In Parliament on Sep. 9, Member of Parliament (MP) Elysa Chen called for the government to consider restitution for those who fall victim to scams on non-compliant platforms, as a form of economic redress.

"Under the spirit of fairness and justice, can we consider redistributing the fines collected to the victims of the very scams the platforms were fined for?" she put forth.

She was speaking during the continuing Parliamentary debate on the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill, which she supports.

Under the Online Criminal Harms Act, online platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Carousell, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are required to impose preventive anti-scam measures.

Currently, those who do not comply may face a fine of up to S$1 million if they do not act on the Rectification Notice they are issued.

Chen said she welcomes the financial penalties on non-compliant platforms, but noted that the fines collected flow to the state, not the victim.

Thus, she proposed that the new Bill make redress to the victims.

'They keep coming back like zombies'

Speaking strongly against scams, Chen expressed frustration about the difficulty in tackling them.

"I hate how they keep coming back like zombies — we shut one account down, and two more spring up within an hour."

She also pointed out how scammers prey on the most vulnerable — people who may be deceived and coerced.

She shared several "heartwrenching" stories, including one she heard from a Meet-the-People (MPS) session involving a widow whose husband died from a terminal illness.

He had transferred large sums of money to a scammer, thinking that he was investing money to leave more for his wife and children, she said.

The year 2025 saw 37,308 scam cases, with a total of S$913.1 million lost.

While supporting the new Bill, Chen highlighted areas of concern she had when it comes to people who get deceived into scams.

"The measures must strike at the right targets...

A Bill that stops scammers only to catch the vulnerable in the same net will have solved one injustice by creating another."

Protecting those deceived or coerced

Chen highlighted that people may unwittingly become scam mules.

"What if someone was genuinely misled or coerced into handing over his account?" she questioned.

Giving an example, she described a situation where an elderly aunty was deceived into handing over her bank login details for a small token payment she believed was legitimate.

"She would be presumed, until she proves otherwise, to have had reasonable grounds to believe her account would be misused — a presumption she may not have the ability to rebut on her own."

Chen proposed that the government provide opportunities for review through an avenue outside of the police.

She also suggested setting a minimum gain threshold for scam mules, so that "a token sum does not sweep in those who have been deceived alongside the complicit".

She went on to question the punishment for scam mules by restricting their access to SingPass, wondering if that may inadvertently cut people off from essential civic services such as healthcare and CPF matters.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming later responded to this point, assuring her that will not happen.

He clarified that the SingPass restrictions will only be targeted at services that are at higher risk of being exploited for scams, such as opening a bank account. Services such as healthcare and CPF matters would remain fully accessible.

At the same time, people can still open a bank account without a SingPass, he added.

In response to the proposal of a minimum gain threshold, he said that he had concerns with such an approach.

"Whatever gain threshold that we set, scam mules are likely to endeavour to go below it to escape liability and frustrate law enforcement efforts.

The government's view is that the presumption should apply so long as there is gain, no matter how small."

Generative AI and online platforms can make religious knowledge more accessible, but should not be relied on as the primary source of religious guidance, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad said in Parliament.

He was responding to a question on whether MUIS would issue guidance to help Muslims verify AI-generated religious answers against authoritative sources, and know when to consult qualified asatizah.

Zaqy said complex religious matters require scholarly interpretation and contextual understanding, and that a qualified asatizah or other trustworthy source should be consulted in those situations.

MUIS has been reinforcing this through Friday sermons, public talks and the MuslimSG platform, and will continue delivering practical guidance through social media and community partners to strengthen digital religious literacy.

How do you check an answer you cannot evaluate?

In two follow-up questions by Saktiandi Supaat, MP of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, PAP, he noted that someone seeking religious guidance may not have the knowledge to verify an AI-generated answer, even when references are provided.

He asked whether MUIS could strengthen existing channels so members of the public could submit such answers for checking by qualified asatizah and receive a timely response, particularly on matters affecting important family or personal decisions.

He also asked how MUIS would reach Muslims who get most of their religious information online, including those who do not regularly attend mosque programmes or religious classes.

"Certainly room for us to improve"

Agreeing that the questions were valid, Zaqy said the concern extends beyond the Muslim community to how people consume content generally, given that influencers now come from all over the world.

On accessibility, he said: "There's certainly room for us to improve accessibility to information, accessibility to asatizah, for example."

He said MUIS is looking at upgrading the MuslimSG platform, and that it could be made more interactive and accessible in future.

MUIS is also training its teachers to work with the technology.

He said:

"We're educating and even upgrading many of our asatizahs to be more familiar with generative AI and new digital tools. Some of them have already undergone training to better understand the effects, or even how to use AI better, because ultimately they do have to explain."

Asatizah are accessible through the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) website, he added, and people can also approach MUIS directly for religious guidance.

He said religious education has to be approached holistically across both the physical and digital realms, and that MUIS is conscious of the need to reach young people who may be influenced, given the risk of radicalisation and false teachings.

He said the asatizah community also has a role in helping Muslims contextualise teachings received from overseas clerics and muftis into the Singapore context.

A dedicated unit to comb the internet?

PAP MP Dr Wan Rizal then asked whether MUIS could set up a dedicated unit to search the internet for religious misinformation before it gains traction in the community, suggesting the current approach was defensive.

Zaqy said that in an “ideal state with unlimited resources” it might be possible, but the internet is vast and it is very difficult to pick out every site or source.

What matters more, he said, is identifying themes that resonate with people but may be false or not contextualised to Singapore.

He gave an example from a few years ago, when there were questions over whether Muslims could wish others a Merry Christmas.

Themes that run against the spirit of inclusivity and Singapore's multiracial and multireligious context have to be addressed, he said.

"Very difficult to police algorithms"

Zaqy said generative AI presents a particular problem because it does not draw from a single site.

He said:

"Generative AI does not come from sites as well, it comes from algorithms that are pulled together from different sites. So it's very difficult to police algorithms."

He compared it to the risk of self-styled influencers giving out religious information.

He said:

"It's not about guarding where the information comes from, but it's really also about inoculating our people in terms of how to recognise the risk, helping parents also recognise the risk with what's going on with their kids."

Six women, aged between 22 and 36, were charged in court on Sep. 9, 2026 under the Public Order Act over their alleged involvement in various unauthorised processions and assemblies, as well as other related offences.

Charges

The six women are: Kyal Sin Linn Naing, 22; Elijah Tay, 24; Amirah Mokhlis, 33; Dayana Noor Mohamed, 36; Nur Sabrina Kamel, 32; and Nurul Afiqah Kamel, 33.

Tay faces nine charges, the most among the six.

Two of the women, Nur Sabrina and Nurul Afiqah, are sisters.

According to charge sheets seen by Mothership, Tay is accused of gathering with others near Novena MRT station on Jun. 7, 2024, before moving together to the Ministry of Home Affairs to hand over letters opposing the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill.

Kyal, a Myanmar citizen and Singapore permanent resident, faces the same charge.

Tay is also accused of taking part in candlelight vigils near Changi Prison on Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, 2024, and Jan. 23, 2025, in connection with the execution of inmates.

She allegedly refused to answer questions at Bedok Police Division on Jan. 31, 2025, in relation to two of the vigils.

Another charge alleged that Tay committed an act prejudicial to the maintenance of racial harmony and was likely to disturb "public tranquility" on Feb. 2, 2024.

The charge sheet stated that she led the chant, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" at The Arts & Civil Space in Ubi.

This phrase supports the elimination of the Jewish state of Israel, the sheet stated.

Tay is also accused of taking part in an assembly at the State Courts on Feb. 3, 2025, to publicise the cause of abolishing capital punishment in Singapore.

Under the Public Order Act, the courts are a prohibited area.

She is further accused of refusing to answer questions at the Police Cantonment Complex on Jul. 11, 2025.

On Jan. 13, 2025, Tay allegedly organised a public assembly by staging a memorial in front of CREATE at University Town.

The assembly was intended to demonstrate opposition to ties between educational institutions in Singapore and Israel, according to the charge sheet.

Amirah, a Singaporean, is accused of organising a public assembly at Marina Barrage on Oct. 27, 2024, to publicise the cause of honouring children who died in Gaza after Oct. 7, 2023.

Dayana faces two charges.

She is accused of taking part in the procession along the Istana on Feb. 2, 2024, to publicise solidarity with Palestine, and of organising the assembly at Marina Barrage.

Nur Sabrina, a Singaporean, is accused of organising the Marina Barrage assembly and of pointing her middle finger at a public servant at the same location.

Her sister, Nurul Afiqah, is accused of taking part in the Istana procession and organising the Marina Barrage assembly.

Penalties

According to a report by CNA, the lawyers representing the women sought adjournments and asked that their clients be excused from attending subsequent hearings unless their attendance was required.

Both requests were granted.

If convicted under the Public Order Act of organising a prohibited procession, one can be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

If convicted of taking part in a prohibited procession, one can be fined up to S$5,000.

If convicted of knowingly committing an act prejudicial to the maintenance of racial harmony, one can face a maximum jail term of three years, fined, or both.

The offence of using abusive behaviour towards a public servant carries a fine of up to S$5,000.

A 28-year-old male Chinese national was sentenced to eight months’ jail after pretending to borrow S$50,000 from his 37-year-old friend, also a male Chinese national, before robbing the cash from him.

Zhao Ziqi faced one charge of theft.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Sep. 8.

Friends

In court documents seen by Mothership, Zhao arrived in Singapore on Dec. 26, 2025.

He frequented the Marina Bay Sands Casino and met the victim on one occasion.

They became friends and exchanged contact information via WeChat.

Borrow money

On Jan. 7, 2026 at about 10:40pm, Zhao contacted the victim and asked to borrow S$50,000.

Zhao claimed to have sustained gambling losses and required fresh capital.

The victim agreed and arranged to meet Zhao at Orchard Hotel, where Zhao stayed.

At the time, the victim was in the casino and withdrew S$50,000 in cash from his gambling account.

He then booked a private-hire vehicle and headed to the hotel.

Rob

After arriving at the hotel, Zhao brought the victim up to his hotel room.

Zhao’s cousin, whose identity was not disclosed in court documents, was in the hotel room.

He left shortly after the victim arrived.

At about 11:30pm, the victim took S$50,000 in cash out of a bag he was carrying and placed it on the table.

Zhao grabbed the S$50,000 from the victim and ran out of the hotel room to the lift lobby, where his cousin was waiting.

The victim chased Zhao and a scuffle broke out.

Zhao threw part of the cash onto the ground to distract the victim and allow his cousin to grab some of it and escape.

The victim retrieved S$27,500 while Zhao and his cousin escaped with S$22,500.

At about 11:49pm, the police were alerted to the incident.

Surveillance footage captured the incident.

Arrest

After the incident, Zhao and his cousin went separate ways and agreed to meet at Changi Airport at a later date to depart Singapore.

On Jan. 8, sometime before 4:45am, Zhao booked plane tickets to China for himself and his cousin.

The pair met to board their flight.

However, both of them were arrested at Changi Airport at about 4.45am.

S$8,454 in cash was seized from them.

Zhao has been remanded since his arrest.

His cousin was charged in the Youth Court, but the charge was eventually withdrawn.

Evade detection

The prosecution sought eight months’ jail for Zhao.

They argued that Zhao made “concerted attempts to evade detection and to escape Singapore” after he committed the offence.

“Although the sum the accused is charged with is only S$22,500, the court is entitled to consider the fact that the accused attempted to steal the full S$50,000 that he had asked the victim to loan him,” the prosecution said.

Local cosplayer and streamer Rurusama has bought a new home.

In an Instagram video shared on Sep. 5, Rurusama showed off the keys to her new abode, writing in the caption:

"Homeowner ERA. I’m so scared... will make videos about renovations & home shopping.. but pls give me advise im honestly more anxious than excited"

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In a follow-up post, she gave a tour of the three-bedroom condominium apartment.

She shared her plans to renovate the unit extensively, as well as her favourite parts of the house.

Notably, she claimed that she chose the unit because of its spacious and "squarish" living room.

She plans to knock down the wall of the adjacent bedroom to expand the size of the living room even further.

She also intends bring in a king-size bed into the master bedroom as an upgrade from her current queen-size one.

The final remaining room will be purposed for her closet and workspace, where she will place her PC.

Finally, she shared that she wants to install RGB lighting in her toilets.

RGB refers to lighting that contains red, green and blue LEDs which can be customised to provide over 16 million different colours.

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Who is Rurusama?

Rurusama, who declines to use her real name, is best known for her cosplaying, where she dresses up as various fictional characters, typically those from Japanese anime.

She gained further fame for her fan interaction services at conventions.

At Singapore Comic Con 2024, she offered fans the chance to be slapped across the face by her for S$20, among other offers.

In 2025, she began her acting career, starring in microdramas. She later took on a role in the 2026 Chinese New Year film "Luck My Life".

Malone Lam, a 22-year-old Singaporean, has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to a racketeering conspiracy charge over his role in a cryptocurrency theft ring that stole more than US$260 million (about S$328.7 million) from multiple victims.

According to a report by CNA, in a nearly two-and-a-half-hour court hearing on Sep. 8, he admitted to orchestrating and leading the crime ring, which targeted people with large cryptocurrency holdings through so-called "social engineering" attacks.

The case is believed to be the first bitcoin-related case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

It also involves conspiracy charges relating to wire fraud and money laundering.

RICO is a U.S. federal law aimed at combating organised crime.

Lam, a Singaporean, used to study at Unity Secondary School in Choa Chu Kang, but apparently dropped out by the time he turned 14 and spent time playing games online.

He moved to the United States in October 2023.

He had allegedly been living in the U.S. on an expired tourist visa.

Organised "social engineering" attacks

Lam and his co-conspirators carried out "social engineering" attacks targeting individuals believed to hold large amounts of cryptocurrency.

The group impersonated employees of trusted companies, including Google, to trick victims into revealing sensitive information.

Such information included passwords, seed phrases, and authentication codes.

This allowed the group to gain access to victims' cryptocurrency wallets and transfer their funds.

According to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the criminal enterprise operated from at least October 2023 through May 2025.

In August 2024, the group carried out one of its largest thefts, obtaining more than 4,100 bitcoin from a victim in Washington, DC.

The cryptocurrency was worth about US$230 million (about S$290.8 million) at the time.

Lam was arrested a few weeks later in September 2024.

Bought private jets and luxury cars

The group was said to have laundered the stolen cryptocurrency and converted it into payment cards or cash in an attempt to conceal their digital footprint, CNA reported.

However, Lam’s lavish spending reportedly drew the attention of authorities.

He spent millions of dollars on luxury cars, watches, and clothing, as well as private jets, security guards, and rental properties in Miami, Los Angeles, and the Hamptons.

He also amassed a fleet of luxury vehicles, with some reportedly worth as much as US$3.8 million (S$4.8 million).

Lam was also known to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on nights out.

On one occasion, he spent US$569,000 (about S$719,548) at a Los Angeles nightclub.

Lam said he was seeing a therapist

According to CNA, during the Sep. 8 hearing, Lam spoke several times, to confirm that he understood and agreed with the prosecution’s account of the case.

He told the court that he was seeing a therapist regularly and taking medication for depression and anxiety, as well as medication to help him sleep.

When asked by the judge how he pleaded, Lam reportedly let out a long sigh before answering: "I plead guilty, Your Honour."

The U.S. government previously made a new plea offer in November 2025.

At an earlier hearing in May 2026, Lam's lawyer said "significant progress" had been made in the case, though no agreement was announced at the time.

Some of Lam's alleged co-conspirators had also indicated that they were prepared to testify against him if the case went to trial.

The case has been adjourned to Dec. 8 for a status hearing, when the judge is expected to set a date for sentencing.

Lam faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

A total of 18 defendants have been charged in the case, with Lam being the 11th to plead guilty.

Lam and his co-conspirators have also been ordered to repay more than US$245 million (around S$309.7 million) in stolen funds to their victims.

Related stories:

A 14-day-old baby boy in Singapore died after he was found face down on his parents' bed.

A coroner's inquiry on Sep. 8, where both parents were present, ruled that the case was non-criminal, reported Shin Min Daily News.

The infant was found to have died by natural causes, the coroner ruled.

The only witness called to give testimony was the investigating officer.

Incident

The incident occurred on Dec. 7, 2025, when the baby was only 14 days old.

He was his parents' first child.

According to Shin Min, the baby's father awoke at about 6am after hearing his son cry.

He picked up the child from his crib, changed his diaper, fed and burped him before coaxing him back to sleep.

When the baby continued crying, the man decided to make more milk.

Upon his return, he found both mother and son fast asleep.

He did not put his son back in the crib, but instead placed the baby in between him and his wife on their bed.

The child's body was noted to be leaning more towards his father, and there was no pillow or sheet next to him.

Death

When the father awoke again at 8am to make more milk, he found his son lying motionless face down on the bed.

His skin had already turned slightly blue.

The man immediately began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while his wife called for an ambulance.

When paramedics arrived, the boy was still unresponsive.

He was rushed to Sengkang General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 9:21am.

Natural death

An autopsy report found that the baby had no external injuries.

The baby previously did not have any health issues aside from jaundice, which had gradually improved after doctors' visits.

Tests confirmed no abnormalities, and the inquiry concluded that the cause of death was an undetermined natural one.

The timeline, land use plans, construction methods and reclamation profile for the new western island have not been determined, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said in a written reply on Sep. 8.

He was responding to questions filed by 13 Members of Parliament from both sides of the House.

Plans to merge several outlying islands — including Pulau Semakau, Bukom and Sudong — into a larger western island was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the 2026 National Day Rally.

'Complex and technically challenging' project

In his response, Chee said that the government is studying plans for a new western island to meet "strategic needs" including in security, energy and industry.

He described the project as "complex and technically challenging" due to scale.

"The government recognises that the existing lands and surrounding waters are an important part of our natural biodiversity, and hold historical and cultural significance for former island communities, including the Orang Pulau and Orang Laut,"  he also said.

It was previously pointed out that some of the reef habitats near Pulau Hantu and Semaku date back almost 8,000 years.

They also serve vital ecosystem functions and their loss will be immitigable.

Chee also assured that stakeholder engagement will continue, including with nature groups, domain experts, descendants of former island communities and community representatives.

Inputs from stakeholders will be 'carefully considered': Chee

The Ministry of National Development previously shared that technical studies will be carried out to inform development plans.

Such studies include feasibility studies, site investigation and surveys, as well as engineering and environmental studies, Chee said.

These will allow for a better understanding of development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas like geology, hydrology and biodiversity, according to the minister.

He also said that the environmental study report will be made available for public feedback and inputs from stakeholders will be "carefully considered" before plans are finalised.

"As with any development decision, the Government will need to consider many factors, such as ecological and heritage impact, as well as the needs of current and future generations, before making a final decision," Chee concluded.

A new book examining the leadership and legacy of SM Lee Hsien Loong through his tenure as prime minister from 2004 to 2024 was launched on Sep. 8.

Lee Hsien Loong and Singapore details the profound changes the nation underwent during this time, including through global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Divided into four distinct sections, namely economic and finance policy, foreign policy, social policy and politics and society, the book is co-published by the World Scientific Publishing and the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and edited by its senior research fellow Gillian Koh, former Straits Times opinion editor Chua Mui Hoong, and Nominated Member of Parliament Terence Ho.

The collection of essays was written by contributors ranging from policy experts, diplomats and journalists.

Among them were retired diplomat Tommy Koh, former Singapore Permanent Secretary to the United Nations Bilahari Kausikan and climate action ambassador Ravi Menon.

A time of major change

In her opening speech, Chua called SM Lee's tenure as PM "a time of major change and global crisis".

"Mr Lee led a government consisting of political holders and experienced civil servants who had to anticipate and deal with the disruptions in geopolitics and global economic forces, as well as manage social change and respond to rising political diversity and aspirations amongst Singaporeans."

The book delves into Singapore's stances amidst the global financial crisis and Covid-19 pandemic, among others.

His term saw a reassessment of existing policies to ensure the nation adapted to ongoing changes, all while upholding strategic interests to maintain sovereignty and the principles in keeping to a meritocratic and socially cohesive society, Chua added.

Other contributors similarly described this period.

When asked for a one-word description of SM Lee, Centennial Asia chief executive officer Manu Bhaskaran said "transformative".

Paulin Straughan, a professor of sociology at the Singapore Management University (SMU) said "compassion", adding that the Pioneer Generation Package, launched in 2014, is "probably one of the best social policies in the world".

She attributed the "very strong safety net" that then-PM Lee created to what she found to be a very high life satisfaction rates among Singapore’s pioneer generation, even as they struggled with chronic illnesses and low life savings.

No regrets

Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chan Heng Chee, who was one of the panellists during the book launch, responded to a question if SM Lee may have regretted not pursuing a career as a mathematician instead, given than he was said to be "the most brilliant math student" his tutor at Cambridge University had ever taught.

"He said, 'I dont think I would have been all that good or all that reliable'," she cited SM Lee as having once admitted.

"It would be just his thing to say, no [regrets]. There’s no room for regret when you are a politician."

Lee Hsien Loong and Singapore is available for purchase at Kinokuniya, Popular, and major bookstores across Singapore.

Cinnabon will be closing its last Singapore outlet at ION Orchard on Sep. 22, 2026.

The American bakery chain known for its baked cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting topping said on Instagram that the closure marks the end of its “chapter in Singapore”.

“Until then, the ovens are still warm and the Bons are still baking,” the caption read.

Cinnabon opened its first outlet in Singapore in February 2023 at Raffles City Shopping Centre.

In September 2023, it opened its second outlet at ION Orchard.

In June 2024, it opened its third outlet at Jewel Changi Airport.

Its other two outlets closed in 2026.

The chain has appeared in pop culture, including the critically acclaimed television drama series “Better Call Saul”.

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