SPF Refuted a Claim That They’re Going to Grant Protest Permit Outside Australia High Commission

There’s a reason why you should take everything you read on the internet with a huge bowl of salt.

This has been especially true during the pandemic, with online users peddling fake COVID-19 cures.

You can’t always get away with your fake claims, though, especially if it involves the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

Man Staging One Man Protest at Australian High Commission, Says SPF Will Grant a Permit

On 4 June, a Twitter user announced that he’s staging a “one man” protest in front of the Australia High Commission today (10 June).

Why today? Well, today happens to be the day that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison will be visiting Singapore for the sixth Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Meeting.

Held at the Istana, Mr Morrison and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will hold a joint virtual press conference.

The Twitter user who said he plans to protest seemed displeased with Mr Morrison’s policy of barring some Australians abroad from returning home due to fears of imported infections causing a full-blown outbreak.

In another tweet, the same user also called for “all stranded Aussies, 485 Visa and Student Visa holders in Singapore” to “make a statement” during Mr Morrison’s visit.

The Twitter user said he’d print a huge picture of a mouse for the protest.

The tweet would probably have gone unnoticed like the thousand others published every second, but one particular line in the tweet caught the attention of the Singapore authorities:

“Have checked with the Singapore Police Force, they’re likely to grant a protest permit”.

SPF: Uh… What?

Just five days later, after catching wind of the tweet, SPF refuted the man’s claims in a statement.

“The police are aware of a tweet by user ‘@watermelonsalt5’ on Twitter indicating that a protest will be held in front of the Australian High Commission on Jun 10, 2021,” it said.

“The user also claimed that a check with the Singapore Police Force was done, and that a permit for the protest would likely be granted.

“Contrary to what the post claims, the police did not receive any enquiries on or application for a permit for this protest.”

In its statement, the police reminded the public that organising or participating in a public assembly without a police permit is illegal.

“Foreigners visiting or living in Singapore should abide by our laws,” SPF said.

No permit will be granted for assemblies that advocate political causes of other countries, it added.

As for Australia, it looks like it will only re-open to the rest of the world mid-2022.

Featured Image: Twitter