An AETOS auxiliary police officer who was on his motorcycle, was hit by a car on 23 July near his home at Yishun and is now in a coma inside the intensive care unit (ICU), according to The Straits Times.
The accident
On that Sunday morning, Mr. Azrian set out on his motorcycle for a day of fishing with his wife’s father, according to SG Road Vigilante on Facebook.
As Mr. Azrian was riding his motorcycle along Yishun Avenue 1, a sudden collision with a white Honda Civic threw him off his bike, leaving him motionless on the ground.
The impact was so severe that he slipped into unconsciousness, needing immediate medical attention.
The incident was captured on camera by a concerned bystander and posted on the SG Road Vigilante Facebook page. The video revealed the sequence of events leading to the accident.
As the footage played, it showed Mr. Azrian’s motorcycle and the white car moving along the road the traffic. When they approached the traffic junction, the car abruptly collided with the motorcycle, causing Mr. Azrian to lose control and fall.
The white car, without stopping to check on the injured rider, drove away from the scene before stopping further ahead.
Fortunately, a fellow motorcyclist witnessed the incident and rushed to aid Mr. Azrian. The footage showed this good Samaritan attending to the injured officer as he lay on the ground, motionless.
Mr. Azrian was transported to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where he was unconscious and slipped into a coma, and he also had to go through two emergency surgeries to remove the blood clots in his brain.
The police have also since apprehended the 59-year-old male driver of the white Honda Civic responsible for the collision and is facing charges of careless driving resulting in grievous hurt.
At the time of writing, police investigations into the accident are underway.
POLICE STATEMENT ON ALLEGATIONS MADE BY LATE POLICE OFFICER SGT UVARAJA S/O GOPAL
There have been a number of media queries, in relation to the tragic passing away, on 21 July 2023, of SGT Uvaraja S/O Gopal. We set out the below, in response to the media queries. At this point, we can set out only the known facts, as not all the relevant facts have been established. It is also inappropriate for the Police to make any comments, or come to any conclusions, pending detailed investigations.
The late SGT Uvaraja had more than 10 years in service, and was last an officer with Ang Mo Kio Police Division. We thank his family for his service and again express our deepest condolences. We have offered and are giving our fullest assistance to his family.
Clarifications on Allegations Made
The late SGT Uvaraja had made a number of complaints against his superiors and peers, over the years. All of these had been investigated and dealt with. Some of them are being investigated again, in the light of the allegations which he had made just prior to his passing away.
From SPF’s perspective, his superiors had assessed that he was facing substantial challenges at work. They had tried to help him in a number of ways. These include the following.
He was provided coaching to address his performance issues.
He was given transfers, at his request, to six different work units in nine years.
He was also granted additional leave, since 2015, (at his request), beyond his usual leave entitlements of Vacation Leave, Casual Leave, and Ordinary Sick Leave. In 2022, for example, he was at work for fewer than 30 days, as he was on various types of leave, including Extended Sick Leave, Unrecorded Leave, and No Pay Leave. In 2023, he had been at work for fewer than 25 days, for similar reasons.
The late SGT Uvaraja’s supervisors also arranged for counselling and psychological assistance for him at various points in his service from 2016 onwards. Most recently in January 2023, he was assigned a para-counsellor after he reported experiencing work stress. On 16 February 2023, he reported to a new unit (following his request for a transfer from his previous unit) and showed signs of being unstable. He was counselled by a para-counsellor on the same day, and later attended to by a psychologist from the Police Psychological Services Department. Due to safety concerns, he was relieved from carrying firearms from 16 February 2023.
As regards complaints he made about misconduct of fellow officers: In August 2021, the late SGT Uvaraja alerted his supervisors that he had spotted fellow officers vaping within the Police compound. Acting on the information he provided, an independent supervisor was tasked to perform searches for e-cigarettes and vaping devices within the station premises, and interview the officers concerned. The complaint was not made out, thus no disciplinary action was taken.
In a separate incident in January 2023, in a different Police unit, the late SGT Uvaraja alerted his supervisors that he had spotted fellow officers smoking. Investigations found evidence of this infringement and disciplinary action was subsequently taken against those officers.
Following both incidents, his supervisors facilitated his request to transfer to another unit to start afresh, as he felt uncomfortable working with the colleagues he had reported on.
Police interviews also showed that the late SGT Uvaraja had had tensions with his family. We have informed his parents and brothers (the involved parties) that the following will be disclosed and they have expressed their understanding on the release of the information.
In the afternoon of 13 July 2023, the Police received multiple calls for assistance at his parents’ residence. When the Police arrived, the late SGT Uvaraja was in a dispute with his family over financial matters. He had also allegedly assaulted his brother. As a result, the Police commenced investigations against him for a case of voluntarily causing hurt and intentional harassment. This was a pending case.
On 14 July 2023, the late SGT Uvaraja’s mother lodged another Police report against him, saying she feared for her safety. This was followed by a call for police assistance later in the day by the late SGT Uvaraja’s sister-in-law, that he was outside her house. He left the area after the Police arrived.
Specific to the allegations of racial discrimination, SPF takes a firm stance against such. The Police are aware of the allegations of racial discrimination made by the late SGT Uvaraja in 2015. We had looked into these and interviewed the officers involved. The allegations were found to be unsubstantiated. There are avenues for SPF officers to raise complaints on discriminatory workplace practices – to their unit Commanders, Police Headquarters (HQ) or the Ministry HQ, and such complaints are looked into seriously.
The Police will review and investigate again these allegations, and refer the findings to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The findings will also be submitted to the Minister for Home Affairs, for his decision on whether the findings should be further reviewed.
These are the facts which the Police are able to release as of now. Further updates will be provided in due course.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE 24 July 2023 @ 3:00 PM
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has recently issued a statement urging Singaporeans to remain vigilant against crypto scams and fake advertisements that misuse his image and voice. The Prime Minister expressed his concerns about scammers capitalizing on media coverage following his major speeches or announcements to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
In his statement, Prime Minister Lee revealed that these scams often involve the unauthorized use of his image to promote products, solicit investments in fraudulent schemes, or even use his voice to convince people to send money. He stressed that such actions are not endorsed by him in any way and are purely the work of malicious actors attempting to exploit his reputation for their own gains.
“I often find that when there has been a lot of media coverage after a major speech or announcement, scammers will capitalize on this and use my image to run crypto scams and fake ads,” the Prime Minister remarked. “If the ad uses my image to sell you a product, asks you to invest in some scheme, or even uses my voice to tell you to send money, it’s not me.”
He further commended the alertness of Singaporeans who took the time to report these fraudulent activities, which has enabled him to be aware of such occurrences. The Prime Minister himself stumbled upon some of these fake ads while surfing the internet and promptly reported them to the relevant authorities.
To combat the rising issue of scams and fake news, Prime Minister Lee encouraged the public not to respond to such advertisements. Instead, he directed them to use the official ScamShield Bot on WhatsApp at https://go.gov.sg/scamshield-bot to report any suspicious activities.
Additionally, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of reporting online scams to the police. Victims of fraudulent schemes are urged to lodge an online police report at go.gov.sg/police-report to aid in the efforts to bring these scammers to justice.
“Let us do our part by staying vigilant against scams,” Prime Minister Lee concluded, underlining the need for collective efforts in combating this growing problem.
PM Lee’s Facebook statement
I often find that when there has been a lot of media coverage after a major speech or announcement, scammers will capitalise on this and use my image to run crypto scams and fake ads.
If the ad uses my image to sell you a product, asks you to invest in some scheme, or even uses my voice to tell you to send money, it’s not me.
Such ads have popped up again in the past few days. I’ve been made aware of this, thanks to alert Singaporeans who took the time to write in. I came across some myself while surfing the internet. I have reported the fake ads to the relevant teams.
If you come across scams, fake news or ads, like the screenshot you see here, please do not respond to them! You can report them via the official ScamShield Bot on WhatsApp at https://go.gov.sg/scamshield-bot.
If you have fallen victim to an online scam, you can lodge an online police report at go.gov.sg/police-report.
Let us do our part by staying vigilant against scams. – LHL
Indonesian fitness influencer, Justyn Vicky, passed away in a freak accident while lifting a barbell at The Paradise Bali gym in Sanur, Indonesia, on 15th July.
As the news of his untimely demise spread, heartfelt tributes poured in from both the local community and the fitness enthusiasts who admired and respected him.
A video of the accident was shared online by a netizen on Facebook, Aming’a Petah Peter.
Neck broken by the weight
Justyn Vicky, a 33-year-old fitness influencer, was attempting squat presses with a barbell that reportedly weighed between 180kg and 210kg.
According to The Star, the barbell weighed over 200kg, while The Daily Mail claimed it was around 180kg to 210kg.
As he tried to stand upright with the massive weight, tragedy struck, and he fell to the floor, breaking his neck in the process.
The shocking incident was captured on a 16-second video clip that circulated on Facebook and quickly went viral.
In the video, we see a spotter assisting Justyn as he attempts to lift the heavy barbell. Struggling to maintain his balance, Justyn staggers back a few steps, trying to stand up again.
However, the weight proves too much for him, and he ultimately collapses with the barbell sliding up to his neck before falling off.
A Community in Grief
The news of Justyn Vicky’s tragic accident spread rapidly, leaving the fitness community and his followers devastated.
Many who had been inspired by his fitness journey and dedication to a healthy lifestyle expressed their grief and condolences through social media, paying tribute to the positive impact he had on their lives.
While fitness enthusiasts admire and strive to achieve impressive feats in the gym, this tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the utmost importance of safety during weightlifting exercises.
Here is what the netizen said
Bodybuilder Justyn Vicky dead at 33 after 400-pound weight breaks his neck.
The fitness influencer was killed by a barbell while trying to squat-press 210kg in a horror accident.
He was rushed to a local hospital with a broken neck and critical compression of vital nerves connecting to his heart and lungs.
He died shortly after an emergency operation, despite the surgeons’ best efforts to save his life.
Frankie Yee, a 56-year-old freelance lecturer in Singapore, made a life-changing decision that has captured the hearts of many. He chose to forgo his life savings, intended for a comfortable retirement, to fund the university education of six boys who were not even related to him, according to MustShareNews.
The Decision to Sacrifice Retirement Savings
As a lecturer with 27 years of experience at various private educational institutions, Frankie Yee had dedicated his life to education. When the six boys from a financially challenged background arrived in Singapore from a Central Asian country, struggling to make ends meet while studying, fate brought them together.
The boys shared their aspirations and dreams with Mr. Yee, revealing their desire for a better life that seemed beyond their reach in their home country. Witnessing their determination and potential, Mr. Yee was moved to help them achieve their goals.
Frankie Yee’s decision to raise funds for the boys was met with resistance and skepticism. Friends and family were hesitant to support his cause, questioning his motives for helping strangers.
Despite the hurtful comments and constant rejection, Mr. Yee refused to give up. He believed in the boys’ potential and knew that without his support, they might not get a chance at higher education.
The Bold Sacrifice
Undeterred by the challenges, Frankie Yee made a bold sacrifice—he decided to forgo his retirement home in Genting, for which he had already put down a down payment, in order to fund the boys’ first year of university education.
This decision meant taking out loans to support the boys’ education, but he was willing to do whatever it took to give them a chance at a brighter future.
Nurturing Dreams
Over the years, Frankie Yee had shown remarkable kindness to his students. He had helped pay part of their school fees, ensured they had enough to eat, and even provided transportation to work so they could get adequate rest.
His commitment to his students and their well-being extended beyond the classroom, making him a beloved figure in their lives.
The Impact of Selfless Giving
Frankie Yee’s selfless act of sacrificing his retirement savings to fund the education of these six boys has had a profound impact on their lives.
Two of the boys were admitted to the prestigious University of Sydney, and the remaining four are eagerly awaiting their visas to commence their studies in Australia.
Beyond the direct impact on the boys, this story has touched the hearts of people who have come to know about Mr. Yee’s extraordinary act of kindness.
It serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of generosity and the potential ripple effects of one person’s selfless actions.
Tan Cheng Bock, the chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), announced his decision to contest in the upcoming General Election (GE).
Tan was speaking to Lianhe Zaobao during his walkabout at the West Coast Market on 22 July, sharing that he will likely be contesting in the West Coast GRC like his previous running during the GE2020.
At 83 years old, Tan remains as determined as ever to contribute to the political discourse and represent his constituents.
Tan Cheng Bock
In 2020, he led the PSP team in the West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) during the General Election and secured an impressive 48.31 per cent of the vote share against the PAP’s team that was led by Transport Minister S. Iswaran, who has recently been arrested by the Corrupt Practices and Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and is assisting them with investigations.
Despite narrowly losing out and not clinching an elected seat, the party’s secretary-general, Leong Mun Wai, and vice-chairman, Hazel Poa, became Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), a significant achievement for the PSP.
Emphasizing the significance of the General Election, Tan Cheng Bock asserted that it is the ultimate goal for politicians. He expressed his party’s readiness, irrespective of when the next GE is held.
He also announced that he will personally screen potential new candidates for the PSP., saying that he wants to know their attitude and determination before recruiting.
Beyond discussing his party’s strategies, Tan Cheng Bock addressed recent high-profile incidents involving members of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Workers’ Party (WP).
He expressed concern over the impact of these scandals on public trust in the political system. Incidents such as transport minister S Iswaran’s involvement with the Corruptive Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) and the extramarital affair of several high profile politicians, including now-former speaker of parliament Tan Chuan Jin’s affair with fellow PAP MP Cheng Li Hui, and the WP’s Leon Perera’s affair with senior member Nicole Seah.
He said that he felt sad about the scandals which he says has tarnished the Singapore political system and image and that it could result in the public losing trust.
The Police has arrested a 36-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of theft of motorcycle.
On 12 July 2023 at about 5.10am, the Police were alerted to a case of a motorcycle being stolen along Lorong 21 Geylang. Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 21 July 2023. The stolen motorcycle was also recovered.
The man will be charged in court on 22 July 2023 with theft of a motor vehicle under Section 379A of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years and a fine.
The Police would like to advise all motorcycle owners to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
Park your motorcycle in well-lit areas;
Install an anti-theft alarm for your motorcycle;
Use a motorcycle canvas to cover the motorcycle, securing both ends;
Use additional locking devices such as disc brake locks or install a suspension guard;
Remove the ignition key and lock the motorcycle, whenever it is left unattended; and
Do not leave spare keys inside the motorcycle storage box.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE 21 July 2023 @ 3:05 PM
Other wannabe ghostriders
The Police have arrested a 45-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of theft of motor vehicles.
On 15 June 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of motor vehicles being stolen from a carpark in the vicinity of Hougang Avenue 6. The owner allegedly left the keys at the front tyre of the two vehicles that belonged to a rental company.
Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from CCTV, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 29 June 2023. The two stolen cars were subsequently recovered.
In a shocking case that came to light in 2022, a then-14-year-old Singapore teenager who attempted to rape his then-8-year-old younger sister in 2020, was sentenced on Monday (24 July) to undergo reformative training for at least a year, according to The Straits Times.
The boy, who is now 17, will be detained in a center where he will be made to undergo a regiment which includes counselling.
A informative training order is a comparatively more severe punishment than probation for young offenders, with the primary goal being the rehabilitation of the offender and preventing them from reoffending.
The Offender’s Guilty Plea
In May, the teenager pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted rape and attempted penetration. Due to a gag order to protect the victim’s identity, he cannot be named publicly.
The offenses took place in the flat where the siblings lived with their parents, older brother, and paternal grandmother; where the boy attacked his sister on two occasions.
The Incidents
In June 2020, the then-14-year-old attempted to rape his younger sister in her bedroom, where she did not resist, and he also took explicit photos of her after the incident.
He then told a friend about 2 months later about the explicit photos that he had taken (which had been deleted), and that he wanted to have intercourse with his younger sister.
Then sometime between 5 February and 27 July in 2022, the boy once again tried to rape his sister, who was then between 9 to 10 years old, but failed.
Their mother also walked in on them on one occasion and he lied to her about helping to check the victim’s private parts because she was in pain, and the mother believed him but told him not to do it again.
The offender’s crimes remained hidden until 2022 when his friend, to whom he had confessed his intentions and actions two years earlier, informed their school teachers about it.
The school principal then met with the teenager and his parents, and the boy’s father then lodged a police report the next month.
The Court’s Decision for Reformative Training
The court, after considering the severity of the offenses and the offender’s need for rehabilitation, decided to impose reformative training.
This form of detention aims to provide the young offender with a structured environment for reform and counseling, with the ultimate goal of transforming their behavior and ensuring they do not reoffend in the future.
On Friday, 21st July, a heartbreaking incident occurred at an HDB block in Yishun, Singapore, where a police officer was found motionless at the foot of the building. Tragically, the officer succumbed to his injuries, sending shockwaves throughout the nation.
However, what made this incident even more significant were the allegations of racial discrimination and toxic workplace practices by the deceased, who penned a lengthy facebook post exposing his alleged tormentors before his death.
Amidst the grief and sorrow surrounding the officer’s passing, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam took it upon himself to visit the wake of the deceased officer to address the concerns and provide support to the grieving family.
The Minister’s Visit: A Gesture of Support
On Sunday, 23rd July, Minister K. Shanmugam was seen at Block 393 Yishun Avenue 6, where the funeral of the deceased police officer, Sergeant Uvaraja S/O Gopal, was held.
Mr. Shanmugam’s presence at the wake was not only in his capacity as a Member of Parliament for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC) but also to support the family during this difficult time. He was accompanied by Mr. Derrick Goh, who represents Sgt. Uvaraja’s constituency.
It is a customary practice for Members of Parliament to attend the wakes of residents within their respective constituencies as a way of showing their empathy and concern for the people they represent.
Providing Closure and Clarity
During his visit to the wake, Mr. Shanmugam expressed his desire to bring closure to the family members of Sgt. Uvaraja. He acknowledged that the family was unaware of certain aspects of the late officer’s situation, which led to the minister taking the time to explain these matters to them.
By doing so, he hoped to provide the family with a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding their Sgt Uvaraja’s passing.
Mr. Shanmugam assured the family that after the funeral, the authorities would provide them with support and further explanations regarding the issues they would have to face, but declined to reveal to the media what he spoke about with the family out of respect.
Thorough Investigation of Allegations
Addressing the serious allegations made by Sgt. Uvaraja, Mr. Shanmugam reiterated that the claims would be subjected to a thorough investigation. As the minister responsible for the SPF under his Home Affairs portfolio, he emphasized the importance of taking such matters seriously.
He pointed out that approximately 40% of police officers in Singapore are from minority races and the the police acknowledges that failure to investigate allegations like these meticulously could lead to a loss of public trust in the police force, and that they will get to the bottom of the matter.
In recent social media revelations, a henna tattoo artist and former Singapore Police Force (SPF) officer, Fauzella Sahabdin, has come forward to share her harrowing experiences during her time in the force.
The news of police officer Uvaraja S/O Gopal’s death triggered painful memories of the alleged torment she endured, as she took to Facebook to recount her experiences, according to MustShareNews.
Scars of trauma
The former SPF officer recollects that while there were some supportive superiors, others subjected her to a difficult and distressing environment, particularly during her initial six months on the job.
She was informed that hazing was allegedly ingrained as a culture at the workplace. These circumstances pushed her to the brink of resignation.
However, she decided to stay when she found understanding and encouragement from a senior officer. Despite persevering for another seven years, the scars of her traumatic experiences still linger.
Ms. Fauzella expressed her grievances on Facebook, stating that she was allegedly often belittled and made to feel inadequate during her time in the force.
Eager to make a positive impact on society, she entered the SPF with high aspirations but was met with a reality far from her expectations. She described her first six months as a hellish ordeal, where insults were allegedly hurled at her incessantly.
The former officer recounted alleged instances of degrading name-calling and even being allegedly labelled a derogatory term by a senior male colleague, who never offered an apology.
The toxic work environment further manifested when she expressed a desire to rest after a night duty rather than joining her team for breakfast, which her team leader allegedly responded by calling her arrogant.
Ms. Fauzella found herself at the receiving end of continuous insults and mockery, becoming a subject of jokes among her colleagues.
A Ray of Hope
Thankfully, a turning point emerged with the arrival of a young inspector named Jason Lim. He took charge as the team leader and promptly acknowledged the existing issues.
He intervened whenever he noticed unfair treatment, effectively challenging the toxic culture. Ms. Fauzella expressed her gratitude to him for providing much-needed support during the most difficult phase of her life.
Sadly, Mr. Lim was transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after a year, and soon after, Ms. Fauzella decided to tender her resignation.
However, she was persuaded to stay by her Deputy Commander, offering a transfer to the training branch. With a promise to accept her resignation if she still felt the same after three months, he managed to convince her to continue for another seven years.
Despite her extended tenure, the trauma from those distressing experiences still haunts Ms. Fauzella to this day. She tearfully admits that the hurt remains, and she remains fearful whenever her sons are out without her, dreading the possibility of them facing similar mistreatment.
A Plea for Respect and Dignity
Reflecting on her past, Ms. Fauzella emphasizes the importance of treating subordinates with respect and dignity. She advocates for an environment where people are not driven to madness merely to feed the ego of their superiors.
Her message rings loud and clear – everyone deserves respect, regardless of their position or experience. Empathy and understanding are crucial, as everyone’s emotional strength varies, and personal growth takes different paths.
