Latest statistics on the Protection from Harassment Act?

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June 12, 2017

I refer to the article “Man fined for insulting public officer” (Straits Times, Jun 2).

It states that “Pressed for details by a public officer on how he used up $147,538 in retirement funds within five months, a ComCare applicant passed a snide remark that humiliated her and insulted her modesty.

Chan Kong Thoe, 56, showed further disrespect when making reference to Ms Elizabeth Aw being “a low-class officer”.

He was charged under the Protection from Harassment Act with using insulting words towards Ms Aw, a public service officer with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), during a July 27 meeting last year with her and another officer, Mr G. Kumaran, at the Social Service Office in Bukit Batok.

The part-time security officer was found guilty after a two-day trial in March and fined $3,000 by a district court.”

I believe this is only the second time that people have been charged under the Protection from Harassment Act.

The first case I understand was Ministry of Defence versus Dr Ting Choon Ming and theonlinecitizen (“Court of Appeal judges say MINDEF is not a person, can’t benefit from Protection from Harassment Act” (mothership.sg, Jan 16, 2017).

If I have missed out on any other case, I would be grateful if others could add to this statistical count.

For example, other than the ministries – has anyone else sued under the Protection from Harassment Act?

Leong Sze Hian

 

 

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.