Singapore News

Pritam Singh, the head of Singapore's Workers’ Party, has been convicted of lying to parliament, raising concerns about his ability to participate in upcoming national elections. The court found Singh guilty on two counts related to a parliamentary investigation of a fellow party member, who had fabricated a story regarding a police report on a rape victim. The outcome is a significant setback for the opposition in a political landscape dominated by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), which has held power since 1959. Singh's sentencing is anticipated to be announced later today; however, under Singaporean law, a fine above SGD 10,000 (approximately USD 7,500) or imprisonment for a year disqualifies individuals from running for election or holding parliamentary seats for five years. The maximum penalty Singh could face is three years in prison and a fine of SGD 7,000 (around USD 5,200) for each charge. This case follows the Workers' Party’s strong performance in the 2020 elections, where they secured ten seats in parliament, their best result since independence.

Pritam Singh, leader of Singapore's opposition Workers' Party, was convicted on February 17, 2025, for lying to parliament during an investigation into a fellow party member. Singh was found guilty on two counts of providing false testimony regarding Raeesah Khan, who had fabricated a story related to a rape victim during a 2021 parliamentary session. District Court Judge Luke Tan stated that Singh did not adequately press Khan to admit to her deception, despite advising her to "take the lie to the grave." This conviction poses a significant challenge for the opposition ahead of upcoming national elections, where the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has held power since 1959. Singh could face a fine or jail time, which under Singaporean law may disqualify him from participating in elections for five years if fined over Sg$10,000 (approximately $7,400 USD) or sentenced to a year in prison. The electoral landscape could shift as opposition parties, bolstered by their recent gains, aim to challenge the PAP's dominance.

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024 reveals South Sudan as the world's most corrupt nation, scoring just eight points, according to Transparency International. Denmark ranks as the least corrupt, followed by Finland, Singapore, and New Zealand. India positioned itself at 96th, a decline from 93rd in 2023, with a score of 38. Notably, India's neighboring countries are also struggling with corruption, as Pakistan ranks 135th, Sri Lanka at 121st, and Bangladesh at 149th. The report indicates alarmingly high global corruption levels, with 148 countries either stagnant or worsening since 2012. Major powers like the United States and France also experienced significant declines, highlighting a systemic issue in both developed and developing nations. Transparency International emphasized that corruption poses a substantial threat to efforts combating climate change, as mismanagement of funds hinders environmental protection initiatives. "The international community must prioritize tackling corruption to promote a peaceful and sustainable world," the report stated, underscoring the urgent need for reform in governance worldwide.

A Malayan tapir, an endangered species, has been photographed on Pulau Ubin, an island near mainland Singapore, sparking excitement among conservationists. Researchers from the National University of Singapore and George Mason University utilized camera traps to study the island's mousedeer population when they unexpectedly recorded the sighting on May 27, 2024, at 8:30 PM, according to The Straits Times. The Malayan tapir, native to the forested regions of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar, is estimated to have only about 2,500 adults remaining in the wild, largely due to habitat loss attributed to deforestation for development and agriculture. The last confirmed tapir sighting in Singapore dates back to August 12, after which the animal was captured multiple times on camera between July and August. Marcus Chua, a researcher involved in the study, expressed his elation at the discovery, noting the tapir's critical role in maintaining ecosystem health. Tapirs contribute significantly to seed dispersal and forest regeneration, underscoring the importance of their protection for both wildlife and human communities.

S Iswaran, Singapore's former transport minister of Indian origin, has been moved to home detention after serving part of his 12-month jail sentence for corruption. He began his sentence on October 7, 2024, following his guilty plea to four charges under Singapore's Penal Code and an additional charge of obstructing justice. According to Channel News Asia, Iswaran will remain under strict conditions at his residence, monitored by electronic tracking and limited to approved work hours. The Singapore Prison Service noted that Iswaran's low risk of re-offending and his good conduct in prison qualified him for home detention, a program enacted under the Prisons Act. Approximately 44 percent of eligible inmates were granted similar placements last year. Iswaran was convicted of accepting SGD 403,300 (around USD 300,000) in valuables during his tenure, including concert tickets and a luxurious bicycle, while resigning from his ministerial position in January 2024. Ongoing legal proceedings are pending against Ong Beng Seng, a key figure involved in the case.

Singapore-based Shell is under investigation following its second oil spill at the Pulau Bukom refinery in three months. The latest incident, reported on December 27, saw several tons of refined oil products leak into surrounding waters, prompting Shell to activate emergency containment measures. The spill occurred through a cooling system, leading to immediate action by the company and local agencies using booms and drones to track the leak, according to Marine Insight. This incident follows a similar spill in October, where up to 40 tons of oil contaminated the sea. Urgency is growing around Shell's maintenance protocols, as the company reportedly delayed informing authorities about the earlier leak for over seven hours. Oil spills pose significant risks to marine life and coastal ecosystems, creating concerns over environmental responsibility. Singapore's National Environment Agency has mandated Shell to inspect all pipelines and is investigating both spills for potential safety violations. Experts suggest that enhanced monitoring and stricter safety regulations could mitigate future risks.