ADVISORY ON EVENTS AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES IN RELATION TO ISRAEL-HAMAS CONFLICT

The Police are aware of events and public assemblies being organised in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The National Parks Board (NParks) has also received applications to use the Speakers’ Corner for events related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Police have assessed that there are public safety and security concerns associated with such events, given the heightened tensions. NParks shares the same concerns. There have been numerous incidents of violence reported in many countries amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. For instance, an Israeli staff from the Israeli Embassy in Beijing was stabbed in front of a supermarket, and a teacher was fatally stabbed by a Chechen individual in France. The peace and harmony between different races and religions in Singapore should not be taken for granted, and we must not let events happening externally affect the internal situation within Singapore. Given the sensitivity of the topic and the volatility of the situation overseas, there is a real risk that such events could give rise to public disorder. As such, applications to hold such events will be turned down.

The Police would like to remind members of the public that public assemblies in Singapore are regulated under the Public Order Act 2009, and that organising or participating in a public assembly without a Police permit in Singapore constitutes an offence under the Public Order Act 2009. The Police will not grant any permit for assemblies that advocate political causes of other countries or foreign entities, or may have the potential to stir emotions and lead to public order incidents.

The Police would also like to remind members of the public to engage in responsible and respectful discussions on this topic, online or otherwise, and avoid making insensitive or offensive remarks about race or religion, which may threaten Singapore’s racial and religious harmony. Under Singapore law:

a) Uttering words with the deliberate intention of wounding the racial feelings of a person is an offence under Section 298 of the Penal Code 1871, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, or fine, or both.

b) Knowingly promoting or attempting to promote, on grounds of race, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different racial groups is an offence under Section 298A(a) of the Penal Code 1871, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, or fine, or both.

c) Committing an act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different racial groups and which disturbs or is likely to disturb the public tranquility is an offence under Section 298A(b) of the Penal Code 1871, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, or fine, or both.

d) Knowingly engaging in conduct on the ground of religion or religious belief or activity that urges violence against a target person or target group, or knowingly engaging in conduct urging violence against a target person or target group distinguished by religion or religious belief or activity, is an offence under Section 17E of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to ten years, or fine, or both.

e) Knowingly engaging in conduct that incites feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility against any target group distinguished by religion, religious belief or activity, knowing that such feelings against the target group are likely to occur, and where such feelings would threaten the public peace or public order in Singapore, is an offence under Section 17F(3) of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years, or fine, or both.

f) Knowingly engaging in conduct that insults the religion or religious belief or activity, or wounds the religious feelings of, a target person distinguished by religion or religious belief or activity, knowing that such insult or wounding is likely to occur, and where the insult or wounding would threaten the public peace or public order in Singapore, is an offence under Section 17F(4) of the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act 1990, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years, or fine, or both.

The Police take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore. Any person who makes remarks or acts in a manner which potentially causes ill-will and hostility between different races or religious groups in Singapore will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law.

In a heart-wrenching incident, a 90-year-old man, Mr. Choo Chin Nam, tragically lost his life after suffering a severe head injury from an alleged attack by another elderly man, 72-year-old Toh Teck Chye, according to The Straits Times.

The incident took place at the void deck of Block 3 Marsiling Road.

Toh was charged in court on Tuesday with voluntarily causing grievous hurt, and is being accused of pushing the deceased on Sunday (15 October).

The Tragic Incident

The incident occurred on 15 October at approximately 11:30 am. Mr. Choo Chin Nam was allegedly pushed to the ground by another senior citizen, Toh Teck Chye, who is 72 years old.

Toh Teck Chye, the alleged attacker, is himself, a senior citizen. However, it was not revealed in court documents why the alleged attack took place.

Mr. Choo Chin Nam, the victim in this case, was a 90-year-old man who suffered a grievous head injury as a result of the alleged assault.

Remand of Toh

Toh Teck Chye is currently remanded at the Central Police Division, awaiting further legal proceedings. His case has been adjourned to October 24, where more details about the incident are expected to emerge.

Those convicted of voluntarily causing grievous hurt can face severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 10 years and fines or caning.

However, Toh cannot be caned under Singapore law, given his age, as he is over 50 years old.

Other similar fight news

A food delivery rider was upset with another food delivery rider over a misunderstanding, where one of them thought the other was “following” him.

It eventually escalated to a knife attack, with the victim suffering a 5cm cut on his right arm, according to TODAY.

38-year-old Sim Wei Jie pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt, and was sentenced to 7 months imprisonment on 16 October, as well as an additional penalty of 72 days imprisonment for committing the offence while under a remission order from prison.

In the quiet hours of October 17, near the junction of Middle Road and Queen Street, a blue Mercedes collided with a tree and flipped over onto its side, according to Shin Min Daily News.

However, before the authorities could arrive at the scene, the driver and the passenger had already “disappeared” and was nowhere to be found.

The Accident: A Terrifying Incident

According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the accident occurred at approximately 1:55 am.

An eyewitness, Ms Xu, spoke to Shin Min Daily News and said that she saw the car trying to make a right turn, before ending up driving into the bushes and crashed into a tree by the roadside, before the car then flipped over.

Xu observed that four to five men, who seemed to be workers from a nearby bar, rushed to the scene to help. These Good Samaritans rescued both the male driver and the female passenger from the overturned vehicle.

The male driver and his female passenger appeared to be drunk as one of the workers who rescued them, said in hokkien “they are drunk”, and the two then left the scene in a taxi before the police and ambulance arrived.

Vehicle Condition and Speed

The car was seen resting on the pavement with its doors flung open. The vehicle exhibited significant external damage, with noticeable scratches, and the airbags had deployed.

Xu added that the car was travelling quite fast at the time of the crash, and revealed that a female food delivery rider also got hit by the car.

The rider said that the subsequent accident happened in front of her and terrified her.

Ongoing Investigations

The Singapore Police Force confirmed the crash and said that they are currently investigating the incident, the SCDF also confirmed the incident and added that their aid was not required at the time.

Speaking during a recent interview with Chinese media outlet 8world News, 29-year-old actress Jernelle Oh gave us a glimpse into her fascinating relationship with her two-year-old pet turtle, Ding Kun.

A Surprise Purchase

Jernelle Oh’s journey with Ding Kun began when she decided to adopt a pet turtle. Remarkably, she acquired the little reptile for just $4. Interestingly, Ding Kun’s gender remained a mystery to Jernelle.

However, their story took an unexpected turn when Ding Kun began displaying unusual behavior. Jernelle noticed that her small turtle was refusing to eat, hesitating to venture into the water, and acting strangely.

Concerned for her pet’s well-being, Jernelle embarked on a mission to uncover the root of Ding Kun’s issues.

A Cold-Blooded Suggestion

Desperate for answers, Jernelle sought advice from a local pet store owner, hoping to find a remedy to ease Ding Kun’s distress.

What she encountered was nothing short of shocking. The pet store owner, with a shocking lack of empathy, callously suggested that, given the pet’s cheap cost price of $4, she should simply let it die and buy a replacement.

Despite this heartless advice, Jernelle’s love for Ding Kun prevailed. She was determined to provide her pet with the care it deserved.

When Jernelle eventually located a vet capable of treating Ding Kun’s ailment, she was met with another obstacle – the cost.

Treating a pet turtle, it turned out, could be a substantial financial burden, ranging from S$3,000 to S$4,000. This staggering amount took her by surprise but did not deter her from her mission to nurse Ding Kun back to health.

A Battle Won with Love and Care

Jernelle eventually opted for a more unconventional approach. She turned to folk remedies, taking every measure to ensure Ding Kun’s comfort and well-being.

Jernelle increased the temperature of Ding Kun’s water to prevent it from catching a cold, provided proper lighting, diligently replaced its water, and supplemented its diet with essential vitamins.

Through this unwavering dedication, Jernelle was able to nurse Ding Kun back to good health.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 新闻深呼吸 8world Stories (@8world.stories)

Noah Boudrie, better known as Wanderlust Wellman, recently shared his fascinating first-time experiences in Singapore through a nine-minute video on his YouTube channel.

As a passionate traveler, he explored various aspects of the vibrant city-state. While many things left him in awe, one observation particularly stood out – people digging their noses in public.

7 Things in Singapore That Surprised Him

Wanderlust Wellman, an American YouTuber, embarked on his maiden journey to Singapore with his wife, Vanessa. In his video, he highlighted seven aspects of Singapore that surprised him, and nose-picking in public was the last on his list.

Wanderlust Wellman’s video showcased his initial reactions to the Lion City, Singapore.

The Singaporean Climate

The tropical climate of Singapore was among the first things that struck Wellman. He discussed the heat and humidity that envelops the island nation, making it a unique experience for him as an American accustomed to different weather conditions.

Lush Greenery and Scenic Beauty

Wellman marveled at Singapore’s lush greenery and scenic beauty. The city boasts an array of parks and gardens, contributing to its nickname as the “Garden City.”

Efficient Public Transportation

One of the key highlights for the YouTuber was Singapore’s public transportation system, particularly the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). He praised its efficiency and convenience, which were in stark contrast to what he was accustomed to in the United States.

Diverse Neighborhoods

Singapore’s cultural diversity was a revelation for Wellman. He explored vibrant neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampung Glam, each offering a unique cultural experience.

The Affordability Factor

The affordability of dining in Singapore, largely due to hawker centers, caught Wellman’s attention. He found it to be a welcome surprise compared to the often expensive dining options in the West.

Gardens by the Bay

Wellman was captivated by the Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic horticultural wonder that showcases the city’s commitment to sustainable living and ecological awareness.

Digging Nose in Public

As he reached the end of his list of surprises, Wellman shared an observation that wasn’t as positive as the previous ones. He and his wife, Vanessa, noticed that some Singaporeans were picking their noses in public, and it wasn’t met with the same level of social taboo as it might be in the West.

Wanderlust Wellman acknowledged that cultural norms vary from one country to another. While nose-picking in public might raise eyebrows in some places, it’s not necessarily a big deal in others.

To put things into perspective, Wellman compared the Singaporean practice of public nose-picking to similar norms in the West, where such behaviour is typically avoided in public spaces.