operator from continuing to profit from the harmful act of spreading online falsehoods in Singapore," said the ministry.

The declaration will take effect on Jul. 1, 2026, and will remain in force for two years, till Jun. 30, 2028 at noon.

The conditions of the new declaration are the same as those applying to TOC's existing declared online locations.

According to the ministry, the declaration does not require the websites to cease operations.

However, digital advertising agencies and other service providers must take reasonable steps to ensure that paid content placed on the two websites is not communicated in Singapore.

Individuals and companies are also not allowed to provide financial support to the declared online locations to avoid promoting the communication of falsehoods in Singapore.

The Japanese national football team and their fans were left in tears after the country's World Cup exit in the 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Jun. 29.

Japan was just one step away from progressing past the knockout stage, only for Brazil to steal the win with a goal in stoppage time.

This is Japan's third consecutive time Japan has had the lead in the knockout round and lost, ESPN reported.

This also marks the fifth time Japan has been eliminated in the first round of the World Cup knockout rounds, 8world wrote.

Japan's dream dashed

After the final whistle, Brazil narrowly advanced to the Round of 16, with the stadium celebrating in cheers and hollers.

On the other end, several Japanese players were spotted immediately crying, collapsing on the grass, visibly unable to get up.

In the stands, Japanese fans were equally grief-stricken.

One 55-year-old fan said, "There was still a chance, so to have that chance snuffed out is frustrating," reported France 24.

One fan was caught on broadcast shouting and venting his emotions as he watched his team's elimination.

Despite their win, several Brazilian fans around him tried to comfort him, which many netizens called "true sportsmanship".

Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha was also seen breaking away from his teammates' celebrations to comfort the heartbroken Japanese midfielder Ao Tanaka.

Despite another painful exit, ESPN reported that Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu remained optimistic about the team's progress against the football powerhouse.

"The gap between us is closing now."

Ryan Mendes, the 36-year-old football team captain for Cape Verde for the 2026 World Cup, has been accused of raping the team’s translator.

The assault allegedly occurred at a hotel in Auckland, where the team stayed during a trip to New Zealand in March 2026, Globo reported.

The translator’s identity was not disclosed.

Assault

The translator told Globo that the team had hired her to work during the Fifa series, an invitational association football tournament, in New Zealand.

She was apparently invited to a meeting in a hotel room following a match against Chile on Mar. 27.

Upon arrival, the translator reportedly realised it was a social gathering rather than an official team meeting.

She then returned to her room but was allegedly followed by Mendes, who knocked on her door.

When the translator opened the door, Mendes purportedly forced his way into the room and assaulted her.

He reportedly choked, punched, bit and raped her.

Report

The translator reported the incident to the New Zealand police.

She apparently sought treatment at a clinic for survivors of sexual violence and was given a forensic exam.

According to medical reports, she suffered multiple bruises on her breasts, neck, lips and injuries to her scalp.

An examination of her genitals also revealed "two circular lesions, painful to the touch”.

The translator sent this information to the New Zealand police on Apr. 10.

On May 10, she and her husband also lodged complaints to Fifa and the Cape Verdean Football Federation.

They requested that Mendes be barred from participation in the World Cup, alleging rape and citing evidence.

According to the translator, the Cape Verdean Football Federation apparently said this issue was Mendes’ personal problem.

“The Cape Verde Football Federation does not approve of this type of behaviour anywhere. But it remains Ryan's personal problem," an official reportedly said.

She has not received a response from Fifa.

Fifa

According to The Independent, a Fifa spokesperson confirmed that it is "in contact with the New Zealand authorities", but "cannot comment further at this stage".

“Fifa takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident," the spokesperson said.

This comes after Cape Verde’s notable performances in the World Cup.

The team held Spain to a 0-0 draw in its opening match and became the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup’s knockout stage.

A doctor employed by a subsidiary of Singapore Medical Group (SMG) has been fined S$120,000 for insider trading in the group's shares.

The fine was imposed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a civil penalty, according to a joint statement by MAS and the police on Jun. 30.

Kenneth Chua Han Boon admitted to the offence and paid MAS the civil penalty without court action.

Privatisation deal

At the time of the offence, SMG was listed on the Singapore Exchange, and Chua was a shareholder.

On Sep. 13, 2022, SMG announced that it had received a voluntary conditional general offer from a company to privatise the group.

Chua was one of the few shareholders approached by the offeror before this announcement, and was asked to sign an irrevocable undertaking in favour of the offer.

He was thus informed in advance of this privatisation plan and the intention to expand SMG's operations.

With this information that was not yet publicly available, Chua bought a total of 210,000 SMG shares on Sep. 6 and 7, 2022, at a cumulative cost of S$67,200.

Penalty

MAS and the Commercial Affairs Department of the police launched a joint investigation into the case following a referral from Singapore Exchange Regulation Private Limited.

Apart from paying the civil penalty, Chua also gave a voluntary undertaking not to be a company director or be involved in the management of a company for two years.

Preparatory works for 'Long Island', the country's large-scale coastal protection project, is set to commence from the end of 2026.

The project is a key coastal protection measure aimed at mitigating the risks of rising sea levels and protecting low-lying coastal areas.

Singapore's Housing and Development Board (HDB), the appointed reclamation agent for the project, will implement mitigation measures based on findings from an Environmental Study to minimise the impact of the preparatory works on the environment and community.

The government also remains committed to engaging stakeholders on the planning and design of 'Long Island' before reclamation plans are finalised, said the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).

Works to be carried out in phases

In a joint press release on Jun. 30, HDB and URA said preparatory works are necessary to lay the groundwork for future land reclamation, given the scale of the project.

The works will also support the swift implementation of 'Long Island' to strengthen Singapore's resilience against climate change and meet the country's needs.

The preparatory works will take place in waters off the East Coast, at least 130m away from the shoreline, reported CNA.

It will mainly involve removing seabed obstructions, followed by the construction of temporary sand bunds and sand infilling.

The work areas will be located at least 130m from the shoreline and will be clearly demarcated with silt screens or floating barriers.

There will be two phases of preparatory works.

The first phase, scheduled to begin at the end of this year, will cover waters west of Bedok Jetty across an area of approximately 570 ha.

It will span around 7km in length and up to 1km in width.

The second phase, covering around 155 ha east of Bedok Jetty, will commence only after major sporting events such as the 2029 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games have concluded.

While preparatory works are ongoing, the beaches along East Coast Park will remain open to the public.

Visitors can continue to access the beaches for near-shore swimming, while jogging and cycling paths will remain open.

However, sea users are advised to keep a safe distance from marine vessels and designated work areas, which will be cordoned off for safety.

Safety advisories will be displayed at East Coast Park and on agencies' websites.

Environmental study

A study on the potential impact of preparatory works on the environment and the community was commissioned by HDB and began in February 2025.

Conducted by DHI Water & Environment, the study found that the works are not expected to cause significant changes to water quality, which is projected to continue meeting Singapore's prevailing marine water quality standards, CNA reported.

Nature groups were consulted, with their feedback used to refine the study's scope.

Some of the key findings and mitigation measures include:

• Slight localised changes to currents and waves are expected near Bedok Jetty, but will have minimal impact on existing water-based activities;
• Near-shore activities, including swimming, can continue along the entire stretch of the East Coast;
• Sand infilling may result in intermittent sediment plumes and dust, leading to minor visual and air quality impacts. Silt screens will be deployed to contain sediment, while dust levels will be closely monitored; and
• Some coral and seagrass beds near the work site may experience temporary and localised impacts from increased sediment. However, most coral reefs and seagrass habitats in the surrounding area, including those at Sisters' Islands Marine Park, are expected to remain largely unaffected.

According to CNA, HDB said seagrass habitats are generally resilient to temporary increases in water turbidity and are expected to recover without long-term degradation.

HDB further added that there are no sensitive coral communities or intertidal habitats within the preparatory works footprint, and mobile marine species like fish are expected to move away from active work areas.

Macrobenthic communities, including seabed-dwelling organisms such as worms, marine snails and clams, will be displaced within the sand infilling areas.

However, the affected area is relatively small compared to similar habitats in surrounding waters, and recovery is expected outside the work footprint, said HDB and URA.

The agencies also said turtle nesting activities at East Coast Park may be affected, though the nesting grounds east of Bedok Jetty will remain accessible during the first phase.

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The National Parks Board's (NParks) ongoing turtle egg relocation programme to Sisters' Islands is expected to support hatchling survival over the longer term.

Some sea sports users affected

According to the joint release, some sea sports users will be affected due to a temporary reduction in available sea space along East Coast.

The agencies said kiteboarding will experience the greatest impact, while other water sports are expected to face minor to moderate disruptions.

Speaking to CNA, Sport Singapore (SportSG) said East Coast Park remains an "important recreational space with shared memories".

It added that agencies will continue working closely with affected groups to identify alternative locations for their sport activities, including waters east of Bedok Jetty during the interim period, as well as other sites around Singapore.

In the long term, SportSG said the future reservoir and Long Island coastline could potentially accommodate a range of water sports and recreational activities, though this is subject to ongoing technical studies.

An Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan will also be implemented throughout the preparatory works to monitor water quality, suspended sediment levels, noise and dust.

The full Environmental Study report will be available for public feedback for four weeks from Jun. 30.

Detailed design and plans still being refined

HDB and URA emphasised that the areas designated for the preparatory works do not represent the final land profile of Long Island.

Detailed planning for the project, including its final reclamation profile, will continue to evolve through ongoing technical studies and future public consultations, they said.

The main reclamation works will only begin after the relevant studies have been completed, mitigation measures finalised, and feedback from public engagements incorporated into the plans.

Agencies will also continue to engage Singaporeans and stakeholders on the project's planning and design over the next few decades.

Building on ideas gathered from more than 14,000 participants so far, the next phase of public engagement will begin from the end of 2026.

The discussions will focus on strengthening Singapore's flood resilience, supporting sustainable development, as well as ensuring Long Island remains adaptable to the evolving needs of future generations.

Singaporeans will also be invited to share their views on potential recreational uses for the future coastline and reservoir as part of efforts to "shape a shared vision" for Long Island.

Singapore households can expect a 17 per cent increase in electricity tariff from July to September 2026, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) said in a Jun. 30 statement.

The higher prices are due to increased prices of natural gas amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Town gas tariff will also go up by 7.1 per cent.

This was after natural gas prices have gone up sharply since end-February 2026.

It remained elevated throughout April to June, leading to higher costs of producing electricity and town gas, EMA said.

SP Group statement

Grid operator SP Group also said in a statement on Tuesday that electricity prices for homes will go up to 31.91 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) before goods and services tax (GST) — up by 4.64 cents per kWh — from the previous quarter.

A four-room flat household is likely to pay S$17.14 more for its average monthly electricity bill, before GST.

The overall electricity tariff will rise by 17.5 per cent or 4.66 cents per kWh on average, compared with the previous quarter.

This applies to non-households as well.

City Energy statement

City Energy, a piped town gas provider, said separately the gas tariff for households will increase by 1.56 cents per kWh from the previous quarter, to 23.48 cents per KWh, before GST.

Guidelines

EMA, which is the regulator, provides guidelines.

SP Group and City Energy review the electricity and gas tariffs every quarter based on the guidelines.

Electricity and gas tariffs can fluctuate from quarter to quarter, as they are determined based on gas prices in the first 2.5 months of the preceding quarter.

Changes in fuel prices will only show up in the electricity tariffs in the next quarter.

EMA added that consumers on electricity retail contracts may see higher prices at the point of contract renewal during this elevated fuel prices period.

Fuel prices may fall if the situation improves in the Middle East, EMA noted, which results in lower electricity and town gas tariffs in the fourth quarter of the year.

A landlord made a gruesome discovery while investigating a foul smell on Jun. 28, finding the body of a woman hidden inside a suitcase that was concealed inside a cardboard box beneath a pile of clothes.

The odour was reportedly so overwhelming that some neighbours had to cover the ventilation openings of their windows to block out the smell.

Authorities are currently investigating the case as a murder.

Discovered inside a bloated suitcase

Speaking to China Press, the landlord shared that he visited the third-floor unit after multiple failed attempts to contact his tenants.

He described the house as "very dirty, the floor covered in sewage stains" and having a "foul odour".

"In the corner of the living room, there was a large cardboard box covered with clothes and fabrics. The foul liquid was leaking out from that box."

When he approached the box to inspect it, he discovered a suitcase inside.

Pulling it up, he realised the suitcase was incredibly heavy and bloated, which made it difficult to unzip.

He decided to call the police.

Kajang District Police Chief Naazron Bin Abdul Yusof confirmed that the police received a report at around 8:37pm.

Police personnel, including a forensics team, were dispatched to the scene.

According to the New Straits Times, the corridor leading to the apartment was quiet and dimly lit, with no movement of residents in or out of the area.

Though a CCTV was located at the scene, it is unclear if it was operational.

The tenants

The landlord told China Press that though the body was completely unrecognisable, he believed the female victim's body was a Nepalese 30-year-old woman who had rented the apartment three months ago.

She had apparently lived in the apartment with a man.

When the couple rented the house, they claimed they were married, but due to the language barrier, the landlord was unable to learn more about them.

The landlord described the man as having blonde hair and tattoos.

He added that the couple's rent payments had been highly irregular, with the man frequently requesting extensions before ultimately failing to pay.

The landlord has tried to contact the man since he discovered the body, but the calls have gone unanswered.

Neighbours said they were shocked as there were no fights, thefts, or serious crimes reported in the area before.

One resident told Buletin TV3: "We don't know them. They came and went without mingling with anyone."

Investigated as murder

The case is being investigated under Section 302 of Malaysia's Penal Code for murder.

If convicted, the offence carries the death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and up to 40 years, along with at least 12 strokes of the cane.

A 55-year-old licensed Singaporean real estate agent, who promoted an Australian property investment scheme and caused 347 investors to lose a total of S$16.21 million, was sentenced to three months' jail on Jun. 24.

She pleaded guilty to one charge under the Securities and Futures Act for consenting to her company dealing in securities without a Capital Markets Services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Three days after the sentencing, Wendy Kwek Siang Ling took to Facebook to address the case and ask for forgiveness.

However, the post has since sparked outrage among many of her victims, a significant number of whom are elderly investors.

Apology

In her post, Kwek described the past 11 years as the "most difficult period" of her life, saying the experience had given her time to reflect on her actions.

She apologised and asked for forgiveness, saying she recognised the consequences of her actions.

"Though I have always acted in good faith, hoping I could help my network become more successful financially, some deals just did not turn out well. This experience has reinforced for me the importance of exercising better judgment, understanding legal and regulatory framework before taking action."

Kwek added that she hoped to emerge from the experience as a "wiser and more thoughtful person" and thanked those who had continued to show her kindness and support.

One victim invested about S$180,000 in total

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, one victim, 75-year-old Yang Fushan (transliteration), said he attended one of Kwek's investment courses about a decade ago after seeing an advertisement.

He said he had planned to invest in real estate as part of his retirement strategy, and subsequently invested about S$180,000 in projects in the Philippines, the UK and Australia.

Yang said investors were promised guaranteed rental returns and lease buyback arrangements.

However, construction was later delayed by the developer.

Despite making repeated inquiries, he received no response, leading him to suspect something was wrong.

Project remains unresolved

Another affected victim, surnamed Wu, who invested in a real estate project in the Philippines through Kwek's introduction more than 10 years ago, said that the project's statu remains unresolved.

Wu said he paid S$2,999 to attend one of Kwek's courses before investing another S$13,000 in a student apartment unit in the Philippines.

However, the apartment was never built.

He later learnt that around 91 people, most of them elderly, had invested in the same project.

According to Wu, each investor paid a deposit of at least S$10,000 for one unit, bringing the group's total investment to at least S$910,000.

After learning that Kwek had been jailed, Wu said he and around 10 other victims went to a police station on Jun. 27 in the hope of recovering their money.

Some of the victims flew to the Philippines

According to Wu, after receiving no updates from the Philippine developer for two to three years, about 15 investors travelled to the Philippines to locate him, Shin Min reported.

However, they found the developer's business premises deserted.

Although the developer later promised to refund the money after they managed to contact him, no repayments were made.

Wu added that they were also unable to contact Kwek.

He pointed out that it has been more than 10 years since he invested, but explained that he did not lodge a police report earlier as he had been waiting for the developer to respond.

He said he had almost given up hope before Kwek's sentencing prompted him to believe the case might finally see some progress.

Other victims

Another victim, surnamed Lin, told Shin Min that she was working in the research sector more than 10 years ago when she and several friends enrolled in Kwek's course due to concerns about their retirement income.

She paid a S$17,000 deposit for one apartment unit.

A separate victim said she spent two weekends attending Kwek's classes before purchasing two units, paying deposits totalling more than S$20,000.

However, more than a decade later, the apartments have yet to be built, and the money they invested has not been recovered.

To celebrate her 47th birthday, Singaporean actress Jeanette Aw gave back by holding a fundraiser for the Singapore Children's Society, raising over S$20,000 so far.

The fundraiser included a charity sale of memorabilia from episodes of Aw's YouTube channel, "JA Unscripted".

Along with the charity sale, Aw is also holding an online fundraiser, which runs till the end of July.

Giving back

Announcing the fundraiser, Aw said in a YouTube video that she wanted to use her 47th birthday as an occasion to give back, with the Singapore Children's Society as the beneficiary.

Proceeds from the charity sale and online fundraiser will go towards "supporting Singapore Children's Society and the important work that they do".

Some of the memorabilia showcased include original artworks and a tingkat with a hand-painted floral design.

"If you've been following our episodes on JA Unscripted, you should be able to recognise many of these items and know the moments behind them," Aw said.

Charity sale

Aw shared that since she announced the fundraiser, donations have been pouring in steadily.

Commenting on the setting and scale of the fundraiser, Aw told Shin Min Daily News, "We don't need a lot of people, but people who are willing to participate and donate in the sale."

The charity sale was held in a cosy setting at 50 Niven Road on Jun. 28, between 10am and 2pm.

Fellow actress and fans shows support

Fellow actress Seow Sin Nee, who shared the screen with Aw in local drama "Highway to Somewhere", was spotted at the charity sale, Shin Min reported.

She took home a purse for S$300.

Seow also gave Aw a bottle of Japanese sake as a birthday gift.

Seow told Shin Min that she decided to come show her support after learning that Aw was holding a charity sale.

"I scrolled through Instagram and saw the mustard-yellow purse. I'm glad to be able to contribute to the cause while also taking home something I liked," Seow commented.

The highest-priced item during the sale was a S$3,000 luxury bag, which was bought by a fan as a gift for his wife.

Apart from that, the fan, Ma Jia Wei (transliteration), also took home Aw's Japan-exclusive picture book, "Sol's World: Somebody to Love".

Ma told Shin Min, "I had bought Aw's first book. I came early today as I was worried that I'll miss out on her second book."

Ma shared that he has been a fan of Aw's for years, and that his favourite work of hers was "Little Nyonya".

"I really like her personality, and how kind she is. Through her, I learned about perseverance," Ma commented.

Online fundraiser goes on until end of July

As of Jun. 30, Aw's online fundraiser on Giving.sg has raised over S$8,000, surpassing the stated goal of S$6,288.

The proceeds from the charity sale and the online fundraiser have totalled about S$20,000 so far.

On the funds raised, Aw expressed her elation, saying, "Pleased! This has already far surpassed our original goal of S$6,288."

"Many of those who came to support not only gave based on the price of the items, they also donated extra. One of them donated S$628, which is the date of my birthday. That warmed my heart," Aw commented, according to Shin Min.

She also said, "I'm very grateful to everyone for supporting me in such a manner. More importantly, their donations will go to helping Singapore Children's Society. I think this is very meaningful."

Aw's online fundraiser will run from until the end of July.

A 51-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to 24 days’ jail for toppling and damaging a National Parks Board (NParks) crow trap, resulting in four birds escaping.

He apparently felt lonely and empathised with the trapped animals.

Mohd Yusrin Bin Mohd Yusof pleaded guilty to one charge of mischief, disrupting the performance of the duty and function of a public agency on Jun. 29, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

Four other charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Damage

Court proceedings revealed that NParks had engaged a wildlife pest control contractor to place a bird trap on a grass patch near Block 51 Havelock Road between Mar. 1 and 7 to trap crows.

This was part of NParks' efforts to manage the population of bird species such as crows.

In charge sheets seen by Mothership, on Mar. 2 at about 12:38am, Yusrin used a rock to break the number lock securing the bird trap, resulting in the escape of three birds.

He was on bail at the time of the offence.

On the same morning, the pest control contractor sent personnel to inspect the trap and replace the broken lock.

However, at about 10:59pm, Yusrin returned to the bird trap and toppled it with his hands, causing a bird to escape.

He also caused approximately S$4,000 in damages, which included the cost of the cage’s repair and S$100 reward bounty for each bird.

Empathised

The prosecution argued that Yusrin’s actions obstructed the duties of government agencies and could potentially have serious consequences, requesting a custodial sentence.

Yusrin also admitted he damaged the bird cage as he wanted to release the trapped birds, claiming they were pitiful.

In mitigation, he claimed he could empathise with the trapped birds, citing that he had no friends and apparently felt lonely.

In sentencing, the judge noted the offence’s severity.

He also acknowledged Yusrin’s rationale for damaging the bird traps.

"As a community, we need to exercise control over certain things. You cannot let compassion override reason and disregard what you can or cannot do," the judge reportedly said.