The Ministry of Manpower confirmed that a workplace accident took place on 22 August at about 10.40am, at 51 Pioneer Sector 1, Keppel Shipyard

The accident saw 4 workers suffering minor injuries, with one worker still missing and lost at sea; after a large structure had collapsed into the sea.

A spokesperson from MOM said that a crane that was along the pier, had toppled and leaned against a vessel that was berthed next to the pier.

Part of the concrete pier on which the crane was standing on had collapsed. This also caused the crane to be partially submerged under water.

Search operations for missing worker

The missing worker is a 38-year-old Bangladeshi man who was on the pier at the time and fell into the sea during the accident.

Search operations for the missing worker are ongoing.

The worker is an employee of Kumarann Marine Pte Ltd, and MOM added that they are investigating the cause of the accident, with all works being stopped at the pier.

The other 4 workers who were injured; two Bangladeshis, a Chinese national and a Singaporean, were described as being in stable condition.

Malaysia Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed on 22 August that Malaysia is discussing with Singapore to revive the Kuala Lumpur – Singapore High-Speed Rail project.

He told Bernama that Malaysia is hoping to resume work on the HSR, with Malaysian transport minister Wee Ka Siong discussing it with his Singapore counterpart, S Iswaran on the matter.

If the talks are successful, the project will begin work at the earliest possible date, and it will also be worked at on a faster timeline.

There will also be some additional changes to the project’s terms and conditions.

Datuk Seri Ismail said that Malaysia is planning to establish an HSR between KL and Bangkok as well, hence the urgency.

Malaysia is also intending to extend the railway line all the way to China, with the latter currently building a high-speed train line with Thailand.

An agreement on the HSR project was first signed in December 2016 between Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Rajak (now in jail).

Work was then started on the railway, with Singapore appointing a company to design the HSR’s infrastructure, but Malaysia then requested for a stoppage to the project in May 2018 after their election.

About 4 months later, the project was then stopped by both countries for 2 more years, with Malaysia being ordered to reimburse Singapore $15 million.

Malaysia then further requested an additional 7 months suspension on the project on 31 May 2020, before the project was permanently terminated on 31 December 2020 after the two countries failed to reach an agreement.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced earlier today (24 August) that with effect from 29 August onwards, mask-wearing will not be required anymore, except for on public transport and in healthcare facilities.

Speaking at a press conference for the multi-ministry task force, DPM Wong said that masks will still have to be worn on public transport, as well as in indoor public transport facilities like MRT platforms and bus interchange boarding areas.

However, they will not be required at MRT and LRT stations, naturally ventilated bus interchanges and in the retail areas of bus interchanges, as well as airports.

MOH also added in a press release on Wednesday that masks will also be optional on taxis, school buses and private bus services.

Wong touched on this, saying that “The taxi driver can suggest (or) request” but there is “no basis of law for the taxi driver to say you have to, it’s optional.”

Mask wearing will continue to be required in residential care homes such as welfare and elderly homes, hospitals, healthcare facilities and ambulances.

Wearing of masks on flights, on the other hand, will depend on the rules and laws of the destination country, as well as the carrier.

42-year-old SBS bus captain Shifuddin, was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment as well as a 5-year driving ban after falling asleep while driving his bus, according to Shin Min Daily News.

He then crashed into a bus stop, resulting in 3 passengers being injured, with one of the victims suffering a broken arm and a strained back.

Slept for 4 hours before work shift

On the day before the accident, Shifuddin returned home at about 10pm on 7 June 2021, hours before the start of his next shift.

He couldn’t sleep and only managed to fall asleep at about 11.30pm, before waking up at 3.30am for work, about 4 hours later.

He then started his shift on 8 June at about 5.30am, and fell asleep while driving along his bus route near Yishun Street 31, at about 2.47pm.

Closed his eyes for 3 seconds

According to dashcam footage inside the bus, he had closed his eyes for about 3 seconds upon approaching a stop near Yishun Street 31, but it was enough for him to lose control of the bus and crashed into a bollard at a bus stop.

Three passengers on board his bus suffered injuries from the crash, with one of them suffering a broken arm and a strained back.

Another victim, a 53-year-old woman, sustained fractures to her face after colliding with a seat that was in front of her.

The third victim suffered cuts to his lips, but chose not to be conveyed to the hospital in an ambulance, instead choosing to seek treatment at a clinic.

Resigned from SBS

A spokesperson for SBS Transit, said that they have an automated shift arrangement system, making sure that their drivers have at least 9 hours of rest.

They also added that they remind their bus captains to take enough breaks so that they can concentrate on driving.

Shifuddin has also resigned from his position as a bus captain with SBS Transit, after two years with the company.

Singapore minister of health, Ong Ye Kung, said in a Facebook post on 23 August that there were 3,406 local cases on Tuesday, with 359 hospitalised.

He said that this figure is lower than the previous week of 4,909 new local cases, and this it indicates “yet another encouraging sign of our society’s growing resilience with each passing wave.”

Here is what he said

Tuesday is when we usually record a post-weekend spike in COVID-19 cases, but not today.

Today, we reported 3,406 local cases, a decline from last Tuesday’s 4,909 local cases.

More importantly, hospitalised cases are also lower with 359 reported today, compared to 524 cases a week ago.

This is yet another encouraging sign of our society’s growing resilience with each passing wave.

The MTF will soon be sharing more details on the way ahead. In the meantime, do continue to take the necessary precautions and remain socially responsible.

Image source: Ong Ye Kung Facebook

46-year-old Sheik Salim Said pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving causing grievous hurt and was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment on 22 August, as well as being banned from driving for 5 years.

Three other charges were considered for his sentencing, including for driving away from the scene of the accident after hitting a 9 year old girl.

The victim cannot be named due to the Children and Young Persons Act.

What happened

Salim was driving along Bedok North Drive on 18 April 2021 at about 8.20pm, before filtering onto a slip road and heading towards Bedok North Avenue 1, while on his delivery jobs.

He then drove without care and attention, failing to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians along the designated zebra crossing.

He then crashed into a 9 year old girl and her 37 year old mother, who had the right of way at the time and were on the zebra crossing.

He had failed to slow down before the collision.

Moved victims to the side and ignored pleas for help, then flees

After the accident, he alighted from his car and moved the victims to the side of the road and ignored the woman’s pleas for help and to call an ambulance, before driving off from the scene.

Emergency help was later called by passers-by, and the victims were then conveyed to Changi General Hospital.

Salim was later tracked down by the police the next day via information that was provided to them.

Brain injury

The 9-year-old girl suffered severe traumatic brain injury which required surgery, as well as a broken shin bone and abrasions.

She was sedated for 10 days in the children’s ICU before being discharged on 13 May and given 73 days of hospitalisation leave.

She is still suffering from short-term memory problems as of 5 April this year, and her parents have also reported changes in her behaviour.

Her 37-year-old mother suffered abrasions on her left elbow as well as a tender right foot, and was hospitalised for 3 days and given 30 days hospitalisation leave.