A transnational baby-trafficking ring has drawn Singapore into the spotlight, with three Singapore citizens currently under investigation by Indonesian authorities. The Indonesian National Police allege that 15 babies were sent to Singapore under falsified adoption papers, with each infant fetching around $20,000.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has pledged full cooperation, including questioning witnesses and tracing suspects through Interpol. So far, 22 people have been charged in Indonesia, with operations linked to West Java, Jakarta, and Pontianak. The syndicate allegedly profited by covering delivery and care costs before pocketing the remaining funds.
This case has sparked widespread outrage, with child protection groups calling it one of the most serious trafficking scandals in the region.
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In a separate development, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is reviewing its processes after a woman overstayed in Singapore for more than 28 years without detection. Yu Zefang, 60, was sentenced on 1 September to six months’ jail and fined $2,000, according to local media reports.
Yu had surrendered in December 2024, expressing her wish to return to China. She entered Singapore in 1995 on a student pass but absconded in 1996 after her special pass expired. She remained in the country to care for her daughter, who later became a permanent resident.
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam told Parliament that Yu avoided detection by living off the grid—with no fixed address, no formal employment, and no use of public services. This case, believed to be the longest overstay in Singapore’s history, has raised questions about systemic gaps in immigration monitoring.
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Meanwhile, a government scheme designed to support jobless Singaporeans has come under scrutiny after most applicants were rejected. The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme, launched in April, has received 7,200 applications, but 60 percent were rejected, mainly because applicants did not meet criteria such as involuntary unemployment or the $5,000 income cap.
During Parliamentary sessions, MPs questioned whether the scheme adequately supports freelancers, contract workers, and those who left jobs under complex circumstances.
Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon responded that the scheme is regularly reviewed and allows for appeals, but its focus must remain on individuals facing sudden financial shocks.
The Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore are proactively engaging with employers and the labour movement to increase awareness of the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme. Efforts include verifying unemployment claims directly with former employers and encouraging companies undergoing retrenchments to assist their employees in applying for support.
Read more about the questions raised in Parliament regarding the fairness of the Jobseeker Support Scheme here.
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Singapore’s fresh graduates are entering an increasingly crowded job market, with 2,400 more graduates competing for roles this year. The result is sharper competition and rising anxiety among new entrants.
Even as employment rates improve to 52 percent, 1,700 more graduates remain unemployed compared to 2024. These numbers highlight a growing comfort gap in graduate employment.
To address this, the government has launched GRIT and GRIT@Gov, offering 800 traineeships lasting three to six months. These programmes include allowances co-funded by the state. Officials say these schemes are a preemptive effort to reassure graduates and help them gain industry experience while waiting for permanent roles.
Additionally, structured pathways for skilled trades are being developed to broaden career options beyond traditional graduate jobs.
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Stay tuned for more updates on these evolving stories.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/live/3-singaporeans-under-probe-in-cross-border-baby-trafficking-case-ica-reviews-lapses-after-woman-overstayed-28-years-undetected-singapore-live-news-013113627.html