The naivety of the PAP government

[LITTLEREDDOT]

MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: Dinesh​

Ms Jane Lee died a day after posting two Facebook messages on July 18, alleging that a former staff member had faked a fall just two days before the end of her contract.

Summary

• MOM is investigating an allegedly fraudulent work injury claim against Sumo Salad, whose owner Jane Lee died after raising the issue.
• Many SME owners face emotional and financial distress from handling workplace injury claims for foreign hires, whether the injuries are staged or not.
• MOM said employers can report concerns about potentially fraudulent claims.

AI generated

Jul 24, 2025

SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is investigating an allegedly fraudulent work injury claim flagged by Ms Jane Lee, the late owner of Sumo Salad, said Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash as he extended his condolences to her family.

In response to The Straits Times’ questions during a media doorstop at the Tripartite Connect event on July 24, he said MOM had “been in communication with Ms Lee prior to her passing, and we will work with the insurer on the necessary claims”.

There is also a police investigation, and more details will be revealed once the probe is completed, he said.


Ms Lee died a day after posting two Facebook messages on July 18, alleging that a former staff member had faked a fall just two days before the end of her contract, in an attempt to claim workplace injury compensation from the company.

The mother of two alleged that it was a premeditated scheme involving the employee’s husband and possibly a law firm.

She also urged MOM and the police to investigate the validity of the claim thoroughly.

The incident has sparked widespread public sympathy and prompted some small and medium-sized (SME) enterprise owners to speak out about the immense pressure they face when handling workplace injury cases – whether they are staged or genuine.

Mr Hasan Abdul Rahman, the second-generation owner of halal food manufacturer Pondok Abang, said most workplace injury cases he has seen could have been avoided if his staff had followed standard operating procedures.

While he has not encountered outright fraud, he admitted to having suspicions when injuries occur near the end of an employee’s stint.


But he told ST that most bosses would not pursue it further to avoid prolonged disputes and regulatory scrutiny. Instead, their instinct is to get immediate medical attention for the staff, settle the claims with insurers and return to daily operations quickly.

But when SME owners – especially those with less financial muscle – are compelled to sign letters of guarantee in the hospital, they can experience “a lot of emotional and financial distress”, Mr Hasan said.

The unsubsidised bills for foreign hires can be huge, and employers are often expected to pay up front, on top of covering their salaries, lodging and meals. “When this drags on for months, it can be very difficult for the employer,” he added.

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash extended his condolences to the family of Ms Jane Lee, the late owner of Sumo Salad.

ST PHOTO: SHARON SALIM

Other SME owners said fraudulent claims are rare. Mr Charles Ho, the owner of On Cheong Jewellery, said bosses who have worked with their employees for a long time usually have a good understanding of their characters.

He recalled a staff member who had tripped and fallen at work, and he decided to continue paying her salary even after her hospitalisation leave was exhausted as he trusted her integrity.

In a statement on July 21, MOM said employers can approach the ministry for help if they have concerns over fraudulent claims by their employees.


MOM said the worker who filed the claim against Sumo Salad was covered under the Work Injury Compensation Act (Wica).

Wica allows employees to claim for injuries and occupational diseases that happen at work or as a result of work.

But those who abuse the system have previously been taken to task. In 2021, two foreign employees were sentenced to jail for making fraudulent claims under Wica and providing false information to an MOM investigation officer.

 

[True Believer]

India's economic and social challenges are rooted in its history, which is shaped by the lingering effects of partition. The country's economic system has struggled to foster upward mobility; there is a significant gap between the rich and the poor. The lack of a clear path for social and economic advancement leads to widespread desperation among those trying to improve their lives. The suffering is even more acute for the poor, who are most affected by govt policies, which are often influenced by nepotism and cronyism. As a result, societal values and community bonds erode, replaced by a focus on individual or family wealth at the expense of others. Doesn't this mirror the situation in S'pore?

 

[k1976]

NDP performer moved to tears says he felt a sense of belonging despite not being Singaporean​

17-year-old Htoo Ank Wai, a Singapore permanent resident with family from Myanmar, says he was overwhelmed with emotion at this year’s National Day Parade.

Htoo Ank Wai went viral after being filmed crying during the National Day Parade. (Images: CNA/Mak Jia Kee, Mediacorp)

 

[k1976]

China Is Run by Engineers, and the US by Too Many Lawyers​

In his new book, Dan Wang argues that America is too good at making rules, and could learn from Beijing’s laser focus on technical innovation.

Photo Illustration: Chantal Jahchan for Bloomberg; Wang by Silvia Lindtner; courtesy (3)
By Christopher Beam
August 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM GMT+8
Corrected
August 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM GMT+8
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When Dan Wang first heard President Donald Trump describe the date for imposing tariffs on US trade partners as “Liberation Day,” the phrase caught his ear. “‘Liberation’ is not a very American word,” he told me recently. “It’s much more of a Chinese word.”

Wang would know. For years, as a China-based analyst for a macro research firm, he pored over speeches and official documents of the Chinese Communist Party, trying to extract meaning from jargon.

​

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

S’pore clubgoers continue to vape despite tight security and news of tougher penalties​

A woman vaping in a smoking room at Marquee on Aug 22.

Aug 31, 2025

SINGAPORE – Security around clubs and bars has been tightened but vaping has persisted despite heightened enforcement action by the authorities, including the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

Some young clubgoers were spotted sneaking puffs inside and around popular clubs Zouk, Drip and Marquee Singapore at Marina Bay Sands, as well as in Prinsep Street, a popular nightlife area.

The Straits Times visited the entertainment outlets on Aug 22, Aug 23 and again on Aug 29, the day after the Government announced tougher measures to deal with vaping, including the use of vapes laced with the anaesthetic etomidate.

Vapers appeared to be more discreet. In Prinsep Street, they gathered in the back alleys to use their devices.

ST first visited the area and the two clubs in July, and found patrons vaping openly inside the premises and outside the bars.

Since then, the clubs have put up more signs warning against vaping inside and around the premises. ST found that security staff were more thorough with bag checks.

Despite the monitoring, a man in his 20s managed to sneak in a vape and was spotted using it at Zouk’s smoking corner at 1am on Aug 30.

Mr David Long, senior director of operations at Zouk, told ST: “We will continue to take guidance from the authorities and follow their enforcement guidelines.

“We have the official HSA QR codes and are working with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA) to share them with neighbouring establishments.”

A woman with a vape at a smoking corner outside Zouk on Aug 23.

ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

A patron, who did not want to be identified, told ST that HSA and police officers were at the club at about 11pm. He said some clubgoers were questioned and searched outside Zouk, which is in Clarke Quay.

ST understands that the police and HSA conducted checks at nightlife establishments from Aug 15 to 23.

During an enforcement blitz on nightspots islandwide on Aug 15, the authorities caught 115 people for vaping offences, including five who were arrested for possessing Kpods, or etomidate-laced vapes.

At Drip, security staff reminded clubgoers of the no-vaping rule, with one bouncer saying those caught doing it could be banned from the club at the basement of Concorde Shopping Mall.

A vape disposal box was placed at the club’s entrance, with security staff walking around the club to check on patrons regularly.

A vape disposal box placed at the entrance of Drip in Concorde Shopping Mall. Security staff walked around the club to check on patrons regularly.

ST PHOTO: CLAUDIA TAN

Despite tighter measures, ST found clubgoers vaping inside the toilet and at an open area outside the club, after leaving for a smoke break, on Aug 24.

A woman with a vape outside Drip on Aug 29.

ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Four individuals were spotted vaping in the back alleys of Prinsep Street on the same night.

A group of young people with at least four vapes among them seen vaping outside a row of pubs in Prinsep Street on Aug 23.

ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

At Marquee, ST spotted three individuals vaping in a smoking room.

A man using an e-cigarette inside a smoking room at Marquee in Marina Bay Sands on Aug 23. Vape abusers will face increased fines from Sept 1.

ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

Drip and Marquee did not respond to ST queries.

Dr Adrian Wang, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Medical Centre, said vaping habits among youth might persist because they crave novelty and are drawn to trendy things.

“They may feel a need to (vape) so they can bond socially, or others can influence them.”

He noted: “People tend to imbibe more food, alcohol and cigarettes when they get together in clubs, so there is a chance that young adults would be less inhibited and succumb more easily to peer pressure – and hence vape more.”

Dr Wang added that vaping is addictive, which can cause users to be more dependent on the device than they think.

A man and a woman (seated, left) sharing a vape outside Drip on Aug 23. At least three vapes can be seen among the group.

ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

In response to ST queries, an SNBA spokesperson said it takes the vaping issue seriously and is committed to supporting the Government’s efforts to safeguard public health and safety.

“We have been working closely with HSA to encourage nightlife venues and outlets to display ‘No Vaping’ signage prominently, as part of the collective effort to deter such behaviour,” the spokesperson added.

The association will engage its members and establishments to raise awareness of the risks associated with vaping.

“We believe collaboration is key, and by working together with HSA and relevant authorities, we can strengthen education, enforcement support and compliance efforts across the nightlife industry,” the spokesperson said.

At a press conference on Aug 28 to announce the Government’s measures to tackle vaping, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung noted that a third of vapers in Singapore are under 18, and more than half are below 30.

He said 80 per cent of etomidate abusers are under 30.

Mr Ong added that many people, especially the young, picked up vaping because they believed it was not as harmful as smoking cigarettes.

“And then out of curiosity, out of coercion, or out of just ignorance, they wander into substance abuse, which is what we are seeing now for etomidates,” he said.



From Sept 1, vape abusers will face increased fines of $500 for those under 18, and $700 for adults, up from $300 and $500 previously.

Those caught using Kpods will also be sent for mandatory rehabilitation.

The public can report vaping offences to the Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, or online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape