Author: Web Desk

Between 12 November 2021 and 28 November 2021, the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department and the Police Land Divisions jointly carried out a series of island-wide secret society and crime suppression operations at nightlife establishments, food & beverage (F&B) outlets and shopping malls.

During these operations, the Police conducted checks on 254 persons and arrested nine men, aged between 18 and 43, for being suspected members of unlawful societies. Among the nine men arrested during these operations, a 20-year-old man was also arrested for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. Police investigations against the nine men are ongoing.

In one of the joint operations with Safe Distancing Enforcement Officers from the Urban Redevelopment Authority, a nightlife establishment, ‘Taboo Singapore’ c/o 57 Duxton Road, was issued with a closure order of 20 days with effect from 27 November 2021. The outlet was found to have breached Safe Management Measures (SMMs) under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. Seventeen individuals at the premises were also issued with a Notice of Composition of between $300 and $1,000 for flouting SMMs.

Anyone found guilty of being a member of an unlawful society under Section 14(3) of the Societies Act, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both. The offence of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, punishable under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapon Act, carries an imprisonment term of up to three years and caning of not less than six strokes. Anyone found guilty for non-compliance with SMMs under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, will be liable, upon their first conviction, to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.

The Police have zero tolerance towards secret society activities that threaten the public safety, peace, and good order, and will continue to carry out secret society and crime suppression operations at the various nightlife establishments and popular congregation hotspots throughout the year-end festive season. Firm action will be taken against those who are associated with gangs and blatantly disregard the law. Members of the public are advised to steer clear of secret society activities and to report those engaging in such unlawful activities to the Police immediately.

Source: Singapore Police Force

The Police are appealing for the next-of-kin of 91-year-old Mdm Lim Tin Fong to come forward.

Mdm Lim, a former resident of Bukit Batok Care Home, had passed away at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital on 29 November 2021.

Anyone with information is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Source: Singapore Police Force

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong delivered remarks virtually at the World Peace Conference on 5 December, organised by the government of Bangladesh. The theme of the conference is “Advancing Peace through Social Inclusion”. ESM’s speech was delivered at the closing ceremony of the event.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore

Myanmar’s junta chief sat down with a prominent senior figure of Aung San Suu Kyi’s ousted party on Sunday, the first significant meeting since the February coup.

The military deposed Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party from power, pushing many of her closest political allies into hiding while others have been arrested.

The junta has alleged electoral fraud in last year’s poll as a justification for the putsch, but much of the country is in open revolt calling for a return to democracy.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday met with longtime politician and NLD stalwart Tin Oo, who has in recent years receded from the political landscape due to old age and poor health.

“Min Aung Hlaing told U Tin Oo that health treatment could be provided if necessary, and his army hospital will help,” the junta’s information team announced.

Tin Oo, a 94-year-old former army general and co-founder of NLD, was pictured wearing his party pin — a trademark red flag with a golden peacock — during the meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, who was all smiles in civilian attire.

The junta chief also met with Khin Nyunt, former spy chief-turned-prime minister before he was arrested under the former junta.

“Min Aung Hlaing also went to meet U Khin Nyunt… and asked about his health condition.”

The 82-year-old spent years in prison before he was released in 2012.

While some in the West saw him as a potential reformer, Khin Nyunt’s reign as spy chief saw activists harassed, arrested and tortured en masse.

Khin Nyunt’s intelligence apparatus — which once infiltrated every neighborhood across Myanmar — was purged after his ouster, while Tin Oo no longer plays an active role in NLD party affairs, said Richard Horsey, International Crisis Group’s Myanmar senior advisor.

“It seems unlikely this meeting was sanctioned by the NLD,” Horsey told AFP.

“Given that Min Aung Hlaing seems determined to sideline Aung San Suu Kyi and won’t meet with her, perhaps he’s looking for other meetings that will be politically cost-free.”

After the February coup, Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest. She currently faces a raft of charges that could see her jailed for decades.

Sunday’s meeting came on the eve of a junta court verdict on Suu Kyi’s charges of incitement and breaching coronavirus restrictions.

The verdict was due to be announced last week, but the court adjourned it until December 6, without providing a reason.

Source: Voice of America