Farrah Diba, a 39-year-old Singaporean woman, who is a director of an events company, posted on Facebook, expressing her concerns after her 12-year-old son brought home a karambit knife. Social media fumed up with the news and her post attracted viewers. Her news was shared as many as 3,000 times.
A karambit knife has curved blades in the shape of claws. It is mainly used for combat.
Farrah Diba told The New Paper that her son, a pupil of Primary 6, brought home the deadly weapon while still in school uniform from Hako, a consignment shop on September 7.
"He asked me for money to buy some toys, so I gave him $20. I reminded him to buy three of whatever he buys for his two younger siblings" she said.
The 9.5 cm curved blade horrified Farrah Dibo to the extent that she went and lodged a police complaint, handing over the knife to the police. Apparently, her son confirmed that the knife was bought for $15.
Tampines outlet reported that at least 30 such knives were sold on Wednesday, September 21 with 8% commission on the sale of each knife. Consignment shops do not own this merchandise but rent outbox spaces to merchants who use the space for selling their goods.
Ann Goh, a founder of Hako, told The New Paper that it verified there is necessary paperwork from concerned authorities.
"It's a normal item meant for cosplayers and collectors and is not illegal. It was sold for $30, not $15, as Madam Farrah's son claims, because $15 would be too accessible to kids" she said.
Ann Goh further stated that the merchant since collected many knives even after they were removed from the shelves on Wednesday evening.
"Apparently, other kids have been found with such weapons in school. If it is not illegal, then it should be. All the sales assistant said to my son when he bought the knife was, 'Be careful, it's sharp" said a worried Farrah Diba.
The police stated that laws in Singapore do not prohibit the usage or sale of knives such as folding knives, utility knives, hunting knives or a karambit. However, a person carrying the same without any justified legal reason might be accused of possessing an offensive weapon that can be a threat to others.
Authorities should be cautious when dealing with incidents such as this in order to prevent accidents. Earlier this year on April 4, a 21-year-old man was hospitalized due to an alleged dispute that ended in violence in Yishun, Singapore. The weapon involved in the accident was thought to be a knife as per reports by The Straits Times.
Another terrifying incident that took place in Singapore involved a knife attack by a 16-year-old boy from Bedok View Secondary School who allegedly attacked a female student, on April 9. The Straits Times clarified that the girl sustained a cut in the back as she tried running away from the boy. The accused was finally arrested.
