Ex-food delivery rider jailed, fined for inciting violence on eve of e-scooter footpath ban

SINGAPORE — The day before a ban on electric scooters on footpaths came into effect, Benny Mok Swee Tian sent messages in two Telegram chat groups used by food delivery riders such as himself.

He asked them to “riot” at Punggol Park the following night, telling them to “bring parang” and “see people, just bang and slice people”.

The 35-year-old Singaporean was sentenced to eight weeks’ jail and a fine of S$500 on Friday (Oct 30).

He pleaded guilty to communicating an electronic record containing an incitement to violence, as well as an unrelated charge of theft.

The authorities had declared that e-scooters would be barred from footpaths from Nov 5 last year, with enforcement action starting from Dec 31. 

At about 3pm on Dec 30, Mok sent a text message to the Telegram group “FP North Hub Shift Swaps”, which had about 2,100 members at the time.

The message read: “Tml night PMD riot, all meet at Punggol park for hg/sk ppl at 9pm.” 

Mok meant for those in the Hougang and Sengkang neighbourhoods to meet at the park the following night.

Someone in the group then forwarded it to a second chat group, "Foodpanda North Classic Fleet", which had about 4,220 members then.

Shortly afterwards, Mok sent a message to the second chat group saying: “Ya. Bring parang. See ppl just bang and slice ppl. Swee bo?”

Roughly translated, Mok was telling group members to use a long flat knife, called a parang, to hurt people they saw along the way. 

A food delivery rider, who was in both groups, saw the messages and grew worried about the potential violence. He made a police report.

On Dec 31, police officers went to Punggol Park but no violent incidents took place. 

Separately, earlier in the year, Mok stole five comic books worth S$36.87 from Kinokuniya bookstore at Ngee Ann City mall.

'MAKING FRIVOLOUS COMMENTS'

Deputy Public Prosecutor Chong Yong sought at least two months’ jail while Mok’s lawyer James Ow Yong asked for about six weeks instead.

The lawyer told the court that Mok was a “rather simple-minded individual” whose highest education certification was the Primary School Leaving Examination.

He now works as a social media marketing executive.

Mr Ow Yong argued that his client was fairly new to the chat groups and would not have wielded much influence there.

“There were many other members making frivolous comments without taking responsibility for them… it is not likely that his messages would have been seriously taken,” the lawyer said.

Mok had also told the police that he did not want to cause violence and did not realise how serious his actions were until he was arrested. 

“He was relieved there was no actual harm (done) other than the uproar over the messages,” Mr Ow Yong added.

For communicating an incitement to violence, Mok could have been jailed up to five years or fined, or both.