SINGAPORE - A man who pressed an emergency stop plunger to halt an MRT train at Buona Vista station before assaulting a security officer was on Tuesday (Nov 9) fined $5,600. Clement Joshua Tan Teck Kim's antics caused delay to commuters as the train remained stopped for about two minutes. The Singaporean, now 49, had earlier pleaded guilty to one count each of being a public nuisance, assault and using criminal force on another man. Tan had dropped his mobile phone on the tracks as he was boarding a train at Buona Vista MRT station around 11am on Feb 29 last year. When he sought assistance, an SMRT station manager said he could only retrieve the phone the following day as train services could not be disrupted. Tan insisted that the services be stopped and the station manager alerted the police. Tan left the station when officers arrived, only to return around 3.50pm that day. He told SMRT employees that he needed his phone urgently as his baby had a fever and he had to speak to his girlfriend about the matter. They replied that train services could not be disrupted and that his situation was not an emergency. Despite this, Tan marched towards a station platform where the plunger is located and shoved an SMRT assistant manager, 56, who tried to stop him. Tan then pressed the plunger, causing a train that was approaching the platform to stop. An argument later erupted between Tan and two SMRT employees, including the assistant manager. A 62-year-old security officer spotted the commotion and noticed that Tan was behaving in an aggressive manner. Tan was heading out of the station when the security officer tried to stop him by grabbing his shirt. Tan punched the man's face and left the scene. He was arrested about four hours later. Offenders convicted of being a public nuisance can be jailed for up to three months and a fined up to $2,000. For assault, an offender can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $5,000. More on this topic Related Story Man arrested after climbing over screen door onto track at Jurong East MRT to retrieve phone Related Story Courts & Crime: Read more stories
SINGAPORE - A total of 31 blocks in Tanglin Halt are slated to be torn down from the end of this year under the Housing Board's Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers). Here is more about the project and the options for affected residents: • Two markets and food centres and seven commercial blocks are to be demolished as well. • One of the last to be cleared will be the Tanglin Halt Market, which will be demolished by 2024. • It is the biggest Sers project since 1999 and involves 3,480 sold flats. • Eligible flat owners were offered rehousing benefits, such as compensation for the existing flat based on market value. • They will also receive a Sers grant of $15,000 for singles or $30,000 for joint singles and families, for the purchase of the replacement flats. • Residents can choose new homes from five replacement sites in Dawson, an estate near Queenstown MRT station. • They can also choose new homes from other HDB developments and are entitled to the same rehousing benefits. • They can also sell their Sers flats or transfer them to other owners, with rehousing benefits. • The estimated subsidised price range for the new flats at the replacement sites before the Sers grant is $205,000 to $255,000 for two-room units, and $284,000 to $386,000 for three-room units. • Larger flats have a price range of $434,000 to $562,000 for four-room units (80 sq m), $461,000 to $590,000 for four-room units (85 sq m), and $601,000 to $748,000 for five-room units. Remnants from past Historical significance Former KTM Railways The railway tracks are a remnant of the now-defunct Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Railway line which ran between Malaysia and Tanjong Pagar. The name "Tanglin Halt" came from the fact that the trains used to "halt" at the former KTM station. The railway service ceased operations in 2011. The land has since been redeveloped as part of the Rail Corridor project. Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate One of Singapore's first industrial estates, it used to be home to factories including the Van Houten chocolate factory, Diethelm aluminium factory, Unitex garment factory and Singapore Electronics (Setron), which made Singapore's first black-and-white television set in 1964. Unique features Flats designed by SIT Block 71 Commonwealth Drive in Queenstown was designed by the Singapore Improvement Trust. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Blocks 57, 61, 67 to 73 Commonwealth Drive are the remaining flats in Queenstown designed by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), the predecessor to the Housing Board. Completed between 1961 and 1964, these low-rise blocks were conceived by SIT to reduce uniformity in public housing. Tanglin Halt Community Plaza Located next to the Commonwealth Drive Food Centre, a raised wooden platform functions as a huge event space for special occasions like National Day. Once, residents gathered for two nights to catch the homecoming gig of The Quests, an iconic 1960s Singapore band. Sources: My Community and Roots More on this topic Related Story Adieu to Tanglin Halt, one of Singapore's oldest estates Related Story Goodbye after 34 years for MP Lily Neo's Tanglin Halt Clinic
VILA-REAL (REUTERS) - La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid secured a vital 2-0 win away to Villarreal on Sunday (Feb 28) to reaffirm their title ambitions following a difficult run of results. Diego Simeone's side were smarting from twin defeats to Levante and Chelsea but went ahead in the 25th minute courtesy of an Alfonso Pedraza own goal following a goalmouth scramble, the strike being flagged offside then given after a VAR review. Atletico survived another video review just before halftime when Thomas Lemar was shown a yellow card rather than a red for elbowing an opponent before record signing Joao Felix came off the bench to double their lead in the 69th on the volley. A first win in four games in all competitions moved Atletico on to 58 points after 24 games, five clear of second-placed Barcelona, who have played 25, and six above third-placed Real Madrid. More on this topic Related Story Football: Atletico Madrid stumble again to keep La Liga title race alive Related Story Football: Spain looks to Real Madrid and Atletico to halt La Liga decline