A man was charged in court on May 6, 2020 under the Protection from Harassment Act for using vulgarities in Hokkien dialect at enforcement officers from National Environmental Agency (NEA) on two separate occasions.

Uttered vulgarities at NEA enforcement officers

Lee Ah Loo, 66, used abusive words against two different NEA enforcement officers at Beo Crescent Market on two separate occasions, once on April 26 and the second time on May 2.

During the first incident, he uttered "Kan Ni Na Bu Chee Bye" on April 26 at an enforcement officer at around 12:30pm, while he was in front of a stall at Beo Crescent Market.

Similarly, on the second occasion, he said "Kan Ni Na Bu Chao Chee Bye" at an enforcement officer from NEA on May 2, around 12:38am, according to police charge sheets.

The phrase translates to an obscenity involving one's mother's private parts in English.

The Hokkien phrases were read out in court over teleconferencing.

Claimed trial to both charges

Lee has claimed trial to both charges, claiming that the enforcement officers had scolded him first.

He also said in Mandarin that he had told the officer that he had no money, and to call for a doctor for him instead.

But it was not clear why he wanted the enforcement officer to call a doctor instead.

He added in Mandarin that he was not going to plead guilty.

The presiding judge told Lee to save his statement and to address it later at an appropriate juncture instead.

Lee will be due back in court on May 22, 2020.

If convicted of harassing a public servant who was performing public duties, Lee will be subject to a maximum jail term of 12 months, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.

Top image via Matthias Ang