Singapore’s FG‑Fugitive Gets 18 Years Behind Bars
The Long‑Haul: From Thai Hideout to Singapore Jails
Chin Sheong Hon, 72, spent more than 30 wild years living off the grid in Thailand after a botched robbery that left a woman shot in the stomach. After finally being released from Thai prison for political protests, he was extradited back to Singapore in 2013. Now he’s sat in a Singapore cell for over nine years and will add another 2½ years on top of the usual one‑third remission.
1981: The “Revolver” Trilogy
- July 1981 – Mr Ee Chong Leong at the old Singapore Shuttle Bus Terminal was robbed of about $16,000. Chin dragged his revolver to the victim’s waist and whispered, “Don’t scream, mate.”
- October 1981 – Mr Chua Boon Leong in front of Overseas Union Bank got new cash, but only $1,800. Again, Chin showed up with a gun and the same commanding “no alarms.”
- November 1981 – The most dramatic: Ms Goh Siew Foon at UPB’s Thomson Branch was robbed of $92,000. The gunshot made a nasty breach in her stomach and a few lung cuts, yet she walked away alive. Talk about a “robbery with a side of survival.”
Legal Tangles & Psychiatric “Hiding‑Out” Moves
After his 2013 arrest, Chin was rushed into a psychiatric ward because he was deemed unsound mind and unfit to stand trial. He later broke the mental‑health wall, got diagnosed with delusional disorder, and in July 2021 was judged fit to plead. Justice finally caught up.
Guilty Plea & Outcome
Chin pleaded guilty to:
- One charge: injury with a deadly weapon during robbery.
- One charge: armed robbery.
Another armed‑robbery charge was considered but dropped. The final sentence: 18 years plus the two‑and‑a‑half‑year add‑on, thanks to the one‑third remission rule and back‑dating.
Why All the Drama?
After 30 years of being a “man on the run,” fresh evidence, a legal twist, and the inevitable garbage‑picking law routine came together. When Chin finally landed back in Singapore, the courts could make that final call.
Bottom Line
Singapore’s justice system moved fast—after a long, complicated journey, the fugitive finally pays the price. The case shows that time on the run doesn’t ever stop charging the bank.
<img alt="" data-caption="Chin Sheong Hon shot Ms Goh Siew Foon in the back when she and her brother were on their way to the United Overseas Bank branch in Upper Thomson Road, in November 1981.
PHOTO: SPH File” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”13c19cc3-a6ff-43a3-9d23-1999c08fd16d” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/uob222.png”/>
Chin’s Life‑Sentence Tug‑of‑War
In the latest courthouse drama, DPP Koh begged the judge for a life term, saying Chin’s brain works on a very shaky and dangerous level. It’s a “life in jail” scenario that comes with medical checkpoints.
Why a Life Term?
- Mental‑health 101 – The Institute of Mental Health says Chin’s mind isn’t just tricked; it’s unstable, likely to hit again.
- Continuous care – A life sentence guarantees Chin stays in a clearly supervised, medical‑ready environment.
- PR 1997 tweak – Back before the judiciary reshuffled the rules in ’97, “life” meant 20 years with a chance for early release.
Defence’s Counter‑Pitch
- Mr. Mervyn Cheong’s pitch – He wants a 13‑year, 7‑month jail term.
- Age and health – “Chin is old and frail; re‑offending risk is low.”
- No violence record – Cheong stresses that Chin never filled a violent crime record during his wanderings.
- Psychiatric slice – The Mental Health (Care & Treatment) Act suggests a designated psychiatric institution could be a safe alternative.
Judge’s Verdict
Justice Pang Khang Chau weighed the options. He said the public safety argument is strong but didn’t insist on a brutal life hang. Instead, he leaned on the Act’s protective power.
“We must look out for the community, but life imprisonment isn’t the only way,” the judge said, letting the NPD PAC—mental‑health act—stand in for peace of mind.
Bottom Line
Chin’s fate hangs into legal splits—whether to lock him away for life with hangnight care or opt for a shorter sentence that still keeps him in check. Stay tuned: this case has a twist, and the court’s final call hasn’t landed yet.
