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Former deputy lead of MOH data unit charged under OSA with leaking Covid-19 numbers 22 times

SINGAPORE - A former deputy lead at the Ministry of Health (MOH) was charged on Wednesday (April 14) with allegedly leaking Singapore's daily Covid-19 case numbers 22 times last year. Zhao Zheng, 36, who was the deputy lead of MOH's Data Management Unit, faces 24 charges under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). She was arrested in April last year for allegedly leaking the confidential information. Zhao was charged along with her friend Tang Lin, 36, who is accused of soliciting wrongful communication of information by asking Zhao to help her check on the status of a Covid-19 patient. Tang faces 10 charges under the OSA. In a release on Tuesday, the police said they received a report from a member of the public on April 16 last year that the daily number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore had been leaked online prior to MOH releasing the figures. Investigations found that Zhao had allegedly shared the figures on 22 occasions from March to April last year with members of a chat group who were not authorised to receive the information. A total of 64 other people who had received or communicated the information will be issued with stern warnings or written advisories for offences under the OSA. The offence of wrongful communication of information under the OSA carries a fine of up to $2,000 and a jail term of up to two years. Unauthorised recipients of such information are advised by the police to delete the confidential information received and not further circulate it, as they may otherwise be similarly liable under the OSA. Zhao and Tang have been offered bail of $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Both women are expected to be back in court on May 5. Tang Lin faces 10 charges under the Official Secrets Act. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG More on this topic   Related Story Public servant arrested for allegedly leaking classified information about phase 2 activities   Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories

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Ngee Ann Poly student allegedly armed himself with knife to rob woman

SINGAPORE - A Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) student has been accused of arming himself with a knife to rob a woman of $40 last year. The Singaporean teenager is said to have committed the offence at a Lengkong Tiga block of flats, near Jalan Kembangan, at around 1am on Oct 3 last year, about a month before his 18th birthday. Since he was just 17 when he allegedly robbed the woman, he cannot be named under the Children and Young Persons Act, which covers individuals below 18 years of age. Responding to queries, NP told The Straits Times on Wednesday (April 7) that the teenager is still one of its students. Its spokesman added: "We take a zero tolerance approach towards any acts of misconduct and will not hesitate to take disciplinary actions against students found guilty of breaching our student code of conduct to ensure a safe and conducive environment for our school community. "We have extended counselling support to the student and are unable to comment further as the case is before the courts." The student was charged with the offence earlier this year and according to court documents, he had allegedly put the woman "in fear of death". His bail has been set at $15,000 and the case has been adjourned to April 21. For committing armed robbery between 7pm and 7am, an offender can be jailed for up to 14 years and ordered to receive at least 12 strokes of the cane. This case is one of several involving local tertiary students who were taken to court after they allegedly committed crimes. For instance, a Singaporean National University of Singapore student is said to have committed offences, including stalking a woman between August 2019 and July last year and trespassing into her property on campus. The court heard on Wednesday that Ong Jing Xiang, now 25, intends to plead guilty to his offences. He will be back in court on May 19. For harassment, an offender can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $5,000. And for trespassing, an offender can be jailed for up to three months and fined up to $1,500. More on this topic   Related Story 4 men charged following armed robbery at Jurong East moneylender shop   Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories

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Man charged with attempted rape of 15-year-old girl arrested after failing to show up in court

SINGAPORE - The 21-year-old who skipped a court appearance on Monday (March 22) where he was supposed to enter his plea over sexual assault charges has been arrested. Police said he was picked up on Tuesday, the same day they detained another 21-year-old man for allegedly harbouring him. The fugitive is one of two men accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl when she became drunk after a game of Truth Or Dare. His co-accused has already pleaded guilty to raping the girl. The man faces one count of attempted rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration. The parties in the case cannot be named because of a gag order to protect the victim's identity. The accused was 18 years old when he allegedly committed the offences on Oct 17, 2017, at the foot of a Housing Board block in Pasir Ris Street 51. The court heard that the accused had gone missing on Monday after having breakfast with his father and lawyer. The court hearing was scheduled for 10am. At around 9.10am, he complained of an upset stomach and left for the toilet. He then could not be found, and also did not respond to phone calls and text messages. A warrant of arrest was issued by the High Court the same day. It has not been determined if the $30,000 bail his father posted for him will be forfeited. The police on Wednesday said they are investigating the accused for additional offences. His associate will be charged in court with harbouring an offender. More on this topic   Related Story Jail, caning for man who force-fed vodka to 13-year-old and raped her in park   Related Story Man accused of attempted rape of 15-year-old fails to show up in court The accused allegedly committed the offences when the girl became increasingly intoxicated as she played Truth Or Dare at the void deck with a group of friends. When the group left the block, the girl had to be piggybacked, as she was too drunk to walk properly. At about 4am, the two accused and the girl were separated from the others who had gone ahead. While she rested on the ground, the two men tried to rouse her, and when she did not respond, they allegedly sexually violated her. More on this topic   Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories

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81-year-old man allegedly ran massage business where sexual service was provided during circuit breaker

SINGAPORE - An 81-year-old man was on Wednesday (Jan 20) accused of operating an unlicensed massage business during the circuit breaker last year, where a woman working for him allegedly provided sexual services on the premises. As part of a move to address the Covid-19 outbreak, non-essential businesses like massage establishments were ordered to be shuttered during the circuit breaker period from April 7 to June 1 last year. Despite this, Too Seng San is said to have run an unlicensed massage establishment at the Tai Kang Yang Seng TCM Therapy at Block 201 Hougang Street 21 on April 17 last year. According to court documents, the woman working there had allegedly provided sexual services. Too, who was supposed to ensure that she did not perform such acts, had allegedly failed to do so. Separately, the Singaporean man is also accused of operating another unlicensed massage business in 2019. He is said to have operated Kang Le Yang Sheng TCM Therapy at Block 115 Aljunied Avenue 2 on Sept 25 that year. Too is now accused of three offences linked to massage establishments and an offence under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act. The pre-trial conference for his case will be held on Feb 9. In an earlier statement, police said they were alerted about the business in Hougang on April 17 last year. Officers later found that Too had allegedly failed to ensure his employee did not provide sexual services. For operating a massage establishment without a licence, a first-time offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. A repeat offender can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $20,000.

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