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A 61-year-old man will be charged on 17 May 2022 for multiple incidents where he had allegedly made racist remarks and insensitive comments about religion, and the possession of obscene films:

1. One count of uttering words with the deliberate intention of wounding the racial feelings of a person under Section 298 of the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed) (“Penal Code”), for allegedly passing racist remarks to a 26-year-old man in the vicinity of Angullia Park on 5 June 2021;
   
   
2. One count of committing an act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious groups under Section 298A(b) of the Penal Code, for allegedly making insensitive remarks about religion during a lecture at Ngee Ann Polytechnic on 28 July 2017;
   
   
3. One count of committing an act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious groups under Section 298A(b) of the Penal Code, for allegedly providing insensitive answers about religion in response to questions on an online forum between 10 August 2020 and 13 September 2020; and
   
   
4. One count of possession of obscene films under Section 30(2)(a) of the Films Act (Cap 107, 1998 Rev Ed) (“Films Act”), for the possession of obscene films in his mobile phone.

The uttering of words with the deliberate intention of wounding the racial feelings of a person is an offence under Section 298 of the Penal Code, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. The committing of an act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between different religious groups is an offence under Section 298A(b) of the Penal Code, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, or both. The possession of obscene films is an offence under Section 30(2)(a) of the Films Act, and is punishable with imprisonment of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $40,000, or both.

The Police take a serious view of acts which have the potential to harm racial harmony in Singapore. Any person who makes remarks or acts in a manner which causes ill will and hostility between the different races or religious groups in Singapore will be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the law.