‘I’m sorry’: Ian Fang apologises for sexual offences, surrenders for jail term

Former actor acknowledges having sex with a 15-year-old is a ‘very huge mistake’, apologises to the victim as he begins 40-month jail term

Former actor Ian Fang bowed in apology on Monday as he surrendered to begin his 40-month jail term in Singapore for having sex with a 15-year-old girl, telling reporters he was taking responsibility for his actions.

Alongside him, Fang’s mother rejected what she called inaccurate reports, saying they had “proof” that he did not give the victim a sexually transmitted infection.

Speaking to reporters outside Singapore’s State Courts, the 35-year-old Fang 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.”

In English, Fang added: “This is something that I need to pay. It’s an expensive and very huge mistake that I need to pay off. But I believe it will definitely make me a better person.”

He also directly apologised to the victim, saying: “I am sorry. Everyone has been hurt.”

Fang’s public appearance marked his first since his conviction on May 19 on three counts of sexual penetration of a minor.

According to the court records, Fang met the teenage girl at an entertainment event in 2024. The two went on to have unprotected sex on multiple occasions, even though she was underage. He also admitted harassing the girl during the investigation, including repeatedly calling her late at night and pressuring her to plead for leniency on his behalf.

The victim’s parents have been outspoken in the local media, accusing Fang of infecting their daughter with human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, and threatening him with civil litigation.

One reporter asked what Fang thought about the victim’s parents saying they wanted to sue him until he was bankrupt. The former actor said tentatively: “Actually I think, of course, there are some reports that are …”

“Not true,” Fang’s mother, Fang Peinian, interjected.

“[There were] some inaccurate reports, we have proof … regarding sexually-transmitted infections. [He] doesn’t have them, we have proof,” she told reporters without providing further details.

The case has stirred strong public reaction in Singapore, where many remain sceptical of Fang’s public expressions of remorse. Online critics have accused the former Mediacorp star of acting in front of the cameras, dismissing his repeated apologies as performative.

One commenter on the Singapore subreddit said Fang would probably “do a podcast within 6 months after getting release and talk about his time in [Changi Prison]”, adding, “Maybe we can then judge how genuine the tears are?”

Fang was prosecuted under Section 376A(2)(b) of Singapore’s Penal Code, which does not include caning as a sentencing option. The victim’s parents had called for harsher punishment, arguing that caning would leave a permanent reminder of his offence.

“Mark him for life. He marked my daughter for life,” the victim’s father told CNA.

The victim’s parents said any financial award they would receive through their civil litigation against Fang would be donated to charity, stressing the lawsuit was not for personal gain but to hold him further accountable.

The former actor was previously a fixture on Singapore’s television scene, having worked for state broadcaster Mediacorp until May 2023. His identity was initially withheld but later made public after the prosecution successfully applied to lift a gag order.