Latest from Online Citizen
Online Citizen
9 hours ago
- Online Citizen
Scammers impersonating MAS officers steal over S$3 million via WhatsApp screen sharing scam
Scammers masquerading as Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) officers have stolen over S$3 million from at least 46 victims since June 2025. The fraud was executed by exploiting WhatsApp's screen sharing function, according to a police statement on 26 June. The scam begins with victims receiving calls from local numbers. The callers falsely claim to be representatives from organisations such as NTUC Income, NTUC Union, or UnionPay, and allege problems with insurance policies supposedly purchased by the victims. When the victims deny buying such policies, they are redirected to a second caller. This individual poses as an MAS officer and falsely claims the victim's bank account is linked to money laundering activities. Victims are then instructed to transfer their money to a 'safe' account—controlled by the scammers—under the pretext of securing their funds during investigations. To facilitate this, the scammers convince victims to share their phone screens via WhatsApp. This grants the fraudsters full visibility of the victims' banking information, enabling them to guide the victims through unauthorised transfers. The deception is often uncovered only after the scammers become unreachable or demand further transfers. The police warned that individuals should never share their device screens with unknown or unverified parties. Doing so could lead to unauthorised access to sensitive banking data and substantial financial loss. Authorities also reminded the public that no government official will ever request banking credentials, instruct transfers of funds, or ask individuals to install unofficial applications. Furthermore, calls claiming to transfer a person to the police or other agencies should be treated with caution, as genuine officials do not initiate such protocols. To protect against such scams, the police advise installing the ScamShield app, which helps to block fraudulent calls and filter suspicious messages. They also recommend contacting banks immediately upon detecting any unusual banking activity. The Singapore Police Force reiterated the importance of public awareness and digital security, particularly as scams continue to escalate. In 2024 alone, scam victims in Singapore lost a total of S$1.1 billion, marking a 70 per cent increase compared to the S$646 million lost in 2023. Since 2019, total scam-related losses have surpassed S$3.4 billion. Additionally, 2024 recorded the highest number of scam reports to date, with 51,501 cases logged. Police investigations into the latest string of MAS impersonation scams are ongoing. The public is encouraged to report suspicious calls or messages immediately and to refrain from following instructions from unknown callers. The authorities are also working with telecommunications companies and digital platforms to clamp down on such fraud networks and prevent future incidents.
Online Citizen
2 days ago
- Online Citizen
‘Finally heard': NTU student granted hearing, cleared of AI misconduct
SINGAPORE: A Nanyang Technological University (NTU) student who was penalised for the alleged misuse of Generative AI (GenAI) tools has shared that she was finally granted a hearing with university officials. In a Reddit post dated 24 June, the student said she had met with a panel comprising the academic chair, the head of her programme, and the associate provost. During the meeting, she was allowed to explain her writing process and respond to the allegations in detail. She described it as the first time she felt 'heard'. Students Penalised for Alleged AI Misuse On 22 June, NTU issued a statement saying that three students had received zero marks for a written assignment in a health and politics module after being found to have used GenAI tools in their submissions. The decision followed an investigation in April, with the students informed of the outcome in early May. The university said the essays were flagged for academic misconduct due to non-existent academic references, fictitious statistics, and broken web links. However, the student disputed the university's version of events, alleging that NTU's public statement did not reflect her experience accurately and that no proper opportunity was given for the students to defend themselves. She claimed that, prior to the hearing, no in-person meetings had been scheduled for the students to present their cases. Panel Finds No Evidence of AI Misuse in Student's Case In her Reddit update, the student described the hearing as a thorough review of her work. The panel reportedly examined her essay paragraph by paragraph and gave her ample time to explain her research and citation process. They also reviewed the citation tool she had used, which she said appeared as the first result in a Google search. After examining how the tool worked and assessing her Google Docs drafts and her understanding of academic sources, the panel concluded that her work did not involve the use of GenAI. She reported that the panel reassured her there would be no permanent record of the incident and that it would not appear on her transcript. The student added that NTU officials acknowledged the need to balance efficiency with creative thinking and expressed openness to developing consistent frameworks for AI-related assessments. Despite the positive outcome of the hearing, the student said she would proceed with a formal appeal to the academic board regarding her grade. She noted that while the professor in charge had already given her a zero, she hoped to recover marks for components not related to citations. Although concerned about the impact on her GPA, she expressed satisfaction with having advocated for herself and gone through the proper channels. Acknowledging Support and Encouraging Others The student took the opportunity to thank those who had supported her throughout the process. She praised the panel for offering the due process the case required and treating her with kindness and understanding. She also acknowledged a professor who had advocated for her despite being busy with a book project on Palestine and human rights. In addition, she credited the student union president for raising her issue with university leadership and speaking up about how easily citation errors could occur. Friends who had helped draft emails, brainstorm solutions, and even bought her small gifts to cheer her up were also thanked. She expressed particular appreciation to the Reddit community for helping to bring attention to the issue, saying the online support made her feel less alone. 'Don't be afraid to voice out if you ever feel a sense of injustice,' she wrote. 'Be meticulous about the procedures, record the right evidence, and know that you have every right to speak up — for yourself, and those who don't know how.' Reddit Users Applaud Student's Efforts, Question NTU's Initial Handling Under her Reddit post, many users congratulated the student for her persistence and courage in standing up for herself. Several noted that her actions had not only helped her own case but also opened the door for the other students involved to receive fair hearings. However, some users expressed disappointment at how NTU had initially handled the matter. One user remarked that it was disgraceful that the university 'only acted like a respectable, competent institution when faced with pressure from media'. Others argued that the university should have conducted a hearing from the outset, especially given the seriousness of the misconduct allegation. One user wrote that a proper review 'should've been the first thing NTU did when a professor slaps a student with such a serious offence'. One user who claimed to have previously worked in an academic support role expressed shock at how the case was handled. They criticised the university staff for failing to carry out basic steps, such as listening to the student and verifying the facts, before concluding that academic fraud had occurred. The user felt that although the professor had mishandled the situation, responsibility also lay with the wider academic staff. Calls for Accountability Some Reddit users also called for accountability on the part of the professor who issued the zero mark. One commented that the student 'deserved an apology' and hoped the professor's actions would have lasting consequences. Another user suggested that the professor should be removed from teaching, arguing that the mistake showed poor judgment. Grade Appeal Still Ongoing Despite the positive outcome of the hearing, some users expressed confusion and concern over whether the student's grade would remain at zero. 'If you're proven not to have cheated, why is the academic board keeping the zero?' one user asked. The student clarified that the hearing was separate from the grade appeal process, which was still ongoing. She said it could take several weeks to be processed but expressed hope that the final result would not remain a zero. She also provided an update that the two other students involved in the case were scheduled to have their hearings later in the same week. 'I've reached out to them on things to prepare for the meeting and will be supporting them as well. We'll be appealing our grades together,' she wrote.
Online Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Online Citizen
‘Systemic constraints are real': Pritam Singh highlights gerrymandering as original sin in Singapore politics
Speaking on the YouTube podcast 'Keluar Sekejap' on 24 June 2025, Singapore's Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh offered candid reflections on the political realities facing opposition parties in the country. In a wide-ranging conversation, Singh identified systemic barriers—such as aggressive gerrymandering and institutional exclusion—as key challenges that prevent robust opposition growth. He was interviewed by co-hosts Khairy Jamaluddin, a former Malaysian health minister, and Shahril Hamdan, a former United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) leader. Responding to Shahril's question on why Singaporeans remain seemingly content with the People's Action Party (PAP), Singh said one major factor is the structural imbalance in Singapore's electoral system. He described aggressive gerrymandering as 'the original sin in Singapore politics', pointing to how electoral boundaries were changed just 1.5 months before nomination day during the last general election. 'That's one strand or one vertical you can look at, the nature of the system which just makes it difficult to enter and successfully campaign as an opposition party,' said Singh. He added that while any Singaporean over the age of 21 who is not bankrupt may technically contest elections, the real hurdles are institutional. Singh: Small-minded exclusion of opposition MPs from citizenship ceremonies must end Pritam Singh highlighted the exclusion of opposition MPs from citizenship ceremonies, even when these are held in their own constituencies. He criticised the practice as petty and unprogressive, especially given that around 20,000 new citizens are welcomed annually in Singapore. 'I find that incredibly small-minded, incredibly small-minded. Here we are talking about a united Singapore and you've got such a policy and that policy has to change in my view.' Pritam candidly acknowledged that the PAP has implemented policies that Singaporeans appreciate, Examples include world-class public libraries, parks, green spaces, and public gymnasiums. He added that even the opposition supports many government policies in Parliament when they are well-reasoned and beneficial. Singh pointed out that Singaporeans do see value in the current system, especially in aspects that touch their daily lives positively. Too restrained for the 'jungle'? Singh pressed to adopt bolder political style Shahril questioned whether the Workers' Party's approach—perceived as incremental and technocratic—fails to connect emotionally with voters grappling with real-life concerns such as inflation and housing affordability. Khairy agreed, suggesting that Singh's restrained and rational tone may not suit Singapore's competitive political terrain. He described the environment as a 'jungle' dominated by the PAP, saying Singh might need to adopt a more combative style to galvanise public sentiment. According to Khairy, this would mean behaving more like a 'street fighter', employing sharper rhetoric and stoking public anger over contentious issues such as GST hikes, immigration, and financial scandals. He contrasted this with Malaysia's opposition, which has a tradition of mobilising mass protests and public campaigns, and questioned why the WP does not adopt similar tactics. Singh: PAP avoided key issues to shield against public backlash In response, Singh maintained that the WP's campaign focused on core issues such as the cost of living and housing. 'But the PAP didn't take the bait,' he said. He argued that the ruling party ran a defensive campaign, deliberately avoiding engagement on politically sensitive topics. 'They knew these were pain points,' Singh added. 'The strategy was: let's not talk about them.' Citing a report from CNA, Singh noted that even senior ministers like Vivian Balakrishnan and Josephine Teo did not give any speeches during the election period. 'And they were, according to that newspaper article, it was by design. Don't say anything stupid which will make Singaporeans angry,' he said. Singh also recounted confronting Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Parliament, where he accused the government of 'turbocharging inflation.' The response he received was, 'This is not an election rally.' 'I said it again during the rally, but they don't want to engage that issue at that point,' Singh continued. 'Or they probably decided, look, this is something we can't win anyway. Nobody is going to back us and say, 'Yes, raising GST was a good decision.'' He concluded that the PAP had a clear and cautious campaign strategy. 'They knew what they wanted to do, and they knew what they didn't want to do—regardless of how much incitement the opposition would have generated.' Constraints on opposition strategy When asked why WP does not adopt a more activist posture, Singh pointed to strict regulations on public assembly. He said Singapore's legal and political environment limits the kinds of tactics opposition parties can use. While admitting that WP's strategy may not have been perfect, Singh maintained that the party aimed to be credible and serious. He argued that Singaporeans are discerning, rejecting unserious or opportunistic candidates, as seen in multi-cornered contests where some parties received 0% of the vote. Raeesah Khan incident and trust recovery Singh also addressed the Raeesah Khan affair, a key incident where the former WP MP admitted to lying in Parliament. This led to Singh being referred to the Committee of Privileges and later found guilty by the High Court—a verdict he is now appealing. He said he remained focused and maintained a clear conscience throughout, despite disagreeing with the ruling. 'And you could feel the ground vibe. And the BBC report I alluded to earlier used the words 'a politically motivated persecution almost of the Leader of the Opposition'.' Singh admitted to potential shortcomings in how the situation was handled but denied the accusations made against him. WP's stand on Gaza and international law On the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Singh reaffirmed the WP's stance, calling it a humanitarian crisis that transcends race or religion. He emphasised that small nations like Singapore must stand firm on international norms and laws for their own security. If powerful countries can flout these rules, it sets a dangerous precedent, Singh argued. He said WP's support for recognising the state of Palestine stems from principle, not electoral calculation, aligning with Singapore's values and its commitment to justice. A missed opportunity: the cancelled HSR project Turning to regional relations, Singh described the cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High-Speed Rail (HSR) project as a lost chance for deepening bilateral ties. He said the 350km railway could have transformed travel and connectivity between the two nations, shortening journey times and enhancing people-to-people exchanges. Although the project was cancelled in 2021, Singh welcomed signals from both governments expressing renewed interest under revised terms. He called for more educational and cultural exchange initiatives, such as increased university collaborations. 'Singapore and Malaysia are conjoined at the hip,' Singh said, stressing that more meaningful engagement can deliver long-term benefits.
Online Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Online Citizen
Pritam Singh rejects premiership, ‘My role is to normalise the idea of an opposition in Singapore'
SINGAPORE: Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh has made clear that he has no intention of becoming Prime Minister of Singapore. Speaking on the YouTube podcast 'Keluar Sekejap' on 24 June 2025, he described his primary political mission as 'normalising the idea of an opposition in Singapore'. The podcast was hosted by former Malaysian health minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan, a former United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) leader. When Khairy asked Singh directly whether he aspired to become Prime Minister, Singh responded with a firm 'no'. Explaining his stance, he said, 'We all have a role in our minds and in our heart of hearts. And I think my role is to normalise the idea of an opposition in Singapore. That's my role.' He further added, 'And I hope to be able to bring more like-minded people on board. So, being a Singaporean and being in a Singapore which has a functioning and effective parliamentary democracy is my life mission. And that's how I see my role.' Pritam Singh stressed that the opposition must be prepared to govern if needed Pritam also underlined the importance of preparing the Workers' Party (WP) as a ready and rational opposition force. 'I'm not saying me and my colleagues today will be in that position, but we certainly want to put the party in that position.' He characterised this preparation as essential 'insurance' for Singapore in case the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) experiences serious setbacks. 'And if the PAP really suffers a major malfunction, then if push comes to shove, you want to be in a position where you can say, 'Look, we're ready because we've got these years of experience under our belt.' And I think that's a great insurance for Singapore,' Singh stated. Singapore: currently more of a 'one-and-a-half party system' Singh acknowledged that Singapore does not yet have a two-party democracy and instead functions under what he termed a 'one-and-a-half party system'. He asserted that no political party should be considered larger than the nation and expressed concern that Singaporeans may feel overly reliant on the PAP. 'And equally, you're going to have an opposition that has to take elections seriously.' 'You cannot have opposition parties showing up one month, one week before elections and saying, 'Look here, I'm standing and I want to be your Member of Parliament.' I mean, this is a very long-term investment.' He expressed hope that opposition parties would commit to consistent and serious engagement with constituents, moving beyond symbolic electoral participation. Pritam Singh: There are no safe seats for opposition In the podcast, Khairy revisited his earlier critique of the WP's electoral strategy during the May 2025 General Election. He argued that the party's modest target of winning 30% of parliamentary seats lacked the ambition needed to challenge the PAP effectively. Khairy also commented on what he saw as a lack of boldness in Pritam's campaign choices. He questioned why Singh did not step out of his traditional constituency, Aljunied GRC, to contest in a more challenging ward, such as Punggol, where he could have taken on Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong directly. Pritam responded by dismissing the idea that Aljunied was a political 'bunker'. 'There are no safe seats for us (opposition). And there's no safe bunker. Anything can change, and before you know it, you are at the forward edge and you've got to fight your battle there.' he said. He elaborated that the party's strategy is shaped by public sentiment. 'If we accept that Singaporeans are pragmatic and there's no demand for a change of government, then going out there flying a flag which says 'I'm your Prime Minister in waiting' is probably, with respect, an act of foolishness — in my view at least.' Singh explained that to succeed in opposition politics in Singapore, one must consistently engage with residents on the ground to understand their sentiments. He emphasised that political messaging should be grounded in the public's concerns, rather than driven by ideological agendas. 'If not, it's a gamble. And gambles don't work very well in Singapore politics,' Singh added. 'Singaporeans are in serious trouble if only Gan Kim Yong can negotiate with US' Khairy raised another point of contention from the General Election campaign, specifically Singh's focus on DPM Gan Kim Yong. Singh clarified that this focus was not personal. Rather, it was a reaction to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's assertion that Gan was indispensable due to his role in negotiating trade agreements with the United States. Singh challenged this justification, stating, 'Singaporeans are in serious trouble if only Gan Kim Yong can negotiate with the United States.' He noted that Gan is not part of the PAP's Central Executive Committee and is likely serving his final term. Therefore, portraying him as politically untouchable was misleading. Singh emphasised that his political approach is rooted in issues, not personalities. He argued that this principled stance has contributed to the Workers' Party's credibility and increasing political relevance.
Online Citizen
3 days ago
- Online Citizen
Man arrested after reversing truck into car multiple times in Johor Bahru road rage incident
MALAYSIA: A 50-year-old man has been arrested in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, after a road rage incident where he repeatedly reversed his Toyota Hilux into a smaller vehicle during a roadside confrontation. The incident took place at around 3:10 pm on 22 June 2025, along Jalan Tun Razak. According to a statement by the Johor Bahru Selatan District Police, the altercation began when a 63-year-old man driving a Perodua Axia slowed down after missing a turn. The suspect, driving behind in a Hilux, overtook the Axia and a verbal argument followed. Shortly after, the Hilux driver reversed his vehicle three times into the Axia, which was stationary by the roadside. Footage of the incident, released by the police on their official Facebook page, shows the Hilux reversing twice into the Axia before fleeing the scene. The damage to the Axia was estimated at RM15,300 (approximately US$3,602.12). Police have since arrested the 50-year-old suspect and confirmed that he has seven previous criminal records, though he is not currently listed as wanted. He also tested negative for drugs. He is expected to be brought before the Johor Bahru Magistrate Court for a remand order under Section 117 of the Penal Code. Multiple Charges Under Review Malaysian authorities are investigating the case under several legal provisions: Section 427 of the Penal Code – for mischief and causing damage, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, a fine, or both. Section 279 of the Penal Code – for rash driving, punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to RM2,000 (approximately US$470.87), or both. Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 – for reckless and dangerous driving, which may result in up to five years in jail, a fine between RM5,000 (approximately US$1,177.17) and RM15,000 (approximately US$3,531.50), and a driver's license suspension of up to two years. Investigations are ongoing.
