MP Louis Ng Investigated for Not Applying for a Permit Before Visit to Yishun Park Hawker Centre With Placard

For anyone who read the title of this article and thought, “Since when did I have to get the government’s approval before I buy my cai png?”, I assure you that you can be permit-free when buying rice.

This, however, is a different matter altogether. And it’s all because of a single piece of paper.

MP Louis Ng Investigated for Not Applying for a Permit Before Visit to Yishun Park Hawker Centre With Placard

The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Wednesday (3 Mar) that they are currently investigating Louis Tan’s visit to Yishun Park Hawker Centre.

And again, it’s not because of shady char kway teow or spiked kopi bing, but because there could have been a possible offence of public assembly without a permit.

Mr Ng is part of the People’s Action Party (PAP), and a Member of Parliament (MP) for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

“We have already interviewed Mr Ng,” said SPF in a statement. “Police investigations are ongoing.”

Yes, it does sound pretty strange for a public assembly to be held in a hawker centre of all places, but let’s delve deeper into the incident.

He Visited in June 2020

In a recent Facebook post, Mr Ng shared about his visit to the hawker centre in June 2020.

Attached in the post were four pictures, with him smiling alongside happy stall owners. He was also holding up a piece of paper with the words “Support Them” and a little smiley face drawn at the side.

In the original post from June 2020, he encouraged residents to visit the hawkers as well.

He praised the hawkers, saying that they “worked hard during the past few months to try to make ends meet and to provide yummy food for us”.

“More than ever, our hawker heroes need our support,” he said.

Mr Ng’s Response

Mr Ng took to Facebook again on Wednesday (3 Mar) to address these recent allegations against him.

He explained that his visit to Yishun Park Hawker Centre in June 2020 was part of his regular walkabout.

He clarified his intentions in doing so, citing the importance of that particular visit.

“This was an especially important walkabout as we had just emerged from the circuit breaker. I was there to make sure our hawkers were doing okay. As we all know, they suffered badly during the circuit breaker,” he justified.

“I also wanted to urge our residents to support our hawkers and held a sign indicating this and took photos together with the hawkers.”

He stated his compliance with the SPF, and had provided them with a statement after they asked him for one.

He then made a separate addendum that he had also held up a similar sign in January this year for a video introducing the first-ever parliamentary motion on climate change.

“To clarify, that sign was an empty piece of cardboard. The words were superimposed into the video which I posted,” he wrote.

Possible Unpermitted Assembly?

While this might not sound like an illegal gathering, let’s examine how it became perceived as such.

Under the Public Order Act, an “assembly” is defined as a gathering or meeting meant to:

• Demonstrate support for or opposition to the views or actions of any person, group of persons or any government.
• Publicise a cause or campaign.
• Mark or commemorate any event.

This also includes a demonstration by a person alone for any of the aforementioned purposes.

So following this, a “public assembly” is an assembly in a public space in which members of the public can attend.

In Singapore, organising or participating in a public assembly without a police permit is illegal. A person convicted of organising one without a permit can be fined up to S$5,000.

Feature Image: Facebook (Louis Ng Kok Kwang)