A 62-year-old Singaporean man, Bill Tan Keng Hwee, has been sentenced to 15 months’ jail after sending envelopes containing pork slices to seven mosques, along with personal details of a woman he believed was linked to his employment dispute.
Tan pleaded guilty on May 11 to three charges of wounding religious feelings under the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, as well as one charge of harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act. Five additional charges were taken into consideration during sentencing, CNA reported.
Court documents stated that Tan, who worked as an operations support officer, became upset after being informed on Sept 11, 2025, that his employment contract would not be renewed. He then allegedly devised a plan to send offensive packages targeting both mosques and the woman he suspected of influencing the decision.
Investigations revealed that Tan purchased pork, envelopes and paper before preparing the letters. He printed offensive messages, including the phrase “halal babi chop”, cut them into small pieces, and placed one in each envelope together with a slice of pork and the woman’s personal details.
On Sept 15, 2025, he mailed the envelopes to seven mosques, with three selected at random. The packages were discovered on Sept 19, prompting mosque staff to alert police. The same day, the targeted woman also received a call from mosque staff regarding the incident and subsequently filed a police report.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Selene Yap said offences involving religious sentiments threaten social stability and require a strong deterrent sentence. She sought between 15 and 18 months’ imprisonment, stating that Tan had “weaponised religion” to harass the victim.
Tan’s defence lawyer argued that he did not intend to target the Muslim community. However, the district judge rejected this argument, stating that Singapore’s harmony depends on peaceful coexistence among different races and religions.
The judge described Tan’s actions as “calculated, deeply offensive and inherently inflammatory”, adding that the courts must respond firmly to such conduct. She stressed that religious and racial harmony forms the foundation of public order and national cohesion in Singapore.
