On 27 Sep 2014, a “Return Our CPF” protest rally was organised by Han Hui Hui and Roy Ngerng.
This coincided with a charity event - YMCA Proms @ The Park - organized by YMCA which had invited then-Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck to be the guest-of-honour, and who was also the “target” of the protest group as shown by their postings on Facebook.
With two concurrent events, NParks had demarcated and allocated space for both events. There are two lawns at Hong Lim Park, and each event was allocated a lawn.
When the protesters were spotted near the YMCA event, officers from NParks and SPF approached Ms Han to request her cooperation to speak at the allocated space but the group had refused.
The two then led their co-accused and a group of at least 20 other people in a march towards the YMCA event. The protesters marched around the general vicinity of the carnival, shouting loudly, chanting slogans, waving flags, holding placards, blowing whistles and beating drums. Their actions disrupted the event and performances, including those by special needs children.
The protesters also got close to Teo Ser Luck who gamely greeted them and shook hands with some, despite having vulgarities hurled at him by the CPF protesters.
The Charges
Deputy Public Prosecutor John Lu said that although approval was granted for them to give a "speech" at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park, they (the ReturnMyCPF Protesters) had not applied for approval to organise a demonstration.
The police said that their investigations into the "Return Our CPF" protest on 27 Sept covered a total of 14 people.
A group of five who "participated actively at the event" were given Conditional Warnings, the police said, adding that the case against them has concluded.
A Conditional Warning means they must not commit any offence for a specified period, usually for 12 or 24 months. Should they do so, they will be charged with new as well as the existing offences.
Among the six charged by the police are activist Han Hui Hui, 23 and blogger Roy Ngerng, 33. The four other Singaporeans are Janet Low Wai Choo, 54; Chua Siew Leng, 42; Goh Aik Huat, 41; and Ivan Koh Yew Beng, 59.
Anyone convicted of a charge of public nuisance (Section 268 of the Penal Code) can be fined up to a maximum of $1,000. As for the charge of organising a demonstration without approval, the penalty is a fine of up to a maximum of $5,000.
The second offence (Charge of organising a demonstration without approval) falls under a regulation which says that no one can carry out public speaking activities, organise or participate in a performance or exhibition, or organise any demonstration without the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation's approval.
The Six Accused
From left to right
Janet Low Wai Choo, Goh Aik Huat, M
Ravi, Han Hui Hui, Roy Ngerng, Chua Siew Leng, Ivan Koh Yew Beng
Roy Ngerng Yi Ling, 34,
GE2015 Reform Party Candidate for Ang Mo Kio GRC
Received 21.6% votes, vs PAP
Charged with committing a public nuisance act at Hong Lim Park and organising a demonstration without approval.
Pleaded guilty to both charges.
Fined a total of $1,900 - $400 for being a public nuisance, and $1,500 for organising a demonstration without approval.
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/roy-ngerng-pleads-guilty/2175122.html
==============================
Han Hui Hui, 24,
GE2015 Independent candidate for Radin Mas SMC
Received 10.04% votes – deposit forfeited, vs RP & PAP
Charged with committing a public nuisance act at Hong Lim Park and organising a demonstration without approval.
Case is currently pending (as of 14 Oct 2015). To be updated.
==============================
Janet Low Wai Choo, 55
GE2015 People's Power Party Candidate for Chua Chu Kang GRC
Received 23.11% votes, vs PAP
Charged with committing a public nuisance act at Hong Lim Park.
Case is currently pending (as of 14 Oct 2015). To be updated.
==============================
Goh Aik Huat, 42
Ivan Koh Yew Beng, 60
Both charged with committing a public nuisance act at Hong Lim Park.
Both cases are currently pending (as of 14 Oct 2015). To be updated.
More about Ivan Koh Yew Beng here: http://anyhowhantam.blogspot.sg/2014/11/will-you-donate-to-roy-ngernghan-hui.html
==============================
Chua Siew Leng, 43
A.k.a 'Maniyo Kalyani' on Facebook
Charged with committing a public nuisance act at Hong Lim Park.
Pleaded guilty. Fined $300
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/hong-lim-park-protest-first-of-six-people-charged-pleads-guilty-in-court
More about Chua Siew Leng here: http://anyhowhantam.blogspot.sg/2014/11/chua-siew-leng-laughs-happily-because.html
==============================
Addition
References & Reports
14minute video of NParks and Police Officers approaching ReturnMyCPF
Protestors
17-minute, uncut video shows Roy Ngerng & ReturnMyCPF protesters
encroaching on YMCA’s venue
Photo gallery of the Protest
The Sunday Times (Print copy): Chaos at Hong Lim park charity
carnival http://www.gov.sg/~/media/gov/files/media/20140928-st-chaos_at_hong_lim_park_charity_carnival0f1c.pdf
Online reactions to Hong Lim Park rallygoers’ heckling of
special needs children at charity carnival
Mr Brown: On the #ReturnMyCPF Protesters disrupting the YMCA
event
Hong Lim Park fracas: When protests cross the line
CPF protesters heckle special needs children
Drama at Hong Lim Park: Roy Ngerng and CPF protesters
heckled special needs kids
Roy Ngerng and gang heckle special needs children from YMCA
Return My CPF protesters heckling special needs children
Roy Ngerng & Han Hui Hui Face the Music, while Leong Sze
Hian Sings Happily
To those who use the Speakers’ Corner, with respect
Proven!! Roy Ngerng and Han Hui Hui are The Looney Fringe
Hong Lim Park incident: Roy Ngerng is no freedom fighter
I hope my sister who has Down
Syndrome will never have to experience this
Police question eight people over CPF protest march at Hong Lim Park
Roy Ngerng pleads guilty to
disrupting YMCA event, fined S$1,900
Hong Lim Park protest: First of
six people charged pleads guilty in court
No comments:
Post a Comment