A 60-year-old man, Goh Keow Wah (“Gilbert Goh”), will be charged in court on 15 December 2021 under the Public Order Act.
On 1 May 2021, Gilbert Goh had allegedly staged a protest in the vicinity of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building by holding up a placard which read “PLEASE BAN ALL FLIGHTS FROM INDIA WE ARE NOT RACIST! JUST BEING CAUTIOUS”. He did not have a permit under Section 7 of the Public Order Act to carry out the public assembly. In the course of investigations, he had also allegedly refused to sign his statement to the Police.
For allegedly taking part in a public assembly without a permit, he will be charged for an offence under Section 16(2)(a) of the Public Order Act, which carries a fine of up to $3,000.
For allegedly refusing to sign a Police statement, he will be charged for an offence under Section 180 of the Penal Code. The offence carries an imprisonment term which may extend to three months, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.
Gilbert Goh was also issued a stern warning on 14 December 2021 for failing to comply with the conditions for organisers of assemblies, which is an offence under Section 4(3) of the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2016, and for refusing to sign a Police statement, which is an offence under Section 180 of the Penal Code. Gilbert Goh had allowed a foreigner to participate in an event that he organised at the Speakers’ Corner on 3 November 2019. This was in breach of the terms and conditions specified by the National Parks Board in their approval for the use of Speakers' Corner by Gilbert Goh for the said event. A Police permit is required if foreigners are involved in organising or participating in an event at the Speakers’ Corner.
The Police would like to remind the public that organising or taking part in a public assembly without a Police permit in Singapore is illegal and constitutes an offence under the Public Order Act.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
14 December 2021 @ 2:50 PM