SINGAPORE: Singapore is taking another step to keep artificial intelligence (AI) development on the right track. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Microsoft have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deepen cooperation on AI safety and security, according to a joint announcement on June 12.

The partnership comes as governments and technology companies grapple with a growing challenge: AI systems are becoming more capable at a pace few organisations can keep up with alone. Under the agreement, IMDA and Microsoft will work together on research, information sharing and policy development. The aim is to encourage innovation while reducing the risks that come with powerful AI tools.

Building safeguards as AI grows more powerful

One key focus will be technical research into AI safety. The two organisations plan to study emerging areas such as agentic AI, where AI systems can perform tasks with greater autonomy. They will also develop methods, tools and benchmarks to evaluate how AI models behave and whether they meet safety standards.

Part of that work will examine multilingual AI safety, a topic that carries particular relevance in diverse societies such as Singapore. The effort also seeks to strengthen public resilience against issues linked to AI systems, including misinformation and other safety concerns. This is a growing recognition that AI safety is becoming a public policy and national security concern.

Knowledge sharing and policy development

Beyond research, IMDA and Microsoft will exchange governance frameworks, research findings and operational experience related to AI safety and security.

The collaboration will also involve the Singapore AI Safety Institute and other government agencies. Together, they will explore how governments and critical infrastructure operators can responsibly access and use frontier AI models.

This work is expected to lead to a white paper examining both sides of the equation: what governments and infrastructure operators need from advanced AI systems, and what responsibilities should fall on AI model providers.

The discussion comes as policymakers around the world try to strike a balance between encouraging AI development and preventing misuse.

Preventing powerful AI systems from automating cyberattacks

Advanced AI models are becoming more accessible to businesses, organisations and individuals. While that creates opportunities, it also raises concerns.

Security experts have warned that powerful AI systems could be used to automate cyberattacks, spread false information more effectively or assist criminal activity. Singapore has already flagged these risks.

Recently, threat actors have increasingly used frontier AI technologies to strengthen cyberattacks, highlighting the telecommunications sector as an area that must remain especially vigilant.

Against that backdrop, the IMDA-Microsoft partnership can be seen as part of an effort to prepare for threats before they become harder to manage.

Singapore’s growing role in AI governance

The partnership also reinforces Singapore’s position in international discussions on responsible AI development. Kiren Kumar, Deputy Chief Executive of IMDA, said the collaboration goes beyond policy discussions. It will involve building practical tools, benchmarks, and evaluation methods to improve the assessment of advanced AI systems.

Meanwhile, Natasha Crampton, Microsoft’s Chief Responsible AI Officer, said Singapore is helping shape global conversations around responsible AI. She noted that combining government expertise with Microsoft’s operational experience could help improve AI evaluation methods, address emerging risks and strengthen confidence in advanced AI systems.

According to IMDA and Microsoft, the goal is to create an environment where innovation can continue without compromising safety and reliability.

For Singapore, that balancing act may become one of the defining technology challenges of the decade. AI is advancing rapidly, but public confidence will depend on whether safeguards can keep pace. Building those safeguards early is easier than fixing problems after they emerge.

This article (Singapore reinforces commitment to responsible AI practices and safety efforts through new IMDA-Microsoft alliance) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean car driver who staged traffic accidents to squeeze cash from unsuspecting motorists has been sentenced to 32 weeks in jail, ending a scheme that lasted more than four years.

Danial Ali Liaqat Ali, 28, was linked to at least 73 traffic incidents between September 2019 and January 2024. Most of the crashes were deliberately engineered, so he could demand on-the-spot cash settlements from other drivers.

On June 5, a Singapore court sentenced him to 32 weeks’ imprisonment and fined him S$6,000. He will also be barred from driving for 48 months after completing his jail term, The Star Online reported.

Road scam that uses motorists’ confusion to extract cash

The case stands out in the incidents involved and exposed a form of road scam that uses confusion, pressure, and motorists who prefer to avoid lengthy disputes.

Court documents showed that Danial actively sought opportunities to cause near-collisions or minor crashes. He would drive dangerously close to other vehicles, fail to brake in time or accelerate into situations likely to result in contact between vehicles.

After the incident, he would approach the other driver and claim compensation was needed for damage. He typically demanded private cash settlements ranging from S$180 to S$1,500. The total amount he collected wasn’t disclosed in court.

One incident took place on July 19, 2023, near the junction of Cantonment Road and Keppel Road. Court records showed Danial manoeuvred his vehicle in a way that created the appearance of a collision. Although no impact occurred, he later stopped the other motorist and claimed damage had been caused to his car. The driver paid him S$180.

The following day, he used a similar tactic on another motorist along Sims Avenue and extracted S$300.

In another case on Nov 5, 2023, along Geylang Road, Danial positioned his vehicle during a lane change and came into contact with another car’s side mirror. He then blamed the other motorist and obtained S$300.

Beyond the staged incidents, prosecutors said he failed to report 29 traffic accidents to the authorities between March 2023 and January 2024.

Fraud extended beyond the road

His troublemaker activities didn’t end just on the roads. Deputy Public Prosecutor Hidayat Amir told the court that while working as an assistant outlet manager at bakery-cafe chain Cedele, Danial created a membership account using his own details. He then entered his personal contact number into customer transactions to collect loyalty points.

Within days in October 2025, he accumulated enough points to redeem a S$100 voucher. He was also accused of pocketing S$100 cash from a customer later that month.

Road accidents should be handled through proper reporting channels, not private roadside settlements

During sentencing, prosecutors argued that Danial’s actions created serious risks for motorists and passengers. By deliberately engineering collisions and near-collisions, he exposed multiple road users to potential harm.

The case shows that even minor traffic incidents should be handled through proper reporting channels rather than private roadside settlements. A fast cash payment may seem like the easiest solution in the moment, but official reporting remains the best protection for everyone involved.

This article (Singaporean car driver linked to 73 traffic ‘accidents’ that were mostly staged gets 32 weeks jail and S$6K fine) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: The Union of Security Employees (USE) has come out strongly in support of security officers involved in a confrontation with a Hong Kong school principal at SAFRA Jurong, saying the officers were simply doing their jobs in a difficult situation.

In a Facebook post published on May 28, the union said it “stands firmly behind” the officers who were subjected to verbal abuse while trying to manage traffic and maintain safety at the venue. According to USE, the incident took place on May 22 at around 5:30 p.m. A chartered tour bus carrying 34 students from Hong Kong had stopped along double yellow lines outside SAFRA Jurong, blocking vehicles from entering the premises during a busy childcare pick-up period.

The incident gained widespread attention after videos circulated online showing San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School principal Lee Cheuk-hing arguing with security officers over the vehicle parking situation.

Security officers were met with profanities and taunts from the HK school principal

According to USE, security officers approached the bus and instructed the driver to move either into a designated drop-off area or to another position that would not obstruct incoming traffic. The union said those instructions were rejected, and the officers were met with profanities and taunts instead.

The situation reportedly eased only after parents who had arrived to collect their children intervened and asked the driver to move. USE added that the confrontation affected more than just the people captured on camera. The incident created unnecessary difficulties for security officers on duty and the local bus driver, who found himself caught between traffic rules and passenger demands.

Security officer lodges police report; HK school principal resigns following suspension

USE said one of the officers has since lodged a police report over the verbal abuse and obstruction. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has confirmed that a report was received and investigations are ongoing.

SAFRA has also publicly supported its officers, stating that they were acting within the scope of their duties to maintain safety and traffic flow at the entrance.

Meanwhile, developments in Hong Kong have moved fast. The school’s governing board suspended Lee after reviewing the incident. Hong Kong’s Education Bureau also requested a detailed report and reminded schools that educators may face professional consequences for misconduct.

According to reports from Hong Kong, Lee has since resigned and issued a public apology, acknowledging that he failed to remain calm and set a proper example for students during the exchange.

Netizens say, “Respect goes both ways… security officers should also remain calm and professional…”

While many online commenters criticised Lee’s conduct, discussions soon expanded beyond the confrontation itself. Some social media users questioned whether the principal’s behaviour changed depending on who he was speaking to and their racial background.

Others focused on whether security officers should have maintained a calmer tone during the heated exchange. Some also argued that while all frontline officers deserve courtesy and respect when carrying out their duties, security personnel should, likewise, remain composed and professional even when dealing with difficult members of the public.

And while investigations will determine whether any laws were broken, the incident has already renewed discussion about how people speak to those tasked with enforcing rules and maintaining order.

USE says, “Abuse is NEVER part of a security officer’s job scope…”

Following the avoidable unpleasant incident, USE said they “stand firmly behind our officers, who were placed in an incredibly challenging operational environment while trying to keep the premises safe,” and that they are working with the officers’ employer to support their well-being throughout the process.

The union also stressed that harassment should never be accepted as part of a security officer’s job. “Abuse is NEVER part of a security officer’s job scope. Under the Private Security Industry Act and the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA), we maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment against our officers,” adding, “Let’s treat our frontline professionals with the basic decency, cooperation, and respect they earn every single day!”

Disagreements can happen anywhere, especially when people are under pressure, but how those disagreements are handled leaves a stronger impression on someone than the dispute itself.

For both visitors and locals, following instructions, staying calm, and treating frontline workers, the officers in this case, with basic respect, remains the fastest way to prevent such a parking dispute from becoming an international headline.

Read related: Hong Kong school principal resigns after swearing incident in Singapore, but some blame the security guard for shouting back

This article (We ‘stand firmly behind our officers’ — Singapore’s Union of Security Employees defends personnel on duty after they were verbally abused by Hong Kong school principal, who later apologised) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Companies cannot avoid calling a retrenchment a retrenchment simply by asking workers to apply for jobs overseas, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) stated, following concerns that some employers are presenting job cuts as fresh career opportunities during restructuring exercises.

According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), both organisations said that if a role in Singapore becomes redundant, the situation is still considered a retrenchment, regardless of whether the employee is invited to apply for a position elsewhere in the company.

The issue came into focus after Swedish fashion retailer H&M announced plans to move its Southeast Asia headquarters from Singapore to Malaysia. Employees across East Asia were reportedly asked to apply for 178 positions across the region, many of which had shifted out of Singapore. Workers who fail to secure a role could leave under what the company described as mutual separation arrangements.

When retrenchment becomes a “new job opportunity”

NTUC said it is concerned about cases where workers are asked to reapply for local or overseas positions while their existing Singapore roles are being eliminated.

The union stated that if a Singapore-based position is eliminated due to redundancy, the worker’s employment relationship with the local entity ends. In such cases, the exercise should be recognised as a retrenchment rather than a new employment opportunity.

MOM said a retrenchment occurs when a role no longer exists in Singapore, including situations where it has been relocated overseas, even if the employee applies for another role within the organisation.

The clarification is important because retrenchment carries expectations around notification, compensation and support that may not be as obvious under alternative labels.

Some companies avoid the word “retrenchment” to reduce negative perceptions

Human resources professionals who were interviewed said some companies may prefer terms such as restructuring, calibration or mutual separation because they sound less severe.

Ms Archana Srinivasan, founder and director of Alchemy People Partners, said some restructuring exercises are genuine responses to regional expansion, automation or cost pressures. Others, however, may package workforce reductions in softer language to reduce negative perceptions.

Mr Ian Liew, an HR practitioner with more than a decade of experience, however, said that changing the label does little to alter the reality for affected workers. He said the real test lies in whether employees receive fair redeployment opportunities, adequate support and proper compensation.

The differing opinions show companies across industries are under pressure to cut costs and reorganise operations, particularly as technology and regionalisation reshape business structures.

The grey area around “mutual separation”

One of the more contentious issues involves mutual separation agreements. These agreements are typically presented as voluntary exits. However, lawyers and HR experts stated that they can create uncertainty when workers are leaving because their jobs have effectively disappeared.

Mr Terence Seah, partner at Virtus Law, said employers cannot escape their contractual obligations simply by avoiding the word “retrenchment”. The key question remains what the employment contract requires and what actually happened to the role.

Ms Srinivasan noted that some employers may argue that no retrenchment occurred if workers voluntarily sign separation agreements. This creates a legal and practical grey area, even when the underlying reason for departure is job redundancy.

She advised employees to seek professional advice before signing such agreements and stressed that workers cannot be forced into them.

Workers may lose out financially

The distinctions used can have real financial consequences for retrenched employees. Under tripartite guidelines, retrenchment benefits are commonly recommended at between two weeks and one month’s salary for every year of service, although these guidelines are not legally binding.

Mr Liew pointed out another difference. Retrenchment payments made to compensate for job loss are generally not taxable, while ex gratia payments under mutual separation agreements are typically treated as taxable income by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Meaning, workers could receive less after tax, even if the headline payout appears similar.

Other retrenchment labels: Restructuring, calibration, redeployment or mutual separation

Beyond legal obligations, experts who were interviewed repeatedly returned to one theme: transparency.

Singapore Human Resources Institute Chief Executive Officer Alvin Aloysius Goh said employees feel uncertain when alternative roles are significantly different or not practical for their circumstances. He said employers should handle redeployment and separation discussions fairly and openly.

HR consultant Christine Chan added that workers can feel stranded when companies offer relocated jobs without providing enough information about relocation packages or employment terms. The lack of certainty creates more stress than the restructuring itself.

For employees, the lesson is to look beyond the label. Whether a company calls it restructuring, calibration, redeployment or mutual separation, the key issue is whether the original Singapore role still exists.

MOM, NTUC, and labour experts advise employers that workers are more likely to accept difficult decisions when companies explain them properly, provide meaningful support, and call things as they are.

Read related: Singapore retrenchments 2026: Amazon, Tiger Beer, Yeo’s, and more firms cut jobs amid rising energy costs and weak demand

This article (MOM/NTUC: Employers cannot disguise retrenchments as ‘new opportunities’ by asking Singapore workers to reapply for jobs overseas) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: New data from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shows that workers in Administrative & Support Services enjoyed the strongest wage growth in 2025, outpacing employees in finance, insurance and several other traditionally higher-paying industries.

The figures come from MOM’s Report on Wage Practices 2025, released on May 28, and offer a closer look at how salaries moved across different sectors over the past two years.

Earlier this year, MOM reported that Singapore’s median monthly salary rose to S$5,775 in 2025, a 5% increase from 2024. The latest breakdown shows that the gains were far from uniform.

Support services came out on top

According to the MOM data, workers in Administrative & Support Services received average wage increases of 7.5% in 2025, making the sector the strongest performer among all major industries.

At the other end of the table were Accommodation and Food & Beverage (F&B) Services, which recorded the slowest salary growth.

Finance and insurance jobs are associated with higher pay packages, yet their wage growth over the past two years hasn’t kept pace with that in support services.

Nick Karean/The Independent Singapore News

MOM: Report on Wage Practices 2025

The findings show that salary growth and salary size aren’t always the same. A sector can offer high pay while still recording slower annual increases than industries playing catch-up.

Two years of gains add up

Looking at cumulative wage growth from 2024 and 2025 paints an even clearer picture. Workers in Administrative & Support Services saw wages rise by nearly 17% over the two-year period. In practical terms, that amounts to roughly two extra months of 2023 salary spread across the period.

Workers in sectors near the bottom of the rankings still experienced gains, though at a slower pace. Their cumulative wage growth ranged between about 8% and 9%, equivalent to roughly one additional month of 2023 income.

One notable change involved Wholesale Trade. While it slipped to the bottom of the cumulative rankings, the sector may be positioned for a stronger recovery.

Nick Karean/The Independent Singapore News

MOM: Report on Wage Practices 2025

According to the data, rising demand linked to electronics manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) has boosted trading activity and improved sentiment within the industry.

The wage outlook for 2026 remains mixed

Singapore’s economy expanded by 6% in the first quarter of the year, showing strength across multiple sectors. Yet businesses are also facing uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting trade and energy markets, which may make employers more cautious when deciding on salary increases.

Workers in electronics manufacturing and wholesale trade could be among the better-positioned groups if current industry trends continue. Strong demand tied to AI-related supply chains has helped drive activity, and profitable companies may have more room to reward staff.

For many other sectors, however, wage growth could depend on how global economic conditions develop over the coming months.

Number averages only tell part of the story

The latest MOM figures show why headline salary numbers never tell the whole story. A rising national median wage is encouraging, but workers experience the economy differently depending on where they work.

For employees, the report offers a useful benchmark. For employers, it serves as a snapshot of where competition for talent is heating up.

As always, salary growth is strongest when businesses perform well, and workers continue to build valuable skills. Economic conditions matter, but so does staying adaptable in a changing job market.

Read related: MOM: Wage growth slowed down for workers in Singapore last year compared with 2024; expected to stay moderate in 2026

This article (SG Ministry of Manpower wage report 2025: Which industries are workers’ salaries rising the fastest in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s job market has taken a sharp turn. After ending 2025 on a stronger footing than many expected, businesses are now showing far less appetite to hire.

New survey data from the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS), reported by Vulcan Post, points to weaker business sentiment over the next six months and softer hiring plans across much of the economy.

When hiring slows there, the effects spread beyond office towers and into everyday spending, household planning, and career decisions.

Manufacturing finds support while other sectors lose steam

The outlook isn’t equally weak across every sector. Manufacturing seems to be holding up better than expected, supported by demand linked to artificial intelligence (AI), especially in semiconductor-related activity. According to the report, this strength has helped cushion weaker performance elsewhere in manufacturing.

Still, that support comes with limits. The article noted that gains are uneven and concentrated in select areas rather than broad-based growth, meaning stronger demand in one corner of the economy doesn’t automatically create opportunities across the board.

Services face the bigger hiring slowdown

Earlier in the year, most industries still expected to expand hiring after a stronger-than-expected 2025, but this optimism has now faded.

The latest business outlook shows that only recreation and personal services expect higher hiring activity. Several sectors that are usually seen as dependable employers are turning more cautious. Finance, viewed as a stable source of professional jobs, is also expected to face pressure rather than expansion.

Retail trade recorded one of the steepest changes in sentiment. Expectations moved from net positive territory earlier in the year into negative ground, making it one of the sectors facing the strongest pullback.

Longer job search periods and tougher competition for openings

Hiring sentiment doesn’t equal actual job losses, but it does act as an early signal. Companies usually reduce expansion plans before making larger workforce decisions. When uncertainty rises and costs increase, employers tend to delay recruitment and become more selective.

For Singaporeans planning a job switch, returning to work, or entering the market, this could mean longer search periods and tougher competition for openings.

At the same time, hiring slowdowns don’t hit every skill group equally. Areas linked to technology, automation and specialised industrial work may continue to see demand even as hiring cools.

Businesses are choosing caution in hiring for now

In summary, many employers seem to be waiting for greater stability before making hiring commitments.

Singapore has navigated difficult periods before and recovered faster than expected, but for now, the mood has changed from expansion to caution.

When hiring weakens, workers who keep skills current, stay flexible and expand their options usually give themselves the best chance of riding out slower cycles.

Read related: Meta terminates 8,000 jobs globally, while Singapore staff receive their termination e-mails at 4 AM, as the company moves on with its new AI-focused teams

This article (Singapore job hiring drops across most sectors despite AI-driven manufacturing demand; employment outlook weakens in the coming months) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has warned motorists to expect tighter security checks, road restrictions and heavier traffic near Shangri-La Singapore from May 28 to 31 during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue.

According to the SPF statement released on May 25, roads around Anderson Road and Orange Grove Road will be affected as ministers, military chiefs, and diplomats arrive for the annual security summit. The event runs from May 29 to 31 at Shangri-La Singapore.

The annual summit has long been one of Singapore’s biggest high-security events. It regularly draws global defence officials, intelligence chiefs, and policymakers for closed-door meetings and public speeches on regional tensions and security issues.

This year’s dialogue comes at a tense period for global politics. Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that discussions are expected to focus heavily on the conflict in Iran, tensions in Taiwan, and concerns over the United States’ role in Asia. Vietnamese President To Lam is expected to deliver the keynote address, while US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is also scheduled to speak.

Roads near Orchard and Tanglin are expected to slow down

SPF advised motorists to avoid roads near the hotel where possible and use alternative routes instead. Vehicle drivers travelling between Tanglin Road, Stevens Road, Orchard Road, and Balmoral Road are encouraged to reroute through Scotts Road.

Drivers heading towards Ardmore Park will also face temporary access changes. There will be no through road between Ardmore Park lamp post 8 and Anderson Road from 11 pm on May 28 until 5 pm on May 31. Access will instead be through Draycott Park or Draycott Drive.

Commercial vehicles with registration plates beginning with “G”, “W”, “X” or “Y” will not be allowed into Anderson Road during the event period.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

The restrictions may frustrate some motorists, especially during the busy weekend shopping and hotel period around Orchard Road. Still, large-scale security operations have become routine during major international summits hosted in Singapore.

Hotel parking is limited; illegally parked vehicles may be towed

Parking inside Shangri-La Singapore will also be limited throughout the summit. SPF advised hotel guests to use public transport, taxis or ride-hailing services instead of driving. Authorities said vehicles parked illegally or causing obstruction will be towed away.

Security checks on vehicles entering the area will also be carried out during the summit period. Police warned that those refusing to comply with officers’ instructions could face legal action.

The tighter arrangements demonstrate how security concerns around international summits have changed over the years. High-profile gatherings involving defence and political leaders now routinely feature layered checks, controlled-access zones and aerial restrictions.

Drone operators face hefty penalties

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will also impose a Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) over Shangri-La Singapore during the summit. The restricted airspace covers a one-kilometre radius around the hotel.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Drone flights and other aerial activities within the area will be banned during designated periods between May 29 and 31, within the dates and times below:

• May 29: 7.30 am – 11.30 pm

• May 30: 7.30 am – 7.30 pm

• May 31: 7.30 am – 3.30 pm

Under Singapore’s Air Navigation Act, offenders may face fines of up to S$50,000, jail terms of up to two years, or both, for a first offence. Repeat offenders may face fines of up to S$100,000 and prison terms of up to 5 years.

Singapore has steadily tightened drone regulations in recent years, especially around sensitive sites and major events. Authorities have repeatedly warned that even hobby drone flights can create security and safety risks near high-profile international gatherings.

The SPF said members of the public are encouraged to cooperate with officers and follow the temporary arrangements throughout the summit period.

For many Singaporeans, the inconvenience may last only a few days. For security agencies, it is part of the careful balancing act that comes with hosting one of Asia’s most closely watched defence forums.

This article (Shangri-La Dialogue security operations: Police advise motorists to avoid roads near Shangri-La Singapore from May 28 to 31) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Central Provident Fund (CPF) interest rates will remain unchanged from July to September 2026, offering some stability for members still dealing with high living costs and long-term retirement worries.

According to the Central Provident Fund and Housing and Development Board (HDB), the Ordinary Account (OA) interest rate will remain at 2.5% per year, while the Special, MediSave, and Retirement Accounts (SMRA) will continue to earn 4% annually. The HDB concessionary housing loan rate will also remain at 2.6%. The announcement was made on May 26 by CPF and HDB in a joint statement.

For many Singaporeans, the quarterly CPF interest update is closely tied to predictability. Stable savings rates mean housing loan repayments aren’t rising again, at least for now.

Both CPF account groups remain protected by their minimum guaranteed rates

The SMRA rate is tied to the 12-month average yield of 10-year Singapore Government Securities plus 1%. CPF said the pegged rate still fell below the 4% floor rate, which is why members will continue receiving 4%.

The OA rate is based on the three-month average interest rates of major local banks. That computed rate also stayed below the 2.5% floor. This means both CPF account groups remain protected by their minimum guaranteed rates instead of floating lower with market conditions. The HDB concessionary loan rate, which is fixed at 0.1% above the OA rate, will therefore remain at 2.6%.

Older members continue getting extra bonus interest support

CPF members below 55 years old will still receive an extra 1% interest on the first S$60,000 of combined CPF balances, although OA balances are capped at S$20,000 for this bonus interest.

Members aged 55 and above receive stronger support. They earn an extra 2% on the first S$30,000 of combined balances, plus another 1% on the next S$30,000. The extra interest earned from OA balances goes into either the Special Account or the Retirement Account.

CPF members above 55 who are on the CPF LIFE scheme will also continue earning the extra interest on balances used for CPF LIFE, according to CPF.

The unchanged rates are important to households in managing expenses

The unchanged rates are important to households juggling mortgages, retirement planning and rising daily expenses.

Singapore’s interest rate environment has changed several times over the past few years as global inflation and central bank policies pushed borrowing costs higher. Against that backdrop, keeping the HDB concessionary loan rate unchanged offers some breathing room for flat owners relying on government housing loans.

Retirement adequacy also remains a major concern among older Singaporeans, especially with longer life expectancy and higher healthcare costs. The continued 4% floor for retirement-related CPF accounts gives savers a relatively stable base compared with regular bank savings accounts.

At the same time, the numbers also show how conservative CPF’s framework remains. OA savings still grow more slowly than inflation in some periods, which is why many Singaporeans continue to look for ways to stretch their retirement savings through investments, side income, or delayed retirement.

Stability may not excite people, but it helps with future planning

CPF updates rarely get dramatic reactions online unless rates suddenly jump or fall. Still, steady rates can be useful in their own way.

People buying flats, planning retirement withdrawals or deciding whether to top up CPF accounts tend to value predictability over surprises.

Financial planning also becomes much harder when interest rates swing wildly every few months, but for now, Singaporeans heading into the second half of 2026 at least know one thing will stay: their CPF interest rates.

More details on interest calculations are available through CPF’s official information channels.

This article (SG Central Provident Fund interest rates to remain unchanged for OA and SMA accounts from July to Sept 2026) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Less than a decade ago, Hong Kong’s “cardboard grannies” were featured in the news, and people across the globe were shocked to learn about many elderly poor, especially women, collecting cardboard long hours each day to support themselves, in one of the richest cities in the world.

In 2017, after one of these “cardboard grannies” sold a cardboard box to a domestic helper for HK$1 (S$0.17), she was charged by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for selling without a license. After much public outcry, the case was dropped.

Hong Kong has had the longest life expectancy of any city in the world, with an average lifespan of about 85.9 years. However, among its senior citizens, around 580,000 live in poverty, according to a 2024 report from Oxfam Hong Kong.

A May 24 CNN piece said that one of Hong Kong’s cardboard grannies earns HK$100 about each day (S$16.30), scarcely sufficient to pay for two meals. Lately, she’s been earning less, with recycling companies slashing their rates in half, and when the cardboard she collects is thrown away by mistake, she gets nothing at all.

Hong Kong, however, is hardly the only Asian city faced with this issue.

In Singapore, there are karung guni aunties and uncles, older people who collect cardboard, cans, and scrap. Like Hong Kong, many find it shocking that the elderly have to work this way in such a rich society. While Singapore has a substantially stronger social safety net than Hong Kong, especially when it comes to housing, subsidies, and cash supplementation, there are still concerns over the financial vulnerability of the elderly and their need to keep on working long past retirement age. 

South Korea’s problem of poverty among the elderly is among the highest in the OECD. In China, elderly “ayi” recyclers are common, and in Taiwan, where the problem is not nearly as bad as in other places in Asia, many elderly people informally collect cardboard, cans, and recyclables.

What’s behind the problem?

In a sense, Asia’s elderly poor may be seen as victims of success. The incidence of poverty among senior citizens coincides with several factors, including rapid economic growth, ageing populations, weakening family support systems, and insufficient retirement adequacy for older generations who grew up before modern pension systems matured.

The problem is not uniquely Asian, but wherever there is a gap between the cost of living and old-age income support, some elderly people end up doing informal survival work, including collecting recyclables, street vending, begging, and scavenging.

This article (Asia’s elderly poor: Hong Kong’s cardboard grannies, Singapore’s Karungguni aunties & uncles, and more) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans hoping to collect their keys sooner may find some welcome news in this month’s Build-to-Order (BTO) exercise.

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will launch 2,520 flats with waiting times of around three years or less as part of its June 2026 BTO exercise, according to an announcement made on June 7. The flats will be spread across three projects in Sembawang and Ang Mo Kio and account for more than a third of the roughly 6,900 units being offered this month.

For many first-time buyers, waiting time remains one of the biggest concerns when applying for a new flat. While BTO projects typically take several years to complete, these developments aim to shorten the journey from application to key collection.

Faster access keys for buyers in Sembawang

The fastest project in the upcoming launch is Sembawang Portico, a Shorter Waiting Time (SWT) project with an estimated waiting time of two years and seven months. Located along Admiralty Lane and Sembawang Drive, it will offer 875 units ranging from 2-room Flexi to 5-room flats.

Housing and Development Board (HDB)

Artist’s impression of Sembawang Portico

Close behind is Sembawang Brook, another SWT project with a waiting time of two years and nine months. The development, bounded by Admiralty Street and Sungei Sembawang, will offer 1,160 units, including 3Gen flats designed for multi-generation families who wish to live together.

Housing and Development Board (HDB)

Artist’s impression of Sembawang Brook

According to HDB, both projects are located in the new Sembawang North estate and sit next to each other. Future residents can expect faster access to key amenities, including cooked-food outlets, childcare centres, a minimart, and bus services.

Under measures announced earlier this year by the Ministry of National Development, these amenities are expected to open around six months after the first residents collect their keys. The decision is intended to reduce the long-standing issue of residents moving into new estates before shops and services are ready.

The projects will also be near existing facilities such as Sun Plaza and Bukit Canberra, which offer sports, healthcare and community services.

Ang Mo Kio project offers a central location

The third shorter-wait project is Kebun Baru Ridge in Ang Mo Kio. The development will have 485 3- and 4-room flats, with an estimated waiting time of 3 years and 1 month.

Housing and Development Board (HDB)

Artist’s impression of Kebun Baru Ridge

Located along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 2, the project will include a minimart and an eating house. Residents will also be close to existing amenities such as Kebun Baru Market and Food Centre, Mayflower Shopping and Food Centre, and Ang Mo Kio Town Centre.

Public transport access is another draw, with Mayflower MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line just a short bus ride away.

Projects are completed faster because planning and construction work begin earlier

The agency works with other government bodies to identify suitable sites in advance and start preparation work before the flats are officially launched for sale. As a result, construction is already well underway by the time buyers book their units.

Apart from Sembawang Portico, Sembawang Brook and Kebun Baru Ridge, four other projects in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Bukit Merah, and Woodlands will also be launched in the June BTO sales exercise. HDB said more details, including the projects’ classification categories, will be released when the sales exercise begins.

A flat that arrives sooner can help young couples start families earlier and reduce the years spent in temporary housing. Efforts to shorten wait times while ensuring amenities arrive fast are likely to remain a key focus as Singapore continues to meet housing demand.

This article (HDB: 2,520 BTO flats with wait times of 3 years or less to be offered across 3 projects in Sembawang and Ang Mo Kio in June sales) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

When Kojo asked Sabrina why Singaporeans complain a lot, she said that it has become part of the culture, admitting that even she begins to complain when the train is one minute late, “like it’s the end of the world.”

Kojo, who was struck by this, said, “When you say Singaporeans complain over the littlest thing, I want to believe that this might be a good thing in the sense that it keeps the authorities on their toes. 

But if the authorities or the leaders know that people are not going to complain, then they are going to relax and not do what they are supposed to do to lift up the nation.”

He added that in his home country, people do not hold leaders accountable, “so we take whatever they give us.”

“It basically means you guys will not tolerate anything other than the best,” he added, while Sabrina nodded.

As far as he has observed, most people in developing parts of the world don’t complain, and he added that he wished the people in Ghana would “complain over everything,” not out of ingratitude, but to bring about better standards of efficiency.

Sabrina added that the Singaporean government endeavours through surveys to get feedback from people regarding policies and projects, and Singaporeans are encouraged to give their honest opinions.

“We started from almost nothing. So for us to be able to achieve so much in the last 65 years, it’s an incredible feat,” she added. /TISG

This article (If everything works, why does it still feel like it’s not enough?) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: The long queue at Woodlands Checkpoint during the Vesak Day holiday period appears to have tested the patience of some motorists. For 30 vehicle drivers, that impatience came at a cost.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that 30 motorists were caught committing traffic offences during intensified enforcement operations at Woodlands Checkpoint between May 28 and June 1, according to an ICA statement released on June 5.

The offences ranged from queue cutting and crossing double white lines to making illegal right turns and stopping in positions that could create danger or obstruct traffic.

Of the 30 motorists detected, 21 were ordered to make a U-turn and return to the back of the queue. Nine drivers of foreign-registered vehicles were also barred from entering Singapore for offences that included queue cutting and crossing double white lines. Fifteen motorists were referred to the Traffic Police for further action.

Holiday traffic seems to bring the same problems

Long weekends see heavy traffic at Singapore’s land checkpoints as travellers head across the Causeway. While congestion is expected, queue cutting remains one of the most complained-about behaviours among motorists.

A single vehicle attempting to jump the queue can trigger frustration among hundreds of drivers who have spent hours waiting for their turn. It can also create safety risks when vehicles suddenly change lanes or cross road markings to gain an advantage.

ICA’s latest enforcement operation shows that authorities are paying close attention to such behaviour, particularly during peak travel periods when traffic volumes surge.

Motorists were even caught committing offences that could endanger other road users

ICA said some motorists were caught committing offences that could endanger other road users. Crossing double white lines and making illegal turns can force other drivers to react suddenly, increasing the risk of accidents in already congested areas.

Stopping in unsuitable locations can also create bottlenecks and worsen traffic flow.

ICA said it takes a serious view of motorists who break traffic laws or fail to follow officers’ instructions at checkpoints, as such actions can compromise others’ safety. The authority added that it will continue taking firm action against offenders.

A reminder for travellers using Singapore checkpoints

The latest figures may appear modest compared with the thousands of vehicles that cross the Causeway daily. Still, they serve as a sign that enforcement remains active and that authorities are prepared to act against those seeking shortcuts.

The fastest way through a checkpoint remains to stay in lane, follow instructions and wait for your turn.

Holiday traffic can be frustrating, but a few minutes saved by cutting a queue may end up costing far more in penalties, delays and inconvenience. A little patience goes a long way when everyone is trying to reach the same destination.

This article (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority: 30 motorists were caught committing dangerous driving, including queue-cutting offences at Woodlands Checkpoint; 15 were referred to the traffic police for further action) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.