Singapore — Iris Koh has once again been denied bail, but this time by High Court judge Justice Vincent Hoong, on Monday (Jan 31).
Koh, 46, the founder of the anti-vaccine group Healing the Divide, made a last-bid attempt to be released on bail for the Chinese New Year festivities. However, it was denied, with Justice Hoong ruling that her application was “wholly devoid of merit”, adding that her efforts to “frustrate and impede investigations” have significantly contributed to the further need for remand.
Koh’s lawyer, Mr Clarence Lun of Fervent Chambers, said that given his client’s health condition, Koh should be allowed to spend time with her loved ones to “gain emotional strength”.
According to a CNA report, Deputy Public Prosecutor Jiang Ke-Yue said of Koh: “Thus far, she has not been cooperative with investigations and contributed to the delay”. He added that Koh had been assessed by several doctors to be medically and “mentally” fit for investigations.
Here’s a brief timeline of Koh’s activities while in remand:
Jan 21 – Arrested and admitted for observation at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for suspected psychosis.
Jan 22 – Gave a police statement, read it over and signed it.
Jan 23 – When charged, asked to be taken to IMH, deemed mentally fit.
Jan 24 – Filed a police report against an investigation officer.
Jan 25 – Complained of discomfort but refused to be taken to IMH. After dinner and rest, she gave another statement. She then refused to read and sign the statement and tore it up.
Jan 26 – Complained of discomfort and anxiety at 5:30 am. Taken to SGH in an ambulance, warded for observation for hyperthyroidism. Subsequently refused to be discharged.
Her upgraded charge was served to her with an “appropriate adult” present who assisted in ensuring an accurate statement recorded during the police interview with Koh, but Koh shouted vulgarities at the investigating officer. The appropriate adult was “so afraid”, she did not sign on the charge either.
Jan 28 – Koh tore up a copy of the amended charge and “created a scene” at SGH. She had to be restrained and formally charged with a more serious offence.
Koh’s co-accused, Quah and his assistant Thomas Chua Cheng Soon, were offered bail on Monday morning in the State Courts, a TODAY Online article reported. /TISG