45% of Singapore workers fear admitting AI use at work; Singapore's utility costs are high, but not the highest: Singapore live news

Singapore’s real estate market is experiencing a resurgence, with home sales soaring to 2,557 new private units in November, the highest number in over 10 years.

The sales boom comes after a period of declining borrowing costs and pent-up demand, particularly for suburban mass-market projects.

One development in the east sold more than 99 per cent of its 846 units, highlighting the growing interest in affordable homes.

This surge is raising alarm among analysts, who predict that the government may implement more curbs to prevent a price spike.

With elections scheduled in less than a year, concerns are mounting that the current wave of demand could push property prices back up.

Analysts from Barclays have raised the possibility of more “aggressive” measures if sales continue to rise unchecked, while Citigroup warned that a reversal of the price decline could trigger more policy risks.

To address these concerns, the government is expanding its land supply for private homes, with 8,505 units to be released in the first half of 2025.

This increase in land availability aims to stabilise the market, but experts caution that it may not be enough if the current trend of rising demand continues.

Despite these efforts, many wonder whether Singapore’s housing market is headed for another round of tightening measures.

The government’s next move will be crucial in balancing demand with the goal of maintaining affordability.

As the property market rebounds, all eyes are on the authorities to see how they will manage the growing demand while preventing a price surge.

Read on the record home sales in Singapore here.

Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) are sounding the alarm over the rise of Kpods – drug-laced vapes that are gaining traction among young people.

These vaporisers, often containing etomidate or ketamine, are marketed as less harmful alternatives to traditional drugs.

According to the HSA and the CNB, there have been several confirmed cases of these vapes being used since March 2024.

Social workers report that the trend is especially concerning because youths as young as 12 are experimenting with these products.

Some sellers advertise Kpods on messaging apps like Telegram, where prices range from $50 to $100.

The rise of Kpods has sparked concerns about the potential long-term effects, including addiction and mental health issues.

Experts warn that the unpredictable nature of the substances involved can lead to accidental overdose and severe health risks.

One of the main draws of Kpods is the misconception that vaping is safer than smoking.

However, social workers and mental health experts are working to educate young people about the dangers of these vapes.

The HSA and CNB are investigating several cases of vapes containing etomidate, a substance classified as a poison in Singapore.

The authorities have pledged to crack down on both the sale and use of these products, which carry heavy penalties under Singapore’s strict drug laws.

Read on Singapore's crack down vow against 'Kpods' here.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced that students who sat for the 2024 Singapore-Cambridge GCE N(A)-Level and N(T)-Level examinations received their results Monday (16 Dec).

School candidates can collect their results directly from their respective schools, while private candidates will have access through the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) online portal.

Of the 9,369 N(A) candidates and 4,421 N(T) candidates, many will be eligible to progress to Secondary 5, depending on their performance.

Students who achieve the required aggregate scores can progress to Secondary 5 or apply for the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP).

ITE applications will also open on 16 December, with a deadline of 19 December, while the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) will have its application process open in January 2025.

For those applying to ITE, approximately 1,200 DPP spots will be available for the 2025 intake, with results posted on 20 December.

DPP applicants must accept or reject their offers by 26 December.

The PFP, which helps students bypass O-Levels to enter polytechnic diploma courses, will accept applications from January 2025.

Educational and career guidance services are also available to students as they consider their next steps.

Education and career guidance services are available for students, who are encouraged to consult with their school counsellors or explore career pathways via the MySkillsFuture platform.

Read on the GCE N-Level exams results here.

Singapore has seen a worrying rise in arrests for harbouring or employing immigration offenders, with a 31.6 per cent increase in such arrests in 2024 compared to last year.

Between January and September, 166 people were arrested for harbouring offenders and 138 for hiring them.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the trend is particularly concerning because many of these offenders have overstayed their work permits and are working illegally.

These offenders often seek shelter with relatives, friends, or employers, many of whom profit financially by housing them.

One notable case involved a Chinese national who overstayed for several months before being arrested and sentenced to six weeks’ jail.

The person harbouring him was fined $3,000.

In a separate case, a Chinese man worked at a food stall despite overstaying for two years, leading to his arrest and a 14-week jail sentence.

ICA officials say the rise in arrests underscores the importance of vigilance when hiring or housing foreigners.

Employers and landlords must verify the immigration status of those they employ or shelter.

Those who fail to do so risk facing jail time or heavy fines.

Read on the spike of immigration offenders arrest in Singapore in 2024 here.

Singapore's job market in 2024 reveals a fascinating divide between the roles employers are desperately advertising and the positions that job seekers are actually pursuing.

According to CNBC, citing the Indeed 2024 Rising Jobs list, while companies are actively seeking talent for high-demand, innovation-driven roles, job seekers are increasingly drawn to service and support positions like "pet sitter," "chauffeur," and "bakery assistant."

The data reveals that service-oriented roles have experienced the most significant increase in clicks from job seekers between November 2023 and November 2024.

The role of a pet sitter, for example, saw a 260 per cent increase in demand, with chauffeurs following closely behind at 184 per cent.

Saumitra Chand, a career expert at Indeed, suggests that these roles attract workers because they offer "simplicity, flexibility, and a sense of control," allowing individuals to avoid the long hours and high-pressure environments of more traditional, corporate jobs.

On the other side, employers are chasing the high-growth areas of the job market, primarily focusing on innovative roles such as sales and marketing managers (+127 per cent), machine learning engineers (+83 per cent), and civil engineers (+65 per cent).

These fields align with Singapore's ongoing push for innovation, with particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and infrastructure development, as underscored by a recent government initiative to invest $743 million in AI development.

The discrepancy between employers’ needs and job seekers’ preferences reflects broader societal shifts, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

Many workers are now prioritising jobs that provide better work-life balance, flexibility, and fewer job pressures.

The high cost of living in Singapore may also be driving job seekers toward accessible and immediate roles that require less training but provide steady income.

Ultimately, the 2024 job market in Singapore presents a fascinating paradox.

Employers are ramping up their search for cutting-edge talent to drive future growth, while workers seem more interested in practical, low-pressure jobs that align with their desires for flexibility and simplicity.

How this imbalance will play out in the coming months remains to be seen, but it's clear that Singapore’s job market is evolving in unexpected ways.

Johor's hospitality sector is grappling with a growing workforce crisis as an increasing number of school-leavers use local hotels as stepping stones to higher-paying jobs in neighbouring Singapore.

The trend, where young workers enter entry-level positions in housekeeping only to leave once they gain training and experience, is leaving Johor hotels understaffed and struggling to meet industry demands.

According to Ivan Teo, President of the Malaysian Association of Hotels’ Johor chapter, this exodus of talent is a major concern for the local hospitality industry.

"They come, they learn, and they leave as soon as they find better-paying opportunities, particularly across the causeway in Singapore," he said.

With salaries for equivalent positions in Singapore exceeding RM3,000 ($899), local hotels are unable to compete, as wages in Johor for similar roles range from RM1,200 to RM1,500.

The staffing shortage has made it difficult for Johor's hotels to meet service expectations, particularly the timely preparation of rooms.

A recent proposal to extend hotel check-in times has become increasingly unfeasible due to insufficient housekeeping staff.

As a result, hotel managers are being forced to rethink operational strategies, with some even advocating for the hiring of foreign workers to fill crucial back-of-house roles such as housekeeping and maintenance.

The situation has highlighted a significant wage disparity between Malaysia and Singapore, with young workers flocking to Singapore in search of better pay and career prospects.

As Johor hotels struggle to keep trained staff, the crisis has underscored the need for policy reforms and more competitive compensation packages to retain workers and ensure the sustainability of state’s tourism industry.

German insurer Allianz has scrapped its plans to acquire a majority stake in Singapore’s Income Insurance, following a strong public backlash, according to a statement.

The $2.2 billion (US$1.5 billion) deal, which was set to elevate Allianz to the fourth-largest composite insurer in Asia, faced intense scrutiny in Singapore, where many citizens feared the deal would drive up premiums and undermine the company’s mission to provide affordable insurance for lower-income workers.

The Singapore government had voiced strong opposition to the deal in October, stating that it would not be in the public interest in its current form.

Allianz had hoped to address these concerns by proposing revisions to the transaction, but discussions ultimately failed to find a satisfactory resolution.

Income Insurance, which was founded in the 1970s with the aim of providing affordable insurance to underserved populations, currently serves over 1.7 million customers.

The company’s mission to cater to middle- and lower-income groups has made it a key player in Singapore’s insurance landscape, and the proposed deal raised alarms that this mission could be compromised.

In addition to public opposition, the deal faced skepticism about how it would affect premiums for existing customers.

Critics argued that the acquisition could shift the company’s priorities away from its core social responsibility to a more profit-driven approach, disadvantaging lower-income policyholders.

While Allianz has not officially confirmed its decision to scrap the deal, a source familiar with the matter indicated that an announcement would be made in the coming days.

The cancellation of this deal marks a significant setback for Allianz’s expansion plans in Asia, but it may also signal a broader lesson on the importance of aligning corporate acquisitions with local social values and market sentiments.

Read on Allianz dropping its $2.2 billion Income Insurance acquisition here.

Bitcoin has reached a new record high, surging past US$106,000 ($143,000) on Monday (16 Dec), fuelled by President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about creating a US Bitcoin strategic reserve.

Trump, who has been vocal in his support for cryptocurrencies, hinted that the US should adopt policies similar to its oil reserve strategy, which would include holding Bitcoin as part of national reserves.

The news sent Bitcoin prices soaring, pushing them above the previous all-time high.

The surge follows Trump’s election victory in November, which has been followed by a series of pro-crypto appointments, including former PayPal executive David Sacks, who was named as the White House czar for artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies.

The rising optimism has helped propel Bitcoin prices to new heights, with some analysts now predicting that the next target could be US$110,000.

Other cryptocurrencies also benefited from the rally, with Ether rising nearly 3 per cent to hit $4,014.

The broader market has seen a surge of optimism as investors are increasingly betting on digital assets in light of the shift in US leadership.

However, despite the record-breaking rise, skepticism about the practicality of a national Bitcoin reserve remains.

Some experts, like Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, have compared Bitcoin to gold, cautioning that it is highly volatile and not a reliable store of value.

The rally has also been driven by institutional support, as evidenced by Nasdaq’s recent decision to include MicroStrategy, a major Bitcoin buyer, in the Nasdaq-100 Index.

The move signals the growing legitimacy of Bitcoin in the financial world, though experts caution that the volatile nature of digital assets may lead to a near-term pullback.

Read on Bitcoin hitting a new record high here.