The Singapore Police Force said in a statement yesterday that 6 members of the public were commended with awards for their public spiritness.

Here is their statement

In a ceremony held at Clementi Police Division on 7 June 2022, six members of the public were commended for their public spiritedness, three organisations and a staff were also commended for their strong community partnership with the Police.

Cases Commended for Public Spiritedness Award

In the first case, on 2 February 2022, Mr Vinodh S/O Rajendran and Ms Ramizah Banu Binte Abdul Rahman had assisted the Police in a case of outrage of modesty. They immediately chased after a man who had touched a woman on her breast and groin area, and attempted to kiss her on the lips along Ulu Pandan park connector. They managed to detain the man until Police’s arrival.

In the second case, on 3 October 2021, Mr Ng Sheng Chao Benedict had assisted the Police by intervening a case where a man hurled vulgarities at and threw a face mask at a Safe Distancing Ambassador, when he was turned away twice for trying to enter a hawker centre at Block 353 Clementi Avenue 2. The man was observed to have not worn face mask and he did not have a TraceTogether token or app for SafeEntry check-in. Mr Ng also assisted by detaining the man and calling the Police for assistance. The man was subsequently arrested under the Liquor Control Act and for using abusive language against a public servant.

In the third case, on 31 October 2021, Mr Alagar Ravi had assisted the Police in a case of theft. Mr Ravi was able to recognise a man who was behaving suspiciously at Block 72 Commonwealth Drive, when shown the images from Police cameras, and directed the Police to where he last saw the man. With the useful information provided by Mr Ravi, the Police managed to locate and arrest the man for the offence.

In the fourth case, on 23 December 2021, Mr Mohamed Subhan had assisted the Police in a case of shop theft. He witnessed a man allegedly taking an unpaid item from a shelf and placing it into his bag in a shop at VivoCity shopping mall. The man subsequently exited the shop with the unpaid item. Mr Subhan immediately informed a shop assistant who then called the Police for assistance. The man was subsequently arrested for shop theft.

In the last case, on 18 December 2021, Mr Lim Wei Hao had assisted the Police in a case of theft. He heard some noises and noticed a man behaving suspiciously outside his residential unit at Block 240A Jurong East Avenue 1. He observed the man allegedly touching some undergarments which were left to dry. Mr Lim then followed the man and detained him before calling the Police for assistance. Investigations revealed that the man had committed theft of undergarments from residential units in the vicinity. With the useful information provided by Mr Lim, the man was arrested for theft.

Organisations Commended for Community Partnership Award

Three organisations were commended for their close collaboration with Clementi Police Division in developing and implementing crime prevention initiatives. In recognition of their significant contributions, the following entities were presented with the Community Partnership Award:

• FairPrice Xtra @ VivoCity;
  
• Shopee Singapore; and
  
• Resorts World Sentosa.

FairPrice Xtra @ VivoCity has adopted an approach of preventing over reporting shop theft in 2021. To incentivise and recognise the NTUC FairPrice’s Loss Prevention Officers who have successfully prevented shop theft cases, a “Letter of Appreciation” would be issued to them by the Police. They were also the first outlet to collaborate with the Police on this approach. The branch manager of the store, and his staff have worked closely alongside the Police, which resulted in the reduction of shop theft cases reported at the outlet.

Since June 2021, Clementi Police Division has partnered with Shopee Singapore to raise awareness of scams among online shoppers to prevent them from falling prey to scams such as job scams and e-commerce scams. This collaboration rode on major e-commerce sales periods such as Great Singapore Sale. With the strong support from Shopee Singapore, a total of 200,000 scam prevention education pamphlets were distributed island-wide over a nine month period. The Police would like to advise members of the public to adopt the following precautionary measures.

In 2021, Resorts World Sentosa had supported Clementi Police Division in event security planning, crime deterrence operations and review of the security of the COVID-19 facilities premises.

Staff Commended for Community Partnership Award

Mr Anthony Chang Din Hwee, Security Manager at NTUC FairPrice, played a key role in fostering the partnership between Clementi Police Division and NTUC FairPrice to drive and implement an approach of preventing over reporting shop theft at numerous FairPrice outlets. Following the successful trial of the “Letter of Appreciation” initiative at FairPrice Xtra @ Vivocity in 2021, Clementi Police Division is working closely with FairPrice to scale up the initiative and implement it at other FairPrice outlets.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Marc E, Commander of Clementi Police Division, expressed his appreciation to the award recipients for their public spiritedness in making our community a safer and more secure place to live in. He said, “Crime is more likely solved, and criminals are more likely deterred, if public-spiritedness is strong and widespread. I commend these individuals and organisations for their public-spiritedness and partnership with the Police. Their actions are exemplary to the rest of our community.”

Mr Vinodh S/O Rajendran being awarded the Public Spiritedness Award by AC Marc E.

Mr Mohamed Subhan being awarded the Public Spiritedness Award by AC Marc E.

Mr Anthony Chang from NTUC FairPrice being awarded the Community Partnership Award by AC Marc E.

Mr Winston Goh representing Shopee Singapore being awarded the Community Partnership Award by AC Marc E.

Mr Edmond Lim representing Resorts World Sentosa being awarded the Community Partnership Award by AC Marc E.

The Singapore Police Force said in a statement on Saturday that 8 men are being investigated for suspected illegal gambling activities.

Here is the police’s statement

The Police are investigating eight men, aged between 50 and 73, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities.

On 1 June 2022, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted enforcement operations against illegal gambling activities in the vicinity of Marsiling Road.

Two persons, aged 61 and 67, were allegedly found to have acted as bookmakers to six others, aged between 50 and 73. One of the men, aged 61, was also investigated for the offence of receiving bets using remote communication under the Remote Gambling Act. Cash of about $1,100, one handphone and gambling paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.

Investigations are ongoing.

Under the Betting Act, any person who is found to be involved in bookmaking shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. Under the same Act, any person who bets with a bookmaker shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

Under the Remote Gambling Act, any person involved in unlawful remote gambling shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

The Police take a serious view of all forms of illegal gambling activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action against those who are involved in such activities.

A study by The Instant Group, a workspace innovation company, has found that employees in Singapore work an average of 45 hours weekly, and that they are the most overworked in Asia Pacific.

The study found that Singapore workers work the longest average hours per week at 45 hours, with China coming in second at 42 hours.

According to the study, Singapore also has one of the lowest average annual leave in the region, with annual leave days of 7.

However, countries like Thailand and China have 6 and 5 annual leave days.

The study has also found that about 73% of the workers in Singapore are unhappy, with about 62% of them feeling burnt out.

76% of the employees want a 4-day work week implemented as well, to reduce overworking.

The Instant Group provided suggestions to combat the overworking culture, including educating managers to spot overworking and burnout.

They also suggested creating a culture of “unplugging” after work, and on weekends as well.

Open conversations about work-life balance are also encouraged, along with offering more flexible working options.

A former policewoman, Reema Razif, shared a lengthy post on Facebook detailing her reasons for quitting her job.

Here is what she said

“After a whirlwind of emotions, fickle thoughts & countless contemplation, I finally geared up the courage to walk away.

Feelings of fear & guilt :-

I have 4 very young children (5yrs & below) & have zero back-up plan for income! Was I being irresponsible? Or am I setting an example for them? To never settle and follow your heart? It was definitely a mental turmoil & not an easy decision to make. But thru the support of my loved ones, I managed to brave this step.

It was my career, it was my life, for 11 years. I truly gave my 100%. To the people, to my country. I have no regrets because I loved every bit of it. Being able to help others even in any small way possible was the best fulfilment (at that time).

Unfortunately, it was and never will be enough. Being told that my performance grade dropped “cos you were pregnant what” and being advised to “take up some projects during your maternity leave” was not something I could resonate with.

Working throughout my pregnancies, lifting heavy equipments for my peers (Willingly), sacrificing meals because my work was my priority, getting into labour while at work for 3 out of 4 of my pregnancies, going to the hospital in my uniform, still did not suffice to see me as a “performing” worker I guess.

This very photo that unintentionally went viral, thankfully in a positive light, was also something I was condemned with and given strict instructions to decline any kind of further exposure. (I apologies to all who reached out and received no response from me – I was not being arrogant)

I realised I did not matter. That I was just another employee. Not getting a farewell card on my last day did hit me, not gonna lie. Those who’ve received full-on dinners, gifts, momentos and tokens for their contributions, you have my envy.

It’s not about getting anything, it’s the realisation that you’re dispensable.

This reassured me that I made the right decision for myself. Now, I get a lot of scribbled “I love you mommy” cards which is indeed gratifying.

We are a very average family with humble backgrounds. I hope I do find something where I will reap the fruits of my labour because I know what I’m capable of and how much I can give.

I just want to say to those out there who have been considering hard to leave their jobs; Life is really too short. Sometimes you just need to jump into the open sea (after carefully deliberating of course).

This is not directed to the organisation, this is me sharing MY personal experience as an individual.

Those who are striving, may you continue to soar & succeed! You have my utmost respect & sincere wishes.

Lots of love,

Reema, a member of public.”

Source: Reema Razif on Facebook

A Facebook user, Thila Samy, shared a photo of her allegedly damaged luggage after a flight with Singapore Airlines.

The woman said that following the alleged incident, she asked SIA in an email about how her baggage was handled, but has not received a reply to her complaint.

Here is what she said (SIC)

“Singapore Airline baggage service. This is how they treat your luggage, while you pay more compared to any other flight tickets.

edited – for all those who speak too fast. Please don’t comment to be smart. Why complain about sia and not Sats. Baggage complain comes under each flight service and not under the ground department of the country.

Second, we were asked how our Baggage was handle with a email by Singapore Airline within 2 hours of landing with a no reply to our complain after that.

So they knew something was not right in Baggage department.”

The Singapore Police Force said on 7 June that since the start of June, at least 5 people have become victims of phishing scams where scammers impersonate government and public service agencies.

More than $9.700 have been lost by the victims, with the Public Utilities Board and SP Group, among others, being impersonated by the scammers.

The scammers would send the victims emails or SMSs claiming that the victims had paid their bills twice and offered to give them a refund upon clicking the links provided.

The victims would then be redirected to fake websites by the scammers after clicking on it, and they would be asked for their personal information such as their credit/debit card information and Singpass login information.

The victims would then realised that they had been scammed upon discovering that they had unauthorised transactions made with their cards.

The police warned the public to always check the authenticity of these kinds of messages with official sources and never click on URLs sent in unsolicityed emails and SMSes.

Also, never revealed your personal information, Singpass login or credit/debit card information to anyone.