SINGAPORE — November 4, 2026
Singapore’s plans to import more low-carbon electricity from Indonesia have encountered another hurdle, after Jakarta made clear that it will only proceed with exports if the proposed prices meet its expectations.
Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the country would prioritise domestic electricity requirements if buyers were unwilling to accept its pricing terms. His comments have added uncertainty to a major regional energy cooperation plan that could eventually provide Singapore with up to 3.4 gigawatts of electricity.
The development leads a series of stories involving Singapore and the region, including an SBS Transit police report over a viral bus-filming incident, a 28-year-old Singaporean’s decision to establish a goat farm in Indonesia, and the closure of a 24-hour kopitiam in Tampines after just over a year.
1. Indonesia Says Singapore Must Accept Its Electricity Pricing Terms
Indonesia remains open to supplying electricity to Singapore, but its government has made clear that any agreement must offer what it considers a fair commercial return.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on November 2, Bahlil said Indonesia had already calculated its proposed electricity export prices.
He warned that if purchasing countries could not agree to those terms, Indonesia would keep its electricity for domestic consumption.
His remarks followed an earlier statement that Indonesia was unlikely to export electricity in the near future because local demand remained high.
Bahlil also cautioned the country’s sovereign investment agency, Danantara, against allowing foreign parties to lobby for lower prices. He stressed that export permits fall under the authority of Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The minister did not disclose the proposed price or provide a confirmed date for electricity exports to begin.
Singapore’s 3.4GW Clean Energy Plan Faces Uncertainty
The disagreement matters because Singapore and Indonesia have been working towards a major cross-border electricity arrangement.
Under plans reaffirmed by both countries in July 2026, projects with a combined capacity of at least 3.4 gigawatts are being developed towards a 2035 target.
Singapore’s Energy Market Authority had previously granted conditional licences covering 2GW of low-carbon electricity imports from five Indonesia-based projects. It also granted conditional approvals for another 1.4GW from two additional projects.
The proposed arrangement could help Singapore diversify its electricity sources and support its transition towards cleaner energy.
For Indonesia, the projects could attract investment in renewable energy generation, transmission infrastructure and related industries.
However, the latest statements show that political support and project approvals do not automatically guarantee electricity deliveries. Commercial pricing, domestic supply requirements and infrastructure development still need to be addressed.
Natural Gas Tensions Add to the Energy Challenge
The electricity negotiations are unfolding amid separate disagreements over natural gas supplies.
Indonesia began reducing pipeline gas exports to Singapore in October, saying more supplies were needed for domestic electricity generation.
Singapore’s Energy Market Authority said the reduction amounted to approximately 17 billion British thermal units per day over an 18-day period, representing less than 2% of the country’s daily gas demand.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has said Singapore expects parties to honour their commercial supply commitments and that its gas importer will protect its contractual rights and interests.
The two developments are not identical: the gas reduction concerns existing fuel supplies, while the electricity negotiations involve a proposed future clean-energy trade arrangement.
Nevertheless, both highlight the importance of energy security and dependable cross-border agreements.
2. SBS Transit Files Police Report After Man Allegedly Tapes Phone to Bus
A separate incident has raised public-safety concerns after a video appeared to show a man attaching a mobile phone to the rear of an SBS Transit double-decker bus before following it on a motorcycle.
The footage circulated on social media on November 1. The man, wearing a black sweater, was seen approaching the bus and attaching a phone to its rear using yellow tape.
The video then showed him returning to his motorcycle and riding behind the bus.
The incident was believed to have taken place around Jalan Besar, with the original social-media post suggesting that it happened at approximately 7am.
SBS Transit confirmed that it was aware of the footage and had lodged a police report.
Spokesperson Grace Wu said the operator took the incident seriously and did not condone conduct that could put the individual or other road users at risk.
Man Later Offers a Different Explanation
The man subsequently disputed what viewers believed the video showed.
He reportedly claimed that the phone attached to the bus was not used to record the motorcycle footage. Instead, he said the footage had been captured using a camera mounted on another motorcycle.
He also maintained that the recording took place at around 7am and said he had not broken the law.
That explanation has not been independently established through the available footage.
The distinction is important because the viral video alone does not prove precisely how the motorcycle footage was recorded or whether an offence occurred.
Why the Incident Matters
Public buses operate in busy traffic environments and carry passengers who have no involvement in the creation of social-media content.
Any behaviour that creates a potential distraction or hazard around a moving bus can therefore raise concerns beyond the person filming.
SBS Transit’s police report means the matter has been referred to the authorities. It does not, by itself, establish that the man committed an offence.
3. Singaporean, 28, Uses Personal Savings to Start Goat Farm in Indonesia
In a very different Singapore-related story, a 28-year-old Singaporean has ventured into livestock farming despite having no previous experience in the industry.
Muhammad Hakim Roslee invested his personal savings in establishing The Shepherd Council, a goat farm in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The idea emerged in early June after a friend told him about an unused plot of land that could potentially be developed into a farm.
Hakim, who works as a digital engagement officer at Al-Istighfar Mosque in Pasir Ris, decided to explore the opportunity with his friend and an Indonesian business partner.
After approximately two months of preparation, including sourcing construction materials, comparing prices and hiring workers, the farm began operating in late August.
Around 40 Goats Make Up the First Herd
The farm currently has approximately 40 goats.
Around 15 adult goats are being prepared for aqiqah, a Muslim religious practice involving the sacrifice of livestock following the birth of a child.
Another 25 younger goats are being raised for eventual sale ahead of the korban season associated with Hari Raya Haji.
The business expected to officially launch its aqiqah services in November.
The partners have divided responsibilities according to their respective strengths. Hakim oversees marketing and digital content, his Singaporean friend handles business planning and logistics, while their Indonesian partner manages daily farm operations and livestock care.
Starting a Farm Overseas Comes With Challenges
Although the venture offers an opportunity to develop a business outside Singapore, it has also presented practical difficulties.
Hakim identified animal feed and livestock purchases as major operating expenses.
Cross-border money transfers can be delayed, while differences in language and dialect sometimes create misunderstandings during business discussions.
The farm has also been affected by haze in Kalimantan, prompting the local team to take precautions and provide the goats with necessary healthcare.
Hakim plans to visit the farm several times a year, particularly before Hari Raya Haji, to monitor operations and ensure that the livestock meet the relevant religious requirements.
His Ambition Goes Beyond Livestock Sales
Hakim hopes to build a successful business that can provide greater financial independence and allow him to devote more time to dakwah, or Islamic outreach.
He also wants to expand the operation and eventually supply livestock to other religious teachers offering aqiqah and korban services.
For now, the business remains in its early stages, and its long-term financial performance has yet to be established.
4. Tam Chiak Kopitiam Closes Tampines Outlet After Just Over a Year
Residents in Tampines have lost another dining option after Maxim Tam Chiak Kopitiam ceased operations at its neighbourhood outlet.
The 24-hour coffee shop first opened in October 2025 beneath a new residential development along Tampines Street 64.
Its closure was confirmed by a visitor who checked the premises after news was shared on the Facebook page I Love Tampines on November 1.
The visitor said all the stalls had closed.
The outlet had operated for slightly more than a year.
Residents Question Whether the Location Had Enough Customers
News of the closure prompted discussion among residents, with some suggesting that the surrounding area did not attract enough customers to sustain the business.
One commenter described the location as unusually quiet, while another questioned whether the nearby residential developments had generated sufficient foot traffic.
Some diners also expressed concern about the future of individual food stalls, including Jalan Wong Ah Fook Charcoal Curry Fish Head, which had attracted customers to the kopitiam.
The business had brought together different local food offerings under one roof, providing residents with a round-the-clock dining option.
The Brand Is Still Expanding Elsewhere
Despite the Tampines closure, the kopitiam brand is not shutting down entirely.
Maxim Tam Chiak Kopitiam is co-owned by local actor Chew Chor Meng, food blogger Maureen Ow, better known as Miss Tam Chiak, and other partners.
The brand currently operates outlets in Punggol and Bidadari.
Its Hougang outlet closed in May after the co-owners decided not to renew the lease when it expired.
Meanwhile, the business has announced plans to open another outlet in Tengah, which is expected to become its largest location.
The contrasting developments highlight the challenges of operating food businesses in different neighbourhoods. A concept that attracts customers in one location may struggle in another, depending on foot traffic, surrounding residents and the availability of competing dining options.
AsiaOne reported that it had contacted the kopitiam for more information about the Tampines closure.
Four Stories Reflect Singapore’s Changing Regional and Domestic Landscape
The latest roundup covers four very different developments, but each highlights an issue with wider implications.
Indonesia’s electricity pricing position demonstrates how domestic energy priorities can complicate regional cooperation, even when both countries have expressed support for cleaner power trade.
The SBS Transit incident shows how social-media content can raise public-safety concerns and attract police attention, although the circumstances and legal position still require proper assessment.
Hakim’s goat-farming venture illustrates how Singaporean entrepreneurs are exploring opportunities beyond the country’s limited land area, while facing the realities of running businesses across borders.
Meanwhile, the Tampines kopitiam closure shows that even established food concepts can encounter difficulties when a particular location fails to attract enough customers.
Together, these stories offer a snapshot of the issues shaping Singapore and its connections with neighbouring countries — from energy security and transport safety to entrepreneurship and the changing neighbourhood food scene.
