The 28 public agencies that make up the government's Haze Task Force stand ready to roll out their respective haze action plans should air quality deteriorate into the unhealthy range when the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) exceeds 100.

Hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan

In a media release issued on Aug. 9, the National Environment Agency (NEA) noted that the 24-hour PSI had reached 81 in the central region of Singapore as of Aug. 9, 1pm.

This places it in the higher part of the moderate range, with values above 100 deemed "unhealthy."

The release noted that recent dry conditions have resulted in an escalation in the hot spot situation.

Hot spots and smoke plumes had been observed over parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan. Under prevailing south-easterly winds, smoke haze could travel towards Singapore, particularly from hot spots in the southern parts of Sumatra.

Such dry conditions are expected to continue in the coming week, which could increase the risk of haze should the fires persist.

Closely monitoring the situation

The NEA said it would continue to closely monitor the haze situation and provide further updates if the situation changed.

Should the 24-hour PSI enter the unhealthy range, it would also issue daily haze advisories.

Such daily haze advisories would include the 24-hrPSI forecast, which the public could use to plan activities and events for the next day.

Members of the public are advised to refer to the current 1-hr PM2.5 concentration as an indicator of current air quality.

When planning outdoor or strenuous activities over the next few hours, they were advised to use the 1-hr PM2.5-associated personal guide.

The 1-hr PM2.5 concentration level can be volatile and fluctuates throughout the day based on weather conditions, particularly during periods of transboundary haze.

Health advisory

The NEA warned that the impact of the haze on an individual was dependent on their health status, the 24-hr PSI level, and the duration and intensity of outdoor activities.

Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion and drinking water to stay hydrated can reduce ill effects from haze exposure.

It is also advised that those with pre-existing chronic heart and lung conditions should ensure that medication is readily available.

Vulnerable persons, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic heart and lung conditions, who develop symptoms or feel unwell should seek medical attention promptly.

It advised the public to look for current air quality readings and advisories to protect public health at www.nea.gov.sg, www.haze.gov.sg, and using the myENV app.

Haze Task Force

The Government Haze Task Force is chaired by the NEA and is tasked with developing and implementing action plans to minimise and manage the impact of haze in Singapore.

Its member agencies have robust action plans in place, allowing for tiered responses depending on the intensity of the haze, which is determined by air quality readings and forecasts.

The 28 public agencies that make up the HTF are as follows:

The Haze Task Force usually convenes annually, usually before the start of the dry season in June, in order to update its plans.

However, in 2026, the Haze Task Force has convened twice so far:

At the end of January, when dry weather in East Johor caused heat and vegetation fires, resulting in some plumes of smoke from the fires drifting towards Singapore.

The taskforce also convened in April.

The Haze Task Force's release comes after the Singapore Institute of International Affairs issued a rare "red" alert in its annual Haze Outlook report in June 2026.

The report warned of severe transboundary haze that might affect Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia; identifying the months of August and September as the "peak danger period."

On holiday in Taiwan with his wife and four others, a Singaporean man was allegedly attacked by five men.

The man, surnamed Ng, told Mothership that the incident happened on Aug. 8 at around 4am as he and his group were leaving a karaoke session at Superstar KTV in Taichung City.

The 35-year-old suffered injuries on his head, arms and chest and subsequently missed his planned return flight scheduled on Aug. 8 afternoon.

How the assault happened

As it was their last night in Taiwan, Ng and his group sang and drank with their local friends and relatives at the KTV.

Ng told Mothership that the incident happened when he was entering the lift with his wife, two of his wife's cousins and a friend after the karaoke session.

He was the last to enter the lift and someone pushed him from behind, he recounted.

Confused by the push, Ng turned around. A man then shouted, "看三小 ? (What are you looking at?)" before punching Ng.

"No strangers in their right mind would have wanted to enter the lift because it would be too cramped. The lift is perfect for at most 6 pax. And these 3 assaulters were quite plump," Ng said.

Ng's companions tried to hold the assailants back but to no avail. They suffered light bruises and scratches in the scuffle.

Another two men joined the fight later and while Ng was on the ground, a man struck him with a fire extinguisher.

Ng told Mothership that his group did not know any of the men.

"I can’t find a reason why they were provoked. That is why I told the law enforcers these people might be on drugs. But they apparently didn’t mention any of these and I wasn’t told a urine test was done for them nor for me," Ng said but added that he has no evidence to prove that the men took drugs.

Injured, missed return flight and paid bail

The police were subsequently alerted and they were taken to the hospital before going to the police station to give their statements, Ng said.

The police asked Ng if he would press charges against the men, Ng said he would.

However, the police told him that his attackers also had the intention to press charges against him, which left him "speechless".

According to Ng, the police also asked him to pay a bail of about NT$20,000(S\$$820).

He added that the police told him that if he's guilty and failed to appear for the court hearing, the money would be forfeited. However, if he's innocent, the money would be returned to him.

Ng told Mothership that despite being a victim, he didn't feel supported by the authorities.

"I was handcuffed, photographed from multiple angles, fingerprinted, and even had my palm prints taken—exactly like a criminal," he said.

Ng could not return to Singapore as planned on Aug. 8 because of the incident.

He was advised by the hospital staff to monitor for any sign of dizziness or vomiting in the following 72 hours to ensure he's not suffering from major head injuries.

The incident also made him appreciate Singapore's law enforcement more.

"Witnessing this overseas makes me grateful for our law enforcements and laws in Singapore. Here they can merely escape justice with 'fines'. When the law enforcements arrived at the scene, the attackers were still provoking and challenging the police. Bet they were on drugs and no urine tests were taken because if there were any findings, it only means more paperwork for the police," Ng said.

Ng is still in Taiwan and said he will have to make another trip to the hospital tomorrow (Aug. 10).

Local Mandopop singer-songwriter Carrie Yeo, 43, announced that she has officially become a Singapore citizen, making this National Day a memorable one for her.

The singer, who's a part of local pop duo "The Freshman" with Chen Diya, took to Instagram on Aug. 8 to share the news.

In the caption, Yeo said that she has been living in Singapore since she was 13 years old.

"Some people might not even realise I'm not Singaporean," she added.

Yeo also shared her appreciation for national icon Kit Chan for writing her letter of recommendation for her citizenship application.

She said that she will "work hard to live up" to what Chan wrote in the letter.

Many local celebrities offered their congratulations in the comment section.

Yeo told Mothership that she was "very, very happy" and "privileged" to be given the citizenship.

"I also feel very grounded, because Singapore is my home and now it's official. I get to grow old with my community and my people. I also feel a stronger sense of duty now towards my home," she added.

A bus in Hougang was forced to brake abruptly when a car swerved into the bus's path from the opposite direction.

The incident saw minor injuries to three bus passengers, with one being sent to the hospital.

Car came from opposite direction

The incident involved SBS Transit bus number 329 and took place at around 8:50 am on the morning of Aug. 2 at the intersection of Hougang Avenue 9 and Hougang Avenue 4.

SBS Transit, responding to a query from Mothership, said that bus was preparing to make a right turn at the intersection with the traffic light in its favour.

But a car travelling in the opposite direction suddenly entered the bus's path.

The bus driver immediately applied the emergency brakes in order to avoid a collision, but three passengers sustained injuries in the incident.

Passenger taken to hospital

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told Mothership that one person was conveyed to Sengkang General Hospital.

SBS Transit confirmed the hospitalisation, and added that the injured passenger was receiving outpatient treatment, and that it wished "the injured passenger a speedy recovery."

Two other passengers declined to be taken to hospital.

Pictures posted on social media of the incident showed an SCDF ambulance at the scene, while a small crowd, possibly waiting passengers, looked on.

The remaining passengers were transferred to another bus to continue their journeys.

This week saw the passing of Tan Geok Han at the age of 98, one of the main characters featured in an animation featured in Boo Junfeng's 2021 National Day Parade (NDP).

Tan survived the Bukit Ho Swee Fire in 1961, rebuilding her home and life with a sewing machine she pulled from the rubble, and raised her family with the proceeds of that sewing machine.

Seamstress and fire survivor

Tan was featured in director Boo Junfeng’s animated feature for NDP 2021, which told the story of Tan and other Singaporeans striving through adversity.

It showed how Tan, a seamstress, had experienced the loss of her home and livelihood during the 1961 Bukit Ho Swee fire.

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But she had managed to salvage her Singer sewing machine from the rubble of her former home, and when she moved to a newly built HDB flat, had brought it with her and used it to provide for her family.

Five stars

Boo shared the news of Tan's passing in a social media post on Aug. 9.

After Boo and his team met Tan in 2021, they continued to meet regularly twice a year, usually around Chinese New Year and National Day.

Tan would affectionately call the team her 五颗星, or “Five Stars”, sometimes calling to ask when her “Five Stars” were coming to visit, according to Boo.

Boo warmly recalled the visits, and Tan’s “joyful spirit and wicked sense of humour”, which he said never waned despite her picking up more ailments as time went by.

As Boo’s team would regularly visit Tan during National Day, and had been hoping to do so again this week, they would unexpectedly end up paying respects at her wake instead.

But he said that Tan had led a long and fulfilling life, and that his team were glad to have gotten to know her.

No point getting angry at people

Boo shared some anecdotes about Tan with Mothership, saying that he and his team had learnt of her passing after Tan’s son got in contact with producer Ben Tan.

He recalled a creative woman who continued to sketch and paint into her final years, eager to show Boo’s team her latest creations.

He also shared his memories of her reminding them that there was “no point getting angry at people”, the theme of a handwritten folk poem that Tan had pinned on her wall.

Each of them was a giant

Boo and Tan’s lives intertwined around National Day and the project they shared together.

He told Mothership that on this National Day, he was “grateful for the foundations laid by the generations before us.”

“We stand on the shoulders of ordinary people who made sacrifices, big and small, to bring us to where we are today.

In their own way, each of them was a giant."

Orbiting somewhere between Mars and Jupiter at this moment is an asteroid named (26227) Tan.

But what you may not know is that it was named after a Singaporean — 28-year-old astronomer Nicole Tan.

A degree and an asteroid

The news of the naming, Tan said, came as a complete surprise.

You can't pay for an asteroid to be named after you, nor is it something that happens because of a particular accomplishment.

"The process is kind of opaque to everyone," she explained. "[But] it's not like something a billionaire gets once they put money into it."

Asteroids are named by a committee of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Traditionally, the astronomer who first discovers an asteroid gets first dibs on naming rights, though they are not allowed to name it after themselves.

Some name them after loved ones, while others nominate individuals who have made significant social or academic contributions.

In Tan's case, an accumulation of years of research contributions to the field of astronomy was what got her on the list.

But it was still a shock when one of her ex-collaborators, who happened to be a member of the IAU, called to break the news to her.

"Since there's no criteria for it... it's kind of out of my hands, it's not something I've ever tried to target," she said. "It was very exciting... it felt like a proud moment."

Tan quipped that it's an honour she shares with other asteroids, some with more whimsical names like "potato" or "cavefish" (based, presumably, on their shape).

"You can't really get such a big head about it," she said with a chuckle. "It keeps you humble."

A curious child

Tan was speaking to me while on a six-hour transit in Changi Airport between Poland, where the naming ceremony had taken place, and New Zealand, where she'd submitted her thesis at the University of Canterbury just days before.

It's clearly a busy time in her life, especially since she'd just completed her doctoral degree in Astronomy in June.

But where did it all begin?

As a child, Tan recalled "getting really into universe documentaries" on the Discovery Channel when her family briefly lived in China.

She had always been a curious child, she said, and astronomy and cosmology stood out to her as interesting subjects.

But she did not realise she could build a career out of it until an astronomy class during her undergraduate years, where she was pursuing a different degree.

"I thought, 'Oh, wow, this is really cool.' It's very interdisciplinary, you pull in math and physics and chemistry, all these different aspects in order to solve really big problems," she enthused.

Later, an opportunity arose to pursue a PhD on trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs).

She took it, and the rest was history.

Moments of awe

On the asteroid's information page, a long string of numbers indicates that it has been documented countless times over the span of 75 years, at observatories all around the globe.

It also lists Tan's achievements, including her thesis on trans-Neptunian objects, and that she was a recipient of a college medal in her undergraduate years in the U.S.

But when I asked her about the most memorable moments over the course of her nearly six-year-long degree, her answers were less about achievement than moments of awe.

At one point, she was part of a team assisting global space agencies in a mission to hit an asteroid off course.

"In the doomsday scenario, where the asteroid is coming towards us... the idea is that we find the asteroid early enough so we can nudge it a little bit, so it veers off course," she explained.

So during her research in New Zealand, her team engineered an "artificial collision" to target an asteroid that was near Earth.

Over the next few months, she got to see the asteroid move towards the point of impact — and then, upon making contact, how it broke apart afterwards.

Tan later got to capture that moment in a gif she stitched together:

A Singaporean connection

For Tan, the significance of the achievement was in having her research tied to her nationality for the first time.

"My whole astronomy research career has been done completely out of Singapore, so all my research and my institutions have no ties to Singapore, which makes me kind of sad," she explained.

"But the fact that my citation says that I'm a Singaporean makes me pretty excited, because it's the one tangible thing linking me to home."

She now joins the likes of another well-known Tan, Chinese philanthropist Tan Kah Kee (himself a prominent Singapore figure), who had an asteroid named after him in 1990.

While she's spent the last decade abroad, Tan said she hopes to transfer the skills she has picked up from astronomy — computer science, coding and effective communication — into a viable career in Singapore.

Here, the "traditional" career options for astronomers — mostly in academia and research, or institutions and observatories — are limited.

But she's considering her options. "I miss home," she confessed.

Where is it now

Asked about her asteroid, Tan enthusiastically whipped out a telescopic image on her laptop and animatedly gestured to a small bright dot in the centre.

It's faint, but stands out against the many other spots on the screen.

When I asked her to explain what we were looking at, the previously reserved young woman disappeared.

"It's a main belt asteroid just between Mars and Jupiter," she began explaining, adding that it sits inclined instead of in line with the solar system.

"Right now it's orbiting the sun, just going about its life, I guess, like me."

It's a strange kind of parallel. In her work, she captures ephemeral moments in time, a little like a stop-motion camera; but the impact is far more permanent.

I asked how her younger self would feel about her achievement. "Pretty excited," she guessed.

"I always wanted to, as a child, have some sort of, I guess – make a mark.

Not in a grandiose sense, but more in a sense of 'yeah, there's some evidence I've been in this world'."

In its 2026 National Day message, the Workers' Party (WP) drew on Singapore's founding story of Sang Nila Utama to highlight the need to put "people above all else" as Singapore navigates "choppy seas".

Whether history or legend, the story has endured because it reminds us that Singapore’s journey began with sacrifice for the common good. We are strongest when we place our shared future above individual claims, and our people above all else.

WP's Secretary-General Pritam Singh noted that geopolitical pressures and economic uncertainty have raised costs, making everyday life more difficult for many Singaporeans.

"That is why strong safety nets matter—not merely as temporary lifebuoys in moments of crisis, but as structural supports that give every family the confidence to weather difficult times with dignity," the message stated.

Singh went on to call for all workers to have wages that reflect "the value of their work" and workplaces that "offer fairness and dignity".

He added that those who are retrenched should receive "meaningful support" before and after retrenchment.

He also called for support for those who need help, including the caregivers, lower-income Singaporeans and persons with disabilities.

WP ended its message by reminding Singaporeans that "diverse voices and different political perspectives do not weaken Singapore when expressed with respect and common purpose".

"The Workers’ Party will continue to play its role as a loyal and constructive opposition—offering ideas, asking difficult questions, and advancing policies that improve the lives of all Singaporeans."

PM Wong also delivered his National Day message to Singaporeans on Aug. 8. He addressed concerns that Singaporeans have on geopolitical uncertainties and AI, and shared that the government will be undertaking a major review of how families in Singapore are supported.

You can read his National Day message here:

19-year-old Odera James has a Nigerian father and a Singaporean Indian mother.

He was born here, attends a local school, and hopes to serve his National Service (NS) after he graduates.

While some may make assumptions of him based on his looks, the soft-spoken youth hopes to rewrite stereotypes and share his experience living as an African Singaporean here.

This is his story.

By Odera James

I was born in Singapore.

A few months after I was born, my family moved to Australia, because my mum was pursuing further studies.

We stayed there for a few years — four to five years. Then I came back to Singapore.

So I've lived in Singapore for 13 years.

My mum is Singaporean Indian, and my father is Nigerian.

Basically, I'm like a Singaporean dish: rojak.

What was your earliest memory of Singapore?

My earliest memory of Singapore was when I was a kid, in daycare.

I attended the PAP daycare, under my block.

I made a lot of friends. I remember throwing quite a few birthday parties in my class.

Then I attended Mayflower Primary School, then Spectra Secondary School.

In primary and secondary school, I was quite laid back to be honest.

So I didn't do well.

What was it like moving back to Singapore?

Actually, moving back to Singapore was quite tumultuous and stressful.

My father is a Nigerian citizen, so he had some struggles with immigration, and had to leave the country every three months.

It was quite hard on my family, because my father wasn't really in my life much.

Whenever I saw kids with their fathers, I saw how they could see their fathers all the time, unlike me.

A few years later, my mother and father got divorced. My father went back permanently to Nigeria.

For almost 10 years, we were estranged, like quite distant from each other.

And a few months ago, my father passed away.

Did you have trouble settling down?

When I was in Australia, I had a hard time adjusting, because I told them I was from Singapore.

But when I went to a Singaporean school, I was also seen as quite different.

People said, 'oh, you're an international student. Aren't you supposed to be in an international school?'"

And I told them I was born in Singapore, I just look different.

People would also have some stereotypes of me. Especially elderly people.

Like sometimes when I try to sit with an elderly person on the bus, they'll look at me, then they will stand up and walk away.

But in my mind I try to see it in a positive way. Like maybe they have just not seen a person like me before.

Maybe if they see more of me, then they'll get used to it.

What about today? Do you feel Singaporean?

Even now, I feel like I'm living between two worlds.

Some people see me as too African, others see me as not African enough.

I felt that I had to prove to myself that even though I may be foreign-looking, I can still be accepted and considered a local.

I do want to serve my National Service, after I complete my diploma. I want to give back to the country.

I'm actually looking forward to it. It's the best way I can give back to my country, at this young age.

Because I've been here for so long, I grew up here, I made a life for myself here.

No matter how I look, how people might perceive me or judge me, Singapore will always be my home.

What are your dreams in Singapore?

When I graduated from secondary school, I wanted to pursue logistics.

I went to ITE and pursued this programme called Nitec in Logistic Services. Then Higher Nitec.

Now I'm doing the Work-Study Diploma at ITE.

[During my Nitec] I was able to do well enough that I became the bronze course medallist, which means I was third place in my course of study.

I felt very grateful that my teachers had faith in me to give me these kinds of awards.

It showed that they really cared. So I also ensured that I did my best throughout my course of study.

After I graduate, I want to work for like 15 to 20 years, and then, I would like to start my own logistics business.

How do you plan to celebrate National Day?

My mum and I are quite celebratory about it. We watch it every single year.

I attended a National Day Parade in 2014, and then also the National Education (NE) show in primary school.

I'm quite curious every year what they're gonna do.

My favourite National Day song is the 2016 one, "Tomorrow's Here Today".

I think it's quite catchy, and it brings people together.

That's why it's my favourite NDP song ever.

To help Singapore families deal with competing demands, the government will undertake a "major review" of how it supports families, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He was delivering the National Day Message on the evening of Aug. 8.

PM Wong also acknowledged the various challenges that Singapore faces, from the Middle East conflict to advancements in AI.

But while Singapore cannot control developments beyond its borders, it can control how it responds and must continue preparing for the challenges ahead, he said.

"We will always stand by Singaporeans," PM Wong stressed.

"But our responsibility is not just to deal with today's challenges. We must also prepare Singapore for the future."

Middle East crisis

Speaking on the Middle East crisis, PM Wong said that the international environment remains volatile, with geopolitical tensions continuing to reshape the global landscape.

In Singapore, the crisis has driven up energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and increased costs for households and businesses, he said.

Many Singaporeans are also concerned about what the geopolitical environment means for their jobs, families, and the future.

Despite these challenges, Singapore's economy has remained resilient.

Economic growth was robust in the first half of the year, and the labour market has remained stable, PM Wong said.

The government has also introduced another package of measures to help Singaporeans cope with the continued uncertainty.

Embracing advances in technology on Singapore's own terms

PM Wong also spoke about rapid technological innovation, particularly the advancements in AI.

While Singapore cannot afford to stand still as other countries advance, he stressed that it should not "accept every new technology uncritically".

"Singapore will embrace these advances on our own terms.

They must remain tools that serve people, strengthen communities and improve lives."

So far, Singapore is benefitting from the growth of AI, particularly in its semiconductor industry. The government also intends to harness the technology to boost productivity and create better jobs.

At the same time, it will continue to invest in skills upgrading and workforce training to ensure Singaporeans can adapt, grow and thrive amid technological change.

Separately, PM Wong noted that while social media has enabled people to stay connected and exchange ideas, concerns have grown over its impact on children and young people.

To address these concerns, he said the government will strengthen safeguards to better protect children and help them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

More support for families

Across the world, couples are facing growing pressure to give their children the best possible start in life.

At the same time, many are also caring for ageing parents alongside work commitments.

PM Wong acknowledged that families are feeling stretched as they balance competing responsibilities.

To this end, the government will be undertaking a "major" review of how it supports families.

"We hear these concerns in Singapore too. And that is why we are undertaking a major review of how we support families — not only at the point of marriage and parenthood, but throughout life's journey.

We are taking a fresh look at issues like the costs of raising children, access to affordable infant care and childcare, and other ways to lighten the load on families."

More details regarding this will be shared at the National Day Rally on Aug. 23.

Building a stronger Singapore for the future

Looking ahead, PM Wong said every generation has a responsibility to build a better future for the next.

To that end, Singapore will continue to strengthen its energy security, make better use of its limited land, and invest in the infrastructure needed for the future.

But nation-building goes beyond physical infrastructure, he said.

It also means remaining open to new ideas, deepening links with the world, and welcoming people who wish to contribute to Singapore and make it their home.

This is essential for a small island state like Singapore.

"When times are uncertain, it is tempting for countries to turn inward. But Singapore cannot afford to do so.

Our openness has served us well throughout our history, and it remains vital to our success in the years ahead."

PM Wong concluded by reaffirming the importance of unity, noting that Singapore has always brought together people from different backgrounds as one nation.

"The challenges before us are real. But so too are our strengths — our resilience, our openness and our unity.

If we keep faith with one another and stay true to the ideals of our Pledge, we will build a better and stronger Singapore together."

Singapore lawyer and politician Lim Tean reportedly crossed into Malaysia by land after failing to surrender to serve his jail sentence, according to a tip-off to Shin Min Daily News.

He then hid in a rental apartment in Johor Bahru, where he was subsequently arrested by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) in Johor Bahru on Aug. 6.

The 61-year-old was supposed to begin serving a sentence of three months and one week on Aug. 3 for practising law without a valid practising certificate.

However, he did not surrender as required, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

His lawyer had earlier said that Lim was uncontactable, while his bailor was also unable to reach him.

Crossed into Malaysia by land

Following news of his arrest, speculation emerged over how Lim had allegedly left Singapore and entered Malaysia.

Some suggested he may have hidden in the boot of a car, while others speculated that he travelled by sea.

However, according to Shin Min Daily News, Lim crossed the Singapore-Malaysia border by land before hiding in the rental apartment in Johor Bahru.

Citing a source, the Chinese-language daily reported that Mohammad Adam Abd Karim, one of two men charged with allegedly conspiring to help Lim leave Singapore illegally, is believed to have rented the apartment where Lim was staying.

An eyewitness told Shin Min that they saw a man collecting the keys to the apartment and claimed that the individual's name matched that of Mohammad Adam.

Refused to open door

According to the source, Lim was supposed to stay at the apartment until Aug. 7 before checking out.

But he was arrested a day earlier.

When Malaysian police arrived at his apartment, Lim allegedly refused to open the door to his apartment for about two hours, and was also unable to produce a passport upon request.

He reportedly appeared dishevelled and haggard when he was arrested.

It was also said that Lim left the apartment only twice a day to pick up his takeaway meals, but was eventually recognised, as the area is frequented by Singaporeans.

Two Singaporeans charged for allegedly helping Lim escape

Earlier on Aug. 8, Mohammad Adam, 44, and Sulaiman Muhammad Firdaus, 37, were charged for allegedly conspiring to make arrangements for Lim to illegally depart Singapore for Malaysia.

They were each handed one count of engaging in a conspiracy to do an act that has a tendency to defeat the course of justice.

Their cases have been adjourned to Aug. 14.

If convicted, they face up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.