Over about five years, from 2019 to 2024, a man had been secretly taking more than 180 photos and videos of women's chests and butt.

He was finally caught on Jul. 3, 2024, at Woodlands MRT station.

An SMRT general manager saw the accused holding his phone under a woman's skirt, according to court documents.

The manager confronted him on the spot and called the police.

Aaron Phang Xue Hui, now 28, previously pleaded guilty to four counts of voyeurism, while another three were taken into consideration for sentencing.

On Nov. 2, he was sentenced to seven months and two weeks in prison.

Organised the files

After the police arrested Phang at Woodlands MRT station, they seized his phone and two hard disks, where they found a total of 183 voyeuristic photos and videos of women he did not know.

They included upskirt and downblouse shots.

The victims' faces can be seen in some of the photos and videos.

According to charge sheets, the earliest media was from September 2019.

Over just seven months from January to July 2024, he took 63 such photos and videos, including the final video he was caught for.

These files were also organised into folders, sorted by the dates they were taken.

Phang admitted to taking the photos and videos, and that he would pleasure himself to them at home.

Sentencing

The prosecution sought a jail sentence of between eight months and three weeks, and 11 months.

They highlighted that Phang was a "serial voyeur" who committed the offences over a prolonged period of about five years.

"His multi-year voyeurism streak only came to an end due to the vigilance of an SMRT general manager," they said.

Phang's family was present at court for his sentencing, Shin Min Daily News reported.

When delivering the sentence, the judge said he hoped never to see Phang in court again.

China completed the Fifth Plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Oct. 29, bringing together 162 of the most influential members of the CPC and their 117 alternates.

While speculation prior to the Plenum was that there might be a focus on leadership renewal, it turned out that discipline and party expulsions were also a central narrative of the session, as Nikkei reports 33 high-ranking party members being purged from leadership positions.

It also confirmed that the CPC would convene the 21st National Congress in Beijing in the second half of 2027.

So what is the Plenum, who was purged, and were there any promotions to take note of?

Plenum priorities

The Chinese Communist Party is required to hold annual Plenums which bring together its most senior leaders to discuss its, and by extension China's, most important issues.

The Asia Society reports that each Central Committee is to hold at least five annual Plenums during its five-year term, but it is more usual for seven Plenums to be held, discussing issues such as leadership positions, economic and governance reform, ideology and party building.

ThinkChina reported that the Plenum had placed “cadre management, discipline enforcement, and anti-corruption work” at the heart of the party’s agenda.

The purge (continues)

This effectively meant a continuation of China President Xi Jinping’s ongoing purge of CPC members for alleged corruption, a purge that AP estimated had affected at least 7.9 million CPC members and officials.

The highest segments of CPC leadership have not been immune from these purges, with AP reporting that since Xi became China’s leader, 963 senior officials had been disciplined.

In fact, the 20th Central Committee had been elected in 2022 with 205 full members and 171 alternate members, 376 in total, as reported by NPR.

However, according to the official CPC communique release on Oct. 29, 162 full members and 117 alternate members attended the 2026 Plenum.

ThinkChina reports that this means only 74.2 per cent of the original central committee cohort attended the four years, which the Wall Street Journal noted was the lowest attendance since when Mao was in power.

The Plenum approved 34 disciplinary reports involving 16 military officials and 18 officials from party, state, financial, and state-sector institutions.

This resulted in 33 expulsions, with the final one only being removed from their party posts.

Two of these expulsions involved former members of the Politburo, the core decision-making body, Zhang Youxia and Ma Xingrui, indicating that practically no level of the party was safe.

But also a promotion

The military aspect of the purge is particularly stark.

ThinkChina also noted that the Plenum only promoted 10 alternate members to full members of the central committee, none of whom were from the military.

But the Plenum also saw one promotion of note, that of Central Military Commission vice-chairman Zhang Shengmin.

China’s military is controlled by the powerful seven-member Central Military Commission, which is traditionally headed by China’s leader, in this case Xi Jinping.

The remaining six members are senior People’s Liberation Army members, but as of the present moment, only one, Zhang Shengmin, remains.

A commentary by Nikkei says that the purges leave China’s top military body “hollowed out”, and time will tell if it will be renewed at the 21st National Congress in 2027.

Until then, the situation concentrated a vast amount of direct control over the military in Xi’s hands.

Direct control

Zhang Shengmin is perhaps one of the few CPC officials and military leaders who have seen their star rise after recent purges.

He was made CMC vice-chairman in October 2025, at this most recent Plenum, he has been promoted to the Politburo, indirectly replacing his predecessors.

In China, positions in the Party outweigh that of State positions, meaning that Zhang Shengmin's CMC role outweighs that of Dong Jun, the Minister of National Defense.

In this context, Zhang Shengmin has been seen as a key figure in China's defence establishment appearing at international forums like the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, where he met Singapore's defence minister Chan Chun Sing.

Nikkei's report on the Plenum called Zhang Shengmin a "bridge" between a "purged military and a rebuilt one", but said that the Plenum showed Xi still lacked trust in his top military leadership.

Full and rigorous Party Self-Governance

If there was one phrase to take from the communique, it was “full and rigorous Party Self-Governance”, which appears 22 times and was the central theme of an earlier Xinhua explainer on the Plenum, published on Oct. 27.

The explainer said that improving the lives of Chinese citizens was a central goal of the CPC, and that goal was only achievable through "rigorous self-governance ".

Through this, the purges were compared to the party turning “the blade inward”, the gory imagery encapsulating the damage that outsiders imagine the party is inflicting on itself, but that a commentator that Xinhua quoted said represented "moral strength."

But the explainer also signalled that the inward blade was an ongoing process, that the finding and removal of officials that the CPC found wanting was a crucial process through which it safeguarded China, and the explainer credited China's ongoing success to that process.

In this imagery, both perceptions of the purge are acknowledged, damaging but purposeful. The only part left unsaid is which process acts quicker.

Singaporean host and actress Quan Yi Fong recently travelled to Xinjiang, China as part of a tour group, but was left stunned by the guide's alleged pressure tactics on tourists to spend more money.

The 52-year-old took to Instagram on Nov. 1 to recount her experience regarding her 10-day trip.

According to her, the tour guide allegedly mocked and scolded tour group members who refused to shop.

Local tour group

Quan shared that due to unpredictable weather conditions, she decided to visit southern Xinjiang instead of northern Xinjiang.

However, she said she would not recommend such a vacation.

As Xinjiang is a vast region that can be challenging to explore independently, Quan said she booked a local tour group upon arrival.

She had also signed a contract that promised no forced shopping and no hidden fees.

However, for two consecutive mornings, the group was allegedly taken out early to shop for Xinjiang long-staple cotton products and visit two Hetian jade shops.

She added that each item was sold for at least 2,000 yuan (S$380).

"If you didn't buy anything, the tour guide would mock you on the bus or even straight-up curse at you," she wrote.

Gave in

In a separate Facebook post on Nov. 1, Quan revealed that she eventually bought a piece of Hetian jade, cotton and camel wool blankets, as well as half a year's supply of camel milk.

She added that if she had encountered the same situation elsewhere in China, she would have left immediately or reported the matter to the authorities.

However, given how vast and remote Xinjiang is, she decided to put up with it.

In the same post, she also said the actual tour package differed from what was initially promised.

The group was offered a six-seater luxury minivan, but a 20-seater bus turned up instead.

She also attached screenshots of her conversations with the tour company.

Unforgettable in a different way

Quan further shared that southern Xinjiang consists of mainly high-altitude plains and deserts, and that its landscape lacks the charm of northern Xinjiang.

She also complained about the lack of toilet stops during the long drives.

As much of the journey involved travelling along expressways where stopping was not permitted, the group was often unable to stop for toilet breaks, she said.

She added that even at rest stops, tour group members sometimes had to wait a long time to use the toilets.

The conditions and smell were terrible, she added.

Some even resorted to using plastic bottles to relieve themselves.

As a result, Quan said she deliberately limited her water intake to avoid toilet use.

While she admitted to having some regrets about not visiting northern Xinjiang, Quan said her experience in southern Xinjiang had given her second thoughts about making the trip.

A Singaporean woman who worked for socialite Kim Lim stole a Patek Philippe worth S$73,000 and used the company card to spend nearly S$20,000 while clubbing.

She also took the company car and drove drunk.

On Nov. 2, Tey Jing Wen, 33, was sentenced to 22 months' jail, fined S$3,500 and disqualified from driving for two years.

She previously pleaded guilty on Oct. 8 to five charges, including theft as a servant, criminal breach of trust as an employee, driving without a licence and drink driving.

Another five charges were taken into consideration.

Previously, on Oct. 21, 2025, Lim, who is the daughter of billionaire Peter Lim, spoke about the incident on a social media livestream where she said that the "drama" had deeply hurt her.

What happened

According to Lianhe Zaobao, the court heard that Tey joined Lim's beauty and health company, KL Health, as a human resources (HR) assistant in 2022.

She rose through the ranks, becoming an HR manager after just two years, and was subsequently promoted to regional coordinator.

Tey took on a key role in the company and worked closely with Lim, with employees often asking for directives through Tey when Lim was not in the office.

In August 2024, after Lim's personal assistant resigned, Lim told Tey the combination code to the company safe, which contained some of her personal belongings.

However, Lim later forgot the combination, leaving Tey as the only one who could open the safe.

Drink driving

On Jun. 3, 2025, Tey was stopped by traffic police for driving against traffic, and was found to have a blood alcohol content higher than the legal limit.

She was also found to have been driving without a licence and third-party insurance.

It was also discovered that the car she was driving belonged to Lim.

One of her responsibilities as regional coordinator was to look after Lim's car.

Lim was not in Singapore at the time of the incident.

Tey was later released on bail.

Investigated

After Tey's arrest, Lim began to notice that her work performance was slipping and launched an internal investigation.

It revealed that in May 2025, Tey had used a company credit card to spend S$19,191 at several luxury nightclubs on eight occasions.

She also found that her Patek Philippe watch, as well as a stack of red packets containing S$8,000, had disappeared from her safe.

In her social media livestream in October 2025, Lim claimed that the red packet money was her son's.

Police investigations later found that Tey was the one who stole the items, having sold the watch for S$16,500 to a purported secondhand dealer while on bail.

She used S$13,280 of the money to repay part of her unauthorised credit card spending, and kept the remaining sum, as well as the red packet money, for herself.

She also stole nearly S$74,000 worth of other valuables, such as cash, jewellery, and perfumes.

More than 50 haze-related questions have been filed by over 30 Members of Parliament (MPs) and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) for oral answers in preparation for the parliament sitting on Nov. 3.

According to the order paper, Mothership, most of the questions are about around Singapore's legal, regulatory and economic responses to the haze and the companies that allegedly contributed to the pollution.

This includes whether the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) 2014 is effectively enforced.

Another repeatedly raised question was the status of investigations into the four companies allegedly responsible for the 2015 peatland and forest fires in Indonesia, which caused one of Singapore's worst haze events on record.

These questions come after the government said it would examine the adequacy of the THPA and consider ushering in changes to current haze laws following the ongoing bout of haze since September.

Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014

Passed in 2014, the THPA is a law that targets entities such as businesses that engage in activities that cause or contribute to haze pollution in Singapore.

If found guilty, the entities may face a maximum fine of S$100,000 for every day that there is haze pollution in Singapore.

The law comes into effect and can be enforced when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remains in the unhealthy range for more than 24 hours in any part of Singapore.

Despite preventive measure notices issued to a multitude of firms in 2015 and 2026, no fines or convictions have been issued.

Two of the cases from 2015 were closed, while four of the six are still open.

Questions from both sides of house

Following the order paper's arrangement, some of the summarised standout questions from MPs of the People's Action Party (PAP) and Workers' Party (WP) include:

• PAP MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, Tin Pei Ling, on the number of preventive notices issued under THPA to date since September 2026 and what actions have been taken to hold companies responsible for causing the fires in Indonesia accountable
• PAP MP for Tampines GRC, Charlene Chen, on whether the THPA adequately establishes haze-causing entities' liability and if amendments to the law are needed to address any identified gaps
• WP MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim, on updates to the 2015 investigations into the four companies and the specific impediments preventing a resolution to the case after 11 years.
• Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Neo Kok Beng, on whether the government will require Singapore-listed companies operating plantations regionally to submit plans on the prevention and mitigation of fire
• WP MP for Aljunied GRC, Kenneth Tiong, on how many money-laundering investigations have concerned proceeds of foreign illegal land clearing since November 2024
• PAP MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, Sharael Taha, on whether the government will convene a coordinated framework with relevant agencies to hold companies accountable

An adjournment motion has also been filed by WP's MP for Sengkang GRC, He Ting Ru, on strengthening Singapore's role in regional clean air amid transboundary haze, to be heard in parliament on Nov. 3.

For the past few years, Tanjong Pagar Distripark (TPD) has been the site of several live events.

The former logistics hub turned arts cluster is not only home to the Singapore Art Museum and a whole litany of art galleries, but also a popular spot for various types of events, from beer festivals to Singapore Art Week to even acclaimed Japanese dance music fest Rainbow Disco Club.

However, on Oct. 30, the venue announced that it had paused all outdoor music events.

TPD stated that loud music might "cause some disamenity" to the surrounding community, and announced that they would be "asking [their] licensees and tenants to take a step back" and "temporarily pause" such events. 

And just a day prior, local party and DJ collective Ice Cream Sundays made an Instagram post saying they would no longer be able to host events at TPD "for the foreseeable future" due to a noise complaint.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ice Cream Sundays 🍦 (@icecreamsundays_)

The complaints were pointed in particular at Rainbow Disco Club's Singapore debut at TPD on Oct. 3, co-hosted by Ice Cream Sundays.

Notably, the collective called the complaints "outrageous and provably false".

An outpouring of sadness and frustration from commenters and fans ensued, who bemoaned the loss of yet another venue in land-scarce Singapore.

Many called for the authorities to review their complaint mediation process.

But this was a measure taken by TPD's management, Mapletree, and not mandated by any government agency, said Ice Cream Sundays in response to Mothership's queries.

What happened exactly? We spoke with them to find out more.

Anonymous

Jake Camacho, 34, one of the co-founders of Ice Cream Sundays, told Mothership that around the start of August 2026, they received an email from an anonymous complainant calling for TPD to stop hosting live events.

He said that several government agencies, TPD tenants, as well as the building management were copied in the email.

Curiously, various other businesses that Ice Cream Sundays founders had links to were also copied, despite having no links to the events.

The sender claimed that the events were creating "a disturbance for the neighbourhood", and signed off simply as "Singapore resident".

They also claimed to be staying at the residential area opposite TPD, across the Keppel Viaduct highway.

This began a series of complaints that this individual would make over the next few months.

Another co-founder Daniel O’Connor, also 34, added that TPD reached out to the complainant to arrange a face-to-face meeting to hear their concerns and mediate the situation.

However, they never responded to the offer.

Instead, O'Connor claims that they escalated the situation, threatening to raise the situation to the media and take legal action.

Ice Cream Sundays was allegedly not the only event organiser implicated, with the complainant making reference to other upcoming events at the venue.

Measures taken

In response to the complaints, Ice Cream Sundays took a long list of precautions before their Oct. 3 event.

Three weeks before the event, the collective made the decision to move the outdoor segment of the event from the carpark to an area further within the compound.

This was so that the noise would be blocked by the TPD building itself, standing between the event and the residential side.

Camacho noted that this was no "small undertaking".

"We did take the complaint seriously, and we did want to demonstrate that we're not here to cause a disturbance," he said.

As for the indoor segment, they also added extra sound barriers "like the kind you see at construction sites", added O'Connor, after venue management asked them if they could take additional measures.

In addition, they modified their speaker arrangement to reduce the amount of sound projected towards the residential area.

All of this was fully licensed and approved by the authorities, Camacho and O'Connor stressed.

"So this is a system that has been proven to work for us in in many situations, and has also been signed off by the police when they issue us a licence as well.

That's why we also find it hard to believe that the sound could escape to that extent."

Not enough

This was not enough to satisfy the disgruntled resident.

A new complaint was soon lodged, in which they claimed that they had gotten an "NEA-registered noise consultant" to monitor the noise from the residential area, recording levels "exceeding 115-125 dBc".

According to the American Academy of Audiology, that would be the equivalent of a jet plane taking off.

Ice Cream Sundays' sound engineer called this "nigh impossible", said O'Connor.

"You know, we're not unrealistic. We understand that music events are loud, but the extent to which these claims are being made... it doesn't add up to the lived experience on the day."

As part of their agreement with the venue, Ice Cream Sundays monitored noise levels every two hours during the event, from both within the TPD compound as well as from the residential area.

Their measurements were ultimately several orders of magnitude lower than the complainant's findings.

O'Connor claimed that while at the residential area, his team recorded levels hovering around 60 dB.

This, he alleges, was entirely attributable to the ambient noise of the area, in particular from road traffic from the highway next door.

"Our staff member who went and took the readings said they literally could not hear our event when they were taking the reading," he said.

Camacho also noted that they had received other noise complaints in the past, warranting a police visit.

However, if directed by the police to turn the volume down, they would comply.

But the police never came down to the Oct. 3 event, he noted.

"We didn't receive any complaints during the event, which is strange, right? Because if the the noise levels are as loud as this person is claiming that they were, you would expect there to be many complaints, and that that was not what we experienced."

Illicit activities?

However, the complainant took a step further, accusing Ice Cream Sundays of being a hub for illicit activity.

"These types of events promote the abuse of alcohol, public drunkenness and smoking including illegal drugs and vaping which are offences and extremely harmful to Singaporean society," the email read.

O'Connor simply called these allegations "disappointing".

"If anyone comes to our event, you can see that we we have adequate security. We do bag checks, we have a list of house rules that sets out the expectations of the kind of behaviours that we expect people to uphold at our events, and our events are fully licenced.

"So, if that's the case, it must mean the authorities are satisfied with the measures that we're putting in place at our events."

Notably, in a list of house rules that the collective posted on Instagram, the third line reads: "No vapes or illegal substances."

O'Connor also remarked that their events were now "pretty family friendly", with various workshops and activities catering to different eventgoers.

Not the venue's fault

Ultimately, Mapletree decided to temporarily suspend outdoor music events at TPD.

O'Connor called it "a shame", but quickly clarified that he did not lay the blame on the venue.

"I want to be very clear that I don't that we don't blame them. We certainly don't blame any government agencies. I think what we're talking about is a wider issue of... the complainer always winning in Singapore," he stressed.

"And it takes someone who doesn't even name themselves, or show themselves, with claims that they don't have a lot of evidence to back up... to ruin the prospect of having events there again, for not just us but also for a lot of promoters."

Camacho added that they empathised with the venue, having been placed in a "difficult position" after being threatened with legal action. 

But it is a "bigger challenge than ever" to find spaces to host events now, he noted.

Lamenting on the loss of venues in Singapore, Camacho said that it was difficult to find places that are accessible but also not close to residences.

O'Connor also remarked that people have pointed him towards hosting events in Fort Canning Park or Marina Bay.

But those sit firmly outside of Ice Cream Sundays' budget, as a "DIY party".

"And I think that's why the post went kind of viral, right, because it resonates with both industry people, but also punters who who like to go to these types of events.

"I think it reached a lot of people who have never been to an Ice Cream Sundays before, but just understand that these challenges are getting harder and harder to overcome."

A man was photographed partially inside a blue recycling bin in a public housing estate in Singapore.

The image of him apparently rummaging for recyclable items has sparked debate online.

Also photographed next to him was a red plastic bag hanging from a bicycle that apparently contained empty containers.

The post on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page alleged that the man was searching for containers to get deposit refunds from the Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS).

Should he take the containers out?

Opinions were divided.

Some said the man was "going too far", even though they were "all for collecting cans".

Another called the man's actions "unbelievable" and questioned why he would do this for a 10-cent refund.

Others said the man was simply taking the items from one receptacle and transferring them to another receptable.

Moreover, recycling bins, unlike rubbish bins, should not contain random trash and food waste, which makes them "less dirty".

There were also others who wondered if he had dropped something inside and was searching for it.

The man's actions also drew flak based on comments from other Facebook posts.

What is BCRS?

BCRS kicked in fully from Oct. 1, 2026.

All plastic bottles and cans from 150ml to 3 litres cannot be sold, unless they have the 10-cent deposit mark.

Under the scheme, administered by the National Environment Agency (NEA), customers are charged 10 cents extra for each drink purchased.

They can get the 10 cents back when they deposit the used containers into a Return Right Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), which is a reverse vending machine.

Illegal

Rummaging through public refuse bins, removing items from them, or leaving or spilling waste on the ground are against the law, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu in response to a parliamentary question recently.

Fu was asked whether measures were in place to prevent unhygienic practices under BCRS, and if separate collection bins and facilities for liquid disposal would be provided at high-use locations.

BCRS was launched on Apr. 1, 2026.

A well-known restaurant in Chinatown was allegedly targeted in a scam attempt after someone claimed to have found a cockroach in a dish and demanded S$300 in compensation.

However, the owner of Kok Sen Restaurant along Keong Saik Road became suspicious after noticing several inconsistencies in the complaint, including a photograph he believed had been manipulated.

The restaurant's owner, Huang Zhaoqiang, 50, subsequently lodged a police report, according to Shin Min Daily News.

Demanded S$300 over alleged cockroach in food

Huang told Shin Min that he received a WhatsApp complaint at around 8am on Oct. 31 from someone who claimed to have found a cockroach in a dish while dining at the restaurant the previous day.

The person claimed to have found a cockroach in a dish and demanded S$300 in compensation, despite the accompanying receipt showing a bill of just over S$110.

Huang said he was alarmed by the complaint and apologised to the person, assuring them that the restaurant would take responsibility.

However, he became suspicious when the person refused to wait a week for the restaurant to investigate the complaint, claiming to need the money urgently.

The person also threatened to report the matter to the authorities and post about it online if the restaurant did not provide immediate compensation.

Restaurant owner spots suspicious details

Huang later examined the photographs and receipt provided by the complainant and noticed several discrepancies.

One of the photographs appeared to match an image from a recent Google review of the restaurant, leading Huang to believe that a cockroach had been digitally added.

The receipt also raised questions.

Although the complainant claimed to have visited the restaurant on Oct. 30, the receipt was dated Oct. 22.

Huang also noticed that the person was using a Malaysian phone number and had enabled disappearing messages on WhatsApp.

Huang tells complainant he will contact police

Huang then informed the complainant that he would report the matter to the police.

"I'm telling this story mainly to warn restaurants and hawkers that similar scams have been appearing recently," Huang said to Shin Min.

The blueprint for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) will be launched in December 2026 by Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

This was announced to the media at a doorstop on Nov. 2.

Strong bilateral relationship

Speaking at the doorstop, Singapore's Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said the bilateral relationship between Singapore and Malaysia is "very strong", adding that the countries have made "very good progress" since the JS-SEZ was formed.

He was very heartened to see the investment projects that have been approved and the jobs that have been created, noting that this is the beginning of many more to come.

Chee added: "We can only achieve this because we have been working very closely together as partners, reinforcing the pro-business environment that the Johor Singapore SEZ is able to provide to investors."

He was also glad to know that many of the investors are from Singapore, as well as many investors coming from around the world.

Chee pointed out that this "continued strong interest from the investment community, from the business community", is the result of this "strong partnership and collaboration" among Singapore, Malaysia, and Johor.

"So we would certainly want to continue this partnership, work even more closely together, and see how we can take this collaboration forward and do more together for the benefit of our people, our communities, and our businesses," he added.

Strategic move

Calling it a "very strategic move" by both countries, Malaysia's Minister of Economy Akmal Nasir brought up the numbers from the JS-SEZ from 2025 to June 2026.

He said RM88.83 billion (~S$28 billion) was recorded in terms of approved investments, adding that out of that, 45 per cent has been realised.

"So, in that sense, it's not just about having great potential, but the real challenge and the commitment by...both countries, to deliver this prospect with a really good outcome," Akmal said.

He added that the joint investment forum will be held by the first quarter of 2027 and as such, they "want to keep up this good momentum", noting that it will benefit both countries, its people and the business communities in both regions.

Blueprint

In that regard, the plan is for the blueprint to be announced and launched by Singapore and Malaysia's prime ministers in December, to coincide with the upcoming leaders' retreat.

"I think both sides have been working very well together to develop the various initiatives to support this blueprint," said Chee.

"The blueprint represents a medium to longer-term vision of what we want to achieve for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone."

"But to be able to realise this vision, a lot of hard work needs to go in between the various agencies to iron out some out these specific initiatives," he added.

That includes talent development, facilitating the movement of people and goods, as well as trade and investments, and looking at transportation and connectivity.

Chee said these are "important supporting elements to make the blueprint come to life, and to be able to realise the benefits for win-win cooperation".

Mutually beneficial outcome

In addition, Chee said: "We see the Johor–Singapore Cooperation Ministerial Committee (JSCMC) as a very important and useful platform..."

He noted that it allows the ministers from both sides to discuss areas to strengthen cooperation, and added that they are also looking at how to strengthen connectivity.

Raising the enhancements of the cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Johor as an example, Chee added that enhancements to connectivity will be "further boosted when the Rapid Transit System (RTS) comes into operation in February 2027".

"The important thing is this: the benefit of this cooperation leads to a win-win, mutually beneficial outcome, and that is what I believe will be important to make this a sustainable collaboration," Chee said.

He added: "...It reflects the larger bilateral friendship and partnership between Singapore and Malaysia, and between Singapore and Johor."

"...In the time like this, when the world is more uncertain, less predictable, actually like-minded partners and close neighbours, we need to work even more closely together, and achieve this growth, prosperity, and benefits, good jobs, for our people."

JS-SEZ agreement

An earlier report mentioned that the JS-SEZ agreement was signed by Singapore and Malaysia on Jan. 6, 2025, and it aims to:

1. Improves cross-border goods connectivity between Singapore and Johor
2. Enables freer movement of people, and
3. Strengthens the business ecosystem within the region.

With the agreement, Singapore and Johor would strive to complement each other in ways that increase their value proposition to each other and companies seeking a destination for global investments.

Singapore's strengths as a global hub for technology, business, and finance and Johor's abundant land and resources could open the JS-SEZ to many twinning opportunities.

The JS-SEZ aims to deepen cooperation in 11 economic sectors, such as manufacturing, energy, financial services, and the digital economy, to help companies expand their regional footprint.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating around 45 companies involved in airport operations at Changi Airport for suspected offences and infringements under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA).

This includes false declarations and illegal deployment of foreign workers, MOM said in a Nov. 2 press release.

Suspected offences, infringements

The agency found Employment Pass (EP) holders deployed to perform baggage handling services during a recent inspection at Changi Airport.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the salaries and occupations declared to MOM for these EP holders were false, the release stated.

It added that other work pass holders were also found performing baggage handling work, which was different from their declared occupations.

Investigations have so far identified around 270 workers whose deployment may not have been in compliance with work pass regulations.

These workers were employed by the Singapore Airport Terminal Services' (SATS) contractors and subcontractors, the release noted.

Strengthen oversight

MOM has directed SATS to strengthen its oversight of the companies they have contracted, including verifying that foreign workers are deployed in accordance with their work passes.

This also includes rectifying any compliance deficiencies, the release stated.

MOM has also issued an advisory to other companies involved in SATS' operations, underscoring their obligation to comply with the EFMA and applicable work pass requirements.

Penalties

The release noted that MOM takes a serious view of work pass offences.

Investigations are ongoing and MOM will take enforcement action if breaches of the EFMA are established.

The agency will also continue to conduct checks to ensure compliance with work pass requirements.

The release stated that under the EFMA, making a false declaration in a work pass application carries a fine of up to S$20,000, up to two years' jail, or both.

Employers who illegally deploy a foreign employee may face a financial penalty of up to S$10,000. They may also be barred from hiring work pass holders.

According to the release, members of the public who are aware of suspected work pass infringements may report them to MOM through its Report an Infringement eService.