Gee 1st Gear November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 traffic offences scapegoating has become a 'business'? --- Man jailed for abetting 'scapegoats' to take the rap for traffic offences by Kimberly Spykerman Updated 04:22 PM Nov 20, 2012 SINGAPORE - Seah Hock Thiam, who once championed the Yellow Ribbon Project, which helps reformed offenders start afresh, was today jailed six weeks for abetting his driver to get someone to take the rap for his friends' traffic offences. Seah, who is the chairman of several companies, including Esun International, is also an ambassador for the Industrial & Services Co-operative Society. Industrial & Services Co-operative Society is one of the agencies that started the Yellow Ribbon Project. The 45-year-old instigated his driver, Mr Mohamad Azmi Abdul Wahab, in August 2009 to engage two "scapegoats" - Salami Badrus and Rosniwati Jumani - to assume criminal liability for parking offences that were committed by his friends, Mr Ho Ah Huat and Mr Ong Pang Aik. The offences each carried a S$120 fine and three demerit points. Mr Ho is the former chief executive of Scorpio East Entertainment, while Mr Ong is the chairman and managing director of construction firm Lian Beng Group. Seah claimed trial in July 2012. During the trial, Seah's driver, Mohamad Azmi testified that Seah had asked him to "settle" the traffic offences. He said he agreed to help because Seah had been "very supportive" of him as his employer. Each of the 'scapegoats' was paid about S$300. In meting out the sentence, the district judge noted features of Seah's case that distinguished itself from the case involving prominent plastic surgeon Woffles Wu Tze Liang. In June, Wu was ordered to pay the maximum fine of S$1,000 for getting an elderly employee to take the rap for him for a speeding offence. The 52-year-old had abetted Mr Kuan Kit Wah, then 76, to provide false information to the police. The judge noted that in Wu's case, there was no indication that any monetary rewards had been given by him, whereas in Seah's case, he had paid money to the "scapegoats". Also, Wu had pleaded guilty, whereas Seah, who faced more serious charges, claimed trial. The judge added: "The offences in this case undermine the points demerit system... A deterrent sentence is called for to deter others from committing the same offence." However, the judge noted that Seah's contributions to charitable organisations and community work were taken into consideration in sentencing. Seah's lawyer told the court that he will file an appeal. He could have been jailed up to seven years and fined for each charge. CHANNEL NEWSASIA/TODAY ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vextan 1st Gear November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 Why the recent famous doctor who asked someone to take the rap was not jailed then ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celicar Turbocharged November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 Why the recent famous doctor who asked someone to take the rap was not jailed then ? Judge says whether scapegoat is paid is a factor!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabian Turbocharged November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 Bec yellow ribbon is not the same as white panties. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Comnao 1st Gear November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 Bec yellow ribbon is not the same as white panties. *LIKE !!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman888 Moderator November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 Why the recent famous doctor who asked someone to take the rap was not jailed then ? court case recent but offend was more than 2 years ago, where the new law not effective yet, so he is not guilty lor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSP415 Supersonic November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 It's strange....it's an offence that carried a $120 fine and 3 demerit points....one friend drives a porker and the other a Maserati.....can't be they can't afford to pay. Also read that they became persecution's witnesses.....perhaps they were not aware of the scapegoats thingy or came clean by pointing out the person who carried out the plan. So not worth it.....should have either appealed the parking offence or just paid up and accept the consequences of demerit points....just my personal thoughts. Safe ride. Cheers 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman888 Moderator November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 It's strange....it's an offence that carried a $120 fine and 3 demerit points....one friend drives a porker and the other a Maserati.....can't be they can't afford to pay. Also read that they became persecution's witnesses.....perhaps they were not aware of the scapegoats thingy or came clean by pointing out the person who carried out the plan. So not worth it.....should have either appealed the parking offence or just paid up and accept the consequences of demerit points....just my personal thoughts. Safe ride. Cheers these 富豪 are like that one, like to command people to 'settle' thing for them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon29 Neutral Newbie November 20, 2012 Share November 20, 2012 I guess the issue is the Money given to scapegoat. If no money records, then it may be like WW outcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_kkh 1st Gear November 21, 2012 Share November 21, 2012 (edited) if they wans to fault you, they have millions of ways and reasons. If they wans to acquit you, they need no reasons. Edited November 21, 2012 by Tom_kkh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpySpeedFiend 2nd Gear November 26, 2012 Share November 26, 2012 If my boss asked me to settle the fines, shouldn't it be understood as asked to pay the fine? Why did the driver go and find scapegoats? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph22 Turbocharged November 26, 2012 Share November 26, 2012 Why the recent famous doctor who asked someone to take the rap was not jailed then ? timeline issue. famous doctor convicted crime before the rule change. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackyv Turbocharged November 26, 2012 Share November 26, 2012 If my boss asked me to settle the fines, shouldn't it be understood as asked to pay the fine? Why did the driver go and find scapegoats? because to those in triad, "settle" means very differently.... luckily the boss didn't mentioned any name.... it could become murder case... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PorkChong Clutched November 26, 2012 Share November 26, 2012 the ah seah and his 2 abangs are even more ELITE than the doctor leh. strange that doctor was not jailed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman888 Moderator July 19, 2013 Share July 19, 2013 like that also can? Jail term cut for businessman who found scapegoats for parking offences Published on Jul 19, 2013 By Ian Poh A businessman, who was convicted of instigating his driver to get two scapegoats for illegal parking offences committed by his friends, had his jail term reduced from six weeks to one on Friday. Seah Hock Thiam had appealed against his sentence and conviction handed down last November. The 46-year-old is president of Esun International, which deals with the trading of scrap metal. His lawyer, Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, had argued in May that a fine would have been a sufficient punishment. He was convicted last year on two charges of abetting his driver, Mr Mohamad Azmi Abdul Wahab, 40, to find two people to take the blame for traffic offences committed by Mr John Ho Ah Huat and Mr Ong Pang Aik. The two 54-year-old men had parked their cars illegally along Simon Road on Aug 12, 2009. After both men received summonses from the Traffic Police asking for the drivers' particulars, Mr Ong faxed over the documents to Seah, who handed them to his driver to settle. Seah paid both scapegoats about $300 each, a sum that included the $120 fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toothiewabbit Supersonic July 19, 2013 Share July 19, 2013 (edited) Can afford, can. Edited July 19, 2013 by Toothiewabbit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonyhawk2 3rd Gear July 19, 2013 Share July 19, 2013 1. are they parking offences? 2. was the original counsel also davinder? 3. what about the original offenders, i.e. his friends? were they charged with the same crime? why not? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camrysfa Turbocharged July 19, 2013 Share July 19, 2013 Seah paid both scapegoats about $300 each, a sum that included the $120 fine. That means the big/risky favour only deserve about $180.00? market rate? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In NowRelated Discussions
Related Discussions
Traffic junction without traffic lights
Traffic junction without traffic lights
Woodlands Checkpoint vs Tuas Checkpoint
Woodlands Checkpoint vs Tuas Checkpoint
Traffic accident deaths in Singapore spiked by 58% in first half of 2023
Traffic accident deaths in Singapore spiked by 58% in first half of 2023
No more walk-ins: Traffic e-Appeals Portal is only way to submit appeals
No more walk-ins: Traffic e-Appeals Portal is only way to submit appeals
My date with Traffic Court, Court 21
My date with Traffic Court, Court 21
Police NSF, 23, gets 3 weeks jail for posting TikTok of teammate in handcuffs
Police NSF, 23, gets 3 weeks jail for posting TikTok of teammate in handcuffs
Van Driver Expertly Marshals Traffic At Bukit Merah Road Junction After Traffic Lights Go Out
Van Driver Expertly Marshals Traffic At Bukit Merah Road Junction After Traffic Lights Go Out