Woffles Wu was charged correctly

TNP FILE PHOTO

When prominent plastic surgeon Woffles Wu was fined $1,000 for getting his elderly employee to take the rap twice for speeding offences, it sparked an online furore.

Netizens said the fine was too light, and that he got off lightly because he’s rich and that he should have been charged with perverting the cause of justice, which carries a heavier sentence. MP Hri Kumar Nair, a lawyer, wrote in his blog that others were jailed for similar offences.

On June 17, the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) made an unprecedented move to explain its decision to charge Dr Wu under Section 81(3) of the Road Traffic Act rather than under the Penal Code, which provides for stiffer penalties.

Lawyers said Dr Wu's offence was traffic-related and doesn't come under the Penal Code.