MP Louis Ng probed for holding sign supporting hawkers without permit
Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng is currently being investigated by the police for not applying for a permit before holding a placard while visiting hawkers last June.
He had posted about his trip to Yishun Park Hawker Centre on Facebook on June 20, encouraging residents to support the hawkers.
In four pictures that accompany the post, he is seen holding a piece of paper that reads "Support Them" followed by a smiley face.
In a statement yesterday, the police said they were looking into a possible offence of public assembly without a permit by Mr Ng.
"We have already interviewed Mr Ng. Police investigations are ongoing," they added.
In his Facebook post in June, he wrote that hawkers "worked hard during the past few months to try to make ends meet and to provide yummy food for us".
"More than ever, our hawker heroes need our support," he added.
Yesterday, Mr Ng wrote on his Facebook page that he was at the hawker centre in June doing his regular walkabout.
"This was an especially important walkabout as we had just emerged from the circuit breaker. I was there to make sure our hawkers were doing okay. As we all know, they suffered badly during the circuit breaker," he noted.
"I also wanted to urge our residents to support our hawkers and held a sign indicating this and took photos together with the hawkers."
He said he had been asked by the police to provide a statement on the matter and had done so.
Taking part in a public assembly without a police permit can be an offence under the Public Order Act.
Under the Act, an "assembly" means a gathering or meeting with the purpose of demonstrating support for, or opposing the views or actions of any person, group or government.
It also applies to publicising a cause or campaign, marking or commemorating any event and includes a demonstration by a person alone.
A public assembly refers to an assembly in a public place or to which members of the public are invited, induced or permitted to attend. A person convicted of organising a public assembly without a permit can be fined up to $5,000.
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