Two Singaporean men were charged by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Jun. 25, 2026, for harbouring and employing immigration offenders.

According to a Jun. 25 ICA media release, the men charged are 62-year-old Kamarulzaman Bin Yahaya and 27-year-old Mohamad Elfie Hakim Bin Lokman.

62-year-old

Kamarulzaman was charged for harbouring a 54-year-old Filipina, Leonardo Federigan Leonora, who remained unlawfully in Singapore after her visit pass expired on Apr. 28, 2003.

Investigations by ICA found that despite knowing Leonora had overstayed in Singapore, Kamarulzaman allowed her to stay in his Bedok unit from March 2004 to March 2026.

She was subsequently convicted and sentenced to six months' jail and fined S$2,000, the release noted, adding that she was deported after completing her sentence and is barred from re-entering Singapore.

27-year-old

The release added that Elfie was charged for employing a 26-year-old Indian man, Kakadiya Avanit Rajubhai, who remained unlawfully in Singapore after his visit pass expired on Jun. 17, 2025.

ICA investigations found that Elfie had employed Kakadiya as a parcel delivery worker without conducting due diligence checks ensuring that he had a valid pass to remain in Singapore.

Kakadiya, who was later fined S$4,000, has since been deported and is barred from re-entering Singapore.

Penalties

ICA takes a firm stance against any person harbouring immigration offenders, it said in its release.

It added that those who wish to rent out their premises must exercise due diligence in checking the immigration status of their prospective foreign tenants to ensure that their stay in Singapore is legal.

They are required to:

(a) Check the tenant's original immigration/work pass;

(b) Cross check the particulars on their pass against the particulars on their original passport; and

(c) Verify the validity of their pass by checking with the issuing authority (i.e. the Ministry of Manpower for work passes and ICA for immigration passes – Student's Pass and Long-Term Visit Pass).

The release noted that a person found guilty of recklessly or knowingly harbouring overstayers and/or illegal immigrants may be sentenced to jail for a term of not less than six months and up to two years and a fine of up to S$6,000.

A person found guilty of negligently harbouring overstayers and/or illegal immigrants may be sentenced to a fine of up to S$6,000 or to jail for a term of up to 12 months, or to both.

Any person found guilty of employing overstayers and/or illegal immigrants may be sentenced to jail for a term of not less than six months and up to two years and a fine of up to S$6,000.

A 40-year-old Malaysian man, who used to be the chief executive officer (CEO) of a food delivery platform company, is now working as a food delivery rider.

Indera Aria Wee Jeeny, who had a company that began operations in 2019, recorded profits of up to RM6 million (S$1,88 million) and had 3,000 active food riders across Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah, Malaysia, New Straits Times reported.

Aria apparently did not come from a well-off family.

Downfall

According to Aria, his company was a strategic partner under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation.

The company suffered losses when an individual allegedly sold an Internet Protocol (IP) address to a competitor for personal gain.

The situation worsened from January 2021 onwards.

Profits reportedly fell between RM40,000 (S$12,551) and RM80,000 (S$25,102) before the business was on the verge of collapsing.

Aria apparently sold assets to pay his employees.

Coins

Aria, who is a father of two, said his life changed completely when the company collapsed.

He apparently could not afford to eat and “even had to dig for coins to buy food”.

“I also had to walk long distances because I had no transport,” he said.

Aria also mentioned that he “began to notice changes in people” around him,

He theorised that they feared he “would ask to borrow money”.

"It was painful because when I was doing well, I had helped them," he told Harian Metro.

Motivation

Aria reportedly regained motivation after recalling the words of a former employee, who was a food rider who remained grateful.

The former employee apparently earned about RM20 (S$6.27) but "was very happy because he could buy food for his child.”

This made Aria motivated and made him “hope to rise again”.

Food rider

Aria currently works as a food rider and takes up jobs purchasing items for a fee of between RM5 (S$1.57) and RM10 (S$3.14).

He also helps people, especially those requiring assistance with vehicle batteries and tyres, whom he meets along the roadside.

“I meet people in need almost every night, and once came across a family who had not eaten for two weeks. I am not well off either, but I try to help as much as I can,” he recalled.

Aria apparently considers what happened in his life a test and a learning experience.

"I am also determined to rise again as a successful entrepreneur and create job opportunities, so I can help more people out there," he said.

Three major Singapore banks — DBS, OCBC, and UOB — and NETS have committed to providing an ATM, bank branch, or cashpoint within 500 metres of every HDB block by the end of 2027.

This is to ensure that seniors continue to have access to cash and physical banking channels, even as Singapore moves towards digital payments, said the Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) on Jun. 25.

This comes as part of a suite of 20 initiatives by ABS, to better serve the banking needs of seniors in Singapore.

As an interim target, the three banks and NETS will work towards installing an ATM, branch, or cashpoint within 500 metres of key public amenities by the end of this year.

Amenities include public transport hubs, hawker centres, and major supermarkets. Cashpoints are participating merchants, such as supermarkets, that allow consumers to withdraw cash using their bank ATM or debit card while making a purchase via NETS.

The needs of seniors

The 20 initiatives were published in a playbook, "Banking a Longevity Society", on Jun. 25.

Speaking at the ABS annual dinner the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong pointed out that Singapore now has one in five citizens aged 65 and above, himself included.

"As our population ages, the financial needs of seniors will become even more important," he said.

He added that while some seniors are digitally confident, others may need more help, and banks must respond to this diversity.

"For seniors, trust is built not only through better apps. It is built through clearer choices, safer systems, easier processes, and better support when it matters.

I commend the ABS for making a concerted effort to examine how the sector can better serve an ageing society."

Other initiatives

Other initiatives in the playbook include improving processes to simplify and clarify matters of estate administration, as well as providing greater support to vulnerable seniors.

Currently, the different banks have different procedures for administrative tasks, such as the lasting power of attorney (LPA), deputyship, and closing accounts for the deceased.

They plan to align their procedures and publish a standardised resource of frequently asked questions (FAQs), to provide clearer guidance to families and caregivers by the first quarter of 2027.

Furthermore, also by 2027, the three banks intend to introduce a common set of guidelines to help frontline banking staff identify and respond to possible signs of cognitive decline in customers.

This will enable staff to better support seniors at greater risk of financial abuse, scams, or other harm.

Moping around at home, and unsure of what to do on weekday nights or weekends? Why not check out REMIX 2026?

Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s (SCCC) annual youth festival will be back from Jul. 3 to 12 this year, and will be featuring a variety of fun activities and immersive performances.

Head down to try out a mass escape game, join in an impromptu jazz session, or simply chill to some dance and music.

In more good news, eligible Singapore citizens can also use their SG Culture Pass credits to offset ticket prices for paid activities and performances.

Activities

REMIX The Mission: Ah Ma’s Secret Recipe

Combine brain cells with your friends by participating in this clue-solving mission.

Encompassing the whole SCCC building, “Ah Ma’s Secret Recipe” will test your knowledge of local culture and dialects.

What’s more, you’ll get your steps in as you explore the building.

Price: S$8 per participant, S$28 per group of four, S$36 per group of six (includes booking fees)

Dates: Jul. 4, 5, 11, 12; 1pm - 8:30pm (last entry: 6:30pm)

DIY milk tea at Botanica Brews

Quench your thirst at Botanica Brews, an interactive experience where you can make your own roasted milk tea for just S$2.

Customise your own herbal tea blend by choosing your tea base, and then selecting from a variety of ingredients such as osmanthus, mulberry, tangerine peels, lavender, dried pears and goji berries.

This drinks bar is presented in collaboration with AMACHA, a local brand known for crafting Singapore’s first TCM-inspired herbal milk tea.

Price: S$2 per cup

Dates: Jul. 3-5, 10-12

Mytime Airtime

Do you have a hidden musical talent that you’ve been dying to show the world? Bring your own instrument along and join REMIX 2026’s Mytime Airtime “Open Jam with annsiangsounds” or join “Open Mic Done The Jazz Way”, if you’re fan of the jazz genre.

Whether you’re a performer or simply there to watch, everyone is in for some good tunes.

Price: Free

Dates: Jul. 5 (Open Jam) & Jul. 11 (Open Mic)

Performances

REMIX 2026’s attendees can also enjoy immersive theatre experiences, such as “Finding X”, which focuses on a Singaporean girl named X, struggling with her identity.

As per the show’s description:

“Finding X lays bare the struggles of a Singaporean girl wrestling with expectations about beauty, gender and social roles shaped by family, peers and social media.”

Dates:

Jul. 3-5, 10-12: 8pm

Jul. 4-5, 11-12: 2:30pm and 5pm

Meanwhile, horror fans can check out “ff”, a horror-themed musical theatre experience with accompanying Chinese orchestra music, set in a haunted school CCA practice room.

Dates: Jul. 4, 7pm and Jul. 5, 3pm and 7pm

Both performances cost S$28 including a S$3 booking fee.

Aside from these highlights, there will also be creative markets on Jul. 4, 5, 11 and 12, featuring local crafts, as well as more performances by Singapore’s youth jazz collective The Jazzlings and local singers Ben Hum, Marcus Lee and Jarvis Quek Shao Bin.

All drinks at Afterhours Livehouse are also on the house.

Dance and singing competitions will also see groups battle it out on the stage, and attendees can marvel at their smooth moves or sweet vocals.

Find out more about REMIX 2026 and purchase tickets here.

This branded article is brought to you by SCCC.

A 27-year-old Filipino man was sentenced to six weeks’ jail after he came to Singapore for a vacation and took upskirt videos of six women over the span of three hours.

Usi Christian Jior Orlino pleaded guilty to three out of six charges of voyeurism, Shin Min Daily News reported.

The remaining charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Orlino was on vacation in Singapore and was staying with his girlfriend at the time of the offence.

Chinatown Point

In charge sheets seen by Mothership, five of the six offences were committed at stores located at Chinatown Point on Nov. 6, 2025, from about 6:48pm to about 8:05pm.

According to Shin Min, in one incident, he placed his phone under the skirt of a woman wearing a blue dress at a bakery.

He activated the camera and filmed for about 33 seconds.

Orlino also used the same method on another woman at a pharmacy, where he recorded a video lasting about 19 seconds.

Outram Park MRT station

He then reportedly took the MRT from Chinatown station to Outram Park station to head back to his accommodation.

At about 9pm, he had already taken the escalator to leave the station platform.

However, he noticed a woman in a black dress along the way.

Orlino decided to return to the platform.

He then placed his phone between the woman’s legs, below her dress and proceeded to record a video of her genital region.

Two passengers who were taking the escalator down to the platform witnessed the act and stepped forward to stop him.

Orlino was handed over to station staff, and a police report was lodged.

He was subsequently arrested, and the videos were extracted from his phone.

Turned back to specifically film

The prosecution urged the judge to sentence Orlino to six weeks’ jail, saying that he had already left on the escalator but turned back specifically to film the woman.

Orlino’s lawyers said in mitigation that it was his first offence, and even though the case involved six women, they were all committed on the same day.

He pleaded for leniency.

The police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 12-year-old Koon Hui Lin.

She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and grey pants in the vicinity of Block 131 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 on Jun. 24 at about 10am.

Anyone with information is requested to call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/i-witness.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

A total of 41 motorists, aged between 25 and 68, will be charged on Jun. 25 for drink driving offences.

The motorists were arrested between June 2025 and June 2026.

They failed breathalyser tests administered during police enforcement checks.

Repeat offenders

Two male motorists, aged 44 and 48, are repeat drink driving offenders who were stopped by police for checks on Jun. 18 and Apr. 16, respectively.

They were reportedly found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol.

If convicted, they will serve a mandatory jail term.

Left stationary

Three male motorists, aged between 29 and 59, will face additional charges for allegedly being found in their vehicles in a stationary position along Hougang Street 13, Clementi Avenue 5, and Loyang Avenue on Apr. 30, May 9 and Jun. 15, respectively.

Their actions apparently obstructed traffic and potentially caused danger or inconvenience to other road users.

Investigations revealed that the three motorists had driven their cars after allegedly consuming alcohol and had fallen asleep behind the wheel.

They will be charged with drink driving and leaving a vehicle in a position causing undue inconvenience to others.

Punishment

The offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol carries a fine ranging from S$2,000 to S$10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.

Subsequent offences carry a fine ranging from S$5,000 to S$20,000, and a mandatory jail term of up to two years.

Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.

The offence of leaving a vehicle in a position that causes undue inconvenience to others carries a fine of up to S$2,000, a jail term of up to three months, or both.

Subsequent offences carry a fine of up to S$5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

Police reminder

The police reminded motorists that driving under the influence of alcohol is an extremely dangerous and irresponsible act.

Members of the public should not drive if they intend to consume alcohol.

They should opt for alternative forms of transport, such as taking a taxi or private hire vehicle, using public transport, engaging valet services, or designating a non-drinking driver to send them home.

Motorists are also reminded to abide by traffic laws to keep the roads safe.

The police said they do not condone drink driving and will not hesitate to take firm action against motorists who drink and drive.

A 24-year-old woman from China's Hubei province who underwent plastic surgery in 2025 complained that less than a month later, her face became crooked and she developed a protruding jaw.

Sin Chew Daily reported that she went for orthognathic surgery, also known as corrective jaw surgery, after which she posted about her experience online.

Lower jaw mistakenly lengthened

Though her consultation was originally said to be about fillings, the doctor had reportedly recommended surgery, which she went for at the Wuhan University School of Stomatology.

Since she only had a slight protrusion of the lower jaw before the surgery, Sin Chew Daily reported that she supposedly only needed a slight 2 millimetre adjustment.

However, the doctor allegedly stretched her lower jaw by over 13 mm, which was said to have caused severe facial deformity.

Subsequently, relevant authoritative institutions identified that the surgery to be due to misdiagnosis and medical error, mirrormedia.mg reported.

Facial reconstruction

In addition, multiple dental hospitals assessed that if she were to undergo facial reconstruction, it would take four to five years and cost over 300,000 yuan (about S$57,300).

Sin Chew Daily also cited local media reports that the woman did not expect to end up with a "crooked" and "protruding" face after the surgery.

To that, the surgeon reportedly claimed that there was a slight error in the surgery's precision.

However, he supposedly added that she should learn to "accept" her current face shape as it was more "stylish".

Complaints

Following this, the woman was said to have filed repeated complaints to the hospital as well as the Health Commission.

She was then reportedly told that the Health Commission was "handling it", Sin Chew Daily reported.

Australian magician Daniel Hidden has been found dead after an extensive multi-agency search.

He was 26 years old.

His body was located at around 11am on Jun. 24 after a bushland search and rescue operation in the Gold Coast hinterland of Mount Cougal, according to a press release.

Last seen on Jun. 14

He was last seen leaving an address in a suburb in Gold Coast, Queensland, at about 3am on Jun. 14, 7news reported.

Shortly after his departure, his phone had been switched off, with calls diverting to a full voicemail inbox.

Hidden's silver Hyundai Santa Fe and Galaxy caravan were found parked in Currumbin Valley on Jun. 16, two days after his disappearance.

This launched a large-scale land and aerial search around the surrounding area for the next 10 days, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Around 100 personnel were involved in the search, which included multi-agency cooperation across the police, fire department, emergency service, defence force, aviation units, volunteers, and drone operators.

Family's emotional appeal

Prior to the discovery of his body, Hidden’s family had remained at the search site throughout the operation and made a public plea for assistance.

His brother, Ilya Jamshidi, shared that the family initially assumed Hidden was on another solo adventure.

However, they grew increasingly concerned as the days passed without contact, according to 7news.

He said: "A week without contact or shelter, that's pretty unusual to us."

Jamshidi said the area Hidden had disappeared from was one of his favourite places: "He's got the coordinates of a spot in this place tattooed on his fingers... So it means a lot to him."

Jamshidi also explained that his brother was an experienced adventurer who deliberately sought out difficult terrain away from established walking tracks.

Investigations ongoing

In a press release, police said his death is not being treated as suspicious, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Investigations surrounding his death are ongoing.

One bak kut teh stall patron was recently quite pleased to inform Prime Minister Lawrence Wong that thanks to the CDC vouchers, he was able to order extra fish with his meal.

PM Wong, accompanied by Jurong Central SMC MP Xie Yao Quan, had sat down with the elderly man at Yuhua Place Market and Hawker Centre.

The man was in the midst of finishing a meal from Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh, and told PM Wong that he had travelled from Punggol to the west to try this stall, which was famous.

"We used the CDC vouchers to order fish! If not, we would only order bak kut teh."

PM Wong responded that "now you not only have fish to eat, [the stallholders] also have business."

"It's a win-win situation, isn't it?"

@lawrencewongstLike this couple, I hope everyone is putting their CDC vouchers to good use!♬ original sound - Lawrence Wong

CDC vouchers

The most recent tranche of S$500 CDC vouchers was disbursed on Jun. 11.

This tranche was originally planned for January 2027, but was brought forward by the government in light of rising fuel prices and heightened cost-of-living anxieties arising from the conflict in the Middle East.

As with previous tranches, the vouchers are split into two halves — S$250 for spending at participating hawkers and heartland merchants, and S$250 for spending at participating supermarkets.

As of Jun. 3, 2026, more than S$4.64 billion has been spent across the eight CDC voucher tranches and the SG60 voucher tranches, covering both seniors and adults, Low shared.

Those who have yet to claim their vouchers can do so by visiting https://go.gov.sg/cdcv.