Mask‑Mishap: The Woman Who’s Getting Scrutinised Again
Last Saturday (May 15) a clip of a woman standing at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) without a mask blew up online. The film shows her bristling at a “safe‑distancing ambassador” (SDA) who keeps insisting that she put on a face covering.
Why the Drama?
- Commanding a badge check – She immediately asks the SDA if they’re wearing a “badge” and challenges their authority.
- “If you have no badge…” – The SDA claims to represent MBS. She retorts that she could be a police officer instead.
- Mask pull‑away – In the clip, the woman slips a mask into her pocket as the argument heats up.
Beyond the Video
According to court papers the Straits Times got on Wednesday, Phoon Chiu Yoke faced a criminal charge for a similar offence earlier that same year:
- She failed to wear a mask at the Newton Hawker Centre between 07:20 pm and 08:00 pm on May 8, 2020.
- She was charged under the Covid‑19 (Temporary Measures) Act during the circuit breaker phase (April 7 – June 1, 2020).
- Phoon, now 53, is contesting the charge and the trial is set for next Monday.
Police say they heard about the May 15 incident around 5:15 pm and that Phoon has been spotted off‑mask in several venues over the last year, including two other videos: one at VivoCity in February, the other at Clarke Quay Central in December.
What to Expect
The court will decide whether her actions at MBS and her 2020 record constitute a repeat offence. For now, the video has sparked debate about enforcement and personal freedom, while the legal clock ticks toward Monday’s hearing.
<img alt="" data-caption="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: Screengrab/Facebook/The Online Citizen Asia” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”53242dd3-4169-4e68-9604-a5241801b2d9″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210520_otherincidents_fb.jpg”/>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 Times. Permission required for reproduction.
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