In a recent legal development that has garnered significant attention, the 54-year-old lawyer, M Ravi, found himself sentenced to 21 days’ jail on 8 November for contempt of court, according to Channel NewsAsia.

M Ravi was convicted of nine instances of contempt, with all of the offences taking place in November of 2021 – four of the charges occured in the State Courts before District Judge Chay Yuen Fatt and five in the High Court before Justice Audrey Lim.

Accusations and Contemptuous Actions

He was found guilty of making baseless accusations against Judge Chay of bias, intentionally interrupting the judge, and even insulting him by suggesting that the State could remove him at will.

These contemptuous actions were not limited to Judge Chay alone. Similar allegations were made against Justice Lim in a separate hearing involving Chua Qwong Meng against SBS Transit.

Furthermore, Mr. Ravi applied for Justice Lim to disqualify herself on the grounds of bias, without being instructed to do so by his client.

Bipolar Disorder as a Contributing Factor

A significant aspect of this case is the fact that Mr. Ravi was suffering from a hypomanic episode arising from his bipolar disorder as he pointed out during his defence.

However, the prosecution argued that the disorder doesn’t limit his ability to control himself and exercise restraint during the offences.

The prosecution sought a five-week jail term for M Ravi, along with substantial costs of S$12,000 and disbursements.

M Ravi represented himself during the court proceedings and argued that jail should be imposed only as a last resort. He pointed to the substantial impact of his bipolar disorder on his behavior at the time and requested fines as a more suitable form of punishment, given the unique circumstances surrounding his case.

The Verdict and Rationale

Justice Hoo Sheau Peng, in her judgment, acknowledged the connection between M Ravi’s bipolar disorder and his actions.

However, she did not believe that his disorder substantially impaired his capacity to exercise self-restraint. She emphasized the seriousness of M Ravi’s offenses, considering his related history of misconduct in the courtroom and a lack of remorse in previous disciplinary proceedings.

Ultimately, Justice Hoo awarded the Attorney-General costs of S$10,000.

M Ravi’s Response

Following the hearing, M Ravi expressed his disappointment with the sentence on Facebook, describing it as “very harsh.”

However, he announced his decision not to appeal and indicated his willingness to serve the sentence immediately.

The Unassuming Million-Dollar Flat in Ubi District

The Ubi district, predominantly recognized for its industrial zones, has witnessed the sale of its inaugural million-dollar residence. The executive maisonette located at Block 326 Ubi Avenue 1 was recently sold for S$1.06 million in October. Spanning over two floors and covering an area of 146 square meters, this unit, holding a remaining lease of 61 years and 7 months according to HDB resale statistics, marks a significant leap in the property market. Notably, the previous record transaction within the area was an S$870,000 sale of a maisonette in the same block a few months prior.

The Executive Maisonette: A Closer Look

This two-storey dwelling, positioned between the 10th and 12th floors, stands out for various reasons, primarily due to its distinct features. One notable attribute contributing to its premium pricing is its elevated location, offering unobstructed panoramic views. Moreover, the residence has undergone extensive renovations, amounting to an investment of over S$200,000, transforming it into a showroom-like property that has even been featured in a magazine, as per Shin Min Daily News.

Factors Influencing the High Price Tag

The property’s allure is amplified by its strategic location. Situated in proximity to Maha Bodhi School, Manjusri Secondary School, a town center, and a 24-hour supermarket, the dwelling offers unparalleled convenience. Additionally, its close proximity to the Ubi MRT Station on the Downtown Line, merely an eight-minute walk away, further elevates its desirability. The spaciousness of the maisonette, a rarity in the current landscape of the Ubi district’s residential units, is another appealing factor. The scarcity of sizable living spaces in Ubi coupled with its limited residential area adds scarcity value, making such units a rare find.

Real Estate Market Dynamics in Ubi

Comparisons with the private housing sector reveal the value proposition presented by this property. According to a knowledgeable agent, a similarly sized private housing unit would command a price of at least S$2 million, underlining the competitive advantage offered by this maisonette.

Challenges Faced in Selling

The dwelling initially entered the market with an asking price of S$1.28 million. Despite the initial high price, which was eventually negotiated down, the property encountered challenges, rejecting numerous offers and enduring close to a six-month period before securing a buyer.

Conclusion

The sale of the million-dollar flat at Block 326 Ubi Avenue 1 exemplifies the evolving dynamics in the Ubi district’s real estate market, showcasing the attractiveness and potential of certain properties in the area.

OCBC Bank, a prominent financial institution, encountered a temporary disruption in its digital banking services recently. The interruption, specifically in funds transfer services, occurred around noon, affecting the OCBC digital app and Internet banking platforms. This article delves into the events surrounding this service outage and the subsequent restoration, addressing the impact on users and OCBC’s response to this unexpected technical issue.

Introduction to OCBC Bank’s Digital Services

In this modern era, digital banking has become an integral part of our financial transactions. OCBC Bank, one of Singapore’s leading financial institutions, offers a range of digital services, including the widely used funds transfer facilities through its mobile app and Internet banking platform.

Here is what OCBC said on Facebook:

[Update 2.45pm] Our Internet Banking, OCBC Digital App Funds Transfer, and PayNow services have resumed. Thank you for your patience during the interruption. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

We are experiencing intermittent technical issues with the Funds Transfer service offered via the OCBC Digital app and Internet Banking. If you need to make an urgent transfer, please consider using other modes of payment such as credit cards and/or NETs. We are working hard to resolve this issue asap, sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Service Disruption: What Happened?

Around 12 pm, users encountered difficulties in utilizing the funds transfer services, particularly PayNow transfers, via the OCBC digital app and Internet banking. The abrupt disruption caught many by surprise, leading to inconvenience for customers relying on these services for their financial transactions.

Notification and Acknowledgment

Acknowledging the technical glitches, OCBC promptly notified its users through the app and social media platforms. Users were informed that the bank was aware of the issue and actively working to restore the interrupted services at the earliest.

Timelines of the Disruption

The disruption persisted for approximately 2½ hours, causing significant inconvenience for those dependent on these services for time-sensitive transactions. OCBC managed to resolve the issue by around 2:30 pm, as per their announcement on Facebook.

Impact on Users

Many users faced hindrances in making urgent transactions, especially PayNow transfers, which are widely used for immediate payments. The disruption raised concerns and frustrations among customers reliant on the seamless functioning of OCBC’s digital platforms for their financial activities.

OCBC’s Response

During the disruption, OCBC reassured its customers of their commitment to resolving the issue swiftly. The bank consistently updated users on the progress made toward service restoration.

Alternative Solutions Offered

OCBC recommended alternative payment modes like credit cards or Nets for customers in urgent need of making transactions during the service disruption.

Customer Communication and Assurance

Effective communication played a pivotal role during the disruption, with OCBC proactively updating users via social media and their digital platforms, ensuring customers were kept informed of the progress in resolving the technical issues.

Importance of Reliable Banking Services

The incident emphasizes the critical need for seamless and reliable digital banking services in our daily lives, underlining the impact of service disruptions on customer experience and financial activities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the brief disruption in funds transfer services on OCBC’s digital platforms highlighted the significance of uninterrupted and reliable digital banking services. While the issue was promptly addressed, it underscores the importance of maintaining robust systems for seamless user experiences.

When you think of outdoor adventures, the last thing that comes to mind is a leech crawling into your eye. However, for one Thai man, this unimaginable scenario turned into a painful reality.

It was a regular day of hiking on Monday, November 6th, when a group of friends ventured into the wilderness in Thailand. Little did they know that their hiking trip would take an unexpected, and quite horrifying, turn.

The Unbelievable Encounter

Apichart Prommathat, one of the hikers, shared this shocking incident on Facebook. He described the event as “unbelievable and frightening.” As they were exploring the great outdoors, one of Apichart’s friends set his camera on the ground to search for the perfect photo spot.

Unbeknownst to the hikers, a leech had crawled onto the camera, settling on the viewfinder. When Apichart’s friend picked up the camera, he failed to notice the leech and lifted the device to his face, aligning the viewfinder with his eye.

It was at this moment that the leech crawled into his eye and attached itself near his tear duct, resulting in excruciating pain.

Apichart and his friend tried to remove the leech with their fingers, but it proved to be a slippery adversary. This struggle continued for about 30 minutes, with Apichart’s friend screaming in pain during the ordeal. They lacked the proper equipment and weren’t sure how to handle this unusual situation.

Seeking Expert Advice

In the aftermath of this unsettling experience, Apichart reached out to fellow trekkers for advice on dealing with leeches in the wild. The recommendations he received were quite enlightening.

The experts advised carrying salt or salt water while hiking. In case of leeches, a few drops of salt or salt water in the eyes can help dislodge the leech, making it easier to remove. This technique can save you from the discomfort and pain that Apichart’s friend endured.

Moreover, Apichart warned fellow adventurers about the potential danger of leeches lurking on leaves at eye level in some forests. It’s essential to stay vigilant and be prepared for such encounters, as the last thing you want is a leech invading your personal space.

To ensure your hiking experience remains enjoyable and leech-free, it’s advisable to carry salt or salt water, along with other essential hiking supplies. Taking precautions against these tiny yet determined creatures can make all the difference in your outdoor excursions.

Images source: เดอะแบก on Facebook and GlebK via Wikipedia Commons