An ex-army captain who met his former Republic of Singapore Navy chef ex-boyfriend and sexually abused a then 15-year-old victim in a Punggol carpark was jailed for 17 months on Oct. 20.

The Straits Times reported that 41-year-old Chaw Chia Jun pleaded guilty to one count of producing child abuse material and two counts of sexual penetration involving a minor under 16 years old.

An earlier report mentioned that Chaw's co-accused and ex-boyfriend, 26-year-old Owen Toh Wei Song, was sentenced to 12 months' jail on Sep. 22 after pleading guilty to a charge of sexual penetration of a minor.

Two other charges — one under the same provision and another for filming the act — were taken into consideration for sentencing.

Charge sheets and court documents seen by Mothership stated that both men are Singaporeans, with a gag order on the boy's identity to protect him.

MINDEF response

In response to Mothership's queries, a MINDEF spokesperson had previously said the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) "holds its service personnel to high standards of discipline and integrity".

"Service personnel who commit offences will be dealt with in accordance with the law."

MINDEF added that Toh was suspended from all duties following his arrest in 2024, was subsequently released from regular service, and is no longer with the SAF.

Mothership understands that Chaw is also no longer in the employ of the SAF.

Met on online forum

Around April 2024, the secondary four student searched for ways to make friends online.

He was directed to a website that described itself as an online forum intended for mature Singaporean gay men.

According to court documents, the victim browsed through profiles on the forum and selected Toh's.

The profile contained a link to Toh's Telegram profile, and the victim initiated contact.

Asked for personal particulars in early conversations

In their early conversations on Telegram, Toh asked the victim for his personal particulars, including his age.

Toh found out that the victim was a secondary school student about to sit for his N-Level examinations later that year.

According to court documents, the accused did not ask the victim to produce identification, nor did he take steps to independently verify his age.

Their conversations then switched to sexual topics.

The victim told the accused that he was interested in bondage and blindfolding and was keen to explore it. Toh said he was not experienced in that area but knew his ex-boyfriend, Chaw, was.

The two men had been in a relationship for about one year between 2021 and 2022, but remained in contact after their breakup.

Toh asked the victim if he was comfortable meeting Chaw, and the victim agreed. Subsequently, Toh messaged Chaw and told him about the boy's interests.

He also told the boy that Chaw was 32 years old.

Caressed victim's thighs

Toh then arranged a meeting date between all three.

Sometime before Jun. 5, 2024, Chaw drove to Yio Chu Kang MRT station, where he picked up Toh and the victim. While Chaw was driving, he caressed the victim's thighs.

Chaw parked at the uppermost deck of a multi-storey carpark in Punggol where there were no other vehicles and no one else in the vicinity. They alighted from the car, and Chaw told the victim to strip fully naked.

Court documents stated that the victim did so in the open, appearing nervous and shivering slightly.

Toh performed a sex act on the victim while Chaw filmed the act on his phone. When Chaw asked the victim to do the same to him, the victim declined.

More sex acts ensued, including between Chaw and the victim, before they returned to Chaw's car.

A few days later, Toh asked Chaw for a copy of the recording; Chaw sent the recording over, and Toh saved it to his desktop computer.

Report filed

On Oct. 23, 2024, at around 12:13am, the victim lodged a police report at his neighbourhood police centre.

This happened after his mother and sisters grew concerned over his behaviour and the gifts he'd received from an adult man.

They confronted him, and the victim admitted what had happened.

Investigations led to the arrests of Toh and Chaw.

Chaw was arrested on Oct. 23, 2024, and Toh was arrested on Oct. 25, 2024, before being released on bail the same day and charged in court on May 25, 2026.

Prosecution's address

In seeking a global sentence of 17 to 21.5 months' jail, the prosecution highlighted the following aggravating factors.

Firstly, the prosecution argued that the victim was situationally vulnerable and the accused offended in concert with an adult co-offender.

Secondly, the offence involved gratuitous degradation as court documents stated that Chaw had told the victim to strip fully naked and he did so in the open, appearing nervous and shivering slightly.

Thirdly, the offence was filmed as it was committed.

Noting that the accused had been sentenced to jail for three distinct offences, the jail terms for at least two of the offences must run consecutively, the prosecution said.

As such, it submitted that the sentences for the first and fourth charges should run consecutively.

The prosecution also submitted the following about the global imprisonment term.

Firstly, it is proportionate to the accused's overall criminality and in keeping with his past record and future prospect.

Secondly, it should be backdated to Oct. 23, 2024, which was the accused's date of arrest, but exclude the period where the accused was released on bail.

Singaporean actress Sharon Au has shared her thoughts on the recent unrest in France, stressing the importance of distinguishing peaceful protesters from those who resort to violence.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 19, Au, who has been living in Paris for nine years, said she had received numerous messages from family and friends concerned about her safety.

"I am safe, and fortunately away from the areas affected by the unrest," she assured them.

Her comments came after widespread demonstrations across France escalated into violent clashes, looting and property damage by fringe groups.

According to Reuters, approximately 550,000 people joined demonstrations across the country, protesting against rising living costs and declining public services.

While many marched peacefully, violence broke out in several cities, including Paris, Lyon and Marseille.

"Understanding anger does not oblige us to justify violence"

Au said she had spent the past three days resisting the urge to comment on the unrest, acknowledging that she did not fully understand the grievances behind the demonstrations.

She pointed out that she had neither grown up in France nor experienced its public education system, and therefore could not claim to understand the frustrations of French students, teachers and families.

"Nine years of living in Paris have taught me many things. But nine years do not entitle me to pass judgment on an entire nation," she wrote.

Au acknowledged France's longstanding tradition of dissent and said she respected the right of its people to protest, strike and challenge authority.

However, she questioned how the destruction of businesses and public property could contribute to building a better society.

"I respect that (the right to dissent), even when I do not always agree with the methods. But I struggle to reconcile the pursuit of a better society with the destruction of the very society one seeks to improve."

She added that the consequences of such destruction ultimately fall on ordinary people, including those already struggling financially.

Au also stressed the importance of distinguishing peaceful protesters with legitimate grievances from those who take advantage of public anger to engage in violence.

"Understanding anger does not oblige us to justify violence," she wrote.

"Paris is still home"

Reflecting on her experience as a Singaporean living abroad, Au said Singapore and France have very different approaches to public order, collective action and civic responsibilities.

Living in France had challenged many of her assumptions, something she said she was grateful for.

Au acknowledged that democracy could be "uncomfortable, messy, imperfect, and deeply frustrating", but stressed that freedom should also come with responsibility towards others.

Despite the unrest, Au reaffirmed her attachment to the French capital.

"Paris is still home. Even on days when I struggle to recognise her."

Protests in France

The unrest follows weeks of student-led demonstrations across France over deteriorating school conditions and concerns about the country's education system.

Students aged between 15 and 18 have been protesting issues from late September, such as teacher shortages, ageing school buildings and an opaque university admissions process.

However, the movement has since expanded into broader protests about rising costs of living and declining public services, marking the country's worst civil unrest in years.

A 64-year-old Singaporean tourist, who was exposed to tear gas during a protest in Lyon, later recovered and continued his holiday.

Ricky Low, 49, carried the world on his shoulders, providing for his ailing mother, his wife who lived with a genetic condition, and a son with autism.

His software engineer job afforded him a good pay, but the hours were long even after flexible work arrangements.

This left him with little time to care for those who relied on him.

Low eventually left his 14-year career as a software engineer and made the switch to become a taxi driver.

He now makes three times less than before, but has the flexibility to spend time on what matters — his family.

Low told his story in an National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) article.

Making time for his family

Low's wife lived with mitochondrial disease, a genetic condition where the body's cells are unable to produce sufficient energy.

At the same time, he had to care for his ailing 83-year-old mother and 10-year-old son with autism.

He tried flexible work arrangements at his old job, but some workdays still stretched till 3am to 4am.

"I was tired and I somehow also felt I needed to be around them more," Low said.

In May 2024, Low made the switch.

Changing circumstances

He left his 14 years as a software engineer behind and became a taxi driver.

While Low had intended for the taxi job to be temporary while he explored jobs in another industry, he had to reconsider due to his mother's care needs.

On his last day at the software engineer job, Low's mother suffered a blood clot which cut off circulation to one of her legs.

This warranted an amputation.

Apart from his mother, Low's wife also needed more care.

Hand tremors and mobility difficulties made everyday activities, like holding a spoon and fork, difficult.

Flexibility with time

Given these needs, driving a taxi gave Low flexibility in more ways than one.

With the job, Low had a car which he could use to take his mother to her medical checkups, as he continued to make an income.

"It made more sense for me to drive a taxi," he said.

"I have the car to bring them around. I have the flexibility. I can come back at a moment's notice," he also explained.

The career switch was not without trade-offs.

Low estimated that he made three times more as a software engineer.

Low's priorities did not change, however.

"It was quite an adjustment having such a huge pay cut," Low said.

"But I could be there for my family physically. It's just about finding the right balance between work and family, but family comes first," he added.

Low's mother passed in July 2024.

His wife passed this year, aged 47.

The right balance

While some of his family circumstances have changed, his need to provide for his 10-year-old son remains.

Today, Low plans his schedule around picking up his son from school, lunch, and rest time.

"Monday to Friday, I pick him up from school. Then we go home and have lunch together," the 49-year-old shared.

On the weekends, Low sets aside time to spend with his son, such as going grocery shopping together or swimming.

As a ComfortDelGro driver-employee, Low gets a basic pay, CPF contributions, and benefits like medical and annual leave.

ComfortDelGro's driver-employee scheme is part of NTUC Women and Family's C U Back at Work programme, which helps individuals with caregiving responsibilities transition back into the workforce.

Low drives full-time from Monday to Thursday, and rents the car at a subsidised rate for the remainder of the week.

All told, the career switch and flexibility of his current job allow Low time to spend with his family while providing for them.

"With the right support, I don't have to choose between providing for my family and being present for them," Low said.

A car crashed into a landed home and knocked down a portion of its outer perimeter wall in Katong on Oct. 18.

The home was also the premises of Liu Fu Si Fang Cai, a home-based dining business.

In response to Mothership's queries, the police said that they were alerted to the incident at 11:25am that day.

They stated that the car was believed to have self-skidded along Tembeling Road and crashed into the wall, though no injuries were reported.

The 37-year-old driver is assisting with ongoing investigations.

Business not affected

Speaking to Mothership, homeowner and chef Henry Lau said that no one was at home when the incident occurred.

Lau received a call from his neighbour at 11:28am that day informing him of the accident, and subsequently contacted his younger brother to help him settle the matter as he was overseas.

In a video shared by Lau, a car can be seen ramming through the wall at a high speed, hitting some trees in the process.

The video was sent to him by his neighbour.

He was also contacted by the car's insurer. Lau stated that part of the wall, the landscaping, and a swing was damaged.

More pressing, however, was his discovery that the electrical meter had been destroyed by the crash, leading him to worry that his freezer and chiller would be affected.

As such, he initially put a customer's booking for Oct. 20 on hold, fearing the worst.

Thankfully, checks revealed that most of his electrical equipment was functioning, and he will be able to proceed with business as usual.

Lau added that does not expect further disruption to his business unless further issues are discovered.

According to Lau, Liu Fu Si Fang Cai has been in business since 2018.

They operate on a monthly-reservation balloting system, serving Chinese zichar-style dishes.

Ukraine's ambassador to Singapore, Kateryna Zelenko, has expressed her gratitude to Singapore for standing by Ukraine during some of its most difficult years, as she prepares to leave her post.

In a farewell video shared on Facebook by the Embassy of Ukraine in Singapore, Zelenko reflected on her time in Singapore since arriving in 2020.

She described the years as a period of friendship and discovery, but also some of the most difficult in Ukraine's modern history.

"And throughout this journey, Singapore was there showing that even a small country can make a very big difference if it stands by its principles," she said.

"For this, we Ukrainians will always be grateful."

Thanked Singaporeans for their support

Zelenko expressed her gratitude to the Singapore government, her fellow ambassadors, the Ukrainian community and Singaporeans who had supported the embassy's initiatives.

She thanked Singaporeans for attending embassy events and offering assistance during difficult times.

"Thank you for believing that friendship matters — especially when times are difficult," she said.

Looking ahead, Zelenko expressed hope that she would one day be able to welcome Singaporeans to a peaceful Ukraine.

She spoke of a future in which Ukrainian cities would be rebuilt, families reunited and children could grow up without fear.

Zelenko also thanked her embassy team: "I may be leaving my post, but I am not leaving the friendship that we have built together."

She concluded her message by wishing Singaporeans peace and prosperity.

"Thank you, Singapore!"

Singapore's support for Ukraine

In February 2022, Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Sergiy Kyslytsya, hugged Singapore's UN ambassador Burhan Gafoor after the latter spoke out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Gafoor condemned the invasion, stressing Singapore's support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries.

Indonesia has yet to take up neighbouring countries' offers of assistance to tackle the forest fires that have spread thick haze across the region because it believes it is still capable of managing the situation.

That is why it has not declared the forest and land fires a national disaster, which would require accepting foreign assistance, said Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dudung Abdurachman on Oct. 19.

"For now, we are still capable. Our country is still able," he underscored after a ministerial-level meeting, as quoted by Kompas.

Just a few days earlier, on Oct. 15, Indonesian Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir shared that President Prabowo Subianto had approved foreign assistance, and the technical arrangements were being processed.

Singapore and Malaysia have both made offers to help combat the blazes.

At a press conference on the haze on Oct. 16, Singapore's Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu reiterated that Singapore is "prepared to provide assistance that Indonesia thinks is suitable".

That includes civilian firefighting assistance and cloud-seeding support.

At that point in time, she had yet to hear back from Indonesia's environment minister about these offers.

Constraints to consider

Dudung also explained that accepting foreign assistance would involve several challenges on the ground.

He said the government must consider technical constraints in the field, including fuel distribution.

"It is not simply about having equipment, personnel, and assistance, but for now, we are still able," he said.

Welcomes assistance

Also speaking after another meeting on Oct. 19, Dudung said that the Indonesian government welcomes help from neighbouring countries, Kompas reported.

He acknowledged Malaysia's proposal to send three aircraft and 52 personnel to support firefighting efforts, adding that they are "welcome to do so".

He also went on to say that support from Singapore was currently being coordinated through the head of Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

On Indonesia's own part, the government has deployed 47 aircraft and 60,000 personnel, and ordered a boost in aerial operational capabilities to tackle the fires.

On Oct. 19, Singapore's Senior Minister K Shanmugam praised the efforts taken by Prabowo and his administration to tackle the haze problem.

Speaking at a media doorstop, SM Shanmugam expressed appreciation for the Indonesian president's commitment, including to prioritise fire prevention as a long-term solution.

Related stories

Singapore and Qatar plan to upgrade their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in an Oct. 19 statement.

It added that both countries agreed to work towards elevating relations in a meeting on the same day with both countries' ministers and senior officials in attendance.

Co-chaired meeting

This comes amid Singapore's Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong's official visits to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Oct. 18 to 22.

On Oct. 19 in Doha, PM Wong and Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar and its head of state, co-chaired the High-Level Joint Committee's (HLJC) ninth meeting.

This marked the first time that the HLJC was co-chaired by the leaders of both countries in its 20-year history, with both leaders reaffirming the warm and longstanding relations between Singapore and Qatar, the MFA statement added.

At the meeting, the leaders of both countries welcomed the continued growth of bilateral cooperation in areas including trade and investment, energy, and defence, both nations' HLJC said in a joint post-meeting statement.

The statement added that Qatar will become Singapore's second Strategic Partner in the Middle East, with the other being Saudi Arabia.

AI, defence

At the meeting, the leaders welcomed the growing cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, and emerging technologies.

They also encouraged cooperation among government agencies, research institutions, academia, and the private sector in AI, digital government, cybersecurity, data, innovation, research and development, and emerging technologies.

LNG

According to the joint statement, the leaders welcomed the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between QatarEnergy and the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry of Singapore on Cooperation in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Low-Carbon Technology.

"The MOU underscores both sides' commitment to facilitating stable LNG procurement supply chains and energy security, especially in light of recent market developments," the statement read.

Concern over Middle East situation

At the meeting, the leaders also expressed serious concern over the situation in the Middle East, the HLJC statement noted.

They commended Qatar's sustained diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue and de-escalation in the region, emphasising the importance of upholding navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law, in particular the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

It ensures that international shipping, including in the Strait of Hormuz, remains open, safe and secure.

Small states

After arriving in Doha on Oct. 18, PM Wong met Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who hosted him to an official dinner.

On Oct. 19, Emir Sheikh Tamim received PM Wong at Doha's Royal Court, welcoming him with a ceremony and hosting him to lunch.

PM Wong had visited the Qatar Foundation that morning, where he met Vice Chairperson Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al Thani and exchanged views on education, research and innovation.

In an Oct. 19 Facebook post, PM Wong said that as "Singapore prepares to chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2027, we look forward to deepening ASEAN–Qatar ties, as well as strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)".

He noted that "Singapore and Qatar are both small states navigating an increasingly troubled world".

"We share a strong interest in keeping our economies open, strengthening our resilience, and building a more secure and prosperous future for our peoples," he said.

"His Highness last visited Singapore in 2017, and I look forward to welcoming him back soon!"

The leaders had agreed to convene the 10th HLJC meeting in Singapore at a mutually convenient time, which the joint statement said was to be determined through diplomatic channels.

PM Wong will depart Qatar for the UAE on Oct. 20 for the second leg of his official visits.

A 42-year-old man has been charged for allegedly using an electronic device to illegally obtain customers’ bank card information at a retail establishment along Syed Alwi Road.

Liu Xi, a Chinese national, was detained by security guards after he was seen moving suspiciously.

Used electronic device

In a press release, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said they were alerted to the incident on Oct. 18 after security officers detained the man for his suspicious behaviour.

Investigations revealed that the man had been moving around the shop suspiciously while carrying a bag containing an electronic device.

He was allegedly seen standing close to other customers and holding his bag near customers' pockets containing their wallets.

Security officers subsequently detained him, and he was taken by officers from the Central Police Division.

An electronic device, two power banks, a mobile phone and several bank cards were found in his possession and seized as case exhibits.

If found guilty, Liu faces up to three years’ jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

The police reminded members of the public to remain vigilant and safeguard their personal information, including bank card details, against unauthorised access or collection.

A kindergarten operator in China has been sentenced to life imprisonment for violating national food safety regulations.

Li Huifang instructed kitchen staff to add inedible paint to food to enhance its colour and entice children to eat it, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

In July 2025, 233 children at the kindergarten were found to have lead poisoning, prompting an investigation into the incident at Heshi Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu Province.

Lead poisoning

Food samples from the kindergarten were found to contain lead at levels up to 2,000 times higher than China’s national food safety limit, according to the BBC.

Investigators found that the red date cakes and corn sausage rolls contained 1,052mg/kg and 1,340mg/kg of lead, respectively, far exceeding the national food safety limit of 0.5mg/kg, BBC reported.

It was also found that dozens of provincial officials and hospital staff had attempted to cover up the incident by tampering with blood test results and accepting bribes from a nursery investor.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), young children are particularly vulnerable to lead’s toxic effects, which can cause lasting health problems, especially to the development of the central nervous system.

Sentenced

On Oct. 16, Li was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined 500,000 yuan (S$95,700).

Kindergarten principal Zhu Jinglin was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 30,000 yuan (S$5,700).

Four kitchen workers were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to eight years.

An assistant store manager at the Uniqlo outlet in Waterway Point earned praise for memorising the facial features and physical attributes of suspected shoplifters.

This allowed her to alert the authorities when the same suspected individuals returned to the store in Punggol.

The actions of the staff, identified as ​Ms Catherine, were lauded by Punggol Neighbourhood Police Centre in a Facebook post on Oct. 20.

The police said Catherine "demonstrated exceptional vigilance, courage, and keen memory".

Two suspects

There were two repeated shop theft suspects.

Catherine had carefully reviewed earlier CCTV footage of a shop theft incident, the police added.

The same suspects returned to the store weeks later and she instantly identified them.

She then "took proactive action to detain them, successfully preventing further offences".

"​Her sharp observation, brave initiative, and strong commitment to crime prevention reflect the highest standards of store security," the police said.

Uniqlo said it utilises strategic CCTV coverage and continuous staff vigilance, to ensure a a safe and secure shopping environment.