Three teenagers in Malaysia were electrocuted after strong winds pushed the big flags they were carrying into power lines.

They were carrying the flags as part of a Nine Emperor Gods Festival procession.

One of the three teens, a 16-year-old, suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body.

The 16-year-old succumbed to his injuries after spending a week in the hospital.

16-year-old passes after one week in hospital

After suffering the electrocution, the 16-year-old, Xu Zhi Kang (transliteration), was taken to the hospital.

The incident occurred during a Nine Emperor Gods Festival procession in Kedah, Malaysia, on Oct. 13.

He was the most seriously injured of the three teenagers.

On Oct. 19, the teenager underwent a skin graft operation that lasted eight to nine hours, Sin Chew Daily reported.

However, his immune system remained weak and his condition continued to be unstable post-operation.

He succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 21 at about 1am.

Xu suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body.

Outgoing, excellent student

Xu's father remembers him as an outgoing boy who was full of life, Sin Chew Daily wrote.

He had been a basketball player and volunteered as a firefighter.

Xu was also an excellent student who was in the top class.

The 16-year-old was the eldest of six siblings.

He was well-loved by his siblings, and his departure has left them in grief, Sin Chew Daily wrote.

"Dad, dad, dad"

After learning about what happened, Xu's father said he rushed to the hospital.

When Xu saw him arrive, Xu cried out to him three times.

He also told his father that he felt cold.

His father then covered him with a blanket and told him to get a good rest.

This was the father and son's final exchange.

It was in 2010 when Lee* found himself on the streets.

He'd lost his job and his marriage had broken down. To financially support his son and his ageing parents, he sold his flat.

He still recalls his first night sleeping rough. It was in a park, near a sex worker district.

He struggled to sleep; when he finally succeeded, he woke up to find his shoes missing.

"I'd never slept outside in my whole life," he tells Mothership. It was meant to be a temporary measure while he looked for a rental flat.

In the end, Lee would spend the next 10 years on the streets of Singapore.

The invisible people

Lee recalls how he would sleep in corridors, parks, beaches. He'd use a piece of cardboard as his mattress, and his bag as his pillow.

To dodge the police, he'd wake up early, around 5am.

Eventually, he met other rough sleepers, who told him where to get free food, where to shower. Temples and churches and stadiums with public toilets.

Some nights, he faced "prowlers": people who would lurk in such areas, attempting to steal from the rough sleepers as they slept.

"[One of them] tried to snatch my handphone," he recalls. "Even though we are so poor."

In the day, he'd work in F&B. He only returned late at night, past 10pm, to avoid any misunderstandings from the public.

"They think we are bad people," he says.

"Because of the way people look at you, I never tell people I'm a rough sleeper.

...When you're sleeping on the road, what can you have? You have nothing.

It's not that I want [to be in these] circumstances, right? Your marriage breaks down, you lose your job. The only alternative is sleeping out."

Dealing with doubt

Today, Lee is off the streets and safely in a rental flat.

After he fell sick and became unable to work, he approached a social worker, who referred him to New Hope Community Services — a social service agency which runs transitional shelters in Singapore for rough sleepers.

But he is just one of the hundreds of people in Singapore who find themselves out on the streets every year.

Each with an entirely unique story of their own. While at a fundraising event at New Hope, I also met Cedric* — cheerful, well-spoken, and a father-of-two.

The Singaporean shared that he first ended up on the streets in 2017, when he was essentially kicked out of the house by his mother.

He'd met a woman, his now-wife, who is Indonesian. "My mother, my own mother, couldn't understand why I had to get into a relationship with a foreigner. She couldn't accept it," he tells us.

For a while, things seemed to be getting better. They were married in 2018, and managed to get a rental flat.

But one day, he was abruptly evicted. "[The landlord] said, 'go and pack your stuff, then you move'. Three days only," he says wryly.

With his wife and two young children in tow, he returned to the same place he slept at previously: the beach.

The worst part

"The first night, we didn't have any tentage, we didn't have any blankets, nothing. So it was just really cold," he recalls.

Eventually, they acquired more necessities: tents, LED lights.

But every morning, they had to wake up at 4:30am to evacuate before the authorities descended on the place.

"We'd pack and tie it up with a string, then put it up a tree so the cleaners don't sweep away your things," he says. His wife would bring the kids to a nearby shopping mall and wait for the library to open, and he would head to work.

To save money, he walked — around eight or nine kilometres. But he was constantly late as a result.

Eventually, his performance at work began to deteriorate. "That's how suddenly I was out of the house, I had no job, and my children [to take care of]."

As difficult it was to deal with the exhaustion and insecurity, Cedric tells me that the worst part was feeling like a failure.

"That you cannot provide even a simple thing as a roof over the head," he confesses.

"The hardest part as a father was when [on the weekends]. All the families would be there enjoying themselves. Then... at 7pm, the beach suddenly goes quiet.

That means everybody had a place to go home to. But you are still down here."

Bouncing back

Like Lee, Cedric has since found a rental flat with the help of New Hope.

It was a somewhat bittersweet twist of fate that led him here: after avoiding the police for so long, they were eventually caught.

But they were brought to the New Hope shelter, where Cedric went for a course, attended career coaching, and did part-time jobs to save up for a rental.

Now, he's found a stable new job in security, which it's clear he's proud of. His children are older; their memories of sleeping on the beach are distant.

To them, the beach is just another place for family outings.

The couple are "very ambitious", he tells me. Despite their past struggles, they are working towards a BTO flat. They've have even come up with a retirement plan.

As for Lee, the peace and safety of having a home for his retirement — after all those years on the streets — is something he cherishes deeply.

He stays home, he reads the Bible, he goes for walks. He keeps fish and plants. Some days he cooks his own meals.

"I'm happy, I'm healthy," he says. "I can have my own meal, I can do whatever I want. Even though it's a small flat... It's comfortable lah."

*Not their real names

Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intend to launch negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an Oct. 21 press statement.

This was announced by Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Warm, longstanding relations

An earlier report mentioned that PM Wong's official visit includes Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Oct. 18 to 22.

On Oct. 21, PM Wong was received by President Sheikh Mohamed, who hosted a lunch in his honour.

Both leaders reaffirmed the warm and longstanding relations between Singapore and the UAE, underpinned by broad based cooperation under the Singapore–UAE Comprehensive Partnership.

It was established in 2019 during President Sheikh Mohamed's official visit to Singapore.

A joint statement between both countries noted that they had previously commemorated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

Similarly, Singapore has established Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships (CSPs) with other countries including Australia (CSP 2.0), New Zealand, France, India and Vietnam.

CEPA, joint forum

The CEPA will deepen economic integration, facilitate trade and investment flows, and create opportunities for businesses in both countries, the MFA statement wrote.

It added that both leaders also noted the positive outcomes of the 17th Abu Dhabi–Singapore Joint Forum (ADSJF) in Singapore on Sep. 28, 2026, which saw the signing and renewal of MOUs on investment, capacity-building, and industrial development.

Both sides recognised the important role of these engagements in enhancing bilateral coordination and expanding cooperation in key areas, including energy, infrastructure, and cybersecurity.

According to the joint statement, both sides also reaffirmed the importance of the ADSJF in advancing economic cooperation.

Memoranda of Understanding

In addition, PM Wong and President Sheikh Mohamed witnessed the exchange of three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).

The first was between the Singapore's Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on a Joint Energy Taskforce.

The second was between Singapore's PUB and the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy on Water Cooperation.

The third was between the National Environment Agency (NEA) in Singapore and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre on Cooperation in Vector Control.

Joint Energy Taskforce

According to the joint statement, both sides welcomed the establishment of the Joint Energy Taskforce under the ambit of the ADSJF.

This is to explore opportunities and deepen cooperation across the energy value chain, including trading, infrastructure, and downstream activities.

Both sides also welcomed ongoing cooperation in nuclear energy, involving the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC).

Strong economic ties

The joint statement further noted that both sides welcomed the strong economic ties between the UAE and Singapore, calling the countries important commercial partners and gateways to the Middle East and Southeast Asia respectively.

It added that the UAE is Singapore's largest trading partner and investment destination in the Middle East and North Africa region, with total non-oil bilateral trade reaching approximately US$6.5 billion (S$8.3 billion) in 2025, achieving a growth of 25 per cent from 2024.

Both sides agreed to work towards further expanding trade and investment ties and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including energy, technology, financial services, logistics, infrastructure and the digital economy.

They also welcomed Temasek's announcement of deepening its presence in the UAE by establishing an office in Abu Dhabi.

Partnership Agreement, UN Water Conference

According to the joint statement, both sides also welcomed the substantive progress towards the UAE’s accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).

They looked forward to concluding the accession process, with Singapore serving as Chair of the UAE's Accession Working Group, and both sides being founding members and co-convenors of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FITP).

Both sides also commended preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, the statement added.

It will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, West Africa in Abu Dhabi from Dec. 8 to 10, strengthening partnerships, mobilising finance and investment, and advancing practical and scalable solutions to global water challenges.

Global business, financial hubs

PM Wong also said in an Oct. 21 Facebook post that Singapore and Dubai have much in common.

Calling both "global business and financial hubs", he added that they have economies built on openness, connectivity and enterprise.

PM Wong highlighted his meeting with Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and First Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

"We had a useful exchange on our shared priorities, from strengthening our financial sectors and economic competitiveness to supporting families and building more liveable communities," he said.

"There is much we can learn from each other’s experiences as we navigate new challenges and plan for the future," PM Wong added, noting that he looks forward to "deepening cooperation and strengthening the friendship between Singapore and Dubai".

Met Singaporeans

PM Wong mentioned in a separate post on Oct. 22 that he was glad to catch up with Singaporean communities living and working in Qatar and the UAE.

"Through their work and everyday interactions, they help to build bridges between Singapore and their host countries," he said.

PM Wong added: "I know the recent developments in the Middle East have been unsettling for Singaporeans in the region, as well as their families and loved ones back home."

"That is why we arranged repatriation flights during the conflict to help Singaporeans who wished to return home."

"We will always look out for our people and do everything we can to keep them safe."

Difficult period for UAE, wider Middle East

In that regard, PM Wong acknowledged in a different Oct. 21 Facebook post that it has been a difficult period for the UAE and the wider Middle East.

"Through these challenging times, Singapore stands with the UAE as a trusted partner and friend," he said.

He added that he spoke with "UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan soon after the conflict broke out in March to express Singapore's solidarity and support, and to thank him for looking after Singaporeans in the UAE".

PM Wong said: "I was glad to meet him in person in Abu Dhabi, on my first Official Visit to the UAE as Prime Minister.

"The UAE is Singapore's largest trading partner in the Middle East. Our economic ties are strong, and we see good potential to deepen cooperation in areas such as AI, digitalisation, energy, defence and space."

He added that taking their economic partnership further and starting discussions on CEPA will create new opportunities for businesses and people.

"We also exchanged views on regional developments and the importance of restoring peace and stability in the Middle East," PM Wong said.

He added: "We discussed how to strengthen ties between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council, especially as Singapore prepares to chair ASEAN in 2027.

"Singapore and the UAE share many common interests and perspectives."

"In an increasingly troubled world, our partnership matters more than ever. By working together and combining our complementary strengths, we can achieve far more than either of us could on our own."

A Singaporean TikToker has apologised after some of her videos drew flak for supposedly gloating about a holiday.

Many users felt that she was insensitive towards others in context of the haze situation, while others found nothing wrong with what she said.

The video

On Oct. 19, content creator @justjazzle posted a video about her upcoming trip to Shanghai, saying:

"Bye guys! I'm escaping the haze. Good luck to whoever is in Singapore, cause I will not be here anymore, at least for the next five- no, six days five nights."

@zenyukilove29 I understand videos already been taken down by the time this video is released but as a fellow 🇸🇬Gen Z myself…this can’t be the tone we set for the world stage eh? Like can’t be forgetting what was like back in 2015 when the haze was so bad…schools REALLY shut down and everyone had to stay at home? I understand the OP’s POV…I really do but please do read the room, this is not the right time to go about it, the way she delivered is what got people mad at her in the first place. Not everyone has the luxury going to ‘escape’ the haze like this no matter how powerful the Singaporean🇸🇬 passport is…have some consideration for our neighbours around the world especially in Kalimantan (🇮🇩) where they’re experiencing about 3000 PSI of haze! Don’t get me about the apology, sharing about one’s life and gloating like that is two different things. Let’s have some empathy no matter the solution to the haze is when money and power is making people around us lose their conscience… #singapore #haze #justjazzle #genz #smallcontentcreator ♬ original sound - Yukiko Zendaya || 善田屋 雪子

Her post went viral and criticism poured in, accusing her of boasting about her trip while many were suffering from the haze in Singapore and the region and could not afford to take a trip overseas.

Fellow Singaporean content creator and actor Fauzi Azzhar made a video in response, claiming that every time he wanted to complain about the haze, he would "catch [himself]" as "there are people in Indonesia who cannot afford to escape, and the kids there are suffering, actual people are suffering."

@fauziazzharThink about our SEAblings. I think we better than this, Singaporeans♬ original sound - Fauzi Azzhar

He did not name the creator who prompted him to make the video.

"I think it's okay if you escape from Singapore, but if you are using it to [make] a mockery of the people who can't even escape, I think that's a bit tone deaf lah," he added.

@justjazzle later took the video down, but it was quickly re-uploaded and shared by other users.

Defence

In other deleted follow-up videos that she subsequently posted, @justjazzle expressed confusion and annoyance at how her video had been received.

"Walao eh, why am I getting so much hate for me posting about breathing fresh air? Like chill, I'll be back in like five days," she said in one instance.

One user responded that her delivery was the problem, as it sounded like she was "gloating".

She replied, "I mean, okay, if it came across as [gloating] then I'm sorry, deadass (seriously) when I made that video I was literally just excited to breathe fresh air.

"Like, it's not that deep."

Apology

She later posted an apology the same day.

She claimed that she did not think her video would have came across as insensitive, and that she would not have posted it otherwise.

The reason why she did not think so, she explained, was that she was "uneducated in terms of current affairs."

"I don't really read the news, and I don't keep myself up to date, which I should be and I should have, especially commenting on a situation like the haze," she admitted, conceding that it was nevertheless "not an excuse".

She added that she realised she was in a "position of privilege" to be able to travel.

"And I did do some research on how the haze is affecting other countries. And yes it is really bad. I would never have made a video, like, looking down on other people at all. Like, that's just not me as a person...

Thank you guys for letting me know that I sounded very insensitive. Like, I don't want to be that kind of person. So I'll take this as a learning lesson to be more careful with what I say."

Fans provided support in the comments, saying that her detractors were simply being sensitive.

Some also criticised Fauzi for responding to her video and drawing attention to her.

But others did not relent in their critique.

A 16-year-old male student in Malaysia allegedly attacked a female teacher while live-streaming the incident with a phone attached to his forehead.

Police later found an axe, a penknife and firecrackers in the student's school bag.

The student was eventually restrained, and the teacher sustained injuries to her hand.

"This is what you get!"

According to The Borneo Post, the incident took place in Kuching on Oct. 21.

In videos circulating on social media, the student could be seen exiting a toilet stall.

In the mirror, a phone strapped to his forehead was visible.

He could also be seen with bags slung around his neck and holding various items in his hands.

The student then exited the toilet and rushed toward a classroom.

He could then be heard shouting, "This is what you get!" as he entered the classroom and attacked a female teacher.

CCTV footage from inside the classroom showed the student taking swings at the teacher before turning around and exiting.

He then re-entered from the back of a classroom and chased the other students while holding an axe over his head.

When he reached the front of the classroom, he attacked the teacher again before he was restrained.

Axe, penknife found

He was later brought to the principal's office, The Star reported.

Sarawak's acting police commissioner said that the local police received a call at 8:03am.

According to New Straits Times, preliminary information indicated that the student brought firecrackers and injured the teacher with an axe.

Bernama reported that a penknife was also found.

The female teacher sustained cuts to her hand, NST reported.

The Star reported that no students were injured during the incident.

The school was closed early to assist with investigations and students were sent home early.

Baby Trevor Neo, who died after being abused by his parents, was not referred to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)’s Protective Service or any social service agency before his death.

Trevor was admitted on Jan. 18, 2024, when his father brought him to the hospital for reduced milk intake, vomiting, and concerns about his mother shaking him, said Associate Professor Eileen Lew, chairman of the medical board at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH).

After thorough evaluations, no injuries were found on Trevor, and his parents agreed to follow care plans before he was discharged on Jan. 23, 2024.

Following that, the case was eventually closed after no outstanding concerns were found, Lew said in a statement to Mothership.

In a separate statement, MSF told Mothership they had appointed an independent review panel to identify lessons and recommend further improvements to the child protection ecosystem.

Jail sentences

Trevor's mother, Chloe Gan Ci Xuan, 23, was sentenced to 15 years and 3 months in jail, while his father Neo Jia Ming, 27, was sentenced to 16 years in jail.

The couple admitted to smothering and shaking their son to stop him from crying for almost the entirety of his life.

This eventually led to baby Trevor's death on Sep. 2, 2024, after Gan suffocated him again using her hands and flipped him in his cot.

Neo did not do anything to stop this ill-treatment.

Visits to hospital

Trevor was first brought to KKH in January 2024 after he stopped drinking milk after Gan shook him.

Lew said that during the stay, the hospital conducted thorough evaluations including a brain scan, eye examination and X-rays.

"Trevor was found to be normal and there were no injuries. He was conscious, alert, and there was no reported loss of consciousness," she said.

Trevor remained in the hospital while care plans were being drawn up, and his parents agreed to follow the care plans before he was discharged on Jan. 23, 2024, she added.

Following his discharge, Lew said the hospital continued to follow up on his case, including facilitating access to services for parenting and child development support.

"With no outstanding concerns, the case was eventually closed," she said.

Trevor was brought to KKH by his parents at a second visit on Apr. 2, 2024 for redness under the tongue.

He was discharged that same day after the doctor found Trevor to be well, with no tear or bleeding under the tongue.

"The parents mentioned that Trevor liked to suck on his hands and fingers. His parents sought medical attention promptly, was cooperative, and provided accounts consistent with the clinical findings," Lew said.

Day of death

On Sep. 2, 2024, Trevor was brought to the hospital unresponsive and was pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts, Lew stated.

"When we encounter children suspected of being abused, they will be carefully evaluated by paediatricians and medical social workers, who may work with other specialists based on the child’s situation and injuries," she said.

Lew said that the assessments and information available at that time will guide the care and interventions provided to the child.

Cases where clinical, social and behavioural indicators raise a reasonable concern of harm are referred to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) via the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline.

For those that do not raise child safety concerns, care arrangements and referrals to relevant community and social agencies may be made before discharge, Lew shared.

She added that intervention plans are tailored to each child’s care needs to enable "coordinated care and follow-up support".

"The tragic loss of Trevor saddens all of us at KKH. It has fortified our resolve to further strengthen the care and support provided to the families. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of every child in our care."

Independent review panel

While Trevor’s death occurred before MSF announced in November 2025 that all child deaths known to social services would be independently reviewed, an independent review panel was appointed for his case.

"The review highlighted the need for professionals to better recognise and respond to concerns involving infants and young children, and to coordinate support when families come into contact with different services," MSF said.

These lessons have been shared across the social, healthcare and early childhood sectors, the ministry added.

MSF also noted that the child protection system has also been strengthened following the review of Megan Khung’s case in 2025.

"MSF, our Child Protection Case Management agencies and our partners in the child protection ecosystem are committed to strengthening safeguards, professional practice and systems as an ongoing endeavour."

Trevor's death a tragedy: MSF

MSF also shared that Trevor's parents attended a marriage preparation programme from May to June 2023 before he was born and offered parenting-related resources.

"Trevor’s death was a tragedy. The primary responsibility for his abuse and death lies with his parents, who pleaded guilty and have been sentenced by the Court for their offences," MSF said.

The ministry explained that child protection professionals must often make "difficult assessments based on incomplete and evolving information, including information provided by those caring for the child".

"While no child protection system can uncover every concealment or misrepresentation, or detect every case in time, this does not diminish our collective responsibility to learn from serious cases and continually strengthen how concerns are identified, shared and followed up," it said.

A former Indonesian trade minister Muhammad Lutfi has taken to social media to criticise Singapore and Malaysia's responses regarding the role of Indonesian companies in what is turning out to be the most severe and longest haze episode in the past decade.

In one of his Instagram videos, Lutfi addressed Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu directly and called on the authorities to investigate businesses and decision-makers based here if evidence links them to the fires.

He questioned whether Singapore would take action against influential business owners and corporate groups, aside from issuing notices to companies operating in Indonesia.

Called for scrutiny of corporate headquarters, Singapore links to concession land fires

Lutfi’s remarks on Singapore were in response to the National Environment Agency (NEA)'s announcement on Oct. 16 that it would issue Preventive Measure Notices to seven companies in Indonesia under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act.

NEA's investigations found that the recent haze experienced in Singapore originated from fires on land owned by these seven companies.

Lutfi claimed that four of the seven companies were suppliers to conglomerates with substantial corporate holdings and listings in Singapore.

He also cited an investigative report by Greenpeace which linked Singapore-listed palm oil companies First Resources and Bumitama Agri to plantation areas in Indonesia where fires and smoke were detected.

He said that Singapore should scrutinise these connections when investigating the haze, and asked whether the government would pursue these Singapore-based decision-makers.

Pointing out that Singapore has no jurisdiction in Indonesia, he urged the authorities to prosecute the corporate headquarters here.

“Prosecute their headquarters in Singapore and show us what Singapore is really made of,” he said.

Singapore investigating companies in Singapore linked to land concessions

As of Oct 19, Singapore's NEA has issued Preventive Measure Notices to 10 companies in Indonesia whose concession land fires might have cause haze that affected Singapore.

These companies are: PT Bumi Andalas Perms, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Paramitra Mulia Langgeng, PT Sumatera Alam Anugerah, PT SBA Wood Industries, PT Hutan Lestari Raya, PT Bangkanesia, PT Buana Megatama Jaya, PT Mananjung Hayak, and PT Baratama Putra Perkasa.

The Preventive Measure Notices, issued under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, require the companies to deploy firefighting personnel, discontinue or refrain from burning activities, and submit plans to extinguish fires or prevent their recurrence.

Beyond this, Singapore has taken steps to look into the corporate groups and decision-makers that control these companies.

Speaking to the media in on Oct. 19, Fu said that Singapore would investigate the companies’ business connections locally and overseas, including their shareholders, customers and subsidiaries.

At the same doorstop, Senior Minister K Shanmugam had this to say about the Singapore-listed companies linked to the land concessions:

"Companies cannot play hide and seek with different corporate structures. Nor should they hope that because the evidence and actions are in Indonesia, they can escape responsibility in Singapore."

Shanmugam also gave examples of the levers that Singapore is using to investigate these companies.

SGX has questioned seven agri-companies listed in Singapore on their operations and possible links to the haze.

Banks have also questioned companies with agricultural operations on their potential links to the fires, and assessing the risks that arise from "environmental and legal issues".

Affirming that Singapore's actions are "aligned with the broad policies as announced by the Indonesian administration under President Prabowo", Shanmugam said that the steps taken by Prabowo to tackle the haze issue are "unprecedented".

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Exchange of words between Lutfi and Syed Saddiq

In another video, Lutfi also hit back at Malaysian MP and former youth minister Syed Saddiq's suggestion for ASEAN to exert diplomatic and financial pressure on Indonesia over the recurring haze, arguing that Malaysian plantation companies and their financiers should also be held accountable for the haze.

Responding, Syed said he supported action against any company proven to have started fires, whether Malaysian, Indonesian or Singaporean.

“I will not shield polluters, even those from my own country,” he said:

"In my own Parliament, I have already called for action against Malaysian companies involved. Watch my full speech. Don’t edit it in a way that distorts the truth."

Trade minister replaced after palm oil corruption scandal

This isn't the first time Lutfi waded into controversy.

During his term as trade minister under then-president Joko “Jokowi” Widodo from December 2020 to June 2022, Lutfi was embroiled in a high profile economic corruption case involving palm oil exports.

The case concerned export approvals issued during a domestic cooking oil shortage in 2022 that caused prices to surge.

Investigations revealed that the Director-General of Foreign Trade within Lutfi's ministry illegally issued export permits to companies that had not fulfilled domestic supply requirements.

A series of policy reversals by Lutfi led to a complete export ban which sent the domestic price of palm fruits plunging 70 per cent.

While Lutfi blamed a "palm oil mafia", he was replaced by Jokowi in a cabinet reshuffle in June 2022.

Lutfi's ongoing allegations against Singapore

The latest in Lutfi’s string of claims against Singapore includes allegations that GIC and Temasek pressured MSCI to threaten to downgrade Indonesia’s stock market status, triggering panic selling so they could buy Indonesian assets at lower prices.

Lutfi has not provided any evidence to support his claims. Both GIC and Temasek have since denied the allegations.

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) has said the use of fire to clear or manage land is not allowed throughout its supply chain.

This comes after the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) issued a temporary restriction notice on APP's enhanced Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS+) certification.

As a result of the notice, the Singapore-incorporated company will be subjected to daily fire response reporting and strict monitoring.

So far, a total of 10 Indonesian companies have been issued preventive measure notices by the National Environment Agency (NEA) after hotspots were detected on lands they operated.

Investigations have showed that APP buys from at least three of them.

Burning "forfeits the very asset the business relies on": APP

When asked by Mothership if the Singapore government had approached it for more information about the current haze episode, APP said it respects the authorities' regulatory processes and recognises the importance of cross-border cooperation on transboundary haze.

It added that it will work with the relevant authorities and provide information or assistance where requested.

The company said it has already taken steps to facilitate engagement between its suppliers and NEA, and is working with its relevant suppliers to support firefighting efforts and strengthen prevention measures.

APP acknowledged that the haze issue is complex, but said deliberate burning makes no commercial sense for a "responsible plantation operator", as fire destroys the very trees the business depends on.

"Fire destroys the growing stock on which a plantation depends; burning therefore forfeits the very asset the business relies upon."

It also stressed that using fire to clear or manage land is banned under Indonesian law and across its supply chain.

"Addressing transboundary haze requires sustained cooperation among concession holders, regulators and other stakeholders, and APP remains committed to contributing to these efforts," it said.

Government questioning 7 SGX-listed firms

Speaking previously at a doorstop on Oct. 19, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said the government will question seven Singapore-listed agriculture companies about possible links to the Indonesian forest fires that have caused haze here in recent weeks.

The seven companies are:

• Golden Agri Resources,
• Bumitama Agri,
• First Resources,
• Wilmar International Limited,
• Kencana Agri,
• Indofood Agri and,
• TSH Resources.

Citing First Resources, which issued a statement on its zero-burning policy and firefighting efforts, SM Shanmugam said statements alone were not enough.

"Show us the evidence. Where did the fires start, who owns those lands? Can they identify who started the fires? What exactly did they do to stop the fires? Did the fires conveniently only burn down old trees, or did the fires also burn productive trees? We will ask for the full facts and we will act based on the facts. We will consider all the evidence fairly."

Companies which are responsible for the fires "should not underestimate the Singapore government's determination to act", the minister added.

SEC notice

Under the notice issued by SEC, APP has to provide daily fire response reports for the concession areas managed by these three Indonesian companies: PT Bumi Mekar Hijau, PT Bumi Andalas Permai and PT Sebangun Bumi Andalas Wood Industries.

The three entities, which are wood-fibre suppliers to APP and operate concessions in South Sumatra, Indonesia, are part of the 10 companies that were issued preventive measures notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act by the NEA.

Should APP's additional reporting fail to show that monitoring, fire prevention and suppression measures are effective, its SGLS+ certificate may be suspended.

The SGLS+ logo would then also have to be removed from products linked to the certification.

Malaysian UMNO Youth chief (Melaka) Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is selling his motorcycle and farmed tilapia fish to raise RM300,000 (S$93,884) after losing a defamation lawsuit against Democratic Action Party (DAP) (Kuala Lumpur) MP Teresa Kok.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 21, Akmal said his savings were insufficient to cover the RM300,000 (S$93,884) payment and that he wanted to try raising the money himself.

Selling motorcycle and tilapia fish

Akmal announced that he was putting two of his possessions up for sale: a Honda X-ADV motorcycle and his tilapia fish.

The assemblyman said both assets had been fully paid for, and that he did not own any land or property he could sell to cover the amount.

In his Facebook post, Akmal acknowledged that RM300,000 (S$93,884) was a substantial sum for him.

"Honestly, RM300,000 is a very large amount for me. Even after taking into account all my savings, it is still not enough," he said.

He explained that parting with the two assets was not an easy decision, as both held sentimental value.

“Even writing about my decision to sell them was difficult.”

Akmal invited interested buyers to send him their offers, adding that a transaction would proceed if both parties agreed on a price.

Ordered to pay RM300,000 after losing defamation lawsuit

On Oct. 19, the Melaka High Court ruled in favour of Kok in a defamation lawsuit over remarks Akmal made in a video posted on social media in September 2024, according to New Straits Times.

The dispute arose after Kok criticised a proposal to make halal certification compulsory for food establishments that did not serve pork or alcohol.

Akmal criticised Kok in a video posted online, including referring to her as an "old Nyonya". He also wrote two articles attacking Kok, which were shared on an online portal.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Isa Aziz Ibrahim said Akmal’s remarks went beyond legitimate political debate and carried a serious defamatory implication against Kok, Free Malaysia Today reported.

“The said video did carry a severe defamatory sting that the plaintiff habitually and continually destabilises national harmony,” the commissioner said in his grounds of judgment.

According to Bernama, Isa Aziz ordered Akmal to pay RM250,000 (S$78,348) in general and aggravated damages, along with RM50,000 (S$15,669) in legal costs.

Wants to raise money himself first

Akmal also thanked supporters who had suggested setting up a donation fund to help him pay the damages and legal costs.

However, he said he respected the court's decision and intended to take responsibility for the payment.

“I would like to try raising the money myself first,” he wrote.

He said he did not want to burden his supporters, who had their own families and financial commitments, while he still had possessions he could sell.

He added that his supporters' prayers and words of encouragement meant a great deal to him.

In a subsequent Facebook update, Akmal said he had received RM45,102.18 (S$14,121) in contributions from supporters who had transferred money to his bank account.

Akmal said he had removed his bank account details after receiving the donations from supporters, whom he urged not to send any more money.

The sale of his motorcycle and tilapia would nevertheless continue.

A 24-year-old man in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of murdering a 39-year-old woman who tried to end their relationship.

According to a press release by the Metropolitan Police, Deepak Sandhu, an Indian national, was sentenced on Oct. 16, 2026, with a minimum term of 28 years for the murder of Ke Xiaoqing.

Sandhu had pleaded with Ke, a Chinese national, to give him a second chance, but instead killed her in her home after she agreed to meet him.

Secret relationship

Sandhu arrived in the UK in September 2024 on a student visa, which was revoked six months later, according to The Mirror.

Meanwhile, Ke arrived in March 2025 on a standard visitor visa.

The two met at a brothel in Southampton where Ke was working.

They entered a secret relationship, relying on a translation app to communicate as they spoke different languages.

When Ke later moved to London, the pair stayed in touch.

Lies and deceit

The relationship turned sour when Ke discovered that Sandhu had stolen £500 (S$854) from her handbag and had lied continuously about his life, reported The Standard.

The lies included claims that he was a model and actor, as well as the whereabouts of his sister.

After admitting to stealing Ke’s money, Sandhu fabricated another lie and claimed to have been robbed of £3,550 (S$5,982) in the United States.

He also told her he had a job at a bank that paid £6,000 (S$10,256) a month.

Revenge killing

After finding out about the lies, Ke called him a liar and asked him to pay her back.

According to The Independent, she told him: “Don’t come see me. I’m clear, I’m not a fool.”

In retaliation, Sandhu told her former brothel boss that she “will regret what she has done”.

He also asked an associate on WhatsApp, “Do you think I have to take my revenge on her?”

However, he still pleaded with Ke to give him another chance, and said he had the money he stole.

He also told her that he knew someone who could get her British citizenship, reported The Mirror.

Murdered her

Ke eventually agreed to meet Sandhu.

On Dec. 9, 2025, Sandhu bought knives and travelled to Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, where she stayed.

Ke’s Airbnb’s doorbell camera footage showed him arriving wearing a baseball cap and with his face covered.

He was then spotted leaving about 90 minutes later.

After the act, he called his sister and told her "a professional" had killed Ke, according to The Standard.

He then booked a one-way flight from Birmingham to Mumbai.

Police called

The next morning, Ke’s neighbours spotted blood on her door and around the area, and called the police to do a welfare check.

She was found face down on her bedroom floor with multiple stab wounds, and his blood was also found at the scene, reported The Standard.

A murder investigation was opened, and Sandhu was identified as the main suspect, the Metropolitan Police said.

He was arrested while he was travelling on a National Express coach from Southampton to Birmingham Airport on Dec. 12, 2025.