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Boon Keng New Taste at Havelock Road has been temporarily suspended for two weeks from Apr. 23 to May 6, 2024, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) announced.
The suspension under the Points Demerit System was the result of the licensee of the eatery accumulating 12 demerit points over a 12-month period. Boon Keng New Taste was fined a total of S$800 for two offences that incurred 12 demerit points in total. Both of the offences were the failure to keep the licensed premises free of infestation. Each offence incurred six demerit points. Risk getting licence cancelled SFA said that based on track records, a licensee who accumulates 12 or more demerit points during a 12-month period may have his licence suspended for a period of either two or four weeks, or cancelled. Rehabilitative action All food handlers working in the suspended premises would also be required to re-attend and pass the Food Safety Course Level 1, before they can resume work as food handlers. The licensee is also required to ensure that all food hygiene officers working in the suspended premises, if any, re-attend and pass the Food Safety Course Level 3. SFA said it takes a serious view of these offences and would like to remind food operators to observe good food and personal hygiene practices at all times, and to engage only registered food handlers. SFA added it will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health Act. In the interest of maintaining a high standard of food hygiene at all eating establishments, SFA is advising members of the public who come across poor hygiene practices in food establishments not to patronise such outlets and provide feedback via the online feedback form (https://www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback) or to call our SFA Contact Centre at 68052871 with details for our follow-up investigations. A 69-year-old cyclist was taken to hospital following an accident with an SBS Transit bus in Bedok on Apr. 25.
The woman, who rode a Power-Assisted Bicycle (PAB), was sent to the hospital conscious. The accident occurred at the junction of Bedok North Avenue 3 and Bedok North Street 2. A photo of the PAB lying on the road in front of the bus was posted on Facebook, along with a question about whether it would have been safer to cycle on the pedestrian walkway. The photo shows signage indicating a "shared track" along Bedok Avenue 3. As some commenters pointed out, the use of PABs, or e-bikes, is allowed on roads, cycling paths, and park connectors, but not on footpaths. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) told reporters they were alerted to the accident at about 5:40pm, and that police investigations are ongoing. The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the woman was sent to Changi General Hospital in a conscious state. Cyclist was making right turn SBS Transit spokeswoman Grace Wu said the accident involved bus service 222. She said the cyclist was making a right turn at the junction when the accident happened. No one on the bus was injured, said Wu, adding that the bus driver attended to the cyclist before she was taken to hospital. She said SBS Transit is investigating the cause of the accident. The transport company is also trying to contact the cyclist to provide help. SINGAPORE - A director-general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) pleaded guilty on April 26 to giving false information to a public servant.
Gilbert Oh Hin Kwan, 45, admitted that he had lied to then MFA deputy secretary (management), Mr Ong Eng Chuan on Jan 19, 2023. Oh’s two cheating charges involving the use of the diplomatic bag service will be considered during sentencing. A diplomatic bag is used for sending official correspondence and items to and from the ministry and its overseas offices, such as embassies or consulates. It is sealed and protected by diplomatic immunity and cannot be opened, searched or seized by Customs officials. Oh’s troubles with the law started when he wanted to do a personal favour for a female friend, who is a Chinese national, by helping her send her watches from China to Singapore. The prosecution said that the friend, identified in court documents as Ms Jiang Si, was not a diplomat. On Jan 12, 2023, Oh contacted his colleague, Mr Dion Loke Cheng Wang, who was then attached to the Singapore embassy in Beijing, and lied to the latter, claiming that the parents of his friend – a Chinese diplomat – wanted to have “something in a package” delivered to Oh in Singapore. Oh asked for Mr Loke’s help to send it from Beijing to Singapore via the diplomatic bag service and Mr Loke agreed to the request. Oh also provided Mr Loke’s residential address in Beijing to Ms Jiang and she arranged for a sealed package to be delivered to Mr Loke. It contained 21 luxury watches, a ring, and about seven children’s books, which belonged to Ms Jiang and her partner, one Liu Liang. The prosecution did not disclose the total value of the items. At the time, Oh was not aware of the number of watches or the exact contents of the package. Deputy Public Prosecutor Tan Pei Wei told the court: “Dion did not arrange to have the package dispatched to Singapore in the diplomatic bag service as it was suspended at the time. “On Jan 17, 2023, Dion took a flight from China to Singapore. He carried the sealed package in his personal luggage.” The offences came to light when officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority stopped Mr Loke for a bag screening shorty before midnight and the package was found. “Dion told the officers that he had not known what the package contained (and that) he had received it from a Chinese diplomat and was carrying it back for (Oh),” said DPP Tan. The matter was then referred to the Singapore Police Force and Mr Loke was interviewed at the scene. He was released at around 4am. MFA was alerted and in the morning on Jan 19, 2023. Mr Ong told Oh to provide a written account of the circumstances that led to Mr Loke bringing the package and watches into Singapore. Oh became concerned about disciplinary action being taken against him as it may impact his career progression. He decided to tell MFA that the watches belonged to his father as he believed that the ministry was more likely to be lenient with this. He then spoke to his father about this incident. Oh told his father that he intended to tell MFA that the watches belonged to the latter, and that the older man was the one who had asked for help to have them brought to Singapore. In an e-mail to Mr Ong at around 6.30pm that day, Oh lied that the watches belonged to his father; and that his father had requested that Oh assist him in bringing these watches here. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) also started an investigation into the case on Jan 19, 2023 and Oh initially stuck to his lies in his first statement to it. He revealed the truth in his second statement to the CPIB shortly before 10.30am the following day. DPP Tan had urged the court to sentence Oh to a fine of between $6,000 and $9,000, adding that his lies did not appear to have wasted investigative resources since he came clean to the CPIB within 24 hours. In an earlier statement, MFA said that Oh has been on no-pay leave while investigations are ongoing. It did not specify when investigations began. Oh is represented by lawyers Shashi Nathan and Harjeet Kaur from Withers KhattarWong who asked for their client to be given a fine of less than $5,000. “This is our client’s first oversight in over 17 years of his illustrious career with MFA,” they stated in court documents. “His intentions... were purely to help a friend in need. He had no ill-intentions or personal benefit to gain.” On April 26, Mr Nathan said that his client offered his resignation on April 25 and the matter is still pending. Oh is expected to be sentenced on May 20. SINGAPORE – Chinese national Zhang Ruijin, one of the 10 foreigners arrested in Singapore’s largest money laundering case involving more than $3 billion, was handed five more charges on April 26.
Zhang’s defence team confirmed that the April 30 date for him to plead guilty still stands. The 45-year-old, who appeared in court via video link, faces a new charge involving the alleged use of a forged document to cheat Standard Chartered Bank. The other four new charges stated that Zhang allegedly possessed HK$208 million ($36 million), which represented benefits of criminal conduct. In August 2023, he was handed three charges involving forged documents to cheat CIMB Bank. The fake documents include two sale agreements for properties in Macau and a loan agreement. In total, he faces eight charges. Zhang, who has been in custody for more than eight months, was arrested with his lover Lin Baoying, 44, in a bungalow on Pearl Island in Sentosa Cove on Aug 15, 2023. Zhang and Lin have known each other for more than a decade, and their combined assets in Singapore are worth about $325 million, according to affidavits by investigating officers. The pair were denied bail in October 2023 as they were flight risks and each held multiple passports. Zhang failed in his second attempt to secure bail in December. Of the 10 foreigners involved in this money laundering case, three have been convicted and sentenced. On April 2, Cambodian national Su Wenqiang, 32, who had 11 charges in total, was sentenced to 13 months’ jail after pleading guilty to two counts of money laundering. He was the first in the group to plead guilty. On April 4, Cypriot national Su Haijin, 41, was sentenced to 14 months’ jail after pleading guilty to one count of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges. On April 16, Chinese national Wang Baosen, 32, was sentenced to 13 months’ jail after he pleaded guilty to two charges of money laundering. Cambodian national Su Baolin, 42, who faces 13 charges, is expected to plead guilty on April 29. Meanwhile, Vang Shuiming, 43, who is listed as a Turkish national in court documents, is set to plead guilty on May 14. He faces 22 charges in total. SINGAPORE - Four men were arrested, and a total of 2,952 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized by Singapore Customs officers in an operation in Sungei Kadut on April 23.
In a statement on April 26, the Singapore Customs said the goods and services tax (GST) evaded amount to around $319,914. During the operation, the officers saw a Malaysian-registered prime mover towing a fuel bowser enter an industrial unit in Sungei Kadut Street 1, with the driver subsequently leaving the unit. They then saw two men moving black trash bags from the fuel bowser to a van that was parked next to it. Officers then discovered 2,952 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes inside the bags, said Singapore Customs. The two men, both Singaporeans aged 23 and 29, were arrested. The 39-year-old Malaysian prime mover driver and another 23-year-old Singaporean who was engaged to keep lookout were also arrested by officers. Subsequent investigations showed that the driver had driven the prime mover with the fuel bowser from Malaysia, said Singapore Customs. The two men who moved the cigarettes to the van from the bowser were allegedly engaged by another unknown person via a social messaging platform. The duty-unpaid cigarettes, van, prime mover and bowser were seized by the Singapore Customs. The authority warned that buying, selling, possessing or delivering duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under Singapore law. Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, or jailed for up to six years, or both. Vehicles used in illegal activities can also be forfeited. Those with information on smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST can inform Singapore Customs at https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence Peach Garden at Thomson Plaza has been suspended after 43 people fell ill with gastroenteritis symptoms.
"Two were hospitalised and are in stable condition," the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a media release on Apr. 24. Those who were affected consumed food prepared by the Chinese restaurant between Apr. 17 and 18. The authorities are investigating eight incidents of gastroenteritis. The operations at the Thomson Plaza outlet has been suspended since Apr. 22 until further notice, in view of the "suspected ongoing transmission". Peach Garden operates six outlets in Singapore that includes fine dining and casual dining concepts. Customers share experience Some of those affected told reporters about their experiences. They said the food served at the buffet was cold when they were there. One customer, in his 30s, who visited the outlet with friends for dinner on Apr. 18, said "about 80 per cent of the food was served cold". All eight persons in his group subsequently fell ill, he claimed. For another customer, Angelia, 25, she had dinner there with her family on the same day to celebrate her father's birthday. It was also their first time at the Thomson Plaza outlet. She said the food at their buffet tasted normal, but some tasted "cold" and "hard" More than half of the group had food poisoning, she claimed, including her nine-year old niece and her 60-year-old father. In an email sent to customers that was seen by reporters, Peach Garden said it would be "conducting an internal investigation". The email requested customers to send in their medical bills and doctor's memo to "aid in the investigation". "The health and satisfaction of our customers are of utmost importance to us. Please be assured that we take this matter seriously and are committed to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and customer satisfaction," the email read. Reporters has reached out to Peach Garden for comment. Suspended until further notice "SFA will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone found to be in violation of the Environmental Public Health Act," the agency said. The statement added that the licensee is required to clean and sanitise the premises, including equipment and utensils, and dispose of all ready-to-eat food and perishable food items, SFA and MOH said. All food handlers working at the Thomson Plaza outlet are also required to re-attend and pass the Food Safety Course Level 1 and test negative for foodborne pathogens before they can resume work. The appointed food hygiene officer working at the restaurant must re-attend and pass the Food Safety Course Level 3 before resuming his or her role. Meanwhile, members of the public concerned about food safety practices by food operators are advised not to patronise such outlets but to report to SFA via the online feedback form (www.sfa.gov.sg/feedback). A total of 20 motorists, aged 28 to 51 years, will be charged in court on Apr. 25, 2024 for drink driving offences.
Failed breathalyser tests The motorists were arrested between January and March 2024 when they failed the breathalyser tests during routine police checks. One of the motorists will face an additional charge for another traffic offence. Fell asleep at wheel For the case involving the additional charge, a 51-year-old man had allegedly left his car in a stationary position in the yellow box, at the junction of Bedok North Avenue 1 and Bedok North Road 1 on Mar. 12, inconveniencing and endangering other road users. Investigations revealed that the man had driven his car after allegedly consuming alcohol, and fell asleep behind the wheel. He will be charged for drink driving and leaving a vehicle in a manner causing undue inconvenience to others under the Road Traffic Act. Penalties The offence of driving while under the influence of alcohol under carries a fine of not less than S$2,000 and not more than S$10,000, or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine of not less than S$5,000 and not more than S$20,000, and a jail term up to two years. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles. The offence of leaving a vehicle in a manner causing undue inconvenience to others carries a fine of up to S$2,000, or a jail term of up to three months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, motorists are liable to a fine of up to S$5,000, or a jail term of up to six months, or both. Over 2 years’ jail for man who assaulted Malaysian actor with baton at Singapore Expo event4/25/2024 SINGAPORE – A man who attacked a Malaysian celebrity with an extendable baton during a fan meeting at the Singapore Expo in March 2023 was sentenced to two years, four months and two weeks’ jail on April 25.
Muhammad Nabil Rashid committed the offence due to delusions that the victim – Mr Ahmad Kamal Ahmad Adli, 36, better known as Kamal Adli – had molested Nabil’s female relative. Nabil, 34, a Singaporean, pleaded guilty to one count of assault and two counts of using criminal force on another person on Jan 31. On March 12, 2023, Mr Ahmad – known for his roles in Malay-language horror film Niyang Rapik, action comedy film Abang Long Fadil and several television shows – took part in a celebrity meet-and-greet session at a bazaar event at the Singapore Expo. His attendance was advertised on social media, and he had also posted on Instagram about it. Nabil, who believed the actor had molested his relative, decided to go to the event and attack the actor after he saw the advertisements. Court documents did not state what spurred him to feel that way. Armed with an extendable baton, Nabil wore a cap and a face mask before travelling to the Singapore Expo. He arrived there shortly before 9.20pm and called out to Mr Ahmad when he saw him. In January, Deputy Public Prosecutor Cheah Wenjie told the court: “(The actor) thought the accused wanted to take a photo together with him, and approached the accused. “The accused then took out the extendable baton from his pocket, extended it to its full length, and hit (him) once on the top of his head, once on the left side of his face, and once on his arm.” After that, Nabil pulled down his face mask and smiled at Mr Ahmad before walking away. Members of the public and the actor’s family members chased Nabil and pinned him down. The police arrested Nabil soon after and both men were then taken to Changi General Hospital (CGH). Mr Ahmad suffered facial wounds, one of which needed four stitches. At around 11pm at CGH, while in a wheelchair, Mr Ahmad crossed paths with Nabil, who spat at him. Nabil was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health following the attack. A psychiatrist who examined him felt that he suffered from a psychiatric illness – likely delusional disorder. Dr Cheow Enquan also felt he had antisocial personality disorder. Despite these, he stated that Nabil was not of unsound mind during the attack and was aware that his actions were wrong. Dr Cheow stated in his report that the attacker did not know Mr Ahmad personally. The doctor said he believed that Nabil had a complete lack of insight into his illness and refused to take any medication, despite multiple attempts to persuade him to do so. In earlier proceedings, defence lawyer Wee Hong Shern told the court that his client is now taking his medication and has the potential to be rehabilitated. In an unrelated case on April 2, 2022, Nabil spat at a 39-year-old woman’s face, following an argument in Sembawang. She alerted her 55-year-old husband, who called the police. Nabil then spat at the older man and placed him in an armlock. SINGAPORE – An American man who ran a fraudulent forex trading scheme involving more than $18 million from over 1,300 clients was sentenced to three years and three months’ jail on April 25.
At the time of the offence, Michael Philip Atkins, 51, was a director at Singapore-based firm Aureus Capital. He was its majority shareholder and had full control of the scheme, which used only a fraction of the clients’ monies for forex trading. The operation was run in the style of a classic Ponzi scheme, where purported returns to clients were paid using the funds from other clients. “Such a business model was clearly unsustainable and... the company finally imploded,” said Deputy Public Prosecutor Hon Yi in earlier proceedings. In the end, the clients received around $12.7 million in total from Aureus Capital and they suffered nearly $6 million in losses. On April 15, Atkins pleaded guilty in a Singapore district court to carrying on a business for a fraudulent purpose. Between April 2013 and July 2014, Aureus Capital offered leveraged foreign exchange trading services and schemes. Clients entered into agreements allowing it to engage in forex trading on their behalf. Under these agreements, the company would be entitled to 40 per cent to 50 per cent of the profits generated from the trading, while the losses from trading would be fully borne by the clients. At the time of the offence, Aureus Capital maintained two trading accounts with Oanda Asia Pacific, a separate company which offers foreign exchange trading. Clients were told that Aureus Capital would manage their funds by trading forex on Oanda. They were also instructed to transfer cash into a bank account. The bank account received more than $18 million in total from clients between April 2, 2013, and July 15, 2014. Instead of using the monies for forex trading, more than $14.7 million was used for other purposes, such as paying Aureus Capital’s directors, including Atkins. Only around $1.7 million of the more than $18 million was deposited into Oanda, the court heard. Weekly statements sent to clients concealed the fact that only a small portion of clients’ funds was used for forex trading. The statements reported profits which were not reflective of actual trading results. In fact, Aureus Capital was making losses on its Oanda trading accounts. The clients said they were told on June 13, 2014, that Aureus Capital needed to cease trading as it was “acquiring a banking licence”. The clients did not receive any money when they asked for their investments to be withdrawn. E-mails from the firm claimed it was being rebranded and that all clients’ monies would be refunded by July 28, 2014. Clients alerted the police when the company and its directors became uncontactable. Atkins was arrested in 2014 and an Interpol red notice was issued against him after he jumped bail. Such a notice requests law enforcement units worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or other legal actions. He was traced to the United States in 2017 and an extradition request was sent to the authorities there in 2020. He was successfully extradited to Singapore and re-arrested here on March 18, 2023. Driver in Tampines fatal crash identified and charged; out on $30k bail and electronically tagged4/25/2024 SINGAPORE – The car driver involved in a six-vehicle crash in Tampines that killed two people has been handed four charges.
Muhammad Syafie Ismail, 42, was charged on April 25 with dangerous driving causing death, dangerous driving causing hurt, and dangerous driving. He was also charged with failing to stop after an accident. The prosecution said additional charges may be tendered against Syafie, and sought an adjournment for investigations to be completed and for a medical report to be ready. Syafie was offered bail of $30,000. As part of his bail conditions, he must not have contact with any of the prosecution witnesses and must report to the investigation officer when required. He must also be electronically tagged. The prosecution said he should be monitored with an electronic tag because of the serious charges he is facing, and noted that he could be a flight risk. In response, Syafie said: “I don’t think it’s necessary to put an e-tag on me as all my documents, my passport, have been seized by the police. I’m on bail and am already present today and will be present for all the court matters. “But it is up to the court to make the decision.” Syafie arrived at the State Courts at around 8.30am with his arm in a sling. He was escorted by the police and Aetos officers. His case began at around 10am. He was expressionless as he stood before the judge. When the judge asked him if he wished to say anything, Syafie said he would be engaging a lawyer. Reporters understands that Syafie was driving a black Saab, which was seen in dashcam footage posted on social media. According to charge sheets, Syafie allegedly failed to stop at the red traffic light, which resulted in his car colliding with two cars before surging forward to crash into another car. Meanwhile, the first car Syafie crashed into spun before overturning, and this caused it to collide with a van. The van then collided with a minibus. The impacts allegedly caused the deaths of Madam Norzihan Juwahib, 58, and Afifah Munirah Muhammad Azril, 17. Charge sheets also stated that Syafie’s driving allegedly injured Ms Lee Yau Meng, 42; Mr Weng Haifeng, 42; Mr Chia Tong Chai, 64; and Mr Mohammad Azman Mohd Enjah, 39. Two 11-year-old boys were also injured in the accident. Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can be jailed between two and eight years and be disqualified from driving. The offence of dangerous driving causing hurt carries a penalty of up to two years’ jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. On Syafie’s dangerous-driving charge, court documents stated that he drove his car recklessly by making an abrupt lane change from lane two to lane one of a two-lane road to overtake another car. He also filtered back “acutely” into lane two in front of the other car, resulting in a side-swipe collision, causing the car to veer to the left and its left tyres to graze the kerb. He then allegedly failed to stop after this, despite being required to do so after an accident. A bail review for Syafie was scheduled for April 26, while a pre-trial conference will take place on June 7. He was arrested on April 24 after being discharged from hospital. His driving licence was suspended with immediate effect. The police said investigations are ongoing for other potential offences. The crash involving four cars, a van and a minibus occurred on April 22 at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Tampines Avenue 4. Madam Norzihan and Afifah, who died after the accident, were both buried at Choa Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery on April 23. Madam Norzihan was a passenger in the van, on her way to work, when the accident occurred. The right side of the vehicle was badly dented. She was a senior technician at pest control firm First Choice Pest Specialist and had worked there for about 10 years. Afifah, a first-year student at Temasek Junior College, was a passenger in a car, on the way to take part in her school’s annual cross-country event. Her father, Mr Muhammad Azril, a Police Coast Guard officer, was driving their car when the impact from the collision caused it to turn turtle with its doors flung open. He was taken to hospital with kidney- and spine-related injuries. Five other people, including two 11-year-old boys, were also taken to hospital. The offence of dangerous driving carries a jail term of up to a year, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. For failing to stop after an accident, an offender can be fined up to $1,000, jailed up to three months, or both. |
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