SINGAPORE: A man who hung a placard around his neck to publicise a religious movement as he sat on a grass patch in Jurong has been fined S$1,000.
The placard displayed Chinese text about the Falungong movement, which when translated to English read: “Falun Dafa is good. Truthfulness, compassion, forbearance are good. Clean world network.”
On Tuesday (May 13), Peh Teck Ho, 59, pleaded guilty to taking part in a public assembly without a permit.
On July 5, 2023, at around 9.30am, police officers patrolling near Science Centre Road saw Peh sitting on the grass patch along Science Park Road with the placard around his neck, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Jason Chua.
Investigations revealed that Peh worked as a bus driver, said the DPP. On the day of the offence, he had ferried some workers to various locations and parked the bus at Town Hall Link.
After parking the bus, he displayed writings relating to the Falungong movement on the front and rear of the bus’ windscreen before heading to the grass patch to meditate with the placard around his neck.
DPP Chua said Peh did this to publicise the Falungong movement in Singapore.
Seeking a fine of at least $1,000, the prosecutor said Peh cannot be treated as a first-time offender as he had also placed Fanlungong-related writings in public places in February and March 2023.
In mitigation, Peh’s lawyers Foo Chuan Ri and Tan Seng Kiat said their client’s actions were motivated by his religious convictions and that he did not mean to cause offence but to share that conviction.
Seeking a fine of $500, the lawyers said Peh is the main breadwinner of his family with a monthly income of around $3,000 and has to support his daughter who is studying in polytechnic.
Those convicted of taking part in a public assembly without a permit can be fined up to $3,000. - The Straits Times/ANN
