Man, 61, jailed for making bomb threat against Lee Kuan Yew's home in 2004
After drinking alone at Orchard Towers in November 2004, Ganesan Singaravel called the police hotline thrice – each time making a bomb threat.
Two of the calls made reference to the former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew’s home on Oxley Road. While he was arrested on the same day that he made the calls, he later left the country and only returned in July last year.
Now 61, Ganesan was jailed four months at the State Courts on Monday (21 January) after pleading guilty to one charge of transmitting a false message containing a bomb threat. Two other charges of the same were considered for his sentencing.
Drank whiskey till pub closed
On 13 November 2004, Ganesan went alone to Orchard Towers to drink at around midnight. He drank whiskey at Ipanema World Music Bar until the venue closed at about 4am.
Ganesan then visited a 7-Eleven outlet at Orchard Towers to get more drinks. At about 4.45am, while inside the convenience store, he called the police and said, “Got a bomb in Oxley Road.”
He then went to the basement of Orchard Towers. About five minutes after making his first call, he rang the police again. This time, he said, “What your name? Minister house bomb… f*** you. You policeman b******”.
At around 5am, Ganesan again called the police from a public phone near the nearby Thai Embassy. He said, “Singapore police f*** up… Lee Kuan Yew house put bomb then you will run to the house lah… If not you all don’t f*** care right… Okay you put a bomb in mentor minister house tonight (sic)”.
A patrol car was dispatched to Orchard Towers to interview and arrest Ganesan, while officers stationed at Oxley Road were told to step up patrols and be alert and vigilant, the court heard.
Policemen arrested Ganesan at about 6.15am the same day at Orchard Towers.
Ganesan left Singapore on 22 January 2005 and overstayed in the United States. He was detained when he returned to Singapore on 15 July last year.
The maximum penalty for sending a false message containing a bomb threat under the Telecommunications Act is a fine of up to $50,000 and up to seven years’ jail.
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