Singaporean politician and civil servant, Prime Minister since 2024
Singapore has unveiled one of the world’s most generous policy packages to reverse a declining birth rate. Each child will receive almost S$70,000 in direct support through age 17, starting with a S$10,000 baby gift, and paid childcare leave will be expanded with subsidies aimed at cutting subsidized full-day childcare fees to S$150.
The AP and Independent reports show Indonesia facing El Niño-driven drought with thousands of hot spots across Kalimantan and Sumatra. About 3,000 residents have gathered for a rain-prayer in Palembang as firefighting efforts continue and cloud-seeding and water-bombing aircraft expand to curb the haze.
Singapore has revised ministerial pay, boosting the prime minister’s benchmark to S$3.6 million and other ministers’ salaries. Existing officeholders will receive a one‑off up to 9% raise this Oct, with further adjustments based on performance. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledges to donate his increase to charity.
Wildfires across Kalimantan, Sumatra and Borneo have intensified amid El Niño-driven drought. Firefighting efforts face delays, with residents and wildlife suffering as haze drifts to neighboring countries. Legal actions pursue accountability and regional cooperation intensifies.
Indonesia’s intense forest and peatland fires persist as El Niño drives drought, triggering cross-border haze that harms air quality and public health across Southeast Asia. Regional governments deploy firefighting personnel and aircraft while communities demand accountability and action to stop the cycle of fires and costs.
The haze crisis driven by Indonesian forest and peatland fires has prompted Singapore to consider enforcement under its Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. Singapore and regional partners are coordinating with Indonesia, with regional leaders promising action to address root causes as air quality remains unhealthy.
Protests have surged in Palangkaraya as Indonesia’s Kalimantan haze worsens, with health effects expanding across seven provinces. Singapore and Malaysia are pushing regional action while authorities debate emergency declarations. Fire-related health impacts have spurred calls for stronger government measures and cross-border cooperation.