Student illegally fishes at Sungei Buloh visitor centre, assaults NParks officer, gets probation

SINGAPORE — A 20-year-old polytechnic student, who attacked a National Parks Board (NParks) officer when she caught him and his friends fishing illegally at the visitor centre of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, was given 15 months’ probation on Thursday (July 25).

Richard Tan Han Woon tried to flee the scene on July 8 last year, using his elbow to strike the officer’s arm and upper chest area.

He and his three male friends — whose ages are not known — ran away in different directions, but after one was caught, Tan and the others were later arrested by the police.

As part of his probation, Tan has to perform 100 hours of community service. His parents also posted a bond of S$5,000 to ensure his good behaviour.

The court heard that Mr Rajendran Thanagayan, 56, Mr Wilson Lim, 49, and Ms Sri Sarasvathi, 37, were NParks officers based at the wetland reserve. They conducted enforcement work there, including issuing summons to people for illegal fishing or trespassing.

On that day at about 3pm, Mr Rajendran spotted Tan and his friends fishing at the freshwater pond of the visitor centre. It was not the first time the officer had seen the boys there.

Even though the pond was open to public access, there were “No Fishing” signs placed around it.

Together with Mr Lim, Mr Rajendran proceeded to the two entrances to the pond to issue summon slips to the boys.

However, the group saw the officers coming and fled with their belongings to the main road.

Tan’s fishing gear fell out of his bag and Mr Rajendran managed to grab his arm, while the others escaped.

Tan asked for permission to go back to the pond to pack his fishing gear, and the three NParks officers agreed to let him do so.

Sensing he would be uncooperative, Ms Sarasvathi stood in front of him to make sure he would not run away.

When Tan was done packing, he suddenly elbowed her in an attempt to flee again.

Mr Lim quickly grabbed his hand while Ms Sarasvathi grabbed Tan’s bag, but Tan managed to break free from their respective grips and ran away.

Upon reaching the main road, he saw his friends at the entrance. They then split up when they saw the officers chasing Tan.

When one member of the group was caught, the NParks officers asked a security personnel to call the police. 

Tan was then identified and arrested after that. He admitted that he ran away because he did not want to get caught or fined. He also did not want the authorities to confiscate his fishing equipment.

He pleaded guilty last month to one charge of causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty, and another charge of illegal fishing under the Parks and Trees Regulations.

It was not stated if his friends have been taken to court.