Man Charged with Bomb Threat on Cruise Ship, Halts Operations, Impacts 4,000 Passengers
Singapore: A 39-year-old man has been charged with making a bomb threat on a cruise ship, resulting in the suspension of operations and affecting approximately 4,000 passengers. The suspect, identified as Neo Hui Ghim, allegedly sent an email containing the subject line Bomb at Resorts World Cruises to the customer service department of Resorts World Cruises on Friday at around 2:30 pm.
According to court documents, Neo threatened the cruise operator in his email, stating that unless his money was returned, the ship would explode, and everyone onboard would be dropped into the sea. Law enforcement authorities were alerted to the situation at around 4:03 pm on Friday, leading the police, along with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and security officers from the cruise center, to conduct a thorough search of the ship.
Fortunately, no dangerous items were found onboard the vessel. Through extensive follow-up investigations, the Central Police Division managed to identify the suspect and apprehend him within just three hours of the reported bomb threat. As a precautionary measure, Neo has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for a medical examination.
The offense of communicating false information regarding a harmful item carries severe penalties. If convicted, Neo could face imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.
The incident resulted in the temporary suspension of operations and caused a two-hour delay to the boarding process, significantly affecting approximately 4,000 passengers. Security checks had to be intensified to ensure the safety of everyone on board, leading to the disruption of normal operations.
The police have emphasized the seriousness of security threats and affirmed their commitment to taking prompt action against individuals who cause public alarm with false threats. They have also highlighted the cost of deploying public resources to address such incidents, including the inconvenience caused to the public.
This incident is not the first of its kind in Singapore. In January 2016, a hoax bomb threat made on a social media website regarding City Hall resulted in the reassignment of 95% of the Public Transport Security Command’s manpower to respond to the perceived threat. The person responsible for that incident received a sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment for falsely claiming he would bomb a national landmark in the heart of the city.
As authorities continue to investigate the motive behind Neo’s actions, it serves as a reminder of the importance of appropriate and responsible behavior in the face of heightened security concerns. Maintaining public safety remains a top priority, and the authorities are determined to ensure that false threats, whether made online or through other means of communication, are dealt with swiftly and with the full force of the law.
In conclusion, the bomb threat made by the 39-year-old suspect on a cruise ship in Singapore has led to the suspension of operations, impacting thousands of passengers. The suspect has been charged with communicating false information about a harmful item, and if convicted, he could face imprisonment and a hefty fine. The incident highlights the serious consequences of making false threats and the substantial resources required to address them. The authorities are committed to maintaining public safety and will take decisive action against anyone causing public alarm through false threats.
