SINGAPORE: Caught between the demands of work and motherhood, a 35-year-old mother in Singapore shared that she has been thinking about quitting her full-time job to spend more time with her twins.

In a post published on the r/singaporejobs forum, the mother explained that she has been feeling increasingly exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed by the demands of her current job. Because of this, she has been thinking about accepting a part-time role that would only require her to work three days a week, even though it would mean taking a massive 70% pay cut.

“I would have more time for myself and my kids [if I choose this],” she said.

At the same time, she revealed that another company had also offered her a different opportunity with a 10% salary increase. However, she said that accepting the higher-paying role would likely mean spending even less time with her kids and having little room left for herself outside of work.

Feeling torn between financial stability and family life, the mother turned to other parents online for advice.

“To chiong or to take a step back? Keen to hear from fellow parents on your thoughts and what would you do in my shoes,” she wrote.

“Negotiate a 40% pay cut”

Many commenters encouraged the mother to choose the part-time arrangement, saying that spending more time with her children and protecting her mental well-being were more important than earning a bigger paycheck.

One individual said, “I think parents spending more time with their kids is very important; having less stress can also be better for your own mental health and for your kid.”

Another wrote, “Assuming these roles are in the same field and were offered to you, go for the part-time role—but negotiate a 40% pay cut. 70% is way too high. Prove your worth and value. Mental health > Wealth.”

A third user added, “When you are on your deathbed, do you think you will say, ‘I wished I took that higher-paying job’ or, ‘I wished I spent more time with my children?’”

However, not everyone felt that taking such a massive pay cut immediately was the best move. A few commenters pointed out that losing 70% of her income could place unnecessary financial stress on the family, especially with children to raise. They suggested that she continue exploring other opportunities that might offer better work-life balance without such a steep sacrifice.

One wrote, “Try the new full-time role first and see if it better matches your work-life balance. If cannot, then take the part-time job. Don’t worry too much first; take it a step at a time.”

In other news, one Singaporean woman says she is now questioning whether it might be time to end her relationship after her boyfriend refused to promise her a ring within the next four to five years.

Sharing her situation on the r/sgdatingscene forum, she said that when she first got together with her boyfriend three years ago, they were very much “in sync.”

Read more: Singapore woman considers breaking up after BF refuses to propose within five years

This article (‘Career or family?’: 35 y/o mum considers quitting full-time job and taking 70% pay cut to care for twins) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: First-term People’s Action Party (PAP) parliamentarian Jasmin Lau has come under fire for being “out of touch” with the challenges, aspirations and lived realities of ordinary Singaporeans, after she shared her theory about the cause of Singapore’s falling birth rate.

Ms Lau was a civil servant for close to two decades before she resigned just ahead of the 2025 general election. She coasted into Parliament as part of the team Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong led at his Ang Mo Kio Group stronghold.

The 42-year-old, who is currently part of the Government’s Marriage & Parenthood Reset Workgroup, had been discussing Singapore’s low fertility rate of 0.87 per cent during a recent CNA podcast appearance.

During the podcast, Ms Lau was asked what she believed was the “biggest thing” stopping people from having children.

“I have my own theory about this,” she said, “I think a lot of our people have tasted a good and rich life at a younger age, and the thinking is, I don’t want to give that up.”

She added that many young adults view parenthood as requiring sacrifices in lifestyle, including travel, housing choices and other comforts they worked hard to attain. She said:

“…they look at the parents who talk about parenthood like, in such a stressful way, it feels like a loss. Like, for them to think about having children feels like a loss because they cut something out from their life. They have to cut travel or the size of the house they buy, the type of car that they would have. Like, it feels like they have to lose something in order to have a child.

“…it’s already so hard to enjoy what they have now. They have worked so hard to get to where they are. Finally, they can taste a little bit of the sweetness of life. And then to go into a phase of life where you have to give up some of that, I think that’s what’s stopping a lot of adults from thinking about the next step.”

She added, “Now, is there a solution for that? Very hard.”

Noting that countries around the world are struggling with declining fertility rates, she suggested that more people openly sharing positive experiences about parenting and family life could encourage others to reconsider having children.

“I do think that if many more of us just talk about the fulfilment from parenting, the joys of it, it could shift the concepts about it a little bit, so you can tilt someone from 50-50 to all right, let’s give it a shot. You could shift it a bit.”

She said she does not think the TFR can be “rescued to 2.0”.

“But I think, if more of us just shared about what family life could look like and how our own lives have been enriched by our children, and how our children have taught us so much more about life than we could otherwise teach ourselves. Then maybe you have some people who start to consider, why not?” she said.

Her remarks, however, quickly drew backlash online, with many Singaporeans arguing that financial pressures and structural issues, not lifestyle preferences, are the primary reasons couples are delaying or avoiding parenthood.

“I feel so disconnected from her words,” one commenter wrote.

Another said, “Excuse me, not everyone has a good and rich life.”

Several commenters accused Ms Lau of speaking from a position of privilege and failing to understand the financial stress many Singaporeans face.

“She is talking about her circle,” one person remarked.

Others pointed to bread-and-butter concerns such as housing prices, job insecurity and the rising cost of raising children.

“Her theory is wrong, the stressful living environment that is not conducive to having kids,” one commenter said before listing concerns including the “cost of having a kid”, “no stable employment”, and rising expenses related to housing, education and daily living.

Another added that “BTO flats have become quite expensive and smaller”, making it harder for couples to plan for larger families.

Some commenters said the Government appeared disconnected from public sentiment despite years of feedback on the issue.

“I am surprised that the committee has all along been deaf to the feedback,” one person wrote.

Another argued that policymakers were unfairly placing responsibility on citizens instead of addressing systemic issues.

“Instead of fixing systemic problems, the responsibility is conveniently pushed back to citizens,” the commenter said.

Parents also weighed in on anxieties surrounding the future their children may face.

“As a parent, I feel anxious & nervous for my kids staring into a future of immense uncertainties,” one commenter wrote, citing intense competition, economic pressures and concerns about whether children would be able to cope in adulthood.

Others criticised what they viewed as an overly simplistic understanding of why Singaporeans are not having children.

“OMG. Does she really know what the people on the ground think?” one netizen asked, “It’s not that young people want to enjoy wealth in life. But there’s no support for parents to raise a child in Singapore.”

The commenter then pointed to expensive healthcare, costly childcare, long working hours, small flats, insufficient leave arrangements and postpartum mental health challenges.

Several people compared Singapore unfavourably with countries they felt offered stronger support systems for parents. One commenter cited Australia’s postnatal home-visit programmes for mothers and newborns, while another pointed to South Korea’s extensive subsidies for families.

Others questioned whether highly paid political officeholders could truly relate to the struggles of ordinary Singaporeans. “When ministers can have a million-dollar salary, how much do they understand about the problem of having kids?” one commenter asked.

Another wrote: “Nothing like a millionaire politician hectoring us about the intangibles of having children when the cost of living is going up.”

Some commenters also suggested the Government should directly consult young Singaporeans and parents instead of relying on internal theories.

“Why not ask your young people to be in a forum and get the answers straight from their mouths?” one netizen said.

Others pointed to the irony that some political officeholders themselves have small families or no children. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong does not have any children. Nor does Indranee Rajah, the Minister who chairs the parenthood workgroup, who remains unmarried.

“Questions the workgroup should start asking all MPs in Parliament — why they are single, married, no kids or married one child,” one commenter wrote.

This article (First-term MP under fire after saying Singaporeans aren’t having babies because they have ‘tasted a good and rich life at a young age’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore car drivers heading to Malaysia may soon clear immigration without having to lower their windows to speak to an officer.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said it will begin trials of fully automated in-car immigration clearance at Tuas Checkpoint in the coming months, before progressively rolling out the system from early 2027. The announcement was made during ICA’s annual workplan seminar on May 8.

The new system, called the Automated Passenger Clearance System (APCS), allows car drivers and passengers to complete immigration checks while remaining inside their vehicles. Travellers can scan QR codes or passports at kiosks along APCS lanes, while cameras perform facial biometric verification, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reports (May 8).

For passengers seated further inside the vehicle, ICA said biometric-enabled tablets may also be used so they don’t need direct access to the kiosks. The move towards automated checkpoint clearance continues, especially as cross-border traffic between Singapore and Malaysia remains heavy almost every day.

Fewer manual counters, more remote monitoring

ICA said the system reduces the need for officers to physically man individual counters. Instead, officers can remotely monitor several lanes at once through live camera feeds and communicate with travellers using intercom systems.

The agency said automation would allow officers to focus on higher-value work, such as profiling, interviews, and investigations, instead of routine passport stamping.

Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam said that ICA would continue to prepare for future security and immigration challenges while maintaining efficient border services.

The system also reflects a practical reality facing Singapore’s checkpoints: rising traveller numbers and limited manpower. Long queues at Woodlands and Tuas remain a regular source of frustration for commuters, especially during weekends, school holidays, and festive periods, so faster automated clearance could help ease congestion without relying entirely on expanding manpower.

QR clearance has already changed checkpoint habits

Many travellers have already grown accustomed to QR-based immigration clearance since the ICA introduced it in March 2024 via the MyICA mobile app.

Car drivers can currently generate individual or group QR codes before arriving at checkpoints and scan them at counters instead of handing over passports manually. The new APCS system builds on that idea by combining QR verification with facial biometrics and remote monitoring.

ICA added that the APCS lanes could also clear up to two motorcycles at once, depending on traffic conditions and operational needs.

Cargo vehicles will also receive similar treatment. ICA plans to introduce APCS clearance for cargo vehicles at Tuas Checkpoint from early next year, before extending it to the redeveloped Woodlands Checkpoint.

Singapore is moving towards fully automated borders

ICA described automated immigration clearance as the new normal at Singapore’s checkpoints, adding that Singapore is likely the first country to automate clearance for all travellers across its checkpoints.

Since May 2024, all foreign visitors arriving in Singapore have also been allowed to use automated lanes without prior enrolment.

For many Singaporeans, the biggest appeal may not be the technology itself, but the possibility of shaving precious minutes off checkpoint queues that often stretch for hours during peak periods.

Technology alone will not erase every jam at the Causeway or Tuas, as traffic volume will always remain part of the equation. Still, faster clearance systems that reduce bottlenecks probably make more sense than endlessly adding more counters and staffing to chase growing crowds.

This article (Singapore to trial fully automated immigration clearance for car drivers and passengers at Tuas) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Amos Yee, the controversial Singaporean internet personality and child exploitation offender, was assaulted by a cosplayer outside an anime convention at Suntec City on Saturday, in an incident that spread online through videos filmed by bystanders and Yee himself.

The videos showed a male teenager at the event punching, kicking and elbowing the 27-year-old while he crouched on the floor near the Doujin Market convention area. The attacker then appeared to tackle Yee from behind before a bystander stepped in to stop the fight.

According to organisers, the altercation didn’t happen inside the convention. Police said they received a call for assistance at about 2.15 pm. An 18-year-old male was arrested for causing public nuisance after Yee suffered minor injuries. Investigations are currently ongoing, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) and Mothership reported (May 9).

Yee was banned from attending the event by the organisers

The incident occurred after Doujin Market organisers, Neo Tokyo Project, decided earlier to cancel Yee’s ticket and ban him from the event following complaints from attendees.

Organisers said community members had expressed concern over Yee attending the convention, with some saying his presence made them feel unsafe.

Despite the ban, Yee still turned up at Suntec City and posted updates on X (Twitter) throughout the day, including photos from the exhibition area. One of his posts even carried the caption “Protect your kids.”

Protect your kids pic.twitter.com/LKoOzc50E5

— Amos Yee (@amosyeeishere) May 9, 2026

Yee also uploaded footage of the assault from his own perspective.

This is the attack from my perspective pic.twitter.com/nueAaGJttp

— Amos Yee (@amosyeeishere) May 9, 2026

Neo Tokyo Project said it doesn’t condone violence and stressed that its focus remains on keeping visitors and exhibitors safe.

The attacker claims that Yee was trying to molest another attendee

The alleged attacker posted on his Instagram Story, claiming he saw Yee allegedly trying to molest another attendee at the venue.

The teen claimed he confronted Yee and attempted to make him leave before the situation escalated into a physical altercation. Those claims, however, haven’t been verified by police.

Yee posted about the attack on X, showing his sustained injuries on his upper lip.

The incident triggered heavy discussion online, with reactions ranging from condemning the assault to debating Yee’s presence at a fan convention filled with younger attendees.

Amos Yee remains one of Singapore’s most divisive internet figures

Yee first gained notoriety in Singapore in 2015 after posting offensive online remarks about Christians and Muslims. He later left for the United States in 2016 after serving jail time in Singapore.

In 2020, he was charged in the US over the possession of explicit visuals of minors and the act of physical grooming offences on children. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years in prison before eventually being deported back to Singapore last year.

He is also facing charges under the Enlistment Act for avoiding National Service obligations.

The Saturday’s assault at the cosplay event also revived memories of a separate 2015 incident when Yee was slapped outside the State Courts by another member of the public. That offender was jailed after the court ruled that vigilante behaviour couldn’t be accepted, regardless of personal anger.

Public outrage still has legal limits

The Suntec incident showed how online hostility can spill into real-life confrontations, especially around figures who attract strong public reactions.

Convention organisers today are also dealing with a different kind of pressure. Fan communities increasingly expect event spaces to feel safe, especially at gatherings involving younger attendees and families.

Still, anger alone doesn’t justify violence. Once a confrontation turns physical, the issue changes from public opinion to criminal behaviour. That distinction remains important, even in emotionally charged cases.

This article (Amos Yee gets attacked by teen at Suntec City anime convention) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: In a lengthy Facebook post, a woman wrote that she has frequently been asked how she could bear giving up her Malaysian citizenship, adding that she wrestled with the decision for years.

She shared her “honest reflections” after giving up the blue Permanent Resident IC for a red Singapore passport in an anonymous May 5 post on 我的cpf够用吗.

It had not been an easy decision to make, she explained, writing, “After all, no one wants to abandon their roots, but life is, ultimately, a matter of reality.”

She went on to list a number of items that factored into her decision, for those who may feel “torn,” as she had, or were simply curious about why she did it.

Her first reason has to do with the fact that her small hometown offers her no real livelihood, and she would have had to move to somewhere like Kuala Lumpur or Penang in order to build her career. Since she’s been living in Singapore since she was 18, moving to a city in Malaysia “would feel just as much like a (moving to a) strange, foreign land.”

Of Singapore, she wrote: “The prime years of my youth, the streets most familiar to me, and my closest circle of friends—they are all right here. In a way, Singapore has become the city that truly raised me.”

Another significant factor is her son, whom she called her “greatest vulnerability.” As a Permanent Resident, bringing up her child in Singapore would have meant “facing expenses so exorbitant they made me question the very meaning of life.”

She did consider, however, sending her son to be raised in her hometown in Malaysia as a “left-behind child” while she continued to work in Singapore, but ultimately decided against it as she wanted to be around for her child’s formative years.

“I wanted to be able to hold him in my arms every day when I returned home, rather than just staring at him through a video call screen. To ensure my entire family could remain together in stability and peace, changing my citizenship status became the most practical path forward,” she wrote.

Another reason why she decided to acquire Singapore citizenship is that the city-state taught her the meaning of fairness, as people are treated with “equality for all.”

She explained that hard work does not  always translate directly into opportunity in Malaysia due to certain uncrossable invisible barriers, “structural or otherwise.”

“I want my child to grow up competing in a fair environment—one where he isn’t forced to take a backseat simply because of his ‘identity,’” she added.

Lastly, the post author wrote that she learned from the COVID-19 pandemic how unpredictable life is.

“You never know which will arrive first—an unexpected tragedy or tomorrow itself. Since there are no guarantees in life, I decided that now—while I still have the chance—I want to choose a path that allows me to live with greater ease and happiness.”

She clarified, however, that her choice to acquire Singapore citizenship does not mean she no longer loves Malaysia.

“A person’s sense of belonging, in truth, lies not in the colour of their passport, but in whether—when you open your eyes each morning—the people you love are by your side, and whether you are living the life you truly desire,” she added. /TISG

Read also: Singapore emerges top choice as record numbers of Malaysians relinquish citizenship

This article (Malaysian-born woman says giving up her blue IC for Singapore citizenship was the ‘most practical path forward”) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

• MALAYSIA: Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how work is done across Malaysia. From banking and customer service to administration and data analysis, AI tools are being deployed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate decision-making. The economic benefits are clear. However, the more important question is not whether Malaysia should adopt AI, but whether it can do so without weakening the long-term development of its workforce.

• At present, AI is not causing widespread job losses in Malaysia. Instead, it is quietly restructuring work. Routine and repetitive tasks are increasingly handled by AI systems. Jobs are not disappearing, but they are becoming more compressed, requiring less human input to produce the same output.

• This is where the real concern begins.

• Entry-level and junior roles are not merely production roles. They are developmental pathways where workers build competence through repetition, exposure, and problem-solving. If AI absorbs too many of these foundational tasks, the result is not immediate unemployment but the gradual erosion of “learning by doing.”

• Over time, this can alter how talent is formed. Employees may become highly efficient users of AI-generated outputs without fully understanding the underlying processes. This raises concerns about weakening critical thinking, independent reasoning, and creative problem-solving, as suggested by emerging research, including studies associated with MIT.

• These concerns are already visible in the workplace. One manager, speaking to The Independent Singapore, noted that many fresh graduates struggle with idea development and execution despite appearing strong in structured tasks. In fast-moving environments where strategic thinking and adaptability matter, the gap between idea generation and execution is becoming more evident.

• Labour studies in Malaysia reinforce this trend. A significant share of jobs is exposed to AI-driven task automation. However, this does not translate into mass unemployment. Instead, it signals a deeper transformation where jobs are being reshaped rather than removed. The key risk lies in how this reshaping affects human capability over time.

• A useful lesson can be drawn from countries such as Iran, where technology adoption follows a sovereignty-driven approach to artificial intelligence. Rather than passively relying on external systems, the focus is on building domestic capability, developing local infrastructure, and ensuring that AI integration aligns with national objectives. The principle is not rejection of technology, but governance of its impact and direction.

• This is the distinction Malaysia must confront.

• The challenge is not to resist AI, but to ensure it is integrated without hollowing out the learning function of work. AI should remove repetitive burden, not eliminate opportunities for skill formation. Workers must still be exposed to tasks that develop judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving ability.

• Ultimately, AI should enhance human capability, not replace the experience through which it is formed. Malaysia’s long-term resilience will depend not only on productivity gains but on whether it safeguards the development of its people while embracing technological progress.

This article (Malaysia’s growing AI adoption raises questions about human skill development) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Ever since remote work became more common, instant messaging platforms like MS Teams have become a major part of workplace communication, but along with the convenience of quick chats and replies, some employees are now wondering if there are also unspoken etiquette rules that need to be followed online.

Recently, a young worker in Singapore took to social media to ask others about workplace etiquette on MS Teams after being criticised over what colleagues described as “rude replies.”

The worker explained that they did not initially realise anything was wrong with the way they responded to messages until they were called out over it.

As an example, they shared this exchange:

CxO: Hi XX, is this thing done yet?

Me: Yeah, it’s done.

According to the worker, they were later told that replying without greeting the sender back came across as impolite.

“Not sure if it’s an MNC thing, C-suite thing, or generational thing, but I got called out for not saying ‘hi’ back in my response,” they wrote.

The worker added that they were not intentionally trying to sound cold or disrespectful.

“I was told it lacks courtesy, but I genuinely just zoomed into the question and didn’t even realise I was doing that until I got called out, but I do say ‘hi’ if I initiate the text first, so it’s really just a responsive tic.”

They also shared that a friend suggested it could be linked to workplace hierarchy or generational expectations, where some bosses may dislike communication styles that feel overly casual or too direct.

On top of that, the worker said they were also told that replying with just a “?” whenever they were confused about something could come across as rude as well.

“I guess I can sort of see why that might be the case,” they admitted, before asking others, “How do y’all text your bosses, MNC or otherwise?”

“I think the bosses won’t like it”

The post quickly drew responses from other Singaporeans, many of whom agreed that replying with only “?” or failing to return a greeting, especially when speaking to senior management, could easily be perceived as impolite in professional settings.

One user wrote, “I agree that texting or replying ‘?’ is rude and lazy. It suggests that you can’t really be bothered to be specific about what is unclear or what you would like to clarify. Which is not the way you want to come off to superiors. They aren’t your friends.”

Another commented, “Text kills tone, but yes, I think the bosses won’t like it. I usually just include their name as a sign of respect, like ‘Hey Bryan, I need help with the…’ or ‘Yes Bryan, done already’ The ‘?’ alone, in my opinion, is a bit rude, la. I don’t think it’s very hard to include a few more words…”

A third added, “Like the others, I would say ‘?’ alone is rude unless you are close with your boss. The hi-bye doesn’t feel as big an issue so long as you get the job done along with relevant queries.”

Still, not everyone felt that failing to reply with “hi” was necessarily disrespectful.

One remarked, “I don’t always say hi back either. I don’t think it’s rude when someone does it to me. What I don’t like is when someone sends a message with just ‘Hi’ or ‘Hi bro’ and then don’t say anything else and just waits for a response.”

Another shared, “I work in a German MNC. I don’t say hi or hello back. Unless the person greets me like ‘Good morning/afternoon,’ then I’ll greet back. To me, Teams is a messaging platform meant to be informal.”

In other news, a 30-year-old woman who is currently supporting her parents has turned to social media for advice after a scam wiped out her entire savings, leaving her in deep financial and emotional distress.

Posting anonymously on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, she shared the full extent of her family’s situation. She explained that she has long been the main source of financial support for her parents, who, according to her, have “very little savings” of their own.

Read more: ‘I’m their CPF and retirement’: Scam wipes out 30-year-old SG woman who is supporting parents

This article (‘Is this rude now?’: Young worker puzzled after being criticised over MS Teams replies) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) captain has been jailed after carrying out what prosecutors described as a carefully planned cryptocurrency heist against someone he knew personally.

Teo Rong Xuan, 35, was sentenced to six years and 10 months in jail on Friday after stealing close to S$2.3 million worth of cryptocurrency from an acquaintance’s cold wallet.

The case resembled a modern-day inside job rather than a typical cybercrime story as there were no hacking tools, phishing emails, or masked strangers behind computer screens. Instead, prosecutors said the theft relied on friendship, access, patience, and one photographed recovery phrase.

Teo pleaded guilty to six charges, including housebreaking, securing access to a cryptocurrency wallet to commit theft, and dealing with benefits from criminal conduct. Another 10 related charges were taken into consideration during sentencing, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reports (May 8).

A football gathering became the heist setup

Teo first met the victim, 30-year-old Xuan Songtao, in 2022 through a mutual friend. The pair later co-founded a Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT) marketplace, with Teo serving as chief executive officer and Mr Xuan as chief operating officer.

But things changed after the collapse of crypto exchange FTX in late 2022, which wiped out large sums for many investors and rattled confidence across the crypto sector. Around that time, Mr Xuan moved his cryptocurrency holdings into a cold wallet for safekeeping. He also kept the wallet’s 24-word seed phrase (words and serial numbers) written on paper inside his condominium unit.

Prosecutors said Teo learned about the arrangement and began planning the theft.

During a football gathering at Mr Xuan’s condominium in December 2022, Teo allegedly took advantage of the situation by keeping the condominium access card after helping another friend enter the building.

Days later, while the victim was out celebrating New Year’s Eve at Marina Bay, Teo entered the unit alone using the access card. He searched the bedroom, found the seed phrase, photographed it, and left everything in place before meeting the group later that same evening.

The following day, prosecutors said he used the seed phrase to transfer 1.7 million USDT into his own cryptocurrency wallet.

Crypto theft still leaves a trail

The victim discovered the missing funds in March 2023 and filed a police report. A blockchain tracing company later linked parts of the transactions back to Teo’s wallet.

When confronted, Teo admitted to the theft and reportedly said he had suffered heavy losses following the FTX collapse.

Court documents showed the stolen funds were later used on luxury watches, legal and illegal gambling, and personal expenses. Some of the money also went towards paying off his Housing and Development Board (HDB) housing loan. Investigators recovered part of the proceeds, though some payments couldn’t be recovered.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan argued that the crime was highly planned and driven by personal gain. He said Teo had used his knowledge of cryptocurrency systems and security practices to prepare for the theft after learning large sums would be stored in the cold wallet.

Court rejects mental health mitigation argument

The defence argued that Teo had been under psychological stress at the time of the offences. However, Deputy Principal District Judge Ong Chin Rhu said an Institute of Mental Health assessment found the former officer’s adjustment disorder was mild and not directly linked to the offences. The court decided it shouldn’t reduce his sentence.

Teo was granted a three-week deferment before beginning his sentence on May 29. His lawyer, Gino Hardial Singh, told the court that the delay was necessary to settle childcare arrangements and to bring in a domestic helper for his family.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed Teo has since been discharged from the SAF. The ministry said servicemen are expected to uphold high standards of discipline and integrity.

Investors need to rethink how they store recovery phrases and who knows about their holdings

Crypto theft cases usually involve anonymous online scams or overseas syndicates, but this case was different. The accused already knew where the assets were stored, how the wallet worked, and when the victim wouldn’t be home.

It also showed the harsh reality of digital assets: a cold wallet may protect funds from online hackers, but it cannot protect someone from physical access or misplaced trust in those around them.

As cryptocurrency is common in Singapore, this case may push more investors to rethink how they store recovery phrases and who knows about their holdings. Sometimes the weak point is human behaviour, not the surrounding technology.

This article (Jail for ex-SAF captain for breaking into an acquaintance’s condominium unit and stealing S$2.3 million in cryptocurrency) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 43-year-old Singaporean man said he is considering “stepping down” into a lower-responsibility job with better hours after finally paying off his Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat after 11 years, as working in finance has left him burnt out and increasingly uncertain about the future of his job.

With artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advancing, he said, “I suspect my job will be eliminated in a few years. I am actively using Claude for work and I can see how it will eventually replace me entirely.”

Although not as crippling as the burnout he felt at 33, which pushed him to pivot into his current work from a former tax consultant role, he said he is now wondering if others who have gone through something similar have taken the same path.

He shared on r/singaporefi that with just him and his wife, who currently works as a childcare teacher, no kids, they have about S$80,000 in emergency cash savings and a combined Central Provident Fund (CPF) balance of about S$240,000 after using a large portion of it to clear their HDB loan.

He also has around S$250,000 in stocks, a mix of income and growth investments, as well as an overseas investment property with about S$150,000 in equity.

While he’s not planning on quitting working altogether, he wondered if “just socking up another S$250,000 in VRWA (a popular exchange-traded fund (ETF) used by investors for broad, global stock market exposure) over the next three to four years and then calling it a day” would make sense.

In response, some commenters said what he was describing was similar to “CoastFIRE”, where one builds up enough investments earlier in life so their portfolio can grow into a comfortable retirement fund without needing further contributions, while shifting into a lower-stress, lower-pay job, just enough to cover one’s expenses.

Another added that CoastFIRE tends to happen naturally with retrenchment anyway, and in the late 40s and 50s, as in these stages of life, “you just can’t find the same high pay job back.”

A third advised that to people not planning kids, reaching the Enhanced Retirement Sum (ERS), the maximum amount of savings CPF members aged 55 and above can top up their Retirement Accounts (RA) to receive higher monthly payouts, could be enough.

However, other commenters took a different view, with one saying that with AI, it may be better to “step up” rather than step down, arguing that lower-level roles could be more easily automated and replaced.

The post author, however, reiterated that his goal was to “live a less stressful life” and that “stepping up” just defeats the purpose.

One commenter who also worked in finance and experienced burnout himself also reminded that burnout needs to be addressed, as it can “bleed into relationships.”

In other news, a 27-year-old man who was thinking of quitting after working for just two weeks, as he found his job “very dry”, was advised by netizens to hang on until another opportunity drops. /TISG

Read also: ‘I’m job hugging even harder’: Some Singaporeans share how they’re navigating rising costs amid the Middle East war

This article (43-year-old burnt out Singapore man considers ‘stepping down’ to a more manageable job after paying off HDB) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) issued a statement on Thursday (May 7) in relation to the hantavirus that broke out on the cruise ship MV Hondius, saying that it had been noticed on May 4 and 5 that two residents of Singapore had been on the ship.

The two individuals have since been isolated at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), and are being tested for the virus. 

“Their test results are pending. One has a runny nose but is otherwise well, and the other is asymptomatic,” CDA said, adding the assurance that the risk to the general public in Singapore is currently low.

Both residents are male: a 67-year-old Singaporean who arrived on May 2 and a 65-year-old Singapore Permanent Resident who entered Singapore on May 6. The men had disembarked from the MV Hondius and had been on the same flight from St Helena to Johannesburg with a person confirmed to have had hantavirus. This individual did not come to Singapore and has since died in South Africa.

Infections aboard MV Hondius 

The ship made the news recently after there were eight confirmed infections, and three people have died since the MV Hondius departed from Argentina in April.

With the COVID-19 pandemic barely in the world’s rearview mirror, concerns of another large-scale outbreak have been raised in relation to the hantavirus infections.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also been reassuring, saying on May 7 that it does not expect numerous infections similar to Covid, though more cases may emerge. It added that there is no evidence of a risk of widespread transmission.

The infections aboard MV Hondius are linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is rare but potentially severe. This strain may spread from one person to another, but only through close contact.

“Hantaviruses are viruses carried by some rodents. People can become infected when they breathe in dust contaminated with urine, droppings, or saliva from infected rodents, especially when cleaning or disturbing areas with rodent activity,” CDA wrote, adding that the symptoms of infection with the Andes strain “typically include fever, body aches, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, and difficulty breathing, and progress rapidly to shock and death.”

Why were they allowed to disembark?

After the CDA issued its statement, a number of Singaporeans online asked why the two individuals in isolation at the NCID had been allowed to disembark at all, given that at present, there are still 146 people from 23 different countries on the MV Hondius under “strict precautionary measures.”

“Why are they allowed to disembark and travel?” asked a Facebook user, who added that common sense would have dictated that the passengers should have been quarantined.

The answer may be found in the timeline of the events that unfolded.

The first death linked to the hantavirus outbreak on the vessel took place on April 11. At the time, however, it was believed that the 70-year-old Dutch male had passed away from natural causes.

On April 24, dozens of people, including the two Singapore residents, disembarked from the ship at St Helena, as their part of the trip ended.

However, several among those who left the MV Hondius at St Helena grew seriously ill, and after testing, health authorities in South Africa identified the Andes strain of hantavirus.

The earliest laboratory-confirmed hantavirus case linked to MV Hondius was not identified until May 2. By then, the two Singapore residents were already in the city-state or were shortly to arrive there.

After the authorities identified the virus, tracing, isolation, and testing began retroactively worldwide, including in Singapore. /TISG

Read also: Dozens of passengers and crew were infected with norovirus on a cruise between Singapore & California

This article (‘Why were they allowed to travel?’ Singaporeans react after 2 residents linked to hantavirus cruise are isolated) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: After a fresh grad shared on Reddit that they were having second thoughts about applying to SMEs, many Singaporean users quickly jumped into the discussion and warned them against joining one.

However, among the many responses, one comment in particular caught the attention of other readers.

The commenter, who said they had previously worked at two SMEs, gave a detailed account of the negative experiences they went through while working in such companies. 

“The leadership is filled with their blood”

According to the user, many SMEs are essentially family-run businesses where management positions are filled by relatives, including “cousins, nieces, aunts, uncles.”

The user claimed this creates an environment where it is nearly impossible for regular employees to climb the ranks.

“The leadership is filled with their blood,” they wrote. “It is impossible to penetrate into their ranks unless you follow them for a looong time, volunteer to do OTs on weekdays and weekends, and take initiatives to backstab your colleagues to make the company better.”

“Charged S$1 for every minute late”

The commenter also alleged that some SMEs impose extremely strict workplace policies. In one example, they claimed their “lady boss” charged employees S$1 for every minute they were late, adding that some colleagues ended up paying as much as S$1,000 a month because of traffic delays and long commutes.

They added, “If MOM mentioned a maximum of 44 hours of labour per week, they will make sure their working hours squeeze all the 44 hours in your official handbook, excluding OTs.”

The user also accused some SMEs of having a “save costs at all costs” mentality.

“They’d rather people work OTs to do tasks rather than invest in technology to save time,” the commenter wrote. “But even so, they never fail to bring the ENTIRE family to overseas trips 4x a year and change a new car every year.”

“Reporting to HR is like reporting to your boss”

The commenter went on to claim that it is difficult to report workplace issues because HR staff are often closely related to management.

“99.99% she will be the boss’s wife or sister,” they wrote.

“So reporting to her is like reporting to your boss. They will take note and keep it ‘confidential’ for show, but in the end, everyone will know you are the source for the complaints.”

“I had colleagues crying in the toilet”

The user also described the work environment as toxic and stressful, claiming employees would get screamed at publicly if they failed to deliver results.

“I had a colleague crying in the toilet every morning and after work,” they recalled.

The commenter also claimed that PRs and foreign workers were sometimes pressured into doing overtime or additional tasks outside their job scope.

“If you are PR/FT, good luck. They will threaten not to renew your permit if you don’t do OTs or take on more tasks, even if it is beyond the job scope. I have seen a lot of shouting matches between both parties, and it is a good source of reliable entertainment in the office.”

“I’d rather be jobless”

The commenter eventually said they would rather be “jobless” than work in an SME again.

“Work for MNCs if possible,” they told the fresh grad. “There are good SMEs, but the chances of stepping on a landmine are higher.”

Good reviews about SMEs

Despite the negative experiences shared in the discussion, a handful of users pointed out that working at an SME is not necessarily terrible and can even offer advantages that larger corporations may not provide.

One user compared SMEs and MNCs, saying, “SMEs might be a good start, actually. Feel that it’s much easier to make a larger impact on the organisation, meaning easier promotion/salary increments. MNC, on the other hand, everything seems relatively more structured, and it feels like we’re all just cogwheels in the entire system, process here, process there, and execs hardly know you even exist.”

Another commented, “Some SMEs, especially ang moh ones, can be quite good. Do your research when applying.”

A third added, “I would argue an SME has more learning opportunities as you have to wear many hats, but recruiters would not see that.”

Read also: ‘Just to survive’: Man juggles two gig jobs after struggling to find full-time work in Singapore

This article (‘The leadership is filled with their blood’: Singaporean shares harsh SME work experiences) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore companies may be slowing down hiring, but there is no sign they are turning away from local workers in favour of foreigners.

That was the message from Manpower Minister Tan See Leng in parliament on Thursday (May 7), as concerns grow over how the Middle East conflict could affect jobs, business confidence, and long-term workforce planning in Singapore.

Dr Tan said hiring preferences between local and foreign workers have not shifted for now, even though some firms are becoming more cautious about expanding their workforce. The issue was raised by Member of Parliament Yip Hon Weng, who asked whether rising costs and uncertainty were causing employers to rethink who they hire.

Dr Tan responded by pointing to continued growth in resident employment in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year. He also defended Singapore’s work pass framework, saying policies are designed to give Singaporeans fair opportunities while allowing businesses access to foreign talent where needed, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reports.

Balancing business needs with local jobs

This balancing act between companies’ and employment needs has become a recurring pressure point in Singapore’s labour debate. Whenever economic uncertainty rises, anxieties over jobs tend to follow close behind.

Questions about foreign manpower frequently return to the spotlight, especially in sectors experiencing slower growth or undergoing restructuring. This time, however, the government appears keen to signal stability rather than alarm.

Dr Tan said upcoming changes to Employment Pass and S Pass salary requirements, along with regular reviews of shortage occupation rules, are part of efforts to maintain that balance between business needs and local career growth.

Job hiring sentiment begins to soften

Hiring sentiment is showing signs of strain as the proportion of firms intending to hire over the next three months fell to 44.6 per cent in March, down from 54.6 per cent in February, according to figures cited by the minister.

The drop in the numbers comes as businesses worldwide grapple with supply chain concerns and energy uncertainty linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Member of Parliament Choo Pei Ling then asked whether Singapore is preparing workers for a longer period of economic disruption, including pressures from artificial intelligence, trade fragmentation, and industry restructuring.

Dr Tan replied that the government is already adapting its workforce planning approach and said the upcoming Economic Strategy Review report would address many of these concerns. The review was launched last August, with recommendations expected by mid-2026.

Workforce stability is now tied to global risks

Parliament’s overall message centred on adapting to change rather than sounding the alarm bells, as Singapore’s economy has spent years preparing for such shocks, from pandemics to supply chain crunches.

But the latest crisis adds another reminder that workforce stability is no longer just about jobs, as energy security, Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, and global trade routes are now also deeply tied to hiring confidence.

Member of Parliament Liang Eng Hwa asked whether the conflict could trigger longer-term structural changes, especially after damage to oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

Dr Tan said it was still too early to draw firm conclusions. Still, he noted that trends already underway could accelerate. These include supply chain diversification, digitalisation, AI adoption, and the shift towards new energy sources.

He also described energy as an increasingly critical issue due to the massive computing power required to support AI and data centres.

Workers face a changing economic future

Beyond what many workers today are worried about, such as whether jobs exist, they are wondering what kind of jobs will still matter five years from now, and whether industries can keep changing faster than workers can adapt.

Singapore’s challenge now is to keep employment stable amid uncertainty while ensuring workers don’t feel left behind as businesses race to stay competitive.

For most people, the practical concern remains whether wages stay steady, jobs remain available, and opportunities still feel within reach despite everything happening outside Singapore’s borders.

A steady labour market does matter because uncertainty travels fast, and when businesses stop hiring, and workers stop feeling secure, confidence usually weakens long before the actual numbers do.

This article (Tan See Leng: Job hiring slows, but Singapore firms are still not favouring foreigners over locals) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.