Singapore in 2 Minutes for the Week of April 3

Tripartite collaboration boosted as LISHA and Union sign MOU

To strengthen progressive workplace practices and reinforce tripartite collaboration among the Government, unions, and employers, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on 2 April 2026 between the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union and the Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA).

The signing took place during LISHA’s press conference for the Indian and Tamil New Year festival, with Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash, the Guest of Honour, witnessing the event.

HDB resale prices decline for first time in close to 7 years

Prices of resale HDB flats have dropped by 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. The last quarter-to-quarter decline in resale prices was recorded in the second quarter of 2019, said the Housing Board on April 1 as it announced its latest resale price index flash estimate.

The board noted that the latest decline “comes on the back of five consecutive quarters of slower or no price growth”. It added that the resale volume in the first quarter of 2026, up to March 30, stands at 6,179 transactions. For comparison, 6,590 resale transactions were made in the first full quarter of 2025, while 5,256 transactions were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Over 1 million Singaporean households to get utility, service and conservancy rebates in April

This is part of a government scheme to help with the cost of living. In a statement on March 31, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said eligible households will receive up to $190 in U-Save rebates on their utility bills. They will also get up to a month of rebates on their service and conservancy charges (S&CC).

The amount of U-Save and S&CC rebates that households receive will vary by their flat type. For example, people living in four-room flats will get $150 in U-Save rebates and a month in S&CC rebates, while those in one-and two-room flats will get $190 in U-Save rebates and a month of S&CC rebates.

Hot days expected over the next fortnight, but heatwave risk in Singapore low

Temperatures in some parts of the country forecast to top 35 deg C. Alongside the heat, the first fortnight of April is also expected to be wetter than the past fortnight, with thundery showers forecast over parts of Singapore in the afternoon on most days. Daily maximum temperatures are expected to surpass 35 deg C on a few days when there is less cloud coverage.

In Singapore, a heatwave is declared when the daily maximum temperature, averaged across all weather stations here, is at least 35 deg C for three consecutive days. The average daily mean temperature throughout the period must also be at least 29 deg C.

Vivian Balakrishnan meets Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) alumni

Discussion between the two parties highlighted growing concerns over the impact of global fragmentation and uncertainty on supply chains and investment flows. They also spoke about how countries like Singapore and India can better position themselves to capture opportunities in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digitalisation.

The dialogue also underscored the strengthening Singapore–India relationship under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly in these forward-looking sectors. Beyond formal government cooperation, Dr Balakrishnan stated in a Facebook post that participants noted the important role of professional networks like the IIM Alumni Singapore community in fostering trust, enhancing mutual understanding, and reinforcing people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Malaysia tightens checks at borders with Singapore to deter smuggling

Enforcement has been intensified at land entry points with Singapore to ensure that subsidised items meant for locals are not purchased and brought back to the island republic. A Home Ministry official said that officers from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) began conducting checks in recent days to prevent such occurrences.

“We do not want people to smuggle subsidised packet cooking oil or other subsidised items such as sugar, flour and rice,” the official said, adding that there were concerns that the recent unrest in the Middle East might drive more Singaporeans to Johor to stockpile these essentials. The official said they were also monitoring whether a larger number of Singaporean motorists are travelling to Johor during off-peak hours, especially past midnight, to fill up on petrol.

Coroner’s inquiry into Sengkang deaths: Daughter likely died of starvation

The bodies of a man and a woman – believed to be a father and his daughter – were found on Oct 6 in a Sengkang flat. The daughter, Ms Xu Na, weighed a mere 24kg when her body was found in a Sengkang flat, and likely died of starvation and dehydration, said a police inspector on March 31.

Evidence showed that both deaths were due to natural causes, with no foul play. There were no injuries or evidence of trauma on Ms Xu’s body. No food was found in the unit, except for some condiments in the fridge, said Insp Irfan.

First motorist convicted of driving under influence of Kpods given over 6 years’ jail

Alongside 5 years and 18 months in jail, Tung Jun Yu, 27, was also sentenced to 10 strokes of the cane on March 31. He was also disqualified from holding a licence for five years after his release from prison.

While he was out on bail over drug offences and high on Kpods, he drove his car against the flow of traffic on Supreme Court Lane and, shortly afterwards, went straight through a traffic junction, where he collided with another car. The Singaporean pleaded guilty to five charges, including driving under the influence of a drug, dangerous driving, and drug trafficking.