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            <title>Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world</title>
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                    <title>Woman, 54, scammed by fruit seller 'boyfriend' of over S$930,000, including daughter's university fees</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/woman-scammed-by-fruit-seller-interview/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T18:24:50</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Julia Yeo ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/woman-scammed-by-fruit-seller-interview/</guid>
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                        <![CDATA[ After finding out she was cheated, the woman could not eat or drink properly, and struggled to sleep for two months. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/scammer-930k.png"/> <p>A 57-year-old fruit seller lied about being widowed and entered a relationship with a woman in her 50s after meeting her online, according to <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260808-9490940"><em>Shin Min Daily News</em></a>.</p><p>He ended up cheating her of over S$930,000, including money meant for her daughter's university fees.</p><p>The man, Kong Jun Yi Jonathan, was sentenced on Thursday (Aug. 6) to three years and seven months in jail.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Woman, 54, scammed by fruit seller 'boyfriend' of over S$930,000, including daughter's university fees' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/sporean-man-lied-wife-died-stole-money-jail/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe>
<p>The woman, 54, who declined to be named, told the Chinese media outlet in tears that she had to take out a bank loan to ensure her daughter could finish her education.</p><p>She added that the ordeal nearly cost her her relationship with her only daughter.</p><p><h2>Met online in 2020</h2></p><p>The woman met Kong online in October 2020. He was the first person she dated since her divorce about 20 years ago.</p><p>Kong lied that he was a chief executive at a company, and claimed his wife had fallen ill and died, leaving him with a 10-year-old son.</p><p>But he was actually a fruit vendor, and married to a woman who is still alive.</p><p><h2>Lent him hundreds of thousands of dollars</h2></p><p>The two were together for more than a year, during which he stayed at her home from Monday to Friday, and returned home to be with his son on weekends.</p><p>She said he borrowed money from her and her sister repeatedly, citing various reasons, such as having acted as a loan guarantor, his company needing funds, and needing money for hospitalisation.</p><p>The victim did not suspect anything was wrong, and even lent him money meant for her daughter's tuition fees.</p><p>Her sister also lent him money that had been set aside for her child's wedding banquet.</p><p>"He showed me his bank account, and there was money in it. He said it was just that the account had been frozen because he was a guarantor," she said.</p><p>Charge sheets showed that the woman had transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to him after being deceived, over the span of mere months.</p><p><h2>Scam exposed after discovering fake photo</h2></p><p>The woman said that their relationship had progressed to the point of discussing marriage, with Kong even taking her gold jewellery without permission.</p><p>He'd claimed that his mother needed it to check the sizing before buying "si dian jin" (a set of four gold pieces traditionally given at Chinese weddings).</p><p>"I asked for it back many times, but could never get it," she said.</p><p>In May 2021, Kong sent his watch for repair, and she passed him her Rolex so he could get it mended too.</p><p>But after more than a year, she was unable to get the watch back, with the man constantly making excuses whenever she asked for it.</p><p>This would be what caused the man's lies to finally fall apart, she said.</p><p>The man claimed that his colleague had gotten into a car accident, and sent her a photo.</p><p>But the woman searched online and found out that the photo was fake.</p><p>"Once I confirmed I had been cheated, I made a police report immediately," she said.</p><p>The woman and her sister later checked their homes for other losses, and discovered that other pieces of gold jewellery had also been stolen.</p><p>Charge sheets showed that Kong had stolen 45 pieces of jewellery, worth over S$50,000, and sold them off at pawnshops.</p><p>The woman said:</p><p><blockquote><p>"I spent more than S$7,000 in legal fees trying to recover the money I lost, but in the end only got back a little over S$2,000."</p></blockquote></p><p><h2>Unable to truly move on even after six years</h2></p><p>After finding out she was cheated, the woman could not eat or drink properly, and struggled to sleep for two months, eventually needing to rely on sleeping pills.</p><p>She said she once contemplated suicide, but pulled through for the sake of her daughter.</p><p>The victim broke down in tears when speaking about her daughter. She revealed that after falling for the scam, she could no longer afford her daughter's tuition fees for her overseas studies.</p><p>This strained her relationship with her daughter, whose university fees came up to around six figures a year.</p><p>She eventually took out a bank loan to pay her daughter's tuition fees so that the girl could graduate and return home.</p><p>Her daughter later told her that she too had thoughts of suicide over the matter.</p><p>The woman told <em>Shin Min</em> that even though six years have passed since the incident, she has never truly moved on.</p><p>She has stayed strong for her daughter's sake, but no longer dares to trust in relationships.</p><p>"This taught me to be more discerning about people, and I no longer help others so readily and without a second thought," she said.</p><p><h2>Committed theft, deception, forgery among various crimes</h2></p><p>In total, Kong's thefts, scams, and forgeries amounted to over S$930,000 stolen in money and jewellery.</p><p>He was arrested on Jan. 22, 2026.</p><p>During his sentencing, it was reported that the victim had forgiven Kong's actions and pleaded with the judge for a lenient sentence.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Woman, 54, scammed by fruit seller 'boyfriend' of over S$930,000, including daughter's university fees' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/sporean-man-lied-wife-died-stole-money-jail/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><em>Top image via Canva, Lianhe Zaobao/Shin Min Daily</em></p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>Race Course Road flat fire: 2 policemen pried open locked HDB gate with bare hands to save elderly woman</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/race-course-road-flat-fire-police-officers/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T17:42:44</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Julia Yeo ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/race-course-road-flat-fire-police-officers/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ One of the officers said that it was the most dangerous operation he has taken part in since joining the police force. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/scdf-spf-racecourse-road.png"/> <p>On Monday evening (Aug. 3), <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/08/fire-race-course-road-flat/">a fire broke out</a> at a fifth-storey flat at Block 684 Race Course Road.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260807-9486675"><em>Shin Min Daily News</em></a>, a household of five, aged between 55 and 88, were trapped in the fire.</p><p>Police officers managed to force their way into the flat to rescue one of them, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) rescued the remaining four, three of whom were unconscious.</p><p>One of the victims, an 88-year-old man, passed away two days after he was taken to hospital, reported <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/race-course-road-fire-88-year-old-man-dies-6300546"><em>CNA</em></a>.</p>
<p><h2>Elderly woman trapped in flat</h2></p><p>Speaking in an interview with <em>Shin Min</em> on Aug. 6, the police officers shared more about the rescue.</p><p>The two police officers were Sergeant Rafhan, 35, and Sergeant Afiq, 25, from Rochor Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC).</p><p>When they reached the scene, they found black smoke billowing continuously from the burning unit.</p><p>They saw a woman in her 70s trapped inside, wearing a T-shirt and shorts, her face already blackened with soot.</p><p>Rafhan said that the visually impaired elderly woman was in a state of panic, and SCDF personnel had not yet arrived at the scene.</p><p>"My first reaction at that moment was that I had to ensure her safety, and I wanted to get her out as quickly as possible," he said.</p><p>The area was thick with smoke that would cause discomfort if inhaled, so Rafhan, assisted by his colleague, kept giving the elderly woman verbal instructions to crouch down low to avoid the smoke as much as possible.</p><p><h2>Had to get her out of the unit urgently</h2></p><p>Once the elderly woman was seated, getting her out became the most urgent task, the officers recounted.</p><p>As the metal gate was firmly locked, Rafhan noticed a window next to the gate, and tried to break the glass with his baton to enter the unit and rescue her.</p><p>However, after breaking the window, he found metal grilles behind it, making it impossible to get through.</p><p>In order to save her as quickly as possible, Afiq made a split-second decision to forcibly pry open the locked metal HDB gate.</p><p>Afiq said the situation was urgent at the time, and he simply did not have time to think it through.</p><p><h2>Metal gate felt like 'baking tray that had just come out of the oven'</h2></p><p>The metal gate had grown hot due to the intensity of the fire. He described the sensation of touching it as like "a baking tray that had just come out of the oven".</p><p>"I grabbed the gate and pulled a few times, and the gate actually came open," he said.</p><p>Looking back on the rescue, Afiq said it was the most dangerous operation he had taken part in since joining the police force less than a year ago.</p><p>After successfully prying open the gate, the two officers quickly entered the unit, each supporting one of the elderly woman's shoulders, and worked together to bring her safely out of the burning unit.</p><p>The elderly woman had difficulty moving at the time and her body temperature was elevated, so Afiq carried her directly in his arms and rushed toward the lift lobby as quickly as possible.</p><p>The fire had not spread outside the unit at that point, and the lift was still working.</p><p>The two officers then took the lift with the elderly woman straight down to the first floor, where they handed her over to SCDF paramedics who had arrived at the scene by then for emergency treatment.</p><p>The elderly woman was very quiet throughout the rescue, neither crying out nor speaking, which the officers believe was due to shock.</p><p><h2>Continued with evacuation efforts after emergency rescue</h2></p><p>After rescuing the elderly woman, Rafhan and Afiq went on to cordon off the area downstairs and helped evacuate the crowd.</p><p>About 50 residents from the block were evacuated during the operation.</p><p>Investigations into its cause are ongoing.</p><p><em>Top image via SCDF/Facebook &amp; Shin Min Daily News</em></p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>Woman, 49, arrested in S'pore over alleged 'Fun Coffee' Ponzi scheme; 1 victim lost about S$400,000</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/fun-coffee-ponzi-scheme/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T17:27:36</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Chloe Loh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/fun-coffee-ponzi-scheme/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The platform is purportedly based in Vietnam. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/cover-pic-10.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A 49-year-old woman was arrested on Aug. 6 in connection with an ongoing police investigation into an alleged investment scheme linked to the "Fun Coffee" platform.</p><p>The platform is purportedly based in Vietnam and has an outlet in Jalan Besar.</p>
<p><h2>Alleged investment scheme</h2></p><p>In a news release on Aug. 8, the Singapore Police Force said the woman had actively promoted the investment scheme and recruited others to join.</p><p>To participate, users were instructed to download the "Fun Coffee" application and transfer Tether (USDT), a cryptocurrency pegged to the U.S. dollar, to digital wallet addresses provided through the app.</p><p>Users could subscribe to various investment plans available on the application, which promised "unrealistically" high returns.</p><p>They were also offered additional commissions for recruiting new members.</p><p>Police said participants in Singapore were subsequently unable to withdraw their funds through the application.</p><p>The woman was arrested for allegedly promoting or participating in a multi-level marketing or pyramid selling scheme, or holding herself out as doing so, under Section 3 of the Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Selling (Prohibition) Act 1973.</p><p>If convicted, she faces a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to S$200,000, or both.</p><p>On its Singapore website, Fun Coffee describes itself as "a lifestyle brand combining coffee, wellness and digital innovation into a community experience".</p><p>It operates a café featuring a coffee-making robot at 202 Jalan Besar, and claims to have assets of over US$1 billion and a team of over 5,000.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 2438px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-08-at-4.09.17 PM.png" alt="fun coffee" width="2438" height="1172" class="size-full wp-image-1164169" /> Screenshot from Fun Coffee's website.
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>Arrests made in Hong Kong and Macau</h2></p><p>The arrest in Singapore comes after authorities in Hong Kong and Macau arrested eight people allegedly linked to Fun Coffee, according to an earlier report by the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3362954/hong-kong-macau-police-arrest-8-over-hk100m-vietnam-coffee-investment-scam" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>South China Morning Post</em></a>.</p><p>More than 220 complaints were lodged after the Fun Coffee application suddenly went offline on Jul. 20.</p><p>In total, victims reported losses of HK$94 million (S$15.3 million).</p><p><h2>Singapore investor says she lost about S$400,000</h2></p><p>A number of investors in Singapore have since filed police reports over the scheme.</p><p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260807-9486279" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Shin Min Daily News</em></a>, a 48-year-old woman said she had invested about S$400,000 in the scheme.</p><p>She said she was first introduced to Fun Coffee by a friend in June 2025, who shared videos of the events organised by the company.</p><p>In September 2025, she said she was told she could earn S$100 by bringing 10 friends to a company "fun run", and that each attendee would also receive S$50.</p><p>Following the event, she downloaded the application and started investing.</p><p>According to the woman, she initially received about S$10,000 in returns, which she reinvested into the scheme.</p><p>However, on Jul. 21, one of her friends, who is based in Hong Kong, informed her that withdrawals were no longer possible.</p><p>Three days later, she encountered the same issue, prompting her to lodge a police report.</p><p><blockquote><p>"I feel very guilty, because I introduced (my friends and family members) to this. I even invested all the money from my business (into the app)."</p></blockquote></p><p>"I now have about $80 left in my bank account. I don’t know what to do," she was quoted as saying.</p><p><h2>Public advised not to make further payments to the scheme</h2></p><p>The Singapore police urged members of the public not to make any further payments or transfers to the scheme, even if approached by individuals claiming to represent Fun Coffee or through requests made via the application.</p><p>They also advised the public to exercise caution before making investment decisions.</p><p>This includes avoiding transfers to personal or unregistered accounts, and conducting independent checks on any investment opportunity before committing funds.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1164163</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Stateless man, 79, hanged in S'pore for heroin trafficking</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/stateless-man-hanged-singapore-heroin-trafficking/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T16:21:58</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Julia Yeo ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/stateless-man-hanged-singapore-heroin-trafficking/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the death penalty is imposed if the amount of diamorphine trafficked is more than 15 grams. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/death-sentence-hanged.png"/> <p>A 79-year-old stateless man convicted of trafficking heroin was hanged in Singapore on Aug. 7 (Friday).</p><p>According to a <a href="https://www.cnb.gov.sg/mediaroom/news/execution-of-a-convicted-drug-trafficker---7-august-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">statement</a> by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), he was accorded full due process under the law, and was represented by legal counsel during trial and appeal.</p><p>His petitions to the President for clemency were unsuccessful.</p><p><h2>Arrested in January 2020</h2></p>
<p>On Jan. 14, 2020, Teo Yiu Kin Tee, then 72, <a href="https://mothership.sg/2020/01/heroin-trafficking-stateless-man-cnb/">was arrested</a> near the junction of Bendeemer Road and Geylang Bahru Road.</p><p>He was unemployed at the time.</p><p>CNB found 845g of substances, including diamorphine (heroin) and "Ice", as well as cash amounting to S$5,350 in his possession.</p><p>After analysis, the substances were <a href="https://backend.mothership.sg/wp-admin/post.php?post=1164158&amp;action=edit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">found to contain</a> not less than 24.81g of pure diamorphine.</p><p>Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the death penalty is imposed if the amount of diamorphine trafficked is more than 15 grams.</p><p><h2>Claimed they were for consumption, not sale</h2></p><p>During the trial in 2023, Teo initially claimed that the drugs were entirely for his own consumption rather than for sale.</p><p>He alleged that he was a chronic and heavy user of diamorphine, and had purchased the drug in bulk to secure a lower price.</p><p>But the High Court <a href="https://legal-wires.com/singapore/public-prosecutor-v-yogesswaran-c-manogaran-and-another-2023-sghc-170/">rejected Teo's consumption defence</a>, finding his claimed rate of consumption to be medically and financially implausible.</p><p>His unemployment at the time also raised questions about his ability to fund a "bulk buy" of the drugs, which were worth thousands of dollars.</p><p>Teo was eventually convicted of his charges and sentenced to the mandatory death penalty.</p><p>CNB said in its statement that capital punishment is imposed only for the most serious crimes, such as the trafficking of significant quantities of drugs.</p><p>Such offences result in very serious harm, not just to individual drug abusers, but also to their families and the wider society.</p><p><em>Top image via CNB &amp; Singapore Prison Services</em></p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>S'porean man, 20, used ChatGPT to pose as 14-year-old girl online & extort S$20,000 from another man</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-use-chatgpt-pose-as-girl-honey-trap/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T14:11:42</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Julia Yeo ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-use-chatgpt-pose-as-girl-honey-trap/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ He felt guilty after reflecting on what he had done and returned the money by the next day. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/chatgpt-extort.png"/> <p>A 20-year-old Singaporean man turned to ChatGPT and short video content for ideas on how to run a honey trap scheme.</p><p>Posing online as a 14-year-old girl, he lured another young man into meeting up, before extorting S$20,000 from him.</p><p>The accused, Anthony Xu (transliterated from Mandarin), pleaded guilty to one count of extortion and one count of cheating.</p><p>A honey trap scheme is a type of love scam in which an individual uses a false online persona to lure a victim into a relationship, for the purpose of extortion, blackmail, or theft.</p>
<p><h2>Planned to expose and humiliate him</h2></p><p>According to <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260807-9486493"><em>Shin Min Daily News,</em></a> Xu had initially targeted the man mainly to expose Lai's character and humiliate him.</p><p>He'd learnt from a female friend in mid-October 2025 that a 21-year-old man named Lai Yuhang (transliterated from Mandarin) had been persistently trying to chat her up on social media.</p><p>The pair then referenced content from Instagram short videos to plan a scheme.</p><p>Xu also used ChatGPT for help.</p><p>First, he first pretended to be a 14-year-old girl. With with his female friend's help, he built a connection with Lai and flirted with him online.</p><p>The two eventually arranged to meet at an MRT station on Oct. 21, with suggestive hints as to what would come after.</p><p>The court heard that the female friend was unaware that Xu intended to use the opportunity to extort the man.</p><p><h2>Pretended to be the "girl's" older brother</h2></p><p>After meeting up, Xu lied that he was the "girl's" older brother.</p><p>He threatened Lai into taking a condom out of his backpack and filmed the process, before also taking a photo of Lai's identity card.</p><p>He claimed that if Lai did not cooperate, he would alert MRT station staff and call the police.</p><p>The two then moved to the Toa Payoh area to continue talking. Xu kept threatening to bring him to the police station along the way.</p><p>Fearing for his reputation, Lai broke down in tears on the spot and begged for mercy.</p><p>Eventually, Xu extorted S$20,000 in "hush money" from him, telling him he could pay it to him over five years at S$300 a month.</p><p>Out of fear, Lai agreed, and paid Xu S$100 in the early hours of the following morning.</p><p>He made no further payments after that.</p><p><h2>Felt guilty afterwards</h2></p><p>The court heard that Xu later felt guilty after reflecting on what he had done.</p><p>He returned the S$100 to Lai the next day, and sent a message apologising to Lai's mother.</p><p>However, Xu was not aware that Lai had already made a police report about the incident.</p><p>Xu was arrested the following day, and was subsequently charged.</p><p><h2>Cooperated actively with investigations and pleaded guilty early</h2></p><p>His lawyer, speaking in mitigation on Thursday (Aug. 6), said Xu did not try to evade responsibility, reported <em>Lianhe Zaobao</em>.</p><p>While the offences involved were serious, the lawyer said Xu had cooperated actively with investigations and pleaded guilty early.</p><p>His lawyer also said Xu is currently studying at an Institute of Technical Education, and has the support of his family.</p><p>He stressed that before the police got involved, Xu had already taken the initiative to apologise to the victim and return the money, which showed genuine remorse, and asked the judge for a lighter sentence.</p><p>Thereafter, the judge instructed the prosecution to prepare a report to assess whether he is suitable for probation and reformative training.</p><p>The case has been adjourned to Aug. 13 for a further mention, with sentencing set for Sep. 23.</p><p><em>Top image via Ruth Chai/Mothership &amp; Unsplash</em></p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>Thai school shooting: Alleged gunman, 14, was quiet & reserved, raised by 'loving' grandparents</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/thai-school-shooting-quiet-teen/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T13:27:13</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Chloe Loh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/thai-school-shooting-quiet-teen/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ "He wasn't particularly cheerful; he was just very quiet," said the boy's aunt. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/cover-pic-1-3.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The 14-year-old boy who allegedly killed seven people in a school shooting near Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug. 7 was described as quiet and reserved.</p><p>He was raised by loving grandparents, those acquainted with him told <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/alleged-school-gunman-a-quiet-teen-loved-by-his-grandparents" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Straits Times</em></a>.</p>
<iframe class='post-embed title='Thai school shooting: Alleged gunman, 14, was quiet & reserved, raised by 'loving' grandparents' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/2-teachers-dead-at-least-20-injured-in-bangkok-school-shooting-thai-media/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><h2>The shooting</h2></p><p>The shooting took place on Aug. 7.</p><p>The teen had allegedly used a legally registered firearm belonging to his grandfather in the attack.</p><p>Police said he first killed his grandparents at their home before heading to his school, Debsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai district, Nonthaburi province.</p><p>There, he allegedly killed two teachers and three staff members before turning the gun on himself.</p><p>At least 23 others were injured.</p><p>The teenager later died while being taken to hospital.</p><p>At least seven people, including the boy, died in the incident.</p><p><h2>Aunt said the boy kept to himself</h2></p><p>Speaking to <em>ST</em>, the boy's aunt, Samang Chaisorn, described her nephew as someone who largely kept to himself and had few friends.</p><p>"He wasn't particularly cheerful; he was just very quiet," she said.</p><p>After hearing reports of a shooting at the school, she said she tried calling the boy's grandfather to ask him to pick the teenager up, but was unable to reach him.</p><p>At the time, she did not know that her nephew had allegedly carried out the attack.</p><p>Upon arriving at the grandparents' home, they were unable to enter because the door was locked, the aunt said.</p><p>After gaining access to the house, they discovered that both grandparents had died.</p><p>The subdistrict headman, who was among the first to enter the house, told <em>ST</em> that the grandfather was found near the kitchen with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.</p><p>The grandmother, who was found in a bedroom, was also believed to have been shot in the head.</p><p>"She was still under the blanket, as though she were asleep," he was quoted as saying.</p><p>The headman described the couple as kind people who had raised their grandson since he was very young.</p><p><h2>Authorities investigating motive</h2></p><p>According to <em>ST</em>, it remains unclear if the teen had targeted anyone in particular during the alleged attack.</p><p>However, he was reportedly a victim of bullying in school, and is understood to have been locked in a school toilet by some other students a day before the incident.</p><p>Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind the attack, as well as how the teenager gained access to the firearm.</p><p>Preliminary findings indicate that he brought the gun to school in a bag.</p><p>Thailand's education minister Prasert Jantararuangtong said security measures at schools would be strengthened "significantly" following the incident.</p><p>Education district directors from across the country are scheduled to meet on Aug. 8 to discuss tighter school security measures and additional safeguards for students.</p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1164117</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Free entry to Science Centre for S'poreans & PRs from Aug. 8 to 10</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/science-centre-free-entry-national-day-weekend/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T12:39:16</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Julia Yeo ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/science-centre-free-entry-national-day-weekend/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ More things to do over the National Day weekend. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/science-centre.png"/> <p>Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents will be able to enter the Science Centre Singapore for free from Aug. 8 to 10.</p><p>This is in the light of the launch of the SG Science Fest 2026 over the National Day weekend.</p><p><h2>Ocean-themed festival</h2></p><p>SG Science Fest 2026 officially opened on Aug. 8, built around the theme of the ocean.</p>
<p>Guests can solve a mysterious shipwreck, catch live science shows, cool off with outdoor waterplay, take part in hands-on marine science activities, and meet mascot Quby, who is marking its 10th anniversary.</p><p>Here's a few things you can look forward to:</p><p><strong>Shipwrecked: Uncover the Mystery</strong></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 966px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/shipwrecked.png" alt="" width="966" height="582" class="size-full wp-image-1164126" /> <em>Image by Science Centre Singapore</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>Guests will examine evidence at a staged shipwreck site, using observation and scientific reasoning to work out what happened.</p><p><strong>Robot's Bytes to Bites</strong></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 916px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/robot-bytes.png" alt="" width="916" height="609" class="size-full wp-image-1164124" /> <em>Image by Science Centre Singapore</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>A live show combines seasoned hawkers, a robot chef and dramatic science demonstrations. Shows run at The Annexe Hall 1 at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm.</p><p>Admission is included with the festival ticket, but onsite reservations are required due to limited capacity.</p><p><strong>Meet Syrena, the Singapore Mermaid</strong></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 885px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/sg-mermaid.png" alt="" width="885" height="552" class="size-full wp-image-1164127" /> <em>Image by Science Centre Singapore. C</em><em>redit: @thejoshfather</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>Syrena, founder of the Singapore Mermaid School, will illustrate science, demonstrating the principles of buoyancy, hydrodynamics and human physiology through the art of professional mermaiding.</p><p><strong>Marine science stations</strong></p><p>Activity stations across the centre will showcase how ships stay afloat, investigate corrosion, and explore how marine organisms colonise underwater surfaces, along with a coral restoration simulation.</p><p>Participants can collect locally themed stickers to make a personalised acrylic keychain as a festival keepsake.</p><p><h2>Meet Quby</h2></p><p>If you're lucky, you may also get to meet popular online mascot <a href="https://www.instagram.com/quby_starmoly/">Quby</a> at the Science Centre, as part of a new collaboration to make science more playful and accessible to the public.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 651px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/quby.png" alt="" width="651" height="365" class="wp-image-1164122 size-full" /> <em>Image by Science Centre Singapore</em>
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>Planning your visit</h2></p><p>The SG Science Fest 2026 runs from Aug. 8 to 10, from 10am to 6pm daily.</p><p>Admission is free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, with standard admission rates applying for other guests.</p><p>If you're looking for an even more immersive experience, special bundled tickets are available:</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-08-at-12.26.10-PM.png" alt="" width="1116" height="890" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1164141" /></p><p>Public transport is recommended due to limited parking at the centre, though alternative parking and a complimentary shuttle service are available at Jurong Town Hall.</p><p><em>Top image via Science Centre Singapore</em></p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1164111</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Tommy Koh, 88, retires from MFA after 55 years</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/tommy-koh-retire-mfa/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T12:12:18</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Chloe Loh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/tommy-koh-retire-mfa/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Thank you for your service. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/cover-pic-1-2.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Ambassador-at-large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Tommy Koh, will retire from the ministry at the end of August 2026 after "55 happy years" of service.</p><p>He announced his retirement in a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1PrMUMe6gi/?mibextid=wwXIfr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">post</a> on Aug. 7.</p>
<p><h2>Retiring after 55 years</h2></p><p>In his post, Koh, 88, said he had served under every foreign minister since Singapore's first foreign minister, S. Rajaratnam.</p><p><blockquote><p>"I will be retiring from MFA at the end of this month.</p><p>At the MFA National Day Observance, Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan presented me with the inaugural lifetime distinguished service award.</p><p>Second Foreign Minister Sim Ann paid a very kind and generous tribute to me."</p></blockquote></p><p>However, he added that he does not intend to retire fully.</p><p>"From the 1st of September, I (will) be based at the NUS Centre for International Law," he wrote.</p><p>He is currently emeritus professor of law at NUS.</p><p><iframe width="500" height="706" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftommy.koh.752%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0AsRNnARgEtLQHxuqcfURkKFhBkTfi3San2rN1ZwGikHj8nQfmpcRkLpYcR46vwdMl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><p>In an Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbvfcGtFFez/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">post</a> the same day, Vivian said he was "honoured" to confer Koh with the award.</p><p>Koh's legacy "extends far beyond the milestones he helped achieve", he said.</p><p><blockquote><p>"Through his intellectual rigour, integrity, generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment to Singapore, he has inspired generations of MFA officers.</p><p>His example will continue to guide Singapore's diplomacy for years to come."</p></blockquote></p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbvfcGtFFez/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbvfcGtFFez/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; 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font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"></p><p><div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: 8px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: auto;"></p><p><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbvfcGtFFez/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by Vivian Balakrishnan (@vivianbalakrishnan)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p><h2>Who is Tommy Koh?</h2></p><p>A veteran diplomat, international lawyer and academic, Koh has <a href="https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=29801390-9080-4c91-af51-4c679a04660c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">held</a> several of Singapore's most prominent diplomatic appointments, including Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States.</p><p>He is also widely recognised for his role as the president of Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and for helping to draft the Asean charter.</p><p>Among Koh's most notable roles was representing Singapore in the Pedra Branca dispute with Malaysia before the International Court of Justice in 2003 and 2017.</p><p>In 2025, he published a memoir of his years in service to Singapore, in which he described himself as "a lawyer with only one client" — that client being Singapore.</p><p>“I am certainly not a genius. I have been successful because I have been given the opportunity, by Singapore and by the United Nations, to serve," he told <em>Mothership</em> at the time.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Tommy Koh, 88, retires from MFA after 55 years' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2025/11/lawyer-for-spore-tommy-koh/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>Outside of his work in MFA, Koh was founding rector of NUS' Tembusu College, chairman of the Centre for International Law in NUS, and former dean of the NUS Faculty of Law.</p><p>He continues to hold advisory roles at the university, including with the Asia Research Institute and the Institute of Policy Studies.</p><p>Koh is also a patron of the arts, heritage, and environment.</p><p>He was formerly chairman of the National Heritage Board (NHB) and the Chinese Heritage Centre, and was named "<a href="https://www.unep.org/championsofearth/laureates/2006/prof-tommy-koh-thong-bee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Champion of the Earth</a>" in 2006 by the United Nations Environment Programme for his contributions to international environmental cooperation.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1164118</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>MSE has no mandate on land use planning for Gillman Barracks & Maju Forest: Grace Fu</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/grace-fu-maju-forest-gillman-barracks/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T11:32:33</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Chloe Loh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/grace-fu-maju-forest-gillman-barracks/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ HDB earlier announced plans to develop new housing at Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/cover-pic-8.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE) does not have a mandate over land use planning and zoning, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.</p><p>Rather, it falls under the purview of the Ministry of National Development (MND), which oversees these decisions while balancing various demands and trade-offs across government, including biodiversity.</p>
<p>Fu explained the above in an Aug. 7 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gracefu.hy/p/Dbu7ntaiWn0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">social media post</a>, after the Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced plans to develop new housing at Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way (Maju Forest).</p><p>She acknowledged that the issues are considered as part of the broader climate agenda, but that "we are different agencies with different roles".</p><p>The planned development of both sites had sparked debate over whether it would come at the expense of natural spaces and wildlife habitats.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='MSE has no mandate on land use planning for Gillman Barracks & Maju Forest: Grace Fu' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/07/hdb-redevelop-gillman-barracks-sunset-way/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='MSE has no mandate on land use planning for Gillman Barracks & Maju Forest: Grace Fu' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/hong-lim-park-gathering-maju-forest-gillman-barracks/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>Gillman Barracks will be redeveloped into a residential estate comprising both public and private homes, while the Maju Forest site in Clementi will be developed for public housing.</p><p><h2>"We are all different agencies with different roles"</h2></p><p>In her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbu7ntaiWn0/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">post</a>, Fu said Singapore's agencies work closely together to serve Singaporeans.</p><p>"On major national undertakings, such as climate mitigation and adaptation, we come together to formulate a coherent plan with our stakeholders and Singaporeans," she said.</p><p>For instance, with the Singapore Green Plan, MSE coordinated the initiative; but it was the result of numerous discussions at the working level, between agencies, and at Cabinet between all ministers.</p><p>There were also "many sessions" of public consultation, she added.</p><p>Fu also acknowledged the public concerns over the planned developments in Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest.</p><p>"I deeply appreciate how much Singaporeans care about our shared green spaces. I do too," she said.</p><p>However, she added that Singapore, as a small island nation, must balance competing priorities "to protect our environment, to house our people, build our infrastructure, and keep our economy growing".</p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbu7ntaiWn0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewbox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div></p><p><div style="padding-top: 8px;"></p><p><div style="color: #3897f0; 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flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbu7ntaiWn0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by Grace Fu (@gracefu.hy)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p><h2>Decisions made in the interest of Singapore and Singaporeans</h2></p><p>Earlier in Parliament on Aug. 4, the Workers’ Party’s Kenneth Tiong <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbm9xS9tj1f/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">asked</a> why MSE had "not been seen leading and advocating" for the green spaces in Sunset Way and Gillman Barracks, particularly after designating 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation.</p><p>"Many nature observers have expressed to me deep disappointment in what they perceive to be MSE's lack of leadership and ownership in the decisions on Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest," he said.</p><p>In response, Fu said it was not the way the government operates for MSE to "make a strong stance" and object to decisions made by MND, stressing that ministries work collectively on national policies.</p><p>Minister of State for National Development of Singapore Alvin Tan added that the government makes decisions across different ministries, including the MSE, but ultimately makes decisions "based on the best interest of Singapore and Singaporeans".</p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dbm9xS9tj1f/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dbm9xS9tj1f/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; 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                <item>
                    <title>Man, 22, allegedly reversed into petrol station attendant causing death, drove without valid licence while on drugs</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-charged-petrol-station-deregistered-car/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-08T11:01:33</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Julia Yeo ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-charged-petrol-station-deregistered-car/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The man abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene together with a female passenger. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/car-spf.png"/> <p>A 22-year-old man was handed eight charges in court on Aug. 8 for driving a deregistered vehicle without a valid driving licence, and for causing the death of a petrol station attendant.</p><p>Ray Png AZ allegedly did so while under the influence of drugs, and subsequently fled the scene without stopping to help.</p><p><h2>Man reversed abruptly, causing attendant to fall and hit his head</h2></p><p>According to an Aug. 8 news release by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the incident took place at about 3:55am on Aug. 6.</p>
<p>Png had driven to a petrol station along Upper Changi Road North, where a 69-year-old male pump attendant had approached to refuel the man's car.</p><p>At that moment, Png got back into the vehicle and reversed abruptly.</p><p>The open driver's side car door struck the attendant, causing him to fall and hit his head.</p><p>The attendant was conveyed unconscious to the hospital. He subsequently passed away on Aug. 7.</p><p><h2>Man and female passenger fled the scene</h2></p><p>After the incident, Png allegedly abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene together with a female passenger.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1072px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/spf-car.png" alt="" width="1072" height="713" class="size-full wp-image-1164108" /> <em>The deregistered vehicle that was driven by the 22-year-old man. Image provided by Singapore Police Force</em>
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</p><p>Officers from the Traffic Police (TP) established the identities of the pair through ground enquiries, as well as images from police cameras and CCTVs.</p><p>Both were arrested on Aug. 6.</p><p>Png was arrested for driving without due care and attention causing death, driving under the influence of drugs, and suspected drug-related offences.</p><p>The 22-year-old female passenger was arrested on suspicion of consuming a controlled drug, and of abetting the driver in the traffic-related offences. Investigations against her are ongoing.</p><p>Preliminary investigations further revealed that the car was a deregistered vehicle, and that Png did not possess a valid driving licence.</p><p>The vehicle has since been seized by TP, and the suspected drug-related offences have been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).</p><p><h2>Police warn against deregistered vehicles</h2></p><p>The man will be charged in court on Aug. 8 with the following offences:</p><p><ul></p><p> 	<li>Driving without due care and attention causing death</li></p><p> 	<li>Driving under the influence of drugs</li></p><p> 	<li>Driving a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence</li></p><p> 	<li>Using a vehicle without insurance coverage</li></p><p> 	<li>Using a deregistered vehicle</li></p><p> 	<li>Using a vehicle without a vehicle licence</li></p><p> 	<li>Failing to stop after an accident</li></p><p> 	<li>Failing to render assistance after an accident</li></p><p></ul></p><p>In its release, the SPF said deregistered vehicles pose serious dangers to all road users, as they lack insurance coverage and may not meet safety standards.</p><p>It added that these risks are magnified considerably when such vehicles are operated by unlicensed or underaged drivers.</p><p>The Traffic Police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases of deregistered vehicles or unlicensed drivers, adding that it takes a serious view of such irresponsible behaviour and will not hesitate to take action against those who endanger lives on the road.</p><p><h2>Related story</h2></p><iframe class='post-embed title='Man, 22, allegedly reversed into petrol station attendant causing death, drove without valid licence while on drugs' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2025/07/esso-employee-hit-dies-geylang/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><em>Top image via SPF</em></p></p> ]]>
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