SINGAPORE — A 32-year-old female Singaporean is under police investigation for allegedly taking part in a solo protest in front of the China Embassy in Singapore on 28 Nov.
According to a police statement, the police were alerted to the incident at about 1 pm on Monday, “We directed the woman to stop her protest and she complied.”
The female identified as Ms Kelly Ong, shared on Twitter that she was alone outside the Embassy of China in Singapore in Tanglin Road, wrote: “If I do not reply within 24 hours here I may have been illegally taken into the embassy.”
She shared a selfie of her outside the PRC Embassy, and two papers written in both English and Chinese separately: “Release innocent arrested people; only scientific isolation; stop violence policing; Let student lives return to normal”.
I am alone outside the Embassy of China in Singapore @ 150 Tanglin road.
If I do not reply within 24 hours here I may have been illegally taken into the embassy. pic.twitter.com/vHG5dNPuJC
— kelly (@kellymilkies) November 28, 2022
In a later tweet, she said police has come to her at the side, ” I am okay but I won’t have access to my comms devices in the meantime.”
Kelly explained the purpose of her action in another tweet, which was to bring awareness, not to debate politics with the people in the embassy.
“And most of all – to give HOPE to the Chinese People – we see you, we stand with you, ” she added that the Singapore police did nothing wrong to investigate her, while she stressed that human rights is above all.
My purpose is to bring awareness, not to debate politics with the people in the embassy – to be very clear.
And most of all – to give HOPE to the Chinese People – WE SEE YOU. WE STAND WITH YOU.
The @SingaporePolice did nothing wrong. Human Rights > ALL.#ChinaRevolution https://t.co/fnIir5zBXL pic.twitter.com/Ekon5AmSLW
— kelly (@kellymilkies) November 29, 2022
Kelly’s Twitter account actively shared the dire conditions faced by China citizens under prolonged lockdowns, and how many of them took to the street and confronted authorities over the China government’s Zero- COVID policy.
The country’s leadership is facing a wave of protest not seen in decades, fuelled by anger as well as deep-rooted frustrations over China’s political direction.
Assembly Without A Police Permit Prohibited In Singapore
Singapore police reiterated that the public that organising or participating in a public assembly without a police permit is an offence under the Public Order Act.
The police reminded that foreigners visiting, working or living in Singapore should not import the politics of their countries into Singapore, and are reminded to abide by the country’s law.
The city-state is well known for its suppression of freedom of peaceful assembly.
Although there is a process to apply for a police permit, it is practically impossible to obtain a permit for the purpose of a cause-based assembly.
Singaporeans are only allowed to hold demonstrations in Speaker Corner without approval from the police but they would still have to apply from the National Parks.
