Suspected perverts at Jalan Besar Swimming Complex
by Shim Min Daily News
31 May 2012 6:30 PM | Updated 6:40 PM
Two middle-age men have been caught in a dispute, accusing each other of molesting children and women at Jalan Besar Swimming Complex.
One of them, a 50 year-old man who is only known as Mr Hong, claimed that he saw a man grabbing and kissing children in the pool. According to him, that was not the first time he witnessed such incidences by this man.
When approached, the 62 year-old accused, known only as Mr Tan, refuted the accusation by saying that he was playing innocently with the children. He explained that he was only teaching the kids how to swim and that it was inevitable that he touched their bodies in the process. “I like to play hide-and-seek with my students in the pool. This is how I sayang them. How can this be considered molesting?” he asks.
Mr Tan went on to counter the allegation by claiming that Mr Hong himself was guilty of molestation—and had been intentionally touching the breasts of female swimmers as he swam alongside them.
Last month, Mr Tan filed a police report saying a man (presumably, Mr Hong) had maligned him at the swimming complex. According to Mr Tan’s account of the incident, a man suddenly accused him of molesting girls at the pool in the evening of 16 April. He said the man poked him in the face and tried to initiate a fight with his (Mr Tan’s) friend. Mr Tan called the police immediately, but the man left before the police arrived.
The police have confirmed that they have received this report. A few months ago, parents had also complained to the lifeguard at the complex that a middle-aged man had been touching their children. However, no further details were provided and the lifeguard could not follow up on the incident.
When contacted, the Singapore Sports Council said that it has not received any official complaints about molesters at the Jalan Besar Swimming Complex. The spokesperson of the Council added that they view this very seriously and urge any witnesses to inform their staff immediately so they can take action against the culprits.
Source: Shin Min Daily News, 30 May 2012.
