KUALA LUMPUR: Khairy Jamaluddin, a former minister in various cabinets, is seen as a popular figure among young Malaysians, particularly among the Malays, and he did not hide his ambitions to become the country’s youngest Prime Minister.

However, with the defeat of his party, Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 2018 elections, his dream of becoming PM at a tender age was destroyed.

At 50 now, he can’t become the youngest PM because, historically speaking, the youngest PM was Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the father of fallen PM Najib Razak. Abdul Razak was 48 when he became PM.

Recently, Khairy raised the issue of becoming Prime Minister again. This time, in an interview with Malay Mail, the former health minister said becoming prime minister remains a “lifetime ambition. However, he added that he no longer sees himself as a failure if it never happens.

“It has been a lifetime ambition for me to be in a position of leadership in politics, and being the prime minister is the best position, simply because you can do the most and help the most. 

“I always felt that I would not be a success in life if I didn’t become the prime minister,” Khairy said. 

“Now, I feel that it is okay if I don’t become the prime minister. 

“I will not see myself as a failure, and I will still be enough as a person,” he added. 

While 2018 will remain a great defeat for BN and Umno, the last general elections turned out to be a personal stinging defeat for Khairy. He lost to a virtually unknown PKR candidate.

Following this defeat, Khairy was expelled from Umno in January 2023 over alleged breaches of party discipline, including criticising the party leadership and not aligning with its official campaign direction. 

He returned to the party after its leader, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is a deputy Prime Minister, called on members expelled or suspended and those who left the party after its double defeats in the general elections to return to their former abode.

But since 2023, Khairy has been active as a radio presenter, joining Hot FM and launching a very successful podcast, Keluar Sekejap, with a former Umno information chief, Shahril Hamdan, and taking on several brand endorsements.

He told Malay Mail the last three years were “commercially successful”, adding that he also spent more quality time with family and friends and led a less stressful life than when he was managing the Covid-19 pandemic as the health minister.

But he did not forget his dream, saying that he will take the opportunity if it knocks.

“If the opportunity knocks and if the rakyat will have me, it is still my lifetime ambition, but it is not everything.

“I’m not here anymore to go quickly to the job,” he said. 

If he does become Malaysia’s prime minister, Khairy said he wants to lead Malaysia to fulfil its true potential, even if that means taking political risks.

“In my view, Malaysia is a slightly under-performing student for reasons of its own making.

“If it gets over itself, there is nothing that can stop this country apart from physical limitations.

“We have to risk some political capital to re-punch our weight, which we are not doing now, but it can be done,” he said. 

This article (Ex-minister is back to revive dream of becoming Malaysia’s PM) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A man was caught on video lying down in the middle of Grange Road in what appeared to be an attempt to block a passing vehicle, though he quickly got back up moments later.

In footage shared on Facebook, the man — dressed in a grey sleeveless top, black shorts, and wearing a cast on his left arm — was first seen standing in the middle of the road before suddenly lying flat on the ground under the hot afternoon sun.

However, he remained there only briefly before getting up and walking past the vehicle.

The reason behind his actions remains unclear, but the clip quickly drew reactions online, with many netizens joking about how short-lived the stunt was. The Facebook post has since garnered close to a thousand reactions and more than 300 shares.

One commenter joked that the man could not even stay on the road for more than 10 seconds because the ground was too hot, adding that he “should cross over to the other side and lie face down so he will get a balanced tan.”

Another sarcastically remarked that the incident might explain the cast on the man’s arm, while others speculated that he may have been attempting to stage an insurance claim.

“Next time, get down, take a full photo, then send it to the police,” one commenter suggested.

Others, however, felt the man may have needed medical attention instead.

“Please send this guy to IMH for evaluation as he is completely not able to think like a normal human being,” one commenter wrote.

Other related news

In another recent road-related incident, a frustrated parent shared online that a bus had blocked a pedestrian crossing at a junction in Bukit Batok while she was on the way to drop her daughter off at school.

The bus driver was allegedly obstructing the traffic light area and preventing pedestrians from crossing safely.

Read more about the news story here.

This article (Netizens puzzled after man lies down on busy Grange Road under scorching sun) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: The family of a three-year-old girl battling an aggressive form of cancer is appealing for donations to help fund nearly S$1 million in life-saving treatment after doctors warned that she urgently needs care within the next six months.

Darlene Marcella Xu, who was born in Indonesia in February 2023, was first diagnosed with acute monocytic leukaemia, or AML-M5, in March 2024 after months of worsening symptoms.

According to her family’s fundraiser, Darlene began suffering from persistent coughing, recurring fevers, and a loss of appetite when she was just over a year old. Her parents reportedly brought her to hospital several times, where she was initially diagnosed with pneumonia.

Despite receiving medication, her condition continued to deteriorate.

Doctors at a hospital in Pekanbaru later discovered that she had AML-M5, a severe and fast-progressing form of blood cancer with a reported five-year survival rate of 33.4%.

The hospital was only able to offer a basic treatment plan that reportedly carried a 20% chance of success.

A turning point came when a Singapore-based pastor involved in mission work learnt about Darlene’s condition and helped bring her to Singapore for further treatment.

She was admitted to the National University Hospital, where she began undergoing advanced treatment, including preparations for a possible bone marrow transplant.

With help from their church community and donors, Darlene’s family managed to raise around S$50,000 to begin treatment.

Although the process was physically demanding for the toddler, her condition later stabilised. Earlier this year, Darlene celebrated her third birthday and also marked Chinese New Year with her family, who expressed gratitude to supporters for their prayers and contributions.

However, Darlene’s cancer relapsed in April 2026. According to the fundraiser, doctors warned that without urgent treatment, the young girl may not survive beyond six months.

“She will need a second bone marrow transplant and further treatment,” the fundraiser stated.

Darlene is currently undergoing chemotherapy and has reportedly been struggling with side effects, including fever and shivering, while her parents continue caring for her through the treatment process.

Her expected medical expenses are projected to reach as high as S$993,000.

Despite the daunting amount, support has continued pouring in from donors in Singapore, Indonesia, and other parts of the world. Supporters have also left hundreds of messages offering encouragement and prayers for Darlene’s recovery.

Those wishing to contribute can do so through Darlene’s campaign page on Give.Asia. According to the fundraiser, all donations will be managed by the platform and paid directly to the hospital for her treatment.

This article (‘Only 6 months left to live’: Parents race to raise S$1M for toddler’s cancer treatment in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Many Singaporeans online have reacted to an opinion piece on the recent announcement from the Ministry of Education allowing for caning in schools in egregious cases, but only for older males.

Gen X mother Ruth Chew wrote a piece titled “Only boys are caned in schools – but what does that teach our daughters?” published in CNA on Wednesday (May 13).

Ms Chew, a mother of two daughters, wrote that the announcement concerning caning had struck a nerve, and said she had been caned growing up. She raised several points concerning accountability and the goal of disciplining children, and said that her daughter, 17, had wondered why only boys would be caned, since girls have also been bullies.

Like Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim, she also cited research that said physical punishment is ineffective in changing behaviour, and can have negative long-term effects, though acknowledged that MOE’s measures are meant to send the signal that bullying is unacceptable. However, she expressed uncertainty about caning, as it does not seem to make children understand why their actions were wrong.

Commenting on Ms Chew’s piece, a number of Singaporeans seem to not only still believe in caning, but also said that girls should be caned too, though privately and not on the buttocks, but on their hands.

“During my secondary school days, boys and girls could get caning; the only difference was that boys were caned in public during assembly, while girls were caned in the principal’s office by a female teacher. Both genders have offences announced in assembly because it is to show the whole school what one can expect if he/she did something wrong. School discipline has become so soft over the last 2 decades,” one wrote.

“During my time, girls were caned too. Just not in public. In the Principal’s office. So I don’t see why girls are not allowed to be caned now,” added another.

“I’m a woman, and I have gone through being bullied in school many years ago. And when girls are bullies, they are more vicious than boys, trust me. During my time, it was only about making fun of or calling names, but these days are far worse. In many cases, I see physical abuse done by girls. Some are just so horrendous. So if we just focus on boys, what about girls? Canning should be done for both genders if found guilty,” wrote a Facebook user.

“You’d be surprised, girls who bully other girls are more violent than boys bullying boys,” a commenter agreed.

“Boy-girl disparity aside, the writer is looking through the lens of having well-behaved kids that don’t need the cane. But I’ve seen the worst of them, and some kids do need caning as that is the only language they understand,” one opined. /TISG

Read also: WP MP Jamus Lim says caning bullies may be counterproductive, but Singaporeans push back

This article (‘Girls can be more vicious too’: Singaporeans weigh in on school caning debate) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A former chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has been charged after a woman and a two-year-old boy in a stroller were injured in a traffic accident along Pasir Panjang Road last year.

74-year-old Singaporean Goh Yong Siang was accused of driving his car without reasonable consideration for other road users during the incident on May 17, 2024. The pedestrian crossing traffic light signal was reportedly also in the woman’s favour at the time.

Court documents stated that the accident happened at about 8:50 a.m. at the junction of Harbour Drive and Pasir Panjang Road, towards Telok Blangah Road. Goh was allegedly making a right turn when his vehicle collided with a woman crossing the road while pushing a stroller carrying a toddler. The woman, identified in court papers as Samsiah, suffered serious injuries. The two-year-old boy was also hurt, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported.

Charges linked to two related injuries

Goh faces two traffic-related charges: one relates to causing grievous hurt to the woman, while the second concerns causing hurt to the toddler.

The offences fall under driving without reasonable consideration for other road users, a charge that can carry jail time, fines, or both if convicted.

For the charge involving grievous hurt, the maximum penalty is up to two years’ jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.

The second charge involving hurt carries a lighter maximum sentence of up to 12 months’ jail, a fine of up to S$2,500, or both. He may also face a driving ban. Court records stated that prosecutors accused Goh of failing to keep a proper lookout before making the turn.

Former military chief now linked to corporate boards

Goh previously served as the chief of the air force before retiring from the RSAF in 1998. Publicly available corporate records show that he later held senior roles in business and investment sectors.

Goh is currently listed as chairman of Temasek Management Services and Gas Supply, a Temasek-linked natural gas importer. His lawyers from Allen & Gledhill are representing him in court, but he hasn’t indicated how he intends to plead. His case has been adjourned to Thursday.

Road crossings remain a pressure point in Singapore

The case has also renewed discussion about pedestrian safety at major junctions, especially where drivers make right turns across crossings.

Traffic accidents involving elderly drivers frequently trigger public debate in Singapore, though authorities have repeatedly stressed that unsafe driving behaviour isn’t limited to any age group. Many recent enforcement campaigns have focused on distractions, failure to give way, and poor observation at crossings.

Pedestrian crossings may appear routine, but they remain one of the few places where drivers and pedestrians directly compete for space within seconds. A moment of missed attention can leave lasting consequences.

People behind the wheel, regardless of status or experience, still carry the same responsibility at every junction. Green lights and familiar roads don’t remove the need to slow down, check carefully, and give pedestrians the space they are legally entitled to.

This article (Ex-air force chief, accused of driving improperly, faces traffic charges after collision with woman and toddler in stroller) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Nearly four in 10 Singaporeans believe the country could slip into a recession within the next six months, according to a new survey that points to growing public anxiety over the economic fallout from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

In a statement released on Monday (May 11), YouGov said findings from a survey conducted last month among more than 1,000 Singapore residents aged 18 and above showed that 39 per cent expected Singapore to enter a recession in the near term. This was more than double the proportion of respondents, 15 per cent, who did not think a recession was likely.

The survey found that concerns about the economy began intensifying after the outbreak of the Middle East conflict earlier this year in February, with many respondents linking the crisis to rising living costs.

Economic pessimism was not limited to Singapore. Nearly 60 per cent of respondents said they believed the global economy was headed towards a recession as well.

Singaporeans also reported feeling the effects of inflation across multiple aspects of daily life. Seventy per cent said household energy bills had risen because of the conflict, while 56 per cent believed prices of everyday goods had increased.

About half of those surveyed also said transportation expenses, along with the cost of dining out and ordering takeaway meals, had gone up.

The impact appeared to be felt more strongly among older Singaporeans. According to the survey, consumers from Generation X and Baby Boomer age groups were more vulnerable to rising energy and food costs compared to younger respondents.

Growing worries over the economic outlook have also led many Singaporeans to tighten their spending habits and rethink financial priorities.

Around 38 per cent said they were relying more heavily on discounts, vouchers and promotions to cope with higher expenses. Another 31 per cent reported increasing their savings and keeping more cash on hand, while 26 per cent said they had switched to public transport or alternative modes of travel to reduce fuel-related spending.

Travel habits have shifted as well. One in five respondents said they had postponed travel plans because of the economic climate. Meanwhile, 13 per cent said they had changed their travel destinations, and another 13 per cent reported paying higher prices for upcoming trips.

Despite concerns over inflation and global instability, the survey found little indication of widespread panic buying or stockpiling behaviour in Singapore.

Only 12 per cent of respondents said they had hoarded supplies due to the Middle East conflict. Among those who did, the most commonly stockpiled items were long shelf-life food products, cited by 69 per cent, followed by medicine at 38 per cent, hygiene products at 36 per cent, and bottled water at 26 per cent.

This article (Almost 40% of Singaporeans think a recession could hit within 6 months, survey finds) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 27-year-old worker who recently got laid off is now stressing over how she’s going to keep up with her student loan payments without a steady income coming in.

In a post on the r/singaporefi subreddit, the woman shared that she still owes around S$8,000 on her student bank loan. Under the repayment plan, she has to pay about S$680 every month, with the loan set to mature sometime in the middle of next year.

“I know this debt doesn’t sound like much, and realistically, it’s straightforward enough to pay off, but the complication stems from me losing my job (company laid off a lot of staff due to downsizing) a few months ago,” she wrote.

“I’ve been applying for jobs almost every day since then, and I’ve not had any luck. I’m getting to a point where the little bit of savings I was starting to develop has been used to pay for my student loan each month, and I’m worried I won’t land a job in time for the next deduction in June.”

The woman added that although she studied psychology, she has expanded her job search beyond her field and even started applying for retail and F&B jobs just to secure some form of income. But so far, most of the responses she’s received have been rejection emails.

Trying to buy herself some time, she also contacted the bank to ask if she could defer her payment for a month. However, she said the bank rejected the request.

“I tried calling [the bank] to explain the situation and ask if it’s possible to defer payment for a month so I have a bit more time but was told they don’t allow deferment for student loans and to ‘try to get the funds by end of June.’”

Feeling anxious and stuck, she turned to Reddit to ask, “Are there any options I can consider, or is it really a bopian (nothing can be done) situation? My parents are semi-retired and aren’t able to help, and I don’t have siblings either. I’ve never missed a loan payment, so I really don’t want to risk getting a legal letter or anything like that.”

“Just pick up whatever part-time jobs that you can get”

In the comments section, several Singaporean Reddit users chimed in with practical advice.

One commenter pointed out that if “she is still living with her parents and does not have to worry about rent or mortgage payments,” she may need to temporarily cut back on expenses as much as possible while continuing her job search.

They added, “Eat at home every day. Eat Maggie Mee if you need to. Entry-level F&B or retail usually has 0 barriers to entry; did you apply to those? ”

Another commented, “The main challenge is to put aside or amass S$680 to meet June’s payment. If you must, you need to reach out to relatives or friends to help with this 680. It may not even be S$680 unless you really have nothing to contribute towards this ATM. Look up tuition gigs.”

A third remarked, “Just pick up whatever part-time jobs that you can get. I see so many F&B businesses hiring waitstaff.”

In other news, a 33-year-old man has sparked discussion online after sharing that he spends 10 to 12 hours with his 32-year-old girlfriend during each meetup twice a week, while also footing almost every bill.

In a Reddit post, the man said he started wondering whether their relationship dynamics were actually normal after feeling increasingly drained “emotionally, physically, and financially.”

Read more: ‘Is this normal?’: Man says he meets girlfriend for 10–12 hours twice weekly and pays every bill

This article (Worker, 27, stressed over finances after being laid off: ‘I have to pay S$680 every month’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A customer using Grab’s grocery delivery service got an unpleasant surprise after allegedly discovering maggots crawling inside a tray of eggs, with concerns that the contamination may have spread to the rest of the order as well.

The customer later shared the incident on Facebook, writing: “This tray of eggs was packed together with other items but Grab merely [refunded] me the price of eggs.”

According to the post, Grab only refunded the cost of the eggs and not the rest of the groceries, even though the other items had reportedly been packed together in the same order.

As of writing, Grab has not publicly commented on the incident. Customers are encouraged to inspect grocery deliveries upon arrival and contact support immediately if there are concerns involving damaged or contaminated items.

Some netizens who reacted to the post suggested ordering directly from supermarkets instead of using third-party delivery platforms, while others recommended switching to alternatives such as RedMart.

According to information on Grab’s website, refund requests may be issued in cases involving incorrect or problematic grocery orders. The company also states that GrabPay transactions may be refunded within 90 days from the payment date.

Other related news

In another recent Grab-related complaint, a woman said a delivery rider allegedly demanded a S$10 tip for delivering a takeaway order worth more than S$130, claiming the order was “too big.”

The customer also claimed the rider threatened to cancel the order if she refused to pay the extra amount. Grab later clarified that tipping is optional and that drivers are not allowed to solicit tips from customers.

Read more about the news story here.

This article (Grab shopper shocked after finding maggots in egg tray delivered with grocery order) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: A series of horrible accidents in Malaysia has shocked citizens, particularly when these accidents involved drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs, resulting in deaths on highways.

But one particular accident, which did not involve a drunk driver, gained much attention with online users criticising the release of the driver on bail.

An elderly man involved in a crash with a motorcycle that resulted in the rider’s death on the 5th of May was released on health grounds.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Shamsudin Mamat said the man in his 70s was detained to assist in investigations before his release.

“Checks found that the elderly man has a valid driving licence. Initial urine and alcohol screening tests conducted on him were also negative.

“He was detained and released on police bail on health grounds due to his age and medical condition,” he told the English-language paper NST.

Though the police say the accident was caused by the elderly man’s negligence, reports also say he lost control of the vehicle.

“At the time of the incident, the driver was on his way home, while the victim, who was a food delivery rider, was working,” he said.

Footage shows a car that suddenly appears on the scene heading in the wrong direction, where a motorcycle is seen coming towards it.

The car is then seen hitting the motorcycle, killing the rider.

A similar incident occurred, and it too gained much traction online.

Saktygaanapathy Ravichandran was reportedly driving at a high speed and is believed to have overtaken several vehicles before veering into the opposite lane and hitting father-of-three Amirul Hafiz Omar on Sunday (Mar 29).

The driver was charged with murder on Wednesday (April 1). It is said that he was under the influence of drugs.

The fatal crash drew national attention, with Malaysia’s transport ministry drafting amendments to the Road Transport Act to require those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to pay compensation to victims’ families.

While the accident involving a Proton X70 took place nine days ago and was still being debated online, another video went viral on social media, showing an accident involving several vehicles on the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) heading towards the Duta Toll Plaza.

Once again, it is a Proton that was involved – a Proton Inspira that ended up sideways in the right lane.

Sources said the incident occurred around 11 p.m. when the car, driven by a 26‑year‑old local man, reportedly skidded before stopping in the right lane of the highway.

It was then hit by two other vehicles, namely a Proton Wira and a Toyota Hilux, coming from the same direction.

Police are still investigating whether alcohol influence was the cause of the Proton Inspira driver failing to control his vehicle before it skidded.

It is reported that the driver of the Proton Inspira fled the scene.

This article (Another deadly accident in Malaysia draws attention to reckless driving concerns) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 21-year-old woman has turned to Reddit for advice after a difficult conversation about children left her wondering if her relationship is already headed for trouble.

Posting anonymously on the r/sgdatingscene subreddit, the woman shared that her boyfriend recently brought up having kids and told her he wanted clarity sooner rather than later on where she stands about starting a family.

The discussion caught her completely off guard. Since they had only started dating not too long ago and are both still just 21, she felt the conversation was far too serious for this stage of their lives.

According to her, she still sees both of them as young adults who are far too early to be making major life decisions about marriage, children, and settling down.

“I told him honestly that I’m not sure yet and that I feel like it’s too early for me to decide,” she wrote.

“I’ve always had the thought of living a child-free life, but I might change my mind in the future, who knows?” she added.

The woman explained that, in her mind, conversations about children should happen much later in life, perhaps five or even 10 years down the road when both partners are older, financially independent, emotionally mature, and more stable overall.

Her boyfriend, however, sees things very differently.

Since he already knows he definitely wants children one day, he believes it is important to address the issue early rather than risk years in a relationship that may ultimately fall apart because of incompatible goals.

“He thinks that now is the right time to talk about kids. He’s worried about ‘wasting time’ if we end up dating for years but ultimately want different things,” she wrote. “He wants to have kids really bad.”

Although she understands his perspective, the woman said she personally does not view relationships that fail as meaningless or wasted experiences.

“Even if things end in the future, I feel like the time spent loving each other and growing together is still meaningful.”

“At the same time, I also get that having kids is a big life decision and not something you can just ignore forever.”

Now feeling confused and emotionally torn, she asked Reddit users, “Should we continue the relationship and hope for the future to turn out the way we both want? Should we break up because of this ‘kids’ issue? And any other advice would be really helpful. I really don’t know what to do now. We both really love each other, so will it be worth the heartbreak over this matter?”

“Trust me, it does matter”

In the discussion thread, many commenters felt the boyfriend was simply being realistic by bringing up the topic early. Quite a few said conversations about children should happen sooner rather than later because it is one of the biggest compatibility issues in a relationship.

One Reddit user shared that they already knew they did not want children from a very young age and that their feelings never changed, even into adulthood. 

“Oh, I knew I never wanted kids at the age of 14. I’m 30 now and still feel the same way. I had this talk with my now husband when we were 23/24,” one comment read. “Wanting or not wanting kids is something both parties MUST agree on.”

“I don’t think there’s ever a ‘too early’ in discussing whether a couple wants kids or not. For my wife and I, we had the conversation during dinner on the date where we got together to ensure we were both aligned on this,” another added.

Others, meanwhile, bluntly told the woman to leave the relationship.

“Don’t waste each other’s time and just break up now. Wanting to have kids or not is a major deal-breaker, and it’s one of those things that can’t be compromised on. Once the kid is born, you can’t go back in time to reverse that decision,” one said.

“Trust me, it does matter. If you are iffy, let him go,” another chimed in.

In other news, an employee expressed her frustration online after discovering that someone had complained about her phone usage during office hours, even though she insists her work performance has never been affected.

Sharing the incident on the r/singaporejobs forum, the employee said that she has been working in a “typical corporate office” for over a year, where the workforce is largely made up of older staff.

Read more: ‘We are not in school anymore’: Employee upset over being reported for using phone during work hours

This article (‘He doesn’t want to waste time’: Woman torn after boyfriend raises topic of children early on) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 51-year-old woman was jailed for eight days after Sheng Siong’s facial recognition security system flagged her return to a supermarket outlet.

The woman, Catherine Tan Li Eng, pleaded guilty to stealing 19 bottles of Jacob’s Creek wine worth about S$556 over seven visits to a Sheng Siong outlet in Punggol in September 2025. The case has also reopened conversations about how retailers are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) tools to address repeat theft in stores across Singapore.

Sheng Siong staff discovered stock discrepancies before reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. The footage allegedly showed Tan placing bottles of wine into her bags before scanning only lower-value items at the self-checkout kiosk, according to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), May 12 report.

The AI alert led staff straight to the self-checkout kiosk before she could leave again

After reviewing the footage, staff uploaded Tan’s image into Sheng Siong’s AI-powered facial recognition system. The following day, the supermarket’s retail manager received a mobile alert after Tan entered the store again. He approached her at the self-checkout area and checked her bags after she claimed all items had been paid for.

Three bottles of wine were allegedly found unscanned inside her bags. Police were then called, and the bottles were recovered. Tan also repaid about S$470 for the remaining stolen items.

The case gives a closer look at how supermarkets are now using technology beyond traditional CCTV systems. Instead of relying solely on staff memory or manual monitoring, facial recognition software now flags repeat suspects almost instantly upon their entering a store.

Retailers are now turning to AI facial recognition security systems to deter shoplifting

Sheng Siong first rolled out its AI-driven facial recognition CCTV system in April 2024 before expanding it to all outlets in August 2025 to curb shoplifting. At the time, shop theft had become one of the more common offences involving young people in Singapore.

Retail theft remains a difficult problem for supermarkets because losses frequently happen in small amounts across repeated visits. Self-checkout kiosks have also made theft detection harder, especially during busy periods when staff are monitoring multiple counters at once.

The latest case shows how supermarkets are going toward automated monitoring systems that can react faster than human staff alone.

While some Singaporeans may welcome tighter enforcement against repeat shoplifters, others are likely to pay closer attention to how facial recognition systems are used in everyday retail spaces.

The court says her repeated theft raised the seriousness of the case

Defence lawyer Mr T M Sinnadurai said Tan was the sole caregiver for her mother and intellectually disabled cousin. He asked the court for a shorter jail term and said she regretted the offences.

District Judge Brenda Chua rejected the request for a one- to two-day sentence, saying the amount stolen was substantial and the repeated offences increased the seriousness of the case. And because the charge combined several theft incidents into one amalgamated charge, Tan faced tougher penalties under the law.

The case may sound like a straightforward shoplifting story, but it does show a serious change underway across Singapore’s retail sector. Artificial intelligence is no longer just a future concept hiding in the background. It has, at present, become part of daily enforcement in supermarkets, watching shelves, tracking behaviour, and alerting staff in real time.

For shoppers, the simplest solution remains the oldest one: pay for what goes into the basket. Technology may be getting smarter, making it easier for shoplifters to take advantage of or even abuse it, but retail theft always leaves a very human trail behind for the very technology to identify them back.

This article (Repeat shoplifter gets caught and jailed after being identified by Sheng Siong’s AI facial recognition security system) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: An employee shared on Reddit that she feels she has been unfairly singled out by her manager, who appears to treat her much more harshly than the rest of her colleagues.

In her post on the r/singaporejobs forum, the employee wrote that her manager “often calls out her mistakes in front of the whole office” and “puts a lot of pressure” on her to complete everything by the end of the day, even when some tasks are not urgent.

She also said she noticed a clear difference in how her manager speaks to her compared to others.

“Her tone towards me is very different compared to how she speaks to my colleagues—she’s much nicer to them.”

Unsurprisingly, being constantly put on the spot has started to wear her down. She shared that her anxiety at work has been “getting worse,” to the point where the thought of going into the office fills her with dread.

It has even started to affect her physically. She said that whenever she receives a Teams message from her manager, her heart “starts racing” and she feels “physically shaky.” Even when she is at home, simply thinking about work leaves her feeling uneasy, which is hardly ideal for anyone trying to switch off after hours.

“I’ve never felt like this in my previous job. I used to be able to handle stress, but this feels different, and it’s starting to affect me quite a bit.”

Unsure of what to do next, she turned to others for advice, asking if this is something she should try to push through or if it is a sign she should leave. 

“Has anyone experienced something similar? How did you decide whether to stay or go?” 

“If you do not see yourself continuing under her, then yes, time to move on.”

In the comments, one user asked the post author, “Are the mistakes real? Does she call out others’ mistakes in public too? Did you try to tell her it’s not urgent and can be done 3 days later so you can double-check? Does she do this to you or others as well?”

In response, the employee admitted that the mistakes were real, but said they were only “minor” errors or small details she had missed. She also shared that she had not told her manager that certain tasks were not urgent, as she already had a sense that her manager would not take that well, so she chose to keep quiet and just comply instead.

She also clarified that she was the only one being treated this way.

Another user weighed in with a different perspective, suggesting that there could be a reason the manager was being particularly strict with her.

“If she is only micromanaging you, that means she noticed a pattern in you. Perhaps you always miss deadlines or you make repeated mistakes,” they said.

“Many people think, ‘Aiya, small minor mistakes only.’ Why kick up a fuss? It depends on what and where the mistakes are. If you are, e.g., a lawyer, you cannot get an NRIC wrong. If you are an accountant, an extra zero makes a world of difference. You get the gist.”

A third added, “When was the last time you had 1:1 with her? Have you voiced out about improving processes and deliverables? If that hasn’t, give it a try to work it out. Let her know how you will deliver the deliverables. If you do not see yourself continuing under her, then yes, time to move on.”

Steps to take if your manager is targeting you

Career experts say there are usually two reasons a manager might act this way: either they are bullying the employee, or they are trying to push them out of the company. Either way, it’s important not to ignore the behaviour and to take steps to protect yourself.

If you find yourself in this situation, one of the first things you should do is keep a clear record of what’s happening. Write down what was said or done, the dates and times it occurred, how it made you feel, any proof or messages you have, and the names of any witnesses who saw what happened.

You can also try addressing the issue directly with your manager. If speaking face to face feels uncomfortable, raising it through email is another option.

If that doesn’t help, bring the matter to HR or another neutral party in your organisation so they can intervene, or reach out to the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) for support.

Read also: ‘Is burnout a badge of honour in Singapore work places?’ Local worker calls out long-hours culture

This article (‘I feel afraid to go to work’: Employee says after being constantly singled out by manager) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.