Alice Huang, along with her husband and sister, set up a network of companies to acquire Nvidia chips, reported U.S. tech website The Information.

Alice Huang is a former executive at Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed, and an alleged Chinese spy.

Her connections to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have since come under scrutiny, after Jensen Huang admitted to having an affair.

Met through her husband

According to the report, Jensen Huang had reportedly known Alice Huang's husband, Kang Wei, since the 2010s.

Alice was introduced to Jensen by Kang, the report claimed.

According to Chinese news outlet Caixin Global, Kang is the founder of Shanghai Hexi Investment Co. Ltd., a private equity firm of which Alice was reportedly a major shareholder and senior executive.

Kang has been embroiled in controversial capital operations in recent years.

Sources claimed he was previously fined by Chinese securities regulators.

He was also recently under criminal scrutiny for manipulating listed stocks, Caixin reported.

However, little is known about the pair's purported relationship as of the moment.

Related stories

A Japanese fusion restaurant at Millenia Walk discarded nearly 5kg of marinated meat and sauces after a supplier's delivery worker allegedly failed to close a refrigerator door properly.

Cheeky Don's owner estimated that the restaurant could lose up to S$900 in potential revenue and labour costs, according to 8world.

Restaurant owner Chen Zheqi said he discarded the meat and sauces despite there being no visible signs of spoilage, as he did not want to risk customers' safety.

Fridge temperature rose to 12.3°C

Chen told 8world that staff discovered one of the restaurant's refrigerators had been left partially open on the morning of Nov. 7.

Its temperature was recorded at 12.3°C, well above the intended level of below 4°C.

After reviewing CCTV footage, Chen found that a worker from the restaurant's supplier had failed to close the refrigerator door properly following a delivery at around 11:40pm on Nov. 6.

Concerned that the ingredients might have spoiled, Chen discarded approximately 4.8kg of marinated pork, including pork jowl and pork collar.

He also threw away the sauces stored in the refrigerator.

Estimated losses of up to S$900

According to Chen, the discarded ingredients could have been used to prepare around 50 meals, generating approximately S$600 in revenue.

Including labour costs, he estimated the potential loss at S$900.

The supplier reimbursed the restaurant about S$90 for the meat, but Cheeky Don did not seek compensation for the discarded marinade.

Chen explained that preparing the restaurant's signature pork dishes involved thawing the meat in a refrigerator for at least six hours, soaking it in brine for several hours and marinating it for another six hours.

"For a small F&B business, this is not a small loss, especially when every dollar and every bowl sold matters," he told 8world.

Food safety prioritised

Chen admitted that he had briefly questioned whether all the ingredients needed to be discarded, as they appeared normal and customers would not have known about the incident.

However, he decided against using it, saying it was not worth risking customers' safety to save money.

He emphasised that food safety should be upheld in the restaurant's daily operations, even if doing so resulted in financial losses.

Not every weekend gives you the chance to play tug-of-war against a police dog.

This one does. The Home Team Festival is back at Suntec Convention Centre from Nov. 20 to 22, billed as the largest public showcase of the Home Team’s work.

The festival is held once every three years, so if you miss it, you’ll be waiting another three.

Here are the dates and opening hours:

• Nov. 20: 11am to 9pm
• Nov. 21: 1pm to 9pm
• Nov. 22: 9am to 9pm

If you’re a fan of our canine heroes

Ever wondered how a dog is trained to find people buried under rubble, or to sniff out clues on what started a fire?

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Search Platoon is bringing its Fire Investigation (FI) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) dogs for a live demonstration.

You can watch them work through rubble and debris, locate “trapped casualties” and detect accelerants at a simulated fire scene.

Then there’s the Singapore Police Force (SPF) K-9 Show, with police dogs and their handlers.

Highlights include:

• “Human vs Dog”: A contraband detection challenge where you hunt for hidden items alongside the dogs. Good luck keeping up.
• Tug-of-war: Test your strength against a police dog.
• Meet & greet: Say hello and take photos with the dogs up close.

Also on stage is the Ops Demo, a theatrical showcase inspired by real-life Home Team operations. It shows how different Home Team departments work together as One Home Team.

If you’ve always wanted to play officer

Several activities let you take on the job for a few minutes.

At the SPS Dayroom Dash, you can take on the role of a Correctional Unit Officer in a fast-paced video game. You’ll juggle daily duties, support inmates’ rehabilitation activities and respond to unexpected situations, all against the clock.

Meanwhile, the SPS VR Scenario is a simulation used to train new Prison Officers. It drops you into realistic situations where you have to size things up and decide quickly under pressure.

There’s also the Shooting Range, where you can try a supervised live-firing activity using non-lethal equipment used by the Singapore Prisons Emergency Action Response (SPEAR) Force and Singapore Police Force (SPF) Special Operations Command. It’s a rare chance to test your focus, accuracy and composure. There is no age limit, but participants must be at least 1.1 metres tall.

The ICA Vehicle Search allows you to experience how Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers conduct checks on vehicles at the land checkpoints. You will be given mock-up scanning tools to search for contraband and prohibited items within the life-sized vehicle.

Fight the Manikin by SPS lets you test your strike accuracy and strength on a combat training manikin, with a Straight Extendable Baton.

In Drug Buster, you play a Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officer in two games.

• Game 1: Search a mock-up HDB unit for as many hidden drug exhibits as you can before time runs out. Kids and parents can play together.
• Game 2: A VR game for those aged 12 and above, where you gather intelligence through three stages of covert surveillance.

If you like gadgets

Think you can spot a deepfake? Curious what a human-like robot can do? These exhibits are for you.

• Forensic LiDAR: Mapping the Truth – View how 3D scanners are used to digitally reconstruct scenes, and learn how this helps investigators examine scenes digitally.
• Humanoid Embodied AI: Watch a humanoid demonstrate autonomously how officers and agentic AI-powered robots could work together in future for public safety.
• AlchemiX: Are you the Sherlock Holmes of deepfake detection? Test yourself against AI-generated media, and find out how AlchemiX works to identify manipulated content.
• SGSecure Mini Games in SPF Metaverse: An interactive Roblox-based experience that introduces SGSecure concepts through a series of mini games, including how to respond in a terror attack, spot suspicious people and behaviour, and perform basic CPR.
• PROTECT: Get up close with PROTECT, an autonomous robotic unit, and discover how it supports Prison Officers in maintaining safety and security within prisons, transforming prison operations with technology.

If you want to get up close with the gear

Some of the Home Team’s most interesting kit doesn’t usually come out in public, so this is your chance to stand next to it.

Start with the Traffic Police Expressway Patrol Car, a Polestar 2 that is the SPF’s first electric patrol vehicle.

Nearby is Spyder, a Hull Climbing Robot that scales metal ship hulls so officers can board vessels.

The SCDF is bringing the Electric Pump Ladder, which it says is the first of its kind in ASEAN and runs mainly on electricity with zero emissions.

Beside it is a Vehicle Extrication Robot, built to move affected electric vehicles away from incident scenes once the fire is out.

Further along, you can get close to the vehicles that the SPS uses to move inmates safely between prison, courts and hospitals.

The ICA showcases an automated clearance system that allows drivers and passengers to clear immigration at land checkpoints without stepping out of their vehicles.

The CNB explains how it uses science and technology to detect drug abuse.

Then it’s your turn.

At HTX’s (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) Hands-On Robotics Experience, you control a humanoid robot’s movement along a course, steering around obstacles to reach a post-blast site and collect key evidence before the clock runs out.

And before you leave, stop by the Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG)’s Hope booth on the Level 3 concourse.

Fuel up with a cake or coffee at the Hope Café, where all proceeds go to Yellow Ribbon Cares in support of ex-offenders and their families.

While you're at it, what's an event without a meaningful keepsake? Head over to the Hope Workshop and find out how you can walk away with a truly unique memento made from upcycled clothing fabrics and exclusive charms!

If you’re bringing the kids

There’s plenty for the little ones too.

At the Home Team Kiddy Rides, children drive miniature vehicles inspired by Home Team operational vehicles around a course.

Families can also pick up life-saving skills from SCDF officers at the CPR-AED & IFAS Booth. You learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and Improvised First Aid Skills (IFAS) for treating severe bleeding with everyday items.

The Smoke-logged Confined Maze replicates a smoke-filled room during a fire. Learn how to escape to safety by keeping close to the ground and moving towards the exit while navigating through obstacles in the dark.

Put your observation skills to the test at the Cell Search Challenge! Step into the shoes of a Prison Officer as you search a mock prison cell for hidden contrabands. Complete the challenge and win a token.

Children aged three to seven can also pick up a Children’s Activity Book, filled with colouring pages, connect-the-dots, mazes, puzzles and fun facts. It comes with stickers and coloured pencils.

If you like free stuff

Every visitor gets an exclusive two-way canvas bag, which you can carry as a sling bag or a tote.

If you complete missions by participating at selected booths across the festival, you can also redeem a HTF 2026 collectible – a keycap keychain!

The designs are inspired by the different Home Team departments and the festival’s identity.

Before you go

A few reminders for visitors:

• Keep your valuables with you, and don’t leave children or bags unattended
• Keep young children within reach, especially in crowded areas
• Follow the instructions of ushers and security staff, and the safety signs at exhibits
• Use the electronic queue management system at popular booths instead of crowding around
• Do not push or rush when entering, exiting or queuing, and do not cross barriers or enter restricted areas
• Report unattended bags or suspicious behaviour to security staff or booth ambassadors

Prohibited items include weapons, knives, fireworks, pepper spray, e-cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

Join the Home Team Festival

Location: Suntec Convention Centre, Halls 401-406, Level 3 Concourse Atrium near Convention Centre

Date & Time:

• Nov. 20: 11am to 9pm
• Nov. 21: 1pm to 9pm
• Nov. 22: 9am to 9pm

Admission is free. To find out how you can play a part in keeping Singapore safe and secure, visit MHA’s website for more details.

If you are keen to join the Home Team as a volunteer, come down and check out the Home Team Volunteer Network booth.

This Home Team-branded article made this writer want to challenge a police dog to a tug-of-war.

Malaysia's transport minister Anthony Loke said on Nov. 10 that he will resign from his role "effective immediately" in the wake of news that the Kuala Lumpur High Court has decided to allow former prime minister Najib Razak to serve his sentence under house arrest.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) chief said him stepping down aligns with his stance which was announced on Nov. 6.

“This decision upholds the principles and stance that I have previously explained,” he said in a statement about resigning when Najib begins his house arrest.

Loke previously explained that it was a party decision to convey its disagreement with the conditional royal pardon.

He first announced his resignation in September 2026 in protest of the conditional royal pardon granted to Najib.

He said Malaysia prime minister Anwar Ibrahim then persuaded him to stay on until Najib began his house arrest.

The DAP is part of the governing Pakatan Harapan coalition with Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's admission of an extramarital affair, allegedly with Alice Huang, has shocked the tech world.

Not least of all because the latter has been suspected of being a spy for China.

Reports as early as October 2025 named Alice Huang as a potential person of interest due to her repeated appearances with Jensen Huang.

But at the heart of the controversy lies Singapore-based data centre company Megaspeed, of which Alice Huang was reportedly a former executive.

Megaspeed has been alleged by U.S. intelligence to be involved in smuggling advanced Nvidia AI chips to China, which the U.S. fears will aid its rival in getting ahead in the AI and tech race.

And just as information about Alice Huang is scarce and apocryphal, little is known about Megaspeed's activities.

What exactly is this mysterious company?

Multi-billion deals

Megaspeed began attracting attention when its sister company in Malaysia bought at least US$4.8 billion (S$6.13 billion) worth of advanced AI equipment from 2024 to 2026.

This set off investigations by U.S. intelligence, who went down to Megaspeed's data centre in Malaysia.

They found that the purchased AI equipment was still sitting in boxes and uninstalled, suggesting that it was to be shipped out rather than used on-site.

In other words, Megaspeed was suspected of circumventing advanced chip export restrictions to China.

The New York Times (NYT) found that according to Malaysian import records, these chips were purchased from a California-based subsidiary of Inspur, a major Chinese tech firm operating in cloud computing and data.

Inspur was sanctioned by the U.S. for allegedly supporting the Chinese military, but their California-based subsidiary, Aivres, was able to freely buy Nvidia chips as a U.S. company.

Nvidia denied the claims that Megaspeed was smuggling chips to China, saying that it had verified that Megaspeed was wholly owned and operated by a company based outside China, with no Chinese shareholders.

Jensen Huang told Bloomberg on Oct. 29, 2026 that Nvidia examined how Megaspeed was utilising the chips, and concluded that they were not diverting them to China.

His company further stated that Megaspeed was "like any other regional customer".

Changing hands

According to data from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), Megaspeed was established in Singapore in late September 2015, reported Singapore Chinese-language media Lianhe Zaobao (Zaobao).

Its office is located at the Ocean Financial Centre at Collyer Quay.

The company reportedly descended from a Chinese gaming and cloud computing company, 7Road, which started in Shenzhen and was involved in publishing online web games.

In March 2023, the current incarnation of Megaspeed began when 7Road split off its overseas operations in Singapore.

Alice Huang, or Huang Le, was then listed as the managing director of Megaspeed.

Before she joined, she reportedly was the executive director for a Shanghai-based firm that invested in 7Road.

Zaobao reported that all 10 million shares of Megaspeed were later transferred to Huang Le Limited, registered in the British Virgin Islands.

Transfer of shares

Eight months later, in November 2023, the shares were then transferred to another Singapore-registered company Swiftdata, and Alice Huang then resigned as managing director.

Swiftdata was incorporated in October 2023 and is registered in Midview City in Sin Ming.

The sole shareholder and director of Swiftdata is one Singaporean Tan Yong Pong, who is also the sole director of Megaspeed and owns another Singapore-registered company, Monster Investment.

These companies were subject to a U.S. and Singapore probe in 2025, reported The Straits Times (ST).

The probe also found that Tan has been active in China since 2005.

CNA reported that one Ng Wei Shi Khloe is listed as company secretary of both companies, and that Tan and Ng are also the only listed officers of both companies in business filings.

Sudden inflow

Both Swiftdata and Megaspeed are registered as engaging in hosting services by non-data centres as its principal activity.

According to CNA, records further show that Megaspeed's assets increased sharply to US$3 billion (S$3.83 billion) in 2024 from US$33 million (S$42.1 million) in 2023.

Ghost town

In October 2025, NYT reporters who visited Megaspeed's office at Ocean Financial Centre found that the space was mostly empty.

Only two employees were present on a weekday.

They spoke to a human resources manager, who supposedly said that most of the firm's directors as well as clients are Chinese, and added that Tan is never present.

Swiftdata's registered address also led to an accounting firm that reportedly did not know how to contact Tan.

NYT reporters then visited Megaspeed's data centre in Johor, Malaysia, where one employee present claimed she had no contact with her bosses and said it was "not clear" what the company did.

Meanwhile, BBC tracked down Tan's registered address in Singapore, a public housing flat.

When BBC visited the flat, a woman who identified herself as his relative answered the door, and claimed that Tan did not reside in that flat.

He had supposedly not been in Singapore for many years, and is thought to be living in China.

"Baseless" accusations: China

The Chinese government has consistently maintained that the claims of Alice Huang being a Chinese spy are untrue.

According to Zaobao, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated on Nov. 9, "We have already responded to this matter before. The so-called claims of Chinese espionage are baseless and slanderous." 

Nvidia's Board of Directors has also announced that it will initiate an independent investigation to look into the alleged espionage.

On Oct. 31, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that it had never conducted any investigations regarding Alice Huang, as per the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and NYT's former reports.

The Singapore police did, however, confirm that investigations into Megaspeed are still ongoing.

While Singapore does not implement unilateral export controls imposed by foreign jurisdictions, it also does not condone businesses deliberately using their association with Singapore to circumvent or violate other countries’ export controls, the police added.

From sniffing out narcotics to maintaining public order, Singapore's police K-9s undergo extensive training to serve alongside their human handlers.

But beyond their police duties, these dogs also have their own personalities, habits, and relationships with the people who care for them.

For Inspector Samuel Shue, 47, that means building a working partnership with his four-year-old German Shepherd, Jango.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old fashion designer Max Tan has been helping Dodger, a seven-year-old retired Belgian Shepherd, settle into a quieter life at home.

Mothership visited the unit headquarters to find out more about what life is like caring for these four-legged officers, both on and off duty .

Learning to understand man's best friend

Shue has spent 26 years with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), working with several police dogs in the K-9 Unit throughout his career.

But his first experience as a handler was far from smooth sailing.

Shue recalled that his first police dog had a difficult history and even bit him several times during their initial training.

For Shue, who was then new to handling police dogs, the experience was intimidating.

However, as he spent more time with the dog, Shue gradually learnt to recognise what triggered his behaviour and how to work around it.

The experience taught him an important lesson that would stay with him throughout his career.

"Building [a] bond with dogs, it's actually a bit like bringing up children," Shue reflected.

Every dog has its own personality, he explained, and handlers need time to understand their behaviour, just as the dogs learn to understand theirs.

Meet Jango, his current partner

Today, Shue works alongside Jango, a German Shepherd trained for public order and security duties.

The pair have been working together since 2024.

Despite common perceptions of police dogs as aggressive, Shue described Jango as sociable, friendly, and fond of human company.

As it turns out, the pair also share the same birthday, something Shue only discovered after noticing the date on Jango's name tag.

Their personalities, however, are quite different.

While Shue described himself as indecisive, Jango is quite the opposite–a very focused dog, whether at work or play.

And while Jango is still very much on duty, other police dogs have already begun the next chapter of their lives.

Adjusting to life after service

For Dodger, retirement has meant trading police duties for walks and plenty of time lounging around.

Earlier this year, he was adopted by Tan, a local fashion designer with a soft spot for senior and rescue dogs.

Dodger is the second retired police K-9 Tan has adopted, following the death of his first earlier this year.

But bringing Dodger home came with its own challenges.

"I don't think he knows the concept of retirement," Tan joked.

Tan recalled that on Dodger’s first day home, he was friendly towards almost everyone, including Tan's family and friends.

Everyone, that is, except Tan himself.

“He probably thought I was the one who took him out of his home over here, and I was a bad guy.”

Through a routine of daily walks, meals and plenty of belly rubs, Dodger gradually warmed up to Tan over the next three weeks.

Four months later, the dog that once kept his distance has become Tan's constant companion.

"He's my walking buddy, my new buddy, and he's literally my shadow now," Tan said.

Old habits die hard

Despite settling into retirement, some habits from Dodger's working days have stuck around.

Having previously served as a narcotics detection dog, Dodger still insists on inspecting Tan's shopping parcels.

“[Dodger] needs to give them a good whiff first, and once it's all clear, he'll go back to his bed, and that's when I can open my parcels,” Tan shared.

Otherwise, Dodger is quite content lounging around the house and keeping Tan company while he works.

The experience has also challenged some of Tan's initial perceptions about police dogs.

Having once worried about their size and whether they would be difficult to handle, Tan has since come to appreciate their affectionate nature.

"They are the most incredible gentle giants you'll ever meet.”

Schedules

While Dodger has settled into a more relaxed lifestyle, Tan has also had to make adjustments of his own.

His mornings can begin as early as 5:30 am, with walks, meals and other responsibilities to account for.

Rather than impose a strict schedule, Tan said he gradually learnt to recognise his dogs' habits and needs.

"I think the dogs inform me of what I should do instead of me setting a very tight routine," he said.

Finding the right retirement home

While retired police dogs come with years of training, welcoming one home still requires preparation and commitment.

Before adoption, SPF assesses each dog's needs and prepares them for life at home by gradually reducing their operational duties and introducing more relaxed routines. A spokesperson said:

Some dogs adapt quickly while others need more time and reassurance, and their handler's familiarity with their temperament and triggers is valuable here.

We are not trying to erase their training or instincts; we simply want them to enjoy being companions.

Despite having previously cared for a retired K-9, Tan said he still had to undergo a thorough screening process when he expressed interest in adopting Dodger.

According to Tan, the police K-9 Unit assessed his lifestyle, habits and willingness to take on the responsibilities of caring for a retired working dog.

He explained that prospective adopters are matched with suitable dogs based on their profiles, with opportunities to interact with them before adoption.

Shue also highlighted the importance of considering the adopter's living arrangements, dog-handling experience and ability to meet the dog's exercise requirements.

“Having a place to stay is one thing, but they also need to cater [for] the environment, the training, the movement, the exercises that the dog needs,” Shue explained.

Tan similarly encouraged prospective adopters to consider the time, healthcare costs, and long-term responsibilities before bringing a retired K-9 home.

Adopting a pet is a heavy responsibility, but bringing home a retired K-9 has the added satisfaction of helping these hardworking officers close a chapter of their lives spent in service to the country, a choice both men hope more people will take up.

"We are happy to see them go home for a second life," Shue said.

A Malaysian man has been sentenced to eight months' jail for breaking into a unit in Spottiswoode Park Road and stealing S$34,897 worth of gold jewellery in March 2026.

The jewellery belonged to the man's former colleagues who were living in the unit, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The man, 38-year-old Deva Seelan Sati Veloo, reportedly used to work with them at Outram Park Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh, a popular eatery not far from the unit.

He used to live in the house as well, but moved out after he resigned from the eatery in December 2024.

On Nov. 10, Deva pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, while two other charges for housebreaking and criminal trespass were taken into consideration for sentencing.

The theft

Deva was caught on CCTV footage going up and down the lift of the Spottiswoode Park Road building on Mar. 28, 2026.

He broke into the unit and stole the jewellery in about 17 minutes, according to court documents.

Soon after exiting the lift at 2pm, he went to the Singapore Cruise Centre and took a ferry to Batam at 2:43pm.

The theft was discovered by one of the victims at 3pm.

When he returned to the unit, he saw that the metal gate padlock was missing, and later realised that the two gold bracelets and a gold ring had been stolen from his room.

They were valued at about S$21,084 in total.

He called another tenant, who lived in a separate room in the same unit, to tell him what happened.

This second man hurried back to the unit, and discovered that a gold necklace valued at RM44,040 (about S$13,813) was also missing from his room.

The necklace had been kept in an unlocked drawer, the victim told Shin Min. There were no signs of the room being searched, he added.

The victims lodged a police report at 4:11pm, and a police gazette arrest notice was issued.

Deva was arrested on Apr. 24, upon his return to Singapore from Batam, and has been remanded since.

No restitution

The prosecution sought a sentence of eight months, which was imposed by the court.

The stolen items could not be recovered, and Deva has not made any restitution for them, the prosecution said.

The court did not order Deva to compensate his former colleagues, who attended the Nov. 10 court hearing, Shin Min reported.

However, they were informed that they could pursue a civil action to seek compensation.

The boss of Outram Park Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh, who did not attend the hearing, told Shin Min he believes Deva would never return to work in Singapore again.

"The victims will probably not forgive him, as [the stolen items] were their hard-earned money," he said.

Over 540 customers shared cash prizes totalling over US$90,000 (S$115,840) in Bundle’s first-ever Singapore campaign.

The first Bundle campaign’s winners event was held in Singapore in October 2026, with the final draw held on Oct. 15, 2026.

The top two reward recipients, Faiz H. and Vicky (not her real name), discovered their reward amounts during their cheque reveals with the co-founder and CEO of Bundle, Bader Al Kalooti.

Faiz won the US$50,000 (S$63,875) top reward through Drive lah just by renting a car and completing a trip, while the second winner received US$20,000 (S$25,550) through Revit by buying their hangover gummies.

Small actions big reveal

Upon the reveal, Faiz admitted that he was initially sceptical, but after hearing from Al Kalooti and the team, he decided to come down.

“I really appreciate it. The money will be put to good use, and it will help my financial stability. Definitely give Bundle a try.”

Al Kalooti added that Faiz, who had just gotten engaged, could put the reward towards his wedding fund.

When it came to Vicky’s turn, she said, “(I was) overwhelmed. When I was asked what I'd do with the money, the first thing I thought was to invest. So now I need to work out where. I'll also share part of it with my friends and family.”

For anyone who’s thinking about giving Bundle a shot, she encourages them to “just try it”, as she wasn’t expecting to be rewarded.

How Bundle works

Bundle lets brands pool together a shared reward pool, combining their incentive budgets, allowing them to offer big rewards instead of boring discounts.

Customers simply join a participating brand’s promotional campaign, complete the qualifying action directly with that brand, and receive an entry through Bundle.

Bundle CEO and co-founder Bader Al Kalooti remarked that most customers won’t call their family members for a 10 per cent discount.

Rather, both winners simply did the same things they always do, with brands they like, and ended up walking away with life-changing rewards and a story for life.

“That’s what we’re building: rewards that can actually change something, not another 10 per cent off,” said Bader.

Bundle helped small businesses bring back customers

Bundle’s model allows for a greater sales and customer conversion rate instead of offering routine discounts that eat into profit margins.

The co-founder and CEO of Drive lah, Dirk-Jan Ter Horst, said that he was very happy to have partnered with Bundle, “I can speak for our customers: they’re very happy. Over 440 of them were rewarded. It’s amazing.”

For Revit’s co-founder and CEO, Damian Cheong said that after running Bundle for a month, “sales picked up drastically” with an uplift in conversion and average order value, exceeding his expectations.

Next campaign cycle planned for January

Bundle’s next campaign cycle and draw is slated to start in January.

To learn more, follow @joinbundle on Instagram and check out their website here.

This branded article by Bundle made this writer wonder if her next Bundle-affiliated purchase could make her richer.

When I think of void deck mini marts, what comes to mind is a chain brand or a quaint shop that’s run by an elderly couple who started the business ages ago.

Which is why Huat Huat Mini Mart appeared to defy expectations.

The convenience store, tucked away under Block 608 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, was started by a young 33-year-old.

Like many younger folks, she documents her journey on TikTok.

One month in

I arranged to meet the owner, Tan Sheau Jing, who goes by SJ, to find out more about her provisions business and how she got into it.

She greeted me cheerfully at 8am on a Thursday while I was still rousing up for the day.

As we moved from a nearby coffee shop to her mini mart, which was right next door, she got right to opening her store.

She raised the shutters, turned on the lights, unlocked the fridges and rolled several retail racks into place outside the shop.

She paused only to quip about the crate of green and under-ripe bananas she received from a supplier.

It was not the first time, she said, but it was part and parcel of supplier management.

Everything else ran like clockwork. Nothing betrayed the fact that SJ had been running Huat Huat Mini Mart for only a little over a month.

After the initial rush of setting up, a calm set in. Huat Huat was now ready for its first customer of the day.

SJ told me it took a “village” to open Huat Huat, with her family pitching in time and labour to help set things up.

“It took us about one to two months to get things sorted out,” SJ recalled.

Although she has experience running an F&B place, a mini mart is a whole different ball game.

In total, Huat Huat Mini Mart stocks over 2,000 unique items, each with their own expiry date that needs to be tracked and managed.

These items come from almost 60 suppliers.

“So, having to deal with all these small things, small but necessary things, I think it’s where the tedious work comes in. And also finding the right supplier so that you can have the correct price point to serve the needs of the neighbourhood,” she explained.

Why mini mart?

The 33-year-old’s first career was in customer service in the travel industry, where she spent eight years.

She also dabbled in e-commerce, before going on to manage an F&B establishment with her business partners.

All these only made running a void deck mini mart stand out in her resume.

“Opening a mini mart has a very personal meaning for me,” SJ replied when I asked her why she decided to join the trade.

For one, she used to to play pretend as a cashier when she was young.

Hearing the clanking of the cash register as it opens is something like a “childhood dream” for her, SJ said while excitedly toying with the point-of-sale machine.

The digital touchscreen which replaced the click-clack of mechanical buttons made it less satisfying, but the popping of the cash tray still scratched an itch.

Grandma's resilience

The more profound motivation, however, was memories with her 93-year-old grandmother.

Growing up, SJ’s grandmother spent a great deal of time and effort caring for her and her cousins while their parents were at work.

Visiting a mini mart was part of that childhood.

As with all grandparents, kids got away with more when with them.

With grandma, sweet treats like ice pops made the day for young SJ and her cousins.

But it was grandma’s resilience that made a lasting impression on her.

“She did multiple jobs when she was younger, raising her six kids,” SJ recounted.

Grandpa was, as SJ described it, “pretty absent”.

“So my grandmother had to carry the whole family,” she said.

To keep the family going, grandma had to be entrepreneurial.

One of grandma’s endeavours was selling love letters and kuehs, which SJ and her cousins would pitch in to bake as helpers.

She also made a living washing clothes and being a seamstress.

“Taking care of six kids is not easy. And apart from that, she still has to do all sorts of things. And she doesn’t complain. She just does it wholeheartedly, because she knows it’s for survival,” SJ remarked.

Besides resilience, SJ knows grandma for her altruism.

“She really just loved us in the best way that she could then,” she added.

Huat Huat's registered business name is named after SJ's grandma.

You can find SJ’s childhood memories with her grandma on the shelves of Huat Huat, among the 2,000-odd items.

SJ gave me a tour down the aisles of these memories, picking up classic gem biscuits in a tin box, ice pops from the refrigerator and a variety of candies.

These “retro” goodies sat alongside modern toys, like Pokémon cards and squishies.

"So when I see actually a lot of kids coming with their grandparents, and how the grandparents are like, 'buy lah, buy lah', it reminds me of my grandmother," SJ said.

SJ's 93-year-old grandma doesn’t cook for the family on the weekends like she used to, but the cousins still gather at her place each Saturday nonetheless.

Sitting behind the entrance of the convenience store by the cash register, surrounded by hints of her childhood and time spent with grandma and her cousins, I asked SJ what was something she would want to tell the elderly woman.

Appearing to fight back tears, SJ said,

“I hope I have made her proud, and that she realised that she raised a granddaughter that encapsulates her best attributes. She has been through a lot in her life, but she has never backed down from any challenge or whatever life throws at her. Maybe in her circumstances then, she didn’t have the option to say, ‘I quit’.

I hope she realises the influence she has on me.”

Appreciating the 'small' things in life

On top of all this, SJ also said it felt like the “right season” for such a venture.

“After you have experienced all the hustle and bustle, although this is also a hustle, it allows you to appreciate a lot of the small things,” she said.

With Huat Huat, SJ said she could slow down and go “back to basics”.

“I really enjoy this process, like talking to the neighbours and talking to the elderly people with [a] wealth of life experience to share,” she elaborated.

One memorable interactions was when schoolchildren visited Huat Huat with a S$5 note to split between them.

“So when the kids come, it’s very cute. Then they will say, for example, I have S$5. So let’s share and see what we can buy,” she recounted.

“They will actually collaborate and then do budgeting together to see how they can maximise the S$5 to get as many sweets or drinks out of the S$5.”

The other involved an elderly man who spoke only dialect, putting SJ’s language skills to the test.

During our interview, we also had to pause a handful of times for SJ to attend to customers.

“Do you have coconut shavings? For rendang?” One uncle asked SJ.

The uncle lived right above in Block 608, he told me.

Seeing that the uncle was on a personal mobility aid which made entering the store inconvenient, SJ hurried to the back to help him locate the ingredient.

Turns out, Huat Huat did not yet carry the product.

“Ok, you show me what you are looking for, I stock for you,” SJ told him.

In another instance, an auntie who strolled by paused to take home a watermelon.

“Good. Now I don’t have to go all the way to the market,” she commented as she headed off.

“For the elderly, I think the heavy lifting is the concern,” she said, adding that convenience is what they appreciate.

More than just business

With the time and commitment SJ has put into the mini mart, you might be surprised to know that she is still juggling that with managing her F&B business.

When SJ isn’t minding the store, an experienced full-time staff helps run the show.

When I asked SJ what her plans or aspirations were for the mini mart, she told me that expansion was something she would definitely explore, but it was still too early for that.

Above all, she hopes Huat Huat will be able to serve the needs of the community in more ways than one.

Rather than just being a space of convenience, SJ hopes that bonds — communal, friendship and familial — will blossom at Huat Huat, much like how mini mart visits became formative of the days spent with her grandma and cousins.

"I hope that this will be a place for families to create bonding time," SJ shared.

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Porta Porta Italian Restaurant will close for good on Dec. 31, 2026, after 33 years.

The family-run restaurant opened in 1993.

An announcement of its impending closure was posted on Instagram.

Co-founder Rozianah Baharudin Laino wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that after 33 years of being open, we are announcing that we will be closing for good."

Found by husband-wife duo

Rozi, as she is known, founded the restaurant with her late husband, Antonino Laino, or Nino.

He passed away from lung cancer in 2012, Berita Harian reported previously.

The establishment was previously in Changi and is now located in Bedok.

It serves mainly Italian cuisine, such as tagliatelle in squid ink sauce and meat lasagna.

Rozi wrote on Instagram:

Nino and I opened this restaurant because we wanted to bring Italian homely traditions to Singapore, sharing food together as a family at the dinner table, laughing and filling our bellies.

We ended up with more than just our tiny family of three, everyone who's come by became  a part of that family and you've all lit up our lives.

Open to offers

Danesh Laino, 37, the son, told CNA Lifestyle the restaurant is closing as his mother wants to retire.

Danesh, who is in fintech, said there have been offers to operate out of other premises, but the family is open to another person taking over the business.

If not, the restaurant will shutter for good.

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