Singapore recently witnessed two separate bomb threat incidents, each
leading to arrests and charges against the suspects involved.
Scoot’s bomb threat
In the first incident, a 30-year-old Australian man created a bomb
threat onboard a Scoot flight on 12 October. During the flight, he
allegedly informed cabin crew members repeatedly that he was in
possession of a bomb.
The police reported that the plane had already departed Singapore
when the threat was made, necessitating a swift response. As a result,
the plane had to turn back, escorted by Republic of Singapore Air Force
(RSAF) fighter jets, as a precaution.
The flight safely landed at Changi Airport around 6.26 pm, triggering
an extensive security operation, delaying passengers and crew for more
than five hours. The flight resumed its journey to Perth at 11.41 pm.
The suspect, Hawkins Kevin Francis, was arrested, charged with making
false terrorist threats, and remanded in the Institute of Mental Health.
If convicted, he could face a fine of up to S$500,000, a 10-year jail
term, or both, with his court appearance scheduled for 27 October.
Resorts World Cruises' bomb threat
In the second incident, the police were alerted by a cruise operator
regarding an alleged bomb threat on board a cruise ship berthed at
Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore on 13 October.
Fortunately, no threat items were found on board the cruise ship.
Following follow-up investigations, a 39-year-old Singaporean man named
Neo Hui Ghim was arrested and charged for communicating false
information.
Court documents revealed that he had sent an email to Resort World
Cruises' customer service on 13 October, threatening a bomb explosion on
the ship if his money was not refunded. The email's header read "Bomb
at Resorts World Cruises," and the message stated, "please return me
back my monies else the ship will explode and everyone drop into the
sea."
Neo has been remanded in the Institute of Mental Health for a medical
examination. If found guilty, he may face a fine not exceeding
S$50,000, a jail term of up to seven years, or both. He is scheduled to
return to court on 27 October.