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INCIDENT IN THE AIR: Madam Tan appeared in court yesterday, a week after she settled a civil claim by SIA stewardess Then Jiamin with an unspecified payout. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW
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THE wife of tycoon Wong Ngit Liong was yesterday charged in court with slapping a Singapore Airlines stewardess while on a flight.
Tan Siew Hoon, 61, was taken to court a week after she settled a civil claim by Ms Then Jiamin, 25, with an unspecified payout.
The stewardess had sought damages for 'emotional and mental distress' as a result of the 'wrongful assault and battery' as well as for defamation.
The terms of their settlement were confidential.
Tan's husband is chairman and chief executive officer of Venture Corp, Singapore's second largest contract manufacturer which makes computer and printer parts for some of the world's top tech firms.
The couple were on a flight to Tokyo on Sept 20 last year and Ms Then was one of the cabin crew in their business class section.
The stewardess had claimed that they were about 80 minutes from Tokyo's Narita airport and she was serving Mr Wong when Tan became upset and slapped her.
She also claimed that after the alleged assault, Tan asked her loudly: 'Why are you talking to my husband?'
In court yesterday, Tan was dressed in a black outfit and remained calm when the police summons was read to her.
She is represented by Mr Ravinderpal Singh and her case will come up in court again on April 3.
If convicted, Tan faces a jail sentence of up to a year or a fine of up to $1,000, or both a jail term and fine.
ELENA CHONG
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