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Chee
Siok Chin writes to Wong Kan Seng
Singapore
Democrats
21 Nov 07
21 November 2007
Mr.
Wong Kan Seng
Minister for Home Affairs
New Phoenix Park,
28 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329560
wong_kan_seng@mha.gov.sg
Dear
sir,
I would like to refer you to the incident that
occurred on 20 November 2007 along Orange Grove Road when Mr John
Tan and I were illegally detained by the police.
The
intent of this letter is not to inform you of the incident as I
am certain you have been quite thoroughly apprised. Instead I
would like to seek several clarifications from you as the
Minister for Home Affairs.
Although Mr Tan and I were told
that we were in a Protected Area, at no time did the police say
that we were trespassing or forbidden to be in the vicinity. None
of the police officers were able to cite any law that prohibited
us from going to the Shangri-la Hotel.
What right did the
police have to stop Mr Tan and I from going towards the
Shangri-la Hotel after having been told that we were going there
for a meal?
When asked if we had committed any offence and
if we were being arrested, we were categorically told “no”
to both questions. That being the case, what right did the police
have in man-handling and forcing us into a vehicle?
If the
vehicle belonged to the Singapore Police Force, why was it
unmarked?
Was it legal for the police to take us to a
place against our will when we had not committed any
offence?
What right did the police have in not only
harassing but manhandling Mr Tan and me?
What right did
the police have in forcefully taking us away to a place when we
were not under arrest?
In addition to this, Mr Tan was
prevented from leaving the police vehicle when we were brought to
Orchard Hotel? The police had restrained him and he had to
physically struggle with the officers to get out of the van. Is
this not a form of physical abuse?
The actions of the
police in the mentioned incident is a grave violation of our
constitutional rights, individual liberties and personal
security.
How can it be said that the Singapore is built
on the rule of law when those of us living in this country can be
subjected to such arbitrary, illegitimate and physical actions by
the police?
I look forward to your
clarifications.
Sincerely,
Chee Siok Chin
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