SINGAPORE – An off-duty full-time national serviceman (NSF) with the Singapore Police Force attacked a police officer after a night of merrymaking and, among other things, used his hands to choke the latter.
Assistant training instructor at the Special Operations Command Mohammad Jeffry Lui Azman, 21, pleaded guilty in court on Friday (Nov 1) to causing hurt to Staff Sergeant Kenneth Ong Thiam Jun, 31.
Around 1am on Jan 1 this year, Jeffry and two friends went to a nightspot called Club Nexus at the Oriental Plaza shopping centre in New Bridge Road where they shared three “towers” of beer and a bottle of liquor.
The trio left the club at around 3.30am and were near the entrance of the mall when Jeffry approached another group of men and started mumbling incoherently.
The court heard that he suddenly became agitated and raised his right fist, causing one of his friends to rush forward and pull him away.
His other friend apologised to the group and told them that Jeffry was drunk.
SINGAPORE – The lawyer for a domestic worker convicted of stealing from Changi Airport Group (CAG) chairman Liew Mun Leong and his family, alleged at her appeal on Friday (Nov 1) that she was being framed to prevent her from lodging a complaint against the family for illegal deployment.
But prosecutors countered that there was no reason for the family to lie, pointing out that after Mr Liew decided to terminate the maid’s employment, his wife had given the Indonesian three months’ salary amounting to $1,800.
Parti Liyani, who worked for the family from 2007 to 2016, is appealing to the High Court against her conviction and sentence of two years and two months’ jail for stealing more than $34,000 worth of items .
During Parti’s district court trial, Mr Liew testified that he suspected her of stealing for years when things went missing at his Chancery Lane house, but his wife told him it may not have been the maid who took them.
Mr Liew said he finally decided to terminate her employment in October 2016. The last straw was the loss of a portable power bank given to him by a French university that had invited him to give a guest lecture.
SINGAPORE – A 28-year-old man was taken to hospital after his Personal Mobility Device (PMD) and a car collided in Toa Payoh on Friday (Nov 1).
The police were alerted to the accident, which took place at Lorong 5 Toa Payoh, at 10.42pm.
The PMD rider was conscious when taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the police said.
Pictures of the aftermath of the accident sent in by an ST reader show four medics in yellow vests attending to a man lying on the road with a stationary white car behind him.
Several onlookers are at the scene, which occurred near the Block 75 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh hawker centre.
Mr Tan Wei Sien, 25, said he saw the aftermath of the accident while passing by on a bus.
The 25-year-old student from Republic Polytechnic said he saw a food delivery bag lying close to the PMD rider.
“He looked like he was in pain and could not move his head. The medics placed a neck brace on him,” he said.
It is unclear which food delivery company the PMD rider was working for.
SINGAPORE: “I’m going to be oddly specific, anybody has any nudes or tapes from Hillgrove Secondary?” said a user who goes by the handle M in a Telegram group chat with scores of pornographic photos and videos, some featuring Singaporean victims. CNA has redacted his full username.
He didn’t get a reply, but he might have found what he was looking for from the group’s over 9,800 photos and videos, more than 250 files and 200-plus links.
More than 1,000 members had access to the content when the group was still active in mid-October, with content uploaded daily.
This is one of 13 Telegram group chats CNA saw with obscene material from Singapore. These do not include two Telegram chat groups called SG Nasi Lemak and SharingIsCaring, which made headlines earlier this month for allegedly distributing pornographic materials.
Authorities have charged two men and two teenagers for their suspected involvement in disseminating pornographic content in SG Nasi Lemak.
In response to queries from CNA, the police said they are aware of other chat groups which are similar to the SG Nasi Lemak and SharingIsCaring, and are looking into the matter.
CNA will not be naming the other group chats.
In a separate conversation seen in the same group chat, another user known as R sent photos of him having sex with his ex. “We were f****** at the staircase and almost got caught,” he added.
Another user egged him on to send more, especially footage where her face could be seen. But R decided against it.
“Nudes without face is nothing … don’t want make her life horrible (sic),” he insisted. R did not send any more photos or videos after this conversation.
In the same group chat, CNA saw that there were links to child pornography, with victims who appear to be Caucasian.
But such material is not commonly found in the chats seen by CNA, and frowned upon by most users in the other chat groups, who asked for such content to be taken down.
They are fine, however, with other disturbing material CNA saw being circulated freely – from videos of young girls showering, to upskirt photos and even cases of revenge pornography involving known Singaporean victims.
THE 13 TELEGRAM GROUPS
Anyone can join a private Telegram group chat if they have the invite link, or is added by someone already in the group. Once a person gains access, it is easy to find similar groups.
The membership numbers of the 13 groups vary – from as low as 500 to as high as nearly 40,000 as of early October. Of the 13 groups CNA saw, six of them have more than 10,000 members. More than half were still active in the same period.
Checks showed that nine of the group chats were created in 2018 and 2019 – one dated back to mid-2017. For other groups, it’s unclear when exactly they were created as group owners don’t allow members to see earlier messages posted in the chat before they joined.
CNA also saw evidence of the backup plans for communication hatched by members in these group chats in case the original group gets taken down.
Telegram did not respond to CNA’s queries.
A victim, who wanted to be known as Dania, agreed to be interviewed via text messages. According to Dania, her torment began eight years ago, when her ex-boyfriend leaked her photos online.
Her face can clearly be seen in those photos. They are still being circulated today, with links to the images recently sent to one of the Telegram chats.
She said the first few months after her images leaked online were the most intense for her. “I felt lost, betrayed and had a lot of regrets,” said Dania.
She said taking down the pictures from the Internet is a “never-ending task”. She had to scour the Internet to see where the photos had surfaced, and file take-down requests to the sites in question.
While she had sought help from a lawyer who sent a legal letter to her ex-boyfriend to stop him from posting more content, the damage had already been done from his very first click.
“Once the images are removed, a few days, weeks or months later, someone else who saved the content will put it up again,” said Dania.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN THE GROUP CHATS
With the proliferation of Telegram chat groups that distribute such content, illicit content could literally be in the hands of the participants.
CNA showed the chats to Rajah & Tann partner Lionel Tan, who said that many of the activities are illegal.
Mr Tan specialises in information technology law, and has handled four cases in the last five years where victims had intimate footage leaked either by jilted exes or via hacked devices.
The lawyer said that members of the group chat could potentially fall foul of Section 292 of the Penal Code, which criminalises the circulation, possession, and sale of obscene materials. If convicted, offenders can be jailed for three months and fined.
“(The severity of the sentence) depends on the number of times that (a member) has been distributing. If the sexual act itself is of a fairly depraved nature, all these will enhance the sentence. Users could potentially face a very high fine, or a custodial sentence,” said Mr Tan.
In the group chats, it is common to find links from file-sharing sites like Dropbox and Mega. The links typically lead to folders of women in various states of undress or performing sex acts.
Many folders are named after the women’s social media usernames; one folder CNA saw had more than 120GB of content.
In some instances, details of the victim’s workplaces or schools were available. Some victims also had scans of their passports, ICs or student passes uploaded alongside the explicit content.
While the file-sharing links are typically shared freely in the group chats, some participants were out to make a quick buck. One user claimed to have 1TB worth of photos and videos of girls he knew, and he was looking to sell his personal collection.
As for child pornography, Mr Tan said it doesn’t matter if the victims are eventually proven to not be Singaporean.
“Universally if any exploitation of a minor is filmed, and then distributed for sexual pleasure or for commercial purposes, I think it is something that authorities in Singapore will take a very harsh stance on,” he added.
“MOLES AND INFILTRATORS”
CNA saw the reactions of members in group chats after news broke that police are investigating SG Nasi Lemak.
Members cautioned each other against using their real photos as profile pictures, raising suggestions like using burner apps or accounts to hide their real identities. Burner apps are typically used to create temporary numbers so a person is not easily traceable.
The administrators of one group chat posted to say that random inspections will be carried out on members’ contributions due to “moles and infiltrators”. “Purging” or the removal of silent members “will commence”.
On the other hand, contributors with a high count of “original content” – content that is “not forwarded or repeatedly common” – were to be invited to an exclusive chat group.
Members responded. One apologised for posting “a lot of content of clothed girls”, while another promised to contribute more after administrators denied him access because he had “less than 10 actual content post”.
We saw one instance where a user was publicly welcomed into the exclusive club, and was presumably added.
Mr Tan said such a practice could encourage users to commit criminal acts in order to contribute more obscene videos and images.
“They could be luring more young girls into such predicaments. Then obtaining such obscene videos and images for the purpose of sharing, and for the purpose of burnishing their credentials so we can get into the other group,” he said.
“DROWNING”: EXPERIENCE OF A REVENGE PORN VICTIM
Women’s rights group AWARE were also shown the group chats. Senior case manager at the Sexual Assault Care Centre Lim Xiu Xian said the group chats perpetuate a culture where the objectification and sexualisation of women is made a casual thing.
“All this normalises the behaviour, it doesn’t tell them that this is wrong, they shouldn’t be doing this, and it’s a violation of another person,” said Ms Lim.
Trying to stop the proliferation of such leaked footage also exacts a heavy toll on revenge porn victims.
“It’s very overwhelming for them to search for their names and keywords related to the images, there’re so many avenues they have to tackle,” said Ms Lim.
“It causes anxiety, like sometimes they have issues with sleeping, they may have flashbacks and relive the intrusion over and over again. The issue of self-blame and shame is also there.”
Women’s rights group AWARE says the sharing of intimate photos and videos of a woman without her consent is an act of sexual violence. Police are looking into 13 group chats on Telegram.
For victims like Dania, these group chats demonstrate how revenge porn victims are blamed and shamed – repeatedly.
“Women who’ve such pictures taken (and unfortunately leaked out) are deemed as improper women and it seems appropriate to hurl insults at them,” Dania said.
“One rude comment may just slide like a raindrop down a duck’s back, but continuous never-ending ones may drown the duck.”
Ms Lim also pointed out that the activities in the group chats are considered image-based sexual abuse. The term covers many types of sexual footage taken or shared without consent, including revenge pornography, upskirt photos and sextortion.
It can also cover instances where photos of fully clothed women are distributed in a sexualised environment for the gratification of others, like in the Telegram chats.
CNA saw many instances of Instagram posts hived from public social media accounts and posted in the group chats.
We spoke to one victim who wanted to be known as Sarah. After a friend told her that photos from her social media accounts surfaced in one of the Telegram group chats, she made a police report. Even though she was fully clothed in the pictures, she still felt violated.
“I was angry because I never gave (the perpetrator) the permission (to post my photos in the chat) … (Those in the chat) made comments about my body, and sexual comments about wanting to do this and that,” said Sarah.
AWARE said that experiences like Sarah’s are distressing for victims because they feel like they have lost control.
“When (photos or videos) are posted on their social media, they have control over how it is seen … However, when it comes to these group chats, even very innocent photos – they are sexualised, and the intention is for someone else’s pleasure,” Ms Lim explained.
Sarah has no idea who circulated her photos in the chat, but she found out her former schoolmates were in the group. However, nothing could prepare her for the shock of seeing her former school coach in the chat group as well.
“I looked up to him a lot, because he always encouraged us. Him being in the group chat just makes it feel worse,” said Sarah.
Ms Lim said there’s a misconception that image-based sexual abuse is not as damaging as physical sexual violence.
“The truth is that it’s just as real,” she said. “The shame and loss of control over the situation can be amplified in image-based sexual abuse because they can’t control how these images will be used or how widespread the distribution might be, if it is distributed.”
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM
While members can hide their phone numbers from strangers on Telegram, the anonymity is not certain. Users can check if someone is in a chat group if they have the person’s number saved in their phone address book.
“If I’m the police or law authority, I think I would focus on the perpetrators who are most active in the group, the ones who are sharing the most offensive material … I think the police will take concerted action to investigate and find a way to then try and uncover that mobile number, and from that mobile number, uncover the identity of the individual,” said Mr Tan.
AWARE advises victims to immediately start gathering evidence once they realise their photos have been leaked online.
This includes taking screenshots of who is sending and receiving the content. If they know who the perpetrator is, they can also choose to make a police report. Victims may also file take-down requests with sites where the photos are uploaded.
As for Dania and Sarah, they hope that members of the public who come across illicit content or group chats can report them to relevant site owners, and to not further disseminate the content.
“Members of the public are advised to stop soliciting in any lewd website or joining such online platforms and illicit chat groups,” said the police, adding that they will continue to take tough enforcement actions against those breaking the law.
Is your neighbour guilty of: splashing questionable substances along the corridor of your home, making a ruckus in the wee hours of the morning or late into the night, being physically or verbally violent towards you and your family or…all of the above?
If you answered yes to any of these, it sounds like you have a neighbour from hell.
With everyone living so close together in Singapore, complaints about neighbours making too much noise or damaging property are unfortunately not that uncommon.
What can you do if you have a dispute with your neighbour in Singapore?
While neighbour disputes are not within the purview of the Housing Development Board (HDB), there are several options open to you in resolving these disputes.
There’s nothing quite as magical as these words: ‘1-for-1’.
We’re talking about 1-for-1 buffet deals across Singapore’s celebrated hotels and restaurants. It’s time we helped you know where to go get these and how to save 50 per cent or more for a sumptuous, leisurely meal with family or friends.
Think 1-for-1 buffet spreads that bring you the latest all-time favourite Singaporean dishes, international favourites, delectable pan-Asian fare, and the latest talk-of-the-town delicacies. Gratifying your soul (and tummy) is the raison d’etre for these buffets.
When dining, know which credit cards to use for a great deal. We’ve simplified this for you with an extensive list of discounts being offered for limited time periods by various banks so you can book your table like a boss (we knew you’d find the quick menus handy).
Make sure you quote the card you are using to pay in order to secure the best deal. If you find this article useful, please share and care! Bon appetit.
Editor’s note: Offers are subject to change at any time. This article was last updated in November 2019.
SINGAPORE – A part-time food delivery worker was riding his bicycle along a shared path in Tampines when he lifted both hands off the handlebar to reply to an Instagram message on his mobile phone.
After replying, Temasek Polytechnic student Muhammad Adli Adi placed only his left hand on the handlebar and did not notice Madam Poh Cho Hui, 60, walking in front of him.
His bicycle struck her before he could stop it and she fell to the ground.
The accident took place around 8pm on June 3 last year. The mother of three was taken to Changi General Hospital (CGH) but she died of a head injury six days later.
Adli, 19, who is no longer working for Foodpanda, was sentenced on Friday (Nov 1) to two weeks’ jail after pleading guilty to causing Madam Poh’s death by performing a negligent act.
Before the accident took place, he had been delivering food for the company and was riding along the Tampines Park Connector near Block 495E Tampines Street 43 at a speed of around 23kmh.
The court heard that the speed limit along the shared path was 25kmh and the bicycle was not fitted with a front headlight.
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans with chronic conditions will receive subsidies for outpatient care from November with the new CHAS Green card, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Friday (Nov 1).
As of mid-October, more than 100,000 Singaporeans have received their Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Green card, MOH said in a press release.
With the cards, annual subsidies of up to S$160 for the treatment of selected chronic conditions, such as diabetes and dementia, are available to Singaporeans with household incomes of more than S$2,000.
Those with households incomes lower than S$2,000 are already covered by CHAS Blue and Orange cards, and their benefits have also been enhanced.
Holders of both types of cards will enjoy additional chronic subsidies of up to S$20 annually, while CHAS Orange cardholders will also get subsidies for common illnesses of up to $10 per visit to CHAS clinics.
CHAS Blue cards are for Singaporeans with household incomes of S$1,200 and below while Orange card holders have household incomes of S$1,201 to S$2,000.
“With the enhancements, we expect the payouts for CHAS subsidies to increase to S$200 million a year, up from the S$152 million in 2018,” said MOH.
Source: Ministry of Health and Ministry of Communications and Information
MORE SUBSIDIES FOR MERDEKA GENERATION
Mederka Generation (MG) seniors can receive additional subsidies for outpatient care at polyclinics, public specialist outpatient clinics and CHAS clinics from Friday.
The seniors, who were born in the 1950s, will get an additional 25 per cent off their bills on top of existing Government subsidies.
At CHAS clinics, they will enjoy special subsidies of up to S$23.50 per visit for common illnesses, S$520 in annual chronic subsidies and up to S$261.50 per procedure for selected dental procedures.
All eligible MG seniors will also pay S$2 for screenings recommended under the Screen for Life programme, compared to up to S$5 currently.
They will receive an additional CareShield Life participation incentive of S$1,500 if they sign up for CareShield Life between 2021 and 2023.
“This is on top of the S$2,500 participation incentive for other Singapore citizens born in 1979 or earlier. This means that all MG seniors who join CareShield Life will receive participation incentives totalling $4,000 each,” MOH explained.
To increase accessibility to the scheme and improve patient convenience, MOH has also simplified the CHAS application process. Singaporeans are now able to submit their CHAS application online.
While the sight of domestic helpers disciplining their charge isn’t unusual, it’s not everyday we come across one threatening to abandon the child while screaming a plethora of insults at him.
A maid allegedly did just that on Wednesday (Oct 30) evening, according to Lianhe Zaobao and a witness account on Facebook.
The kid is believed to be only six years of age.
The maid reportedly yelled: “No one likes you, even your teachers don’t like you.”
Despite the boy’s tears and begging, she stood away from him, all while threatening to abandon him at the bus stop.
Unable to tolerate any longer, a passerby confronted the helper. Rather than stop, she ignored that person and continued to belittle the child, indicating she would have his father cane him when they returned home.
The poster shared details of the incident in a group dedicated to foreign domestic workers. It has since been reposted multiple times.
SINGAPORE – The services of the security agency at Eight Riversuites condominium in Whampoa, where a resident had verbally abused a security officer over the Deepavali weekend, have been terminated.
When The Straits Times visited the condominium on Friday (Nov 1), security officers from K H Security Agency had been replaced with those from a new agency, donning a different set of uniforms.
ST understands that the new agency is Alpine Security.
When contacted about the change in security agency, the condominium’s managing agent Melana International declined to comment.
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