19-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) Three individuals, including an 82-year-old man, appeared in court on charges of indecent assault in separate incidents, highlighting a concerning trend of such offences in the city-state.
The octogenarian, identified as Jiang Shuifu, faced accusations of inappropriately touching a 35-year-old woman at a shop in Clementi West. Dressed in a light blue short-sleeved shirt, Jiang denied the charges and expressed his intention to contest them on four grounds. The judge advised him to seek legal aid or engage a defence lawyer, with the case adjourned until 5 August.
In a separate case, Ali, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national, was charged with two counts of indecent assault allegedly committed at Palawan Beach in Sentosa. The prosecution claims that on 1 May, Ali touched a 25-year-old woman near her breast and armpit while in the sea, and subsequently rubbed the buttocks of a 43-year-old woman. Ali indicated his intention to plead guilty. His employer, who had initially posted bail, informed the court of their unwillingness to continue this arrangement.
The third defendant, 63-year-old Hassan, faced charges for allegedly touching the shoulder and kissing the cheek of a 16-year-old girl in the rubbish disposal area of Compass One shopping centre in Sengkang. Appearing in court with his wife, Hassan expressed his intention to plead guilty but sought leniency, claiming he had only touched the victim’s shoulder and kissed her lightly through a mask.
These cases underscore the severity with which Singapore treats indecent assault. If convicted, offenders could face up to three years’ imprisonment, fines, caning, or a combination of these punishments. For voyeurism, the maximum sentence is two years’ imprisonment, along with possible fines and caning.
The incidents have raised concerns about public safety and respect for personal boundaries in shared spaces. Legal experts note that the wide age range of the accused – from 30 to 82 years old – indicates that such behaviour is not limited to any particular demographic.
Community leaders have called for increased awareness and education programmes to address the issue of unwanted physical contact and sexual harassment. Some advocates suggest that cultural sensitivity training may be necessary, particularly in cases involving foreign nationals.
