6 charged with flouting Covid-19 rules; one captured on video allegedly making racist remarks

SINGAPORE — Four men in their 50s and two in their 30s were hauled to court on Wednesday (April 22) and charged with breaching Covid-19 measures. 

One man was filmed not wearing a face mask and hurling racist words at a Jurong West minimart employee while another is accused of verbally abusing a policewoman as well as eating and drinking at a public bench at Lorong 7 Toa Payoh.

They are among the first few people to be prosecuted under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 and its regulations, which came into force on April 8.

Anyone convicted under the Act can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed up to six months, or face both penalties for each charge. For second or subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

A seventh man was also charged with slapping a service attendant at a petrol station along Jervois Road in the Tanglin area, reportedly after she advised him to wear a face mask.

This allegedly happened before it became mandatory on April 14 for individuals to wear a face mask when leaving their homes. 

Over the last week, six individuals have also been charged for breaching their stay-home notices which are issued to people returning from abroad.

One has pleaded guilty so far and is expected to be sentenced on Thursday.

The five 50-somethings charged on Wednesday are:

• Mohamed Ali Ramly, 52

He faces one charge under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures Act) and two counts of using abusive words to a minimart employee under the Protection from Harassment Act.

Court documents showed that on April 17 at 6pm, he allegedly contravened a control order by failing to wear a face mask over his nose and mouth while visiting the Li Li Cheng Minimart located at Block 651, Jurong West Street 61.

He is also accused of intending to wound the employee’s racial feelings by saying, among other things: “All the virus come from you guys lah.”

In a video that went viral on social media, he could be seen holding a packet of soy milk. He claimed that he forgot to bring his mask and was just buying "one thing".

• Alan Lim, 55

He allegedly slapped an Esso petrol station attendant on April 12, shouted a Hokkien vulgarity at her and pushed her on the shoulders.

While he does not face any charges under the Covid-19 laws, he was handed three charges of using criminal force, causing harassment and causing hurt to her.

If convicted of causing hurt, he could be jailed up to two years, fined up to S$5,000 or both. 

Causing harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act carries up to six months’ jail, a fine of up to S$1,500, or both. Those convicted of using criminal force can be jailed up to three months, fined up to S$1,500, or both.

• Christopher Amurutham, 56

In the afternoon of April 18, he allegedly hurled vulgarities at a policewoman while sitting on a public bench at Block 20, Lorong 7 Toa Payoh. 

He is also accused of trying to push her away with his hand while she was arresting him.

Court documents showed that his face mask only covered his chin while he was seated on the bench.

He is set to plead guilty to his four charges on May 6.

If convicted of using abusive words towards a public servant, he could be jailed up to a year, fined up to S$5,000, or both. 

If convicted of using criminal force to deter a public servant from their duty, he could be jailed up to four years, fined, or both.

• Ravi Sinathamby Subramaniam, 52

He faces eight assorted charges, including criminally intimidating two safe distancing ambassadors and wearing a face mask that only covered his chin at a coffee shop.

On April 18 at about 1pm, around Block 78, Whampoa Drive, he allegedly told the ambassadors: “Don’t let me see you again, if not I will break your face.” He also purportedly hurled vulgarities at them.

Later in the evening, he allegedly met someone at Block 74, Whampoa Drive for social purposes. Court documents showed that the other person did not live with him.

While drunk in front of a Hao Minimart, he then verbally abused a police officer by saying things like: “I use the court to f*** you all back.”

• Poh Cher Wee, 58

On April 14, between 9pm and 11.30pm, he purportedly met two other men for a “casual chatting session” at the ground floor lift lobby of Block 532, Bedok Street 3.

He is further accused of being drunk that evening and pointing the flashlight on his mobile phone towards a policeman on two occasions.

First-time offenders convicted of causing annoyance while drunk in a public place can be jailed up to six months, fined up to S$1,000, or both. Repeat offenders face double the fine.

Another two 30-somethings were charged with using abusive language against a public servant and breaching the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures Act).

A 35-year-old Singaporean man was reported to have hurled vulgarities towards an enforcement officer from the Singapore Food Agency during an enforcement check on illegal hawking at Yuhua Village Coffeeshop located at Jurong East Street 24 on April 13.

And on April 16, a 37-year-old Singaporean man allegedly insulted a police officer who had issued him with a Notice of Composition for not wearing a mask outside The Cathay.