Award Banner
Award Banner

Woman who challenged SDA at MBS shows up at court without mask

Woman who challenged SDA at MBS shows up at court without mask
Phoon Chiu Yoke was wearing sunglasses as she approached the building, and only put a mask on as she neared the entrance.
PHOTO: The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - The woman seen in a viral video clip refusing to don a mask while at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) on May 15 approached the State Courts building on Monday afternoon (May 24) without wearing a mask.

Phoon Chiu Yoke, 53, who had sunglasses on, put on a mask only when she was near the entrance.

She arrived at the court alone around 1.15pm for a hearing on a charge for an alleged offence last year under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.

She is contesting a criminal charge for failing to wear a mask over her nose and mouth "at all times" at Newton Hawker Centre between 7.20pm and 8pm on May 8, 2020.

Phoon is accused of committing the offence during the circuit breaker period, which was imposed between April 7 and June 1 last year to curb the spread of Covid-19.

On Monday afternoon, the prosecution applied for an adjournment of the trial, pending further investigations.

Phoon had attempted to remove her mask before addressing the court, but District Judge A. Sangeetha ordered her to keep her mask on throughout the proceedings.

Phoon questioned why the prosecution had wanted to adjourn the matter and who would pay for any administrative costs that would be incurred.

Read Also
Repeat offender? Woman who refused to wear mask in MBS has pending charge over similar offence
singapore
Repeat offender? Woman who refused to wear mask in MBS has pending charge over similar offence

However, she later did not object to the prosecution's request, saying she would oblige in good faith.

When prosecutor Imran Hamid suggested that she provide her contact details so the prosecution could contact and update her accordingly, Phoon declined to reveal her phone number because it was "not public information". She said the details could be sent to her residential address.

The case has been adjourned for a status pre-trial conference on June 23.

Phoon made the headlines earlier this month after a video showed her arguing with a safe distancing ambassador (SDA) at MBS.

In the clip, an SDA can be seen trying to convince Phoon to put on a mask. Phoon then asks the SDA on whether she has a "badge".

She is heard saying: "If you have no badge, why are you asking me to do something? Who are you representing?"

When the SDA replies that she represents MBS, Phoon says: "That's what you say. I can say that I'm a police (officer)."

At the end of the clip, Phoon can be seen clutching a mask which she slides into her pocket.

At the end of the clip, Phoon can be seen clutching a mask which she slides into her pocket. 
PHOTO: Facebook

In an earlier statement, the police said they received a call about the incident at around 5.15pm on May 15.

Phoon is believed to be involved in other similar instances where she was seen in various buildings and establishments without a mask on.

There are at least two other videos circulating which show her in public places without a mask on.

There are at least two other videos circulating, showing the woman in public places without a mask on. One of the videos was supposedly taken at VivoCity (left), while the other was at Clarke Quay Central.  
PHOTO: Facebook

One of the videos was supposedly taken at VivoCity in February this year, and the other at Clarke Quay Central in December last year.

After leaving the court at about 3pm on Monday, Phoon was seen removing her mask while holding a water bottle. She did not drink from it.

After leaving the court, Phoon was seen removing her mask while holding a water bottle. She did not drink from it.
PHOTO: The Straits Times

First-time offenders who breach laws under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.

Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $20,000.

This article was first published in The Straits TimesPermission required for reproduction.

homepage

trending

trending
    Woman flamed by netizens for secretly recording voting process on Polling Day
    'Dog will return soon': GE2025 independent candidate Jeremy Tan wants to contest again
    We may not have won Punggol, but we won something deeper: WP's Harpreet Singh on GE2025
    Ong Ye Kung leads PAP team to victory while elder brother Howard Ong loses in Australia's election on the same day
    10 killed after 4 tourist boats capsize in China, state media reports
    'Teochew dishes with a twist': Ya Hui teams up with restaurant to cook for dog charity
    'Lest you forget, the SDP never say die': Chee Soon Juan says party already preparing for GE2030
    5 affordable condos with unblocked views priced under $1m
    'Extremely touched': Passenger praises PHV driver for providing free treats and well-wishes during ride
    Car crashes into wall at Anderson Sec on Polling Day, 76-year-old unconscious driver hospitalised
    Gigi Hadid makes relationship with Bradley Cooper Instagram official
    GE2025: PSP’s poor showing shows party needs to rethink branding, policy proposals, say analysts

Singapore

Singapore
    • GE2025: Singaporeans living abroad share experience of voting overseas
    • PAP's Gan Siow Huang wins Marymount SMC with 70.70% of votes over PSP's Jeffrey Khoo
    • PAP wins Punggol GRC with 55.17% of votes over WP
    • WP wins Aljunied GRC with 59.68% of votes over PAP
    • 'I'm here to serve': DPM Gan celebrates victory with PAP team in Punggol
    • 'We've done very commendably': WP's Pritam 'proud' despite landslide PAP's GE2025 win
    • No victory parade: Chan Chun Sing emphasises commitment to residents after PAP’s strongest win in Tanjong Pagar GRC
    • 'Clear signal of trust and confidence,' says Lawrence Wong following PAP's victory in his first election as PM
    • PAP's Poh Li San wins Sembawang West SMC with 53.19% of votes over SDP's Chee Soon Juan
    • GE2025: PAP returns to power with 65.57% of popular vote; WP retains 10 seats

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • (G)I-dle rebrands in light of 7th anniversary, sparking mixed emotions from fans
    • Parents thank Park Seo-joon for donation that saved child: 'It was the first time in a long while our family laughed'
    • Red Velvet's Irene and Seulgi, Exo's Doh Kyung-soo, Xdinary Heroes: Singapore concert calendar for 2025
    • 'My acting wasn't going anywhere': Zhang Zetong was close to leaving showbiz before winning Star Award
    • Byeon Woo-seok, Park Eun-bin, Kiss of Life: A peek at their childhood photos on South Korea's Children's Day
    • Billie Lourd's children watch late grandmother Carrie Fisher on Star Wars Day, fans moved to tears
    • Trump plans to hit movies made outside US with 100% tariffs
    • Beyonce sent cease-and-desist letter to drop certain visuals from Cowboy Carter tour
    • US singer-songwriter Jill Sobule dies following a house fire
    • Comedian Russell Brand appears in UK court over rape and sex assault charges

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Local brands like Ann Chin Popiah and Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice to open at 5-star hotel in Macau
    • 'It hurts, losing everything': Mentai-Ya boss closes all remaining stalls after $550k losses in 2 years
    • Kenny Rogers Roasters now has an all-you-can-eat buffet for $28.90++, here's a sneak peek at the menu
    • This new American malt shop along Joo Chiat Road looks like it came straight out of a Wes Anderson film
    • Things to do in Porto, Portugal: A curated 5-day itinerary
    • Buying a walk-up apartment in Singapore? Don't overlook the shops below - here's why
    • Fun for all in Saudi: A guide to exploring the country's best family attractions
    • Tiny island, massive flex: 60 times Singapore topped the charts
    • 5 false ceiling designs that never go out of style
    • Here's where to treat mum this Mother's Day

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates
    • Taiwan says China using generative AI to ramp up disinformation and 'divide' the island
    • Russian court fines Telegram app for refusal to remove anti-government content, TASS reports
    • One Beijing man's quest to keep cooking — and connecting with Americans — on camera
    • Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in June with US$449.99 price tag
    • Games in April: RPGs, racing and Ronaldo in a fighting game
    • Is it time to get a MacBook at a good price? The M4 MacBook Air says yes

Money

Money
    • Giant deal: Malaysian company to acquire Cold Storage and Giant supermarket chains in Singapore
    • Do high floors equal to high returns? Let's unpack the numbers
    • What DIY property buyers in Singapore might miss out on (and why it matters)
    • How tariffs could shape interest rates in 2025: What Trump's 'Liberation Day' means for Singapore home loans
    • GM delays investor call, UPS axes 20k jobs as Trump's tariffs create corporate chaos
    • India prepared to 'future-proof' trade deal as sweetener in US talks, sources say
    • UPS cuts 20,000 jobs, GM delays investor call as Trump's tariffs create corporate chaos
    • Profit warnings and uncertainty as Trump tariffs send a chill through businesses
    • Risk of global economic recession surges on US tariff shockwaves
    • World military spending hits $3.6 trillion in record 2024 surge

Latest

Latest
  • Copper cable thefts in Spain leave passengers trapped in trains overnight
  • Daily roundup: Woman flamed by netizens for secretly recording voting process on Polling Day — and other top stories today
  • Yemen's Houthis announce campaign targeting Israeli airports
  • With militaries upgraded, risks multiply in any potential India-Pakistan conflict
  • The influencer election that wasn't: Amid Trump trauma, Australian voters logged off
  • Papal contender Parolin is a soft-spoken, longtime Vatican diplomat
  • Israeli cabinet approves expansion of Gaza offensive, broadcaster Kan reports
  • Adani reps meet Trump officials in push to end US bribery cases, Bloomberg News reports
  • Trump orders reopening of Alcatraz prison

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Tan Kiat How weighs in on viral video of Gan Kim Yong being ignored by passers-by in Punggol
  • PSP's Tan Cheng Bock turns 85; SDP's Paul Tambyah joins celebration at Teban Gardens
  • PM Wong urges voters to 'choose leaders of good character' in PAP's first party political broadcast
  • It is 'important for Singapore's democracy' that WP wins more seats, says Pritam in election broadcast
  • GE2025: PSP, RDU, SDP, PPP, PAR, NSP promise to push for policy changes if elected to Parliament in first political broadcast
  • 'Everyone has the right to express their feelings': WP candidates address four-cornered fight in Tampines GRC
  • PAP's Desmond Lee responds to opposition's calls for GST exemption, says 'we want to make it progressive'
  • 'A fresher Pritam Singh': Teo Chee Hean to Aljunied resident who mistook PAP's Faisal Abdul Aziz for WP chief
  • SDP leaders criticise GST hike and govt vouchers: 'Give you cup of water to put out fire'
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.