Friday, April 11, 2025

River Valley fire: Family of 10-year-old girl who died in blaze gather for last goodbye | The Straits Times

River Valley fire: Family of 10-year-old girl who died in blaze gather for last goodbye | The Straits Times

River Valley fire: Family of 10-year-old girl who died in blaze gather for last goodbye

The fire broke out at a shophouse at River Valley Road where education and enrichment classes for children are conducted..

The fire broke out on April 8 at a shophouse in River Valley Road, where education and enrichment classes for children are conducted.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

SINGAPORE - As light rain fell over Tampines on the morning of April 11, the family of 10-year-old Freya Ji Yinan gathered to bid her farewell.

Freya, an Australian, died in hospital after a fire broke out in a shophouse in River Valley Road on April 8.

The blaze left 21 others injured.

Freya's family and friends came together on April 11 at Singapore Funeral Parlour in Tampines, where a memorial service was held for her.

There, Freya's portrait was adorned with white chrysanthemums, and dark and light pink roses.

A pink rabbit stuffed toy sat beside a memorial plaque which displayed her name and the brevity of her lifetime: 2014-2025.

At around 10.30am, an elderly woman arrived and, upon seeing Freya's portrait, collapsed on the ground and wailed.

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Family members surrounded her as they cried and hugged one another.

A man who identified himself as Freya's uncle said he flew over from China after hearing the news, but declined to speak further.

Also at the wake was a woman who identified herself as Freya's maternal grandmother.

The woman said her granddaughter grew up with her, but did not say more.

Six adults aged between 23 and 55 and 16 children aged between six and 10 were among the casualties in the fire.

The Straits Times reported that construction workers helped children off the third-storey ledge during the evacuation from the three-storey shophouse.

The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am that day.

It is the address of Tomato Cooking School, which runs cooking lessons and camps for children.

According to business records by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, the directors of Tomato Cooking School are Ukrainian Yuliia Marishchuk and Singaporean Darius Yer.

ST20250408_202581200953 Kelvin Chng SINGAPORE – A girl died and 19 other people were injured after a fire broke out at a shophouse in River Valley Road on April 8. Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam confirmed that a 10-year-old girl had died. He was speaking to reporters at Changi Airport, where he welcomed the Operation Lionheart contingent that arrived back in Singapore from Myanmar. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said in a statement on Facebook at around noon that it was alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.

SCDF said its preliminary findings showed that the fire most likely started in an area used for storage on the second storey of the building.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

The school's address is listed as one of the addresses of Newtonshow, an enrichment centre that provides camps and activities for children.

The school is one of several brands mentioned on Newtonshow's website.

These include Maker, which provides robotics and coding camps, and Visualize Art and Design, which organises art camps.

On April 9, SCDF said fire safety breaches, including unauthorised partitions, were found in the shophouse.

SCDF said its preliminary findings showed that the fire most likely started in an area used for storage on the second storey of the building.

Those convicted of fire safety breaches can be fined up to $200,000, jailed for up to two years, or both.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the building has an attic.

According to URA, the first floor is approved for use as a children's enrichment centre, while the second and third storeys, as well as the attic, are approved for residential use.

SCDF and URA are investigating the incident.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Megan Khung’s death: At least 7 other fatal child abuse cases in Singapore over past 10 years | The Straits Times

Megan Khung's death: At least 7 other fatal child abuse cases in Singapore over past 10 years | The Straits Times

Megan Khung's death: At least 7 other fatal child abuse cases in Singapore over past 10 years

(From left) Megan Khung, Izz Fayyaz Zayani Ahmad and Mohamad Daniel Mohamad Nasser were among the cases of children who have died after being abused by those supposed to protect them.

(From left) Megan Khung, Izz Fayyaz Zayani Ahmad and Mohamad Daniel Mohamad Nasser are among cases of children who died after being abused by those supposed to protect them.PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, MANAF AL ANSARI

SINGAPORE – On April 8, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) highlighted some gaps that led to the death of Megan Khung, four, who died after her mother and her mother's boyfriend abused her.

The Straits Times looks at cases since 2015 of children who died after being abused by those supposed to protect them.

2023

A baby was less than two weeks old when she was abused by her parents. She died two months after she was born when her mother forcefully dropped her into a cot in January 2023.

Zabelle Peh was slapped on the face and bitten on the forearm by her mother. Her father admitted to forcefully pushing the tip of a milk bottle into her mouth and throwing her into a cot.

On Jan 8, 2023, Zabelle's mother Sim Liang Xiu threw her into a cot because she was upset that the baby had soiled herself. Sim pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and was sentenced to eight years' jail in April 2025.

Her husband Peh Wei Jian was sentenced to seven years' jail for failing to take reasonable steps to protect Zabelle from Sim's acts.

2020

A girl was only 11 when she was hit by her stepfather with a wooden backscratcher and made to eat chilli padi until she vomited.

On Nov 6, 2020, the man swung an exercise bar at the girl's head repeatedly, inflicting blows that led to her death four days later.

Mohamad Fazli Selamat was sentenced to 15 years and 11 months' jail and 12 strokes of the cane.

The girl's mother Roslinda Jamil, who did not protect her daughter, was handed a jail term of seven years, eight months and three weeks. She had helped cover up past incidents of abuse, and also abused the child several times.

When the girl did not attend school for two months, two representatives from the school visited the flat, but the couple did not let them in.

A month before her death, an officer from the Child Protective Service under MSF got on a video call with the girl, but did not observe any injury on her as she was wearing long-sleeved pyjamas and made to sit at a spot with dim lighting.

2019

Nine-month-old Izz Fayyaz Zayani Ahmad was murdered by his mother's boyfriend Mohamed Aliff Mohamed Yusoff.PHOTO: FACEBOOK

A man murdered his girlfriend's nine-month-old son by pushing the baby's head against the floorboard of his van in November 2019.

Mohamed Aliff Mohamed Yusoff was sentenced to life imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane in August 2022.

The High Court rejected Aliff's claim that Izz Fayyaz Zayani Ahmad had hit his head after accidentally falling from his right arm.

High Court judge Mavis Chionh said Aliff's actions after causing the baby's death showed a disturbing lack of remorse.

Instead of seeking medical attention, Aliff had suggested to his girlfriend that they should pay someone to bury Izz and report him as missing a year later.

2018

A four-year-old girl died from internal bleeding in the abdomen after her stepfather kicked her for urinating on the floor.

On Sept 1, 2018, Muhammad Salihin Ismail placed Nursabrina Agustiani Abdullah on the toilet bowl and hit her in the stomach. Later that day, he pushed her and kicked her abdomen twice while she was lying on the floor.

She vomited overnight and was pronounced dead the next morning.

In 2022, a High Court judge acquitted Salihin of murder, saying that although he had kicked the victim intentionally, there was no intention to strike the part of the body that was fatally injured.

He was sentenced to nine years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

In 2024, prosecutors appealed against the High Court decision, pressing for Salihin to be convicted of murder. The appeal was granted, and Salihin was sentenced to life imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane.

2017

A five-year-old girl was confined naked in a toilet for 10 months until she died in August 2017.PHOTO: COURT DOCUMENTS

A girl, five, who had been abused by her father for two years, was confined naked in a toilet for 10 months until she died in August 2017. The girl's body was riddled with multiple scars, marks and other external injuries. She was so malnourished during the last years of her life that she ate her own faeces and the stuffing of a mattress.

Her father, who cannot be named due to a gag order to protect the identity of his son, who survived his abuse, was sentenced to 34½ years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane.

Justice Aedit Abdullah lifted the gag order on the first name of the daughter – Ayeesha – so she could be remembered.

A video played in court showed the father repeatedly pounding Ayeesha's face with his fists and kicking her as she cowered in fear.

His abuse included him grabbing the girl by her hair and lifting her up against a wall by the neck while punching her.

2016

Azlin Arujunah and Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman splashed hot water on their five-year-old son, scalding him on more than 75 per cent of his body.PHOTOS: COURT DOCUMENTS, FACEBOOK

For over a week, a couple splashed hot water on their five-year-old son, scalding him on more than 75 per cent of his body.

The boy died from his injuries in 2016, with prosecutors describing the case as one of the worst cases of child abuse.

Before his death, the boy was also hit with a hanger, pinched with pliers and confined in a cage meant for the family cat.

His parents, Azlin Arujunah and Ridzuan Mega Abdul Rahman, burned his palm with a heated spoon. He limped in pain and had blisters and peeling skin from the repeated scalding.

The couple were each sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022.

2015

An autopsy found 41 external injuries on two-year-old Mohamad Daniel Mohamad Nasser, in a list that took up more than three pages of court documents.PHOTO: MANAF AL ANSARI

A two-year-old boy was kicked and slapped almost daily by his mother and her boyfriend during a five-week campaign of torture that ended in his death in 2015.

Mohamad Daniel Mohamad Nasser was made to stand in the kitchen or living room with his hands on his head, clad only in his diapers.

His mother Zaidah and her boyfriend Zaini Jamari also forced him to eat spoonfuls of dried chilli and stamped on his chest.

Daniel died of a head injury on Nov 23, 2015. An autopsy found 41 external injuries on Daniel, in a list that took up more than three pages of court documents.

In 2016, Zaidah was handed an 11-year jail term, while Zaini was sentenced to 10 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane.

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Tuesday, April 8, 2025

10-year-old girl dies after fire breaks out at River Valley Road shophouse | The Straits Times

10-year-old girl dies after fire breaks out at River Valley Road shophouse | The Straits Times

10-year-old girl dies after fire breaks out at River Valley Road shophouse

SINGAPORE – A girl died and 21 other people were injured after a fire broke out at a shophouse in River Valley Road on April 8.

A 10-year-old girl died after she was taken to the hospital, said the police. The 22 casualties comprised six adults aged between 23 and 55, and 16 children aged between six and 10, they added.

The police and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said they were alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.

A check by ST shows that this is the listed address of Tomato Cooking School, which runs cooking lessons and camps for children.

In a Facebook post around noon, SCDF said a total of 15 children and four adults were taken to hospital.

In an update close to 3pm, SCDF said that another adult later sought medical assistance, bringing the total number of casualties taken to hospital to 20.

When SCDF officers arrived at the scene, a fire was raging on the second and third floors of the three-storey shophouse, the statement said.

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"Members of the public, including construction workers, used a metal scaffolding and a ladder to reach those stranded and brought a number of them to safety," SCDF added.

SCDF officers deployed ladders to rescue those stranded on the ledge, while firefighters proceeded to the second and third floors.

The fire was extinguished within 30 minutes using three water jets.

About 80 people from the affected shophouse and nearby premises were evacuated.

SCDF said in a statement on Facebook at around noon that it was alerted to a fire at 278 River Valley Road at about 9.45am.PHOTO: ST READER

Several Indian media outlets reported on April 8 that the son of Indian politician Pawan Kalyan was among those injured in the blaze.

A Facebook post by the JanaSena Party, which Mr Kalyan founded, said that the boy was involved in a "fire accident" at his school in Singapore.

The seven-year-old, who was identified as Mark Shankar, was said to have suffered injuries to his hands and legs, and suffered from smoke inhalation. He is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Mr Kalyan was touring the Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh when he was informed of the news, according to The Times of India.

A spokesman for the party said that Mr Kalyan will be travelling to Singapore on April 8.

Fire at building 278 River Valley Road, on Apr 8, 2025

Fire and medical crews at the scene of the fire in River Valley Road on April 8.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

'Like a scene out of a war zone'

In a video posted on Facebook at about 10am, thick black smoke is seen billowing from the windows of the third floor of the building.

A few people wearing high-visibility vests can be seen on a scaffolding reaching out to help those sitting on a ledge below the windows.

In another video, more than 10 people, including some who appear to be children, are seen sitting on the ledge. A few of them are seen being carried down to safety by the men on the scaffolding.

People sitting on the building's ledge, waiting to be rescued.PHOTO: COURTESY OF ESTINE MORRIS-BULLOCK

When ST arrived at the scene at around 10.50am, there were several police vehicles, four fire engines and a number of ambulances.

The road was cordoned off by the police, though onlookers had gathered around.

Speaking to ST, witnesses said there were as many as five people still inside the burning unit before SCDF officers entered the premises to rescue them.

Mr Shaik Amirudin, who owns the nearby Flex Fitness studio, said he heard a loud noise before a client who was leaving the studio told him about the smoke. He quickly evacuated the premises with the rest of his clients.

Mr Shaik Amirudin, who owns the nearby Flex Fitness studio, said he heard a loud noise before a client who was leaving the studio told him about the smoke.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Seeing the children and their teachers on the building ledge, he rushed over to help and held on to the scaffolding as construction workers tried to rescue them.

"The construction workers and first responders sprung into action," said the 31-year-old.

"It was like a scene out of a war zone," he added. "There was a woman who appeared dazed, with soot on her face, shouting that there were still five children inside."

He said that he later saw multiple children, who were motionless, being carried out of the premises by SCDF officers.

Mr Saran, a 33-year-old construction worker, said he and other workers ran over when they saw the smoke.

"I was scared – many children were inside the unit and crying. I saw we had the scaffolding, which was something that could help," he said, adding that they rescued about 10 children.

Another construction worker, Mr Kannanthasan, 30, said he climbed the scaffolding to rescue the children and teachers, shortly before SCDF officers arrived.

"We would like to thank the members of the public who assisted in the rescue of the stranded persons for their quick actions and bravery," SCDF said in its Facebook post.

Associate Professor Sashikumar Ganapathy, who heads the department of emergency medicine at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, confirmed that the hospital received casualties from the fire.

"Our immediate priority is to provide urgent medical care to these patients and to lend support to the caregivers," he said.

Based on preliminary investigations, no foul play is suspected, said the police. Investigations are ongoing.

  • Additional reporting by Kolette Lim

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Saturday, April 5, 2025

'I thought I could outwit scammers': Woman who lost over $78,000 to job scam in 4 days, Singapore News - AsiaOne

'I thought I could outwit scammers': Woman who lost over $78,000 to job scam in 4 days, Singapore News - AsiaOne

'I thought I could outwit scammers': Woman who lost over $78,000 to job scam in 4 days

'I thought I could outwit scammers': Woman who lost over $78,000 to job scam in 4 days
PHOTO: The Straits Times
Over several months, the scammer "Charles Khoo" would send encouraging messages to Ms Lee daily.

SINGAPORE - She was confident that even if she talked to a scammer, she would not fall for their tricks.

Yet, a woman who wanted to be known only as Ms Lee, 48, lost over $78,000 to a job scam in four days.

Her ordeal in February caused her to lose almost 90 per cent of her life savings.

Job scams were among the top scams of concern in 2024, with victims reporting more than 9,000 cases and losing $156.2 million, according to annual police statistics.

Scammers typically contact the victim on messaging apps, lure the victim into depositing money for a job offering attractive commission rates, then steal the funds.

Ms Lee, who works in sales, said someone using a foreign number contacted her on WhatsApp in late 2024 offering her an online part-time job.

She agreed, as she felt her work was mundane.

Soon, she was contacted by another man named "Charles Khoo" who claimed to be a Malaysian in Singapore, who was married, with a newborn.

Ms Lee was contacted by a man named "Charles Khoo", who claimed to be a Malaysian working in Singapore
PHOTO: The Straits Times

Though she suspected it was a scam, Ms Lee decided to play along as she said her life lacked excitement.

The married woman, who has an 18-year-old daughter, said: "I just wanted to disturb the scammers. I thought I could outwit them."

Ms Lee had contacted The Straits Times after reading in March about how the Government was considering caning as punishment for scam-related offences.

Charm offensive

Every day over several months, "Charles" sent her encouraging and cheery messages.

Slowly, she thought he was a genuine friend, even when he promoted a job to her.

Over several months, the scammer "Charles Khoo" would send encouraging messages to Ms Lee daily.
PHOTO: Ms Lee via The Straits Times

She said: "Every day he would ask, 'How are you Jie (Mandarin for sister). Why don't you give this online job a try?' Over time, I thought this must be just a part-time job to earn some side income."

The purported job required her to place a deposit in cryptocurrency and complete surveys related to about 30 brands, before receiving her deposit back with commission.

On Feb 15, Ms Lee put in about $600 and got back about $700.

Excited by the quick gains, she invested larger amounts over the next few days.

When she was asked to put in more than $11,000 on Feb 18, the cryptocurrency platform paused the transfer and emailed her that she may have been scammed.

But she still trusted "Charles", who convinced her to transfer the sum to his boss via PayNow.

She came to her senses when the job required her to invest $120,000, which she did not have.

She had already transferred $78,000, but was told she could not withdraw the sum until the job was completed.

Ms Lee said: "I was devastated and pleaded with them to return my money, my hard-earned savings."

The scammers refused and suggested she borrow money from the bank or licensed moneylenders.

Eventually, Ms Lee told her family about her predicament

Mind games

Dr John Shepherd Lim, chief well-being officer of the Singapore Counselling Centre, said some people may feel they can outwit scammers as they are tech-savvy and digitally literate.

But he cautioned against engaging them.

He said: "These scammers are usually not lone rangers. They are backed by syndicates. They understand psychological vulnerabilities and how people think."

In Ms Lee's case, Dr Lim said the scammer preyed on her emotional vulnerability by showering her with attention.

Dr Geraldine Tan, principal registered psychologist at The Therapy Room, called scammers "the best psychologists" as they use psychological techniques to their benefit.

Noting that scammers prey on basic human needs such as love and belonging, Dr Tan said nobody is immune to their tactics.

Their methods include using "mirror neurons", where they do or say something that shows they are similar to the victim, so the latter feels emotionally safe with them.

Like how "Charles" told Ms Lee he was also married with a child, said Dr Tan.

She added: "The more the victim interacts with the perpetrator, the more vulnerable they will be. Anything the victim says can be weaponised."

The incident has gripped Ms Lee with guilt and shame.

Her husband was shocked, but did not blame her and accompanied her to the police station to file a report.

The funds she lost was meant to pay part of their housing loan, which her husband now has to bear alone.

Ms Lee decided to share her story to warn Singaporeans against being complacent.

She said: "Even though you could be a very alert person, you could also fall prey to online scams. This made me learn a very painful lesson that we can never outwit scammers."

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.


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Thursday, April 3, 2025

HSA investigating woman filmed vaping in train; anaesthetic found in vape pod at her home | The Straits Times

HSA investigating woman filmed vaping in train; anaesthetic found in vape pod at her home | The Straits Times

HSA investigating woman filmed vaping in train; anaesthetic found in vape pod at her home

The woman was seen openly vaping on an MRT train.

The woman was seen openly vaping on an MRT train. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM SINGAPORE NEWS/YOUTUBE

SINGAPORE – A woman is assisting the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) with investigations after a video of her vaping on an MRT train was posted online in March.

In a statement on April 4, HSA said it identified the 24-year-old woman in the video, and raided her residence on March 24, where one e-vaporiser and three e-vaporiser pods were found.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the pods contained etomidate, an anaesthetic in clinical practice for general anaesthesia and sedation for short procedures.

Etomidate should be administered only under medical supervision, HSA said. Potential effects include nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms, changes in breathing and blood pressure, seizures, psychosis, and physical dependence, the authority added.

In the widely circulated video, the woman is seen seated on an MRT train, appearing drowsy and at one point bowing her head as her hair falls forward. Her hand movements are jerky and unnatural as she adjusts her hair before exhaling smoke.

"This incident, in which the woman openly vaped on an MRT train, was a flagrant violation of the law," said HSA.

Vaping is illegal in Singapore. The purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are prohibited under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, including those bought online or from overseas. Offenders can be fined up to $2,000.

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Those found with pods containing etomidate can also be charged under the Poisons Act. Those convicted can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both.

HSA said it raided her residence on March 24, where one e-vaporiser and three e-vaporiser pods were found.PHOTO: HEALTH SCIENCE AUTHORITY

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