Yee Loon

2609 posts

67-year-old Malaysian father rides to Singapore twice a month to visit son in Changi Prison

Cheong Kah Pin, a 67-year-old Malaysian father, has been making twice-monthly trips to Singapore at 2 am to visit his son, who is currently serving a life sentence. Despite falling two or three times on his motorcycle during his journey, Uncle Cheong never fails to visit his son, even if it’s raining. He works hard as a vegetable farmer to make a living and kindly declined netizens’ offers to help. Uncle Cheong’s son, Cheong Chun Yin, was initially sentenced to death for drug trafficking, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after being certified as having substantively assisted the Central Narcotics Bureau in disrupting drug-trafficking activities outside Singapore.

Chinese investors drive spike in Singapore’s conservation shophouse transaction, prices surpass $7,000 psf

During an interview with EdgeProp.sg, Loyalle Chin, the director of PropNex ShophouseHuat and associate group division director of PropNex Realty, observed that “a fresh wave of overseas investors, including those from China”, who are driving up prices for commercial shophouses in Singapore’s CBD. In early April, a 999-year leasehold, two-storey intermediate conservation shophouse along Amoy Street was sold for $21.8 million, which is $3.112 million (16.65%) higher than its last sale in November 2022. The buyer, NC Properties, is said to be linked to Hong Kong’s New Century Group and has invested in conservation shophouses in the Telok Ayer and Circular Road neighbourhood.

Could MHA have underestimated the influx of ultra-wealthy families into Singapore?

Back in July 2013, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said that if he could persuade 10 more billionaires to move to Singapore, he would, even if that worsened income inequality. he said, “because [billionaires] bring business, they will bring new opportunities, they will open new doors, they will create new jobs”. Mr. Lee, responding to DBS Group Holdings Chief Executive Piyush Gupta’s remarks at DBS Asia Leadership Dialogue, stated that income inequality is one of the major challenges many countries are currently facing. However, he also emphasised that this does not mean sacrificing economic growth. “If the economy was stagnant, it doesn’t mean everybody’s going to be happy, and it may be equally unequal,” he said

Indonesian family buys three luxurious bungalows on Singapore’s Nassim Road for S$206.7 million

An Indonesian family has purchased three Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) on Nassim Road, Singapore’s most prestigious address, for a total of S$206.7 million ($155 million). The bungalows are being sold individually to three members of the same family, but their identities have not been disclosed. The sales reflect Singapore’s increasing attractiveness as a destination for affluent families worldwide. However, Indonesian Finance Minister staff has raised concerns over the news, reminding the family to fulfil their tax obligation to their country. In other news, the Ministry of Home Affairs refuted reports that the city-state is set to attract 3,500 wealthy individuals to become citizens this year.

MSF reports 40% decrease in rough sleepers, but temporary shelter occupancy increases sixfold from 2019 to 2021

Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development has reported a significant decrease in rough sleepers from 921 in 2019 to 530 in 2022. However, a veteran blogger in Singapore, Leong Sze Hian, has pointed out that while the number of rough sleepers decreased, the occupancy in temporary shelters had increased by more than sixfold, from 65 to 420, from 2019-2021. This means that only half the story is being told, and the full statistics on homelessness in Singapore are yet to be released.

65-year-old Lawas cancer patient whose identity card seized by Malaysia’s authority passed away

Lina Samuel, a 65-year-old cancer patient in Lawas, Sarawak, passed away after her Malaysian identity card (MyKad) was confiscated by Malaysia’s National Registration Department (JPN) office in November 2022. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in February and was unable to cross the Brunei border to reach Miri Hospital for treatment due to her MyKad being seized. The Malaysian Home Minister claimed that her MyKad was seized because they found out she was allegedly an Indonesian citizen.

22-year-old Malaysian student found dead after going missing for over 28 hours, leaving farewell note to family

A 22-year-old Malaysian university student, Ang Hui Enn, left a suicide note before running away from home, leaving her family worried. Sadly, she was found deceased near her residence on Tuesday. Ang’s cousin, Lu Fei, had sought netizens’ help in locating her after discovering the note.

14-year-old arrested for stealing $20,000 Worth of gold chains from jewelry store, allegedly instructed by another 17-year-old youth

Singaporean authorities have arrested two boys, aged 14 and 17, for their involvement in a theft of two gold chains worth over $20,000 from a jewelry store in Chinatown. The 14-year-old posed as a customer and stole the chains when the staff turned their backs, but was apprehended by the staff after a chase. He explained that he had stolen the chains because he owed money. The police arrested him and later identified a 17-year-old who allegedly instructed him on how to carry out the theft. The investigation is still ongoing.

Najib can be liability to UMNO to win back Malay support as they push for his royal pardon, says political analyst

Political analysts in Malaysia have expressed their opinions on the recent movement by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) to seek a royal pardon for their former president, Najib Razak. Some analysts believe that Najib’s return could pose a liability to UMNO, as not all members are in favour of his comeback. The younger generation is concerned about issues such as the economy and the practice of democracy in Malaysian politics, which UMNO will need to address to maintain support. UMNO supporters believe that Najib still has influence and can ignite the “Bossku” trend. However, the fragmented Malay votes have affected UMNO’s declining support, and the internal power struggle within the party is causing further division. The upcoming six state elections will be crucial for UMNO to regain their support, especially in constituencies with a significant non-Malay voter population. These state elections will be an indicator for the next General Election in 2026, and the results will show how satisfied people are with the Unity Government.

Nearly 3,500 wealthy millionaires are expected to become Singapore citizens in 2023

Singapore is expected to attract around 3,500 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) with a net worth exceeding US$1m to become citizens in 2023, with most of them being wealthy individuals from China, according to New World Wealth’s Andrew Amoils. Each new citizen is expected to have an average investable wealth of at least US$6m. Singapore added 2,800 HNWIs in 2021, ranking fifth among the top 20 cities with the most millionaires worldwide, and is emerging as Asia’s top wealth management centre.