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            <title>Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world</title>
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                    <title>S'pore sends over S$560,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to Nepal</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/singapore-nepal-floods-aid/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T17:36:13</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Chloe Loh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/singapore-nepal-floods-aid/</guid>
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                        <![CDATA[ "We stand ready to provide further support in accordance with Nepal's needs," said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Gan Siow Huang. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/spf-nepal.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Singapore handed over more than S$560,000 worth of humanitarian assistance to Nepal on Sep. 4, to support ongoing search, recovery and disaster victim identification efforts.</p><p>The package includes medical supplies, DNA testing kits, personal protective equipment, and specialised equipment for search and recovery operations.</p>
<p>"The humanitarian assistance package that we are handing over today has been put together through close collaboration between several Singapore agencies and the Nepali authorities, to support Nepal's ongoing search and recovery efforts," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Gan Siow Huang said.</p><p>She added that the Singapore Police Force (SPF), supported by the Home Team Science and Technology Agency and the Health Sciences Authority, is also deploying officers s<a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/singapore-police-nepal-help-floods/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">pecialising in Disaster Victim Identification</a> and aerial surveillance to assist the Nepalese authorities, in response to Nepal’s request.</p><p>According to an update on SPF's Facebook on Sep. 6, the 35-member contingent has arrived in Nepal and begun working on the ground in support of the ongoing disaster relief efforts.<div class='fb-post' data-href='https://www.facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce/posts/pfbid027m8YGWQXp2ordTNoeSGrTsu7XBv3vrvZ7TqjkHoLM6ZwCCaJAZo5UgyqhM1zuvxzl'></div>The latest assistance comes on top of an earlier US$100,000 contribution by the Singapore government to the Singapore Red Cross’ public fundraising efforts, which have raised more than S$3 million to date.</p><p>"We are heartened by the generosity and compassion of Singaporeans in supporting the Nepali people during this difficult time," Gan said.</p><p><blockquote><p>"The humanitarian assistance package that we are handing over today is a testament to the close relationship between our two countries. We hope that our modest contribution will support the brave men and women on the ground and bring comfort and relief to the people who are affected by this tragedy."</p></blockquote></p><p>"We stand ready to provide further support in accordance with Nepal's needs," she added.</p><p><h2>Search for missing Singaporeans ongoing</h2></p><p>Gan also said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA) Crisis Response Team has been on the ground in Nepal since Aug. 27 and is working closely with local authorities to locate the <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/08/nepal-flash-floods-2-sporeans-from-tour-group-among-over-500-tourists-missing-at-least-160-dead/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">missing Singaporeans</a>.</p><p>The ministry remains in close contact with their families, providing regular updates, assistance on the ground in Nepal and other forms of support, she said.</p><p><blockquote><p>"We will continue to render the necessary assistance as we work with all the relevant parties and families during this very difficult period."</p></blockquote></p><p>The nine Singaporeans missing were earlier <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/singapore-police-dna-samples-missing-nepal-floods/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">identified</a> as Rengarajan Prabu, Shalinny Deavy Elan Sozan, Subramaniam Diraviam, Rajesvaran Ayyavoo, Estee Loeh, Ghosh Aditi, Ng Kit Kuen, Shubakshi Rawla, and Sumit Rawla.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>PM Wong & SM Lee call on S'poreans to reject attempts to divide us, hold fast to ideals of the pledge</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/pm-wong-sm-lee-call-on-sporeans-to-reject-attempts-to-divide-us-hold-fast-to-ideals-of-the-pledge/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T17:01:30</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Tan Min-Wei ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


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                        <![CDATA[ “We must never allow prejudice against any community to become accepted or normal in Singapore," PM Wong said. ]]>
                    </description>

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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Copy-of-Cover-image-2026-09-06T163014.210.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a> <a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/whatsapp-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a>Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong have both called on Singaporeans to reject attempts to divide them and to hold fast to the ideals of the National Pledge, to stand by one another “regardless of race, language, or religion.”</p><p>Their comments, made on social media, come as Senior Minister K Shanmugam <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/police-racist-comments-singaporeans-nepal-shanmugam/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">spoke to the media on Sep. 5</a> that he had asked police to look into racist comments made regarding Singaporeans missing in recent Nepali floods, and in response to Singapore Airlines’ Air India investment.</p><p><h2>The kind of Singapore we want to be</h2></p><p>PM Wong said that at the recent National Day rally on Aug. 23, he had spoken about what it means to be Singaporean and “the kind of Singapore we want to be.”</p>
<p><iframe width="500" height="271" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLawrenceWongST%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0gvsGQVKedo2xD7F7mDPZjsAGvGepF4ntBG3hgW4U33PNA8ENDrgdJFtgNZ47j9Ybl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><p>He said that Singapore's identity must remain open and inclusive, and that whatever a Singaporean's background, if they embrace Singapore's values and way of life, they are part of this nation.</p><p><blockquote><p>“This is what our national pledge stands for, and I believe the vast majority of Singaporeans share this view.“</p></blockquote></p><p><h2>Never allow prejudice to become accepted or normal</h2></p><p>PM Wong expressed concerns over racist comments and anti-Indian abuse that had emerged over Nepal floods and questions about Singapore Airlines' investment in Air India.</p><p>PM Wong said that while Singaporeans can and should have robust debates, seemingly legitimate arguments should never be used as a cover to fuel prejudice against any community or hostility towards foreigners.</p><p>He said that such views did not represent Singapore, but they could not be dismissed as harmless online chatter.</p><p>If such behaviour were to continue unchecked, it ran the risk of becoming normalised, as well as possibly deepening mistrust between communities, pulling Singaporeans apart.</p><p>Because of this concern, he had discussed these developments with his cabinet colleagues, and this was why Shanmugam had decided to speak out firmly on this topic.</p><p>PM Wong warned that there would always be people who sought to exploit Singaporeans' differences, and while it was impossible to stop every hateful comment, the response to those comments was up to Singaporeans.</p><p><blockquote><p>"We can reject such views and refuse to give them more space or legitimacy."</p></blockquote></p><p>Singapore had held together because it had consistently rejected attempts to use race and religion to divide them, instead choosing to recognise each other as fellow Singaporeans.</p><p>PM Wong said that Singaporeans must keep making that choice and hold fast to the ideals in the national pledge of "regardless of race, language, or religion."</p><p><blockquote><p>“We must never allow prejudice against any community to become accepted or normal in Singapore.”</p></blockquote></p><p><h2>Deeply troubling to see racist comments in the wake of the tragedy</h2></p><p>Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong similarly appealed to Singaporeans to live up to the ideals of the pledge.</p><p>He gave his deepest condolences to those who had lost loved ones or were affected by the Nepali floods, and said that the appropriate response should be compassion and solidarity.</p><p><blockquote><p>“It is deeply troubling to see racist comments and hateful remarks directed at our Indian community in the wake of the tragedy.”</p></blockquote></p><p>He said that it was equally disturbing when legitimate issues, such as SIA's investment in Air India, were distorted or exploited to “stir vicious racial and anti-Indian resentment.”</p><p><iframe width="500" height="250" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fleehsienloong%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02X6nn8aM2xKmRd3Ji2bFF7nVBwFAs5rJmcFCvaWGs8qLFs4rMzf41trWoCiiMse4Hl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><p>He said that Shanmugam had laid out the issues clearly in his statement.</p><p>While the temptation to stir racial prejudices and animosities would always exist, Singapore strived for interracial tolerance and respect.</p><p><h2>Not race-blind</h2></p><p>But he warned that human beings are not race-blind and that Singapore will always be “vulnerable to these visceral and divisive pulls.”</p><p><blockquote><p>“Race and religion will always be a fault line in our society. Hence, we must continue to work hard to strengthen our cohesion and protect our racial harmony.”</p></blockquote></p><p>SM Lee said that when such incidents happen, leaders need to speak up with force and conviction: “to call out what is happening, condemn the manipulation of base emotions, and call on all Singaporeans to stand together.”</p><p>He recalled similar incidents in the past, such as when anti-Indian sentiments were stirred up during the pandemic or <a href="https://mothership.sg/2025/04/identity-politics-has-no-place-in-singapore-pm-wong/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">during GE2025 when PM Wong had to call out attempts to politicise religion</a>.</p><p>SM Lee called on Singaporeans to reject hatred and support those who are mourning.</p><p>Evoking the ideals of the national pledge, he said that Singaporeans should stand by one another regardless of race, language, or religion, and that it was important for us to make every effort to live up to these ideals.</p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>S'pore photographer urges Tampines town council & MP to reconsider painting over brick facade of iconic HDB blocks</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/darren-soh-tampines-street-45-brick-facade/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T16:21:57</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Tan Min-Wei ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/darren-soh-tampines-street-45-brick-facade/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The blocks were the first HDB project to be designed outside of HDB.  ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Copy-of-Cover-image-2026-09-06T132735.852.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a> <a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/whatsapp-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a>Architectural photographer <a href="https://mothership.sg/2021/01/darren-soh-landmarks-demolishment-photos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Darren Soh</a> has appealed to Tampines Town Council and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, David Neo, the area's MP, to reconsider painting over the brick facade at Blocks 497A-L at Tampines Street 45.</p><p>The blocks have been designated to undergo repairs and redecoration works, with residents being given three proposed paint schemes to vote on.</p><p>The voting period began on Aug. 29 and will end on Sep. 13.</p><p>However, architectural photographer Darren Soh has warned that painting over the brick facade will be an irreversible move that would “completely wipe out the spirit and essence of the estate.”</p>
<p><h2>Three colour schemes for residents to choose</h2></p><p>Tampines Town Council <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc0jBsGCHgt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> that each design had been thoughtfully curated to give the neighbourhood a "fresh and vibrant look" while complementing existing surroundings.</p><p>Three colour schemes were provided for residents of the blocks to choose from.</p><p>Two of the colour schemes are significantly more colourful than the current bare-faced brick look that the blocks currently sport, with colour scheme 1 being matched to closely mimic the existing design.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 718px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-06-at-3.04.34 PM.png" alt="" width="718" height="898" class="size-full wp-image-1169745" /> Image from Tampines Town Council's Instagram
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 714px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-06-at-3.04.39 PM.png" alt="" width="714" height="894" class="size-full wp-image-1169746" /> Image from Tampines Town Council's Instagram
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>Not an ordinary HDB project</h2></p><p>In response to the repainting exercise, architectural photographer Darren Soh urged the town council to consider carrying out localised repair works to areas of brick deterioration instead of painting over the iconic brick facade of Blk 497A-L.</p><p>In his <a href="https://www.instagram.com/darrensohphoto/p/Dc3p5WPG5hl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">post</a>, he explained that the blocks in question were not an ordinary HDB project, but were, in fact, a very special one, especially when it came to its brick-clad facade.</p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc3p5WPG5hl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc3p5WPG5hl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; 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font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"></p><p><div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: 8px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; 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flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc3p5WPG5hl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by Darren Soh (@darrensohphoto)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p>The blocks were the first of a scheme where Parliament decided that HDB should work with private senior architects to design and build HDB projects to “allow for more creative reimagining of social and internal spaces”, as well as “to add colour and character to HDB housing estates.”</p><p>The blocks at Tampines Street 45 was the first such project, and therefore, the first HDB estate to be designed by a group other than HDB, with Japanese construction firm Kajima and Global Architectural Firm P&amp;T Group winning the bid to design what would become known as Tampines Neighbourhood 4 Contract 24.</p><p>HDB praised the use of patterned facing bricks for the HDB block facade as a "quality finish with low maintenance cost," according to an April 1992 Houseword newsletter.</p><p>Soh added that the unpainted brick facade of the blocks at Tampines Street 45 had become an icon of Tampines and was symbolic of steps taken by HDB to cultivate diverse and innovative design in public housing.</p><p>He noted that the project had received an honourable mention at the Singapore Institute of Architects 1995 Architectural Design Awards, a feat which was “usually reserved for projects that cost much more.”</p><p>The iconic HDB estate of eight blocks with two central courtyards also appeared in a few local shows such as "Don't Worry, Be Happy" and "I Not Stupid 2".</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 2008px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-06-at-3.37.12 PM.png" alt="" width="2008" height="1306" class="size-full wp-image-1169750" /> Screenshot from YouTube.
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</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1954px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-06-at-3.41.46 PM.png" alt="" width="1954" height="1082" class="size-full wp-image-1169751" /> Screenshot from<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BAPOBNR1GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> YouTube.</a>
  </figcaption>
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</p><p><h2>No turning back</h2></p><p>Soh warned that the three proposed R&amp;R schemes would paint over the brick facade and would potentially completely wipe out the spirit and essence of the estate.</p><p>He said that painting over the brick facade was potentially irreversible, saying, "Once you paint over brick, there is sadly no turning back."</p><p>He appealed to the Tampines Town Council and MP David Neo to reconsider painting over the facade.</p><p>Instead, he suggested carrying out localised repair works to areas of brick deterioration and painting over the plastered concrete areas.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 4032px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/tempImageUqskuW.jpg" alt="" width="4032" height="3024" class="size-full wp-image-1169753" /> Photo by Mothership.
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</p><p><h2>Online reactions</h2></p><p>Comments on Soh’s posts had a variety of responses, with some saying that repainting was required due to water seepage, but others are saying that nearby local blocks had also been significantly changed by repainting work.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 305px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/photo_2_2026-09-06_13-20-44.jpg" alt="" width="305" height="154" class="size-full wp-image-1169734" /> Image via Darren Soh/Instagram
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</p><p>Some asked if it might be possible to clean and coat the brickwork, suggesting that such technology had improved significantly in recent years.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/photo_3_2026-09-06_13-20-44.jpg" alt="" width="310" height="137" class="size-full wp-image-1169733" /> Image via Darren Soh/Instagram
  </figcaption>
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</p><p>Meanwhile, comments replying to Tampines Town Council's post were similarly a mix, with some echoing Soh's call to preserve the brickwork.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 298px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/photo_2026-09-06_13-22-10.jpg" alt="" width="298" height="373" class="size-full wp-image-1169735" /> Image via Tampines Town Council/Instagram
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</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>On-duty SCDF NSF, 20, dies after being found unconscious at Marina Bay Fire Station</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/scdf-nsf-dies-marina-bay-fire-station/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T16:09:20</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Hannah Martens ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/scdf-nsf-dies-marina-bay-fire-station/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The police do not suspect foul play. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Cover-Photos-10.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a>A full-time Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) National Serviceman was found unconscious at the training yard of Marina Bay Fire Station on Sep. 6 at about 8:10am.</p><p>He was identified to be 20-year-old LCP Muhammad Nur Ilham Mohammed Iswadi.</p><p>According to a statement from SCDF, he was on duty at the time of the incident.</p>
<p>SCDF personnel at the fire station immediately administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation.</p><p>He was subsequently conveyed to Singapore General Hospital, where he passed away.</p><p>The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that they received a call for assistance at 70 Marina View at 8:15am.</p><p>Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play, said SPF.</p><p>SCDF shared that LCP Muhammad Nur Ilham enlisted on Feb. 10, 2026 and completed the firefighter course at the Civil Defence Academy on Aug. 7, 2026.</p><p>He was then posted to Marina Bay Fire Station on Aug. 18, 2026.</p><p><blockquote><p>"SCDF is saddened by his death and extends our deepest condolences to his family. We are providing all necessary assistance and support to the family during this difficult time."</p></blockquote></p><p>Police investigations are ongoing.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1169752</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Man, 61, gets into fight with staff at Bedok North coffee shop, shoves police officers</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/man-gets-into-fight-with-staff-at-bedok-north-coffee-shop-shoves-police-officers/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T14:44:35</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Hannah Martens ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/man-gets-into-fight-with-staff-at-bedok-north-coffee-shop-shoves-police-officers/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The man a regular customer and had never caused any trouble before. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Cover-Photos-8.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a>A 61-year-old man got into a fight with a coffee shop's workers and stall owners at Bedok North.</p><p>When the police arrived, the man also shoved the officers before he was eventually handcuffed and taken away.</p><p>According to <em><a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260905-9631081" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shin Min Daily News</a></em>, the man was believed to have drunk about two to three bottles of beer before he got into an argument with a female employee at the coffee shop.</p>
<p>The incident took place around 8pm on Sep. 4 at Block 204 Bedok North Street 1.</p><p><h2>Physical fight</h2></p><p>A diner, named Liu (transliteration), told the Chinese news outlet that after the argument, the man became violent and fought with the female staff.</p><p>Liu said that the two fought for a while, then stopped. Half an hour later, the stall owner arrived and asked the man what had happened.</p><p>The man apparently said a few words, but when the woman interrupted, the man became agitated and even attacked the stall owner.</p><p>"My friend saw that the owner's glasses were knocked off his face. Two employees who stepped forward to break up the fight were also assaulted," she added.</p><p>"The police arrived quickly, but to our surprise, the man even shoved the police officers."</p><p>Another witness, Chen (transliteration), shared with Shin Min Daily News that the man attacked the female staff before getting into a physical fight with two other staff.</p><p>During the fight, the man also bumped into a table where customers were eating, knocking over several bowls and plates.</p><p>Chen shared that this was the first time he saw someone assault the staff.</p><p>"One female employee had a cut at the corner of her mouth and was bleeding, while another employee said she could not lift her arm," he told <em>Shin Min Daily News</em>.</p><p><h2>Disarray</h2></p><p>When a reporter arrived at the scene, the man was undergoing a breathalyser test before he was handcuffed and taken away by the police.</p><p>The coffee shop was also in disarray, with spoons, plates and food scattered underneath a table.</p><p>Several police officers were also questioning people at the scene.</p><p>One male staff member, assaulted by the man, was being examined by medical personnel, and the two other injured female staff members were examined before they were taken to hospital.</p><p>In response to <em>Mothership's</em> queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said they received a call for assistance at around 8:05pm.</p><p>SCDF conveyed two persons to Changi General Hospital while two others were assessed for minor injuries and both declined to be sent to the hospital.</p><p><h2>Laksa stall owner helps</h2></p><p><em>Shin Min Daily News</em> reported that the laksa stall owner at the coffee shop stepped in to help police subdue the man.</p><p>Speaking to the Chinese news outlet, the laksa stall owner said he only noticed what was happening when he heard a female employee scream.</p><p>He shared that when the police arrived, the man refused to cooperate with the officers, resisting arrest and assaulting the officers.</p><p>The laksa stall owner added that the man pushed a police officer and became increasingly aggressive, so a few people rushed forward to help.</p><p>"I grabbed him from behind and pinned him to the ground. He continued struggling throughout," he said.</p><p><h2>A regular</h2></p><p>Stall owners at the coffee shop told <em>Shin Min Daily News</em> that the man was a regular customer and had never caused any trouble before.</p><p>An employee at the Indian food stall said the man often came to the coffee shop to eat there.</p><p>However, the man normally had a good temperament and had never caused trouble before.</p><p>Another stall owner added that the man was a nice person, <em>Shin Min Daily News</em> wrote.</p><p><blockquote><p>"We don't know whether he drank too much or was under a lot of stress. His behaviour suddenly became unusual."</p></blockquote></p><p><h2>Arrested for using criminal force</h2></p><p>In response to <em>Mothership's</em> queries, the Singapore Police Force said it received a call for assistance around 7:45pm.</p><p>When they arrived, officers found several men engaged in a scuffle and intervened to break it up.</p><p>In doing so, a 61-year-old man pushed two officers and knocked the spectacles off one of them.</p><p>He subsequently also uttered vulgarities at another officer.</p><p>Preliminary investigations revealed that the 61-year-old man had a <span>minor altercation with a 32-year-old man and two women, aged 29 and 25, and assaulted them. Two other members of the public intervened and tried to stop him.</span></p><p>The man was subsequently arrested for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty and voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty.</p><p>He will also be investigated for voluntarily causing hurt and intentional harassment.</p><p>The two women sustained minor injuries and were conveyed conscious to the hospital.</p><p>Police investigations are ongoing.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1169730</post-id>
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                    <title>Tourist drops bank card, driver licence & hotel key card at Bras Basah, thankful to meet Good Samaritans</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/tourist-singapore-lose-card-night-festival/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T12:44:50</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Hannah Martens ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/tourist-singapore-lose-card-night-festival/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ When she asked how she could repay them, the two men said: "Don't worry about it". ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Cover-Photos-7.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a>While out enjoying the Singapore Night Festival, an Australian tourist discovered, to her dismay, that she had dropped all her cards.</p><p>These included her bank cards, driver's license, hotel key card, and other cards she regularly carried.</p><p>Speaking to <em>Mothership</em>, Katherine Doyle had spent more than three hours on Sep. 5 wandering around the Singapore Night Festival, taking in all the various installations and even visiting several museums.</p>
<p>She was at Bras Basah, surrounded by people, when she noticed her phone felt different.</p><p>Doyle looked inside her phone case and saw that all her bank cards, driver's licence, travel card, hotel key card and other cards she carried were gone.</p><p><h2>Lost her cards at Bras Basah</h2></p><p>Doyle immediately began retracing her steps and scanning the floor for any sign of her dropped cards.</p><p>She also asked the security guards on duty and the festival performers if anyone had handed them anything.</p><p>While they offered helpful suggestions, there wasn't a specific place for lost items.</p><p>So Doyle continued her search for another 20 minutes in the crowded festival.</p><p><blockquote><p>"Do I retrace my steps even further back? Do I ask the main stage to make an announcement? Do I try and find the police station? Do I cancel my credit card yet?"</p></blockquote></p><p>At one point, she walked past two young men who seemed to be looking down at a phone or a map.</p><p><h2>Lucky to meet Good Samaritans</h2></p><p>One of them looked up, and they caught each other's eye.</p><p>The man then did a double take, and Doyle noticed he was holding a pile of cards.</p><p>He asked if her name was Katherine, confirming that they had picked up her items.</p><p>"I think I said "oh my goodness" three to four times as I couldn’t believe we’d had the good fortune of crossing paths in the crowd," said Doyle.</p><p><blockquote><p>"I think I took them by surprise when I threw my arms around them, thanking them over and over again. I explained that I was a tourist, and that I had been starting to panic as I’d lost everything."</p></blockquote></p><p>The two men told Doyle they found her cards and were on their way to her hotel after identifying the hotel key card in the stack.</p><p>When she asked how she could repay them, the two men simply replied: "Don't worry about it".</p><p><blockquote><p>"I had always heard that Singapore was an incredibly safe place, and that Singaporeans were known for their honesty and kindness.</p><p>These two young men could have simply handed the cards in somewhere and gone on with their evening. Instead, they took the time to work out where I was staying and were making their way to return them to me personally. I was incredibly grateful."</p></blockquote></p><p>Doyle added that it was a "perfect ending to an already wonderful night" and "a lovely reminder of why tourists hold Singapore and its people in such high regard".</p><p>The kindness the two young men displayed will be what she remembers most about Singapore.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1169718</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/chinese-man-rescued-tunnel-nepal/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T12:29:05</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Hannah Martens ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/chinese-man-rescued-tunnel-nepal/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ At least 1,300 people were killed in the flash floods and more than 5,000 remain missing. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Cover-Photos-6.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Nepal's army said a joint rescue team comprising its personnel and South Korean disaster experts rescued a Chinese man from a 225-meter hydropower tunnel on Sep. 5.</p><p>A video shared on X by Nepal's prime minister shows the man being evacuated by a helicopter and later being attended to by an army medic.</p>
<p>According to<em><a href="https://apnews.com/article/nepal-floods-chinese-national-alive-f9a6d181a30af8366700e47e498ec3b1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> AP News</a></em>, the man being carried out of the tunnel is a farmer named Lu Haitao.</p><p>In audio shared by Chinese state media CCTV, Lu could be heard telling an officer that he repeatedly shouted whenever he saw the rescue crews' lights, but they could not hear him.</p><p>Lu added that he could not believe it when the rescuers eventually shone the light on him.</p><p>Lu's sister told Chinese media that her brother was a farmer from Henan province in central China before heading to Nepal in February 2026 with another villager.</p><p><span>She added that she was thrilled to see her brother's photo on the news, describing his rescue as a fortunate turn of events amid the tragedy.</span></p><p>Rescuers also pulled a 64-year-old woman from her home on Sep. 5 in Nuwakot district.</p><p>Local authorities said that rescue efforts have focused on 12 hydropower projects across Nepal, with about 900 workers missing and about 500 believed to be trapped in various tunnels.</p><p>Specialised teams from India, China, South Korea and the U.S. have been searching through debris in hopes of finding survivors.</p><p><h2>Devastating floods</h2></p><p>On Aug. 26, flash floods and mudslides swept through mountainous areas along the Nepal-Tibet border.</p><p>The deluge, which consisted of mud and rocks, swept through the Lhende Khola river valley.</p><p>At least 19 bridges and about 40km of roads were washed away, along with homes and other critical infrastructure.</p><p>There was no warning, as it was not raining at the time.</p><p>Security camera footage from the Nepal-China border area showed a massive wall of water and debris rushing through the area, with people seen running to escape the surge.</p><p>Another video circulating online showed passengers inside a bus as floodwaters swept through the surrounding areas.</p><p>According to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/26/weather/floods-nepal-cause-vis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>CNN</em></a>, the US Geological Survey initially reported shaking in the region as a 4.4 magnitude earthquake along the Nepal-China border, north of Kathmandu.</p><p>At around the same time, what was described as an "avalanche" of ice and rock tore down a mountainside and into the Lhende Khola River, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River, which flows from China into Nepal through deep gorges.</p><p>While the cause of the Nepal flood wave remains to be determined, a team of international scientists believes a huge chunk of glacier sheared off and fell into the valley below.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/what-caused-nepal-flood/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>In an official situation update posted on Nepal Tourism Board’s <a href="https://ntb.gov.np/latest-travel-updates" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website</a> on Aug. 27, the board said a preliminary agency-wise record received from trekking and travel companies had identified 644 travellers reported missing from affected areas.</p><p>Nine of those reported missing are Singaporeans.</p><p>"The information is being verified and cross-checked with travel agencies, guides, local authorities and security agencies," the board said.</p><p>Local authorities are also working to verify the whereabouts and safety of the missing tourists, it added.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/nepal-flash-floods-2-sporeans-from-tour-group-among-over-500-tourists-missing-at-least-160-dead/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>According to Nepal's disaster management agency, at least 1,300 people were killed in the flash floods, and more than 5,000 remain missing.</p><p><h2>Related stories</h2></p><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/nepal-flash-floods-singapore-families/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/09/singapore-police-dna-samples-missing-nepal-floods/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/nepal-flash-floods-mfa/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/singapore-woman-missing-nepal-flood/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese man rescued from tunnel in Nepal 10 days after flash floods' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/08/nepal-flood-glacier-collapse/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1169709</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Kenneth Tiong condemns racism, says Air India questions 'purely commercial'</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/kenneth-tiong-reply-shanmugam-air-india/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-06T11:53:17</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Tan Min-Wei ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/kenneth-tiong-reply-shanmugam-air-india/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Tiong said any attempt to draw a dividing line between native-born and naturalised Singaporeans would fail as it was "morally wrong." ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Copy-of-Cover-image-2026-09-06T112644.226.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a> <a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/whatsapp-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a>Workers' Party MP Kenneth Tiong has clarified his Air India questions and comments, stating that his concerns were purely commercial and condemning racist comments surrounding the subject.</p><p>He explained his position in a social media post on Sep. 5, in response to Senior Minister and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam questioning the intent behind his Aug. 26 social media post on the Indian airline.</p><p><h2>The comments</h2></p><p>SIA holds a minority 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, the latter of which recently reported a S$3.2 billion loss and was asking for nearly S$1.9 billion worth of fresh equity from its shareholders.</p>
<p>On Aug. 26, Tiong had <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kennethtiongsg/posts/122183051252697384?ref=embed_post" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">posted on social media</a>, stating that he would not support nor expect any future use of Singapore's state-owned investment company Temasek’s funds to prop up Air India via Singapore Airlines.</p><p>Tiong said, "No one, least of all Singaporeans, owes Air India a living,” And that “If Singapore Airlines wants to continue its bet on Air India, it should do so on its own two feet and not on Temasek’s.”</p><p>Speaking to the media on Sep. 5, Shanmugam addressed racist online comments about missing Singaporeans in the Nepal floods and about Singapore Airline's Air India investments, saying they were “shameful, nasty, and totally unacceptable.”</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Kenneth Tiong condemns racism, says Air India questions 'purely commercial'' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/09/police-racist-comments-singaporeans-nepal-shanmugam/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>When asked if Tiong's post had crossed any racial or xenophobic lines, Shanmugam said, "I think you best ask him what he intended and what he meant.”</p><p>He said that Tiong ought to do his homework and “look at SIA's letter and the facts that I put out today, and ask if he is being responsible.”</p><p>SM Shanmugam also said that Tiong is entitled to his views and to ask questions about SIA and Temasek Holdings, the majority shareholder of SIA.</p><p>"But neither his views, nor that of any minister, or any other MP, should substitute for the commercial judgment of SIA's management and board of directors," he underscored.</p><p>"Once governments or politicians start directing individual investment decisions, commercial discipline will be compromised," Shanmugam explained.</p><p><blockquote><p>"Decisions will become politicised – shaped by political considerations, rather than commercial judgment. In the end, Singaporeans will bear the cost."</p></blockquote></p><p><h2>Kenneth Tiong’s reply to Shanmugam</h2></p><p>Tiong replied later that day, saying that he had read Shanmugam's comments.</p><p>Tiong said he wholeheartedly agreed with Shanmugam that racism had “no place in our society.”</p><p><iframe width="500" height="657" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkennethtiongsg%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02sFtDcu9KK4NfngL2QKb8WLwDRTGhL5cwMEzdrjPBXpNwHJJeuwuoYaZFK1q4A8agl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><p>Condemning comments about Singaporeans missing in Nepal as shameful, as well as any attacks on anyone's motives because of their ethnicity, Tiong said that he condemned them without reservation and that “our hearts go out to the victims of the Nepal disaster and to the families waiting for news.”</p><p>He said that he had always said that a person, upon taking the oath of citizenship, was part of the Singaporean family and nation, and that any attempt to draw a dividing line between the native-born and naturalised will fail.</p><p>“It will fail because that is not in the culture or history of this country. More importantly, it will fail because it is morally wrong.”</p><p>He said that it was unfortunate that questions about the Air India deal had become entangled with racist comments, and that his concerns “were and are purely commercial.”</p><p>He then elaborated on his concerns in two points.</p><p><h2>Air India investment</h2></p><p>Firstly, he said that Air India had lost more than S$3.5 billion in 2025, with SIA's share of the loss being over S$800 million.</p><p>Air India was now asking its shareholders for an additional US$1.5 billion (S$1.9 billion) to fund a turnaround that its own chairman said might take up to 10 years.</p><p>He then said that SIA had S$10.5 billion in cash against S$10.7 billion in debt and that Temasek owns half of SIA.</p><p>This meant that SIA could afford to make the call to reinvest in Air India, but it left the question of how many more times similar occurrences would happen and who would pay for such investments and losses when SIA could not.</p><p><h2>Previous backstop</h2></p><p>Secondly, Tiong said SIA had been in a similar position before, saying that Temasek had backstopped SIA’s 2020 S$8.8 billion recapitalisation when the airline needed money.</p><p>Parliament had also approved hundreds of millions in wage and aviation support.</p><p>He said that then Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat had called SIA a strategic asset and that the government would consider more direct support if necessary.</p><p>Tiong agreed that it was the right call at the time, “but it meant that the line between SIA's money and Singaporeans' money holds only until SIA runs out of it.”</p><p><h2>Questions to be answered</h2></p><p>He said it was prudent for Singaporeans to ask what happens if the deal went bad and whether Temasek would again act as SIA's backstop.</p><p>He questioned what it would mean for Singaporeans' taxes and their quality of life, and whether asking the reserves to underwrite a loss was essentially “directing an investment.”</p><p>He said that asking these questions was what Parliament existed to do, and that he would ask these questions of the government on Sep. 8</p><p>Concluding, he said that “Singaporeans are best served when we can hold two things at once: Zero tolerance for racism and hard questions about money.”</p><p>“We should not let the two get mixed up. If we do, both causes suffer.”</p></p> ]]>
                    </content:encoded>
                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1169710</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Passenger asks S'pore private-hire driver to 'focus' after he allegedly texts during ride, driver asks her to alight if she's unhappy</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/spore-driver-raises-voice-at-female-passenger/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-05T19:09:42</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Gracia Yap ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/spore-driver-raises-voice-at-female-passenger/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The woman alleged that the driver had WhatsApp actively open and was texting during the ride. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/phv-driver-yell-at-woman.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A private-hire driver in Singapore could be heard raising his voice at a female passenger after she apparently told to focus on driving when he was allegedly texting during the ride.</p><p>The incident was shared on the @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc3gbWDh5Wr/?igsi=cmEzeW9wc2U0N3o1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sgfollowsall</a> Instagram account, where the woman alleged that the driver of the ride-hailing car had his phone mounted on the dashboard stand but WhatsApp was actively open.</p>
<p>He was allegedly texting, with the GPS navigation window minimised to a small corner.</p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc3gbWDh5Wr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc3gbWDh5Wr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewbox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div></p><p><div style="padding-top: 8px;"></p><p><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"></p><p><div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: 8px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: auto;"></p><p><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc3gbWDh5Wr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by SgfollowsAll (@sgfollowsall)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p><h2>Raised voice</h2></p><p>At the time, the car had entered an underground expressway tunnel directly behind a large heavy truck and was travelling at around 60 to 70km/h, the woman said.</p><p>In addition, the car was supposedly trailing directly behind a large heavy truck entering the tunnel.</p><p>"Please focus on driving," the woman apparently told him upon seeing him actively texting behind a heavy vehicle.</p><p><h2>Replying daughter</h2></p><p>Since the map was minimised, the woman alleged that the route ended up being less efficient and took a longer time.</p><p>However, her primary concern was her safety.</p><p>She claimed the driver took offence once she asked him to focus on driving, raising his voice, and becoming hostile.</p><p>He argued that he was "just replying to his daughter", the woman said, claiming that the driver said she was making an issue out of nothing.</p><p>The driver could also be heard saying that he did not even dare to move or touch his phone after what the woman said.</p><p>"You were texting while driving," the woman responded.</p><p>The woman claimed that the driver also allegedly shouted insults, asking if she was "too precious to sit in his car".</p><p>He supposedly then told her to alight from the car if she was unhappy.</p><p>Another part of the video also showed the driver allegedly telling the woman to report him if she wanted to.</p><p><h2>Possible threat, safety issue</h2></p><p>The woman then raised three issues from the incident and wanted to know how other commuters felt.</p><p>Firstly, she asked if having a phone mounted gives a driver the right to read and type WhatsApp messages while travelling at expressway speeds.</p><p>She asked: "Even if the phone is not handheld, isn't active messaging behind a heavy vehicle considered driving without due care?"</p><p>Secondly, she questioned if threatening to drop a passenger off inside an active underground expressway tunnel with no walkways or shoulders is an actual road safety and regulatory violation.</p><p>Thirdly, she asked what would be the right response to a driver's alleged distracted driving behind a heavy truck.</p><p>She asked: "Has asking a driver to focus on the road become something commuters are expected to stay silent on just to avoid aggressive escalation?"</p><p>Netizens were split on the incident, with some agreeing that the driver was in the wrong, but others felt merely texting was acceptable.</p><p>One netizen also pointed out that the woman could report him if she wanted to, but said she should not have recorded him.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1169668</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>'For now, goodbye': Mee+ eatery at Tampines burns down in fire after almost-daily power trips since opening 4 months ago</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/09/meeplus-fire-burn-down-tampines/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-09-05T18:34:33</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Gracia Yap ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/09/meeplus-fire-burn-down-tampines/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The fire started from the store's electrical distribution box. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/final-mee-cover-pic.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The founders of an eatery selling Malay cuisine currently have no plans to rebuild, one founder told <em>Mothership</em> after the restaurant burned down in a fire on the morning of Sep. 3.</p><p>This occurred merely four months after they opened the eatery, which serves up Malay cuisine.</p>
<p>Adi Rusydi Abdul Rahman, 36, and Arrell Tan, 27, friends who started <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meeplus.sg/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mee+</a> together, shared about the incident in a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meeplus.sg/reel/Dc2NyC0zUbJ/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">few</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc2QxGWzjEF/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> posts, as well as on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@sydishideee/video/7681485808188034311?_r=1&amp;_t=ZS-99SHhTmDvvg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TikTok</a>.</p><p><h2>Fire broke out</h2></p><p>The fire started from the store's electrical distribution box (DB).</p><p>Both were safe as they were not in the eatery during the fire, Rusydi, who was behind the camera in a video, said.</p><p>The Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meeplus.sg/reel/Dcz6dXJz-UL/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">video</a> went on to show the aftermath of the fire, with glass shards scattered around the restaurant, as well as blackened floors and ceiling.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 592px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/fire-gif.gif" alt="" width="592" height="741" class=" wp-image-1169675" /> <em>Video via Arrell Tan</em>
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</p><p><div class="mceTemp"></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 595px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-05-at-12.26.17 PM.png" alt="" width="595" height="861" class=" wp-image-1169590" /> <em>Photo via meeplus.sg/Instagram</em>
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</p><p>Responding to <em>Mothership's</em> queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted at about 8:20am on Sep. 3 to a fire at Block 477 Tampines Street 43.</p><p>The fire involved an electrical distribution box in a unit on the ground floor.</p><p>SCDF extinguished the fire with a water jet and about 20 people were evacuated from the affected block as a precaution.</p><p>A person from a neighbouring unit was assessed for shortness of breath, and declined to be sent to the hospital.</p><p>There were no other reported injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation.</p><p><h2>Frequent power trips</h2></p><p>Speaking to <em>Mothership</em> on Sep. 5, Tan said that the pair, who invested over S$20,000 into the business, are still unsure of the total cost of the damage and what their next steps will be.</p><p>He said, however, that they currently do not have plans to rebuild Mee+.</p><p>Noting that they are are relatively new to the industry, and this being their first F&amp;B stall, Tan said they did not have insurance for the shop, which is something they deeply regret.</p><p>He added that they had been experiencing frequent power trips since the beginning of their tenancy, and had been told that the previous tenant had reportedly experienced similar problems.</p><p>"Our main DB box is located inside our unit but is shared by three units, our shop, the laundromat next door, and the residential unit above us," said Tan.</p><p>He pointed out that the shop experienced power trips almost daily during its four months of operations.</p><p>This affected their operations, including occasions when the power would trip while customers were inside the shop.</p><p>They were also aware that the residential unit above them had apparently experienced similar electrical issues.</p><p>"On one occasion, the landlord had to enter our shop during our closing hours to access the main DB box," said Tan.</p><p><blockquote><p>"He requested our permission before entering because the DB box was located inside our unit."</p></blockquote></p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 574px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-05-at-3.38.36 PM.png" alt="" width="574" height="903" class=" wp-image-1169633" /> <em>Photo via Arrell Tan</em>
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</p><p><h2>First warning sign on Aug. 28</h2></p><p>Tan added that the first sign of trouble was on Aug. 28, when there was a strong smell similar to melted plastic coming from somewhere in the shop.</p><p>After searching around the premises, they eventually realised that the smell was coming from the DB box.</p><p>The pair immediately contacted a licensed electrician, whom they paid for, to inspect the issue.</p><p>The electrician confirmed that the problem was coming from the DB box, and part of the box had visibly melted, said Tan.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 555px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/db-1-gif.gif" alt="" width="555" height="694" class=" wp-image-1169639" /> <em>Video via Arrell Tan</em>
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</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 554px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/db-2.gif" alt="" width="554" height="693" class=" wp-image-1169641" /> <em>Video via Arrell Tan</em>
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</p><p>According to the electrician, the wiring used was not of the appropriate thickness and should have been replaced with a thicker cable, said Tan.</p><p><blockquote><p>"We had the wiring replaced and informed the landlord about what had happened."</p></blockquote></p><p>The landlord later told the pair that they should contact him directly in future and that he would arrange for his own electrician to attend to any electrical issues.</p><p>The following day, the landlord sent his own electrician to the shop and informed Tan that they would be working on the meter wiring inside the DB box.</p><p><h2>Sep. 3 fire</h2></p><p>About a week later on Sep. 3, Tan noticed the same melted-plastic smell at about 6:45am and saw smoke coming from the DB box.</p><p>He immediately switched everything off as he did not want to take any further risks.</p><p>He then texted the landlord and called him around eight times, but could not get through.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 526px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/sep-3-fire-gif.gif" alt="" width="526" height="658" class=" wp-image-1169648" /> <em>Video via Arrell Tan</em>
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</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 520px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-05-at-4.24.51 PM.png" alt="" width="520" height="1011" class=" wp-image-1169650" /> <em>Photo via Arrell Tan</em>
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</p><p>Around 7am the same day, Tan had to leave the store to collect the shop's daily supply of kuih from their supplier and in the meantime, continued trying to contact the landlord.</p><p>He added that the landlord got back to him at about 7:45am, saying he would arrange for his electrician to come down at around 9am.</p><p>However, while Tan was on the way back to the shop, the vegetable seller at the market which the pair regularly patronised for their ingredients suddenly called and said their shop was on fire.</p><p>Tan immediately called 995 and rushed back to the shop.</p><p>At present, all three affected units are without electrical power.</p><p><h2>Overwhelmed by support</h2></p><p>"Rather than pointing fingers or making assumptions about who is responsible, we want the relevant authorities to properly investigate what happened," said Tan.</p><p>He added: "We are submitting a request for an investigation by PUB so that the electrical system, DB box, wiring, and circumstances leading up to the fire can be properly examined.</p><p><blockquote><p>"We believe it is important to establish the facts first before anyone determines where the responsibility lies."</p></blockquote></p><p>He noted that the pair have been overwhelmed by the support they received since the fire, with many reaching out to offer help and sending messages of encouragement.</p><p>The pair also do not have plans to start a crowdfunding campaign, said Tan, adding that they received a very generous offer from @sgmicrocement, who offered to cover costs for them.</p><p>They have not made any decision regarding the offer yet, but said they are extremely touched by their kindness.</p><p>"For us, this is not primarily about the money," said Tan.</p><p>He added: "What matters more right now is understanding what caused this and, more importantly, how something like this can be prevented from happening to someone else in the future."</p><p><blockquote><p>"We are just extremely grateful that the fire happened when nobody was inside the shop. It could have been much worse, and we are thankful that no one was injured."</p></blockquote></p><p><h2>'Built all this from scratch'</h2></p><p>Rusydi previously said that everything was still raw, and the pair wanted to let their customers know that the restaurant would be closed for the time being.</p><p>"We built all this from scratch", an emotional Rusydi said in a TikTok video.</p><p>He added that it was not just by the efforts of himself and Tan, but also with the support of other people such as their parents.</p><p>Mee+ said in an Instagram post: "Not sure what's next for us, but for now, goodbye Mee+"</p><p><blockquote><p>"We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to all our customers who have patronised our restaurant over the past [four and a half months], especially our regulars who have continued to support us and with whom we've had the privilege of building genuine connections."</p></blockquote></p><p>Thanking their customers, Mee+ added that they would miss them, and thanked them for all the "love, support and memories".</p><p>"It truly means more to us than words can express," the post read. 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