PM Lawrence Wong criticised the Worker's Party (WP) for what he deemed an "inconsistent" approach towards policy proposals and called for a rejection of populism in politics.

These comments were made at the biennial People's Action Party (PAP) Conference on Oct. 25, where PM Wong, who is also the Secretary-General of the PAP, addressed various subjects, including policymaking and planning for the future.

PM Wong said: "The opposition has taken different positions at different times, depending on the concerns of the day, or what they believe will be popular.

"But these positions do not always add up to a coherent approach that takes account of the trade-offs and longer-term consequences."

The PAP's approach must be different, he stressed to party cadres, and "take the wider and long-term view."

Worker's Party stances

He named two examples in particular.

Building HDB flats

PM Wong first said the WP had proposed that the government build fewer flats when HDB resale prices fell in 2019.

However, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, construction was disrupted and caused a shortage of flats.

"By 2023, the WP was criticising the government for not building enough flats," he continued. "Yet there was no acknowledgement of what it had advocated just a few years earlier."

Now that the housing situation has stabilised, he added, the PAP government will continue to build more new flats while weighing trade-offs, such as the need to protect and grow green spaces, acting in Singapore's "wider and long-term interests."

Foreign workers

On labour issues, PM Wong said that the WP called for greater flexibility when the government tightened foreign worker policies.

However, years later amid concerns over the projected population of 6.9 million, the WP then proposed zero growth in the foreign workforce.

"More recently, when SMEs faced manpower shortages, the WP called for easing of foreign worker quotas," he remarked.

"You can see how the WP’s position seems to shift with the political winds."

"Difficult choices"

It is easier for opposition politicians to argue for a particular position when they do not have to “reconcile all the competing demands” or “take responsibility for the outcome”, PM Wong added.

In contrast, the PAP must “make difficult choices that will stand the test of time” instead of “quick fixes”.

He noted how unrest is sweeping parts of the world, from France to various countries in Asia over economic pressures and anxiety about the future.

The difficulty, however, is the "temptation" to offer quick fixes despite there being "no easy answers" to such problems, causing frustrations to persist and loss of trust in institutions.

Guard against populism

He called on PAP cadres to take Singaporeans' concerns seriously, while attempting to "guard against populism."

To do this, the PAP must consider the interests of Singapore and Singaporeans as a whole, especially for groups whose concerns are "less visible", he said.

But the challenge also lies in confronting difficult political issues.

This includes the updating of ministerial salaries, he added as an example, something that the PAP knew would elicit "strong reactions".

"The politically convenient option would have been to avoid the issue altogether. But we could not keep putting off a decision that matters for Singapore’s ability to build a strong political leadership team for the future.

"So I decided to address the issue openly in Parliament, explain our decision, and take responsibility for it."

Not doing so would amount to passing on such problems to future generations, he said, leaving them with "even harder choices" later.

"So we must have the courage to act – not just for Singaporeans today, but also for our children and grandchildren who will inherit the Singapore that we build."

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong responded to Indonesia's announcement of gas export cuts to Singapore, stating that "We expect all parties to honour their commitments, and Singapore’s gas importer will take the necessary steps to protect its rights and interests under these contracts".

In his capacity as the People's Action Party's (PAP) secretary-general, PM Wong made these comments in a speech at their awards ceremony and Central Executive Committee (CEC) conference on Oct. 25, 2026.

"The gas supplies are covered by commercial contracts", and Singapore has been preparing for such risks, he clarified.

He added that there is a need to plan ahead for Singapore's energy needs, and that is the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry's (METI) key priority.

"Tan See Leng is overseeing both energy and industry. He is fully energised for this task!"

95% of Singapore's power depends on natural gas

Singapore depends on imported natural gas for about 95 per cent of its power, according to the Ministry of Energy, Trade & Industry’s website.

Natural gas is the cleanest-burning major fossil fuel, and Singapore made the switch to it from fuel oil in the early 2000s.

Mothership previously reported that starting from Oct. 24, Indonesia will begin cutting natural gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD).

In a media statement on Oct. 24, Singapore's Energy Market Authority said the cut in gas exports is less than 2 per cent of Singapore's total daily gas demand, which stands at more than 1,000 BBTUD.

PM Wong added that "a significant amount" of this gas is imported through pipelines from Indonesia, but Singapore has invested in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals "to import natural gas from different countries, without having to rely on pipelines."

"This gives us more options to manage any disruptions to our gas supply."

Nuclear energy as an option

In his speech, PM Wong said Singapore "must look beyond natural gas" and that the country needs "cleaner sources of power to provide reliable electricity around the clock".

He noted that the government is "studying seriously the potential of nuclear energy" but emphasised that "safety must come first".

"Understandably, there are concerns about the safety of nuclear power in a small and densely populated country like Singapore."

He said: "But, we should not rule out an option simply because it is difficult or controversial."

"We must assess the risks and trade-offs carefully, engage Singaporeans, and eventually make the right decision to secure our energy future."

The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) elected its 39th Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Oct. 25.

Votes at the biennial internal election were made by party cadres, who make up a small proportion of the PAP's membership and represent the party elite.

They are responsible for electing 12 of the CEC members at the party conference, while another up to six members are co-opted.

The 39th CEC, as PAP's highest decision-making body, will steer the party from 2026 to 2028.

Who's in

The members of the 39th PAP CEC, not listed in order of the number of votes they received, are as follows:

1. Lawrence Wong
2. Lee Hsien Loong
3. Chan Chun Sing
4. Masagos Zulkifli
5. K Shanmugam
6. Grace Fu
7. Chee Hong Tat
8. Edwin Tong
9. Indranee Rajah
10. Ong Ye Kung
11. Vivian Balakrishnan
12. Desmond Lee
13. Tan See Leng (Co-opted)
14. Zaqy Mohamad (Co-opted)

Changes

Chee Hong Tat, who was previously co-opted into the 38th CEC, replaced Heng Swee Keat as one of the top 12 vote-getters.

Typically, the secretary-general will co-opt the members who received the 13th and 14th highest number of votes, in this case Tan See Leng and Zaqy Mohamad (not necessarily in that order).

Zaqy Mohamad was previously co-opted into the 38th CEC, but now is one of the top 14 (at least) highest vote-getters.

The CEC will also have the power to co-opt up to four more members in due time.

After the full CEC is announced, the committee will elect its office-bearers from among its members.

This will include the party's chairman, vice-chairman, secretary-general, assistant secretary-general, treasurer and assistant treasurer, as well as other positions it deems necessary.

Food delivery platform foodpanda has rolled out full-time delivery rider roles in Singapore.

The Employee Rider Programme offers at least S$1,800 per month, complete with full CPF contributions and other employee benefits, according to the platform's website.

Other perks include a six-month retention bonus of S$100 per month, as well as medical leaves and coverage.

Full-time employee riders must work 44 hours a week.

Unlike platform riders, who deliver ad hoc and are protected under the Platform Workers Act, they will fall under the Employment Act.

Requirements

The role is currently open only to bicycle or e-bike users, though the company will provide an e-bike to those without either vehicle.

Those who bring their own e-bikes will receive an additional S$100 in vehicle allowance.

To qualify for the base pay of S$1,800 each month, riders need to achieve a target of 320 qualifying orders, which the platform said is possible in just 100 to 110 hours per month.

Upon reaching the target, they can continue working under a freelance account.

According to foodpanda, those who do not reach the 320 orders target will not lose their basic salary, provided they complete their required 44 hours a week.

However, they may still be subject to remedial actions, including termination.

Complementing current delivery riders

The new scheme, launched on Oct. 21, is meant to complement instead of replace its current fleet of platform riders, the company told The Straits Times.

It said the introduction is part of the platform's "ongoing efforts to strengthen delivery capacity and maintain a reliable service" for customers and merchant partners.

There are sufficient energy supplies to meet Singapore's national demands, said the Energy Market Authority (EMA) in a media statement on Oct. 24.

This comes after the announcement that Indonesia will begin cutting natural gas exports to Singapore from Saturday, in a bid to meet domestic demand.

Cuts less than per cent of total daily gas demand

In response to Mothership's queries, an EMA spokesperson said that, based on information received by Singapore's natural gas importers, the total reduction amounts to 17 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD) over 18 days.

This is less than 2 per cent of Singapore's total daily gas demand of more than 1,000 BBTUD.

Importers will pursue all relevant recourse under their gas supply contracts, the spokesperson added, and contingency plans are in place to deal with such reductions.

The spokesperson said reductions of 20 BBTUD to 100 BBTUD in recent months, due to planned or urgent maintenance, were replaced with other gas sources without incident.

Singapore GasCo, the country's central procurer and supplier of natural gas, is also operationally ready to import more Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at any time.

The spokesperson also noted that Indonesia is not Singapore's only source of natural gas.

Power generation companies are also required to maintain sufficient fuel reserves, including diesel.

"We therefore have sufficient energy supplies to meet our national demands," the spokesperson affirmed.

"EMA will continue to work with the energy industry and our partners to ensure the reliability and resilience of Singapore’s energy supply."

The cuts

On Oct. 23, SKK Migas chief Djoko Siswanto said exports from Natuna would be reduced by 15 BBTUD, while another 16 BBTUD would be cut from supplies originating in Sumatra, bringing the total cut to 31 BBTUD per day, according to CNBC Indonesia.

Indonesia’s plan to scale back gas exports to Singapore is not new, The Straits Times (ST) reported.

It agreed in 2022 to extend supplies to 2028 at lower volumes, and in April 2025, Djoko said Sumatra exports would be cut while Natuna supplies made up the shortfall.

Review agreements with countries that "did not respect" Indonesia

The cuts also come days after Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia threatened to stop energy exports to countries that "disrespect" Indonesia.

"I will not hesitate to consider stopping exports to countries that do not respect Indonesia," he said on Oct. 22.

He added that he would "conduct an evaluation" of Indonesia's current energy export contracts, and urged countries with issues with Indonesia to discuss them amicably and resolve them on the principle of mutual respect.

Five of the 10 Singapore-based companies that were served legal notices by the National Environment Agency under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) have said they will cooperate with requests for information on their links to fires in Indonesia.

Will comply with requests

Three of the firms, Wilmar International, Bumitama Agri and First Resources, said in filings on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) that they had received the notices and intend to comply.

Wilmar International made its announcement close to midnight on Oct. 23, a few hours after NEA issued a media release on the legal notices.

First Resources followed at 1:15am on Oct. 24, saying it had agreed to provide the necessary details.

Bumitama Agri and its subsidiaries subsequently announced at 1:15pm the same day that they would provide the requested documents and information to NEA.

A spokesperson from Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) also told Mothership they are cooperating with the authorities.

"We are reviewing the notices and will respond to NEA as required," the spokesperson said.

The other five companies have yet to respond to the notices:

• Golden Agri International Pte Ltd
• Indofood Agri Resources Ltd
• Kencana Agri Ltd
• TSH Global Plantation Pte Ltd
• TSH Oversea Pte Ltd

Legal notices

NEA said the 10 firms either own land concessions in Indonesia, or have related companies that do.

Through the notices, it is seeking details on the companies' links to associated firms, their land concessions, fire prevention measures, and firefighting efforts by the firms or their associated companies on the ground.

Representatives of firms that do not comply face a fine of up to S$5,000, up to one month's jail, or both.

NEA had also earlier sent preventive measure notices (PMNs) under the THPA to 10 companies in Indonesia for fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan on Oct. 16 and 19.

The 10 companies are:

1. PT Bumi Andalas Permai (BAP)
2. PT Bumi Mekar Hijau (BMH)
3. PT SBA Wood Industries (SBAWI)
4. PT Paramitra Mulia Langgeng (PML)
5. PT Sumatera Alam Anugerah (SAA)
6. PT Hutan Lestari Raya (HLR)
7. PT Bangkanesia (BKN)
8. PT Buana Megatama Jaya (BMJ)
9. PT Mananjung Hayak (MH)
10. PT Baratama Putra Perkasa (BPP)

The notices require the 10 foreign companies to:

• Deploy firefighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of fire on land situated outside of Singapore owned or occupied by them;
• Discontinue or not commence any burning activities on such land; and
• Submit to NEA any plan of action to extinguish any fire on such land to prevent its spread or recurrence.

A teenager in Singapore was dining alone at a hawker centre when an older man he did not know allegedly sat down in front of him and later flung leftover food at him.

The incident first came to light after the teenager uploaded a video of the encounter on Instagram.

Flung pieces of leftover brinjal at the teen

Speaking to Mothership, the teenager, 19-year-old Junbin, said the incident took place at around 7:28pm at Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre on Oct. 22.

He said he was eating alone when the man sat down opposite him without a word and pushed his tray against Junbin's.

The man stared at him for about a minute, then used his chopsticks to flick pieces of leftover brinjal at him, some of which landed on Junbin's food, he said.

That was when he started recording.

In the video, Junbin can be heard asking the man what was wrong and whether he had done something to offend him.

The man did not answer, except to say: "Stop pointing the camera at me ah."

The man then stood up and moved towards the camera, pointing at it, prompting Junbin to try and block him with his hand.

The man appeared to be pushed backwards, but later went in front of Junbin again, raising his hand.

The video ended after the man appeared to jab his hand forward.

After the recording ended, Junbin said he asked people nearby three times if anyone could help.

They either kept watching or shook their heads, he said.

He eventually took his food and bag and moved to another table.

"I encourage anyone who encounters situations like this, please try to avoid reacting rashly and try to de-escalate the situation, especially when dealing with the elderly," he said.

Cleaner and stallholders recognised the man

When a Shin Min Daily News reporter visited the hawker centre the next day, a 70-year-old cleaner said she had seen the man while working at another nearby hawker centre.

"He is always staring at young men. If they ignore him, he'll make gestures to try and get their attention," she said.

However, she said she had never seen him get into an actual altercation.

She added that some people have not taken too kindly to his stares, adding that her nephew was once stared at by the man and nearly got into a physical confrontation with him.

Other hawkers also said they recognised the man, saying he often dined at the hawker centre alone.

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A 26-year-old man was sentenced to 14 weeks in jail on Oct. 23 for assaulting his wife despite a personal protection order (PPO) against him, according to Shin Min Daily News.

PPO granted in 2022

Investigations showed that his wife was granted a PPO on Jun. 28, 2022, which prohibited him from using any violence against her.

On Feb. 11, 2025, the man received a message from his wife that their four-year-old son had suffered an epileptic seizure, and the pair took him to the hospital together.

After initial checks in the emergency room, doctors first told them the boy could be discharged, but later said a lump on his head needed further checks and that he would have to be admitted.

Upon hearing this, the man allegedly lost his temper and got into a heated argument with his wife. When she reached out to cover his mouth, he punched her in the mouth.

He was arrested by the police, but was released on bail.

Grabbed wife by the neck and shoved her

On Nov. 27, 2025, the wife learnt from a friend that the man suspected her of cheating on him. She was angry and asked him to meet to confront him.

On the afternoon of Dec. 27, the two met at Block 415 Serangoon Central to talk. They also had sex in the stairwell, according to Shin Min.

Afterwards, they got into another argument. When the wife told him she no longer had feelings for him and hoped to marry someone else, the man grabbed her by the neck in a rage and pushed her away.

He also gripped her hands tightly and questioned her harshly. The wife eventually escaped and ran to an MRT station to seek help from staff, and the man was arrested again.

The man pleaded guilty to two of seven charges, which included voluntarily causing hurt, theft and breaching a PPO.

A 61-year-old woman was found dead at the foot of a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in Jurong East on Oct. 23.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it received a call for assistance at Block 286A Toh Guan Road at around 11:25am.

A person was pronounced dead at the scene by an SCDF paramedic.

Separately, the police said that based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected.

Investigations are currently ongoing.

A video purportedly of the incident on TikTok showed several police vehicles parked at a HDB block.

In another part of the video, a blue police tent could be seen at a common area below the block.

In the caption, the TikTok user said their mother had heard the "sound of something heavy being dropped, followed by someone crying loudly".

A 38-year-old Taiwanese woman named Ching Yun-jung was found dead at a hotel near Mount Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on Oct. 19.

Police arrested a Taiwanese woman, Yang Ming-han, 27, who was found in the same room with a bloodstained knife, Japan Today reported.

Both women were guests at the hotel, located on the eastern side of Lake Kawaguchi.

It is unclear what the relationship between the two women was, and police investigations are underway.

Died from excessive blood loss

At around 8am on Oct. 19, a hotel employee found Ching lying on the bed and bleeding, according to The Standard. Hotel staff were checking her room as she had failed to show up at the meeting point for her tour group.

Police and paramedics confirmed her death at the scene.

An autopsy confirmed she died from excessive blood loss after a deep stab wound to the left side of her neck reaching the carotid artery.

Suspect found in the room possessing knife

Yang was found in the room at the time, possessing a blood-stained kitchen knife with a 12 cm-long blade. She was arrested on suspicion of violating the Swords and Firearms Control Law, according to Japan Today.

Police have not confirmed whether she will face murder charges.

Yang reportedly admitted buying the knife during the trip, but has not admitted to killing Ching, reported The Standard.

The two women were members of the same tour group, according to Focus Taiwan. No further information on any link between the two has been shared.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Oct. 20 that it has contacted the families and will provide any assistance needed. It declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing investigation.

Victim is daughter of head of Taiwan's National Air Service Corps

Taiwanese media reported that Ching is the daughter of Ching Yen-yuan, head of Taiwan's National Airborne Service Corps, The Standard said.

He had been scheduled to attend a Legislative Yuan session on Oct. 22, but took leave to fly to Japan to handle his daughter's affairs.