Woman involved in Return Our CPF rally fined S$300
From left to right: The accused Low Wai Choo (second from left), Goh Aik Huat (in blue), Han Hui Hui, Roy Ngerng, Chua Siew Leng and Koh Yew Beng, and their lawyer M Ravi (in suit) at the State Courts on Oct 27, 2014. Photo: Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE — The first of the six charged for causing a public nuisance during a protest at Hong Lim Park that clashed with an YMCA event has been sentenced to a S$300 fine today (March 9).
In sentencing Chua Siew Leng, 42, a district judge noted that her involvement in the incident was minor and took into consideration her early plea of guilt and lack of criminal antecedents. She could have been fined up to S$1,000.
Chua and five others, including activist Han Hui Hui and blogger Roy Ngerng, were charged after their Return Our CPF protest march on Sept 27 last year disrupted a YMCA charity carnival.
Demonstrators had marched three times around the general vicinity of the YMCA event while shouting loudly, waving Singapore flags, and blowing whistles. The disturbance caused furore among the public.
The court heard that the group, which were joined by at least 20 other people, became “more emotive” when Minister of State (Trade and Industry) Teo Ser Luck arrived at the park for the YMCA event that day.
Han and Ngerng each face an additional charge of organising a demonstration without approval, which carries a maximum fine of S$5,000.
A joint trial for the other five has been set on June 4 and 5.
Correction: In an earlier version of this story, we reported that Chua Siew Leng was sentenced to a S$300 fine and one day imprisonment. This is incorrect. Chua was sentenced to a $300 fine. We are sorry for the error.
