While most Singaporeans are abiding by the circuit breaker rules, quietly sitting at home dreaming of eating Chendol at a coffee shop one day, some rebels continue to challenge the authorities in the dumbest ways during this trying time, leaving you with one question:
I’m not talking about forgetting to wear a mask or anything; that could happen to anyone and all we need is a gentle reminder or a not-so-gentle fine that’ll make our wallets cry.
I’m talking about the kind of individual who not only breaks the law but abuses those who enforce it.
S’porean Charged in Court for Spitting At Police Officer While in Police Station
Take 60-year-old Singaporean Pay Kiaw Keng.
Pay was caught not wearing a mask over his nose and mouth while outdoors on Saturday morning (May 2) at the void deck of Block 644, Hougang Avenue 8.
This is an offence the authorities are taking seriously, because masks are essential to curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
However, about an hour after he was caught (he might have been arrested for other offence), the man allegedly hurled vulgarities at Sergeant Muhamad Danish Haikal Donny Budiarto Indarto while inside a police vehicle.
But he didn’t stop there.
Later, while he was at a lockup at the Woodlands Police Division, he allegedly spat on Special Constable Sergeant Muhammed Shariz Sazali’s right arm, according to The Straits Times.
Why do people make things worse for themselves?
Breached a Remission Order
Pay had also breached a remission order by committing these offences, as he had served time behind bars for an earlier offence and was given an early release last December.
According to Singapore Legal Advice, a remission order may be issued to prisoners who are released earlier than their scheduled release date.
The basic conditions of a remission order state that you’re not allowed to commit any offence during your release and if you do, you will be sentenced to prison, corrective training, reformative training, or preventive detention.
For Pay, he was not supposed to commit any more offences from 28 Dec last year to 27 July this year.
But he couldn’t keep his spittle and vulgarities in his mouth.
If he’s convicted of these latest charges, he could spend an additional 87 days behind bars, the remaining duration of the remission order.
Pay will be placed in custody at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric observation, and his case has been adjourned to 18 May, reported The Straits Times.
Don’t Abuse Officers
There’s a reason why such harsh penalties are in place for those who do not wear a mask in public; in addition to good hygiene, this additional layer of protection is vital to stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
That’s why if you’re caught without one, you can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000, even if you’re a first-time offender.
But let’s say it slipped your mind one day and you get caught by an officer, why make things worse by abusing them?
There have been reports of safe distancing ambassadors and enforcement officers getting abused by people who were caught breaking the circuit breaker rules.
When you’re caught doing something wrong, just accept your punishment and follow the officer’s instructions.
Reader: But Danger is my middle name
Well, you can go ahead and abuse an officer, but you could be jailed for up to four years and fined.
Reader: My parents really should have chosen a different middle name
