Ho Hui Ling, 44, was sentenced on May 25, 2025, to five days’ jail for performing a rash act against an 8-year-old girl at Buona Vista MRT station in Singapore [1, 2, 3, 4]. The incident occurred on January 16, 2025, at around 9 a.m. when the girl, walking with her mother and wearing school attire, slightly bumped into Ho along the MRT platform [1, 2, 3, 4].
In response, Ho forcefully shoved the child against a wall, causing pain to the girl’s head and shoulder [1, 2, 3, 4]. The girl cried but did not seek medical treatment after the incident [1, 2, 3, 4]. When confronted, Ho did not apologise and told the mother, "She pushed me, so I pushed her," according to court records [1, 2, 3, 4].
Ho was arrested on June 10, 2025, and charged in court shortly afterward [1, 2, 3, 4]. Deputy Public Prosecutor Caleb Looi urged the court to impose a custodial sentence of one to two weeks to send a clear deterrent message, stressing that the offence involved a child and was unprovoked [1, 2, 3, 4].
DPP Looi noted that bumping into fellow commuters during busy MRT hours is to be expected and called for strong action against violent conduct near MRT trains and stations. He said, "Potential offenders must be firmly discouraged from committing offences in the vicinity of MRT trains or stations. An unambiguous and robust message must be sent out that dangerous conduct... will not be condoned, and if it does occur, the public must be reassured that the perpetrator will be treated both firmly and promptly." [1]
After hearing submissions, the court sentenced Ho to five days’ jail on May 25, 2025 [1].
