The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has launched a public consultation exercise on the proposed merging of Categories A and B of the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) into a single passenger car category.

Category A COE is currently for mass-market cars while Category B is for higher-end cars.

The two categories are distinguished based on engine capacity and power.

LTA is also proposing the introduction of a "fee-and-rebate" ("feebate") mechanism on top of the merged category to continue ensuring a premium difference between the two car markets.

The idea was mooted by Edward Chia, deputy chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee for transport and Member of Parliament for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, during a focus group discussion in July 2026.

Proposed 'feebate' mechanism

Merging Categories A and B would mean buyers of mass-market and higher-end cars would be able to bid from a combined pool of COEs.

Besides this merger, LTA is also proposing the introduction of a new "feebate" mechanism to ensure that higher-end car buyers continue to pay more than mass-market car buyers.

How this works is that on top of the COE premium, car buyers will face one of three scenarios:

• Receive a rebate
• Pay a surcharge
• See no adjustment

To determine which will apply to a car buyer, LTA will gather a list of all median Open Market Value (OMV) for cars on the market.

The median OMVs will then be arranged in a distribution before bands are determined based on percentiles.

Whether a car buyer pays a fee or receives a rebate will depend on the band in which the car model they are purchasing falls.

For example, if the median OMV of a mass-market vehicle like the Toyota Sienta, Volvo EX 30 or a Honda Freed falls within the zero to 35th percentile of all median OMVs, buyers of such a car will receive a certain amount of rebate on their COE premium.

For a higher-end car like a Tesla Model 3, BYD Sealion 7 Performance or Mercedes Benz A180, whose median OMV might fall above the 50th percentile of all median OMVs, it might mean that consumers purchasing such a car would have to pay a surcharge on top of their COE premium.

The OMV of a car is currently used to calculate the Additional Registration Fee.

Feedback on feebate mechanism and others

LTA has yet to determine whether this should be a three-band or five-band structure, and is looking to gather feedback via the public consultation exercise.

Apart from the band structure, LTA is also looking for feedback on:

• Whether such a single passenger car category with a feebate system should be introduced.
• Whether median OMV is an appropriate basis for determining the feebate bands.
• Whether the feebate should apply to COE renewals.
• How Category E should be adjusted if Categories A and B are merged.

In its consultation paper, LTA explained that its review is guided by three principles:

• The COE framework being the most efficient method to allocate car ownership.
• The framework should ensure buyers of higher-value cars pay more for a COE than those of lower-value cars.
• The framework should be open and transparent.

Technological advances dulled effectiveness of Category A and B

Explaining the rationale for such a proposal, LTA said that the use of engine capacity and power as the criteria to distinguish between the groups have become less effective.

This is in part due to advances in technology, particularly the advent of electric vehicles.

Such technological advancements have enabled manufacturers to adjust vehicle specifications to fit within the Category A threshold.

As a result, more car buyers are competing for Category A COEs, which has resulted in a narrowing of the price gap between Categories A and B.

According to LTA, between February and June 2026, Category A COE prices have exceeded Category B prices on three occasions.

During the latest COE bidding exercise on Oct. 7, 2026, CNA reported that the prices for both Category A and B were almost the same, with Category A closing at S$130,001 and Category B closing at S$130,100.

Current framework

Under the current COE framework, cars with engine capacity and power of less than or equal to 1,600cc and 130bhp, or 110kW, fall under Category A.

Cars with engine capacity and power of more than 1,600cc and 130bhp, or 110kW, fall under Category B.

The public consultation on the proposed merger and "feebate" mechanism will run from Oct. 8, 5pm, to Nov. 2, 11:59pm.

The review is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, and LTA said it will share the findings and recommendations by the first-half of 2027.

Details on the proposed framework can be found here, while feedback can be submitted here.

Other suggestions considered

LTA said it has to date engaged more than 200 members of the public, academics and representatives from the automotive industry, including through focus group discussions in April and May 2026.

According to LTA, these participants generally agreed that engine capacity and power have become less effective in distinguishing between the two categories of cars.

LTA also heard other suggestions regarding the COE framework, such as allocating COEs based on family needs, applying a surcharge on multiple car ownership and a separate category for private hire cars.

However, in its press release, LTA explained why they might not be feasible.

More COEs for families with young children?

For example, many participants suggested that families with young children, particularly larger families, should receive greater support with car ownership, to assist with managing school runs and other responsibilities.

While LTA recognises that families have different transport needs at different stages of life, this means a choice must be made about whose needs should receive greater priority. Allocating more COEs for one group would take away COEs for others, such as multi-generational households who have their own transport needs.

Furthermore, household circumstances also change over time, making it difficult to administer such a system fairly over the lifespan of a COE.

Instead, LTA is looking at other ways to support the needs of families. It is currently working out the details of a transport grant to help offset the transport costs of large families with three or more Singapore Citizen children, whether by taxi or public transport.

LTA will announce more details on this grant when ready.

A 47-year-old American man was arrested for stealing about S$1,409 worth of perfume from retail shops in the transit area of Changi Airport.

The items were stolen in November 2025 and April 2026, the police said in a press release on Oct. 7.

The man was finally arrested on Sep. 25, 2026, during a planned operation when he transited through Changi Airport.

Stole perfumes

The police were alerted to a case of shop theft after a retail assistant noticed that a box of perfume was missing from a display shelf on Nov. 5, 2025.

The police said CCTV footage revealed that the man had taken a box of perfume valued at S$331 and left without making payment the previous day at about 7:40pm.

Further investigations revealed that he had stolen three more boxes of perfume with a total value of S$646 later that day.

They were stolen from two retail outlets in the transit area of Terminal 2.

Officers from the Airport Police Division were able to identify the man although he had already departed Singapore.

The man returned to Changi Airport for a connecting flight on Apr. 24, 2026 at about 7am.

Preliminary investigations revealed that he stole a box of perfume valued at S$236.90 from a retail outlet at about 7:15am.

He proceeded to steal another box of perfume valued at S$195.40 from a second outlet at about 7:20am.

He left without paying at both outlets and departed Singapore.

Arrested

The man was arrested by officers from the Airport Police Division on Sep. 25, 2026 during a planned operation when he transited through Changi Airport.

He was slated to be charged on Oct. 8 2026 with five counts of theft in dwelling.

The offence of theft in dwelling carries a jail term of up to seven years, or a fine, or both.

The police reminded the public that offenders should not assume that leaving the country after committing an offence will allow them to evade the law.

They said they will continue to work closely with airport stakeholders to prevent, detect and deter shop theft at Changi Airport.

A full-time national serviceman (NSF) was found unconscious at the foot of a building at Basic Military Training School 3 at about 1:22pm on Oct. 8, 2026, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Oct. 8 in a statement on social media.

The serviceman was immediately conveyed to Pulau Tekong Medical Centre for emergency treatment, and subsequently evacuated via helicopter to Singapore General Hospital.

He arrived at Singapore General Hospital at 2:05pm and was pronounced dead at 2:27pm.

The serviceman was not involved in training at the time of the incident.

Investigations are ongoing.

The statement added: "The Ministry of Defence and the Singapore Armed Forces extend their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. The SAF is assisting the family in their time of grief."

In response to Mothership's queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at about 2:40pm on Thursday.

They were alerted to a case of fall from height at Pulau Tekong.

A 20-year-old man was found lying motionless at the foot of the building and was conveyed unconscious to the hospital where he subsequently passed away.

Police investigations are ongoing.

A total of three siblings died after their motorcycle collided with a lorry in hazy conditions on the morning of Oct. 8, 2026, in Johor, Malaysia.

Sin Chew Daily reported that the eldest, an 18-year-old man, was driving his 11-year-old brother and eight-year-old sister to a local elementary school when the accident occurred.

He was supposedly unaware that schools in Johor were closed due to the haze.

All died

Following the collision, two siblings reportedly fell in front of the motorcycle, with another sibling flung onto a grassy slope nearby.

Among the three, two died on the spot, while another was taken to the hospital but subsequently pronounced dead, China Press reported.

Johor schools temporarily closed

An earlier report mentioned that all schools in Johor would be closed for two days starting Oct. 8 to safeguard students' health amid worsening haze conditions and deteriorating air quality across the state.

According to the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), all eight areas in Johor recorded unhealthy readings as of 11am on Oct. 8, ranging from 162 to 188.

Johor Education and Information Committee chairman Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali said the decision was made following a directive from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, reported The Star.

"While this decision may req­uire some adjustment from everyone, under the current circumstances, the safety and health of children must be our shared priority," he said.

The district police chief is also expected to issue a statement regarding the Oct. 8 accident.

Singapore is going to impose more severe punishments for those who engage in illegal ride hitching.

Drivers who provide illegal point-to-point transportation using unlicensed vehicles can face higher fines of up to S$10,000.

The current fine is S$3,000.

Publishing, forwarding or sharing advertisements for illegal point-to-point services, including on messaging platforms such as Telegram, will be made illegal with the legislative changes.

Illegal carpooling services are offered on the Telegram messenger app.

They are known locally as Telehitch groups, where drivers and riders can match with one another and negotiate prices.

Going beyond prosecuting drivers

Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng said in Parliament on Oct. 7 that laws could target commuters next: “We have not introduced specific penalties against commuters for the use of illegal P2P (point-to-point) services for now. But we may do so in future.”

His remarks were made during the second reading of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill, which was passed at the end of the sitting.

Baey also said illegal point-to-point services affect licensed drivers' livelihoods and put passengers at risk.

Clampdown on advertising illegal services

The new law will also compel advertisers to remove advertisements for illegal point-to-point services.

Online platforms will also be required to reveal the identity of those behind the advertisements.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will have the power to issue directions to take down such advertisements, and require platforms to provide information on the advertisers.

Non-compliance with any LTA direction will be an offence.

Impounded vehicles to be held longer

LTA has impounded about 240 vehicles used to provide illegal P2P services since July 2025.

Currently, LTA's investigations take around three to four months, but a seized unlicensed vehicle must be released within one month in the absence of prosecution, Baey said.

The government will lengthen the mandatory release timeline to three months, to give LTA sufficient time to investigate and build a complete case, it was added.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Air India will soon be offering more flight options between their home countries as they further their partnership.

From Oct. 15, there will be a total of 126 weekly flights between Singapore and eight Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

This is among the first round of initiatives under a commercial cooperation framework agreement that both airlines signed in January 2026, they said in a joint media release on Oct. 7.

"Demand for travel between Singapore and India remains strong, and this partnership will give customers greater choice and convenience," said SIA's Chief Commercial Officer Lee Lik Hsin.

SIA has owned a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India since November 2024.

More flexible booking

Travellers will also have greater flexibility to book eligible flights between Singapore and India operated by either airline alone through the other carrier's website, mobile application, and appointed travel agencies.

Currently, they can only book an eligible Air India-operated codeshare flight through SIA if it also includes an SIA-operated flight, and vice versa.

The change, which also kicks in from Oct. 15, will give travellers access to additional flight options and a more seamless booking experience.

SIA and Air India codeshare flights to 77 destinations across 27 countries and territories around the world.

Reciprocal membership benefits

SIA and Air India will also continue to enhance reciprocal benefits on eligible routes for their members at KrisFlyer and Maharaja Club.

From the second quarter of 2027, Maharaja Club Platinum and KrisFlyer PPS Club members will enjoy priority check-in and boarding privileges, alongside other top-tier members of the respective airlines.

Maharaja Club Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will also receive additional baggage allowances and priority boarding benefits.

These new benefits come on top of the adjustments both airlines previously made in April 2026 for reciprocal mileage accrual, by expanding the eligible booking classes and revising the earn rates across all cabin classes.

More changes can be expected in the future.

The two carriers are working on improving schedule connectivity to reduce layovers and waiting times, enhancing offerings for corporate customers, and additional measures to streamline the travel experience.

Another six properties in Singapore, linked to the S$3 billion money laundering case, have gone up for auction.

According to The Straits Times (ST), the luxury apartments consist of five units at Nouvel 18 near Orchard Road, and a four-bedroom apartment in Leonie Hill Road.

They will be auctioned on Oct. 28, 2:30pm, at the office of SRI Auctions, one of the three brokerages appointed to auction off the properties.

This follows a previous round of seven other properties auctioned off by Knight Frank.

None of the seven properties was able to meet the minimum price set by the auctioneer, and were ultimately unsold.

In total, 32 properties linked to the money laundering case have been put up for sale since September, with more than 80 in total slated for auction.

On the auction block

The five apartments in Nouvel 18 range from 1,335 square feet (sq ft) to 6,125 sq ft.

Prices start from S$2,939 per sq ft (psf) to S$3,558 psf, reported ST.

These apartments comprise various layouts, from a two-bedder plus study, to a three-bedder, three-bedder plus study, and four-bedder unit.

The smallest apartment at 1,335 sq ft is a two-bedder plus study on the ninth floor, according to the SRI Auction website.

It starts with a guide price of S$4.48 million.

The largest 6,125 sq ft unit is a four-bedder on the 36th floor, the top floor of Nouvel 18.

Pictures show the apartment clad in marble flooring and detailing.

The guide price for the unit is S$18 million.

As for the lone unit at New Futura, the 2,691 sq ft four-bedder starts at a guide price of S$9.8 million, or S$3,642 psf.

All six apartments are freehold.

Tough sell

So far, demand for the auctioned apartments has been lukewarm.

ST reported that of the 26 other properties auctioned before this round, only four apartments in Wallich Residence and Martin Modern, comprising S$16.28 million in value, were sold.

Managing partner of SRI Auction, Mok Sze Sze, told ST that the remaining units at Wallich Residence and Martin Modern are still "attracting a healthy level of interest".

SRI is awaiting directions from the authorities as to whether the properties will be put up for auction again.

In addition to the 32 properties auctioned, three bungalows with private yacht berths and a seaview leasehold plot in Sentosa Cove were recently put up for an expression of interest (EOI) sale.

This was done by luxury realtor List Sotheby’s International Realty (ListSIR).

The EOI sale means that potential buyers can only submit non-binding offers to indicate their interest.

On the other hand, luxury goods related to the money laundering case saw fierce demand and bidding, with all 337 lots sold.

Items included a Yayoi Kusama-Louis Vuitton bag that went for S$87,000, several Chanel bags, and Chrome Hearts jewelllery.

Related articles

A woman was spotted with a substantial amount of beverage containers at a BCRS machine, eliciting various reactions online.

She was recorded in a video posted on Instagram by account sgfollowsall on Oct. 8.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SgfollowsAll (@sgfollowsall)

Three huge bags that reached her chin

In the video, she can be seen with five large garbage bags filled to the brim, presumably with beverage containers.

Three bags were stacked to a height that reached her chin.

BCRS, or the Beverage Container Return Scheme, involves consumers returning drink containers to machines in order to receive a S$0.10 refund for each container.

Don't be kaypoh

Her actions quickly drew reactions from commenters.

A number of them quipped that the woman might have been doing so out of necessity.

"This is what people do to survive," the top comment read.

One chided the poster for uploading the video, questioning why they recorded someone who might be in need.

The commenter called them "kaypoh", or nosy, and remarked that the poster might have been looking for quick attention and fame on social media.

Other users pointed to the fact that the woman appeared to be wearing a t-shirt printed with the word "Balenciaga", which is a luxury fashion brand.

One commenter wrote: "How many bottles to change 1 balenciaga?"

Shock and awe

Some other comments expressed disbelief at the number of drink containers she brought.

One questioned how she was able to obtain this many containers, calling it "crazy work".

Another wondered how long she would take to finish processing all the containers.

In response, other users shared their experiences with the machine and its relatively slow speed, with one commenter saying that they once witnessed a man taking "10-12 minutes" to process 24 cans and bottles.

According to The Straits Times, each BCRS machine can hold either 1,000 or 2,000 containers depending on its size.

Her actions came in the wake of other incidents involving members of the public returning containers to BCRS machines.

Past reports include a man who spent two to three hours each day collecting bottles and cans to offset living expenses.

After a man and a child was seen presumably rummaging through a trash bin to look for containers, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that such actions were against the law.

Eleanor Lee feels like time has eluded her.

The daughter of Mediacorp host Quan Yifeng, Lee will turn 27 on Oct. 12.

Landing her first role at 15 in an Apple advertisement directed by Ann Hui, this marks her 12th year in the entertainment industry.

In an interview with Singapore Chinese-language media Lianhe Zaobao (Zaobao), Lee revealed that she occasionally feels like she is still 18 years old.

From her first role, she quickly took on other film and television roles in China, working from the get-go with veterans such as Leon Lai and Zhang Fengyi within the first two years.

She continued to star in several leading roles, such as in the web series "Problematic Restaurant" and "My Poseidon", and the web film "The Enchanting Phantom". 

Not a nepo baby

Lee told Zaobao that her mother Quan was relatively hands-off when it came to her.

While some may assume that being the daughter of a media personality might entail certain shortcuts, she said, her mother never "interfered" with her problems.

In fact, Lee claims, Quan never taught her anything about being on set or introduced her to directors.

This was so that she would learn how to deal with life independently.

She recalled how when she first moved to China, her mother only gave her a RMB100 (S$19) note.

Lee joked, "My mom is so bad at maths – I was going to stay there for one or two months, how could RMB100 be enough for food?"

Thankfully, though, her agent took her in and provided her with three meals a day.

Shedding the 'cute' label

Lee told Zaobao that during the initial phases of her career, she was seen as "cute" and repeatedly typecasted in "sweet" and "lively" roles.

Though she wished to push herself by taking on an "independent woman" role, and even auditioned for the role of a villain, she was rejected as her appearance was deemed a poor match.

It was only in 2024 when she was put on the set of "Within the Grip" that she was finally cast in a more mature role.

However, that came with its own challenges, as she was so accustomed to playing "innocent" characters by then.

She said that she sometimes found herself acting "too lively" on set, and had to constantly think about how to "remain composed".

The anti-China fiasco

In recent memory, however, Lee found herself attracting unwanted media attention.

While she was filming the drama "The Journey of Legend", an audio clip surfaced on Chinese social media of a woman saying "most Chinese nationals are idiots".

Netizens pinned it on Lee, and a deluge of backlash followed. Some asked her to "get out" of China.

The backlash was so intense that the team working on "The Journey of Legend" even considered using AI face-swapping technology to remove her likeness from the show.

Ultimately, however, the clip was found to have been fabricated by Lee's former assistant, who she sued for defamation.

Lee told Zaobao that it was the "lowest point" in her career.

What bothered her was the sense of guilt, she said.

Despite not being at fault, she felt sorry to her fans, supporters, and company who supported her, especially given that she did not land many roles during that period.

She felt like she had "disappointed" her mother and told her not to accompany her in Beijing in order not to worry her.

Till now, netizens occasionally leave negative comments on her social media posts, some of which are directed at Quan.

"I still want to protect my mother and I hope I can bring her honor."

She further that the incident gave her courage and allowed her to mature.

Lee ended the interview by admitting that she has "slowed down" for a while, and wishes to pick up more roles soon.

She is also cultivating her singing career, having released more than 20 singles and film and television theme songs.

An 11-year-old girl was sent to the hospital after apparently being hit by a car at a carpark in Yishun on Oct. 7, 2026, with the driver assisting with investigations.

The incident was posted to Instagram by @sgfollowsall, which shared information from a follower that the girl was left immobile due to the "intense pain".

An ambulance was also called to the scene afterwards, the post added.

Accident scene

Based on the video, a number of passers-by were gathered in a carpark, overlooking a young individual lying on the ground.

Uniformed personnel could be seen attending to the girl while someone held an umbrella over her.

An ambulance, along with two other vehicles, were stationary at the scene.

Responding to Mothership's queries, the police said they were alerted at about 1:15pm on Oct. 7 to an accident involving a car and a pedestrian along Block 813A Yishun Ring Road.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted at the same time that day to a road traffic accident at the carpark of Block 813 Yishun Ring Road.

SCDF conveyed an 11-year-old pedestrian conscious to KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

A 62-year-old male car driver is assisting with investigations and police investigations are ongoing.