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'I could have died that night' – Expat assault victims tell all

Published

13 years ago

on

~by: Jewel Philemon~

“All of these things are common sense. What really makes me sad is how incompetent our system is.” – Mr Laurence Wong

Timeline

 

11 April 2010:

Assault (Mr Liew hospitalised)

end April 2011:

assailants arrested, but only after extensive online chatter and investigative work of Mr Wong

June 2011:

assailants charged, bail granted

July 2011:

One assailant fled 

Dec 2011:

2nd assailant fled

Feb 2012:

3rd man sentenced to three weeks jail

Dahlberg fled Singapore sometime in July 2011, approximately 14 months after the violent brawl, and Springall escaped the country while out on bail in December 2011, approximately 5 months after that. Miller, the only expat in the group who did not jump bail, was prosecuted and sentenced to three weeks of jail.

However, the victims of the ordeal were kept entirely in the dark about these developments and were only notified of Dahlberg and Springall’s fleeing of the country by the media.

In fact, Mr Liew claims that the police, when confronted, were not even aware that the assailants had jumped bail! The police then told Mr Wong and Mr Liew that they are working on the case and when probed further, almost defensively exclaimed that, “You cannot say that the fault lies with the learned justice. The system is done this way."

Mr Liew adds that the officer also told them that the police does not owe victims the duty of information. Mr Wong cuts in to mention that the police have not even disclosed the list of exact charges against the assailants.

“What really makes me sad is not how incompetent our police or legal system is. It’s that people with authority and power to protect are not protecting us. They are not protecting us efficiently enough. I feel really sad for fellow Singaporeans…Those with the power that is invested in them to protect us are not doing their job well enough, in my perspective, because what will fellow Singaporeans do, what will your mother do, what will your brother do, your friends, when you see things like this happening? It has instilled fear in every Singaporean.”

“We’re being treated so unfairly now just because we want to save a fellow Singaporean who (is also) somebody’s father. Until now, I still do not know how to digest (this).”

Communication is weak, says Mr Liew, “Even weak is an overrated word for them!”

“It's been two months since the second guy ran away, that is such a long time!” exclaims Mr Liew logically, “You can kill someone, hide the body and let it rot away in that amount of time!”

“I have given up on our system.”

The absence of swift, effective law enforcement and legal actions are, understandably, tiring and vexing points for the victims, as well. The victims cannot understand why the passports of the assailants were not impounded after they were granted bail, especially since the flight risk was so high in their cases.

This, coupled with the perception of appalling lack of effort, direction, sensitivity, professionalism, and efficiency from the police force, reflects rather badly on our government as a whole, especially in light of the recent fiascos like public transport and flooding problems, the victims feel.

Mr Liew insinuates that these are holes in the fabric of our governmental system, which have intensified “since the last General Election”, which saw the ruling party take a vast majority of parliamentary positions with 81 out of 87 seats.

“To let a convict jump bail so easily is a big loophole. We have so many extradition treaties but none are effective enough to deal with such escaped convicts. Even simple state laws (in other countries) prevent such things!”, Mr Liew laments.

It would certainly be logical to question why conclusive action hasn’t been taken, despite Singapore’s extradition treaties with Commonwealth countries. Is it because it would be a diplomatic nightmare? Or perhaps there are political implications at play? Were the assailants who took flight 'untouchable' top fliers?

“They (the government) need to do what they should do. We should not be telling them what to do”, Mr Liew comments.

Mr Wong admits that he has given up on our system, as a result of this harrowing experience, “We’re in so much trouble because we tried to help a fellow Singaporean who could have been my dad. I feel jaded. From now on, I will protect my interests first as a father and a husband.”

He continues, “A lot of these things are common sense! What really makes me sad is how incompetent our system is. I feel really sad for our fellow Singaporeans. It has instilled fear in every Singaporean.”

“This case has come to a dead end”, voices Mr Liew, “Perhaps the system is good but the people managing it are not good. I have to tell myself to relax every night. If a person is not dead, nothing swift will be done.”

“I don’t want them dead, I just want justice.”

Coming back to their assailants, Mr Liew feels that enough is enough, “I just want justice to be served. I want them to be charged because it does justice to those hurt. It doesn’t matter whether it is three days, three weeks, three months or three years. I believe in law and justice. I don’t want them dead, I just want justice.”

He also affirms that he would like to meet Miller, the only assailant among the trio who faced the music, saying, “I want to see Miller. I am not a vindictive person. He also must have had his own drama. Maybe I can understand where he is coming from. It is time to close and move on. It is better to be friends than adversaries.”

“Because of my bloodshed, perhaps more bloodshed can be prevented.”

So what will bring closure?

“Justice and conviction of our assailants will bring partial closure. I want a step forward for more closure.”

A full closure for Mr Liew will come only when the loopholes in our law enforcement and legal systems are plugged.

As for now, Mr Liew and Mr Wong are still chasing after the authorities for updates on the proceedings of their case. They plan to contact parliamentarians, such as Minister for Home Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Teo Chee Hean, and Law Minister, Mr K. Shanmugam, soon for support.

When asked about their realistic expectations, a fatigued Mr Wong replied that he is “not expecting much”, while a more optimistic Mr Liew remarks that, “Because of my bloodshed, perhaps more bloodshed can be prevented.”

Mr Liew, “I could have died that night. But I survived, fortunately.” But both decided not to keep quiet for the sake of other assault victims like Ionescu's, who is now dead. 

This is Part 3 of a 3 part article. Part 1 is HERE and Part 2 is HERE.

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Reddit user alleges brother-in-law secretly recorded her showering, asks for advice on what to do

A Reddit user recounted the disturbing experience of catching her brother-in-law secretly recording her while she showered. Despite her family’s efforts to dissuade her, she allegedly proceeded to file a police report. Netizens rallied behind her decision, affirming that she made the right choice.

Published

3 days ago

on

12 September 2024

By

SINGAPORE: A Reddit user recently shared her troubling experience, seeking advice on whether she could report her brother-in-law for secretly recording her while she was showering.

In a post uploaded on Wednesday (11 Sept), she explained that she lives with her family, including her pregnant sister and her sister’s boyfriend, who are staying with them while waiting for their Build-To-Order (BTO) flat.

The incident occurred one night when she was showering in a bathroom with a faulty door. To avoid disturbing her family with the loud noise caused by locking the door, she left it unlocked.

During her shower, she heard knocking and tapping sounds from the bathroom door.

When she looked out through the sliding door that separated the wet and dry areas, she saw a phone peeking over the top of the door. Shocked, she quickly closed the sliding door.

Afterwards, she felt overwhelmed and debated whether to inform her family. She also feared that her sister might have been a victim of the same behaviour.

Seeking advice, she asked on Reddit whether she could file a police report, and how the police might handle the situation if evidence had been deleted or if her brother-in-law denied it.

Netizens urge user to report incident

In response to her story on Reddit, many netizens encouraged the user to report the incident to the police.

One user strongly urged her to make a police report, stating, “You will only be enabling the criminal to commit future crimes if you let it slide.”

They explained that the police would record her statement and possibly confiscate the suspect’s mobile device for forensic IT investigations.

The Redditor reassured her that even if the data had been deleted, it was still possible for the police to retrieve timestamps of recordings or detect suspicious activity, such as deleting files at certain times.

They added that lodging a police report would serve as a precedent if the suspect engaged in similar behaviour in the future. The user was also advised to confide in a trustworthy family member or friend for support when filing the report.

Another user mentioned that she did not need to leave her room to make a report, as it could be done via the police website using Singpass, or by calling 999.

Additionally, one user recommended contacting the AWARE hotline for victims of sexual assault, particularly if her family was not supportive.

User files police report despite family’s reaction

In a subsequent update, the user thanked netizens for their support and confirmed that she had informed her family and filed a police report.

She shared that her brother-in-law had contacted her mother, indicating he was aware of being discovered.

Despite this, the user expressed frustration with her family’s response.

Her sister suggested that informing the family was punishment enough for her husband, and her parents urged her to “calm down” and reconsider filing the report.

The user felt disappointed by their lack of empathy, suspecting cultural norms may have influenced their reaction.

Netizens support user’s decision

In further responses, many netizens backed her decision to report the incident, assuring her that none of the blame rested on her.

One user praised her for being brave and doing the right thing by reporting the incident to the police, noting that “saving face” is a common cultural practice.

They added that the family should realise the true fault lay with the brother-in-law, describing him as a “pervert” and stating that no one should side with such behaviour.

Others reassured her that the family was already damaged by her brother-in-law’s behaviour, and that she had made the right choice.

A user expressed relief that she had filed the report, advising her not to feel guilty or be swayed by her family’s attempts to dissuade her.

They pointed out that many cases go unreported due to the desire to “save face” or “give someone a chance.”

The user added that her brother-in-law’s behaviour was likely not an isolated incident and praised her for taking the right steps to protect herself and others.

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TikTok video shows woman confronting 12 tenants in HDB flat, demands immediate eviction

A now-viral TikTok video shows a woman confronting tenants after allegedly discovering 12 people living in an HDB flat. She demanded they leave within an hour and called the police. While some praised the agent for enforcing HDB regulations, others felt the one-hour notice was too harsh, especially for migrant workers who might have come home after a long day. The current occupancy limit for four-room or larger HDB flats is eight people.

Published

6 days ago

on

9 September 2024

By

SINGAPORE: A now-viral TikTok video, with nearly 2 million views, features a woman, reportedly a property agent, confronting a group of tenants after allegedly discovering 12 people living in an HDB flat.

The woman, along with a person filming the scene, seemingly there for an inspection, is seen counting the tenants and questioning how many people are staying in the unit.

The one-minute clip, posted last Thursday (5 September) under the title “HDB unit being illegally sub-let,” captures the cameraman comparing the situation to “Crime Watch.”

The video alleges that 12 individuals are crammed into the flat, raising questions about whether this is allowed in Singapore.

While counting heads, the woman also inspects the rooms, revealing cramped conditions.

Clothes hang from window grilles, a thin mattress leans against the wall, and belongings are scattered across the floor.

At one point, the cameraman alerts her to someone in the toilet, visible as a shadow behind the door.

In the kitchen, she questions an occupant about a missing cabinet door, but he cannot provide a clear explanation.

In another room, visibly dissatisfied, the woman finds a dismantled bedframe propped against the wall and asks who is responsible for it.

Later, she sternly addresses some of the tenants, saying, “I give u one hour to pack your stuff, and get out of the place, if not I call the police.”

The video ends with a shot of a police car parked below the HDB block, but it doesn’t show or explain what happens next to the tenants or whether they were eventually evicted.

@homesinhd

Camera man feels like he is on Crime Watch. 12 pax squeeze in one flat in Singapore is crazy!! SG can meh? #realestate #realestatesingapore #singapore #crimewatch #police #exposed #caughtoncamera

♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) – Tommy Richman

In the comment section, some commended the property agent for taking responsibility by conducting spot checks to ensure tenants complied with HDB regulations.

However, others felt that the one-hour eviction notice could be too harsh for the tenants.

Several commenters speculated that the tenants, who appeared to be migrant workers, were likely unaware of the illegal subletting arrangement.

They may have paid rent, only to come home after a long day of work to find themselves being evicted.

In response to a netizen’s question about the illegal subletting, the admin of the TikTok account clarified that there were unauthorized tenants staying in the unit who were not registered with HDB.

The admin also mentioned that only six people are allowed to stay in four-room or larger flats, but some commenters corrected this information, noting that the maximum occupancy had been revised to eight.

Indeed, a joint press release in December 2023 announced that the occupancy limit had been increased from six to eight persons for three years, from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026.

This revised cap applies to four-room or larger HDB flats, including living quarters within HDB commercial properties that are comparable in size to a four-room flat.

The measure is intended to ease rental pressure, driven by the sharp rise in residential rents due to COVID-19 disruptions and increased rental demand.

However, authorities have also warned that they will strictly enforce the occupancy cap and may revoke rental approvals for homeowners who violate these regulations.

2019 Report Reveals Four-Room HDB Flat Housing 24 Tenants

In 2019, a report emerged alleging that a four-room HDB flat was housing 24 tenants, four times the maximum allowed by HDB.

The flat contained three double-decker bunk beds crammed into each bedroom, accommodating at least 18 people across the three rooms. One bedroom alone had eight occupants, and the living room was illegally partitioned into two additional rooms, rented to two couples, bringing the total to 24 tenants.

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