Food resilience and redistribution of surplus food discussed in Parliament
Community kitchens using rescued food, rolling out support for food rescue initiatives and formalising the redistribution of surplus hawker food were among the suggestions to tackle food waste raised by MPs in Parliament on Sept 9.
Additionally, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said that during a crisis, food resilience is not about guaranteeing that every preferred food product remains available in every form – fresh, chilled or air-flown – with low prices, but instead it would be ensuring Singaporeans have access to essential food types, while taking into account dietary preferences.
Five identified in connection with comments online over Nepal floods, SIA-Air India deal
The police have identified and interviewed five people, aged between 29 and 66, over certain comments made online on the recent Nepal flood disaster and discussions surrounding Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) investment in Air India.
“The police take a serious view of conduct that may wound racial feelings or incite hostility and ill will between different racial groups,” they said.
The police statement comes after Senior Minister K Shanmugam on Sept 5 said that the authorities were looking into racist and xenophobic comments relating to the above issues.
Government open to using chemical castration to tackle sex crimes if proven effective: SM Shanmugam
In a written reply to a question on whether the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had evaluated measures such as pharmacological anti-androgen treatments and a sex offender register to deter sexual offences against children and young people, Senior Minister K Shanmugam responded to say that the Government is open to considering these measures, also known as chemical castrations, if it is clear these are effective in bringing down crime rates.
Actor Kiki Darling dropped from Jack Neo’s Ah Boys To Firefighters after sexual assault conviction
Local film-maker Jack Neo will remove content creator Kiki Darling, whose real name is Hari Kishen Balakrishnan, from his upcoming movie Ah Boys To Firefighters and recast his role, after learning that the actor had previously been convicted of sexual assault.
According to a CNA report in September 2021, Hari, then 20, was sentenced to at least six months’ reformative training after pleading guilty to one count of sexual assault by penetration and one count of making an obscene film. A molestation charge was taken into consideration for sentencing.
Terrorist threat in Singapore remains high, fuelled by Middle East conflicts: ISD
A volatile global security environment fuelled by the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East is contributing to the high terrorism threat facing Singapore, said the Internal Security Department (ISD).
In its annual terrorism report on Sept 10, the ISD said that tensions in the Middle East have contributed to growing hostilities between communities, and Islamophobia and anti-Semitism have surged in many parts of the world.
The conflicts have in part contributed to an increase in youth radicalisation cases dealt with under the Internal Security Act.
Online account mules face jail under new anti-scam laws
The Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill was passed on Sept 9 as Singapore strengthens its response to growing scams. Those who supply online accounts to criminals will now face potential jail time. Police will also gain powers to obtain information and suspend specific accounts to individuals for defined periods.
MPs raised concerns about innocent users being affected, particularly those who depend on frozen accounts for expenses. Online service providers that fail to comply with anti-scam requirements face a maximum $10 million penalty. Appeals and safeguards will be provided before implementation.
Ringgit falls to 10-month low against Singdollar
The Malaysian currency weakened 0.2 per cent to 3.2162 against the Singapore dollar on Sept 9, its lowest level since November. Investor caution has been heightened over Malaysia’s fiscal position after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim restored subsidised fuel quotas.
In contrast, Singapore’s currency has been supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s tighter policy stance and renewed demand amid geopolitical uncertainty. The central bank in July tightened monetary policy in a second straight review, increasing the rate of appreciation of the local dollar against the trade-weighted currency basket.
Air quality in central Singapore remains in unhealthy range as PSI hits 105
The central region’s reading rose from 102 AT 11pm on Sept 9 to 105 at 7am on Sept 10, while readings in the north, south, east, and west remained in the moderate range. In an advisory on Sept 9, the National Environment Agency said the 24-hour PSI is forecast to range from the higher end of the moderate category to the lower end of the unhealthy spectrum.
“With prevailing winds blowing from the south-east or south, there remains a risk of smoke haze affecting Singapore should the fires persist,” the agency said.
Liquidators of 1MDB-linked companies sue DBS for $1.3b
The claimants are liquidators of four companies – Blackrock Commodities, Platinum Global Luxury Services, Affinity Equity International Partners, and TKIL Global Investments. They are seeking damages from the bank over allegations connected to transactions involving the Malaysian state fund.
DBS has rejected the claim and said it will fight the case vigorously, adding that it has made no provision for the lawsuit. US investigators estimate that about $5.7 billion was stolen from 1MDB between 2009 and 2014.
Grab launches car marketplace with new and pre-owned vehicles on sale
The platform had more than 40 listings initially, including vehicles from dealerships such as SG Car Choice and CarTimes Automobile, as well as cars from GrabRentals. Prices range from $11,800 for a used Mazda 3 with eight months left on its certificate of entitlement to $189,888 for a Honda Freed Hybrid.
Grab said it may add more vehicle information, including EV-specific diagnostics, while GXS AutoLoan is available as a financing option for buyers.
