4 public transport staff lauded for aiding police in outrage of modesty cases in trains, station
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(From left) Mr Edward Thiah Yong Kwan, Mr Ethan Chan Poh Seng, Assistant Commissioner of Police Masagoes Idris Hussain, Mr William Koh Hui Chong and Mr Tippu Sultan S. Hamid.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
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SINGAPORE – Four public transport employees were presented with the Community Partnership Award (Individual) on Sept 4 for assisting the police in four separate outrage of modesty cases.
The four are Mr Tippu Sultan S. Hamid and Mr William Koh Hui Chong from SMRT, and Mr Edward Thiah Yong Kwan and Mr Ethan Chan Poh Seng from SBS Transit, the police said in a statement on the same day.
Mr Sultan was at Pioneer MRT station on April 18 when he spotted a female commuter chasing a man.
When he went to her aid, she told him she was on the escalator when she felt the man grab her left buttock.
Mr Sultan detained the man and alerted the police.
The suspect was arrested and charged with outrage of modesty. He was later convicted and sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment.
In the other cases, the three staff also helped to detain suspects after they were alerted by female commuters that they had been touched inappropriately on MRT trains and in stations. Police investigations are ongoing.
The police said commuters who are victims of molestation on public transport networks should immediately move away from the perpetrator and report the incident.
They should call the police and alert public transport staff directly.
While ensuring their personal safety, victims should try to note key details such as the perpetrator’s physical appearance, clothing, and the time and location of the incident.
The police added that bystanders who witness such offences can alert public transport staff immediately, call the police or draw attention to the situation.
Members of the public are encouraged to sign up as Riders-On-Watch members under the Community Watch Scheme and download the Police@SG mobile app to receive the latest crime information, alerts and advisories.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Masagoes Idris Hussain thanked the four staff for their efforts in assisting the police.
He added that the Public Transport Security Command works with the Land Transport Authority and public transport operators to increase commuters’ awareness of crimes of concern and deter potential offenders. Such initiatives include having decals on platform screen doors, escalators and bus hangers.
AC Masagoes, who is also the commander of the Public Transport Security Command, said: “Apart from stepping up our patrols in the public land transport network, we will spare no effort to trace and arrest the offenders through ground operations.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report to the police immediately if they witness a crime or are aware of someone being a victim of crime.”
