A drink stall in Kovan has made the rounds online for its creative "Cash Only" sign.

Nan Fang Ming Tea House at 209 Hougang Street 21 has put up a sign to emphasise that the stall only accepts cash, which says:

"No Lah, No Now, No CDC" and "Only Mr Yusof Bin Ishak".

While some netizens found the signage funny, others commented that they would not patronise the stall because of the lack of payment options.

Cash-only

Speaking to a Shin Min Daily News reporter, the stall owner, Qiu Shi Ni (transliteration), said she put up a "Cash Only" sign, but many customers did not notice it.

The 85-year-old, who has run the shop for 42 years, shared that customers sometimes scolded her when they realised they did not have cash for a drink, or left after she started brewing the coffee when they found out the shop only accepts cash.

Chiu shared that this could happen three to four times on the same day and she would either throw away the coffee or give it to someone else.

As such, she said she has to explain that she only accepts cash every time before making the coffee, but it is "very troublesome," she told Shin Min Daily News.

Make more people notice

The elderly stall owner told the Chinese media that she is illiterate and asked her younger daughter to help write the sign, hoping more people would notice.

She said that she does not know how to use electronic payments, adding that she never went to school and uses an old-fashioned mobile phone.

However, she still has customers asking her if they can use electronic payments, which left her feeling helpless.

Regular customers who appreciate the quality of their coffee would prepare cash to buy their drinks, Shin Min Daily News wrote.

One patron, Li (transliteration), told the Chinese media that he has patronised the shop for more than 10 years as he lives nearby.

While he mostly uses electronic payments, he always makes sure to have some cash on him when he visits the stall, and he does not find it troublesome.

He urged other customers to be more understanding towards the elderly stall owner.

A fish seller at a wet market in Clementi was fined S$2,000 on Sep. 18 for harassing a butcher whose stall was located directly opposite hers.

The 68-year-old woman, Xu Zhenji (transliteration), had reportedly told customers that the pork sold at a neighbouring stall was better and suggested that they buy from there instead.

According to Shin Min Daily News, Xu was operating a fish stall at the wet market at Block 448 Clementi Avenue 3 when the incident occurred.

She faced a total of three charges under the Protection from Harassment Act and pleaded guilty to one.

The remaining charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Made remarks about the victim's stall

In 2024, Xu and the victim had a dispute over the use of shared spaces around their stalls, Shin Min reported.

Following this, Xu repeatedly made remarks about the victim's stall, speaking loudly enough for customers who were intending to buy from him to hear.

The victim subsequently applied for an expedited order to stop Xu from making insulting remarks about his stall in front of his customers.

The court granted the order on Aug. 8, 2024, and scheduled a hearing for Feb. 24, 2025, to consider the victim's application for a Personal Protection Order (PPO).

The victim was granted the PPO on Feb. 24, 2025.

Xu was also ordered to pay S$2,000 in costs to the victim.

However, on Nov. 18, 2025, Xu saw a female customer standing at the victim's pork stall and told her that the pork sold at the neighbouring stall was better.

She then suggested that the customer patronise that stall instead.

The victim said he felt that the remarks affected his business and amounted to harassment.

Xu had also claimed on two occasions, Jan. 12, 2025, and Feb. 25, 2026, that the pork sold at the victim's stall was frozen and not fresh. That violated the PPO, Shin Min reported.

She had previously told the court that she had not fought with the victim or damaged any property, and had merely said that he was selling frozen meat.

Xu was fined S$2,000 on Sep. 18, which she was allowed to pay in instalments.

When approached for comment, Xu declined to discuss the case, saying only that she respected the court's decision, Shin Min reported.

CCTV installed outside the butcher's stall

A visit by Shin Min reporters on Sep. 18 found a CCTV camera installed outside the pork stall.

An assistant at the stall said the two stalls have been operating at the location for about six or seven years and had initially coexisted peacefully.

The assistant said: "One of us sells meat and the other sells fish. How could there be a conflict of interest?"

The assistant claimed that in recent years, Xu had repeatedly harassed them and told customers that they were selling frozen meat at the price of fresh pork.

As a result, some regular customers stopped patronising the stall, the assistant said.

The assistant added that Xu would also sometimes shout loudly so that people nearby could hear.

The owner eventually applied for a protection order, hoping to put an end to the remarks.

"She hasn't harassed us recently. We're all running businesses, and it's best to keep the peace," the assistant said.

An email invitation sent by the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) has allegedly exposed the names and contact details of individuals with a hereditary cancer condition, including their workplaces in some cases.

Recipients were listed in the carbon copy (CC) field instead of the blind carbon copy (BCC) field due to an "administrative error".

Email invitation for an event

According to a report by The Straits Times (ST), the invitation was for an event titled "Living with HBOC".

HBOC refers to Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Syndrome, a hereditary cancer predisposition condition that can affect both men and women.

The invitation was reportedly sent to the NCCS’ list of individuals associated with the condition on Sep. 18.

However, recipients were able to see the names and email addresses of other invitees as the blind carbon copy (BCC) function was not used.

Instead, recipients were included in the carbon copy (CC) field.

This meant that the email addresses of other people on the mailing list were visible to recipients.

In cases where individuals had used their workplace email addresses, their workplaces could also be identified.

Recipients were asked to delete the email

According to ST, NCCS attempted to recall the email around two and a half hours later.

Recipients later received a second email, asking them to delete the earlier invitation from both their inboxes and trash folders.

They were also asked not to circulate the email further and not to use or save any of the email addresses contained in it.

The follow-up e-mail reportedly read: "Please be assured that this was an administrative error that affected e-mail addresses only. We are thoroughly reviewing our internal processes to ensure that this does not happen again."

A check on NCCS' website showed that the event, which is scheduled for Oct. 31, is organised for people with the HBOC syndrome.

The event also appears to be by invitation only.

The person who sent the email appeared to be a member of NCCS’ Cancer Genetics Service, ST reported.

NCCS’ Cancer Genetics Service is a specialised unit that provides genetic counselling, risk assessment and testing for people with a personal or family history of cancer.

Over 500 email addresses allegedly exposed

One recipient told ST that the number of email addresses revealed were "too numerous to count" and could be more than 500.

They added that the email domains revealed the companies, foreign embassies, and schools associated with those on NCCS’ HBOC mailing list.

"It ties identifiable people directly to a health condition, which is a more sensitive category of personal data than a typical CC mishap," the individual said.

They said they were worried that people they had never met would know about their genetic condition, and cited concerns that it could affect their work or insurance one day.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Personal Data Protection Commission said it is aware of the incident and investigating.

Mothership has reached out to NCCS and SingHealth for comment.

While studying for her degree in hospitality management, 26-year-old Clergg Lee Sarancial dreamt of working on a cruise line.

She finally graduated after four years, and got a job in an office.

But despite her degree, she only earned about S$300 a month — not enough to pay her bills.

Finally, the Filipino woman decided to come to Singapore as a foreign domestic worker.

In an interview with Yes933, Clergg Lee spoke how she feels about her life here in Singapore, and how she still hopes to make her dreams come true one day.

"It wasn’t an easy decision because I knew I would be far from my family and working in a different field from what I studied. But I saw it as a stepping stone towards my dreams. The journey has been challenging, but it has also taught me to be stronger, more independent, and grateful for every opportunity." she told Mothership.

Big dreams

Clergg Lee remembers how back in the Philippines, she faced her first crushing blow when she was rejected from the cruise line due to her height.

She also did not have enough money for the required paperwork.

"That time I [was] very sad, like why I cannot have that job, it is my dream job," she said.

She managed to find an office job instead, but the S$300 it paid was insufficient even for her bills.

She tried to apply for other jobs in the big city, such as for a call centre agent role, but without success.

"I cannot count how many companies rejected me. That time I was very sad and very [devastated]... I keep blaming myself," she said.

"Then I realised, if I cannot make my dream here, why not in other country?"

Coming to Singapore

Clergg Lee decided to apply for work as a foreign domestic worker in Singapore because it was "very easy to go in here," and did not require much upfront payment.

Her family was initially worried as they had seen stories online about foreign domestic workers being abused.

But she said her employers are very nice and treat her like family. "They're very supportive of me," she told Mothership.

Despite their kindness, Clergg Lee admitted that she missed her family and home during her first three months in Singapore, and she would cry.

"I keep asking myself, why I study so hard just to become a helper like this?"

Salary

While initially disillusioned, she's now come to terms with her new work.

As a domestic worker, she earns over double her office salary back in the Philippines.

She sends about half of it back home to her family, and keeps the rest for herself.

Clergg Lee explained that she likes to "treat herself", and uses her salary to buy concert tickets and go watch Formula 1.

She is also saving up for her future.

"I eventually realised that it is okay, as long as they pay me more, and as long as I can save for my dreams and sustain my family," she said.

"Because I realised something: Your ego cannot feed your hungry stomach."

The daily grind

Clergg Lee said she wakes up every day at 6:30am to shower before cooking breakfast for her employers and their three-year-old child.

Once the child is awake, she feeds them and dresses them for school.

While the toddler is in school, Clergg Lee cleans the house and looks after the family's two dogs.

Online, she posts about her life in Singapore: going out for meals, attending concerts.

But most of her friends don't know about her job.

"They will keep [asking] me, 'what is your work there?', 'can I apply there?'... Then I cannot reply because I'm very shy. Because I graduated [with a] degree, and then I just work as helper," she confessed.

Future dreams

But she still has her dreams.

One day, Clergg Lee hopes to work in a restaurant or a hotel; or to take up a course here, and pursue further studies.

She also hopes to open her own coffee shop, whether back in the Philippines or here in Singapore.

"To anyone back home, don't think your degrees mean nothing. We are still building our dreams," she said.

"I am still going to make it. My ways, my dreams... no height requirements."

And to those who may judge her for her occupation, Clergg Lee said, "Every job is honourable, and everyone has their own journey."

]]> 1172752 https://mothership.sg/2026/09/coral-reef-rescue-western-island-singapore/ 2026-09-19T18:36:25 https://mothership.sg/2026/09/coral-reef-rescue-western-island-singapore/

During his 2026 National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the intention to create a new Western island by merging several along Singapore's southern shores: Semakau, Sudong, Bukom and "a few other smaller islands".

It could be used for "advanced manufacturing facilities" or "power generation infrastructure", PM Wong said.

The announcement was followed by an outpouring of grief from the marine community, who pointed out that these islands are not just sand and water.

Some vibrant reefs, particularly the ones around Hantu and Semakau, are as old as 8,000 years old and provide vital environmental functions, such as being a source of food.

But PM Wong also pointed out that the concept of the Western Island was inspired by the transformation of Jurong Island.

As we know, Jurong Island now houses the beating heart of Singapore's energy and chemical industry.

But how did it come to exist?

The origin of Jurong Island

In the sixties, founding Minister for Finance Goh Keng Swee looked afar, pointed to Singapore's lands in the West, and presciently said, "Industry." Or something like that. 

Thus began the transformation of those marshlands into the gravitational centre of Singapore's economy.

Petrochemical companies set up shop on the islands off Jurong. But by the nineties, as Singapore's energy and chemical industry boomed, more land was needed. There was not enough on mainland Singapore.

So the government looked around and came up with the "bold idea" (as then-Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang called it in 2009) to merge several islands, including Pulau Ayer Chawan, Ayer Merbau, Merlimau and Seraya.

Younger Singaporeans would not be familiar with these names, because they are no longer on maps.

Land was reclaimed to merge these islands into a larger whole, more than tripling the land area available for industry, from less than 1,000 hectares to about 3,000.

The result? Today's Jurong Island.

Development vs. conservation

But that's just the surface of the Jurong Island story.

Even back then, there was a struggle between development and conservation. Enter a second, similarly bold attempt: To conserve the marine habitats that would have been lost to reclamation for Jurong Island.

What was at stake was 10 square kilometres of coral cover that surrounded the original islands.

In a bid to conserve those corals, the Marine Conservation Group of the Nature Society of Singapore initiated the Reef Rescue project.

There were two such projects, in fact — one taking place over 25 days in 1991, and the second taking place between 1993 and 1995.

The first initiative, dubbed "Reef Rescue 1", involved transplanting corals from Buran Darat, a small island east of Sentosa, ahead of its merger with Sentosa via reclamation.

10,000 hours under the sea

How about its sequel, "Reef Rescue 2"?

Like the first one, it began with members of the marine conservation group.  They learnt about the planned Jurong Island reclamation and found that the reefs around it were the "best in Singapore waters".

Four reefs were marked for conservation by the government. (Remember this, it's important.)

But a fifth site — located at Pulau Ayer Chawan — was not.

Finding this an unacceptable loss, the group launched a conservation project in 1993 to rescue the precious corals around Pulau Ayer Chawan.

It was one of the largest efforts in the world at the time, involving 400 volunteers.

Once every a week on Sundays, for two years, the volunteer divers would lug coral parcels measuring 10m by 12m some 1.5 hours away from Pulau Ayer Chawan to Sentosa.

This was on top of an average of one to 1.5 hours needed to collect the corals from beneath the surface.

In total, 10,000 hours were spent underwater by volunteer divers, a 1995 ST report said.

Jurong Island's corals

About 31 years after Reef Rescue 2, Jurong Island continues to serve Singapore well as a key driver of economic growth.

But how did the translocated corals fare?

As it turns out, the success rate was mixed. Results were decent for Reef Rescue 1, but more limited for Reef Rescue 2.

Survival rates were in the low 35 per cent a year after Reef Rescue 2, according to the Reef Ecology Lab.

A 1997 study by Chou Loke Ming and Karenne Tun that examined the survival rate of the Reef Rescue 2 transplants noted that the transplants "did not show potential long term survivorship".

"A major reason for the low survivorship of the transplanted corals was the unsuitability of the site," the researchers wrote.

They elaborated: "The entire southwestern coastline of Sentosa is subjected to constant surges caused by high speed ferry boats plying daily, and since the transplants were not secured firmly to the substratum, they were subjected to the full force of the surges."

Our turn to think boldly

It is now our generation's turn to "think just as boldly, and build for the next generation", as PM Wong said.

Remember the four sites which were earmarked for conservation in the Jurong Island project? You might find them familiar: St John's Island, Pulau Hantu, Pulau Semakau, and Pulau Sudong.

With the plans for Western Island, three of them may now have to make way for the future of Singapore.

And so we find ourselves at a similar crossroads as we were back in 1993, with Reef Rescue 2.

Back then, we went to great lengths for conservation. Should we do it again, and can we do it better now, with better scientific knowledge and capabilities?

Do we then need to launch a third Reef Rescue? And who should take the lead?

Turning to the past

Although Reef Rescue 2 had debatable results, it's not all for naught.

Commenting on the past Reef Rescues, Chou, who is Emeritus Professor at NUS' Tropical Marine Science Institute, shared with Mothership that the translocated colonies from Reef Rescue 1 and 2 that survived, "despite low survival rates", would "by today contribute to the site's functional ecology".

Chou suggested that the survival rates would have been higher if the transplanted corals were securely fastened, such as with underwater epoxy.

He also pointed out that there have been translocation exercises since the Reef Rescues of the nineties, ones which were conducted with "proper planning based on science and proper securement".

These have had higher survival rates.

Huang Danwei, director at the NUS' National Institute for Marine and Ocean Sciences, pointed to what was likely the largest coral translocation exercise since Reef Rescue 2: a project in 2013 and 2014, to protect corals at Sultan Shoal from the impact of Tuas Terminal's development.

2,300 hard coral colonies out of an estimated 2,800 were translocated to sites at St. John's and Sisters' Islands, the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore said in a 2015 press release.

It was celebrated as a success.

Effective?

As to whether coral translocation could be an effective or practical way to mitigate the impact of the potential reclamation in the Bukom-Semakau-Sudong area, Huang said that it may be practical, but perhaps not effective.

This is because translocation could preserve the corals themselves — but not their utility to people.

For instance, the reefs in the Bukom-Semakau-Sudong area and around Hantu, serve vital ecosystem functions. These include playing a role in food security (coral reefs are habitats for commercially-important fish), and protecting our coastlines from erosion.

They also serve as a "transition habitat" between reefs in Southeast Asia and supports biodiversity and fisheries, owing to their location.

But once translocated, they do not "take along" such functions, he said. These will be lost.

He added that it will take "hundreds to thousands of years" before the corals can build reefs that will, once again, supply people with those essential functions.

"So basically, what we are doing by translocating corals is to save individual corals. But not creating anything that is useful to people in a few (human) generations."

Clear-eyed

In June 1995, those who participated in Reef Rescue 2 received a commendation from then-Acting Minister for the Environment and Senior Minister of State for Defence, Teo Chee Hean.

At the certificate presentation ceremony, Teo told the audience that economic development and environmental protection "are not in conflict".

"As a small country with very limited land, Singapore is acutely aware of its environmental responsibilities," he said.

That has not changed.

During his 2026 NDR speech, PM Wong made the point that Singapore's vision has grown from being a "garden city" to a "city in nature".

He also said,

"To do all this well, we have to plan far ahead. We cannot wait until we run out of space.

We must create new opportunities for future generations. So they too will have room to grow, while preserving what is precious about Singapore."

The Ministry of National Development has said the government recognises the biodiversity value of the proposed Western island reclamation area.

"We are carefully studying the plans as there is a need to plan ahead and create options for the future," the MND spokesperson said.

The way forward

It is emblematic of Singapore's reality. Singapore's needs are ever-evolving, and we have to do what we can with what we have.

In particular, the Middle East crisis exposed the urgent need to build resilience into Singapore's energy supply.

But must natural heritage consequently suffer then? Reef Rescue 2 and the Jurong Island story show us that there are options for mitigation, such as translocation.

But even these can only do so much. An opportunity cost remains, and it cannot be erased.

It's hard to argue against the need to create more space for Singapore to grow. Generations of Singaporeans depend on it.

But it's just as important to recognise that it's not only advanced manufacturing industries or power generation infrastructure that keeps our city in nature going.

Beneath the waves, the nature we don't see silently keeps our heads above the water. Some of them have been here long before this city sprouted amidst nature.

Generations of Singaporeans are entitled to those too.

In a departure from the past two decades, the phenomenon of "salad bar" extremism — extremism that does not belong to a single coherent ideology — is now on the rise in Singapore.

At the same time, extremist narratives are reaching younger and younger audiences, in part thanks to to social media and online games.

With these two developments, rehabilitation efforts must also evolve, and the community is a key part of this, said Law Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong.

He was speaking at a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) appreciation lunch on Sep. 19.

Younger and faster

With online platforms such as social media and games, extremist narratives can reach vulnerable young people very quickly.

As such, youths are getting radicalised younger, and at a faster rate, Tong said.

Thanks to social media algorithms, young people can end up trapped in an ideological echo chamber that reinforces certain sentiments.

There is also repeated exposure to gore and violent content that normalises violent behaviour and primes youths for radicalisation.

'Salad bar' extremism

In the past, radicalisation generally followed a clear ideological pathway: Islamic extremism, far-right extremism.

This allowed for a relatively clear understanding of how the individual had become radicalised, and as such how they could be rehabilitated.

However, individuals are increasingly being radicalised in a "salad bar" manner — meaning, rather than subscribing to a single coherent ideology, they draw selectively from multiple extremist ideologies.

An example is a 14-year-old who was detained by the Internal Security Department (ISD) in early 2026.

He had become radicalised by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) content, while simultaneously supporting Hitler and far-right white supremacist ideas.

The boy eventually made preparations to conduct a stabbing in his school, but was detained before he could do so.

Dealing with warning signs

Tong said that while these ideas may be contradictory, shallow, inconsistent, or disorganised, they all point towards violence as a necessary outcome.

It is thus important to focus on broader behavioural changes, rather than whether someone follows a particular radical preacher, terrorist group, or extremist ideology.

"For example, growing hostility towards others, an increasing fascination with violence, withdrawal into online communities where extreme views are constantly being reinforced. These are often the warning signs that matter the most," he added.

Tong also said that rehabilitation is not a "single point" intervention, but requires a community effort comprising psychologists, religious counsellors, family support, school support, friends, educators, and more.

"Every Singaporean can be a true friend — the person who helps their friend, their colleague, or their classmate or family member who shows signs of radicalisation, and helps them quickly to get the right support that they need."

Not a betrayal

Tong emphasised that radicalisation often doesn't begin with violent intentions.

Rather, it may begin with questions about the environment or global events, a search for identity or relatability, or a deep desire to want to belong.

These people may take to the Internet with the simple goal of seeking answers to their questions, but inadvertently end up immersed in violent extremist content.

As such, "we need to supply answers, we need to be there... not just to give the answers but to create the environment where they can find answers from trusted sources".

The minister added that reporting a loved one who shows signs of radicalisation is not a betrayal, but a way to help their loved ones as effectively as possible.

"In many cases, you might well be the most powerful form of prevention early and upstream," he said.

A Grab delivery rider died after he reportedly fell into a swimming pool while making a delivery at a condominium along Tanah Merah Kechil Avenue.

The 64-year-old man was found unconscious and later died in the hospital.

No foul play

According to Shin Min Daily News, the incident took place at around 8:40pm on Sep. 17.

The rider was said to have felt unwell while making the delivery and accidentally fell into the condominium's swimming pool.

By the time he was found and pulled from the pool, he was already unconscious.

He was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he later died.

In response to Mothership's queries, the police confirmed receiving a call for assistance at 58 Tanah Merah Kechil Avenue.

Separately, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said it conveyed one person to Changi General Hospital.

Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Leaves behind a wife

The man was identified to be Wang Zhi Cong (transliteration), Shin Min reported.

He had married his wife 10 years ago and the couple had no children.

A colleague of Wang's wife told the Chinese-language newspaper that he had previously worked as a salesperson.

Wang became a delivery rider after losing his job.

The colleague also described the couple as having had a close relationship.

He said the couple had spoken on the phone on the afternoon of Sep. 17, but Wang's wife was unable to reach him later that evening.

On the morning of Sep. 18, Wang's wife went to the mortuary with the colleague to collect his body.

They later proceeded to Mandai Crematorium at around 3pm to make arrangements for his cremation.

Shin Min reported that Wang's wife appeared deeply distressed and broke down in tears while at the mortuary, and later at the crematorium.

The colleague said the sudden nature of Wang's death had made it difficult for the widow to come to terms with the loss.

Grab committed to support the deceased's family

In response to Mothership's queries, a Grab spokesperson confirmed that one of its delivery-partner riders had passed away in an accident.

"Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones — we grieve alongside them during this painful time," the spokesperson said, adding that Grab has been in contact with the family and would provide them with full assistance.

"As the relevant investigations are still ongoing, we are unable to disclose further details. We will work closely with the relevant authorities and cooperate fully with their investigation into the incident."

A man was sentenced to jail after choking his wife when she denied having an affair.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, the woman lost consciousness before their son stepped in and pulled his father away.

The 46-year-old man was subsequently handed eight charges that include voluntarily causing grievous hurt, criminal intimidation and criminal force.

He pleaded guilty to three of the charges and was sentenced to one year and 10 weeks in prison.

The couple has two sons, aged 17 and 14. A gag order was applied to protect the identities of the minors.

Threats

Lianhe Zaobao reported that on Jul. 28, 2025, at around 6:30pm, the man came home with his wife, a 39-year-old Vietnamese woman, after drinking when an argument broke out.

The man kept asking her if she was having an affair and continued to question her till about 11pm.

When she denied the accusations, the man took away her phone and wrapped both hands around her neck to choke her.

As the front door was locked and her phone confiscated, the victim could not escape or call the police.

At 2am, the man suddenly entered the sons' room where the mother was sleeping and began to choke her again.

He also threatened to"die together" with his wife, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

Fortunately, the elder son stepped in and pulled him away.  The wife then called the police, and they arrested the man on Jul. 29, 2025.

This was not the first time the man had threatened to kill his wife.

Threatened the whole family

On Oct. 15, 2020, the man entered his son's room in the early morning and woke the elder son, who was 11 at the time.

An argument broke out, and the man told his son that "we will sleep forever, the whole family will die together" before slamming the door.

This woke the wife, and once she learned what her husband said, she took the two boys into her room and locked the door.

Lianhe Zaobao stated that the man then kicked the door open and, holding a butter knife in his hand, threatened to kill all three of them.

The man's mother later called the police and informed them that she suspected her son was under the influence of drugs or medication and was causing a disturbance at home, leading her grandson to call her and ask her to contact the police.

Separate incident

On May. 13, 2024, the man was working at a bar as a bartender when he confronted a man who allegedly touched his colleague's breast.

He elbowed the man in the face twice, giving the victim a fractured nasal bone, Lianhe Zaobao stated.

Several boxes containing rabbits were allegedly abandoned along the side of a road in the Seletar Farmway area on Sep. 18.

These included a box of baby rabbits just a few days old, according to an Instagram post by animal welfare group Voices For Animals (VFA) founder Derrick Tan.

Abandoned rabbits

Speaking to Mothership, Tan said he learnt of the case at about 11:45pm on Friday, after someone reported seeing rabbits hopping around the area.

The person said he found several boxes left by the roadside, some of which contained rabbits.

One of the boxes contained baby rabbits who were merely a few days old, Tan said.

The man also allegedly saw a vehicle leaving the area.

According to Tan, the person in the vehicle had told him that he could take the rabbits if he wanted to, as they no longer wanted them.

He subsequently took a photograph of the vehicle and recorded its licence plate number.

Rabbits were found in poor condition

Tan said he and his team arrived at the scene at around 12:20am on Sep. 19.

He described the condition of the rabbits as poor, saying many were covered in urine and stains and had matted fur, bite wounds, and overgrown nails.

A total of 23 rabbits were found, comprising 16 adults and seven kits, according to Tan.

He added that several of the female rabbits may be pregnant.

Not wanting to cause them additional stress, Tan and his team have only treated the rabbits for fleas and mites so far.

Abandoned rabbits may face dangers

"Small animals such as bunnies are always the victims that suffer from abandonment," Tan said.

He said some people may assume that releasing rabbits into areas with large amounts of vegetation would allow them to survive on their own.

However, abandoned rabbits can be exposed to a range of dangers, including attacks by other animals and wildlife, abuse by people, and being hit by vehicles, he said.

The rabbits will be put up for adoption once they are medically stable and ready, Tan added.

VFA also plans to obtain dashcam footage from heavy vehicles that were parked in the area before submitting a report to the Animal and Veterinary Service, he said.

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A post shared by Tan Derrick (@derrick_tan)

A 16-year-old boy was arrested after an accident involving a 74-year-old pedestrian who subsequently passed away.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Police Force said that it received a call for assistance at Block 741 Yishun Avenue 5 on Sep. 15 at around 11:45am.

A 74-year-old male pedestrian was conveyed conscious to the hospital, where he later died.

A 16-year-old male cyclist was arrested for the offence of rash act causing death.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Looking for eyewitness

On Sep. 15, Tan Bo Xue took to Facebook to appeal for eyewitnesses over an accident involving his 74-year-old father.

Tan shared that his father had been hit by a cyclist on Sep. 15  along the pedestrian/cycling path in the vicinity of Yishun Avenue 5.

The elderly man sustained serious head injuries, including internal bleeding in the brain and a skull fracture.

On Sep. 18, Tan shared that his father passed away on Sep. 17.