Woman filmed verbally abusing two men with racist remarks, police investigating

SINGAPORE: A 70-year-old woman is assisting with police investigations after a video showing her verbally abusing two men with racist comments at Our Tampines Hub circulated on social media. In the video on TikTok and Instagram, the woman could be seen shouting expletives at two men. She also made racist remarks and insulted them about their country of origin.

According to netizens in the comments section, the two men allegedly walked up to the railing to watch the game and happened to be blocking the elderly woman who was sitting on the bench behind. This enraged her. The post stated that the men were standing near a railing to watch a live English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool streaming on the venue’s big screen at the ground level. The woman allegedly hit both of them on the back and made offensive remarks to them.

In response to media queries on Monday (Nov 27), the police said they were alerted to a call for assistance at 1 Tampines Walk last Saturday at about 9.55 pm. The woman is assisting with a case of voluntarily causing hurt and intentional harassment, they added. No injuries were reported. Police investigations are ongoing.

The uttering of words with the deliberate intention of wounding the racial feelings of a person is an offence under Section 298 of the Penal Code and is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. The committing of an act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious groups is an offence under Section 298A(b) of the Penal Code and is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both.

The possession of obscene films is an offence under Section 30(2)(a) of the Films Act and is punishable with imprisonment of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $40,000, or both. The Police take a serious view of acts which have the potential to harm racial harmony in Singapore. Any person who makes remarks or acts that cause ill will and hostility between the different races or religious groups in Singapore will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law. /TISG