Govt
harassment begins: Police steal flyers from activists
9
Sep 06
A
bunch of police officers tried to intimidate activists who were
handing out leaflets to alert the public to the Empower
Singaporeans Rally and March on 16 September 2006.
Three
officers approached Ms Chee Siok Chin and Mr Charles Tan at
Raffles City Shopping Mall and warned the two that they were
committing an offence.
When
asked what offence was being committed, the police could only say
that it was a "seizable offence." Pressed to be more
specific, one officer said that his superior would inform them.
The
officers also said that they would have to seize the flyers and
quickly grabbed the bag of leaflets sitting on the ground.
When
Dr Chee Soon Juan appeared another bunch of police officers told
him that he had to stop distributing the flyers.
"Under
what section of the law is it an offence?" Dr Chee queried.
"It
is a seizable offence," came the exasperating reply.
"You
haven't answered my question. What Act says that it is an offence
to distribute leaflets? If you cannot tell me which specific law
I am breaking, how can you tell me to stop doing what I am
doing?" Dr Chee continued.
Quickly
changing the subject, the officer said, "I have to take the
flyers." He reached out to grab the leaflets which Dr Chee
was holding.
"If
you want to seize the flyers then take me as well. We go
together," Dr Chee suggested.
The
police officer retracted his hand.
At
this point there were at least six police cameras lurking in the
various corners recording the encounter.
"I
can come with you right now if you want me to. Where is your
car?" Dr Chee offered again. "If you say I am
committing an offence, then let's go to the police station.
Otherwise please move aside as you are blocking my way."
The
bunch withdrew into the crowd and hung around the shops, looking
from afar.
The
activists continued distributing whatever pamphlets they had
left. When they ran out, they approached the police officers to
ask them to give back the flyers they had stolen.
But
as soon as the activists got close to the officers who were all
in civilian wear, they dispersed in different directions like
suspects fleeing the scene of the crime.
One,
Senior Staff Sergeant Lee Hong Chee, who pretended to be a
shopper looking at a window display whilst sipping on an
ice-blended coffee, was not quick enough. When asked where his
colleagues were he said, "I don't know."
"Do
you know it was wrong to take our pamphlets when you haven't told
us what offence we had committed?" Dr Chee asked.
Sgt
Lee searched for an answer but could only play back the
pre-recorded message, "I don't know."
"Where
are the flyers?" Dr Chee asked again.
"They
are with my colleagues."
"Where
are your colleagues?"
"I
don't know..."
"You're
not a very competent officer, are you?" Dr Chee continued.
"I
don't know...Thank you," the sergeant stammered, and quickly
walked away.
Seeing
two more officers sitting in the distance, the activists sought
their assistance. As before the two quickly scuttled away. But Dr
Chee called them back and after asking them to produce their
warrant cards, one was Senior Staff Sgt Zaihir Shan s/o Syed and
the other was Sgt Andrew Ong, he asked them for the confiscated
pamphlets.
Almost
simultaneously the two officers' cellphones rang and they both
pretended to be engaged in deep conversation while quickly
walking away.
These
officers were not behaving the way our men-in-blue should –
with dignity and professionalism. Instead, when asked they could
not cite the law they were supposed to enforce and they behaved
like a group of suspects who quickly dispersed when confronted.
First
World Government? Yeah, right.
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