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SINGAPORE – At Northpoint City mall in Yishun, 73-year-old Lim Cheng Kiat had ill intentions, having violated three girls between the ages of 13 and 15 in a single day.
The unemployed Singaporean pleaded guilty last month to three counts of public indecency and is currently awaiting sentence. His sentencing hearing was postponed until later due to the need to review a correctional training and preventive detention report. This report would allow the court to consider severe punishment involving long-term imprisonment. The victims’ identities cannot be disclosed due to a court order.
On the afternoon of February 23 this year, the first victim, a 15-year-old girl in her school uniform, was walking around the second basement level of the mall with a friend when they encountered Lim. He intentionally walked towards her, bumped into her left cheek with his right shoulder, and pinched her chest over her blouse before quickly leaving. Feeling disgusted, she reported the incident to a staff member at the mall’s service counter, who assisted her in filing a police report.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Kiera Yu, after the incident with the first victim, Lim encountered the second victim, a 13-year-old girl in her school uniform, on the first level of the mall. He walked towards her, bumped into her with his shoulder, and pinched her chest over her blouse before quickly leaving. Shocked, the second victim told her mother, who subsequently brought her to the police station to file a report.
The third victim ran into Lim while buying food in a Subway sandwich shop. She, a 15-year-old girl, was also in her school uniform. While she was looking at the menu, Lim forcefully nudged her with his right shoulder and gripped her chest over her blouse, then swiftly left the shop.
Following Lim’s departure, the girl immediately began crying to her friend about what had just occurred. She later went to a police station to report that she had been molested.
Lim was eventually identified through closed-circuit television footage and was arrested at 11:11 p.m. on the same day. During the police investigation, he admitted that he intentionally touched the victims and referred to these incidents as “trivial” because he did not “rape” the victims. He also admitted to deliberately bumping into each victim while simultaneously touching their chests, trying to make it appear accidental.
When asked by District Judge Eugene Teo if he wanted to submit a mitigation plea, Lim responded that to “mitigate is to become a coward” and that “it is okay to die in prison.”
In the prosecution’s address on sentencing, Deputy Prosecutor Yu stressed the severity of Lim’s crimes and his obstinacy, pointing to the need for a deterrent sentence proportionate to his criminal behavior.
SINGAPORE, May 18, 2023 – With the backdrop of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) increase and mounting inflation, Singapore’s supermarket chain, Giant, is stepping up to alleviate some of the financial pressure on consumers. The supermarket chain has announced that it will absorb the 1% GST hike, striving to keep prices for essential groceries as low as possible.
More significantly, in a bid to provide customers with additional savings on their shopping, Giant is rolling out a new voucher campaign. From now until 7 June, customers can download an unlimited number of vouchers from Giant’s Facebook page or official website. These vouchers, with denominations of SGD$3, SGD$5, and SGD$20, can be used to offset respective amounts on their grocery purchases.
To make use of these vouchers, shoppers need to meet a certain spending threshold in a single transaction. For the SGD$3 voucher, a minimum spend of SGD$30 is required; for the SGD$5 voucher, the minimum spend is SGD$50. The SGD$20 voucher, exclusively for yuu Rewards Club members, requires a minimum spend of SGD$100.
It’s noteworthy that only one voucher can be redeemed per transaction per customer, and they cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, including senior citizen discounts. Moreover, the vouchers cannot be used for online purchases, as they are redeemable only at manned cashier stations in physical Giant stores.
While these vouchers are applicable on most products, certain exclusions do apply, which include tobacco, cigarettes, newspapers, magazines, infant milk powder, phone cards, Dairy Farm gift vouchers, lottery tickets, and purchases from concessionaires.
With this campaign, it’s the perfect time to stock up on all other essentials such as groceries and household items. You can locate a Giant outlet nearest to you via the store locator on Giant’s official website.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) of Singapore stated on May 17 that Lee Hsien Yang’s passport remains valid and has never been seized. This statement was issued in response to media queries following a disciplinary tribunal for Kwa Kim Li, the lawyer of Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.
According to a report released by the disciplinary tribunal on May 5, Lee Hsien Yang had applied to provide evidence via video link, stating that his “passport was currently being held by immigration authorities in connection with an immigration issue”. The tribunal noted that Lee Hsien Yang’s legal counsel declined to explain why the passport was handed over or when that occurred, despite repeated requests from the tribunal.
Nevertheless, the tribunal eventually allowed Lee Hsien Yang to provide evidence via video link. It was added by the tribunal that Kwa would not be prejudiced by cross-examining Lee Hsien Yang over video link.
In terms of background, the tribunal found that Kwa had misled Lee Kuan Yew’s children, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling, in her email responses to their queries. Kwa was also found to have failed to safeguard Lee Kuan Yew’s confidentiality while managing his will. She was ordered to pay a penalty of S$13,000 and to bear the costs and disbursements to Lee Hsien Yang and The Law Society of Singapore.
In July 2022, Lee Hsien Yang and his wife, Lee Suet Fern, left Singapore after declining to attend a police interview relating to allegations of lying in judicial proceedings about the late Lee Kuan Yew’s will. Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling are the brother and sister of the current Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, and Lee Kuan Yew is their father
In a chilling incident that recently unfolded in Singapore, an 11-year-old boy was stabbed by his own mother in a moment of anger. The cause? The child used his mother’s phone without her permission. This tragic event offers a stark reminder of the grim reality of domestic violence and its devastating effects, particularly on children. Simultaneously, it compels us to examine how mental health conditions like depression can contribute to such horrifying actions.
Domestic violence, an often-overlooked issue, carries devastating psychological and physical consequences for its victims, especially when they are children. Children growing up in homes marred by violence can develop a range of emotional, psychological, and behavioral problems. They may also struggle with feelings of fear, guilt, shame, and confusion. This incident in Singapore is a stark illustration of such a reality. The young boy, subjected to a violent act by his own mother, has endured not just physical harm but also an unimaginable psychological trauma that could potentially scar him for life.
Depression, a complex mental health disorder, is another key element in this sad narrative. The mother in this case suffers from major depressive disorder of mild severity. While depression can severely impair a person’s mood and behavior, it is important to note that it doesn’t justify violent actions. However, understanding the role of depression in such incidents is crucial for preventing similar situations in the future.
Depression can manifest in a variety of symptoms, including persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and in severe cases, uncontrolled emotions and even violent behavior. It’s a condition that requires empathy, understanding, and appropriate treatment. In this case, the mother’s depression might have contributed to her loss of control and the violent act she committed. But again, it does not excuse her actions.
The incident is a call to action for all of us. It underlines the need for a multi-pronged approach to address domestic violence and mental health issues. Awareness and understanding of domestic violence must be enhanced. Mental health conditions like depression need to be recognized, and those afflicted must have access to the necessary support and treatment. Moreover, the stigma associated with these issues must be combated, ensuring individuals and families are not deterred from seeking help.
This tragic case is a stark reminder of the harsh reality of domestic violence and the intricate role mental health conditions like depression can play in such situations. As we reflect on this incident, let us resolve to take action, to educate ourselves and others, and to work towards a society where such heartbreaking incidents are a thing of the past.
