PAP Propaganda Mouthpiece Shit Times Is Swift In Spinning The HLP Protest
Source:
The Straits Times
Special needs children heckled as Hong Lim Park rallygoers disrupt charity carnival
Published on Sep 27, 2014 11:20 PM
BY WALTER SIM
A protest rally on Saturday turned chaotic as it jostled for space with a charity carnival at Hong Lim Park, with protesters heckling special needs children and confronting a Minister of State.
Police will be conducting investigations into the incident, they said in a joint statement with the National Parks Board (NParks).
The rally's organiser, blogger Han Hui Hui, 22, had led the group gathered to hear her speak about the CPF in marching around the park, together with blogger Roy Ngerng, 33, who is facing a defamation suit by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The march began after Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck arrived at the event for YMCA beneficiaries, attended by 900 people.
The marchers, several of whom waved Singapore flags, paused in front of the stage, chanting and continued chanting "Vote them out, PAP" and "Return our CPF" just as a group of special needs children was about to start a dance item. The visibily shocked performers from the group Y Stars stopped briefly. Videos of the encounter uploaded on social media drew swift criticism from netizens.
Several protestors also went up to Mr Teo, with one shouting: "Teo Ser Luck, Return our CPF."
"They have their views, which they want to share, and which they voiced out in a different way," Mr Teo told reporters later.
"Of course, we hope that things could be done in a more friendly manner," he added.
In their statement, NParks and the police said the YMCA had earlier applied and got approval to use the park. Ms Han's application was received on Sept 22 and approval was granted the same day.
NParks demarcated and allocated space for both events. "There are two lawns at Hong Lim Park, and each event was allocated a lawn. NParks and SPF approached Ms Han to request her cooperation to speak at the allocated space," the statement said. "We regret to note that Ms Han did not heed our advice and continued to hold her event at the same lawn as YMCA.
"Ms Han's group encroached into the YMCA event area, holding placards and shouting slogans, disrupted performances and frightened participants, including special needs children who were performing at the charity event."
Ms Han told reporters: "We actually planned not to do anything physical to them. We just wanted to spread our message across."
But Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said of the episode in a Facebook post: "I am appalled. We now heckle special needs children? Vile. Total and absolute disgrace."
Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said on Facebook: "One may hold different viewpoints and try to seek attention to one's cause. But to do so with no regard or respect to the elderly and special needs children present is most unbecoming.
"To cause alarm and distress to special needs children, and disrupting their routine cannot be right no matter how righteous you think your own cause may be. This cannot be the type of behaviour that represents Singaporeans."
End Of Article
Reader's comment:
Lee Kee Hong:
Why gave approval to two groups at the same time?
