Theresa Tan

Singapore

Senior Social Affairs Correspondent at The Straits Times

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Articles

MSF planning further review of Megan Khung’s case, covering responses of all parties involved

1 week ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will conduct a further review about the Megan Khung’s case, which will cover the responses of all parties involved. This includes Beyond Social Services, which runs the pre-school that Megan attended, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), MSF’s Child Protective Service and the Police.
Megan deserved better. It takes all of us to keep other children like her safe

1 week ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

The death of four-year-old Megan Khung, who suffered horrific abuse at the hands of her mother and her ex-boyfriend, has shocked many Singaporeans. Top most on peoples’ minds are these questions: why did Megan have to die? What more could the child protection authorities and social service agencies have done to save the child?
Homes for the vulnerable, such as abused kids and destitute seniors, to be licensed under new Act

2 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE - Some 61 social residential homes housing nearly 4,000 vulnerable residents will have to follow a new licensing regime aimed at strengthening safeguards and raising the quality of care. These residents include abused children, adults with disabilities and destitute seniors.
Info from Megan Khung’s pre-school gave no reason for ECDA to suspect girl’s abuse: MSF

2 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Syarafana Shafeeq |Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE - A series of lapses in the reporting of abuse and follow-up checks contributed to the death of four-year-old Megan Khung, who was physically and emotionally abused for more than a year. During that period, she was forced to wear soiled diapers over her head, eat food from the dustbin, and eat her mother’s mucus. She died in 2020 after a fatal punch to the stomach, and her mother and her ex-boyfriend burned her body to hide their crime.
‘He went into his shell’: Mum gets help from new service for reclusive adults and their parents

3 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE - After returning home with an arts degree from an overseas university in 2023, Anna’s son shut himself in his room all day and night. More than a year on, the 27-year-old man is still unemployed and has not shown any visible effort in looking for a job. He hardly leaves the house and barely speaks to anyone, and most of his time is spent sleeping or going online. “He went into his shell,” said Anna (not her real name), a professional in her 60s.
‘I didn’t think of any other thing except to help save him’: Man who gave kidney to brother

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE – When former national bowler Carl de Vries was diagnosed with kidney disease and needed a transplant, his brother Marc did not hesitate to offer him one of his. Mr Marc de Vries, 45, who is also a former national bowler, said: “He’s family. He’s my brother.
First childminding service for babies at a community space started in Tampines

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE - The first highly-subsidised nanny service in a community space opened its doors on March 3, and now has two babies enrolled. EduNanny by Butler, which occupies a 500 square feet room at Tampines East Community Centre (CC), is part of a pilot government project to give parents more options for infant care. A spokesman for the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said it aims to get a second such set-up at Nee Soon East CC ready in the first half of 2025.
Barber shop boss gives free haircuts to seniors and the disabled to ‘give back to S’pore’

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE – Despite rising rental and other business costs – and notwithstanding the closure of three outlets in 2024 – the Indian Barber Shop is still giving free haircuts to seniors aged 70 and older and people with disabilities of all ages. Its haircuts cost between $10 and $12, depending on the location. Those aged between 60 and 69 pay half the normal price.
Low-income families to get more support for health and housing under ComLink+

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE - Close to 1,600 families have signed up for support packages under the ComLink+ scheme, where low-income households get financial incentives and other support if they take steps to improve their lives, such as holding a stable job that pays CPF. And from the later part of 2025, a new model of support to address the health needs of families on ComLink+ will be rolled out. “We are weaving health and social support together.
Single-child families on the rise in Singapore

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Theresa Tan

SINGAPORE - Educator and artist Hazel Lim has a 12-year-old daughter, Hanna. And she is one and done. For Ms Lim and her husband, German educator and artist Andreas Schlegel, who are both 49, the decision to have just one child was shaped by the lack of familial support in childcare. She said: “The challenges of raising a child without much help was a very big consideration in not wanting another child.