SINGAPORE, May 4 — The Real Singapore editor Yang Kaiheng has been allowed to leave the country while on bail, albeit on tightened bail conditions, to visit his father in Australia who is seriously ill.

District Judge Eddy Tham imposed an additional bail amount of S$40,000, in top of the original S$20,000 bail. Yang, who faces seven counts of sedition charges, was granted leave to leave Singapore from today till May 17.

Yang and Takagi, both editors of The Real Singapore, were charged last month with seven counts of sedition each, and also one charge of failing to produce documents to a police officer from the Criminal Investigation Department. Separately, they have also been ordered to cease operations on The Real Singapore by the Media Development Authority (MDA), for flouting the Internet Code of Practice under the Broadcasting Act. 

Yang's lawyer, Choo Zhengxi, made an application for his client this morning. The court heard that Yang's father had suffered a stroke on May 1. His condition had deteriorated further since then and he may die within the next 48 to 72 hours. A doctor's note from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane on Yang's father's medical condition was also submitted.

Deputy Public Prosecutor G Kannan, however, said that Yang has not been cooperative with the authorities in giving information. He also argued that Yang is a flight risk, pointing out that Yang is a Permanent Resident in Australia and owns property there. His family members and mother is also in Australia, he added.

At the same time, the prosecution is sympathetic with his situation, and if Yang shows good faith on his part in responding to the authorities, then the prosecution would not object to the application.

When court hearing resumed in the afternoon, DPP Kannan said Takagi, who was also present in court today, had made a written undertaking to provide information to the MDA, in response to a Notice of Requisition under Section 50 of the Broadcasting Act. As such, the prosecution dropped its earlier objection to Yang leaving Singapore, he said

DPP Kannan also asked for an increase in bail amount from the current S$20,000 (RM54,0202) to S$60,000, and for certain conditions if the court grants Yang's application. Yang must return to Singapore by May 17 as his pre-trial conference has been scheduled for May 18, provide a travel itinerary and remain contactable while he is away.

District Judge Eddy Tham granted the application, and also ordered Yang to surrender his passport by May 18 and provide an updated medical report to his defence counsel every three days. Yang must submit the first medical report tomorrow. — TODAY