On November 29, 2022, a tragic forklift accident occurred in Quality Road, near Jalan Boon Lay, resulting in life-altering consequences for Mr. Mohd Hanafiah Abdul Jalil.

The incident involved a forklift driver, Ang Sam Poh, who failed to properly check the area behind the vehicle while reversing, leading to a collision with Mr. Hanafiah, according to The Straits Times.

What happened?

The unfortunate event took place at around 11:30 am when Mr. Hanafiah, a prime mover driver delivering milk powder, had parked his vehicle, loaded with pallets of milk powder. Ang Sam Poh was operating a forklift to unload the pallets.

As Ang carried out his duties, Mr. Hanafiah was pacing around five to seven meters behind the forklift. Regrettably, Ang failed to stop and assess the path behind the forklift for any obstructions. Instead, he focused solely on the pallets of milk powder on the prime mover.

Without realizing that Mr. Hanafiah was behind him and to the right of the forklift, Ang reversed the vehicle. Tragically, the forklift ran over Mr. Hanafiah’s left leg, causing a severe crush injury. Despite the immediate response to assist him, the damage to his leg was irreparable, and he had to undergo an above-knee amputation at the National University Hospital.

Following the accident, Ang Sam Poh pleaded guilty to causing grievous hurt to Mr. Hanafiah by performing a negligent act. In the court’s ruling, Ang was sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment as a consequence of his actions.

The forklift accident that led to Mr. Mohd Hanafiah Abdul Jalil’s life-changing injury is a stark reminder of the importance of safety in all aspects of life.

Negligence and carelessness can have severe consequences, and it is crucial for everyone, be it employers or employees, to prioritize safety at all times.

By taking proactive measures and fostering a culture of responsibility, we can strive to prevent such accidents and create a safer environment for everyone.

Following the emergence of the viral video showing Leon Perera and Nicole Seah having an intimate dinner date at an unnamed restaurant, AsiaOne published an interview on 18 July with Perera’s former driver, who exposed the latter’s various dinner dates and hotel visits with Seah.

The following day, The Online Citizen Asia published an article titled “AsiaOne’s quick access to Leon Perera’s former driver: Coincidence or calculated move?”

The article seemingly insinuated that the Minister of Law and Home Affairs could have tipped off an employee of AsiaOne about the driver, and Shanmugam has since issued a public statement denying the allegations and calling TOCA out for “publishing recklessly”.

Shanmugam’s public statement on Facebook

[False post by The Online Citizen Asia]

TOCA has put up a post, today, which is false in relation to me.

First there is a suggestion that an employee of AsiaOne, Edmund Chua used to work in my Constituency. That is so. The innuendo is that I must have tipped off Edmund to contact the ex driver of Mr Perera, and that is how Asia One managed to get him.

This is false. I do not know the ex driver, I do not have his contact or name, and I did not tip off or give any information on the ex driver to anyone including AsiaOne – I have no such information. And I haven’t dealt with or spoken with Edmund Chua about this matter at all.

TOCA refers to a visit to I made to AsiaOne. It was not days before the video surfaced . I wasn’t even in Singapore for a week, until the evening of 17 July (Monday).

I visited AsiaOne on 13 June, to speak with its journalists. I also visited Mothership, in the same period, on 22 June. This is part of my regular engagement with a broad section of society, including public and private institutions, schools, IHLs, journalists from mainstream and online media and so on.

TOCA continues to publish recklessly, without any regard for the truth.

AsiaOne’s statement

Related news

MAN ARRESTED FOR SUSPECTED INVOLVEMENT IN A GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IMPERSONATION SCAM

The Police have arrested a 19-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of Government Officials Impersonation Scam (“GOIS”).

On 16 July 2023, the Police received a ‘999’ call for assistance to verify the identity of a purported government official who claimed to be acting under the office of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Through follow up investigations, officers from Jurong Police Division and Commercial Affairs Department established the identity of the man and subsequently arrested him on the same day. CAD officers seized several case exhibits such as a laptop, a printer, a brown envelope, a fake MAS pass, some GOIS related documents, a debit card, some apparels, and an ink pad from the man’s residence. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly printed a pass with wordings “Monetary Authority of Singapore” and later presented it and impersonated as a MAS officer. He is also believed to have handed over some documents to a victim for her endorsement.

The man will be charged in court on 18 July 2023 with an offence of Cheating by Personation under Section 419 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term up to 5 years, or with fine, or with both.

The Police advise members of the public to take the following precautions when they receive unsolicited calls requesting for compliance with instructions to avoid criminal investigations:

Ignore such calls and the caller’s instructions. No government agency will instruct payment through a telephone call or other social messaging platforms (WeChat or Facebook), or ask you for personal banking information such as your internet banking passwords;.

For foreigners receiving calls from persons claiming to be from Police in your home country, call your Embassy/High Commission to verify the claims of the caller;

Refrain from giving out personal information and bank details, whether on a website or to callers over the phone. Personal information and bank details such as internet bank account usernames, passwords, OTP codes from tokens, are useful to criminals.

Do not make any funds transfer if the caller is of dubious identity;

Call a trusted friend or talk to a relative before you act. Do not be pressured by the caller to act impulsively.
If you have any information relating to such crimes or if you are in doubt, please call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, or submit it online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential. If you require urgent Police assistance, please dial ‘999’.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Do share this advisory with your family and friends to prevent them from being the next scam victim.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 July 2023 @ 10:45 PM

MAN ARRESTED FOR LOANSHARK HARASSMENT

The Police have arrested a 37-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.

On 16 July 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment along Pasir Ris Drive 6, where a residential unit was splashed with red paint and a debtor’s note was left behind.

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 17 July 2023. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man is allegedly involved in another case of loanshark harassment. One mobile phone and one notebook were seized as a case exhibits.

The man will be charged in court on 18 July 2023 under the Moneylenders Act 2008. First-time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment shall be punished with imprisonment of up to five years, a fine between $5,000 and $50,000, and caning of up to six strokes.

The Police have zero tolerance against loanshark harassment activities. Those who deliberately cause annoyance and disruption to public safety and security, will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.

Members of the public are advised to stay away from loansharks and not to work with or assist them in any way. Members of 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.

Photo of gate ▼

Debtor’s note ▼

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 July 2023 @ 10:30 PM

Other loanshark harassment cases

508 SUBJECTS HAULED UP IN ENFORCEMENT OPERATION AGAINST SCAMS AND UNLICENSED MONEYLENDING ACTIVITIES

Following a ten-day enforcement operation conducted between 3 and 12 July 2023, officers from Bedok Division are investigating 340 men and 168 women, aged between 14 and 71, for their suspected involvement in more than 2,600 cases of scams and unlicensed moneylending activities.

Of the 508 subjects, 360 subjects are being investigated for their suspected involvement in scams, comprising mainly e-commerce scams, investment scams, job scams, tech support scams, phishing scams, and money laundering offences involving transactions exceeding $14 million. Another 148 subjects are being investigated for their suspected involvement in loan scams and loansharking activities involving transactions exceeding $300,000.

A total of 57 subjects were placed under arrest for their suspected involvement in unlicensed moneylending activities and cheating offences.

Police investigations are ongoing.

MAN ARRESTED FOR LOANSHARK HARASSMENT

The Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment.

On 2 July 2023, at about 11.50pm, the Police were alerted to a case of loanshark harassment at a residential unit along Bendemeer Road, where the front gate and door were splashed with red paint, and a debtor’s note was left on the wall.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras, officers from Central Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 4 July 2023 along Jurong West Street 73.

16 MEN TO BE CHARGED WITH OUTRAGE OF MODESTY

Sixteen men, aged between 21 and 68, will be charged in court on 19 July 2023 for their suspected involvement in separate cases of outrage of modesty.

The cases are as follows:

On 14 January 2021, a 50-year-old man allegedly molested a 24-year-old woman at a residential unit along Fraser Street. A Police report was lodged on the same day and the man was arrested on 15 January 2021. The man will be charged with two counts of outrage of modesty and one count of using criminal force under Section 354(1) and Section 352 of the Penal Code 1871.

On 22 March 2022, a 43-year-old man, who was an operating technician, allegedly molested a 31-year-old woman while she was undergoing surgery at a surgery centre along Orchard Road. The man was subsequently arrested at scene by Police officers who attended to the incident. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 7 July 2022, a 33-year-old man allegedly molested a 21-year-old woman at a club along River Valley Road. The man was detained at the club and subsequently arrested at scene by Police officers who attended to the incident. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 10 August 2022, a 43-year-old man allegedly molested a 15-year-old girl in a lift of a residential block along Beo Crescent. The Police were alerted to the incident and the man was swiftly identified and arrested by Police officers. The man was also suspected to have taken possession of a bicycle which did not belong to him. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty and one count of fraudulent possession under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871 and Section 35(1) of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906 respectively.

On 7 September 2022, a 42-year-old man allegedly molested a 20-year-old woman on a bus travelling along Potong Pasir Avenue 1. The woman lodged a police report on the next day. Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of Police cameras and CCTV footages, the Police managed to identify and arrest the man on 3 October 2022. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 23 October 2022, a 41-year-old man allegedly molested and used criminal force on a 26-year-old woman along Stars Avenue. The man also allegedly molested her along Stars Avenue on 24 October 2022. The man will be charged with two counts of outrage of modesty and one count of using criminal force under Section 354(1) and Section 352 of the Penal Code 1871 respectively.

On 5 November 2022, a 60-year-old man allegedly molested a 42-year-old woman at a shop along Rivervale Drive. The woman left the shop and subsequently called the Police for assistance. The man was identified and arrested on 11 November 2022. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 4 December 2022, a 22-year-old man allegedly molested a 38-year-old woman at a shopping mall along Syed Alwi Road. A Police report was lodged and the man was swiftly identified and arrested within an hour of the report. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code.

On 10 January 2023, a 24-year-old man allegedly molested two women, aged 30 and 31, at a bar along Anson Road. The man was detained at the bar and subsequently arrested at scene by Police officers who attended to the incident. The man will be charged with two counts of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 26 January 2023, a 26-year-old man allegedly molested a 21-year-old man at a club at a residential hall of a University along Nanyang Avenue. The man also sexually exposed himself to the victim. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty and one count of sexual exposure under Section 354(1) and Section 377BF(1) of the Penal Code 1871 respectively.

On 12 February 2023, a 67-year-old man allegedly molested a 32-year-old woman at a massage centre along New Upper Changi Road. The man will be charged with four counts of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 4 March 2023, a 57-year-old man allegedly molested a 44-year-old woman while in a lorry parked along Old Choa Chu Kang Road. He also allegedly stroked the woman’s hand and used insulting behaviour to cause alarm to her. The woman then lodged a report on 8 March 2023, and the man was subsequently arrested on 12 July 2023. The man will be charged with two counts of outrage of modesty and one count of using criminal force under Section 354(1) and Section 352 of the Penal Code 1871 respectively. The man will also be charged with one count of intentional harassment under Section 3(1)(a) punishable under Section 3(2) of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014.

On 29 April 2023, a 38-year-old man allegedly molested a 36-year-old woman in a lift after exiting a club along Bayfront Avenue. He also allegedly touched and massaged the woman’s shoulder, and made a gesture intended to insult the modesty of the woman. The man was detained by security officers and subsequently arrested at scene by Police officers who attended to the incident. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty, one count of using criminal force and one count of insulting the modesty of a person under Section 354(1), Section 352 and Section 377BA of the Penal Code 1871 respectively.

On 8 May 2023, a 68-year-old man allegedly molested a 10-year-old girl in a lift of a residential block along Lengkok Bahru. A Police report was lodged on 9 May 2023, and the man was subsequently identified and arrested on 10 May 2023. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty of a person below 14 years of age under Section 354(2) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 15 June 2023, a 40-year-old man allegedly molested a 22-year-old woman at a club along Bayfront Avenue. The man was detained by security officers and subsequently arrested at scene by Police officers who attended to the incident. The man will be charged with two counts of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

On 18 June 2023, a 21-year-old man allegedly molested a 25-year-old woman at a cafe along Bali Lane. The man was detained by the woman’s boyfriend and subsequently arrested at scene by Police officers who attended to the incident. The man will be charged with one count of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871.

Punishments

The offence of outrage of modesty under Section 354(1) of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term which may extend to three years, a fine, caning, or any combination of such punishments. The offence of outrage of modesty of a person below 14 years of age under Section 354(2) of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term which may extend to five years, a fine, caning, or any combination of such punishments. The offence of sexual exposure under Section 377BF(1) and punishable under Section 377BF(3) of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term which may extend to one year, a fine, or both. The offence of using criminal force under Section 352 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term which may extend to 3 months, a fine which may extend to $1,500, or both. The offence of fraudulent possession under Section 35(1) of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906 carries an imprisonment term not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to both.

Outrage of modesty cases remain a key concern for the Police. The Police treat all reports seriously and will spare no effort to conduct our investigations thoroughly and expeditiously, which includes identifying and tracing the suspects through follow-up investigations and with the aid of Police cameras and CCTV footages if they are unknown to the victims. The Police may also place the suspects under arrest for investigations and may prosecute them in court subsequently. The Police have zero tolerance towards sexual offenders who threaten the personal safety of those in the community, and offenders will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law. The Police will continue to work closely with various stakeholders, such as public entertainment outlets, public transport operators, and the community, to prevent and deter outrage of modesty cases. The Police would also like to urge members of the public to remain vigilant and to report the matter to the Police immediately, if they witness an incident of outrage of modesty, or are aware of someone being a victim of outrage of modesty.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 July 2023 @ 9:05 AM