More retirees are returning to work in some sectors, with Singapore dealing with inflation and rising costs of living, due to circumstances around the world, according to Channel NewsAsia on 10 August.

A 65-year-old who works at a hotel as a kitchen steward told CNA that Singapore is “not a cheap place to live”, and added that he has to continue working to support his daily life and pay his bills.

He had previously retired from his last job 12 years ago and is now 3 months into his new job.

CNA reported that about 75% of older workers in Singapore intend to work past the retirement age of 63, citing a study by Milieu Insight.

The Ministry of Manpower also raised the retirement age to 63, and the re-employment age to 68; with employers being foreseen to be looking toward more experienced employees, according to The Straits Times.

They said that they believe older and skilled workers will be encouraged to rejoin the workforce due to a need for them.

CNA also reported that over 90% of eligible seniors have been offered re-employment at 62 years old.

It was previously reported earlier this year, that 11 trainee lawyers were revealed to have cheated in their Bar exams back in 2020.

Their applications to the Bar (which decides their eligibility to practice law in Singapore), were delayed by a judge.

Their actions were slammed and criticised, with even Minister of Law and Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, weighing in on the controversy.

Six of the eleven cheaters, have since withdrew their applications yesterday (15 August) to practice law in Singapore.

They were granted permission to do so by a High Court judge, who advised them to continue working in the legal industry, so that they can find a suitable mentor and see if they can reapply to the Bar in future.

The six cheaters are namely:

• Lynn Kuek Yi Ting
• Matthew Chow Jun Feng
• Lionel Wong Choong Yoong
• Monisha Devaraj
• Kushal Atul Shah
• Sreeraam Ravenderan

Recap

6 cheaters initially found at first

Six trainee lawyers who cheated in the bar exams in 2020, had their admission into the legal profession delayed.

Justice Choo Han Teck said in his grounds of decision on 18 April, that he will not be naming the 6 of them in the hope that they will not be prejudiced in the long run.

He said that dishonesty is a big problem but it would also be harsh to end their professional career before it has even begun.

The six cheaters were among 26 trainee lawyers who had applied for admission to the bar last Wednesday.

Law graduates have to pass a set of exams called Part B to be admitted to the bar, in order to practise law in Singapore.

Also, the lawyer who wants to be admitted into the bar must not have any objection from the Attorney-General, Singapore Institute of Legal Education (SILE) and Law Society of Singapore.

The six trainees’ application was objected to by the Attorney-General, citing their lack of honesty and integrity for cheating.

The six of them have since passed their required exams after retaking it.

5 more revealed to have cheated

It was previously reported that 6 trainee lawyers had cheated in their bar exams in 2020, and had their admission into the legal profession delayed.

However, the Attorney-General’s Chambers spoke to Straits Times on 19 April, saying that they are considering the applications by 5 other candidates who cheated in their bar exam in 2020.

This means that the total number of trainee lawyers who cheated in their bar exams now stands at 11.

The spokesperson who spoke to ST said that this is the first time the AGC has objected to applications for admission to the bar for cheating in the exams.

The spokesperson said that the Attorney-General feels that these trainee lawyers are not currently fit to be admitted to be solicitors of the Supreme Court.

She added that their misconduct demonstrates their lack of key qualities such as honesty and integrity that is required of every lawyer.

A man was found and pronounced dead by SCDF paramedics after a fire broke out on the 9th floor of an HDB unit at Block 236 Jurong East Street 21.

The fire happened at about 2.50am on 16 August, and SCDF firefighters conducted forcible entry to rescue three residents of an adjacent unit.

Another occupant in the affected unit had self-evacuated before the SCDF arrived.

SCDF’s update

[Fire @ Block 236 Jurong East Street 21]

Earlier this morning (16 Aug) at about 2.50am, SCDF was alerted to a fire at the aforementioned location.

Upon SCDF’s arrival, the fire was raging inside a unit on the 9th floor.

Firefighters from Jurong and Clementi Fire Stations donning breathing apparatus sets, penetrated into the heavily smoke-logged unit to conduct firefighting operations. Concurrently, another crew of firefighters conducted forcible entry into the adjacent unit to rescue three occupants.

Firefighting operations are currently still ongoing.

Second update

[Final Update: Block 236 Jurong East Street 21]

At about 2.50am today (16 Aug), SCDF was alerted to a fire at the above-mentioned location.

Upon SCDF’s arrival, the fire was raging inside a unit on the 9th floor. Firefighters penetrated into the heavily smoke-logged unit to conduct firefighting operations. In addition, a Combined Platform Ladder was deployed at the rear of the block for external firefighting.

SCDF firefighters extinguished the fire using three water jets. As a result of the fire, the entire unit was affected by heat and smoke damage.

An occupant in the affected unit self evacuated before SCDF’s arrival.

Due to the close proximity of an adjacent unit, SCDF firefighters conducted forced entry into this unit and rescued three occupants.

A body was found in the affected unit and pronounced dead by an SCDF paramedic.

Damping down operations* are currently ongoing.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

*Damping down refers to the application of water to wet burnt surfaces immediately after a fire is put out. It is to prevent any potential rekindle of fire from the hot burnt surfaces.

Minister of Law and Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, weighed in o the case of the Tradenation scam couple, in a lengthy Facebook post.

He said that offenders are likely to be caught due to the Singapore Police’s “good linkages” with the police forces i the region, who “work closely with their regional counterparts”.

Here is what he said

[Tradenation case – couple who fled Singapore]

Pi Jiapeng and Pansuk Siriwipa are suspects in a series of alleged cheating cases, relating to luxury goods, in the Tradenation matter. They fled Singapore on 4 July. They were returned to Singapore with assistance from the Royal Thai Police as well as the Royal Malaysia Police.

I’ve often said before: one, if you’ve committed an offence, you are likely to be caught; two, when you are arrested, if you are guilty, then the facts are likely to be found and presented, and you are likely to be found guilty; and three, you are then likely to serve the sentence.

Our Police have very good linkages with regional police forces. They use their leads, and work closely with their regional counterparts.

The matter will now be dealt in the courts.

20-year-old Indonesian, Rajama Samuel Doctorian Purba, was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment and given 6 strokes of the cane on 15 August.

he had pleaded guilty to a charge of raping a drunk 16-year-old girl in his rented apartment in 2020, with two other charges for molestation and possession of obscene films considered during his sentencing.

Background

Rajama was sharing the rented condominium unit with another Indonesian, 19-year-old Anthony Aditya Tedjawisastra, who was also pursuing his studies at a private school here.

The victim was invited by her friend, who is a coursemate of Anthony to a gathering at the apartment on 6 November 2020 to celebrate his birthday.

She was hesitant at first to go because she didn’t know anyone, but she eventually decided to go.

After some introductions at the apartment, the victim saw in the living room with Anthony, Rajama ad her friend playing card games and drinking.

She later became dizzy and wanted to puke after a few rounds of the games, and Rajama then supported her and brought her to his bedroom toilet, locking the door behind him, while the others stayed in the living room.

The victim then finished vomiting and Rajama then cleaned her up and realised she was unconscious, before replacing her on his bed, lifting her shirt and bra, and groping her.

The girl didn’t react and he then raped her.

The victim could feel him raping her but couldn’t fight back or move as she was too drunk, and after he stopped, he dressed her up and helped her to the toilet where she vomited again.

He then left her there.

Athony later entered the room and scolded Rajama for leaving her o the toilet floor, and Rajama then confessed to what he had done.

The victim left the unit at about 4 am with her friend supporting her, ad she then told her friend about what Rajama had done to her, and she then made a police report later that night.