'MBS Badge Lady' spotted maskless at Orchard Road after jail term, glares at Xiaxue

The New Paper
Mar 8, 2022

A jail term of 16 weeks must have just flown by for Phoon Chui Yoke, the Singaporean woman perhaps better known as the MBS Badge Lady.

And time behind bars seems to have done little to change the mindset and behaviour of the 55-year-old, who was spotted out and about town recently with – you guessed it, no mask on once again. 

Phoon, a former naval officer, gained notoriety in May 2021 after being filmed refusing to wear a mask at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) when approached by a social distancing officer..

She was sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail on Sep 6 after pleading guilty to nine charges of breaching Covid-19 safe distancing measures.

This time, she was spotted and photographed by local Internet personality Xiaxue, who took the opportunity to troll Phoon. 

In her Instagram post, Xiaxue said she spotted Phoon in Orchard Road on March 6 and approached her for an interview.

Phoon reportedly glared at the influencer in response.

The influencer then asked her if she was the "Badge Lady", but Phoon continued to stare at her in silence before walking off.

Xiaxue quipped, "I love how [the badge lady] really ‘die die’ stick to her principles.”

"I think she's just walking around Orchard without a mask coz she purposely wanna have people film her!! If not, why is she wearing her distinctive sunglasses just walking around aimlessly – right or not? Anyway ok lor I fulfil her wish lol."

In an update from The Straits Times, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said it is investigating the incident.

In response to queries, Ms Serene Tan, director of safe management measures operations at STB, said it was aware of the alleged incident and that investigations are ongoing.

"STB takes a serious view of any breach in safe management measures," she said.

"We will not hesitate to take enforcement action for non-compliance, which may include composition fines or prosecution under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020."

Speaking to ST, Xiaxue said: "Initially I didn't want to post anything, because I didn't want to get her into trouble, but then I felt that she was being quite deliberate, walking just behind the person I was interviewing," she said.

"I think she's quite defiant, and seemed to be smirking."

She said her post has been shared more than 4,500 times since.

Those who are found guilty of breaching a Covid-19 control order may be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.

Repeat offenders may be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $20,000.