A Singaporean man who lost S$500,000 on a single basketball bet has shared how gambling nearly destroyed every aspect of his life, from his relationship to his freedom, before he finally sought help.

The man, along with another former addict, shared their stories with Lianhe Zaobao as part of a feature on recovering from gambling addiction.

Started during NS, spiralled later on

The man, who declined to be named, told Zaobao he first got into football betting during his national service.

Early wins kept him hooked. His gambling then expanded to betting websites and casinos.

He told Zaobao:

"All I could think about was placing the next bet, enjoying the thrill of winning, and trying to win back what I had lost."

Owed money to many people

To fund his habit, he borrowed from everyone around him, including friends and family.

He stole money from his family, eventually getting kicked out of the house. His girlfriend eventually broke up with him.

By 2020, he had accumulated over S$1 million in debt.

At his lowest point, he turned to Blessed Grace Social Services for help, per Zaobao.

The S$500,000 basketball bet

The first eight months of counselling went well. But, he soon relapsed.

This time, he struck it big, winning nearly S$600,000 through free credits on a gambling website. Instead of stopping, he used S$100,000 to purchase insurance and bet the remaining S$500,000 on a single basketball game.

He recalled that the team he had bet on led for most of the game, only to be overtaken in the final 30 seconds, wiping out his S$500,000 in an instant.

He admitted to falling back into the cycle of losing, borrowing, and gambling again.

Second session

Despite knowing his past, his current girlfriend gave their relationship a chance.

In 2025, he crossed a line when he borrowed money from her family under the pretence of a marriage proposal.

She brought him back to Blessed Grace Social Services in July 2025 for a second round of counselling. His debts have since been cleared.

He said:

"Gambling turned my life upside down and hurt the people closest to me. I deeply regret it."

Hotpot restaurant COCA will be closing its Takashimaya outlet soon, with its last day of operations on Jun. 14.

The restaurant has been there for three decades.

Diners can quote “Taka Farewell” to enjoy the promotion.

COCA's remaining outlet is located at Suntec City.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has conducted checks in the past week after the new personal mobility aid (PMA) regulations kicked in on Jun. 1, 2026.

A Jun. 9 Facebook post by LTA said its active mobility enforcement officers have engaged 25 PMA users to remind them of the approved usage and devices.

The enforcement officers were seen speaking to PMA users in Yishun.

Errant retailer caught

An errant personal mobility device (PMD) retailer was caught after three offences were spotted and three devices were impounded.

Non-compliant devices impounded in May 2026

Earlier in May 2026, LTA spotted 236 offences and impounded 77 non-compliant active mobility devices.

LTA said members of the public are reminded that keeping non-UL2272-certified PMDs is an offence.

First-time offenders may be liable to a three-month jail term, a fine of up to S$2,000, or both.

The public can also find out more on active mobility rules at go.gov.sg/amrules.

PAS has ended its six-year partnership with Bersatu over which parties should be allowed to join Perikatan Nasional (PN) and over “broken promises”.

Special meeting

The decision was announced on the evening of Jun. 9 by PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang after a special meeting of the PAS central working committee.

He was quoted by The Star as saying that PAS had decided to “terminate all political cooperation with Bersatu, and to review the position and future direction of PAS-Bersatu relations”.

Relations between the two parties have been poor since Bersatu led a political manoeuvre to oust PAS from the Menteri Besar (Chief minister) position in the northern state of Perlis in late 2025.

Criticism of this move eventually led to Bersatu President and former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigning as chairman of the PN coalition.

Muhyiddin was replaced as PN chairman by PAS Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the PAS MB of Terengganu.

Despite this, issues between the two parties were not fully resolved, with Abdul Hadi announcing that PAS will “review its cooperation with Bersatu” in May and now deciding to dissolve the partnership.

Unilateral actions

The New Straits Times (NST) quoted PAS Secretary-General Takiyuddin Hassan as saying that the root of the problems between the two parties was due to “the unilateral actions of certain Bersatu leaders.”

Denying it was the responsibility of Abdul Hadi and PAS leaders, Takiyuddin said that PAS had chosen to “remain silent to safeguard PN’s unity” in the face of “outright insults” by some in Bersatu, including being portrayed as “incompetent”.

The main splitting point appears to be around whether Bersatu has been blocking other political parties from joining the PN coalition.

PAS Information Chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said that his party’s priority “had always been Muslim unity”, as reported by NST, and he described the split with Bersatu as a necessary "bitter pill" for PAS' Muslim unity agenda.

Ahmad Fadhli said that Bersatu’s previous rejection of proposals to include other parties, such as Pejuang, led by the son of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Pejuang Chairman Mukhriz Mahathir, had made further cooperation difficult.

Despite the ending of the partnership with Bersatu, PAS remains a member of the PN coalition “for now”, Ahmad Fadhli said.

When asked about the status of the coalition on Jun. 8, Ahmad Fadhli said that “as of tonight” PAS remains in PN.

Six years of partnership

PN was formed in 2020, in the aftermath of the “Sheraton move”, which saw the Pakatan Harapan government led by Mahathir ousted in favour of a new government led by the defecting Bersatu MPs.

Those Bersatu MPs then formed an alliance with PAS, and together with the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional, would govern for a year before being ousted by a governing partner in the form of UMNO, although both PAS and Bersatu would remain in government until the 2022 general election.

PN consists of four parties, PAS by far being the largest with 43 seats in Malaysia’s parliament, Bersatu with 19, having lost six to defection and six to expulsion, and GERAKAN and the MIPP holding no seats.

Tensions between the current government’s various factions have led to speculation that a fresh general election might be called sooner rather than later.

The PAS-Bersatu split adds more intrigue to an already fragmented political situation in Malaysia.

Former Miss Hong Kong, Natalie Ng, has died of breast cancer at age 51.

She revealed that she had a recurrence of breast cancer in 2024. This progressed to stage 4 cancer in 2025, as the cancer spread to her bones and liver.

Ng had also shared in her autobiography that she had divorced her husband.

Despite battling cancer, Ng was praised for always keeping a positive mindset.

Her family shared the news of her passing on social media, saying that in her final days, she was surrounded by family and friends.

Her two daughters also said their goodbyes to Ng.

They will be taken care of by her their father.

She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jun. 9.

A 31-year-old Myanmar national was sentenced to seven years and three months’ jail after falsely claiming to be single and cheating three women out of more than S$1.67 million.

The accused, Myo Kyaw, pleaded guilty to seven out of 21 charges involving cheating and forgery, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

The remaining charges were taken into consideration during sentencing on Jun. 5.

The court imposed a gag order to protect the victim’s identities.

Married

Kyaw was married to a Singaporean woman in May 2022.

The couple had two children and lived in a condominium unit.

He previously worked in Singapore as a financial adviser under an S Pass and subsequently became a self-employed trader after the pass expired.

Between 2021 and 2024, Kyaw had romantic relationships with two Malaysian women aged 44 and 45, and a female Chinese national, 35.

First victim

In September 2021, Kyaw met the 44-year-old through a dating app.

He falsely claimed he was single before starting a relationship with her.

During their relationship, Kyaw frequently asked the woman for money.

He claimed that his father had died and that he was involved in inheritance disputes with his siblings, which required legal fees.

However, his father passed away when Kyaw was nine.

Kyaw also cited that he needed money to pay taxes, stamp duties, court fees, fines and medical expenses for his grandfather.

Some of the money was later used for investments.

The woman initially lent him her savings.

She eventually borrowed money and sought financial help from family members.

She lost about S$543,724.

When the woman questioned Kyaw, he falsely claimed that he was entitled to A$150,000 (S$136,610) from his late father’s inheritance and promised to transfer A$50,000 (S$45,382) to her.

Kyaw even forged bank transfers to back his claims.

The woman became suspicious and filed a police report in December 2022.

He later contacted her and insisted that he did not lie.

She believed Kyaw and continued being in a relationship with him until August 2023.

Second victim

In June 2023, Kyaw was involved in a relationship with the 45-year-old, whom he had also met through a dating app.

He claimed that he held an Australia passport and described himself as a co-founder of a trading platform.

Kyaw also said he drove a Bentley.

In July 2023, the woman became pregnant with his child.

Kyaw even spoke of their future marriage and life together as a family.

He then asked her for money, citing urgent debts and investment opportunities with promising returns of about 15 to 20 per cent.

Kyaw also claimed he had US$5 million (S$6.4 million) in an investment account that required additional funds to preserve.

In less than a month, he cheated her of at least S$360,591.

When she questioned him on his constant need for money, he would claim that he was struggling after his father’s death.

He even assured her that all loans would be repaid once he could access his investments.

The woman depleted most of her savings and maxed out her credit card limits.

In August 2023, the woman found it difficult to contact Kyaw and went to the address he claimed to live at, only to discover that he did not live there.

She also later learned from a car dealership that the Bentley he claimed to drive was registered to his wife.

That was when she discovered Kyaw already had a wife and children.

Third victim

After being charged in connection with the first two cases, Kyaw continued to commit cheating offences while out on bail.

Between November 2023 and September 2024, he was involved in a relationship with the 35-year-old.

Kyaw deceived her into making investments and requested her credit card details, which he used to make payments.

When she became suspicious, he forged letters from the Immigration Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to cover up his actions.

The woman lost about S$769,189.

Emotional trauma

The prosecution said Kyaw targeted female victims in their 40s and 50s, specifically those who were working professionals whose families were overseas and sought stability.

The prosecution alleged he exploited the women’s trust by engaging in relationships and fabricating a series of lies, defrauding them of over S$1.67 million in a span of over two-and-a-half years.

The 45-year-old Malaysian woman apparently felt deeply betrayed after learning she had been deceived.

She purportedly suffered immense stress and miscarried several weeks later.

She also experienced suicidal thoughts.

The 35-year-old Chinese national reportedly felt intense shame, regret and anger.

She apparently suffered from anxiety and insomnia due to concerns about her debts and future.

This impacted her interpersonal relationships and work performance.

Citing these outcomes, the prosecution sought a jail term of between seven and eight years.

To support her mother and four younger siblings while her father is imprisoned, a 15-year-old girl in Kelantan, Malaysia, washes cars for RM80 (S$25.30) a week.

According to a Facebook post by Malaysian social activist Abbe Hae on Jun. 7, the Form 3 student from Pasir Mas washes cars to buy rice and food for her family.

Abbe said the girl and her siblings have not been attending school due to financial difficulties, and that their school is located far from where they live.

The girl's mother was also forced to leave their rented home after multiple months of unpaid rent, with the landlord renting the house out to another tenant.

Father in jail

According to Abbe, the girl's father is serving a prison sentence for offences unrelated to drugs.

Despite facing financial constraints as he bears the monthly expenses of many underprivileged families, Abbe said he sympathised with the family's plight and helped them look for a new home closer to a school.

He said: "I believe that helping those who are in need will never make me poor".

That same evening, Abbe and his team found a new rental for the family and planned to move the family into the new house on Jun. 8, allowing the children to go back to school.

Police have arrested the 37-year-old mother of the two children who fell from the twelfth floor of an apartment building in Johor, The Star reported.

The woman is a foreigner.

One of the children, an eight-year-old girl died at the scene.

The other, a 10-year-old boy, was critically injured and admitted to a hospital's intensive care unit.

Investigations underway

The police received a call about the incident at around 8:27am on Jun. 7.

In a statement to the press, Johor police chief Ab Rahaman said police arrested the mother at noon on the same day.

The suspect has no criminal record, and tested negative on a drug test, according to The Star.

The police have obtained a four-day remand order until Jun. 11 for investigations under the Child Act 2001 for child abuse, neglect, abandonment or exposure.

Rahaman said that several witnesses were also called to record their statements.

"The real cause and motive of the incident are still under investigation," he said, according to Bernama.

Rahaman asked the public to not make any speculations that would disrupt the investigation.

He also urged anyone with information to contact the police.

What happened

Around 8am on Jun. 7, the two children fell from the 12th floor and landed on the seventh floor, Sinchew cited a resident saying.

The brother and sister landed near the swimming pool area, and a resident who was there at the time heard a loud impact, The New Straits Times reported.

Moments after the girl was found lying motionless, another loud sound was reportedly heard, and the boy was found injured at the scene.

Pioneer Generation (PG) seniors will get MediSave top-ups of S$300 to S$1,200 in mid-July 2026.

More than S$145 million will be disbursed.

Since the launch of the PG Package in 2014, more than 450,000 seniors have benefitted from these top-ups.

Pay for premiums

MediSave can be used to pay the premiums for MediShield Life, CareShield Life, ElderShield and other MediSave-approved insurance plans, as well as medical expenses such as hospitalisation, day surgeries, and selected outpatient treatments.

The annual PG MediSave top-ups are provided in addition to the annual GST Voucher – MediSave top-ups for eligible Singaporeans aged 65 and above.

Top-up amounts

Born before or in 1934 (92 and above): S$1,200

Born in 1935 – 1939 (87–91): S$700

Born in 1940 – 1944 (82–86): S$500

Born in 1945 – 1949 (77–81): S$300

Those born earlier receive larger MediSave top-up amounts as they typically have lesser savings than those who are younger, and may need more help with their annual MediShield Life premiums.

The top-up is automatically credited to the CPF MediSave Accounts.

No further action is required by those who are eligible.

These annual MediSave top-ups will continue to keep MediShield Life premiums affordable.

Those born before or in 1934 will continue to see their MediShield Life premiums fully covered.

Those born between 1935 and 1949 will have about two-thirds of their MediShield Life premiums covered.

Info on top-ups

Those eligible who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before Jun. 1 will receive an SMS by Jun. 15, notifying them of the amount of top-up they will get.

The rest will receive the notification letters by end-June 2026.

More information can be found online.

A 26-year-old Thai woman with over 200,000 TikTok followers was allegedly shot dead by her ex-boyfriend in Saraburi province in Thailand on Jun. 8, while she was on a video call with her current partner.

According to Thaiger, the victim, known as Pon, worked at a petrol station in the area. Her body was found beside her white Honda Jazz on Phahon Yothin Road, with gunshot wounds to the back and neck. Her two-year-old child was discovered inside the vehicle, uninjured.

Met under offer of fuel

According to Guang Ming Daily, Pon had been driving when she apparently ran low on fuel. Her ex-boyfriend, Beer, aged 42, had previously worked as an oil tanker driver and allegedly arranged to meet her, offering to bring a fuel canister.

While refuelling, Pon was on a video call with her current partner, Kla. He told police he heard an argument break out, followed by gunshots, before her phone dropped and the line went dead.

Beer allegedly fled the scene in a truck after the shooting. Nine-millimetre shell casings were found at the scene.

A complicated relationship

Police believe the killing was driven by a combination of personal and professional grievances. According to Thaiger, Pon had previously been in a relationship with Kla, with whom she had a child. The two separated, after which she dated Beer for a period before breaking up with him and reconciling with Kla.

Beer was reportedly deeply unhappy about being dumped, and the situation worsened when Pon informed her workplace supervisor about alleged misconduct by Beer, resulting in his dismissal several days before the incident. Police believed this was an additional motive.

Suspect found dead after chase

Police tracked Beer's vehicle to the Friendship Highway in Nakhon Ratchasima, where a high-speed chase ensued. The pursuit ended when his tyre gave out. When officers approached the vehicle, they found him dead inside, believed to have taken his own life.

Prior to the incident, Beer had reportedly contacted a friend to borrow money, allegedly to fund an escape. He allegedly denied that the killing was driven by jealousy or a relationship dispute, per Thaiger.