Four drivers nabbed in SMRT fiasco - $2000 fine nia

[mojito]

A happy ending for everyone.

Four SMRT bus drivers from China charged for inciting illegal strike
Published on Nov 29, 2012
6:27 PM
By Maria Almenoar & Royston Sim

Four SMRT bus drivers from China have just been charged in court for their role in the illegal strike at a worker's dormitory in Woodlands earlier this week.

He Jun Ling, 32, Gao Yue Qiang, 32, Liu Xiangying, 33, and Wang Xian Jie, 39, were arrested by the police between Wednesday and today.

They now face charges under Section 10(a) of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Chapter 67), read with section 109 of the Penal Code (Chapter 224).

If found guilty, they can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed up to 12 months or both.

He Jun Ling is believed to be the leader. The Henan province native had identified himself as a spokesman for the drivers and spoken to reporters on Tuesday at the Woodlands dormitory, and was featured in a Straits Times report.

Court documents show that he had allegedly incited his Chinese colleagues by posting on baidu.com a message on Sunday titled "The insults and humiliation suffered by Singapore drivers".

In the post, he called on drivers to "go on MC" on Monday and Tuesday, and that they had to "depend on ourselves for our dignity and interest".

He told them to relay the message to as many drivers as possible. "Boycott and despise those who are not taking any action..." he wrote.

The court ordered the four to be remanded for further investigations.

The drivers are believed to be among those who did not report for work on both Monday and Tuesday, citing unhappiness with their salaries and living conditions.

They are also among the 20 called up for questioning by the police on Wednesday.

SMRT said 171 drivers did not report for work on Monday. On Tuesday, 88 were absent.

The Chinese embassy here said in a statement that it is concerned about the arrests. The consulate has expressed this to the Singapore authorities and has asked that arrangements be made for embassy officers to visit the four. It also hopes that the legal rights of those arrested will be protected, that the matter be resolved in an appropriate manner, and that all parties remain calm.

 

[Fishypie]

I dont think these Ah Tiongs themselves paid the fines..your educated guess leh ?.

 

[mojito]

All 200 drivers can chip in $10 each for their brave heroes. Rejoice!

 

[chonburifc]

All 200 drivers can chip in $10 each for their brave heroes. Rejoice!

salah, pap will pay but tell ah tiong drivers dont tell anyone hor.

 

[GoldenDragon]

For offences under this section, the penalties should be more draconian. Fine of up to 2k? Jail term of 12 mths maximum? Bloody joke! Less serious offences which can be considered 'victimless' crimes attract much heavier penalties. Time to amend the law.

 

[Char_Azn]

Just fine them lah. Why U want to jail them for, KNN waste tax payer's money to feed them again.

 

[scroobal]

Bro, ketchup told me that they had difficulty getting the full story and these guys refuse to talk except in Dorm. The arrest intention is to seek remand and you know what that means. Ketchup said outsider involved, not sure local or foreign.

CLTP penalties not amended since separation from Malaysia. 5 yr parliament review and extension addressed other things but not this. Agree on change.

For offences under this section, the penalties should be more draconian. Fine of up to 2k? Jail term of 12 mths maximum? Bloody joke! Less serious offences which can be considered 'victimless' crimes attract much heavier penalties. Time to amend the law.

 

[mojito]

CLTP penalties not amended since separation from Malaysia. 5 yr parliament review and extension addressed other things but not this. Agree on change.

No need lah. The ISD can detain a sinkie for eternity, no embassy will speak up. Why bother with pesky things like trials?

 

[Kuailan]

Papaya don't learn the lesson, you pay peanut you get monkeys!

 

[HappyCAMPER]

So $2k for a strike opportunity. Not too bad leh.

 

[tua lam pah]

all wayang la.....

 

[mollusk]

Ironic when china mention about legal rights....

 

[OverTheCounter]

CLTP penalties not amended since separation from Malaysia. 5 yr parliament review and extension addressed other things but not this. Agree on change.

Agree that CLTP penalties are too light.

 

[red amoeba]

wayang time...earlier don't arrest? just because post on baidu say incite strike? pls loh...

 

[GOONDUSAMI]

PAP did the right thing. We need to kill the 4 chicken to warn the monkeys.

 

[tualingong]

train drivers in angmo countries earns many times as sg train drivers.

why? because they strike beri often. a few years strike one time salaries increase one time.

only million dollars men no need to strike can increase thousands times.

who happier more? definitely not peasants.

 

[Fook Seng]

I have no comment on this thread but would wish to share a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8mynrRd7Ak&sns=em
Enough said.

 

[halsey02]

Papaya don't learn the lesson, you pay peanut you get monkeys!

These are not monkeys...they are gorillas!..overfed, oversize ( UP SIZE!), Incompetent, Inept, for the sake of money..they forget, what is business & what is a COUNTRY!

 

[Rumpole]

No need lah. The ISD can detain a sinkie for eternity, no embassy will speak up. Why bother with pesky things like trials?

In that case, if you happen to the SINKIE that is detained then please do not ask for any lawyer to take up your case hor. Just guai guai go inside Whitley and stay for as long as it pleases the Leegime to keep you there. It can be as long as 20+ years. Cheers :p

 

[kingrant]

Tan Wah Piow was convicted in absentia and exiled for life, and he very much did something similar if not less.