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Two men, both aged 61, will be charged in court on 17 December 2025 for separate offences under the Public Order Act 2009 (“POA”).

The details of the cases are as follows:

1. On 22 June 2024, a 61-year-old man had allegedly organised a public assembly and multiple foot processions to commemorate the relocation of a religious association. The alleged assembly and processions took place at six different locations in Singapore and spanned a period of eight hours. Five brightly lit mobile floats were used during the event, with performances taking place as the devotees walked to the temples. The man was aware that he did not have a permit under Section 7 POA to organise such a public assembly or public procession, yet proceeded to do so. He will be charged with one count of organising a public assembly without a permit, and one count of organising a public procession without a permit under Section 16(1)(a) POA.
   
   
2. On 24 October 2024, another 61-year-old man had allegedly organised two public processions to commemorate a deity. For the first procession, two mobile floats bearing LED lights and playing loud music occupied a service road in the vicinity of Paya Lebar Road, with devotees gathered in between the two floats during the procession. While the man had a permit to hold an assembly at an open field near the temple, foot processions were expressly prohibited, as stated in the conditions for his assembly permit. He continued with the first procession despite being warned by the Police on-site that he was in breach of the permit conditions. For the second procession, devotees occupied the leftmost lane along Paya Lebar Road as they returned to a temple located in the vicinity. The man did not have a permit under Section 7 POA to organise a public procession along Paya Lebar Road. The man will be charged with one count of organising a public procession that is not in compliance with a permit condition imposed on him under Section 16(1)(c) POA for the first procession, and one count of organising a public procession without a permit under Section 16(1)(a) POA for the second procession. 

The offences of organising a public assembly or procession without a permit required by the POA, or organising one which does not comply with any condition imposed on persons organising that assembly or procession, carry a punishment of up to $5,000. In the case of a repeat offender, the offences carry a punishment of a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for a term of up to six months, or both. 

The Police would like to remind members of the public that organising or taking part in a public assembly or procession without a Police permit in Singapore is illegal and constitutes an offence under the POA. Our laws and policies balance the need to provide adequate space for the conduct of public assemblies and processions, with the need to maintain public order and peace in Singapore. 

More information on Police permit matters is available at https://www.police.gov.sg/E-Services.