Singapore Man Loses Cruise Scheme and Lands a Few Months Behind Bars
Ng Kok Wai, a 29‑year‑old Singaporean, was handed a four‑month jail term after police caught him on a cruise ship for breaching a woman’s private space and pilfering her undergarments.
What Went Down on the “World Dream”
- On December 12, 2021, Ng boarded the World Dream out of Marina Bay Cruise Centre. He shared a cabin with his dad, while an unrelated woman and two friends occupied a neighboring room.
- Using his key card, Ng tried to grab the lock of the other cabin at about 3 pm on December 13. The lock system logged the attempt.
- When the woman and her friends left around 3:30 pm for shipside activities, Ng attempted the same trick again around 5:40 pm – still no luck.
- The big gamble? He climbed over the balcony railing, slipped into the unlocked cabin, and opened a tripod‑lock to free two suitcases. Inside, he snatched a $30‑worth bra.
- Camera footage later captured him slipping out and re‑entering the cabin around 6:29 pm, leaving two suitcases outside and acting as if he were cleaning up his own mess. He got caught when the woman and friends returned at 8:10 pm, found her underwear missing and reported the incident.
The Legal Battle
District Judge Kow Keng Siong rejected Ng’s argument that the crash occurred on foreign waters and was outside Singapore’s jurisdiction. The judge reminded that any crime involving Singapore citizens—even on a cruise—falls under the country’s laws.
Senior prosecutor Jocelyn Teo urged a five‑to‑six‑month sentence, pointing out Ng had a prior molestation conviction and was jailed for two months back in 2021. In contrast, defence counsel Azri Imran Tan appealed for a lighter three‑to‑four‑month term, noting that there was no force used and the stolen item was cheap.
The Verdict
- Sentencing: Four months in jail.
- Post‑sentence: Ng was released on bail of $20,000, with a chance to file an appeal.
So the next time you fancy a cruise adventure, remember: the real journey ends at the port of return—and sometimes with a court case. This story is brought to you by the Straits Times; courtesy of the Singapore courts and staff.
