Two officers from the Aetos Security Management were sentenced on Wednesday (Feb 5) for their reckless conduct while on duty at the Woodlands Checkpoint, a designated protected area.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CASE :
- Two Aetos officers at Woodlands Checkpoint were jailed for taking unauthorized photos and videos with a loaded gun and ski mask.
- One officer, Noorarman, received a four-week sentence for taking photos of a protected place and endangering his colleague. The other, Amali, received a one-week sentence for his involvement.
- Noorarman uploaded the content to Instagram, believing it would be “cool and funny,” despite knowing it was against regulations and against the advice of his colleague. Both officers were fired from their jobs.
DETAILS OF THE CASE
Muhammad Noorarman Shah Anwar, 23, received a four-week jail sentence, while his colleague Muhammad Amali Abdul Halim, also 23, was sentenced to one week in prison.
As per the Straits Times report, the court heard that on September 28, 2023, the pair, assigned to screen vehicles and motorcycles at the checkpoint, engaged in a series of inappropriate and dangerous antics.
Noorarman, armed with a service revolver, suggested to Amali that they take photos and videos of him wearing a ski mask while posing with the loaded firearm.
On February 5, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) June Ngian explained that the men engaged in their offenses for their own amusement, fully aware that they were not permitted to take photographs at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Despite Amali’s warnings to Noorarman against sharing the photos and videos on social media, Noorarman decided to upload them to Instagram, believing it would be “cool and funny,” according to the DPP.
He later deleted the posts after receiving advice from a friend to do so.
The officer-in-charge at Aetos filed a police report two days later. Aetos announced in October 2024 that the duo’s employment had also been terminated following their initial charges.
The duo recorded videos, including one where Noorarman aimed the loaded revolver at Amali through the glass booth.
Even after Amali advised against posting the content on social media, Noorarman uploaded the photos and videos to Instagram, believing the attention would be entertaining.
The reckless behavior was reported to their officer-in-charge two days later, leading to their termination from Aetos in October 2023 when they were first charged. DPP Ngian emphasized the breach of trust involved, stating, “He had breached the trust that was placed in him to carry out his duties and left the checkpoint unattended while play-acting with his co-accused.”
According to Straits Time, Ngian sought a harsher penalty for Noorarman due to his position and the potential security risks posed by the incident. She argued that the actions could have resulted in serious repercussions for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.
She said: “He had breached the trust that was placed in him to carry out his duties and left the checkpoint unattended while play-acting with his co-accused.
“Although he eventually took down the content (on Instagram), these photos and videos could have caused serious security issues for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.”
Amali’s lesser involvement was acknowledged, and his sentence reflected that he was not the primary instigator of the reckless acts.
Under the law, individuals found guilty of taking unauthorized photos in a protected place can face up to two years in prison, fines up to $20,000, or both. The case has raised concerns about security protocols and the responsibilities of personnel assigned to sensitive areas.
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