Man Jailed & Served The Rotan For Anyhowly Writing Racist Messages With Permanent Marker In Geylang

By
Boon Hun
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Singapore takes vandalism very seriously.

Just ask Michael P. Fay.

He was caught for vandalism back in 1994, and despite the US pulling out all the stops to get him out of the country, he was caned before being sent back to the states.

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So yes, vandalism is a pretty big thing here.

But what if you add racism into the mix?

GIF: Tenor.com

You’re probably looking at something like this.

Man Charged For Writing Racist Messages

In Jan 2019, Chen Jianbang went on a vandalism spree across Geylang and Aljunied.

Within the span of a week, he wrote down racist messages that include:

  • MALAY MATI
  • DAVE IS SICK at Lai Ming Hotel
  • GARY IS A B**** on a traffic control box
  • MALAY FAMILY EAT S*** on a banner outside an MRT station
Image: Facebook

All in all, he has written more than 10 messages across sheltered walkways, the walls of void decks and the banners outside Aljunied MRT Station.

Police Alerted To Serial Vandal

Given how prominent his “artwork” is, you can be sure that it will be noticed. And notice, people did.

Passerbys immediately notified the police to the happenings.

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So how did he get caught? The power of CCTV, obviously.

Chen was caught on CCTV footage going to the area outside the station at 2.30 a.m. and writing “MALAY FAMILY EAT S***” on an LTA banner outside the station.

The banner had to be replaced and cost $240.

Given Jail Time & Rotan

All in all, Chen was given 13 months’ jail time and 9 strokes of the cane.

And the main argument behind this punishment is:

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  • He had a previous record for property-related offence
  • He was in the midst of remission for a 21-jail-term for a previous offence
  • Racism was apparent in his messages and “wounds the racial feelings of the Malay population
  • Death threats were implied in his written messages

In a nutshell?

Vandalism is bad. But when you add racism into the mix, you’re looking at a whole new ball game.

The prosecution had asked for a heavier sentence because the court needs to give a heavy deterrence to future would-be offenders as racial harmony is the “bedrock” of Singapore.

So don’t vandalise. And if you have to, don’t be a racist. It’s not cool.

Let’s all just be like this guy who loved Singapore for its racial harmony.

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Boon Hun
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