Three major Singapore banks — DBS, OCBC, and UOB — and NETS have committed to providing an ATM, bank branch, or cashpoint within 500 metres of every HDB block by the end of 2027.

This is to ensure that seniors continue to have access to cash and physical banking channels, even as Singapore moves towards digital payments, said the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) on Jun. 25.

This comes as part of a suite of 20 initiatives by ABS, to better serve the banking needs of seniors in Singapore.

As an interim target, the three banks and NETS will work towards installing an ATM, branch, or cashpoint within 500 metres of key public amenities by the end of this year.

Amenities include public transport hubs, hawker centres, and major supermarkets. Cashpoints are participating merchants, such as supermarkets, that allow consumers to withdraw cash using their bank ATM or debit card while making a purchase via NETS.

The needs of seniors

The 20 initiatives were published in a playbook, "Banking a Longevity Society", on Jun. 25.

Speaking at the ABS annual dinner the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong pointed out that Singapore now has one in five citizens aged 65 and above, himself included.

"As our population ages, the financial needs of seniors will become even more important," he said.

He added that while some seniors are digitally confident, others may need more help, and banks must respond to this diversity.

"For seniors, trust is built not only through better apps. It is built through clearer choices, safer systems, easier processes, and better support when it matters.

I commend the ABS for making a concerted effort to examine how the sector can better serve an ageing society."

Other initiatives

Other initiatives in the playbook include improving processes to simplify and clarify matters of estate administration, as well as providing greater support to vulnerable seniors.

Currently, the different banks have different procedures for administrative tasks, such as the lasting power of attorney (LPA), deputyship, and closing accounts for the deceased.

They plan to align their procedures and publish a standardised resource of frequently asked questions (FAQs), to provide clearer guidance to families and caregivers by the first quarter of 2027.

Furthermore, also by 2027, the three banks intend to introduce a common set of guidelines to help frontline banking staff identify and respond to possible signs of cognitive decline in customers.

This will enable staff to better support seniors at greater risk of financial abuse, scams, or other harm.

Moping around at home, and unsure of what to do on weekday nights or weekends? Why not check out REMIX 2026?

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s (SCCC) annual youth festival will be back from Jul. 3 to 12 this year, and will be featuring a variety of fun activities and immersive performances.

Head down to try out a mass escape game, join in an impromptu jazz session, or simply chill to some dance and music.

In more good news, eligible Singapore citizens can also use their SG Culture Pass credits to offset ticket prices for paid activities and performances.

Activities

REMIX The Mission: Ah Ma’s Secret Recipe

Combine brain cells with your friends by participating in this clue-solving mission.

Encompassing the whole SCCC building, “Ah Ma’s Secret Recipe” will test your knowledge of local culture and dialects.

What’s more, you’ll get your steps in as you explore the building.

Price: S$8 per participant, S$28 per group of four, S$36 per group of six (includes booking fees)

Dates: Jul. 4, 5, 11, 12; 1pm - 8:30pm (last entry: 6:30pm)

DIY milk tea at Botanica Brews

Quench your thirst at Botanica Brews, an interactive experience where you can make your own roasted milk tea for just S$2.

Customise your own herbal tea blend by choosing your tea base, and then selecting from a variety of ingredients such as osmanthus, mulberry, tangerine peels, lavender, dried pears and goji berries.

This drinks bar is presented in collaboration with AMACHA, a local brand known for crafting Singapore’s first TCM-inspired herbal milk tea.

Price: S$2 per cup

Dates: Jul. 3-5, 10-12

Mytime Airtime

Do you have a hidden musical talent that you’ve been dying to show the world? Bring your own instrument along and join REMIX 2026’s Mytime Airtime “Open Jam with annsiangsounds” or join “Open Mic Done The Jazz Way”, if you’re fan of the jazz genre.

Whether you’re a performer or simply there to watch, everyone is in for some good tunes.

Price: Free

Dates: Jul. 5 (Open Jam) & Jul. 11 (Open Mic)

Performances

REMIX 2026’s attendees can also enjoy immersive theatre experiences, such as “Finding X”, which focuses on a Singaporean girl named X, struggling with her identity.

As per the show’s description:

“Finding X lays bare the struggles of a Singaporean girl wrestling with expectations about beauty, gender and social roles shaped by family, peers and social media.”

Dates:

Jul. 3-5, 10-12: 8pm

Jul. 4-5, 11-12: 2:30pm and 5pm

Meanwhile, horror fans can check out “ff”, a horror-themed musical theatre experience with accompanying Chinese orchestra music, set in a haunted school CCA practice room.

Dates: Jul. 4, 7pm and Jul. 5, 3pm and 7pm

Both performances cost S$28 including a S$3 booking fee.

Aside from these highlights, there will also be creative markets on Jul. 4, 5, 11 and 12, featuring local crafts, as well as more performances by Singapore’s youth jazz collective The Jazzlings and local singers Ben Hum, Marcus Lee and Jarvis Quek Shao Bin.

All drinks at Afterhours Livehouse are also on the house.

Dance and singing competitions will also see groups battle it out on the stage, and attendees can marvel at their smooth moves or sweet vocals.

Find out more about REMIX 2026 and purchase tickets here.

This branded article is brought to you by SCCC.

A 27-year-old Filipino man was sentenced to six weeks’ jail after he came to Singapore for a vacation and took upskirt videos of six women over the span of three hours.

Usi Christian Jior Orlino pleaded guilty to three out of six charges of voyeurism, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The remaining charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Orlino was on vacation in Singapore and was staying with his girlfriend at the time of the offence.

Chinatown Point

In charge sheets seen by Mothership, five of the six offences were committed at stores located at Chinatown Point on Nov. 6, 2025, from about 6:48pm to about 8:05pm.

According to Shin Min, in one incident, he placed his phone under the skirt of a woman wearing a blue dress at a bakery.

He activated the camera and filmed for about 33 seconds.

Orlino also used the same method on another woman at a pharmacy, where he recorded a video lasting about 19 seconds.

Outram Park MRT station

He then reportedly took the MRT from Chinatown station to Outram Park station to head back to his accommodation.

At about 9pm, he had already taken the escalator to leave the station platform.

However, he noticed a woman in a black dress along the way.

Orlino decided to return to the platform.

He then placed his phone between the woman’s legs, below her dress and proceeded to record a video of her genital region.

Two passengers who were taking the escalator down to the platform witnessed the act and stepped forward to stop him.

Orlino was handed over to station staff, and a police report was lodged.

He was subsequently arrested, and the videos were extracted from his phone.

Turned back to specifically film

The prosecution urged the judge to sentence Orlino to six weeks’ jail, saying that he had already left on the escalator but turned back specifically to film the woman.

Orlino’s lawyers said in mitigation that it was his first offence, and even though the case involved six women, they were all committed on the same day.

He pleaded for leniency.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 12-year-old Koon Hui Lin.

She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and grey pants in the vicinity of Block 131 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 on Jun. 24 at about 10am.

Anyone with information is requested to call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

A total of 41 motorists, aged between 25 and 68, will be charged on Jun. 25 for drink driving offences.

The motorists were arrested between June 2025 and June 2026.

They failed breathalyser tests administered during police enforcement checks.

Repeat offenders

Two male motorists, aged 44 and 48, are repeat drink driving offenders who were stopped by police for checks on Jun. 18 and Apr. 16, respectively.

They were reportedly found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol.

If convicted, they will serve a mandatory jail term.

Left stationary

Three male motorists, aged between 29 and 59, will face additional charges for allegedly being found in their vehicles in a stationary position along Hougang Street 13, Clementi Avenue 5, and Loyang Avenue on Apr. 30, May 9 and Jun. 15, respectively.

Their actions apparently obstructed traffic and potentially caused danger or inconvenience to other road users.

Investigations revealed that the three motorists had driven their cars after allegedly consuming alcohol and had fallen asleep behind the wheel.

They will be charged with drink driving and leaving a vehicle in a position causing undue inconvenience to others.

Punishment

The offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol carries a fine ranging from S$2,000 to S$10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.

Subsequent offences carry a fine ranging from S$5,000 to S$20,000, and a mandatory jail term of up to two years.

Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.

The offence of leaving a vehicle in a position that causes undue inconvenience to others carries a fine of up to S$2,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.

Subsequent offences carry a fine of up to S$5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

Police reminder

The police reminded motorists that driving under the influence of alcohol is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act.

Members of the public should not drive if they intend to consume alcohol.

They should opt for alternative forms of transport, such as taking a taxi or private hire vehicle, using public transport, engaging valet services, or designating a non-drinking driver to send them home.

Motorists are also reminded to abide by traffic laws to keep the roads safe.

The police said they do not condone drink driving and will not hesitate to take firm action against motorists who drink and drive.

A 24-year-old woman from China's Hubei province who underwent plastic surgery in 2025 complained that less than a month later, her face became crooked and she developed a protruding jaw.

Sin Chew Daily reported that she went for orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, after which she posted about her experience online.

Lower jaw mistakenly lengthened

Though her consultation was originally said to be about fillings, the doctor had reportedly recommended surgery, which she went for at the Wuhan University School of Stomatology.

Since she only had a slight protrusion of the lower jaw before the surgery, Sin Chew Daily reported that she supposedly only needed a slight 2 millimetre adjustment.

However, the doctor allegedly stretched her lower jaw by over 13 mm, which was said to have caused severe facial deformity.

Subsequently, relevant authoritative institutions identified that the surgery to be due to misdiagnosis and medical error, mirrormedia.mg reported.

Facial reconstruction

In addition, multiple dental hospitals assessed that if she were to undergo facial reconstruction, it would take four to five years and cost over 300,000 yuan (about S$57,300).

Sin Chew Daily also cited local media reports that the woman did not expect to end up with a "crooked" and "protruding" face after the surgery.

To that, the surgeon reportedly claimed that there was a slight error in the surgery's precision.

However, he supposedly added that she should learn to "accept" her current face shape as it was more "stylish".

Complaints

Following this, the woman was said to have filed repeated complaints to the hospital as well as the Health Commission.

She was then reportedly told that the Health Commission was "handling it", Sin Chew Daily reported.

Australian magician Daniel Hidden has been found dead after an extensive multi-agency search.

He was 26 years old.

His body was located at around 11am on Jun. 24 after a bushland search and rescue operation in the Gold Coast hinterland of Mount Cougal, according to a press release.

Last seen on Jun. 14

He was last seen leaving an address in a suburb in Gold Coast, Queensland, at about 3am on Jun. 14, 7news reported.

Shortly after his departure, his phone had been switched off, with calls diverting to a full voicemail inbox.

Hidden's silver Hyundai Santa Fe and Galaxy caravan were found parked in Currumbin Valley on Jun. 16, two days after his disappearance.

This launched a large-scale land and aerial search around the surrounding area for the next 10 days, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Around 100 personnel were involved in the search, which included multi-agency cooperation across the police, fire department, emergency service, defence force, aviation units, volunteers, and drone operators.

Family's emotional appeal

Prior to the discovery of his body, Hidden’s family had remained at the search site throughout the operation and made a public plea for assistance.

His brother, Ilya Jamshidi, shared that the family initially assumed Hidden was on another solo adventure.

However, they grew increasingly concerned as the days passed without contact, according to 7news.

He said: "A week without contact or shelter, that's pretty unusual to us."

Jamshidi said the area Hidden had disappeared from was one of his favourite places: "He's got the coordinates of a spot in this place tattooed on his fingers... So it means a lot to him."

Jamshidi also explained that his brother was an experienced adventurer who deliberately sought out difficult terrain away from established walking tracks.

Investigations ongoing

In a press release, police said his death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Investigations surrounding his death are ongoing.

One bak kut teh stall patron was recently quite pleased to inform Prime Minister Lawrence Wong that thanks to the CDC vouchers, he was able to order extra fish with his meal.

PM Wong, accompanied by Jurong Central SMC MP Xie Yao Quan, had sat down with the elderly man at Yuhua Place Market and Hawker Centre.

The man was in the midst of finishing a meal from Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh, and told PM Wong that he had travelled from Punggol to the west to try this stall, which was famous.

"We used the CDC vouchers to order fish! If not, we would only order bak kut teh."

PM Wong responded that "now you not only have fish to eat, [the stallholders] also have business."

"It's a win-win situation, isn't it?"

@lawrencewongstLike this couple, I hope everyone is putting their CDC vouchers to good use!♬ original sound - Lawrence Wong

CDC vouchers

The most recent tranche of S$500 CDC vouchers was disbursed on Jun. 11.

This tranche was originally planned for January 2027, but was brought forward by the government in light of rising fuel prices and heightened cost-of-living anxieties arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

As with previous tranches, the vouchers are split into two halves — S$250 for spending at participating hawkers and heartland merchants, and S$250 for spending at participating supermarkets.

As of Jun. 3, 2026, more than S$4.64 billion has been spent across the eight CDC voucher tranches and the SG60 voucher tranches, covering both seniors and adults, Low shared.

Those who have yet to claim their vouchers can do so by visiting https://go.gov.sg/cdcv.

The director of Stars Engrg, Chua Xing Da, has been sentenced to 18 months and 1 week's jail over a fatal workplace explosion and fire at the company's Tuas worksite on Feb. 24, 2021.

The blast killed three workers, Shohel Md, Anisuzzaman Md, and Subbaiyan Marimuthu, and injured seven others.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Jun. 25, the company was also fined S$500,000 for offences under the Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006 (WSHA).

The production manager of Stars Engrg's, Lwin Moe Tun, was also sentenced to six weeks' jail for obstructing investigations into the incident.

What happened

The explosion occurred while workers were producing fire-retardant wraps using a heated mixer machine at the Tuas facility.

Investigations found that the machine had been operated unsafely for an extended period despite repeated warning signs, including overheating, oil leaks, smoke emissions and an earlier fire incident.

These led to a build-up of pressure within the machine, which eventually triggered the explosion.

MOM's investigations uncovered multiple workplace safety and health lapses, including failures in risk assessments, safe work procedures, machine maintenance and supervision.

Workers were also inadequately trained to operate and maintain the mixer machine safely.

Following the explosion, Lwin, acting on Chua's instructions, deleted messages exchanged with one of the deceased workers regarding the handling of a faulty heater on the mixer machine shortly before the incident.

These were significant to MOM's investigations into the accident.

Result of investigations

An inquiry committee convened by MOM later found that the explosion and subsequent fire could have been prevented.

Its findings pointed to serious failures in the safe operation and maintenance of the mixer machine, despite multiple warning signs that should have prompted corrective action.

The committee also found inadequate controls for combustible powders at the worksite, which contributed to secondary flash fires.

The findings ultimately led to charges against the company and those responsible for the safety lapses that contributed to the incident.

The committee's recommendations were subsequently accepted by the government.

The Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce announced enhanced safety measures for higher-risk machinery and combustible dusts in November 2024, and these took effect from Jan. 1, 2025.

Mandated under the WSHA and WSH (General Provisions) Regulations, the measures strengthened duties across the machinery supply chain, expanded the list of higher-risk machinery subject to regulation under the WSHA, and introduced additional requirements for the labelling and notification of combustible dust hazards.

MOM said it has also continued targeted outreach, guidance and enforcement efforts to raise industry awareness and prevent similar workplace incidents.

Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health, Silas Sng, said companies and their officers have to act decisively at the first sign of risk.

Sng described the incident as a "preventable tragedy", noting that repeated warning signs and unsafe practices had gone unaddressed.

"Workplace safety is a responsibility that rests not only with workers on the ground, but also with those who oversee operations and make decisions affecting workers’ safety," he said.

He stressed that MOM will continue to take firm enforcement action against employers and company officers who fail in their duties to protect workers' safety and health, as well as individuals who attempt to obstruct investigations into workplace incidents.

Related stories

According to CNA, a 55-year-old licensed Singaporean real estate agent has been sentenced to three months’ jail after her company promoted an Australian property investment scheme, causing 347 investors to lose a total of S$16.21 million.

Out of those affected, 344 were local investors who lost a combined S$16.09 million.

Wendy Kwek Siang Ling pleaded guilty on Jun. 24 to one charge under the Securities and Futures Act for consenting to her company dealing in securities without a Capital Markets Services licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Kwek also fully managed and controlled Global Property Network Inc (GPNI), a company with no employees incorporated in Seychelles in 2011, alongside her then-husband, to facilitate overseas property deals.

It was agreed that all funds in GPNI's bank account belonged solely to Kwek.

Through her introduction services, GPNI received S$2.735 million in commissions.

Ran property investment courses

In court documents seen by Mothership, Kwek was a licensed real estate agent between January and August 2015, the period during which the offences occurred.

She was the sole director and trainer of WK Events, a Singapore company that ran paid property investment courses.

Kwek drew an annual salary of around S$260,000 from this company.

Upon completing the course, participants would become part of WK Events' investment network and be notified of "property investment opportunities".

The investment scheme

Kwek was first introduced to Desiree Veronica Macpherson and learnt about the Macro investment scheme in August 2014.

Macpherson managed the Macro Group, a network of about 250 companies purportedly in the business of acquiring, managing, and developing real estate in Australia.

One of these companies was Macro Realty Development (Macro SG), a Singapore-incorporated company.

Between 2013 and 2016, the Macro group solicited funds for the purported development of dual-key houses in Newman, Australia.

The scheme raised approximately S$122 million from 1,800 investors worldwide.

Locally, around S$54.7 million was raised from around 643 investors.

The scheme was played out in several iterations, involving the development of different parts of land within Pilbara, a region in Western Australia, and was marketed in various countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.

In December 2014, Kwek signed an agreement for GPNI to act as an "introducer" for Macro SG.

Introducers usually signed agreements stipulating that they were to provide introduction services of the scheme to local investors.

As a result, they would get paid commission ranging from 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the total amount raised from investors who enter into a binding loan or agreement with Macro SG.

To get investors, WK Events sent out email invitations to past course participants and Kwek’s property network, inviting them to investment seminars held at their Shenton Way office.

The emails promised a "short-term and low-entry" 12-month fixed investment with "multiple layers of protection".

It stated that WK Events had arranged for a developer to share about a potential funding opportunity in Australia, which related to the provision of housing for miners with "assured 14 per cent to 16 per cent per annum" with an assured exit in one year.

The seminars drew crowds of over 100 attendees each.

Kwek would speak first before handing the floor to Macpherson.

The presentation included representations that the Australian government had invested S$1.7 billion in the region and that "there (was) exceptional capital growth".

The minimum investment was set at S$10,000.

Investors were promised a 14 per cent annual return for amounts up to S$49,000, and 16 per cent for investments of S$50,000 and above.

Using personal influence

During at least one seminar, Kwek told attendees that she had personally visited Newman, Australia, describing it as "the largest estate in the whole of the Pilbara segment for the mining industry".

She also claimed that the government wanted to create more housing for miners, and that she had met up with an Australian member of parliament who had championed the renewal of several cities, including Newman, and that she had seen "very good result".

Kwek ended the seminar saying that investors would have three levels of securities, two levels of guarantors by Macro Developments companies, and one, which is a security deed.

She explained that this was "the reason why this return is considered fantastic already".

She also said that this scheme had higher returns, unlike other projects, which were of "higher risk", and that those who invested S$100,000 would be referred to a Macro Developments representative who would take them on a site inspection trip in Australia.

At least one investor invested in the scheme because he felt assured after Kwek claimed she had personally flown to Australia to inspect the site and had even invested her own money into the scheme.

No MAS license

The Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) revealed that Macro SG ultimately entered into 411 finance agreements with 347 investors through WK Events, raising S$18.45 million.

Under these agreements, investors were framed as "lenders" and Macro SG as the "borrower."

The court said that these agreements constituted "debentures," which are classified as securities under the Securities and Futures Act.

By organising seminars and actively soliciting clients, WK Events was "dealing in securities" which is a regulated activity that requires a Capital Markets Services licence from MAS.

WK Events did not hold this licence, and Kwek did not seek legal advice on whether one was required.

According to CNA, Kwek's defence lawyers argued for a fine of S$150,000 instead of jail time, highlighting that Kwek herself had lost S$100,000 by investing in the scheme.

For consenting to her company conducting a regulated activity without the required MAS licence, Kwek could have faced a maximum penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to S$150,000, or both.