The kidnappers of a 72-year-old Singaporean man in Malaysia allegedly demanded a ransom of S$1 million from his family.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that a Criminal Investigation Department Director said during an Aug. 10 press conference in Malaysia that the man apparently met a woman online.

She was said to have invited him to Penang, Malaysia, with a high-paying consulting job.

Ransom demand

According to an earlier report, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed via an Aug. 10 news release that the man had travelled on his own to Malaysia on Jul. 26, 2026.

His family subsequently alerted the SPF after getting worried about his safety.

He had reportedly disappeared after arriving at an airport in Penang on Jul. 26.

On Aug. 4, his family was said to have received audio and video messages showing him blindfolded, handcuffed, and repeatedly beaten, Zaobao reported.

After negotiations following the ransom demand, the family transferred about S$15,000 to the kidnappers' account in three installments,

The money was immediately withdrawn.

Operation

The release noted that the SPF had sought the assistance of the Malaysian police and shared relevant information with them.

Subsequently, at about 8:40pm on Aug. 7, Malaysian police raided a residence in Kedah, Malaysia, Zaobao reported.

Officers faced gunfire from the suspects when they entered.

They were then forced to return fire and killed two suspects.

The man and a 33-year-old female Chinese national who were later rescued from different rooms within the house were found to be blindfolded and handcuffed with injuries.

Both were taken to the hospital for treatment and discharged the same day.

Zaobao reported that the operation also saw two handguns, ammunition, and a machete being recovered at the scene.

Suspects allegedly involved in other cases

Police then arrested six suspects at another residence nearby.

The suspects included one Malaysian man, as well as five Chinese national men and women.

Zaobao reported that group had allegedly been involved in at least two other kidnapping cases.

This involved kidnapping two female Chinese nationals in Kuala Lumpur, where one of them escaped and reported the kidnapping to the police.

The other had been rescued by the police.

Based on preliminary investigations by the Malaysia police, the suspects allegedly used social media and online platforms, including Telegram, WeChat and Badoo to establish acquaintances with potential victims.

They would then invite the victims to meet in person under various pretexts, including going on holiday, employment opportunities or socialising.

The SPF advised members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with persons they have met online, particularly where they do not know the person well and are invited to meet in person or travel overseas.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed that a 72-year-old Singaporean man got kidnapped in Malaysia and has been rescued.

His rescue was the result of SPF and Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) working together, SPF said in a Aug. 10 news release.

What happened

The man had travelled on his own to Malaysia on Jul. 26, 2026.

His family subsequently alerted the SPF after being concerned for his safety.

They had received information on Aug. 4 indicating that he may have been kidnapped in Malaysia and that a ransom had been demanded for his release.

The SPF immediately sought the assistance of the Malaysian police and shared relevant information with them.

The Malaysian police subsequently mounted operations that led to the rescue of the man.

The SPF supported the investigative effort from Singapore and worked closely with the man’s next-of-kin, providing them with support and assistance.

The man was successfully rescued by the Malaysian police on Aug. 7, 2026, in Kedah, Malaysia.

"He is safe and has received the necessary medical attention," the police added.

Potential victims invited to go overseas

Based on preliminary investigations by the Malaysia police, the suspects allegedly used social media and online platforms, including Telegram, WeChat and Badoo to establish acquaintances with potential victims.

They would then invite the victims to meet in person under various pretexts, including going on holiday, employment opportunities or socialising.

The SPF advised members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with persons they have met online, particularly where they do not know the person well and are invited to meet in person or travel overseas.

A 32-year-old accountant from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reportedly took his own life and died on the spot after he fell from his apartment on the 24th floor to the ninth-floor platform.

China Press reported that the incident occurred on the evening of Aug. 7.

The man, Lin Zucheng (transliterated), reportedly took a half-day off on Aug. 7 to return to the apartment where he lived with his girlfriend.

Prior to this, he was suspected of falling for an online scam, and allegedly owed loan sharks over RM200,000 (about S$62,700).

Alleged online gambling

Lin was allegedly addicted to different online trading platforms, China Press reported.

He was said to have downloaded and used over 30 different trading platform applications on his mobile phone.

China Press understands that many of the applications on his phone were supposedly related to online gambling and financial transactions.

It added that he could have fallen into an online fraud trap and had been forced to borrow money from loan sharks to repay his debts.

His girlfriend, Liang, pointed out that she had been dating Lin for 11 years, adding that he worked at an accounting firm and did part-time IT services.

She admitted that he had borrowed money from her over the past few years, amounting to RM40,000 (S$12,551), and had also borrowed RM10,000 (about S$3,137) from her mother.

He previously claimed to have needed cash flow as he was doing online sales.

Recognised boyfriend's clothes

Liang said she saw her boyfriend's car parked at the apartment when she returned home on the evening of Aug. 7.

She was surprised as he usually returned home late, China Press reported.

Liang thought he had been at work, but said he would not answer personal or work calls.

At the time, news suddenly spread in a residents' group that a fatal fall had occurred in the apartment.

She rushed downstairs after recognising her boyfriend's clothes and notified his family of the news.

Harassed family, police report

China Press reported that his body was sent to the morgue at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital.

Later at the hospital, Liang reportedly received a call from a loan shark demanding a RM30,000 (S$9,413) debt that Lin owed.

He allegedly demanded that she pay RM10,000 (S$ 3,137) of the debt that day, and another of the same amount the next day, until the debt was fully repaid with interest.

She then continued getting debt collection messages from loan sharks over the next few days, after which she decided to file a police report on Aug. 10.

The officer taking her statement told her to contact the loan sharks immediately.

"The other party knew I had called the police, and spoke very politely, saying that they just wanted to get the money back," she said.

China Press reported Liang also sought help from the assistant of a Malaysian Member of Parliament and head of a complaints bureau in the hopes that loan sharks would stop harassing her.

The deceased's mother, Cai Lirong (transliterated), said that she could not repay her son's debts and begged the loan sharks to stop harassing her family.

Lin's funeral procession will take place on Sunday morning (Aug. 16) for cremation.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

National mindline.sg Hotline: 1771 (24 hours)

National mindline.sg WhatsApp: 66691771 (24 hours)

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

A flight to Canada was cancelled after a toddler refused to put on a seatbelt.

According to Fox News, the plane had left the terminal and was headed for the runway when a crew member noticed a child standing in their seat.

Attempts by the accompanying adult and crew to get the child buckled failed.

The airline said they could not take off in this condition.

By the time the family was removed, the flight had exceeded the runway closure timing, and the passengers had to be rebooked to a flight the next day.

The flight

The flight was Porter Airlines flight 444, scheduled to depart Victoria International Airport in British Columbia for Toronto at 10:30pm.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Porter Airlines said: "A young child was standing in their seat and would not secure their seatbelt."

The airline said neither the adult travelling with the child nor the crew managed to get the child buckled, and that the aircraft could not take off in an unsafe condition.

The crew decided to return to the terminal and have them disembark.

Why the flight was scrapped entirely

Victoria International Airport has a takeoff curfew of 12:30am.

By the time the passengers in question and their luggage had been taken off the plane and the necessary paperwork completed, there was no longer time to depart.

The flight was cancelled, and the remaining passengers had to stay the night.

They were rebooked onto a flight the following day.

Porter said: "We apologise for the effect this had on other passengers."

Under-twos need a restraint

Porter requires a child safety seat or restraint device for children under two.

It is unclear how old the child in this case was, according to Fox News Digital.

]]> 1164498 https://mothership.sg/2026/08/tan-kiat-how-3rd-kid/ 2026-08-10T18:20:59 https://mothership.sg/2026/08/tan-kiat-how-3rd-kid/

Member of Parliament (MP) and Senior Minister of State of Health and Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How, 49, had a very eventful National Day Parade (NDP).

Recounting the very eventful NDP on his social media, Tan called it their best National Day gift.

'Baby was patient enough': Tan

"Towards the end of the show, my wife's water started leaking. Thankfully, baby was patient enough for Isaac and Ayla to enjoy the parade till the very end — fireworks, pledge and all!"

The two then dropped their children off at home after the show, before packing their bags and heading to the hospital.

"This morning, Micah was born."

He also thanked the "wonderful doctors and nurses" who took good care of his wife and Micah through the night and this morning.

Tan has two other children, Isaac and Ayla. Ayla was born in 2023.

Netizens congratulate him

Following Tan's announcement, netizens congratulated him on the new addition to his family.

One called it a "blessing" and another said that would now be an "auspicious day".

A 47-year-old man has been jailed eight months and three weeks after he fetched two swords from his flat and challenged two colleagues to a duel.

The man, Hong Weiping (transliterated), pleaded guilty to five charges including possession of a deadly weapon, attempting to cause hurt with a dangerous weapon, and committing a rash act causing hurt, according to Shin Min Daily News.

Another 10 charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

It started with a joke about freeloading

On the evening of May 22, 2025, Hong was drinking with two colleagues at a coffee shop at Block 530 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 from around 7pm.

After he had downed 10 beers, his two colleagues joked that he was only there for the free food and drinks. Hong took offence, got up, and went home.

The colleagues later called and asked him to return to the coffee shop. He told them he was already home, and suggested they meet downstairs at his block instead. They agreed.

Two swords, thrown on the ground

According to Shin Min, Hong took two swords from his flat and headed back downstairs.

At around 9:45pm, he spotted his two colleagues driving their vans into the carpark and approached them.

He threw both swords onto the ground and told them to each pick one up, saying he would fight them with his bare hands.

Neither got out of their vehicle.

Hong then picked the swords back up, walked over to the two vans, and struck each of them with the sword handles while shouting.

The two colleagues drove off, and he chased after them for a few metres with the swords before stopping and going home.

Four members of the public saw him wielding the two swords and immediately called the police.

Five swords and a katana at home

Investigations revealed that Hong was in illegal possession of five swords and a katana, all kept at his flat in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, per Shin Min.

Two days later, he threw chairs at a coffee shop

Shin Min reported that at around 7:30am on May 24, 2025, Hong caused another disturbance, this time at a coffee shop at Block 407 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

A man was walking past with his parents when Hong suddenly became agitated and threw a plastic chair, hitting the man in the mouth.

A coffee shop assistant who stepped in to help was hit in the head by another chair.

When the man's father and the assistant tried to stop him, Hong punched both of them.

A man responsible for looking after a nearby shrine came over to check, and Hong hurled abuse at him before throwing a chair that hit his arm.

Hong was arrested at the scene and taken to Woodlands Police Station, where he continued shouting and swearing at officers.

A 42-year-old Chinese national was sentenced to 13 months and two weeks' jail after he booked rooms at a Serangoon hotel for women to provide sexual services.

Liu Daodong, who was also fined S$3,000, also aided a 19-year-old in getting 70 customers in nine days.

Shin Min Daily News reported he pleaded guilty on Aug. 7 to three charges, which included living off the proceeds of others' prostitution as well as violating the Women's Charter.

He reportedly took a S$40 commission for each client he recruited.

Various offences

Charge sheets seen by Mothership stated that from May 30, 2024, to Jun. 11, 2024, Liu lived in part on the earnings of prostitution of a 29-year-old Chinese national.

Sometime in May 2024, he procured the 19-year-old Chinese national for the purpose of prostitution within Singapore.

Subsequently, on or about Jun. 2, 2024, he received a 19-year-old female Chinese national at Changi Airport, knowing she had entered Singapore for the purpose of prostitution and with intent to aid her in prostitution.

In June 2024, Liu also operated a remote communication service with a Singapore registered mobile number in the course of business that facilitated the provision of sexual services of a 19-year-old female Chinese national.

He also lived in part on the earnings of a 19-year-old Chinese national.

In June 2024, Liu received S$35 from a 22-year-old Chinese national working in Singapore as a prostitute, as a reward for assisting her in extending her hotel room in Serangoon where he had a corporate rate of S$165.

Separately in June 2024, Liu received S$140 from a 40-year-old female Chinese national as a reward for assisting her in extending her hotel room.

In the same month, he also received 2,500 yuan (about S$474) for posting an online advertisement about sexual services.

Police operation

Shin Min reported that at about 6:30pm on Jun. 11, 2024, police conducted an anti-prostitution operation at a hotel in Serangoon.

Liu, as well as four women were arrested on the spot, with condoms and lubricants seized.

Four women admitted that they provided sexual services at the hotel.

According to Shin Min, the investigation found Liu to be responsible for booking hotel rooms for them and arranging client appointments.

He also collected money on their behalf and published prostitution advertisements.

One 19-year-old woman testified that she originally worked for a prostitution ring in Macau.

Arrangement with woman

The woman, who was not satisfied with the original commission deduction of S$100 per client, she met Liu through a friend.

Upon learning that his commission deduction was lower, only S$40 per client, she decided to switch to that arrangement.

Both parties then reached an agreement via video conference in May 2024.

The woman would pay for her own airfare and accommodation in Singapore, and Liu would arrange for her to have cheaper accommodation, Shin Min reported.

When she arrived in Singapore on Jun. 2, 2024, Liu picked her up at the airport, took her to buy a SIM card, and accompanied her to check in at the hotel.

He then took over her phone number used to contact clients and arrange appointments, after which he notified her of clients' arrival times using WeChat.

She would then notify Liu after the transaction had been completed so they could count the number of clients for the day.

Solicit business

In an attempt to help a woman solicit business, Liu contacted a website and posted advertisements for her.

He even applied for a "number-search service", Shin Min reported.

This meant the woman's number was added to a chat group where fellow members would check if potential clients were familiar customers.

It supposedly reduced the risk of getting caught by law enforcement officers who could be posing as clients.

Liu subsequently provided the website administrator with photos of the woman, her age, price, as well as information about her sexual services.

He then collected 2,500 yuan (about S$474) in advertising fees from the woman.

70 customers in 9 days

Shin Min reported that the woman had 70 customers in nine days, where Liu took a S$3,000 commission.

The woman provided such services from Jun. 3, 2024, to Jun. 11, 2024.

On top of helping to solicit customers for the woman, Liu also bought food and medicine for her and acted as her guarantor for insurance.

After getting arrested, Liu had been granted bail on Jul. 17, 2024, Shin Min reported.

However, given that he violated his bail conditions by contacting the 19-year-old woman, the court revoked it on Aug. 3, 2024.

He was then detained while awaiting trial.

A 95-year-old coffee shop in Segamat, Johor, has filed a police report after a Facebook page with 297,000 followers implied it was serving pork, based on a noodle listed on its menu.

The dish in question was Mee Pok Sup. Mee pok is a flat noodle, with "pok" meaning flat in Teochew.

What the post said

According to The Rakyat Post, the owner of Nan Yang Coffee Shop found the post on Aug. 7. It had been published by a page called Halal inquiry Company direktori. It describes itself as a halal awareness and company directory page and lists itself as based in Johor Bahru.

The post did not directly allege that the shop sold pork.

It noted that "orang M" had been seen eating at the premises, and circled the words "Mee Pok Sup” on a screenshot of the menu.

The shorthand is commonly read as referring to either Malay or Muslim customers.

Police report and MCMC complaint

The shop owner filed a police report at the Segamat police station on Aug. 7, and separately lodged a complaint with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission saying the post was misleading and had damaged its reputation.

The Facebook page took the post down and later issued an apology, acknowledging errors and misunderstanding in what it had written.

The apology, however, came with a notice that the page had restricted who could comment on it. No such limit had been placed on the original post.

The shop owner asked why the public could freely discuss the original post but were denied the same space for the correction.

The shop's position

Nan Yang Coffee Shop published its own statement, confirming that it uses neither pork nor lard in its dishes.

It added that it does not hold JAKIM halal certification, and has never claimed otherwise.

The statement also confirmed that mee pok is a Teochew term for flat noodles.

According to the shop, traffic from Malay customers had fallen after the post in question.

What people said

Several commenters said the responsibility for checking halal status falls on Muslim consumers, not on non-Muslim businesses that have never claimed to be certified.

Another took a lighter view, joking that some people could not even tell the difference between "pork" and "pok."

A 34-year-old man was sent to the hospital after he allegedly stabbed himself in Clementi on the afternoon of Aug. 10.

Photos posted on Xiaohongshu showed police tape surrounding the area, with bloodstains visible on the ground.

An officer could be seen speaking to a few people nearby.

Other photos posted on the "SG News Warehouse Sale & Events" Facebook page showed workers who appeared to be cleaning the ground after the incident.

Sent to hospital, investigations ongoing

Responding to Mothership's queries, the police said that at about 12:20pm on Aug. 10, they received a call for assistance at Block 441B Clementi Avenue 3.

When the police arrived, officers found a 34-year-old man lying conscious with injuries believed to be self-inflicted.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told Mothership it received a call for assistance for the same incident.

The 34-year-old man was subsequently conveyed to the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.

A 56-year-old male member of the public, who had grabbed the man’s knife away and disarmed him prior to the police's arrival, did not sustain injuries.

However, he was also conveyed conscious to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

SCDF conveyed a person to the National University Hospital and another person to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

National mindline.sg Hotline: 1771 (24 hours)

National mindline.sg WhatsApp: 66691771 (24 hours)

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

A former Thai MP has surrendered to police after allegedly shooting the president of a provincial administrative organisation and his driver on the morning of Aug. 10.

Chalong Riaowrang, a former Nonthaburi MP, allegedly shot Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) president Pol. Col. Thongchai Yenprasert at around 10:20am, according to Khaosod English.

How it happened

Thongchai was preparing to leave the Nonthaburi PAO office at the Nonthaburi Provincial Government Complex when the shooting took place.

Police said in their initial findings that Chalong had been waiting for Thongchai, then walked up to his car and knocked on the window. Thongchai lowered it to speak to him, and Chalong allegedly drew a firearm and started shooting.

Thongchai was shot four times, including in vital areas. His driver was also hit.

Both men were given emergency treatment at the scene by rescue workers from the Nonthaburi City Municipality before they were taken to Phra Nang Klao Hospital.

Thongchai later passed away.

Walked away, then surrendered

Staff at the nearby Nonthaburi Provincial Public Health Office reportedly filmed Chalong with a firearm in hand, which he then tucked into his waistband before leaving the scene.

He later surrendered at a police station.

Reported 11 million baht dispute

A possible motive surfaced after the shooting, when Chalong reportedly called media personality Anjalee while she was hosting a programme.

She said Chalong admitted to her that he had shot the PAO president, and that he had let off four or five rounds before leaving the area.

His grievance, according to her account, was that he had backed the other side and requested 11 million Baht (S$426,837), only to be told there was nothing for him.

He felt he had been badly treated, decided to shoot Thongchai, and told her he intended to surrender.

Khaosod English noted that these claims have not been independently verified, and that police have not confirmed a motive.

Investigation ongoing

Nonthaburi Governor Chettha Mosikarat inspected the scene alongside the deputy governor, the deputy commander of the Nonthaburi Provincial Police, and officers from Rattanathibet Police Station.

The area has been sealed off, with police gathering evidence and speaking to witnesses. Investigations are ongoing.