35-year-old personal finance content creator Seth Wee, known as Sethisfy, took to TikTok on a sunny Sunday morning, September 17, to share his intriguing experience of attempting to spend the new commemorative $10 coin marking the 100th birth anniversary of Singapore’s founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew.
He documented his attempts at trying to use the new coin at various stores, including popular chains like Starbucks and 7-Eleven.
Confusion at the Checkout Counter
As Seth Wee tried to pay with the coin at the counter, the cashiers in the video looked thoroughly perplexed and hesitated over accepting the unfamiliar currency.
A cashier at a supermarket appeared confused when she saw the coin and asked him what coin it was, before ultimately telling him “no lah, this one cannot”.
Wee then tried again at a 7-Eleven outlet and the staff was similarly confused, scrutinising the coin and asking him if it was a $10 Singapore coin before rejecting it.
A Closer Look at the Enigmatic Coin
Seth Wee, sensing the bewilderment of the cashiers, decided to offer them a closer look at the coin. Their responses were nothing short of amusing, as they exclaimed how nice the coin looked.
In the end, the man decided to pay for his purchases with his trusty credit card instead, as the novelty of the coin seemed too much for the cashiers to handle.
The Verdict of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), these unique coins are indeed legal tender and can be used to make payment for services and goods.
The aluminium bronze-made $10 coin boasts a portrait of Lee Kuan Yew on one side and Singapore’s iconic coat of arms on the other.
About 4 million of the coins were made and are available for collection from 4 September to 3 December, for the successful applicants.
In a recent development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Sep. 18, 2023, that two Singapore Police Force (SPF) officers have been charged with the misappropriation of funds acquired from individuals under investigation.
Mohamed Bin Mohamed Jalil and Mohamad Danial Bin Mohamad Nazali, the two officers in question, have been interdicted from duty while receiving half-pay during the ongoing investigation.
The allegations against Mohamed and Danial stem from their alleged misappropriation of funds collected from individuals who were subjects of investigations. Both officers were accused of carrying out these unlawful acts while on official police duties.
The alleged incidents
Mohamed Bin Mohamed Jalil
Mohamed Bin Mohamed Jalil is alleged to have misappropriated restitution funds collected from an accused person over a period of four years, spanning from 2013 to 2017.
These misappropriations took place while he was investigating a case under his charge in 2012. His arrest occurred on Jul. 13, 2020, and he was subsequently interdicted from duty three days later on Jul. 16.
Mohamad Danial Bin Mohamad Nazali
Similar allegations were made against Mohamad Danial Bin Mohamad Nazali. He is accused of misappropriating restitution funds collected from accused individuals and proceeds of crime that had been seized.
Furthermore, Danial allegedly forged acknowledgment receipts on multiple occasions to create the appearance that the restitution processes were being followed diligently.
His arrest took place on Oct. 17, 2020, and he, too, was interdicted from duty three days later.
In a shocking revelation, it was discovered that Danial had also allegedly been moonlighting as a taxi driver while still being interdicted.
Additionally, he allegedly evaded parking charges on multiple occasions between Nov. 3, 2021, and Feb. 18, 2022.
Interdiction with Half-Pay
In response to a question posed by Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Hazel Poa, the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that both Mohamed and Danial have been interdicted on half-pay during the course of the investigation.
The ministry also provided information that investigations into these two officers began on the day of their respective arrests, specifically, Jul. 13, 2020, and Oct. 17, 2020.
The Singapore Grand Prix is known for its electrifying atmosphere, and this year was no different. With F1 cars zooming past at breakneck speeds, the sleek racecars thrilled the audience with their iconic whirring roar.
While many in the crowd were busy recording the high-octane action on their phones, there was one gentleman who was not quite as successful in capturing the moment.
The Forgetful Uncle
As the OP (original poster) sat in the stands, eagerly recording the thrilling race, he noticed something peculiar happening beside him.
An elderly man, wearing a red cap, was holding his phone up in the video-recording function. However, to the OP’s surprise, the man had not pressed the record button.
The OP said in his video caption that the uncle had been holding his camera up for 20 minutes, thinking that he had pressed record when he hadn’t.
“Uncle, you never press ‘start,’ uncle,” the OP told him in a hushed tone. When the elderly man did not seem to have any reaction, the OP repeated himself, this time louder, “Uncle, you never press start!”
To the amusement of those around them, it became apparent that the elderly man had been holding his phone up for a whopping 20 minutes without actually capturing anything.
The TikTok video generated a flurry of reactions, with viewers sharing their own stories of forgetfulness and amusement. Many could empathize with the uncle’s unintentional blunder, turning it into a light-hearted and relatable moment.
Netizens’ comments
Aiyo you faster press for him laaaaa
So did uncle press start?
the way you say it so calmly first time. And panic the second time cos the next car is already zooming by.
uncle never press start “ZOOOOOOOOM”
HAHAHAH the way you speak so fast and try not to miss the f1 car. “Uncle you never press start voooooom” hahahahaha
hahahaha it reminds me of my mum. yaya want to take vids but nvr press start. these elderly ppl just cute la
LOL your multitasking ability between videoing the race cars and telling uncle to press start
A 64-year-old cleaner in Singapore, Tamilselvam Ramaiya, was sentenced to 2 weeks imprisonment on Monday (18 September) after pleading guilty to an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.
Back in 2021, he was found to have Covid-19, and deliberately coughed in the direction of two colleagues. One of them had kidney issues and was undergoing dialysis at the time, according to The Straits Times.
A Not-So-Harmless “Joke”
Tamilselvam Ramaiya initially claimed that his actions were nothing more than a “joke.” However, the prosecution made it clear that this was no laughing matter.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sruthi Boppana emphasized the gravity of the situation, especially considering the backdrop of a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in Singapore at the time.
The Incident Unfolds
Tamilselvam, a 64-year-old Singaporean, was employed as a cleaner for the investment holding firm Leong Hup Singapore. On the fateful morning of October 18, 2021, he reported for work at the logistics office in Senoko Way with a runny nose.
An assistant logistics manager, concerned about his symptoms, asked Tamilselvam to take an antigen rapid test (ART). The test returned a positive result, prompting the manager to instruct Tamilselvam to go home immediately.
The manager then took the responsible step of informing the two colleagues about the cleaner’s condition. These colleagues were a 40-year-old male logistics supervisor and a 56-year-old female clerk, who had underlying heart and kidney issues.
However, instead of leaving the premises, Tamilselvam went in search of the assistant logistics manager.
The Shocking Act
The real shock came when Tamilselvam entered an enclosed, air-conditioned office where the two colleagues were present. It was around 10:30 AM when this incident occurred.
The logistics supervisor, well aware of Tamilselvam’s positive Covid-19 status, warned the driver accompanying him not to get too close. He also urged Tamilselvam to exit the office immediately.
What happened next was both alarming and reckless. Tamilselvam, wearing his mask initially, walked toward the office door and intentionally coughed into the room with his mask on. Shockingly, he repeated this act not once, but twice.
The clerk, seated near a window, was unfortunate enough to witness his actions up close. Tamilselvam opened the office window from the outside and coughed in her direction while maintaining his mask, although he was just an arm’s length away.
Unsurprisingly, the two colleagues were left in distress and immediately reported the incident to the assistant logistics manager, who promptly lodged a police report.
The Legal Consequences
On Monday, Tamilselvam Ramaiya faced the legal consequences of his actions. Deputy Public Prosecutor Sruthi Boppana urged the court to impose a sentence of three to four weeks’ jail, emphasizing that his actions demonstrated a wanton disregard for the safety of his colleagues.
Of particular concern was the female victim, a dialysis patient with cardiac and renal issues. She, understandably, was deeply alarmed by Tamilselvam’s reckless behavior, taking an antigen rapid test on herself soon after the incident to ensure her safety.
In his defense, Tamilselvam’s lawyer, Lee Wei Yung, pleaded for a fine instead of a jail sentence, citing his pre-existing heart condition and did not act out of malice towards the victims.
In a recent announcement, SingPost, Singapore’s leading postal service provider, has declared its decision to raise postage rates for local mail by S$0.20, effective from 9th October.
This news comes as a response to the challenges posed by “rapidly rising costs” and “declining mail volumes” in the digital age.
The Price Hike and Its Impact
SingPost’s decision to increase postage rates for local mail is primarily driven by the need to manage its operational costs effectively.
With the advent of digital communication and the decline in traditional mail usage, the postal service industry has faced significant challenges.
As a result, SingPost has found it necessary to adjust its pricing structure to ensure its continued ability to provide reliable postal services to its customers.
Starting from 9th October, the cost of local standard regular mail will rise from S$0.31 to S$0.51. This increase of S$0.20 may seem small on an individual basis, but it represents a substantial percentage increase.
For those who frequently rely on sending letters or documents through standard regular mail, this change will undoubtedly have an impact on their budgets.
Differentiation in Pricing
The price adjustments don’t stop at standard regular mail. SingPost is also revising the rates for other categories.
Standard large mail will now cost S$0.80, and tracked mail or packages, renamed as “Tracked Letterbox,” will be priced at S$2.
Additionally, for individuals who prefer a sign-for doorstep delivery service for their standard regular or large mail, an option will be available at S$6.10 on top of the regular delivery rate.
Streamlining Mail Categories
To make the pricing structure more efficient and straightforward, SingPost is introducing changes in the way it categorizes mail.
Standard regular mail should now conform to specific dimensions: up to 240mm by 162mm and 6mm in thickness, with a maximum weight of 500g.
For standard large mail, the dimensions can extend up to 324mm by 229mm and 14mm in thickness, with the same weight threshold.
It’s important to note that any item exceeding these dimensions will be classified as a package and will be subject to different pricing. This change aims to create a more accurate pricing system that reflects the actual cost of handling various types of mail.
Complimentary Stamp Booklets
Recognizing that these changes may present challenges for some customers, SingPost is taking steps to ease the transition.
Every household will receive a complimentary stamp booklet starting from the end of October. This gesture aims to help individuals continue using postal services without a significant immediate financial burden.
Until 9th October, customers can still use their current stamps for postings. However, the sale of first and second local stamps will be temporarily suspended.
Instead, denominated postage labels will be available for purchase from post offices, SAM kiosks, vending machines, and online during this period.
After 9th October, SingPost will continue to accept denominated postage labels but may a top-up may be required to cover the price difference if the postage amount is insufficient.
This whole thing is so complicated and I don’t know where to begin, but all I’m going to say is that my husband’s mom and I have been on terrible terrible terms to the point of no contact between us. My husband respected my decision to go visit but said that he’s free to see his mom whenever and I agreed because…he’s her son and also…he’s a grown man so I won’t tell him where to go or who to see.
However, It’s a different game when it comes to my 4yo son. I don’t let him go with his dad to visit her and my husband was okay.
His mom fell sick recently and her health has been declining. for days he’s been convincing me to go see her and take our son with me but I refused and asked him to respect that. he said it was fine, but then turned around and said he’s planning on taking our son to see her. I gave him a hard no and he began fighting with me, he verbally lashed out saying that if I keep refusing to let him take our son to see his dying mom then he’ll take him behind my back.
I got so mad at him for saying this and warned him that I will call the Police if he tries to pull that off. He had a mental break down calling me vicious, pathetic and vile for stopping our son from seeing his dying grandma and then threatening him with the police for wanting to do the right thing.
I said him saying what he said was nowhere near ok, he responded by saying that I left him no choice and that he was reaching his limits with me. He had me leave the room after saying that he will no longer be putting up with my behaviour but I defended myself by telling him that his mom is no saint too and that it was unfair of him to treat me as the bad guy here and wear me down with his words. He said it’s between me and his mom…not her and our son. I walked out of the room and that was the last time we spoke.
I don’t think he was in the right to say what he said and I might have pushed him but I’m not sure since he keeps lashing out due to his mixed emotions and stress but he’s taking it out on me.
An OnlyFans Creator who shared her story with us on the condition of staying anonymous told us that she never once in her life expected herself to stream raunchy content of herself online but had to do it because she have to clear off her family’s debts which was raked up by her father and elder brother’s gambling habits.
Seeing how it stressed her mother up due to the insane amount of debts which her father and elder brother has choked up and how the family owes money everywhere, she decided to meddle into the world of ‘content creation’ via the OnlyFans platform as she noticed the successful ones raking it good amounts of income.
Here is the story
I used to be someone who is very shy and reserved and I would never have imagined streaming on the OnlyFans platform.
This decision was made up one day when I saw my mother being stress everyday trying to clean up after my father and my elder brother who were incorrigible gamblers, betting every cent they earned and even borrowing money wherever they could just to fund their gambling habits.
From relatives to friends and even moneylenders, they have borrowed money from everywhere and anywhere.
This led to my family raking up huge amounts of debt.
I chanced upon OnlyFans from one of my friends who was doing it and was quite successful on the platform and she told me that it was quite good money and all you had to do was just to be more open and update your platform with raunchy content frequently and charge a subscription fee.
According to her, there will always be people ready to pay to see a ‘little bit’.
It was a good source of financial income for her and even though people were struggling to earn a living in the pandemic, this friend of mine could still travel around and live a life of luxury.
I decided that maybe this was the only way out of debt for my family and decided to emulate what she did but of course I followed the rules and did not post anything over the line.
It has been a few months since I started it and even though I am not as successful as my friend yet, I can see good money coming in every month.
Today, everything has been going quite smoothly.
My dad and brother had banned themselves from the casinos and have been working hard to earn money as well and they transfer every cent that they earn to my mother to keep watch less their habits relapse.
We are on course to finish paying our debts in another few more months and I would not have done it without the OnlyFans platform and my loyal subscribers subscribing to see my content.”
In an announcement that might have a significant impact on the daily lives of many Singaporeans, the Public Transport Council (PTC) recently confirmed that public transport fares for adults who pay by card will see an increase from December 23rd.
This increase is part of the yearly fare review exercise conducted by the PTC and will result in a 7 percent overall cost hike for bus and train rides.
A Closer Look at the Fare Changes
To delve deeper into these fare adjustments, it’s essential to understand the specifics. Adult card fares will rise by 10 cents for journeys covering distances of up to 4.2 kilometers and by 11 cents for rides beyond this distance threshold.
For example, the current adult card fare for an MRT ride from Simei to Tanjong Pagar, which stands at $1.85, will soon increase to $1.96.
Concessionary fares for seniors, students, individuals with disabilities, and low-wage workers who pay by card will also experience an increase.
Their fares will go up by four cents for journeys of up to 4.2 kilometers and five cents for longer rides. This group comprises approximately two million commuters, which accounts for half of Singapore’s population.
Factors Behind Them
This year’s fare increase is the steepest since the 2019 hike when fares also rose by 7 percent. Notably, the 11-cent increase marks the highest recorded fare hike to date.
The PTC revealed that fares could have risen by a staggering 22.6 percent in 2023, which would have been the highest allowable increase since 1998 when formulas were introduced to cap fare changes.
This substantial increase is attributed to a combination of factors, including a 62.3 percent surge in energy prices in 2022, as well as growth in core inflation and wages.
Transport operators, namely SBS Transit and SMRT Trains, had applied for the full 22.6 percent hike for 2023. Their justifications included higher energy prices, a competitive labor market, and the slow and uncertain recovery in ridership.
Despite these requests, the PTC decided against granting the full increase, prioritizing affordable fares in the present higher-cost environment.
Deferment and Government Support
To alleviate the impact of the fare increase on commuters, the PTC has decided to postpone the remaining 15.6 percent increase to future fare review exercises.
This deferment has become possible due to the Government’s commitment to providing an additional $300 million in public transport subsidies in 2024, supplementing the already significant $2 billion in annual subsidies to maintain services.
The Ministry of Transport emphasizes that transport operators will need to manage their costs efficiently, enhance productivity, and maintain fair wages for their workers.
The hope is that the deferred fare increase will gradually decrease over time if economic conditions improve, wages continue to rise, and energy prices and core inflation ease.
Recent Fare Trends and Upcoming Initiatives
Before this announcement, fares had risen by 2.9 percent in 2022 and 2.2 percent in 2021. In 2020, fares were frozen to help commuters cope with the economic impact of Covid-19.
In addition to fare changes, the Government will introduce a monthly hybrid concession travel pass for low-wage workers, priced at $96 starting from December 23rd.
This pass is $32 cheaper than the adult monthly travel passes, which will remain at $128. Other concessionary groups, such as seniors, national servicemen, and students, will also see reductions of up to 10 percent in the cost of their monthly hybrid travel passes.
Support for Affected Households
To support Singaporeans in coping with the fare increase, the Government will provide public transport vouchers worth $50 each to resident households with a monthly income of up to $1,600 per person.
These vouchers can be used to top up fare cards or purchase monthly passes. In 2022, 600,000 public transport vouchers worth $30 each were made available.
Ensuring Affordability
The PTC maintains that fare increases have been carefully managed to ensure affordability for the majority of Singaporeans.
On average, households in the 21st to 40th percentile, representing the typical public transport users, spent 1.7 percent of their monthly income on public transport in 2022, compared to 1.8 percent in 2021.
Lower-income households in the 11th to 20th percentile spent about 2.4 percent of their income on public transport in 2022, down from 2.5 percent in 2021.
With fare and wage increases in 2023 taken into account, households are expected to spend roughly the same proportion of their income on public transport as they did in 2022.
On Sep. 18, 2023, the Toto jackpot, which had been steadily growing, finally reached an impressive sum of S$12,979,820.
What made this particular draw even more exciting was that the massive jackpot was split among four fortunate punters.
Each of them walked away with an astonishing S$3,244,955, a life-changing windfall.
The Winning Numbers
The heart of any Toto draw is, of course, the winning numbers. On that fateful day, Sep. 18, 2023, these were the magical numbers that changed the lives of four individuals forever. The winning numbers were:
4, 7, 27, 32, 37, 49, 44 (additional number).
The excitement of matching these numbers must have been an unforgettable experience for the winners. But what’s even more intriguing is where these tickets were bought.
The Fortunate Locations
When it comes to lottery wins, the location where a ticket is purchased can add an extra layer of fascination to the story.
In this case, one of the winning tickets was a QuickPick Ordinary Entry, and its cost was just S$1.
This winning ticket was purchased at the Singapore Pools branch located at Block 88 Whampoa Drive #01-857. Imagine the joy of realizing that a mere S$1 investment had turned into a multi-million-dollar prize.
But that’s not all; let’s take a closer look at the other winning tickets and their locations:
1. QuickPick System 8 Entry
This winning ticket was acquired at NTUC FairPrice The Woodleigh Mall, specifically at 11 Bidadari Park Drive #B1-32/33. It’s fascinating how fate led someone to this particular store on that specific day.
2. QuickPick System 7 Entry
Another winner chose a QuickPick System 7 Entry, and their lucky ticket was purchased at NTUC FairPrice Jurong East Gateway Road, Block 135 Jurong Gateway Road #01-337. Luck truly knows no boundaries, and it can strike anywhere.
3. QuickPick System 7 Entry (Singapore Pools Account Betting Service)
The fourth winner opted for a QuickPick System 7 Entry through the Singapore Pools Account Betting Service. The location where this ticket was secured remains undisclosed, adding an element of mystery to this already thrilling tale.
My bf’s mom always asks me to put on my make up whenever we are about to go out.
I’m not ugly tbh and I’m a model. His mom is those taitai who stays in bungalow, house wife with maid and gossip is her only entertainment.
I didn’t really care too much at first until I started to see myself as “ugly”. I cover most of my mirrors with some clothes and wash my face without looking in the mirror anymore.
She sent me some of those western celebrities’ pictures and offered to sponsor the fees.
My bf was aware of everything but he said his mother was just joking. But I know that his mother is serious cause she has been asking me to put on my make up every time for 2 years.
What should I do? I feel helpless.
Netizen’s comments
Your boyfriend cannot step in and open his mouth to tell his mom: “FFS mom, she is already so beautiful and does not need surgery or makeup”?
If he cant do anything like that, then he is useless. Then if you are feeling cheeky you can say his son and herself also need surgery. Lets all go together.
The most important thing I gonna teach here you is ——you must have your own FRAME. Frame is everything.
When someone says you should make up because you are not looking decent, then you should reply to them with your own reason CONFIDENTIALLY with a SOLID attitude. It is not about logic or fact, it is about a strong personal narrative.
Never let anyone subconsciously manipulate your thoughts or change your mind because that will be no end. Your frame stops his mother politely, and her mother will respect you from the bottom of her heart.
Don’t be too soft and obedient until you are losing yourself, you are the master of your own body and world. Your frame is your identity.
