The TikTok live streamer, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Lan, performed a sexually explicit act at a HDB void deck in Boon Lay, as her husband, Adrian Ching Kah Siang, kept watch to prevent any interruptions. The couple’s actions landed them both in jail for three weeks.
District Judge Jasvender Kaur emphasized the severity of Lan’s actions, stating that “Lan’s act was highly offensive, and she was satisfied that the threshold for jail was crossed.” This falls under the law where individuals who commit obscene acts in a public space can face imprisonment of up to three months or a fine.
Ching’s request for a gag order to protect their identities was denied by the judge. He mentioned, “It also protects my wife’s dignity,” but ultimately the request was turned down.
Lan, who streams regularly on TikTok, participated in the challenge on September 27, 2024, during her live stream at the void deck. Dressed provocatively, she executed the frowned-upon act as viewers sent gifts in exchange for her performance. A concerned resident alerted the police, leading to Lan’s arrest shortly after the incident.
A significant moment during the trial was when Lan initially denied the explicit nature of her acts to the police. It was only after being confronted with video evidence that she admitted to the obscene act. Ching, on the other hand, claimed that they were “fully clothed” and defended Lan’s actions as non-obscene.
In their plea for leniency, both Lan and Ching expressed regret and apologized to the court and the people of Singapore for their actions. Ching acknowledged the stress the case brought to his family and its impact on his career, while Lan cited financial difficulties and her responsibility to support her daughter in Vietnam as contributing factors.
