SINGAPORE: A 40-year-old man shared on social media that he’s starting to regret buying a resale HDB flat for S$1.1 million. “[I am] single, never married, salaried employee. I had just completed the purchase of my resale HDB flat, which cost me SGD1.1M, and I am taking over the house next month,” he wrote on r/askSingapore, a Reddit forum, on Wednesday (Dec 11). “A sudden feeling of remorse has fallen over me since signing of the completion process at the HDB Hub.” The man explained in his post that he couldn’t shake the feeling that he might have overspent on the property and feels uncertain about what to expect as he prepares to move into the new house next month. He also mentioned that the timing of the purchase added to his financial worries. December is usually when he allocates S$10,000 for overseas holiday shopping, a tradition he enjoys every year. However, with the recent house purchase, he now feels a need to be more financially cautious. Reflecting on these emotions, he wondered whether this was simply ‘buyer’s remorse’ or a sign that he had made a mistake. “Am I over worrying or is it what they call the buyer’s remorse? Have any one of you been in this similar situation like a sudden feeling of ‘maybe I should not have purchase it’ just simply appear etc.” he wrote. In the comments section, a few Redditors reassured him that experiencing buyer’s remorse after a big purchase is completely normal. One Redditor said, “It’s more of a prudence feels, don’t worry too much about it. HDB is an asset, albeit depreciating, can always sell off next time. Just be cautious with expenses, like reno, furnitures, and further liabilities.” Another commented, “Just buy what you like and enjoy life as long as you can afford it. You wont be able to bring them to the afterlife with you assuming you don’t have any kids.” Some, however, expressed concerns about the high price he paid for the flat, questioning whether it was a sound financial decision. One Redditor remarked, “1.1m ? You are part of the problem lol keep raising prices higher.” Another wrote, “Erm, 1.1m to shoulder solely alone. Not a very prudent decision.” Others suggested practical solutions to ease his financial burden. A few pointed out that since he’s single, he could consider renting out the other rooms in the flat to offset his mortgage payments. According to The Straits Times, a record number of 328 resale flats were sold for over one million dollars in the third quarter. Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at OrangeTee Group, shared that this brings the total number of million-dollar deals in the first three quarters of 2024 to 747, already surpassing the 469 recorded for all of 2023. This quarter’s price hike is also the biggest since Q3 2022, when prices went up by 2.6%.

"She was a fighter," wrote Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong of his late sister Lee Wei Ling, describing her as someone who was "fiercely loyal to friends", "sympathised instinctively with the underdog", and who would act to correct unfairness or wrongdoing. SM Lee mourned Wei Ling's death in social media posts on Oct. 9, shortly after news broke that she had passed away at home earlier that morning. Recalling childhood memories  SM Lee recalled childhood memories of his younger sister — who was three years his junior — including his memory of her first day in kindergarten and how she got a "double promotion" to Primary Three after doing well in Primary One. "She was older than and way ahead of her classmates, and got thoroughly bored in class," wrote SM Lee. He wrote about how she continued to do well in school, saying that she was "very competitive and very determined," and eventually won a President’s Scholarship. Chose medicine over becoming a vet  SM Lee also recalled how his late sister "loved animals, especially dogs", and wanted to become a vet. He said their parents, founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and lawyer Kwa Geok Choo, dissuaded her from doing so. SM Lee said they told her she would have to check carcasses in the abattoir in addition to looking after pet dogs and cats. "She took up medicine instead, topping her class at the University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore) and winning a Gold Medal," wrote SM Lee. Wei Ling went on to become a paediatric neurologist, specialising in epilepsy. SM Lee wrote: "She brought to medicine the same intensity and commitment she did to everything, and developed close bonds with her patients, many of whom she treated over many years." He revealed that Wei Ling was "the doctor in the family", and would be consulted on "big or small" medical issues — including SM Lee's treatment for lymphoma back in 1992, which Wei Ling took a "close interest" in. "She was a fighter"  SM Lee wrote: "Ling’s personality and character remained unchanged throughout her life. She was fiercely loyal to friends, sympathised instinctively with the underdog, and would mobilise actively to do something when she saw unfairness, or suspected wrongdoing. She was a fighter."  He recalled how she had a column in The Sunday Times, where she shared her views "trenchantly and vividly". "Not everyone agreed with everything she said, but her passion and conviction showed through," wrote SM Lee, recalling how some of these pieces were published in a book, “A Hakka Woman’s Singapore Stories: My life as a daughter, doctor and diehard Singaporean”. Staying in Oxley Road with her parents  SM Lee said Wei Ling stayed on at the family home in Oxley Road with their parents after her two brothers got married and moved out. "She kept a watchful eye on their wellbeing as they grew older. She supervised our mother’s care after her strokes. She took care of my father too, who was himself growing older and frailer even as he looked after our mother, and especially after she died in 2010." SM Lee also recalled how his father had once told him to take care of the family should anything happen to the elder Lee. He wrote: "Sadly, after he passed away in 2015, a shadow fell between my siblings and me, and I was unable to fulfil his wish. But I held nothing against Ling, and continued to do whatever I could to ensure her welfare." Took diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), with "fortitude and stoicism" SM Lee shared that Wei Ling was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in 2020. The disease is "similar to but worse than Parkinson’s," he wrote, saying that Wei Ling, a neurologist, had in fact diagnosed herself before the doctors formally did. "She took it with her usual fortitude and stoicism, and posted about it as one of those things in life to be borne and endured," SM Lee wrote. He said his sister "made the most of the time she had even as her health declined." "Now she has left us. I will deeply miss Ling. May she rest in peace," wrote SM Lee. Ho Ching, SM Lee's wife, has posted "You are now free and at peace", with commentators expressing their condolences for Wei Ling's passing. Wei Ling's brother, Lee Hsien Yang, called for no flowers, and encouraged well-wishers to donate to charities which would be "meaningful" for his elder sister. The charities mentioned are Canossa Mission Singapore, Parkinson Society Singapore and Total Well-Being SG Limited.

A 42-year-old man was found lying motionless at the foot of Block 10A Bendemeer Road at around 12:05am on Aug. 29. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedic. Police seen conducting investigations at estate  The aftermath of the incident was caught on camera by an onlooker. The photos were circulated by Sgfollowsall. According to the photos, at least 13 personnel could be seen gathered around a white sheet on a grass patch at the foot of the block. In the caption, the onlooker added that they saw four police vehicles at the scene. The police apparently conducted investigations until 2am before they transported the man's body onto a police vehicle, said the onlooker. Police statement  The Singapore Police Force has confirmed that they received a call for assistance at the block on Aug. 29. Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play. Investigations are ongoing.

A 21-year-old man allegedly drowned at Bedok Reservoir Park on Nov. 21, 2023. His corpse was found in the reservoir's waters. Pronounced dead at scene  The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) stated that they received a call for assistance at Bedok Reservoir at about 9:10am on Nov. 21. Similarly, the Singapore Police Force said they were alerted around the same time to a suspected drowning case near the PAssion Wave @ Bedok Reservoir, Chinese daily Shin Min Daily News reported. Divers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team were deployed for an underwater search operation after SCDF arrived. They found the man's body and retrieved it. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Wine bottles and other items seen nearby  A backpack and a yellow soft toy were seen near where the body was found, whereas snacks and three alcohol bottles were seen not far away on the steps leading down to the water. A bicycle was seen lying on a nearby patch of grass. The police ruled out homicide based on their preliminary investigations. Investigations are ongoing.