Man Used Vulgarities on an MP, Joan Pereira, in Public During a Walkabout

By
Shawn Ambrose
-

When you’re in the presence of a public officer or member of parliament, there are certain things you just instinctively know not to do.

This includes:

  • farting
  • taking off your mask
  • flinging vulgarities at them
  • attacking them

In all honesty, these are things we shouldn’t do in front of or to anyone, but as we all know, government workers are accorded a special status of sorts.

So, if you happen to abuse them in any way, be prepared to face the consequences.

Man Used Vulgarities on an MP, Joan Pereira, in Public During a Walkabout

On 7 March this year, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Ms Joan Pereira was out on a walkabout session.

Accompanied by the constituency director of the Henderson-Dawson division of Tanjong Pagar GRC, Ms Pereira was at the Bukit Merah View Market and Hawker Centre.

At about 10:50am that day, a man who saw her thought it’d be a good idea to openly voice his displeasure over her perceived shortcomings, despite being surrounded by people.

The man began pointing and shouting at Ms Pereira in front of everyone and started spewing Hokkien vulgarities at her, one of which meant “crazy woman”. He also shouted “Go and die”, which is always a great way to start a conversation with someone.

After verbally abusing her, the man left the premises.

Fined $1,000 

It’s unclear who reported the man, but his actions eventually came to light.

The man, later identified as 57-year-old Gan Ah Guan, was fined $1,000 yesterday (3 Nov) after pleading guilty to a single charge of intentionally causing alarm, harassment, or distress to Ms Pereira.

The Singaporean told the court he has no money to pay the fine, however, meaning he will have to serve the default jail term of five days.

Felt MP Didn’t Help The Residents 

Gan, who was not represented in court, said he was jobless, stressed, and depressed at the time of the offences, adding that he wouldn’t repeat his offence.

He also explained why he launched the verbal attack on Ms Pereira: “I felt that she didn’t help the residents that much, so a lot of us don’t really like her. She also didn’t give us any donations (and) monthly subsidies for the jobless.”

Gan asked the court for subsidies, but the judge said that the court does not hand out subsidies and he should “ask the right channels”.

The judge also agreed with the prosecution’s assertion that Gan should have approached the relevant agencies if he needed help.

Those who need social or financial assistance can contact ComCare Call at 1800-2220000 or use the ‘Ask Jamie’ option on MSF’s website.

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Featured Image: Facebook (Joan Pereira)

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Shawn Ambrose
Email: [email protected]