Malaysia
Malaysian man and 6-months pregnant wife killed in traffic accident on way to work in Singapore
A Malaysian couple was killed in a motorcycle accident at the 18.4 km mark of the Second Link between Malaysia and Singapore while on their way to work in Singapore.
The couple, Low Kim Cheong and Tan Li Ru, who was six months pregnant at the time, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police investigations showed that the motorcycle had skidded by itself, but Tan Li Ru’s sister filed a police report stating that there was no evidence of the motorcycle slipping and losing control, and some passerby had claimed that a driver hit-and-run at the scene.
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MALAYSIA — A tragedy struck this Thursday as a man and his six-month-pregnant wife met up with a fatal tragedy during their daily commute to work.
The accident occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m. that morning, at the 18.4 km mark of the Second Link between Malaysia and Singapore.
The couple who lived in Johor Bahru was riding a motorcycle, preparing to enter Singapore through the Tuas Checkpoint to go to work at the time of the incident.
The young Malaysian couple was 36-year-old Low Kim Cheong and 30-year-old Tan Li Ru who was six months pregnant at the time of her death.
Paramedics had pronounced the couple dead on the scene.
According to the elder sister of the deceased woman, Tan Liqin, who spoke to Singapore media Shin Min Daily News, her sister and brother-in-law had been working in Singapore for many years.
“They got married in 2018 and worked in different hardware stores, and their two-year-old son was left to my mother to take care of. My sister was six months pregnant at the time of the incident.”
ACP Rahmat Ariffin, Iskandar Puteri district police chief, told the media that the investigations showed that the motorcycle had skidded by itself, and it is believed the accident involved a single vehicle.
Deceased’s family members hoping to find culprit of accident
However, Tan who went to the accident scene after she heard the bad news on Thursday morning, believes there is no evidence of the couple’s motorcycle slipping and losing control at the scene. The sister has since filed a police report.
Tan said some passer-by claimed there was a driver who hit-and-run at the scene.
“Some people at the scene said that a silver (Malaysian) locally-made car hit them and then fled the scene, but we did not see it with our own eyes.”
Some of the family members and relatives of the deceased have posted on Facebook and attached photos of the scene, hoping to find the driver who passed by at the time to provide the driving record to restore the scene of the accident.
One of the post wrote: “Dear cousin and her husband left us this morning. She was also carrying a baby in her womb…”
“Is there anyone who has dashcam footage of the accident scene at the second passageway in front of the hospital in Colombia between 7-8 am this morning? If so, please contact me. Thank you, everyone.”
The sister of the deceased also posted on Facebook, asking for witnesses to come forward with footage as they disagreed with the local police’s conclusions.
“Dear friends, we need your help with a recent car accident that occurred on 16 March 2023. ”
“My sister and her husband were involved in a serious accident on their way from Bukit Indah Highway to Tuas. My sister, who is pregnant, was severely injured and passed away. If anyone has any information or dashcam footage, we would greatly appreciate it. ”
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Comments
Netizens see Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen’s move to JB as response to Singapore’s high living costs
In a recent interview, Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen, a Singapore PR, announced that he and his family have relocated to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Netizens view his move as a practical response to Singapore’s rising cost of living and note a growing trend of ‘dual-country living’ among Singaporeans. Many are considering retirement in Malaysia or managing child-rearing expenses while maintaining ties to Singapore, reflecting broader concerns about healthcare and living costs.
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SINGAPORE: Following Mediacorp actor Shaun Chen (陈泓宇)’s recent announcement that he and his family have moved back to Malaysia, many netizens have praised his decision as both smart and practical, given Singapore’s rising cost of living.
Additionally, some users observed a growing trend of ‘dual-country living’ among Singaporeans, noting that many are considering retirement in Malaysia or managing the costs of raising children while maintaining connections to Singapore, highlighting broader concerns about healthcare and living expenses.
In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Chen, 45, revealed that he and his family moved to the Eco Botanic township estate in Johor Bahru on 1 August.
They are currently renting a place while searching for a home to buy.
Houses in Eco Botanic, a sought-after residential area about a 10-minute drive from Legoland Malaysia, are priced from RM1,000,000 (S$300,000).
His two daughters, who hold Malaysian and Singaporean PR status, are enrolled in an international school in Johor Bahru.
Chen, originally from Negeri Sembilan, explained that the move was largely influenced by his age and his plan to retire in Malaysia eventually.
“I’m not young anymore. I was going to return to Malaysia to retire anyway, so I decided to enroll my daughters into the international school in JB while they are still young,” said the actor.
Chen noted that their new home is just a half-hour drive from the Malaysia-Singapore second link bridge and that their living expenses have decreased by 30 percent since the move.
The cost of international schooling in JB is comparable to the school fees and student-care fees for PRs in Singapore, according to Chen.
Chen mentioned that his daughters, who have been at the new school for less than a month, are enjoying their experience.
They find the environment welcoming, with a manageable workload and opportunities to interact with students from around the world.
Regarding his previous residence, Chen shared that he had owned a house in Tiong Bahru, Singapore, but sold it during the pandemic due to lack of occupancy.
He has also sold his apartment in Singapore.
As for his career, Chen reassured that the move would not impact it.
He said he will continue traveling between Singapore and Malaysia for work, with smooth traffic conditions except during public holidays.
Netizens View Shaun Chen’s Move to Malaysia as a Practical Response to Singapore’s Rising Cost of Living
Commenting on posts by Singapore’s state media Lianhe Zaobao and CNA on Facebook, some users reacted positively to Chen’s decision and suggested that, given the rising cost of living, more Singaporeans might consider relocating to Malaysia for retirement, particularly if their health permits, as it could significantly help manage expenses.
Some commented that it makes sense for Shaun Chen to move to JB since he is Malaysian, noting that the cost of living there could be significantly lower, and that he can afford a larger, freehold property compared to smaller flats.
A comment suggested that it is common for Malaysians to work in Singapore and spend their earnings in Malaysia, which enhances their quality of life. The netizen also pointed out that the high cost of living in Singapore makes this arrangement particularly advantageous.
Concern over raising child in Singapore
Another netizen analysed Chen’s decision in the context of raising children, noting that as children grow, expenses increase.
He noted that, unlike Chen, who can relocate to Malaysia to manage costs, Singaporean citizens like himself have to stay in Singapore and cope with the financial pressures.
A comment questioned why the Singaporean government may not fully consider the reasons many Singaporeans are buying property in Johor Bahru or moving their elderly parents to elder care facilities there, driven by high living and medical costs in Singapore.
The comment also noted that some Singaporeans are migrating or retiring overseas for similar reasons.
Diplomacy
Philippine media mocks Malaysia over facing Beijing’s South China Sea ‘bullying’
A Philippine media outlet has disclosed a Chinese diplomatic note accusing Malaysia of “infringing” on China’s sovereignty in areas within its nine-dash line. In response, Malaysia is investigating the leak of the February document. On 5 September, PM Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed that Malaysia would continue its oil and gas exploration despite China’s claims.
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MALAYSIA: A Philippine media outlet has revealed a diplomatic note from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing Malaysia of “infringing” on China’s sovereignty in areas covered by its nine-dash line.
Following the publication, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday (4 September) that it is investigating the leak of a classified document that China had sent to its embassy in Beijing in February.
In an article published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on 29 August, the media outlet shared the two-page diplomatic note from Beijing, which was obtained from a Malaysian journalist who wished to remain anonymous.
In the note, China reiterated its stance that Nankang Ansha and Beikang Ansha (both referred to as Beting Raja Jarum and Luconia Shoals in Malaysia) are part of the Spratly Islands, over which China claims sovereignty.
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Source: Daily Inquirer
China argued that its position is supported by historical and legal evidence, including international laws such as the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China objected to Malaysia’s unilateral oil and gas exploration activities in areas such as Timi, Kasawari, Jerun, Kayu Manis SE, F13, E11, Bokor, and Gumusut Kakap.
Beijing claims these activities infringe on its sovereignty and violate international law, particularly UNCLOS and the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea.
China expressed “serious concern” and “strong dissatisfaction” over these actions, urging Malaysia to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and demanding an immediate halt to the oil and gas exploration activities.
Luconia Shoals, also known as Beting Patinggi Ali, is located around 160 kilometres off the coast of the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo, and nearly 2,000km away from China’s Hainan Island.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its territory based on historical maps, which overlap with the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, complicating energy exploration efforts by several of these economies.
In response to the leaked document, Malaysia’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Wednesday expressing grave concern over the leak, which it described as an official communication channel between the two countries.
Malaysia stated it would continue to defend its sovereignty and sovereign rights in the South China Sea, handle disputes peacefully, and engage with all concerned parties, including China, with which it shares close and active bilateral ties.
“Regarding the South China Sea, both countries have expressed commitment and determination to resolve any issues peacefully through consultations and dialogue using existing platforms and diplomatic channels, without recourse to disputes or violence.”
“Malaysia’s stance on the South China Sea remains unchanged,” the statement wrote.
“Malaysia will continue to defend its sovereignty, sovereign rights and interests in its maritime areas based on the 1979 Malaysia Map. ”
“This approach aligns with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.”
Malaysia also reiterated its commitment to negotiations between ASEAN member states and China to finalize a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), in line with UNCLOS 1982.
As of August 2024, Malaysia and China are co-chairs of the ASEAN-China meetings on the implementation of the DOC and negotiations to finalize the COC, for a three-year term.
On 5 September, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim asserted that the country would continue its oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, despite Beijing’s territorial claims.
As reported by Reuters, Anwar, who is on an official visit in Russia, said Malaysia’s exploration activities are conducted within its own territory and are not intended as a provocation or hostile act toward China, with whom it maintains friendly relations.
“Of course, we will have to operate in our waters and secure economic advantage, including drilling for oil, in our territory,” Anwar stated during a televised press conference in Vladivostok.
“We have never denied the possibility of discussion (with China). But it doesn’t mean we have to stop the operation in our area.”
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