Singapore’s High Commissioner to India writes to Sun TV on false report of riot
High Commissioner Lim Thuan Kuan said Sun TV had erroneously reported that the Indian national, who died in the traffic accident that triggered the riot, was pushed out of the bus by the driver.
The report had also claimed that Singaporeans and Chinese attacked the Indian nationals.
Mr Lim stressed these incidents did not take place. The High Commissioner has requested Sun TV to correct its report both online and broadcast.
India’s Sun TV apologises for erroneous report
Indian news channel Sun TV has apologised for an erroneous report on the Little India riot on Sunday and broadcast the “correct” version, following complaints.
The Tamil-language report was carried in the channel’s 7pm prime time bulletin on Tuesday, which is broadcast in Singapore at 9.30pm, said Mr R Umashankar, Editor In Charge of Sun TV’s News Section, in a letter sent to Mr Roy Kho, Singapore’s Consul-General in Chennai. A copy of the letter was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday.
In his letter yesterday, Mr Umashankar said: “As Editor In Charge of the News Section of Sun TV, I take up the responsibility for the incorrect news and I sincerely apologise for what has happened.
“I would like to put it on record that there was absolutely no intention on our part to do anything that will spoil the centuries-old cordial and friendly relationship among various communities living in Singapore.”
He also added that the second report was given the “same prominence and duration” as the first report.
Taiwanese talkshow on Little India riot says Singapore is a very scary country
An episode of a Taiwanese talkshow called CtiTV (also known as 中天电视台) discussing the Little India riot that took place on Sunday night has enraged many Singaporeans and Malaysians.
Among the many inaccurate statements made on the show is the claim that people arrested for spitting, and that sticking bubble gum on public property carries the penalty of caning.
In addition, the show stated that the 1964 racial riot was the reason that Singapore was kicked out of Malaysia, as a lawless, hellish country.
The TV show also say that Singapore government will harvest organs of Singaporeans without the permission of Singaporeans. They also say that falling asleep in a public area will result in a $200 fine which is very unhumane.
This is the second television programme from overseas to make false claims in the context of Sunday's riot, after SunTV's erroneous news broadcast.
Security cameras were installed overnight at the site of Sunday’s riot in Little India, as the police continued to roll out measures to ensure that the coming weekend would be a trouble-free one.
The cameras, part of a raft of measures to improve security in the area, were welcomed by residents and businesses, who have long suggested an increase in surveillance to be deployed to maintain peace.
In total, 26 police closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed in the vicinity of Race Course Road and Buffalo Road. About 10 CCTV cameras were installed in the area yesterday.
2-day ban on alcohol sale in Little India
There will be no sale of alcohol in Little India this Saturday and Sunday, the authorities confirmed yesterday, as three more men were charged over Sunday night's riot there.
The blanket ban will apply not only to liquor stores but all establishments, from upscale restaurants and bars to more humble convenience stores and hostels.
Any business that flouts the order risks having its licence revoked, said the Liquors Licensing Board.
Increased police presence after riot welcomed by some
The police have said they will be stepping up their presence at places where foreign workers usually congregate, after a riot broke out at Little India on December 8.
The locations include Geylang, Golden Mile and Little India.
The move was welcomed by several shop owners and members of the public which Channel NewsAsia spoke to.
Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam assures foreign workers in S’pore
On Wednesday evening during a visit to Kranji Lodge 1, Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam emphasised that Singapore has zero tolerance towards those who break the law and will take firm action against them.
He also assured workers there that nothing will happen to them as long as they abide by the law.
He added that if the workers have any grievances or unhappiness, they have many avenues through which to seek help -- for example, through their unions, the Manpower Ministry or the Migrant Workers Centre.
Those directly involved in the riot, surrender yourself
Deputy Superintendent Julius Lim, head of operations and training at Tanglin Police Division, said: Those who are directly involved in the riot, we urge you to surrender yourself and come forward as well to assist us with investigations."
Three more Indian nationals were charged in court on Wednesday with rioting at Little India on Sunday evening. This brings the total number of people charged to 27.
Rajendran Ranjan, 22, Moorthy Kabildev, 24 and Sathiyamoorthy Siv Sivaraman, 26, made their first appearance in court Wednesday afternoon.
They are alleged to have smashed a private bus involved in an accident which occurred shortly before the riot.
They will be remanded in police custody for a week for further investigations.
The Law Society of Singapore has informed the accused of the possibility to seek help through the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme - similar to what was brought up to the first batch of 24 men who were charged on Tuesday.
The case will be mentioned in court again on December 18.
Do more to improve safety at Little India pick-up point
Following the fatal bus accident at Little India on Sunday, bus drivers who operate in the vicinity said more needs to be done to improve safety at the pick-up point in the area.
The pick-up point is a one-way road which opens from 6pm to 11pm on Sundays, where only authorised buses can enter.
The bus operators claim that the road is not wide enough, and that the area needs more lights.
A majority of the bus drivers are one-man operators and depend on plying the route for their livelihood.
A few days after the riot at Little India took place, more people are giving Channel NewsAsia accounts of foreign workers who lent a helping hand amidst the chaos.
Hundreds of people were at Little India the night the riot broke out. But one man has stood out for a good reason.
A man in a checked shirt was captured on a YouTube video trying to stop people from rioting.
Many have praised his efforts, and the search for him has begun.
The owner of a coffee shop in Little India claims the man was a regular customer and was likely from Chennai, India.
Mateen Ahmed, owner of coffee shop Spice Box, said he believed the man was around 35 years old, married and had a two-year-old daughter in India.
But he declined to share his name and said he does not know where he worked.
Mr Mateen Ahmed also said many of his regular customers who are foreign workers responded quickly to help the shop.
Mr Mateen Ahmed said: "When the riot started, a lot of people from the roadside, they come, they pick up the chairs, tables, to throw at the bus.
“Then the workers, customers eating here, the regular customers, they help us bring everything inside, all the chairs, tables, close the shutters... ."
And more stories of those who lent a helping hand are likely to emerge in the days to come.
Villagers pay last respects to Kumaravel
The body of S. Kumaravel killed in a road accident in Singapore on Sunday last was brought to his native Onankudi village near Arimalam on Wednesday and buried a little later. The death of Kumaravel, who left for Singapore two years ago and was employed as a construction worker, led to violent incidents in Little India district in Singapore.
The body was flown to Chennai on Tuesday night.
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