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Singaporean right-wing activist Jolovan Wham leaves Singapore High Court on March 20, 2019. – Right-wing activist Wham’s sentencing, in contempt of a social media post questioning the independence of the judiciary, has been postponed for a later date. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP)
SINGAPORE – A Singaporean activist was charged Monday with organizing an illegal individual protest after he stood in front of a police station holding a sign with a smiling face.
The tightly controlled city-state has strict laws against dissent that make it illegal for even a single person to stage a demonstration without a police permit.
Jolovan Wham, who has had numerous clashes with authorities, posted a photo of himself on social media in March holding a cardboard sign with his face crudely drawn.
He said he took the photo in support of a climate activist who was questioned by police for taking a photo in the same place with a sign that read: “SG is better than oil.”
Wham, 40, was charged in court with participating in a public assembly without permission.
The activist posted a photo on social media of himself on his way to court wearing a T-shirt and a mask with a smiley face printed on it.
“My guilt is obvious to all eyes,” he said.
He was also accused of holding a 2018 poster outside of court calling on the government to drop defamation charges against two men for an online article alleging corruption among officials.
Wham faces a fine of up to Sg $ 5,000 (US $ 3,700) for each offense if convicted, according to charge sheets.
The activist served a 10-day jail term earlier this year for organizing an event in 2016 that featured prominent Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong speaking via Skype.
Permits for protests are rarely issued in Singapore, and demonstrations are only allowed without prior approval from the police at the corner of a downtown park.
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