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SINGAPORE – Two young men attended the funeral of the father of a gang member amid the Covid-19 pandemic on April 5 and participated in a secret society ritual in front of an altar.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified based on his age, and Eugine Lee Eng Qin, now 20, as well as 12 other members shouted gang slogans three times before dispersing.
One of the relatives of the deceased recorded a video of the ritual, which was later shared on WhatsApp with other relatives.
Police learned of the 22-second clip and the gang members were arrested.
On Wednesday (September 30), Lee and the teen pleaded guilty in district court to one count of being a member of an illegal society and participating in a gathering involving more than 10 people, in violation of imposed rules. to slow the spread. of the coronavirus from March 27 to April 30.
Lee also admitted that he had invited another young man to become a member of the secret society.
The court heard that in January, a man, known only as “Ah Boy,” invited Lee to enter the secret society under his “leadership”.
On April 4, Ah Boy contacted Lee and asked him to attend the funeral of the father of another member of the gang. That day, the 17-year-old received a similar instruction from another gang member.
The couple met the other gang members at the service at a pavilion near Block 37 Circuit Road on April 5. The “secret society ritual” began around 1 pm that day.
The dead man’s son knelt by the altar while another gang member prepared two burning incense sticks.
After that, Lee, the teenager, and the other members were told to gather in front of the altar. Then a gang member began reciting the secret society poem.
Assistant District Attorney Bryan Wong said: “During the recitation of the gang’s poem, (Lee, the teenager) and the other co-defendants stood in front of the altar, bowing three times to pay their respects.”
Incense sticks were offered on the altar and all the gang members shouted slogans. The ritual, which was captured on video, ended shortly after.
The DPP said Ah Boy has blocked Lee on the Telegram messaging platform since the clip was circulated. It was Lee’s only means of contacting Ah Boy, who has not been identified.
On Wednesday, District Judge May Mesenas requested reports to assess Lee and the teen’s suitability for parole. The couple will be sentenced on November 11.
The cases of the other gang members are still pending.
For being a member of an illegal society, a criminal can be imprisoned for up to three years and fined up to $ 5,000.
For participating in a meeting involving more than 10 people during the virus control period, an offender can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $ 10,000.
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