Breaking News

Former transport minister S. Iswaran has been sentenced to 12 months’ jail by the High Court. He is the first political office-holder in Singapore in nearly five decades to be jailed, and the first person convicted under Section 165 of the Penal Code. This is a law that bars public servants from accepting valuable items from people they have official dealings with. However, it had never been used before - until now. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/live-singapore-iswaran-sentencingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore will have a new prime minister on May 15, with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set to take over from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on that day.The date for the handover was announced in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on April 15, a key detail in Singapore’s long-planned leadership transition from the third-generation to the fourth-generation (4G) political team. After he is sworn in at 8pm on May 15 at the Istana, DPM Wong, who entered politics 13 years ago, will be Singapore’s fourth prime minister. READ MORE:https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/dpm-lawrence-wong-to-take-over-from-pm-lee-on-may-15See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has issued a statement on former transport minister S. Iswaran - who is facing 27 charges including corruption. Speaking to reporters, DPM Wong said he is ‘disappointed and saddened’ - but reiterated that the People’s Action Party’s stance on corruption is non-negotiable. READ MORE:https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pap-s-stance-on-corruption-is-non-negotiable-part-of-its-dna-dpm-lawrence-wong-on-iswaran-s-case  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

External events must never be allowed to affect the precious peace in Singapore, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam. Speaking to the media on Thursday, he said the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict will have a significant impact across the world, including in Singapore and South-east Asia. READ: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-must-never-let-external-events-affect-precious-peace-shanmugam-on-israel-hamas-war  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A three-way contest for the presidency is officially under way among former GIC investment chief Ng Kok Song, 75, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 66, and former NTUC Income chief Tan Kin Lian, 75. The three presidential hopefuls all successfully filed their nomination papers, before delivering their nomination speeches.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam officially launched his campaign for the presidency, themed “Respect for All”, at a press conference on Wednesday. Speaking to the media at the York Hotel in Orchard, Mr Tharman cautioned against drawing artificial distinctions based on past affiliations. Mr Tharman, 66, also unveiled his proposer, seconder and eight assenters. All were present at the press conference.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In news just in, Aljunied GRC MP Leon Perera has resigned from his government position and the Workers’ Party with effect from today. This was revealed by W-P’s secretary-general Pritam Singh, who added that Ms Nicole Seah also resigned from the party yesterday.   At a media conference to address a video that showed the two former party members behaving intimately,...   Mr Singh revealed that since the video came to light, the pair have admitted to the affair but said that it has since ended.  Mr Singh also said that he had been informed by Mr Perera’s ex-driver of hotel meetings and intimate behaviour between the two around 2020 or 2021.   When confronted with it back then, the W-P leader said Mr Perrera denied the claims and said that he was in dispute with the driver. Mr Singh said that the WP expects its members to uphold the integrity and that such behaviour was not acceptable.  He added that the party would have expelled Mr Perrera if he had not offered to resign.  This is a developing story and we will have more updates later.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BREAKING NEWS: Former G-I-C chief investment officer, Ng Kok Song, has turned up at the Elections Department this morning to collect forms for the upcoming presidential race. The long-time widower was accompanied by his 45-year-old fiancee. The 75-year-old says that he is standing to enable Singaporeans to exercise their right to choose their president, instead of a possible walkover.  He also said he has always been independent and has never been a member of any political party or the establishment.  The former government scholar first joined the public service in 1970,...  and has held various portfolios at key government financial institutions, including the Finance Ministry and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Mr Ng retired from the GIC in 2013 after 27 years there. He is currently founder and executive chairman of private investment firm, Avanda Investment Management. He has three children, aged 33 to 50.  This is a developing story. There will be more updates laterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui have resigned from both parliament and the PAP for having an affair, ..and continuing the relationship despite being counselled by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. This was revealed by Mr Lee at a press conference today - after the PMO had announced Mr Tan and Ms Cheng’s resignations earlier without elaborating on why they did so.   PM Lee said he spoke to both MPs in February and counselled them. Both agreed to stop their affair. Mr Tan had also offered to resign, which Mr Lee accepted. But Mr Lee said he held back on Mr Tan’s resignation to make sure his Kembangan-Chai Chee residents in Marine Parade GRC would be taken care of when he leaves. However, Mr Lee said he then came across information in July that “strongly suggested” that the relationship was still going on. That was when he decided that Mr Tan had to go.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From 29th August, masks will no longer be required in indoor settings.  That is with the exception of settings where essential services are carried out in enclosed and crowded areas, and which are frequently used by vulnerable persons - such as Healthcare facilities, residential care homes and ambulances. Masks will also be required on public transport. However - Mask-wearing on private transport modes, as well as school buses, private bus services and taxis, will be optional.  The Multi-Ministry Taskforce announced this and other updates during a press briefing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.