Malaysians arrested in Singapore for participating in Blackout gatherings
21 Malaysian participants at the 'Blackout' gatherings in Singapore were arrested on 11 May 2013. Thereafter, 1 employment pass and 2 visit passes were revoked while the other 18 have received conditional warnings from the Singapore Government.
For those whose visit passes were revoked, they are now back in Malaysia and I met up with one of them last Friday (17 May).
As for the Malaysian whose employment pass was revoked, the reason given by the authorities was that she had participated in two gatherings on 8 May and 11 May at Merlion Park. However, she denied that she had participated in the 508 (8 May) gathering. As such, it is grossly unfair for the Singapore Government to revoke her employment pass. As she was denied her right to legal representation during the police interrogation, I fear that she may have been misunderstood. I therefore urge the Singapore police to review her case if she had indeed participated in both gatherings and if she did not, her employment pass should be reinstated immediately.
The revocation of her employment pass has a severe impact on her future, as she is a scholarhip holder. Under the scholarship agreement, she has an obligation to serve her employer for 6 years upon completion of her three years of studies. Having her employment pass revoked means she won’t be able to fulfill her contract and as such, she will have to pay S$100,000 to her employer as compensation.
It was also reported that Singapore police arrested 9 Malaysians for participating in the 508 gathering. However, it has come to my knowledge that the investigation has gone beyond those 9 Malaysians who were arrested on 8 May. Many others who attended the 508 gathering have been called and taken in by the police for investigation.
I also found out from those who have contacted me that they are not allowed to leave Singapore until the investigation is completed. This has caused difficulties for some of them because among them are a few who travel daily from Johor Bahru to Singapore for work. They have had no choice but to stay in hotels for the time being.
I also found out from those contacted me that: -
a) for those arrested on 11 May, they were handcuffed when they were bought back to the police station even though it is provided under Section 76 of Singapore Criminal Procedure Code that: -
“SECTION 76: No unnecessary restraint
76. The person arrested must not be restrained more than is necessary to prevent his escape.”
b) Those arrested were denied their right to legal representation even though such right is provided under Art 9(3) of the Singapore Constitution.
"Liberty of the person
Art 9(3) Where a person is arrested, he shall be informed as soon as may be of the grounds of his arrest and shall be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice."
We all hope this matter can be resolved amicably. I strongly urge the Singapore Government to show leniency and to give them a second chance as mercy and forgiveness will always be seemed as a virtue.
