Judge chides Mitre Hotel uncle for unrepentant mosquito breeding, slaps him with $30,000 fine
Already fined $24,000, but he's still NOT SORRY
By Karen Wong
February 23, 2008
HE had been fined four times for breeding mosquitoes on his premises.
Mitre Hotel and the grounds surrounding it are neglected and rundown, making it an attractive spot for mosquitoes to breed.
Once, the fine was $12,000.
Still, Chiam Heng Hsien, 63, co-owner and manager of Mitre Hotel, did not learn his lesson.
Last April, mosquitoes were again found breeding in three spots on the hotel's premises at 145Killiney Road.
Early this year, after a trial in which Chiam defended himself, a district court found him guilty of the offence.
District Judge Lee-Khoo Poh Choo imposed what may be the biggest such fine yet on an individual: $30,000, in default three months' jail.
The judge did not mince her words in saying that Chiam's 'belligerent conduct and attitude clearly showed that he was not at all remorseful'.
'There was not a speck of remorse, nor did he give the slightest hint that he would henceforth take steps to prevent mosquito-breeding and propagation,' she said.
UNREPENTANT 
Judge Lee-Khoo found it 'shocking' that Chiam could argue that it was a minor offence, adding: 'He was totally unrepentant.'
She noted that there has been a continuous campaign to prevent mosquito-breeding and it was also public knowledge that the Aedes mosquito can cause dengue fever, a potentially fatal disease.
She said: 'It is gross irresponsibility on (Chiam's) part to take a 'don't care attitude' and allow mosquito-breeding to continue.'
As for the heavy fine, she said: 'I decided that a hefty fine was warranted as a punishment and deterrent to the appellant, who was obstinate and indifferent to the danger to lives.
'Four previous convictions and even... a fine of $12,000 did not have effect on his callous attitude.'
The court heard that on 23 Apr last year, three officers of the National Environment Agency (NEA) went to Mitre Hotel for an inspection.
They met Chiam and showed him their warrant cards.
In the 35 minutes that they were there, they found stagnant water and mosquito larvae in three places: in a broken fluorescent tube base lying on the driveway, in the folds of a large green canvas sheet and in a plastic sheet among some plastic drums in the shed.
Photos and samples of the water and larvae were taken from these sites.
In court, Chiam argued that there was no mosquito-breeding and that the evidence was planted by the officers.
But the judge rejected his claims, saying: 'His accusations against (the officers) of planting the evidence and other similar insinuations were wild, malicious and with no basis.'
She noted that the photos taken by the officers revealed the untidy and unhealthy state of the premises.
Chiam also claimed he was not technically the occupier as he lived only in one room of the hotel.
In response, the judge said that through the years the NEA had dealt only with Chiam and no one else.
He is the sole surviving partner of Mitre Hotel and the only owner living there, so he is in charge of and responsible for the premises.
Chiam was fined three times in 2003 for breeding mosquitoes.
Each time he appealed against the fine, but failed. He was fined $6,000 in July 2006 and again his appeal failed.
He is also the man who made news by refusing to sell the dilapidated hotel sitting on prime Orchard Road property for 12 years.
Known as the 'lone ranger', Chiam, who has a 10 per cent share of the property, is the son of the late Chiam Toh Moo, one of the original owners.
He has a university degree but spent most of his life, since 1975, as the manager and caretaker of the Mitre. The hotel has 10 other owners, but he was the only one living there.
Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal ordered the land to be sold and its occupants to vacate the premises.
Some experts estimate that the plot can fetch $200 million, although a judge has ordered the actual valuation to be kept confidential.
The ruling ends a long-running battle between the owners of the 40,000 sq ft freehold site.
Despite standing to earn millions from the sale, Chiam refused to pay his latest fine of $30,000, choosing instead to serve the three-month default jail sentence.
But, as with his previous offences, Chiam has appealed. It is due to be heard in the High Court today.
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Largest mozzie fine imposed on single person
THE fine of $30,000 imposed on Chiam Heng Hsien is believed to be the highest ever to be imposed on an individual.
-- Pictures: THE STRAITS TIMES
This was the National Environment Agency's reply to queries from The New Paper.
The largest fine ever imposed was on a developer/contractor last year.
The company was fined $50,000 for failing to comply with an order to prevent mosquito-breeding at a construction site.
An NEA spokesman said: 'The large fine was given after taking into consideration the company's history of frequent mosquito-breeding offences.
'We are not able to reveal the particulars of the developer/contractor as it is confidential.'
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$2,000
Breeding discovered on 21 Feb 2003. Fined $1,000, enhanced to $2,000 when appeal fails
$4,000
Breeding discovered on 31 Mar 2003. Fined $2,000, enhanced to $4,000 when appeal fails
$12,000
Breeding discovered on 21 Aug 2003. Fined $12,000. Appeal dismissed
$6,000
Breeding discovered on 24 Jul 2006. Fined $6,000. Appeal dismissed $4,000
$30,000
Breeding discovered on 23 Apr 2007. Fined $30,000, in default three months' jail. Appeal to be heard today
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Already fined $24,000, but he's still NOT SORRY 
Re: Already fined $24,000, but he's still NOT SORRY 
Re: Already fined $24,000, but he's still NOT SORRY 
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