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Singapore cartoonist arrested for sedition: Lawyer
AFP
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2013
SINGAPORE - A Singaporean cartoonist has been arrested for alleged sedition over a satirical comic strip on his Facebook page that appeared to accuse the government of racism, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Leslie Chew, 37, was released on bail following his arrest Friday, two days after a complaint was filed about his cartoon strip that lampooned the government for being "racist" toward minority Malays, his lawyer Choo Zheng Xi told AFP.
The strip was posted on Chew's "Demon-cratic Singapore" Facebook page on March 27.
"He was released on $10,000 bail on Sunday night, and is currently being investigated under the Sedition Act," said Choo.
The cartoon depicts a politician addressing a crowd and praising the talents of expatriate Indian, Chinese and Caucasian communities. A character in the audience asks "What, no mention of Malay talents?", to which another responds "Damn! Racist government".
A spokesman for the Attorney-General's Chambers told AFP: "The matter is currently under police investigation."
Chew regularly posts satirical political cartoons linked to current events in Singapore on his Facebook page, which has over 21,000 followers.
His cartoon characters usually resemble local politicians, although a disclaimer on the page says it is "a totally fictional comic with entirely fictional characters based on wholly fictional events in a fictional country".
Speaking to AFP on Wednesday, Chew said he was "surprised" that he had been picked up by the police.
"I thought I made it quite clear through the disclaimers on the cartoons that my work on Demon-cratic Singapore is purely fictional," he said.
He added that he intends to continue to publish cartoons while he is being investigated as police had not imposed any restrictions.
"I want to continue to amuse my audience. The comics are simply for laughs," said Chew, who is unemployed and makes a living from contributions from his online readers.
If convicted, Chew faces a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
AGC aware of cartoonist's case, reiterates importance of racial, religious harmony
POSTED: 27 Apr 2013 1:30 PM
The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) says it is aware of the public's interest into cartoonist Leslie Chew’s case and reiterated that racial and religious harmony is vital to Singapore’s society.
People crossing a road in the Central Business District (CBD) in Singapore. (photo: Francine Lim, channelnewsasia.com)
SINGAPORE: The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) said Saturday it is aware of the public's interest into cartoonist Leslie Chew’s case and reiterated that racial and religious harmony is vital to Singapore’s society.
It added that it would not be appropriate to comment specifically on the matter as investigations are ongoing.
A spokesperson however said that any action taken will depend on what is uncovered by investigations; where the statements or actions are heinous, a firm line will be taken.
Where comments are made in the heat of the moment, or by relatively immature persons who did not know better, a more nuanced response may follow.
The 37-year-old cartoonist was arrested 19 April for alleged sedition.
Police said that a member of the public had lodged a report about a series of cartoons deemed racially insensitive.
The cartoons had been circulating online.
The statement from the AGC said a response will follow when statements are made or actions are taken which insult a particular religion or race or seek to cause hatred among races or religious groups, or which suggest that the government is using race or religion for its own purposes.
Similarly, the AGC said the rule of law is another fundamental tenet of Singapore society and action will be taken in respect of any statement or action that seeks to impugn or undermine the independence of the judiciary.
Unwarranted allegations of bias or partiality strike at the heart of the judicial process, threatening the very institution that protects the rights of all Singaporeans, it added, saying that unfounded statements cannot be left to stand unchallenged and unpunished.
Bail for 37-year-old cartoonist extended for another two weeks
POSTED: 30 Apr 2013 3:01 PM
The bail for cartoonist Leslie Chew, who was arrested on 19 April for alleged sedition, has been extended for another two weeks.
Pedestrians cross a street in Singapore. (AFP/Roslan Rahman)
SINGAPORE: The bail for cartoonist Leslie Chew, who was arrested on 19 April for alleged sedition, has been extended for another two weeks.
This was revealed by his lawyer M Ravi.
The 37-year-old reported to the authorities at the Police Cantonment Complex on Tuesday morning.
Mr Ravi told Channel NewsAsia that Mr Chew turned up with two bailors.
He said Mr Chew will have to report to the police again on 11 May.
He added investigations into Mr Chew's case are also expected to be completed by then.
Other than Mr Ravi, Mr Chew has also appointed Mr Choo Zheng Xi as his lawyer to jointly represent him in respect of the on-going investigation under the Sedition Act and contempt of court.
Mr Chew was arrested after a member of the public lodged a report about a series of cartoons deemed racially insensitive.
