Amid the global struggle to preserve biodiversity, a glimmer of hope emerges from the shores of Singapore's East Coast Beach. Recently, the National Parks Board celebrated a milestone as critically endangered hawksbill turtle eggs hatched, signifying a small yet significant victory in the battle against biodiversity loss. This is but one small example of how a nation can safeguard its delicate ecosystems.

This article is being featured in Special Feature: Mind Meets Machine

A young man with a mental disability is cheated of his late mother’s life savings by a man claiming to be a friend. A property agent takes advantage of an elderly man with an intellectually-disabled daughter, by pocketing the sales proceeds of a flat the client had engaged him to sell. 

These are two of many cases of vulnerable persons in Singapore being financially abused - a consequence of systemic gaps, insufficient protective measures and a lack of financial planning by families of individuals with special needs.