The Singapore Exchange (SGX) will be asking questions of seven Singapore-listed agriculture companies and their possible links to the forest fires in Indonesia that have caused haze in Singapore over the past weeks, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said at a doorstop on Oct. 19.

The seven companies are:

• Golden Agri Resources,
• Bumitama Agri,
• First Resources,
• Wilmar International Limited,
• Kencana Agri,
• Indofood Agri and,
• TSH Resources.

The government will look into Asia Pulp and Paper, which is incorporated in Singapore.

It will also be asking questions of First Borneo Plantations, which has ownership links to Singapore-incorporated companies, The Business Times reported.

Companies which are responsible for the fires "should not underestimate the Singapore government's determination to act", the minister said.

Whether they have a presence in Singapore or not, the government will use "every legal and regulatory lever at [its] disposal to exert pressure where it matters", including on their access to financing, Shanmugam warned.

Additionally, three more Indonesian companies have been issued with preventive measure notices by the National Environment Agency (NEA), bringing the total to 10.

Also at the doorstop was Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who delivered remarks in Mandarin.

Singapore to look into corporations and groups

On the Indonesian companies issued with prevention measure notices, Shanmugam said that the Attorney-General Chambers has advised that the companies may raise "some technical and legal issues".

"We will see. If we assess that the companies are not cooperating, we will see who they are linked to, either in Singapore or internationally, and we will see what further actions we can take," Shanmugam said.

Singapore will look past individual concession holders and investigate large corporations and persons which control them, the minister explained.

He named Singapore-incorporated Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) as an example.

Of the seven Indonesian companies named last week by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, three are pulpwood suppliers for APP.

The government will "drill into this further", SM Shanmugam said.

Owned by Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mars, APP incorporated in Singapore in 1994.

Statements not good enough: Shanmugam

Apart from APP, the minister also mentioned Singapore-listed agricultural companies First Resources and Bumitama Agri and said that some of the fires and smoke-sourced points seem to be associated with these companies.

He also mentioned privately-held First Borneo Plantations.

These companies were named in a Greenpeace report as parties responsible for haze-causing fires in Indonesia.

"We will be asking more questions of these companies," the minister said.

While companies such as First Resources have issued a statement on its zero-burning policy, Shanmugam said that such statements are "not good enough".

He said:

"Show us the evidence. Where did the fires start? Who owns those lands? Can they identify who started fires? What exactly did they do to stop the fires? Did the fires conveniently only burn down old trees, or did the fires also burn productive trees? We will ask for the full facts, and we will act based on the facts."

Companies cannot play "hide-and-seek" with corporate structures or escape responsibility simply because their actions take place across national borders, he warned.

Legal and regulatory levers to exert pressure

Shanmugam gave examples of the kinds of legal, regulatory and economic measures that Singapore could take against companies found responsible.

Shanmugam said that the SGX has also asked the seven aforementioned SGX-listed companies about their operations and possible linkages to the haze.

The Singapore Exchange Regulation said in a Oct. 16 statement that it has engaged listed issuers with agricultural operations and plantations in Indonesia to seek information on their operations.

If these companies have a potential connection to haze-causing fires in Indonesia, Shanmugam said that banks would then have to consider the risks arising from environmental and legal issues.

Shanmugam said that the banks have asked these companies several questions.

As the regulator, the Monetary Authority of Singapore also has "supervisory jurisdiction" over the banks to ensure they "manage their risks properly", he added.

Additionally, the government will examine if companies linked to the haze are enjoying benefits in Singapore, such as government grants or incentives.

"These benefits are contingent on lawful and responsible conduct — so we will need to see if they still meet the bar."

Will amend legislation if necessary to ensure cooperation: Shanmugam

Some companies may try to deny responsibility, think it is hard for Singapore to get evidence or that they can "escape scrutiny".

However, Shanmugam warned that they should not underestimate the Singapore government's determination to act.

Singapore will use "every legal and regulatory lever" at its disposal to "exert pressure" on the companies "where it matters", such as on their bottom lines, through their access to financing and standing with investors.

Shanmugam emphasised that such pressure will be sustained even after the haze passes, and that companies cannot "simply wait things out".

"If necessary, we will amend current legislation or introduce new laws on an urgent basis to ensure further cooperation," the minister shared.

Adding to his warning, Shanmugam said that companies responsible for the haze should be "under no illusion" that they can just wait for the haze to clear and return to business as usual.

"We will pursue this matter for as long as it takes."

Singapore's and Indonesia's interests aligned

At the doorstop, Shanmugam was asked about his thoughts on experts who opined that Singapore's decision to pursue legal actions against errant companies could bring about diplomatic implications.

He replied: "What do these experts think we are supposed to do? Shiver in our shoes before we take any legal action to protect our own people? That's not the Singapore approach."

He also commented that there should not be any bilateral issues with Indonesia, owing to aligned interests.

"The Indonesian public is suffering as well, and it is in Indonesia's interest as much as ours to deal with the companies that are causing these problems," the minister remarked.

He added that Singapore's actions against errant companies are in line with those announced by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and hoped for Indonesia's "full cooperation" in going after the companies responsible.

It is "disappointing" that an Indonesian official said Singapore's oxygen comes from Indonesia's forests, especially against the backdrop of the current haze crisis in the region, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said on Oct. 19.

He was referring to remarks made by Syahganda Nainggolan, head of Indonesia's Government Communications Agency, who said Indonesia's forests send oxygen to Singapore and Malaysia when there is no haze.

"We're not just sending over the haze. When there's no haze, we send oxygen. The oxygen from Singapore and Malaysia is from our forests, right?"

Syahganda also described the fires as "beyond human error" and a natural phenomenon.

Separately, SM Shanmugam also praised the efforts taken by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to solve the haze problem.

"Not right" for the official to make such a remark

During a media doorstop, SM Shanmugam acknowledged the impact of the current haze crisis on the health of Singaporeans.

"The haze is affecting our health seriously. Senior citizens, young children, those with illnesses particularly, but everyone else too, and it is really unacceptable."

As such, it was "disappointing" that Syahganda had made such a comment, he said.

"Frankly, it is not right to say this when this entire region is suffering as a result of the bad behaviour of companies breaching regulations in Indonesia, and the people suffering the most are Indonesians themselves," SM Shanmugam said.

However, he added that Syahganda's view does not reflect that of the wider Indonesian government or public.

Shanmugam added that it must be made clear where the responsibility for the haze lies.

"I have previously spoken about the haze situation in 2013, and again in 2015," he said. "I said this was not simply an act of nature, but a problem driven by companies pursuing profits."

Appreciative of Prabowo's efforts

Separately, SM Shanmugam said he appreciated the steps taken by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his administration to tackle the haze problem.

He noted that Prabowo had removed the head of the agency overseeing firefighting and disaster relief, and appointed a new one.

He added that Prabowo had personally expressed commitment to tackling the problem, as well as put in place directives prohibiting slash-and-burn practices on peatland.

The Indonesian president has also said he wants to prioritise fire prevention as a long-term solution, SM Shanmugam said.

"Some of these steps are quite unprecedented," he said. "They show what President Prabowo and his Administration's approach and thinking are."

Singapore welcomes Prabowo's approval of foreign assistance

He added that Singapore also welcomes President Prabowo's approval of foreign assistance to combat the fires.

"We, Singapore, have offered our assistance, and we will do our part to support," he said.

Earlier on Oct. 10, Environment Minister Grace Fu acknowledged that the current El Nino is producing "very dry weather" in the region, which makes forest fires a lot harder to put out.

She said Singapore is aware of Indonesia's efforts to do that, and "stand ready to assist" wherever they can.

The driver of a Singapore-registered car apparently got punched in Johor Bahru, Malaysia during a confrontation with a lorry passenger.

The incident took place along Jalan Sutera on Oct. 17 at around 4:10pm.

The car driver had apparently stopped to confront the occupants of a lorry after an object was allegedly thrown at the car.

Footage of the incident was shared to the SG Road Vigilante (SGRV) Facebook page.

Car allegedly crossed double white lines

The post alleged that the white MG car, which displayed a probationary “P” plate, had driven across double white lines.

According to Lianhe Zaobao, the car made a U-turn from the opposite direction and cut in front of a Malaysia-registered lorry in the slow-moving right lane.

Part of the car briefly obstructed traffic on the left lane.

A man in the passenger seat then wound down the window and threw an object resembling tape towards the car, apparently upset at the driver for cutting in.

Conflict got violent

The car subsequently stopped.

As the vehicles drew closer, the lorry passenger gestured towards the car driver.

When the car driver opened the door, the lorry passenger got out and approached the car.

The lorry passenger threw at least two punches that appeared to have made contact with the car driver as the vehicle's window was down.

The lorry passenger then hit the vehicle with his fist and damaged the right side mirror.

Reactions

The video drew mixed reactions from online commenters.

Some said the acts of violence were unwarranted, while others cautioned drivers from Singapore to be more deferential when travelling overseas.

This is especially so if they do not know the local environment and driving rules and etiquette well.

Others said the driver of the Singapore car could have been more apologetic in such a situation, given that they were causing an inconvenience to other road users.

Singapore will add three viral haemorrhagic fevers to its list of prescribed infectious diseases from Oct. 31, 2026.

The three are Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Lassa fever and Marburg virus disease (MVD).

The change follows recent amendments to the Infectious Diseases Act and regulations in Sep. 30.

Doctors and laboratories required to report cases

From Oct. 31, doctors who suspect that a patient has any of the three diseases, as well as laboratories that detect them, will be required to notify the Director-General of Health under the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA).

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) told The Straits Times that it has already been monitoring the three diseases, which can cause severe illness and spread between people.

CDA said the additions were meant to “strengthen our overall surveillance and preparedness efforts.”

The agency said Singapore's risk level from the three diseases remains low.

According to ST, CDA said the reporting requirement would help authorities detect cases early and respond promptly through measures such as isolation and contact tracing.

Also classified as ‘dangerous infectious diseases’

The three diseases will also be added to the Infectious Diseases Act's list of “dangerous infectious diseases”, bringing the total to eight.

The five diseases currently on the list are Ebola disease, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection (MERS-CoV), plague, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and yellow fever.

CDA will also include CCHF, Lassa fever and MVD in its weekly infectious diseases bulletin from November, ST reported.

How do the 3 diseases spread?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CCHF is primarily transmitted through tick bites or contact with infected livestock.

It can also spread through contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.

Lassa fever is mainly transmitted through food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces from infected rodents.

MVD can spread from infected fruit bats to humans, and subsequently between people through contact with infected bodily fluids.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are currently no approved specific treatments or widely available vaccines for the three diseases.

However, vaccines for Lassa fever and MVD are under development.

Indonesia has dropped 2.4 tonnes (2,400kg) of dry ice as a solution to get rid of the haze from forest fires.

The "weather modification" operation on Oct. 15 and 16 saw dry ice deployed from a plane over South Sumatra province on Sumatra island in the area around Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II International Airport in Palembang, The Guardian reported.

Thick haze had disrupted flights.

National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre oversaw the operation, according to state news agency Antara.

Visibility at the airport reportedly improved from 1,000m to as much as 3,000m during the operation.

Effectiveness of dry ice

However, it was not known if the improvement was caused by the dry ice or other weather factors.

In theory, dry ice, which is frozen solid carbon dioxide, could weaken atmospheric conditions that trap smoke near the ground, potentially allowing it to rise and improve visibility.

South Sumatra was the first Indonesian province selected to test the dry-ice technique.

It was carried out on the direct instructions of President Prabowo Subianto to accelerate efforts to mitigate the impact of the fires, it was reported.

The area is among six provinces prioritised by Indonesia for forest and land fire prevention and response.

The other areas are Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.

Other methods to combat fires

Another method to fight fires and smoke is to use a suppressant made from cassava flour and a Portuguese powder, Realiza Antichamas.

The fire-suppressing gel forms when mixed with water and apparently does not harm wildlife or kill plants.

But the gel might not stop fires occurring deep underground.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has sent additional preventive measure notices under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) to an additional three companies in Indonesia, the agency said in a media release on Oct. 19.

This follows indications that smoke from fires in Kalimantan on lands held via concessions under these three companies in Indonesia could have moved to Singapore.

The three companies are:

1. PT Buana Megatama Jaya,
2. PT Mananjung Hayak, and
3. PT Baratama Putra Perkasa.

Earlier on Oct. 16, Environment Minister Grace Fu announced that notices would be sent out to seven companies in Indonesia, after investigations have suggested that some of the haze experienced in Singapore originated from fires on their lands.

According to NEA, the notices will require the companies to:

1. Deploy fire-fighting personnel to extinguish or prevent the spread of any fire on land owned or occupied by them;
2. Discontinue, or not commence, any burning activities on such land; and
3. Submit to NEA any plan of action to extinguish any fire on such land or to prevent its recurrence.

NEA said it remains committed to taking enforcement action against errant companies found responsible for causing transboundary haze in Singapore.

The seven companies previously identified on Oct. 16 are:

• PT Bumi Andalas Permai,
• PT Bumi Mekar Hijau,
• PT Paramitra Mulia Langgeng,
• PT Sumatera Alam Anugerah,
• PT SBA Wood Industries,
• PT Hutan Lestari Raya, and
• PT Bangkanesia.

Three of them — PT Bumi Andalas Permai, PT Bumi Mekar Hijau and PT SBA Wood Industries — were similarly served preventive measure notices in 2015.

Employers that have performed well are encouraged to give lower-wage workers earning up to S$2,800 a month wage increases of six to eight per cent, or at least S$135 to S$170, whichever is higher, under the National Wages Council's (NWC) latest guidelines.

The guidelines, announced on Oct. 19, cover the period from Dec. 1, 2026, to Nov. 30, 2027.

The NWC said this year's guidelines adopt a "positive-leaning approach" to wage increases, following Singapore's stronger-than-expected economic performance.

However, it acknowledged that economic growth has been uneven across sectors and firms, with some employers facing financial constraints.

The government has accepted the guidelines.

Higher wage increases for lower-wage workers

The recommended built-in wage increase of six to eight per cent is the highest since quantitative wage guidelines for lower-wage workers were introduced in 2021, according to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

The recommendations apply to workers earning a gross monthly wage of up to S$2,800.

Under the guidelines, employers can adjust wage increases according to their business performance and prospects.

• Employers that have performed well and have positive business prospects: A built-in wage increase at the higher end of six to eight per cent, or at least S$135 to S$170, whichever is higher.
• Employers that have performed well but face uncertain business prospects: A built-in wage increase around the middle of six to eight per cent, or at least S$135 to S$170, whichever is higher.
• Employers that have not performed well but remain profitable: A built-in wage increase at the lower end of six to eight per cent, or at least S$120, whichever is higher.
• Employers that have not performed well and are unprofitable: A built-in wage increase of at least S$120.

Employers that have performed particularly well should consider giving wage increases above the recommended levels.

Just over a quarter of employers met NWC wage recommendations

Speaking at a press conference to announce the guidelines, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Stanley Loh said slightly more than a quarter of employers met last year's wage recommendations for lower-wage workers.

The adoption rate had previously exceeded 70 per cent when the recommendations covered a smaller group of lower-wage workers.

However, the rate subsequently fell after the guidelines were expanded in 2021 to cover more workers, alongside higher recommended wage increases.

This did not mean that employers who failed to meet the guidelines had not given their workers pay raises. More than 60 per cent of these employers had still raised wages in the previous year, although the increases fell short of the recommended levels.

Existing wage schemes cover up to nine in 10 lower-wage workers

According to MOM, up to nine in 10 full-time lower-wage workers benefit from the schemes such as the Progressive Wage Model (PWM), the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS), and the Progressive Wage Mark accreditation scheme.

During the Q&A segment of the press conference, Loh explained that the PWM and LQS set mandatory wage requirements for employers covered by the respective schemes, while the NWC guidelines recommend annual wage increases.

Loh said some lower-wage workers may not be covered by the PWM or LQS, such as those working for small businesses that do not hire foreign workers and are outside PWM-covered sectors.

The NWC guidelines aim to encourage these employers to raise wages as well, based on their business performance and financial circumstances.

The government will also continue supporting wage increases for eligible lower-wage workers through the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme, which has been extended to 2028.

Employers encouraged to give fair wage increases

Beyond lower-wage workers, the NWC also encouraged employers to adopt a positive-leaning approach to wage increases for their employees.

Employers that have performed well and have positive business prospects should reward workers through built-in wage increases and variable payments, such as bonuses, in line with business performance and employees' contributions.

Companies that have performed well but face uncertain prospects may moderate built-in wage increases while providing variable payments.

Meanwhile, employers that have not performed well may exercise wage restraint, with management leading by example.

The NWC said wage increases should remain aligned with productivity growth to ensure they are sustainable.

According to advance estimates, Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by six per cent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2026.

Labour productivity also rose by 3.8 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026.

However, growth was uneven across sectors, with strong global demand for AI-related products benefiting electronics and precision engineering, while the food and beverage services sector contracted.

Greater emphasis on AI skills and training

The NWC also urged employers to invest in workforce training and job redesign as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms workplaces.

Employers were encouraged to adopt AI responsibly and invest in workforce development, while workers were urged to build AI-related skills and continue upskilling.

NTUC president K Thanaletchimi also called on employers to provide protected training time so workers can attend courses without relying solely on their personal time.

In 2005, Janet Jothi encountered a Sri Lankan mother and her daughter stranded at Changi Airport.

The young child was in tears, and Janet would soon find out that the pair had encountered difficulties with their hotel accommodation during their stay in Singapore and were unsure where to turn to for help.

The woman spoke only Sinhalese, a language no one in the airport at the time was fluent in.

Then an airport duty supervisor under Cathay Pacific, Janet leapt into action.

Using a combination of sign language and Google Translate, she did her best to communicate with the pair until a translator arrived.

The pair had only about S$20 remaining and were unable to afford another place to stay before their flight back to Colombo in two days.

In response, Janet decided to invite the mother and daughter to stay in her own home for the next 48 hours, covering their food and transport costs in the meantime.

The story of Janet’s extraordinary service soon earned her the Outstanding Service Provider Gold Award 2005.

It wasn’t Janet’s first rodeo, though – and neither would it be her last.

As Cathay marks its 80th anniversary in 2026, Mothership spoke to Janet about her own 26-year journey with the airline, from airport services and cabin crew operations to her current role helping to lead and mentor a team of around 70 cabin crew members.

While her responsibilities have evolved over the years, one thing has remained constant: aviation might be guided by strict procedures and standards, but understanding people’s needs and going the extra mile to meet them is the heart of her work.

The early years

The first time Janet saw a group of impeccably dressed Cathay Pacific ground staff striding around Changi Airport, she remembered wondering what their job was with so much walking required.

But the iconic red uniform was also the first thing that attracted her to the airline.

In 2000, Janet joined Cathay Pacific’s airport services team in Singapore.

It was her first full-time job, fresh out of school, and she was assigned to man the airline’s check-in counters.

Since then, Janet, 49, has spent 26 years at the company and has taken on a range of roles.

She has worked on the frontline in airport services, briefly did a stint as a stewardess herself, and now mentors a team of about 70 cabin crew members.

Other roles have included filling in load sheets, being a ramp coordinator, going into Human Resource (HR) and cargo as well.

But supporting passengers was the part she seemed to remember the most — perhaps because it came with its own particular demands.

In fact, Janet admitted with a laugh that during her first few months, difficult interactions with passengers would sometimes leave her overwhelmed. “I would go to the toilet to cry,” she admitted wryly.

Choosing coffee over confrontation

The early years came with a steep learning curve.

In one instance, after a particularly tense interaction with a customer, Janet chose to respond with empathy and composure, even treating him to coffee as a gesture of goodwill.

It worked, and the passenger returned 30 minutes later with a change of heart.

The pair parted ways on friendly terms. Before long, he was asking for Janet, or “JJ,” as she’s affectionately known to her regular passengers , whenever he passed through the airport.

It was one of her memorable encounters during her years in airport services.

Once, she, alongside a colleague, assisted an American passenger from San Francisco whose wife had fallen ill in Singapore.

Throughout the woman’s five days of hospitalisation, Janet visited her daily with food and drinks.

She stayed in touch with the couple and assisted in arranging their return journey to San Francisco.

As an airport service crew member, she had a knack for building relationships with her passengers.

Many of those who crossed her path became friendly faces who would seek her out whenever they passed through, often just to say hi. Her dedication did not go unnoticed.

In 2002, Janet, then a customer service officer, was presented with a silver award at the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s (CAAS) Service Personality and Outstanding Service Providers Award by then-Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong.

Cathay Pacific was then the only airline represented among the 26 recipients.

In those years, she also picked up a collection of accolades, including the Cathay Pacific Airports Worldwide Staff of the Year Award in 2002, the Cathay Pacific Service Excellence Award in 2004, 2005 and 2007, the CAAS Outstanding Service Provider Gold Award in 2005, and the Betsy Award in 2009 and 2010, the highest accolade given to Cathay Pacific staff in recognition of their people and service excellence.

The cabin crew years

Later, an opportunity came to transition into being a cabin crew. Janet took it, wanting to “know all of it”.

While her stint ended after two years, when she decided to settle down and get married, the experience gave her insights into the work of cabin crew – something that has come in handy since assuming her latest role as an assistant cabin crew base manager.

Unlike caring for passengers, which often involves helping them in the moment, supporting cabin crew in their growth is a journey that unfolds over a much longer period of time.

“Every day you see them, you get the opportunity to motivate and grow them. It's not just a matter of coming for the flight and then saying “okay bye, take care, see you”, and then off they go,” Janet explained. Instead, she tries to mentor each cabin crew member to take on bigger responsibilities.

A lot of Janet’s work involves supporting and mentoring her cabin crew, helping them to navigate the demands of their work and build connections with customers and colleagues.

Her days start at 8am, which is typically the time cabin crew members gather for a pre-flight briefing that covers safety/service topics and any latest updates.

It is not just work-related conversations that the cabin crew have with Janet during this time before she sends them through immigration. Some have also sought her advice on personal matters as well – a reflection of the trust they have built with her over the years

After that, she spends the day working in the office until the next wave of cabin crew arrives. Then the routine repeats itself.

A relationship based on mutual respect

Over the years, Janet has come to realise that supporting the cabin crew requires a different approach from serving passengers directly.

When asked about what she has learnt about managing cabin crew over the years, Janet laughed and mentioned that communication styles have shifted and evolved, and that she, too, has had to learn to adapt over the years.

Much of her role today centres on communication, trust and helping her team understand the bigger picture.

For Janet, that means making communication a two-way conversation. Janet added that while she will always raise what she wants to say, and remain clear about operational requirements, she would also ask her team to share their perspectives and consider how they would approach a situation in her position.

“We have an open kind of communication. It's not about whether what you say is right or wrong. I want to understand their perspective, and I also want them to understand where I’m coming from,” she said of her communication approach.

More importantly, their working relationship is one grounded in mutual respect. “It doesn’t mean (just because) I’m a manager, then everybody (must give respect). It’s not that way,” she added.

Still, her team knows she means what she says.

It’s all about the people

One way or another, Janet’s work has always been people-centric: from serving passengers to mentoring her team.

But it’s precisely this factor that has kept her in the line for so long as it has allowed her to discover her love for service.

Each role has also given her a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by different teams across the organisation.

She said, “Much of that enjoyment comes from getting to understand people better and helping them navigate their own challenges.”

Mentoring others remains one of the most rewarding aspects of Janet’s role. Through it, she has learnt one lesson that continues to shape how she leads today: not judging people before taking the time to understand them. “It’s easy to make an assumption as to why someone from another team is taking longer to reply to an email, or why something is done in a certain way.

As I got to experience these roles myself, I began to understand the different challenges that everyone faces, and this has allowed me to become a more empathetic leader today.”

She was inspired by her own leader, a general manager who, throughout her career, took the time to offer her guidance and support at pivotal moments, including stepping in during a rocky interaction with a difficult passenger and managing the situation with poise.

She also credited her manager with seeing her potential and encouraging her to become a cabin crew member.

The experience showed her that “the people at Cathay truly care about one another”.

Janet’s grown as a person too, becoming more confident and patient over the years, though she laughed that age probably played a part as well.

Reflecting on the past 26 years, Janet said that one of the most important lessons she has learnt is the value of understanding people.

As Cathay celebrates its 80th anniversary, Janet's journey reflects the relationships, acts of kindness and moments of mentorship that have shaped both her career and the people around her.

This branded article by Cathay Pacific made this writer appreciate service staff much more.

The son of the 77-year-old woman who died after being hit by a minibus and dragged for 1.5km said she must have been in "great pain" at the time.

The woman was found along the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on Oct. 16 and pronounced dead at the scene.

The police later said the woman had been involved in a prior hit-and-run with a minibus at the junction of Jurong West Street 61 and Jurong West Avenue 4.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the woman had rolled under the minibus and was dragged along the road for over 1.5km.

A 66-year-old male driver has been arrested for driving without due care and attention, causing death.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Healthy and working

Speaking to Shin Min at his mother’s funeral, her son, surnamed Huang (transliteration), said that despite her age, she remained clear-headed and insisted on going to work as a cleaner every day.

Huang recalled returning home that morning and not seeing his mother, but thought little of it as she usually left for work in the morning.

He only realised the seriousness of the situation when police called to inform him that his mother had died in an accident on the expressway.

He immediately drove down to the scene.

“I immediately felt that my mother couldn’t have run onto the expressway on her own. Later, after confirming with the police, I learned that my mother was hit downstairs and dragged all the way to the expressway 1.5km away,” he told Shin Min.

Police later told him that his mother had been hit and dragged by a minibus whose driver fled the scene.

Huang, his parents’ only son, said the family was heartbroken by what happened.

“It’s one thing to be in a car accident, but my mother was dragged so far after being hit. I saw that my mother’s condition was very bad at the end. She was trapped under the car and must have been in a lot of pain and felt helpless.”

Unclear what happened

Huang said it remains unclear how the accident happened, why his mother was trapped under the vehicle, and why the driver did not stop, Shin Min reported.

The driver has yet to contact the family, Huang added.

While Huang has mixed feelings about forgiveness, he said the family would not stop the driver from paying his respects to his mother at the funeral hall.

However, they are concerned his presence could upset relatives and friends.

Mountbatten Member of Parliament (MP) Gho Sze Kee recently paid a visit to the family of her Town Council contractor’s cleaning supervisor, who had travelled to Singapore from Bangladesh.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 17, Gho shared that the estate had become “noticeably cleaner” since the Town Council switched contractors about six months ago.

She credited the cleaning supervisor for his hard work despite the occasional dressing-down over negative feedback.

"But he is an earnest and hardworking chap, and he takes my haranguing like a trooper. He is conscientious and gets things sorted out as quickly as he can," she wrote.

She added that she appreciates the work that he and his colleagues are doing, saying that some of the residents have taken to him as well.

Visited family

When Goh heard that his wife and daughter came from Bangladesh for a visit, she dropped by his hostel to say hello.

"Aunty Sze Kee bought some gifts for his baby girl too," she said.

"Their family reunion is a joy to see. It is not an easy thing to leave behind your loved ones to labour in a foreign land, something unknown to most of us here in Singapore."

She also asked for understanding for the people working to keep the estate clean, saying that they "cannot be everywhere all at once, and sometimes things may fall short."

"There are real people behind the cleanliness of our estate. These men are here to build better lives for their loved ones back home. I think they are doing a good job so far," she wrote.