{
  "id": 9095572,
  "title": "Contractor who sabotaged rivals' advertisements gets jail for cutting posters at new BTO estates",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/contractor-who-sabotaged-rivals-advertisements-gets-jail-for-cutting",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T05:57:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNA - Singapore",
    "slug": "cna-singapore",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/contractor-sabotage-rival-poster-bto-estate-jail-6401331"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singaporean contractor Lee Sai Koon, 75, received a 10-day jail sentence for sabotaging his rivals' advertisements at new Build-to-Order (BTO) housing estates. Lee engaged in the act to render his competitors' posters ineffective by cutting portions of his own posters and spray-painting over notice boards. The rivalry led to 13 police reports from residents at two blocks in Toa Payoh, who found posters with cuts and scratches on their doors and in common areas. Lee, the sole proprietor of Tong Sheng Impex, designed and installed metal storage racks. He and his wife attempted to remove competitors' posters in Block 246A and Block 403A, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, but continued the sabotage despite previous investigation. Lee faced three counts of mischief, with two other charges considered, while his wife received a conditional warning. The maximum penalty for mischief is two years jail, a fine, or both. Lee had a history of convictions dating back to the 1970s, including driving with an expired license and causing hurt. His lawyer requested five days jail, citing his client's poor health. Lee's case is pending along with two others, Joo Tat Chong and Kevin Lee Wei Qiang.",
  "summary": "He cut his own posters to make them harder for his rivals to remove, but wound up damaging the property.",
  "key_points": [
    "Singaporean contractor Lee Sai Koon sentenced to 10 days in jail",
    "Lee sabotaged rivals' advertisements by cutting posters and spray-painting",
    "Case involves three counts of mischief, with history of previous convictions"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This jail sentence indicates that courts in Singapore will enforce laws against vandalism and sabotage to protect business competitors, even if offenders are elderly and claim poor health.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Contractor who sabotaged rivals' advertisements gets jail for cutting posters at new BTO estates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/contractor-who-sabotaged-rivals-advertisements-gets-jail-for-cutting-9098553",
        "published": "2026-09-22T05:57:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}