6 charged over public assemblies including Phua Chu Kang actors Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin
The six, aged between 31 and 70, were charged over taking part in public assemblies outside the State Courts or Changi Prison.
From left: Lim Kay Siu, Neo Swee Lin and Kirsten Han at the State Courts on Sep 28, 2026. (Photos: CNA/Syamil Sapari)
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SINGAPORE: Six people, including journalist Kirsten Han and Phua Chu Kang actors Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin, were charged on Monday (Sep 28) with taking part in public assemblies.
The assemblies were held in prohibited areas, with one held outside the State Courts in support of abolishing the death penalty, as well as candlelight vigils held outside Changi Prison for death row inmates.
The six Singaporeans charged are Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 38, Ten Leu Jiun Jeanne-Marie, 56, Howe Wen Khong Rocky, 31, Kirsten Han, 37, Lim Kay Siu, 70, and Neo Swee Lin Winifred, 63.
All except Ten were charged with taking part in a public assembly outside the State Courts, a prohibited area, on Feb 3, 2025.
Among them were married couple Neo and Lim. They previously starred in local sitcom Phua Chu Kang, with Neo playing the mother of the titular contractor and Lim playing Frankie Foo.
More recently, the pair have performed music together, while Lim starred as the monk Gyatso in Netflix’s Avatar – The Last Airbender.
Ten was charged over attending two candlelight vigils at Changi Prison in November 2024.
Howe, who faced the most charges of the lot, was charged over the State Courts assembly as well as attending three candlelight vigils at Changi Prison in November 2024 and January 2025.
Of the six charged on Monday, two had previously been investigated and warned before being charged. Another two were repeatedly involved in such cases despite being under investigation, the police said in a statement.
Police said Han has had “numerous run-ins with the law”, including over public assemblies without permits in 2017 and 2022, obstructing justice in 2022 and a public procession in June 2024.
Annamalai was previously convicted of organising a public procession along the Istana and over public assemblies held in 2017 and 2021, the police said.
Howe was issued a stern warning for participating in public assemblies without a permit in March and April 2022, and for obstructing justice in March 2022, police said.
Ten had been issued a stern warning in April 2022 and in September 2026, they added.
Lawyer Derek Wong appeared for five of the six, with Howe unrepresented. Mr Wong also mentioned the cases on behalf of other lawyers representing Neo, Lim and Annamalai.
He said he was just instructed and asked for time to take instructions, which was granted.
He asked that his clients be released without bail, saying they faced offences punishable only with fines. He also sought personal bond instead of bail.
District Judge Wong Peck declined the requests and issued bail sums of S$5,000 for each of the five.
Howe similarly asked to be released without bail or on a personal bond instead.
When Judge Wong told him that she would be issuing bail for him as well, he argued that bail was to be offered at the court’s discretion.
“It’s my discretion,” the judge said.
“Yes, but discretion should be exercised lawfully,” answered Howe.
“I am exercising my discretion,” said Judge Wong, signalling that her decision was final.
The cases for all six were adjourned to October.
Earlier this month, another eight people were charged over prohibited processions or assemblies, including activists Jolovan Wham and S Suraendher Kumarr, who was charged last week.
Wham is accused of organising the February 2025 assembly outside the State Courts publicising the cause of abolishing capital punishment in Singapore.
Large crowds attended the earlier court appearances, and queue poles had been set up at the State Courts on Monday for crowd control.
There was some commotion when security guards prevented some in the group from entering without changing their shirts. Some of those present wore shirts with slogans or messages on them.
After a previous hearing drew hundreds of supporters, security allowed only those with a reason to enter the courtroom on Monday.
For organising a public assembly in a prohibited area, a person could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
For taking part in a public assembly without a permit, an offender can be fined up to S$5,000.
Police said that public assemblies or processions in prohibited areas without a police permit are subject to “even higher punishments”.
“Individuals who have previously been warned or dealt with for breaches of the Public Order Act should not disregard such warnings,” said the police.
They said members of the public should apply for a police permit prior to organising public assemblies, and those wishing to express their views but do not have a permit can consider doing so at the Speakers’ Corner.
Source: CNA/ll(bg)
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