SINGAPORE: A shocking incident was revealed when Singapore Customs officers uncovered more than 740 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes stored in various freezers at an eatery in Jurong East Avenue 1.

On Facebook, the authorities claimed that from the operation, a number of cigarette packets were seized alongside four Chinese nationals aged 43 and 47 who were working at the eatery. Two of these men were arrested, and the other two issued composition sums. The two men arrested were then charged and sentenced to 66 and 18 days’ imprisonment, respectively. 

In the post, the authorities declared: “Duty-unpaid cigarettes may be cheap, but their consequences are costly. Remember, buying, selling, storing or consuming duty-unpaid cigarettes is illegal and carries severe penalties, including hefty fines and jail terms. Don’t risk it. It’s simply not worth it.” 

According to Singapore laws, the Customs remain committed to enforcing strict compliance with regulations and protecting revenue. It is under the Customs Act and GST Act that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possession or dealing in duty-unpaid cigarettes are serious offences. Offenders of this law can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty, and GST evaded, or imprisonment of up to six years, or both. 

If you have encountered any suspicious activities, the authorities are urging everyone to report any suspicious activities here: https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence.

Other related news 

In similar news, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers found a total number of 42 cases of passengers carrying e-cigarettes across sea, land, and air checkpoints last March. 

Some of these passengers were caught on the spot, while others chose to throw their vapes away after seeing the inspection checks.

Read more about the news story here. 

This article (Singapore Customs seizes more than 740 packets of illegal cigarettes from Jurong restaurant freezers) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: After watching an interview of Lee Kuan Yew in 2000, a local Reddit user shared that the founding Prime Minister had said his biggest regret was Singapore’s failed merger with Malaysia.

U/no_Lime5241wrote that the answer Mr Lee gave the US journalist Charlie Rose came as a surprise.

“What I regret most is the years we spent building up the momentum for Malaysia and breaking it off in less than two years. It never got a chance. If there was a stronger prime minister in Malaysia who was prepared to give a more equal balance to the various peoples in Malaysia, the story might have ended differently, and it would have been better for all of us,” he said.

Mr Rose thought that Mr Lee meant Singapore and Malaysia together would have “a much more powerful point of leverage.”

The former PM clarified not once but twice that this regret was “for the people.”

“They would have had a better life,” he added.

This is in keeping with what Mr Lee had said on August 9, 1965, the date of Singapore’s independence. “All my life, my whole adult life, I believed in merger and unity of the two territories.”

The post author wrote that Mr Lee’s answer gave him pause, but added, “I think people forget, for the first 41 years of his life, Lee was a Malaysian. A Singaporean identity did not really exist yet. His dream was a united Malaysia. Looking into this, Lee never abandoned this dream. Lee genuinely did believe the merger was the superior outcome. He said so repeatedly over decades, not just once. 

Even after Singapore became rich, he continued to argue that a successful multiracial Malaysia would have been a more natural and sustainable arrangement than a tiny city-state standing alone.”

Noting that Singaporeans live under heavy pressure due to long work hours, competition, and the lack of work-life balance, he added that he believes Mr Lee never planned for this to happen. But when Singapore became independent from Malaysia and lost access to its natural resources, the city-state did what it needed to not just to survive but to have an edge over other Southeast Asian countries.

Mr Lee was then faced with the challenge of developing the city-state into something exceptional that would attract foreign investments.

“If Singapore had remained within Malaysia, it would have had access to a larger domestic market, food, water, natural resources, and a hinterland. It would not have carried the burden of survival alone,” the post author wrote, adding that if this had happened, Singaporean workers would have had a better work-life balance, “while still enjoying prosperity,” as Australia does.

“Just a thought, when you guys find yourselves frustrated with the Singapore lifestyle,” he added. /TISG

Read also: Lee Kuan Yew’s remarks on PhD and marriage resurface, draw mixed reactions

This article (Lee Kuan Yew said his biggest regret was the failed merger with Malaysia) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 56-year-old Singaporean woman who hit a motorcycle in 2024 has been given a four-month jail sentence and has her driving license suspended for five years.

The woman had hit the biker after she had run a red light while driving on Sims Avenue, which resulted in multiple injuries to the biker, who ended up taking at least three months of medical leave after the mishap. 

What makes the incident unusual, however, is that after the accident, she proceeded to Johor Bahru to do some shopping, and only surrendered herself to the Singapore Police Force a few days afterwards, according to a report in Shin Min Daily News.

Huang Suhua (transliteration) faced a total of four charges under the Road Traffic Act, which included dangerous driving causing hurt, failing to surrender to the police within 24 hours after an accident, failing to remain at the scene of the accident, and moving the vehicle without legal authorisation.

She pleaded guilty to three of the charges, and the additional charge was considered for her sentencing.

The mishap

The incident occurred on November 19, 2024, shortly before 8:30 am. As Huang was driving along Sims Road on her BMW, she sped up in an attempt to beat a red light. She ended up hitting the motorcyclist, who sustained serious injuries due to the mishap. 

Instead of stopping and helping the motorcycle driver, however, Huang drove away from the scene. 

Later, she asked someone she knew to drive her to the scene where the accident occurred, only to find that the motorcyclist had already been brought to the hospital.

She then went about with the rest of her day, which included a shopping trip to Johor Bahru and helping her daughter open her music school.

A few days later, however, she turned herself in, going to a police station to do so.

Sentencing

Huang’s lawyer said that she was regretful of her actions and did not blame anyone else. Her circumstances as a single mother who is supporting a son at school, as well as an 80-year-old mother in poor health, were also mentioned in court, as well as the fact that she has since lost her job after the accident, and is now suffering financial difficulties.

While she sought leniency from the judge, Huang was told that she needed to understand that she was responsible for everything that had transpired. /TISG

Read also: As motorcyclist cries out for help after road accident, bystander filming the incident asks if he’s Chinese

This article (4 months’ jail for woman who hit motorcyclist, left scene and went shopping in Johor Bahru) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Former CEO of Temasek Holdings Ho Ching urged Singaporeans to be kind, weighing in on the subject of online hatred against Indians as well as Singapore’s multiculturalism.

On Facebook on June 9 (Tuesday), Mdm Ho, the wife of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, shared a post from the former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng, where he called out Singaporeans online who said they accept Indians who grew up in Singapore but discriminate against more recent arrivals.

“These people – vast majority of whom are Singaporean Chinese – try to excuse themselves by saying they are ok with local Indians. Just not what they call ‘ceca’s,” he wrote, adding, “What rubbish.”

Mdm Ho wrote that she “agreed totally that we should stop the BS and excuses for being racist.” She acknowledged that humans are inherently tribal and added that deciding to include others who are different takes awareness and intention.

In Singapore, due to the multicultural environment people are raised in, they are  “much more inclusive and open to different races, accents, languages, and skin colours, among us.”

However, she warned that “we sometimes let our own insecurities take the form of parochialism, xenophobia or racism, to hit out at others who may be different from us.”

“Better to remember that the colour of our blood is the same, same types of blood regardless of the colour of the skin or eyes or place of birth. Be kind always,” she reminded others.

What Singaporeans are saying

Many commenters agreed with Mdm Ho, with one writing, “This entire nonsense of racism should stop. When I was growing up, I had lots of different friends. Naidu was just Naidu to me. Ah Hock was just Ah Hock to me. Majid was just Majid to me. Babu was Babu. I was just their Sekani pal. No race involved. All naughty boys are enjoying each other’s company. That’s life. That’s how it should be. Period.”

To this, another replied, “And that is uniquely Singapore.”

“It is just melanin,” a commenter chimed in.

“Simple – just remember that when you’re in need of a blood transfusion, the blood that you are getting isn’t from the one that you chose, it’s from another human and you don’t know his skin colour,” wrote a Facebook user.

The context

Last week, Law Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong announced that the Police issued Disabling Directions under the Online Criminal Harms Act to deal with the content circulating on YouTube, Facebook, and X, requiring the platforms to disable access by Singapore users to these posts.

Mr Tong told members of the media that the content was likely to have come from overseas, and CNA reported that they are believed to have originated from a platform based in China.

“These videos attack our multi-racial society and try to divide people based on race. This, however, is not who we are. Every community in Singapore is valued, and everyone has an equal place,” the minister said, adding, “We don’t tolerate narratives which undermine the racial harmony that we enjoy and work so hard to protect.” /TISG

Read also: Ex-NMP calls out Singaporeans who accept local Indians but discriminate against ‘Cecas’

This article (‘We let our insecurities hit out at others’: Ho Ching on racism against Indians in Singapore) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: In a June 3 Instagram post, an Indian woman in Singapore told of how a woman pushed her in order to grab a seat on the train that had been offered to her by commuters who saw her holding her sleeping baby.

However, a complete reversal of that stranger’s rudeness soon took place. Another woman not only offered her a seat but also fanned her and her sleeping child nonstop for the next 15 minutes in the crowded train.

“One pushed. One helped. And that’s why I’ll never forget Singapore,” wrote the post author (@unplugwithsakshi), who lives in Singapore, adding a heart emoji to the caption of her post.

The new mum explained that while they were on their way back from Universal Studios on a hot day, her baby fell asleep on her shoulder while they were waiting for their ride home on the MRT.

Ms Sakshi said that the train that arrived was full, but when the passengers inside the cabin she entered saw her, several offered her a seat.

However, before she could take it, another woman swooped in and grabbed the seat for herself, apparently pushing her away. According to the post author, the woman appeared to also be an Indian and looked to be around 35 to 40 years old. 

Ms Sakshi added that the woman did not seem to have anything physically wrong with her, but she just chose to ignore the woman’s rudeness.

Fortunately, another woman, described by the post author as being between 40 and 45 years old, very quickly offered her a seat, and as if that kindness were not enough, went on to fan her and her child, as it was warm on the train. 

“I was so emotional at that time,” she said, “no stranger has ever done anything this kind for me.”

When Ms Sakshi thanked her for her kindness, the woman replied, telling her not to worry as she understood the challenges of travelling with a baby, adding that it was her duty to help the young mum out, as she was raising a future generation.

“So you know, you got the message, right? How one small act can represent your country in a foreign land, and how one small act by a stranger can define a complete memory, a complete journey, for you,” she said at the end of her video.

The Independent Singapore reached out to Ms Sakshi, who told us, “I just want to say that Singapore people are a gem. Unknowingly knowingly we met very kind people. In another incident, a stranger handed over an umbrella to us when it was drizzling, and we were standing at the traffic light with our baby.”

She added that she is “really impressed with everything… the rules, regulations, cleanliness… everything is top notch./TISG

Read also: ‘Always choose kindness!’: PAP MP stops at accident site, offers to take home stranded PHV passengers in the rain

This article (Indian mum says she was pushed aside for a seat before stranger stepped in to help) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are increasingly embracing both English and Singlish as part of their everyday lives and national identity, according to a new survey by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).

The findings, drawn from IPS’ “Race, Religion and Language” surveys conducted in 2013, 2018 and 2024, suggest that more Singapore residents now see English proficiency as a strength while also becoming more comfortable with the use of Singlish.

The latest survey, carried out between April and August 2024, involved interviews with 4,000 residents across Singapore.

According to the report, 81.5 per cent of respondents in 2024 said they spoke English well or very well, up significantly from 71.9 per cent in 2013. The improvement was especially pronounced among younger Singaporeans. Nearly all respondents aged between 18 and 35 — 97.3 per cent — rated their English proficiency positively.

In contrast, only about six in 10 respondents aged 65 and above felt they spoke English well.

The survey also found growing familiarity with Singlish. In 2024, 57.8 per cent of respondents said they could speak Singlish well, compared to 46.8 per cent a decade earlier.

Younger respondents appeared most comfortable with Singlish, with 80 per cent of those aged 18 to 35 saying they could speak it at least well. Usage in casual settings has also risen sharply. The proportion of respondents who said they frequently used Singlish when speaking with friends climbed from 39.2 per cent in 2013 to 55 per cent in 2024.

Researchers noted that Singlish is increasingly viewed as more than just an informal way of speaking. It is also becoming a marker of national identity.

In 2018, half of the respondents said Singlish gave Singaporeans a sense of identity. By 2024, that figure had grown to 57.8 per cent.

Still, most respondents distinguished informal and formal contexts. The survey found broad agreement that Singlish was appropriate in casual interactions with friends and family, as well as in everyday settings such as hawker centres. However, standard English remained the preferred choice for formal communication, including classrooms, workplace emails and government speeches.

The report also examined attitudes towards mother tongue languages. Overall self-assessed proficiency levels remained relatively high, with 80.9 per cent of Chinese respondents saying they spoke Mandarin well. Among Malay respondents, the figure stood at 93.2 per cent, while 92.9 per cent of Tamil respondents rated their proficiency positively.

However, fewer respondents believed their mother tongue skills had improved over the past decade. Only 36.5 per cent felt their native language proficiency had become better, compared to 62.4 per cent who believed their English had improved.

Younger respondents, as well as those with higher education levels and incomes, were more likely to feel that their mother tongue proficiency had declined.

The survey also pointed to a broader shift in how Singaporeans identify themselves linguistically. In 2013, 65.1 per cent of respondents said they identified most strongly with their mother tongue or heritage language. By 2024, that proportion had fallen to 50.4 per cent.

Over the same period, the proportion of respondents who identified most with English or Singlish rose from 33.8 per cent to 47.6 per cent.

Researchers said the findings suggest that while mother tongue languages continue to hold cultural importance, English and Singlish are increasingly being used to express a shared Singaporean identity.

They added that the trend is significant because language shapes not only communication, but also questions of identity, cultural belonging and Singapore’s place in a globalised world.

This article (More Singaporeans now see Singlish as a symbol of national identity, survey finds) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A school principal from Hong Kong who made the news earlier this week has resigned from his position.

San Wui Commercial Society Secondary School in Tuen Mun’s head Lee Cheuk-hing was in Singapore recently on a school trip. At an undisclosed location in Jurong on May 22, he was caught on camera shouting at two female security guards who were asking for the vehicle he and his students were using to be moved. He went on to taunt the guards, despite efforts from at least three onlookers to get him to calm down.

Afterwards, it was reported that the incident was under investigation in Singapore, as well as by Hong Kong’s Education Bureau. The school issued a public apology for the incident, and its manager said that Mr Lee had been suspended as his conduct during the incident did not meet public expectations.

On Friday (May 29), Mr Lee resigned from his position, according to the South China Morning Post.

Mr Lee also issued a tearful apology via video, where he said, “As a principal, I should lead by example. Regardless of the circumstances, I should remain calm and restrained. But unfortunately, I failed to do so. I admit [my mistake] and apologise to everyone.”

He also appealed to his students not to follow his mistakes, and to do their best to remain calm and solve problems reasonably.

“Let my mistake serve as a warning; do not let a moment of impulse drive you to say things that you will deeply regret in the future,” he added.

What netizens are saying

While a good many of the netizens who have commented on the incident have condemned Mr Lee’s behaviour, especially since he was seen in a longer clip speaking more calmly to a female Chinese passerby, telling her that he would listen to her as she was “very polite,” while the guards he had shouted at are South Asian women.

However, many netizens have also called out the guard who shouted back at Mr Lee, saying that she should have remained professional and answered him back in a calm manner. 

Others said she needed retraining or to be given disciplinary action.

“Security guards give instructions on parking directions using what tone? Are they courteous throughout, and did they calmly explain parking rules? All people follow blindly and point fault at the principal. I heard shouting from the security guards too,” one wrote. 

“The lady security was indeed rude and loud. She needs to be sent for retraining,” added another.

“Security needs disciplinary action, too! Under whatever circumstances or whether the customer is aggressive, rude, and vulgar, all employees and employees should be calm and polite at all times, even towards colleagues above or below. She screamed at the top of her voice, and that is a no-no,” a Facebook user commented. 

“Firstly, the 2 security guards are not trained well.. don’t understand Mandarin,” another wrote, adding that they resorted to “talk more and less action.”

One opined that the guard’s actions  “really reflect badly on those in the security line of work.”

Nevertheless, others defended the security guard, saying that the Hong Kong principal’s behaviour had been uncalled for. /TISG

Read also: Hong Kong principal who swore at 2 guards in Singapore suspended; online debate on racism, bad behaviour ensues

This article (Hong Kong school principal resigns after swearing incident in Singapore; but some blame security guard for shouting back) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: As it does every once in a while, a clip of the late chef Anthony Bourdain calling out Singaporeans for how maids are treated in the city-state has gone viral yet again, with commenters online echoing Mr Bourdain’s attitudes.

The clip was posted on May 30 on the Facebook page of SBS Australia, a national public broadcaster which specializes in multicultural and multilingual programming. It has since gotten over 600,000 views and been shared 1,400 times.

It comes from the Singapore episode of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, which first aired on CNN on October 1, 2017. In the particular segment, he’s having a meal at a hawker centre with Singaporean writer Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh and two women involved in the local food and culture scene.

One of them said that there are many women in Singapore’s workforce because they have maids at home to take care of their children, going on to call helpers “the opiate of the masses.”

She also said that her husband no longer knew how to get a glass of water for himself, but just signals for the maid to get it for him, which the other woman laughed at.

When asked by Mr Bourdain whether the women did laundry, or if they even knew how to do laundry, they said yes, “in theory,” and laughed again.

The chef did not find this to be quite as humorous, saying that he himself enjoys doing laundry, as he finds it to be satisfying and makes him feel self-reliant.

He then added, “You know, listening to you people, I’ve got to tell you, I want to go out and join the Communist party. It’s like bourgeois, man. You’re living off the labour of an oppressed underclass, yeah.”

However, he quickly walked this back as somewhat of a joke.

Mr Bourdain passed away in 2018.

While the segment did not cause much comment at the time it aired, it surfaced online in 2022 and went viral.

What netizens are saying

A commenter on the recently shared clip pointed out that Mr Bourdain’s feelings had been obvious.

“He then chided that he was teasing them, but you can feel the heat. Anthony hated it when someone was being degrading to househelp, waitstaff, and servers,” one wrote. 

“Wow, so much to unpack and they’re all laughing, and Anthony’s like ew,” another wrote.

“He was calling them out; they thought it was just banter,” a netizen added.

“Anthony lectured them well,” a commenter observed.

A female commenter wrote, “Her husband sounds ‘lovely’ the way he summons for the water.”

Not that Mr Bourdain was against having household help, as he publicly spoke very positively about a Filipina named Vangie who took care of his daughter.

“Vangie was with her from the very beginning of her life, and in time, my daughter came to know her son, her daughter-in-law, their kid, and in time, an extended family and friends—in New Jersey, Southern California, and the Bay Area. And of course, most importantly, Jacques, Vangie’s grandson, her best friend, from whom she has been inseparable since infancy—her older brother in every way but biological. Partners in crime,” he told the Philippines’ GMA News in 2016.

Read also: Influencer’s claim that ‘Southeast Asia hates Singapore’ triggers online discussion

This article (Anthony Bourdain’s savage takedown of maid culture in Singapore goes viral again) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 52-year-old Singaporean woman has been sentenced to four years in jail after allowing her 15-year-old son to regularly smoke methamphetamine and providing him with the equipment needed to do so.

The sentence, handed down on June 5, comes after the court heard that the boy had been using the drug every two to three days for several months while living with his mother and stepfather. The couple supplied him with methamphetamine and left drug paraphernalia within easy reach in their home, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reports.

To protect the victim’s identity, none of the individuals involved in this case may be named.

How the curiosity of a teenager turned into regular drug use

Court documents showed that the boy first became aware of the drug utensils in January 2025 after spotting them in a sink at home. Curious about what they were, he asked his mother. She told him they were used for smoking methamphetamine.

Over the following months, the teenager began using methamphetamine frequently, smoking it once every two to three days, using utensils that had been left openly in the living room.

The mother later admitted that she and her husband had provided both the drugs and the equipment needed to consume them.

Court stresses duty of parents

Deputy Public Prosecutor Etsuko Lim argued that the case called for a strong deterrent sentence because it involved a child under the age of 16.

The prosecution said the woman wasn’t merely negligent. Instead, she actively supplied drugs to her son over a period exceeding five months and enabled his growing dependency.

District Judge Brenda Choo agreed. In sentencing the woman, Judge Choo said children rely on their caregivers for protection and safety. In this case, the adults responsible for the boy had done the opposite by exposing him to drugs and allowing him to consume them.

The judge also noted that the offence was serious because the teenager had ready access to both the drugs and the paraphernalia supplied by the adults in the household.

Drug exposure and legal consequences

The woman was also convicted of consuming methamphetamine herself. The court heard she had been using the drug since 2022, with her usage becoming more frequent over time. By the time of her arrest in June 2025, she was taking methamphetamine once or twice a week.

Her husband and the boy’s stepfather were arrested in the same operation. His case remains before the courts.

Singapore’s drug laws impose heavy penalties on adults who expose children to controlled drugs or drug paraphernalia. Those convicted of knowingly leaving such items accessible to children can face up to 10 years in jail, a S$20,000 fine, or both.

Cases involving youth and drugs usually focus on enforcement. This one centred on something more fundamental: the role of parents. When the people meant to safeguard a child instead encourage harmful behaviour, the consequences can stretch far beyond a courtroom sentence.

This article (4 years jail for Singaporean mum who allowed her 15-year-old son to smoke meth once every 2-3 days over a few months) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Many countries have developed specific terms to show respect towards older people, and in Singapore, calling an elderly woman ‘auntie’ is one of these cultural norms. However, whether the term is perceived as respectful wholly depends on the person receiving it. If this term is misunderstood or used in the wrong context, it can cause a bigger concern, rather than simply conveying respect.

With this, an international student raised a concern on Reddit, asking if it is rude to call a woman an ‘auntie’. The student got curious about how to exactly know when you can call someone this term.

From experience, the netizen shared: “I saw an old lady get mad when her son’s friend called her auntie. She was 40+ but had lots of makeup on, and it did seem like she was trying a lot to look young. So when she got called auntie, I’m guessing she got mad because she didn’t want to be perceived as an older lady.”

With this, many netizens shared their answers and opinions on the questions. An older woman shared a list of people whom she deemed can call her auntie without sounding rude, which includes kids and teenagers who are the children of her friends. Moreover, she claimed that people who are strangers and those who are 20 years old and above, she prefers to be addressed as ‘Ms.’ or just by her name. 

Another netizen suggested: “If you worry, just say ma’am to everyone… If you can’t pronounce, say ‘madam.’” 

For some, it is not exactly rude, but being called an ‘auntie’ in Singapore carries more meaning than referring to a woman’s age. 

“Sometimes that term implies uncivilised actions or manners that one might not want to be associated with. Like aunties in the wet market? Also, not everyone on the streets are relatives. I personally would refrain from using such terms, even though as a Singaporean who grew up here, I know how common it is. A “Hello” is good enough when I’m unsure. Sure, it’s less personal but at least it won’t offend people easily,” one netizen declared. 

“It’s not rude but some aunties just have low self-esteem and can’t accept being one yet,” a comment concluded. 

Overall, it really varies for each person. Calling someone ‘auntie’ can be natural and friendly for many, but it can also offend depending on the person’s age, appearance, background and how the term is used. When in doubt, choose a neutral, respectful form of address.

This article (‘She got mad’: International student confused over Singapore’s ‘auntie’ culture) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle vaporisers and related components into Singapore, after officers at Woodlands Checkpoint flagged a Malaysia-registered car for enhanced checks on May 30.

According to ICA’s Facebook post on June 11, 2026, officers profiled the vehicle and directed it for further inspection. More than 20 vaporisers and related components were found hidden within children’s clothing and towels belonging to the passengers in the car.

Two Singaporeans arrested

Following the discovery, a 37-year-old male and a 28-year-old female, both Singaporean, were arrested in connection with the case. The matter has since been referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for further investigation.

In its statement, ICA reiterated its role as “Guardians of Our Borders,” noting that it remains committed to facilitating trade and travel while keeping Singapore’s borders safe and secure.

Netizens react

The news drew a range of reactions online, with many commending the officers involved for their vigilance.

“Great work by the informers and ICA,” one commenter wrote, crediting the enforcement effort.

Others took a more cynical view of the smugglers’ attempt, with one user dismissing it bluntly as a “failed illegal investment.”

Several commenters also weighed in on what should happen next. “Give them jail time. Surely [they] will turn over [a] new leaf,” one netizen said, calling for a deterrent approach.

A reminder of ongoing vape enforcement efforts

This latest seizure comes amid continued scrutiny of vaporiser smuggling attempts at Singapore’s checkpoints, with HSA having stepped up enforcement against the importation, distribution, and use of e-vaporisers in recent years. Under Singapore law, the purchase, use, and possession of e-vaporisers and their components are illegal.

The case serves as a reminder that, despite the small and easily concealable nature of vaporisers, checkpoint officers continue to rely on a mix of profiling, experience, and physical searches to intercept such attempts, even when hidden among everyday items like children’s clothing.

This article (Over 20 vaporisers smuggled in children’s clothing seized at Woodlands Checkpoint, two arrested) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

Millions of us go on social media every day and find many brands and individuals are after our time, trying to influence us.

“It’s daunting to put yourself online,” Lauren Davies admits. “I think people think ‘oh I could do that’ – and you go to it and it’s hard!”

This article (Attention ARMYs in Singapore! BTS Singapore tickets sell out; scalpers resell tickets for up to 23 times its original price) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.