Connect with us

Singapore

Agitated cyclist interrupts Ng Kok Song’s walkabout in Clementi Central, shouting “Tan Kin Lian”

Clementi Central was thrown into chaos during presidential candidate Ng Kok Song’s walkabout as an aggressive cyclist barged into the crowd, shouting obscenities.

Published

1 year ago

on

SINGAPORE: A man on a bicycle twice charged into the crowd gathered around presidential candidate Ng Kok Song at Clementi Central on Tuesday, shouting obscenities and gesticulating menacingly.

“The incident occurred near Clementi Mall around 7 pm while Mr Ng was on a walkabout, just three days before the polling day of the Presidential Election 2023. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to a statement from the candidate’s team.

Mr Ng, at the time, was captured in photographs alongside his fiancée, Sybil Lau, and several members of the public.

He had wrapped up a media interview and had been addressing the residents for about half an hour when the agitated man, donning a red T-shirt, emerged near the mall’s fountains and charged into the throng.

Charles Ng, the younger sibling of the presidential hopeful, intervened, placing himself between his elder brother and the belligerent man, gesturing for him to leave and highlighting the disruption he was causing.

Ignoring the pleas, the intruder demanded that Mr Ng “go home” and hurled profanities. The situation led the campaign team to momentarily suspend the photo-taking activity.

Although the man momentarily retreated, he made a second appearance, forcing Mr Ng and his team to divert towards Clementi Mall in an attempt to steer clear of potential harm.

The crowd, most of whom were supporters of Mr Ng, pursued the intruder who, intriguingly, yelled out the name “Tan Kin Lian” several times before making his exit.

The police, notified of the incident, arrived approximately 15 minutes later. While Mr Ng’s team clarified that they had not lodged an official report, they acknowledged a concerned citizen who took the initiative.

Charles Ng, addressing the media as they awaited police, underscored the paramount importance of public safety. He elucidated that relocating Mr Ng was a measure to de-escalate the escalating tension.

While the evening’s schedule initially directed Mr Ng towards Clementi 448 Market and Food Centre post his media interaction, this plan was derailed by eager supporters yearning for photographs.

The incident took another twist when questions arose linking the aggressive cyclist to another presidential candidate, Tan Kin Lian. In a statement addressing the CNA’s inquiries, Mr Tan claimed ignorance of the man’s identity and hinted at the advisability of Mr Ng filing a police report.

Mr Tan’s campaign further emphasized that if the disruptor was indeed a supporter, his actions were independent and unendorsed.

Netizens on CNA’s YouTube video criticised the intruder’s action and asked why the police did not intervene. They expressed their belief that the intruder would have been arrested on the night itself.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

Published

7 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

By

A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

Continue Reading

Arts & Culture

Epigram Books to close SAM bookshop amid low sales and footfall

Epigram Books will shut down its bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum on 26 January 2025, citing low sales and foot traffic. The independent bookstore, known for supporting local authors, will continue to operate its online store, but its future in brick-and-mortar retail is uncertain.

Published

8 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

By

Epigram Books, a major supporter of Singaporean literature, will close its Epigram Coffee Bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) on 26 January 2025.

The decision comes after years of struggling with low sales and foot traffic at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark location, marking the end of the bookstore’s three-year lease.

The announcement on 19 September follows Times Bookstores’ closure of its final outlet in Holland Road, highlighting the growing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar bookstores in Singapore.

Edmund Wee, publisher at Epigram Books, expressed disappointment, stating: “We tried everything to make this work. Over the past three years, we’ve often asked ourselves, how many people even knew our bookstore existed here, let alone visited?”

Despite efforts to boost traffic, including operating shuttles to increase accessibility, the bookstore struggled to attract visitors consistently.

Epigram Coffee Bookshop, previously located at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre on Maxwell Road and later in a pop-up at Beach Road, relocated to SAM in May 2022 in partnership with Balestier Market Collective.

The 20-seater store featured towering shelves showcasing local and Southeast Asian titles, including books from other independent publishers like Ethos Books and Math Paper Press.

However, the location’s industrial setting, which only saw spikes in visitors during major exhibitions like Olafur Eliasson’s, limited consistent footfall.

The closure coincides with the end of Eliasson’s exhibit on 22 September 2024. Although the exhibition provided a temporary boost to the bookshop’s sales, Epigram noted that the increased traffic was short-lived.

Epigram’s future in physical retail remains uncertain. Mr Wee indicated that high rental costs make reopening a physical store unlikely: “Unless rent prices relent, it’s unlikely we’ll move into another space.”

Epigram Books has been a significant presence in Singapore’s independent book scene, promoting local authors and holding literary events.

The bookshop was also a community hub for the literary arts, hosting numerous book launches and events supporting local writers. “These spaces are special to our literary arts community. They’re where book lovers gather, where literary events and book launches happen in support of our writers,” said Mr Wee.

Despite the closure of the SAM store, Epigram will continue to operate its online store. The publisher emphasized the need for continued support from readers: “We’ve come this far with everyone’s support, and we look forward to continued support from our readers as we transition to focus on online sales.”

Continue Reading

Trending