In a case that has highlighted the persistent issue of voyeurism and the illegal possession of child abuse material in Singapore, a 32-year-old man, Alfred Ee Sung Chong, was sentenced to two years in jail and ordered to receive three strokes of the cane on March 25, 2025. The sentencing, which took place in a Singapore court, follows a series of offenses that began in June 2019, involving the secret recording of upskirt videos in public spaces and the discovery of a significant cache of child pornography on his electronic devices.
A Disturbing Pattern of Behavior
Ee’s criminal activities first came to light when he used his mobile phone to record a video of an unidentified victim’s undergarment on an escalator at an undisclosed MRT station in June 2019. This incident marked the beginning of a spree of voyeuristic acts that continued over the next two years. In October 2019, he recorded another video showing a woman’s exposed buttocks underneath her shorts while they were on an MRT train. Between August 2020 and January 2021, Ee targeted at least six other unidentified individuals, capturing videos of their private areas in public spaces such as escalators.
The nature of these offenses, committed in everyday public settings, has raised concerns about personal safety and privacy in Singapore’s densely populated urban environment. Deputy Public Prosecutor Magdalene Huang, who presented the case, emphasized the invasive and predatory nature of Ee’s actions, which violated the dignity and security of unsuspecting individuals. 
Discovery of Child Abuse Material
Ee’s arrest on July 27, 2021, came after police were alerted to his activities earlier that month. Officers reviewed CCTV footage to track his movements, leading to his eventual apprehension. Upon seizing his electronic devices, including a computer and mobile phone, authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of child pornography. The material included 140 videos and 1,770 images depicting children in sexual poses or engaging in sexual activities.
During questioning, Ee admitted to downloading the content from the internet and the dark web for personal gratification. This revelation has added a grave dimension to the case, underscoring the broader issue of online child exploitation and the accessibility of illegal content through hidden networks. While court documents did not specify how the police were initially tipped off, the swift action taken to apprehend Ee reflects Singapore’s stringent approach to combating such crimes.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
On March 25, 2025, Ee pleaded guilty to one count each of voyeurism, insulting a woman’s modesty, and possessing child abuse material. The court sentenced him to two years in prison, with his term set to begin on April 11, 2025. Additionally, he was ordered to receive three strokes of the cane, a form of corporal punishment still practiced in Singapore for certain offenses. His bail was set at 20,000 Singapore Dollars (US$14,800) pending the start of his sentence.
Singapore’s legal system is known for its tough stance on crimes involving sexual misconduct and child exploitation. The penalties imposed on Ee reflect the city-state’s commitment to deterring such behavior through strict enforcement and severe consequences. However, the case also prompts questions about the effectiveness of existing measures in preventing individuals from accessing or producing harmful content in the digital age.
Broader Implications for Public Safety
The nature of Ee’s crimes—committed in public spaces like MRT stations and trains—has sparked discussions about the vulnerability of individuals in crowded urban settings. Voyeurism, often enabled by the ubiquity of smartphones and discreet recording devices, remains a persistent challenge in many cities worldwide. In Singapore, where public transport is a daily necessity for millions, such incidents can erode trust in communal spaces.
Advocates for women’s safety have called for increased awareness and preventive measures, such as public education campaigns and enhanced surveillance in high-traffic areas. While CCTV footage played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending Ee, some argue that more proactive steps, including harsher penalties and technological safeguards, are needed to address the root causes of voyeuristic behavior.
Equally concerning is the discovery of child abuse material on Ee’s devices. The global nature of online child exploitation networks poses a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies, even in a tightly regulated society like Singapore. Efforts to curb access to such content often require international cooperation and advanced cybersecurity measures, areas where progress remains uneven.
Looking Ahead
As Alfred Ee Sung Chong prepares to serve his sentence, his case serves as a stark reminder of the dual threats posed by physical and digital crimes in modern societies. For Singapore, a nation that prides itself on safety and order, the incident underscores the need for vigilance in both public spaces and online environments. Questions linger about how to balance privacy with security, and whether current laws and technologies are sufficient to protect the most vulnerable from exploitation.
In the meantime, the public awaits further developments on how authorities will respond to these ongoing challenges, hoping for solutions that safeguard personal dignity while addressing the darker corners of human behavior.
