Ian Fang says he takes responsibility, asks for another chance as he surrenders for jail term
SINGAPORE: Former actor Ian Fang apologised and said he was taking responsibility for his sexual offences involving a teenage girl before surrendering in court to start his jail sentence on Monday (Jun 16).
The 35-year-old was speaking to reporters outside the State Courts. He will serve a 40-month jail term after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual penetration of a minor.
Fang also admitted to harassing the victim by contacting her multiple times while he was under investigation, and asking her to cry before her mother and say she did not want him to go to jail.
The victim was 15 years old at the time of Fang's offences in 2024.
On Monday, he said in Mandarin: "When you make a mistake, you have to take responsibility. I'm here now to accept the punishment and legal consequences that I deserve. Of course, I also hope that everyone can give me a chance to be reborn, to start over."
Fang then bowed.
In his only comments in English, he said: "I think I definitely will try my best to be a better person, be a better version (of) myself.
"At the same time, this is something that I need to pay. It's an expensive and very huge mistake that I need to pay it off. But I believe it will definitely make me an even better person."
"And I really hope that everyone could give me a chance to let me show you guys that I can be the person that you guys want me to be," he said, before apologising and bowing again.
When asked what he had to say to the victim, Fang said: "I am sorry. Everyone has been hurt."
He added: "I believe that if I do something wrong, I have to accept it. So now, I'm just getting my mindset and emotions right to accept the punishment I deserve."
Fang was accompanied by his mother, who chimed in at times to prompt him in his comments to reporters. He said his mother had stayed by his side during this period, and that he felt sorry for her.
"I also hope that I can continue to be a filial son after I have a chance to be reborn," Fang said, adding that his mother had endured a lot during this period.
On reports of the victim's parents saying they would sue him, Fang said that some reports were "not true" and expressed hope that they could be clarified.
He also addressed his supporters, acknowledging that some saw him as a "role model or idol" and saying that he hoped to show everyone he could learn from his mistakes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Certis auxiliary police officer, 47, dies after collapsing during NDP rehearsal at Padang
SINGAPORE: A 47-year-old Certis auxiliary police officer has died after collapsing during a National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsal at the Padang on Saturday (Jun 21). The man, was part of the OneChangi contingent for the Parade and Ceremony segment. He collapsed at 11.23am at the end of a component rehearsal, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) said in a joint media release. "He was immediately evacuated to the on-site medical post and arrived at 11.26am, where he was attended by the duty medical officer. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered immediately," they added. The man remained unresponsive and was transferred to a standby Singapore Armed Forces ambulance at 11.42am. "Resuscitation efforts continued en route to hospital", said MINDEF and CAG. He arrived at Singapore General Hospital at 11.57am and was pronounced dead at 12.19pm. Certis confirmed in a statement that the man was one of its employees. CNA understands that he worked at Changi Airport. "We are currently working closely with MINDEF and Changi Airport Group to further provide the officer's family with the necessary support and assistance," Certis spokesperson Robin Goh said in response to CNA's queries. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the officer's family and loved ones during this difficult time." The OneChangi contingent is made up of nine companies, including Certis and CAG. It is among the 18 civilian contingents participating in the NDP, which will be held on Aug 9 to mark Singapore's 60th birthday.
CNA
9 hours ago
- CNA
Certis employee, 47, dies after collapsing during NDP rehearsal at Padang
SINGAPORE: A 47-year-old Certis employee has died after collapsing during a National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsal at the Padang on Saturday (Jun 21). The man was part of the OneChangi contingent for the Parade and Ceremony segment. He collapsed at 11.23am at the end of a component rehearsal, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) said in a joint media release. "He was immediately evacuated to the on-site medical post and arrived at 11.26am, where he was attended by the duty medical officer. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was administered immediately," they added. The man remained unresponsive and was transferred to a standby Singapore Armed Forces ambulance at 11.42am. "Resuscitation efforts continued en route to hospital", said MINDEF and CAG. The man arrived at Singapore General Hospital at 11.57am and was pronounced dead at 12.19pm. The OneChangi contingent is made up of nine companies, including Certis and CAG. It is among the 18 civilian contingents participating in the NDP, which will be held on Aug 9 to mark Singapore's 60th birthday. "We are currently working closely with MINDEF and Changi Airport Group to further provide the officer's family with the necessary support and assistance," said Certis spokesperson Robin Goh.
CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong warns of persisting national security threats
HONG KONG: A top Beijing official overseeing Hong Kong affairs has warned of persisting threats in the city as a China-imposed national security law approaches its fifth anniversary, while seeking to allay concerns about the law's impact on the financial hub's openness. Xia Baolong, the director of China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said various forms of soft resistance continue to emerge in new forms and external forces have never ceased their intervention in Hong Kong. He was speaking at a forum on Saturday (Jun 21) about the law, attended also by the city's leader John Lee and other officials, "Hong Kong has transformed from chaos to order. But just as a tree desires stillness, the wind continues to blow," Xia said. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments deemed the law necessary to maintain the city's stability following anti-government protests in 2019. Under the law, many leading pro-democracy activists, including Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, were prosecuted. Dozens of civil society groups also disbanded. This month, authorities have stepped up their crackdown, including charging young activist Joshua Wong, who was already sentenced last year over a subversion case, under the law for the second time and targeting a mobile game app. Last week, China's national security authorities in Hong Kong and the city's police launched their first publicly known joint operation, raiding the homes of six people on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security. Critics say the political changes indicate that the Western-style civil liberties Beijing promised to keep intact when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 are shrinking. But Xia said the law only targeted an extremely small number of people who severely endanger national security. He also sought to allay concerns about Hong Kong's openness and international position.
