DDQ Services, a group of trauma cleaners in Singapore, shared about a sad case of an elderly man who died alone at his rental shophouse unit 2 days before Hari Raya, nobody noticed that he had died until liquid from the corpse started seeping into the shop downstairs.
While the trauma cleaners were cleaning out the affected room, they found the old man’s untouched Hari Raya outfit sitting in a corner of his room, and realised that the man was probably excited to celebrate Hari Raya before he died.
DDQ urged their viewers to cherish their relationships and moments and help out those who are going through tough times alone, because life is fleeting and we never know when our own story might come to an end.
Here is what they said
Hey guys, so I would like to share with you about a case we came across just 2 days before Raya. The job took me to a small rented room above a shophouse where an elderly Malay man had died alone. His body was only discovered by the shop owner below, when the smell and the pool of water mixed with bodily fluids had seeped through the shopfloor.
Upon entering the room, I was confronted with a shocking sight. The flood was almost ankle-deep, a combination of water from a choked sewage pipe, bodily fluids, and remnants of decay. The murky water was filled with maggots swimming through the tainted water. The scene was distressing, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the tragedy that had unfolded in this tiny room.
In the midst of the chaos, my eyes were drawn to a corner of the room. There, hanging neatly, was a pair of baju kurung, a samping, and a pair of shoes. These items stood in stark contrast to the horrifying scene surrounding them, and they served as a poignant reminder of the Pakcik anticipation for the upcoming Raya celebration.
As I began the somber process of cleaning the room, the shop owner shared with me the conversations he’d had with deceased a few days ago. The elderly man had no family or relatives left, and yet he had been looking forward to Raya, excited to celebrate the special occasion even if he had no one to share it with. He had also shared his dream of finally owning a home, a dream that was so close to becoming a reality.
The Pakcik story is reminder for me of the importance of cherishing the relationships and moments that bring us happiness and to extend a helping hand to those who may be struggling in solitude. It taught me to hold on to hope even in the darkest of times, for life is fleeting, and we never know when our own story might come to an end.
@ddqservices Hey guys, so I would like to share with you about a case we came across just 2 days before Raya. The job took me to a small rented room above a shophouse where an elderly Malay man had died alone. His body was only discovered by the shop owner below, when the smell and the pool of water mixed with bodily fluids had seeped through the shopfloor. Upon entering the room, I was confronted with a shocking sight. The flood was almost ankle-deep, a combination of water from a choked sewage pipe, bodily fluids, and remnants of decay. The murky water was filled with maggots swimming through the tainted water. The scene was distressing, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the tragedy that had unfolded in this tiny room. In the midst of the chaos, my eyes were drawn to a corner of the room. There, hanging neatly, was a pair of baju kurung, a samping, and a pair of shoes. These items stood in stark contrast to the horrifying scene surrounding them, and they served as a poignant reminder of the Pakcik anticipation for the upcoming Raya celebration. As I began the somber process of cleaning the room, the shop owner shared with me the conversations he'd had with deceased a few days ago. The elderly man had no family or relatives left, and yet he had been looking forward to Raya, excited to celebrate the special occasion even if he had no one to share it with. He had also shared his dream of finally owning a home, a dream that was so close to becoming a reality. The Pakcik story is reminder for me of the importance of cherishing the relationships and moments that bring us happiness and to extend a helping hand to those who may be struggling in solitude. It taught me to hold on to hope even in the darkest of times, for life is fleeting, and we never know when our own story might come to an end. #bts#life#of#a#traumacleaner#in#singapore#traumacleaning#afterdeath#fypsg🇸🇬#fypsg♥️#fypsg♬ Pelangi Petang – Dato' Sudirman
Image source: DDQ Services and Carousell (Image on right used for illustration purposes only and has no relation to the incident)
It was previously reported yesterday that a woman had stolen another customer’s food at their Duckland restaurant outlet at PLQ.
However, following the release of the CCTV footage on Facebook, another eatery has since come out and shared their own CCTV footage of a woman doing the same thing at their restaurant.
Five Star Kampung Chicken Rice posted on Facebook showing a woman stealing $50 worth of food that belonged to someone else, with the woman bearing a striking resemblance to the woman who had stolen from Duckland.
Both the thieves had the same hairstyles, wore all black outfits and also donned black masks, with the Duckland incident taking place at about 6pm and the Five Star incident taking place at about 3.10pm earlier that same day.
They were also seen holding onto the same white plastic bag with the Five Star restaurant logo on it in the CCTV footages of both restaurants.
Cost is already so high to bear and yet …… such incident keeps happening to F&B. This person stole high quality chicken and duck from more than one restaurant in just 1 day. And this is not her first time. Sigh……
All F&B owners, please alert your outlets and staff “
Duckland theft
TungLok Group said in a Facebook post on Sunday that the incident happened on 22 April at a restaurant called Duckland, which sells dishes with duck meat in them at PLQ.
In the CCTV that was shared, delivery riders could be seen appearing to be waiting at the front counter of the restaurant and waiting to pick up their orders.
A woman wearing a black shirt and black pants then enters the frame sporting a black mask and carrying a black bag, as well as holding onto a plastic bag and walking into the restaurant.
She then moved behind one of the delivery riders who was waiting, before walking in front of him and appeared to bend down to pick up something.
Throughout the video, she didn’t speak to any of the staff members at all, and she then emerges with her brown paper bag in hand that she wasn’t seen with when she entered the restaurant.
The woman then nonchalantly walks away from the scene with her loot in hand.
A netizen on Facebook shared how her daughter had tried to play with a group of children but was rejected by them and ended up being trapped under a table.
She said that the incident happened on 23 April at about 6.50pm, and she was speaking to her husband on the phone at the time.
She later heard her daughter crying hysterically and saw a bunch of kids laughing as her daughter was trapped under the rattan table.
She then rushed over and flipped the table over before carrying her daughter home.
She added that her daughter was traumatised by the incident and has difficulty sleeping ever since the incident, and she realised that her daughter had been trapped by the other kids under the table at the time.
Here is what she said
My daughter was trapped under this table yesterday (23 Apr between 6.50pm to 7pm). Apparently she was trying to play with a group of Indian girls at the playground but was rejected by them.
When I took my eyes off her for a moment to respond to my hubby, I heard my girl hysterically crying out for a girl’s name by the name of S***.
Looking at the pavilion, I saw a bunch of kids laughing together. Although my kid was trapped under the rattan table. No one bothered to help her at all.
I immediately rushed to the pavilion, flipped the table over and carried her home. She was so terrified that she had difficulty sleeping and woke up early at 5am plus.
After communicating with my kid and asking her why she cried out for a girl’s name instead of calling out for me, I realised she was trapped by the girl or maybe even the group under the table.
What infuriates me further is that the group were laughing at her and enjoying her misery while she was calling out for help.
This could easily had resulted in suffocation or death if I had communicated with my spouse on the phone longer.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a statement that they have arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly stealing a motorcycle from a multi storey carpark along Bukit Batok Street 24.
The police received a report on 20 April at about 7.45pm in the evening and managed to establish the alleged perpetrator’s identity through the use of police cameras and follow up investigations.
He was eventually arrested on 24 April by police officers from the Clementi Police Division, and was charged in court earlier today (26 April) with theft of a motor vehicle under Section 379A of the Penal Code 1871.
Singapore Police Force’s press release
MAN ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE
The Police have arrested a 22-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of theft of motor vehicle.
On 20 April 2023 at about 7.45pm, the Police received a report that a motorcycle was stolen from a multi-storey carpark along Bukit Batok Street 24.
Through follow-up investigations, and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Clementi Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 24 April 2023.
The man will be charged in court on 26 April 2023 with theft of a motor vehicle under Section 379A of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.
The Police would like to advise all motorcycle owners to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
Park your motorcycle in well-lit areas;
Install an anti-theft alarm for your motorcycle;
Use a motorcycle canvas to cover the motorcycle, securing both ends;
Use additional locking devices such as disc brake locks or install a suspension guard;
Remove the ignition key and lock the motorcycle, whenever it is left unattended; and
Do not leave spare keys inside the motorcycle storage box.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE 25 April 2023 @ 3:15 PM
According to a Lianhe Zaobao interview with the head of research at a wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth, Andrew Amoils on 20 April, it was reported the about 3,500 high net worth individuals are expected to become Singapore citizens this year, with the majority of them being from China.
The report further stateed that each of these people with high net worth have at least US$6 million in investable wealth, with Amoils adding that some of them comie from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the UK, Philippines and Vietnam as well.
The Ministry of Home Affairs have since responded to the reports and said that the statement are highly misleading and has no credible basis.
MHA said that having a high net worth does not guarantee Singapore citizenship.
MHA also added that they do not know how the private research firm basaed in Johannesburg, South Africa arrived at the figures, and said that they have not even decided on the Singapore Citizenship applicaitons for the rest of 2023 yet.
MHA’s statement on Singapore Citizenship
Published: 25 April 2023
We are aware of several articles published in the past few days, alleging that 3,500 high-net-worth individuals with assets of US$6 million or more, are expected to be granted Singapore Citizenship (SC) in 2023.
The figures cited were from a person working in a private research firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We do not know how he or his company arrived at this figure. SC applications for the rest of 2023 have not even been decided yet. This statement is highly misleading, with no credible basis. Having high net worth does not guarantee citizenship.
A whole suite of factors are considered, including the benefits to Singapore, the business created in Singapore, the number of Singaporeans employed, as well as the individual’s ability to integrate into society, and commitment to sink roots in Singapore.
A 15-year-old girl in Singapore, Xie Yun Ying Chloe, was reported missing earlier today (26 April) and was last seen in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6.
The girl had purportedly run away from the MSF Home at Metta Road on 25 April yesterday.
According to a netizen who posted the missing person appeal on behalf of the girl’s mother, a police report has also been lodged for both the parents and the home.
The netizen added that the boyfriend of the missing girl, a 15-year-old boy, allegedly claimed to be a gang member and had asked people to assault the girl’s mother.
𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 (Posting on behalf of a worried Mom)
NAME: Chloe Xie AGE: 15 (Secondary 3) LAST SEEN: MSF Home (Metta Road) runaway on 25/04/2023.
Police Report have been made for both parents and MSF Home. Boyfriend “Glenn” oso 15yo claim he is from a gang and will ask people to whack the mother.
Uniformed police went up to the unit at 895A Woodland Drive 50 but believes that there is cctv hence nobody open the door.
The Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 15-year-old Ms Xie Yun Ying Chloe who was last seen in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 on 26 April 2023.
Anyone with information is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iWitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE 26 April 2023 @ 10:07 AM
British billionaire and founder of the Virgin Group wrote a lengthy blog post on 24 April entitled “Why Tangaraju Suppiah doesn’t deserve to die,” slamming Singapore’s criminal justice system, referencing death row inmate Tangaraju Suppiah, who was sentenced to death and hanged on Wednesday (26 April).
He described Suppiah’s execution as Singapore “kill(ing) an innocent man” and spoke out against Singapore’s capital punishment against drug offences.
The Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs then subsequently issued a response to his points, and called him disrespectful to Singapore’s judges and our criminal justice system.
Richard Branson’s blog post
I have long spoken up against the death penalty and its continued use around the world. In the coming days, Singapore is planning to carry out yet another execution, a case as egregious as previous ones I have followed. If the state gets its way, Tangaraju Suppiah will be hanged on Wednesday at Singapore’s Changi Prison, convicted under more than dubious circumstances for conspiracy to smuggle about one kilo of cannabis. In fact, Singapore may be about to kill an innocent man.
Tangaraju’s case is shocking on multiple levels. Singapore has a long and troubled history of executing drug offenders, following mandatory sentencing laws that proscribe the death penalty for certain threshold amounts of drugs. The country’s government has repeatedly claimed that its draconian laws serve as an effective deterrent of drug-related crime. However, Singaporean authorities have repeatedly failed to provide any tangible evidence for that assertion. Killing those at the lowest rungs of the illicit drug supply chain, often minorities living in poverty, is hardly effective in curbing an international trade worth hundreds of billions every year. Killing people for allegedly smuggling cannabis is particularly cruel and misguided, given that more countries are now introducing sensible drug policy by decriminalising and regulating both medicinal and recreational cannabis, using revenues to advance education, prevention, and harm reduction. From the vantage point of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, of which I am a member, Tangaraju’s execution will not make Singapore any safer than it already is, and it will do absolutely nothing to stop the flow of illicit drugs into the city state.
Equally, if not more disconcerting about this case is that Tangaraju was actually not anywhere near these drugs at the time of his arrest. This was largely a circumstantial case that relied on inferences. Investigators and prosecutors acted on the fact that his mobile numbers were stored on the actual drug traffickers’ phone, interpreting phone records and text messages as “proof” of his involvement. Tangaraju’s alleged co-conspirator – who was actually caught in possession of the drugs – pleaded guilty to a non-capital offence. The other three people connected to the case were “discharged not amounting to an acquittal” by the prosecution. Tangaraju himself has maintained his innocence from the very beginning of his ordeal.
In Singapore as in other countries, there is a high bar for criminal convictions, and the standard of proof required is to establish culpability “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Even setting aside my fundamental opposition to the death penalty and the grave injustice of killing people for non-violent drug offences, it appears to me that Tangaraju’s conviction didn’t meet that standard at all. Many observers have been shocked by how thin the evidence against him was and feel he should never have been charged, let alone convicted, to begin with. I agree.
No matter where one stands on the death penalty, if a criminal justice system cannot safeguard and protect those at risk of execution despite credible claims of innocence, the system is broken beyond repair. This is certainly true of the death penalty in the US, where nearly 190 people have been exonerated and freed from death row since 1976. It is also true in Singapore, where capital punishment has already been in the spotlight due to its disproportionate use on minorities, an obsession with small-scale drug traffickers, and the widely reported harassment of human rights defenders and capital defence lawyers.
I hope Singapore’s authorities will take a pause to review Tangaraju’s case and grant reprieve. Singapore is an otherwise wonderful country, so it’s very sad to see some of its policies harking back to colonialism, and even reminiscent of medieval times. The death penalty is already a dark stain on the country’s reputation. An execution following such an unsafe conviction would only make things worse.
1. We refer to Sir Richard Branson’s blog post published on 24 April 2023, on the capital sentence on Tangaraju S/O Suppiah (“Tangaraju”), a convicted drug trafficker. We would like to correct some points made by Mr Branson.
Facts of the Case
2. Tangaraju, a 46-year old Singaporean, was convicted of abetting the trafficking of 1017.9 grammes of cannabis. The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of cannabis is more than 500 grammes. 1017.9 grammes is more than twice the capital threshold, and sufficient to feed the addiction of about 150 misusers for a week.
3. Mr Branson claimed that Tangaraju’s conviction did not meet the standards for criminal conviction and that “Singapore may be about to kill an innocent man”. This is patently untrue.
(a) Tangaraju’s case was tried before the High Court of Singapore. Upon examination of all the evidence, including Tangaraju’s defence, the High Court found that the charge against Tangaraju had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
(b) Upon Tangaraju’s appeal, the Court of Appeal affirmed the High Court’s findings and upheld the conviction against Tangaraju.
(c) Tangaraju was represented by legal counsel throughout the court process.
4. Far from the suggestion that Tangaraju was innocent because he was “not anywhere near the drugs at the time of his arrest”, the evidence clearly showed that he was the person coordinating the delivery of drugs, for the purpose of trafficking.
(a) Tangaraju was involved in a case with two others, where his phone numbers were used to communicate with the two others involved in the delivery of the cannabis.
(b) Tangaraju’s defence was that he was not the person communicating with the two others involved in the case. However, the High Court found Tangaraju’s evidence unbelievable, and found that he was communicating with the two others and was the one coordinating the delivery and receipt of cannabis to himself, through the two others.1
(c) The High Court also found that Tangaraju had an intention to traffic in the cannabis.
5. It is regrettable that Mr Branson, in wanting to argue his case, should resort to purporting to know more about the case than Singapore’s Courts, which had examined the case thoroughly and comprehensively over a period of more than three years. He shows disrespect for Singapore’s judges and our criminal justice system with such allegations.
Singapore’s Approach Towards Drugs and the Death Penalty
6. Despite multiple clarifications we have made previously, we note that Mr Branson continues to make sweeping assertions against Singapore’s approach on drugs, including the use of the death penalty on those who traffic in large amounts of drugs.
7. Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance stance against drugs and applies a multi-pronged approach to combat drugs. This includes having rehabilitation programmes for drug misusers and tough laws against drug traffickers, such as the death penalty for traffickers that traffic substantial amounts of drugs, which Singapore applies judiciously with stringent safeguards. The death penalty is an essential component of Singapore’s criminal justice system and has been effective in keeping Singapore safe and secure.
8. Mr Branson also said that Singaporean authorities have repeatedly failed to provide any tangible evidence for the effective deterrent of drug-related crime. This is untrue. We have repeatedly set out clear evidence of the deterrent effect of the death penalty in Singapore’s context, which Mr Branson seems to have conveniently ignored.2
(a) In the four-year period after the introduction of the mandatory death penalty for trafficking more than 500 grammes of cannabis, there was a 15 to 19 percentage point reduction in the probability that traffickers would choose to traffic above the capital sentence threshold.3
(b) Studies have also found that drug traffickers deliberately restricted the amount of drugs they carried in order not to exceed the capital sentence threshold. They were willing to risk imprisonment, but not the death penalty.4
(c) A 2021 study conducted in parts of the region outside Singapore, from where some of Singapore’s arrested drug traffickers have come in recent years, shows that most persons in these countries are deterred by the death penalty.5 87% believed that the death penalty makes people not want to traffic substantial amounts of drugs into Singapore, and 83% believed the death penalty is more effective than life imprisonment in discouraging people from trafficking drugs into Singapore.
9. As for Mr Branson’s other allegations about Singapore’s “disproportionate use [of capital punishment] on minorities, an obsession with small-scale drug traffickers, and the widely reported harassment of human rights defenders and capital defence lawyers” – these assertions are false. We have responded to the allegations before, and it is regrettable that he continues to assert these falsehoods.6
10. Singapore’s policies on drugs and the death penalty are derived from our own experience. Our approach has worked for us, and we will continue charting our own path according to what is in the best interests of Singaporeans. Mr Branson is free to advocate his beliefs for his own countrymen, but he should respect Singaporeans’ choice.
A video emerged online showing yet another driver beating a red light on the road and almost taking the lives of a father and child who were crossing the road at the time.
TikTok user @frangaroo posted a video of the incident, showing the van trying to beat the red light at a traffic junction in Serangoon North, just as a pedestrian who was carrying a child was crossing the road.
The van narrowly avoided running over the pedestrian and stopped just in time to prevent a collision.
The incident was captured on the dashcam of another vehicle that was nearby at the time, and showed the grey van thundering forward on the right lane of the road.
Approaching the traffic junction, the van showed no signs of slowing down despite the traffic light in front clearly showing red.
The pedestrian traffic light was flashing for the pedestrians to cross, with several pedestrians seen crossing the road including the man who was carrying a small child.
Realising their mistake in the nick of time, the van driver then jammed on the brakes and stopped the van abruptly before hitting any of the pedestrians.
Angry with what had just happened, the pedestrian who had just narrowly managed to avoid being hit then turned around and gestured angrily at the van driver.
The netizen who posted the video said that the incident took place at a traffic junction at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 heading towards the junction of Serangoon North Avenue 1 and Avenue 3.
Netizens’ comments
the man with a baby is freaking lucky to escape from being hit
In fact nowadays lots of vans are speeding faster than cars faster than anything and many times beating traffic or dash across. Seen many times
LOL what nonsensical excuses are people here giving for that driver? New traffic light so? You mean to say that driver knows every TL location?
this really have to take action against the van driver there were kids and elderly…
I will never cross if I see one driving that fast always look out for the coming traffic not just the light signal
22-year-old university student Ang Hui Enn had reportedly run away from her home in Klang, Malaysia on Monday (24 April) and had been missing for about 2 days, before she was found dead on 26 April.
The girl’s cousin had initially posted an appeal for information to help find her missing cousin on the evening of 24 April, but later updated the post 2 days later on Wednesday announcing that Ang had been found dead.
Posting on the 巴生人 Facebook group on Wednesday, the cousin made the heartbreaking announcement and thanked everyone who helped to share the appeal for information and tried to look for Ms Ang.
She confirmed that her cousin was found dead not far away from their home.
The family said in a Facebook post that although they do appreciate the kind gestures from members of the public, they are urging the public to stop calling them and added that they will not be accepting any condolence money from the public.
Wau Post reported that the family had found the missing girl on the afternoon of 25 April.
Ran away from home
Ang’s cousin first posted the appeal for help on Monday 24 April at about 7pm, stating that her cousin had been missing for the whole day since 11 am that morning.
The deceased had also left their family home at Taman Sentosa without her phone, driving away in a white Myvi when she left.
The family then unlocked Ang’s phone that she had left behind and noticed that she had left them a message, saying that she was going to hurt herself and asked her family not to come and look for her.
The family then reported the incident to the local police and sought help from the residents in Klang, and just 2 days later they found their daughter dead.
An elderly woman in her late 60s was found dead inside her Tampines HDB unit, and when officers found her body, it was reportedly seeping liquid out of the unit.
The Singapore Police Force confirmed that they received a call for help on 24 April at about 10.42 pm and found a 68-year-old woman unconscious in the unit at Tampines.
She was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Shin Min Daily News reported that police officers arrived at the scene and the immediate area was cordoned off at Block 885A Tampines Street 83 at a unit on the 12th floor of the building.
SMDN reported that a dead body was recovered from the unit, with the deceased being a woman in her 60s who was living alone at home.
23-year-old national serviceman Mr Zhang, who lives near the deceased, told SMDN that she would usually head out for walks and appeared to be in good health over the last 10 years.
Zhang added that however, he last saw the deceased about a week ago, and when he passed by the deceased’s home the night before she was discovered, he didn’t notice any strange smells emanating from the unit.
When he later returned home, the police officers were already there and trying to forcibly enter the unit.
Another unnamed neighbour spoke to SMDN and that they said that they noticed a foul stench coming from the unit, with some of them noticing liquid seeping out from under the door of the home.
One of the neighbours was believed to have called the police for help when they noticed that something wasn’t quite right.
The neighbours said that the deceased used to live in the unit with her daughter before the latter moved away and that she would sometimes be gone for extended periods, staying at her daughter’s place instead.
