In a shocking turn of events, a 23-year-old man, Cheng Yuan Kang, faces legal repercussions for sending a false bomb threat to the Singapore Motorshow’s Instagram account. The incident unfolded during the prestigious motoring event, leaving attendees and organizers on edge.
Cheng Yuan Kang has been charged with one count of communicating false information of a harmful thing in the State Courts. This grave offense occurred on Saturday, around 11:49 am, when Cheng was present at the Suntec City Convention Centre, according to Channel NewsAsia.
The Context: Singapore Motorshow 2024
His message, “Eurokars is going to be burned down soon by a bomb,” was directed at the Singapore Motorshow Instagram account.
At the time of the false bomb threat, the Singapore Motorshow 2024 was in full swing at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. This prominent motoring event attracts motor distributors and dealers, providing a platform for showcasing the latest trends in the automotive industry. The event, scheduled from Jan 11 to Jan 14, faced an unexpected disruption due to Cheng’s hoax.
Cheng’s Awareness of Falsehood
According to the charges, Cheng is alleged to have been fully aware that his words were false when he sent the threatening message. The nature of the false bomb threat not only caused panic among attendees but also disrupted the smooth flow of the motor show.
In response to his actions, Cheng Yuan Kang has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for a medical examination. This step aims to assess his mental state and understand the motivations behind the false bomb threat. Cheng is set to return to court on Jan 29 to face the legal consequences of his actions.
Potential Penalties
If convicted of communicating false information of a harmful thing, Cheng Yuan Kang may face severe penalties. The legal consequences include a fine of up to S$50,000 (US$37,500) or imprisonment for a maximum of seven years, or a combination of both. These penalties underscore the gravity of such actions and the impact they can have on public safety and events of national significance.