Man jailed for going out while on 5-day MCs, headbutting auxiliary police officer at polyclinic

• Chak Kok Phang, 53, pleaded guilty to a string of offences over two years
• In December 2019, Chak headbutted an auxiliary police officer at a polyclinic several times
• He also repeatedly broke Covid-19 rules by leaving his home to get food, while on an MC for a cough
• Chak admitted to various other offences and was sentenced to 21 weeks’ jail

SINGAPORE — A 53-year-old man was jailed 21 weeks on Tuesday (Dec 15) for a string of offences committed over two years, including going out when he was given two separate five-day medical certificates (MC) for being sick.

Chak Kok Phang was also ordered to pay a fine of S$2,000.

In May, the Singaporean man was diagnosed with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, including a cough and sore throat.

Under the Infectious Diseases (Covid-19 Stay Orders) Regulations, those with such symptoms are issued a five-day MC and are not allowed to leave their homes during that period. This came into force due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Chak repeatedly violated the regulations and went out to collect food from a distribution centre at the void deck of a block of flats.

Separately, he headbutted a Certis Cisco police officer who was keeping an eye on him at Ang Mo Kio polyclinic in July.

On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to six charges that included causing hurt to a public servant. Another seven charges were taken into consideration for sentencing.

BAD BEHAVIOUR

The court heard that between September 2018 and July last year, Chak also committed offences such as causing annoyance by swiping some fruit on display at a store.

On Dec 7 last year, he was drunk at a coffee shop in Ang Mo Kio when he poured coffee all over the floor.

When a police officer arrived there at 2.45am, Chak grew agitated. He was handcuffed and taken to a police car, where he asked to be allowed to eat and smoke.

After his request was denied, he shouted Hokkien vulgarities at the policeman.

Then, on May 6 this year, he went to Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic complaining of a cough.

A doctor put him on five days of medical leave, specifically telling him that he was not allowed to leave his home to collect food at a distribution centre at Block 321, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1.

This was because a social worker had told the doctor that Chak did this even while on MC.

The doctor also circled the number for a People’s Association phone number for Chak to call if he needed help. Chak confirmed that he understood the doctor’s advice.

However, investigations revealed that he left home daily for about 30 minutes each time to collect food.

Again, on June 15, he was given a five-day MC after going to the polyclinic with a cough and sore throat.

A Ministry of Health officer checked in on Chak at his home the next day and discovered that he was not there.

Finally, on July 24, Chak was at the polyclinic again. An auxiliary policeman decided to follow him because he had behaved in a disruptive manner there before.

When Chak realised that he was being followed, he got aggressive and headbutted the officer in the face. The officer warned him to stop but Chak persisted, striking him three times in this way.

The officer had a face shield and mask on, but he still suffered a bruise. He was given one day of medical leave.

Chak has been in remand since then.

For breaching Covid-19 regulations, he could have been jailed up to six months or fined up to S$10,000, or both.

For causing hurt to a public servant, he could have been jailed up to seven years and fined. Offenders can also receive caning but those aged above 50 or above cannot be caned under the law.