In a shocking revelation, a self-styled religious teacher in Singapore has been sentenced to 21½ years’ imprisonment and eight strokes of the cane for committing sex crimes against four boys. The case came to light during a routine patrol near Changi Beach, leading to the arrest of the individual in question.
Background of the Case: The 35-year-old admitted to three charges of sexual penetration of minors, with two victims being below the age of 14 at the time of the offenses. The crimes were exposed when the police discovered child pornography and incriminating text messages on the perpetrator’s mobile phone during a spot check.
Arrest and Uncovering Offenses: The arrest, which occurred on Jan 23, followed the discovery of explicit material and text messages, including one offering money for oral sex. This brought to light the extent of the man’s criminal activities, involving multiple victims.
Charges and Guilty Plea: On Sept 8, 2023, the man pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual penetration of minors. Additionally, 18 charges were considered during sentencing, including molesting a fourth boy and engaging in sexual activity without disclosing his HIV-positive status.
Additional Charges Considered: The range of charges included acts of molestation and engaging in sexual activities without informing the victim about the man’s HIV-positive condition. The gravity of these charges further emphasized the severity of the offenses committed.
Involvement with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis): The man was not registered under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS), as clarified by Muis in a statement. This lack of authorization raises concerns about unauthorized individuals providing religious instruction or guidance in Singapore.
Lack of Authorization and ARS: The absence of ARS registration highlights the importance of seeking religious instruction only from ARS-registered teachers, as emphasized by Muis. This case serves as a timely reminder for individuals and parents to ensure the legitimacy of religious instructors.
Man’s Activities and Interactions with Victims: The perpetrator engaged in disturbing activities with his victims over several years. This included meeting an 11-year-old on a dating app, performing sexual acts, and continuing the exploitation for years. Similar patterns emerged with two other victims, emphasizing a predatory behavior.
Legal Implications and Sentencing: The guilty plea resulted in a significant prison sentence and caning for the offender. The court considered the severity of the offenses, protecting the victims’ identities under a gag order.
Lessons and Reminders from Muis: Muis’s statement underscores the need for vigilance in verifying the credentials of religious instructors. It serves as a wake-up call for the community to be cautious and seek guidance only from authorized sources.
Conclusion: The sentencing of the self-styled religious teacher sheds light on the grave consequences of unchecked authority and the importance of robust systems to prevent such incidents. It calls for increased awareness and caution in seeking religious guidance to protect vulnerable individuals.