SINGAPORE: Three women named Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 35, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 29, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 25 were allegedly charged under the Public Order Act for organising an assembly or procession without a permit on Feb 2nd along the perimeter of the Istana, a prohibited area.
A group of about 70 people who had delivered letters to the Istana in support of the Palestinian cause were charged in court on June 27th, Thursday.
Annamalai, a female civil activist, is accused of aiding and encouraging Mossammad, Siti Amirah, Alysha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, Anystasha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, and other unidentified individuals to commit a suspected offense.
All three women appeared in court accompanied by a group of more than 10 people, including prominent activist Jolovan Wham.
Legal Proceedings In Pro-Palestinian Case
Lawyer Derek Wong, representing the three accused, informed the court that he had only been appointed on Wednesday. Mr Wong asked for six weeks to prepare representations and clarified that no plea had been indicated at this stage.
He also mentioned that he would be making an urgent application for Annamalai to leave the country in July to visit family which will be heard separately. Later, All three accused were granted bail of S$5,000 (US$3,684).
Mossammad and Annamalai’s cases were scheduled for further mention on August 8th, while Siti Amirah’s case will be heard on July 25th. The prosecutor noted that Siti Amirah, an influencer known as Camira Asrori on social media, had a “similar case” pending.
According to the Singapore Police Force, the women had allegedly organised a procession to show their support for the Palestinian cause, including soliciting attendance online.
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On Feb 2nd, almost 70 people had assembled in a group along Orchard Road outside a shopping mall around 2 pm and walked towards the Istana. They carried umbrellas painted with watermelon images in support of the Palestinian cause amid the Israel-Hamas war. The watermelon colours indicate the Palestinian flag and the fruit has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
Participants for the Palestine event walked from Plaza Singapura to the Istana to deliver letters addressed to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, according to social media posts.
Police Issued Warning Against Illegal Protests
The police added that Annamalai had previously been issued a stern warning on Dec 5, 2017, and a 24-month conditional warning on Nov 30, 2021 for her involvement in other public assemblies without a permit. Additionally, Siti Amirah is under investigation for offences in a separate incident, the police said without elaborating.
The police requested the public “not to engage in activities that will damage the peace, public order and social harmony which Singaporeans have worked hard to achieve.
“We understand that some people may feel strongly about the Israel-Hamas conflict, but they should not break the law to express their views, nor emulate the protestors in other countries. They could instead participate in the many forums and dialogues, and donation drives, which have been appropriately organised on the issue,” the police said.
If anyone is found guilty, each faces a jail term of not more than six months, or a fine of up to S$10,000.