In a peculiar case that highlights the challenges of harmonious living in tightly packed urban environments, two neighboring couples in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) block in the Northeastern region of Singapore found themselves embroiled in a legal battle.

What started as a dispute over cigarette smoke and alleged harassment escalated into a courtroom showdown that resulted in unexpected outcomes.

The Smoke and the Rubbish: An Unpleasant Confrontation

The controversy began on the 15th floor of an undisclosed HDB block in the northeastern region of Singapore. Ms. Pua Siew Yok, a resident on that floor, would occasionally enjoy a smoke on her balcony with her sliding door closed to contain the fumes.

Unfortunately, the smoke seemed to find its way into the flat directly above, where Mr. Ng Kok Hwee and Mdm Chua Kim Choo resided.

Frustration grew within the upper unit, and it appears that retaliation was the course of action chosen by Mr. Ng and Mdm Chua.

Their response was both unconventional and unsettling—they started discarding liquids, wet food, and even baked watermelon seeds onto Ms. Pua’s air-con ledge and kitchen window as an act of retaliation.

Claims and Counterclaims: A Legal Showdown

As the situation deteriorated, legal action became inevitable. Ms. Pua accused her upstairs neighbors of trespassing and causing a private nuisance, alleging that their actions infringed upon her right to enjoy her living space without unnecessary disturbances.

In turn, Mr. Ng and Mdm Chua countersued, asserting that Ms. Pua’s smoking was also a form of trespassing and private nuisance that negatively impacted their quality of life.

The courtroom drama unfolded, with both parties presenting their evidence and arguments. To support her claims, Ms. Pua provided CCTV footage captured from her unit.

The footage allegedly showed Mdm Chua dropping an egg onto Ms. Pua’s air-con ledge and scattering melon seeds onto her property. The evidence presented a compelling case of harassment and trespassing.

The Verdict: A Surprising Outcome

After a thorough review of the evidence and arguments, Judge Jonathan Ng awarded Ms. Pua nominal damages of S$500 and aggravated damages of $8,000 for the harassment and trespassing. Additionally, an injunction was issued to prevent Mdm Chua from further littering on Ms. Pua’s property.

However, what truly raised eyebrows was the dismissal of the claims related to smoking. Mr. Ng and Mdm Chua had contended that Mdm Chua’s asthma was exacerbated by Ms. Pua’s smoking. Judge Ng ruled that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between Ms. Pua’s smoking and the worsening of Mdm Chua’s condition. The judge’s decision hinged on the lack of concrete proof regarding the duration and frequency of Ms. Pua’s smoking sessions.

Kwan Jun Yan, a 23-year-old individual, has been handed a stern sentence of 13 years imprisonment and eight strokes of the cane on August 4, 2023, for consuming and trafficking cannabis (also known as marijuana, weed, ganja) when he was still in polytechnic in 2017.

Kwan Jun Yan’s journey into the world of cannabis consumption and trafficking began during his time as an 18-year-old polytechnic student.

Driven by a need for quick cash to fuel his seemingly “extravagant expenses,” which included soccer betting, cigarettes, and liquor, Kwan turned to his supplier, for a “job” to make some quick money.

In a series of events that underscore the influence of peer pressure and misguided perceptions, Kwan’s involvement with cannabis commenced in April 2017.

Introduced to the substance by a friend, he was captivated by the allure of its perceived “coolness” and he smoked weed wanting to look cool and impress people.

As Kwan’s financial needs grew more pressing, he made the fateful decision to approach his cannabis supplier for employment, seeking a means to earn quick money.

Concurrently, he resumed his cannabis consumption. His supplier proposed a proposition: assist in the collection and delivery of cannabis to clients in exchange for a significant share of the profits, which he then agreed.

Kwan’s trafficking operation came to a screeching halt on July 11, 2018. He was apprehended by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) while in possession of a substantial quantity of cannabis. The arrest took place as Kwan awaited instructions from his supplier.

The legal proceedings found Kwan Jun Yan guilty on counts of trafficking cannabis and consuming a cannabinol derivative. He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment and 8 strokes of the cane. The sentencing takes into account the substantial quantity of drugs trafficked—329.99g of cannabis—and underscores Singapore’s strict stance on drug-related offenses.

Image source: Unsplash

A 41-year-old Singaporean man, Herizal Kamarzaman, was charged in court on August 5, 2023, with the offence of allegedly using a heated hair straightener to assault a woman. The alleged incident took place on June 19, 2023, within a HDB unit along the York Hill estate in the Tiong Bahru district.

What happened?

The accused, identified as Herizal Kamarzaman, allegedly inflicted harm upon a woman during the aforementioned incident, using a hair straightener that was heated up to assault the woman, with the victim sustaining injuries to her right wrist.

Herizal faces an additional charge under the Infrastructure Protection Act. The charge alleges that he recorded a video within the premises of the Central Police Division, a protected area, without obtaining proper authorization.

Herizal’s current legal status indicates that he is out on bail, having posted a substantial sum of S$20,000. The next hearing in this case is scheduled for August 18, 2023, allowing time for investigations to reach completion.

The charges brought against Herizal carry substantial penalties, each with its own set of potential consequences.

Should he be found guilty of causing hurt through the use of a heated substance, he may face a jail term of up to seven years, a significant fine, caning, or a combination of these punishments.

Simultaneously, the charge under the Infrastructure Protection Act opens the possibility of an imprisonment term not exceeding two years, a fine of up to S$20,000, or a combination of both penalties.

Adding another layer of complexity to this case is the fact that Herizal is alleged to have committed these offences while he was still on remission from his previous offences.

The period of remission, spanning from September 10, 2022, to May 20, 2024, could potentially result in an enhanced sentence with heavier punishments should Herizal be found guilty.

A train commuter, on an ordinary evening journey home, found herself in a distressing situation as her fingers were caught in the gap between the MRT door and the train cabin, resulting in her breaking her last two fingers, according to a report by Shin Min Daily News.

The incident unfolded on a seemingly routine evening at Lavender MRT station. Ng, a 48-year-old working professional, was on her way home after a long day’s work.

At about 7:35 pm on July 29th, she boarded the train at Bugis MRT station. However, this seemingly ordinary journey took a drastic turn when she found herself in a packed train, compelled to stand near the train door due to the lack of space.

As the train approached Lavender MRT station, Ng’s equilibrium was momentarily disrupted, prompting her to instinctively reach out and place her left hand on the train door for support because she was losing her balance.

In a cruel twist of fate, precisely at that moment, the doors unexpectedly opened, ensnaring her ring and pinky fingers in the gap between the door and the train cabin. The excruciating pain that followed was accompanied by a scream that echoed through the station.

Fellow passengers swiftly came to her aid. Three or four compassionate souls rushed to her side, hastening to close the doors and free her trapped fingers.

Amid the chaos, another commuter stabilized her arm, preventing potentially catastrophic consequences. Quick-thinking individuals hit the emergency button, prompting an immediate halt of the MRT train.

Station staff promptly arrived, providing essential initial medical aid before transferring Ng to their office for further attention.

Following the traumatic incident, Ng sought medical attention at a hospital. The extent of her injuries was evident, leading her to consult an orthopedic specialist, incurring medical expenses exceeding S$200. The severity of the incident warranted weeks of pain medication and treatment.

Ng expressed her hope that her unfortunate experience would serve as a cautionary tale for fellow commuters. The incident underscores the importance of refraining from placing hands on train doors, especially during the crucial moments of boarding and disembarking.

Ng also expressed her gratitude for the benevolent passengers who rallied around her in her time of need.