SINGAPORE: A Singapore worker who demanded the closure of all flights to India last year has been convicted under the Public Law and Order Act. This information has been given in the news published in the media. It is noteworthy that a 60-year-old man named Goh Keo Wah demonstrated on May 1 last year and during that time the placard in his hand read, “Please ban flights from India, we are not racist Huh. Only alert.” Later, the activist also posted a picture of his activity on Facebook, The Straits Times reported.
The activist, known as Gilbert Goh, was convicted on Tuesday in front of the immigration chief’s office on one case of the Public Law and Order Act last year and another for not signing a statement to police, the paper said. He will be sentenced on August 19. It is worth mentioning that the activist had held a public meeting in front of the Immigration and Check Post Authority (ICA) building last year to inform people about his movement without permission.
According to the newspaper, this step was taken a week after Singapore barred all long-term and short-term pass holders who had traveled to India during 14 days in the country in view of the increasing cases of Covid-19 in India at that time. Deputy Public Prosecutors Andrey Chong and Yohannes Ng said Goh spread his demand by showing the placard before the ICA. “The accused admitted that he needed to get a permit from the police to do this. He assumed that he did not worry about applying for a permit.” Prosecutors said the content posted on Facebook by the accused was sensational and provocative, which shows that his intention was to create sentiment against foreigners in the country.
In his defence, Goh had claimed that he was not publicising a cause and that he had “valid reasons” for not signing the statement later.
The prosecutors said his explanation for failing to sign the statement was not that he was not required to do so. Instead, he had stated: “I do not wish to sign this statement as I am not given a copy and I do not have any defence for myself.”
The prosecution said Goh’s defence to the charges had no merit.He will be sentenced on Aug 19.
