Swiss national Oliver Fricker, convicted of vandalism and entering a protected place, will now have to serve a total of seven months' jail and get three strokes of the cane.
The judge said Fricker's conduct in cutting through a fence surrounding a 'protected place'' to commit vandalism, which was calculated to bring to its authors instant international notoriety, must be unequivocally deplored.
'It is conduct which is entirely unacceptable in Singapore, regardless of the artistic merit (or lack thereof) of the graffiti.''
What I feel that the vandal deserves our sympathy. As he is a swiss national, he probably does not understand the seriousness of vandalism in Singapore. Many countries feel that the Singapore's punishment to the swiss national was too harsh. The judge is probably using this case as a warning to all Singaporeans: DO NOT VANDALISE. With such a heavy sentence, I feel that many Singaporeans would not dare to vandalise anymore.
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Even though oliver's punishment does make people think twice before they vandalise, I do not feel that they should have used such a heavy punishment on Oliver as some people in singapore feel that his vandalism looks more like art than intentional vandalism.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Joel's point that the judge is being a little more strict to this case by convicting Oliver Fricker of seven months in jail and three strokes of the cane. However, I shall say that it is unfair as Oliver Fricker is a foreigner who just wanted to "beautify" the MRT train. Moreover, I feel that if Singapore lay such a heavy sentence on Fricker, it will cause Singapore's relationship with Switzerland to be strained and may lead to further consequences. In my own opinion, I feel that Fricker should be not be convicted of caning, but instead a longer sentecne in jail and a large sum of money. From the point of view as a reader, I still do not understand Fricker's intention of vandalizing a MRT train and find that it is a really foolish thing to do as it will lead to unforseen circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Bryan and Joel. This punishment is too harsh for this Swiss national. Although I think that Oliver knows that he is wrong doing this, he may be hinting to the general public that the trains are too dull and should be decorated more in order to bring more life to this industrialized and modernized country of ours.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your point that because he is a citizen from another country he should not be punished severely. Many European countries find graffiti a form of art and has no strict rules regarding those who vandilise public property. However Singapore being a large conservative country has banned this. When you are in another country you should follow their laws. Being unaware or anything is not an excuse for committing a crime. Fricker should have checked the country 's law before doing anything out of the norm.
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