Vietnamese woman fined over outing to Lazarus Island, to have re-entry permit shortened
SINGAPORE — A Vietnamese woman who accompanied 11 others on a trip to Lazarus Island during Phase 2 of Singapore’s reopening was fined $3,000 on Friday (11 December).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) added that it would be shortening the validity of her re-entry permit on her next renewal.
Luong Thi Thu Ha, 31, a Singapore permanent resident, pleaded guilty to an offence under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act for a social gathering with 11 others at Lazarus Island.
In Singapore’s Phase 2 reopening, which began on 19 June and is still ongoing, only groups of up to five persons are allowed.
Engaged in leisure activities from morning to evening
On 8 August, at around 11am, the group took the ferry from mainland Singapore to St John’s Island and walked to the breach along Lazarus Island. They engaged in leisure activities together. At 6pm, the group took a ferry back to mainland Singapore.
One of the group members, Natalie Joanna Sarkies, later posted a photo of the gathering on social media. The photo made rounds on other platforms, triggering public alarm and outcry.
Apart from Luong, seven others have been dealt with after they pleaded guilty to a similar charge. These are: Sarkies, 29; Paul Jonathan Gold, 32; Zoe Louise Cronk, 30; Jeff Richard Alexander, 32; Lowri Mair Jeffs, 31; Richard Henri Lagesse, 31; and William Edwin Dunford, 32. They were each fined $3,000.
The remaining four who have not been dealt with are: Roth Joshua Adam, 31; Edward John Joseph Lee-Bull, 32; Helen Ann Sullivan, 30; and James Riby Oram Trimming, 31. They are set to plead guilty on 19 January next year.
Defence lawyer: no evidence how long they were in group of more than 5
During Luong’s hearing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh pointed out that the each of the other co-accused were fined $3,000.
Luong’s lawyer Anand Nalachandran said in court that there was no evidence as to how long the 12 individuals had gathered in a group of more than five.
Apart from Luong, Sarkies is a Singaporean, while the remaining 10 are British nationals.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ICA said that Singapore permanent residents who have been convicted of an offence will have their permanent residence status reviewed by the ICA. It said that for Luong’s case, ICA will shorten the validity of her re-entry permit on her next renewal.
Luong could have been jailed up to six months and/or fined up to $10,000 for his charge.
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