43 PERSONS INVESTIGATED IN MULTI-AGENCY ENFORCEMENT OPERATION
A total of 31 men and 12 women, aged between 33 and 75, are being investigated for various offences following a multi-agency enforcement operation conducted from 21 May 2023 to 26 May 2023.

The operation was led by Bedok Police Division and supported by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA). The operation aimed to clamp down on illegal activities in Geylang, including illegal gambling, vice activities, sale of illegal enhancement medication and illegal street hawking, among others.

The details of some of these operations are as follows:

Illegal gambling

In a joint enforcement operation against internet casino operations involving officers from Bedok Police Division, Criminal Investigation Department, ICA and MOM, an industrial unit at 8 Ubi Road 2 and a unit along Macpherson Road were raided. Fifteen men and three women, aged between 39 and 75, are being investigated for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. More than $3,400 in cash, computer terminals and other gambling paraphernalia were seized. Under Section 20(2) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, an individual who gambles with another person in or from any place or premises in Singapore and knows, or ought reasonably to have known, that the place or premises is an unlawful gambling place shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Under Section 18(3)(a) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, an individual who conducts betting operations, gaming, or lotteries unlawfully, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $200,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.

Pills peddlers

In a series of joint enforcement operations in the vicinity of the Geylang Lorongs involving officers from HSA, ICA and CNB, unregistered health products consisting of cough syrup and various enhancement products with an estimated value of around $37,440 were seized. Two men, aged 32 and 51, are being investigated under the Health Products Act 2007. Those found guilty of importing, manufacturing and/or supplying of unregistered health products, may be liable to an imprisonment term for up to two years and/or fined up to $50,000.

Massage establishments

Officers from Bedok Police Division conducted an enforcement operation against two massage establishments located along Geylang Road. Two men, aged 36 and 60, are being investigated for purportedly operating without a valid licence under the Massage Establishments Act 2017. Three women, aged between 42 and 48, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department conducted an anti-vice enforcement operation in the vicinity of the Geylang Lorongs. Six women, aged between 33 and 47, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961.

Secret societies

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Bedok Division conducted checks at public entertainment outlets along Geylang Road and Geylang Lorongs. A 26-year-old man was arrested under the Societies Act 1966.

Duty unpaid cigarettes

Singapore Customs officers conducted enforcement against duty-unpaid cigarettes. A 64-year-old man, was arrested under the Customs Act 1960 for dealing with duty-unpaid cigarettes, and another 66-year-old man was issued with composition sum under the Customs Act 1960 for possessing duty-unpaid cigarettes. Nine cartons, 51 packets and 12 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized as part of the operation. Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing, or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act 1960 and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act 1993. Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.

Illegal street hawking

Officers from SFA conducted enforcement against illegal street hawking in the vicinity of the Geylang Lorongs. A 60-year-old man, was investigated under Section 33(a) of the Environmental Public Health Act. Raw satay meat and a few packets of sauce were seized during the operation.

PMDs/PABs

Officers from LTA conducted an enforcement operation along the vicinity of Geylang Road, targeting illegal modifications for Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) and Power Assisted Bicycles (PAB). Six men, aged between 20 and 30, are investigated for various offences under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and Active Mobility Act 2017. One PMD and three PABs were impounded during the operation.

Employment offences

Officers from MOM also led an enforcement operation in the vicinity of Geylang Serai Market. Two men, aged 36 and 40, are assisting with investigations for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
Investigations against the 43 individuals are ongoing.

The Commanding Officer of Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre, Superintendent of Police Muhammad Firdaus Bin Abdul Raub expressed his appreciation to all the agencies involved for their strong support and commended the officers for their professionalism and excellent teamwork during the operation. The Police will continue to work closely with other enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal activities.

The Police take a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal activities and will take firm action against those who blatantly disregard the law. Members of the public are advised to report those engaging in unlawful activities to the Police.

Internet casino operations ▼

Seized items from internet casino operations ▼

Enhancement products (Peddler) ▼

Enhancement products ▼

Enhancement products found inside a unit ▼

Cough syrups and enhancement products seized ▼

Illegal PMD modifications operation ▼

Illegal massage establishment operation ▼

Illegal street hawking ▼

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 June 2023 @ 1:10 PM

A 22-year-old man who allegedly armed himself with a knife and robbed a 14-year-old boy along Bukit Batok, was arrested in one hour after a police report was lodged.

Mohammad Nor Khaliq Abdullah, a 22-year-old, has been officially charged with one count of armed robbery on Thursday (8 June).

The incident took place on Tuesday around 3 pm at Block 636 in Bukit Batok Central. Allegedly, Nor armed himself with a karambit knife, a weapon featuring a curved blade resembling a claw, and proceeded to rob the teenager of several items, including a wallet, a mobile phone, and a pair of Apple Airpods.

According to a statement by the police, they were notified about the incident at approximately 6 pm on the same day.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. The police swiftly acted on the information, conducting on-site investigations and utilizing footage from police cameras to ascertain the suspect’s identity.

Within an hour of the reported crime, officers from Jurong Police Division successfully apprehended the suspect, recovering the victim’s wallet and handphone in the process.

A police spokesperson stated, “The police are fully committed to apprehending individuals who engage in violent crimes.

In the event of a robbery, we urge members of the public to remain calm, take note of the perpetrator’s physical appearance and unique features, and promptly contact the police.”

Nor’s case has been adjourned until June 15.

If convicted of armed robbery, the offender may face imprisonment for a term ranging from two to ten years, in addition to receiving a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.

Other cases of armed robbery

Last month, a former Aetos auxiliary police officer, Mahadi Muhamad Mukhtar, who was previously sentenced to 16.5 years imprisonment and 18 strokes of the cane for robbing a licensed money lender in Jurong with a loaded gun, had his prison sentence reduced to 14 years on 8 April following an appeal.

In the upcoming presidential election, Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has announced his candidacy for the presidency, marking his departure from politics after a lengthy 22-year tenure.

Informed PM Lee of his decision

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday, Mr. Tharman conveyed his decision to participate in the forthcoming presidential election, along with his intention to retire from politics and relinquish all government positions. Prime Minister Lee, who also serves as the secretary-general of the People’s Action Party, received the letter.

Mr. Tharman outlined his plan to resign from the People’s Action Party and step down from his roles as Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies on July 7, which is approximately one month from the date of his letter. He expressed the need to fulfill his immediate commitments within Singapore and on the international stage while ensuring proper arrangements are in place to serve his constituents in Jurong GRC for the remainder of the electoral term.

PM Lee thanks Tharman for his service

Responding to the letter, Prime Minister Lee accepted Mr. Tharman’s resignation and expressed gratitude for his distinguished service to Singapore.

This announcement follows the decision of the incumbent President Halimah Yacob, who declared on May 29 that she would not seek a second term. As Madam Halimah’s six-year term concludes on September 13, the election must be scheduled before then.

At the age of 66, Mr. Tharman is the first potential candidate to publicly express interest in the presidency. His eligibility is supported by his fulfillment of the public service requirement, as dictated by the law, due to his ministerial positions.

According to the Constitution’s public sector service requirements, presidential candidates must have held office in various capacities, such as minister, chief justice, Speaker, attorney-general, Public Service Commission chairman, auditor-general, accountant-general, or permanent secretary, for a minimum of three years.

Political career

Mr. Tharman was initially elected into Parliament in November 2001 as a representative of Jurong GRC and has since been re-elected four times.

Currently serving as Senior Minister since 2019, Coordinating Minister for Social Policies since 2015, and chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) since 2011, Mr. Tharman also assumes the role of deputy chairman of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) since 2019 and chairs its Investment Strategies Committee.

His past portfolios include Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Education Minister. Prior to his political career, he spent a significant portion of his professional life at the MAS.

On an international level, Mr. Tharman has served as chairman of the Group of Thirty, an independent global council comprised of influential economic and financial policymakers, since January 2017. Additionally, since April 2017, he has chaired the G20 Eminent Persons Group on Global Financial Governance, overseeing the review of multilateral financial institutions.

21-year-old Muhammad Ayyub Mohd Rafie is being accused of utilizing counterfeit medical certificates (MCs) on multiple occasions to avoid work at the Jurong Police Division Headquarters, where he was previously serving as a full-time national serviceman (NSF) for the police.

He had allegedly committed these offences between November 2021 and March 2022.

The Singapore Police Force confirmed that Ayyub, aged 21, had formerly served as a special constable and had completed his national service on October 6, 2022.

Chao keng

Ayyub appeared in court on Wednesday (7 June) and was charged with five counts of forgery and one count of cheating through impersonation.

In November 2021, while stationed at the Jurong Police Division Headquarters, Ayyub purportedly presented a forged MC from NuHealth Medical Centre, claiming he was unfit for work from November 10 to November 11.

He is also accused of committing similar offences four more times between December 2021 and March 2022.

Used someone’s identity to apply for Foodpanda rider account

Additionally, he allegedly deceived Foodpanda Singapore in August 2021 by assuming another person’s identity when applying for a rider account with the food delivery company. Subsequently, Foodpanda Singapore reportedly approved his application.

Ayyub is expected to enter a guilty plea for his offenses on July 19.

Singapore Police Force’s statement

In an official statement, the police emphasized that officers of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), including national service officers, are expected to abide by the law and uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity. They stated that severe action will be taken against officers who violate the law, including bringing charges against them in court.

The SPF promptly initiated investigations against Ayyub following the incident, and no further comments can be made due to the ongoing court proceedings.

Forgery carries a potential sentence of up to four years’ imprisonment and a fine for each count, while cheating through impersonation can result in a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine.

A driver who was driving towards Ang Mo Kio via Bartley Road East, drove over a loose drain cover on the right side of the road, resulting in significant damage to his vehicle.

The car sustained deep scratches that looked like it was scratched by “Godzilla”, according to the driver, Mr Kevin Ng.

In light of the substantial repair costs, he is now seeking compensation from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the damage caused by road debris.

31-year-old Ng shared that he was travelling with his wife on the morning of May 22nd. They were on their usual route along Bartley Road East towards Braddell when the incident occurred. Due to the rain, visibility was limited, and he unexpectedly went over a misplaced drain cover.

He recounted, “It was raining that day, and my visibility was poor. Suddenly, I heard a loud impact and felt as if I had driven over a speed bump at high speed.”

It was only upon reaching their destination that Mr Ng noticed two large gashes on his car doors. He likened the damage to scratches caused by the fictional creature Godzilla.

Fortunately, no accident occurred as a result of the incident, and Mr Ng expressed relief. However, he raised concerns about the potential dangers.

He questioned, “Had the drain cover become lodged between the wheels and caused my car to flip, resulting in a major accident, lives could have been lost. What if the debris had hit another vehicle carrying young children or passengers?”

Currently, Mr. Ng’s car is being repaired at an NTUC Income-authorized workshop. Technicians have identified additional damage, including a compromised undercarriage and coolant leakage, in addition to the gashes on the door panels.

Disheartened, Mr Ng shared, “They informed me that the gashes can be fixed, but the car won’t look the same as it did originally.”

As a salesperson, Mr Ng heavily relies on his vehicle for work purposes. Furthermore, without a car, he faces difficulties in transporting his family during weekends.

Believing that he was driving within the speed limit, he is adamant that the LTA should compensate him for the incurred damages. To present his case, he has written letters to both the authority and the Ministry of Transport.

In response to inquiries from MS News, the LTA has stated that it is currently investigating Mr Ng’s claims.

The bustling land checkpoints connecting Singapore and Malaysia are notorious for causing headaches for commuters due to human and traffic jams.

However, a recent peculiar sighting at one of these checkpoints has caught the attention of a Facebook user.

According to the social media post, an individual claimed to have witnessed a paranormal phenomenon on the ground floor near the gantries at the Malaysia Checkpoint, where crowds usually gather.

The figure in question was described as wearing a flowing white robe, with long black hair covering its face. It closely resembled the mythical Pontianak, a ghostly spirit believed to be the ghost of a woman who died during childbirth.

Reports of ghostly apparitions have been circulating, with sightings at different locations within the Johor checkpoint. One Facebook user took to the platform on Saturday, sharing their alleged encounter with the supernatural.

In their post, the user expressed gratitude for the absence of traffic congestion that night. At first glance, it may appear that they were simply relieved by the situation, considering the recent congestion issues at the Singapore-Johor crossings.

However, when examining the accompanying photo and caption, one could infer that the user hinted at a connection between the ghostly figure and the smooth traffic flow.

Interestingly, rather than being frightened by the apparition, the user expressed excitement about the encounter.

Another Facebook user also uploaded a photo showing a similar ghostly figure, this time standing near the gantries. The surroundings in the image appeared empty, devoid of vehicles and personnel.

The exact timing of these photographs remains uncertain, and it is difficult to confirm their authenticity.

Some users on the platform expressed scepticism, making jokes about the ghost’s appearance, such as its hair being straightened or having a shorter haircut, joking about how the Pontianak went through a makeover to keep up with recent fashion trends.

Image source: Facebook