Man charged with sending pork and offensive note to Serangoon mosque

A 61-year-old Singaporean man, Tan Keng Hwee, was charged in court on Saturday, 27 September, with one count of deliberately intending to wound the racial feelings of a person — an offence under Section 298 of the Penal Code.

According to court documents, Tan is accused of sending a piece of pork accompanied by an offensive note to Al-Istiqamah Mosque, located at Serangoon North Avenue 2, sometime before 25 September.

The envelope containing the pork was reportedly placed in a visible location where a Malay man could see it, heightening the potential harm of the act.

Tan was arrested on 25 September and has been remanded for further investigation. The court granted permission for him to be taken out for additional police inquiries. He is scheduled to return to court on 3 October.

If convicted, Tan faces up to three years in jail, a fine, or both.

Police investigation and preliminary findings

According to a police statement released on 27 September, authorities were alerted to a suspicious parcel at Al-Istiqamah Mosque at about 5.20pm on 24 September.

The Singapore Police Force later confirmed that the package contained a piece of pork, a substance prohibited in Islam.

While the police did not name the mosque in their official statement, Al-Istiqamah Mosque was identified in local media reports.

Officers from the Bedok Police Division and the Criminal Investigation Department identified the suspect through ground inquiries and surveillance footage obtained from nearby police cameras.

Preliminary investigations suggest the man may be connected to other similar incidents at mosques across Singapore, though authorities have not disclosed the exact number of cases under review.

Evacuation and public response

As a precaution, Al-Istiqamah Mosque was evacuated after the package was discovered.

One person at the scene experienced breathlessness and was taken to Sengkang General Hospital by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers. The individual was later discharged.

The SCDF and police confirmed that no hazardous materials were found in the package.

Home Affairs Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam visited the mosque on 25 September, condemning the act as inflammatory and warning of the dangers of such behaviour.

“Whatever the motive, this is playing with fire. We are treating this matter very seriously,” he said. “We will deal firmly with anyone found responsible.”

Shanmugam cautioned that such incidents could erode social trust and deepen divisions between racial and religious groups in Singapore if left unchecked.

Wider condemnation and national security concerns

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from religious leaders, community groups, and government agencies.

In a public statement, the Singapore Police Force reiterated: “The police take a very serious view of acts that threaten Singapore’s racial and religious harmony.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour that undermines multiracial and interfaith cohesion.

Faith organisations across Singapore — including non-Muslim religious groups — have expressed solidarity with the Muslim community, urging calm and vigilance in the wake of the attack.

Authorities continue to investigate potential links between the suspect and other incidents involving offensive items or messages targeting mosques.

The case has underscored Singapore’s firm stance on protecting its long-standing principles of racial and religious harmony, which remain central to national security and social stability.