The government is undertaking a review to identify property purchases made between 2007 and 2011 by officers who were involved in rail planning at the time in order to assess if there was actual misconduct as alleged in a recent study.

The review was announced in a press release by the Public Service Division (PSD), an agency under the Prime Minister's Office, on Sep. 25.

The study was a working paper by the American non-profit National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), which claimed to have found a pattern of mid-level Singapore civil servants purchasing homes near yet-to-be announced MRT stations.

Statistical patterns do not establish fault, but need for scrutiny

In its press release, PSD said that it takes the assertions of the paper seriously and that the statistical patterns reported in the paper are a "concern".

However, PSD clarified, "Statistical patterns do not by themselves establish whether any individual officer actually had access to non-public information on MRT station locations at the relevant time, or whether such information influenced a property purchase."

Explaining further, PSD noted that information or speculation about planned MRT lines and stations may already be in the public domain or used to market new property developments.

"An officer may have purchased a unit in such a development for reasons unrelated to any non-public information," PSD highlighted.

However, PSD reiterated that these "do not remove the need for scrutiny" but underscore the need for each transaction to be examined carefully before any conclusion is drawn.

Government reviewing 2007 to 2011 records among rail planning officers

Hence, the government is undertaking a review to assess "whether there was actual misconduct", PSD said.

It is identifying property purchases made between 2007 and 2011 by officers who were involved in rail planning at the time, and where the properties were close to locations subsequently announced as MRT stations.

This was the period and group of civil servants highlighted in the NBER paper.

"If we find evidence that an officer used non-public information to make a property purchase for personal benefit, the case will be referred to the Police for further investigation," PSD said.

PSD also said that the review will take time as the transactions took place "some time ago" and the records will have to be retrieved and examined.

Paper

The NBER working paper, titled "Do Social Norms Substitute For Enforcement? Evidence from Public Officials' Home Purchases in Singapore", was published earlier in September 2026.

It was authored by researchers from Stanford University, Columbia University and the University of Hong Kong.

In its preface, the co-authors noted that NBER working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes and have not been peer-reviewed or reviewed by its board of directors.

The researchers sought to answer whether anti-corruption social norms can substitute for formal enforcement to deter misconduct.

Singapore was selected as a case study as it is widely regarded as one of the world's least corrupt countries and provides a "sharp setting" to examine whether sustained anti-corruption enforcement can produce "self-sustaining norms".

The authors looked at whether civil servants in Singapore had engaged in "informed trading" by using privileged information about yet-to-be announced MRT stations to purchase property, in hopes of making personal gains.

Part of their hypothesis is that legislative changes to the Securities and Futures Act in 2012, as a form of enforcement, may have lowered the likelihood of misconduct.

Using their assembled data, the authors performed a statistical analysis to determine if there was a pattern of civil servants being more likely to have purchased properties near unannounced MRT stations, compared to non-civil servants which the authors looked at.

They claimed to have found such a statistical pattern.

According to the researchers, the fact that they did not find similar patterns among other comparable groups of people, such as corporate board members and property agents, supported their conclusion.

A Singaporean man borrowed a large sum of money from his girlfriend, but when they broke up, he refused to return the money and she brought the matter to court.

On Sep. 24 2026, the High Court ruled in favour of the claimant, Teow Seok Phen, ordering her ex-boyfriend, Chee Wei Jun, to repay her S$321,116.40.

Chee was unable to prove, as per his argument, that the money was not loaned to him but "gifted" "out of love and affection".

Instead, he was found to have presented himself as an individual of higher status and affluence and claimed he had his bank account frozen due to a scam, which motivated her to lend him the money.

Exhausting her funds

According to a Sep. 24 judgment, Teow, a Malaysian citizen and Singapore Permanent Resident, was working as a finance manager.

She met Chee, who was a tuition teacher and cafe worker, in June 2023 on dating app Coffee Meets Bagel.

When they first met, Chee told Teow that he was "in aviation", making himself out to be an airline pilot.

He further told her he had several hundred thousand dollars in his bank account and that his father owned several businesses in Singapore and Malaysia.

Sometime during the course of their relationship, he told her that his bank account was frozen after he unwittingly clicked on a fraudulent link and had been scammed.

As a result, he claimed that he did not have enough funds for his daily expenses, and requested she lend him money, promising to repay her once his bank account issues were resolved.

Teow then began giving him various sums of money on different occasions, via PayNow transfers as well as in cash.

Though he made some partial repayments to her, the outstanding cash balance still stood at S$268,794.

She also allowed him to use her credit card — Teow alleged that Chee incurred S$89,945.16 in expenses after accounting for interest and bank fees.

She told the court that the money she gave him included almost all her savings, cash advances and balance transfers from her credit cards.

By December 2023, Teow received letters from banks chasing for the payment of her credit card bills.

Between February and March 2024, Teow revealed to her family what had transpired, and they demanded to Chee that he repay her the money.

He then signed several documents in which he acknowledged receiving money from Teow and agreed to pay back the debt.

However, he did not do so, prompting Teow to bring him to court.

Loans, not gifts

Although Chee argued that Teow understood his financial difficulties, and that the money was given to him as gifts and not loans, the judge dismissed his argument.

When cross-examined, Chee said that the transactions were a "grey area" and that the two did not talk about it.

The judge found this behaviour to be maintaining "deniability because it allowed him to evade his obligations when it suited him."

Meanwhile, Teow produced WhatsApp messages between her and Chee that showed his multiple promises of repayment.

One message sent by Chee said that he was "touched and embarrassed" by the help, and promised to "fully repay" her.

Another message sent on Jan. 7, 2024 found Chee declaring, "I can pay you back every penny".

In response to this, Chee said that when he told Teow he would "pay it back", he meant that he would pay her back in kind, such as through bringing her out for meals.

The judge was not convinced, questioning why he had partially repaid some of the sums in money if that were the case.

Chee was also found to be an "evasive" witness by the judge, after he refused to take a firm stance on whether or not certain numbers mentioned in the WhatsApp messages referred to money.

Chee even denied using Teow's credit cards, claiming he had "no recollection" of using it other than one occasion when he hosted friends from Taiwan.

On the other hand, the judge found that Teow had clearly stated her expectations that she was to be repaid.

She even kept a record of the amounts lent to Chee, with the judge remarking that there would have been no need to do so if she had intended the sums to be given as gifts.

Not a rich man's son

The judge also found that Chee had given Teow the impression that he was more affluent that he actually was, which partially motivated her to agree to lend him money.

Aside from telling her that he was an airline pilot and his father was wealthy, Chee also claimed that he was a "VIP" at certain hotels and establishments.

Chee however, told the court that these remarks were innocuous, saying for instance that "for Haidilao... Everyone is a VIP".

"Crucially, what the Defendant does not explain is why he made these statements of his supposed elevated status if not to impress [Teow]," the judge said.

Was he pressured to sign the agreement?

Chee also claimed that he had signed the documents agreeing to repay Teow under duress, as Teow was holding their relationship hostage.

He told the court that her brother had connections to the underworld in Penang and threatened to hurt him.

He also produced a letter from a counselling psychologist, stating that he was suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder.

However, it was later revealed that Teow's brother never made threats to Chee and that his claim was a fabrication.

The judge found that Chee was not under illegitimate pressure when signing the documents, as he had access to legal counsel when going over the agreement.

Tallying up the sum

Teow was eventually found to have given Chee bank transfers and cash sums amounting to S$268,794, after taking into account the amounts that he repaid. 

Though he disputed the sum, the judge accepted this amount based on her bank statements and documentary evidence.

As for the credit card charges, the agreed amount owed sat at S$87,322.40 after accounting for a previous discrepancy made by Teow.

Chee argued that of this amount, he should not have been liable for the credit card interest and fees of S$4,045.99, as Teow had "failed to mitigate her loss".

The judge struck down his argument, saying that Chee did not show what Teow could have possibly done to avoid the fees and interest after she had already exhausted her credit limits.

Adding up the two amounts owed and subtracting S$35,000 that Chee repaid in March 2024, the final amount owed came up to S$321,116.40.

At least S$8.8 million has been lost to scams involving scammers pretending to be related to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) since January 2026.

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) and ICA issued a joint statement on Sep. 25 to remind members of the public to be wary of two distinct scam variants involving ICA.

At least 148 cases have been reported across the two scam variants involving scammers impersonating ICA and fraudulent advertisements offering assistance with permanent residency (PR) applications.

Calls from scammers impersonating ICA

In the first variant, ICA said the victims would receive unsolicited calls from scammers claiming to be from ICA.

The scammers would claim that the victim’s personal details has been misused, or that their phone numbers were used in criminal activities like sending scam messages, ICA said.

The call will then be transferred to another scammer, posing as a China official.

This "official" would demand a money transfer or cash for “investigation” or “bail” purposes.

In some cases, the victims are asked to meet up with an unknown individual to sign fake papers to help the supposed investigation appear more credible.

Most victims only realise they have been scammed after making multiple transfers or if the scammers become uncontactable.

At least 117 cases have been reported for this variant since January 2026, with at least S$8.4 million in losses, ICA stated.

Fraudulent advertisements offering assistance with PR applications

In the second variant, members of the public would come across advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook, offering to help them obtain PR status in Singapore, ICA said.

Clicking the link would then direct the victims to a fake website of a consultancy agent.

They would be asked to submit their personal details, such as their phone numbers, through a form.

The victims are then contacted by the scammers through WhatsApp, and are misled into paying fees ranging from S$200 to S$9,000 to proceed with the PR application.

ICA said victims are told this will improve their chances of success through investments in companies, purchases of academic certifications and donations.

Victims are then instructed to make bank transfers or to give cash to unknown individuals before receiving fraudulent emails, seemingly from ICA.

These emails would contain an attachment of a fake In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter bearing the ICA letterhead.

Victims only realise they have been scammed when they approach ICA to verify the authenticity of the IPA letters, ICA said.

At least 31 cases have been reported since January 2026, with losses amounting to at least S$400,000.

Advisory

ICA said they do not endorse services from commercial entities or consultants who claim to be able to help applicants improve their chances of obtaining long-term immigration facilities such as Singapore PR.

Members of the public are strongly encouraged to submit applications directly to ICA through their website.

Those who require assistance or wish for verification may contact ICA through their feedback form, or speak with their call agents at 6391 6100.

The authorities also reminded the public that Singapore government officials will not ask anyone to transfer or hand over money, luxury watches, gold or cryptocurrency, borrow from licensed moneylenders, share banking log-in details, install mobile apps from unverified app stores, or transfer calls to the police or other government officials.

"Do not trust unsolicited communications, even if the caller appears to have your personal information," the authorities said.

Members of the public are advised to take necessary precautions against scams.

These days, perhaps you might be feeling worried about whether your job might last amidst the changes wrought by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Maybe there are times when you have wondered about how you can stay relevant or whether you should even prepare to switch to a completely different industry.

You wouldn’t be alone in feeling such anxiety.

According to the human resources solutions firm, ADP, its People At Work 2026 report found that only 15 per cent of Singaporeans feel confident that their jobs are safe.

The Senior Vice President of ADP, Jessica Zhang noted:

“AI is reshaping work at the task level, creating new job categories while transforming existing ones. The findings highlight a clear gap between actual employment conditions and how secure workers feel about their future.”

Similar sentiments were found by NTUC in their 2026 Survey on Economic Sentiments.

Here, nearly 30 per cent of their respondents felt anxious that AI would replace their current job or role.

In addition, nearly half of the respondents to the NTUC survey (47 per cent) recognised the need to upskill in the face of AI’s impact on job opportunities.

Perhaps you might have a manager or boss who has been pushing you to incorporate AI into your work but you feel unsure how to.

Or you might be thinking of picking up a skill in a new field that you are keen to switch to, such as livestreaming, but are unsure how to go about it.

What can I do?

First, it might help to think about what you want to achieve.

Maybe you want to get better at using AI in your current job, or there’s a skill you have always wanted to pick up. Or perhaps you are seriously considering moving into a different field and need proper, structured training to make it possible.

The good news is that upskilling is not necessarily the same for everyone. It can range from a one or two-day course to a longer programme designed to prepare you for a career transition.

Many institutions around Singapore, such as Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), now offer a plethora of courses to help you out.

Many of these courses are also eligible for SkillsFuture support, such as the opening S$500 SkillsFuture Credit given to all Singaporeans aged 25 and above.

There’s also the S$4,000 SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) top-up for Singaporeans aged 40 and above, which applies to many of NYP’s courses, including all of their full qualification courses.

Oh and just in case you forgot, none of these credits will expire.

That’s not all, however.

For learners who enrol in courses under NYP’s SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP), they are also eligible to receive up to S$3,000 per month in training allowance, based on 50 per cent of their average income over the past 12 months.

For selected part-time, long-form training courses, there’s also a flat rate of S$300 per month in training allowance.

So, what could you pick up? Here are some courses to consider.

Apply Generative Artificial Intelligence for your industry

If you have been using AI to help you solve specific problems or answer questions at work, this is the course for you.

Here, participants will learn how to use generative AI tools to automate tasks, implement Agentic AI solutions, improve product design and generate new ideas, so that you can better address problems in your specific industry.

The course will be conducted over a span of two days and will involve practical examples and hands-on projects.

Business Applications of Generative AI

Already been using AI at work for a bit but feel your approach has largely been self-driven and experimental?

This one-day course will teach you skills in crafting better prompts to help you achieve a host of tasks such as improving business writing, automating post-meeting follow-ups, refining project plans and streamlining content generation.

Participants will also learn how to generate texts, visuals and videos to help communicate better both internally and externally.

(SCTP) Certificate in Digital Transformation with Cloud and AI

If you are looking at making a career switch to an IT or tech role, this course could be right up your alley as it introduces how AI can be applied alongside Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud technologies.

You will learn the fundamentals of cloud computing and Linux, develop practical troubleshooting skills for common cloud infrastructure scenarios, and explore how AI can be used to support and automate selected system administration tasks.

The course also introduces ways AI can help improve operational efficiency.

This includes 300 hours of learning how to design and implement scalable, secure and optimised cloud solutions.

Live Streaming: Boost Your E-Commerce Sales

Have you wondered how celebrities such as Joanne Peh and Chen Hanwei have made the switch to livestreaming? Perhaps you are interested in trying it out as well to boost your own business but are unsure how to start?

You can take your first steps in finding out how the business of livestreaming works with this course.

Over the span of two days, you will learn how to make use of livestreaming to boost customer interaction and business growth.

You will be taught how to apply trend evaluation and application to ensure your livestreams stay relevant and engaging, and develop strategies to influence viewer behaviour and increase conversion rates.

You will also learn how to master content creation and social media management to increase your engagements with customers and maximise the impact of your livestreams.

Diploma in Creative Media

Keen to make a career switch to a content and branding role instead? This course will teach you how to tell well-researched compelling stories as part of branding and communication strategies.

Under this course, you will learn how to turn complex data into engaging visual narratives, such as digital illustrations and infographics to communicate and foster emotional connections with target audiences.

Apart from mastering creative software to produce contemporary illustrations and data visualisations, you will also be taught content creation with Generative AI.

A range of courses from beginner to more advanced levels

These are just some of the courses available under NYP; as you would also have noticed, the courses also range across different levels, from teaching the basics in just a few days to more in-depth programmes over the span of a few months.

Other courses you can consider include:

• (SCTP) Certificate in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• (SCTP) Kitchen Operations Specialist (Culinary Arts)
• HR Accelerator: AI, Analytics & Engagement Design
• You x AI Agent - Multiplying Your Potential in the Age of AI
• Building Resilience for Workplace Success
• Mobile Photography: Inspiring the Human Connection
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): What You Need to Know
• Hands-On 3D Printing & Modelling

No one can know exactly how their job will change in the next few years. Plus, the challenge is not simply learning a new skill. It is finding training that fits your career goals, schedule and stage of life.

But staying open to learning gives you more options, whether it be adapting to new skills in your current role, exploring a new interest or preparing for a bigger career move.

Whether you want to learn how to use AI more effectively at work, develop in-demand digital skills or prepare for a career transition, at NYP, there is a range of industry-relevant courses designed with working adults in mind.

From short courses that can be completed in a few days to structured programmes that support mid-career transitions, learners can choose pathways that match their needs while tapping on SkillsFuture funding support.

If you're thinking about what your next skill could be, you can explore NYP's range of courses here.

This branded article made the author seriously consider signing up for one of the courses on AI.

A 62-year-old man who ran a red light and struck a pregnant woman, dragging her along the road, has been sentenced to 13 months' jail.

The woman, who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time, suffered fractures to her ribs, wrist, spine and pelvis and was hospitalised for almost two months, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Chen Zhiguang (transliteration) pleaded guilty on Aug. 28 to one charge of dangerous driving.

He was sentenced on Sep. 24.

He was also disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licences for 10 years.

The judge granted Chen’s request to defer the start of his sentence until Sep. 28.

What happened

The accident took place at around 2:23pm on Jul. 31, 2025, along Upper Changi Road East towards Upper Changi Road North, Shin Min reported.

Chen was travelling in the third lane and was approaching a pedestrian crossing.

According to the prosecution, Chen had at least three seconds to notice that the traffic light had turned red and stop his vehicle.

However, despite having sufficient time to react, he did not stop or slow down.

His vehicle subsequently struck the woman, who was crossing the road at the time, causing her to fall forward.

She was then dragged along the road by the vehicle.

She was subsequently taken to Changi General Hospital for emergency treatment.

The woman suffered multiple fractures, including to her ribs, left wrist, spine and pelvis.

She was hospitalised for 59 days.

The woman also suffered an injury to her left renal artery, bruises to her scalp, a cut to her left knee, and a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

She underwent surgery after being admitted to hospital and was transferred to Singapore General Hospital the following day for further treatment.

Chen was arrested at about 5pm on the day of the accident and released on bail at 2:33am the following day.

Baby was delivered safely

According to Shin Min, the court heard that the victim continued to have difficulty walking after she was discharged from the hospital.

She also found it particularly difficult to squat and continues to undergo regular physiotherapy.

Despite her injuries, she was able to carry the pregnancy to term and the baby was delivered safely.

Prosecution had sought up to 20 months' jail

The prosecution said Chen’s actions were not simply the result of a momentary lapse in judgment.

Although he did not deliberately run the red light, he had not been paying attention to the road at the time, the prosecution said.

It noted that Chen had at least three seconds to observe that the traffic light had turned red before reaching the crossing.

The victim was also within his line of sight at the time.

In view of the severity of the woman’s injuries and the fact that she was pregnant, the prosecution sought a jail term of between 16 and 20 months, as well as a 10-year disqualification from holding all classes of driving licences.

The prosecution also told the court that Chen had seven previous traffic offences, including speeding and driving against the flow of traffic.

For more than 16 years, Cik Zie, 66, and her husband have spent their nights feeding community cats in the neighbourhood.

Each evening, the couple begin preparing food for the cats at around 6pm, before starting their feeding rounds at about 10pm.

Their routine was documented in a video by Singapore fundraising platform The Give Collective, which followed the couple for one night.

Cik Zie said the feeding rounds typically take two hours or longer to complete.

Cats wait for them to arrive

The couple split up during their nightly rounds to cover different areas of the neighbourhood.

“Uncle will feed the other side, Damai side,” Cik Zie said in the video, referring to the Bedok Reservoir estate.

By the time she makes her rounds, some of the cats can already be seen waiting for her.

Cik Zie said some of the cats she encounters were apparently abandoned in the neighbourhood.

“When they get abandoned, they get dropped off here,” she said. “Because they know here got feeder.”

She has also given names to some of the cats she looks after, including Molly, Dylan and Stokin.

Up to S$1,600 a month on food

Caring for the cats does not come cheap.

Cik Zie estimated that she and her husband spend around S$1,500 to S$1,600 a month on cat food.

About 80 per cent of the cost comes out of their own pockets, she said, while the remaining 20 per cent is supported by cat groups, friends and neighbours.

The couple also receives assistance from animal welfare group LUNI Singapore.

Cik Zie also cooks around 2kg of chicken each day for the cats, saying wet food alone was not enough to fill them up.

'Actually, I don't really like cats'

Despite having cared for the neighbourhood cats for more than 16 years, Cik Zie revealed that she does not consider herself a cat lover.

“Actually, I don’t really like cats,” she said.

Her husband apparently feels the same way.

“My husband also don’t like cats,” she added.

Asked why they continued feeding the cats despite not particularly liking them, Cik Zie said she felt sorry for them.

“Pity them ah. One night, you don’t feed, you cannot sleep,” she said.

She recalled going downstairs to check on the cats and seeing them waiting to be fed.

“I cannot lah. Because not their fault also,” she said.

Cik Zie added that some of the cats had previously been kept as pets before they got abandoned, leaving them without a regular source of food.

Returns at 4am to clear plates

The couple's work does not end after the cats have been fed.

At around 4am, Cik Zie returns to collect the plates left behind after the feeding.

She explained that she tries to clear them before sunrise and before birds get to the remaining food, which could create a mess.

She said she reuses the plastic plates, while disposing of the paper and biodegradable ones to keep costs down.

Hopes volunteers can help once a week

Cik Zie said she would appreciate having volunteers occasionally help with her feeding rounds.

“If they wish to help me out right, one week, once, enough for me already,” she said, adding that she could provide the food.

She also takes sick cats to the vet, with LUNI helping to cover veterinary expenses for some of the cats.

The Give Collective encouraged viewers to support LUNI’s fundraiser here. For those looking to support Cik Zie directly with the cat food costs for the community cats under her care, you can do so here.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Give Collective | Crowdfunding Platform (@thegivecollectivesg)

A 20-year-old female police officer was killed in the line of duty when her vehicle collided with a tree.

Mia Lay was reportedly responding to a car theft in New South Wales, when the car crashed at about 1:30am (Australia time) on Sep. 25.

She was in the passenger seat and reportedly died on impact, according to ABC News.

The driver of the car, a 24-year-old male constable, was attended to by paramedics at the scene and taken to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.

Remembered by family and colleagues

Lay, a constable, had been in the force for 16 months.

She showed "exceptional promise” as a police officer, said New South Wales (NSW) police commissioner, Mal Lanyon, according to The Guardian.

“There is nothing I can easily say that takes the pain away, but please know that Mia was a loved police officer.”

Meanwhile, colleagues reportedly described Lay as an "angel" and that she was destined for a "wonderful career", and someone who loved her job as an officer.

In a social media post, the Police Association of NSW (PANSW) said they are "shocked" by the sudden death of Lay and expressed concern for the other officer in hospital.

They stated that they are supporting members and families and helping coordinate welfare services, adding that field organisers have been at the scene, the police station and the hospital since shortly after the crash.

Local authorities said a "critical incident" investigation is underway.

The crash investigation unit was present at the crash site to “examine every circumstance”, and the police will determine if the driver had been following protocol, Lanyon said.

The man who allegedly recorded female students from Raffles Institution (RI) with a pair of smart glasses was reportedly jailed thrice before for secretly filming and harassing female students.

The latest incident was said to have taken place in the vicinity of Marymount MRT station and Raffles Institution.

According to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, the man is believed to be 49-year-old Fong Poh Kuen.

Allegedly filmed female students

In a video of the recent incident circulated online, a man in a dark-coloured t-shirt and shorts was seen following two girls who appear to be wearing RI uniforms.

He is seen holding a mobile phone against his chest as he walked behind the girls.

When approached by the person filming the video, the man turned around while pressing the frame of his black-rimmed glasses and walked away in the opposite direction.

Though the man was wearing a mask in the video, some online noted that he bore a resemblance to a man who was accused of loitering outside schools several years ago, Zaobao reported.

That man had reportedly approached female students under the pretext of conducting surveys and secretly filmed them.

Commenters subsequently compared the man in the recent video with photographs of the accused, noting similarities in their glasses, age, and build.

Some also suggested that the man appeared to be using a similar tactic of approaching female students under the guise of conducting a survey.

Recalcitrant offender

According to a report by The Straits Times earlier in February 2026, Fong was convicted of harassment in 2019 and fined S$8,000.

Some four years later, he pleaded guilty to 13 charges, including nine counts of harassment, and was sentenced to 18 months' jail.

Court documents seen by Mothership showed that on one occasion in August 2024, Fong loitered at an overhead bridge outside a junior college and secretly took photographs of female students.

Nine days later after that incident, he took photographs of a 24-year-old woman at a local university.

The woman had previously seen Fong at the university taking photographs of women on two earlier occasions, as well as outside a girls' secondary school several years ago, when she was a student there.

The woman lodged a police report in September that year.

Police subsequently went to Fong's home and seized his phone.

A total of 647 photographs of girls and women, including the 24-year-old woman, were later recovered from the device.

Fong had not obtained their consent before taking the photographs.

However, there were no upskirt or nude photographs among them.

He was arrested in November 2024 and released on bail 15 days later.

In July 2025, Fong was again spotted taking photographs of women without their consent at another university.

In another incident in October that year, Fong approached a 17-year-old girl and asked her to take part in an "education" survey.

The girl felt uncomfortable following the encounter and searched online for information about Fong.

She then came across an article containing a photograph of him and recognised him as the man she had encountered.

The article alleged that Fong had approached people under the pretext of conducting surveys, and subsequently sent text messages to and stalked women.

The girl then informed her teacher, who subsequently lodged a police report.

Fong was arrested again in November 2025.

School deployed security personnel

In response to Zaobao's queries, RI principal Aaron Loh said the school is aware of the incident and takes a serious view on their students' safety and well-being.

He added that the school has since lodged a police report and deployed security personnel outside the school during dismissal times as an additional security measure.

"We will continue to take appropriate steps to ensure our students' safety," Loh said.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has identified a 32-year-old man who was filmed allegedly vaping during a roadshow in Waterway Point in Punggol on Aug. 30, 2026.

HSA posted an update on the incident on Instagram on Sep. 25.

What original video showed

According to a video put up on social media on Sep. 22, the man, who was seated, could be seen holding a device in his hand and putting it to his mouth.

The caption of the post alleged that the man was a car salesman.

The location was at the level one Village Square atrium.

The video was apparently taken at about 7:20pm.

The caption, supposedly submitted by the eyewitness, said the man was apparently vaping when there were "so many people around him walking about" and questioned why he thought he could go unnoticed while working.

The video also showed people in the background behind the man, and other members of the public walking around in the mall at the time.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's elder brother, Idrus Ibrahim, passed away on Sep. 24 at the age of 83.

Idrus died in his sleep at his home in Cherok Tok Kun, Bukit Mertajam, according to the New Straits Times (NST).

Anwar, who was on his way back to Malaysia after concluding a three-day working visit to China, shared the news of his brother's passing in a Facebook post.

Anwar regrets not being by brother's side

In his post, Anwar said he received the heartbreaking news while travelling home to Malaysia.

He said it was difficult to come to terms with the loss of someone with whom he had shared so many memories.

Anwar also expressed regret that he was unable to be by his brother's side during his final moments.

He thanked Idrus for his kindness over the years, saying the memories they shared would remain close to his heart.

Died in his sleep

Idrus's daughter, Aida Rafizah Idrus, 54, told NST that her father had not shown any unusual signs of illness before his death.

Idrus had suffered a heart attack the previous year but had since recovered, although his appetite had recently declined.

His legs had also become weaker, but he was still able to walk and take care of himself, she said.

"We really didn't expect it, didn't suspect it at all," Aida said.

She said Idrus had eaten a small amount of kiwi fruit and a dessert earlier that day before saying he wanted to rest.

Idrus then lay down to sleep and appeared to have been preparing to wake up for prayers, as he had placed his prayer sarong nearby.

Aida tried to wake him at around 5:30pm but found him unresponsive.

She said the medical team later told the family that Idrus had died of old age.

'The house in Cherok Tok Kun will never be the same'

In a subsequent Facebook post, Anwar reflected on the memories the family had shared at their Cherok Tok Kun home.

"The house in Cherok Tok Kun will never be the same again," he wrote.

Anwar said the house had witnessed the family's laughter and memories, as well as the hardships and good times they had experienced together.

He described Idrus as someone who was very close to him.

"Farewell, brother," Anwar wrote, adding that the loss of someone he had grown up with and shared much of his life with would not be easy.

In a third post, Anwar said he had returned to Cherok Tok Kun to join his extended family in bidding his brother a final farewell.

He thanked Idrus for the love and kindness he had shown the family throughout his life.

Leaves behind wife, 4 children & 10 grandchildren

Idrus was the second of eight siblings, according to NST.

He left behind his wife, 80-year-old Faridah Hanim Mohd Ghouse, four children and 10 grandchildren.