A worker responsible for maintaining the facilities at a mosque was apprehended by police officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) after they discovered drug paraphernalia and cannabis mixtures at the place of worship, according to a report by Channel NewsAsia.

The individual, named Mohammad Asyrafuddin Jupri and aged 31, admitted to consuming methamphetamine in order to enhance his energy levels for work.

On Wednesday, June 21, he was sentenced to one year in jail for drug possession and consumption, while three additional charges were taken into consideration.

According to court records, Asyrafuddin was employed at the Yushof Ishak Mosque located at 10 Woodlands Drive. Additionally, he worked part-time as a confined-area rescuer.

On October 28, 2022, CNB officers arrested him in close proximity to the mosque. Subsequently, a search was conducted on the fifth level of the mosque, where Asyrafuddin resided.

CNB officers then conducted a search of his room, as well as recovered incriminating items from the ablution room, his cubicle and locker.

The officers discovered various items, which included foil-wrapped vegetable matter, packets of crystalline substances, glass and metal drug utensils, as well as a metal can containing vegetable matter.

These items were collected as evidence and forwarded to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for analysis. The HSA determined that two of the exhibits contained 15.53g and 14.99g of a cannabis mixture, respectively.

Asyrafuddin confessed to possessing these items, acknowledging that they contained “ganja,” a colloquial term for a Class A controlled drug.

Following his arrest, Asyrafuddin was taken to the Central Police Divisional Headquarters for further investigations. During the process, his urine samples tested positive for methamphetamine.

Later on, Asyrafuddin admitted that he had been smoking approximately 5g of meth, referred to as “Ice” on the streets, per month. He claimed that he relied on the drug to provide him with the necessary energy for his work.

The Deputy Public Prosecutor, Chong Kee En, requested a sentence of eight months in jail for the drug possession charge and one year in jail for the drug consumption charge. He did not object to the sentences running concurrently. Chong Kee En noted that Asyrafuddin had no prior convictions.

In agreement with the prosecution, defense lawyer Riko Isaac stated that Asyrafuddin had consumed the drugs in order to work longer hours and increase his income.

In their quest to fulfill a dream of embarking on a global road trip, Mr Jeremy See and his wife made an unconventional decision. Inspired by documentaries showcasing other adventurous travelers, they decided to take on the journey from a different perspective by starting in London and culminating in Singapore.

To make this possible, the couple is investing approximately S$110,000 of their savings and arranging for their car to be shipped to London. Once there, they will join a convoy of 11 other couples, each with their own vehicle, and together they will kickstart their memorable road trip back home.

Their ambitious itinerary encompasses 23 countries and over 160 towns, villages, and cities. If everything goes according to plan, they hope to conclude their expedition and be back in time for Christmas.

Mr See expressed his and his wife’s desire to step out of their comfort zone, explaining that regular road trips to neighboring countries like Malaysia and Thailand no longer provide the same sense of excitement.

They were captivated by documentaries featuring groups of travelers exploring the world, which fueled their determination to embark on their own epic adventure.

Taking into account the constraints of time and cost, a round-trip journey was deemed impractical. However, they also wanted to begin their expedition with the most captivating destinations, rather than starting from Singapore and gradually making their way up.

“If we were to start from Singapore, we would already be exhausted from Malaysia and Thailand before the real enjoyment begins,” Mr See explained.

To support their ambitious plans, they have diligently saved S$110,000, which will cover expenses such as shipping, accommodations, meals, visas, vehicle permits, fuel, tolls, and attraction fees.

They have opted for high-quality lodging and dining experiences, expecting each person to contribute S$43,000 to cover costs such as hotels, restaurants, attractions, local guides, tolls, parking, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Furthermore, Mr See shared that the vehicle permits and shipping costs for each car amount to S$16,000.

Naturally, the prospect of spending S$55,000 per person may appear daunting to individuals without substantial savings.

Addressing cost-conscious aspiring travelers, Mr See suggested, “It is possible to undertake this trip for half the cost if you are willing to camp at campsites and prepare your own meals.”

Here is his post on Facebook

How does one pack a Singapore car for a 100 days road trip across 23 countries from London to Singapore? These are just a tip of the ice-berg for road trip spanning these countries:

UK > France > Belgium > Germany > Austria > Slovakia > Hungary > Croatia > Bosnia > Montenegro > Albania > Greece > Turkiye > Iran > Turkmenistan > Uzbekistan > Kyrgyzstan > Kazakhstan > China > Laos > Thailand > Malaysia > Singapore

A huge portion is the car spare parts for maintenance and 30 bottles of octane boosters for places which only have fuel of questionable quality and origins. We also packed enough clothes for at least 2 weeks in case we cannot easily find a self-service laundromat.

Border crossings often take up to 8-12 hours, and we will spend a number of days in the desert of Turkmenistan, so packing food we can easily heat up as well as beverages are important. Extra pair of well-broken in shoes, eye-glasses, medication for chronic illnesses are important.

To memorialize a Singapore-registered car driving halfway around the world is important to us so we’re bringing camera lens & bodies, 360 camera, multiple GoPro, mounts, tripods, accessories, 20 memory cards, 20TB portable HDD and of course a laptop powerful enough to edit videos and photos on the go.

In 3 days’ time, our car will be shipped to London and we will fly over and join her on 2nd August.

An incident occurred on June 12 during the installation of solar panels on a building’s rooftop, resulting in the unfortunate death of a worker who was electrocuted, according to a report from The Straits Times.

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council issued an alert on Wednesday, stating that the worker noticed an exposed cable emitting smoke and arcing while carrying out the installation.

Tragically, upon coming into contact with the exposed cable, the worker was electrocuted and subsequently passed away on the same day after being rushed to the hospital.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the cable was lying on the wet roof, as it had rained prior to the accident.

This workplace fatality occurred just a few days before another incident at the Fuji Xerox Towers building in Tanjong Pagar, where a worker lost their life during demolition works and subsequently went missing amongst the rubble before rescuers found his body.

According to the WSH alert, the installation of solar panels poses a significant risk of electrocution. Even when unplugged, solar panels generate live currents when exposed to sunlight.

The alert also highlighted six measures that companies should implement to safeguard workers. These measures include insulating exposed electrical components and suspending electrical work during adverse weather conditions.

The installation of solar panels also presents a risk of falls from height, although this particular incident did not involve such an occurrence. Nonetheless, solar installers and contractors are advised to develop and implement site-specific fall prevention plans to eliminate or reduce the risk of falling.

The recent fatalities bring the total number of workplace deaths in 2023 to 14. In 2022, there were 46 workplace deaths, marking the highest recorded number since 2016 when 66 individuals lost their lives.

As a response to the series of work-related deaths and injuries, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) imposed a six-month heightened safety period starting from September 1, 2022, which was later extended to May 31 due to a worrying increase in workplace fatalities.

According to the WSH Act, corporations found guilty for the first time may face fines of up to $500,000, while individuals can be fined up to $200,000, imprisoned for a maximum of two years, or both.

Other worker deaths

A Singaporean man has been reported missing in U.S. waters, raising concerns and prompting search and rescue efforts.

The incident occurred on June 20, 2023, when the man, identified as 25-year-old Muhammad Furqan bin Mohamed Rashid, fell off a cargo ship.

Muhammad Furqan bin Mohamed Rashid embarked on a sailing journey with the aim of completing his Certificate of Competency Class 3. which would enable him to become a junior deck officer, an exciting milestone in his career.

A close friend of Furqan, Muhammad Fariz, shared the details of his aspirations in a heartfelt Facebook post, seeking support and prayers for his missing friend.

Expressing a heavy heart, Fariz implored the online community to rally behind Furqan during this challenging time. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the need for collective efforts to bring Furqan back safely.

Nur’Afifah Mohamed Rashid, the sister of Muhammad Furqan bin Mohamed Rashid, also turned to social media to request prayers for her missing brother.

Understanding the power of collective hope and support, she reached out to the online community, seeking solace and strength during this trying period leading to an outpouring of sympathy and prayers.

The US Coast Guards issued a press release on their website, saying that they had suspended active search operations for a “crewmember” that had fallen off a bulk carrier, although it isn’t clear if the crewmember refers to Furqan.

US Coast Guard’s press release

Coast Guard suspended active search for person in the water near Point Conception California

The Coast Guard suspended its active search Tuesday evening for a crewmember that fell off a bulk carrier while transiting the Santa Barbara Channel Traffic Separation Scheme en route to the Port of Long Beach.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to this crewmember’s friends and family,” said Chief Warrant Officer John Rose, search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach. “The decision to suspend an active search is never easy and is only made after exhaustive efforts to find the missing person.” 

The Coast Guard crews searched by air and sea for nearly 15 hours, covering more than 200 square nautical miles.

In a devastating incident near Tai Seng on June 21, a 58-year-old man lost his life following a collision with a Traffic Police motorcycle, according to reports from Lianhe Zaobao.

The accident occurred at the junction of Hougang Avenue 3 and Kim Chuan Road, and according to Mothership, the pedestrian was apparently hit by the traffic police motorcycle.

The Singapore Police Force said that they were alerted to the accident on June 21, at approximately 5:30 pm at the junction of Hougang Avenue 3 and Kim Chuan Road.

The pedestrian, whose identity remains undisclosed, was found unconscious at the scene. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital. However, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died.

The police officer involved in the collision was identified as a 31-year-old male. Unlike the pedestrian, he remained conscious throughout the ordeal.

The traffic police officer was also seen lying down on the kerb at the side of the road with his hand resting on his chest.

He was also provided with medical assistance and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

A photograph circulating online depicted a man in a red t-shirt lying on the grass, attended by two concerned passers-by. Bloodstains on his leg were evident, indicating the severity of his injuries.

Following the accident, police investigations are currently ongoing.

Header image sources: Facebook

Other similar accidents

Last month, a 47-year-old Singapore police station inspector, Liong Hong Yeow, was charged for an accident that resulted in a 39-year-old motorcyclist suffering a fracture in his right foot.

He was accused of driving a police car without reasonable consideration for other motorists.

On 8 October 2022 at about 8.50 pm, Liong was driving a police car along Choa Chu Kang North 5 at the time and he allegedly didn’t give way to the victim’s motorcycle, who was riding straight from the opposite direction of the road.

Liong was purportedly making a right turn at the time during a green light at the road junction when the accident took place.

The Singapore Police Force said that following the accident, the police officer immediately rendered assistance to the victim and called for an ambulance, and he was sent to the hospital conscious.

A spokesperson for the Singapore Police Force said that their officers are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and uphold the law, and they deal with law-breaking officers accordingly, including charging them in court.