Throwback 2014: November

NOV 5

Jover and out

The name Jover Chew is now synonymous with dishonest business practices, ever since he made a Vietnamese tourist cry after overcharging him for a handphone.

He also forced two women to go down on their knees and pick up coins when they returned to the shop to collect a refund directed by the Small Claims Tribunal.

The bad publicity drove customers away from Sim Lim Square, causing the spokesman for the electronics mall to say "the mall is now half-dead".

He told The New Paper over the phone yesterday: "There haven't been new complaints but in general sales at Sim Lim Square have gone down about 90 per cent."

Mr Chew, who worked at Mobile Air at Sim Lim Square, made customers pay four-figure sums for handphone warranties.

His antics led to vigilantes posting his personal details online, driving him out of the mall. He has maintained a low profile since.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck met with management council members of Sim Lim Square after the incidents drew attention to dishonest retailers like Mr Chew.

In a statement, Mr Teo said there needs to be "a collective effort among the Government, the Consumers Association of Singapore and industry players such as the mall's management."

NOV 11

Kate Reyes loses battle to cancer

MediaCorp radio DJ Kate Reyes, 41, died from breast cancer on Nov 8. Reyes left behind a husband and two children aged two and 3½ years old.

The former Perfect 10 jock was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. It is not known when she went into remission. A few months into her second pregnancy, her cancer returned. She had to delay treatment until she had given birth to the baby boy in 2012.

NOV 14

Boy, 3, suffers from chronic liver disease

Born with biliary atresia, Supash was living on borrowed time as 90 per cent of children with the condition do not survive beyond their third birthday.

His parents, Mr V. Senthilkumar, 44, and Madam Supashini, 33, an administrative assistant, had been looking for a liver donor but neither they nor their relatives were a match.

After their story ran in The New Paper on Nov 14 and included Mr Senthilkumar's mobile number, he received more than 100 calls and texts from readers offering help.

Despite the great response from readers, Mr Senthilkumar said his son's battle was far from over.

There were still many tests that needed to be done to find a match.

He said: "With all this help, I know, I just know, we will find a donor and my son will survive."

NOV 15

Stabbing stuns Raffles Place crowd

A 38-year-old Indonesian man was charged with the stabbing and attempted armed robbery of Mr Kang Tie Tie outside UOB Plaza near the Raffles Place MRT station exit, on Nov 14.

Mr Kang was carrying a sling bag containing $800,000 in cash and cheques.

The accused was caught by passers-by while other members of the public helped tend to the victim's wounds.

NOV 30

Lions' title defence crumbles on home soil

Singapore were dumped out of the AFF Suzuki Cup at the group stages by arch-rivals Malaysia on Nov 29, in the first Causeway derby at the new National Stadium.

Lions captain Shahril Ishak (above), 30, called it the "worst night of his career."

The loss also raised questions about Bernd Stange's position as the head coach of the Singapore national team.

This article was first published on Dec 30, 2014.
Get The New Paper for more stories.

crobert@sph.com.sg