S’poreans slam woman who went viral for antics on bus; although some say she may need professional help

SINGAPORE: A woman who behaved badly in a series of bus-related incidents over the past few years was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal on July 7 (Monday), after lengthy back-and-forth arguments with the judge.

A Channel NewsAsia (CNA) report says that Judge Lorraine Ho granted the application from the prosecution for the five charges against Tan Wee Teng, 52, to be given a discharge not amounting to acquittal. However, the prosecution has the option to revive these charges if Ms Tan re-offends during the 36 months of her conditional warning.

Ms Tan, who was not represented by a lawyer during the proceedings, repeatedly argued with the judge concerning the specifics of an incident on Aug 30, 2024, when she had hit the arm of bus driver Ding Shuai on Bus 99. This was her fifth offence.

For incidents between August 2023 and August 2024, she had been accused of two counts of public nuisance, two counts of criminal force, and harassment. She has been seen putting her feet on a bus pole and on seats, and she harassed, cursed, and hit a man while both were on Bus 180.

One of these incidents was caught on camera and went viral on TikTok.

@bbidaaaa

aiya auntie pls be considerate lah 😭😡 #sgbus #kakibusuk

♬ Backsound Lucu – Faid rafanda

According to the report, Ms Tan protested that the length of her conditional warning was too long, and she claimed that the bus driver had set her up. When the Judge announced her decision, Ms Tan said, “I want to be prosecuted by the AGC.”

Netizens commenting on the report slammed Ms Tan for her behaviour, while simultaneously praising the judge for her patience in explaining everything to her during the proceedings, including the back-and-forth arguments that lasted over two hours.

“It’s really disgusting how entitled this Karen is,” commented a Reddit user.

“Someone’s been watching too much legal drama. Defendants cannot suka suka choose how and who they want to be prosecuted by,” another wrote.

“The patience of the judge to hear out this crazy story and try to reason with her,” wrote another Reddit user.

“My heart goes out to the district judge who kept having to clarify events. Sounded like a frustrating time,” observed a commenter.

“I respect the judge for having the patience for this one,” another chimed in.

A commenter who had witnessed one of the incidents had this to say: “I was there for the 180 situation listed in the article. She alighted and started to shout and scream quite racist remarks and vulgarities at the bus driver, saying that the driver was from Bangladesh and he should go back to the country and such. Because 180 is usually quite packed and the doors take time to close due to the influx of people, it can be heard echoing in the bus itself as well.”

Others, however, said that based on the reports, it sounds like Ms Tan needs help.

“Maybe she needs a consultation service at IMH,” wrote one.

“Should ask IMH to step in,” another agreed.

Another wrote, “She clearly sounds like she has mental health issues. Just curious. Under what circumstances would a mandatory treatment order be imposed?”  /TISG

Read also: ‘Another inconsiderate passenger!’ Bus passenger called out for putting feet up on seat…right next to the signage