SINGAPORE: The idea that men should foot the bill on a first date is still pretty much the default, but one 29-year-old Singaporean woman thinks it’s time to change that.

Posting on the r/sgdatingscene forum, she shared that she has a personal rule when it comes to first meetups. She never lets her date pay for everything.

“I never let my dates pay everything on the first date,” she wrote, before explaining why the whole expectation feels off to her. She asked people to think about it this way: if a guy goes on three first dates in a week, covering all those bills would ‘be insane.’ “I have a brother, so I can kind of feel for men. I wouldn’t want him paying for all of his first dates,” she added.

For her, the fairest setup is simple. Go halves at the start. “My stance is that on a first date, it’s a 50/50 split. THEN if there’s a romantic connection and you guys decide to continue going on more dates, the guy can offer to pay (not every date, lah, of course),” she explained.

She also pushed back on the idea that a man paying on the first date proves he is a “provider.” In her view, first dates are often more about putting on a good show than revealing who someone really is. 

“First dates are low-key performative,” she said, adding that she has seen men who are struggling financially still insist on paying just to “secure a second date.”

“I know a lot of girls would be like, ‘But I want a provider, yada yada.’ Hmm, someone could pay on the first date but not be a provider. I wouldn’t use the first date to gauge whether or not he’s a provider.”

She also pointed out that some so-called ‘compromises’ are not as fair as they sound. “Some people might argue that on first dates, the guy can pay for dinner and the girl can pay for dessert/a movie. But hor… This is also quite unfair because dinner is usually 3-5x the cost of the dessert/movie.”

“I also support 50/50.”

Her post struck a chord with many in the comments.

One male commenter said he finds it “ridiculous” to pay for someone he has just met, especially when there is no guarantee of a connection.

“Unfortunately, many females (or at least the ones that I went on dates with) often expect the guy to pay but refuse to play their part during the date. I do not mind paying, provided they make the date fun, choose a place that is not too expensive, and do not give the entitled attitude,” he added.

Another user said they actually feel more comfortable splitting the bill on a first date.

“I completely agree with your takes, and I personally feel more comfortable when we split the bill on the first date!! My take on that is we’re both still getting to know each other, so I don’t have the expectation for you to fully pay!”

A female commenter also backed the 50/50 approach, saying it does not make sense for one person to shoulder everything. 

“I also support 50/50… Like, it’s not right for y’all to pay for everything on dates. And we don’t need to go to some high-end restaurant. I am too Singaporean and used to local food from a young age. I just want chicken rice.. I am sure there are a lot of girls like me.”

Still, not everyone agreed.

Some argued that whoever initiates the date should be the one to pay. One user explained, “As a male…if I’m the one who asked the girl out, I will cover 100%, just because I’m the one who initiated. Fair mah. Subsequently, assuming the 2nd date, 3rd date, 4th date happens and no massive confession yet, then it’s 50/50.”

Another commenter pointed out, “I don’t expect anything, but the reality is that if I met two guys, one paid and one didn’t, I would have a better impression of the first one. First dates are just kind of one of the first avenues for you to score brownie points. Like girls would also always wear full makeup/be the prettiest on first dates.” 

“I don’t think guys MUST pay, but it depends on how much the guy wants the girl. He can choose to split, but he must also accept the reality that the girl may meet another guy who paid and choose that guy instead.”

In other news, a woman who has been married for 20 years confessed on social media that her husband has “never contributed financially to the household” and instead spends his money on pets such as “hamster cages, parrots, fish, and dogs.”

In an anonymous post on the NUSWhispers Facebook page, she said she married him “for love” and truly believed they “would build a life together.” Over time, however, she found herself carrying all the financial responsibilities on her own.

Read more: Singapore mum of three says she paid for the family for 20 years while husband spent on pets

This article (Singaporean woman says first dates should be 50/50, not paid by men) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MANILA: A framework agreement on petroleum security is being pushed forward by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as the region struggles to scramble for adequate fuel supplies amid the oil crisis brought about by the conflict in the Middle East.

“APSA, or the Asean Petroleum Security Agreement, is being pursued to enable coordinated emergency fuel sharing and collective responses to supply disruption,” a Reuters report quoted the Philippines’ Trade Secretary Cristina Roque as saying on Thursday (April 30).

The Philippines is chairing ASEAN this year, hosting the 48th Leaders’ Summit on May 7 to 8.

The conflict, which began on Feb 28 when the United States and Israel started bombing Iran, resulted in the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for 20% of the global energy supply. This has sent oil prices skyrocketing, and countries in Southeast Asia, heavily dependent on oil from the Middle East, have been among the most badly affected.

The Philippines, which relies on 98% of its oil from the region, declared a national emergency less than three weeks after the war started. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have also been affected by the Hormuz closure.

These countries have begun to look for other sources of oil, including Russia.

Underlining the vulnerability of the region, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warned last month that the war may end up costing countries in the Asia-Pacific billions of dollars in losses. Moreover, nearly nine million people could also fall into poverty as a result of the war.

What APSA is for

According to the Philippines’ Trade Secretary, moving forward with ratifying the pact is meant to increase energy resilience and fuel sharing across Southeast Asia, and added that the country will make implementing a region-wide power grid for the purpose of energy sharing a priority.

ASEAN will also maintain open and predictable trade and steer clear of trade measures that are restrictive, which include bans on the export of essential goods during uncertain times.

Ms Roque added that the current trade agreement, including the free trade agreement with South Korea and China, will be strengthened and accelerated by ASEAN. Furthermore, food security and supply chain coordination will also be strengthened by the bloc, which would secure better access to food region-wide.

The energy supply for essential services during critical times, such as health care, hospitals, emergency systems and critical care facilities, will also be safeguarded by ASEAN member states. Also, support for micro, small, and medium enterprises will be intensified by ASEAN through better access to financing, which will help safeguard jobs during times of economic shock. /TISG 

Read also: Netizens call out top EU diplomat for asking Southeast Asia not to ‌buy Russian oil amid Iran war

This article (Energy pact pursued by ASEAN amid fuel crisis due to Iran War) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s wife, Ho Ching, is courting controversy on social media once again with a barely disguised analogy about the criticism over Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) Muslim meals.

Earlier this week, SIA confirmed that its Muslim meals are not Halal certified after a netizen asked whether Halal and non-Halal fare are reheated in the same ovens.

SIA clarified that while its Muslim meals are prepared using ingredients sourced from Halal-certified suppliers, the meals do not have Halal certification as they are reheated alongside other dishes in shared ovens and are served with the same servicewear that non-Halal dishes are served with.

The revelation sparked backlash online, with some asserting that they cannot believe the national carrier would serve non-Halal certified meals to Muslim passengers.

Amid the controversy, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) noted in a statement that food labelled “not halal-certified” does not necessarily mean it is non-halal and encouraged passengers to check with airlines directly if they have concerns. The council suggested that Muslims could bring their own food on board SIA flights as an alternative if needed.

As the issue continued to draw strong reactions, Mdm Ho decided to publish the following story on her personal Facebook page: “SIA doesn’t serve char kway teow on board its flights. A wealthy tycoon, dressed simply, would buy and bring along his favourite char kway teow in a simple plastic bag to board his flight.

“He would look very much like any uncle in the neighbourhood hawker centre, at ease and at peace with the world, carrying his own favourite food. He then enjoyed the luxury of having his very own favourite char kway teow on board his favourite airline.”

She added, “No entitlement. No demands. Just a simple man making do for himself, buying his own food to bring along to enjoy. Ahhhhhh ….The luxury of life and living.”

The post attracted a flurry of comments, with some asking whether she was urging concerned individuals to stop making demands about SIA’s Muslim meals and just “make do” for themselves by bringing their own food on board the plane.

Others asked whether it was wise for her to add fuel to the fire with such a “poorly disguised” analogy given the unease the controversy has caused.

Interestingly, ex-ruling party politician Amrin Amin recently weighed in on the SIA meals issue and said that he disagrees with those labelling concerned individuals as “entitled”. He said, “For many, this comes from sincere religious conviction, not from a desire to make demands.”

Calling for a more constructive tone, Mr Amrin said the conversation should continue “calmly and respectfully”, with recognition of good-faith efforts on all sides while allowing space for differing perspectives.

Mdm Ho shared Mr Amrin’s post but her own Char Kway Teow story remains up on her wall.

Some commenters said they were not surprised by Mdm Ho’s decision to post the questionable story as she had explained back in a 2020 Facebook post that she “was born a maverick – coming feet first instead of head first,” and that “irreverence is in her blood.”

This article (Ho Ching under fire for char kway teow story amid SIA Muslim meals debate) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A man in his 20s recently shared that his strict parents, who take 15% of his salary every month, expect him to buy a home by the time he turns 35.

In a post on the r/asksg subreddit on Sunday (Apr 26), he shared his fears, saying he does not have enough money to fulfil his parents’ wishes.

“I don’t have enough money to buy a house at 35,” he said. “I feel like my life is screwed. I’m already prepared to sleep on the streets at night.”

He then elaborated on the main reasons he has been unable to build up savings.

He recalled that when he was younger, his parents never allowed him to develop financial independence. When he needed food, he said they would “buy the food for him” instead of “giving him pocket money.”

During his polytechnic years, his parents forbade him from taking on any part-time work, limiting his ability to earn or manage his own finances. “I literally had $0 in my bank account until I started my first full-time job.”  

At age 20, after graduating from polytechnic, he said his parents pushed him straight into full-time work, as, according to him, “they didn’t want him to go to university.”

Even after he started working, he said control over his finances remained largely in their hands. His salary was deposited into a bank account managed by his parents.

“My parents have full control over the bank account where my salary goes. I also have the password and stuff, so I can log in to see the balance, but every month, my parents will log in and transfer 15% of my salary to their own bank account.”

He added that because his parents were strict about spending and limited his social life when he was younger, he later found himself overspending on experiences and items he had missed out on, such as going to Halloween Horror Nights and buying things he had previously been denied.

At 22, he said his parents pressured him to resign from his job. “The worst thing is, there were people at work who cared about me, but I was dealing with too many family issues. I didn’t have the capacity to tell people at work that I was being pressured, and I wanted to stay.”

He has remained unemployed since then. 

Despite this, he said his parents continue to stress that he needs to buy his own home by 35, something he now feels is increasingly out of reach.

“Stop giving them access for a start.”

His post drew concern from other Singaporean Redditors, many of whom urged him to take steps toward financial independence.

One commenter suggested opening a new bank account at a different bank and arranging for his salary to be credited there instead. “Just have HR transfer the money to the new account. Then, once you have enough, please further your education. A private uni or whatever niche courses are ok,” they wrote.

“Lastly, and I say this with a lot of concern, please have a good therapist. It must be stifling and traumatic growing up with these people.”

Another advised him to leave home as soon as he is able to. “Yes, you are screwed. You are their backup plan for their retirement age, not their child. I don’t know how old you are right now, but you need to walk away from them. As a legal adult, nobody can force you to do what you don’t want to do unless you let them.”

A third user criticised his parents, writing, “Them transferring money into their own account is absolutely disgusting and not normal. Stop giving them access for a start. I know the job market sucks now. But do continue trying to get a job and don’t give up. Time to start being an adult. You can’t change the past, and what’s done is done.”

In other news, a woman confessed on social media that she is starting to feel anxious about the future of her marriage, as she and her husband are still living apart a year after their wedding.

She shared on the r/askSingapore forum on Saturday (April 25) that she only stays over at her husband’s place “one to two times a week.”

Read more: ‘Husband co-owns flat with mum’: Woman says living together not possible, asks for advice

This article (Man says parents take 15% of his pay, leaving him unable to save for a home) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

The United States is offering a reward of up to US$10 million (S$12.7 million) for information about the Tai Chang Scam Centres in Myanmar.

This was first announced on April 23, when the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs said that the reward would be offered under the country’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program for “information leading to the seizure or recovery of funds involved in money laundering related to scams” operated out of the s`cam centres.

The endeavour is being carried out in support of the Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force, which was formed in 2025 to target scam operations, recover stolen assets, and prevent further victimisation.

The announcement underlined that Southeast Asia’s transnational criminal organisations have increasingly been targeting victims in the United States via large-scale cyber scam operations. It has been estimated that more than US$7.2 billion (around S$9.2 billion) was lost last year due to these scam operations.

It added that Tai Chang, which is located in Myanmar’s Karen State, is a series of compounds conducting online fraud schemes, in particular, cryptocurrency investment fraud. The coordinates for the compounds were identified here.

Cryptocurrency investment fraud, also known as “pig butchering,” is one of the fastest-growing and most damaging forms of cybercrime.

Investigations carried out by the FBI have historically included tracing proceeds from funds as well as endeavours to recover the money victims have lost. As more and more criminals hold these funds in cryptocurrency, seizing digital assets “has become a powerful tool for disrupting criminal operations,” the statement said.

The US$10 million reward offer encourages the public to disclose information leading to further financial disruptions.

Two Chinese nationals who ran a scam compound in Burma and endeavoured to open another one in Cambodia were recently charged in the US, whose authorities seized a Telegram channel that was used in recruiting human trafficking victims to a scam compound in Cambodia. They also seized 503 fraudulent web domains that had been used in perpetrating cryptocurrency investment fraud.

Additionally, the US Treasury Department also announced sanctions against Cambodian senator Kok An, who is said to control scam compounds across the country, along with 28 individuals and entities in his network.

On April 30 (Thursday), it was announced that the  a coordinated government effort to combat cryptocurrency investment fraud focusing on the Tai Chang Scam enterprise would be partly led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Diego, together with international partners such as the FBI Legal Attaché in Bangkok, and supported by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia through its Scam Center Strike Force

US authorities have taken several actions against the network, including seizing a malicious website that impersonated a legitimate investment firm and tricked victims into downloading harmful software used to steal their funds. /TISG

Read also: US seizes scam site tied to Myanmar compound, a wake-up call for Southeast Asia’s expanding crypto fraud problem

This article (US offers S$12.7 million reward for information on Myanmar’s Tai Chang scam centers) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s job market is still growing, but the pace has eased with fresh figures from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) showing total employment rose by 5,000 in the first quarter of 2026, down from the sharp 17,700 increase in the previous quarter.

The slowdown comes as businesses grow more cautious, with hiring expectations dropping and fewer firms planning to raise wages in the near term. This adjustment shows a more extensive economic uncertainty, including ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Growth continues, but at a slower pace

Despite the softer quarter, the bigger picture remains steady. Singapore has now seen employment growth for 18 consecutive quarters.

MOM’s data shows that Q1’s increase was still stronger than the same period last year, when employment rose by 2,300. The ministry attributed the slower pace partly to seasonal factors, such as reduced construction activity during the Chinese New Year period.

After adjusting for these seasonal effects, job growth still outpaced last year, though it didn’t match the strong gains seen at the end of 2025.

Both residents and non-residents saw employment gains, with resident hiring being strongest in transport, storage, and administrative support roles. Non-resident hiring in construction continued, but growth slowed.

Unemployment and retrenchments stay stable

There was little change in unemployment. Overall rates edged up slightly in March, but remained close to December levels.

Resident unemployment held at 2.9 per cent, while citizen unemployment ticked up slightly to 3.1 per cent.

Retrenchments also stayed steady. About 3,700 workers were laid off in Q1, similar to the previous quarter. Most cases were linked to business restructuring rather than sudden closures or downturns. This suggests companies are still adjusting their operations, rather than reacting to a sharp economic shock.

Hiring sentiment drops sharply

The more telling shift lies in employer sentiment. The share of firms planning to hire in the next three months fell to 44.6 per cent in March, down from 54.6 per cent in February. Wage increase expectations also dropped, from 39.3 per cent to 25.4 per cent.

MOM noted that while there are early signs of stabilisation in April, sentiment has yet to recover to earlier levels. In simple words, companies are still hiring, but they are thinking twice before expanding aggressively.

Mid-career workers are encouraged to upgrade their skills

For job seekers, the market remains open, but competition may tighten. The steady unemployment rate suggests there is still demand for workers. However, slower hiring plans mean fewer new openings in the months ahead.

Fresh graduates may feel this shift more sharply. MOM pointed to schemes like the Graduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) as a way to gain experience when full-time roles are harder to secure.

Mid-career workers are also being encouraged to upgrade their skills. Programmes such as the Career Conversion Programme, the Mid-Career Pathways Programme, and the new SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+) remain central to the government’s approach.

Workers who stay adaptable will be in a better position

Singapore’s labour market is moving from a strong post-pandemic recovery into a more measured phase, so growth remains, but the pace is normalising.

At the same time, external risks are creeping in. Global tensions and softer business outlooks are starting to shape hiring decisions.

For Singaporeans, however, the job market is now walking at a steadier pace. There is no crisis here, but there is a signal. Workers who stay adaptable will be in a better position. Companies that invest in skills and productivity will likely hold up better.

So growth is still happening, just not as fast. This calls for steady moves, instead of panic.

Read related: MOM: AI is complementing jobs, not displacing labour in Singapore

This article (MOM: Singapore job growth slows in Q1 2026 as hiring outlook weakens) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: The trial of former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is ongoing, and this week, it took a different turn with a prosecution witness admitting that the party president and the political party were two different entities, and the party’s property does not belong to its leader.

Testifying in Muhyiddin’s power abuse and money laundering trial, banker Norazeanti Miswan was grilled by the defence counsel on several matters.

Muhyiddin faces seven charges in total, four of which are for using his position to obtain RM225.3 million ($72.5 million) in bribes linked to the Jana Wibawa project. The bribes were allegedly obtained from three companies, namely Bukhary Equity Sdn Bhd, Nepturis Sdn Bhd, and Mamfor, as well as Datuk Azman Yusoff, for the party.

Three of the charges are for receiving RM200 million in proceeds from unlawful activities from Bukhary Equity, which were deposited into Bersatu’s Ambank and CIMB accounts.

During the cross-examination, the assistant branch manager at Bank Muamalat Malaysia, Norazeanti, also agreed with the defence that, despite being flagged as suspicious, transactions totalling RM19.5 million, which were channelled from a local construction firm to the former PM’s political party, were approved.

She responded to defence attorney Amer Hamzah Arshad’s question regarding the internal red flags raised over the volume and frequency of funds, which were given by Mamfor Sdn Bhd to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) from May 12, 2021, to November 16, 2022; they were not given to Muhyiddin Yassin.

The defence also pointed out that there were cover letters from the company addressed to the party’s treasurer, informing them of the incoming donations.

A copy of the letter was forwarded to the bank. Therefore, he said there was full transparency and nothing to hide. The witness agreed.

He also highlighted that the letters were not addressed to his client, who is Bersatu’s president.

This is when the witness also agreed that the party president and the political party were two different entities, and the party’s property does not belong to its leader.

Amer Hamzah asked: “A contribution to Bersatu is not a contribution to Muhyiddin. In fact, [Muhyiddin] can’t claim that the contribution is his?”, to which Norazeanti replied Yes.

Norazeanti also agreed when Amer Hamzah asked, “Unusual transaction doesn’t [necessarily] mean unlawful transactions?”

“Just because there are internal Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs), we can’t assume it is unlawful activity?” Hamzah followed up, and Norazeanti responded, “Correct.”

During her testimony on Tuesday (April 28), the prosecution witness testified that internal STRs were issued on all the company’s transactions (ranging from RM500,000 to RM2 million to the party), among others, as they were not in line with the nature of the company’s business.

On Wednesday, the prosecution witness said there were other transactions by the company which were flagged and that it was normal for construction companies to transact in substantial sums.

The defence lawyer asked if there were other transactions issued [questionable activity reports]? The witness said yes and agreed with the lawyer that such a company will be flagged with the STR as a safety measure for large transactions.

She further agreed that it was the prerogative of any individual or entity to spend their legitimate earnings as they deem fit, while the defence lawyer asked if donating was an offence.

This article (Prosecution witness says money wired to party not to ex-Malaysian PM) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: An Indonesian worker who’s currently earning S$6,000 a month took to Reddit to ask locals if “working from 9 am to 11 pm almost every day is actually normal in Singapore.”

The 30-year-old wrote on the r/askSingapore forum that they’ve been operating on a punishing schedule of up to 14 hours a day and have even been putting in hours on weekends.

“I keep telling myself it’s just ‘startup life’ or ‘SG hustle culture,’ but I honestly can’t tell anymore if I’m getting a normal experience or getting cooked.”

They explained that they moved to Singapore some time ago for a creative role at a tech company, where they handle a mix of video editing, AI content production, prompt engineering, and motion graphics.

“I genuinely like the work,” they said, but admitted that their routine has started to feel a bit draining. Most days are just work, then home, then sleep, on repeat. They added that they can go an entire weekend without speaking to anyone face-to-face, and it has made them realise how much they miss having a proper social circle.

“What does a reasonable workload actually look like for someone in a creative/production role here?” they asked others.

“Also, [do you have] any recommendations for communities, meetups, hobby groups, or hangout spots? An Indonesian community would be nice, but honestly, I’m open to anything—sports, board games, art stuff, expat groups, whatever’s chill.”

Regarding pay, they asked locals what the salary benchmark would be for someone in their role.

“I have zero idea what the going rate is in SG, and I don’t want to lowball myself the next time pay comes up. I was promised to get increment if I can achieve my boss expectations (but there is no contract to it), and it really is tiring to work, sleep, work, sleep nonstop. It’s nice to know there is a future for me, but it’s a bit scary to not have any fixed guarantee to it. If anyone’s in a similar lane or hires for one, I would love a ballpark.”

“14 hours is crazy.”

Many were shocked by the post author’s demanding work schedule, with several commenters saying it is “definitely not normal” in the country and calling the conditions unsustainable.

“I apologise for the treatment you receive in Singapore. These are unhealthy work hours. You can look for another job,” one comment read.

“A 14-hour workday for S$6k is way under the norm. That’s similar to earning S$3.5k if you work a typical 8-hour workday. Are there any RSU (restricted stock unit)? If not, that’s just mad,” another chimed in.

“14-hour days is not startup hustle, that’s just exploitation, lah. If they’re not paying you at least S$4-5k for that grind, you’re basically subsidising the company,” a third wrote.

“14 hours is crazy. I remember I did 15-16 hours per shift for conscription service, and a lot of people went crazy. So you better take it easy. Maybe you can get yourself into Pokémon and One Piece TCG. There are a lot of trade shows too. You need to enjoy yourself; if not, your long working hours will not do you any good in the long run,” a fourth added.

Some users, however, pushed back, saying such working hours are more common than people think in certain industries.

“Super common. It’s very normal to work 10-11 hrs per day and weekends too. In particular, if you are not Singaporean/PR because you can’t just quit a bad job,” one said.

“I’m not at all advocating it, but the hours are normal. And the thing is, the more creative professionals here ask to be paid, the higher the likelihood companies begin looking for remote talent they only have to pay a third to half your salary for. It’s already happened where I work. Friends in other organisations can concur,” another commented.

In other news, a man is seeking advice online after his mother, who “chased him out of their home” in 2024, is now demanding that he financially support both her and his father.

Detailing his dilemma on a local forum, he shared that his relationship with his mother had already been strained long before he was forced to leave.

Read more: ‘She chased me out’: Man says mum now demands financial support years later

This article (‘14 hours is crazy’: Worker earning S$6K questions long work hours in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Countries in Southeast Asia are now in the middle of the hottest time of the year, and 2026 is promising to be hotter and more humid than usual.

However, for workers used to retreating to air-conditioned offices to escape the heat, this year’s energy-saving measures are making working conditions less comfortable.

So hot this year

This summer in Vietnam, temperatures in the northern and central provinces, which include Hanoi, have gone above 42°C, and in Thailand, the situation is even more intense.  The heat index, which measures humidity along with temperature, has consistently reached 50°C. Meanwhile, parts of the Philippines experienced a heat index of 46°C.

In Malaysia and Singapore, the situation isn’t quite so dire, although temperatures in Kedah, Perak, and Perlis have been between 37°C and 39°C for some weeks now. The government of Singapore said at the beginning of April that there is a low risk of heatwave for the city-state, though temperatures may reach past 35°C on rare days of lower cloud cover.

A heatwave is declared in Singapore when temperatures reach a maximum average of 35°C for three days in a row, with an average daily mean temperature for this period at least 29°C. 

More generally, heatwaves are defined by a succession of days when the nights do not cool down enough to give people’s bodies time to recover, and in areas of high humidity, even relatively lower temperatures may be considered part of a heat wave.

Raise the thermostat, save fuel

The heat, which scientists expect to grow more intense from mid to late 2026 due to a “Super El Niño,” unfortunately, comes at a time when governments in Southeast Asia are trying to save energy, including adjusting temperatures on office air-conditioners. Raising the set point on the thermostat of air-conditioning units by 1 degree Celsius is cited as providing around 6% energy savings.

In Southeast Asia, which has found itself as the canary in the coal mine of a global fuel crisis due to the war in the Middle East, this is not making life easier for office workers amid the summer heat.

Singapore’s official agencies have set their air conditioners to 25°C or higher, and during off-peak hours, light and lift operations have been reduced.

The Malaysian government mandated that air-conditioners be set at 24°C or higher, although it also implemented a work-from-home scheme for civil servants in administrative hubs that began on April 15. Dress codes have also been relaxed to help keep workers cooler.

In Thailand, meanwhile, where officials have been encouraged to wear more casual clothes, public sector offices have been ordered to set their air conditioners between 26-27°C.

The Philippines set a four-day workweek in some government offices to reduce power usage, and government offices have been told to set air-conditioners to at least 24°C. /TISG 

Read also: WP MP He Ting Ru shares what Sengkang is doing to cope with Singapore’s heat

This article (Warmer air-conditioning amid summer heatwave is making it hard for Southeast Asian workers) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE/MALAYSIA: Travelling between Singapore and Johor is about to get easier, as from May 4, licensed cross-border taxis can drop passengers at any location in Singapore and at main locations across Johor, including Johor Bahru, Iskandar Puteri, Forest City, Kulai and Senai.

The change, announced on April 30 by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and its Malaysian counterpart, removes a long-standing limitation that forced passengers to alight only at fixed terminals. It also brings ride-hailing into the mix, with GrabCar becoming the first operator licensed to run cross-border trips.

Exciting updates and changes on May 4

The biggest update and most exciting part is that you no longer need to plan your journey around terminals. Licensed taxis can now:

• Drop off passengers anywhere within the approved zones

• Operate through ride-hailing platforms like GrabCar

• Offer more vehicle types, including six-seaters for groups

Pick-ups, however, remain controlled, and foreign taxis can only pick up passengers at designated points in the other country. This keeps them from competing with local taxis on domestic routes.

New pick-up spots include areas near VivoCity, Century Square and Joo Koon in Singapore, and Toppen Shopping Centre, Mid Valley Southkey Mall and Angsana Mall in Johor.

Making travel smoother between Singapore and Malaysia

For years, cross-border taxis could only drop passengers at either the Ban San Street Terminal in Singapore or the Larkin Terminal in Johor. This created friction in travel convenience, so many travellers turned to unlicensed drivers offering door-to-door rides.

The new change in travel journeys targets that exact problem. By allowing legal taxis to complete full journeys, authorities are trying to:

• Reduce illegal transport services

• Protect licensed drivers’ income

• Improve convenience for daily commuters and families

LTA chief executive Ng Lang said the updated goal is to improve connectivity and make travel smoother between the two countries.

Malaysia’s Land Public Transport Agency director-general Ahmad Radhi Maarof presented it as part of an ongoing effort to ease movement across the Causeway, a route that remains one of the region’s busiest land borders.

More taxis and bigger vehicle service added

Both countries will add 100 more taxis each, bringing the total to 300 per side. The plan is to eventually scale up to 500. The extra quota will focus on larger and premium vehicles. This caters to:

• Families travelling together

• Business travellers needing more comfort

• Groups carrying luggage

Fares remain fixed for street-hail trips from terminals: from Singapore, prices start at S$80 for a standard four-seater and go up to S$180 for premium vehicles. Extra charges apply for longer trips.

GrabCar got the first cross-border ride-hail licence

LTA awarded the first cross-border ride-hail licence to GrabCar for three years starting April 30. The authority said Grab met the requirements on:

• Vehicle identification

• Cross-border insurance coverage

• Safeguards against illegal local trips

Other operators can still apply, but for now, Grab has a head start. Below are the guardrails for travel service operators:

• Taxis must carry at least one passenger when entering the other country

• Vehicles must be under 10 years old

• Malaysian taxis entering Singapore must install the ERP2 onboard unit

• Drivers who break rules risk losing their licences

These controls are to balance convenience with enforcement.

A practical experience for daily commuters

For regular travellers, the experience will reduce policy concerns and provide more travel time instead. No more switching cars at terminals. No more negotiating with informal vehicle drivers. The journey now becomes one continuous, exciting ride.

The travel experience also signals that cross-border journeys are no longer treated as a special case but are being folded into everyday transport systems. This is a practical fix for a long-standing travel annoyance, as it reduces friction without opening the floodgates to unregulated competition.

If enforcement holds and more operators join, this could become the default way people move across the Causeway. The next real test is whether commuters stop looking for shortcuts because the official option finally works.

This article (Cross-border taxis can now drop off passengers anywhere in Singapore and Johor from May 4) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.