SINGAPORE – Jonathan Ong Jun Jie, 31, was sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $4,000 on February 13, 2025, after being convicted of harassment. The case stemmed from an incident at a Cheers outlet in Lau Pa Sat hawker centre in Raffles Quay, where Ong, a former employee, filmed a confrontation with a police officer in January 2023. The video of the dispute went viral later that year.
In addition to the jail time and fine, Ong will face an extra eight days in prison if he fails to pay the fine. The court found him guilty of three harassment charges in 2024 following a trial, while two additional charges for failing to report to a police officer were taken into account during sentencing.
The incident began when Singaporean security officer Namasivayam Jayapal visited the Cheers outlet on January 1, 2023, to buy beer. He engaged in small talk with Ong, asking if he was a foreigner, which upset Ong. According to the prosecution, Ong made derogatory remarks about Jayapal’s background, resulting in a verbal altercation. Ong later stepped out from behind the counter, allegedly making threatening comments about meeting outside after his shift.
Jayapal reported the incident to the police, and officers, including Staff Sergeant Mohammad Firdaus Hassan, responded to the scene. Jayapal later received a warning letter for his behavior. The court proceedings ended with Ong’s conviction and sentencing for harassment.