S$3,000 fine each for Orchard Towers partygoers who intimidated anti-smoking enforcement officers
SINGAPORE — Two friends who decided to take a smoke break when partying at Orchard Towers were each fined S$3,000 on Monday (April 8) after they got into a confrontation with anti-smoking enforcement officers and intimidated them.
Earlier this month, Harrymeet Singh, 31, pleaded guilty to using abusive and threatening words on a public servant. Kiranpal Singh, 32, pleaded guilty to using criminal force and obstructing a public servant from doing his duty.
In seeking a S$3,000 fine each for the duo, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ong Jun Chong said that it was necessary to deter the public from harassing officers who had the difficult task of performing an important public duty.
ABOUT THE CASE
The two friends were partying at the Naughty Girl club in Orchard Towers in the early hours of April 1 last year when they decided to step out to smoke at a staircase landing.
They were approached by two enforcement officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) and Certis Cisco Security. One of the officers, Mr Yap Kwai Chung, told Harrymeet Singh that he was not to smoke in the building and asked for his particulars.
Harrymeet Singh ignored Mr Yap and tried to return to the club. However, he was denied entry after the officers informed the club’s bouncer about what had transpired.
At this point, Harrymeet Singh’s friend, Harish Kumar, and Kiranpal Singh’s fiancee arrived at the scene to find out what was happening.
Kiranpal Singh then told Harrymeet Singh to ignore the officers and pulled him away. However, they were eventually stopped by the enforcement officers. Mr Yap told his partner, Mr Khor Jia Min, to inform the police of the men’s uncooperative behaviour.
Kiranpal Singh also pushed the officer repeatedly with his chest when he was warned by Mr Yap not to pull Harrymeet Singh away.
At one point, Harrymeet Singh began hurling obscenities at Mr Yap and even threatened to kill him.
Harish began recording a video of Mr Yap at this point and directed a derogatory remark at Mr Khor.
Kiranpal Singh and Harrymeet Singh continued arguing with the enforcement officers even after the police arrived.
Kiranpal Singh could have been jailed up to three months and/or fined up to S$1,500 for using criminal force on the NEA officer. For preventing an officer from doing his duty, he could have been jailed three months and/or fined up to S$2,500.
For using insulting and threatening words on a public servant, Harrymeet Singh could have been fined up to S$5,000 and/or jailed up to a year.
Harish was earlier fined S$2,500 for harassing the officers.
