22-11-2023 (SINGAPORE) Lee Koh Yong, a former headman of a secret society linked to a fatal brawl in 1988, has surrendered to Singaporean authorities after more than three decades on the run. Lee fled to Malaysia upon learning about the death of a teenage gang member involved in the incident. He returned to Singapore in March 2023 due to medical issues and has now been sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty to a rioting charge.
The fatal brawl, which took place in 1988, involved Lee’s gang and resulted in the death of 17-year-old Tan Teck Kiam. Lee, who was 30 years old at the time, did not personally attack Teck Kiam but stood a short distance away during the altercation. All 13 members of Lee’s gang who were involved in the brawl were previously dealt with in court.
Lee’s decision to return to Singapore was prompted by medical concerns, preventing him from seeking treatment overseas. While court documents did not disclose the specific medical issues, Lee’s daughter mentioned conditions like gout and cardiovascular disease.
The 1988 incident unfolded on August 28 when Teck Kiam and a 16-year-old boy joined friends at a chalet near East Coast Park. A confrontation with a group of seven people, including members of Lee’s gang, occurred later, but no fight broke out due to the presence of police officers.
The situation escalated on September 3, 1988, when Lee’s gang members spotted Teck Kiam’s group near a discotheque. Lee was contacted to call for reinforcements, leading to an assault on the rival gang members. During the attack, Teck Kiam and a 16-year-old were knocked unconscious with wooden sticks and poles, resulting in Teck Kiam’s tragic death.
Lee and his men fled the scene, and an autopsy revealed Teck Kiam’s cause of death as a brain injury due to a fractured skull. Upon learning of the teenager’s demise, Lee fled to Johor Bahru.
In court, defense lawyers Josephus Tan and Cory Wong argued that Lee’s surrender was not a strategic move to avoid caning, as Lee cannot be caned due to being over 50 years old. They emphasized that Lee returned to Singapore to face the consequences and seek medical treatment for his deteriorating health.
For rioting in 1988, Lee could face up to five years in jail, but the lack of caning eligibility due to his age has factored into the sentencing.
