SINGAPORE — An ex-naval officer charged for not wearing a mask in numerous places was handed 14 fresh charges on Tuesday (6 July).
These add on to the seven existing charges Phoon Chiu Yoke faces, for not wearing her mask in various places and breaching her Stay-Home Notice.
Phoon, a 53-year-old Singaporean, made the news after she was filmed in a confrontation with a safe-distancing ambassador (SDA) at Marina Bay Sands on 15 May this year.
The incident was caught in a viral video, which showed Phoon demanding to see the SDA’s badge. Phoon also removed her mask after leaving court on 24 May, when she was photographed and filmed by the media.
The new charges she faces are mostly for failing to wear her mask at places such as Marina Bay Sands last July, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral this March, and Tiong Bahru Market and ION Orchard this May.
She is also said to have exposing others to the risk of getting COVID-19 by breaching her Stay-Home Notice at Marina Bay Sands in July last year.
May have committed another offence as recently as 25 June
The prosecution, represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Jane Lim, sought to increase Phoon’s bail to at least $12,000 on Tuesday for three reasons: that Phoon was handed 14 new charges, that she failed to respond to attempts by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to reach her, and that she had possibly committed a fresh offence as recently as 25 June.
The DPP told the court that Phoon appears to have failed to surrender to custody as needed by ignoring ICA’s attempts to reach her.
“She was contacted by the ICA on 3 and 4 July, calls were made to her handphone, and an email was sent to her requesting for her to make herself available for the serving of cautioned statement. She ignored all calls and the email. Voicemail also left to her handphone which was also (not responded to),” said DPP Lim.
The DPP added that the ICA investigation officer tried to speak to Phoon ahead of her court hearing on Tuesday morning, but that Phoon refused to speak to him.
On Phoon’s possible fresh offence, DPP Lim said, “It has come to our attention as well that after the last court mention on 8 June 2021, where bail was extended, there was express direction and condition of bail that (she) must abide by COVID-19 regulations and restrictions.
“However, quite unfortunately, investigations are underway for (a) fresh offence committed after the court date. This was as recent as 25 June 2021.”
The DPP asked District Judge Lorraine Ho to the increase the bail amount to at least $12,000 with Phoon to be warned to comply with conditions, failing which she might be liable for fresh offences and a revocation of her bail.
In response, Phoon, who appeared in court unrepresented,…