Singapore’s New “Nasi Lemak” Nightmare: Messy Telegram Groups Resurface
Remember the infamous “SG Nasi Lemak” group that once rocked Singapore’s internet with a flood of offensive photos? Well, that bad vibe has found a new home on Telegram, out here in the shadows of the messaging app. And it’s even scarier than before.
What’s Sharing, Exactly?
- Images of women—some young, some adult—gone full on nude or in a pin‑corrected, totally illegal and shameful state.
- Snapshots of passengers on the MRT, selfies, and Tik‑Tok clips of teens in school uniforms. Spoiler: the usernames of the victims are exposed.
- Size? Most groups boast about 2,000 members; a few of them pack over 7,000 subscribers, releasing endless stacks of over 500 pics and videos.
Police on the Case
The police have taken the first step: a report has been filed and investigations are in full swing. These key players are stepping up:
- Ms Nisha Rai (21), a political science undergrad at NUS, spotted a tweet warning about these groups and turned in the evidence on March 24.
- She’s part of a campus safety crew called Students for a Safer NUS, which got the word out about the Telegram resurgence.
- Along with 20 peers, Ms Rai has dug up nearly 60 frick‑tastic groups, reached out to 30 victims so far, and now has a petition to shut them down—over 1,500 folks have signed it by Tuesday.
The Cyber‑Security Side Kick
Ms Naazneen Ashfur (21), a cyber‑security pro, stays up to 3 a.m. hunting these dark corners. When she sees a chat, she’s nearly terrified, not just for her own photos but for those of friends and family. She says she thought the downfall of SG Nasi Lemak would scare people away—but the truth proved otherwise.
The 2019 Fallout
Back in October 2019, four men got caught running that old SG Nasi Lemak beast. Here’s the lowdown:
- 44,000 members at its peak, steered by 29 admins.
- Convictions: Liong Tianwei (39) got a 9‑week jail stint + $26,000 fine. Justin Lee Han Shi (20) and an 18‑year‑old got a year’s probation with 40 hours of community service each.
- Another guy, Leonard Teo Min Xuan (27), is still squarely in court’s sights.
Women’s Support Alliance
Ms Kelly Leow, the communications guru for the gender‑equality group Aware, shares that their Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) has recorded an upward spike in tech‑enabled abuse: from 88 cases in 2017 to 140 in 2019.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the moral? If those old chat rooms vanished, in the digital world they’re like that app you thought you deleted—you can just download it again! Keep a tight eye, report suspicious activity, and stand together. If you’re one of those victims, you’re not alone: support networks are here, and there’s a growing army of digital watchdogs ready to fight back.
Ms. Nisha Rai & Friends Take on the Dark Side of Online Intimidation
Heather Rakes the Deep Dive: Tens of folks, led by the indefatigable Ms. Rai, have tackled a massive chorus of no-good online groups—nearly 60 of them have been dismantled, thanks to a team of about 20 brave souls.
Meet the Front‑Line Guardian
- Ms. Rai & her crew have stepped in for victims, offering emotional lifelines and telling them they’re not alone.
- While chatting with victims, they pointed out the harassment, stalking, and outright threats that come hand‑in‑hand with those damning intimate photos.
- They highlighted the deep shame, confusion, depression, and even suicidal urges that follow a victim when their image is weaponised.
Truth from the Front Office
“Sending a pic to one person doesn’t mean you’re giving anyone else the license to dish it out,” Ms. Rai confides. “It’s a hard‑to‑understand rule that people typically get wrong.
Here’s her game plan for school yards: embed full sexuality education—cover consent, power imbalances, and the messy world of pornography. And in the short run, give online platforms a stern reminder that they’re not trolls; they have a big line of business in these non‑consensual photos.
Legal Wrangle: How to Fight Back
The jurisdictional battlefield is tough. Gloria James – a lawyer who’s seen the round‑the‑clock challenge – says it’s like playing whack‑a‑glitch. “Close one group, and another pops up in its place. It’s never a one‑shot operation.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Elaine Low lights up the victims’ side with a simple, no‑frills drill: snap those messages (that blocked ex‑partner’s texting noodle or creepy friend’s stalking feed). Then, report to the police pronto. It’s a quick win for evidence.
Help‑Line: Feel Safe, Speak Up
If you feel you’ve been caught in the dark web of unwanted intimacy, anytime, dial 6779‑0282 to reach Aware’s Sacc. It’s a place where compassion runs deeper than the internet.
Why This Matters
- Victim support is no longer a passive chorus but an active demo.
- The call for stronger laws rings louder than ever.
- Education can shift the narrative on consent from a vague whisper to a clear hard line.
Sponsored by the cornerstones of community, everything hinges on being a loud opponent to digital menace. Together, we’re photographing a new era where respect is the standard, and we’re ready to muzzle the unwelcomed onslaught—one screenshot at a time.
