Singapore in 2 Minutes for the Week of Feb 12

Hazy conditions could hit Singapore in the coming weeks

This comes as regional burning intensifies due to wind patterns and drier conditions, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu in Parliament on Feb 12.

“The Meteorological Service Singapore has assessed that hot spot activity could increase in the coming weeks over nearby areas due to wind patterns and drier conditions in the current dry phase of the north-east monsoon,” she said. “This could result in hazy conditions affecting Singapore.” Singapore is monitoring the situation closely and will be ready with N95 masks and indoor air purifiers for vulnerable groups if the situation worsens.

Father of 6-year-old killed in Chinatown accident offered free accommodation in SG

The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore said in an earlier statement on Feb 10 that the 6-year-old’s mother, Ms Raisha Anindra Pascasiswi, who was seriously injured in the accident, remains in intensive medical care at Singapore General Hospital.

“Our hearts go out to Mr Ashar Ardianto and his family following this tragedy. Ascott would like to offer complimentary accommodation to support him during this difficult period as he stays in Singapore to be with his wife while she receives medical care,” Ascott said in a statement on Feb 11.

Tampines, Bukit Merah BTO projects most popular among first-timers in Feb launch

Four-room flats in Tampines and Bukit Merah are the most popular among first-time home buyers in HDB’s latest Build-To-Order (BTO) sales exercise, which opened for applications on Feb 4. A total of 4,692 flats were on sale across Bukit Merah, Sembawang, Tampines and Toa Payoh.

Flats in Toa Payoh and Sembawang were undersubscribed due to longer commutes to MRT stations or prior launches in the areas. At three applicants per flat, the overall BTO application rate is lower than the two most recent exercises in July and October 2025.

Beware of conmen asking you to vote for a ‘friend’s child’ in a dance competition on WhatsApp

In this scam tactic, scammers would send WhatsApp messages from known contacts asking victims to vote for a “friend’s child” in a dance competition, said the police in a statement on Feb 10, adding that no losses have been reported so far.

These messages would contain a clickable link that directs victims to a fake voting website and asks them to “verify” their votes by providing their mobile number for a one-time password (OTP) or by scanning a QR code. In doing so, victims unknowingly authorise the scammers’ devices with access to their WhatsApp accounts.

Traffic enforcement operations at Woodlands Checkpoint to be stepped up from Feb 13 to 17

These operations are aimed at deterring and detecting motorists who commit traffic violations such as speeding and queue-cutting at the checkpoint. Errant drivers of foreign-registered vehicles may face entry bans, while those of Singapore-registered vehicles may be referred to the Traffic Police for further investigations and penalties.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority said: “Failure to maintain lane discipline and obey traffic rules can cause severe congestion and compromise the safety of other motorists.

Ride-hailing apps Gojek, Ryde raise platform fees in February

Gojek’s platform fees have increased by 20 cents. While they previously ranged from 90 cents to S$1.50, it now costs passengers between S$1.10 and S$1.70. The increase took effect from Feb 1, following increases made by Grab and taxi operator ComfortDelGro in January. 

Ryde, on the other hand, will raise its platform fees from Feb 17 by 11 cents. Ryde said that the fees will help to “fund ongoing innovations that enhance the experience for both driver-partners and passengers”.

TB outbreak in M’sia: Mask up when travelling during festive period, experts say

With 10 new tuberculosis (TB) clusters reported in Malaysia as of Feb 7, experts are advising those travelling during the festive rush to take safety measures. People should put on face masks while travelling and seek medical treatment early if they show symptoms.

TB is an infectious disease, and the incubation period is long. It will spread if transmission is not controlled, added experts. Last week, it was reported that 33 TB cases were detected in Kota Tinggi, Johor, with all patients currently under treatment.

Over 55,000 non-Muslim Malaysians married foreigners; S’poreans among top 3 on list

Chinese nationals topped the list of foreign spouses marrying non-Muslim Malaysians with 9,195 marriages registered between 2019 and July 2025. Third on the list were Singaporeans with 8,802 marriages.

Foreign spouses of Malaysians may apply for a Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP), allowing them to reside legally in the country for family unification purposes. However, the pass does not automatically grant the right to employment, as it requires a work pass.

More young and female drug abusers arrested in 2025, including a 12-year-old: CNB

Figures released on Feb 10 by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) showed that of the 1,165 new drug abusers they arrested in 2025, half were below the age of 30. The number of new drug abusers arrested also increased by 17 per cent from 2024, and one in four new abusers arrested was female. 

CNB said it intensified its preventive drug education efforts in 2025, maintaining close partnerships with government agencies, community groups and DrugFreeSG advocates to tackle the youth problem.

Disney Adventure lights up Changi Airport’s Wonderfall with visual display

At Changi Airport Terminal 2, a four-storey digital waterfall display known as the Wonderfall began screening a three-minute immersive animated show featuring beloved Disney characters on Feb 10. 

This is in anticipation of the Disney Adventure – Disney’s Cruise Line debut in Singapore, with about a month to go. It also marks the first time the digital wall, which first opened in November 2023, is hosting a Disney cruise-themed production.