House Arrest For Wi-Fi Freeloading 17 year old Singapore teen sentenced Tipped by Oregonian 
From Singapore, the land where Bubble Yum is banned, the first teenager in the country's history has been sentenced for Wi-Fi freeloading. Seventeen-year-old Garyl Tan Jia Luo faced a maximum of three years in jail for the crime, but instead has been sentenced to 18 months' probation -- including time in a boy's home -- unless he is called up for mandatory Singapore military service. According to the judge, a social worker had reported Tan was addicted to online gaming, so the Judge also recommended Tan "receive assessment and treatment for the problem." He's also banned from accessing the Internet during the length of his probation. Singapore may want to hurry up and finish their country-wide wireless access plan before their jails overflow with Wi-Fi thieving menaces to society.
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  GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:5 | Different Country, I Know But what a bunch of overzealous wierdos. | |
|  |  Radio ActiveMy pappy's a pistolPremium
join:2003-01-31
Fullerton, CA | Re: Different Country, I Know said by Goober:But what a bunch of overzealous wierdos. Yeah, Goober. I agree. But I stopped even considering what happens in other parts of the world. I have enough trouble keeping my own life making a bit of sense once or twice a week. 
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The voices in my head tell me I am not insane... Sometimes I wish they would shut up... They talk too loud, use profanity, drink too much of my beer and miss the toilet when they piss. I tell them, "You don't have to go home but you can't stay here." | |
| | | GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:5 | Re: Different Country, I Know Amen to that. | |
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1 edit | Re: Different Country, I Know YES YES!!! WHAT CRIMINALS!! How dare you use someone elses internet which is not secure!! JERK!
"So what you in for FRESH MEAT?"
--"I am um, what on the internet...surfing."
"Well come here baby, daddy has something for you, and it's not he internet!."
Are you kidding? | |
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|  intellerSociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK
 ·Cingular Wireless
| Imagine being in kindergarten, but being an adult. That's what life's daily interaction with the Singaporean gov is like.
They do have some GREAT laws though, like fuckers that block the intersection when the light turns green, they get an automatic ticket. Cops will like jump out of the bushes and write you an automatic ticket on the spot. And fighting it is futile. | |
| | |  ToadmanHypnotoad
join:2001-11-28
Ex Ohioan
kudos:1 | Re: Different Country, I Know said by inteller:Imagine being in kindergarten, but being an adult. That's what life's daily interaction with the Singaporean gov is like. They do have some GREAT laws though, like fuckers that block the intersection when the light turns green, they get an automatic ticket. Cops will like jump out of the bushes and write you an automatic ticket on the spot. And fighting it is futile. Have you ever been to Singapore, or you making this judgement on your own "internet" finesse.
Didn't think so.
When you jam 4.4 Million people in 270 Sq Miles, you have to have some type of structure and laws. It actually is a very enjoyable and nice city. You don't have to worry about being mugged.
I think the Singaporeans have more of a complaint in the tax they are charged on beer. In 2004 I paid 7.00 US per 12 oz of domestic (Tiger) beer. Over half of that is taxes. | |
| | | |  vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | Re: Different Country, I Know said by Toadman:said by inteller:Imagine being in kindergarten, but being an adult. That's what life's daily interaction with the Singaporean gov is like. They do have some GREAT laws though, like fuckers that block the intersection when the light turns green, they get an automatic ticket. Cops will like jump out of the bushes and write you an automatic ticket on the spot. And fighting it is futile. Have you ever been to Singapore, or you making this judgement on your own "internet" finesse. Didn't think so. When you jam 4.4 Million people in 270 Sq Miles, you have to have some type of structure and laws. It actually is a very enjoyable and nice city. You don't have to worry about being mugged. I think the Singaporeans have more of a complaint in the tax they are charged on beer. In 2004 I paid 7.00 US per 12 oz of domestic (Tiger) beer. Over half of that is taxes. Chew gum, go to jail. Get caught with drugs, lose your life. Those sure sound like reasonable "structure and laws". With that kind of structure, I hope they wipe peoples' bottoms too. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | said by vpoko:Chew gum, go to jail. Get caught with drugs, lose your life. Those sure sound like reasonable "structure and laws". With that kind of structure, I hope they wipe peoples' bottoms too. As someone who spent some 20 years there, I believe that chewing gum is perfectly legal. Importing it isn't. Generally, drug traffickers, not drug abusers, are the ones that get the death penalty. They do have drug rehabilitation centers for drug abusers.
Most Singaporeans think the drug laws are just fine. While you may not agree with their drug laws, it must be pointed out that Singapore doesn't have a drug problem, nor do they suffer from the crime that arises from drug abuse and drug trafficking. The same in generally true in neighboring Malaysia which also has the death penalty for drug trafficking.
The gum restriction is ridiculous, and I think that many Singaporeans agree. However, every country has their share of stupid laws and annoying as it is, this particular law doesn't really cause any significant hardships. | |
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1 edit | Re: Different Country, I Know Upon reflection, I do not wish to post. Take me back. | |
| | | | | |  TzaleProud Libertarian ConservativePremium
join:2004-01-06
NYC Metro | said by bamboox:said by vpoko:Chew gum, go to jail. Get caught with drugs, lose your life. Those sure sound like reasonable "structure and laws". With that kind of structure, I hope they wipe peoples' bottoms too. As someone who spent some 20 years there, I believe that chewing gum is perfectly legal. Importing it isn't. Generally, drug traffickers, not drug abusers, are the ones that get the death penalty. They do have drug rehabilitation centers for drug abusers. Most Singaporeans think the drug laws are just fine. While you may not agree with their drug laws, it must be pointed out that Singapore doesn't have a drug problem, nor do they suffer from the crime that arises from drug abuse and drug trafficking. The same in generally true in neighboring Malaysia which also has the death penalty for drug trafficking. The gum restriction is ridiculous, and I think that many Singaporeans agree. However, every country has their share of stupid laws and annoying as it is, this particular law doesn't really cause any significant hardships. Yeah, and the North Koreans think that their country is the freest and best in all the world!
This is a PERFECT example of what happens in a country that lacks a good American style Constitution.
Of course, the American bashers will soon be here to say how uncivilized and nasty our country is. 
-Tzale | |
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| | | intellerSociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK Reviews:
·Cingular Wireless
1 edit | yes ive been to singapore you fuck.
have a license that only alows you to drive your car certain hours....thats crap. only being able to drive into certain parts of the country with certain licenses...crap. camera cops everywhere....crap.
nevermind the fact that they hire new MBA grads to sit around and think up ways to make the government money.
there is a reason singapore is a "fine" country.
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"WHEN THE LAUGH TRACK STARTS THEN THE FUN STARTS!" | |
| | | | | | | Re: Different Country, I Know License that only allows you to drive during certain times; happened in Ohio. Starting in April actually the first week anyone over the age of 17 will not be allowed to drive between 1am and 5am unless going to or coming from work or if its an emergency. New Ohio law that passed during the Taft Admit. | |
| | | | | | vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | Re: Different Country, I Know said by hottboiinnc:License that only allows you to drive during certain times; happened in Ohio. Starting in April actually the first week anyone over the age of 17 will not be allowed to drive between 1am and 5am unless going to or coming from work or if its an emergency. New Ohio law that passed during the Taft Admit. You mean anyone under 17, and many states have those restrictions on junior operator licenses. The problem with Singapore is that it treats ADULTS like children, rather than just treating children like children.
And other countries in the first world do it, too, just not to that extent, for the most part. | |
| | | | | | | | | Re: Different Country, I Know no its OVER Under 16 is 12am - 6am. | |
| | | | | | | | vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | Re: Different Country, I Know said by hottboiinnc:no its OVER Under 16 is 12am - 6am. So you're saying that adults may no longer drive in Ohio at night? BS!! Show me a link. According to what I found, probationary license drivers under age 17 can't drive from 12-6am, and those who are EXACTLY age 17 can't drive from 1-4.
Probationary licensed drivers under 17 are also prohibited from driving from midnight to 6 a.m., and 17 year old probationary licensed drivers can not drive from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.. Exceptions are made if the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian or if the minor thas a note from their employer. There are also exceptions for emergencies, going to school functions and if the minor is emancipated. Temporary permit holders under eighteen can only drive between midnight and 6 a.m. if accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a licensed driver. | |
| | | | | | | | GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:5 | LOL! Sounds like Ohio declared marshall law.
HBC, I can't imagine that you've gotten your facts straight. | |
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|  N3OGHYo Soy Col. "Bat" GuanoPremium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1 | Kid's lucky he didn't get the cane....
Sure, it's a foreign country, and things are different, but WOW. House arrest for WiFi freeloading.
Then again, I bet he thinks twice before he does that again...
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Never ask what sort of a computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If not, why embarrass him? -Tom Clancy | |
| | | GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:5 Reviews:
 ·Dish Network
| Re: Different Country, I Know I sometimes think that this country would be better off if we weren't so darned soft when it comes to doling out punishment. i.e. felons being let out and then committing the same acts once again.
But, the Wi-Fi freeloading punishment is a little more than I can support. But true, it was lucky for the kid that it wasn't worse. | |
| | | | N3OGHYo Soy Col. "Bat" GuanoPremium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1 | Re: Different Country, I Know said by Goober:I sometimes think that this country would be better off if we weren't so darned soft when it comes to doling out punishment. i.e. felons being let out and then committing the same acts once again. If you only knew how bad it really is... 
Think "revolving door". At least in all the places I've worked.
For the record, I've never ever ever seen someone in jail for first time drug "possession" ie possession for personal use. Even first time felony drug offenders (possession with intent to distribute, ie more than personal usage amounts) are offered diversionary treatment programs through the courts before trial.
Not to go off topic, but when someone tells you the prisons are just packed with first time drug offenders there for simple possession, they're full of shit..
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Never ask what sort of a computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If not, why embarrass him? -Tom Clancy | |
| | | | | | said by Goober:I sometimes think that this country would be better off if we weren't so darned soft when it comes to doling out punishment. I think the system of punishment in this country needs a major overhaul. It's obvious merely locking someone away for a time doesn't curb the behavior. I believe they need to do away with extensive jail time for non-violent offenses and replace that time with a buttload of community service. That way the offender is paying his debt to society in a productive way. That, in turn, may help get said offender on the right track to becoming a productive citizen once he pays his dues. Might be surprised how somebody rehabilitates when you give them a reason to get up in the morning.
As for the violent criminals I'm not against a bit of caning or hard labor if you ask me. On that same note when the violent offender proves themselves to be willing to integrate back in society (and does their time) the same community service program should go into affect as for non-violent offenders. Bottom line is throwing someone in prison only to toss them out on the street when they finish their time doesn't do a lick good for society as a whole. | |
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| IanR
join:2001-03-22
Madison, NJ
1 edit | Well I think everyone is jumping to conclusions here when none of us have ANY of the actual details, or facts of the case. Just a 3 or 4 liners with an arbitrary comment about "gum" which has no connection whatsoever.
Perhaps some basic research may be in order. Plus note the guy had a "gambling" addiction per a social worker. We don't know the extent of this either. Make fun of Singapore sure, but if he were a 17 year old US Citizen in the USA, he would have broken MANY US Laws re gambling online and would well have been subject to prosecution. How is that different?
Maybe, just maybe, the court's intervention here may "save" this kid from an even worse state of addiction?
In short seek the facts. | |
| | | vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | Re: Different Country, I Know said by IanR:In short seek the facts. You haven't given any, just some "maybes" about the kid possibly getting help for his gambling addiction.
The "addiction", I'm 99% sure, is a defense lawyer tactic. It's like the broken home excuse. | |
| | | | IanR
join:2001-03-22
Madison, NJ
1 edit | Re: Different Country, I Know OK here are more actual facts.
The kid is 17 years old.
His mother knew he had a problem/addiction and was denying him access to the internet and had confiscated his modem.
The kid was outside his house at 2:00 a.m. in the morning looking for WiFi from neighboring houses and had succeeded in crashing deliberately into a neighbors WiFi network to feed his "addiction".
A passerby thought the kid was acting strangely (time of night/morning etc etc) and called the Police.
So based on the above it looks like the Police and Judge considered that the family had made real effort to break the online gaming addiction and had failed. Hence time for the court to intervene and break the cycle. Note all the remedies appear designed to break the negative habits and spiral of misbehavior.
Note: Yes I did first missread gaming for gambling. My mistake there. | |
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| | quatrixPremium
join:2005-02-11
South FL
kudos:2 | Doesn't it say he was addicted to online GAMING (e.g. a World of Warcraft freak), not gambling? | |
| | | GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:5 Reviews:
·Dish Network
| said by IanR:Well I think everyone is jumping to conclusions here when none of us have ANY of the actual details, or facts of the case. Just a 3 or 4 liners with an arbitrary comment about "gum" which has no connection whatsoever. Perhaps some basic research may be in order. Plus note the guy had a "gambling" addiction per a social worker. We don't know the extent of this either. Make fun of Singapore sure, but if he were a 17 year old US Citizen in the USA, he would have broken MANY US Laws re gambling online and would well have been subject to prosecution. How is that different? Maybe, just maybe, the court's intervention here may "save" this kid from an even worse state of addiction? In short seek the facts. In short, bite me. Most people are aware of Singapore's sometimes draconian punishments.
Fine if you think Singapore's laws are all-around reasonable. I personally think some are over the top. I want tougher punishment in the US, but it's hard to supoprt some of SG's extreme laws/enforcement. | |
| | | | IanR
join:2001-03-22
Madison, NJ | Re: Different Country, I Know Quote
....draconian punishments...
Unquote
Please define what you mean by draconian punishments?
Their Laws are not disimilar to those in the USA, all the way up to death penalty. About the only thing differing is "caning" for certain offenders. | |
| | | | | GooberPremium
join:2000-12-17
Naperville, IL
kudos:5 Reviews:
·Dish Network
| Re: Different Country, I Know said by IanR:Quote ....draconian punishments... Unquote Please define what you mean by draconian punishments? Their Laws are not disimilar to those in the USA, all the way up to death penalty. About the only thing differing is "caning" for certain offenders. I guess you're right. I only got about 161,000 Google hits on +draconian +singapore +law.
Look, I don't know why you're defending them so strongly, but I think few will disagree that their penalties for breaking their laws (which in themsleves border on the ridiculous) are much stiffer than we are used to in this country. Let alone their political issues, such as the Internal Security Act.
Say what you will, the US laws are more lenient. Too lenient I feel. But, I'll take that over SG's practices. | |
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| | | | I think it mentioned online "GAMING" not "GAMBLING". I think there is a difference. | |
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| | vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | Re: Singapore has that "right stuff" when it comes to criminals Sure is, until they ban something you like. Could be chewing gum today but cigarettes tomorrow. Could be alcohol next, or maybe bowling. Once you give a nanny-state an inch, they'll take a mile. | |
| | |  RayWPremium
join:2001-09-01
Layton, UT
kudos:1 | Re: Singapore has that "right stuff" when it comes to criminals said by vpoko:Sure is, until they ban something you like. Could be chewing gum today but cigarettes tomorrow. Could be alcohol next, or maybe bowling. Once you give a nanny-state an inch, they'll take a mile. If you saw Singapore before the "gum law" into into affect, then you would not be so hasty to slam it. That place was lousy with chewing gum where-ever you walked or sat. Be careful about what you say about 'nanny states', some people consider the U.S. one, and if all the nanny rules were got rid of, I doubt if you would like the consequences (use your imagination, I am not going to expand on that).
One interesting side note, in my reading it appears that unlike certain other banned items, there never appeared a black market for gum. Maybe the PEOPLE of Singapore know something you do not? I find it amusing that U.S. Americans slam other countries' laws, and when you go over to other countries, they do the same on what we consider reasonable laws over here (but that is another story and more typing than I feel like doing).
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I am not lost, I find myself every time. | |
|
 manfmmdPremium
join:2003-01-14
Earth, TX
 ·CMA Access
 ·AT&T Southwest
| Theft of Service Plain and simple. If someone else is paying for it and you are using it without permission you deserve to go to jail (well, maybe not jail, but some type of punishment).
Freeloaders (I deserve this for free, I deserve that for free, I am entitled!!) and Political Correctness are what is wrong with the world these days.
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huh? | AIM | Speaker Pelosi?!?...OH THE HUMANITY! | |
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See 11 replies to this post | |
| | Amen Amen to that! Praise the Lord! | |
| | vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | Re: Amen Praise the Lord, but row away from the rocks. | |
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 thender2Glamour ProfessionPremium
join:2004-05-16
Staten Island, NY | If you don't want people connecting to you set a password. It takes 30 seconds to setup WEP or WPA.
This is ridiculous and insane. | |
| | | | Re: If you don't want people connecting to you Theres has to be more to it than that. | |
| | manfmmdPremium
join:2003-01-14
Earth, TX | The point is, people shouldn't HAVE to secure their connections. | |
| | | vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | Re: If you don't want people connecting to you said by manfmmd:The point is, people shouldn't HAVE to secure their connections. I don't know... their signal IS penetrating your property. If you set up a computer on the sidewalk with an internet connection, could you blame people for stopping to use it? | |
| | | N3OGHYo Soy Col. "Bat" GuanoPremium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
kudos:1 | People shouldn't have to lock their houses at night, or lock their cars after dark....
But they do..... | |
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| thender2Glamour ProfessionPremium
join:2004-05-16
Staten Island, NY
2 edits | How can it be proven that the person connected with malicious intent? Just as the idiot who left his wireless open is too stupid to secure it, the idiot who just got his wifi setup will be too stupid to know that he's connecting to his neighbor's wifi and not his own wifi.
With the unique SSIDs wireless routers broadcast by default, such as "Linksys" and "Belkin", how is the average joe not expected to make this mistake once or twice?
If someone makes their wifi available, I'll connect to it.
I don't actually connect to anyone else's wifi, because any wifi in my apartment is worse than my normal connection(thus defeating the point of "stealing bandwidth", but I find it rather silly that you can be arrested for this.
--
The Problem With Music.
Our Rationale
Time to rewrite the DMCA. | |
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| | Boycaught Well, I'm not buying anything from Singapore anymore. We should all do it.
Now, we just need to find out what they make if anything.... | |
| | IanR
join:2001-03-22
Madison, NJ | Re: Boycaught Maybe you already have a Singapore created MP3 Player;) | |
| |  VigThread-safe since 1997Premium
join:2004-03-23
San Diego, CA | If it had been a 17-year old female, would you be calling for a girlcaught? | |
|
| | Tradeoffs This isn't any worse than the chewing gum ban. Most Singaporeans think that banning gum is a ridiculous law, but figure it's not worth giving up the benefits of living there just so they can chew gum.
Singaporeans are willing to trade some personal liberty for a society that offers personal safety, wealth and economic opportunities that don't exist in any other country in the region. They are also free to leave if they don't like it. A small fraction do emigrate for various reasons, not all because they don't agree with the laws. Most do not because they realize that moving to another country will involve making other tradeoffs that they may not like either.
A Singaporean emigrating to the U.S. would typically report the following:
They would likely not appreciate their newfound ability to traffic drugs without fear of execution. He/she may momentarily enjoy being able to chew gum, but wouldn't move the U.S. just so they can chew gum. They would find the gun laws in the U.S. ridiculously lax. Most won't appreciate the right to own guns even though most Singaporean men have several years of military training. A typical Singaporean would trade the freedom to chew gum, own guns (not to mention the ability to traffic drugs without fear of the death penalty), for the low crime rates of Singapore.
They would also find U.S. tax rates ridiculously high, our roads to be poorly maintained, although they would certainly enjoy the relatively low cost of buying an automobile in the U.S., not to mention the ridiculously low cost of gas. Should they become a crime victim, they would also find the judicial system to be severely lacking, where the criminal involved enjoys all sorts of legal protections, while the victim and their families suffer.
They would appreciate the low cost of land in or around most U.S. cities (NY city obviously doesn't qualify), but would wonder why such an advanced nation still built houses out of wood that collapsed during hurricanes.
In short, most Singaporeans like their country the way it is. There are some laws that they would like to see changed, but for the most part, they'd rather live there than anywhere else. | |
|  Lone WolfIndependent Voter, Buy Gold and GunsPremium
join:2001-12-30
USA
kudos:1
·Verizon Online DSL
·Comcast
| Singapore Is a Modern Country A friend of mine, who works for Honeywell Controls, spent 6 months in Singapore and he loved it there. None of the cars on the road have dents on them because the police will remove them from the road.
Their laws may seem backward to many, but the 93% literacy rate says otherwise. 77% of the population is Chinese and life expectancy is 82 years! Doesn't sound so bad to me. Just don't break the laws and you can live a long time there.
Found on the 'net
Singapore, a highly-developed and successful free-market economy, enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP equal to that of the four largest West European countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in 2001-03 by the global recession, by the slump in the technology sector, and by an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, which curbed tourism and consumer spending. The government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to the external business cycle and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. Fiscal stimulus, low interest rates, a surge in exports, and internal flexibility led to vigorous growth in 2004, with real GDP rising by 8% - by far the economy's best performance since 2000 - but growth slowed to 5.7% in 2005. | |
|  sporkmedrop the crantini and move it, sisterPremium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ
·Optimum Online
| Gum? The linked article claims it's not anymore - Cinton and GWB both worked on the USS-FTA and part of that was allowing gum:
"Soon, the USS-FTA was signed, the ban was revised and the gum lobbyists declared victory."
So the kid could chew gum and freeload at the same time without getting into additional trouble.  | |
|  CheddarheadAin't Nuthin But A Thang
join:2002-02-19
Hudson, WI | Ummm And I should care about his why????
Singapore... cant chew gum or steal wifi... mmmkkk | |
| ramian
join:2005-05-04
Singapore
1 edit | Get your facts right first As a Singaporean, I'd just like to clarify some things... Please get your facts correct before you go around bad mouthing a country you know almost nothing about.
Firstly...
This is the full news report on the kid who got caught for illegally tapping onto wireless networks.
Jan 17, 2007
18-month Net ban, community service for PC game addict
By Chua Hian Hou
NOTHING, it seems, would stop Garyl Tan Jia Luo from getting his computer game fix.
Even when his parents disconnected his modem at night to stop him, the 17-year-old game addict would cycle around his neighbourhood with a laptop, trying to find an unsecured wireless network to tap into.
For that, he yesterday became the first person in Singapore convicted for the offence under the Computer Misuse Act. The Community Court sentenced him to a nine-month stay at Bukit Batok Hostel and 80 hours of community service.
He was also banned from using the Internet for 18 months. His parents will forfeit a $5,000 bond if he fails to abide by the ban.
In court last month, when Tan pleaded guilty, District Judge Bala Reddy recommended that he enlist for national service early. If he does so, he will not have to serve whatever remains of his sentence.
The judge said a more 'structured environment' would hopefully cure Tan of his chronic addiction to games.
Tan, who is receiving psychiatric treatment for his problem, goes for his pre-national service medical check tomorrow.
Tan's probation report noted that he had 'no friends' and was not as 'socially adept' as a normal 17-year-old, said Judge Reddy, who delayed the start of the trial yesterday until both of Tan's parents, a businessman and an assistant manager at a food and beverage outlet, arrived at the courtroom.
Tan has been playing computer games since his secondary school days.
When his parents realised he had a problem and began locking up the modem to stop him going online, Tan would cycle around his Casuarina Walk neighbourhood in the middle of the night looking for a connection, then play games while sitting on the side of the road.
On one of these trips last May, he was confronted by a neighbour, who wanted to know what he was doing. Angered by the interruption, Tan had an 'exchange of vulgarities' with the neighbour, who later called the police.
Tan was charged last November with illegally accessing an unsecured wireless network, which carries a maximum jail term of three years.
Referring to Tan's probation report, Judge Reddy said his parents had to shoulder some of the blame, because they had given him 'too much room to indulge'.
In fact, his addiction had landed Tan in trouble before.
The former Republic Polytechnic student regularly skipped classes to play games, and was eventually suspended for being 'rude' to a teacher, who had told him to stop playing games in class.
Following the suspension, Tan dropped out of school, citing a loss of interest in studies.
chuahh@sph.com.sg
The boy is clearly at fault here. He is indeed a delinquent who was caught stealing. Whether or not the wireless network was unsecured is not the issue here... following the same line of thought, if you leave your mailboxes unlocked, does that mean that everyone has free access to your mail?
Secondly...
The Singapore government does not create "wierd" laws just for the fun of it; there is a reason behind everything mandated. Do read the following on Wikipedia about the chewing gum ban(especially the History section):
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gu···ingapore
Thirdly...
The "law" pertaining to having a restricted licence to drive only at certain times is only for "weekend cars" or "Off Peak Cars" as they are called now. This scheme allows people to own a car for a lot cheaper than normal. By paying less road tax, COE (Certificate of Entitlement), etc people will still be able to buy any car they want. As many work in the city centre, and find driving to work a real hassle, most just take public transport during the work week. However, these people would still like the convenince of owning a car which they can take shopping, to the beach, family outing, etc on weekends. Given the astronomical prices of cars in Singapore (e.g. Chrysler 300C is S$158k which is the equivalent of > US$100k. And that's just for the 3.5L version, excluding COE and road tax. »www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/chrysler.php ), off-peak cars are almost a boon to people who can't really afford such crazy prices. Read about the Off-Peak Car scheme here: »www.lta.gov.sg/motoring_matters/···peak.htm
While you're at it, read this excerpt from Tom Plate's book...
»straitstimes.asiaone.com:80/port···0a0aRCRD
While it is a bit OT, it does provide a better perspective of Singapore from the eyes of an American.
cheers! | |
|  Freiheit 09Cool Chicks Will Dig Me SoonPremium
join:2003-06-08
Saint Louis, MO | OT I work in a hospital and including the ones at QT and other places OMWTW, there is about 40 cameras that daily record me, ~35% of the 8 1/2 hours I spent there, I'm being watched.
Don't want a security freak gov, I came to the US&A because I barely escaped from one.
You can't really appreciate what you have until you lose it and in this case it would be the freedom. Surely, you can't be serious? The laws can be tweaked here and there but overall U.S. laws are cool. I like, is very nice! | |
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Singapore has that "right stuff" when it comes to criminals
