SINGAPORE: Chee's group continues protest for third straight day

Singapore Democratic Party chief and supporters distribute fliers protesting denial of right to free speech

Straits Times
Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan and six others continued their stand-off with the police for the third day yesterday at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park.

But at lunchtime, they took a break of about an hour and went to distribute fliers at Raffles Place.

The flier said the group was protesting against the denial of Singaporeans' right to free speech and peaceful assembly.

It added that the group will remain at Speakers' Corner until Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gives his speech at the opening ceremony of the International Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings this morning.

Mr Gandhi Ambalam, a member of the group, said they will then respond to his speech before dispersing.

They have been there since Saturday, when they tried to march in protest to Parliament House but were stopped by police.

Earlier yesterday, Dr Chee and his sister, Ms Chee Siok Chin, walked separately to Raffles Place, and back to the park.

A police spokesman said Dr Chee was advised not to proceed as a group as it might constitute an illegal procession.

Date Posted: 9/19/2006