More than 500 fake websites impersonating the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and seven Home Team agencies were taken down, the ministry said in a press release on Aug. 12.

Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) detected the websites on Aug. 10, and all identified websites were taken down by Aug. 11.

The seven agencies included the HTX, Singapore Police Force (SPF), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Prison Service (SPS), and Home Team Academy (HTA).

Replicated branding

The fake websites replicated the official branding and publicly available content from the websites of MHA and the affected Home Team agencies, MHA said.

This could have potentially misled members of the public into believing that they were accessing official MHA or Home Team agency websites, the ministry noted.

There was no evidence that the fake websites were used to perpetrate scams or phish for information from members of the public, it added.

There was also no evidence that the systems of MHA or Home Team agencies were compromised or accessed without authorisation.

Advisory

The ministry advised members of the public to remain vigilant when accessing websites purporting to belong to MHA or Home Team agencies.

They are advised to take the following precautions:

• Verify the website address: Official Government websites end with .gov.sg. Always check the website address carefully before providing any personal or sensitive information.
• Look out for irregularities: Be alert to unusual website addresses, spelling or grammatical errors, poor-quality images, broken links, or pages and functions that do not work as expected.
• Access Government services through official channels: Where possible, access Government websites through official agency websites, the gov.sg portal, or by typing website addresses directly into browsers instead of clicking on links from unsolicited messages, emails, social media posts or advertisements.

Those who encounter any suspicious websites purporting to be official MHA or Home Team agency sites are encouraged to report them to the Police via the ScamShield Helpline at 1799, or through this website.

MHA said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with the relevant agencies and partners to identify and take appropriate action against any websites that impersonate MHA or Home Team agencies.

More than 2.4 million Singaporeans will get between S$400 and S$600 under the Enhanced Budget 2026 Cost-of-Living Special Payment from Sep. 9, 2026, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Aug. 13.

The special payment is for adult Singaporeans living in Singapore who have an assessable income of up to S$100,000 and own no more than one property.

The payout amount depends on the assessable income and annual value of the home of the recipient.

The special payment was first announced by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong during Budget 2026.

Eligible Singaporeans were to receive between S$200 and S$400.

In April 2026, Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow said the one-off special payment will be topped up by S$200.

This is to provide "more support for the lower-income", MOF said.

Eligible Singaporeans will automatically receive their payments from Sep. 9 and can refer to the GovBenefits website to check their eligibility.

Recipients will receive an SMS notification before and after the payment is credited.

A letter will be sent to the address listed on one's identity card for those without a mobile number registered with Singpass.

Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh has been struck off the roll of advocates and solicitors following his conviction for lying under oath.

This comes after his disciplinary case hearing on Aug. 13, where the Law Society of Singapore (LawSoc) sought to get him disbarred.

Singh was previously convicted in February 2025 on two counts of lying under oath to the Committee of Privileges in the Raeesah Khan case.

Singh later lost his appeal in December 2025 and eventually paid a S$14,000 fine.

The short 20-minute hearing on Thursday concluded with the lawyers on both sides discussing the costs and disbursements for the case.

The LawSoc had called for S$6,000 in costs, but would be content with the S$3,000 suggested by Singh's lawyers, according to the society's lawyers.

Singh will pay a total of S$5,808.

Singh, an opposition politician, is a lawyer by profession, though he is currently non-practising.

Threshold not met

In court, both the LawSoc and Singh agreed that the legal threshold to avoid a strike-off in a case involving dishonesty is a high one, and that it is not met.

The LawSoc, represented by Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull from Drew & Napier, argued that in Singh’s case, there are no exceptional circumstances that mitigate a strike-off.

Bull highlighted that Singh’s public roles, as a Member of Parliament (MP) and Leader of the Opposition at the time of the offence, were not such exceptional circumstances. Instead, they aggravate the negative impact of his conduct.

He submitted to the court that Singh should be treated the same as other lawyers, and be struck off the rolls.

Representing Singh, Senior Counsel Chelva Retnam Rajah said Singh does not dispute that dishonesty was an essential element of the offence he had been convicted of.

He added that Singh wanted to say, he always tries his best to act in good faith and sincerity, and will continue to strive to do so in whatever capacity that he has.

After a short break where the three judges huddled together in discussion, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon delivered the verdict, ordering that Singh be struck off the rolls.

As Singh exited the courtroom, he told the media he had no comment, and repeated this outside the Supreme Court.

Court of Three Judges

The case was presided over by the Court of Three Judges comprising Chief Justice Menon, alongside Justice Kannan Ramesh and Justice See Kee Oon.

The Court of Three Judges is the legal profession's highest disciplinary tribunal.

It has the power to suspend lawyers from practice or have them struck off the rolls of advocates and solicitors.

LawSoc is represented by lawyers from Drew & Napier, including Bull, who is also its chief executive officer.

Singh is represented by lawyers from Peter Low Chambers, including Peter Cuthbert Low and Chelva as the instructed counsel.

What the law says

LawSoc said in March 2026 that it initiated disciplinary proceedings against Singh as required under the Legal Profession Act, following his court conviction, CNA reported.

It said it had done so based on information received from the Attorney-General's Chambers that Singh had been convicted of offences involving "fraud or dishonesty", according to The Straits Times.

Section 94A of the Legal Profession Act stipulates that LawSoc must, without further direction, initiate disciplinary proceedings where a regulated legal practitioner has been convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty.

The legal practitioner may be struck off the rolls.

They may also be suspended from practice for up to five years, fined up to S$100,000 or be censured.

Notable figures in Singapore who have been struck off the rolls include Charles Yeo, and the late M Ravi, while Lim Tean has also been called by LawSoc to be struck off.

Former Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar launched a new book, Creating Three Unique Singapore Laws, on Aug. 12.

By unveiling the behind-the-scenes discussions that went into the enactment of three constitutional innovations—the Elected Presidency, Group Representation Constituencies (GRC), and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) schemes—Jayakumar hopes to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding how the Cabinet discusses important matters.

The 87-year-old also aims to open a window for more people to appreciate founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's farsightedness, and to dispel the myth that Lee was someone who "brooked no dissent."

According to Jayakumar, all three schemes were initially proposed by Lee, but underwent alterations through Cabinet discussions before being included in the Singapore Constitution.

Lifting a veil of secrecy

First, it aims to "lift a veil of secrecy" surrounding the internal deliberations of the PAP government, which has always kept a tight lid on such discussions.

These discussions were "detailed, thorough and robust" and the book reveals the arguments, rebuttals, dynamics and personalities involved, as well as how compromise and consensus were achieved, "all with one thought in the mind of all levels of Cabinet: What will be in the interest of Singapore?"

It would be a pity if the public did not have this insight into the way Cabinet discusses important matters, Jayakumar said.

On Lee Kuan Yew's far-sightedness

Secondly, the book is intended to offer an insight into Lee's far-sightedness and leadership style when interacting with his leadership team.

Lee spent "all his waking hours" thinking about how to keep Singapore going, Jayakumar said.

His vision goes far beyond his lifetime and that is special, he added.

Using the GRC system as an example, which some criticised to be used to "fix the opposition", Jayakumar said that Lee came up with it to ensure the minority representation as far back as in the 70s.

"In the early 70s, he wrote a letter to all the PAP MPs expressing a deep concern for Malay PAP MPs, how they could effectively operate and function in a constituency which, at that time, was more predominantly Chinese-speaking than now, where many are English-speaking," he said.

Lee Kuan Yew was headstrong but willing to be persuaded

Lastly, the details in the book serve to dispel the misconception that Lee was an unyielding leader who refused to allow differing opinions.

"The first myth is about Mr Lee Kuan Yew – that he was such a towering figure with such strong views – some say fierce.

The myth was he brooks no dissent...and any proposal that he had, he will just ram through."

The book shows that while Lee was "very headstrong", he was willing to listen to contrary views, though with cogent arguments.

During the creation of these three laws, younger ministers at the time held their ground or proposed alternatives, contrary to beliefs that they were merely "yes-men".

According to the book, Lee had originally intended to vest the President with extensive executive powers, but this was later altered to grant custodial powers instead to prevent an abuse of power.

This came after then-younger ministers, including former president Tony Tan and former prime minister Goh Chok Tong, voiced concerns about an over-concentration of power in a single person.

Related story

Three novel laws established in Singapore's Constitution, namely the Elected Presidency, the Group Representation Constituencies (GRC) and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP), have "served Singapore well", said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

SM Lee was speaking at the Aug. 12 launch of "Creating Three Unique Singapore Laws", a new book by former Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar.

The book "sheds light on how the leadership team worked behind those doors. How open they were to radical, out-of-the-box ideas. How intensely but objectively they argued with one another. How Mr Lee Kuan Yew, as Prime Minister, put forth his views robustly, yet repeatedly and indeed obsessively sought alternative perspectives," SM Lee described.

The book launch, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by a host of dignitaries, including all living former prime ministers as well as past and present Cabinet members.

Served Singapore well

In his speech, SM Lee said the true test of these institutions was in how they would work out in practice over the years and changes in governments.

"Looking back now after nearly half a century, we can safely say that these three institutions have indeed served Singapore well."

He further elaborated:

On the Elected Presidency, enacted in 1991, SM Lee said successive governments and elected presidents have continued operating this system of checks and balances.

While the detailed working have continued to be refined, the core concept – that each elected government should spend within its means, and only draw on past reserves with the consent of the Elected President – remains unchanged.

The results are evident even in the modern day, he explained.

A 'custom-made' Constitution for Singapore

Singapore's Constitution has been shaped over the years to suit our needs, said SM Lee.

Unlike other countries like India and the U.S., where constitutional architecture was designed from the ground-up, a newly-independent Singapore did not have the luxury of time.

Instead, the nation cobbled together a "patchwork Constitution" in a hurry, he said.

He cited Lee Kuan Yew's rejection of a theoretically redrafted Constitution over his belief "it would not work in practice", in favour of a "custom-made" one.

In the elder Lee's words in Parliament in 1984,

"Constitutions have to be custom-made, tailored to suit the peculiarities of the person wearing the suit.

Perhaps... like shoes, the older they are, the better they fit. Stretch them, soften them, resole them, repair them.

They are always better than a brand new pair of shoes."

The redrafted Constitution, drafted by British legal experts, lacked an intimate understanding of Singapore’s society and ground realities, SM Lee said.

"Elegant as their draft was, [Lee Kuan Yew] judged it ill-suited to the local context."

In Jayakumar's book, this was vividly described through the amendments to include the three institutions, he added.

After more than three decades of refinements and revisions, these institutions are no longer "recent alterations to our old shoes, but have themselves been stretched, softened, smoothed, and re-patched, to become essential parts of the whole", SM Lee said.

Fans slammed the ticketing system after failing to get tickets to the Asean Championship semi-final between Singapore and Thailand at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Tickets for the Aug. 15 football game went on sale at 11am on Aug. 12 exclusively through the online platform Tickethotline.

More than 4,000 home-supporter tickets were released, according to The Straits Times.

Due to overwhelming demand, they were snapped up almost immediately after sales started.

Soon after, tickets popped up on Carousell, offered for resale at as much as S$1,500 for a pair of Cat 1 tickets.

That is about 15 times more than their original price at S$49 each along with a S$3.49 booking fee.

Like 'playing whack-a-mole'

A Mothership reader said she was on the website waiting to snag tickets from 10:45am that morning.

After joining a virtual queue, she had to wait again until around 11:20am when she finally entered the page to select her seats.

There, it was a fight to get one.

When a section of tickets became available, it would light up on the page. But when she clicked on it, the light would disappear quickly as the seats got suddenly taken.

She likened the experience to "playing whack-a-mole", which was echoed by several other fans on Instagram.

She spent the next 40 minutes chasing for a seat to no avail.

By 11:45am, the platform informed her that all seats were "currently reserved by customers completing their purchases".

'Extremely frustrating'

When the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) thanked fans on Instagram for their support in purchasing tickets, many expressed their frustration in the comments.

A user claimed they entered the ticketing page at 10:50am that morning and was not able to select any seat.

Another shared that they were waiting on the platform since 10:30am, but all the tickets were gone when it got to their turn.

Many speculated that people were using bots to grab tickets fast and then resell at high prices later.

They called for FAS to improve the ticketing system to clamp down on bots and scalpers.

"We understand that demand is high, but it is really frustrating for genuine Singapore fans who make the effort to queue early and still cannot secure tickets," an Instagram user commented.

"Could FAS please look into the ticket allocation, queue system and measures to prevent scalping/reselling at inflated prices?"

Those who did not manage to grab tickets can still watch the game live on MeWatch, and at community screenings at venues across Singapore, including Bishan Community Club, Our Tampines Hub, and One Punggol.

Grab has launched a new safety programme designed specifically for food delivery riders, developed together with the Riding Safety Association of Singapore (RSAS) and the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA).

GrabAcademy RideSafe 2026 was launched on Aug. 12, which was officiated by Minister of State for Manpower and for Culture, Community and Youth Dinesh Vasu Dash.

A course built around delivery work

At the centre of the programme is the Advanced Riding Development Programme (ARDP): Urban Rider Safety Course, co-developed by GrabAcademy and RSAS.

The two-hour course covers defensive riding techniques, hazard awareness and risk anticipation, motorcycle handling and low-speed control, and emergency braking and vehicle stability while carrying delivery loads.

Riders complete the practical exercises using their own delivery bags, so instructors can coach them under conditions closer to their actual work.

Grab said that while all licensed motorcyclists learn the fundamentals of safe riding, delivery riders operate in a different environment from most road users. They carry loaded bags, make frequent stops, and squeeze through tight spaces.

4 fatalities in the first half of this year

Speaking at the launch, Dinesh said there were four fatalities involving platform workers in the first half of 2026, compared to two for the whole of 2025.

Dinesh said the government's approach rests on three things: putting the right protections in place, giving clearer guidance, and bringing the right partners together.

He also noted that since Jan. 1, 2025, the Platform Workers Act has brought platform workers under work injury compensation coverage and introduced workplace safety and health duties for both operators and workers.

The Ministry of Manpower and the Workplace Safety and Health Council have also issued an approved code of practice for platform services, covering road risks, fatigue and heat.

A platform worker safety group has been set up, bringing together government agencies, platform operators and platform work associations.

Customers have a part to play too

Dinesh also had a message for the people ordering the food.

He said that during heavy rain, extreme heat or difficult traffic conditions, giving riders a few more minutes can make a real difference.

He said: "A short wait is a small price to pay when it helps someone avoid taking unnecessary risks on the road."

He added: "A strong safety culture can only be built when people do the right thing, when no one is watching, and when all of us care enough to look out for one another."

Riders need judgement, not just rules

Yeo Wan Ling, adviser to NDCA and assistant secretary-general of NTUC, said workplace safety numbers show riders continue to face real risks at work.

She said: "Knowing the traffic rules is important, but delivery riders need the skills and judgement to respond safely when traffic closes in, the road turns slippery, or a heavy bag shifts unexpectedly."

She also urged other platform operators to make safety training a regular part of the job.

Grab's other safety measures

Grab said delivery partners are not penalised for taking longer to complete deliveries, and that during heavy rain it proactively tells customers to expect longer waits.

It also uses telematics to give riders feedback on behaviours such as hard braking and speeding, and in-app fatigue prompts encouraging them to take breaks.

GrabAcademy has been working with training partners since 2020 to give delivery partners road safety knowledge and riding skills, covering motorcycles, bicycles and power-assisted bicycles.

RSAS will run the new course and handle registration and payment.

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has directed the removal of online listings selling Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend.

The seasoning blend contains poppy seeds, a prohibited good, CNA and The Straits Times reported.

South Korea

This comes after South Korean authorities blocked the sale of the seasoning blend, The Korea Herald reported.

Local authorities found that the product contained poppy seeds.

The seasoning blend also tested positive for morphine and codeine, which are controlled narcotic substances in South Korea and Singapore.

Investigating

In response to queries, CNB said it is investigating reports of the product being sold online.

It will take necessary actions accordingly, including removing the items from sale.

Poppy seeds are a prohibited good as they come from the opium poppy.

They can also contain traces of controlled drugs.

Any company or person intending to import poppy seeds or foods containing poppy seeds into Singapore must apply to CNB and submit samples to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for analysis.

If cleared of any controlled substances such as morphine or codeine, CNB will give its endorsement and allow the product to be imported.

"CNB would like to remind importers and retailers that any product or foodstuff containing controlled drugs, even in trace amounts, should not be imported for sale," it said.

Members of the public who bought the seasoning blend are advised not to consume it and should dispose of it.

"Singapore adopts a strict policy of zero tolerance towards controlled drugs. The possession, consumption, importation, exportation, manufacturing and trafficking of any controlled drug, even in trace amounts, is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act," it added.

Trader Joe’s

According to checks by Mothership on Trader Joe’s website, the seasoning blend ingredient list comprises poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sea salt flakes, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion and black sesame seeds.

“This is the only Everything Seasoning you'll ever need for decorating and yummifying the tops of bagels-but that's not everything. This simple (yet exemplary) blend of sesame seeds (white and black), poppy seeds, dried garlic & onion, and sea salt flakes is all you need for bringing that crunchy, roasted, savory flavor to grilled chicken, buttered popcorn, baked potatoes, creamy dips, pizza dough, salad dressings, pasta, mac & cheese, or panko-breaded anything,” the product description read.

The product is only available in its physical stores in the United States, and it is sold for US$1.99 (S$2.55).

According to The Korea Herald, South Korean police noted that some sellers had brought the seasoning into South Korea as a souvenir from overseas before listing it for sale.

The product had also been previously listed in Singapore on platforms, such as Lazada and Carousell.

As of writing, these listings have been taken down.

The apartment where Singaporean lawyer and politician Lim Tean hid in Johor Bahru is reportedly the Southkey Mosaic Condominium.

According to Shin Min Daily News, Lim had hidden in a rental apartment before he was arrested by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) in Johor Bahru on Aug. 6.

The apartment, Southkey Mosaic Condominium, is reportedly popular with Singaporeans, with many staying over the weekends or holidays, Shin Min reported.

Deported and arrested

Lim was deported from Malaysia to Singapore and arrested by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Aug. 11, 2026.

The 61-year-old was supposed to begin serving a sentence of three months and one week on Aug. 3 for practising law without a valid practising certificate.

However, he did not surrender as required, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Lim reportedly crossed into Malaysia by land, according to a tip-off to Shin Min.

He then hid in the rental apartment, where he was subsequently arrested by local police on Aug. 6.

The apartment, which had 34 floors, had some units used as guesthouses, Shin Min reported.

On the day of the arrest, Malaysian police went to the guesthouse where Lim was.

However, he allegedly locked himself inside for two hours, refusing to open the door even when officers called his name.

Police eventually contacted the landlord through the apartment management, who then opened the door, allowing them to arrest him, Shin Min reported.

Some residents and Singaporeans guest reportedly witnessed Lim being taken away.

Apartment popular with Singaporeans

According to sources who spoke with Shin Min, the apartment is popular with Singaporean tourists, many of whom stay there on weekends or holidays.

It is about a 20-minute drive away from the checkpoint.

The apartment is also listed on major rental platforms like Airbnb, where Singaporean travellers have praised its close proximity to malls like Mid Valley Southkey.

A 36-year-old doctor and his 29-year-old friend, who were among 49 men arrested during a police raid at a Sentosa hotel in August 2023, were sentenced to one year jail each on Aug. 12, 2026.

CNA reported that both Rayson Lee Rui Sheng and Tan Li Ming intend to appeal against their convictions.

Earlier reports mentioned that Lee had been caught at a villa at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa hotel, where a party was held.

The Straits Times (ST) reported that on Jun. 30, 2026, Lee and Tan had each been convicted of one count of drug consumption.

Witnesses testified

CNA reported that a witness who was previously at the party testified seeing a foreigner crushing a green ecstasy pill and placing it into a cup filled with liquid, which was then passed around.

Another witness testified that American offered him a pill in the master bedroom.

Lee had said that he would not have expected a "benign birthday celebration", believing it to be a "safe space" to have drugs.

Despite saying in a statement that he felt light-headed and euphoric after consuming his first drink, he accepted two more drinks, CNA reported.

Accounts during trial not credible: Judge

Charge sheets and court documents seen by Mothership stated that their urine and hair samples showed traces of MDMA, or ecstasy, and ketamine.

Though they contested the charges and claimed their drinks at the party had been spiked, the district judge noted that they continued to take more drinks.

Their accounts during the trial were not credible, ST reported that the judge previously found, adding that there was prior drug use based on their hair samples.

"Neither man was a stranger to drug use," said the judge.

Consumed drugs at villa

Court documents stated that sometime between 8pm on Aug. 8, 2023, and the early hours of Aug. 9, 2023, Lee and Tan attended the party where they each consumed various drinks.

The party saw a total of 49 men aged between 21 and 46 in attendance.

At about 5:39am on Aug. 9, 2023, police raided the location after receiving information of drug-related activity taking place there.

Lee and Tan were then arrested on the same day, along with others who attended the party.

Police also found substances believed to be controlled drugs including Ecstasy and ketamine, as well as drug paraphernalia, after which the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) was called to the scene.

Trial strategy

After Lee and Tan provided their hair and urine samples to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for analysis, HSA found traces of MDMA in their urine samples.

They were also found to have consumed both Ecstasy and ketamine based on their hair samples.

ST reported that while Lee and Tan did not dispute HSA's findings, they claimed their drinks were spiked.

Noting that the pair did not have credible evidence to back up their claims, the deputy public prosecutors (DPPs) said their trial strategy involved introducing various hypothetical scenarios and unexplored possibilities.

This included claims about unidentified foreign nationals who allegedly mixed drinks but were never arrested, and assertions that police failed to seize "plastic silver cups" that might have contained drug residue.

"These contentions amount to bare allegations that serve more as distractions than substantive evidence," said the DPPs.

"Critically, they have produced no credible evidence identifying any specific individual who allegedly spiked their drinks," the DPPs added.

"Even accepting their case at its highest – that cups, if seized, might have tested positive for drugs – this would merely confirm that they consumed drug-laced beverages, not that such consumption was unknowing."

Most generic, unhelpful descriptions: DPPs

Lee previously said at trial that while he was in Thailand in June 2023, he had "popped a pill", given to him by a stranger, on two occasions.

According to the DPPs, if Lee and Tan had truly been victims of spiked drinks, they should have been able to provide at least some concrete details about their alleged perpetrators.

The pair, however, had provided "only the most generic and unhelpful descriptions", the DPPs said, adding that this included vague physical characteristics that could apply to numerous individuals.

In arguing that they had shown a lack of remorse, one DPP had earlier urged the court to sentence each of them to up to a year and three months' jail.

CNA reported that for consuming MDMA, they could have been jailed for between one year and 10 years, and fined up to S$20,000.