Peninsula Malaysia's retail prices of unsubsidised RON95 petrol and diesel will remain unchanged from Jul. 5 to 15.

In a Facebook post, the Malaysian Finance Ministry said the retail price of RON97 will stay at RM4 (S$1.27) per litre, and unsubsidised RON95 will remain at RM3.37 per litre (S$1.07).

Diesel prices in Peninsula Malaysia will still be set at RM3.97 per litre (S$1.26).

Under the Budi95 programme, subsidised RON95 petroleum remains at RM1.99 (S$0.63) per litre for over 14 million eligible Malaysian recipients.

The price of diesel in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan will stay at RM2.15 (S$0.68) per litre.

Malaysia's subsidised petrol and diesel system to stay steady

Under Malaysia's Subsidised Petrol Control System (SKPS) and Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS), petrol and diesel remained at RM2.05 (S$0.65) per litre and RM2.15 (S$0.68) per litre respectively.

The price of diesel under the Budi Madani Diesel (Budi Diesel) scheme will also be maintained at RM2.10 (S$0.67) per litre for eligible private diesel vehicle owners.

In a statement also posted to Facebook on Jul. 8, the Malaysian Finance Ministry said: "Global crude oil prices continued to moderate over the past week."

The Malaysian Finance Ministry added that the trend was driven by reduced geopolitical risk premiums, supply flow recovery and increased price competition among major producers.

However, the Malaysian Finance Ministry also noted recent developments in the Middle East, including U.S. strikes on Iran on Jul. 7, which indicate risks of price and supply disruptions remain so long as conflict resolution remains elusive.

"In the medium term, an anticipated global supply surplus, following a recovery in production and a moderation in demand, is expected to limit price increases."

The Malaysian Finance Ministry warned that fresh disruptions to major trade routes could cause significant price volatility.

According to The Star, the Malaysian Finance Ministry also assured Malaysians that their fuel supply remained sufficient.

The Malaysian Finance Ministry also called on Malaysians to continue using fuel prudently to help safeguard Malaysia's supply stability.

The ministry added that efficient journey planning and reductions in unnecessary travel would help extend Malaysia's supply and ease pressure on subsidy expenditure.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has issued a reminder to some nightclub operators of their tax obligations relating to the sale of flower garlands.

Supply of service

At some nightclubs, customers purchase flower garlands, to present to performing artistes.

These can cost S$500 or more.

According to IRAS, these transactions are generally considered taxable supplies under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act.

When customers purchase flower garlands, they are not simply buying flowers or giving a voluntary tip.

Instead, they are paying for the right to publicly honour a performing artiste and participate in the entertainment experience offered by the night club.

As such, the transaction constitutes a supply of services and is subject to GST.

Amount subject to GST

IRAS also clarified a common misconception that GST applies only to the portion of the payment retained by the nightclub.

This is incorrect, it said.

For example, if a customer pays S$500 for a flower garland, the entire amount is subject to GST, as it represents the full value of the service supplied by the nightclub acting as the principal.

The authority added that all revenue from flower garland sales must be recorded as part of the nightclub's gross income for tax purposes.

Payments made to performing artistes, whether in the form of salaries or a share of flower garland sales, may qualify as deductible business expenses.

However, IRAS warned that some establishments have attempted to artificially split income across multiple entities operating from the same premises.

For instance, flower garland revenue may be attributed to a separate entity while the nightclub continues to manage the operations behind the scenes.

IRAS stated that it may regard such arrangements as tax evasion if they lack a genuine commercial purpose and are intended solely to reduce taxable income or avoid GST registration.

Withholding tax considerations

The authority also highlighted withholding tax obligations, noting that many nightclub performing artistes are non-residents.

According to IRAS, the income of non-resident performing artistes, including salaries and their share of flower garland sales, is subject to a 15 per cent withholding tax under Section 45GA of the Income Tax Act.

This is because they are classified as public entertainers.

Nightclub operators are required to file and pay the withholding tax to IRAS by the 15th day of the second month from the date of payment to non-resident performing artistes.

"The tax treatment of flower garland sales in nightclub establishments hinges on three key factors: the nature of transaction, the contractual relationships involved and the specific facts of each case," IRAS said.

"To avoid inconsistencies and potential disputes, establishments must maintain proper record keeping and ensure compliance with IRAS guidelines."

A 24-year-old housewife in Sarawak has been arrested after she allegedly attacked her husband with scissors and threatened to kill him and their child over his refusal to divorce her.

The incident was reported on Jul. 7 in Kabong, according to The Borneo Post.

What happened

Saratok police chief Mathew Manggie said in a statement that the suspect went to her 28-year-old husband's house, damaged household items and demanded he divorce her immediately.

When the victim said that any divorce proceedings should be conducted through the courts, the woman allegedly armed herself with a pair of clothing scissors and lunged at him.

The victim, an oil palm plantation worker, dodged the attack but was left with scratches on his left abdomen.

He suffered four abrasions on his left flank, with no active bleeding.

Before the attack, the woman had allegedly sent her husband WhatsApp messages threatening to kill him and their child if he did not agree to the divorce, according to The Borneo Post.

Scissors seized

Police seized an 18cm pair of scissors believed to have been used in the attack.

The woman also tested negative for drugs in a urine test.

She remains in police custody and is currently being investigated for voluntarily causing hurt with a weapon and criminal intimidation.

The Singapore police are looking for a man to assist with the investigation into a case of bicycle theft at New Punggol Road on May 29, 2026.

The appeal was put up by the Punggol Neighbourhood Police Centre.

Anyone with information is requested to call the police hotline at 1800-255 0000 or submit information online.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Charging stations at 13 public libraries across Singapore will be closed from Jul. 27 due to safety concerns.

The National Library Board (NLB) announced on social media on Jul. 8, explaining that this was due to an increase in incidents involving unattended devices.

According to the posts, there have been cases of electrical overloading caused by faulty devices and multi-adaptors.

To replace the charging stations, ChargeSPOT rental kiosks will be made available at these libraries starting Jul. 27, allowing patrons to rent power banks.

This will provide available charging points at more than 1,800 seats, accessible through the libraries' seat booking system.

According to the ChargeSPOT website, renting a power bank will cost $1.50 for the first hour, with the maximum rate capped at $10 per day.

More information about power bank rentals can be found on the ChargeSPOT app.

Patrons can also contact ChargeSPOT’s help centre via the app for further support regarding the rental service.

A 25-year-old male foreign national was arrested for suspected drug trafficking offences in Singapore.

Drugs, including about 3,329g of cannabis, 121g of "Ice" and 55g of "Ecstasy", and cash amounting to S$1,259.90 were seized.

In the early hours of Jul. 7, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) intercepted a car he was in that was travelling along Kim Keat Road, the agency said in a Jul. 8 news release.

Officers searched the car and found about 3,129g of cannabis on the floorboard of the rear passenger seat.

The man was then escorted to his residential unit in a condominium located at Geylang East.

A search of the unit recovered about 200g of cannabis, 121g of "Ice", and 55g of "Ecstasy".

The drugs seized are estimated to be worth more than S$81,000, and they could potentially feed the addiction of 546 abusers for a week.

Under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, it is an offence for a person, on his or her own behalf, or on behalf of any other person, whether or not that other person is in Singapore, to traffic in a controlled drug, offer to traffic in a controlled drug, or to do or offer to do any act preparatory to or for trafficking in a controlled drug.

Offenders convicted of trafficking more than 500g of cannabis are liable to face the mandatory death penalty.

Investigations are ongoing.

A 40-year-old man was arrested in Singapore for allegedly making reports of fake bomb threats to the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) building and the Parliament House.

On Jul. 3, HTX received an online form submission, which stated that a bomb had been placed in the HTX building.

On Jul. 7, the police received a report that an anonymous email was sent to the Prime Minister's Office, stating that a bomb had been placed at the Parliament House.

Upon receipt of the reports, the police conducted thorough checks of both premises, including a systematic sweep of the buildings and their surroundings.

No items of security concern were found.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Central Police Division subsequently established that the same individual made the two false bomb threats.

He was subsequently arrested on Jul. 7.

Several electronic devices believed to have been used to perpetrate the threats were seized from him as case exhibits.

The man will be charged on Jul. 9 with the offence of communicating false information of harmful thing under Section 268A of the Penal Code 1871.

The offence carries a jail term of up to seven years, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both.

The police said it treats all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to take action against anyone who causes public alarm with false threats.

They added that such acts can cause public anxiety and divert valuable public resources into investigations.

A total of 14 men and three women, aged between 45 and 76, were arrested for their suspected involvement in conducting unlawful remote gambling operations in Singapore.

On Jul. 6, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department and Special Operations Command conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations island-wide.

The areas included Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Potong Pasir, Changi, Pasir Ris, Bedok, Joo Chiat, Tampines, Kaki Bukit, West Coast, Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang.

More than S$720,000 in cash, electronic devices, such as mobile phones and computers, together with gambling-related paraphernalia, were seized as case exhibits.

Four of the men, aged between 47 and 76, and a 47-year-old woman were charged on Jul. 8 for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022.

Penalties

Any person found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an operator is liable to a fine not exceeding S$500,000 and a jail term not exceeding seven years;

Any person found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an agent is liable to a fine not exceeding S$200,000 and a jail term not exceeding seven years.

Any person who gambles with an unlawful gambling service provider is liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000, a jail term not exceeding six months, or both.

The police reminded members of the public that major international sporting events, such as the Fifa World Cup often lead to an increase in gambling activity, including illegal betting.

The police said it will continue to take firm enforcement action against those involved in illegal gambling activities, to prevent and deter persons from participating in, or profiting from, unlawful gambling activities.

Members of the public were also advised to steer clear of all forms of illegal gambling activities.

Those seeking help for gambling addiction may contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1800-6-668-668.

A 24-year-old Singaporean man was ordered to undergo 15 months’ probation after he amputated a pet rat's limb without anaesthesia and sold wildlife online illegally.

Jenson Neo faced 13 charges under the Animals and Birds Act and pleaded guilty to five of them on Jul. 7.

The remaining charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Rat

In court documents seen by Mothership, Neo had a white pet rat that injured its front right leg.

He believed the injured leg looked gangrenous

On Jul. 9, 2022, he decided to amputate the rat’s limb himself instead of seeking medical attention for it.

Neo was not a qualified veterinarian.

Before the procedure, he applied numbing cream to the rat's leg, which was insufficient in alleviating any pain.

Neo proceeded without the necessary anaesthesia and analgesia required during surgical operations on animals.

Sale

On Jan. 26, 2024, Neo took a common palm civet he found somewhere in Jalan Dermawan near his home.

He illegally kept the animal as a pet for about a month.

On Feb. 22, 2024, he posted an advertisement to sell the civet for S$500 in a Telegram group chat.

Neo felt the pricing was reasonable, as the typical market price for cats and dogs was about four times that amount.

Enforcement officers from the National Parks Board (NParks) posed as buyers and contacted him.

They eventually agreed on a price of S$580, which included a cage for the animal.

They agreed to meet up for the transaction the next day, on Feb. 23, 2024, at about 7:30pm.

Evade

On the day of the transaction, Neo arrived at a playground in Lorong Kemunchup at about 7:55pm.

After he completed the sale, several NParks enforcement officers, who had been undercover, identified themselves and instructed him to put the cage down.

Neo then attempted to open the cage to release the civet and evade arrest.

A short violent struggle ensued.

Neo was subsequently subdued and arrested.

Taking wildlife and other sales

Investigations revealed that Neo had taken and sold wildlife illegally on separate occasions before his arrest.

On Jan. 13, 2022, he took two mangrove snakes from an unknown location

On Jul. 7, 2023, Neo offered for sale on Telegram a bird belonging to the Falconiformes order, a protected wildlife species.

On Jul. 11, 2023, he kept a red-tailed boa in his home.

On Aug. 11, 2023, Neo offered a Malayan box turtle for sale on Telegram.

On Sep. 9, 2023, he sold a sugar glider to an individual identified as “Lisa” for S$50.

On Oct. 3, 2023, at some time between 10:34pm and 10:47pm, Neo took a colugo or flying lemur from Dairy Farm Nature Park.

Between Jan. 19 and 28, 2024, Neo sold a corn snake to an individual identified as "Lionel Ng" for S$250.

Psychiatric assessment

Alongside probation, Neo was ordered to perform 70 hours of community service.

He is to undergo psychiatric assessments and follow-up sessions that address impulse control and manage his compulsive responses to animals.

His parents were also ordered to execute a S$5,000 bond to ensure Neo’s good behaviour during probation.

A domestic worker in Singapore was reported to her maid agency by her female employer for her habit of borrowing money and being distracted at work.

The agency later discovered that the 26-year-old worker was molested twice by her male employer.

The man, 42, has since pleaded guilty to two counts of outrage of modesty on Jul. 7, Shin Min Daily News reported.

He was sentenced to nine weeks' jail and ordered by the court to pay the victim S$70 in restitution.

Touched her from behind

The victim, who is from Indonesia, first began working for the couple on May 25, 2023, earning a monthly salary of S$620.

In November 2023, while his wife was away and the victim was busy in the kitchen, the man reportedly patted her from behind.

In January 2024, the man again patted her buttocks as he passed by when no one was home.

The victim later confided in her husband and a friend via WhatsApp.

This friend later said that she noticed the victim was depressed and expressed a desire to run away from her employer's home, it was reported.

Reported to agency for being distracted

In March 2024, the female employer notified the agency because the victim was borrowing money and not paying attention at work.

When an intermediary visited their home on Mar. 20 to investigate, he discovered that the victim was gambling online on her phone.

She later admitted that she had borrowed money to gamble.

When prompted further, she revealed that the man had molested her.

The agency then privately verified this with the man, who admitted to the wrongdoing and ultimately apologised to the victim in the presence of the agency and his wife.

The victim reportedly had borrowed S$1,000 from the man due to a family emergency and did not dare to report the molest to the police.

She was also afraid that her female employer would reprimand her.

Arrest

It was not until May 23, 2024, more than one-and-a-half years after the first incident, that the case was eventually reported to the police.

The victim was invited to a domestic helper centre for an interview, where she revealed to the staff that she had been touched inappropriately by her male employer.

The staff immediately called the police.

The man was arrested on Apr. 17, 2025.

He reportedly paid S$500 in compensation to the victim on May 22, 2026.