Affordable housing for Singaporeans, PM Wong vows amid rising property prices; Actor Laurence Pang duped into $35k love scam on Filipino dating site: Singapore live news

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Kempas Residences. (Photo: Kwan Yong Construction Pte Ltd)
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong assures Singaporeans of affordable public housing, emphasising that flats will remain priced in relation to income, during a dialogue with more than 900 students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Tuesday (21 Jan). (Photo: Kwan Yong Construction Pte Ltd)

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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong assured Singaporeans that public housing will remain affordable, despite concerns about rising resale prices. Speaking to over 900 students at NUS, he shared that the government is committed to ensuring Build-to-Order (BTO) flats continue to be priced according to income, not the resale market. He also addressed how the Singapore Dream is evolving from a focus on material success to one of personal fulfilment and purpose. Wong emphasised the importance of giving individuals the freedom to carve their own path in life. Additionally, he responded to questions on same-sex marriage, disabilities, and global geopolitics, promising future initiatives in the upcoming Budget to address the concerns of people with disabilities.

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Veteran local actor Laurence Pang, 78, famous for his roles in Singapore TV dramas like Tanglin and Sunny Side Up, has lost $35,000 in a heartbreaking online love scam. Pang met a woman named "Mika" on Pinalove, a Filipino dating site, who convinced him to invest in an online business reselling products on a fake version of the popular Japanese e-commerce site Rakuten. Despite his initial investment, Pang was unable to withdraw his funds due to a rigged system designed to trap resellers into making more purchases. He later discovered that Mika had used heavily edited photos and was likely part of a larger scam syndicate targeting lonely, wealthy individuals. Pang’s case is currently being investigated by Philippine authorities, who are working to trace Mika’s true identity.

Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.

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  • Featured

    Early GE2025 likely as Singapore reviews electoral boundaries

    Singapore Jun2020 Building of Singapore Elections Department; exterior sign.
    Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has initiated an electoral boundary review for the 2025 national elections (GE2025), signalling the possibility of early polls. (Photo: Getty Images)

    Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has officially initiated the process for the 2025 national election (GE2025) by convening a committee to review electoral boundaries, signalling that general elections may be closer than expected.

    This move comes as the city-state gears up for what could be Wong’s first electoral test since taking office in May 2024.

    Although the country is legally required to hold elections by November 2025, early polls could be called to strengthen Wong's mandate amid growing global economic challenges.

    The electoral boundary review, which is expected to be completed by 1 April 2025, will determine the new constituencies based on demographic shifts, with subsequent adjustments to the number of parliamentarians and candidates in each division.

    This report is critical as it sets the stage for the upcoming vote, typically held within two to four months of its release.

    Observers suggest that Wong may opt for an early election to capitalise on his leadership before uncertainties like global inflation and geopolitical tensions escalate further.

    Wong, a Harvard graduate, succeeded Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024 and inherited an economy navigating significant global volatility, including the US-China trade war and the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.

    Despite these challenges, the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) remains overwhelmingly dominant, having won 89 per cent of parliamentary seats in the 2020 general election.

    However, even slight losses would mark a setback for the party, which has governed Singapore uninterrupted since independence in 1965.

    In response to concerns about the rising cost of living, Wong has prioritised addressing income inequality through enhanced safety nets and re-skilling programs.

    These policies are part of his broader strategy to secure public support, especially in light of Singaporeans’ growing discontent over economic pressures.

    While most analysts believe the PAP will retain power, the outcome of the election will be a significant indicator of Wong’s political capital.

    Read on the electoral boundary review that sets the stage for an early GE2025 here.

  • Featured

    PM Wong assures public housing affordability for Singaporeans

    Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks during a signing ceremony and press conference at the Government House, in Bangkok, Thailand, November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
    Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reiterated his commitment to affordable public housing, while tackling concerns about property prices, during a dialogue with more than 900 students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Tuesday (21 Jan). REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

    Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reaffirmed the government's commitment to keeping public housing affordable for Singaporeans while addressing the growing concerns about skyrocketing prices, especially in the resale market.

    Speaking to more than 900 students at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Tuesday (21 Jan), Wong emphasised that new Build-to-Order (BTO) flats would always be priced in relation to income levels, not the resale market.

    This ensures that homeownership remains attainable for most Singaporeans, even as resale prices soar.

    While he acknowledged that property prices have surged, especially during the pandemic due to supply disruptions, Wong emphasised that the government is working to address the issue by building more flats and increasing private housing supply.

    These moves are expected to stabilise the market in the coming years.

    Wong also took the opportunity to discuss the evolution of the Singapore Dream, noting that the younger generation’s aspirations have shifted beyond material success.

    The emphasis is now on personal fulfilment, where everyone is encouraged to chart their own unique path of success.

    He stressed that the government is committed to providing opportunities for all, including people with disabilities, through future plans to be announced in the upcoming Budget.

    On the topic of same-sex marriage, Wong noted that the repeal of Section 377A marked a significant step forward.

    However, he added that Singapore’s societal consensus on marriage as between a man and a woman remains, and the government will allow this issue to evolve naturally over time.

  • Featured

    Veteran actor Laurence Pang loses $35k in love scam on Philippine dating site

    Veteran actor Laurence Pang lost $35,000 to a love scam on Pinalove, a dating site in the Philippines, where a woman lured him into investing in a fake online business venture. (Photo: Raffy Tulfo in Action/YouTube)
    Veteran actor Laurence Pang lost $35,000 to a love scam on Pinalove, a dating site in the Philippines, where a woman lured him into investing in a fake online business venture. (Photo: Raffy Tulfo In Action/YouTube)

    Veteran Singapore actor Laurence Pang, 78, has become the latest victim of an online love scam, losing nearly $35,000 after falling for a woman he met on a Filipino dating website.

    Pang, best known for his roles in TV dramas like Tanglin and Sunny Side Up, shared his harrowing experience on the Raffy Tulfo In Action show on Friday (17 Jan), a popular Filipino public service program that helps citizens resolve grievances.

    The scam began in late 2024, when Pang met a woman named Mika on Pinalove, a dating platform designed for foreign men seeking Filipino partners.

    Mika quickly won over the actor's affection and convinced him to invest money in a supposed online business.

    Pang was told he would earn a commission as a reseller of products on an online platform, which turned out to be a fake version of Rakuten, the Japanese e-commerce giant.

    Convinced by Mika's charm and seemingly legitimate business proposal, Pang transferred significant sums, including over $27,000 in cryptocurrency, to fund the venture.

    However, things soon began to unravel.

    As orders for the products surged, Pang found himself unable to withdraw his funds.

    The website’s system was designed in such a way that he couldn’t access his money until supposed orders were fulfilled.

    Pang quickly realised that these orders were likely fake, created by the scam operators to prevent withdrawals.

    Despite his suspicions, Mika continued to lure him in with promises of profits and even showed him fabricated reports of her own earnings.

    When Pang attempted to stop the scam by removing the products from his store, the site administrators took control of his account, reloading the items and continuing the illusion of ongoing sales.

    Pang, feeling trapped, was unable to retrieve any of his invested money.

    An image
    An image "Mika" shared with Laurence Pang (left) in comparison with how she really looks like in a screenshot in a video chat with Pang (right). (Photo: Raffy Tulfo In Action/Youtube)

    During the Raffy Tulfo In Action episode, Pang recounted how he eventually caught Mika in a video call and discovered that her photos, which initially led him to believe she was a genuine woman, had been heavily edited.

    He also learned that Mika was likely part of a larger online scam syndicate, exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain.

    The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNPACG) is currently investigating the case, and Pang has filed documents for a cyber warrant to trace Mika’s true identity.

    The PNPACG spokesperson confirmed that these scams often target lonely, affluent individuals, using fake romance to lure them into investments in cryptocurrency and online businesses.

  • Singapore’s job market to grow in 2025 despite talent gap

    Office workers leave their offices during lunch hour at the central business district in Singapore April 27, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su
    Singapore's job market in 2025 is poised for growth, with 49% of employers planning to increase headcount, according to a report by Randstad Singapore. REUTERS/Edgar Su

    Singapore's job market is gearing up for a solid 2025, with strong demand for skilled professionals in sectors like finance, technology, and professional services, according to a recent report by Randstad Singapore.

    The report found 49 per cent of employers plan to increase their headcount, signalling optimism about business growth.

    However, despite this upbeat hiring outlook, businesses face significant challenges, primarily a shortage of skilled talent in critical areas such as AI, data analytics, and digital infrastructure.

    The services sector is expected to be the major driver of job growth in 2025, bolstered by rapid digital transformation and AI adoption.

    Randstad Singapore's report noted that companies are now looking for professionals who possess both technical and business skills, particularly in banking, finance, and human resources.

    The report also pointed out that the increasing need for tech talent and professionals skilled in digital transformation is reshaping the hiring landscape.

    Sales and business development roles top the hiring priorities for employers, with 45 per cent of companies planning to focus on this area. In addition, tech talent remains high on the agenda, with 23 per cent of employers prioritising recruitment in this domain.

    Despite these efforts to expand their teams, 66 per cent of employers cited a skills shortage as a major barrier to recruitment.

    As competition for talent intensifies, businesses are raising salaries and reallocating budgets to attract the right candidates.

    A competitive job market is expected to fuel salary increases, with 43 per cent of companies forecasting a natural salary bump of 3 per cent to 5 per cent for 2025.

    Employers are also looking inward, with 30 per cent planning to focus on internal promotions to fill skill gaps.

    The combination of internal and external strategies reflects a growing demand for professionals who can navigate the challenges of rapid technological change and economic growth.

    Read on Singapore's job market outlook in 2025 here.

  • PwC CEO survey: AI gains lead to workforce growth in 2025

    Robotic arm welding the car in assembly automobile manufacturing plant.
    CEOs are optimistic about global growth in 2025, with over 40 per cent planning headcount increases and investing in AI and climate solutions, according to PwC’s global survey. (Photo: Getty Images)

    A new survey from PwC shows that global CEOs are optimistic about the year ahead, with nearly 60 per cent predicting economic growth in 2025, a significant jump from last year.

    With AI driving much of this optimism, 42 per cent of executives expect to expand their workforces, particularly in the tech, pharma, and real estate sectors.

    However, risks such as inflation, geopolitical instability, and macroeconomic volatility remain top concerns.

    Despite these challenges, nearly two-thirds of CEOs have already begun reinventing their business models, underscoring the urgent need for change to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

    Read on CEOs optimism about economic growth in 2025 here.

  • Envy behind neurosurgeon’s data breach, Singapore High Court rules against him

    Singapore- 11 Aug, 2019: Supreme Court building in Singapore. The Supreme Court of the Republic of Singapore is one of the two tiers of the court system in Singapore
    A Singaporean neurosurgeon’s claim for wrongful dismissal was rejected by the High Court on Tuesday after it was revealed he had breached patient confidentiality. (Photo: Getty Images)

    A Singaporean neurosurgeon has lost his wrongful dismissal lawsuit against SingHealth, after the healthcare group terminated his employment for unauthorised access to confidential patient records.

    Dr Tan Tung Wee Eddie, who worked as a consultant at the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI), was accused of breaching patient confidentiality in an attempt to expose what he claimed were unethical practices by a fellow neurosurgeon.

    In a decision delivered by Justice Chua Lee Ming, the High Court dismissed Tan’s claim for wrongful dismissal, stating that his actions were unjustifiable and driven by a personal vendetta against Dr Chen Min Wei.

    Tan had accessed the medical records of over 70 patients without authorisation, all while alleging that Chen was the beneficiary of favouritism in their workplace.

    The judge ruled that Tan was not acting as a whistleblower but rather as an individual motivated by "envy" and a desire to harm Chen's career.

    The court found that the repeated violations of patient confidentiality were a breach of his contractual obligations, and SingHealth was justified in dismissing him.

    Tan had previously complained about Chen's role at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospital staff were confined to specific facilities due to restrictions.

    His accusations of favouritism and unethical practices were investigated, but they were deemed unsubstantiated by a series of internal panels.

    Despite this, Tan continued to press his case, ultimately accessing confidential records in a bid to find evidence against Chen.

    The court’s decision also addressed Tan’s claim for compensation, which included damages for lost future earnings, estimated at over $4.4 million.

    Justice Chua ruled that his career setbacks were self-inflicted due to his own misconduct, further solidifying SingHealth’s position in the dismissal.

    In the aftermath of his firing, Tan rejected a police warning related to the data breach, and despite his failed lawsuit, he now faces professional consequences with a formal complaint lodged against him by SingHealth to the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).

    Read more about the neurosurgeon's failed lawsuit over his dismissal here.

  • Instagram rolls out facial scans for age verification in Singapore

    The Instagram logo with a person holding a phone in their hand is seen in Knurow, Poland, on December 26, 2024. (Photo by Klaudia Radecka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
    Instagram has launched stricter measures to protect young users in Singapore, requiring teens to verify their age via facial scans or video selfies, effective Tuesday (21 Jan). (Photo: Klaudia Radecka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

    Instagram has introduced stricter age verification measures in Singapore for users under 18, effective Tuesday (21 Jan).

    This follows similar actions in other regions, including the US and the UK, where Instagram began deploying these measures in late 2024.

    Singapore's move to introduce social media age limits to protect young users mirrors Australia's recent legislation.

    To ensure the safety of young people, Instagram will now ask users suspected of being underage to verify their identity via photo ID or a video selfie.

    The move is part of Instagram’s global effort to prevent false age declarations.

    The new technology, developed with Yoti, scans users’ facial features to ensure they are not misrepresenting their age.

    Teen accounts will also be automatically set to private, with messaging and visibility restricted unless the user can confirm they are over 18.

    More on Instagram's tighter privacy and age verification measures for Singapore teens here.

  • Vomit-splattered seats leave family sick on Qantas flight to Singapore

    Sydney, Australia - October 8, 2013: Qantas Airbus A380 large four engined passenger aircraft taking off from Sydney Airport.
    A Qantas Airways flight to Singapore was plagued by vomit-covered seats, leaving a family to endure the long flight in unsanitary conditions, developing symptoms afterward. (Photo: Getty Images)

    A family on a Qantas Airways flight from Sydney to Singapore was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when they boarded their flight to find vomit-soaked seats and carpeting.

    Keira Keegan and her family were horrified to discover that their seats were contaminated from a previous passenger, and the airline’s crew informed them they could not clean the area due to biohazard concerns.

    The family had to endure an eight-hour flight in the unsanitary conditions, with no immediate action taken by the airline to address their complaints.

    By the end of the flight, the family reported developing gastrointestinal symptoms.

    The incident has raised concerns over airline hygiene protocols and passenger safety, especially in the wake of similar biohazard emergencies on other airlines