Singapore in 2 Minutes for the Week of March 27

Amos Yee released from Changi Prison after mother posts $10k bail

Speaking to the media while waiting for his mother’s arrival, 27-year-old Yee said he expects a “very exciting family reunion”. While he was communicating regularly with his mother during his time in the US, he has not spoken to his father in about a decade, he said.

Yee, who was previously incarcerated in the US said that it was like “a vacation resort”, adding that he had television access and could spend time outdoors. “Here, there isn’t a TV, it’s essentially hell on earth,” Yee said, referring to Changi Prison. As part of the bail conditions, Yee is barred from publishing any materials, disclosing information or making public comments, including on social media, about his ongoing case.

Facial recognition clearance for motorcyclists, pillions at Woodlands Checkpoint

It will take about 20 seconds to clear the motorcycle immigration arrival lane at Woodlands Checkpoint under the new facial recognition system from March 31, when riders and pillion riders will no longer need to show their passports. They will be able to access 18 of the checkpoint’s automated motorcycle lanes for quicker and hassle-free clearance.

Currently, it takes about 30 seconds for motorcyclists to clear immigration. Under the new system, motorcyclists with open-face helmets would only need to look into a camera at the immigration counter before being cleared. Facial images will progressively replace fingerprints as the primary biometric identifier for motorcyclists and pillion riders clearing land checkpoints.

Jail for ex-primary school teacher who committed sex acts with former student in his teens

A school teacher entered into a romantic and subsequently sexual relationship with one of her former students after he graduated from primary school. On March 26, the 35-year-old woman was handed a year and 10 months’ jail after she pleaded guilty to two charges – sexual penetration of a minor and committing an indecent act with a child.

The court heard that the woman was the boy’s primary school mathematics teacher in 2016 and 2017, after which their relationship intensified. When the ex-student broke up with her, she stalked him until he filed a police report.

Parents to get 10 weeks of shared leave for babies born on or after April 1

Under the shared parental leave scheme, eligible working parents can receive 10 weeks of shared leave on top of their current leave entitlement, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on March 26.

It will apply to those with Singaporean children born on or after April 1. Together with the government-paid paternity and maternity leave schemes, eligible parents can receive up to 30 weeks of government-paid parental leave in the child’s first year.

POFMA order issued to TOC editor, publisher over article on Singaporeans serving in IDF

A correction direction has been issued to the chief editor and publisher of The Online Citizen (TOC) over false statements in an article about the Government’s response to two Singaporeans who allegedly served in the Israel Defense Forces during the Gaza conflict.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the police is also looking into this matter to determine if there are any potential criminal offences arising from the statements made in the article, which was published on March 5 on the websites and social media accounts of TOC.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong arrives in Hainan, China for Boao Forum

PM Lawrence Wong arrived in Hainan on March 25 on his second trip to China in nine months. Following his speech at the Boao Forum for Asia on March 26, he noted on his social media platforms: “If we choose partnership over fragmentation, Asia can remain a source of stability, dynamism, and hope.”

The forum is a regional platform for economic cooperation founded in 2001, the same year that China joined the World Trade Organisation.

Conditional warnings issued for delivering letters to MHA opposing racial harmony laws

The police have issued conditional warnings to 11 people who participated in a public procession on June 7, 2024, to deliver letters to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) expressing their opposition to Singapore’s racial harmony laws.

The 12-month conditional warnings for the 11 people, aged 20 to 27, were issued for the offences of participating in a public assembly or procession, obstructing the course of justice, and prohibited photography of a protected place.

Crow shooting operations to begin in 9 towns, starting with Yishun: Chee Hong Tat

Due to a surge in crow attacks, with over 2,000 cases reported in 2025, crow shooting operations have begun in Yishun and will be expanded to eight other districts over the next few weeks, said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat.

The other areas are: Bishan, Jurong, Kranji, Punggol, Sembawang, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Woodlands. Operations will be brought to more areas progressively, he said in a Facebook post on March 25.

Fuel supply stable, but Govt keeping watch on need to intervene amid price hikes

The fuel supply situation in Singapore is stable for the time being, and stockpiles are not being eroded, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow on March 26. But rising fuel prices have had an impact on transport services.

Some of the impact has been accommodated by market adjustments – for example, platform operators have offered their drivers and delivery workers fuel subsidies. The Government is keeping a close watch on the situation to assess if there is a need for it to intervene “at a later juncture”, Mr Siow said.

PM Wong speaks with Anwar Ibrahim about Middle East conflict, both pledge stability in region

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on March 25 over the latest developments in the Middle East, with both leaders committing to protect regional stability amid the pressures induced on oil supplies and the economy.

The pair had a constructive exchange­ on the risks of escalation, its impact on global oil supplies, and how they can do more to safeguard people’s livelihoods and stability in the region, both bilaterally and through ASEAN.