Phoon Chiu Yoke withdraws bid to leave for China after arguments about quarantine and visa requirements

The judge told Phoon that it is not really the duty of the court to ensure that she complies with travel plans or requirements for every country she wants to travel to.

“But of course , basically do see that there are difficulties in a person even being able to your country, then the question is whether or not I should even grant the application form to begin with, ” said the judge.

Phoon repeatedly stated she had “made the checks” and was not required to quarantine. All she did was to provide a bad PCR and COVID-19 test and provide evidence of vaccination.

She said there was no documentation for how she was going to keep Hong Kong for Cina as she intended to book a ferry or take a train, neither of which might be done online.

Phoon stressed that she is not an air travel risk, adding that she has a “good standing reputation (as) an ex-military officer”.

“While I had family and friends in Singapore, there’s no reason for me personally to leave and not return to Singapore, ” said Phoon.  

The assess stood down the situation for her to show proof on the websites the girl claimed to have examined that she did not require quarantine in China.

Whenever Phoon returned after half an hour, she informed the judge that she did not “create this trip” due to her fresh charges or hearing.

“I am not really running away from this particular case, ” she said, adding that will she merely desired to continue her traveling plans as she had already made prior hotel and ticket reservations.

“Mentally I am ready to go to Xinjiang designed for leisure and company, ” said Phoon.

“Now a person say it’s pertaining to business. Perhaps you need to show the business schedule. It’s not for me to discover all these for you, ” said the judge.

Phoon responded: “Every time We travel, it’s also in order to update my photo portal. It’s a photograph portal I run for myself. In most cases, for charity reasons. You can say it really is partially business. ”

She disagreed with the prosecution there is a requirement for the visa for travel to China.

After repeated back-and-forth exchanges in this manner, Phoon said she would withdraw the girl application to keep the country.

She is going to return to court in October for a pre-trial conference. Asked exactly what she intends regarding the charges, Phoon said she hopes to plead responsible and provide a mitigation.