A 36-year-old Singaporean woman recently went on a local podcast to talk about her life as a mother to seven children, which she had with four different partners.

Her first child was born out of wedlock when she was 17.

Describing her life as "nine out of 10 screwed", she shared that she and her current husband are struggling to make ends meet, with her partner declared bankrupt.

Although she demonstrated optimism despite the circumstances, commenters expressed scepticism at the woman's life choices.

Bubbly personality

The podcast is by local YouTube channels Popping SG and Chicken Genius Singapore.

When the episode opened, one of the hosts asked about Pearlyn's "bubbly" personality despite being hit by a "hard nine" in life.

"Because this is life. No point dwelling on the sad things right?" was Pearlyn's response.

Pearlyn then candidly discussed her life choices that resulted in her being a mother of seven at the age of 36.

First child out of wedlock

She bore her first child out of wedlock at the age of 17.

"Was it an accident or on purpose?" the hosts asked.

"It was on purpose," Pearlyn replied with a laugh.

This was four to five months after she and her then-18-year-old partner met via Friendster, a social networking platform.

She explained that she had a strong motherly instinct since young and loved children.

Pearlyn told the hosts that she was a dropout then, and did not live with her parents.

"Nobody teach me. My childhood has no proper guidance. So I don't know what is right and what is wrong," she shared.

Second to fifth child

Three years later at 20 years old and while she was studying in a private school, Pearlyn met another partner. They had two children together and also got married.

However, she eventually left him due to his infidelity.

Pearlyn went on to work in nightlife as a performer, which was when she met her next husband and father to her fourth and fifth children.

At this point in the conversation, one of the hosts pointed out that Pearlyn seemed to be on a "repeated pattern".

"You also really felt like having kids with him?" one host asked.

"Maybe it is the product of love," the 36-year-old explained.

However, they eventually divorced due to tensions between Pearlyn and the in-laws and the fact that the husband had been abusive towards their son, who had ADHD.

Was pregnant with eighth child

Following the divorce, Pearlyn went back to work in the nightlife industry and met her current husband.

Similarly, they have two children together, who are now five and six years old.

Pearlyn revealed to the hosts that she was actually pregnant with her eighth child.

However, her doctor has recommended against carrying it to term as she has anaemia.

Bankruptcy and financial woes

Pearlyn was full of smiles and laughter while discussing the twists and turns of her life.

When asked why she felt her life was "screwed", Pearlyn revealed the financial woes that she and her current husband are going through.

Pearlyn's husband had left his job as an army regular as she felt that it was taking up too much time away from the family.

Apart from the loss of income, the husband, who is also a divorcee, has to contend with monthly maintenance to his ex-wife and a S$70k debt owed to banks.

These exacerbated the family's spiraling financial situation.

Eventually, her husband was declared a bankrupt.

Pearlyn is currently supporting four of her seven kids, which requires around S$4,000 a month.

Her husband is working part-time, taking home about S$300 to S$700 a month.

To make ends meet, Pearlyn is now working 12-hour days as a private-hire driver, bringing in about S$3,000 a month.

She rents a seven-seater car for about S$3,600 a month.

Her reasoning was that it doubles as a family car for her many children.

The host then rationalised with Pearlyn that she should be switching to a smaller car with a cheaper rent to save on cost.

Reactions to interview

The 47-minute roller coaster podcast interview was posted on Oct. 30, and has since garnered over 368,000 views.

Throughout the interview, Pearlyn spoke about her care and love for her children, but commenters were sceptical.

"Where are the actions to back up her words?" one wrote.

One commenter, however, expressed admiration for Pearlyn's positive attitude.

A fair number of commenters also wished the couple well.

One commenter appeared to recognise Pearlyn's current husband, who joined the podcast midway though.

The commenter praised for him being "one of the best" instructors in the army they had met.

"Hope that you pull through during this tough times," the commenter wrote.

]]> 1183099 https://mothership.sg/2026/11/woman-assault-teen-cemetery/ 2026-11-04T18:16:24 https://mothership.sg/2026/11/woman-assault-teen-cemetery/

A 25-year-old woman in Singapore is on trial for allegedly allowing a 17-year-old boy to drive a car she rented, which he later crashed into a motorcycle.

She then allegedly joined five others in assaulting him at a cemetery, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The woman, Crystel Chong, faces a total of seven charges, including rioting and permitting an unlicensed minor to drive.

She is contesting the charges.

The prosecution is proceeding with the rioting charge for trial, while the rest have been set aside for the time being.

The teenager cannot be named due to a gag order protecting his identity.

The allegations

According to charge sheets seen by Mothership, Chong allegedly let the 17-year-old drive on a service road at a carpark at Block 64 Toa Payoh Lorong 5.

This took place at around 12:50am on Nov. 13, 2024.

She is also accused of joining five others at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery between 11:28pm on Nov. 25, 2024 and 1:29am the next day to kick and punch the teenager.

She was allegedly armed with a taser.

On a separate occasion on Nov. 16, 2024, Chong allegedly allowed another 16-year-old minor to drive a car along North Buona Vista Drive towards Biopolis Drive.

Teenager's mother testified in court

The trial began on Nov. 3, with the prosecution calling the teenager's mother to testify, Shin Min reported.

The woman said that on the day of the incident, she received a call from her daughter telling her that something had happened to her son and that three people had come to their doorstep.

Upon rushing home, the teenager's mother and father met Chong and two others outside the lift.

The mother said the group had told them they needed to find her son urgently, claiming he had knocked over a motorcycle while driving and injured a rider.

Chong said the car was rented in her name and that about S$8,400 in compensation was needed, and hoped the parents could first come up with S$2,400.

The mother said her husband subsequently gave them S$1,000.

The mother said that on Nov. 27, 2024, she received a call from her son asking to borrow S$1,000. She said she faintly heard someone beside him say “S$2,000”, and could tell he was extremely frightened. She refused, and he hung up.

The next day, he came home with injuries on his face, and she took him to file a police report.

During cross-examination, the mother agreed that Chong was not rough nor aggressive with her.

She said Chong told her she did not want the mother to pay for her son's mistake, and that she only wanted her to understand the situation she was in.

She said Chong contacted her again the next day, saying she was under pressure from the rider and the car rental company.

The mother said she told Chong she would pawn jewellery to raise cash, but did not go ahead with it after relatives and friends urged her against it.

Chong allegedly kneed the teenager in the face

According to Shin Min, a female who was among the five others at the cemetery with Chong testified as a prosecution witness that she saw Chong strike the teenager’s face with her knee.

She was 17 at the time, and her boyfriend was friends with Chong's boyfriend.

She said that on the evening of Nov. 25, 2024, the couple received a call from Chong's boyfriend asking them to meet in Yishun.

They later met Chong, her boyfriend and two other males at a basketball court.

The group then found the teenager, brought him to the stairwell of a nearby HDB block, and later to the cemetery.

The witness said the four males took turns punching and kicking him, and two used tasers on him.

After Chong's boyfriend asked the teenager for money, Chong stepped forward and struck his face with her knee, she said.

The teenager was told to call his mother and then friends to borrow money, but could not get any.

The witness claimed she stayed at the side to use her phone and chatted with Chong during the incident.

Chong's boyfriend later took the teenager home, as he did not want others to see the injuries on his face.

The witness also alleged that earlier at the stairwell, two of the male accomplices had punched the teenager and one of them had also used a taser on him.

The group moved from the stairwell after noticing someone in the opposite block apparently watching them, she said.

She initially testified that Chong was the one who noticed this and suggested moving to the cemetery.

Under cross-examination, however, she changed her statement and said she could not remember who had noticed, as the incident happened two years ago.

Perhaps it is time to trade our office chair for a spot at Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine.

The Chinese restaurant chain is advertising monthly salaries of up to S$4,000 for restaurant hosts, while waiters and management trainees can earn up to S$3,600.

And the good news for those without F&B experience is that some of the positions do not require any.

According to three job advertisements posted by Xiang Signature Pte Ltd on recruitment platform FastJobs, the restaurant chain is hiring for positions at multiple locations across Singapore.

Xiang Xiang, which was established in 2009, currently has 22 outlets islandwide.

Here's what each job entails.

Up to S$4,000 a month to welcome customers

If you're the sort who enjoys meeting new people, Xiang Xiang is hiring restaurant hosts, also known as "Welcomists".

The position offers an advertised monthly salary ranging from S$3,600 to S$4,000.

According to the FastJobs listing, responsibilities include greeting customers, confirming reservations, arranging seating and responding to enquiries.

Applicants are expected to have good communication and teamwork skills, be punctual and be comfortable working in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

A "neat, well-groomed, and professional appearance" is part of your job scope.

Previous hospitality experience is an advantage.

For those interested in part-time work, the advertised rate is up to S$20/hour.

No experience needed to earn up to S$3,600 as a waiter

But if you're not the welcoming sort, there's also the position of a waiter or waitress. 

One, of course, will need a "customer-oriented" and "positive" attitude.

Xiang Xiang is offering an advertised monthly salary of S$3,300 to S$3,600 for this role.

According to the job listing, no prior experience is required, and paid training will be provided.

Responsibilities include taking orders, serving food and drinks, clearing tables, preparing beverages and maintaining the cleanliness of the dining area.

Applicants must be prepared to work split shifts, weekends and public holidays.

Part-time positions are also available, with an advertised hourly rate of up to S$15.

Fresh graduates can apply for management trainee positions

For fresh graduates looking to enter the F&B industry, Xiang Xiang is also recruiting management trainees.

The position offers an advertised monthly salary ranging from S$3,300 to S$3,600.

According to the advertisement, applicants must possess at least a bachelor's degree.

Fresh graduates are welcome to apply, and no prior experience is required.

Paid training will also be provided.

Management trainees will assist with daily restaurant operations, welcome customers, take orders using the point-of-sale system, handle customer enquiries and complaints, and maintain the dining area.

Applicants must also be prepared to work split shifts, weekends and public holidays.

Working hours: 10 hours a day, 5.5 days a week

Before you start picturing yourself in a new role, here's what the working arrangements look like.

All three job advertisements specify 10-hour workdays and a 5.5-day workweek.

That amounts to 55 scheduled hours a week, although the listings do not state whether meal breaks are included in the daily working hours.

It is also unclear whether the advertised monthly salaries refer to basic pay or include overtime pay, allowances or other incentives.

Interested applicants can refer to the respective FastJobs listings for more information.

Mothership has reached out to Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine for more information on its salary packages and working arrangements.

Chris Pappas has become the first openly gay man to become a U.S. Senator, after winning his New Hampshire seat for the Democratic Party comfortably on Nov. 3's U.S. midterm election.

Broken status quo

New Hampshire (NH) was one of 35 Senate seats up for grabs, and while Pappas is replacing a popular Democratic incumbent, his opponent John Sununu was also popular in his own right. Sununu previously served as NH Senator from 2003 to 2009.

Pappas opened his victory speech by thanking his husband and Sununu, who had called him to concede the race.

Pappas said that his victory was a victory for everyone in New Hampshire over the “broken status quo” that hurt everyone.

He called the results a “wake-up call” for special interest groups and billionaires, accusing them of “rigging the economy”.

He accused the outgoing Congress of cowardice for enabling tariffs, cuts to healthcare, and the Iran war.

Pappas also called U.S. President Donald Trump incompetent for ignoring the suffering of Americans, pledging to fight to deliver change.

Campaign trail

Pappas becomes the first openly gay male senator, the New York Times reports, a fact that he did not dwell on while on the campaign trail.

The NYT reports that while Pappas’ husband Van often accompanied him at events, Pappas emphasised common Democratic issues: dealing with high prices, health care costs, and opposition to corruption.

It also said that while Pappas would be the first openly gay male senator, it notes that Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin, a woman, was the first openly gay senator.

Pappas was previously a congressman for New Hampshire, ironically taking his seat during Trump’s last midterm election in 2018.

He replaces Jeanne Shaheen, a three-term senator, and is in turn to be replaced in Congress by Shaheen’s daughter, Stefany.

Pappas comes from a well-known New Hampshire family, the owners of the Puritan Backroom in the city of Manchester, who are widely credited with the invention of the chicken tender.

Blue Tsunami

His victory comes amidst a “blue tsunami”, as anger towards the rising cost of living, the war in Iran, and other issues has allowed the Democratic Party to win both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

NBC News projects the Democrats to win 255 seats, compared to the Republicans' 180, where 218 is needed for a majority.

The Democrats have also secured a surprise victory in the Senate and are projected to win at least 53 seats, with many results yet to be determined.

A 34-year-old woman lit a fire outside her ex-colleague’s HDB flat in Bukit Batok.

She was frustrated as she assumed her ex-colleague was home and ignoring her.

Tong Huanling, a Chinese national, has since been fined S$3,000.

Started a fire

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Tong Huanling went to visit her former colleague on Jan. 29, 2026, sometime between 9pm and 10pm at her home at Bukit Batok Street 21.

She intended to serve her court papers.

However, Tong was unaware that her former colleague was overseas, leaving her husband and daughter at home.

Tong knocked on the door but received no response, so she waited outside for about an hour, reported Shin Min Daily News.

During that time, she saw the lights in the flat turn on.

She knocked again and rang the doorbell, but there was still no response.

She came to believe that her ex-colleague was deliberately avoiding her.

Frustrated, Tong took a cardboard box with joss paper from the void deck and used a lighter she borrowed from a stranger to set it on fire near her ex-colleague’s gate at about 11pm.

She then took a picture of the fire and sent it to her former colleague.

Tong knocked on the door again before kicking a chair in anger, which fell onto the box and caused the fire to spread.

Her former colleague’s husband saw the blaze and smoke through the door’s peephole, and he called the police.

Police

The police arrived at about 11:10pm. Two neighbours had helped to extinguish the fire before that.

Tong was sitting on a stool near the flat and admitted to the police that she had started the fire to get her ex-colleague’s attention.

The wooden chair that was damaged in the incident was worth S$25.

During sentencing, Tong’s lawyer reportedly pleaded for leniency on the grounds that Tong had sought psychiatric help.

She was diagnosed with adjustment disorder and is receiving treatment.

Furthermore, the court heard that she had tried to offer compensation and apologised multiple times, but was rejected.

The prosecution argued that despite only causing S$25 in damages, the fire posed a significant safety risk as it had spread in a residential area.

The prosecution sought a fine between S$3,000 and S$4,000, reasoning that Tong admitted to her charges, had no criminal record, and tried to compensate the victims.

Tong was fined S$3,000 by the judge, taking into account her days in remand and early guilty plea.

A beauty parlour in Selangor, Malaysia has discontinued its Brazilian waxing services.

The company, Waxing By Girl, made the announcement on Nov. 4, citing "religious responsibilities and values" as their reason for doing so.

A Brazilian wax removes hair from one's pubic area, and involves exposing said area to the therapist.

It is considered a cosmetic procedure, rather than a medical one.

However, Waxing By Girl has replaced that service with a "Brazilian Waxing Academy", which is "specially designed" for married couples.

During the course, husbands and wives can learn to perform the procedure on each other, so that they may eventually do it in the privacy of their own homes.

The parlour then apologised to their regulars and thanked them for their loyalty and support.

Online users made their puzzlement known

If we were to go by the number of likes, this appears to be the leading sentiment:

This, on the other hand, may or may not be satire:

Regardless, enough people had questions:

Pertinent:

And opinions:

Others supportive

But some were in favour of the decision:

Does not think it will affect customer base

When Mothership reached out to the business, a spokesperson promptly replied to our queries.

When asked about the move, the parlour said it has offered Brazilian waxing since it started the business, which was about five years ago.

However, they've now decided to remove it "due to religious considerations", which aligns with their online post.

"Our owner has discovered recently that Brazilian waxing is not permissible in Islam, and have thus decided to remove it from our services," the spokesperson explained.

They added that all the customers they've reached out to so far have respected and understood the decision.

"We do not think this will affect our customer base or our relationship with existing customers as we offer other services as well, including waxing, hair, nails and facial."

Such exposure considered haram: religious authority

According to the Mufti of Federal Territory's Department—the religious authority in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan—if a Brazilian wax is done at the exposure of awrah (parts of the body that are forbidden or sinful to be exposed), then it is considered haram, or forbidden as well.

This is especially as it involves the removal of pubic hair, the source added.

A 25-year-old woman allegedly assaulted visitors at a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur.

She was arrested by the police on Nov. 3 and has admitted to being involved, as reported by Malaysian media.

This comes after a viral video of an argument between a woman and the father of two children.

She allegedly pushed his seven-year-old son and hit his two-year-old daughter’s head.

Arrested

Dang Wangi OCPD Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Azwan Amin Nordin said that the woman was arrested at about 5:40pm in Bandar Sri Damansara.

Nordin said, “Initial investigations found that the suspect admitted to being involved in the incident.”

The case was reported on Sunday following several incidents involving the woman.

Police received a report from the mall’s security guard at about 8pm, involving three separate incidents of disturbances.

This includes a report alleging that she had pushed and assaulted a man’s children.

The case is being investigated under Section 323 and 506 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt and criminal intimidation, as reported by The Star.

A tense exchange occurred between Senior Minister K Shanmugam and Workers' Party's Member of Parliament Fadli Fawzi in parliament on Nov. 4, over a recent meeting between the Singapore government and Israeli officials.

Fadli, in a personal explanation time in parliament, addressed written questions he previously submitted asking SM Shanmugam about the meeting, as well as the senior minister's subsequent replies.

Background

On Oct. 7, Fadli asked whether, during a recent meeting with Israeli officials, Singapore addressed illegal settlements and settler violence in the West Bank.

The meeting was reported by Israeli media outlet Haaretz, which also alleged that a delegation from Israel had discussed the death penalty with Singaporean officials.

In his questions, Fadli asked whether Singapore had requested that the meeting be kept secret, or why a correction direction under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) was not issued against Haaretz, if this reporting was not factual.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has since refuted Haaretz's claims.

In his written to response to Fadli's questions, SM Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said that there were no public interest grounds to issue a correction direction against the media outlet at the time.

He added that Singapore regularly holds discussions with international counterparts on security and law enforcement matters, and that that particular meeting focused on operational and security-related issues.

Broader foreign policy matters were not discussed, he asserted, adding that such matters are addressed through appropriate foreign policy channels like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Questions for Fadli

SM Shanmugam then addressed Fadli:

"If the Member believes that MHA should use such engagements to raise broader concerns about the policies or conduct of the country concerned, then he should say so clearly."

He further asked Fadli whether the same approach should apply consistently to all countries with which MHA engages.

He asked: "For example, when MHA holds operational discussions with other Middle Eastern or Asian countries, should we also raise the concerns Singapore may have with their conduct or policies?"

"If that is the Member's position, the government would be interested to understand how he proposes that such an approach would serve Singapore's overall interests."

Fadli's responses

Fadli responded to these questions on Nov. 4.

Whether policy concerns should be raised in engagements

On whether he believes that formal engagements should be used to raise broader concerns about a country's policies or conduct, he said his view "is simple":

"Settler activity and illegal territorial expansion in the West Bank, and especially settler violence, are grave violations of international law."

The Singapore government previously called the Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law and called on Israel to stop its expansion plans there.

Fadli posited that MHA should raise concerns about such policies and conduct as and when relevant when engaging with countries involved.

Singapore's cooperation with other countries in law enforcement and security matters must also be conducted in context of the nation's overall national interests and fundamental principles, including Singapore's commitments to the international law, he said.

Further, Fadli added that two officials in the Israeli delegation named by Haaretz have been linked to a settler movement conducting illegal activities in the West Bank.

"Given this context, I believe that it would have been relevant to clearly reiterate at this meeting Singapore's principled position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, and our deep concerns about settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank," he said.

This approach should be applied consistently to all countries and not just Israel, said Fadli, addressing SM Shanmugam's second question in his written response.

How this serves Singapore's interests

On SM Shanmugam's third question on how such a practice would serve Singapore's overall interests, Fadli emphasised the nation's need to uphold its principles against external influence.

He quoted SM Shanmugam's own words from 2023:

"As a small country, we have to be clear on what are our principles. We must always put Singapore's interests first, and never be afraid to act in our own interests.

Uphold our principles and positions consistently, impartially, objectively, and not let other countries, big or small, no matter how friendly, dictate to us what we do."

He added that it would be in Singapore's overall interest to consistently and impartially uphold its position against a violation of international law, including during the MHA's bilateral engagements.

When engaging with foreign counterparts, the nation should also maintain a whole-of government approach in upholding this commitment, he said.

Shanmugam's response

SM Shanmugam stood to respond to Fadli's comments, first asking for a clarification on whether a "whole-of-government" approach applies to all bilateral issues.

Fadli answered by reiterating his earlier stated points, but SM Shanmugam said they did not answer his question.

He called Fadli's suggestion of each ministry raising issues of international law and "all possible bilateral issues" with any country they meet a "novel" idea.

MFA and the Cabinet are responsible for deciding on the government's overall stance with regards to any country, including whether meetings take place at all, he said

SM Shanmugam raised the example of Singapore's Ambassador for International Law, Rena Lee, who made history on Nov. 3 by becoming the first Singaporean to be elected as an International Court of Justice (ICJ) judge.

She secured an "absolute majority" in votes, ahead of the United Kingdom, France and every other country, a "testament to our skill in diplomacy, in the way we conduct ourselves", said SM Shanmugam.

"Imagine you start a meeting with UK, France, U.S., and your objective is to ask for their vote in support, and you start out by saying– referring to the wars in the Middle East: Syria and Yemen together, millions displaced, hundreds of thousands of children and women killed."

Many of these countries supplied weapons for these wars, where breaches of international law have taken place, he added.

He went on: "So you start out by listing this category of international law issues, and then you say, by the way, can you please support us?

"I think members and Singaporeans can see how absurd and novel such a position is, but I take it that that is the member's position and his party's position on how we conduct international relations."

SM Shanmugam called out Fadli for "[walking] in further and [doubling] down" on what he called an "absurd" position.

He asserted that the importance of international law is irrelevant to the question of whether every ministry should be raising it with counterparts.

Haaretz not taken seriously

"I don't know them," he said of the two Israeli officials named in the Haaretz article, adding that he does not take the media outlet very seriously "because they also published falsehoods about Singapore and what we were supposed to have said — completely untrue".

SM Shanmugam then urged Fadli to submit questions on this matter if he was concerned.

He also accused Fadli of "sending two messages to two different audiences: one to the general public to present that we are focused on national interests", and a second one "to the Malay-Muslim community to jump on this Haaretz article".

The second, he said, is to "make absurd suggestions on how we conduct and how we should engage" with the belief that people "won't understand how interministerial conversations really take place".

It also tries to present the image that "the government is unprincipled and soft on Israel", he posited.

"That's what this question and this subsequent explanation is all about: getting people to view our international relationships through the prism of race and religion. That is just wrong."

Fadli refutes SM Shanmugam

Fadli stood again to address SM Shanmugam's points, categorically rejecting his characterisation that the issue is motivated by race and religion.

"This is primarily an issue about how Singapore can uphold its commitments to international law consistently, impartially, and objectively."

He also denied suggesting that Singapore should raise bilateral and foreign policy issues at every meeting, but rather that they should only be raised where relevant, such as in the case of the Israeli meeting.

Instead, he redirected his original question of whether Singapore had tried to keep the meeting a secret back at the senior minister.

Role of Minister and MP is to safeguard Singaporean interests: Shanmugam

In response, SM Shanmugam said that he did not see why the issue of settler violence was relevant to what MHA discussed with their Israeli counterparts.

"How is it more relevant than, say, discussing sale of weapons, which may lead to thousands of people being killed with possible breaches of international law?"

He also reiterated that the role of an MP and a minister is to safeguard Singaporeans' interests primarily, not just the principles of international law.

On the issue of the meeting's confidentiality, SM Shanmugam said meetings between Ministry of Home Affairs and counterparts are "almost always kept confidential", except when parties request for them to be made public.

"And I have given that answer that one party required requested it to be made public, and that meeting was made public," he said.

A 22-year-old Indonesian man has been accused of murdering his 20-month-old stepdaughter by drowning her in a bucket inside a public toilet across from Kebayoran Station in South Jakarta on Oct. 31, 2026.

According to local outlet Kompas, the suspect and the child's 19-year-old biological mother carried out the crime because they could no longer afford to care for the toddler.

The stepfather is unemployed while the biological mother is a busker, Kompas reported.

The couple later wrapped the victim's body in plastic and buried her in a vacant lot in Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta.

Both have been arrested.

Witnesses heard screams

Kebayoran Lama Police Chief Commissioner Seala Syah Alam told reporters on Nov. 2 that the attendant at the public toilet grew suspicious after noticing the parents' suspicious behaviour and hearing the victim scream, Kompas reported.

The stepfather allegedly took the girl into the restroom twice, at around 7pm and again around 11pm, during which witnesses reported hearing her cries.

The attendant called the police to report a suspected case of sodomy. However, investigations revealed that it was, in fact, a murder.

According to Seala, the man held the child by her legs and repeatedly forced her head into the bucket.

Once the toddler was dead, he told his wife what had happened.

To cover up the crime, the couple wrapped her body in plastic and buried it roughly 50cm deep in an empty lot in Bendungan Hilir.

Signs of malnutrition and abuse

Police reportedly disclosed that the victim had a three-year-old brother, who has since been placed in the care of social services.

In a CNN Indonesia report, Seala said that the suspect committed the crime because the family couldn't make ends meet. The couple allegedly chose to kill the younger child.

An autopsy conducted at a police hospital revealed that the victim was severely malnourished at the time of her death.

Forensic pathologists also found extensive evidence of prior physical trauma, including bone fractures and injuries to her internal organs, according to Kompas.

Brought back to crime scene

The couple remains in custody.

The stepfather faces charges of premeditated murder and child abuse, while the mother is accused of concealing a corpse to hide a homicide.

Investigators recently brought the man back to the crime scene, where he reenacted how he killed the child and buried her body.

]]> 1183011 https://mothership.sg/2026/11/rummage-rubbish-advisories/ 2026-11-04T16:14:37 https://mothership.sg/2026/11/rummage-rubbish-advisories/

The authorities in Singapore may provide "an advisory" to those found rummaging through public rubbish bins even without leaving litter on the ground, Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment said in a written parliamentary reply on Nov. 2.

She was responding to Punggol Member of Parliament (MP) Yeo Wan Ling, who had asked in parliament how will the ministry conduct enforcement against those found removing containers without causing disamenities.

Fu said in the reply: "Where individuals are found rummaging through public refuse bins without leaving litter on the ground, our officers may provide an advisory."

Rummaging through bins occurred before BCRS implemented

She clarified that the National Environment Agency (NEA) occasionally receives public feedback on individuals rummaging through refuse bins even before the Return Right Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) was introduced in April 2026.

It became fully operational on Oct. 1 after a six-month transition period.

She said: "NEA focuses first on public education to promote good hygiene practices. When such incidents occur, NEA takes a calibrated approach in determining whether enforcement actions will be taken."

"We discourage members of the public from rummaging. Apart from the potential disamenities to the wider community, there are also hygiene and safety concerns for the individuals doing so," Fu added.

Root causes of such behaviour

Yeo had also asked if the government will study and address the potential root causes of such behaviour, including financial need, where relevant.

In response, Fu said individuals will be referred to social agencies for further support.

"The Ministry of Social and Family Development works with community partners under the Vulnerable-in-Community Network to engage vulnerable individuals to understand their circumstances, and provide them with the necessary support," Fu added.

Over 48 million beverage containers have been collected as of Sep. 27.

The average number of containers per transaction has increased from 2.8 in April to 8.2 in September.

About 45 per cent of materials collected are metal and 55 per cent are plastics, NEA said on Oct. 1.