COVID-19: Man who stabbed NParks officer charged with attempted murder
SINGAPORE — A 61-year-old man was on Wednesday (6 May) charged with attempted murder after he allegedly stabbed a National Parks Board (NParks) officer installing SafeEntry signs along the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector on Monday.
Ahirrudin Al-Had Haji Arrifin, who appeared from remand via video-link in a wheelchair, was ordered by District Judge Clement Tan to be remanded for three weeks for psychiatric observation.
The judge noted from the police’s investigation report on the case that the suspect has a medical history with the Institute of Mental Health.
The case will be mentioned again on 27 May.
If found guilty of his charge, Ahirrudin faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
In a statement after the incident, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and NParks said the suspect, who was cutting plants illegally at the park connector and was not wearing a mask, had purportedly turned aggressive and attacked the officer with a sharp instrument.
“The victim sustained serious injuries to his chest, arm and hand. He was conscious when conveyed to Changi General Hospital,” said the police, who were alerted to the incident, following a call by the injured officer’s colleague around noon on Monday.
The suspect fled the scene on his bicycle before the police arrived but he was arrested within 1.5 hours of the incident.
In a Facebook post later that same day, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli said the injured NParks officer is currently warded at the hospital for surgery.
“My thoughts are with the officer and his family. I wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.
Masagos added, “I would like to underscore that any form of abuse or attack against public officers constitutes a grave offence. Egregious perpetrators will be prosecuted in court.”
“I urge the public to cooperate with our enforcement officers and ambassadors, and to comply with safe distancing measures — these are in place to keep all of us safe against COVID-19.”
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