Shame on Singapore (Remember that song?)

It's a shame to hear that Ng Kim Ngweng, the rag-and-bone man who threatened MP Denise Phua, has been sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

This is utter rubbish. Where is the justice?

Firstly, he is a simple, stupid man. The media had no qualms portraying him as such—wife-beater, rag-and-bone man, welfare-sucking-leech. Simple, stupid men use simple, stupid manners of speech. If he really is as lowly as everyone says he is, why do you fault him for making a caveman remark like "I feel like hitting her". Shouldn't it be expected of him? Many "educated" and "civilized" parents also say "my son is so naughty, I just feel like smacking him".

I qualify: I do not share the same sentiments as the media. There is nothing wrong with being simple. And he is totally NOT stupid as the papers portrayed him to be at the start. Just look at his statement.

Next, the MP (her crew and all representing her) in question arguably did him wrong. He waited for four hours. Ask your educated, civilized MP to wait in line for 15 min after her residents at the next buffet dinner event and see if sparks fly. What did he get? Check out her face on the website. I'm sure you'd just love to hug her.

Perhaps she understood this and was being reasonable not to press charges. But some looney had to take up the case and prosecute the man. Eight long days in court. Anyone who has been to court can tell you how tiring it is even for the most educated, eloquent, and innocent among us. Why don't these looneys start investigating accusations of torture under police custody? Or spousal/child abuse? Or neighborhood tiffs?

There is a half-answer to the question in the penal code that says anyone threatening a civil servant can be fined and/or jailed for up to 2 months.

Clearly, Ng screwed up in the eyes of the law. And frankly, I too agree that he did a really stupid thing. But where is the consideration of the mitigating factors in his jail sentence?

He's a first time offender. He was clearly disappointed and incensed by his MP (just imagine seeing this face after waiting for 4 hours). He is a simple man, who is understandably outspoken and arguably did not mean the threat—there were no details attached to the threat. The threat wasn't even made directly to the civil servant. He was said to be remorseful and "deeply regrets his actions" (perhaps he means the lack thereof). And the ridiculous archaic idea that we should only protect civil servants—and not all citizens—from serious verbal intimidation.

What should that add up to? I say, a week in prison to appease that dumb Singaporean need called deterrence, be it specific or public. And 3 months working with/under her at the GRC to "better understand the challenges of an MP". That's the least I expect from the fair and compassionate courts that protect our fine city called Singapore.

Just who am I kidding.