Foreign talent's contributions to Singapore

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#68

British anti-masker faces six months in Singapore jail after he boarded a train without a face-covering​

• Benjamin Glynn, 39, was secretly filmed by a fellow commuter on train home
• Father-of-two doesn't wear a mask because he believes they offer no protection
• The Yorkshireman was arrested at his house after the clip went viral on Facebook
• Glynn says he is now stranded in Singapore and faces up to six months in prison

By ROSS IBBETSON FOR MAILONLINE
17 June 2021

A British ex-pat who refused to wear a face mask on the train home from work in Singapore is facing six months in jail after a fellow commuter filmed him and posted footage on Facebook.
Father-of-two Benjamin Glynn, 39, believes masks are pointless and fail to protect people from contracting Covid-19, so didn't wear one while taking the train home from work.
A fellow commuter secretly filmed him and put the clip on social media, prompting officers to arrest him hours later.
After 28 hours in a cell, the Yorkshireman was charged with a public nuisance offence. Mr Glynn claims officers said he faces up to six months behind bars, if found guilty.

Father-of-two Benjamin Glynn, 39, believes masks are pointless and fail to protect people from contracting Covid-19, so didn't wear one while taking the train home from work in Singapore

Glynn is a British expat originally from Helmsley, Yorkshire, who is now stuck in Singapore awaiting trial after Singapore police arrested him on May 8 for not wearing a mask on public transport the day before
Mr Glynn's passport was confiscated, meaning he couldn't return to the UK as planned with his partner and two children - aged five and two.
He also lost a new job he was due to start in the UK and fears he could have to spend as much as 12 months on bail before his trial.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is assisting him.
Mr Glynn said: 'I had no idea anyone had even been filming, but it turned out a video of me unmasked on the late train home from work surfaced online.
'The police obviously saw it and the next day they were at the door.
'I don't believe there is any evidence that masks protect you from Covid-19.
'Normally I would just tell people I'm exempt and it had never posed any issues before.
'But now I'm stuck here without my family and I don't even know when I will appear in court, never mind what my sentence will be.
'All for something I don't even believe in.'
Mr Glynn had been working for a Singapore branch of a British recruitment company since January 2017.
Weeks before he was due to return to the UK for a new job, he was filmed without a mask near Raffles Place, the financial district of Singapore, on May 7.
In Singapore it is mandatory to wear a mask when residents leave their homes, with very few exceptions.

Glynn also lost a new job he was due to start in the UK and fears he could have to spend as much as 12 months on bail before his trial
'I never normally wear a mask but this is the first time it has been an issue,' he said.
'I had no idea anyone had even been filming until the police were at the door - I've never even seen the video because it was removed before I had chance.'
Police knocked on his door on the evening of May 8 and arrested him while his family were asleep, he said.

Mr Glynn said he was told he was being charged with being a 'public nuisance', after he was spotted un-masked on a train the day before.
His arrest papers confirm the charge and set his bail bond at £270.
The anti-masker spent two days in a holding cell before being released the following Monday on bail.
He said officers warned him it could take 12 months for the case to come to trial, and he will face up to six months in jail if he is found guilty.

The Foreign Office said they were assisting Glynn
Mr Glynn, whose family returned to Leeds on May 31, said: 'This whole situation is ridiculous.
'I want to leave the country anyway - just let me go!
'I think it's insane that I am facing a trial at all, just for not wearing a mask.'
He is now out of work because he was due to transfer to a position back in the UK, which has now been revoked.
'It's a horrible situation to be in when I don't know when I can next see my family,' he said.
'Especially when I don't even believe masks stop the spread of the virus in the first place.
'I honestly believe it's a hoax - I don't feel there is any evidence to show mask-wearing is effective in any way.
'From a scientific basis, I think it's nonsense.
'But now all I can do is wait.'
A spokesperson for the Singapore Police said: 'As information related to police investigations are confidential in nature, we are unable to comment further on the case.'
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: 'We are assisting a British man who is awaiting trial in Singapore, and have been in contact with the local police about his case.'

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#69

Covid-19: Jail for PR who breached quarantine by leaving hotel room to meet wife for his birthday

By LOUISA TANG
Published JUNE 24, 2021

Bai Fan leaving the State Courts on May 27, 2021.

• Bai Fan, a permanent resident, had to serve a 14-day stay-home notice after transiting through Hong Kong
• His lawyer said he was “mentally unprepared” to do so, and wanted to celebrate his birthday
• He left his hotel room, a dedicated stay-home notice facility, to meet his wife twice
• They spent about five hours in the family car on the second occasion

SINGAPORE — When he arrived in Singapore from China, Bai Fan learned that he had to serve a 14-day stay-home notice as he had transited through Hong Kong, where Covid-19 cases were on the rise at the time.

Bai was then ordered to stay in his Fairmont Hotel room — a dedicated facility for those serving stay-home notices, in order to stem the spread of imported Covid-19 cases.

However, he left the following day to meet his wife to celebrate his birthday, crossing through publicly accessible areas of the hotel to do so.

The couple also had a long talk about their relationship in the family car before he returned to his room.

For his actions in September last year, the permanent resident and United States national was sentenced to seven days’ jail on Thursday (June 24).

The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to one charge under the Infectious Diseases (Covid-19 — Stay Orders) Regulations 2020. Another charge was taken into consideration for sentencing.

His wife is also a permanent resident but was not serving a stay-home notice, the authorities previously said.

WHAT HAPPENED

Bai arrived at Changi Airport Terminal 1 on Sept 19 last year from mainland China after spending 19 hours in transit in Hong Kong, the court heard.

He was then referred to the arrival duty office, as he wanted to serve his stay-home notice at home instead of at a dedicated facility.

An Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officer issued a stay-home notice to him, which stated that he was assessed to be at risk of having been exposed to Covid-19.

The officer also told him to stay in his room for the duration of the order — Sept 19 to Oct 3, including both dates — and that he could call the stay-home notice hotline if he needed any help.

When Bai arrived at the hotel along Bras Basah Road, hotel staff gave him a room key at the south tower of the building, which was dedicated to people serving their stay-home notice.

The staff also reminded him to stay in the room, and told him to read an information sheet that was prepared by the Singapore Tourism Board. The sheet contained reminders to remain in the room, not to leave even to buy food and essentials, and choose delivery options.

However, later that day, his wife picked him up from the hotel at around 7.45pm. They were together in the car in the vicinity until about 9.30pm.

Court documents did not reveal more details.

The next day, he spoke to his wife on the phone and told her to get a birthday cake for him, as it was his birthday that day.

At about 7.05pm, Bai managed to get past the doors, which were barricaded by furniture to prevent people from crossing from tower to tower, and entered the north tower.

He then took the lift to the hotel driveway and met his wife in the vicinity. She later drove them to a nearby basement car park where they had a long talk about their relationship.

They spent about five hours outside before she drove him back. He returned to his room after midnight.

LAWYER SAYS HE WAS ‘MENTALLY UNPREPARED’

In mitigation, Bai’s lawyer SS Dhillon argued that his client had been “mentally totally unprepared” to serve a stay-home notice. This was because those arriving in Singapore from mainland China did not have to serve one then.

“Had he known he had to serve it, he would not have taken the flight. His work situation did not allow him the luxury of a 14-day hotel stay,” Mr Dhillon said.

Nevertheless, District Judge Shaifuddin Saruwan told him that this was irrelevant. “Given the nature of the pandemic, it’s imperative, essential, critical that he comply strictly (with Covid-19 requirements). Everyone must comply strictly. That’s the point.”

Mr Dhillon also told the court that Bai had returned to Singapore to spend time with his family, and had worn a face mask at all times when out of the room.

For breaching Covid-19 laws, Bai could have been jailed for up to six months or fined up to S$10,000, or punished with both.

 

[blackmondy]

Sinkies just have to get used to it. Piss and poop have a fetish for these sexually deprived from rapist-land.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#70

3 months’ jail for man who drunkenly attacked ICA officers

By LOUISA TANG
Published JUNE 23, 2021

Robert Joel Trussell arriving at the State Courts on June 23, 2021.

• Robert Joel Trussell had spent a day at Lazarus Island
• When he returned, an ICA officer tried to stop him for a check but he ignored this
• He later pushed two officers and swung his arm at another
• One of the victims sustained a sprained wrist

SINGAPORE — After a day out with some friends and his wife on Lazarus Island off the southern coast of Singapore, Robert Joel Trussell attacked three officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on the mainland after they asked him to stop for inspection.

One of the officers suffered a wrist sprain after Trussell, who was drunk, pushed him to the ground.

On Wednesday (June 23), the 47-year-old American was jailed for three months after pleading guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant.

District Judge Tan Jen Tse considered two other similar charges, including using criminal force, in sentencing him.

The court heard that Trussell left the group in an intoxicated state to take a ferry back to Marina South Pier on Nov 1 last year. He got there at about 6.30pm.

READ ALSO
Foreigner jailed for breaking taxi driver’s nose after night out at Orchard Towers
He was directed to the manual customs clearance lane as he was not carrying any bags, but one of the ICA officers noticed a bulge in his shorts pocket and told him to stop.

However, Trussell ignored this and continued walking out of the clearance lane towards Marina South Pier MRT Station.

The officer tried to stop him, but Trussell swung his arm towards the other man and pushed another officer against a steel column.

The two officers then followed him to the MRT station, where a Kusu Island guide and a third ICA officer — Staff Sergeant Zuran Kamiso — noticed what was happening.

When Trussell got to the station entrance, he threw some pieces of paper to the ground in front of the others, then took the escalator down to the concourse level. They eventually caught up with him at the gantry gates.

As he was about to cross the gates, one of the officers pulled Trussell’s arm to stop him. He then pushed Staff Sergeant Zuran on the shoulders, causing the officer to fall.

The others then pinned Trussell to the ground. He struggled and remained uncooperative as he was handcuffed, the court heard.

Police officers arrived at the scene at about 7.20pm and placed him under arrest.

‘BRAZENLY AND REPEATEDLY’ IGNORED INSTRUCTIONS

In mitigation, Trussell’s lawyer, Mr Kevin Liew from law firm Gloria James-Civette & Co, told the court that he has written an apology letter to the victims and wishes to give it to them in person.

Trussell also lost his job during the investigation process and has not been able to leave Singapore, Mr Liew said.

He has been sleeping on his friend’s couch and “even resorted to sleeping outside a few times”.

Given his financial situation, his daughter had to stop schooling and he has not seen her since December 2019.

His wife also left Singapore in January this year and Trussell has not seen her in person since, the lawyer added.

“He has lost about 15kg to 20kg due to stress and lack of finances… (The offences are) uncharacteristic of Robert and he promises not to allow this to happen again,” Mr Liew told the court.

The judge told Trussell that he had “brazenly and repeatedly” ignored the officers’ instructions.

“In your favour, I take into account the factors raised by your counsel — your remorse, plea of guilt and clean record. However, these do not mitigate against the seriousness of your offences,” District Judge Tan added.

For causing hurt to a public servant, Trussell could have been jailed for up to seven years, as well as fined or caned.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#71

Jail for man who used others' particulars to cheat Temasek Foundation of masks worth $84​

Srinivasan Yuvaraj obtained the personal particulars of 7 colleagues to get the masks from a vending machine.

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Court Correspondent

Jun 25, 2021

SINGAPORE - A marine surveyor obtained the personal particulars of seven colleagues amid the Covid-19 outbreak and used the information to dupe Temasek Foundation into issuing seven face masks through a vending machine.
Temasek Foundation is the social and charity arm of Singapore investment company Temasek and the masks cost a total of $84.
Indian national Srinivasan Yuvaraj, 39, pleaded guilty on Friday (June 25) to a cheating charge and was sentenced to seven weeks' jail.
The court heard that Temasek Foundation had conducted the fourth round of its nationwide mask distribution exercise in March to provide Singapore residents with adequate access to the masks during the pandemic.
From March 1 to 14, residents could each collect one reusable mask by keying in their NRIC or FIN numbers at the machines installed at various places, including community centres, islandwide.
No further verification was needed and the masks would be issued only once per NRIC or FIN number.

Srinivasan had in his possession the name lists of his colleagues, along with their personal particulars.
He then randomly selected seven names and jotted down their particulars, including their NRIC and FIN numbers.
Without his colleagues' consent, he went to a mask vending machine at Chua Chu Kang Community Club on March 1 and unlawfully obtained seven masks worth $12 each.
Srinivasan's offences came to light after one of his colleagues tried but failed to redeem his face mask. The 53-year-old man lodged a police report on March 4.
Srinivasan later discarded the masks and has made no restitution.
For cheating, an offender can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#72

South Korean man fined $7k for making false SHN declaration on arrival at Changi Airport​

Ko Kyung Ho made a false declaration when applying to opt out of serving his stay-home notice at dedicated facilities.

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Court Correspondent

June 29, 2021

SINGAPORE - A South Korean man made a false declaration to the Singapore authorities after arriving at Changi Airport amid the Covid-19 outbreak last year.
Ko Kyung Ho, now 46, who had to serve a stay-home notice (SHN) from Nov 25 to Dec 9 last year after arriving from South Korea, pleaded guilty on Tuesday (June 29) to a charge under the Infectious Diseases Act.
He was fined $7,000.
A second charge under the same Act was considered during sentencing.
The Singapore permanent resident had made a false declaration in his application to opt out of serving his SHN at dedicated facilities.
On Nov 25 last year, he declared that he would be serving his SHN at home either alone or with household members with the same travel history.

Enforcement officers went to his home at the Charleston condominium in Shanghai Road, near River Valley Road, the next day and found three family members - his wife and two children - in the unit. The trio did not share his travel history.
In an earlier statement, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said nine house movers were also found in the apartment that day.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Lim told the court on Tuesday: "The movers were directed to cease work and they left the apartment. They were unaware that the accused was serving SHN during that period of time, and would not have taken on the assignment if they had known.
"The accused was subsequently escorted to dedicated transport to take him to InterContinental Hotel to serve out his SHN."

Since Aug 11 last year, all travellers serving their SHN outside dedicated facilities have had to wear an electronic monitoring device throughout their quarantine period.
The ICA had said that with this enhanced surveillance regime, the Government was able to adopt a more "risk-based approach" and allow travellers from selected countries or regions to opt out of serving their 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities.
They could, instead, serve it at a "suitable place of residence".
One of the criteria was that the traveller has to occupy his home alone or with only household members with the same travel history and who are serving SHNs of the same duration.
On Tuesday, defence lawyer Adrian Wee told the court that Ko is "very sorry".
Mr Wee also said his client had neither contracted nor transmitted Covid-19.
For each charge under the Act, a first-time offender can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.
A repeat offender can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $20,000.
Foreigners may face further administrative actions by the ICA and/or the Ministry of Manpower, such as having their work permits or passes revoked or the validity period shortened.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#73
MINDEF was right not to grant deferment to Ben Davis.
No roots in Singapore. Mercenary: switched citizenship to Thailand.

From Wikipedia:

National Service[edit]
As a Singaporean citizen, he would have been compulsorily enlisted into National service upon turning 18. His application to defer National Service to continue develop his professional career as a footballer was rejected as he "does not meet the criteria for long-term deferment from full-time NS".[21] His father sought to draw parallels to the deferment given to Joseph Schooling,[21] who used the opportunity to win Olympic medals and at other international swimming meets for Singapore.[22][23] Mindef commented that Davis' contract with Fulham is no different from other pre-enlistees' personal pursuits.[24] Despite being supported by the Football Association of Singapore,[25] a further appeal was denied as well, on the consideration that through actions by him and his father, Davis wanted the deferment to fulfill his own professional career with no intention to serve National Service.[26] Since 18 February 2019, Davis has been deemed as a National Service defaulter by MINDEF.[27][28][29]

MINDEF reasoned that Davis did not meet the criteria for long-term deferment from full-time NS due to it being a personal interest pursuit to further advance his professional career, and that it was unfair to any other Singaporean pre-enlistees who put their personal pursuits on hold to serve NS dutifully.[30] In a later statement, MINDEF added that the deferment rejection was also based on grounds that Davis' father "would not commit to a date" on when his son would return to Singapore to serve NS, coupled with subsequent remarks to the media that he would encourage his son to renounce his Singapore citizenship in order to pursue his career.[30]

In response to MINDEF's statement, Davis' father claimed that the family were unable to commit to a date for Davis to enlist as there was a possibility that he could be offered a new two-year contract in 2019, loaned to, or sold to another club. Davis' father also highlighted that he agreed that his son should serve national service, but could not commit to a date as the family "would like to give him the best opportunity to play at the highest possible professional level in the United Kingdom and Europe". This was in contradiction to MINDEF's deferment policy, which only allows for a defined period of deferment, after which sportsmen must return to fulfill their national service duties.[30]

On 11 January 2019, Davis had not appealed for deferment again. A month later on 18 February 2019, MINDEF released an official statement stating that Davis has committed offences under the Enlistment Act for failing to report for National Service and staying overseas without a valid exit permit. He is liable upon conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.[31][30]

Subsequently, on 18 February 2019, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) officially issued a press release that it is extremely disappointed with Benjamin Davis’ default of his NS obligations. They stated that it is thoroughly irresponsible on the part of Davis, and also reneges on his (and his father's) assurance to the FAS that Davis would discharge his NS commitments and play for the Singapore national team. Having lived in Singapore for many years, Davis had benefited from the resources used to educate and train him as a footballer over this period of time. He was invited to play for the Singapore national team, which he agreed. The FAS had supported Benjamin Davis’ application to defer NS on this basis. While the matter will now be dealt with by MINDEF, the FAS wished to state categorically that it do not condone such conduct nor did it ever arise in their discussions with Davis that he would seek to avoid his liability.[32]

In mid-2019, Ben Davis eventually chose Thailand after disputes over his attempts to defer and escape mandatory national service.[33] He also declared that he has no intention to return to Singapore despite being a citizen and spending his formative years there, or to fulfill his National Service obligations in the near future to develop his career and have no regrets doing so.[15]

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#74

Jail for two former Shell employees linked to case of stolen gas oil worth over $200m​

The two received at least $700,000 and about US$150,000 respectively through their participation in the conspiracy.

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Court Correspondent

Jul 5, 2021

SINGAPORE - Two former Shell Eastern Petroleum employees linked to a case involving more than 300,000 tonnes of stolen gas oil worth over $200 million - the largest ever amount for such a case in Singapore - were jailed on Monday (July 5).
Former authorised gas safety tester Muhammad Ashraf Hamzah, who along with other colleagues misappropriated 55,321 tonnes of gas oil worth nearly US$25 million (S$33 million) between 2014 and 2016, was sentenced to 9½ years' jail.
The 39-year-old Singaporean received at least $700,000 through his participation in the conspiracy.
In January, he pleaded guilty in a district court to nine counts of criminal breach of trust involving gas oil worth more than US$18 million.
Nine other similar charges linked to the remaining amount were taken into consideration during sentencing.
Ashraf also admitted to one count of laundering a portion of his ill-gotten gains when he bought a car, a Volvo, for about $200,000 in 2017.

His former colleague, Sadagopan Premnath, 40, who worked as "either a fieldman or panel operator", was sentenced on Monday to six years and eight months' jail.
In December last year, the Indian national admitted to his role in misappropriating gas oil worth about US$36.1 million between 2017 and 2018.
Sadagopan received about US$150,000 from his involvement in the scheme.
The cases involving other alleged offenders including Muzaffar Ali Khan Muhamad Akram,40, Juandi Pungot, 44, and Abdul Latif Ibrahim, 63, are pending.

The oil heist took place at Shell Pulau Bukom, the company's largest petrochemical production and export centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
The court heard that some time in 2007, Juandi and Abdul Latif started a conspiracy to misappropriate gas oil from Shell.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Stephanie Chew told the court that they began to conduct "illegal loadings for the Anic 1 bunker ship", a vessel owned by Sentek Marine & Trading.
"Juandi and Latif were able to continue undetected, as they would tamper with the bunker meter. Emboldened by their success, Juandi and Latif continued to expand their criminal enterprise," she said.
The court heard that between 2008 and mid-2013, the pair expanded their illegal loadings to many other bunker ships, and recruited other colleagues, including Ashraf who was roped in no later than 2010.
Ashraf left the syndicate in 2016.
The court was told that Juandi recruited Sadagopan into the syndicate in mid-2017.
The DPP said that Muzaffar was recruited between late 2007 and early 2008.
A Shell representative alerted the police in August 2017 after the company detected the loss of fuel.
Anyone convicted of criminal breach of trust can be jailed for up to 15 years and fined.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#75

13 months’ jail for fish farm worker who struck colleague with mallet for walking around nude

By LOUISA TANG
Published JULY 06, 2021

SINGAPORE — Upset with his co-worker for walking around the fish farm naked, Saw Paing Soe Thu struck the man on the forehead with a mallet, a stick with a hammer-like head that is used to kill fish.

The 35-year-old Myanmar national was on Tuesday (July 6) jailed for a year and one month. This was after he pleaded guilty to voluntarily causing hurt to Mr Aung Win Htut, who is also from Myanmar, with a dangerous weapon.

The court heard that both men worked at the farm, identified only as No. FC50W, which is situated out at sea near Lim Chu Kang.

The incident happened on April 9.

About a month or two before, Mr Aung Win Htut started walking about in the nude on the premises. Saw Paing Soe Thu told him not to do this but he persisted.

On the day of the incident, Saw Paing Soe Thu was cooking a meal when Mr Aung Win Htut walked over without clothes on after having a shower.


Deputy Public Prosecutor Bjorn Tan said that when Mr Aung Win Htut approached his co-worker from behind, Saw Paing Soe Thu felt uneasy and told him off for being naked.

After drinking half a bottle of rice wine, Saw Paing Soe Thu took a mallet from the storage area and approached Mr Aung Win Htut, who was on the phone.


He struck him once on the forehead.

Falling to the ground, Mr Aung Win Htut bled profusely. Court documents did not state if he was dressed at the time.

He did not retaliate and contacted the farm owner, who in turn called the Police Coast Guard at Lim Chu Kang Regional Base.

Workers from a nearby fish farm helped to ferry Mr Aung Win Htut to Lim Chu Kang jetty.

He was then taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital in Jurong East.

He suffered a deep cut on his forehead and a displaced frontal sinus bone fracture, and was discharged three days after the assault.

He was given about a month of hospitalisation leave.

Saw Paing Soe Thu was later found to have 48mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, which was more than the prescribed limit for driving is 80mg per 100ml of blood.

He could have been jailed for up to seven years, fined or caned, or received any combination of the three.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#76

Forklift operator jailed after running over co-worker’s legs, which had to be amputated

By LOUISA TANG
Published JULY 06, 2021

SINGAPORE — After failing to see a fellow worker cross his path at a worksite, Periyasamy Vivek could not apply the brakes on his heavily laden forklift in time, knocking the man down and running over his legs.

The victim sustained multiple fractures and eventually had to have his legs amputated above the knees. He was later fitted with prosthetics and can walk with mobility aids.

Periyasamy, a 34-year-old India national who was employed as a supervisor by marine and offshore engineering group Sempcorp Marine, was jailed for two weeks on Tuesday (July 6).

He pleaded guilty to one count of causing grievous hurt to Mr Sevugaperumal Balamurugan, a 36-year-old India national, by a negligent act on March 23 last year.

The victim worked for a subcontractor of Sembcorp Marine and operated a hydro jetting machine, while Periyasamy was a forklift operator. Both were working at a Sembcorp Marine worksite at 80 Tuas South Boulevard.

Periyasamy was tasked with shifting concrete blocks that each weighed 5,000kg.

After loading one such block and some wooden wedges onto the forklift, which obscured his frontal vision while he was in the driver’s seat, he moved in reverse while keeping a lookout.

However, he then went against safety protocol by moving forward when he realised that he would hit some paint cans if he reversed any further.


Periyasamy also knew that he had to keep a safe distance from others to ensure that the forklift could be brought to a safe stop at any time, taking into account its load, and he had to pay attention to his operating environment at all times.

Mr Sevugaperumal then walked across the open space of the dry dock on the way to the toilet. He had noticed Periyasamy moving slowly but picking up speed soon after.

Mr Sevugaperumal tried to take a step back but did not manage to avoid the forklift. The concrete block it was carrying collided into his left hip, causing him to fall.

Periyasamy applied the brakes but the forklift did not stop immediately due to its load. Its wheels ran over both of Mr Sevugaperumal’s legs before eventually coming to a stop.

The victim was taken to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital before being transferred to the National University Hospital (NUH) given his severe injuries.

He underwent surgery to amputate his legs and was hospitalised at NUH for 11 days.

In mitigation, Periyasamy — who did not have a lawyer — pleaded through an interpreter for a lighter sentence, saying that he was his family’s sole breadwinner and “facing significant debts”.

“I didn’t do it on purpose; I was only going forward a short distance. As much as the fault lies with me, the victim could have also stopped and not gone ahead.

“In any case I’m praying for a lighter sentence and, if possible, a fine so I can go back home as soon as possible,” he added.

He could have been jailed for up to two years or fined up to S$5,000, or punished with both.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#77

Jail, fine for man who verbally abused and assaulted bus driver who told him to wear mask properly​

Nadarajan Mariesusy pleaded guilty to one count each of harassment, assault and an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Court Correspondent

JUL 9, 2021

SINGAPORE - A bus passenger talking on his mobile phone with his mask down flew into a rage and hurled vulgarities at the driver who told him to wear it properly.
Nadarajan Mariesusy also hit Mr Sulaiman Junadi on his left shoulder before alighting.
The 40-year-old Malaysian pleaded guilty on Friday (July 9) to one count each of harassment, assault and an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.
He was sentenced to two weeks' jail and a fine of $4,000. He will spend an additional eight days behind bars if he is unable to pay the fine.
At 7.50pm on July 31 last year, Nadarajan boarded bus service 130 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 and was seen wearing his mask over only his chin while talking to his wife on the phone.
When Mr Sulaiman advised him to wear the mask properly, he complied before taking a seat at the back of the bus.

But the driver later saw Nadarajan with his mask down again.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Hidayat Amir told the court: "At or about 7.58pm, when the victim stopped the bus at a bus stop, he turned to the back of the bus to address the accused briefly and advised him to wear his mask properly again.
"The victim informed the accused that this was required under the laws of Singapore."
A minute later, while the bus was moving, Nadarajan walked towards Mr Sulaiman and abused him with vulgar language. He then assaulted the driver before alighting.
The DPP said Mr Sulaiman felt that he was no longer able to drive and informed the SBS operations office. One of his colleagues then alerted the police.
On Friday, Nadarajan, who did not have a lawyer, pleaded for leniency .
For assault, he could have been jailed for up to three years and fined up to $5,000.
For committing the offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act, he could have been jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

#78

#71

Foreign worker jailed for going to Changi Airport in bid to fly to India; later tested positive for Covid-19

By LOUISA TANG
Published JULY 12, 2021

Balachandran Parthiban leaving the State Courts on Nov 18, 2020.

• Balachandran Parthiban was told not to leave SGH while waiting for his Covid-19 swab test results
• He left anyway for the airport by bus and taxi, intending to buy a ticket to India
• He later tested positive for Covid-19
• Balachandran later disobeyed an order to stay within his dormitory and made a second attempt to buy a flight ticket

SINGAPORE — A 26-year-old foreign worker was sentenced to nine months’ jail on Monday (July 12) for trying to leave Singapore during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when he had been told to wait in hospital for the results of his swab test.

Balachandran Parthiban’s test came back positive for Covid-19 after he was picked up by the police at Changi Airport and escorted back to Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

The Indian national had taken public transport there, tried unsuccessfully to buy a ticket to India, and loitered at Terminal 1 for about four hours.

He later breached an isolation order and went to the airport again in another bid to fly back home.

After he pleaded guilty in May to one charge each of exposing others to the risk of Covid-19 and leaving an isolation area without permission, his pro bono lawyer Cory Wong asked for him to be remanded in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for psychiatric evaluation.

Following a nearly four-week stay in IMH, Balachandran was diagnosed with “adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct” around the time of his offences in May last year.

Dr Stephen Phang found that the “minor” mental disorder did not cause him to abdicate his capacity to assume mental responsibility for his actions.

He still retained the mental capacity to differentiate right from wrong and was not of unsound mind, the psychiatrist added.

Nevertheless, his subsequent psychiatric history showed that he later developed full-blown “schizophreniform psychosis, which was likely to have been reactive to, and precipitated by the ongoing stress of being held under conditions of security, together with his ongoing concerns about his family situation back in India”, Dr Phang’s medical report stated.

When in IMH, Balachandran reported hearing voices instructing him to commit suicide and which made it difficult for him to control his actions.

He is now on a reduced dosage of antipsychotic medication as he is clinically well, the psychiatrist added.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Norman Yew sought 10 months’ jail for Balachandran, while Mr Wong asked for six-and-a-half months’ jail.

In sentencing, District Judge Ronald Gwee took into consideration two other charges of exposing others to the risk of infection and of using insulting words towards a health officer.

For each charge of breaking Covid-19 laws, Balachandran could have been jailed for up to six months or fined up to S$10,000, or both.

WHAT HAPPENED

The court earlier heard that Balachandran was a resident of the Jurong Penjuru dormitory, which had been gazetted as an isolation area on April 18 last year to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

On the morning of May 23, he reported sick at his dormitory and complained of fever and sore throat.

He was then taken to SGH by ambulance to undergo a Covid-19 swab test at around 12.45pm.

About an hour later, he was transferred to the hospital’s "fever screening area" at SGH’s multi-story car park and repeatedly told to wait for his swab test results.

However, he left the car park at around 5.35pm without giving notice because he wanted to buy a flight ticket back to India at Changi Airport. He walked 2.1km before taking a public bus and taxi.

His swab test results later showed that he was a confirmed Covid-19 case.

At the airport, he tried to buy his flight ticket, but to no avail, and was later picked up by the police after they found him loitering at Terminal 1. They escorted him back to SGH.

Balachandran completed his period of isolation in the hospital on June 8 last year and was diagnosed to be no longer infectious. He went back to the dormitory, was ordered to serve another 14 days' leave of absence and was not allowed to leave the dorm.

But he again left for the airport on June 16. He wanted to leave Singapore because he knew that there were many dormitory residents who were infected, the court heard.

He took a taxi to the airport at around 5.50am that day with the intention of buying a flight ticket to India, but was again rejected.

After spending the night sleeping at the airport, he went to a relative’s home in Tampines the next day, and revealed that he had left his dormitory without permission.

The relative called and alerted Balachandran's supervisor, and the police arrived to escort him back to the dormitory at around noon that day.

 

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#79

$9k fine for restaurant owner who allowed 10 people to sit together behind closed doors​

Sun Wenqian also admitted to an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Court Correspondent

July 15, 2021

SINGAPORE - Amid the Covid-19 outbreak, a restaurant owner unlawfully supplied alcoholic drinks and allowed 10 people to sit at the same table in the wee hours last September.
At least six other people were sitting together at another table in the restaurant, which had its shutters closed, the court heard.
A maximum of five people were allowed to gather at the time.
Chinese national Sun Wenqian, now 39, was fined $9,000 on Thursday (July 15) after he admitted to supplying alcoholic drinks at the Sims Avenue restaurant, even though he was not licensed to do so.
The Singapore permanent resident also admitted to an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.
Around 11.45pm on Sept 19 last year, an unknown man called the police stating that there were many people inside the Mala Jiang Hu restaurant and they were not practising social distancing.



Senior Staff Sergeant Loi Jun Fengand two of his colleagues arrived at the eatery at around 2.15am the next day and found its shutters closed.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Phang said: "Loi and the accompanying officers then entered the restaurant to conduct a check and found two rooms within the restaurant with patrons inside, eating and drinking.
"The first room contained at least six patrons sitting together at a table and having a meal. The second room contained 10 patrons sitting together at a round table and having a meal, with four bottles of Heineken beer, and several glasses of beer, on the table."
The DPP said that Sun had instructed staff members to sell alcoholic drinks to customers even though he did not have the necessary licence.
On Thursday, the prosecutor urged the court to sentence him to a fine of $10,000, stressing that the breaches were concealed and were difficult to detect.
DPP Phang said: "Despite being the restaurant owner and bearing the responsibility to prevent such breaches, the accused failed to ensure that no more than five guests would gather at one time in each room."
First-time offenders who breach laws under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.
Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $20,000.

 

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#80

High Court dismisses appeal by couple convicted of assaulting domestic helper​

Farha Tehseen was sentenced to one year and nine months' jail, while her husband Mohammad Tasleem was given four months.

Dominic Low

July 15, 2021

SINGAPORE - A couple, who assaulted their domestic helper on multiple occasions over a two-month period before she escaped by climbing out of a window, had their appeal against conviction dismissed on Friday (July 16).
Farha Tehseen, 40, was sentenced to one year and nine months' jail last year, while her husband Mohammad Tasleem, 42, was given four months.
They were convicted of multiple charges of causing hurt to their helper, Ms Amandeep Kaur, aged 27 at the time of the offences in 2016, after a trial in the State Courts.
Farha was also found guilty of one count of criminal intimidation.
Farha and her husband are Singapore permanent residents, while Ms Kaur is an Indian national.
On Friday, High Court Justice Kannan Ramesh held that Ms Kaur's testimony during the trial corroborated with other evidence of her abuse, including medical reports.

He also said the couple's explanations about the injuries "fly in the face of the medical evidence", noting that the doctors who testified during the trial also did not accept their accounts.
The judge did not accept the couple's arguments - through their lawyer Rajwin Singh Sandhu - that, among other things, the trial judge wrongfully believed Ms Kaur's version of events and treated the inconsistencies in her testimony as immaterial.
Justice Ramesh noted the couple's intention to accept their sentences if their appeal was unsuccessful. He allowed Farha to defer her sentence until Nov 1 - when Tasleem is likely to have already been released from prison - so that at least one of them can take care of their two sons, one of whom is autistic.
Tasleem will start his jail term on July 19.

Ms Kaur worked for the couple between Nov 9 and Dec 31, 2016.
During the trial, she testified that Farha treated her "very badly" from the outset, beating her twice on her first day of work.
The housewife went on to assault her with objects, including a broom, a shower head, a rolling pin and a pair of tongs.
Tasleem physically abused Ms Kaur for the first time in mid-December 2016, as he felt that she was slow in preparing milk for his younger son, who was then two years old. He punched her right eye once.
He assaulted her again days later by kicking her waist twice. He did not say anything to her before or after he committed the offence.
On Dec 31 that year, Farha kicked Ms Kaur's lower back twice before she grabbed her hair and pulled her out of a room.
Ms Kaur was also punched once in her nose and it bled.
The court heard that Farha later hit her with a stick and slapped her multiple times.
She then told Ms Kaur to complete the household chores in five minutes, threatening to beat her and throw her out of the window if she failed to do so.
Soon after, the couple and their children left their fourth-floor flat in a Housing Board block in Rivervale Crescent, Sengkang, locking the front door.
Ms Kaur, who did not have the house keys, climbed out of a living room window and perched herself on a ledge.
A worker, who was doing some painting works in the estate, spotted her and used a gondola to rescue her.
Ms Kaur was placed in the care of the Good Shepherd Centre, which provides shelter for people such as abused women.

 

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#81

Company CEO jailed 2 weeks for assaulting taxi driver​

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Court Correspondent

July 21, 2021


SINGAPORE - The chief executive officer of a wholesale trading firm was on Wednesday (July 21) sentenced to two weeks' jail for assaulting a taxi driver whom he had accused of being racist.
Mohammad Alvee Rana, now 26, from R & J Union had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of voluntarily causing hurt.
According to the Singaporean who originally came from Bangladesh, the victim, Mr Rajadorai Doraisamy, had said that he was "uncivilised" and came "from a third world country".
The 58-year-old Singaporean cabby, however, denied making such statements.
Assistant Public Prosecutor Lydia Goh said that Alvee and his girlfriend had boarded Mr Rajadorai's taxi near Boat Quay at around 10pm on Oct 21, 2019.
Alvee then asked the driver to change the radio channel but the older man replied that he did not know how to do so.


They were on their way to Novotel Singapore On Stevens hotel when Alvee asked Mr Rajadorai to stop the taxi along the road as he needed to urinate.
APP Goh said: "Raja told the accused that he could not just stop the taxi as there were too many cars behind him.
"The accused then told Raja if he did not stop the taxi to let him urinate, he would urinate inside the taxi."
Mr Rajadorai stopped the taxi along Stevens Road and Alvee alighted.

The court heard that the cabby then asked the younger man's girlfriend where she came from and the woman replied that she came from Bangladesh.
Mr Rajadorai then said: "Oh, you are from Bangladesh."
The woman was offended by his comment and told Alvee about it. An argument ensued between the two men with Alvee accusing Mr Rajadorai of being racist.
The older man said that "it was not right to urinate along the side of the road" but he continued driving the couple to the hotel.
When he arrived at the hotel, two bellmen came forward and Alvee's girlfriend stepped out of the taxi.
Alvee argued with the cabby again before throwing the fare at the older man.
The younger man then alighted and walked away with the woman after abusing the cabby with vulgar language.
The court heard that Alvee returned soon after and shouted aggressively at Mr Rajadorai.
The APP said: "(The two bellmen) saw the accused leaning forward into the open front passenger window, thrusting his hand forward and pulling Raja by the collar of his shirt. (The bellmen) then quickly intervened and separated the parties."
Mr Rajadorai alerted the police before going to Alexandra Hospital where he was found with injuries including a strained neck.
Alvee has since made $110 in compensation to him for his medical fees.
Defence lawyer S. S. Dhillon told the court in his mitigation plea that his client's offence was due to a "knee jerk reaction and a momentary lapse of judgement".
The lawyer from Dhillon & Panoo added: "Our client wished he had exercised extreme prudence and reign in his temper and not acted hastily."
For voluntarily causing hurt, an offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000.

 

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#82

Man allegedly cheated companies of over $4m, conspired to dupe them of another $400k​

Dominic Low

July 22, 2021

SINGAPORE - A 46-year-old man allegedly duped two companies into paying a total of more than $4 million to two other firms - one of which he was a partner.
Hussain Naina Mohamed is also accused of conspiring with the director of a fifth company to trick the victim companies into paying more than $400,000 to it.
Hussain and the director, 66-year-old Eldo Thottungal Mathai, were each charged with six counts of conspiring to cheat on Thursday (July 22). Both men are Indian nationals and Singapore permanent residents.
Hussain faces another 20 charges - 18 of cheating and two of money laundering.
He was an assistant shipping manager of engineering firm Utracon Structural Systems at the time of the alleged offences between June 24, 2009 and Jan 2, 2019.
Hussain allegedly concealed that he was the registered partner of Al Rahman Enterprises and Trading, when recommending to Utracon Structural Systems and another related firm, Utracon Overseas, that freight-forwarding and marine insurance jobs be awarded to his company.

He is said to have concealed that his father was the sole proprietor of another company, SM Enterprises, when recommending that Utracon purchase plastic components from it.
His alleged actions resulted in the victim companies paying approximately a total of $4.3 million over the years to Al Rahman and SM Enterprises, according to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
An online search shows that both Al Rahman and SM Enterprises have ceased business operations.
Hussain and Eldo are also said to have conspired to dupe the victim companies into paying about $417,000 to ship charter company Indus Global Line between Oct 14, 2011 and April 5, 2018. Eldo was the director of Indus Global Line at that time.
They allegedly concealed that a portion of the price stated in job quotations submitted by Indus Global Line would be paid to Hussain, if the company was successfully awarded the jobs.
Hussain is accused of remitting about $142,000 of his alleged ill-gotten gains to India between May 2014 and November 2017.
He also purportedly used $125,000 of his alleged criminal proceeds for the purchase of a Housing Board flat on May 22, 2018.
Eldo's case will be next heard on Aug 19, while Hussain is expected to plead guilty to his offences on Sept 16.
For each cheating offence they are convicted of, they can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.
Hussain can also be jailed for up to seven years, fined up to $500,000, or both, for each offence of money laundering if he is guilty.

 

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#83

Man gets jail for negligently throwing cigarette butt inside police headquarters, sparking fire​

Screengrab from Google Street View of Ang Mo Kio Division Headquarters.
By Lydia Lam@LydiaLamCNA
22 Jul 2021

SINGAPORE: An air-conditioner repairman was sentenced to 10 days' jail on Thursday (Jul 22) for negligently causing a fire at a police divisional headquarters by throwing a cigarette butt into a rubbish-filled area.

The fire damaged the wall, ceiling, flooring and air-conditioning fittings, costing more than S$5310 to repair.

Indian national Ganesan Shanmugam, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of negligently causing a fire by throwing a cigarette butt that was not extinguished.
The court heard that Shanmugam was assigned to perform night shift maintenance work at Ang Mo Kio Police Division Headquarters with a colleague.
While he was at the ground level beside the main switch room, he felt an urge to smoke. It was not convenient for him to head outside to smoke, as it was raining heavily, so he decided to smoke outside the main switch room, said the prosecutor.
At about 11.45pm, he finished smoking and threw the cigarette butt into a nearby area that was littered with rubbish including discarded cardboard boxes.

He thought the cigarette butt had been extinguished and did not check if it was.
Shanmugam went with his colleague to rest at a nearby storeroom but about 20 minutes later, his colleague realised there was a fire nearby.
They returned to the area where Shanmugam had been smoking and saw the flames. The pair took fire extinguishers and put the fire out before cleaning the area.
A police officer on duty smelt something burning, and both police and firefighters soon arrived at the location. The cause of the fire was traced to Shanmugam, who did not dispute that he threw the cigarette butt.

As a result of the fire, the wall, ceiling, floor and air-conditioning fittings were damaged. It cost S$5313.17 to repair the damage, which was borne by company ST Synthesis, a services arm of ST Engineering.
The prosecutor sought two to three weeks' jail, noting Shanmugam's remorse.
Shanmugam, who had no lawyer and appeared visibly nervous, told the judge that his monthly salary was only S$800 and that he was unsure if he could afford any fine.
He said he suffered from neck pain due to having to continually look up to repair air-conditioning systems and said he had undergone a lot of stress due to the incident.
He said through an interpreter that it might be better for him to return home and that he did not intentionally cause the fire, but did so through a negligent act that he acknowledged and was remorseful about.
The judge granted his request to defer the jail term, which Shanmugam will begin serving on Monday.
For negligently causing fire, he could have been jailed up to 18 months and fined.

 

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#84

Work pass holders get jail for submitting false degree qualifications

Manav Bharti University campus. (Photo: Facebook / Manav Bharti University)

By Chew Hui Min

27 Jul 2021


SINGAPORE: Two Indian nationals have been jailed for submitting false qualifications to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in their work pass applications, the ministry said on Tuesday (Jul 27).

Bailwal Sunil Dutt was sentenced to one week's jail while Sutradhar Bijoy got a sentence of four weeks on Tuesday.

Their work passes have been revoked and they are now permanently barred from working in Singapore, said MOM.

In addition, MOM has charged one other work pass holder, Bhandare Raghavendra, also an Indian national, for the same offence.

From February, MOM conducted investigations into 23 foreigners who had declared qualifications from Manav Bharti University (MBU) in their work pass applications.

MOM said that among the remaining individuals, 19 will be permanently barred from future employment in Singapore while further investigation is ongoing for one person.

The probe in Singapore began after MOM was alerted that the Indian Government was investigating MBU for selling fake degrees. MBU is an accredited institution that was set up by the Indian Government in 2009 and had issued genuine degrees, said MOM.

The two who were convicted were employed as a cook and an assistant warehouse manager in Singapore.

THE TWO CONVICTED

Dutt applied for an S Pass in December 2020 to be employed by the restaurant Al Capone’s as a cook. In his application, he stated that he had a bachelor’s degree in arts from MBU.

Bijoy made a similar declaration in his application in 2015 for an S Pass to be employed by Lye M S Trading as an assistant warehouse manager.

According to court documents, Dutt was initially enrolled in Hemwati Nandan Bhaguna University in 2010 but dropped out due to financial difficulties.

Later, an acquaintance who was said to be a staff member in MBU told him that he could obtain a degree qualification from MBU by simply paying a certain sum of money without needing to attend classes.

Between 2011 and 2013, he paid 3,000 rupees (about S$55) every six months to the acquaintance who would pay MBU on Dutt’s behalf. He was given a degree certificate sometime in 2013, accompanied by various academic transcripts.

Bijoy was told that if he wanted a higher salary in Singapore, he would need a degree qualification. Through an agent, he obtained a forged MBU degree certificate for 40,000 rupees (about S$730).

Sometime in late 2014, Bijoy received a degree certificate dated Sep 28, 2008 along with academic transcripts showing that he had attended MBU between 2006 and 2008.

He then applied for the job in Singapore with the fake qualifications. Late last year, he made the false declaration again in a renewal application for his job as an assistant warehouse manager.

He was paid monthly salaries of between S$2,600 and S$3,000 while working in Singapore.

8 FOREIGNERS PROSECUTED A YEAR

MOM said it will continue to take firm measures to safeguard the integrity of the work pass framework.

False declarations of any sort is an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. The offence carries a fine of up to S$20,000, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both.

Offenders will also have their work passes revoked and be permanently barred from employment in Singapore.

In the last five years, MOM detected and permanently barred an average of 660 foreigners per year from employment in Singapore for submitting fake education qualifications in their work pass applications. Over the same period, an average of eight foreigners per year were prosecuted for such offences.

MOM said that employers have the primary responsibility to ensure the authenticity and quality of the academic qualifications of the candidates they wish to hire.

"While the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducts risk-based checks on qualifications submitted for work pass applications, it is difficult to detect institutions such as Manav Bharti University which are approved by the foreign government’s authorities and issuing genuine degrees while selling fakes," a spokesperson said.

"Nevertheless, MOM regularly reviews and strengthens measures to maintain the integrity of our work pass framework. Firm action will be taken against individuals who attempt to circumvent the system."

As an additional safeguard, MOM also screens qualifications submitted in support of work pass applications through a database of institutions.

People submitting work pass applications that are of a higher risk, such as those supported by qualifications from institutions not found in the database or are picked up by data analytics, are required to provide verification proof from a third-party screening organisation.

When MOM detects a false qualification, it rejects the application and permanently bars the foreigner from employment in Singapore.

MOM said it is reviewing its list of approved verification service providers and the need for more employers to submit verification proof of qualifications in support of work pass applications.

 

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#85

Jail for worker who injured another while driving forklift, then submitted fake training certificate​

Dominic Low

Jul 28, 2021

SINGAPORE - A 35-year-old worker drove a forklift at a high speed, causing an accident and seriously injuring another man.
It turned out that Mamun AL was not trained in operating a forklift. After the accident, he submitted a forged certificate stating that he was qualified to do so.
The Bangladeshi national was jailed for 45 weeks after pleading guilty to one count each of recklessly doing an act which endangered the safety of others, and of using a forged certificate. He was sentenced on Wednesday (July 28).
Mamun was employed by QFC Construction when the accident occurred on Jan 18, 2018.
The company was then carrying out addition and alteration works to a building at 11 Tuas Avenue 10. Mamun was appointed as a safety supervisor at the worksite.
The victim, Mr Chia Kok Kheong, had driven a lorry with sanitary materials to the worksite. He was employed by another company as a delivery driver.

Intending to unload the materials on the lorry, Mamun raised the mast of the forklift he was operating and drove towards the lorry's right side, where Mr Chia was standing.
But the worker could not see the victim because of the forklift's raised mast.
And he was unable to stop in time when he eventually spotted Mr Chia as he was driving too fast.
The forklift hit Mr Chia and pinned him against the lorry's side.
The court head that the victim suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his ribs and pelvis.
Investigations revealed that Mamun had not attended any training to operate a forklift. He had instead obtained a forged certificate, stating that he had undergone such training by a company named Quality Safe Academicin November 2017.
Mamun submitted the forged certificate to his employer after the company received a request for his training records from the officer investigating the accident.
During an interview with the investigating officer on April 11, 2018, he initially maintained that he had legitimately obtained the document.
But he later admitted to buying the forged certificate after he was told that Quality Safe Academic had confirmed it had never conducted such training.
For a reckless act which endangered the safety of others, Mamun could have been jailed for up to two years, or fined up to $200,000, or both.
He could also have been jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $5,000, or both, for using a forged certificate.

 

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#86

12 healthcare firms in S'pore accused of abetting foreign doctor who did not have valid work pass​

The firms allegedly committed the offences over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019.PHOTO: ST FILE

Shaffiq Alkhatib
Court Correspondent

July 29, 2021

SINGAPORE - Twelve healthcare firms have been charged with abetting a self-employed foreign doctor by engaging him at their clinics when he did not have a valid work pass.
Representatives for the firms appeared in a district court on Thursday (July 29) to receive the charges for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
The firms are Avermed, CMI Health Services, CMI Lifemed, Health 2.0, Healthway Medical Group, Ihealth, Silver Cross Healthcare, Prohealth Medical Group @ LRT Fernvale, My Family Clinic (Hougang Central), My Family Clinic (RV), My Family Clinic (TH) and Pacific Family Clinic.
They allegedly committed the offences over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019.
A Dr Queck Kian Kheng is named in all the charges.
In an online search for registered healthcare professionals in Singapore, The Straits Times found a doctor with the same name specialising in neurology.

This Dr Queck graduated from a Malaysian university but is not on the Register of Family Physicians here. He has a practice at the KK Queck Neurology Centre at Mount Alvernia Hospital's Medical Centre A in Thomson Road.
It could not be confirmed if this Dr Queck is the doctor named in the charges.
My Family Clinic (Hougang Central) was handed the most number of charges - eight. It is accused of abetting Dr Queck by engaging him at its clinic at Block 804 Hougang Central without a valid work pass on multiple occasions between December 2011 and May 2019.
The other 11 firms each faces between two and six charges. Their clinics are located across the island, including Woodlands, Clementi and Bedok.
The court heard on Thursday that Prohealth Medical Group @ LRT Fernvale and Pacific Family Clinic intend to plead guilty to their charges on Sept 9.
The cases involving the other 10 firms have been adjourned to Aug 26.
For each charge under the Act, an offender can be fined up to $20,000.