SINGAPORE – The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is investigating an incident that occurred on Sunday (March 6) allegedly involving Ms Phoon Chiu Yoke, who was jailed final yr for not sporting a masks in public on quite a few events.
Ms Phoon, 54, was allegedly noticed strolling round Orchard Road with out a masks on.
On Sunday, influencer Wendy Cheng, also referred to as Xiaxue, 37, posted a video on Instagram that includes a girl believed to be Ms Phoon strolling round Orchard Road.
The lady didn’t have a masks on, and wore sun shades much like these Ms Phoon was noticed sporting exterior the State Courts on quite a few events final yr.
She has been known as the “Badge Lady” on-line after a video of her refusing to put on a masks at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) built-in resort went viral final yr.
In her submit, Xiaxue wrote that she had tried to strategy the lady in Orchard, however was ignored.
Speaking to The Straits Times on Tuesday (March 8), the influencer mentioned she had been filming some interviews with passers-by exterior Mandarin Gallery when she noticed the lady.
“I ran up to her and asked if she was willing to be interviewed by me and she just ignored me,” she mentioned.
“I asked her if she was the ‘Badge Lady’, and she kind of gave me a side glance and didn’t say anything before walking away.”
Xiaxue added that the lady had walked previous her once more about half an hour later nonetheless with out a masks at Orchard Road.
“Initially I didn’t want to post anything, because I didn’t want to get her into trouble, but then I felt that she was being quite deliberate, walking just behind the person I was interviewing,” she mentioned.
“I think she’s quite defiant, and seemed to be smirking.”
She mentioned her submit has been shared greater than 4,500 occasions since.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, Ms Serene Tan, director of protected administration measures operations at STB, mentioned it was conscious of the alleged incident and that investigations are ongoing.
“STB takes a serious view of any breach in safe management measures,” she mentioned.
“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action for non-compliance, which may include composition fines or prosecution under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.”
Ms Phoon gained notoriety after a video which confirmed her questioning protected distancing ambassadors at MBS on May 15 final yr had gone viral.
She mentioned within the video: “Who are you? Who are you representing? Where is your badge? Show me your badge.”
Last September, Ms Phoon was jailed for 16 weeks after pleading responsible to a complete of 9 expenses, with one other 13 considered throughout sentencing.
She admitted to not sporting her masks on quite a few events at a number of locations, together with MBS, Newton hawker centre and St Andrew’s Cathedral.
She had additionally breached her stay-home discover in 2020 after getting back from Britain.
Those who’re discovered responsible of breaching a Covid-19 management order could also be jailed for as much as six months and fined as much as $10,000.
Repeat offenders could also be jailed for as much as a yr and fined as much as $20,000.
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