SINGAPORE: A Malaysian man is on trial for the coupling, which was allegedly intended to help the bride obtain a visit pass. The man claimed that he entered into an arrangement of convenience with the Greek woman and that the second man was accused of instigating the union.
However, the defense asserts that it was a case of” true love” and that the couple attempted to get married but were unable to do so due to the groom’s erectile dysfunction.
The wife, according to Mr. Rajwin Singh Sandhu, Yong, loved the man and helped him overcome his anxiety of the water by giving him a bath and shaving his breast and private parts.
Kok Chiang Loong, a 43-year-old Malaysian man who reportedly assisted in setting up the fake marriage, is represented by Mr. Sandhu.
The man, 45-year-old Singaporean Goh Khoon Beng, is not named.
CASE OF PROSECUTION
Goh wed 37-year-old Georgian national Akhalkatsi Maia in February 2016 at 15 Kew Terrace, according to the prosecution’s closing trial submissions on Wednesday( Oct 18 ).
The prosecutors alleged that the union was purely practical, with Maia benefiting from an immigration benefit and Goh receiving free housing in exchange because he didn’t have a home at the time. & nbsp,
Maia received a six-month” prisons sentence” after admitting guilt to entering into the marriage of convenience. She later testified against Kok and Goh in court.
Maia reportedly contacted Kok after her program for a visa to enter Singapore was turned down in the end of 2015, according to the lawyer’s situation.
Kok had advised her to get married and assured her that doing so would end her immigration problem. Maia testified that Goh messaged her soon after Kok said he would suggest a companion for her to marry.
Maia asserted that Kok said it would be simpler for her to input Singapore if she had a wedding card in place.
Before arriving in Singapore in January 2016, she was immediately sent a interpersonal visit visa and notice of her impending marriage.
She ran into Kok at his restaurant, where he introduced her to Goh. However, Maia claimed that after some time, she left because she felt” repelled” by him.
She added that Goh was getting married for the next time when she took a pre-marriage school with him under Kok’s guidance.
Maia claimed she was not marry Goh because she did not like him when Kok informed her that the wedding was scheduled for January 23, 2016. On that day, the wedding did not take place, so Kok brought Goh to Maia’s house and left him thither.
Maia asked Kok for assistance in extending her card when it was about to expire and was informed that the only way out was for her to wed Goh.
In the end, she gave in and in February 2016 she married Goh at the home of Kok’s grandmother.
The marriage, in Maia’s opinion, was never finalized. After their wedding, Maia paid her new” husband’s book” by renting out a place in her apartment.
Goh helped her with all explore go modifications in exchange. Maia claimed that while Kok did not receive financial benefits, he did request recommendations from people who wanted to obtain student catches.
Maia asserted that Kok received a total of S$ 6, 500 ( US$ 4, 700 ) from one of her referrals.
Goh claimed in a speech that his divorce from his second woman had introduced him to Kok. He claimed that Kok repeatedly questioned him about his personal information and asserted that he had seen numerous marriage planning documents that came from the purported side business of arranging marriages.
Goh claims that in December 2015, he initially met Maia at Kok’s Asian eatery in Marina Square. At that restaurant, Gok had promised to marry the woman who would give the man house.
Goh responded that there was no conversation and that he had only been promised house and a woman who would look after him when asked if Kok had mentioned having to complete complete extensions for Maia.
The trial claimed that Goh did not believe this relationship to be genuine and that he had only consented to it for the purpose of protection.
DEFENCE’S OPINION
Mr. Sandhu, Kok’s attorney, claimed that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority ( ICA) had” prejudged” the situation and that it was a case of” true love.”
The pair tried to complete the marriage, but were unable to do so due to Goh’s erectile function, which is important to the defense of the case.
According to Mr. Sandhu, the couple had considered themselves” to have consummated and covenanted to the matrimonial union ,” and the attempt itself should be recognized by the court.
In fact, Goh had admitted to a defense witness that he liked Maia’s European food and that” sex was good ,” according to the attorney.
He claimed that Goh did not take showers because he was poor, nonpolar, or had a water phobia. He was even poor.
According to Mr. Sandhu,” Maia gave Goh personal care and affection more than that of a pal.” ” Maia gave care and love that( is) only shared by those who have made a matrimonial covenant.”
He provided examples, saying that Maia bathed, cooked for him, shaved Goh’s breast and secret parts, and shared a bathroom with him in order to help him get over his hydrophobia.
They shared a bed, and it wasn’t until Goh’s terrible habit of using his cellphone late into the night began to keep Maia awake that they parted ways.
According to Mr. Sandhu, the defense testimony confirmed that the pair acted affectionately and with hands like a married couple.
He claimed that none of these elements— not even Goh’s brazen claim that sex was enjoyable with Maia — were characteristics of a typical fake marriage.
According to Mr. Sandhu,” Maia testified that she tried to make the relationship work but it was too hard, so she decided to marriage him.” The two are now separated.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, he urged the court to give much weight to Maia’s guilt plea, saying that” accused persons plead guilty for several different reasons” and that she had changed her first position in order to seek a trial.
Any” reasonable man on the street” would have agreed they were indeed husband and wife but for” the interference from the ICA ,” Mr. Sandhu urged the court not to convict Kok.
There can be no sham relationship where there is passion. The defense has made its situation, he said.
The judge may render his decision the following quarter.
According to the Immigration Act, Goh can been sentenced to prison for up to 10 years, fines of South$ 10, 000, or both if found guilty of entering into a marriage of convenience.
If found guilty of instigating Goh into entering into a marriage of convenience, Kok faces the similar punishments.