SINGAPORE: The nondescript building in Singapore’s central business district sits quietly after office hours. But up on the sixth floor, lift doors open up to a different world.

Sharply dressed men sing and strut across a stage, to cheers and whistles from the crowd, before joining the patrons – mostly women – for drinking games and karaoke. The atmosphere is playful and flirtatious; and the service provided by the men is strictly non-sexual.

This is the Gentleman Club, and it’s a full house every night.

It is known as a host club, a concept popularised in Japan, where all-male staff members serve a mostly female clientele who pay for drinks and companionship.

While Gentleman Club is not the only such establishment in Singapore, its owner, who only wanted to be known as Glenn, said it is the first to actively and openly promote itself on social media. Others typically adopt a lower profile and rely mainly on word of mouth.

Gentleman Club’s Instagram page has over 11,000 followers, with posts showcasing its hosts as well as facilities. It also works with influencers, both locally and from abroad, to produce content.

The 29-year-old Glenn sees social media as a way to reach a broader clientele, something he picked up in his prior career in the food and beverage industry.

Social media has helped draw customers from places like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and China, he said. But some hosts decline to appear in his club’s publicity materials for fear of being recognised.

About 60 per cent of the hosts are Singaporeans, with the rest mainly from China.

Some also chose not to give their names when speaking to CNA about their experiences in the line.

PAYING FOR THE “BOYFRIEND-GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE”

The hosts perform two roles: Emcees, who facilitate and sometimes participate in performances onstage, or as singers in those performances.

Such segments typically feature about 25 hosts, running from 20 minutes to an hour and up to four times a night, said emcee Ignatius Lien.

The hosts typically work about five or six days a week, earning from a commission-based arrangement linked to alcohol sales – as well as tips from patrons.

Mr Lien, a Malaysian who has been working in Singapore for about 20 years, said he draws between S$10,000 (US$7,680) to S$20,000 a month.

On average, a host can earn at least S$200 to S$300 a night, he said.

Mr Lien used to work in the F&B and skincare industries. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he went into nightlife, starting a pub with some friends before becoming a host.

A 30-year-old host, who only wanted to be known as Jay, said he earns S$80,000 to S$100,000 monthly.

By day, the Singaporean works in real estate marketing, an industry he has been in for seven years. By night, he works a 10.30pm to 3am shift at Gentleman Club.

“We do have customers that want to continue drinking, but they will ‘buy’ you out to outside places to drink. So that's also considered my shift,” he said.

Mr Joachim Teoh, who has been a host for about four months, said they sometimes exchange contact details with customers, who then become regulars.

These regulars sometimes pay for a host even before the night commences, to take them to dinners, said the 21-year-old Singaporean.

After National Service, Mr Teoh had been unsuccessful in applying to universities. He then chanced upon job openings at the Gentleman Club on social media.

“I like drinking a lot. I go out drinking with my friends often. And I was thinking, ‘how about I make this a job so I can have fun and enjoy, while still earning money?’,” said Mr Teoh.

He declined to reveal exactly how much he earns in a month, but said it was in the “mid-four digits”.

The hosts said they meet patrons of all ages, although most are in their late 20s to 30s. Most of the clientele is also female, but there are occasionally male customers.

“My oldest, most mature customer is actually a 65-year-old male,” said Jay. “Honestly, a lot of people at that age, they have their finances in check, career in check, almost everything in check. And like anybody else, they come out here because they feel lonely.”

Some of the patrons are also rich foreign students – typically of second or third-generation wealth and hailing from countries such as China.

Different customers seek different things, be it companionship or emotional satisfaction, and the host’s job is to fulfil these as best as he can.

For instance, there are women who are newly divorced or whose husbands cheated on them, so they just want to release some stress, said Jay.

Mr Teoh said: “Most of our customers that come here, we would like to give them the ‘boyfriend-girlfriend’ experience.”

DRAWING THE LINE

Despite the emotional intimacy shared with customers, the hosts said they strictly adhere to physical boundaries and keep all interactions non-sexual.

Mr Teoh recalled an instance when a tipsy female customer propositioned him after a night of drinking. She requested he send her home, and when they arrived at her place, wanted him to go up “to do funny things”.

“She just told me, ‘name a price’,” he said. Mr Teoh declined politely.

He added that when meeting customers outside of the club, he is also careful to avoid holding their hands – especially when some of them are in relationships.

“We don’t want to be, if I put it directly, prostitutes,” said Jay.

“Once you put a price tag on your body, every time they come and find you for that kind of body service, they will know that … ‘it’s S$2,000, S$3,000’. The amount is fixed.”

In contrast, if customers view a host as a permanent companion or someone they need when going through a hard time, then there are no limits on the amount of money they’re willing to spend, said Jay.

Jay, who is currently in a relationship, acknowledged it could be tough for hosts to find stable partners.

“If I were them, it would be hard for me to accept that my partner is in this line as well, because it's undeniable that we do have to have some intimate connection with our customer in terms of – not necessarily physical – but emotionally, every single day,” he said.

Then there is the social stigma, which the hosts CNA spoke to were strongly against.

“It's not dirty,” said Mr Lien, the emcee. “I accompany the customer, talk to them, make them happy, drink with them and sing songs with them.”

Yet many people still see it as a job that is not open and aboveboard, said Mr Teoh.

“Some are still very traditional, they think that this is not a good job to work in, you will accumulate bad karma working here, stuff like that,” he said.

When he told his parents about his job, they thought he was sleeping with customers and being a gigolo. Mr Teoh cleared the air with them, although they remain concerned about his drinking habits.

His friends also know about his employment, as they have seen him on the club’s social media posts.

“I just tell them, ‘Yeah, I work at a boys club. I'm earning money with my own hard work’,” he said. “I don't really think it's a very shameful thing, especially now, when everything is so open. I don't feel a need to hide it.”

Singapore Nightlife Business Association president Danny Loong told CNA that Singapore’s nightlife scene has always been “diverse and evolving”.

“As long as venues operate responsibly, transparently, and within the law, they contribute to the vibrancy of our nightlife ecosystem. What matters most is maintaining professionalism and creating safe, inclusive spaces for patrons,” he said, adding that perceptions can also evolve over time.

Sociologist Ma Xiangyu from the Nanyang Technological University said that if host club businesses are indeed thriving, then they are “clearly meeting some kind of market demand”.

The assistant professor noted the precedents for such clubs in East Asian countries, and that Singapore is already “used to nightclubs, KTVs and beer ladies in kopitiams”.

“To varying extents, we understand, tolerate and accept the appeal and implications of these businesses,” he said.

SINGAPORE: One thing has always struck me about Gavin Lee, the newly appointed head coach of the Singapore men’s national football team. In interviews, he rarely begins by talking about his own achievements. Instead, he starts by thanking others: the mentors who shaped him, the players who trusted him and the staff who worked quietly behind the scenes.

This is not just humility; it reflects an empathy-driven mindset. In a world where head coaches are often expected to be charismatic tacticians or prominent personalities, this grounding in gratitude and community feels refreshingly human.

While Lee’s appointment as national head coach has drawn many positive reactions, it has also arrived in a landscape where scepticism is second nature. Singapore fans have been here before – hopeful, yet wary. Some question whether a young, local coach can shift decades of performance plateaus. Others quietly fear that a new appointment might mean old challenges in a new form.

But maybe the bigger question is not what Gavin Lee can or cannot do. Perhaps the question is: What do we, as Singaporeans, expect of ourselves in this new chapter?

A FOOTBALL NATION IS BUILT BY COMMUNITIES

If there is one lesson that a football study trip to the United Kingdom taught me, it is that a football nation is not built by coaches alone. It is built by communities.

I met fans and academy players of a lower-league club who turned up week after week, even when their team was battling relegation. Pre-match family activities were bustling, from middle school students shadowing the media team like budding sports journalists, to academy players enjoying futsal with the neighbourhood children.

At kick-off, the stadium was packed. They cheered not because their team was winning, but because belonging mattered. 

Their support created an atmosphere of energy and belief. It reminded me that football culture is shaped by people at every level: the physical education (PE) teachers who teach fundamental movement skills, parents who volunteer, grassroots coaches out on the muddy fields, and fans who show up even when the results don't.

Lee often speaks about this ecosystem, and now he stands at its forefront. His appointment may not have been merely about qualifications. It may be a mirror held up to all of us who care about Singapore football.

That experience in the UK reminded me that the heartbeat of football does not start at the national team level. It begins with us. It starts with people who show up, not just when the team wins.

However, showing up has not always been our strong suit. I have seen people hesitate to watch a 7.30pm Lions match yet stay up past midnight for European football without a second thought. I have been in local stadiums where empty seats outnumbered the filled ones.

While it is understandable that Singapore football fans have grown cautious after years of mixed results, it also reveals the gap between who we are today and who we can become if we choose to show up for our own game.

CHANGE BEGINS WITH US

If we want a stronger national team, the responsibility cannot rest solely on the shoulders of one coach or the football association. It belongs to all of us – to the parents who encourage play, to the schools that nurture values, to the clubs that develop talent, and, yes, to the fans who choose belief over cynicism.

It lives in the pub owner who screens local football matches because he knows that atmosphere grows culture. It lives in schools that send students to cheer for the Lions the same way they do for National Day Parade previews and inter-school games.

And it lives in all of us, like you, rounding up your old secondary school friends, pulling on our red jerseys, and deciding that supporting Singapore football is something we do together. Change begins with us.

The next milestone on our football calendar is the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where the Under-22 squad will kick off their campaign against Timor-Leste on Saturday (Dec 6) before facing Thailand on Dec 11.

While this team are not the senior Lions, showing up for our young players matters just as much. These are the boys who will be carrying our flag in the years ahead, and some of them may well be the names we cheer for at the 2027 Asian Cup. Supporting them now is how we plant the seeds for the future we hope to see.

With the 2027 Asian Cup 13 months away, the matches leading up to it and the tournament itself are opportunities for us to be present, regardless of the results. The journey will not be easy, and supporting the Lions means recognising the effort of everyone involved. It means staying present even when the scoreboard is not in our favour.

As we welcome Gavin Lee into his new role, the real question is: Are we willing to play our part the way other football communities do? Not as critics watching from afar, but as active participants in shaping the football culture we want for Singapore.

The new chapter has begun. The question is whether we are willing to be part of writing it.

Andy Loe is a Singapore sports enthusiast with a background in coaching and student development.

SINGAPORE: A 32-year-old Singaporean man linked to a Cambodia-based scam syndicate will be charged in court on Friday (Dec 5), following his arrest in Bangkok and deportation from Thailand. 

Lee Jian Hao, Jayen, is believed to be a member of an organised criminal group based in Phnom Penh that allegedly targeted Singapore victims with government official impersonation scams, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Thursday.

The criminal group is believed to be responsible for at least 438 such cases, involving losses of at least S$41 million (US$31.6 million), SPF added in a press release.

“The organised criminal group operated from a scam compound in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and was disrupted during a joint operation by the SPF and the Cambodian National Police on Sep 9,” said the police.

In October, the police disclosed the identities of 27 Singaporeans and seven Malaysians who were wanted for being part of the group. Lee was one of the suspects.

He was arrested by the Royal Thai Police and handed over to SPF on Thursday. 

Lee will be charged on Friday with one count of facilitating the commission of a serious offence, in furtherance of the illegal purpose of a locally-linked organised criminal group.

If convicted, he may face up to five years’ jail, a fine of up to S$100,000 or both.

Two Singaporeans linked to the syndicate were charged on Nov 17. Wayne Soh You Chen, 27, was arrested in Phnom Penh while Brian Sie Eng Fa, 32, was arrested during a raid in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

A 24-year-old Malaysian man linked to the same syndicate was charged on Nov 18. Bernard Goh Yie Shen was arrested by the Cambodian National Police in the country’s capital and deported to Malaysia. 

SPF said 24 Singaporean suspects and six Malaysian suspects remain at large. 

The Singaporeans are: Ng Wei Liang, Andrew Tay Jing An, Finan Siow, Francis Tan Thuan Heng, Jonathan Pek Ser Siang, Lam Yong Yan, Leon Chia Tee Song, Lim Ee Siong, Wong Yao Zong, Clarence Ng Jun Rong, Dilwin Tay Meng Wei, Dinesh, Kiang Wayne, Lam An Tuyen Daniel, Lim Jing En Kyan, Neo Zhi Bin, Ngiam Siow Jui, Phua Sheng Kai Audric, Poh Yang Ting, Sim Zong Yuan, Tan Darren, Tan Kai Siang, Tan Li Sen and Xavier Kho Yong Jun. 

The six Malaysians are: Tang Soon Fai, Kang Liang Yee, Tang Soon Wah, Hoe Ming Wei, Pang Han Ee and Yip Chee Hoe.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts can call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000, or +65 6255 0000 for overseas callers, or submit information online.

“All information received will be kept strictly confidential,” said SPF. 

SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia are making progress on longstanding bilateral issues, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday (Dec 4) saying this is being done constructively as he stated that water is "no longer a contentious issue" for Malaysia.

"There are differences, of course, but there's no hostility. And we don't take action, whether Singapore or Malaysia, to frustrate these movements," said Mr Anwar, during a joint press conference with his Singapore counterpart Mr Lawrence Wong.

The two prime ministers were addressing questions from reporters about the outstanding complex issues between the two countries after an hour-long meeting at the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat on Thursday at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Mr Wong said that several longstanding issues were discussed, such as airspace, water and maritime delimitation.

Mr Anwar later said in response to a journalist’s question that both sides need to agree to facilitate the process of addressing the longstanding issues and to have some clarity and not create issues for the future.

"I think you should at least compliment the present efforts in that interaction," said Mr Anwar.

"I'm not suggesting necessarily that it was never done. This has been the position in the past.

"But at least for now, for the first time, we have got the parameters clear, what is required for Singapore, what is required for Malaysia. Let us find a solution where both would be able to benefit from this, to function effectively, both in the air services and also the maritime."

ON WATER

When asked about the issue of water, Mr Wong said "it’s not a pressing issue", adding that both sides have "a shared interest to increase the yield and safeguard the water quality of the Johor river".

"We want to do this to guard against potential extreme weather changes or disruption scenarios that may happen, so that we can be assured of a resilient supply of water to meet the growing needs in Johor and also to meet Singapore's needs as provided for under the 1962 agreement," said Mr Wong in response to a question from a reporter.

According to a joint statement issued on Thursday, the two leaders encouraged continued discussions on the way forward regarding raw and treated water prices, "without prejudice to each other’s respective long-declared positions on the right to review the prices" under the 1962 Water Agreement.

Mr Wong noted that it is not an immediate issue as there has been "good rainfall in this past year and recent years".

"But we know that demand is growing. Demand in general, for water, is growing with the industries and the investments that it is attracting. And importantly, we know that extreme weather changes can happen," he warned.

For example, there could be dry spells or other completely unanticipated disruption scenarios, said Mr Wong.

Last month, operations at PUB's Johor River Waterworks were temporarily suspended for a day after a water pollution incident affecting the Johor River. In 2019, the water level at Johor's Linggiu Reservoir that provides water to Singapore fell below 50 per cent due to dry weather.

In light of such longer-term considerations, officials on both sides have been looking at possibilities for collaboration, especially in more new infrastructure to strengthen the resilience of water supply for both Johor and Singapore, said Mr Wong.

Mr Anwar said that due to the "effectiveness of our communications and the level of trust" between both sides, the water "is no longer a contentious issue as far as Malaysia is concerned, and Johor particularly".

"Yes, the water from Singapore originates from Johor, but the requirements in Johor is also huge," he said, adding that any discussions on the price mechanism that was initiated in the past will now be more complex due to the negative impact on consumers in Johor.

"That matter is now being deliberated at length," said Mr Anwar of the pricing.

He said what's important is Singapore's proposal to initiate some discussions on possible investments into some infrastructure in terms of water capacity and volume, and also in terms of those affected by the pollution, to ensure the level of capacity and also the quality of water.

"I've also expressed my readiness to positively look at it," said Mr Anwar.

ON AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Asked about a timeline for resolving longstanding bilateral issues, Mr Wong stressed the need for both sides to continue working on them.

"The longstanding issues are longstanding for a reason. They are complex, there are differences in views, and therefore we have to continue to engage in one another," he said.

"What's important is how we go about that engagement. And we do so in a constructive spirit, with mutual respect, trying to understand one another's positions."

He added that both sides must try to resolve the issues "in accordance with international law and to achieve durable and mutually beneficial outcomes".

"Not always easy to do that, but we can continue to talk and make progress," said Mr Wong.

He cited the issue of airspace, sharing that both sides had "a very fruitful discussion" on Thursday.

Both Singapore and Malaysia recognise that airspace management is not about sovereignty, said Mr Wong.

Instead, it concerns the current and future needs of the airports serving both nations – Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Senai Airport in Malaysia, as well as Singapore's Changi and Seletar airports. 

"It's about recognising that in the new environment where air traffic volumes have gone up, especially for Malaysia, between East-West traffic, then we will have to look at how best to optimise the air traffic management services," said Mr Wong.

He said that both sides have committed to doing so through a joint study, and have settled the principles and parameters around it.

While the issue is "not completely resolved yet", both countries are "moving forward in a constructive approach, in the spirit of working together and trying to find win-win solutions", said Mr Wong.

"It's in that same spirit that which we will engage with the other outstanding matters. It's not so much to say we have to resolve all this by a certain timeline. We have to be realistic," he noted.

"But so long as we continue engaging one another, making progress, and importantly, even if we cannot resolve the issues completely, we do not allow them to colour or to undermine the rest of our relationship, we can still cooperate in other areas."

This includes the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone which both countries are working together on, said Mr Wong.

"That's the approach we have been taking, and that's, I think, a very good approach for two close countries, close friends, close neighbours, to work together in a positive manner."

The ruling meant that Mr Singh’s sentence – a S$7,000 fine per charge – stood. He paid the fines after the conclusion of his appeal.

Justice Chong found that Mr Singh did not intend for Ms Khan to correct her falsehood for at least two months after learning of it, adding that the Leader of the Opposition’s approach was to “let sleeping dogs lie”.

Speaking to the media after the judgment, Mr Singh said he was “disappointed” but accepted the court’s decision. He acknowledged that he “took too long” to address Ms Khan’s untruth in parliament.

LEADERSHIP AND INTEGRITY

While analysts generally agreed that the episode had affected Mr Singh to some extent, they differed in their interpretations of what his handling of Ms Khan's lie revealed. 

Some raised concerns about his leadership and decision-making, while others questioned his integrity and accountability.

“Being untruthful does cast a negative light on Pritam Singh, if Singaporeans expect their political leaders to reflect integrity and trustworthiness,” said sociologist Dr Tan Ern Ser, adjunct principal research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. 

“I reckon leaders and public figures are judged by a higher standard.”

Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan of the Singapore Management University (SMU) said the judgment also touched on Mr Singh’s ethics and judgment.

“The sting in the judgment really lies in the elaborate web of lies and obfuscation that Mr Singh conjured in order that the untruth is buried and would have no chance of resurrection,” he said.

Ms Nydia Ngiow, managing director of Global Trade and Economics at BowerGroupAsia, said that the court’s finding that Mr Singh had hoped not to address the untruth may “raise questions about decisiveness and crisis-management instincts”.

"At the same time, his public acknowledgement that he 'took too long' and accepts responsibility reflects a leadership style willing to own shortcomings," said Ms Ngiow.

For Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst with Solaris Strategies Singapore, Mr Singh’s remarks after the appeal verdict that he accepted the judgment "fully and without reservation" and respected the court's decision signalled that Singaporeans should continue to place their trust in the judicial system.

"And I think what he said in the aftermath of the outcome would have resonated well with many tuning in, with many in Singapore, and I think that's also a way by which he can now provide closure and focus on the tasks at hand," Dr Mustafa said.

IMPACT ON WP CHIEF, SUPPORTERS

Experts were split on how much the long-running saga would affect Mr Singh or the WP.

Dr Tan believed the case would have no "political cost" on Mr Singh’s credibility or the party’s standing, arguing that some may view it as an “error of judgment” or an "attempt to protect his party".

Ms Ngiow similarly felt the episode did not appear to have significantly damaged Mr Singh’s credibility. On the issue of supporters, Ms Ngiow said that WP's base "has historically been resilient and tends to differentiate individual missteps from the party’s broader performance". 

Dr Mustafa described the case as a "hiccup" for Mr Singh, but "certainly not a defining moment" of his party leadership. 

Assoc Prof Tan, however, called the court’s decision a “body blow” that the WP would rather not have.

"The decision would raise legitimate concerns to a fair-minded voter about Mr Singh's leadership and character," said the associate professor. 

Still, most analysts agreed that the impact on Mr Singh’s standing within the party would be limited, partly because there was no clear contender for the top post.

But Assoc Prof Tan cautioned that the conviction remains a liability.

“Mr Singh’s grip on his party is relatively secure, but this conviction would be his Achilles’ heel that could dog his entire political career and perhaps the WP so long as Mr Singh is the leader,” he said.

LONGER-TERM EFFECT

Experts also considered the WP’s position as Singapore’s leading opposition party.

In the 2025 General Election, the WP defended its 10 seats in Aljunied and Sengkang Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) as well as Hougang Single Member Constituency, and also gained two Non-Constituency MP seats.

Mr Singh was part of the WP team re-elected in Aljunied GRC with 59.71 per cent of the vote.

IPS' Dr Tan said Mr Singh is likely credited for WP’s good electoral performance and is viewed as a capable leader.

Ms Ngiow noted that while the saga began in 2021, it did not appear to have hurt the party at the polls. She pointed out that in addition to defending its constituencies, WP improved its vote share in Sengkang GRC. 

“This suggests voters are judging the party on broader grounds, for example, its parliamentary performance and constituency work, rather than on this single incident,” she said.

“Singaporean voters tend to be pragmatic, and so long as WP continues to demonstrate competence in its wards, any long-term political damage remains containable.”

WP supporters would not have left because of the verdict, but Mr Singh now needs to work on gaining the support and confidence of voters in the middle ground who are reserving judgment on it, Dr Mustafa said. 

“I think what he may need to do going forward is to let his deeds, his actions, do the talking.”

SMU's Assoc Prof Tan said that WP occupies a “unique position” in Singapore's political landscape. It is the only opposition party in the 15th parliament, and "the only party which has a standing that comes close to the PAP (People’s Action Party)".

“So this setback will be cushioned somewhat,” he said. 

"The hard truth is that this final outcome is a severe reputational hit to him as a politician, a sitting Member of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition, WP leader, and to the WP."

With the 15th parliament still in its early days, the WP and Mr Singh "will have time to put this matter behind them".

"But if he continues to cast doubt on his conviction or he or his party gets embroiled in another scandal in this parliamentary term, the special position of the WP could very quickly unravel," said Assoc Prof Tan.

SINGAPORE: Several flash floods broke out in western Singapore on Thursday (Dec 4) after heavy rainfall across the island in the afternoon, national water agency PUB said.

The heaviest rainfall of 113.4mm was recorded in the west from 1.45pm to 3.25pm, PUB said in a post on Facebook.

This amount corresponds to 36 per cent of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in December and falls within the top 2 per cent of maximum daily rainfall records since 1978.

The intense rain temporarily overwhelmed the capacity of surrounding drains and canals, causing flash floods at the junction of Boon Lay Way and Corporation Road, Boon Lay Avenue (between Jalan Boon Lay and Boon Lay Drive), Pandan Road and Pesawat Drive.

Quick response teams were deployed to direct traffic away from flooded lanes and provide assistance to motorists.

"Flooding subsided within 30 minutes at all four locations," said PUB.

In its weather forecast for the first half of December, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Monday that northeast monsoon conditions are expected to prevail, with winds blowing mainly from the northwest or northeast.

Moderate to heavy thundery showers are expected over parts of Singapore on most afternoons.

"The showers may extend into the evening on a few of these days. The total rainfall for the first fortnight of December 2025 is forecast to be near average over most parts of the island," NEA added
 

SINGAPORE: ExxonMobil plans to wind down operations at the older of its two steam crackers on Singapore's Jurong Island from March, four sources familiar with the matter said, part of a global petrochemicals sector trend to reduce capacity amid industry losses.

The shutdown of the plant, which opened in 2002, is expected to be complete by June, two of the sources said. The sources asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The imminent shutdown of the United States major's first cracker in the Asian oil trading hub comes as chemical producers grapple with losses from overcapacity led by China, the world's largest consumer of petrochemicals used to make products ranging from plastics and clothes to shoes and cars.

"As a matter of practice, we do not comment on market rumours or speculation," an ExxonMobil spokesperson said in response to CNA's query.

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The planned shutdown comes after Exxon's start-up earlier this year of a new steam cracker in the southern Chinese city of Huizhou, which can produce around 1.6 million tonnes per year of ethylene.

Exxon has in the past two years gradually scaled down term contract volumes with customers in Singapore, a second of the four sources said.

Local buyers will likely switch to offtake from the two remaining ethylene producers in Singapore, traders said.

Exxon has a second 1.1 million tonnes per year cracker at Jurong Island, which started operations in 2013.

South Korea, another major petrochemical hub in Asia, is also seeing sector consolidation.

POST-CLOSURE PLANS

Exxon is considering buying feedstock to continue operating some of its derivative polyolefin units after the cracker's shutdown, depending on margins, the first source said.

"Assuming no operational changes at its second cracker and corresponding downstream units, running the polyolefin units associated with the shut cracker will necessitate the purchase of feedstock," said Catherine Tan, senior manager for chemical analytics at ICIS.

"Unless they can secure very low olefins prices, this is unlikely to be economically viable in the long term," added Tan, who expects Exxon to cut imports of naphtha, the cracker's main feedstock, as a result of the shutdown.

For the first 11 months this year, Exxon imported about 1.5 million metric tons of naphtha, compared with nearly 2.5 million tons for all of 2024, data from ship-tracking firm Kpler showed.

In October, Exxon said it expected to cut 10 per cent to 15 per cent of its Singapore workforce by 2027. The US major also agreed to sell its petroleum retail business in the city-state to Indonesia's Chandra Asri, co-owner of Aster Chemicals, which runs the Bukom refinery-petrochemical complex.

In September, however, Exxon started operations at a new refining unit at its 592,000 barrel-per-day Singapore refinery.

SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia should be proud of what the two countries have accomplished in the last 60 years, both bilaterally and in the region, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday (Dec 4) at a joint press conference with Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Hailing the milestone of both nations celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties, Mr Wong said he always valued the engagements and the friendship with his counterpart Mr Anwar in their past meetings.

"We are able to have candid and constructive discussions, and we both focus on what we can achieve together as close neighbours, good friends and for the benefit of both our peoples," said Mr Wong at the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat, which took place at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.

Mr Anwar said his visit to Singapore, though short, was very substantive.

The Malaysian PM highlighted the strength of the friendship, noting that at almost "every opportunity", the two countries update each other on progress made and show concern for the welfare of the people.

At the retreat, both countries exchanged two memorandums of understanding on health cooperation and combating the drug trade, and signed an agreement on the Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS).

Malaysia also formally agreed to Singapore's proposal to open consulates in Sabah and Sarawak, which Mr Wong said he was "very happy" about.

Mr Wong then noted that “longstanding issues” remain between the two sides, including airspace, water, and maritime delimitation.

With growing air traffic in the region, Singapore and Malaysia need to work on arrangements on how to manage the current and future needs of both sides to ensure that the airports can operate safely and efficiently.

The discussion was fruitful, he said. Both countries recognised that airspace management is not about sovereignty and have committed to a joint study to optimise air traffic management services.

Mr Anwar said the parameters are quite clear, and the arrangements should not frustrate "free movements".

"If we accept that principle, I think we ... can move ahead with more certainty," he said in his opening remarks. 

There is also a shared interest in increasing the yield and safeguarding the water quality of the Johor River, said Mr Wong.

As for maritime boundary delimitation, officials have gained a better understanding of each other’s position through several rounds of discussions, but more time is needed to resolve the issue.

Mr Anwar said in his opening remarks that the maritime boundary is a "more complex" issue, but that progress can be made if there is a clear commitment to resolve it.

"We must work towards an amicable resolution, even if it is not in full, at least progress in part," he said.

“All of these outstanding bilateral issues are complex issues. There are differences in views, and they are not easy to resolve,” said Mr Wong in his opening speech. “But as good neighbours, we will continue engaging in good faith.”

Officials from both sides will continue discussions, and Singapore looks forward to working with Malaysia to achieve positive and durable outcomes that benefit the two countries, he said.

“I am glad to find in (PM Anwar) a partner who is equally committed to ensuring that our ties continue to flourish for many more years to come,” said Mr Wong.

“I look forward to working closely together ... to further strengthen our partnership and uplift the citizens of both our countries.”

Mr Anwar said during his opening speech that other regional and trade issues were discussed extensively.

"Generally, we are on the same page, and I am of course, extremely delighted to be here and be able to discuss very candidly, frankly with Prime Minister Lawrence."

PROGRESS IN ECONOMIC COOPERATION, ENERGY

Mr Wong also highlighted ways in which Singapore and Malaysia have strengthened ties, including "very good progress" on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

He noted that Singapore-based companies have committed over S$5.5 billion (US$4.2 billion) in investments into the SEZ since January 2024.

"We welcome the ratification of the SEZ Agreement, and there is tremendous potential for this to grow further. We have only just begun," he said. "The potential is much greater going forward, especially with improved transport connectivity."

Mr Anwar said the SEZ is a "spectacular example and success" that could only happen because of the trust between both countries.

"I don't think this should be ignored or underestimated. This is ... unprecedented, and we have seen the initial results, which is startling," he said, adding that there has been a "phenomenal increase" in investments in Johor.

The energy partnership between Singapore and Malaysia has also had good momentum, with Singapore's Energy Market Authority awarding conditional approval for a proposal to import low-carbon electricity from Sarawak.

Mr Wong also said there are plans to expand the capacity for cross-border electricity trade through a second electricity interconnector.

"These projects will bring us closer to a low-carbon future, create more opportunities, and support the development of the ASEAN Power Grid," he said.

RTS A MAJOR "GAME CHANGER"

On transport matters, the supplementary RTS Link agreement inked during the retreat will help facilitate preparations for co-located immigration facilities, among other things.

Officials are also discussing reciprocal improvements to the cross-border taxi scheme to provide more convenient options to commuters, said Mr Wong, adding that both sides have introduced initiatives such as QR customs clearance and automated lanes to reduce congestion.

In response to a question from the media on long-term border infrastructure planning between both sides, Mr Wong said that the RTS will be a "tremendous asset" and a "major game changer" in facilitating the very high volume of traffic on both sides of the Causeway.

On Thursday, a Supplementary Agreement to the RTS Link Bilateral Agreement was signed and exchanged between Singapore's Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow and his Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke, in the lead-up to the eventual operationalisation of the RTS Link.

Mr Wong also addressed the issue of cross-border taxis between both sides, noting that demand for such services have been going up.

"The increase has been so significant that the taxi companies have not been able to meet that demand, and you've ended up with illegal services coming up to meet those demands, and I think that's something we can resolve," he said in response to a question. 

He said that the transport ministries of both countries have been discussing to enhance the legal cross-border taxi services, so that commuters on both sides can have more options.

Mr Wong said in response to a question that cross-border taxi services are an area where there is a lot of common ground and that "this is not one of those outstanding bilateral issues that will take years and years to resolve".

"The officials and ministers have been making good progress on that discussion, and I'm sure they will be able to provide some updates soon," said Mr Wong, adding that bus services is another area that officials are discussing about.

Mr Wong added that Singapore is "making a major upgrade to the Woodlands Checkpoint", which will help to facilitate the flow of commuters across both sides of the causeway.

Responding to a journalist's question, Mr Anwar also emphasised a need to improve the infrastructure in Johor, calling it a "hinterland".

"We understand the requirements for Woodlands (Checkpoint) and the CIQ, and we're just working with the last piece of the arrangements so that Singapore can proceed fast. It would benefit Singapore and, of course, Malaysia too," he said.

He added that the issue of dispersal of travellers is a major issue in Johor too, and "we have to probably accelerate that process" in addressing it.

SINGAPORE: A man was charged on Thursday (Dec 4) with running an unlicensed cross-border money transfer business that received more than 1.4 million British pounds (S$2.4 million) from overseas accounts.

Sean Koh Chao Lun, a 34-year-old Singaporean, allegedly did not attempt to establish the source of these funds, and at least 75,050 pounds were scam proceeds from victims in Germany.

Koh was handed one count under the Payment Services Act of carrying on a cross-border money transfer service without a licence between May and June in 2022.

The police said in a statement that Koh was previously a director of a local company that has since been struck off by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority as of Mar 4, 2024.

Koh opened an account with Wise Asia Pacific under the company's name, for the purpose of "overseas remittance", police said their preliminary investigations revealed.

Koh purportedly engaged in the buying and selling of cryptocurrency, primarily USDT, and advertised his services on cryptocurrency platforms such as Binance and Huobi.

Interested buyers would transfer fiat currency to the company's Wise account.

Koh allegedly transferred these funds to his local bank account before transferring them to other local bank accounts as payments for the purchase of USDT from other cryptocurrency sellers.

His case was adjourned to January.

If convicted of carrying on a cross-border money transfer service without a licence under the Payment Services Act, he could be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$125,000 or both.

SINGAPORE: Malaysia has allowed Singapore to open new consulates in the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on Thursday (Dec 4).

He was speaking during a joint press conference with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, who was in Singapore for the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat.

"I'm also very happy that Malaysia has formally agreed to Singapore’s proposal to open consulates in Sabah and Sarawak. This will allow Singapore to provide consular services to Singaporeans there, and deepen the already robust ties between our peoples," he said.

The idea was discussed during the previous leaders’ retreat in Putrajaya in January 2025 – the first one between Mr Anwar and Mr Wong as prime ministers.

Both countries issued a joint statement at the time noting Singapore’s intention to open the new consulates in Malaysia's territory, but approval had not been granted then.

Singapore currently has two diplomatic missions in Malaysia, namely a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur as well as a consulate in Johor Bahru that opened in 2009.

On Thursday, both sides also exchanged two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on health cooperation and the fight against drugs, which was witnessed by both prime ministers at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.

TACKLING DRUGS AND HEALTH

To combat the growing scourge of cross-border drug activities, Singapore and Malaysia agreed to share information targeting drug production and trafficking networks.

The MOU on Cooperation in the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, their Analogues and Precursor Chemicals was signed and exchanged between Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam and his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Nasution.

It aims to strengthen, promote and develop cooperation between both sides to tackle the scourge, including the exchanging of information on trends and techniques used in the production, abuse, trafficking and illicit diversion of drugs.

The deal also includes training and education to strengthen capacity building, skills upgrading and knowledge development on both sides.

There will also be coordinated activities and exercises among relevant agencies, jointly decided upon by both sides, to prevent and control the illicit trafficking of drugs.

The MOU also allows for any other activities jointly agreed by the home affairs ministries of both countries that fall within the scope of the areas of cooperation.

Separately, an MOU on health cooperation was also exchanged between Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan, to deepen cooperation and partnership in the health sector between the two countries.

Areas of collaboration include digital health, healthcare services delivery, health financing and public health, including the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases and health promotion.

Nutrition, long-term care and healthy ageing, and human resource development in health, are also focus areas under the MOU, which was signed by Singapore Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung and his Malaysian counterpart Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Both countries will strengthen cooperation through ways such as through the exchanging of information, knowledge and best practices in the identified areas of cooperation.

There will also be exchange visits of experts and officials from both sides, along with joint training and capacity-building activities.

Singapore and Malaysia will also collaborate on research, policy development, stakeholder engagement events, and jointly organise workshops, seminars and conferences under the MOU.

SINGAPORE: Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is in Singapore on Thursday (Dec 4) for the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong.

The annual retreat is a key platform for the prime ministers of Singapore and Malaysia to take stock of bilateral cooperation, explore new avenues of collaboration, and provide guidance on how to take the countries' relationship forward, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Wednesday.

The leaders addressed the media after their meeting. Watch it here.

SINGAPORE: At an age where most professional tennis players would be hanging up their racquets, Sarah Pang is getting back into the swing of it.

The 40-year-old, who is one of Singapore’s few professional tennis players, was only the eighth Singaporean woman to break into the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings – a feat she achieved in 2019.

As she aims to return to the pro circuit, she has a bigger goal beyond hitting a certain ranking: Playing freely.

Pang recently took a year off to care for her ill mother.

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“When you step back out on court after a monster year like that, the playing comes with a different lens,” she told CNA’s A Letter to Myself podcast last week.

“I think because you've healed so much more of your inner child – for me, it has been the joy of realising I'm not playing to prove anymore. I'm playing because I want to. I'm playing because I feel joy. It's actually fun.”

One question Pang gets asked is why she wants to continue past what is generally considered an athlete’s professional prime.

But she said sports science today allows them to go on well into their 40s. For her, that means a medley of activities like strength and conditioning, osteopathy, pilates, meditation – and even speaking to her therapist.

“We've just not, in Singapore, caught up with that awareness. So, for me, 40 is still young,” she added.

WORKED 3 JOBS FOR OVERSEAS TRAINING STINT

Pang, who was a top badminton junior in her teens, picked professional tennis over golf at 19 when her father told her he felt these two sports gave athletes more autonomy.

Her mother had had a massive stroke when she was 18, and her father had retired as a secondary school teacher by then.

As the fifth of six children, the burden of supporting the family fell on her older siblings’ shoulders. Her father then offered her the choice of going pro.

“I joke all the time – I wish I'd chosen golf because it has a longer lifespan, but no regrets, and it's just been such a tremendous journey,” she said.

“The initial years … were very difficult. I was too ashamed to even tell my badminton teammates from junior college that I transitioned, because it's like: ‘You traitor!’”

After graduating from the National University of Singapore with an English literature degree, she began pursuing tennis full-time in 2014.

She worked three jobs and took out loans to pay for a training stint at Barcelona’s Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy, where she worked as a dormitory warden.

In her mid-20s at that point, she stuck out among the other students who were mostly aged 12 to 16. She described this chapter of her life as “very unique” and a “rare privilege”.

“I just knew that I was there to play, and I was there to try and become as much of a player as I could be,” she said.

“We fall into this trap of comparison so much in Singapore, because I think that's the way we've been taught to survive, and also the way we've been taught to function and engage our worth.”

“GO AND CHASE YOUR DREAM”

In 2018, Pang reached one of the lowest points in her life – she had only S$1.87 (US$1.44) in her bank account, meaning she had to cut her season short.

Raising funds to travel and compete, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, was tough for her, given that it is not in Singapore’s social culture to ask for support, she said.

She recounted her anxiety over showing a fundraising campaign video to a security guard at the building she worked at. He then took out S$10 from his wallet and handed the bill to her.

“He said: ‘Girl, go and chase your dream.’ It’s moments like this that … just made me realise, wow, it’s so deeply humbling,” she added.

“When I step on court, I step on court for the pride of my flag and my colours, and I step on court for everyone who has donated, supported the journey.”

INTERNAL GROWTH

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Pang said she was grateful for how it forced her to grow.

The world ground to a halt – including international tennis tournaments – just a year after she made the WTA rankings.

“While COVID reset all of that work, (it) also forced perspectives of internal growth that, had I stayed on that hamster wheel, I don't think I would have had the chance to uncover,” she said.

She added that she has a message for her future self: That the best and deepest way of service to her community is to have the courage to live authentically.

She recounted one of her first pro tennis tournaments held in Jakarta. At the time, being entirely focused on the competition meant she did not realise there was a large shopping centre just across the road from the tennis courts.

As she made her way there, she almost got run down by a motorcycle.

“As he zooms past me, I take a step back and finally take in the normal life that’s not the tennis ball,” she said.

“And then I realised I’ve just been hothoused in this incredible journey of realising more of myself, growing and experiencing life, mentally, physically, spiritually, through tour, but I have no one to share it with.”

That prompted her to start her brand and social media handle “tenniswithsarah”.

Currently, Pang is focused on training and fundraising, saying she has been happy with her progress after starting a few warm-up tournaments this year.

“I'm looking forward to the real chunk of tour that will start at the end of the first quarter, beginning of the second quarter. My focus until then is dual – to keep preparing my body and to raise enough support to enable me to give this next season of tour my best shot,” she added.

When asked about a particular goal she has her sights on, Pang said she has thought about this question “long and hard”.

In terms of sponsorship, Pang said she is grateful to have sponsors who have told her they are investing in the person, not just her career.

“It’s easy to just say: ‘Oh, I would like to hit so-and-so ranking at this time.’ But to me, that's private, but that's also very boring,” she pointed out.

“The deeper goal that I have for myself on court is to play free and to be able to handle the pressure of sponsors, of expectation – self and otherwise imposed. To meet the season with joy, to play with joy rather than to play with fear or with trepidation.”