SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament (MP) from the Workers’ Party (WP) will be raising questions this week in Parliament about the effectiveness of tackling bullying in schools, in light of the new measures addressing the issue announced by the Ministry of Education last month. 

On April 15, the Ministry of Education (MOE) published nine key recommendations from its Comprehensive Action Review Against Bullying, which had been carried out to strengthen the efforts to better address hurtful behaviour and bullying in schools. The recommendations, which are set for implementation next year, include detention, suspension, and caning for older boys.

There have been a number of concerning incidents of bullying in recent years, such as the incident at Sengkang Green Primary School, where a nine-year-old student and her mother were threatened by the girl’s classmate.

Ministry of Education (MOE)

Annex A – Key Recommendations from MOE Comprehensive Action Review against Bullying

MOE said that schools will receive additional needs-based funding to hire roles such as youth workers, pastoral care officers, and parent liaison officers. These staff members will help manage student issues and reduce the load on teachers. At the same time, schools will receive better guidelines on managing bullying cases. This includes how quickly to inform parents, how to ensure student safety, and how to apply discipline and counselling consistently.

Questions from WP MPs

During the sessions from May 5 to 7, several WP MPs will be raising questions about the MOE’s recommendations, including those that ask for clarity concerning how MOE will make sure the recommended measures would not conflict with creating a school culture that is “restorative,” as well as the particular safeguards to be put in place for protecting students who have mental health vulnerabilities.

Sengkang MPs He Ting Ru, Louis Chua, Jamus Lim, and Abdul Muhaimin, as well as Non-constituency MP Eileen Chong, will be asking the following:

• Whether the standardisation of caning is based on established research, and if the Ministry has evaluated its effectiveness in reducing repeated bullying behaviour

• If there are specific safeguards in place to ensure disciplinary measures are student-centred, and how a student’s special educational needs (SEN) or mental health are weighed

• How does caning for first-time offenders align with the stated goal of a restorative school culture, and what is the data on bullying recidivism rates

• What recourse do students and parents have if they disagree with a school’s findings, and what specific methodology will be used to track the effectiveness of these new measures

The WP MPs last asked questions in Parliament concerning bullying in September, the month after the Sengkang Green Primary incident came to light. /TISG

Read also: WP to raise questions  in Parliament about jobs for new grads, public transport, bullying

This article (WP MPs to ask in Parliament about impact of stricter penalties on school bullies) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: Rafizi Ramli, a former economy minister, once very close to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, made the most explosive remarks about the crisis that has hit the state of Negeri Sembilan, saying it is part of a plan by one of Anwar’s allies in the Madani government to press for fresh general elections in Malaysia.

Ramli, who arrived at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) headquarters in Putrajaya this morning to face graft-busters on the government’s collaboration with UK-based chip design company Arm Holdings, did not mince his words against United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) or Barisan Nasional (BN) in a podcast.

The outspoken Member of the House of Representatives who resigned as economy minister last year was seen entering the anti-graft agency’s compound at about 9:45 a.m., ahead of his scheduled 10 a.m. appearance. Ramli might be charged for his role in the ARM Holdings deal soon.

Recently, Ramli made several accusations of corruption and share manipulation of some companies against Anwar and people close to the Malaysian regime.

On the Negeri Sembilan crisis, he said: “The controversy in Negeri Sembilan is UMNO’s grand strategy to build a wave of support similar to what happened in the previous Malacca and Johor state elections.”

“The aim is to force Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election,” he speculated in the latest episode of his podcast “Yang Berhenti Menteri.”

BN chalked up significant victories in the Malacca and Johor state polls that took place in 2021 and 2022. While Anwar’s party, PKR, is an ally in the Negeri Sembilan state government, it did not join the Malacca state government, which is dominated by the UMNO-BN.

To back his theory that UMNO is pushing for fresh elections, Ramli said it is using the same strategy it used in the 2021 and 2022 state polls in the hope that they can build a big wave in their favour.

“Using the same strategy now, (they want to) build a big wave. That will force Anwar to hold an early general election, and UMNO will mop up seats all over Malaysia,” he said, adding, “The plan involves holding the election in October together with polls in Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, and Johor.”

Bloomberg has also reported that Anwar is allegedly in the early stages of considering holding a general election in the third quarter of this year.

Anwar has denied that he is calling for snap polls this year, saying there is still time for an election.

Last week, 14 UMNO state assemblypersons pulled their support for the PKR head of the state government. Reports had it that the Umno politicians would join with the opposition Perikatan Nasional to form a new state government in Negeri Sembilan.

However, with Anwar’s and UMNO leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s intervention, plans to remove the chief minister from power by the 14 assemblypersons have been foiled.

This article (Crisis in small state near KL is UMNO’s way to seek early General Election) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A woman who ordered a huge takeout amounting to more than S$130 was shocked when the deliveryman demanded a S$10 tip, claiming that the order was ‘too big.’ More so, the deliveryman threatened to cancel the order if she did not give the tip. 

A 29-year-old woman complained to Shin Min Daily News that last month, she helped her friend order 10 KFC meals through a food delivery platform. The woman claimed that her friend’s company was having a lunch gathering, and that she was the one who placed the order through the platform. 

Since the woman uses the platform more often, she did not check the app after seeing that someone had already accepted the order. She claimed: “The delivery time shown at the time was between 11:00 and 11:30. At 11:20, I received a message from a friend saying that the delivery person had sent him a message asking for a tip. Later, I found that the delivery person had also sent me a message asking for a tip through the Grab app.” 

According to the deliveryman, the order was too much. That’s why he asked for a tip. He also stated that if the tip was not given, the order could be cancelled and the woman could find another deliveryman to handle the order. 

Given that they had limited time and that the deliveryman had already picked up the order and was on his way, they had no choice but to give out the tip. The woman later confirmed that when she checked the app, she discovered that the delivery man was already near her friend’s company and chose not to deliver the food unless they agreed to the tip. 

“He only continued to deliver the food after my friend agreed,” the woman declared. 

She shared that the food arrived after 11:40, which was later than what they expected. According to Grab, tipping is voluntary, and drivers are explicitly told not to solicit tips from customers. 

It is encouraged that when drivers ask for a tip, customers can refuse and submit feedback to the platform. 

Other related news 

In similar news related to customer complaints, there was a recent report where a woman was nearly burned when a fire broke out at their table at a Korean hot pot restaurant. 

“When I bent down to look, I found thick smoke and flames coming out of the hole under the dining table, which scared me so much that I ran away quickly,” the diner declared. 

Read more about the news story here.

This article (Delivery man threatens to cancel ‘too big’ order unless customer gives S$10 tip) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

KUALA LUMPUR: Police at KLIA Terminal 2 are investigating two sudden deaths within hours. A 27‑year‑old Chinese woman fell from a third‑floor ledge after resisting security efforts, later dying at Putrajaya Hospital. Hours later, a 30‑year‑old Algerian man fell near the same spot and was pronounced dead at Hospital Cyberjaya. Both incidents went viral online.

Netizens expressed concern over the incidents. For the Chinese woman, a viral video on X showed an auxiliary police officer attempting to assist her, but the approach startled her, leading to her fatal fall. In the Algerian man’s case, a photo of him circulated widely on X, further amplifying public attention and unease surrounding both tragedies.

Debates about the auxiliary police trying to help the woman were one of the top conversations among netizens. On X, one user stated that people should not blame the officer, as he was simply trying to help, also asking why the woman was sitting on the edge of the building after the balcony fencing. 

Others argued that the auxiliary police should have followed protocol more carefully, suggesting that approaching the woman directly was inappropriate and stressed that airport management must have a clear plan for handling such situations. They further added that safety measures, such as cloth or netting on lower floors, should be in place to prevent tragedies.

Concerning the Algerian man who also lost his life, X users voiced similar concerns. One urged airport management to implement stronger preventive measures, suggesting suicide nets like those installed in several Kuala Lumpur malls. He stressed that such safeguards are necessary to curb future incidents and emphasised that tragedies of this nature should never be allowed to happen again. 

Some netizens argued that such acts at the airport damage Malaysia’s reputation. Furthermore, this reflects a lack of empathy for those who died. One netizen stated that foreigners should not behave this way in Malaysia, adding that the government now faces the burden of covering funeral costs for the individuals involved.

It remains unclear why foreign nationals choose to end their lives at the airport. However, netizens increasingly view this as a serious concern, pointing to the apparent lack of clear procedures or preventive measures in handling such incidents.

This article (Tragedy at KLIA Terminal 2: Chinese woman and Algerian man’s fall sparks concerns) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Working daily has been part of everyday life for many. However, a Redditor shared online about the burdens of work and how working a government job has been driving her mad due to tiredness and lack of freedom. With this, the netizen is seeking comfort from others by asking: “Has anyone felt this way?” 

In the post, the netizen shared, “I work in a gov job, wfh 5 days a week, 8.30 – 6pm; including travel, I’m occupied basically from 7/7.15am to 7pm, and when I get home, I’m tired and drained and can barely do much or be in a super positive mood for my family. Isn’t this crazy? I’m meant to do this forever?” 

The netizen also shared to have started a new job but had already taken a few sick leaves after two months of employment because of too much anxiety. 

“What’s the point of chasing that when I could be free or find an easier or part-time job? Sure, I earn less, but I earn my freedom back? idk. I just feel kinda done with all this.” 

At the end, the netizen asked if someone could explain if everything was normal, and even asked for encouragement. 

Netizens then expressed their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions in the comments section. One commenter admitted to understanding what the netizen was going through and shared that the person has the power to change the situation. 

“I feel you totally.. Don’t feel bad, you are not alone.. But you can change this if you want, but it’s really up to you if you want to continue on this cycle.. I went through the same motion.. It’s super tiring and mentally excruciating,” the commenter remarked. 

For some, everything that the netizen shared was normal, and many people feel the same because it is part of adult life. One comment emphasised: “You lose a little bit of your spark every day, sometimes praise from peers or boss or monetary bonus helps bring the spark back up, but once hit zero = quit, start afresh. Rinse and repeat until you die.” 

Furthermore, a netizen suggested giving at least six months to settle in the new job, and claimed: “If you’re still in this rut after 6 months, you may be struggling with some professional or existential issues. You may want to consider if the job is what you want, or you may want to take some time off to figure out what you really want from life.” 

Others were concerned about mental health and also suggested that the netizen seek professional help. 

“Talking about it is important. Best if you can find a work friend in the same boat,” another comment stated. 

This thread openly shares how people feel tired at work and how many people struggle with the same things. In the end, the discussion is a reminder that it is normal to feel overwhelmed—and that it is okay to choose a life that feels more like living, not just surviving.

This article (Overworked and exhausted: ‘Has anyone felt this way?’ Netizen asks) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A home should be one’s safe place, but a neighbour encountered a traumatic experience when a man vandalised their house by splashing water and smashing windows twice in two weeks, allegedly without any cause. 

The victim is a 48-year-old man who lived in a unit on the 10th floor of a HDB block located in Balam Road, while the 45-year-old suspect lived downstairs. The suspect also previously pleaded guilty to three charges, including mischief, public nuisance, and violation of the Miscellaneous (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.

Case details 

As reported by Shin Min Daily News, further investigations revealed that on February 2, 2026, the victim found out that the walls and flower pots in the hallway outside his unit had been mysteriously splashed with water. With this, he reviewed his surveillance camera and discovered that his neighbour had poured a bucket of water on the walls, hallways, and flower pots outside his home. This prompted the victim to report the incident to the police. 

Two weeks later, on February 18, 2026, the suspect repeated his actions but now more aggressively. The suspect used a screwdriver to smash the victim’s window and left immediately. However, he did not stop there—he returned with a can of beer and poured it into the victim’s house. 

The victim also claimed that on January 6, 2026, he believed that someone had broken into his unit. The police stated that they found no evidence of forced entry, but they found a sign belonging to the police force on the victim’s door that read “Under Police Surveillance”. Unfortunately, when the police officers questioned the victim about where he got the sign, he was unable to provide a reasonable explanation, which violates the Miscellaneous (Public Order and Nuisance) Act. 

Other related news 

In similar news related to HDB complaints, there was a report where a family’s living room turned into a disaster zone when a built-in wardrobe suddenly collapsed, raising safety concerns.

On social media, a netizen shared their unfortunate experience, stating, “This wasn’t just furniture falling. It was a heavy structure installed inside a living space where our child plays every day. We were extremely lucky no one was injured.” 

Read more about the news story here. 

This article (Man jailed for three weeks after splashing water and smashing windows of neighbor’s home—Why did he do it?) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A lot of us walk into work pretending we’ve got everything under control. We act unbothered by impossible deadlines, toxic coworkers, and bosses who keep piling on more work. But the second we’re alone, all the stress we’ve been holding in comes pouring out.

Recently, one Singaporean woman confessed in a Reddit post that she’s been “crying every day” yet feels like she has no choice but to stay because of the dismal job market. 

The situation, she said, has been making her feel “super miserable.”

Having spent five years in the workforce, including two years at her current company, the woman said she never intended to aggressively climb the corporate ladder. In fact, she had already told her bosses that she was “happy in my current role and not looking to get promoted.” 

Despite this, she said new responsibilities continue being added to her workload, often without proper guidance or support.

“I have no proper support. Timelines are compressed, responsibilities are piling up. It’s making me super miserable, and I have to OT just to meet expectations. With the lack of support and constant scrutiny for screwing up in these new areas, I want to call it quits.”

“As much as I want to learn, it’s miserable to learn in such a manner. Is it wrong to just want the status quo for a year at least?” she wondered.

“Thank God I don’t have a looming BTO to pay for, but it doesn’t help that I don’t know when I’ll be employed next or whether I’ll have to work in the same industry again.”

The woman added that her colleagues are struggling just as much. “Everyone on the team is busy…. We are all in this together. I am seriously burnt out and lost. How do you all get through such days, and is this really the kind of economy where we can prioritise mental health?” she asked.

“The mental workload and suffering aren’t worth it.”

Her post struck a chord with many online users, who jumped in with messages of support and shared their own experiences to remind her she’s not alone in feeling this way.

One commenter wrote, “Are you me? Because I’m going through the same. Cry before work, during work, and while on my meal breaks, then back to the grind. I’m trying to find another job before leaving, but the market is cold.”

Another said, “Just to let you know that you’re not the only one feeling this way. I’m struggling and overloaded, and sometimes my tears just flowed while working. I’ve been sending resumes and praying I can leave this job ASAP. I know it can be difficult, but cheer up, and I hope that we can escape from this [job] soon!”

Some commenters, meanwhile, urged her to consider quitting for the sake of her mental health.

One told her, “Quit. The mental workload and suffering aren’t worth it, and it’s a vicious cycle because this affects how you think and plan your career/life with calmness and clarity.”

Another added, “If you can, just quit; else go home on time every day and have something to look forward to, like cooking or gaming. Don’t bother with the OT, take care of your own health first.”

In other news, a man has found himself in an unexpected dispute after his ex-fiancée insisted he reimburse her S$15,000 in cash for the CPF downpayment she lost when their BTO application was cancelled.

Hoping to find some guidance, he posted on the r/asksg subreddit on Tuesday (Apr 28). 

In his post, he explained that he had been in a relationship with his ex-fiancée for five years before they called off their wedding plans. He also noted that he had already returned her share of the wedding banquet and vendor expenses.

Read more: Man says ex-fiancée demanded S$15k after BTO cancellation: ‘She wants the downpayment back’

This article (‘I cry every day’: Worker says burnout and lack of support are taking a toll) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 27-year-old Singaporean says he’s now willing to accept a salary between S$2,500 and S$3,000 just to “get something on his resume.” It’s not exactly the dream, but at this point, he just wants to start somewhere.

In a social media post, he shared that he graduated in 2023 and, somehow, is still without a full-time job today, unlike many of his peers who have already moved on and settled into their careers. Watching that happen from the sidelines has not been easy.

“I get jealous seeing my friends,” he admitted. “Is anyone else going through the same thing? Fellow Singaporeans, do you think the job market is pretty bad?”

He was quick to stress that he hasn’t been “picky.” In fact, he said he has been applying to “everything and anything related” to his field of study, casting his net as wide as possible. Unfortunately, nothing has stuck.

“I either get a call and then get ghosted, or I don’t hear back from the company at all,” he said. “I get one to four interviews every month, and it’s getting frustrating.”

Still, despite everything, he said he’s thankful to have some income coming in from helping with the family business and running a small home-based bakery on the side.

Expert says Gen Z applicants need better resumes

The state of the job market for Gen Z has been talked about loads online. Endless articles have been churned out, and there’s a steady stream of job seekers on local forums laying it all bare, admitting just how much the whole ordeal has messed with their mental health. 

At the same time, there’s been plenty of chatter about how younger people are quietly abandoning the traditional career path their parents swore by and drifting towards the gig economy instead.

Still, while some have more or less thrown their hands up and resigned themselves to never finding stable work, others are still stubbornly pushing on, CV in hand, hoping for the best.

Which then leaves the slightly exhausting question: how do you actually stand out in all this chaos?

Jeannie Kim, a former vice president of content at Policygenius, digital executive, and journalist, shared in a CNBC article that she’s reviewed over 1,000 resumes. Drawing from that experience, she offered a few practical bits of advice for job seekers trying to make theirs stand out:

Be specific

Instead of just listing tasks or responsibilities from internships, Kim says job seekers should go a step further and include actual results from their work, ideally with numbers.

She encourages them to talk about the “impact” they’ve had in the organisations they’ve worked in.

Tailor your resume

Kim advises job seekers to stop sending the same CV to every job and instead tailor it for each role. 

This means tweaking your resume so your skills and experience match what the job is actually looking for.

Be concise

Kim also says it’s important not to go overboard. Jobseekers, she explains, should focus on including only relevant information tied to the role and highlighting “their biggest achievement.”

Read also: ‘She wants me to pay for the whole house and lifestyle’: Man questions girlfriend’s intentions

This article (‘It’s getting frustrating’: Jobseeker says he’ll take S$2.5-S$3k pay just to ‘get something on his resume’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: One employee’s patience finally ran out after years of being asked to handle “grey areas” or tasks that had absolutely nothing to do with their actual job scope.

Sharing their frustrations on the local forum called singaporejobs on Monday (May 27), the employee said their boss had constantly expected staff to “cover the grey areas, do more work outside their job scope, and think like a business owner.”

The employee admitted that they initially followed instructions without questioning them and carried out the extra responsibilities “fairly well.” However, they eventually became burnt out as their boss continued to criticise their performance despite their efforts.

According to the employee, their boss ranks staff on a scale of one to five.

“It’s like 1 for ‘cannot make it.’ 2 for ‘barely making it.’ 3 for ‘average.’ 4 for ‘better than average.’ 5 for ‘industry best.’”

During their first year, the boss allegedly told them they “were not good enough” and “dismissed their effort.”

In their second year, the boss reportedly said they “were still a 3.”

By the third year, the employee said they had finally reached their limit. “He told me I was still a 3 and asked me to do more work.”

“I just told him politely no. Since you already said there’s no promotion, then I am happy to do my work, and that’s good enough. Please don’t ask me to do more and cover grey areas and frame it as career development.”

“I think once bitten, twice shy. Unless the remuneration or incentive is made clear upfront, I am not going to do anything that is not within my field of work.”

Wondering if they did the right thing, they asked Singaporean users: “Am I the a***ole for telling my boss no?”

“Good job for standing up for yourself.”

Many commenters quickly sided with the employee, saying there was nothing wrong with setting boundaries at work. 

One user pointed out how absurd the demands were, writing, “Do outside job scope, think like a business owner, but you don’t pay me like a business owner; it’s like asking a horse to think and work like a cow.”

Another said, “You’re not the a***ole. Bosses and owners want to get two workers for the price of one.”

A third simply said, “Good job for standing up for yourself.”

Still, some warned the employee that refusing extra work could come with consequences during future performance reviews. 

One told them, “Just be prepared that your next performance grade might be a 2, or even 1 + a PIP. From what you have shared, it seems like your boss considers covering extra work a basic expectation. Hence, the average grade. That makes not covering that extra stuff a below-average grading.”

In other news, a Singaporean Threads user who tried to call out two national servicemen on the MRT has instead found himself at the centre of online criticism, after his post struck a nerve with many who felt the men were unfairly singled out.

In a post published on Tuesday (March 28), the user, who goes by the handle “chefphotodan,” shared a photo taken inside a crowded train carriage.

Read more: Man criticised online after calling out NSFs for using phones on MRT: ‘Cut our boys some slack, please’

This article (‘Am I wrong for saying no?’ — Employee tired of being asked to cover ‘grey areas’ at work) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: After struggling to land a full-time role, a man shared that he’s now juggling two gig jobs just to keep up with the rising cost of living in Singapore.

In a post on a local forum on Thursday (May 30), the man, who said he is in his early 30s, wrote that he has been doing GrabFood deliveries “to survive in this economy” since January 2026.

He added that he recently picked up a manual labour job that pays S$100 for an eight-hour shift, and didn’t think twice about taking it just to boost his income.

According to the man, his daily routine currently revolves around balancing both jobs. He explained that he handles GrabFood deliveries during the morning before heading to his second job in the afternoon. “[This second job is on] an ad hoc basis. I am scheduled whenever the company needs manpower.”

Despite the exhausting schedule, he said he still carves out time to apply for full-time roles daily, hoping something more stable eventually comes through.

The man went on to share that when he spoke to his family and friends about his situation, he told them that if he could at least earn S$4,000 from one job, then he wouldn’t need to hustle so hard and get an additional job “just to stay afloat in Singapore.”

Curious to know whether others felt the same way, he asked locals for their opinions:

“If you had a monthly salary of S$4k, would you still opt to do a side hustle (if any) to earn additional money?” 

“S$4k is enough to save/invest and pay for bills. It is doable.”

Although many commenters understood why he felt compelled to take on multiple jobs, several reminded him to be careful and not push himself too hard 

One commenter wrote, “I hope you get a job that pays at least S$4k soon! I admire your grit in doing 2 jobs. Take care always, and listen to your body, it’s the only one you have.”

Another said, “Take care of your body and don’t injure yourself during the second job. Make sure you have the right posture when lifting heavy items, or you will regret it when [you become] older.”

In response to his question about side hustles, many users said they personally would not continue taking on additional work if they were already earning S$4,000 a month from a single job.

One commented, “If I earned S$4k and it sufficiently covered all my needs (savings, insurance, bills, spending, etc.) and if I had my emergency savings, I wouldn’t do a side hustle.”

Another shared, “I bring home around S$2,100. Still go on holiday about twice a year. So S$4k is more than enough in my opinion. It depends on what you want to spend or save for.”

A third added, “If you are single with 0 commitments or any big expense upcoming, I think earning S$4k/month is enough to not take up a side hustle. Like what others have said, your body is your biggest money maker. S$4k is enough to save/invest and pay for bills. It is doable.”

In other news, a woman has come under fire online after describing her own boyfriend as “unromantic” for not surprising her with “just because” flowers.

In a post shared on the r/sgdatingscene subreddit on Saturday (Apr 25), she opened up about wanting more spontaneous and thoughtful gestures in her relationship.

Read more: ‘Is romance dead?’ Woman slammed after calling BF unromantic over ‘just-because’ flowers

This article (‘Just to survive’: Man juggles two gig jobs after struggling to find full-time work in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 30-year-old woman who has been unemployed for six months said she has realised just how frustrating and draining joblessness can be.

In a post on a local forum, she wrote that while she still has enough savings to get by for now, the experience has been far more difficult than she expected. 

She said, “Technically, I have a sufficient buffer to tide me through for now. But I’m realising that the psychological erosion of unemployment—the growing sense of worthlessness—is something no amount of savings can prepare you for. I know by right we should not let our job or anything define us, but it is hard.”

She added that this is not her “first time between jobs,” but it is the first time she has struggled to recover emotionally and mentally. In previous transitions, she said she was able to secure roles quickly and even received better offers. 

“In the past, I was able to get back quickly…but this time feels different and dead silent. I thought I was the only one, but I see people around me—both junior and senior—all feeling the same pinch. It feels like the ground is shifting beneath us.”

The woman also shared that she feels caught in what she called a “Goldilocks loop” in the job market. 

She said she is often seen as “overqualified” for junior or mid-level roles, with employers possibly assuming she would be too costly to hire or not “flexible” enough compared to fresh graduates. 

At the same time, she feels underqualified for senior positions that “demand hyper-specialised experience.”

She added that even public service roles, which were once viewed as a stable option, have become much more competitive and difficult to enter. 

“This used to be the seemingly ‘safe’ path, but it has become incredibly demanding and difficult to enter. It’s no longer the ‘dinosaur era’ where a degree and a good attitude were enough,” she said. “I’ve even tried those government support things like career fairs, coaching, and training, and they’ve been proven useless.”

Out of desperation, she even considered entering the gig economy as a way to “stay active,” but eventually decided against it after running the numbers and realising the returns would not really make sense.

“I’ve looked into PHV or food delivery…but the math simply doesn’t work. Between high rental costs and petrol, you’re essentially working for the leasing company. With AI on the horizon, the future feels even more precarious.”

“I’m reaching out because I just want to hear from others who are in (or have been in) this same boat. How are you coping, and is there something I can do to solve this? I hope I’m not the only one feeling this way.”

Her background

Providing some context about her background, she added that she’s been in the workforce for almost a decade.

She explained that she grew up in a low-income household and did not have many advantages early in life.

“I didn’t have things handed to me,” she said. “This taught me to be financially savvy out of necessity. Halfway through my career, I completed a part-time degree while working full-time just to support myself and my parents.”

“Because of that background, I’ve saved and invested religiously. Even when my income grew over the years, I still kept my lifestyle humble—spending like an intern to build a safety net.”

“You’re not alone.”

The post struck a chord with many Singaporeans, prompting them to open up about their own struggles with unemployment and burnout.

One individual shared, “Same… my applications are now nothing but silence. I used to get callbacks from HR at least. It’s super quiet now as time has passed by. As much as I want to worry less, I really want to work. My skills gap would be widened even further at this rate.”

Another commented, “Same boat, older than you. Unemployed for much longer. Not worried about money yet, but yes, the situation is messing with my head a bit.”

A third added, “You’re not alone. Landed a job working for my dad after being unemployed for 8 months. Without him, I would probably be begging on the streets.”

Others said her description of being stuck in a “Goldilocks loop” felt painfully accurate. 

According to them, many mid-career workers now find themselves trapped in an awkward middle ground, seen as too experienced, too expensive, or too difficult to mould for junior roles, while still not meeting the expectations for senior-level positions.

One user wrote, “I get how you are feeling. I have been actively looking for more than a year, and the number of interviews I got I can count on one hand. A few years ago, even during Covid, I was still able to get interviews fairly easily.”

“Now, like you said, I also feel like I am too highly paid for junior roles and do not have enough experience for senior roles. I don’t know how people on my LinkedIn feed can so easily change roles in this market. Really tip my hat to them.”

In other news, concerns over “quiet firing,” or silent termination, are gaining traction among workers here, after one employee highlighted how ongoing restructuring in her company appears to be pushing staff to leave without formal layoffs.

In a post on the r/askSingapore subreddit, she shared that her organisation has been undergoing restructuring since the end of 2024.

Read more: Employee asks, ‘Is quiet firing/silent termination becoming common in Singapore?’

This article (‘The psychological erosion is real’: Singaporean unemployed for 6 months opens up about joblessness) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A video capturing two young Malaysians saying they feel Singaporeans are more proud than Malaysians is making the rounds on local social media interest pages, forums and messaging groups online.

The video, which is entirely in Mandarin, is a street interview by the TikTok channel KayPohBros. In this video, the interview asks a couple, who are from Kuala Lumpur, about some of the differences between Singaporeans and Malaysians.

They were asked whether Singaporeans or Malaysians are more well-mannered, and the man answered, “Hard to say. I’m leaning towards Malaysia.”

They were also asked what the differences were between Singaporeans and Malaysians speaking Chinese. The woman replied that Singaporeans mix more English in when they speak Chinese.

When asked who is more proud, the duo agreed with a laugh, “Singapore.”

Interestingly, many Singaporeans reacting to the video online agreed. One commenter wrote, “Malaysians are indeed very friendly, you can chat with them very easily and have a good conversation.”

Others echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the warmth and openness they often experience when interacting with their neighbours across the Causeway.

Singaporeans and Malaysians share deep cultural, historical, and social ties, enjoying similarities in food preferences and language overlaps to humour, values, and everyday experiences shaped by a common past.

Cross-border movement has also strengthened these connections. Many Malaysians live and work in Singapore, while Singaporeans frequently travel to Malaysia for leisure, food, and family visits.

Some commenters noted that what may come across as “pride” among Singaporeans could also be interpreted as confidence shaped by the country’s rapid development, while Malaysians’ perceived friendliness may stem from a more laid-back social culture. Rather than being opposing traits, these qualities often complement each other in cross-border friendships and collaborations.

Ultimately, the video has sparked not just comparisons but also reflection on how closely intertwined the two societies remain. While lighthearted differences in behaviour, speech, or attitude may exist, many online agree that Singaporeans and Malaysians have far more in common than what sets them apart.

This article (Young Malaysians say Singaporeans are more ‘proud’ in viral street interview) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.