Activist & Former Opposition Candidate Gilbert Goh Charged for Staging a Protest & Refusing to Sign a Police Statement

On 1 May, former People’s Voice candidate Gilbert Goh staged a protest in the vicinity of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building.

That day, Mr Goh held up this placard:

“Please ban all flights from India. We are not racist! Just being cautious”, the placard said.

At the time, there was a spike in COVID-19 cases in India, and the Singapore government had begun imposing some border restrictions on visitors from the country.

Mr Goh staged the protest without a permit, which, as you know, is a punishable offence.

So it came as no surprise when the police said yesterday that Mr Goh would be charged for his unpermitted protest, as well as refusing to sign his statement to the police.

Activist Gilbert Goh Charged for Staging a Protest & Refusing to Sign a Police Statement

The 60-year-old activist was charged in court today (15 Dec) for taking part in a public assembly without a permit and refusing to sign a police statement.

Mr Goh said he plans to contest the charges and is in the process of hiring a lawyer.

As the police said yesterday, refusing to sign a police statement is an offence under the Penal Code. Goh is said to have refused to sign a police statement he made at the Bedok Police Division headquarters earlier this year on 11 May.

Yesterday, the police reminded the public that organising or taking part in a public assembly without a police permit in Singapore is illegal and constitutes an offence under the Public Order Act.

In addition to his charges, Mr Goh was issued a stern warning for allegedly allowing a foreigner to participate in an event that he organised at the Speakers’ Corner on 3 Nov, 2019.

A police permit is required as well if foreigners are to be involved in organising or taking part in an event at the Speakers’ Corner.

Goh: “I Don’t Usually Sign the Interrogation Sheet”

In a Facebook post yesterday (14 Dec), Goh made it known that he was heading to the Bedok Police Station for an interview, or for “kopi”, as he said.

“After each session, you feel drained and worried that something bad will happen to you,” he wrote.

“This must be my 5th or 6th visit to the station for kopi over the years though thankfully I have not been charged—usually it’s held at Cantonment or Bedok Police Station.”

The 60-year-old also explained why he refused to sign his statement.

“I don’t usually sign on the interrogation sheet as I don’t feel the whole process is fair to us. They will threaten you with all kinds of charges but I chose not to sign in defiance of their inhumane treatment,” he claimed.

In a subsequent post, Mr Goh said he would rather go to jail than pay a fine.

He was offered bail of $5,000 and will return to court on 7 Jan next year.

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Featured Image: Facebook (Gilbert Goh)