SINGAPORE, Oct 22 — Three women who joined a February 2024 walk to Singapore’s presidential estate to deliver letters urging a review of the country’s ties with Israel have been acquitted of holding a public procession without a permit.
According to the South China Morning Post, the ruling underscores the evidentiary standards required under Singapore’s strict public-order laws.
The walk involved over 70 participants, some carrying umbrellas decorated with watermelon patterns, a symbol of solidarity with Palestine.
The letters were addressed to then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, whose office is also within the Istana, the president’s official residence and office.
District Judge John Ng found that the trio — Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar — had acted with an “honest and reasonable belief” that they were not violating regulations and noted there was no signage marking the area as restricted.
“It was clear they were trying their best to comply with the law,” he said before acquitting them.
The women, who faced up to six months’ jail or a fine of S$10,000 (RM32,600) if convicted, thanked supporters for their solidarity.
The Attorney General’s Chambers has said it will appeal the verdict.
