Police to Gilbert Goh: No defacing PM Lee’s poster
The police has warned social activist Gilbert Goh regarding his Facebook post, which allegedly called on the public to deface a poster of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a planned Labour Day protest at Hong Lim Park today.
The following was published on the Singapore Police Force Facebook page:
Police have contacted Mr Gilbert Goh on 30 April 2014 regarding his online post (19 April 2014) that called on the public to deface and denigrate a poster of the Prime Minister during Goh’s planned demonstration at Hong Lim Park on 1 May 2014. Mr Goh was advised against carrying out such activities during the demonstration as they may constitute offences under the Penal Code and the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act. Mr Goh was also advised to remove any online postings that called on participants of his demonstration to conduct activities that might be against the law.
The Speakers’ Corner is a designated outdoor area for Singaporeans to express their views in public. Mr Goh is free to hold his planned demonstration at the Speakers’ Corner, but it is also his responsibility to ensure that any activities conducted during the demonstration do not contravene the law.
Singapore’s unemployment rate increases
Singapore’s unemployment rate rose to 2.1% in March 2014, a slight increase from 1.8% in December 2013, according to a report published by the Ministry of Manpower yesterday. Experts interviewed by media attributed it to some “skills mismatch occurring in the labour force”.
Honour pioneer generation unionists: PM Lee
Prime Minister Leee Hsien Loong called on Singaporeans to honour the pioneer generation of unionists by building upon their achievements for future generations, as he delivered his May Day message yesterday.
Citing their dedication towards working with the government to foster constructive labour-management relations, PM Lee stressed on the importance of tripartism in bringing the country forward.
Each tripartite partner must do their part: Workers must make the effort to train and upgrade themselves. Employers must invest in workers, develop their skills, and make full use of their talents. Only then will the Government’s programmes bear fruit. By working together, we strengthen our model of tripartism, and keep it our lasting competitive advantage.
First worker pleads guilty for Little India riot
A worker who was involved in the Little India riots in December 2013 has pleaded guilty, the first among the 25 charged to do so. Ramalingam Sakthivel, 33, allegedly threw projectiles at police officers and police vehicles, pushed to flip a police car and hit a Singapore Civil Defence Force ambulance with a pole. The prosecution is urging for a deterrent sentence of between 30 and 36 months in jail and three to six strokes of the cane, media reported.
Man charged for organising illegal march against MDA regulations
Jacob Lau Jian Rong, 23, is accused of orgainsing an illegal procession on 5 November 2013, in protest against new Internet regulations announced by the Media Development Authority. 5 November is well known as Guy Fawkes Day and is synonymous with the Anonymous group of hackervists. Rong’s alleged illegal procession at City Hall MRT station saw 15 protesters rounded up by police.
