Singapore, 07 October 2023 – It has been slightly hazy in Singapore today. As at 5pm, the 1-hr PM_2.5 concentration readings were 30-94 µg/m³, in Band I – Band II (Normal to Elevated), and the 24-hr PSI was 66-120, in the high-end of the Moderate range to low-end of the Unhealthy range.

Update on Hotspot and Haze Situation

2         Dry conditions continue to prevail over most parts of the surrounding region. 188 hotspots were detected mostly over the southern and central parts of Sumatra today, a slight decrease from the 212 hotspots detected yesterday. Moderate to dense smoke haze was observed to be blown towards the north and northwest by prevailing winds. 

3        With lighter winds expected over Singapore and the surrounding region tomorrow, the current hazy conditions are expected to persist. For the next 24 hours, the 24-hr PSI for Singapore is forecast to be in the high-end of the Moderate range to low-end of the Unhealthy range. Some showers and a favourable change in wind direction can be expected towards Monday, which may lead to some improvement in the haze situation. 

Activity Guidelines

4        The main air pollutant during the haze season is PM_2.5, and the 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration readings are a good indicator of the current air quality. For immediate outdoor activities, please check the latest 1-hour PM_2.5 concentration readings and personal guide. Health advisories during periods of transboundary haze are based primarily on the 24-hour PSI, as there are no major health studies done for other air quality indicators. Use the 24-hour PSI forecast and corresponding health advisories when planning for next day outdoor activities.

5          The health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity. Reducing outdoor activities and physical exertion can help limit the ill effects from haze exposure. Given the air quality forecast for the next 24 hours, healthy persons are to reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. The elderly, pregnant women and children are to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities, and persons with chronic lung disease and heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activities. Persons who are not feeling well should seek medical attention.

6          For updates, visit our haze microsite (www.haze.gov.sg), the NEA website (www.nea.gov.sg), MSS website (www.weather.gov.sg), mobile app (myEnv) or follow us on NEA Facebook (www.facebook.com/NEASingapore) and NEA Twitter (@NEAsg). For information on the distribution of hotspots detected over the past fortnight in the region, please refer to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) website at http://asmc.asean.org.

Latest Weather And Haze Situation

The weather remained dry for much of the southern ASEAN region today, except for parts of northern Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and northern Borneo, where there were shower activities. Some moderate to dense smoke haze was observed from satellite imagery, and lighter smoke haze may drift under current prevailing winds to affect neighbouring countries. Based on the latest satellite observations, scattered hotspots were detected in southern and central Sumatra, as well as southern Kalimantan. Moderate smoke haze continued to be observed over the southern and central parts of Sumatra drifting towards the northwest. Several air quality stations in the area reported Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy levels. Over southern and western Kalimantan, moderate to dense smoke haze emanating from persistent hotspot clusters persisted and was observed to drift northwestwards. Unhealthy levels of air quality was reported by several stations in the vicinity. The smoke haze situation cannot be fully determined over the equatorial region due to cloud cover. Over the northern ASEAN region, shower activities prevailed and the hotspot activity remained low.

The haze boundaries indicate areas with moderate to dense smoke haze. Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.
Updated on 5:23 PM 07 October

Weather And Haze Outlook

Over the next few days, dry weather is expected to persist over central and southern Sumatra, southern Peninsular Malaysia, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. While shower activities are forecast over other parts of the southern ASEAN region, the risk of elevated hotspot activity and transboundary smoke haze still remains. The prevailing winds over the southern ASEAN region are expected to weaken and blow from the east to southeast. Shower activities are forecast over the northern ASEAN region and the hotspot activity is likely to remain low. The prevailing winds are forecast to be generally light and variable in direction.

The haze boundaries indicate areas with moderate to dense smoke haze. Areas with lighter smoke haze are not indicated as they cannot be clearly discerned from satellite imagery.
Updated on 5:23 PM 07 October

Three Arrested For Suspected Drug Offences; More Than 2.4Kg Heroin Seized

07 Oct 2023

           On 5 October 2023, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested three individuals, aged between 31 and 57, for suspected drug offences. About 2,464g of heroin, with an estimated value of more than $259,000 were seized. The seizure of 2,464g of heroin can feed the addiction of about 1170 users for a week.

2         In the evening of 5 October, CNB officers arrested a 47-year-old Singaporean man at a void deck of a residential block in the vicinity of Bedok North Street 3 for suspected drug trafficking offences. The man was then escorted to a residential unit   of a nearby residential block located in the same vicinity. After entering the unit, officers arrested a 57-year-old Singaporean man and 31-year-old foreign woman for suspected drug trafficking offences. A search was conducted and a total of about 2,464g of heroin and drug paraphernalia were seized from various locations within the unit.    

Photo 1 (CNB): Heroin seized in the vicinity of Bedok North Street 3 in a CNB operation conducted on 5 October 2023.

3         Under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, it is an offence for a person, on his or her own behalf, or on behalf of any other person, whether or not that other person is in Singapore, to traffic in a controlled drug, offer to traffic in a controlled drug; or to do or offer to do any act preparatory to or for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled drug. If a person is found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of diamorphine or “pure heroin”, he or she may face the mandatory death penalty.

4           Investigations into all arrested suspects are ongoing.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
7 October 2023

iMAGES SOURaImages source: CNB

MAN ARRESTED FOR LOANSHARK HARASSMENT WITHIN 24 HOURS

The Police have arrested a 59-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.

On 3 October 2023 at about 5.30pm, Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Bedok North Road, where the gate of a residential unit was secured with a bicycle lock.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 4 October 2023. One mobile phone was seized as a case exhibit.

The man will be charged in court on 6 October 2023 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. For first-time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine between $5000 and $50,000, with imprisonment of up to five years, and caning of up to six strokes.

The Police have zero tolerance against loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance or disrupt public safety, peace and security, will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.

Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not work with or assist them in any way. The public can call the Police at ‘999’ or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664 if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 October 2023 @ 10:00 PM

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A 45-year-old man was earlier charged last month for loanshark activities.

Between 22 March and 28 April 2022, the Police received several reports of harassment where debtor notes were sent via post to various government buildings and residential units. The notes contained photographs and personal information of alleged debtors of unlicensed moneylending.

Through follow up investigations, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the seven Police Land Divisions established the identity of the man and arrested him on 5 May 2022 in the vicinity of Sengkang.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly worked for a loanshark to print and mail debtor notes to multiple addressees island-wide. The man had also allegedly assisted the loanshark to perform banking transactions at Automated Teller Machines.

71-year-old Peck Chuan Ann pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt and was sentenced on 5 October to 16 months imprisonment.

He was charged with causing grievous hurt to 51-year-old Punnataro Wee by attacking him at Tanglin Halt Food Centre with a wooden pole with a nail protruding from it, according to The Straits Times.

The victim ended up suffering a fractured skull, bleeding in his brain and a permanent injury in his right wrist.

What happened?

The story begins one morning in April 2022 at Tanglin Halt Food Centre. Both Peck Chuan Ann and Punnataro Wee owned competing fish soup stalls, and their rivalry had simmered beneath the surface for a while.

On April 8, 2022, Wee arrived at the hawker centre early to prepare for the day ahead.

Peck, seemingly harboring a grudge, appeared shortly afterward. The tension between them escalated when Wee, while passing Peck, exchanged a stare and uttered a few words before returning to his stall.

The Trigger and the Weapon

In an Institute of Mental Health report, Peck would later claim that he attacked Wee because of the provocative stare. He mentioned feelings of indignation and an overwhelming urge to retaliate.

Around 7:08 AM, Peck ventured into the wash basin area of the food centre. There, he discovered a wooden pole hidden behind a folded table.

Sensing an opportunity, he grabbed the pole, which was approximately 71cm long and had a nail protruding at the end of the pole.

The Ambush

Peck’s actions were captured by CCTV cameras. He exited the food centre, took a concealed path that led behind Wee, and re-entered the food centre from behind his rival.

It was around 7:10 AM when Peck ambushed Wee with the wooden pole, relentlessly striking him on the head with the end that had the protruding nail.

The attack caused Wee to collapse to the ground. In a desperate attempt to protect her husband, Wee’s wife rushed over to intervene.

Peck, undeterred, tried to strike her as well. However, through their combined efforts, they managed to disarm Peck after a scuffle, forcing him to flee the scene.

The Aftermath and Legal Consequences

Wee’s injuries were grave; he suffered a scalp laceration, a skull fracture leading to bleeding in his brain, and fractures to his left hand and right wrist.

The hospital’s prognosis indicated that his injured wrist would likely remain permanently impaired. no compensation had been provided to Wee up to this point.

Images source: Shin Min Daily News.

Singapore is currently grappling with another wave of COVID-19 infections, as Health Minister Ong Ye Kung recently disclosed on 6 October, according to Channel NewsAsia.

The Current Situation

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, speaking at the official opening of the Stepping Stones Rehabilitation Centre and Serenity Centre at the Institute of Mental Health, expressed his concerns regarding the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

He noted that over the past two weeks, daily cases have surged from 1,000 to 2,000, primarily driven by two variants: EG.5 and its sub-lineage HK.3, both descendants of the XBB Omicron variant, and they account for more than 75% of Singapore’s daily cases.

While the situation is serious, Minister Ong emphasized that Singapore has no plans to impose social restrictions. Instead, the government’s strategy is to treat COVID-19 as an endemic disease and learn to live with it.

Vaccination and Protection

Minister Ong urged seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions to take necessary precautions such as wearing masks in crowds.

However, he stressed that the most critical measure is to keep vaccinations up to date, with at least one shot per year.

He shared findings from a Ministry of Health study, highlighting the importance of maintaining vaccination coverage.

Individuals who had received a minimum of three mRNA shots and experienced a natural infection within the last 12 months had a much lower incidence rate of severe illness (about 10 per 100,000 people) compared to those with no protection (more than 50 in 100,000 people).

The study also revealed that protection wanes, particularly after the 12-month mark, even for those who were well-protected previously.

Therefore, it’s crucial for seniors and vulnerable individuals to stay updated with their vaccinations to ensure mild symptoms and a faster recovery if they contract the virus again.