Singapore news digest: 9 May 2026

EC rules tightened: 10-year MOP, more first-timer units

MOP doubled from 5 to 10 years
Higher first-timer quota; deferred payment scheme scrapped
Analysts see 5-7% price dip on most-exposed projects

Sources (4) STBTZBBH

ST ST Front Page — “10-year MOP for executive condos; more units to be set aside for first-timers”
BT Upfront — “Executive condo prices may be dampened by new measures, but don't expect a sharp fall”
ZB News Front Page — “EC政策三调整重新聚焦自住需求 (Three EC policy changes refocus scheme on owner-occupation)”
BH Front Page — “Tempoh inap minimum EC naik 10 tahun, bilangan unit pembeli kali pertama ditambah (EC minimum occupation extended to 10 years, more units for first-time buyers)”

PM Wong: ASEAN must integrate faster as disruptions become 'new normal'

Calls to ratify pending trade and energy pacts
Wants navigational rights upheld through Hormuz and other waterways
Marcos says fuel-sharing scheme still being worked out

Sources (7) STBTZBTMBH

ST Big Story — “Stronger ASEAN integration is key as disruptions become the 'new normal': PM Wong”
ST Big Story — “Grouping should uphold navigational rights to ensure supply chain resilience, says PM”
ST Big Story — “Marcos says ASEAN fuel-sharing scheme still needs to be ironed out”
BT Upfront — “Asean must build collective resilience to brace for a world of more disruptions and shocks: PM Wong”
ZB News Front Page — “黄总理吁亚细安加快一体化　应对全球经济波动新常态 (PM Wong urges ASEAN to speed up integration to face new normal of economic volatility)”
TM Front Page — “சவால்களை ஒன்றிணைந்து எதிர்கொள்ள அழைப்பு (Call to face challenges together)”
BH Berita — “PM Wong seru Asean kekal sepadu bagi hadapi 'norma baru' (PM Wong urges ASEAN to stay united to face 'new normal')”

2 Singaporeans feared dead in Mount Dukono eruption

Volcano erupted 7.41am local time, ash plume 10km high
17 hikers and 2 porters rescued; 3 still missing
Group reportedly used a route that was officially closed

Sources (5) STZBTMBH

ST ST Front Page — “2 S'poreans feared dead after Mount Dukono erupts”
ST Big Story — “2 S'poreans among 3 feared dead after Mount Dukono eruption”
ZB News Focus — “印尼一火山喷发　17登山者获救两新加坡人恐罹难 (Indonesian volcano erupts: 17 hikers rescued, 2 Singaporeans feared dead)”
TM Front Page — “இந்தோனீசிய எரிமலை வெடிப்பில் சிங்கப்பூரர்கள் இருவர் மரணம் (Two Singaporeans dead in Indonesian volcano eruption)”
BH Front Page — “Letusan Gunung Dukono di Indonesia: 2 pendaki warga S'pura dipercayai terkorban (Mount Dukono eruption in Indonesia: 2 Singaporean hikers feared killed)”

Singapore tourism hits record S$32.8b; S$740m fund top-up

2025 receipts at S$32.8b record; MICE contributes S$2.3b
S$740m more for Tourism Development Fund over 5 years
Pulau Brani, Orchard Road and Tanglin among precincts to be revamped

Sources (5) STBTZBBHTM

ST Big Story — “Singapore's tourism receipts climb to all-time high of $32.8b in 2025”
BT Upfront — “Singapore's 2025 tourism receipts reach record S$32.8b; Mice contributes S$2.3b”
ZB News Focus — “我国投7.4亿元推进旅游业2040愿景 (Singapore invests S$740m to advance Tourism 2040 vision)”
BH Berita — “S'pura suntik $740j dana baru bagi rangsang sektor pelancongan (Singapore injects $740m new funds to spur tourism sector)”
TM Local News — “2025ல் பயணத்துறைக்கு கணிப்பை மீறி $32.8 பி. வருவாய் (Tourism sector earns record $32.8b in 2025, beating projections)”

New Marina South cruise terminal, MICE hub planned

Integrated cruise and ferry terminal near Marina South in study phase
Downtown MICE complex earmarked for the same area
Greater Sentosa to get coastal trails, hotels over 20 years

Sources (4) STZBTMBH

ST Big Story — “New cruise, ferry terminal, exhibition hub planned near Marina South”
ZB Local News — “滨海湾拟建游轮与渡轮综合中心及新会展中心 (Marina Bay to build integrated cruise/ferry centre and new MICE complex)”
TM Front Page — “மரினா சவுத்தில் புதிய சொகுசுக் கப்பல், படகு முனையம் (New cruise ship and ferry terminal at Marina South)”
BH Berita — “Terminal kapal persiaran, feri baharu, hab Mice dirancang di Marina South (New cruise, ferry terminal, MICE hub planned at Marina South)”

HDB to top 55,000 BTO target for 2025-2027

Strong BTO demand drives larger pipeline
Chee Hong Tat: Government will build more, faster if needed
Announcement paired with EC scheme overhaul

Sources (3) STZBBH

ST Front Page Singapore — “HDB likely to exceed target of 55,000 new flats from 2025 to 2027: Minister”
ZB Local News — “截至明年预购组屋供应料增加 (BTO supply through next year set to rise)”
BH Berita — “HDB dijangka lancar lebihi sasaran awal 55,000 flat BTO bagi 2025-2027 (HDB expected to exceed initial 55,000 BTO target for 2025-2027)”

US court rules Trump's 10% global tariff illegal

2-1 vote at US Court of International Trade
Refunds limited to named plaintiffs and Washington state
Broader tariff still applies pending appeal

Sources (3) STZBBH

ST World — “US trade court rules Trump's latest 10% global tariffs are illegal”
ZB News Focus — “美贸易法院裁定特朗普向全球征10%关税无效 (US trade court rules Trump's 10% global tariff invalid)”
BH Dunia — “Mahkamah perdagangan AS putuskan tarif Trump tidak sah (US trade court rules Trump tariff invalid)”

IMDA to upskill 40,000 tech workers in AI by 2029

AI literacy, automated coding, agentic systems training
Covers tech professionals and final-year ICT students
IMDA and Workforce Singapore to co-chair curriculum group

Sources (3) STBTBH

ST Singapore — “40,000 tech workers to be trained in AI to automate coding, build agentic systems by 2029”
BT Upfront — “IMDA to upskill 40,000 tech professionals over three years amid AI disruption”
BH Berita — “IMDA tingkat kemahiran 40,000 karyawan teknologi dalam AI (IMDA upskills 40,000 tech employees in AI)”

Disney Adventure cruise cancelled; 5,000 passengers off

5-day cruise cancelled after 24+ hours docked
Mechanical issue blamed; passengers waited overnight on board
All 5,000 must disembark

Sources (2) STZB

ST Singapore — “Disney Adventure cruise cancelled due to mechanical issue”
ZB Local News — “迪士尼探险号故障24小时后航程取消5000人被迫下船 (Disney Adventure cruise cancelled after 24-hour fault; 5,000 forced to disembark)”

Tuas Checkpoint to launch in-car self-clearance, OBU tolls

ICA: world-first multi-occupant in-car immigration self-clearance
LTA: OBU toll payments at Woodlands and Tuas from Jan 2027
Stored-value cards no longer needed for tolls

Sources (3) STZB

ST Singapore — “ICA to tap digital tools to automate in-car border clearance at Tuas from 2027”
ZB Local News — “大士关卡汽车通关系统升级 "无人"通道自助验证更便利 (Tuas Checkpoint car clearance system upgraded; 'unmanned' lane offers self-clearance)”
ZB Local News — “本地车辆明年起可用 OBU支付关卡过路费 (Singapore-registered vehicles can pay checkpoint tolls via OBU from next year)”

Follow-ups

Iran/Hormuz war and ceasefire

US-Iran clashes flare again; UN says 1,500 ships still trapped in the Gulf

US and Iranian forces traded fire again in the Strait of Hormuz overnight on May 7-8, with Iran accusing Washington of striking one of its tankers and another vessel entering the strait, deepening doubts about the ceasefire. The UN said about 1,500 ships and crews remain stranded in the Gulf. A Chinese-crewed product tanker was also reported attacked at the strait's entrance off the UAE this week, while Toyota said it expects a US$4.3 billion hit this financial year and Air India is considering flight reductions. Trump has scrapped a Saudi-supported plan to escort vessels out due to Riyadh's resistance.

Sources (6) STZBBHTM

ST Big Story — “US expects Iran's response to peace deal soon, even as both sides trade fire”
ZB News Focus — “美伊再次交火　停火协议恐难维系 (US-Iran clash again; ceasefire deal hard to sustain)”
ZB China News — “一艘载有中国船员油轮霍尔木兹海峡入口处遇袭 (Tanker with Chinese crew attacked at entrance to Strait of Hormuz)”
BH Dunia — “PBB: Sekitar 1,500 kapal terperangkap di Teluk akibat konflik Iran (UN: About 1,500 ships trapped in Gulf due to Iran conflict)”
BH Dunia — “Trump: Gencatan senjata masih bertahan selepas pertempuran meningkat (Trump: Ceasefire still holds despite escalating clashes)”
TM World News — “சவூதி அரேபிய எதிர்ப்பால் நீரிணைத் திட்டத்தில் பின்வாங்கிய டிரம்ப் (Trump withdraws strait plan due to Saudi Arabia opposition)”

India state elections 2026

Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM; Bengal assembly dissolved after Mamata refuses to step down

Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Joseph Vijay is sworn in as Tamil Nadu chief minister at Chennai's Nehru Indoor Stadium on May 9, after his party's election win. In West Bengal, Governor R N Ravi has dissolved the state assembly after Mamata Banerjee refused to resign as chief minister, intensifying a constitutional standoff with the Trinamool government. Across both states, the Bharatiya Janata Party's expanded footprint is being read as a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid for a fourth straight term.

Sources (3) STTM

ST World — “India state election results deepen BJP dominance, boosting Modi's mandate”
TM Front Page — “தமிழ்நாட்டின் முதல்வராக இன்று பதவியேற்கிறார் விஜய் (Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister today)”
TM India News — “மம்தா பதவி விலகாததால் மேற்கு வங்கச் சட்டமன்றம் கலைப்பு (West Bengal assembly dissolved after Mamata refuses to step down)”

MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak

Two Singapore residents on MV Hondius test negative; WHO insists public risk is low

Two Singapore residents who shared a flight with a confirmed hantavirus patient from the cruise ship MV Hondius have tested negative, the Communicable Diseases Agency said on May 8. Both will still serve a 30-day quarantine at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases as a precaution. The World Health Organisation said the same day that the risk to the wider public from the outbreak remains minimal as countries prepare to repatriate passengers and crew.

Sources (4) STZBBH

ST World — “Two S'pore residents on board cruise ship test negative for hantavirus infection”
ST World — “WHO insists hantavirus risk to public remains low”
ZB Local News — “曾乘搭暴发汉坦病毒游轮两新加坡居民检测呈阴性 (Two Singapore residents from hantavirus cruise test negative)”
BH Dunia — “Hantavirus: 3 maut atas kapal persiaran, WHO bimbang kes bertambah (Hantavirus: 3 dead on cruise ship, WHO concerned about more cases)”