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SINGAPORE: The bus driver who made false police reports claiming he had spotted a man resembling escaped JI leader of Singapore Mas Selamat Kastari has been sentenced to 21 months in jail.
The 49-year-old SMRT bus driver, Ng Hang Hai, made his first false report on 1 March shortly before 8pm.
He dialled 999 on a phone from his flat at Block 124 Bedok Reservoir Road.
Ng claimed he spotted a man resembling Mas Selamat on 27th February -- the same day the terrorist leader fled from the authorities.
Ng said he was driving bus service number 851 near the Old Police Academy at around 8pm when the man boarded the vehicle.
Ng told police the man had no money and requested for a free ride. Ng said he allowed the man to move in and he alighted along Lentor Avenue opposite the Seletar satellite station.
Because of this, officers were deployed to search the area.
Ng admitted in court that he concocted the story as he hoped to receive monetary reward should Mas Selamat be apprehended.
Later that night, Ng went to Bedok police station to give another report.
This time, he claimed, before boarding the bus, the man was riding pillion on a motorcycle bearing registration number SR 1657 H.
Ng said the man got off the motorcycle along Thomson Road and made his way to a bus stop where he boarded Ng's bus.
Police traced down the owner of the motorcycle, a delivery man called Hong Bok Leng.
Mr Hong was called in for questioning for an offence he did not commit.
Ng wanted to get Mr Hong into trouble as he claimed the motorcyclist had flashed him an obscene sign as Ng was driving along Victoria Street in late February.
Ng only admitted to his lies on 4 March when he was called in for further questioning at Ang Mo Kio police station.
For these offences, the deputy public prosecutor Wendy Yap said Ng has seriously jeopardised the search for Mas Selamat.
She said Ng had caused a waste of precious man hours that could have been better utilised.
The judge, Hoo Sheau Pheng, said Ng's crimes were fuelled by greed and malice.
In passing the sentence, Judge Hoo said she wanted to send a clear message to others that Ng's reprehensible and malicious conduct will not be tolerated.
On the search for Mas Selamat, Judge Hoo urged the public to remain vigilant and not hesitate to come forward with genuine information that could aid in his capture. - 938LIVE/ac
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