Man Fined $1,000 for Destroying PAP Election Poster; Said He’s ‘Not in Opposition to PAP’

By
Zhi Hao
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Contradictory political views may not be irregular, but it’s up to us to ensure that we convey them in a safe, legal and accurate manner.

After all, the Trump saga has shown that violence is not the answer – in more ways than one.

And though the following man has not exactly invaded government property in a bid to fulfil his political needs…

He is still guilty of committing an illegal act.

Man Fined $1,000 for Destroying PAP Election Poster After Buying 4D Tickets

A part-time security officer has been fined $1,000 on Thursday (4 February 2021) for obliterating an election poster.

The case is being described as the first of its kind.

Lim Song Huat, 45, had offended at around 9:30 a.m. on 3 July 2021 – one week before the general election on 10 July.

He was reportedly walking along Woodlands Street 13 when he saw People’s Action Party (PAP) posters on the nearby lamp posts.

Like any other people, he smiled at the candidates and walked away.

But he’s not like any other people.

Evidently triggered, he walked towards one with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s image, and attempted to rip it with a stone.

When the object failed to cut the poster, he resorted to his bare hands.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Selene Yap said: “He then discarded the stone and used his hands to forcibly peel (the poster) from its backing, causing more than half the poster to be detached from its backing.”

The police were alerted the next day, and ascertained Lim’s identity after checking through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

Lim was subsequently arrested at around 6:30 p.m. the next day.

Sentencing

In court, DPP Yap pushed for the maximum fine of $1,000, insisting that such crimes were tough to detect.

Lim could only be found after “extensive trawling” of CCTV footage, Yap said.

Meanwhile, Lim, who was unrepresented, stated that he is not in opposition to PAP, and said that he had gone through with a “stupid thing”.

In sentencing, the judge was clear in his stance and intended message.

“While a person may hold strong political views,” he said. “These should be expressed by their vote at the ballot box or by other legally sanctioned means.”

“Acts of defacement and destruction of political posters set up by any party for the purpose of national elections are not merely unlawful, but are also extreme, divisive and potentially inflammatory forms of expression which must be strenuously deterred in our country.”

It should be noted that Lim had previously pleaded guilty to an offence under the Parliamentary Elections Act, with two other similar charges taken into account.

For each charge of altering, removing, destroying, obliterating or defacing election posters or banners, offenders could be jailed for up to a year or fined up to $1,000.

Political

In a separate incident, Constantine Paul, 51, is believed to have taken down two Progress Singapore Party posters in Bukit Batok East Avenue 5 on 30 June 2020.

According to The Straits Times, he is expected to plead guilty on 5 April 2021.

Though political views may be diverse and on particular occasions, heated, it’s worth noting that conveyance via illegal means would not exactly get you anywhere.

So if you’re incensed by a particular political party, or just pissed in general, you can catch Jack Neo’s latest controversial film on ways to handle your political views.

Such as establishing your own political party, perhaps.

Featured Image: threebeanies / Shurtterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)

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Zhi Hao
Email: [email protected]