58-year-old K Santhi A Krishnasamy found herself entangled in a legal battle after her son failed to report for National Service (NS) on April 23, 2021, according to The Straits Times.

On that fateful day, K Santhi’s son, Mr Kavinsarang Shin, failed to appear for enlistment at the Basic Military Training Centre Headquarters at Pulau Tekong Besar.

Three Central Manpower Base (CMPB) enlistment inspectors arrived at K Santhi’s residence to serve an order for her son to report to CMPB. The order was intended to facilitate investigations into an offense under the Enlistment Act.

K Santhi was adamant about challenging the inspectors’ authority. She insisted that they withdraw the order and take it back.

In a moment of desperation, K Santhi grabbed the wrist of one of the inspectors, leading to a physical altercation. The result was not just abrasions on the inspector’s arm but a shoulder injury that required ongoing physiotherapy.

Facing Criminal Charges

K Santhi was then charged in court with two counts of voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant and using criminal force against a public servant, which she claimed trial to.

She was then convicted on 3 July, and she was in court yesterday (7 August) for her sentencing.

The Prosecutor’s Case

Deputy Public Prosecutor Colin Ng argued that her son’s failure to report for enlistment was the catalyst for the subsequent events. The inspectors’ visit was intended to address this failure, and K Santhi’s resistance only escalated the situation.

K Santhi’s defense hinged on the belief that the inspectors had no right to enter her home unless her son was deemed fit for enlistment.

The prosecution countered this argument by asserting that the inspectors’ responsibility did not extend to assessing fitness for enlistment.

The prosecution contended that the situation could have been resolved without resorting to violence. K Santhi’s actions, it argued, were an unnecessary escalation that could have been avoided.

A Conviction and Sentencing

K Santhi’s trial concluded with her conviction on the charges of causing hurt to public servants. The court deliberated on an appropriate sentence, considering the severity of her actions and the consequences that had ensued.

Throughout the trial, K Santhi maintained her position, asserting that her actions were driven by a mother’s instinct to protect her son.

She expressed no remorse for her actions, underlining her commitment to doing everything in her power to ensure her son’s safety.

Her sentencing has been adjourned to 25 August.

MAN ARRESTED FOR LOANSHARK HARASSMENT

The Police have arrested a 28-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.

On 3 August 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Boon Lay Drive, where the unit was splashed with green paint and loanshark writings were found on the wall.

Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Jurong Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 7 August 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is also believed to be involved in two other separate loanshark harassments along Boon Lay Drive.

The man will be charged in court on 8 August2023 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. For first time offenders, the offence of loanshark harassment carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and of up to $50,000, an imprisonment of up to five years and caning of up to six strokes.

The Police have zero tolerance for loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately vandalise properties, cause annoyance and disruptions to public safetyand security, will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.

Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not work with or assist the loansharks in any way. The public can call the Police at ‘999’ or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664 if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in loansharking activities.

Annex

Photo of gates splashed with green paint

Photo of writings on the wall

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 August 2023 @ 9:30 PM

Other goondu ah longs

A family in Malaysia were harassed by a Singaporean loanshark who sent runners to their home, and the family then spent 2 days staking them out before ambushing them.

The loanshark runners ended up fleeing from the scene and having their car smashed by the family.

The Police are investigating 174 persons, aged between 15 and 71, for their suspected involvement in unlicensed moneylending activities.

During a five-day anti-unlicensed moneylending operation conducted between 24 and 28 July 2023, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and the seven Police land divisions conducted simultaneous raids island-wide.  

Preliminary investigations revealed that 15 persons, including two youths aged 15 and 16 were lured by “easy money, fast cash” online advertisements and allegedly conducted harassment at debtors’ residences. Another 66 persons were believed to be runners who had assisted in unlicensed moneylending businesses by carrying out Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transfers.

The remaining 93 persons were believed to have opened bank accounts and provided their ATM cards, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and/or Internet Banking tokens to unlicensed moneylenders to facilitate their unlicensed moneylending businesses. 

Investigations against all the persons are ongoing.

Under the Moneylenders Act 2008:

• The offence of carrying on or assisting in a business of unlicensed moneylending carries an imprisonment term of up to four years, a fine between $30,000 and $300,000, and caning of up to six strokes.
  
• The offence of acting on behalf of an unlicensed moneylender, committing or attempting to commit any acts of harassment carries an imprisonment term of up to five years, a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, and caning between three and six strokes.

The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in the unlicensed moneylending business, regardless of their roles, and ensure that they face the full brunt of the law. This includes taking action against those who open or give away their bank accounts to aid unlicensed moneylenders.

Unlicensed moneylenders are increasingly using text messaging or online platforms to send unsolicited loan advertisements. Members of the public are reminded not to reply or respond to such advertisements and to report these messages as spam. Members of the public are also advised to stay away from unlicensed moneylenders and not to work with or assist them in any way. The public can call the Police at ‘999’ or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664 if they suspect or know of anyone who could be involved in unlicensed moneylending activities.

A 78-year-old woman fell and fractured her spine when alighting from a bus when the bus doors suddenly closed on her, according to a report by Shin Min Daily News.

The Unfortunate Incident

The incident took place on a Friday afternoon when Madam Lim, a 78-year-old woman, was alighting from the SBS Transit bus service 238.

As she attempted to disembark using the front door of the bus at Block 231 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, the door unexpectedly closed, leading to a series of unfortunate events.

The force of the closing door caused Madam Lim to lose her balance and fall, resulting in a fractured spine.

Immediate Response and Assistance

Thankfully, the bus driver and two passengers were quick to react and provide assistance. They helped Madam Lim sit down at the bus stop and promptly alerted the authorities.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force responded swiftly to the call for assistance and transported her to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for medical attention.

A Son’s Perspective

Madam Lim’s son, Mr Wee, shared his concern and frustration over the incident. He revealed that his mother was about to exit the bus when the door abruptly closed, leaving her with no time to react.

This unexpected event led to her injury and subsequent medical expenses. Mr Wee disclosed that his mother’s medical bills had already surpassed $3,000.

He expressed his distress over seeing his mother in pain and shared that she would require an estimated three months for a complete recovery.

Insights from SBS Transit

SBS Transit, the public transportation company operating the bus service, acknowledged the incident and expressed regret over the situation.

Grace Wu, a spokesperson for SBS Transit, emphasized that the well-being of Madam Lim is their primary concern. While specific details of the incident were not elaborated upon, SBS Transit assured that they are in contact with Madam Lim’s family to provide care, support, and necessary assistance.

Dr Ho Tze Woon was suspended for 3 months by the Court of Three Judges on 7 August, after he had performed CPR on a patient suffering an asthma attack without positioning him to a lying position – the patient later died about 1 week later, according to Channel NewsAsia.

The Unexpected Crisis

The incident unfolded at the Central 24-Hr Clinic in Yishun on January 14, 2017, with a patient arriving at the clinic complaining of breathlessness.

Dr. Ho, who was on duty as a stand-in doctor, quickly diagnosed the patient with an asthma attack. In response, a clinic assistant was instructed to administer a nebuliser treatment, a common approach to delivering medication to the lungs.

The patient, seated in a chair, received the treatment, but the situation took a dire turn as he suddenly went into cardiac arrest and lost consciousness.

Amid the chaos of the situation, Dr. Ho took immediate action, attempting to resuscitate the patient while he remained seated.

This unorthodox approach to CPR, though performed with the best of intentions, would later become the focal point of the controversy surrounding the incident.

Despite Dr. Ho’s efforts and the subsequent transport of the patient to a hospital, the outcome was devastating. The patient succumbed to his condition and passed away a week later.

Professional Standards and Accountability

In the aftermath of the incident, Dr. Ho faced charges under the Medical Registration Act for failing to meet the expected professional standards of care. Central to the charges was the assertion that Dr. Ho neglected to reposition the patient to a lying position before initiating CPR.

This failure to adhere to established protocols brought into question the doctor’s competence and training.

A disciplinary tribunal under the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) found Dr. Ho guilty of the charges and handed down a nine-month suspension.

However, Dr. Ho appealed the decision, arguing that the punishment was excessive and that his actions were reasonable given the chaotic circumstances of the clinic’s treatment room.

Weighing the Arguments

During the appeal, Dr. Ho’s defense lawyer contended that the small and chaotic treatment room, coupled with Dr. Ho’s lack of training in patient transfer, influenced his decision to perform CPR in a seated position. The defense emphasized that Dr. Ho’s actions were based on his experience and assessment of the situation.

While Dr. Ho’s defense presented a compelling argument, the prosecution countered with expert opinions that questioned the effectiveness of the CPR administered in a seated position.

The prosecution highlighted Dr. Ho’s training in CPR and his prior experience in dealing with cardiac arrest cases. Furthermore, the presence of clinic assistants who could have assisted in repositioning the patient was a point of contention.

The Verdict and Implications

In the end, the Court of Three Judges, comprising Justice Steven Chong, Justices Judith Prakash, and Tay Yong Kwang, decided to reduce Dr. Ho’s suspension from nine months to three months.

The judges acknowledged the challenges of performing CPR in a tense situation but underscored the importance of adhering to established medical practices.

In a determined bid to protect their peace and well-being, a resolute family residing in Johor Bahru decided to confront a persistently troubling situation caused by a loanshark from across the border in Singapore.

Feeling let down by local authorities, this family of four took the extraordinary step of embarking on a two-night stakeout to ambush and confront the loansharks, according to Shin Min Daily News.

An Unsettling Threat

It all began when the family, plagued by the relentless harassment of a Singaporean loanshark, decided that enough was enough.

Their grievances were not being addressed by the authorities, and they felt compelled to take matters into their own hands.

Facing constant intimidation from the loanshark, who identified himself as “Ah Lim,” the family’s matriarch received a chilling phone call.

The loanshark demanded payment of a debt allegedly owed since 2021, threatening to burn down their home if they failed to pay a hefty sum of S$13,000.

Frustrated by the lack of assistance, the family took a bold step. They approached their local member of parliament for help and then embarked on a vigil, rotating shifts to watch out for any signs of the runners dispatched by the loanshark.

Finally, on the morning of August 2, 2023, the family’s determination paid off. The long nights of waiting and watching culminated in a dramatic showdown.

As dawn broke, two suspicious individuals alighted from a car and proceeded to deface the family’s home with red paint. In a heart-pounding moment, the family burst forth from their home, confronting the runners head-on.

The confrontation was intense. The family members, including parents, elder brother, and nephew, charged out to confront the intruders.

Faced with the unexpected and fierce resistance, the runners attempted a swift escape. However, their plans were foiled when Seah’s elder brother managed to catch up with them, shattering the car’s windows and windscreen in the process.

Following the confrontation, the family made their way to a nearby police station to file a report, determined to ensure the runners faced the consequences of their actions.

On the way home, a chance encounter with a shopkeeper revealed a surprising twist.

A Bittersweet Revelation

Stopping near some shops, the family chatted with a shopkeeper who mentioned discovering a car with smashed windows.

Astonishingly, upon investigating, the family realized it was the same car the runners had used. Abandoned by the fleeing runners, the car contained telling evidence – a bottle of red paint and notes inscribed with “O$P$” alongside their address.

While the family’s brave actions led to a significant breakthrough, they remained vigilant. Yet, concerns lingered, with the family fearing that the loanshark might escalate his threats.

Seah, however, was quick to assert that he had never borrowed money from the loanshark, raising questions about how their personal details fell into his hands.

Header images source: Shin Min Daily News

A 52-year-old man in Singapore, Vict Lim Siong Hock, was fined $4,000 for wrongfully confining nine of his former colleagues in an office for an hour after he was fired by his company.

The incident unfolded on September 1, 2022, at the Pantech Business Hub, sparking concerns about workplace grievances and the consequences of such actions.

A Workplace Grudge Takes a Troubling Turn

Vict Lim Siong Hock had embarked on a job as a driver and logistics assistant at an electronics company located within the Pantech Business Hub.

His employment began on July 1, 2022, following his recruitment in late May of the same year. Lim’s tenure was short-lived, as he was terminated on August 30, 2022, before completing his probationary period.

Following his abrupt dismissal, Vict Lim harbored resentment and frustration about his termination. These negative emotions fueled a misguided and drastic course of action.

Feeling wronged by his former employer, Lim devised a plan to symbolically express his grievances.

On September 1, 2022, around 2:20 pm, armed with a padlock purchased from a hardware shop, Vict Lim arrived at his former workplace – an electronics company office within the Pantech Business Hub where he locked the entrance door with the padlock, effectively confining anyone inside.

Lim’s plan to confine his former colleagues was marred by a significant misjudgment. He assumed that his ex-colleagues were on lunch breaks, a belief that proved to be inaccurate.

In reality, there was always an employee present to safeguard the office premises at any given point in time. About 10 minutes after Lim padlocked the door, an employee attempted to leave for the restroom and discovered the door was locked from the outside.

The Aftermath and Legal Ramifications

As the realization dawned upon the trapped employees, anxiety and concern swept through the office. A total of nine individuals were confined within the office premises, unsure of the intentions behind the door being padlocked.

Acting swiftly, the employees sought help from a colleague who worked elsewhere in the building. This colleague confirmed the unfortunate truth – the entrance was indeed locked from the outside.

To rectify the distressing situation, the company’s owner engaged the services of a locksmith, expending approximately S$80 to remove the padlock and liberate the trapped employees.

Following the incident, the owner took decisive action, lodging a police report against Vict Lim. The case garnered further momentum as closed-circuit television footage provided a clear account of Lim’s actions, leaving little room for ambiguity.

In light of his actions, Vict Lim Siong Hock faced the legal repercussions of his wrongful confinement. The court deemed his actions unacceptable and fined him S$4,000 (US$2,976) for his transgressions.