Expats praise safety in Singapore, complain about high costs, visas; Former Lions Baihakki Khaizan exits FAS weeks after son’s team controversy: Singapore live news

Singapore football legend Baihakki Khaizan has resigned from his role as head of planning at the Football Association of Singapore (FAS), marking the end of his first foray into football administration. He announced his departure on September 16 via social media, expressing gratitude to colleagues and reaffirming his commitment to the sport.

Since joining FAS in 2022, Baihakki led special projects and helped launch initiatives like the FAS Players’ Concierge, which supports athletes with financial, educational, and career guidance. His leadership style, rooted in the principle “small idea, huge impact,” earned praise across the football community.

Baihakki’s tenure also saw contributions to the national football project Unleash The Roar, aimed at elevating Singapore’s football standards. His departure comes amid broader administrative changes at FAS, including the recent resignation of general secretary Chew Chun-Liang.

Baihakki's resignation occurred weeks following a controversy involving his son, Mika Bazil Baihakki, who was dropped from Singapore's U-17 team for not being able to commit to upcoming matches due to academic commitments. Despite this event, reports suggest that this was not a primary reason for Baihakki's resignation.

His son had to prioritise his N-level exams, which led to his withdrawal from the team, creating a stir that his mother, Norfasarie Yahya, addressed publicly. FAS, however, maintained their stance on requiring full commitment from selected players.

While Baihakki hasn’t revealed his next move, he made it clear: “The mission to serve the game will always continue.”

Singapore remains a top spot for expats when it comes to safety, infrastructure and public services, but its personal finance ratings have plunged. High costs of living and tougher housing conditions are major pain points.

In the 2025 Expat Essentials Index, Singapore fell from 9th to 16th. Affordability of housing especially dragged the score down, despite a slight improvement in the housing subcategory (still among the harder places to find affordable homes).

Visa/permit satisfaction also dropped sharply: only 49 per cent of expats in 2025 said getting a visa is easy, down from 59 per cent in 2024. Regulatory changes, like the ban on employer‑of‑records sponsorship for work permits, are cited as contributing causes.

On the flip side, many expats acknowledge that despite these challenges, their disposable income still allows a “comfortable life”, but that judgment depends heavily on individual salary, benefits and whether housing or schooling costs are subsidised.

The social side is changing too. More expats report difficulty building personal support networks, suggesting that even for those who can pay the bills, the emotional cost of settling in is growing.

All told, the tension between Singapore’s high‑quality “basics” – such as safety, digital access and healthcare – and its high costs and hurdles is sharpening. The question for many becomes: is the premium still worth paying?

Singapore’s MRT network suffered two major disruptions within 12 hours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded or delayed. On Wednesday (17 Sept), a signal fault on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) halted service between Woodlands North and Bayshore for two hours.

Just hours earlier, a power supply fault on the East-West Line (EWL) suspended service between Aljunied and Tanah Merah, affecting six stations. Commuters were advised to expect delays of 15 to 20 minutes, with free bus services activated across both lines.

The timing of the faults, one during morning peak, the other late at night, amplified frustration. Packed trains, unclear announcements and rerouting chaos added to the stress.

Social media lit up with complaints, as passengers shared images of crowded platforms and stalled trains. One commuter described being stuck for nearly an hour in a sweltering carriage.

With four disruptions reported this month, questions are mounting about the MRT’s reliability and contingency planning.

Three individuals aged 16 to 31 have been arrested in connection with a scam involving fake bulk orders placed under the guise of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel. The scam, which began on 4 Sept, led to losses of at least $32,000 and affected vendors including Breaditation Bakery, Kiki Florist and a food stall at Tiong Bahru Market.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had provided bank accounts and telecom lines to a scam syndicate in exchange for compensation. Raids conducted on 15 and 16 Sept at locations including Middle Road, Woodlands Street 81 and Cantonment Road led to the seizure of electronic devices and prepaid cards linked to the scam.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) confirmed that none of the cases involved actual SAF personnel and has issued public warnings. Legal experts caution that placing fake bulk orders can constitute criminal fraud and may result in serious penalties.

The arrests come amid a broader surge in government impersonation scams. Singaporeans lost $126.5 million to such scams in the first half of 2025, with cases rising 199.2 per cent year-on-year.

Following the spike in cases, the government has ordered Meta to take action against impersonation scams proliferating on Facebook and Instagram. The directive is part of a broader effort to hold platforms accountable for scam proliferation.

Read on the arrest of the SAF impersonators in the fake bulk order scam here.

Singapore’s leading AI scientist, Professor Alex Kot, has reportedly left Nanyang Technological University (NTU) after more than 30 years to join Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU), a Chinese-Russian academic collaboration. He will serve as chief scientist and distinguished professor, according to the South China Morning Post.

SMBU is jointly run by the Shenzhen government, Moscow State University and Beijing Institute of Technology, a top Chinese defence university sanctioned by the US. Kot’s move comes amid rising competition for global AI talent.

Kot’s departure raises questions about Singapore’s ability to retain top researchers in a field increasingly shaped by geopolitical interests. His expertise spans biometric recognition, image forensics, and machine learning.

He will help build SMBU’s research platforms and contribute to engineering breakthroughs. The university held a formal appointment ceremony on 3 September.

Kot’s exit follows a broader trend of Asian scientists relocating to China’s growing tech hubs, drawn by funding, infrastructure and strategic positioning.

Singapore is stepping up its defence and foreign policy efforts to secure its place in a rapidly changing world. In addenda to President Tharman’s address, ministries outlined plans to enhance national service (NS), deepen diplomatic ties, and build resilience against emerging threats.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) will refine NS roles, deploy personnel more effectively, and expand opportunities for volunteers. It’s also investing in cybersecurity and unmanned platforms to counter low-cost, dual-use threats.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will expand Singapore’s diplomatic footprint, opening missions in Africa and Latin America. It will also strengthen ties with the US, China and regional partners like Indonesia and Malaysia.

Singapore will launch a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with New Zealand, adding pillars for climate action and supply chain security.

The National Security Coordination Secretariat will coordinate inter-agency responses to cross-domain risks, from infrastructure to misinformation.

Read on Singapore's blueprint to stay globally secure here.

France’s latest mosque incident marks a disturbing evolution in foreign interference. What began as online disinformation campaigns has now spilled into physical provocations, like placing pig heads outside places of worship.

Authorities say two foreign nationals orchestrated the stunt, using Serbian plates, Croatian telecoms, and a Normandy farmer to source the pig heads. The suspects fled before sunrise, leaving behind a trail of outrage and suspicion.

This hybrid tactic, combining symbolic violence with digital amplification, mirrors previous incidents. In 2024, coffins labeled “French soldiers of Ukraine” were placed near the Eiffel Tower. In 2023, Stars of David were graffitied across Paris.

French intelligence agencies say these acts are often carried out by proxies: Eastern European nationals paid by intermediaries linked to Russian networks. Their goal is to destabilise, divide and distract.

Viginum, France’s social media watchdog, has traced thousands of fake accounts amplifying these incidents online. The mosque stunt is just the latest chapter in a playbook designed to fracture France from within.

Read on France blaming foreign operatives for mosque hate crime here.

Swiss watchmaker Swatch has released a limited-edition timepiece that flips the numbers 3 and 9 on its dial, a cheeky nod to President Trump’s 39 per cent tariff on Swiss imports. The watch, named “WHAT IF…TARIFFS?”, is only available in Switzerland and retails for 139 Swiss francs ($225).

The design is more than playful. It’s a pointed protest against what Swatch calls “a wake-up call” to the Swiss government, which has yet to negotiate a reduction in the tariff. The company says it will stop selling the watch as soon as the tariff changes.

Demand has surged, with delivery delays of up to two weeks and airport stores in Zurich and Geneva reporting sellouts. Swatch calls the model “a huge success”, though it declined to share exact sales figures.

The 39 per cent tariff, among the highest imposed by Trump globally, has rattled Switzerland’s luxury sector, which relies heavily on US exports. Raymond Weil also joined the satire, releasing just 39 watches with “39%” on the dial.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said negotiations with Switzerland are “probably” on track, but no timeline has been given.

Read on Swatch's satirical watches mocking Trump’s tariffs on Switzerland here.

Japan has set a new record: nearly 100,000 citizens are aged 100 or older. That’s 99,763 people, with women making up a staggering 88 per cent of the total. The milestone was announced ahead of Japan’s Elderly Day, a national holiday celebrating seniors with silver cups and letters from the Prime Minister.

So what’s behind this longevity boom? Experts point to a mix of factors: low obesity rates, diets rich in fish, vegetables, and fermented foods, and a culture that encourages daily movement, ven into old age.

Japan’s oldest woman, Shigeko Kagawa, is 114. The oldest man, Kiyotaka Mizuno, 111, credits his long life to avoiding “kuyokuyo” – dwelling on worries. It’s a mindset that mirrors Japan’s broader approach to ageing: stay active, eat well, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

The country’s centenarian count has exploded since 1963, when only 153 people were over 100. Today, that number has multiplied more than 650 times.

From Okinawa’s garden-grown vegetables to the national Radio Taiso morning exercise routine, Japan’s lifestyle habits offer a roadmap for ageing well.

Read on Japanese longevity here.

Months after the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 people, families say they’re still waiting for answers – and dignity. Some were sent the wrong remains. Others haven’t received any updates at all.

One mother was given a body that wasn’t her son’s. Another family says they were told to “wait for DNA.” The sole survivor remains hospitalised, with his wife unsure when he’ll return home.

Lawyers representing victims say one key theory has emerged, but authorities have yet to confirm it. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has remained largely silent.

A safety audit revealed over 50 lapses in Air India’s operations. The airline has since tapped Singapore Airlines to help overhaul its fleet maintenance.

But for grieving families, the issue isn’t just technical – it’s emotional. “We need answers. We need respect,” one relative said.

Read on Air India crash families demanding answers here.

Since Usain Bolt retired, athletics has searched for its next icon. Enter Gout Gout, a 17-year-old Australian phenom who’s already faster than Bolt was at the same age.

He’s broken national records, signed with Adidas, and drawn praise from Bolt himself. “He’s very talented,” Bolt said. “But it’s all about getting everything right.”

Gout’s performances have gone viral, and his style, upright, powerful and precise, has fans and pundits buzzing. He’s ranked among the top under-20 sprinters of all time, with two wind-assisted sub-20s already under his belt.

But Gout isn’t just a Bolt clone. He’s building his own legacy, with eyes on the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and a mindset focused on patience, growth and impact.

Athletics may have found its next Bolt. Or maybe, it’s found something even better.

Read on Gout chasing Bolt's legacy here.

Google's parent company Alphabet has officially joined the US$3 trillion market cap club, alongside Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia. The milestone reflects its transformation from a search engine to a full-spectrum tech powerhouse.

Nvidia leads the pack at over US$4 trillion, fuelled by AI chip dominance. Microsoft and Apple crossed the US$3 trillion mark earlier, driven by cloud scale and iPhone resilience.

Alphabet’s rise was powered by AI integration, cloud growth and a favourable antitrust ruling. Its Gemini model and proprietary chips are now central to its product ecosystem.

The company’s stock is up 32 per cent this year, outpacing the S&P 500’s 12.5 per cent gain. Investors are betting on Alphabet’s ability to monetise AI across consumer and enterprise workflows.

With scale, distribution, and infrastructure in place, Alphabet’s arrival in the US$3 trillion club is more than symbolic – it’s strategic.

Read on Google's parent joining the elite US$3 trillion club here.

The Trump administration has reached a framework agreement with China to keep TikTok operational in the US, ending years of uncertainty over the app’s future. President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to finalise the deal in a Friday meeting.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent credited Trump’s leadership and leverage for pushing the deal forward, noting that national security concerns were central to negotiations. The agreement reportedly includes provisions for US ownership and data safeguards.

While the buyer hasn’t been officially named, Oracle’s Larry Ellison is widely expected to lead the acquisition group. Ellison previously hosted TikTok’s US data and has longstanding ties to the Trump administration.

The deal follows a series of deadline extensions by Trump, who delayed enforcement of the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act multiple times. Critics argue these extensions undermined Congress’s intent, but they gave negotiators time to strike a deal.

Read on TikTok US shutdown deadline getting another extension here.

Singapore’s private housing market roared to life in August, with 2,142 new private homes sold, marking a 128 per cent jump from July and the highest monthly figure since November 2024. Including Executive Condominiums (ECs), the total hit 2,338 units.

The surge was driven by five major launches: Springleaf Residence, Canberra Crescent Residences, Promenade Peak, River Green, and Artisan 8, which accounted for 88 per cent of total sales. Developers front-loaded launches to avoid the Hungry Ghost Festival lull, releasing 2,496 new units in August.

Springleaf Residence led the pack, selling 884 units at a median price of S$2,166 psf. River Green followed with 451 units sold at S$3,111 psf, while Canberra Crescent moved 211 units.

Lower mortgage rates and intergenerational wealth transfers also boosted buying power. Most transactions fell within the S$1 million to S$2 million range, appealing to middle-class buyers.

Read on the August home sales beating Q2 total in just two months here.

Singapore’s largest illegal short-term rental case has exposed how digital platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway were used to bypass housing laws. The scheme involved 31 private units and six men, led by Robin Koh Guohui.

Koh created shell companies and appointed five men as directors to sign tenancy agreements. He then listed the units online under fake names, using multiple bank accounts and phone numbers to collect rent.

The Planning Act requires a minimum rental duration of three months for private homes. Koh’s listings violated this rule, leading to a S$1.14 million fine for him and smaller fines for the others.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) launched its investigation after a condo management council reported suspicious activity. Resident feedback helped uncover the full operation.

Authorities say they will continue monitoring online platforms and prosecute severe cases. URA encourages the public to report suspected illegal rentals via its website.

Read on how URA uncovered illegal rentals on Airbnb and HomeAway here.

Citi has appointed Lee Lung Nien as its Singapore Country Officer and Banking Head, making him the first Singaporean to hold the role in 50 years. The announcement was made on Monday (15 Sept), with Lee set to assume the position on 6 Oct.

Lee succeeds Tibor Pandi, who served two-and-a-half years in the role and eight years in Asia overall. His appointment reflects Citi’s commitment to nurturing local talent through its global leadership pipeline.

In his new role, Lee will oversee all Citi businesses and operations in Singapore, including franchise performance, regulatory relationships, and risk management.

Lee has been with Citi for 35 years, most recently serving as Chairman of Citi Private Bank for South Asia since 2020. He previously led Citibank Berhad in Malaysia and held senior roles in AML, operations, and markets across Asia.

Citi’s Asia South Head Amol Gupte praised Lee’s “multi-market experience and proven leadership,” calling him ideally positioned to lead the Singapore franchise.

Read on Citi Singapore getting tis first local leader in five decades here.

Singapore Exchange (SGX) CEO Loh Boon Chye received $7.82 million in total remuneration for FY2025, marking a 3.3 per cent increase from the previous year. His fixed salary remained steady at $1.21 million, but bonuses and long-term incentives saw notable gains.

Loh’s cash bonus rose to $3.27 million, up 3.6 per cent year-on-year, while long-term incentives climbed to $3.27 million, a 3.7 per cent increase. These components made up over 80 per cent of his total pay.

Benefits-in-kind also jumped nearly 32 per cent to $75,553, reflecting higher allowances and perks. SGX’s top five executives earned between $1.8 million and $3 million each.

The pay hike follows SGX’s record-high revenue and net profit for FY2025, with earnings rising 8.4 per cent to $648 million and revenue up 11.3 per cent to $1.37 billion.

SGX will hold its annual general meeting on 9 October, where shareholders may scrutinise executive compensation amid broader market shifts.

Read on SGX CEO Loh's pay rising to $7.8 million here.

Jetstar Asia’s recent retrenchment exercise reignited scrutiny over how Singapore employers manage layoffs. Though the airline met legal requirements, employees learned of the decision at the same time as the public, triggering backlash and union scrutiny.

Experts told HRD Asia that retrenchment must go beyond compliance. According to Collyer Law’s Azmul Haque and Syma Zainab, employers should follow the Tripartite Advisory, which emphasises fairness, transparency and compassion.

Selection criteria must be objective and documented. Age, race, gender or marital status cannot factor into decisions. Poor documentation risks wrongful dismissal claims and reputational damage.

Unionised workplaces require early consultation and respect for collective agreements. Communication is key: how layoffs are announced often determines public perception.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reports that retrenchment incidence remains low – 1.3 per 1,000 employees.

Retrenchments in Singapore fell to 3,300 in Q1 2025, down from 3,680 the previous quarter, but the list of companies cutting jobs is growing. With layoffs at Jetstar Asia, Samsung, SPH Media and MediaCorp, among others, workers are asking: what support is available?

Business sentiment is also cautious as fewer employers plan to hire or raise wages in the next quarter.

Government support includes the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant and Productivity Solutions Grant. But experts warn that retrenchment must be a last resort, not a quick fix.

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