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                    <title>Man criticises town council workers for participating in BCRS scheme, gets swift backlash</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/marine-parade-workers-bcrs/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T12:15:48</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Nicolas Wong ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/marine-parade-workers-bcrs/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The town council clarified that the containers they were returning were from their own purchases. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/marine-parade-workers-bcrs-2.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A man filmed two conservancy workers in a Marine Parade-Braddell Heights estate returning cans and bottles at a <span>Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) return machine. </span></p><p>He then accused them of obtaining the cans from waste bins and criticised them for earning a "double salary".</p>
<p>Backlash came swiftly after, with netizens calling him "kaypoh" (nosey).</p><p>The town council later clarified that the workers were returning beverage containers they had collected themselves.</p><p><h2>The video</h2></p><p>On Oct. 29, TikTok user jiatong888 <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jiatong888/video/7701725813250592021?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7681204239897265671" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">posted a video</a> of the two workers at the BCRS machine.</p><p>A voice can be heard admonishing the two workers while they were returning their drink containers.</p><p>It said, "You see town council people <em>ah</em>, they can take the rubbish <em>ah</em>, the can <em>ah</em>, and [collect] the money <em>ah</em>.</p><p>"But other people, old man cannot take. You see what the government is doing."</p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DfPKQK8NzJj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DfPKQK8NzJj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; 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font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"></p><p><div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: 8px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: auto;"></p><p><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DfPKQK8NzJj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by Mothership (@mothershipsg)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p>The workers largely ignored him and continued with their returns.</p><p>He wrote in the caption:</p><p><blockquote><p>"#TinPeiLin<span data-e2e="new-desc-span"> why the govt say old ppl cannot take cans from rubbish bins but the town council ppl can? They r taking salary from the govt yet they take the refund money from the cans taken from the rubbish bins!! That's mean they r taking double salary? I just wan to know whether is it a double standard to normal citizens n those working for the govt? In the video u can see the town council ppl still smiling! Is it they r sarcastic or happy waiting to receive the refund money from the cans?? (sic)"</span></p></blockquote></p><p>It was <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/10/photo-man-boy-rubbish-cans-bottles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">previously reported</a> that there were cases of individuals rummaging through rubbish bins to look for bottles and cans to obtain the 10-cent BCRS refund.</p><p><span>Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/10/grace-fu-bcrs-law/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">said</a> that those found doing so could face legal action.</span></p><p><h2>Backlash</h2></p><p>However, online users defended the two workers, with many calling him "kaypoh" for filming and posting the video.</p><p>They pointed out that migrant workers, such as the ones in the video, already earned a meagre salary, and called for greater sympathy on the poster's part.</p><p>Others also said that he should be grateful as the conservancy workers were the ones keeping his estate clean.</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-03-at-11.27.41 AM.png" alt="" width="530" height="572" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1182689" /> <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-03-at-11.26.44 AM.png" alt="" width="527" height="340" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1182690" /></p><p><h2>Town council's response</h2></p><p><span>Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Town Council later made a Facebook post on Nov. 1 to respond to the situation.</span></p><p>In the caption, it wrote: "<span>To clarify, the workers were depositing containers from their own purchases, with some also given to them directly by residents."</p><p></span><span></span></p><p>The post also clarified that they were doing so after working hours.</p><p><iframe width="500" height="250" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmpbhtowncouncil%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02FjEMysJdYthvyTUaG9RaMTRu7ZJaNQBPgyTyEj1WJigs4mzdtgf5xg32wpvsu1Gtl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><p>The council noted that workers are aware that they are not permitted to rummage through trash to retrieve such items, and have advised them to change out of their work uniforms when carrying out personal BCRS returns so as to avoid misunderstandings.</p><p>It stressed that as members of the community, conservancy workers can participate in the BCRS recycling scheme just like anyone else, adding that the conservancy workers "play an important role in keeping our neighbourhoods clean."</p><p><h2>Related articles</h2></p><iframe class='post-embed title='Man criticises town council workers for participating in BCRS scheme, gets swift backlash' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/photo-man-boy-rubbish-cans-bottles/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Man criticises town council workers for participating in BCRS scheme, gets swift backlash' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/grace-fu-bcrs-law/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Man criticises town council workers for participating in BCRS scheme, gets swift backlash' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/foreign-workers-give-bcrs-containers/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>Woman, 20, identified as co-pilot in plane that crashed in Florida killing 9 people, got her pilot's licence in high school</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/florida-jet-crash-female-co-pilot-identified/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T12:10:26</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Gracia Yap ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/florida-jet-crash-female-co-pilot-identified/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ She had been working as a commercial pilot for nine months. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/florida-plane-crash-female-co-pilot.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The female co-pilot of the fatal Florida jet crash, which killed all nine people on board, has been identified as 20-year-old Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras.</p><p>She could be heard pleading for help in air traffic control audio prior to the crash, the <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/11/02/us-news/nathalia-gadelha-identified-as-learjet-co-pilot-in-florida-crash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>New York Post</em></a> reported.</p>
<p>It was also reported that Filgueiras had received her pilot's licence in high school.</p><p><h2>Jet crashed</h2></p><p>An earlier <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/11/learjets-final-message-nosediving-florida/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">report</a> mentioned that a private jet in the U.S. plunged toward the ground in Florida on Nov. 1 (U.S. time).</p><p>Air traffic control revealed the final moments from the jet before the incident, reported the <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/11/01/us-news/haunting-final-message-from-learjet-as-it-plummeted-in-florida-with-9-aboard-were-out-of-time/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>New York Post</em></a>.</p><p>The private jet was headed from Austin, Texas, to North Eleuthera Airport in the Bahamas.</p><p>It crashed in Greenacres, Florida, a community for modular and mobile homes.</p><p>Just 10 minutes before the jet crashed, she texted her boyfriend, Justin, and said: "I’ve got turbulence, I've got ice."</p><p><h2>Commercical pilot</h2></p><p>Speaking to <em>New York Post</em>, Filgueiras' mother, Camila, as well as her stepfather, confirmed that she was the co-pilot of the Learjet 60.</p><p>She would be 21 years old in January 2027, her mother said, adding that Filgueiras had been a commercial pilot for nine months.</p><p>In addition, she had 1,300 hours of flying experience, Camila's husband, 44-year-old Thiago Corteleti said.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 914px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-03-at-11.32.49 AM.png" alt="" width="1344" height="940" class="size-full wp-image-1182698" /> <em>Photo via @itsnatfilg/Threads</em>
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-03-at-11.32.55 AM.png" alt="" width="892" height="692" class="size-full wp-image-1182699" /> <em>Photo via @itsnatfilg/Threads</em>
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</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 856px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
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    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Screenshot-2026-11-03-at-11.33.10 AM.png" alt="" width="856" height="834" class="size-full wp-image-1182700" /> <em>Photo via @itsnatfilg/Threads</em>
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</p><p><h2>Pilot's licence before driver's licence</h2></p><p>In October 2023, Filgueiras was just 17 when she got her private pilot's licence and was featured in local media at the time, <em>New York Post</em> reported.</p><p>She did not have her driver's licence yet.</p><p><em>New York Post</em> reported Filgueiras as previously telling another media outlet, <em>CBS12</em>: "I definitely do brag because people say, 'Oh, you can't drive,' and I'm like, 'Yeah, but I can fly'."</p><p>She wanted to become a pilot from a young age after she took her father's Beechcraft Bonanza, an American general aviation aircraft.</p><p>Camila said Filgueiras came home one day after flying with her father and declared she would become a pilot.</p><p>Though Camila objected at the time, Filgueiras' father said she would become one if she wanted to</p><p>The second of three sisters then began to take pilot lessons in 2020, and her father, who learned flying for fun in 2018, also taught her, <em>New York Post</em> reported.</p><p><h2>Dreamed to be commercial airline pilot</h2></p><p><em>New York Post</em> reported that Filgueiras was still too young to apply to work at American Airlines, though she dreamed of becoming a commercial airline pilot one day.</p><p>She had graduated from American Flyers, a Texas-based flying school with a Florida branch.</p><p>Filgueiras then started working as an instructor at another school before she got another pilot job.</p><p><h2>Mum knew flying would kill daughter</h2></p><p>Camila said: "I wanted her to live her dream, but I knew that her dream was going to be the thing that would take her away from me."</p><p>"I knew that a plane was gonna take her away from me. I always knew it but I was so proud of her," she added, noting that she knew her daughter was living her dream.</p><p>"I know if she could pick a way to go, this would be her way to go, but I didn’t want it to be so soon."</p><p><h2>Chilling audio</h2></p><p>Prior to the crash, the pilot had initially reported moderate turbulence and manageable ice to the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center.</p><p>However, the pilot soon radioed: "We're descending 8,000 - mayday, mayday - we're descending 10,000 ft per minute."</p><p>This was followed by: "We're going to crash into the ground."</p><p>About 35 seconds after the first mayday call, the last thing heard from the cockpit was a female crew member screaming, "Holy f*ck, we're out of time."</p><p><h2>Investigation</h2></p><p>Following the incident, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it would investigate if parts of the jet broke off before it nose-dived and exploded, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm369yy7lw73o" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>BBC</em></a> reported.</p><p>It added that it would also investigate the extent to which ice and turbulence could be contributing factors.</p><p>According to the <em>BBC</em>, other victims in the crash included a tech entrepreneur who was with his young family.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Woman, 20, identified as co-pilot in plane that crashed in Florida killing 9 people, got her pilot's licence in high school' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/11/learjets-final-message-nosediving-florida/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><iframe width="267" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F28709914535298396%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=267" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>Woman, 73, dies after being hit by bus in South Beach Road, bus driver assisting with investigations</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/woman-dies-bus-south-beach-road/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T11:44:20</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Izza Sofia ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/woman-dies-bus-south-beach-road/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Police investigations are ongoing. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Untitled-design-28.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A 73-year-old woman died after being hit by an SMRT bus along South Bridge Road towards Tanjong Pagar on Nov. 2.</p><p>In response to <em>Mothership</em>'s queries, the police said they were alerted to the accident involving a bus and a pedestrian at around 11:40am.</p>
<p>The woman was taken unconscious to the hospital, where she subsequently died.</p><p>Separately, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the accident at around 11:45am and conveyed one person to Singapore General Hospital.</p><p>A 41-year-old male bus driver is assisting with investigations.</p><p><h2>Accident involved SMRT bus service 61</h2></p><p>TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@wesleywes615/video/7703422922358115604" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">videos</a> posted by @wesleywes615 showed bus service 61 at the accident scene.</p><p>The bus appeared to have a cracked windscreen and damage to its front bumper.</p><p>Emergency responders were also seen attending to a person at the scene.</p><p><h2>Woman was crossing between vehicles: SMRT</h2></p><p>Vincent Gay, Deputy Managing Director of SMRT Buses, confirmed that the accident involved bus service 61.</p><p>"On 2 November, at about 11.40am, a bus on Service 61 was travelling along South Bridge Road when it hit a pedestrian who was crossing between vehicles," Gay said.</p><p>Gay also expressed condolences to the woman's family.</p><p>"We are deeply saddened by the pedestrian’s death and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family. Our care team has contacted the next of kin to offer assistance and support during this difficult time," he said.</p><p>Gay added that no other injuries were reported at the time of the accident and that all passengers were safely transferred to another bus to continue their journeys.</p><p>SMRT said it is cooperating with the police in their investigation.</p><p>Police investigations are ongoing.</p><p><iframe width="325" height="578" src="https://www.tiktok.com/player/v1/7703422922358115604?embed_from=webapp_share&amp;music_info=1&amp;description=1&amp;autoplay=1&amp;muted=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" title="Elderly woman crossing road hit by bus .. RIP. Pickering Street" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe></p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>S'porean, 29, who ran over & killed cyclist who stole backpack in Australia, jailed 5 years & 9 months</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/singaporean-killed-cyclist-stole-backpack-jailed/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T11:36:57</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Khine Zin Htet ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/singaporean-killed-cyclist-stole-backpack-jailed/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ He accelerated believing that the car's transmission was in reverse, and ran him over. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Article-Cover-Pic-2000-x-1050-53.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A 29-year-old Singaporean man convicted of manslaughter in Australia after running over a 48-year-old cyclist who stole a backpack has been sentenced to five years and nine months in prison.</p><p>According to a judgment by the Supreme Court of Western Australia, Lincoln Ng Jing Kai was in Perth on holiday with his girlfriend and her family.</p>
<p>He had planned to propose to his girlfriend during the trip.</p><p>The group had rented a car for their travels, from which the cyclist, Mark John Burnes, stole a backpack.</p><p>Ng spotted Burnes the following day and gave chase in the car.</p><p>The pursuit ended in Burnes' death after Ng accelerated hard, mistakenly believing that the car's transmission was in reverse, and ran him over.</p><p>Judge Terence Palmer said Ng's actions involved a "degree of vigilantism", although he acknowledged that Ng had not intended to seriously injure Burnes.</p><p>Ng was initially <a href="https://mothership.sg/2024/06/ng-jing-kai-charged-murder-perth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">charged</a> with murder and pleaded not guilty.</p><p>However, he later <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/singaporean-man-manslaughter-perth-run-over-cyclist/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">pleaded guilty</a> to the lesser charge of manslaughter in August.</p><p><h2>Victim stole backpack</h2></p><p>The court heard that Burnes had stolen the backpack belonging to Ng's girlfriend's brother on the night of May 23, 2024.</p><p>The family had gone into a restaurant for dinner and had left some belongings in the boot of the rented car.</p><p>The backpack contained the brother's passport, iPad, some cash and an AirTag tracker.</p><p>Seeing this, Burnes called his partner of his intentions to steal the backpack.</p><p>He then smashed the back window of the car,  left with the stolen backpack and returned to the room he shared with his partner.</p><p>They discovered the AirTag and threw it into the tray of a car parked outside.</p><p>The family later returned to the car and found that it had been broken into.</p><p>They reported it to the police and noted the AirTag's location.</p><p><h2>Tracked the Airtag</h2></p><p>The following day, the family received another car from the rental company and drove to the location where the AirTag was last detected: a construction site.</p><p>They also phoned the non-emergency police line to request police attendance at 1:35pm.</p><p>As the family searched the construction site for the AirTag, Burnes rode past on an e-bike carrying what appeared to be the stolen backpack, the court heard.</p><p>Ng's girlfriend's father told him to follow Burnes so that they did not lose sight of him.</p><p>Ng was in the driver's seat, his girlfriend in the front passenger seat, while the rest of the family were in the rear.</p><p><h2>Fatal pursuit</h2></p><p>The court heard that Ng pursued Burnes for approximately 10 minutes around various streets in Carlisle.</p><p>His girlfriend's brother stayed on the phone during this time, updating police on Burnes's location.</p><p>As Burnes rode down Lion Street and approached the corner of Lion Street and Jupiter Street, he left the road and mounted the grassed verge outside Lion Street.</p><p>At this point, someone from the back of that car told Ng to give his e-bike a "tap".</p><p>He then drove the car onto the verge and connected with the rear wheel of Burnes's e-bike, causing him to come off the</p><p>e-bike and fall onto the verge.</p><p>Ng continued forward and stopped on Jupiter Street before making a U-turn to face Burnes.</p><p>Burnes had stood up on the grassed verge and had picked up his e-bike, while yelling threats at the family.</p><p>Audio recording captured him yelling: "what the fu*k", "you're a dog" and "you're dead".</p><p>Scared that he might attack the car, Ng tried to reverse away from him.</p><p>He stepped down hard on the accelerator, thinking the car's transmission was still in reverse, but it was in drive.</p><p>The car struck Burnes on the grassed verge, who fell to the ground and went under the vehicle, which continued to drive off the verge and onto Lion Street.</p><p>Burnes became trapped under the front driver's wheel as Ng continued to drive approximately 25m up Lion Street, dragging Burnes under the car for that distance.</p><p>Some bystanders later ran over and yelled at the car to stop or banged on the driver's window.</p><p>Eventually, Ng stopped the car, then reversed it, releasing Burnes from underneath the vehicle.</p><p>Ng later told the police that he did not know that someone was trapped under the car.</p><p><h2>Died from injuries</h2></p><p>The police and paramedics later arrived just before 2pm and found Burnes lying on the roadway.</p><p>He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 2:42pm.</p><p>Burnes died as a result of multiple injuries sustained during the incident, including multiple bilateral rib fractures, lacerations and haemorrhages to the lungs, and bleeding inside the chest.</p><p>Ng was arrested at the scene.</p><p>He admitted to pursuing Burnes and deliberately hitting him so that he would fall off his bike, saying it was only a "very light tap" to cause him to fall to buy time for police to arrive.</p><p><h2>Judgment</h2></p><p>In handing down the sentence, the judge accepted that Ng believed the victim posed an imminent threat to the group and that he had made a "split-second decision" under pressure.</p><p>However, he noted that using the car to pursue and confront Burnes involved "very poor decision-making".</p><p>He added that attempting to manoeuvre a large vehicle near someone on an e-bike during a tense confrontation was "very dangerous".</p><p>The judge further noted that the decision to pursue and confront Burnes involved an "element of taking the law into your own hands" and a "degree of vigilantism".</p><p>Meanwhile, Burnes' father delivered a victim impact statement, saying that the loss had had a "devastating impact" on his entire family, including his three children.</p><p>The court also heard that Ng had written an apology letter in which he took full responsibility for his actions and their impact on the victim's family.</p><p>In considering Ng's upbringing and education, the judge noted that he came from a tight-knit, middle-class family and had held various leadership positions throughout his schooling. He had also excelled in several subjects.</p><p>Ng had no criminal record in either Australia or Singapore.</p><p>The judge also took into account Ng's cultural background and the fact that his potential father-in-law had been directing his actions, which provided some context for his offending.</p><p><blockquote><p>"It is important to note, however, that your life is one characterised by a capacity for leadership. Leadership was called for on that fateful day. It is a tragedy that you were a follower and not a leader that day."</p></blockquote></p><p>Ng was ultimately jailed for five years and nine months, backdated to his arrest on May 24, 2024.</p><p>He will be eligible for parole after three years and nine months from May, 24, 2024.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='S'porean, 29, who ran over & killed cyclist who stole backpack in Australia, jailed 5 years & 9 months' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/09/singaporean-man-manslaughter-perth-run-over-cyclist/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='S'porean, 29, who ran over & killed cyclist who stole backpack in Australia, jailed 5 years & 9 months' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2024/06/ng-jing-kai-charged-murder-perth/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe></p> ]]>
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                    <title>Thomas Ong, 57, slips & fractures ankle 10 days into 45-day Japan trip after photographing waterfall</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/thomas-ong-fractures-leg/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T11:13:58</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Nyi Nyi Thet ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/thomas-ong-fractures-leg/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ He will let his ankle heal by itself instead of having surgery. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Untitled-Design-99.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Singaporean actor Thomas Ong's planned 45-day Japan trip was unceremoniously cut short after he slipped and fell while taking photos of a waterfall.</p><p>He told <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/entertainment/story20261102-9932029?ref=sidebar-daily-popular" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Lianhe Zaobao</em></a> his injury occurred barely 10 days or so into the trip, which mostly involved exploring more remote areas of Japan.</p>
<p>He said he initially thought it was an ordinary sprain, but an X-ray after the pain got worse showed that his right ankle was fractured.</p><p>In a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid023mxwwLFJGAPsHqpcmy1AofEEocmyd8JNVW6tWdug7NA8HoBFgFunubRXifAgohW2l&amp;id=100044315865139" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook post</a>, Ong said the doctor had given him two options.</p><p>One was surgery, inserting a metal plate to hold the fracture in place.</p><p>That would see him get back on his feet in about two weeks.</p><p>Another was to let the bone heal by itself, which would take about six weeks.</p><p>Ong eventually decided on the longer option.</p><p>He also joked about his situation, saying that the two souvenirs he brought back from Japan were his crutches.</p><p>Despite the setback, Ong said he felt grateful that the timing of the injury and recovery meant he would be able to lead a tour group to Europe as he originally planned in December.</p><p>Ong, who <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/09/thomas-ong-2-room-flat/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stays alone</a>, will be living with his family during the recovery phase.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Thomas Ong, 57, slips & fractures ankle 10 days into 45-day Japan trip after photographing waterfall' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/thomas-ong-downsize-flat/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe></p> ]]>
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                    <title>S'pore man, 28, takes 183 voyeuristic photos & videos of women over 5 years, gets 7 months' jail</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/man-takes-photos-videos-women-chest-butt-5-years/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T10:57:43</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Xueting Wu ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/man-takes-photos-videos-women-chest-butt-5-years/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ He was eventually caught by a station manager at Woodlands MRT station. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/coverimage-2026-11-02T185657.627.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Over about five years, from 2019 to 2024, a man had been secretly taking more than 180 photos and videos of women's chests and butt.</p><p>He was finally caught on Jul. 3, 2024, at Woodlands MRT station.</p>
<p>An SMRT general manager saw the accused holding his phone under a woman's skirt, according to court documents.</p><p>The manager confronted him on the spot and called the police.</p><p>Aaron Phang Xue Hui, now 28, previously pleaded guilty to four counts of voyeurism, while another three were taken into consideration for sentencing.</p><p>On Nov. 2, he was sentenced to seven months and two weeks in prison.</p><p><h2>Organised the files</h2></p><p>After the police arrested Phang at Woodlands MRT station, they seized his phone and two hard disks, where they found a total of 183 voyeuristic photos and videos of women he did not know.</p><p>They included upskirt and downblouse shots.</p><p>The victims' faces can be seen in some of the photos and videos.</p><p>According to charge sheets, the earliest media was from September 2019.</p><p>Over just seven months from January to July 2024, he took 63 such photos and videos, including the final video he was caught for.</p><p>These files were also organised into folders, sorted by the dates they were taken.</p><p>Phang admitted to taking the photos and videos, and that he would pleasure himself to them at home.</p><p><h2>Sentencing</h2></p><p>The prosecution sought a jail sentence of between eight months and three weeks, and 11 months.</p><p>They highlighted that Phang was a "serial voyeur" who committed the offences over a prolonged period of about five years.</p><p>"His multi-year voyeurism streak only came to an end due to the vigilance of an SMRT general manager," they said.</p><p>Phang's family was present at court for his sentencing, <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20261102-9933224" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Shin Min Daily News</em></a> reported.</p><p>When delivering the sentence, the judge said he hoped never to see Phang in court again.</p></p> ]]>
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                <item>
                    <title>China expels record 33 officials, sees lowest Central Committee attendance since Mao</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/china-5th-plenum/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T10:47:55</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Tan Min-Wei ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/china-5th-plenum/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The expulsion of three former politburo members were confirmed.  ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Copy-of-Cover-image-2026-11-02T200459.983.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/whatsapp-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>China completed the Fifth Plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Oct. 29, bringing together 162 of the most influential members of the CPC and their 117 alternates.</p><p>While speculation prior to the Plenum was that there might be a focus on leadership renewal, it turned out that discipline and party expulsions were also a central narrative of the session, as <em><a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/who-fell-and-who-rose-at-china-s-fifth-plenum" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nikkei</a></em> reports 33 high-ranking party members being purged from leadership positions.</p><p>It also confirmed that the CPC would convene the 21st National Congress in Beijing in the second half of 2027.</p>
<p>So what is the Plenum, who was purged, and were there any promotions to take note of?</p><p><h2>Plenum priorities</h2></p><p>The Chinese Communist Party is required to hold annual Plenums which bring together its most senior leaders to discuss its, and by extension China's, most important issues.</p><p>The <a href="https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/party-plenums" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Asia Society</a> reports that each Central Committee is to hold at least five annual Plenums during its five-year term, but it is more usual for seven Plenums to be held, discussing issues such as leadership positions, economic and governance reform, ideology and party building.</p><p><a href="https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/missing-cadres-absent-slogans-decoding-chinas-fifth-plenum?ref=top-hero" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>ThinkChina</em></a> reported that the Plenum had placed “cadre management, discipline enforcement, and anti-corruption work” at the heart of the party’s agenda.</p><p><h2>The purge (continues)</h2></p><p>This effectively meant a continuation of China President Xi Jinping’s ongoing purge of CPC members for alleged corruption, a purge that <a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-plenum-xi-communist-party-discipline-64e17fadcad51932f5d320cd4a97cc1f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>AP</em></a> estimated had affected at least 7.9 million CPC members and officials.</p><p>The highest segments of CPC leadership have not been immune from these purges, with <em><a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-plenum-xi-communist-party-discipline-64e17fadcad51932f5d320cd4a97cc1f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">AP</a></em> reporting that since Xi became China’s leader, 963 senior officials had been disciplined.</p><p>In fact, the 20th Central Committee had been elected in 2022 with 205 full members and 171 alternate members, 376 in total, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/10/31/nx-s1-6024695/political-meeting-beijing-takeaways" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NPR</a></em>.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='China expels record 33 officials, sees lowest Central Committee attendance since Mao' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/china-communist-party-purge/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>However, according to the official CPC <a href="https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/zyxw/202610/t20261029_12049543.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">communique</a> release on Oct. 29, 162 full members and 117 alternate members attended the 2026 Plenum.</p><p><em><a href="https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/missing-cadres-absent-slogans-decoding-chinas-fifth-plenum?ref=top-hero" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ThinkChina</a></em> reports that this means only 74.2 per cent of the original central committee cohort attended the four years, which the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinas-xi-demands-more-loyalty-as-purges-trim-party-elite-e2cc90ab" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Wall Street Journal</em></a> noted was the lowest attendance since when Mao was in power.</p><p>The Plenum approved 34 disciplinary reports involving 16 military officials and 18 officials from party, state, financial, and state-sector institutions.</p><p>This resulted in 33 expulsions, with the final one only being removed from their party posts.</p><p>Two of these <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5ynw94k7kzo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">expulsions</a> involved former members of the Politburo, the core decision-making body, Zhang Youxia and Ma Xingrui, indicating that practically no level of the party was safe.</p><p><h2>But also a promotion</h2></p><p>The military aspect of the purge is particularly stark.</p><p><em>ThinkChina</em> also noted that the Plenum only promoted 10 alternate members to full members of the central committee, none of whom were from the military.</p><p>But the Plenum also saw one promotion of note, that of Central Military Commission vice-chairman Zhang Shengmin.</p><p>China’s military is controlled by the powerful seven-member Central Military Commission, which is traditionally headed by China’s leader, in this case Xi Jinping.</p><p>The remaining six members are senior People’s Liberation Army members, but as of the present moment, only one, Zhang Shengmin, remains.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='China expels record 33 officials, sees lowest Central Committee attendance since Mao' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/01/xi-zhang-purge-cmc-pla/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>A commentary by <em><a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/editor-s-picks/china-up-close/analysis-how-long-will-china-s-top-military-body-remain-hollowed-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nikkei</a></em> says that the purges leave China’s top military body “hollowed out”, and time will tell if it will be renewed at the 21st National Congress in 2027.</p><p>Until then, the situation concentrated a vast amount of direct control over the military in Xi’s hands.</p><p><h2>Direct control</h2></p><p>Zhang Shengmin is perhaps one of the few CPC officials and military leaders who have seen their star rise after recent purges.</p><p>He was made CMC vice-chairman in October 2025, at this most recent Plenum, he has been promoted to the Politburo, indirectly replacing his predecessors.</p><p>In China, positions in the Party outweigh that of State positions, meaning that Zhang Shengmin's CMC role outweighs that of Dong Jun, the Minister of National Defense.</p><p>In this context, Zhang Shengmin has been seen as a key figure in China's defence establishment appearing at international forums like the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, where he met Singapore's defence minister Chan Chun Sing.</p><p><iframe width="500" height="250" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D1642216307263111%26set%3Da.394219332062821%26type%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><p><em><a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/who-fell-and-who-rose-at-china-s-fifth-plenum" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nikkei's</a></em> report on the Plenum called Zhang Shengmin a "bridge" between a "purged military and a rebuilt one", but said that the Plenum showed Xi still lacked trust in his top military leadership.</p><p><h2>Full and rigorous Party Self-Governance</h2></p><p>If there was one phrase to take from the communique, it was “full and rigorous Party Self-Governance”, which appears 22 times and was the central theme of an earlier <em><a href="https://english.news.cn/20261027/0d733a1f475746f0b170f91c34e84490/c.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Xinhua</a></em> explainer on the Plenum, published on Oct. 27.</p><p>The explainer said that improving the lives of Chinese citizens was a central goal of the CPC, and that goal was only achievable through "rigorous self-governance ".</p><p>Through this, the purges were compared to the party turning “the blade inward”, the gory imagery encapsulating the damage that outsiders imagine the party is inflicting on itself, but that a commentator that <em>Xinhua</em> quoted said represented "moral strength."</p><p>But the explainer also signalled that the inward blade was an ongoing process, that the finding and removal of officials that the CPC found wanting was a crucial process through which it safeguarded China, and the explainer credited China's ongoing success to that process.</p><p>In this imagery, both perceptions of the purge are acknowledged, damaging but purposeful. The only part left unsaid is which process acts quicker.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>S'porean host Quan Yi Fong claims tour guide in Xinjiang scolded tourists, forced them to shop & spend more</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/quan-yi-fong-bad-experience-xinjiang/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-03T02:39:38</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Shauna Yap ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/quan-yi-fong-bad-experience-xinjiang/</guid>
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                        <![CDATA[ She also highlighted discrepancies in the tour package. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/cover-photos-5.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>Singaporean host and actress Quan Yi Fong recently travelled to Xinjiang, China as part of a tour group, but was left stunned by the guide's alleged pressure tactics on tourists to spend more money.</p><p>The 52-year-old took to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DfLvOPigaKq/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> on Nov. 1 to recount her experience regarding her 10-day trip.</p>
<p>According to her, the tour guide allegedly mocked and scolded tour group members who refused to shop.</p><p><h2>Local tour group</h2></p><p>Quan shared that due to unpredictable weather conditions, she decided to visit southern Xinjiang instead of northern Xinjiang.</p><p>However, she said she would not recommend such a vacation.</p><p>As Xinjiang is a vast region that can be challenging to explore independently, Quan said she booked a local tour group upon arrival.</p><p>She had also signed a contract that promised no forced shopping and no hidden fees.</p><p>However, for two consecutive mornings, the group was allegedly taken out early to shop for Xinjiang long-staple cotton products and visit two Hetian jade shops.</p><p>She added that each item was sold for at least 2,000 yuan (S$380).</p><p>"If you didn't buy anything, the tour guide would mock you on the bus or even straight-up curse at you," she wrote.</p><p><h2>Gave in</h2></p><p>In a separate <a href="https://www.facebook.com/quanyifong/posts/pfbid02oMdfWqwwXzRMU1oT8g5ui4aYnCdotrHLhZWnJdtisMNb1kRqyWCqf5bqWCp9EKh8l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Facebook post</a> on Nov. 1, Quan revealed that she eventually bought a piece of Hetian jade, cotton and camel wool blankets, as well as half a year's supply of camel milk.</p><p>She added that if she had encountered the same situation elsewhere in China, she would have left immediately or reported the matter to the authorities.</p><p>However, given how vast and remote Xinjiang is, she decided to put up with it.</p><p>In the same post, she also said the actual tour package differed from what was initially promised.</p><p>The group was offered a six-seater luxury minivan, but a 20-seater bus turned up instead.</p><p>She also attached screenshots of her conversations with the tour company.</p><p><iframe width="500" height="799" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fquanyifong%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02oMdfWqwwXzRMU1oT8g5ui4aYnCdotrHLhZWnJdtisMNb1kRqyWCqf5bqWCp9EKh8l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p><p><h2>Unforgettable in a different way</h2></p><p>Quan further shared that southern Xinjiang consists of mainly high-altitude plains and deserts, and that its landscape lacks the charm of northern Xinjiang.</p><p>She also complained about the lack of toilet stops during the long drives.</p><p>As much of the journey involved travelling along expressways where stopping was not permitted, the group was often unable to stop for toilet breaks, she said.</p><p>She added that even at rest stops, tour group members sometimes had to wait a long time to use the toilets.</p><p>The conditions and smell were terrible, she added.</p><p>Some even resorted to using plastic bottles to relieve themselves.</p><p>As a result, Quan said she deliberately limited her water intake to avoid toilet use.</p><p>While she admitted to having some regrets about not visiting northern Xinjiang, Quan said her experience in southern Xinjiang had given her second thoughts about making the trip.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>Kim Lim's ex-employee jailed 22 months for stealing Patek Philippe watch, misusing company credit card & drink driving</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/kim-lim-former-employee-steal-jailed/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-02T19:11:22</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Khine Zin Htet ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/kim-lim-former-employee-steal-jailed/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ She also stole nearly S$74,000 worth of other valuables.  ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Article-Cover-Pic-2000-x-1050-51.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A Singaporean woman who worked for socialite Kim Lim stole a Patek Philippe worth S$73,000 and used the company card to spend nearly S$20,000 while clubbing.</p><p>She also took the company car and drove drunk.</p>
<p>On Nov. 2, Tey Jing Wen, 33, was sentenced to 22 months' jail, fined S$3,500 and disqualified from driving for two years.</p><p>She previously pleaded guilty on Oct. 8 to five charges, including theft as a servant, criminal breach of trust as an employee, driving without a licence and drink driving.</p><p>Another five charges were taken into consideration.</p><p>Previously, on Oct. 21, 2025, Lim, who is the daughter of billionaire Peter Lim, <a href="https://mothership.sg/2025/10/kim-lim-personal-assistant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">spoke about</a> the incident on a social media livestream where she said that the "drama" had deeply hurt her.</p><p><h2>What happened</h2></p><p>According to<em><a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20261015-9842238" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Lianhe Zaobao</a>,</em> the court heard that Tey joined Lim's beauty and health company, KL Health, as a human resources (HR) assistant in 2022.</p><p>She rose through the ranks, becoming an HR manager after just two years, and was subsequently promoted to regional coordinator.</p><p>Tey took on a key role in the company and worked closely with Lim, with employees often asking for directives through Tey when Lim was not in the office.</p><p>In August 2024, after Lim's personal assistant resigned, Lim told Tey the combination code to the company safe, which contained some of her personal belongings.</p><p>However, Lim later forgot the combination, leaving Tey as the only one who could open the safe.</p><p><h2>Drink driving</h2></p><p>On Jun. 3, 2025, Tey was stopped by traffic police for driving against traffic, and was found to have a blood alcohol content higher than the legal limit.</p><p>She was also found to have been driving without a licence and third-party insurance.</p><p>It was also discovered that the car she was driving belonged to Lim.</p><p>One of her responsibilities as regional coordinator was to look after Lim's car.</p><p>Lim was not in Singapore at the time of the incident.</p><p>Tey was later released on bail.</p><p><h2>Investigated</h2></p><p>After Tey's arrest, Lim began to notice that her work performance was slipping and launched an internal investigation.</p><p>It revealed that in May 2025, Tey had used a company credit card to spend S$19,191 at several luxury nightclubs on eight occasions.</p><p>She also found that her Patek Philippe watch, as well as a stack of red packets containing S$8,000, had disappeared from her safe.</p><p>In her social media livestream in October 2025, Lim claimed that the red packet money was her son's.</p><p>Police investigations later found that Tey was the one who stole the items, having sold the watch for S$16,500 to a purported secondhand dealer while on bail.</p><p>She used S$13,280 of the money to repay part of her unauthorised credit card spending, and kept the remaining sum, as well as the red packet money, for herself.</p><p>She also stole nearly S$74,000 worth of other valuables, such as cash, jewellery, and perfumes.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>Over 50 haze-related questions submitted by 30 MPs for November 2026 parliament sitting</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/11/over-50-haze-questions-parliament/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-11-02T18:51:01</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Nadya Pang ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/11/over-50-haze-questions-parliament/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ These questions come after the government said it would examine the adequacy of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014. ]]>
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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/11/Haze.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>More than 50 haze-related questions have been filed by over 30 Members of Parliament (MPs) and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) for oral answers in preparation for the parliament sitting on Nov. 3.</p><p>According to the order paper, <em>Mothership, </em>most of the questions are about around Singapore's legal, regulatory and economic responses to the haze and the <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/10/panel-haze-singapore/">companies</a> that allegedly contributed to the pollution.</p>
<p>This includes whether the <a href="https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/THPA2014?ProvIds=P12-" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) 2014</a> is effectively enforced.</p><p>Another repeatedly raised question was the status of investigations into the four companies allegedly responsible for the 2015 peatland and forest fires in Indonesia, which caused one of Singapore's worst haze events on record.</p><p>These questions come after the government said it would examine the adequacy of the THPA and consider ushering in <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/10/grace-fu-transboundary-haze-act/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">changes</a> to current haze laws following the ongoing bout of haze since September.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Over 50 haze-related questions submitted by 30 MPs for November 2026 parliament sitting' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/grace-fu-transboundary-haze-act/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Over 50 haze-related questions submitted by 30 MPs for November 2026 parliament sitting' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/panel-haze-singapore/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><h2 class="p1">Transboundary Haze Pollution Act 2014</h2></p><p>Passed in 2014, the THPA is a law that targets entities such as businesses that engage in activities that cause or contribute to haze pollution in Singapore.</p><p>If found guilty, the entities may face a maximum fine of S$100,000 for every day that there is haze pollution in Singapore.</p><p>The law comes into effect and can be enforced when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) remains in the unhealthy range for more than 24 hours in any part of Singapore.</p><p>Despite preventive measure notices issued to a multitude of firms in <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/10/nea-haze-pollution-act/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2015</a> and <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/10/10-companies-notice-nea-confirm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2026</a>, no fines or convictions have been issued.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Over 50 haze-related questions submitted by 30 MPs for November 2026 parliament sitting' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/nea-haze-pollution-act/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><iframe class='post-embed title='Over 50 haze-related questions submitted by 30 MPs for November 2026 parliament sitting' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2026/10/10-companies-notice-nea-confirm/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>Two of the cases from 2015 were closed, while four of the six are still open.</p><p><h2>Questions from both sides of house</h2></p><p>Following the order paper's arrangement, some of the summarised standout questions from MPs of the People's Action Party (PAP) and Workers' Party (WP) include:</p><p><ul></p><p> 	<li>PAP MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, Tin Pei Ling, on the number of preventive notices issued under THPA to date since September 2026 and what actions have been taken to hold companies responsible for causing the fires in Indonesia accountable</li></p><p> 	<li>PAP MP for Tampines GRC, Charlene Chen, on whether the THPA adequately establishes haze-causing entities' liability and if amendments to the law are needed to address any identified gaps</li></p><p> 	<li>WP MP for Aljunied GRC, Sylvia Lim, on updates to the 2015 investigations into the four companies and the specific impediments preventing a resolution to the case after 11 years.</li></p><p> 	<li>Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Neo Kok Beng, on whether the government will require Singapore-listed companies operating plantations regionally to submit plans on the prevention and mitigation of fire</li></p><p> 	<li>WP MP for Aljunied GRC, Kenneth Tiong, on how many money-laundering investigations have concerned proceeds of foreign illegal land clearing since November 2024</li></p><p> 	<li>PAP MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, Sharael Taha, on whether the government will convene a coordinated framework with relevant agencies to hold companies accountable</li></p><p></ul></p><p>An adjournment motion has also been filed by WP's MP for Sengkang GRC, He Ting Ru, on strengthening Singapore's role in regional clean air amid transboundary haze, to be heard in parliament on Nov. 3.</p></p> ]]>
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