ST, 12 Feb
Prostitution ring probed
Several public servants, including ex-principal, being questioned
By Leonard Lim
The police are investigating an online prostitution ring, with a former principal of a popular school among scores of men said to have been hauled up for questioning.
The principal, who is said to be 39 years old and married, resigned from the education service unexpectedly last December.
Several other public servants are also believed to be helping with the investigations. They are said to be from other government agencies.
A scholarship recipient is believed to be among them, Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao reported yesterday.
The Sunday Times understands that the investigation involves dozens of patrons.
Responding to media queries, a police spokesman would only confirm yesterday that they are investigating a suspected online vice operation as part of enforcement efforts to clamp down on vice syndicates.
'As investigations are ongoing, it is not appropriate to provide further details at this juncture,' he added.
The probe comes after another online prostitution ring operating out of a condominium unit in Bukit Panjang was busted by the police last December. Twenty-three suspects were arrested.
Criminal Investigation Department director Hoong Wee Teck had said then that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on vice activities conducted both online and 'offline' on the street.
'Those who think they can get away with such illicit activities under the guise of the Internet are mistaken,' he added.
The two cases, however, are not related, said the police yesterday, in response to queries from The Sunday Times.
The principal, who is said to live in a condominium in the eastern part of Singapore, could not be reached for comment yesterday. His cellphone was switched off.
But his sudden and unannounced departure from the school in December was a surprise and raised eyebrows, said sources.
His leaving was eventually attributed to 'personal reasons and family commitments', according to a message sent last month to parents of students in his former school.
The man is also known in sporting circles, and was an official with a national youth team.
'He's very hard-working and diligent, from what I saw of him at competitions,' said a sports official who has dealt with him for several years.
'He was also popular with the girls in the team under him, as he was quite responsible and took care of them.'
Reacting to news of the investigations, Mr Alvin Yeo, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Law, said it showed no one is above the law.
'Also, the Internet has changed the nature of crime, and increased its spread and reach,' added Mr Yeo, who is a senior counsel with WongPartnership.
'This also means we have to be increasingly vigilant of the Web being used as a vehicle to commit crime.'
Prostitution or hiring the services of a prostitute is not illegal here, but trafficking, soliciting and living off the earnings of a prostitute are offences.
The latest revelations come hot on the heels of another scandal involving two top civil servants, who are being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau for 'serious personal misconduct'.
Mr Peter Lim Sin Pang and Mr Ng Boon Gay, the former chiefs of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Central Narcotics Bureau, are believed to have had an unprofessional relationship with a woman IT executive.
That case is understood to revolve around the tender process of IT products.