Man gets 16 months’ jail for attempting to smuggle 58 Indian star tortoises into Indonesia via Changi Airport

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SINGAPORE: &nbsp, A person was transiting through Singapore&nbsp, in August when he was caught&nbsp, at Changi Airport with&nbsp, 58&nbsp, American star reptiles in his bag.

Abdul Jaffar Haji Ali, an Indian national, was sentenced to 16 months in prison on Tuesday ( Dec. 10 ) after being found guilty of one count of illegally importing a listed species into Singapore. &nbsp,

In Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES, the American star snail is listed as a very endangered species. If their trade is not severely restricted, then these species face a serious risk of extinction, according to the National Parks Board ( NParks ).

The reptiles were discovered inside a gentle backpack belonging to Abdul Jaffar, wrapped in a linen bag, according to court records.

The traveller was awaiting his connecting flight to Jakarta on Aug 29, after&nbsp, flying in from Chennai, when his luggage was screened by&nbsp, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority ( ICA ) officers.

They discovered a problem, and turtles were discovered right after the case was opened. The problem was then referred to NParks for more studies.

The animals, however, were seized and sent to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation for evaluation.

A veterinarian claimed in an evaluation of the animal health and welfare of the examination that the method of transporting the tortoises into Singapore did not adhere to the guidelines set forth by the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) for the safe and humane transportation of animals.

This&nbsp, caused them “unnecessary suffering”, the physician added.

For the reasons listed below, the vet claimed that the reptiles ‘ transport conditions did not adhere to IATA’s requirements:

  • The backpack they were discovered in was not strong enough to withstand vigorous piling or other external forces. There was a&nbsp, hazard of the creatures being crushed during their travel, which could have led to injury or fatalities.
  • There were no air openings in the backpack, creating&nbsp, a danger of suffocation, heat stress and cold.
  • The turtles were packed very richly in&nbsp, a little and confined area. The animals, as a result, &nbsp, faced&nbsp, increased anguish, and a higher&nbsp, threat of strangulation and heat stress.
  • The suitcase&nbsp, was also not sufficiently labelled, and if the case had been badly handled, it&nbsp, may have caused anxiety or injuries to the tortoises, leading to affected security.

Of the 58 reptiles, one of them was found dead. &nbsp, While it did not exhibit any visible signs of injury or conditions, it was assessed to be very slim. Twenty-two others were also found to be slim and the rest were&nbsp, found to be of acceptable pounds.

According to court documents, Abdul Jaffar was not authorized to buy a listed species into Singapore without a valid permit from the director-general of animals trade control.

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Girl allegedly kidnapped in Malaysia believed to be scam victim: Singapore police

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SINGAPORE: A 15-year-old girl&nbsp, who was allegedly kidnapped in Malaysia is believed to be a victim of a China official impersonation scam, the Singapore Police Force ( SPF ) said on Friday ( Dec 6 ).

CNA is aware that the lady attends a Singaporean school and is a Chinese nationwide.

According to preliminary studies, the girl was given permission to travel to Malaysia on November 24 by fictitious Chinese officials, according to the police’s reaction to press inquiries.

Officers on Friday confirmed that she had returned to Singapore on December 1 with her father. Investigations are ongoing.

On November 25, SPF received a notification that the child had vanished.

Two days later, Singapore authorities announced that Indonesian authorities were looking into the situation and that preliminary investigations indicated the lady had voluntarily left Singapore without her.

Foreign NATIONAL CHARGED IN MALAYSIA

A Chinese federal was detained on Thursday in Johor Bahru in connection with the girl’s theft, according to Malaysian news outlet The Star.

Huang Xiaonan, a 22-year-old studying at a school in Singapore, &nbsp, is accused of kidnapping the girl&nbsp, at a motel in Johor Bahru on Nov 24. &nbsp,

Huang was denied loan by the court, and the prosecution referred to him as a flight risk. On January 27, 2025, he will go back to judge.

According to The Star, the girl&nbsp, entered Johor Bahru through Woodlands station on Nov 24.

A 48-year-old Foreign national reported to the police on November 26 that his 15-year-old girl had never attended university in Singapore, according to Johor police chief captain M. Kumar.

The child was found in Kuantan, Pahang. Huang was arrested at the same place, The Star reported.

From January to October this year, there were at least 308 scam cases in Singapore involving the impersonation of China officials, with total losses amounting to at least S$ 38.2 million ( US$ 28.5 million ).

At least 231 fraud cases involving the imitation of Chinese officials were reported in the same time last month, totaling more than S$ 22 million.

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Singapore, Thailand to work together on carbon credits, food security: PM Wong

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SINGAPORE: Singapore and Thailand can build on their close connectivity to work together on carbon credits and food security issues, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday (Nov 28).

Mr Wong highlighted the green economy as one area in which the two countries can expand cooperation during a joint press conference with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok.

Noting that Thailand is stepping up its production of green power through sources such as hydrogen and biofuels, Mr Wong said the two sides can “work towards an implementation agreement on carbon credits collaboration, which will open up new opportunities for our companies”.

He added that food security was something which he had previously discussed with Ms Paetongtarn, when they met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Laos last month.

Back then, Ms Paetongtarn had updated him on her priorities on the issue too, said Mr Wong.

“This is also important for Singapore, as we import most of what we consume, and we are continually looking to enhance our food security,” he said.

In her remarks, Ms Paetongtarn said that Thailand is keen to strengthen Singapore’s food security, by increasing premium rice and organic egg exports to Singapore.

NEW AND EXISTING AREAS OF COOPERATION

Singapore will also host Thai civil servants on scholarships to study in some master’s programmes at universities here, Mr Wong announced, during his one-day introductory visit to the Thai capital.

“This builds on a long-standing exchange that we already have between our two civil services,” said Mr Wong.

The two leaders had earlier witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the arrangement, between Mr Piyawat Sivaraks, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Civil Service Commission, and Mr Albert Chua, the permanent secretary of Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“I hope the MOU that we are signing and the exchange of students will facilitate even more mutual learning and sharing of best practices between our officials, as well as those from ASEAN and beyond,” said Mr Wong.

Ms Paetongtarn said that “Thailand appreciates Singapore’s granting (of) scholarships for our civil servants”.

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Singapore and China looking to work together in new areas like sustainability, digital payments: Gan Kim Yong

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HOW US ‘ STANCE ON CHINA WILL AFFECT SINGAPORE

Additionally, Mr. Gan was questioned about the impact of America’s vehement opposition to China on Singapore’s connection with superpowers and the Southeast Asian region as a whole.

Donald Trump, the country’s next president, took a more hawkish stance toward China during his first term in office on Wednesday ( Nov 8 ).

Mr Gan said it is in the fascination of Singapore, being an available and little business, to see a steady and calm relationship between the two nations.

” China has been our vital economic companion. So, we want to remain to be able to do business with China”, he noted.

” At the same time, we have even informed our British friends that we value America as a significant mate.” We told both factors that both of them are significant to us, and they are actually the biggest investors in Singapore.

” This is a pretty narrow road that we need to understand, but we also emphasise to them that our connection to them must be built on concepts, and the rules must be Singapore’s national attention.

” So no matter who we work with, whether it’s US or China, any other state, generally start from Singapore’s federal guidelines, usually work for Singapore”.

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‘New and exciting’ collaboration opportunities for Singapore and Indonesia ahead: PM Wong

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Additionally, the officials exchanged opinions on the global environment in general.

Indonesia and Singapore share several common proper perspectives of the world, according to Mr. Wong, but we are entering a more disturbing era in international affairs.

Both Singapore and Indonesia “want to be companions to all,” to be” great neighbors,” and also have close ties to both the United States and China.

” We may both workout active and independent foreign policies towards that consequence, in order to achieve mutual gain, shared interest and important, peace, stability and prosperity for ourselves and for Southeast Asia”, said Mr Wong.

The prime minister continued, adding that both leaders hoped that Singapore’s and Indonesia’s close cooperation would “provide pathfinders to promote ASEAN inclusion and make for a stronger and more united ASEAN.”

A solid ASEAN may serve us well in this more complex world, he said to reporters,” and will help ensure that the region is able to live and entice investments into Southeast Asia.”

Mr. Wong concluded his statement by saying that he looked forward to introducing and continuing his meetings with Mr. Prabowo at the upcoming Singapore-Indonesia Leaders ‘ Retreat, which will be held by Singapore in 2025.

Before the leaders ‘ first meeting on Wednesday morning, Mr. Wong presented a crown at the Jakarta-based Kalibata Heroes Cemetery before heading to Mr. Prabowo’s Istana Merdeka for his service.

Following a service attended by members of the Indonesian government and the national guard, Mr. Wong met with Mr. Prabowo and his ministers and signed a guestbook.

Mr. Wong is being accompanied by Minister of State for Digital Development, Information, and Health Rahayu Mahzam, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of State for Manpower Tan Discover Leng, and Minister of State for Digital Development and Information.

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PM Wong to meet Indonesian President Prabowo during introductory visit to Jakarta

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Beginning on Tuesday ( Nov. 5 ), Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will meet Indonesia’s newly elected president Prabowo Subianto during a two-day introductory visit to Jakarta.

According to a statement released from the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, Mr. Wong may also join with Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Speaker of the Women’s Consultative Assembly Ahmad Muzani, and Speaker of the Regional Representative Council Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin.

The visit “reaffirms Singapore’s commitment to strengthening our long-standing connection with Indonesia” and provides a forum for leaders on both sides to exchange ideas on enhancing diplomatic relationships,” the statement continued.

This is one of a number of beginning trips to neighboring Southeast Asian nations that Mr. Wong has made since taking office in May.

The Prime Minister of Singapore traveled to Indonesia next month to witness Mr. Prabowo’s inauguration, who won a overwhelmingly positive vote in February to be Indonesia’s seventh president.

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‘Sex slave to my husband’: A Singaporean’s 18-year ordeal in a Malaysian cult-linked group

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HUSBAND HAS” Total” Right OVER WIFE

In 2007, on the pretext of” saving” her from rebellion and external influence, GISB forced her to marry a man 10 years her senior, who was also the son of an active and influential part, said Zoey.

” My lips made me want to marry,” I said. because I immediately disagreed with their wants.

The then-adolescent married without the parents ‘ consent or appearance. Before a solemnization can take place, the bride’s parents must give approval under Islamic law in Singapore and Malaysia, or in his absence, a member of the family’s equal authority. &nbsp,

When she asked what would happen if she did n’t marry the man, GISB threatened to kick her mother– who was then a strong believer&nbsp, – out of the community. &nbsp,

The gentleman kicked and hit Zoey in Penang a week later when the pair relocated there. She claimed that he continued to do so even though she was expecting his baby. &nbsp,

” While I was female all the way until I gave birth, whenever he wants to have sex, at any time, I have to say yes”, said Zoey. &nbsp,

Over the years, GISB leaders have been quoted claiming that&nbsp, physical skills took a back seat in marriage, beyond that of cliched” excellent mother or great cook” roles.

The eldest daughter of Abuya’s princess has also made a statement to Malaysian press that she was forced into marriage with a GISB head following her father’s passing and was subjected to physical abuse from senior members of the organization. Ummu Atiyyah, then 41, said earlier this month that she was beaten, burned with a lighter, locked in a place, submerged in a lake and forced to remove among other crimes.

Three years into her marriage, Zoey went to the police, and even sought to leave the man.

But she said her father-in-law&nbsp, told her to remove her statement, promising&nbsp, that his brother would change. &nbsp,

” He also said that a divorce will bring shame to ( GISB )”, said Zoey. &nbsp,

She said that her ex-husband also told her that before a woman turns 21, her spouse has “absolute caregiving rights” over her, and that if the husband does n’t want a divorce, there’s nothing the wife can do. &nbsp,

She tried once more with the person in 2014 after having four children with him.

But this time it was her own family who discouraged her from doing so, according to Zoey, who remains&nbsp, doubtful if her grandmother was simply carrying out GISB’s purchases.

Over the years, she said she continued to speak out about her maltreatment, also showing a photo of her wounds to her family as well as GISB’s senior management, including Abuya’s family. But her screams reportedly went ignored. &nbsp,

“(GISB leaders ) kept telling me, your husband is your path to heaven” .&nbsp,

Zoey claimed that she tried taking contraceptives, but another users objected because they thought it was against their faith.

Over the following seven years, she would include five more babies.

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Why more young Singaporeans are volunteering in ‘unfamiliar’ Laos

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Ms Kang from Singapore Polytechnic said the circumstance “forced us to consider on our feet, remain flexible and calm, and concentrate on non-verbal contact such as hand gestures, drawings, and demonstrations”.

Additionally, her team gained practical Thai expressions, which improved their host-host relationships and improved their kinship.

The rural schools were denied access to digital tools like Kahoot!, a game-based teaching software, and other language barriers.

Therefore, Mr. Soh’s group had to think outside the box to use the few resources at hand while engaging the students beyond books.

While learning about packaging, for example, students turned cheap containers into piggy banks and old papers into document pots.

The NUS group also made an additional impromptu by using layered report as a recycle whiteboard.

Ms. Yu, however, added that the ground in some Laosan regions also made transportation and logistics challenging for the YMCA’s volunteer teams, who then needed to turn to regional partners for assistance.

NOT ONE-OFF

According to Mr. Soh, Thai teachers have shown interest in adopting Malaysian methods to improve classroom life and make it more engaging through NUS’ Project Sabaidee.

In May 2025, the team will make a second trip it to establish a nursery in order to facilitate children’s smoother transition to the main school system.

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