Batam News Asia

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

Woman Arrested After Newborn Thrown From 10th Floor.

A newborn died after allegedly being thrown from a 10th-floor apartment in Johor Bahru. Police have arrested the child’s mother, who reportedly admitted involvement in the incident, prompting criminal investigations and renewed concerns about maternal welfare and social support systems.

Police arrested a 23-year-old woman after she allegedly admitted to throwing her newborn from the 10th floor of an apartment building in Johor Bahru on June 5, 2026. According to investigators, she said she had given birth alone at home.

04/06/2026

Changi Leopard Cats: Relocation Plan For Critically Endangered Population.

Singapore authorities plan to begin relocating leopard cats from the Changi area in the second half of 2026, citing safety concerns, habitat pressures, and conservation objectives.

National Parks Board announced on June 3, 2026, that relocation efforts involving leopard cats in the Changi area will begin in the second half of 2026. The phased program aims to relocate animals from high-risk areas near development sites and transportation corridors.

04/06/2026

Rupiah Slide: Currency Hits Lowest This Year.

Indonesia’s rupiah weakened sharply, closing at Rp17,966 per US dollar after falling 0.71%, renewing concerns about capital flows, import costs, and potential monetary policy responses.

On June 2, 2026, the rupiah closed at Rp17,966 per US dollar, down 0.71% from the previous session and marking one of its weakest levels of the year.

04/06/2026

The rupiah crossed 14,000 per Singapore dollar for the first time, intensifying FX pressures and prompting businesses to revisit hedging and pricing.

Read full details in the article.

https://batamnewsasia.com/2026/06/04/rupiah-weakness-crosses-14000-per-singapore-dollar/

04/06/2026

Allegations of image manipulation and research fraud tied to a hijab‑switching claim have prompted formal probes and renewed debate on academic integrity across Indonesian universities.

Read full details in the article.

https://batamnewsasia.com/2026/06/04/hijab-switching-scandal-indonesian-research-under-scrutiny/

04/06/2026

Lam Kepri and Batam city authorities have banned the public sale of pork and tuak to protect public order and cultural sensitivities; vendors must relocate to licensed premises as enforcement begins.

Read full details in the article.

https://batamnewsasia.com/2026/06/04/public-sales-curbed-pork-and-tuak-banned-in-batam-spaces/

Small traders selling pork or tuak may face restrictions on where they can operate and could be required to relocate to designated licensed premises.

03/06/2026

Major Raids Net 26,000 Duty‑Unpaid Cigarette Packets.

Singapore police arrested eight people in separate raids in Choa Chu Kang and Tampines after uncovering more than 26,000 packets of duty-unpaid ci******es, highlighting ongoing concerns over to***co smuggling and illegal distribution networks.

Police conducted coordinated enforcement operations in Choa Chu Kang and Tampines, arresting eight individuals suspected of involvement in the storage and distribution of duty-unpaid ci******es following intelligence-led investigations.

03/06/2026

MBS Balcony Robbery: Three Arrested After Victim And Child Locked Out.

Three suspects have been arrested following an alleged robbery at Marina Bay Sands in which a woman and her child were reportedly confined to a balcony while valuables were stolen. The case also led to the disruption of a Shanghai-bound flight during subsequent police investigations.

In June 2026, police arrested three men in connection with a robbery at Marina Bay Sands. According to reports by The Straits Times and CNA, the suspects allegedly confined a woman and her child to a balcony while stealing valuables from a hotel suite. Officers recovered some stolen items during the arrests.

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03/06/2026

Indonesian Firms Lose Access To 0.5% Final UMKM Tax.

On June 2, 2026, Indonesia’s tax authority updated the eligibility criteria for the 0.5% final income tax (PPh UMKM) regime, restricting access for certain business structures in an effort to improve targeting and prevent misuse.

The Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) announced that not all micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKMs) remain eligible for the 0.5% final income tax regime. The revised guidance narrows eligibility and clarifies which business structures qualify.