SINGAPORE — The twin sisters who were caught on video causing a ruckus at Simei Green condominium in 2015 had their appeal against their conviction dismissed on Wednesday (July 3).

During the hearing before their appeal was rejected, they put up an impassioned plea to the judge not to treat them differently because they are women from China.

Speaking through a Chinese interpreter, the older of the 51-year-old twins, Tang Bei, told the High Court: “Doesn’t mean that just because I am weaker being a woman, and a woman from China, that I deserve to be hit.”

Last year, the sisters, both Singapore permanent residents, were convicted of causing hurt to security officer Charles Kenneth Bligh, and assaulting and using criminal force on condominium manager Colvin Quek Choon Kiat. They were found guilty after a 21-day trial that spanned more than two years. Tang Bei was fined S$2,100 and her sister Tang Lei was fined S$2,500.

The attack erupted after a dispute over a condominium access card, which saw the twins spitting into Mr Quek’s face, while Tang Lei splashed the contents of a canned drink at him.

Mr Bligh tried to break up the confrontation, but the pair hit him on the right arm and shoulder.

On Wednesday, Tang Bei, who was self-represented, was arguing that Mr Quek had admitted to punching her in a “controlled” manner during the scuffle on April 28, 2015. Mr Quek was not charged.

She also accused the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) of basing their charges on Mr Quek’s account, which was “completely taken out of context and not truthful”.

The manager’s account cannot be believed because he had an intention to chase the twins out after a run-in with her two months ago, during which the man choked and molested her, Tang Bei said.

“After I was hit, molested and insulted for my nationality, I just reacted naturally as a normal human would. And Colvin Quek lifted his hands first. But in the prosecution’s eyes, it was a natural reaction by a normal person,” she added.

A DISORDERLY HEARING THAT WENT OVERTIME

These were the points that the sisters — who were taking turns to make submissions — belaboured throughout their hearing that went overtime, taking up close to four hours although it was scheduled to take three hours at most.

Justice Aedit Abdullah had to issue repeated reminders to them to stick to their main arguments because he had already read their written submissions.

But each time the judge interjected, the twins would insist that they needed to say two to three more sentences, then they would proceed to make a few more points.

Justice Aedit had to cut them off abruptly on many instances. At one point, he ordered the duo to stand up as he rapped them for not listening to commands.

When making submissions, Tang Bei also fixed her gaze on Deputy Public Prosecutors (DPPs) Bhajanvir Singh and Ho Lian-Yi who represented the AGC, prompting Justice Aedit to ask her twice: “Why are you facing them?”

The DPPs avoided making eye contact with her during the proceedings.

At some moments, the hearing turned emotional as well.

Tang Bei said with a raised voice: “Quek was the provoker… He threw the punch because he wanted the situation to deteriorate… When we chose to leave this dangerous place (the management’s office), he followed us out in hope that the situation would escalate.”

She continued: “Quek gave false testimony. That clearly shows he is the real criminal. If not, he doesn’t need to. Is it because I am from China and a woman?”

She earlier testified that Mr Quek had made discriminatory statements at her, including scolding her “F PRCs” in the April incident.

'WE ARE THE TRUE VICTIMS'

Switching to speak in English, Tang Bei cried as she said: “Your Honour, I have lived in Singapore for over 20 years. I never had a criminal record. Now I was molested, choked, punched, but I am in the criminal stand.

“If this incident was told to international media and the rest of the world, it would be seen as a joke. And it would encourage other molesters to set traps (on their victims). Do I not have the basic right to react after I was molested and punched twice?

“I have been innocent all my life, but because I didn’t choose to file a police report…”

Justice Aedit stopped her from continuing, as she had made the point several times about how she was being “benevolent" when she did not report Mr Quek’s alleged molest and choking in February 2015 to the police.

When given yet another chance to speak, Tang Bei said: “We hope that Your Honour would treat us fairly… I believe that Singapore’s law will be fair to everyone, (whether) foreigner or foreigner woman. If the prosecutor and the police can ignore the provocations and actions (Quek) had committed, I believe you can set aside the charges we face.”

She then volunteered her takeaway from the whole ordeal: “The lesson for me is that if I see a molester, I will no longer hesitate to report to the police.”

Asked if she would want a lower sentence, Tang Lei said: “No matter what the sentence, it would be unfair.”

The prosecution argued that the appeal should consider the strength of the evidence adduced. “We have the footage. We have a report that Mr Quek did suffer injuries... In the face of overwhelming evidence, the charges were made out,” DPP Singh said.

THE VERDICT

Justice Aedit opened his verdict by stating that he had "a clear impression of (the twins’) grievances” about how they were treated.

Pointing out that there was considerable interest in the case partly because of their nationality, he said: “I would like to emphasise that the courts in Singapore will determine matters fairly and equally for all persons regardless of nationality, religion, or any (background) of that nature.

“The court does not distinguish between people of different backgrounds. What the court needs to do is to consider the law and the evidence tendered.”

Justice Aedit then said he is not persuaded that there was enough evidence to overturn what the trial judge had ruled, nor was there any valid area of law contested.

As for Tang Bei’s defence that she was being provoked into action, the judge ruled that none of those were “grave and sudden” that could justify her reaction.

He also said that the perceptions of others involved in the case are “matters not before me”.

“(They) would involve the prosecutors’ discretion,” he added. “All I can do is to determine if the charges were made out.” 

He then said: “I commend you for putting in the effort (to pursue the case).”