Singapore in 2 Minutes for the Week of March 20

ST names founder of Happee Hearts Movement Dr Chen Shiling Singaporean of the Year 2025

Dr Chen Shiling, 45, founder of Happee Hearts Movement, a non-profit organisation that advocates for high-quality healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities, has been named The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year (SOTY) 2025.

Dr Chen, along with ST Young Singaporean of the Year 2025, Amanda Yap, and ST Singaporean of the Year (International Impact) 2025, Robert Kee, received their awards from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Patron of the Awards. President Tharman was also the Guest of Honour at the Awards ceremony held at Tembusu Canopy in the century-old heritage building, Temasek Shophouse. 

Shoppers to get discounts on FairPrice house-brand items for 12 weeks

FairPrice shoppers can enjoy discounts on popular supermarket house-brand products from March 19 to June 10. Throughout the 12-week period, shoppers will be able to buy FairPrice housebrand products such as rice, facial tissue, and frozen processed foods at discounts of up to 36 per cent.

Different products will be offered each week. For instance, in the first week, FairPrice house-brand canola oil, bacon, kitchen towels and facial tissue will be among the products on offer. FairPrice said its own brands comprise over 3,500 products that are typically priced between 10 per cent and 15 per cent cheaper than branded alternatives.

Oil and gas prices in Singapore surge as war in Middle East rages

Oil prices are the highest they have ever been since 2022. For instance, Caltex has raised prices of 95-octane petrol to S$3.45 per litre since Mar 13. Across land, air, and sea transport, consumers are feeling the pinch from the surge in fuel prices caused by the Iran conflict, which is choking a waterway for oil supplies.

Additionally, with global shipping routes disrupted and oil prices swinging wildly as conflict escalates in the Middle East, materials costs are climbing while fuel prices shoot up. The Singapore Contractors Association Limited noted that prices of construction materials have risen by 5 to 15 per cent or more.  

Woman taken to hospital after power bank catches fire in train cabin at Admiralty MRT station

A woman was taken to hospital after a power bank caught fire in a train carriage at Admiralty MRT station on March 16. The fire was quickly put out by the woman, and station staff attended to the situation upon arrival, said SMRT Trains. She was given first aid.

No other injuries were reported. “People were shocked. They stood up, and a number of them exited the carriage with the girl like they were scared,” netizen Vernon Lim said.

DBS, POSB digital banking services restored after one-hour disruption during lunchtime

Some DBS Bank and POSB customers could not use the banks’ digital banking services to pay for food for about an hour on March 19. From around noon, users of the services began reporting the disruption on Downdetector – a website that tracks service disruptions – for both the banking app and website.

More than 2,100 reports were recorded for DBS and POSB services as at 12.30pm. In a Facebook post at about 2pm, DBS said all online and mobile banking services of DBS and POSB had returned to normal since 1.19pm.

Singaporean Wei Koh becomes first Asian to chair Oscars of the watch world

The Foundation of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve (GPHG) – often described as the Oscars of the watch world – has announced that Mr Wei Koh will chair its jury for the 2026 edition. The entrepreneur, publisher, TV host and watch journalist is the first Singaporean and the first Asian to hold the role.

The elder son of Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh, the 56-year-old is best known as the founder of independent watch title Revolution and men’s style magazine The Rake, both of which have grown into international brands.

S’pore is friends with China, Japan; good relations not a zero-sum affair, says PM Wong

Singapore will continue being friends with China and Japan, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on March 18, adding that having good relations with one country does not mean doing so at the expense of another.

His remarks were in response to questions from local media about the tensions between the two Asian powers, and on how China might respond to his official visit to Japan. In an interview to wrap up the main section of his visit, PM Wong said it has long been Singapore’s policy to have as many strong and reliable friends as possible.

1 hospitalised, 20 evacuated after fire in coffee shop near famous temple in Waterloo Street

One person was taken to hospital after inhaling smoke from a fire that broke out at a coffee shop in Queen Street on the morning of March 19. Twenty people were evacuated from Block 269B Queen Street by police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

SCDF put out the fire with two water jets. It said the fire involved the kitchen exhaust duct of the coffee shop and reminded people, especially stallholders, to prevent such fires by keeping stoves, their surrounding areas and exhaust duct openings free from grease and oil stains.

Govt ready to roll out more support measures should need arise amid Middle East situation: PM Wong

The Singapore Government is ready to roll out measures beyond what was announced at Budget 2026 should the need arise, following the situation in the Middle East, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on March 18.

It has the resources to do so decisively and quickly, but for now, households and businesses will feel the effects of the already-announced measures soon, he said. These include utility rebates and various business assistance measures.

Changi Airport retains world’s best airport title, its record 14th win since 2000

Changi Airport has been named the world’s best airport in 2026 by London-based research firm Skytrax, the second year in a row after it also clinched first place in 2025. In 2024, it was second.

This is the 14th time it has won the title, a record in the history of the awards that started in 2000. The airport was also named best in Asia, best in the world for airport dining and immigration service, and the best airport that serves 60 million to 70 million passengers.