The National Environment Agency (NEA) has served legal notices to 10 Singapore-based companies that may have contributed to the haze in Singapore, it said in a media release from Oct. 23.

Under Section 10 of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA), NEA is seeking documents and information on the locations of land concessions they own, as well as fire prevention measures and/or any firefighting efforts taken by them and/or their associated companies in Indonesia during the dry season.

All 10 companies listed are Singapore-registered companies in the palm oil or forestry business that own land concessions in Indonesia or have related companies with such land concessions.

1. Asia Pulp & Paper Company Limited

2. Asia Pulp & Paper Company (China) Limited

3. Bumitama Agri Ltd

4. Golden Agri International Pte Ltd

5. First Resources Ltd

6. Indofood Agri Resources Ltd

7. Kencana Agri Ltd

8. TSH Global Plantation Pte Ltd

9. TSH Oversea Pte Ltd

10. Wilmar International Ltd

NEA said that it was firmly committed to identifying and holding accountable all foreign companies that have caused or contributed to transboundary haze in Singapore under the THPA.

Preventative measure notices

NEA also said it had sent on Oct. 16 and 19 preventive measure notices (PMNs) under Section 9 of the THPA to 10 companies in Indonesia for fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

They are:

1. PT Bumi Andalas Permai (BAP)

2. PT Bumi Mekar Hijau (BMH)

3. PT SBA Wood Industries (SBAWI)

4. PT Paramitra Mulia Langgeng (PML)

5. PT Sumatera Alam Anugerah (SAA)

6. PT Hutan Lestari Raya (HLR)

7. PT Bangkanesia (BKN)

8. PT Buana Megatama Jaya (BMJ)

9. PT Mananjung Hayak (MH)

10. PT Baratama Putra Perkasa (BPP)

The notices require the 10 foreign companies to:

• Deploy firefighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of fire on land situated outside of Singapore owned or occupied by them.
• Discontinue or not commence any burning activities on such land
• Submit to NEA any plan of action to extinguish any fire on such land to prevent its spread or recurrence

NEA is also writing to these companies to seek documents and information regarding the occurrence of fires in their concessions, measures taken to put out these fires, as well as the company's linkages with associated companies in Indonesia and Singapore.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on Oct. 23 that the move was an important step towards gathering evidence to determine whether companies had contributed to the haze.

“Whether companies are based overseas or registered here in Singapore, we will follow the evidence and take errant companies to task where the evidence supports it.”

The Singapore government will seek to identify and hold accountable companies that may be responsible for, or have contributed to, the fires causing haze in Singapore, announced the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) in a press release from Oct. 23.

MinLaw said it will examine the conduct of local and foreign companies, as well as their relationships and supply chains, to establish whether they have been involved in causing or condoning the fires that contributed to the haze.

These companies will be required to provide complete access to information and other relevant facts about their operations, supply chains and corporate group structures to ensure that they are not involved in causing or condoning the fires.

Specialist panel created

To facilitate this, the Singapore government will create a Specialist Panel of experts comprising law firms, audit firms and investigative firms with expertise in cross-border inquiries and investigations.

"Companies identified by the government will be required to engage professionals from the panel to conduct thorough inquiries into their operations, corporate relationships, and supply chains, and to submit thorough audits to the Government," as mentioned in the press release.

The panel will assist the government to establish the facts, which includes where complex corporate structures and commercial arrangements span multiple jurisdictions.

Local law firm Davinder Singh Chambers (DSC LLC) has been appointed as advisor to the government.

Its role is to advise on coordinating the work of the panel experts, to ensure the necessary inquiries and investigations are properly conducted across different jurisdictions.

The findings of these inquiries will be assessed by the relevant government agencies and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Other regulatory agencies in Singapore, including the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the National Environment Agency will be following up on this matter.

More details will be released in the coming week.

Ever since immigration at Changi Airport has become so seamless and fast, I’ve stopped feeling the need to get to the airport early.

In fact, if I’m at the airport one and a half hours before my flight, I still find that too early.

However, my ever kiasu mother still insisted on going three hours earlier for our recent trip to check in and explore (aka ensuring the gate exists).

But as I am such a good daughter, I begrudgingly agreed.

I grumbled to my mother, wondering what shopping we could do at Changi Airport before our flight that would warrant the full three hours.

Turns out, there was a lot to see.

Gift of food

If there is one thing my mom taught me whenever we go overseas to visit friends and family, it’s to never show up empty-handed.

So we decided to use the time we had to look for a good souvenir for our friends and family.

Personally, I believe the best souvenir is food because you can take a little trip in a single bite, with flavours that best capture the local scene.

We decided to hit up Old Seng Choong to check out some local snacks on sale.

Baking since 1965, Old Seng Choong specialises in cookies, cakes and confectionery that reflect Singapore’s culture and history.

Their goodies are packed with local flavours that capture the heart of Singaporean food.

And their Changi outlets do that really well.

Old Seng Choong’s Terminal 2 transit store carries three flavours that cannot be found in the city - Kaya Peanut, Pulut Hitam and Ondeh Ondeh.

As someone who loves a unique twist on a sweet treat, I tried the Pulut Hitam flavour, which had just the right amount of sweetness and tasted just like the dessert, reminding me of the days of eating it with my parents.

It makes for a fun and distinctly Singaporean gift to share with friends and family overseas; a little taste of home, with some heat from our sunny island.

As we had something savoury on hand, my mom thought it would be best to pair the gift with something decadent and sweet.

So she brought me to Mr Bucket Chocolaterie.

Mr Bucket Chocolaterie infuses its rich, chocolatey treats with local flavours that make them uniquely Singaporean.

One of its most popular items is the Kaya Toast Chocolate bar, with creamy kaya running through the centre of dark-milk chocolate, topped with brown butter breadcrumbs and Maldon sea salt.

Those passing through the transit area can get their hands on some Changi Airport exclusives.

The Pandan Macadamia Dragees feature caramelised macadamias coated in pandan white and milk chocolate, while the Ondeh Ondeh chocolate bar captures the classic kueh with pandan and gula melaka notes encased in chocolate.

A fun gift for the chocolate lovers in your life.

Or… just a nice snack for us on the plane.

Shopping

Since we were ridiculously early for our flight, my mother insisted we continue to  jalan jalan and explore what the airport had to offer.

And if there is one thing that my mother absolutely loves, it is shoes.

And so she browsed the many types of shoes and handbags Pazzion had to offer, pointed out items she liked, and blatantly hinted that I should buy her something for her upcoming birthday or Christmas.

She heavily implied that she needed a new pair of shoes that were comfortable, durable and provided the support she required to walk those 10,000 steps on our trip.

Bonus points: They are made of genuine leather and designed in Singapore.

From now to Nov. 1 2026, customers can enjoy S$8 off with a minimum spend of S$50 through their Walk the Walk campaign by joining as a member, trying on a pair of shoes and sharing it on social media.

A surprise

Little did my mom know, I was already planning to get her a gift.

Having recently moved out of the family home, I wanted to make this trip with my mother a little more special by surprising her with something she would appreciate.

Stumped for ideas, I scrolled through iShopChangi, hoping to find the perfect gift.

The online store made it easy to browse a wide variety of items and find something that felt just right for her.

Even better, I could pick up my purchase at a collection counter at the airport, so she could start using her gift as soon as our trip began.

I eventually settled on a few items from local Singapore brand Scent Journer: a perfume and a box of perfume sachets.

The best part of Scent Journer was that it takes Singapore’s humid weather into account and calibrates its perfumes around it, making them comfortable to wear and long-lasting.

If you want to skip queuing at transit stores, you can also click and collect your items, making the iShopChangi experience smooth and seamless.

And for the surprise for my mom, I would say it went rather well.

Feed me

When we were finally done with our shopping, my mom and I were feeling pretty hungry.

And I knew exactly what I wanted to eat before leaving Singapore.

I cannot go too long without getting my local food fix; this time, I dragged my mother to Chatterbox Express.

My heart was set on Chatterbox’s iconic chicken rice, but my mother suggested a few more items so we could have our fill of local dishes.

In the end, we added a laksa, chicken satay, har cheong gai chicken wings, some kueh kueh, a kopi, and a coconut shake.

The chicken rice was flavourful and succulent; the satay and har cheong gai were a delicious addition, and the laksa was absolutely sumptuous.

I never knew there were so many hidden local gems in Changi Airport’s transit area, and I probably wouldn’t have discovered everything it had to offer if my kiasu mother hadn’t insisted that we get to the airport early.

In the end, it turned out to be the perfect way for my mother and I to kick off our trip; taking things slow, exploring the airport, and, of course, doing what we both love most: shopping.

So if you are passing through Changi Airport or heading out of the country anytime soon, you should definitely consider coming earlier to just see what is in store for you.

Take a stroll around the stores and explore all the local brands on offer.

You may never know; you could find a piece of Singapore to take with you on your travels and share with the world.

This article by Changi Airport Group made the writer’s mother insist on another trip with her daughter.

All photos via Hannah Martens/Mothership, Kusala Gn/Mothership

After his daughter was hit in the face at an indoor playground, a Singaporean man forcefully shoved the seven-year-old boy who did so twice.

On Oct. 23, 2026, 44-year-old Koh Gek Kuan was sentenced to 80 days' jail after he pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt to a child below 14 years old.

During sentencing, a second charge of a similar nature was taken into consideration.

A gag order has been issued to protect the victim’s identity. The location of the offence is also covered by the order.

Boy hit his daughter in the face

The incident occurred on Aug. 18, 2023. Koh was at an indoor playground with his then four-year-old daughter.

At around 7:22pm, his daughter was chasing the boy with an object while Koh followed behind.

Shortly after, the boy struck the girl in the face.

According to court documents, Koh charged towards the boy and pushed him forcefully from the left.

The act caused the boy to fall face-down onto the floor, and the toys in his hands flew across the room, attracting the attention of the indoor playground's patrons and staff.

Shoved the victim to the ground again

While remaining on the floor, the victim sat up whilst Koh confronted him.

Koh proceeded to shove the victim to the ground again, forcefully pushing the boy's right shoulder.

The boy fell, and his head and left shoulder collided with the floor.

The indoor playground's staff and patrons who witnessed the incident approached Koh to assist the victim.

The victim's parents brought him to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital on the same day for a medical check.

The victim was attended to at around 8pm, and a medical report noted that there was a 2cm by 2cm haematoma (bruised bump) on the boy's left scalp with an overlying abrasion, redness on his right cheek and bruising on his right knee.

Koh was arrested on Aug. 18, 2023 and released on bail on Aug. 20, 2023, remaining on bail till his sentencing.

Prosecution's address

The prosecution called Koh's actions "a case of violence against the vulnerable" as Koh tackled and shoved the boy to the floor twice in full view of the indoor playground's patrons and staff.

The address noted that "the law must maintain an uncompromising stance" to deter, denounce and express the public outrage of such one-sided abuse.

The prosecution sought a sentence of between four and six months' imprisonment.

They noted the victim did not suffer long-lasting injuries, but his injuries were on vulnerable parts of his body, namely his scalp and cheek, with Koh's actions constituting "severe potential harm".

Koh also swore at the boy and expressed no remorse when the patrons of the indoor playground tried to intervene to prevent further harm to the victim, shouting and trying to justify his actions instead of accepting responsibility, the address noted.

Was daughter's fourth birthday

According to CNA, Koh, a self-employed IT business owner, had brought his daughter to the playground as it was her birthday.

His lawyer, Shaneet Nityanand Rai from Kalidass Law Corporation, sought nine to 12 weeks' jail, urging the court to take into account Koh's position as a parent and the difficulty of "restraining himself" when the older boy hit his daughter.

Rai said the joyous occasion turned into a "nightmare of a weekend" for both families, reported CNA.

Koh's defence said the boy snatched a toy bus from Koh's daughter, who then chased the boy, before getting struck in the face.

CNA stated that Rai also listed his client's bipolar disorder in mitigation despite the lawyer noting that the condition had no causal or contributory link.

Penalties

An offender faces up to three years' jail and/or a fine of S$5,000 for voluntarily causing hurt.

In cases where the victim is under 14, the offender may be jailed for up to double the maximum punishment above.

After his girlfriend cheated on him, a 40-year-old man sought revenge by emailing an intimate video of her to her colleagues and supervisors.

He had searched online for their email addresses and used ChatGPT to draft an email exposing the infidelity, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The man pleaded guilty on Oct. 22 to one charge of intentionally distributing an intimate image or recording. He was sentenced to 18 months’ jail and ordered to pay the victim S$1,500 in compensation.

Two mischief charges and one charge under the Films Act were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Moved in a month after meeting through a dating app

According to Shin Min, the pair met through a dating app in January 2025 and began a relationship. A month later, the man moved into the victim’s home, where her child also lived.

The victim was working as an administrative employee at a school at the time.

During their relationship, the man asked to film them engaging in intercourse, saying that he preferred watching videos of her to pornography. She agreed to his request.

Admitted to infidelity

Around May 2025, the man started to suspect that the victim was romantically involved with a colleague. After checking her phone, he became convinced that she had been unfaithful.

He confronted her at home on June 25, and the pair argued. He then recorded their conversation on his phone as he questioned her again about the infidelity.

During the exchange, she admitted that she had also been involved with several other men.

Angered by her response, the man picked up his luggage and prepared to leave. A physical struggle ensued, prompting the victim’s child to call the police.

However, the man left before officers arrived.

The accused looked to take revenge

The following day, the man searched Facebook for the colleague with whom the victim had been involved. He subsequently discovered that she had blocked him across various communication platforms.

He then turned his attention to her workplace, searching for her work email address and those of her colleagues and supervisors. He used ChatGPT to draft an email intended to expose her infidelity.

In the early hours of June 27, he sent the email to the school’s feedback inbox, a shared inbox for administrative staff, and four of the victim’s supervisors.

He copied in both the victim and the colleague concerned, attaching the audio recording of her purported admissions.

Still angry after sending the email, he decided to take further revenge, Shin Min reported.

At 1:57am, he sent a second email to the same recipients, this time attaching a 39-second video of the victim engaging in intimate acts and identifying her in the message.

As approximately 15 people could access the school’s feedback and shared administrative inboxes, the emails were estimated to have reached around 20 people in total.

Colleague helped get emails deleted

The victim discovered the emails at about 3am and immediately called a colleague, who advised her to make a police report.

The colleague contacted the other recipients, asking them to delete the emails without opening them, which they agreed to.

The colleague also alerted the school's vice-principal, who logged into the shared inbox and deleted the relevant emails.

The victim made a police report at 5:29am, and the man was arrested that day.

Victim resigned, fears circulation of video

According to Shin Min, the prosecution said the victim felt so ashamed by the disclosure that she struggled to face her supervisors and colleagues or discuss work with them.

She initially moved to another office but eventually resigned.

The prosecution added that the victim continued to fear the video was circulating. Her anxiety over this had seriously affected her mental health.

In mitigation, the defence lawyer said only a few of the approximately 20 recipients had watched the video, as the others had agreed to delete the emails without opening them.

The lawyer also argued that while the victim eventually left her job, there was no evidence that she had lost her job because of the video.

In sentencing, the judge noted that the victim was fully nude and her face was clearly identifiable in the footage.

The judge considered the 39-second video more harmful than a photograph and said the man’s actions were clearly motivated by revenge.

Upgrading works along the entire 2.3km Upper Bukit Timah Canal have been completed following the conclusion of works on its final 900m stretch, allowing the canal to carry 30 per cent more stormwater.

In a media release on Oct. 23, national water agency PUB said the upgraded canal can better cope with rainfall intensities comparable to storms that occurred over the past 15 years.

The improvements will benefit an approximately 1,000-hectare catchment comprising residential areas, commercial developments such as Beauty World Plaza, Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Dunearn Village, as well as transport nodes like Beauty World and King Albert Park MRT stations.

Upgrading works completed after seven years

The final stretch of upgrading works, spanning approximately 900m between Rifle Range Road and Jalan Kampong Chantek, near King Albert Park MRT station, was completed in the third quarter of 2026.

Construction began in October 2019.

The works involved widening and deepening the canal, replacing its trapezoidal design with a U-shaped drain and box culvert to increase its stormwater capacity.

Five box culverts across Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road were also upgraded to improve the flow of rainwater from surrounding areas into the canal.

The completed works follow earlier upgrading works along the upstream section between Jalan Jurong Kechil and Rifle Range Road, which were completed in 2024.

According to PUB, the upgrading works faced several challenges, including limited working space between Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road.

To minimise disruptions along Bukit Timah Road and Dunearn Road, traffic was progressively diverted and replacement lanes were provided to create temporary working space for the upgrading works.

The works were also coordinated with the planned development of the Bukit Timah–Rochor Green Corridor (BTRGC) in the same area.

According to PUB, the upgrading works between Rifle Range Road and Jalan Kampong Chantek cost approximately S$60 million, including the construction of support structures for the Bukit Timah–Rochor Green Corridor within the canal.

Improved flood resilience, but not flood-proof

PUB's Deputy Chief Executive (Flood Resilience), Angela Koh, described the completion of the upgrading works as an important milestone in strengthening flood resilience in the area.

However, PUB cautioned that the upgraded canal does not eliminate the risk of flooding entirely.

"Given Bukit Timah's topography and land constraints and increasingly intense rainfall due to climate change, very intense storms can still overwhelm the catchment."

History of flooding

Bukit Timah has historically been prone to flooding, with its valley-shaped terrain channeling rainwater into the low-lying canal.

On Apr. 20, 2025, heavy rain caused flash floods in several parts of Bukit Timah, including Bukit Timah Road between Clementi Road and Blackmore Drive, Kings Road and Coronation Walk.

Certain areas experienced ankle-deep floodwaters.

PUB deployed officers to the affected areas, with the situation subsiding by 6:20pm.

The area also experienced flash floods on Aug. 24, 2021, affecting roads including Dunearn Road and Bukit Timah Road near King Albert Park.

Three drainage systems serve Bukit Timah

Over the years, PUB has progressively upgraded Bukit Timah's drainage infrastructure to reduce flood risk.

The catchment is now served by three separate drainage systems that direct stormwater towards different waterways.

The approximately 2.3km Upper Bukit Timah Canal, stretching from Beauty World to Maple Avenue, directs rainwater through the Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal (BTFDC) to Sungei Ulu Pandan.

The middle stretch, spanning approximately 5.1km from Maple Avenue to Balmoral Road, channels rainwater through the Bukit Timah Second Diversion Canal (BTSDC) to Kallang River.

Meanwhile, the approximately 2.5km lower stretch from Balmoral Road to Serangoon Road directs stormwater through Rochor Canal to Marina Reservoir.

The first and second diversion canals were completed in 1972 and 1990 respectively, directing stormwater towards Sungei Ulu Pandan and Kallang River.

PUB to study longer-term flood mitigation measures

PUB will call a tender at the end of 2026 for a feasibility study to identify longer-term solutions to strengthen flood resilience across the entire Bukit Timah catchment.

The study will also explore ways to integrate flood mitigation measures with existing infrastructure and future developments, as well as opportunities to enhance public spaces.

"We will continue to improve drainage and raise roads where feasible, while taking a holistic review of the catchment to identify more integrated solutions for the longer term," Koh said.

PUB added that no drainage system can eliminate flood risk entirely and reminded members of the public to remain vigilant during heavy rain.

Singapore has launched a pilot programme to import and use biomethane for its energy needs, starting in 2028.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Trade) Gan Kim Yong announced the programme on Oct. 23, revealing that Keppel Energy, Sembcorp Utilities and Tuas Power Generation have been appointed to import and supply biomethane into Singapore as part of the pilot.

This announcement came as part of remarks made by Gan at the inaugural Singapore Industry Decarbonisation Forum, hosted by the Economic Development Board (EDB) in partnership with A*STAR and the Advanced Energy and Decarbonisation Office.

Aside from the biomethane pilot, Gan also highlighted several other new METI initiatives aimed at helping Singapore cut carbon emissions across industries.

Singapore aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Why biomethane?

Biomethane is a renewable gas produced from organic waste.

It can serve as a low-carbon alternative to natural gas, a fossil fuel.

Crucially, biomethane is compatible with Singapore's existing gas infrastructure, allowing easy adoption without costly modifications.

95 per cent of Singapore's electricity comes from natural gas, making biomethane a subject of interest.

Gan announced that METI had established a "regulatory sandbox" in 2025, allowing Singapore to tackle the various obstacles needed for biomethane adoption – supply chains, commercial arrangements, and regulatory frameworks.

The goal is for biomethane to support up to 300 megawatts of energy from 2028, with the pilot ultimately seeking to enable industry to deploy new low-carbon solutions.

Focus on industry

In his speech, Gan also noted that Singapore's industries account for around 65 per cent of our emissions, including the electricity that they consume, and therefore have to be addressed as part of Singapore's net zero goals.

The challenge is to keep these industries competitive while helping them decarbonise, he added.

He also stressed that Singapore suffers from many constraints, such as limited land and renewable energy resources, industries with complex operating requirements, and the fact that low carbon technologies from other countries may not be entirely suitable in Singapore.

As such, the government is dedicating S$800 million to the Decarbonisation Grand Challenge (DGC), which aims to support promising technologies that can lower emissions.

R&D

Under the DGC, S$143 million will go to the Industry Decarbonisation Funding Initiative.

Of this sum, S$100 million will be set aside to support research & development spearheaded by companies, including defining their own decarbonisation challenges and co-developing solutions with Singapore.

The initiative will also seek out partners, such as clean energy investors and accelerators, to collaborate with Singapore and develop low-carbon technologies.

Existing partners include Temasek Holdings, Energy Impact Partners, Breakthrough Energy and SG Growth Capital.

New partnerships have also been formed with various funds and organisations from abroad, namely Main Sequence Ventures, Extantia and Rocky Mountain Institute.

The government will further provide funding to connect researchers with industry, allowing them to pilot and test new technologies in actual operating contexts.

Another S$62 million will be dedicated to the Low-Carbon Technology Translational Testbed, or LCT³, to be hosted at the A*STAR Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment.

It is a test-bedding platform on Jurong Island that allows companies and researchers to test new technologies, such as converting carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel, or an ammonia-to-hydrogen production technology.

Gan added that three industry users have been secured: IHI Corporation, Amogy and Metha8.

He reiterated Singapore's approach in its net zero journey:

"Across all these efforts, our goal is the same: lower emissions from our factories and plants, and keep industries competitive and continue to provide good jobs."

Related stories

The 16-year-old Malaysia student who livestreamed his axe attack on a teacher reportedly wrote online that he felt lonely and isolated.

The attack took place in a Kuching, Sarawak school on Oct. 21.

Malaysian police have recorded statements from 24 individuals in relation to the case.

The individuals interviewed by police include the parents of the teen, other students, the victim, medical officers, arresting officers, the family driver and school officials.

Teen had expressed feeling lonely and isolated

Sarawak's Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister urged the public to avoid condemning, labelling or shaming the 16-year-old without understanding circumstances surrounding the incident, MalayMail reported.

The minister also expressed concern about what the student reportedly shared on Facebook.

“I am particularly concerned by the words reportedly shared by the adolescent on Facebook: ‘I have no one. I have no significant other. I have no one to rely on. I was born alone and will die alone’,” she said, according to MalayMail.

Investigations ongoing

According to The Star, Sarawak's acting police commissioner said that the 16-year-old's health is being taken into account in the ongoing investigation.

CCTV footage showed the 16-year-old entering a classroom and attacking a teacher.

He also attempted to attack other students before he was restrained.

The teacher sustained cuts to her hand and received treatment before being taken to the hospital, New Straits Times reported.

The teen's livestream of the incident circulated on social media.

The police commissioner also emphasised the sensitive nature of the case and said that the authorities are prioritising the welfare of the victim and affected students.

He also said that the 16-year-old is still receiving medical treatment.

A 65-year-old Singaporean man was fined S$7,000 in court for running an unlicensed massage parlour in Orchard Towers in 2022.

During a police raid, his wife was also found to have provided sexual services to customers.

Background

According to court documents seen by Mothership, the man, Leng Kheng Chiang, had been the owner and sole proprietor of Fragrance Beauty, located within the Orchard Towers, since January 2022.

At the time, the mall had not yet undergone a makeover, which began in late 2023.

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Fragrance Beauty did not have a valid massage establishment licence.

It was notified that it could operate as an exempted massage establishment, but it breached the exemption conditions because massages were not done in full public view.

Leng's wife, Wang Aimei, also worked as a massage therapist at the shop.

Police raid

On Jul. 7, 2022, police conducted an enforcement check at Fragrance Beauty.

While giving a customer a massage, Wang was found to have offered him sexual services for between S$100 and S$150.

Leng was also found to have known that Wang provided massage services at the establishment, despite the shop not being licensed as such.

Court documents noted that it was styled as a business offering facial and beauty care services.

However, Leng permitted his wife to continue providing her services.

He was also mostly uninvolved in the business' operations and rarely visited its premises.

By running an "establishment for massage", as defined under the Massage Establishment Act 2017, without a valid licence, Leng was found to have committed an offence punishable by a fine of up to S$10,000, up to two years' jail, or both.

He was not arrested and did not spend any time in remand.

In court on Oct. 22, he pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Act and was fined S$7,000 in default for four weeks' imprisonment.

The fine was paid upfront, according to the court.

"Pursuit of Jade" actor Zhang Linghe's application to visit Taiwan for fan meetings and other exchange activities has been rejected.

According to Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA), Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Zhang had repeatedly published posts undermining Taiwan's status, and that the purpose of his proposed visit was unclear.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) then criticised the decision on Oct. 21, accusing Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of restricting cross-strait cultural exchanges for political reasons.

In response, the MAC explained its reasons for rejecting Zhang's application.

China criticises rejection of Zhang's application

At a regular press conference on Oct. 21, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han was asked about Zhang's rejected application to visit Taiwan for fan meetings and other exchange activities.

According to the official transcript published by the TAO, a reporter from the Global Times and Global Times Online had asked about the rejection.

Zhang Han replied that cultural exchanges involving mainland Chinese entertainers were a form of people-to-people interaction welcomed and anticipated by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

She said such exchanges helped enhance mutual understanding between people across the strait.

She added:

"The DPP authorities, driven by political motives, disregard the wishes of the people on the island, especially Taiwanese youth, and refuse to allow mainland performers to visit Taiwan for exchanges."

Zhang Han then urged the DPP to respect the shared desire of people on both sides for greater interaction and abandon what she described as "political manipulation" and "unreasonable restrictions".

Taiwan responds, citing past social media posts and Straits Forum appearance

In response to China's criticism, Taiwan's MAC explained on Oct. 21 why Zhang's application had been rejected.

According to CNA, the MAC said it welcomed entertainers from mainland China visiting Taiwan for cultural exchanges but such activities must not involve United Front efforts, under which "peaceful unification" could be promoted.

The council said Zhang had repeatedly published social media posts undermining Taiwan's status.

In addition, Chinese authorities apparently deliberately arranged for Zhang to deliver a speech at the Straits Forum, which the MAC described as a platform for United Front activities.

The Straits Forum is a China-driven initiative touted as the largest platform for youth, cultural, and economic exchanges between two sides of the straits. 

The council added that the purpose of Zhang's proposed visit to Taiwan was unclear.

His application was therefore rejected.

The MAC also responded to China's accusations of political manipulation by referring to recent incidents involving Taiwanese entertainers.

According to CNA, the council cited recent events involving Taiwanese television personality Kevin Tsai, as well as an incident in which comedian Huang Yi-hao was reportedly targeted by a vehicle and had waste thrown at his performance venue.

The MAC then questioned which side was suppressing or intimidating entertainers for political purposes, adding that the public could make its own judgement.