NINE PERSONS ARRESTED IN JOINT ENFORCEMENT BLITZ

Nine persons were arrested for suspected drug-related offences and gambling offences following a joint enforcement operation conducted from 13 to 17 March 2023.

The enforcement operation was jointly led by officers from Woodlands Police Division and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), and aimed to clamp down on illegal activities in Yishun, Sembawang, Woodlands and Marsiling, including illegal gambling, drug-related offences and other offences.

In the enforcement operation, seven men, aged between 24 and 66, and a 60-year-old woman, were arrested for suspected drug-related offences. Four Ziplock packets containing about 28.6 grams of brown granular substances believed to be controlled drugs, a mobile phone and some assorted drug paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits. A 27-year-old man was also arrested for allegedly gambling with an unlicensed gambling service provider. Investigations are ongoing.

Singapore adopts a strict policy of zero tolerance towards controlled drugs. The importation and exportation, possession, sale and consumption of controlled drugs or products containing controlled drugs, is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1973.

Under the Gambling Control Act 2022, anyone who is found to be involved in unlawful betting operations shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to five years. Under the same Act, any person who gambles with an unlicensed gambling service provider shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

The Police and CNB take a serious view against all forms of illegal betting and drug-related activities. Members of the public are advised to steer clear of such activities. Individuals found to be involved in such illicit activities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 March 2023 @ 2:00 PM

46-year-old veteran Singaporean actress Vivian Lai, shared a series of Instagram stories on her profile on 17 March, complaining about her disappointing experience with a doctor at Raffles Hospital during a medical checkup, according to Mothership.

She captioned her stories in Mandarin (translated to English): “what the f-, how can you even become a doctor if you don’t even have the basic respect towards your patients? Everyone don’t come to this place.”

“The more I think about it, the angrier I get! This place is functioning just like a factory! We are people, not machines!”

“An appearance that looks positive from the outside… depending on their reputation… thinking very highly of themselves… abnormal charges and fees… Very rude services… I’m really very disappointed in Rxfxxxx Hospital.”

Following Lai’s unhappy experience going viral, a representative from Raffles Medical Group confirmed that they were made aware of her complaints on her Instagram Stories and have reached out to the actress in private to find out more about the incident.

They said that they have addressed her concerns and believe that her Instagram stories have also been removed.

Responding to the situation as well, Lai’s management company LNX Global said that they are “so disappointed by the service standard at Raffles Hospital.”

They said that their doctor was allegedly “condescending and impatient throughout that medical checkup that took place 2 days ago, as if Vivian was imposing on her busy schedule and the service was provided for free.”

They said that the doctor had spoken to Lai in a dismissive manner and “insinuated that Vivian was ignorant when she had to repeat and explain some medical terms because Vivian didn’t quite understand.”

They added that they find the behaviour “unacceptable and intolerable” and that they hope Raffles Hospital will take disciplinary action against the doctor, as well as other doctors who are “impolite, inconsiderate and disrespectful towards patients.”

A 52-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday (21 March) for his suspected involvement in a number of thefts in the vicinity of Tiong Bahru, according to The Straits Times.

The Singapore Police Force said on Wednesday that they received several reports since January about delivered parcels and newspapers being stolen from outside the victims’ homes.

The alleged thief’s identity was established by officers from the Central Police Division through the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and images, and he was subsequently arrested on Tuesday.

The man was charged in court earlier today and police investigations are ongoing.

If convicted of theft in dwelling, the man faces a jail term of up to 9 years, as well as being fined.

Avoiding delivered parcels being stolen

In today’s age of online shopping, having parcels delivered to our doorstep has become a common occurrence. Unfortunately, it has also become an opportunity for thieves to steal these packages when we are not at home. However, there are several steps we can take to avoid having our delivered parcels stolen.

One of the easiest ways to avoid having your parcels stolen is to have them delivered to your workplace. Many employers allow their employees to receive personal deliveries, and this way, you can be sure that your packages will be received by someone you trust.

If you cannot have your packages delivered to your workplace, you can consider installing a smart lock or a secure parcel delivery box. These devices can be connected to your smartphone and allow you to remotely unlock the box or receive a notification when the box is opened. This ensures that your parcels are securely stored until you return home.

Another option is to have your packages delivered to a friend or family member who is always at home. You can arrange with them to receive your deliveries and pick them up at a convenient time.

Finally, you can opt for delivery to a nearby parcel locker or pick-up point, and it allows you to pick up your packages at a location that is convenient for you.

Image source: Unsplash (used for illustration purposes only)

52-year-old Maserati driver Wong Kim Punn, who ran over an elderly pedestrian in a hit-and-run accident and drove away, pleaded guilty last month to multiple charges under the Road Traffic Act.

He was also involved in another traffic accident back in 2019, where he drove along the junction of Ophir Road and Victoria Street in December that year and collided with a cyclist.

Wong, who used to run businesses including one named Fragrant Florist, was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment and fined $800 earlier today (23 March) and has also been disqualified from holding or obtaining all classes of driving licenses for 5 years from his date of release from prison.

What happened?

Wong was driving his Maserati along East Coast Road on 9 July 2020 at about 11 pm when he hit 85-year-old pedestrian Foo Kok Kam who was crossing the road slowly at the time.

His car was seen in footage obtained by the prosecution hitting the elderly man, sending the elderly victim flying into the air before landing on the road.

Chee Ee Ling, the Deputy Public Prosecutor, had previously said in earlier court proceedings that after running over the elderly victim, Wong slowed down his car for a while but didn’t stop and drove away from the scene without getting out to render assistance to the victim.

A police report was subsequently lodged by an eyewitness about Wong’s blue coloured car knocking down the elderly victim.

The Maserati was later seized and sent to the Health Sciences Authority, as well as the victim’s shorts, where investigators found materials from the victim’s shorts that could have come from the Maserati’s right fender and bonnet.

The victim suffered multiple fractures in his pelvic area, among other injuries, and was given hospitalisation leave of 43 days and bound to a wheelchair for more than 2 months.

A fire broke out in a family’s HDB flat and destroyed their belongings just a day before Ramadan, with the homeowner sharing photos of the aftermath of the fire on Facebook.

The homeowner shared that the fire broke out the day before (on 22 March) at about 2am in the morning, just before Ramadan.

She said that her husband and son are fine as she appealed for prayers for her family, as well as for donations from anyone keen to help.

She also shared photos of the damage caused by the fire, showing charred and blackened walls and ceilings, as well as ashes everywhere.

The fire was so intense that some parts of the bedroom walls even crumbled, with a charred cabinet that appeared to hold clothes standing rooted amidst the ashes.

The bedroom appeared to be the worst affected room, although the living room wasn’t spared – the fire had seemed to spread towards the living room with the walls also turning black from the burning.

The plastic window blinds also melted along with the ceiling fan’s blades, which drooped down among the backdrop of the blackened and burned ceiling.

She said in her Facebook post, “A day before Ramadan. My House caught fire at 2am this morning. My husband and son are fine. Please pray for the best for me and my family. If anyone would like to extend their help to us, you can paynow to *phone number redacted*. May God bless you with abundance.”

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that there were alerted to the fire yesterday morning at about 2.25 am, and it was put out using a water jet.

SCDF said that the fire involved the contents inside a bedroom in the affected unit, and they are investigating the cause of the fire.

About 50 people were evacuated with three people being assessed for minor injuries sustained in the fire, but otherwise refused conveyance to the hospital.

No casualties were reported in the fire.

Source: Facebook

If you’re planning to head to Johor Bahru in the upcoming weekend, get ready and stand by for heavy traffic and crowded roads.

The Star reported that there will be heavy traffic on the major roads and highways in Malaysia and especially Johor from 23 March to 26 March.

This is because this weekend is the start of Ramadan, as well as the birthday of the Johor Sultan which is today (23 March)

The state police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat, said that they will be deploying personnel and police officers from the various departments to help facilitate smooth travel for the cars and ease the congestion for motorists.

He said, “We expect people, especially Muslims, to travel back to their home towns to mark the first day of Ramadan with their loved ones.”

“Besides the traffic personnel, we will also be deploying personnel and officers from other departments and police stations to help ease congestion along major roads and highways during this period,”

Kamarul Zaman also added that police officers will be deployed at bazaars and on the roads as well during the fasting month.

The Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) also advised travellers from Singapore to look out for updates by then on the traffic conditions at the land checkpoints, with their latest post earlier today at 9.15 am stating that the heavy arrival traffic at Woodlands Checkpoint has subsided.

Johor observes a Friday to Saturday weekend, and their government has declared the upcoming Sunday )26 March) as a replacement holiday date.

Azmi Rohani, the state secretary of Johor, said that 23 March will be a public holiday, with the first day of Ramadan having always been a public holiday in Johor.

Azmi said, “If the beginning of Ramadan, which is also a public holiday for Johor, falls on the same date [as the Johor Sultan’s birthday], the state government has agreed to declare March 26 as a replacement holiday in accordance with Section Three of the Holidays Act.”