Singapore's tap water remains safe to drink even though rainwater collected during hazy conditions may contain higher levels of particles, said Environment Minister Grace Fu.

In an Instagram post on Oct. 24, Fu said she visited national water agency PUB's Water Quality Lab to learn more about how the haze is affecting rainwater and whether drinking water is affected.

This comes after photos and videos circulating online showed rainwater collected in pails after a downpour on Oct. 15 appearing greyish and blackish.

Rainwater can pick up airborne particles

PUB collected four water samples on Oct. 17, when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) was 193: rainwater from Kranji, rainwater from Ulu Pandan, runoff from Yew Tee, and tap water.

The tests showed that rainwater collected during hazy conditions may be slightly more acidic and contain higher levels of particles and organic matter, Fu said.

This is because airborne particles and other substances can be picked up by rainwater as it falls.

However, the extent of discolouration depended on whether the rainwater was collected directly or from runoff.

Fu also stressed that rainwater should not be used for cooking, drinking or personal hygiene, even when collected in non-hazy conditions.

Tap water not affected

Water collected in reservoirs does not go straight to taps, Fu said.

Instead, it goes through several stages of treatment to remove particles and impurities.

"Our water treatment processes can filter our particles up to hundred times smaller than PM 2.5. So, rest assured that the PM 2.5 haze particles will be removed," she affirmed.

PUB has also stepped up checks on water quality during the haze, and the tests have not found anything unusual, she added.

"While the blackish water seems worrying, our tap water remains safe and clean to drink."

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Grace Fu (@gracefu.hy)

A family doctor from Taiwan has been unable to practise medicine after moving to Singapore to be with his family.

Hsu Cheng Yuan, 48, has yet to become a registered doctor in Singapore because he has not been able to secure a slot for the final stage of his assessment.

However, he has chosen to dedicate his time to caring for his two young children as a stay-at-home dad, while spending his remaining time volunteering at a local community hospital.

Moved to Singapore

Hsu's story was shared on YouTube channel Glimmer in Life, which is run by the Tzu-Chi Foundation in Singapore.

According to the nearly 13-minute documentary, he previously worked as an attending physician in the family medicine department of a public hospital in Taiwan.

Hsu's wife Maeda Momoe is now a doctor in Singapore after graduating from Duke-NUS Medical School.

The couple met in the U.S. when Momoe was a Duke-NUS student.

They were in a long-distance relationship before they got married and started a family.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Hsu and his children were separated from Momoe for another few years due to travel restrictions.

The family eventually reunited and settled down in Singapore.

Unable to become a registered doctor after years

While Hsu wanted to continue his passion and work as a registered doctor in Singapore, he faced an unexpected obstacle.

Hsu has passed the first and second stages, but has had difficulty getting a slot for the third one which is a clinical practical exam.

Quota for clinical practical exams are limited — Hsu said that he applied twice but was unsuccessful both times.

In the meantime, Hsu decided to shift his focus: to his young family, and to serving the local patients in a different way.

Stay-at-home dad

While his wife works, Hsu cares for his children by preparing meals and ferrying them to and from school.

He shared that he learnt a few recipes on YouTube, including a Taiwanese favourite, braised pork rice.

Despite his young age, Hsu's son shared in the video that he is aware his father moved from Taiwan to Singapore "because he missed his mum".

The boy also proudly showed the production team a "film" his father made using Lego bricks and toys.

In his spare time, Hsu continues to prepare for his exams but he feels that age is catching up with him.

"Mentally and physically, I just can't keep up like I did when I was younger," he said. "There were many times when I felt like giving up."

Mixed emotions

The halt to Hsu's career has not been easy for him to accept.

Having to give up the patients he had invested effort into in Taiwan, as well as watching former classmates climb the career ladder, created "a very complex mix of emotions" for him.

To Momoe, her husband's sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

"It was really not an easy decision for him to make," she acknowledged.

"Before, perhaps because he was a doctor...helping patients gave him a real sense of achievement.

But now that he's suddenly stopped working and is a stay-at-home dad, he sometimes wonders what on earth is he doing.

It's as if he can't quite find that sense of purpose."

Hsu shared that Momoe tried different ways to cheer him up, especially during a period when he felt constantly anxious.

One thing he fondly remembers her saying was, "Even housewives contribute to a country's GDP," he shared with a laugh.

Hsu considered continuing to practise in Taiwan on a part-time basis, but what keeps him going is simply the desire to spend more time with his children.

He said that he has two more years left to clear his third stage of assessment, which has a total timeframe of six years to complete.

Finding purpose through volunteering

Every two weeks on Wednesday, Hsu volunteers at Yishun Community Hospital.

His role mainly involves chatting with patients and caring for their needs where he can, but Hsu quipped that when he first started out, he found himself talking to patients like a doctor.

Particularly in the geriatric ward, a field of medicine that was once his specialty, he would check on elderly patients' conditions the way he used to.

"At first, I wasn't quite sure what to do. Even though I was still in a hospital ward, I'd suddenly taken on the role of a volunteer."

But Hsu soon learnt to look past seeing them as patients and simply as people, by simply chatting with and getting to know their interests better.

Volunteering has enabled him to "let go of much of the sense of self that I had built up in the past," Hsu said.

Other than volunteering in the hospital, he also values the opportunity to give health talks to local residents, particularly the elderly.

"I may not be using my skills as a doctor to make money, but I'm delighted to have this opportunity to put my expertise to good use and help people."

Singapore is now home to him, and he hopes to instil in his children the belief that difficulties can be overcome.

"Nothing is set in stone."

A tree at a courtyard outside Margaret Drive Hawker Centre in Queenstown caught fire in the evening of Oct. 22.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to the fire at about 6:50pm at Block 38A Margaret Drive.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

A video uploaded to TikTok showed flames on a branch of the tree in a courtyard outside the hawker centre.

A firefighter was seen standing on a staircase landing near the tree, trying to put out the fire with a hose reel and water jet.

Several passers-by were also seen taking photos and videos nearby.

UPDATE on Oct. 24, 5:42pm: This article was updated with a statement from MOM.

The Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC) has engaged 230 migrant workers from two companies over alleged unpaid salaries, according to a media statement dated Oct. 23.

The workers are from Process Maintenance Solutions Pte. Ltd. and Jurong Technical & Construction Pte. Ltd.

Close to 240 migrant workers went without pay for up to 2 months

Member of Parliament Desmond Choo shared in an Instagram post that close to 240 migrant workers in the process sector have gone without pay for up to two months.

In the statement, NTUC's Director of Migrant Workers Segment, Michael Lim, said it is aware of the unpaid salary claims and met the workers at its recreation centres on Oct. 19 and 20.

The aim was to understand their concerns and needs, including those relating to salary claims, food, housing and employment.

"We recognise that unpaid salaries can cause significant hardship for migrant workers, affecting their daily essentials and the families who depend on their income."

Lim said the MWC is helping the workers file claims for unpaid salaries, including overtime pay, with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM).

It will also support them through the Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund and is working with employment agency partners to explore suitable employment and transition assistance.

Job matching assistance and help with salary claims being provided

In his Instagram post, Choo said that along with MWC, the 230 workers also met the Ministry of Manpower's ACE Group on Oct. 19 and 20.

Close to 90 workers are receiving daily meals, and MWC is working with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to arrange centralised accommodation.

Job matching assistance is also being conducted to help the workers find suitable employment, and help is being provided with salary claims, including overtime pay, and financial assistance where needed.

Some workers paid up to S$12,000 to work in Singapore

Choo said almost all of the workers are sole breadwinners, and that every missed payday affects their families back home as well.

In a reel accompanying the post, an NTUC representative said many of the workers are from Bangladesh and came to work in Singapore's process sector.

Some arrived only in July. They paid as much as S$12,000 to come to Singapore and are still waiting to receive their salaries.

Workers who cannot find new jobs may have to return home, and they will receive more support in the coming weeks.

Employers urged to make timely salary payments

Lim urged employers to fulfil their obligations by making timely salary payments.

It encouraged migrant workers who are owed salaries or facing workplace issues to come forward early for guidance and assistance.

They can approach MWC via its 24-hour helpline at 6536 2692. The statement was attributed to Michael Lim, Director of the Migrant Workers Segment at NTUC.

Choo's post said workers deserve to be paid for their hard work, and urged people who know of a migrant worker facing salary issues to encourage them to call the helpline.

Investigations ongoing: MOM

In a statement, MOM said it is aware of the salary arrears involving migrant workers employed by the two companies.

MOM is working closely with MWC and the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management (TADM) to assist the affected workers with their salary claims and immediate needs, including accommodation and alternative employment arrangements.

MOM added that it takes a serious view of non-payment of salaries, and investigations into the companies are ongoing.

If breaches of employment laws are established, appropriate enforcement action will be taken.

The estranged father of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been embroiled in child pornography allegations.

Meghan has said she is "deeply distressed" over the allegations surrounding her father, Thomas Markle, and that she was informed of separate allegations about him in 2018.

Thomas, 82, denies the allegations, according to the BBC, The Sun and People. Authorities in the Philippines and the U.S. are looking into the matter, the BBC reported.

Material found in his Philippines home

The allegations were first reported by The Sun on Oct. 22.

Thomas' son and Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, 60, allegedly found material containing child sexual abuse at his father's former home in Cebu, the Philippines, and reported it to authorities there and in the U.S.

Thomas Jr. told The Sun that he had allegedly found four large boxes, which contained "hundreds, if not thousands" of child pornographic images.

He claimed to have found videos of girls no older than 10 or 11 years old engaged in sexual acts, as well as a 15-minute video of naked girls on his father's old phone.

The elder Markle told the Daily Mail on Oct. 23 that he could never do what he is being accused of.

He said he was shocked, hurt and very upset that his son was making these accusations.

Investigations underway by local police and FBI

A Philippine Department of Justice official told BBC that a task force on human trafficking and child sexual exploitation in Cebu is investigating the case.

The country's Interior Minister said police had secured Thomas' computer for forensic examination, with results expected in about a week.

The FBI said it is aware of the allegations and will support Philippine authorities. It added that it will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law.

London's Metropolitan Police Service is not investigating the elder Markle. The force is carrying out an internal inquiry into whether its royal protection unit passed the 2018 letter to Meghan, according to BBC.

Asked whether King Charles knew of the letter, Buckingham Palace declined to comment and said it was a matter for the Sussexes, People reported.

Kept her children away from father

In a statement shared with The Sun and People, Meghan said her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed.

She said a letter containing "troubling and disturbing" allegations about her father was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018.

It was later shared with her, and she was assured the allegations were being investigated.

She said the distance she kept from her father was to protect her children.

“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them."

She added that she trusted the authorities were doing the same for other families.

"The breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine," Meghan said, and reiterated that her priority was the safety and protection of innocent children.

Estranged from father since 2018

Meghan and her father have been estranged since the run-up to her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.

BBC reported that he was found to have accepted payment from photographers to stage pictures of himself preparing for the wedding.

He later pulled out of the ceremony, citing health problems, and Meghan was walked down the aisle by then-Prince of Wales, now King Charles III.

The letter was shared with Meghan after the wedding, according to The Sun. Sources close to the Sussexes said she could not speak publicly at the time, to avoid jeopardising any future investigation.

Thomas moved to the Philippines in 2025 after a series of strokes, according to BBC.

However, he is reportedly now residing in a rehabilitation centre in Florida after having a leg amputated in December 2025.

Indonesia will begin cutting natural gas exports to Singapore by 31 billion British thermal units per day (BBTUD) from Oct. 24, said SKK Migas chief Djoko Siswanto.

He made the announcement on Oct. 23, on the sidelines of an energy industry awards ceremony in Jakarta.

SKK Migas is Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator.

The announcement came just a day after Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia threatened to stop energy exports to countries that "disrespect" it, though he did not name any specific country or dispute.

Only Singapore affected by cuts

According to CNBC Indonesia, exports from Natuna would be reduced by 15 BBTUD, while another 16 BBTUD would be cut from supplies originating in Sumatra.

According to Djoko, only Singapore would be affected by the cuts, as the relevant export pipelines are connected directly to the island.

Plans to trim gas exports to Singapore are not new.

Indonesia has long planned to scale back gas exports to Singapore for several years as domestic demand grows, The Straits Times (ST) reported.

Jakarta agreed in 2022 to extend supplies to 2028, albeit at lower volumes, and in April 2025, Djoko said exports from Sumatra would be cut, with Natuna supplies filling the gap, ST reported, citing Reuters.

In Parliament in September 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Trade) Gan Kim Yong said Indonesia is one of Singapore's main sources of natural gas imports.

Stopping exports to countries that "disrespect" Indonesia

Earlier on Oct. 22, Bahlil said Jakarta would review its energy export agreements with countries that did not respect Indonesia.

"I will not hesitate to consider stopping exports to countries that do not respect Indonesia," he said.

He added that he would "conduct an evaluation" of Indonesia's current energy export contracts.

He also urged countries with issues with Indonesia to discuss them amicably and resolve them on the principle of mutual respect.

On Oct. 21, Bahlil also said he may consider not extending gas exports to neighbouring countries as Indonesia is in "survival mode".

"So, if other countries have different perspectives for us, they should be careful. I may also consider not extending my gas exports to neighbouring countries," he said. "Because we have to survive, we must first meet our domestic needs."

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.