27/07/2023

Michelle Yeoh and Jean Todt finally wed after 19 years

They finally tied the knot on Thursday 27 Jul 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland

It took Oscar-winning Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and her long-time fiance Jean Todt 6,992 days – almost two decades – since they first met to get married.

The couple finally made it official and tied the knot on Thursday 27 Jul 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland, surrounded by friends and family. Brazilian Formula One racer Felipe Massa, 42, shared the good news on his Instagram account on Friday, congratulating the lovebirds with a sweet message: “Happy marriage #JeanTodt & #michelleyeoh love you so much.”

Todt, 77, first met Yeoh, 60, in Shanghai, China, on June 4, 2004, and after 1½ months of dating, the French Formula One legend and motor racing executive popped the question on July 26, 2004.



Michelle Yeoh marries partner Jean Todt nearly 7,000 days after he first proposed
Michelle Yeoh and French businessman Jean Todt tie the knot in Geneva, Switzerland on July 27, 2023

Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh has married her longtime partner Jean Todt in a ceremony in Switzerland – nearly two decades after the French businessman first proposed to her.

Yeoh, 60, who earlier this year became the first woman of Asian descent to win the Academy Award for best actress, confirmed her marriage to Todt, 77, a former head of Ferrari, on Instagram over the weekend. “19 years and YES!! we are married!! Thkq to our ‘families’ who love us for all these years. We love you and here’s to many more to come,” the Malaysian actress wrote. The post included images of the two exchanging rings and another of them sitting snuggled together on a bed decorated with flower petals.

A shot of a printed wedding message posted to Instagram by racing driver Felipe Massa, who was a guest at the ceremony, gave a glimpse into the long love story that led to last week’s nuptials. “We met in Shanghai on 4th June 2004. On 26th July 2004, J.T. proposed to marry M.Y. and she said YES! Today after 6,992 days on 27th July 2023 in Geneva surrounded by loving family and friends, we are so happy to celebrate this special moment together!” the message read.


Michelle Yeoh shares romantic wedding photos following her 19-year engagement

Michelle Yeoh has shared new photos from her wedding to Jean Todt following their 19-year engagement.

The actress, 60, took to Instagram over the weekend to share the romantic snaps, days after Felipe Massa first confirmed the marriage news by sharing photos from the wedding on social media. Yeoh went on to celebrate the occasion herself in the caption of her post, writing: “19 years and YES!! We are married!! Thkq to our ‘families’... who love us for all these years. We love you and here’s to many more to come.”

In her first photo from the wedding, the Crazy Rich Asians star could be seen exchanging rings with her husband, while the second picture showed them standing at a table together, surrounded by their witnesses. The images also showed Yeoh in one of her wedding looks, a white silk button-up shirt with a tiered lace skirt, while Todt wore a navy jacket and light blue tie. A third image then showed the couple hugging in a white bed, decorated with purple flower petals and towels in the shape of a heart. The post concluded with one last snap: a James Bond-themed movie poster, in which Todt and Yeoh’s faces were edited onto a couple riding a motorcycle.


Michelle Yeoh, 60, shares incredibly romantic behind-the-scenes wedding photos to husband Jean Todt, 77

Michelle Yeoh, at 60, is radiant with joy following her recent wedding. Sharing an intimate glimpse of her special day with her long-time beau and ex-Ferrari CEO, Jean Todt, Michelle warmed hearts with an array of wedding snaps on her Instagram on Saturday.

“19 years and YES!! We are married!!” the Oscar-winning actress cheerfully penned on the caption of her post, paying tribute to their long-lasting bond. “Thank you to our ‘families’ who have loved us all these years. We love you, and here’s to many more to come.”

The first photo captures a special moment between Michelle and her husband Jean, 77, as they lovingly gazed at their wedding bands in the intricately adorned Genevan venue where they exchanged vows. Michelle was the epitome of bridal elegance, sporting a stylish ensemble consisting of a white silk shirt neatly tucked into a high-waisted frilled tulle skirt. Her hair flowed loosely in charming waves, completing her wedding day look.

related:


Michelle Yeoh gave an intimate look at her wedding day and shared photos with husband Jean Todt

Michelle Yeoh showed everyone everything about her recent wedding all at once. Yeoh married her longtime partner and former Ferrari and Peugeot racing director Jean Todt last week in Geneva after a 19-year engagement.

Over the weekend, the "Everything Everywhere All at Once" star shared photos of the long-awaited ceremony on Instagram. In the pictures, Yeoh wears a silk white shirt and a frilly white skirt as she gleefully places a large gold band on Todt's finger. Meanwhile, the groom was wearing a dark blue suit with a mosaic-patterned blue tie. Another snap captured the ornately wooden Genevan building where the two officially exchanged vows.

In another photo, the newlyweds sit in bed with a pile of petals in the shape of a heart and swan-shaped towels at their feet. The final picture shows a photoshopped poster of Yeoh's film "Tomorrow Never Dies," with Todt's head swapped in for Pierce Brosnan as the pair sit on a motorcycle. The creator of the doctored image aptly changed the title of the movie to "Love Never Dies," with their wedding date printed at the bottom.


Michelle Yeoh marries Jean Toft in Geneva after 19-year engagement

Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh married her longtime partner Jean Todt in Geneva, Switzerland, this week, nearly two decades after the former Ferrari executive had proposed to her.

Neither the 60-year-old Yeoh or the 77-year-old Todt publicly announced their wedding until after former Formula One racer Felipe Massa posted about the event, sharing photos with the couple and a pamphlet with details of the occasion.

Todt confirmed the marriage on social media Friday. "Now that my other son @MassaFelipe19 has discreetly spread the good news, I can happily confirm the union with the Love of my life, Michelle," Todt wrote.


Michelle Yeoh And Jean Todt Marry After Being Engaged For 19 Years
Michelle Yeoh (left) and Jean Todt at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in May

As her Hollywood career continues to soar, Michelle Yeoh is taking her real-life love story to the next level.

According to People and other outlets, the “Everything Everywhere All at Once” actor married her longtime fiancĂ©, former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt, on Wednesday after a 19-year engagement. Though details are scarce, the ceremony took place in Geneva, Switzerland, as seen in a series of photos shared by Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa on Instagram.

One of Massa’s snapshots appears to be of the couple’s wedding program.
“We met in Shanghai on 4th June 2004,” it reads. “On 26th July 2004, J.T proposed to M.Y and she said YES! Today after 6992 days on 27th July 2023 in Geneva, surrounded by loving family and friends, we are so happy to celebrate this special moment together!”

Michelle Yeoh, 60, Finally Marries Ex Ferrari CEO Jean Todt, 77
They've been engaged for 19 years

Oscar-winning Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, 60, and former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt, 77, are finally married after being engaged for 19 years.

The happy news was shared by Brazilian racing driver, Felipe Massa, who posted a collection of pictures from the couple’s wedding on Instagram. Michelle and Jean’s wedding took place yesterday (July 27) in Geneva. The couple first met in Shanghai on June 4, 2004 when Michelle was a guest at a Ferrari event.

The French motor racing executive proposed to Michelle on July 26 that same year, after less than two months of dating. “Today, after 6992 days on 27th July 2023 in Geneva, surrounded by loving family and friends, we are so happy to celebrate this special moment together,” wrote the newlyweds on a card.


Michelle Yeoh: Malaysian actress

Michelle Yeoh, also called Michelle Khan, original name Yeoh Choo Kheng, (born August 6, 1962, Ipoh, Malaysia), Malaysian actress considered to be one of the greatest female action movie stars, especially known for performing her own frequently dangerous stunts. She also earned accolades for her acting, and in 2023 she became the first Asian performer to win the Academy Award for best actress, for Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022).

Yeoh was born into a wealthy Malaysian family. From an early age, she was involved in various physical activities, including basketball and swimming, though she was particularly interested in ballet. As a teenager, she attended the Royal Academy of Dance in London, but a back injury ended her dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer. She subsequently planned on opening a ballet school, but in 1983 her mother entered her in the Miss Malaysia pageant. Yeoh won, and she later appeared in a commercial with Jackie Chan. The ad led to an acting contract with a Hong Kong production company, which suggested her early stage name, Michelle Khan.

In 2021 Yeoh appeared in another Marvel movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The next year, she garnered rave reviews for Everything Everywhere All at Once, the first Hollywood film in which she had the lead role. In the sci-fi comedy, Yeoh was cast as a laundromat owner who must save the multiverse. The role required her to play various versions of the character, one of whom is an actress who is also a martial arts expert. For her portrayal, Yeoh won the Oscar for best actress, becoming the first Asian performer to receive that award. In addition, she also earned a Golden Globe Award. Her other 2022 films include Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank and Minions: The Rise of Gru—animated comedies to which she lent her voice.


List of Michelle Yeoh performances

Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actress. She rose to fame in 1990s Hong Kong action films.

Yeoh started her film career acting in action and martial arts films such as Yes, Madam (1985), Police Story 3: Super Cop (1992), The Heroic Trio (1993), Tai Chi Master (1993) and Wing Chun (1994) and she is well known as an action queen. Yeoh is known internationally for her roles as Wai Lin in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), and as Yu Shu Lien in the martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) and its sequel Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016).

Her other works include Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Reign of Assassins (2010), The Lady (2011), in which she portrayed Aung San Suu Kyi, Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2019), and Last Christmas (2019). Yeoh received critical acclaim for her performances as Eleanor Young in the American romantic comedy-drama film Crazy Rich Asians and as Evelyn Wang in the sci-fi comedy-drama Everything Everywhere All at Once, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. From 2017 to 2020, Yeoh had a recurring role as Captain Philippa Georgiou on the Paramount+ series Star Trek: Discovery.


Michelle Yeoh wins 95th OSCAR for Best Actress
Michelle Yeoh and Jean Todt after her historic win. Photo: Michelle Yeoh/Instagram

The Internet was filled with words of praise and congratulatory messages for Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh after she won Best Actress at the Oscar 95th Academy Awards held Sunday (March 12) in Los Angeles.

Yeoh, 60, won the coveted acting prize for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, making her the first actress of Asian descent and first Malaysian to win the award in the Academy's 95-year history. She beat her closest contender, two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (Tar) for Hollywood's top acting honour. Other nominees in the category include Ana De Armas (Blonde), Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie) and Michelle Williams (The Fabelmans). Hundreds of Malaysians flocked to social media to congratulate Yeoh for putting Malaysia on the map.

In a comment on The Star's Instagram page, @rfionahc commented: "I am extra proud to be a Malaysian today! Congratulations Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh. l am mighty proud of this lady. In fact, all Malaysians should be proud of her." "It will be a very, very long time from now before the next Malaysian (gets a nomination or wins) another Oscar. Well done Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh," Peter Cheah wrote on Facebook.

26/07/2023

5 empty seats in Singapore Parliament

Does a by-election have to be called?
(Clockwise from top left) Former WP MP Raeesah Khan, who represented Sengkang GRC, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, former Speaker of Parliament and Marine Parade GRC MP Tan Chuan-Jin, former Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui and former Aljunied GRC MP Leon Perera from WP had resigned from their respective posts. PHOTOS: GOV.SG, MCI
There are five empty seats in Parliament arising from different incidents – a situation that Singapore has never experienced since its independence. The vacancies in the House have thrown up questions from Singaporeans: Why are there no by-elections to refill the gaps? Will the work of Parliament be affected, and what does this mean for Parliament, going forward? It all started in November 2021 when former Workers’ Party MP Raeesah Khan, who was representing Sengkang GRC, resigned after lying in Parliament.

In July 2023, former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam stepped down from his posts, including as a Jurong GRC MP, and resigned from the People’s Action Party (PAP) after announcing his bid for the upcoming presidential election. About a week later, former Speaker of Parliament and Marine Parade GRC MP Tan Chuan-Jin and former Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui resigned following their affair, which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong deemed as an “inappropriate relationship”. Later that week, former Aljunied GRC MP Leon Perera resigned, after a video circulated of him with then senior WP member Nicole Seah, who also resigned. WP chief Pritam Singh said they both resigned after they had lied to the party about their affair.

The Straits Times speaks to political observers to answer several key questions:
  • Is it sustainable for MPs to be covering for their former colleagues for a long period of time?
  • Do the vacancies affect the work of Parliament?
  • Does a by-election have to be called? At what point should a general election be called?
related:


WP’s Leon Perera & Nicole Seah resign over extramarital affair
The affair started after the 2020 General Election and both Leon Perera and Nicole Seah initially denied allegations when claims surfaced in 2021

Workers' Party (WP) senior members Leon Perera and Nicole Seah have resigned from the opposition party after having an extramarital affair, secretary-general Pritam Singh announced on Wednesday (Jul 19). He also said that Mr Perera has informed the acting Speaker of Parliament that he will be resigning as a Member of Parliament (MP).

“Both of them admitted that they had an affair, which started after the General Election of 2020, but that it had stopped some time ago,” said Mr Singh at a press conference, adding that they had previously told the party that there was no truth to the allegations when they surfaced in 2021. "Leon's conduct and not being truthful when asked by the party leadership about the allegations fell short of the standards expected of Workers' Party MPs. This is unacceptable," Mr Singh added.

This comes two days after a video clip apparently showing the pair surfaced on Facebook, prompting the party to say that it was looking into an "inappropriate exchange between two senior Party members". It added then that the party "expects all its members to fully own and account for their behaviour". The silent 15-second clip appeared to show Mr Perera – an MP for Aljunied – dining with 2020 General Election candidate Ms Seah while holding and stroking her hands.


Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, MP Cheng Li Hui resign over 'propriety and personal conduct'
File photo of Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and MP Cheng Li Hui, posted on Mr Tan's Facebook page in February 2016. Mr Tan was elected Speaker in September 2017. (Photo: Facebook/Tan Chuan-Jin)

Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui have resigned from parliament and the People's Action Party (PAP). Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has accepted the resignations, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on Monday (Jul 17), although it did not specify or elaborate on the reasons behind the resignations.

In his letter of resignation, Mr Tan said the recent incident involving his use of unparliamentary language in the House has added to the hurt he has caused his family. "I have let them down. We have spoken about my personal conduct before," he wrote in his letter to the Prime Minister, dated Jul 17.

Ms Cheng, MP for Tampines GRC, said in her letter to the Prime Minister that she is "very sorry to be resigning in these circumstances". "(I) would like to apologise to the party, as well as to my residents and volunteers." Ms Cheng, 47, has been MP for Tampines GRC since 2015 when she made her political debut. She is not married.



Corruption probe involving Singapore transport minister
S. Iswaran, Singapore's minister for trade and industry, speaks during a Singapore Airlines news conference in Singapore on Jan. 29, 2018. Ore Huiying—Bloomberg/Getty Images

Transport Minister S Iswaran was questioned for around 10 hours by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Tuesday (Jul 18), the first time he has been spotted at the anti-graft agency since news of his connection to an investigation broke last week.

National daily The Straits Times reported that Mr Iswaran arrived at the CPIB building at Lengkok Bahru in Redhill at about 10.50am on Tuesday in a grey Mazda 6 saloon. Dressed in a blue shirt and dark trousers, he entered the compound alone. TODAY spotted him leaving at 8.48pm in a dark-coloured Audi sports utility vehicle.

CPIB said last Friday that Mr Iswaran and Hotel Property Limited managing director Ong Beng Seng were arrested on Jul 11 and assisting with investigations. It did not give details on the nature of the probe. Both men were released on bail, and as part of their bail conditions, both Mr Iswaran and Mr Ong's passports were impounded.


Tharman formally launches bid to be Singapore's 'President for a new era'
Presidential hopeful Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the launch of his campaign to be elected president of Singapore, at the York Hotel on Wednesday, Jul 26, 2023

Singapore's former senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Wednesday (Jul 26) said he intended to be "a President for a new era" as he officially launched his campaign for the office.

“I stepped into this race because I feel very strongly in the need to evolve Singapore's culture, some of our norms and the way we go about working with each other so that we remain a shining spot in the world,” said Mr Tharman at a press conference at the York Hotel.

The official launch comes more than a month after Mr Tharman first announced his intention to run for President. On Jun 8, he informed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that he was putting himself forward as a candidate, and in doing so leaving politics and the People’s Action Party. Accompanied by his wife Jane Yumiko Ittogi on Wednesday, Mr Tharman outlined challenges facing Singapore both globally and domestically and emphasised that the nation's real challenge was to avoid becoming a divided society.


Sengkang MP Raeesah Khan resigns from WP following probe over admission of lying in Parliament
Ms Raeesah Khan had on Nov 1 admitted to lying in Parliament at an earlier sitting about details of a sexual assault case. PHOTO: ST FILE

Sengkang GRC MP Raeesah Khan has resigned from the Workers' Party (WP), which also means that she has resigned from her position as an MP.

The WP announced this in a Facebook post on Tuesday night (Nov 30), saying its top leadership had met at 8pm to deliberate and decide on the recommendation of a disciplinary committee that had been formed to investigate Ms Khan's admissions in Parliament.

Ms Khan, 27, had on Nov 1 admitted to lying in Parliament at an earlier sitting about details of a sexual assault case that she had alleged was mishandled by the police.


Other Singapore politicians who resigned after their affairs came to light
(Clockwise from top left) Ms Cheng Li Hui and Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Mr Yaw Shin Leong, Mr Michael Palmer and Mr David Ong. PHOTOS: TAN CHUAN-JIN/FACEBOOK, THE NEW PAPER FILE, ST FILE

The spotlight has been cast on the private lives of politicians after Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and fellow People’s Action Party (PAP) MP Cheng Li Hui stepped down from their positions following an extramarital affair.

The two resigned from the party on Monday after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong found out in July that the pair had continued their relationship despite being counselled earlier. That same day, the Workers’ Party (WP) faced a potential scandal of its own after a video that purportedly showed MP Leon Perera and senior party member Nicole Seah sharing an intimate moment was circulated online. The WP said it was investigating the video and will hold a media conference over ‘inappropriate exchange’.

The Straits Times looks back at the cheating scandals that have tainted local politicians and how the parties dealt with them:
  • Yaw Shin Leong - Rumours began circulating in January 2012 that Mr Yaw, then the WP MP for Hougang, had an affair with a married WP member. He was accused of having an illicit relationship with a married Chinese national who helped him in translation work for parliamentary speeches. On Feb 7, 2012, Mr Yaw, then 35, quit his post as WP’s treasurer, but stayed on as a party member and MP.
  • Michael Palmer - As the first Eurasian to become Speaker of Parliament since independence, as well as being the second-youngest person to hold the post, it seemed that Mr Palmer’s political career was on the up and up. But the then 44-year-old quit all his posts – including his Punggol East single-member constituency seat – because of an extramarital affair with a People’s Association constituency director in late 2012. Mr Palmer, who is married with one son, was the first known PAP MP to resign because of an affair. For more than a year, he was in a relationship with Madam Laura Ong, who worked in Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC and is 11 years younger. She had married in March 2006, but separated from her husband two years later.
  • David Ong - The father of three entered politics in 2011 as the PAP’s oldest new face at 49 in that year’s general election, contesting in Jurong group representation constituency, where he was subsequently elected. In 2016, the businessman, who was then the MP for Bukit Batok SMC, resigned from his role and the party over his “personal indiscretion”. He was believed to have been in an extramarital affair with a grassroots activist in his ward, with the affair having gone on for at least six months. The woman was 13 years his junior and the relationship was exposed only after her husband complained about it. He resigned on March 12, via a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, although no details were given about the alleged affair. More information emerged only in a news report by Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao that night.
  • Tan Chuan-Jin - Barely a week after a video emerged of the former Speaker muttering the words “****ing populist” following WP MP Jamus Lim’s April speech on helping lower-income groups, the former brigadier-general, 54, found himself embroiled in another scandal. PM Lee revealed that the former Marine Parade GRC MP had been in a relationship with former Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui, 47, for some years, and that they had carried on despite both being counselled by the PM in February. It is unclear when the relationship between Mr Tan, who is married with two children, and Ms Cheng, who is single, started, but PM Lee discovered it some time after the 2020 General Election.


Court acquits lawyer and MP Christopher de Souza of professional misconduct charge
The decision by the Court of Three Judges came after the Law Society argued for Mr Christopher de Souza to be suspended for 4 years. PHOTO: GOV.SG

People’s Action Party MP Christopher de Souza was cleared of a charge of professional misconduct as a lawyer on Monday. The decision by the Court of Three Judges came after the Law Society argued for him to be suspended for four years.

Mr de Souza, who is the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and an MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, was facing the court in a hearing to decide the outcome of disciplinary proceedings brought against him by the Law Society. His lawyer, on the other hand, urged the court to acquit him of the charge, arguing that the Law Society had persistently advanced a doggedly misconceived case against Mr de Souza, a partner at Lee & Lee.

The court, comprising Justices Belinda Ang, Woo Bih Li and Kannan Ramesh, said that the Law Society did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that he had intended to help his client suppress evidence. Mr de Souza was found guilty by a two-member disciplinary tribunal in 2022 for helping his client suppress evidence by preparing and filing an affidavit that did not reveal his client had breached an undertaking not to use certain documents.



July 31 court date set for MP Christopher de Souza’s professional disciplinary case
In 2022, Mr Christopher de Souza was found guilty of professional misconduct by a disciplinary tribunal. PHOTO: GOV.SG

Lawyer and People’s Action Party MP Christopher de Souza will face the Court of Three Judges next Monday in a hearing to decide the final outcome of professional disciplinary proceedings brought against him.

The court, which is the highest disciplinary body for the legal profession, has the power to disbar, suspend or fine a lawyer who is guilty of professional misconduct. The court can also clear a lawyer of such charges.

In 2022, Mr de Souza, who is the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and an MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, was found guilty of a misconduct charge by an independent disciplinary tribunal.


Deputy Speaker Christopher De Souza Could Be Next PAP MP To Face The Axe

Deputy Speaker of Parliament and PAP MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Christopher de Souza could be next to face the sack.

Mr de Souza, a lawyer, was found guilty of professional misconduct by a disciplinary tribunal in December 2022 for helping a client to suppress evidence. He has denied any wrongdoing and is appealing the verdict.

The PAP said in a statement that it will determine the course of action necessary after the court gives its verdict.


Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa diagnosed with nose cancer, may take time off for treatment
“As there are expected side effects from the radiation, I may need to take time off from some community activities and duties in the next couple of months,” Mr Liang said

Bukit Panjang SMC MP Liang Eng Hwa has been diagnosed with nose cancer, and will be undergoing daily radiotherapy treatments for the next seven weeks.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mr Liang said he had been experiencing muffled hearing in his left ear for months, which prompted a visit to an ear, nose and throat doctor.

Upon doing a nasal endoscopy and biopsy, and undergoing subsequent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans, it was discovered that he had early-stage nose cancer.

Workers' Party MP Faisal Manap hospitalised in intensive care for cardiac condition
In his absence, the remaining GRC MPs and other party members will cover his constituency duties, said WP

Workers' Party Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Manap was warded in hospital on Monday (Jul 24) night for a cardiac condition. 

"His condition is stable and he is being monitored and cared for in the intensive care unit. Mr Faisal is conscious," the party said on Tuesday in a statement posted on Facebook. "His family appreciates the public’s concern, and they have requested for privacy so he can focus on his recuperation."

The 48-year-old has been a Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC since 2011.


Parliament appoints New Speaker 2 Aug 2023

Recent events are a reminder to members of the House of their own mortality and fragility. They have shown that members are “all too human”, with not only physical but also spiritual and moral weaknesses, said newly elected Speaker Seah Kian Peng on Wednesday.

“I say this not to join with the chorus of sanctimony, but to reflect first on the need for us all to be vigilant in our personal conduct,” he added in Parliament. He said members should be vigilant with themselves first, but also with colleagues, to hold one another to account without fear and to tell truth to power. “I say this to point to the rules and codes of conduct which govern us all, as members of the highest rulemaking body in the land, and equally, as members of political parties,” the 61-year-old added.

Mr Seah was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as his nominee for the post on July 21. Mr Seah is the 11th Speaker to preside over the sittings of the House. His proposer was Leader of the House Ms Indranee Rajah, and his seconder Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC).


PM Lee addresses CPIB investigation and Speaker/MP resignations: 5 key takeaways
He reveals key points on Iswaran's pay, anti-graft agency's approach and handling Tan Chuan Jin/Cheng Li Hui affair

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered a ministerial statement to the Parliament on Wednesday (2 August), shedding light on the ongoing investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on Transport Minister S Iswaran.

He also addressed the resignations of former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and Member of Parliament (MP) Cheng Li Hui, who stepped down due to their involvement in an affair.

Here are the five key points to take away from the session:
  • Iswaran's pay cut and MP allowance - PM Lee revealing that Iswaran had been interdicted from his ministerial duty with a reduced pay of S$8,500 a month until further notice.
  • Minister clarifies anti-graft agency's approach - Minister-in-charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing, clarified that the reason that the anti-graft agency did not immediately announce Iswaran's arrest was to gather more facts and to hear his side of the story.
  • PM Lee affirms zero tolerance for wrongdoing - PM Lee emphasised the PAP government's stance on zero tolerance for suspicions or allegations of wrongdoing in the discharge of official duties, especially possible corruption. While many rise to the occasion, some may fall short or even breach established norms of conduct. He cited past corruption cases involving political officeholders. Such as Tan Kia Gan in 1966, then former Minister for National Development; Wee Toon Boon in 1975, then a Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment; Phey Yew Kok in 1979, then president of NTUC and also an MP; and Teh Cheang Wan in 1986, who was Minister for National Development.
  • Opposition leader calls for ethics adviser - Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh called for the consideration of appointing an ethics adviser and questioned the arrangement of Tan Chuan-Jin and Cheng Li Hui being on the same House committee.
  • PM Lee outlines the approach to handling affair - PM Lee explained his approach after learning about the affair between former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin and MP Cheng Li Hui, over two years ago.


First prize for President hopeful Ng Kok Song
Mr Ng Kok Song aged 75 accompanied by his fiancee Sybil Lau aged 45 at the Elections Department on July 19, 2023. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH


The combined ages of Mr Ng Kok Song aged 75 and his fiancee Sybil Lau aged 45, won the First Price drawn by Singapore Pools on 2 Aug 2023.

25/07/2023

Spate of uprooted & fallen trees

Update 17 Sep 2024: More than 300 trees in Singapore affected by Sumatra squall on Sept 17
Workers clearing fallen trees in Choa Chu Kang Grove on Sept 18, a day after heavy and intense rainfall battered Singapore

More than 300 trees were affected across the island when heavy and intense rainfall brought about by a Sumatra squall battered Singapore on the evening of Sept 17.

Social media was filled with photos and videos of trees that were uprooted in various areas, including Beach Road, Xilin Avenue, Jalan Membina, on the Pan-Island Expressway before the Bukit Timah Expressway exit, and on the Central Expressway near the Yio Chu Kang Flyover.

An SBS Transit bus captain and passenger were taken to hospital conscious after a tree suddenly fell onto the bus they were in, at about 7.25pm along Yishun Avenue 7.



Trees felled by strong winds as heavy rain hit Singapore
A fallen tree due to heavy rain blocks traffic along Yishun Avenue 7 on Sep 17, 2024

Strong winds battered Singapore on Tuesday (Sep 17), with fallen trees reported across the country.

Photos seen by CNA show scenes of fallen trees in numerous locations, including in Bishan, Yishun and Xilin Avenue. "Winds started whipping up without warning,” one Bishan resident told CNA.

“A lot of crashing as shelves and anything unsecured were tossed around and blown over. People actually hunkered down in shops for a few minutes because on the corridors it was way too windy and dangerous."


Strong winds, heavy rain batter Singapore, uprooting trees and slowing traffic
Fallen trees affecting vehicles along Upper Hokien Street on Sept 17

Strong winds and heavy rain lashed Singapore on the evening of Sept 17, toppling trees, snarling traffic and causing damage to a glass canopy outside UOB Plaza. 

A resident who lives near Mount Faber told The Straits Times that he was running up the hill when he experienced strong winds and saw tree branches falling.

“The next moment, one part of the tree that was in front of me fell,” he said, adding that it was the first time he had witnessed a tree falling since he started exercising in that area about five years ago.


Heavy rain & gusty winds uproot trees, building installations in S'pore on Sep. 17 night

Heavy thundery showers with gusty winds swept over many areas in Singapore suddenly at around 7pm on Sep. 17.

As a result, the PUB, Singapore's national water agency issued a flash flood warning on its X (formerly Twitter) page, advising the public to avoid Lor Gambir till 8:30pm.

The pouring rain and strong winds also caused much inconvenience for Singapore residents, especially those heading out to meet their families for the Mid-Autumn Festival or watch the full moon.


14 trees in Changi Beach Park uprooted in thunderstorm on April 16
The uprooted trees include native coastal species like the yellow flame and the Indian beech

Fourteen trees in Changi Beach Park were uprooted and at least six others were damaged in a thunderstorm on Sunday.

The National Parks Board (NParks) told The Straits Times that it was alerted to the uprooted and damaged trees due to extremely bad weather around 4pm on Sunday. There were no reported injuries.

NParks is now in the process of removing these trees.



Storm leaves several uprooted trees in its wake at Changi Beach

A Stomper was amazed by how Changi Beach looked after a weekend storm.

Stomper Yih visited Changi Beach Park on Monday (Apr 17) at 9am and shared with Stomp photos of several fallen and uprooted trees.

A lamp post was also spotted leaning precariously over a footpath.

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Termite-infested tree falls near playground in Woodlands, no one injured
Sembawang Town Council was informed of the incident just after 9.20pm on Friday night.
PHOTO: Shin Min Daily News

Admiralty residents celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival got a scare when a tree fell near a playground on Friday night. There were no reported injuries.

Sembawang GRC MP Poh Li San told The Straits Times that the Sembawang Town Council was informed of the incident just after 9.20pm on Friday night.

Ms Poh said the tree had signs of internal decay and a termite infestation, according to an arborist who checked the fallen tree.


Fallen tree at Tiong Bahru Road snarls traffic, crushes car and damages sheltered walkway
A photo taken of the fallen tree at Tiong Bahru Road which damaged the nearby sheltered walkway

A large tree fell across Tiong Bahru Road on Friday (March 3) evening, snarling traffic and damaging a sheltered walkway. 

A video taken by CNA reader Dorothea Wong showed a line of SBS Transit buses waiting behind the fallen tree. The 28-year-old said the incident happened at about 5.30pm.

"It was a super loud sound. I jumped and thought to myself it must have been a car crash. But when I stood to my feet and looked out of the window, I was stunned to see that a tree had fallen across the two-way street."


3 people taken to hospital after tree falls in Ghim Moh
SCDF firefighters – together with Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team rescuers – commenced rescue after ensuring the stability of the fallen tree. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

A large tree in the compound of Ulu Pandan Community Club in Ghim Moh Road fell and trapped two people on Saturday evening (Aug 20). 

A third person was found injured near the tree.

They were conscious and in a stable condition when they were taken to the National University Hospital, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). It was alerted to the incident at around 5.55pm.

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Tree Near Sim Lim Tower Collapses & Pins Vehicles, Driver Trapped In Truck Rescued

Motorists who travelled along Ophir Road near Bugis yesterday (21 Sep) likely found themselves stuck in a massive jam.

The reason for the holdup was a tree which collapsed amid heavy rain and strong winds, pinning at least two vehicles.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers later arrived at the scene and rescued a driver stuck in a pickup truck.

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Big tree at City Plaza cut down after toppling on road and crushing vehicles on Sept 10
Screengrabs from TikTok video show throngs of people gathering around the fallen tree at City Plaza on 10 Sep 2023
A big tree at City Plaza in Geylang, which on Sunday (Sept 10) afternoon toppled over and fell on several vehicles, has been cut down and the mall has engaged an arborist to inspect the remaining trees on its property.

In response to TODAY's queries, City Plaza's mall management said that the tree fell at about 1pm on Sunday. In a video posted on TikTok, throngs of people can be seen standing around the fallen tree in the rain. Some are seen ducking under the tree branches in a bid to navigate their way through the crowd.

The video also shows several cars along the road trapped under the branches of the toppled tree, with the roofs of some of the cars visibly crushed under the weight of the tree branches.



Passers-by help people trapped after tree falls on vehicles in Tanjong Katong Road
A 20-m tall tree fell and obstructed Tanjong Katong Road on Sunday afternoon. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Community spirit was on display on Sunday afternoon when passers-by banded together to help drivers and passengers trapped in several vehicles that were hit by a fallen tree at a road junction.

The 20m-tall tree had fallen in front of City Plaza mall before the traffic junction of Tanjong Katong Road and Geylang Road just before 1pm. 

In videos taken in the aftermath of the incident, at least four vehicles, including a small lorry, are seen covered by tree branches. The halted traffic caused a jam along the two-lane road.

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Passers-by rush to help after 20m-tall tree falls on vehicles outside City Plaza in Geylang

Passers-by rushed to help after a 20m-tall tree fell on traffic at the junction of Tanjong Katong Road and Geylang Road outside City Plaza, which caused a traffic jam on Sunday afternoon (Sept 10).

Netizens lauded the community spirit demonstrated in videos of the incident posted online. "Everyone came together in a group to help remove the fallen tree from the vehicles," said Stomper Raven.

"Helping hands, regardless of race or religion," commented Stomper Jane.

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Large tree branch snaps in heavy rain, crashes onto Lexus in Potong Pasir carpark

Talk about bad luck.

A large branch of a tree in a Potong Pasir open HDB carpark broke off in heavy rain on Thursday morning (July 20). Unfortunately, a car was under it.

Stomper Sim shared photos of a Lexus RX badly damaged by the fallen tree branch. The windshield of the sports-utility vehicle was smashed and the branch was still on the dented bonnet.


Part of CTE tunnel closes after tree falls onto car, motorists left stranded

A tree fell onto a car near a tunnel along the Central Expressway (CTE) towards the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE) on Wednesday morning (July 19).

Several Stompers alerted Stomp to the incident and shared videos and photos of a car underneath a tree amidst heavy rain.

The incident caused part of the CTE tunnel to be closed, leaving motorists stranded.


Town council working to restore area affected by fallen tree branch in Boon Lay

A tree branch fell and damaged public property in Boon Lay on Tuesday (May 2).

Stomper Mike shared photos of the large branch at Block 207 Boon Lay Place at around 11.25am and how it appeared to have damaged a lamp post.

In response to a Stomp query, West Coast Town Council said it is aware of the incident in which a "broken tree branch" was found.

Tree falls on Mercedes in Tiong Bahru, driver taken to hospital: Road cleared after 4½ hours

One motorist was taken to hospital after a tree fell on his Mercedes-Benz at Tiong Bahru Road on Friday (March 3), making the road impassable.

Stomper Watson and Denise shared photos of the massive tree lying across the road.

SBS Transit said on its social media that bus services 5, 16, 33/33A, 63, 851, 122, 123/123M and 195/195A were diverted with five bus stops skipped.


Storm leaves several uprooted trees in its wake at Changi Beach

A Stomper was amazed by how Changi Beach looked after a weekend storm.

Stomper Yih visited Changi Beach Park on Monday (Apr 17) at 9am and shared with Stomp photos of several fallen and uprooted trees.

A lamp post was also spotted leaning precariously over a footpath.


Huge 24-metre tall tree at Malcolm Park falls onto part of Tanglin CC after heavy rain

A 24-metre tall tree at Malcolm Park uprooted and fell onto part of Tanglin Community Club (CC) after a heavy downpour on Saturday evening (Apr 17).

Stompers Azhar and Adrian alerted Stomp to the incident and shared photos they took of the fallen tree along Whitley Road.

"A large tree fell between the CPIB Corruption Reporting and Heritage Centre and Tanglin Community Club at Whitley Road due to bad weather," said Azhar.


Driver stranded for an hour after tree falls across road at Pasir Ris Drive 4

A driver was stuck for an hour after a tree fell across a road in Pasir Ris on Monday morning (Apr 3).

Stomper Jasper and Anonymous alerted Stomp to the incident and shared photos of the tree lying across a zebra crossing.

The incident happened during rainy weather in the area.

Tree falls on lorry in morning downpour, blocking Horne Road near Lavender MRT station

A tree fell on a lorry at Horne Road near Lavender MRT station during a downpour on Wednesday morning (Oct 5).

No injuries were reported. Sharing a photo and a video of the incident, Stomper Kuek was driving on Penhas Road before turning left into Horne Road and saw the tree blocking the road between Kitchener Complex and BH Building.

He told Stomp that he had to reverse his car and go by another route.

Mercedes-Benz 'wrecked' by fallen tree at Tampines carpark

A car was damaged by a fallen tree at the carpark of Block 257 Tampines Street 21 on Thursday (Sept 29).

Stomper Zed shared photos of the incident, showing workers at the scene. A silver car can be seen with its roof smashed. Zed said: "I think the tree was old and tumbled down by itself. A Mercedes-Benz got wrecked."

In response to a Stomp query, a spokesman for Tampines Town Council said: "We are aware of the case and currently working with the resident on this matter."


Tree branches fall after heavy rain in Sembawang: Wet weather to continue in first half of September

After a sweltering few months, wet weather has recently cooled things down a little.

Large tree branches fell after a heavy downpour in Sembawang on Monday afternoon (Sept 5).

Stomper Advin shared a photo taken at Block 313 Sembawang Close at around 12.10pm and said: "Madness in the north!"

Fallen tree traps 2 people and injures another in Ulu Pandan CC compound

A large tree in the compound of Ulu Pandan Community Club in Ghim Moh Road fell and trapped two people on Saturday evening (Aug 20).

A third person was found injured near the tree.

They were conscious and in a stable condition when they were sent to the National University Hospital, said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). It was alerted to the incident at around 5.55pm.


Trees fall on vehicles amid heavy rain on Sunday afternoon
Photos and videos on WhatsApp showed trees and branches falling on roads and vehicles amid heavy rain on Sunday (Feb 20) afternoon. (Images: Tie Lok Tiing, CNA Reader)

Heavy rain fell across parts of Singapore on Sunday (Feb 20) afternoon, with photos and videos circulating on WhatsApp showing vehicles damaged by falling trees and branches.

National water agency PUB issued warnings of flood and heavy rain on several occasions, one of which was a flash flood warning for Upper Paya Lebar Road at 4.35pm. "Due to heavy rain, water levels in drains have reached 90 per cent in these areas ... Please avoid the above areas for the next one hour," said PUB in a Facebook post.

The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) warned on Twitter of "thundery showers over many areas" in the afternoon. Photos and videos on WhatsApp showed trees and branches falling on vehicles amid the rain on Sunday.


Punggol resident almost impaled by tree that fell on car during thunderstorm
The tree, which is about four storeys tall, landed directly on top of Mr Gary Gong's Toyota Camry. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS READER

A Punggol resident found himself pinned in the driver's seat by a tree that fell on his car on Sunday afternoon (Feb 20).

During a thunderstorm at around 3pm, the tree at Block 289C Punggol Place fell and crashed through a shelter just as Mr Gary Gong, 54, was about to turn into the carpark of the estate where he lives.

The tree, which is about four storeys tall, then landed directly on top of Mr Gong's Toyota Camry. Two of its branches, which Mr Gong, a part-time real estate agent, estimated to be about 10cm in diameter each, shattered the windscreen and a window and went into the car.


Tree falls on car in Punggol cracking windscreen trapping driver inside

Several parts of Singapore experienced a sudden downpour on Feb. 20 afternoon. The torrential rain caused a tree to snap and fall onto a car at the car park driveway near Block 289C Punggol Place.

A video shared by a Mothership reader showed that the car under the fallen tree with Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel using equipment to break the tree up. A photo shared with Mothership also showed that a tree branch had broken the windscreen of the car.

n response to Mothership's queries, SCDF confirmed that they were alerted to a call for assistance at the said location on Feb. 20 at around 3:15pm. Upon SCDF's arrival, a person was found trapped in the driver's seat of the car. The person was rescued by SCDF eventually and no injuries were reported


Tree branch falls on car in Tiong Bahru, injuring driver
The branch fell from a Trumpet Tree that was 10m long and 1m wide. PHOTOS: DISTRICT SINGAPORE/FACEBOOK

A tree branch fell onto a car on Monday (March 29) at the junction of Tiong Bahru and Lower Delta roads, injuring the driver, who was taken to hospital.

The Straits Times understands that the driver did not suffer any major injuries.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) told ST it received a call for assistance at 5.15pm on Monday, and one person was taken to Singapore General Hospital.


Falling tree in Sembawang Park nearly hits 5-year-old girl

A family enjoying some time outdoors last Sunday (Dec 5) had a close shave with a tree that fell near their picnic spot in Sembawang Park.

A 41-year-old man told Shin Min Daily News that it nearly hit his five-year-old daughter that afternoon. They had been playing with a ball near the tree at the time.

"When my daughter went to retrieve the ball from a spot near the tree, we heard a snapping sound. Two seconds later, the tree fell," he said. Despite the scare, the girl was unharmed. Her father took a closer look at the fallen tree and noticed a rotting trunk.


24m-tall tree that fell on Tanglin CC after Saturday's rain
The tree was more than 24m tall with a girth of 4.6m, and the debris was cleared by 5pm on April 19, 2021. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

A tree which fell onto Tanglin Community Club last Saturday (April 17) evening, after heavy rain, damaged the roof of its ceramics room.

The National Parks Board said it was alerted to a fallen West Indian locust tree (Hymenaea courbaril) in Malcolm Park, off Whitley Road, around 8.30pm, following intense rainfall that day.

The tree was more than 24m tall with a girth of 4.6m, and the debris was cleared by 5pm on Monday.


NParks clears fallen tree amid stepped-up patrols at Rail Corridor
An enforcement officer from NParks patrols the Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge at the Rail Corridor on April 4, 2021. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID

An albizia (Falcataria moluccana) tree that had fallen across the nature trail at the Rail Corridor near the old Bukit Timah Railway Station was cleared on Sunday (April 4) by the National Parks Board.

A spokesman for NParks said self-sown non-native trees like albizia pose hazards as they are prone to falling.

"For public safety, during the construction of the Rail Corridor trail, we have removed albizia trees along the trail. In their place, we have planted native forest trees to enhance the habitat in the Rail Corridor," she said.


'It sounded like a plane dropped out of the sky': Toh Yi resident whose home was damaged by fallen tree
The falling rain tree damaged at least three units and two cars. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS

A rain tree fell on four-storey walk-up condominium Kismis Court on Toh Yi Road, damaging at least three units and two cars.

No one was hurt in the incident that happened on Monday (March 1) at about 10pm.

The owners of one of the damaged units, on the third storey, told The Straits Times they were asleep when they were woken up by a loud crash.


1 killed, 4 injured after huge Tembusu tree falls at Botanic Gardens
The Tembusu tree fell at the Singapore Botanic Gardens at about 4.30pm on Saturday (Feb 11). ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

A 40m-tall Tembusu tree fell at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (SBG) on Saturday (Feb 11) afternoon, killing one and injuring four people.

Police said that a 38-year-old female Indian national died. Her husband, a 39-year-old French national, and their two children, aged one, were injured. A 26-year-old female Singaporean was also injured in the incident.

The National Parks Board (NParks) said that the tree was more than 270 years old and predated the establishment of the Gardens. It fell and brought down surrounding palm trees.


Woman killed by falling tree in Marsiling Park
NParks personnel doing an investigation on the fallen tree in Marsiling Park on Feb 18, 2021. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

A woman was killed after a tree fell on her in Marsiling Park on Thursday morning (Feb 18).

Ms Loke Xiao Li, 38, was a senior technical coordinator at Channel NewsAsia studio.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it was alerted to the incident at about 8.15am and found a person trapped under a fallen tree.


Woman killed by falling tree in Marsiling Park
A body being taken away from the scene in Marsiling Park on Feb 18, 2021.
PHOTO: The Straits Times

A woman was killed after a tree fell on her in Marsiling Park on Thursday (Feb 18) morning.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that they were alerted to the incident at about 8.15am and found a person trapped under a fallen tree.

SCDF officers used cutting equipment to extricate the 38-year-old woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.


Woman killed by a falling tree in Marsiling Park

Ms Loke Xiao Li, a senior technical coordinator at Channel NewsAsia, was killed after a tree fell on her in Marsiling Park on the morning of 18 February 2021. A loud crack was heard before the tree fell and pinned the 38-year-old woman under it. About 10 passersby tried to lift the tree but were unsuccessful. Singapore Civil Defence Officers arrived later and used cutting equipment to extricate her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.

The tree was reportedly said to be a 20m-tall Araucaria excelsa tree with a girth of 1.3m. It was about 20 years old and was found to be healthy when it was inspected in April 2020. It was due for next inspection in October this year. The incident was truly an unfortunate one. Although the annual number of tree-falling incidents in Singapore had fallen from about 3,100 cases in 2001 to around 340 cases in 2020, such incidents remain an inherent risk in our garden city-state.

This is not the first case of a fatal tree-falling incident. In 2017, a 40m-tall Tembusu tree fell and fatally injured a female Indian national at Singapore Botanic Gardens. The Coroner’s Court heard that the tree had been decaying below ground level for quite some time, although it was found to be healthy and normal in its last inspection.


14 people taken to hospital after tree falls in Sembawang Park
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it responded to the fallen tree incident in Beaulieu Road at 5.55pm. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Fourteen people were taken to hospital on Thursday (Dec 20) after a tree fell on a pavilion in Sembawang Park.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it responded to the fallen tree incident in Beaulieu Road at 5.55pm.

When SCDF arrived at the scene, no one was trapped and the 14 people were taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) by SCDF ambulances.


Fallen tree crushes several vehicles in Toa Payoh

Six months ago, a falling tree branch shattered the rear windscreen of Mr Mohammad Norman Gatot Isman's car.

Yesterday, disaster struck in the same place twice, when a large tree fell on top of the 39-year-old's motorbike in the carpark next to Block 68 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh.

His was not the only vehicle damaged, with photos of the scene showing several cars and motorbikes knocked over or crushed by the falling tree.


Falling tree crushes cars and knocks over bikes in Toa Payoh
A large tree fell and crushed three cars at Blk 68 Toa Payoh Lorong 4 on Dec 13, 2020. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

Six months ago, a falling tree branch shattered the rear windscreen of Mr Mohammad Norman Gatot Isman's car.

On Sunday, disaster struck in the same place twice, when a large tree fell on top of the 39-year-old's motorbike in the carpark next to Block 68, Lorong 5 Toa Payoh.

His was not the only vehicle damaged, with photos of the scene showing several cars and motorbikes knocked over or crushed by the falling tree.


Six-storey tall tree falls in Sims Drive carpark, damages five cars
The tree fell at 5am on Oct 11, 2020, after a heavy downpour. PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

A six-storey tall tree fell in an open air carpark next to Block 41 Sims Drive damaging at least five cars in the process.

The incident took place at 5am on Sunday (Oct 11) morning after a heavy downpour.

A resident, Mr Chia Tuck Soon, said he saw police officers on the scene at around 7am as the tree was being removed. He said the tree could be about 35 years old, based on its height.


Three more trees fall as monsoon season returns
The incident in Hougang took place around 10.50am on Tuesday at Block 703 Hougang Avenue 2. PHOTOS: LIANHE ZAOBAO, LIANHE WANBAO

Two more trees have fallen as the monsoon season returns, with one tree along the pavement in Hougang landing on two cars on Tuesday (Dec 3), and one fallen tree that missed a jogger at Old Upper Thomson Road on Wednesday.

This comes after a tree was toppled following heavy rain in Bedok North on Monday, landing on a black Mercedes-Benz.

Earlier on Nov 20, a tree fell on a white Subaru car in Scotts Road, shattering the rear windscreen.


Another tree falls in Old Airport Road area after a second day of heavy rain
The tree near Block 11A Pine Close fell with a loud thud at about 4.30pm on April 4, 2019, residents said. PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO

Heavy rain and strong winds for the second day in a row resulted in another tree uprooting and falling in the Old Airport Road area on Thursday (April 4).

The tree near Block 11A Pine Close fell with a loud thud at about 4.30pm, residents said.

The incident comes after an eight-storey tree toppled onto Block 97 Jalan Dua early on Wednesday morning. About 20 units up to the eighth storey were affected, while a pavilion at the foot of the block had its roof crushed.


Trees that fell in Sembawang Park last inspected in May 2017, found to be healthy
The uprooted trees appeared to have fallen due to heavy winds, based on the direction of falls and their large sizes, said the National Parks Board. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

The two trees that fell in Sembawang Park on Thursday night (Dec 20) which led to 14 people being injured were last inspected in May last year and found to be healthy, said the National Parks Board (NParks) on Friday.

The uprooted trees appeared to have fallen due to heavy winds, based on the direction of falls and their large sizes, said Mr Chuah Hock Seong, NParks' group director of parks, in a statement, adding that investigations are ongoing.

On Thursday, two mature trees were uprooted at around 5.30pm during an intense thunderstorm with gusty winds.


Fallen trees block pathways in Yishun Park after thunderstorm
Joggers and passers-by were forced to take a detour after fallen trees blocked pathways in the park. PHOTOS: SERI DEWI SANGHA

Joggers and passers-by came across several fallen trees in Yishun Park on Wednesday (Jan 31) morning, after a bout of heavy rain the night before.

Photos sent to The Straits Times showed at least four such trees blocking pathways in the park.

Ms Seri Dewi Sangha, 31, usually cuts through the park on her route to work but was forced to take a detour.


Tree falls on car at Scotts Road in front of Grand Hyatt hotel
Four lanes of Scotts Road had been obstructed when the tree fell at around 3pm, trapping a driver in a car. PHOTOS: WEE MEILIN, MARK CHEONG

A tree fell on a car at Scotts Road, in front of the Grand Hyatt Singapore hotel, on Wednesday afternoon (Nov 20).

The driver escaped unscathed with the help of passers-by, although the rear windscreen of his white Subaru was shattered.

The Straits Times understands that no injuries were reported.


Heavy rain in Bedok North topples tree, flash floods disrupt traffic in Jurong East and Choa Chu Kang
The tree, which toppled following heavy rain in Bedok North, fell on a black Mercedes-Benz. PHOTO: ST READER

Heavy rains and strong winds passed through various parts of Singapore on Monday (Dec 2) leaving some damage in its wake, including a tree that fell on a parked car.

The incident took place in the parking lot of a Bedok North housing estate and drew a curious crowd with their camera phones, said supermarket manager Joel Mabeo, who passed the scene on the way home from work.

Early in the day, the National Environment Agency had warned of moderate to heavy thundery showers over many areas in the late afternoon to evening.


Falling tree branch pierces through car windscreen and injures man in Geylang
The tree branch pierced through the windscreen of the vehicle, injuring its driver. PHOTOS: LIANHE WANBAO READER

A man was hurt when a tree branch fell through his windscreen at a carpark on Saturday morning (June 15).

The victim, a man in his 50s, was looking for a parking space near Block 119 Aljunied Avenue 2 in Geylang when the incident occurred.

His friend, Mr Chen, 50, told Chinese-language daily Lianhe Wanbao that the driver heard a loud "bang" as a long branch pierced through the windscreen and fell directly into his seat.


Car hit by falling tree in Upper Thomson Road after heavy rain on Sunday
One of the trees lay across two of the three lanes of the road, obstructing the flow of traffic headed in the direction of Yishun. This caused a long line of cars to form. ST PHOTO: JEREMY KWAN

Several trees toppled in Upper Thomson Road after a heavy downpour on Sunday afternoon (Feb 17), causing a traffic jam.

Mr Tan, 31, told The Straits Times that a tree fell on his car while he was travelling along Upper Thomson Road at about 4.30pm.

His wife was behind the wheel at the time while Mr Tan was with his two children, aged two years and three months old, in the back seat.


Eight-storey-high tree falls on HDB block near Old Airport Road, shattering windows of flats
The tree, near Block 97 Jalan Dua, fell at around 5am amid a heavy downpour and strong winds across the island. PHOTOS: LIM BIOW CHUAN / FACEBOOK

An eight-storey-high tree in the Old Airport Road area toppled onto a Housing Board block in the early hours of Wednesday (April 3), shattering the windows of at least four flats.

The tree, near Block 97 Jalan Dua, fell at around 5am amid a heavy downpour and strong winds across the island.

About 20 units up to the eighth storey were affected and a pavilion at the foot of the block also had its roof crushed.


More than 200 snapped branches, fallen trees reported during Tuesday's 'extreme storm'
A fallen tree near Block 332, Yishun Ring Road, on Jan 30, 2018. PHOTO: TAN MING LIE

There were more than 200 reported incidents of fallen trees and snapped tree branches on Tuesday during an "extreme storm", the National Parks Board (NParks) told The Straits Times on Wednesday (Jan 31).

NParks streetscape group director Oh Cheow Sheng said the board received those reports by late evening. Most of the fallen trees and branches were cleared by 8pm that day.

Extreme weather conditions with intense rain and strong winds were reported in the north and north-eastern parts of Singapore such as Yishun, Sembawang, Seletar, Mandai and Gambas late on Tuesday afternoon, he said.


Tree inspections in S'pore carried out every 6 to 24 months
A lychee tree sitting atop Mount Rosie in the Novena area is supported by a permanent galvanised steel structure built to withstand elements. PHOTO: ST FILE

The National Parks Board (NParks) carries out rigorous tree inspections every six to 24 months, with trees that are close to areas with high pedestrian or traffic activity receiving more frequent checks.

The tree inspection regime follows the best management practices set by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Minister for National Development Desmond Lee told Parliament on Wednesday (March 3), after a woman was killed by a tree that fell in Marsiling Park last month.

"During a tree inspection, NParks' inspectors conduct a comprehensive visual examination of the tree crown, branches, trunk and roots to assess the tree's health and stability," said the minister.


Fort Canning’s Majestic Banyan Tree Falls Due To Heavy Rain, Netizen Pays Tribute To ‘Grande Dame’
22m-Tall Tree Topples Over Due To Soil Failure, Sight Saddens Nature Lover Who Has Fond Memories Of It

While many Singaporeans appreciated the cool weather resulting from the heavy rainfall over the weekend, there were some unfortunate casualties. The rain caused floods in some areas and even landslides, but perhaps the most saddening of all was the toppling of a heritage tree in Fort Canning.

The demise of the tree prompted a nature lover to wax lyrical in a Facebook post, calling the tree a “Grande Dame” of Fort Canning. It’s obvious that he was saddened by the sight, which brought back memories of the tree’s heyday.

The tree, which was located on a slope of Fort Canning Hill, was a Burmese banyan, the National Parks Board (NParks) told The Straits Times (ST). The roots of the 22m-tall tree came loose due to “soil failure” brought on by the heavy rain from 1-2 Jan. Thus, the tree collapsed, damaging part of the escalators, NParks added.


Iconic 22m heritage tree at Fort Canning Park collapses after intense rainfall

A grandiose heritage tree at Fort Canning Park has collapsed as a result of the torrential rain over the weekend. The incident happened at about 9:40am on Jan. 2 2021.

The National Parks Board (NParks) was alerted that the 22m heritage tree, a Burmese Banyan (Ficus kurzii), had fallen. A Burmese Banyan can grow up to 30m tall and has distinct aerial roots. This particular Burmese Banyan is one of the three in Singapore that has been recognised as a heritage tree.

A tree can be nominated as a heritage tree if it has a girth of more than five metres and/or has botanical, social, historical, cultural or aesthetic value. According to Ryan Lee, the Group Director of Fort Canning Park & Istana, National Parks Board (NParks), the tree had lost its grip as a result of a soil failure due to the consecutive days of intense rain.

The tree has collapsed onto the pavement and damaged a section of the sheltered escalators from Jubilee Park leading up to Fort Canning Hill. Fortunately, there were no visitors in the vicinity at that time.


Fallen trees
A tree fell in MacPherson Road towards Paya Lebar, causing it to be unpassable. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Motorists around Singapore were also hampered by the lashing rain which brought down some trees. A tree fell in MacPherson Road towards Paya Lebar, causing it to be impassable. It was cleared by about 4.20pm, said an NParks spokesman.

Another tree landed on a car along Zion Road outside Great World City at 5.40pm and was cleared at around 6.15pm.

Most trees in public areas are inspected once every six to 24 months, and more often in certain areas, said the NParks spokesman, adding that checks will be carried out to manage the damaged trees after the storm.


Woman killed by tembusu tree at Singapore Botanic Gardens last worked at Mastercard

The woman who died after being hit by a falling tembusu tree at the Singapore Botanic Gardens on Saturday has been identified as Ms Radhika Angara, 38.

Her French husband, Mr Jerome Rouch-Sirech, 39, and their two children, one-year-old twins, were also injured in the incident.

Ms Angara, an Indian national, moved to Singapore in January 2013 when she joined global social and mobile payment platform Fastacash as its chief marketing and strategy officer.


TREE OF DEATH
Marsiling Tree Collapse Victim A Driven & Sociable Person, Says Sister

On Thursday (18 Feb), Singaporeans were saddened by news of a 38-year-old lady’s passing after a tree at Marsiling Park fell on her. Later that evening, more information about the victim surfaced, including her identity and the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident.

News sites reported that the victim was a staff at Mediacorp’s Channel NewsAsia (CNA) studio. She was also reportedly wearing noise-cancelling earbuds when the tree fell. According to The Straits Times (ST), 38-year-old Loke Xiao Li was a senior technical coordinator at Mediacorp who had been with the company for 6 years.

She was also wearing a pair of noise-cancelling earphones during her run. One later appeared to be damaged while the other remained intact.


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