Workers’ Party Leadership in Turmoil as Cadres Move to Oust Pritam Singh

Singapore’s political scene is gripped by intense internal manoeuvring within the Workers’ Party (WP) as a faction of disgruntled cadres prepares to challenge party chief Pritam Singh at internal elections scheduled for June 28. The push to unseat Singh stems from a High Court decision in December 2025 that upheld his conviction for lying to a parliamentary committee. Party insiders told The Straits Times that the search for a challenger has intensified in recent weeks, though no senior MP has confirmed they will run against Singh so far.

Names that have surfaced in discussions include Aljunied GRC MP Gerald Giam and Hougang MP Dennis Tan, as well as Sengkang GRC MPs He Ting Ru and Jamus Lim, who were part of a three-person disciplinary panel that found Singh had contravened the WP’s Constitution over his conviction. Several cadres said the situation remained fluid and could continue to change even up to the day of the votes.

The party’s slightly more than 100 cadres—who form its inner circle—will gather for two meetings on June 28. A special conference requested by 25 cadres in December 2025 will first be held, where Singh will be asked to account for his actions leading up to his conviction. These cadres, including former central executive committee members and election candidates, have also called for him to step down and for a secret vote to decide his fate should he not resign. Cadres voting Singh out would force a leadership transition at a moment when the WP should be consolidating its gains from the 2025 General Election.

Manufacturing Output Surges 13% in May, Led by AI-Driven Electronics Boom

Singapore’s manufacturing sector continued its strong performance in May, with output increasing by 13 per cent year-on-year, driven by another month of robust electronics production fuelled by demand for AI-related products. According to official data from the Economic Development Board (EDB) released on Friday, excluding biomedical manufacturing, output rose by 17.7 per cent.

Electronics grew an impressive 35.8 per cent, led by the infocomms and consumer electronics segments as well as semiconductors. EDB attributed the increase to robust AI-related demand. Precision engineering increased 32.2 per cent, with the machinery and systems segment recording higher production of semiconductor equipment. General manufacturing industries grew 1.8 per cent, led by the miscellaneous industries segment.

However, not all clusters performed equally. Transport engineering output fell by 5 per cent due to lower aerospace maintenance repair and overhaul activity and reduced work related to oil rigs and offshore platforms. Chemicals decreased by 11.5 per cent, led by lower production in petroleum and petrochemicals segments due to disruptions in feedstock supply. Biomedical manufacturing fell by 24.2 per cent, as medical technology output declined amid softer demand for medical devices.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, manufacturing output fell by 0.7 per cent, though output excluding biomedical manufacturing increased by 3.1 per cent.

Singapore Shares Open Lower as STI Falls

Singapore shares opened lower on Friday, with the Straits Times Index (STI) dropping 14.78 points or 0.28 per cent to 5,204.18 points as of 9:03 am. The broader market saw trading volume of 61.21 million shares worth $109.36 million, with 56 counters rising.

The decline came amid mixed signals from Wall Street, where US markets ended mixed on Thursday as investors weighed the profitability of large-scale AI investments against stronger-than-expected inflation data. The global forecast for Asian markets remains weak on continuing tensions in the Middle East and weak economic data. The STI later fell further, declining 1 per cent to 5,166.97 points.

SCDF Reports 120 Cases of Verbal Abuse, Attacks on Frontline Personnel

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) revealed on Friday that it has recorded 120 cases of frontline personnel being subjected to verbal abuse or physical attacks over the past three years. Since January this year, 17 such incidents have already been reported.

In a Facebook post on Friday morning, SCDF stated that it has zero tolerance for any abuse, harassment, or attacks against its frontline personnel and will not hesitate to lodge police reports. The post noted that SCDF handles an average of about 700 emergency medical calls daily and takes every call seriously, striving to provide assistance to the public. However, frontline personnel occasionally face verbal abuse or even physical attacks while on duty, hindering their ability to carry out their duties.

One incident in April involved a member of the public who hurled abuse and made lewd remarks at a female paramedic while she was providing medical assistance to a patient. Despite multiple attempts by on-site personnel to calm the individual, he continued to verbally abuse the paramedic and was eventually sentenced to 11 weeks in jail.

SCDF reminded that offenders who commit offences involving voluntarily causing hurt and obstructing public service personnel in the execution of their duties face a maximum penalty of up to seven years in jail, a fine, or caning. The force also called on the public to support frontline personnel so they can carry out their mission of protecting lives and property with peace of mind.

PMA User and Walking Stick User Brawl at Coffee Shop

A video of two elderly women—one using a personal mobility aid (PMA) and the other a walking stick—exchanging blows during a heated altercation at a coffee shop has gone viral. According to Stomp.sg, the incident occurred after the pair were seen arguing, with the situation escalating into a physical scuffle captured in videos uploaded to Facebook on June 24.

In the first clip, a woman in a pink shirt seated on a PMA is seen pointing upwards while repeatedly saying “CCTV” to another elderly woman dressed in green. The confrontation escalates when the woman in green raises her walking stick and pushes it towards the other woman, prompting the PMA user to get off her device and attempt to grab the stick while striking the other woman. Both women then fall to the ground but continue grappling, before a bystander rushes in to try to intervene.

Police told Stomp.sg they received a call for assistance at Block 261 Serangoon Central at about 7.55pm on June 22. A 69-year-old woman was taken conscious to hospital, while a 65-year-old woman sustained minor injuries and declined hospitalisation. Both are assisting with investigations. The post quickly drew attention online, garnering more than 150 reactions and over 50 comments, with netizens expressing both concern and amusement.

NDP 2026 to Feature First-Ever Persons with Disabilities Contingent

In a significant milestone for inclusivity, the National Day Parade (NDP) 2026 will feature the first-ever contingent comprising entirely of persons with disabilities (PWDs). Led by former para-athlete Yap Qian Yin, 16 participants from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) will join a sea of marching civilians at the National Stadium to mark Singapore’s 61st year of independence.

SDSC’s NDP contingent participants will include people with physical disabilities and individuals with autism. Wheelchair users will use ramps to access the stage, while organisers are trying out the use of guide dogs to assist visually impaired individuals. Holding areas and quiet rooms at the National Stadium are also available for those who need a calmer environment.

Yap, 35, who won gold for Singapore in parasailing at the 2014 Asian Para Games and 2015 ASEAN Para Games, said the inaugural contingent marks PWDs moving beyond being audience or performance members of the NDP. “We are able to… participate in the contingent segment, to march together with the rest of the contingents,” said Yap. “(It) really symbolises a purposeful (and) meaningful Singapore, moving forward as an inclusive society.”

Speaking to the media on June 25 at the National Stadium, the chairman of NDP’s parade and ceremony committee, Colonel Anthony Lau of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, said the inclusion of the PWD contingent this year is meaningful. “It reflects the spirit of going beyond self, reinforcing the idea that Singapore’s security and progress are contributed by everybody across the different segments (of) society,” said Lau. The SDSC contingent begins training on June 27.

MAS Launches Future of Finance Institute to Drive AI Innovation

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Thursday announced the establishment of the Future of Finance Institute (FFI) to accelerate the adoption of emerging financial technologies and drive innovation across the financial sector. The institute will initially focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and tokenisation, serving as a platform to connect financial institutions, technology firms and researchers while providing shared resources and expertise.

MAS noted that the FFI builds on existing public-private collaborations in AI and tokenisation and will consolidate these efforts under a single coordinating body. MAS will continue to oversee policy and regulatory frameworks, while the institute will work directly with industry participants.

The FFI’s activities will centre on four areas: a knowledge hub providing cases and guidance; an innovation garage to coordinate industry collaboration; industry sandboxes for testing emerging technologies; and implementation toolkits, including resources for programmable compliance and AI risk management. The institute will be governed by a board comprising representatives from MAS, financial institutions, technology firms and academia.

French Teen in Straw-Licking Case to Enter Plea Next Month

A French teenager facing criminal charges in Singapore for a straw-licking stunt will enter a plea next month in a case that could land him in jail on conviction, a court heard Friday. Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, who turned 19 on Thursday, is accused of posting to social media a video of himself putting a straw he had licked back into the dispenser on an orange juice vending machine. His clip went viral and triggered a backlash that led to his arrest in Singapore.

His lawyer told a district court on Friday that his client—who was not present at the hearing—would enter a plea on the afternoon of July 13. Maximilien, who is studying in Singapore, is out on bail. He had uploaded the video on Instagram knowing that it “would or would probably cause annoyance to the public”, according to court documents detailing the charges.

If convicted of causing a public nuisance, he could receive a jail term of up to three months and a fine. A second charge of committing mischief said Maximilien knew that he was “likely to cause wrongful loss or damage” to iJooz, the company operating the vending machine, which had to replace all 500 straws in the dispenser. The mischief offence carries a punishment of up to two years in jail on conviction and a fine. Both offences were allegedly committed on March 12. In late April, the court allowed Maximilien to leave Singapore for a three-week internship in Manila, a requirement for him to graduate. He has since returned.

New Initiative Helps Vulnerable Families Build Financial Resilience

More than 250 seniors and vulnerable family members will benefit from a new community programme that aims to improve financial capabilities and living conditions through financial literacy education, scam prevention knowledge, and home environment improvements. HSBC and RSVP Singapore launched the year-long “Lit Up Initiative” on Friday, which combines financial education, anti-fraud awareness, preventive health knowledge, and home improvement services.

Iranian Attack on Singapore-Flagged Vessel Strains US-Iran Deal

In a significant international development, two senior US officials revealed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. The attack has put to the test the preliminary agreement signed between the United States and Iran last week and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials and maritime personnel, reported the attack. The International Maritime Organization subsequently suspended the evacuation operation for stranded vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to reassess whether security conditions remained sufficient. The suspension not only tests the preliminary peace agreement between the US and Iran but also has implications for global oil prices, which rose 1.9 per cent in response to the renewed regional tensions. Iran has yet to make an official response.

Frasers Property Unveils $2.1 Billion Hospitality Restructuring Plan

Property developer Frasers Property (FPL) is proposing to sell its interest in Frasers House, formerly InterContinental Singapore in Bugis, and take full ownership of Fraser Suites Singapore as part of a $2.1 billion plan to restructure its hospitality business. Announced on June 25, the restructuring will see the mainboard-listed group sell several mature, income-generating hotels, retain stakes in or fully acquire properties with growth or redevelopment potential, and earmark several non-core assets for sale when market conditions are suitable.

Group chief financial officer Loo Choo Leong said at a media briefing that FPL is aiming to make better use of its capital and reduce debt, which will allow it to generate better returns for shareholders over the long term. Shareholders will vote on the proposal at an extraordinary general meeting expected to be held in August. Shares of FPL briefly rose 4.7 per cent when the market opened on June 25 before paring gains by midday, closing 1.9 per cent higher at $1.09.

PayNow Users to Enjoy Unified QR Payment Experience

PayNow users can expect a more seamless payment experience with a new set of enhancements unveiled by MAS and the Association of Banks in Singapore. These include a unified QR payment experience for local users and tourists using PayNow and NETS QR codes, as well as an enhanced online checkout experience for customers on major merchants’ and e-commerce platforms. Transactions in larger values for selected government payments are also being studied, alongside a wider range of payment options to support businesses, including low-value, high-frequency transactions and expanded cross-border connectivity. The current limit for PayNow via the FAST service is $200,000 per transaction.

Nurses Must Be Empowered as Architects of Care: Rahayu Mahzam

Empowering nurses means providing them with the autonomy, resources and institutional support to actively design care rather than to just execute it, said Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam on June 25. “It means moving beyond a model where nurses are seen primarily as implementers of care to one where they are recognised as architects of it,” she said. Rahayu, who is also Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 9th Asia Pacific Nurses Convention 2026 at the Singapore Expo.

Many nurses are leading clinical teams, shaping care delivery and driving innovation, she said. “In Singapore, we have seen this first-hand — through initiatives like community health posts and Healthier SG, our nurses are playing an active role in preventive care, supporting residents in developing personalised health plans, conducting screenings, managing chronic diseases and connecting patients to community partners,” Rahayu said.