Monday (Oct. 3) marked the start of a trial for a man accused of offering a $50 payment for his medical papers to show that he had gotten his second COVID-19 vaccination.
Kelvin Tan Li Ming, 35 years old, contested the single charge of corruption that allegedly happened on October 26, 2021 at the Healthway Vaccination Centre @ Choa Chu Kang Community Club.
Ms. Eunice Lee En Hui, the part-time immunization nurse who was reportedly the intended recipient of Tan's planned bribe, was the first witness for the prosecution.
Ms. Lee informed the court that she was working for Homage Home Care at the time, administering Pfizer injections. When she initially saw Tan at the booth in the vaccination hall, she reportedly confirmed his name and identity card number.
She also investigated his medical records and discovered that he had already gotten his first COVID-19 vaccination dosage.
Tan reportedly asked Ms. Lee, while she was confirming his information, if he could pay her S$50 in exchange for entering in the system that he had gotten a jab when he had not.
Ms. Lee stated that she informed Tan "no" and inquired as to why he did not wish to get vaccinated, given that he had previously had his initial dosage.
"He stated that he does not believe in the entire COVID-19 problem," she added, adding that, according to Tan, Singapore imported the Pfizer vaccine "for stocks, for Singapore's business."
She said that Tan told her he was getting vaccinated because his new work required it, and that he also questioned what would happen if he provided her more compensation.
Ms. Lee stated that she subsequently informed Mr. Tan that she was unable to do so due to "my integrity and my license."
She reported that Tan responded that "integrity is not essential" and that he had found employment after a lengthy period of unemployment.
Ms. Lee stated, "Therefore, I informed him that honesty is very essential; perhaps this is why he has been unemployed for so long."
Tan, who was on remand and represented himself, inquired whether he might object now or later. Both the judge and the prosecutor gave him advice on how to make arguments and cross-examine the witness.
Ms. Lee stated that she was in astonishment since she had never been in such a circumstance before. She feared that Tan might use the vaccination vial as a weapon, so she retained it and reported the event to her management. She stated that she wished to check that Tan had not bribed the initial nurse who administered his first medication, and to prevent such instances should he return.
When she observed Tan sitting in the observation area without throwing a punch, she requested that he vacate the hall.
Eventually, a police report was made against Tan.
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