Chaos at Hong Lim Park charity carnival
CPF rally protesters disrupt event at same park, frighten special needs kids on stage
By Walter Sim, The Sunday Times, 28 Sep 2014
CPF rally protesters disrupt event at same park, frighten special needs kids on stage
By Walter Sim, The Sunday Times, 28 Sep 2014
Police will be investigating the incident, they said in a joint statement last night 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 issue - to march 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 and chanted "Vote them out, PAP" and "Return our CPF" just as a group of special needs children was about to perform a dance item.
The visibly shocked performers from the group Y Stars stopped briefly. Videos of the encounter uploaded on social media drew swift criticism from netizens.
Several protesters also went up to Mr Teo, with one shouting: "Teo Ser Luck, return our CPF."
Mr Teo later told The Sunday Times via SMS that he "had to console one of the handicapped children who was frightened by all the heckling".
"We must have a listening ear for everybody. Of course, we hope that things could be done in a more friendly manner."
In their statement, NParks and the police said YMCA had applied first to use the park and received approval on Sept 9. Ms Han's application was received last Monday and approved on the same day.
NParks demarcated and allocated space for both events.
NParks demarcated and allocated space for both events.
"There are two lawns at Hong Lim Park, and each event was allocated a lawn," the statement said.
"NParks and SPF (Singapore Police Force) approached Ms Han to request her cooperation to speak at the allocated space.
"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."
Madam Regina Aun, 55, manager of Y Stars, said: "While they have the right of expression, it was an event for people with special needs. They could have shown a little more compassion."
Workers' Party activist Bernard Chen said on Facebook yesterday the heckling was "uncalled for" and "the waving of the Singapore flag was shameful and self-righteous".
Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin posted on Facebook last night: "I am appalled. We now heckle special needs children? Vile. Total and absolute disgrace."
Protesters disrupt performances at YMCA carnival
Police said they are investigating an incident in which protesters encroached on an area of a YMCA event at Hong Lim Park, and "disrupted performances and frightened participants".
By Faris Mokhtar, Channel NewsAsia, 27 Sep 2014
Police said they are investigating an incident in which protesters encroached on an area of a YMCA event at Hong Lim Park, and "disrupted performances and frightened participants".
By Faris Mokhtar, Channel NewsAsia, 27 Sep 2014
A group protesting against the CPF scheme were seen marching round a YMCA carnival at the Park. They held placards and shouted slogans, frightening those at the carnival and disrupting performances, including those by special needs children.
The YMCA said it had received approval for its event in April. A joint statement from the National Parks Board (NParks) and the police said the application to use the Park was first received from YMCA and approval was given to YMCA on Sep 9. Meanwhile the application from the anti-CPF protest organiser Han Hui Hui, who is also a blogger, was received on Sep 22. It was approved on the same day.
The YMCA event was attended by the elderly and disabled, with performances by children. The general secretary of YMCA Singapore, Mr Lo Chee Wen, said the YMCA Proms @ the Park is an annual event held at public parks in Singapore. Last year, it was held at the Botanic Gardens. The event aims to promote corporate social responsibility by matching organisations with voluntary welfare organisations.
Participants of the protest rally ended up marching around the YMCA event at least four times. The protesters also got close to Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, who attended the YMCA event. Mr Teo gamely greeted them and shook hands with some, despite having vulgarities hurled at him by the CPF protesters.
In a joint statement, the police and National Parks Board said:
"Speaker’s Corner in Hong Lim Park is designated by the Government as an area for public speaking and gatherings. Application to use the park was first received from YMCA and approval to use the park was given to YMCA on Sep 9. Ms Han’s application was received on Sep 22 and approval was granted to Ms Han on the same day.
In a joint statement, the police and National Parks Board said:
"Speaker’s Corner in Hong Lim Park is designated by the Government as an area for public speaking and gatherings. Application to use the park was first received from YMCA and approval to use the park was given to YMCA on Sep 9. Ms Han’s application was received on Sep 22 and approval was granted to Ms Han on the same day.
In anticipation of the crowd this afternoon, 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.
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. The Police will be conducting investigations into this incident."
In response to media queries, the Ministry of National Development said: "Multiple events have been held on the same date at Hong Lim Park previously. For example, Pink Dot 2013, anti-haze speech and protest against LTA cross island MRT Line events happened on Jun 29 2013."
Protesters' heckling of special needs children 'vile', 'unbecoming': MPs
MPs, including Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing say they are "appalled" and "dismayed" that participants at a protest rally at Hong Lim Park heckled and frightened special needs children performing at a YMCA charity event.
Channel NewsAsia, 28 Sep 2014
MPs, including Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing say they are "appalled" and "dismayed" that participants at a protest rally at Hong Lim Park heckled and frightened special needs children performing at a YMCA charity event.
Channel NewsAsia, 28 Sep 2014
Several Members of Parliament have expressed shock and disgust that protesters, rallying against the CPF scheme, heckled special needs children at a YMCA event at Hong Lim Park on Saturday (Sep 27).
The children had been trying to perform at the YMCA Proms @ the Park event, where volunteers and beneficiaries such as the elderly, people with special needs and underprivileged children, got together for a concert and a picnic.
The protesters, led by bloggers Han Hui Hui and Roy Ngerng, had encroached upon a lawn demarcated for the YCMA event. The group, some bearing placards and "shouting slogans, disrupted performances and frightened participants, including special needs children who were performing at the charity event" according to a joint statement by the National Parks Board and the Singapore Police Force.
The police said they would be investigating the incident. The protesters had received a permit to hold their event at the Speakers' Corner, but at a different lawn.
Many MPs posted their responses to the heckling incident on Facebook, and some of these are reproduced below.
Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin:
"I am appalled. We now heckle special needs children? Vile. Total and absolute disgrace.
"I am appalled. We now heckle special needs children? Vile. Total and absolute disgrace.
"We can disagree. We can be critical. We can debate. How we do so defines us and our society. The space is wide. But there are some lines we should not cross. This is one line I never expected to see violated in this manner."
Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing:
"Read with dismay what happened at Hong Lim Park today. 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.
"Read with dismay what happened at Hong Lim Park today. 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."
Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min:
"Utter disgrace and a serious lack of compassion on the organisers of the protest. Absolutely disgusted by their uncouth behaviour!"
"Utter disgrace and a serious lack of compassion on the organisers of the protest. Absolutely disgusted by their uncouth behaviour!"
MP Janil Puthucheary:
"What sort of public discourse do we want? No excuse for bad behaviour, but especially not directed at kids."
"What sort of public discourse do we want? No excuse for bad behaviour, but especially not directed at kids."
MP Zaqy Mohamad:
"A pity that special needs children were heckled by protesters at event by YMCA at Hong Lim Park. One thing to want to make a statement, and another to cross the line in this manner."
MP Ang Wei Neng:
"It was a sad day. There was no good reason for the bloggers to heckle children with special needs and hurl vulgarities."
"A pity that special needs children were heckled by protesters at event by YMCA at Hong Lim Park. One thing to want to make a statement, and another to cross the line in this manner."
MP Ang Wei Neng:
"It was a sad day. There was no good reason for the bloggers to heckle children with special needs and hurl vulgarities."
MP Denise Phua:
"I heard while the kids were not physically harmed, many were alarmed, confused and disturbed by the unexpected unruly turn of events. The teachers too were affected. How do such unkind and unruly behaviours help in resolving issues of concern to the protesters? I pray this will not happen again. Courage to speak up for one's rights ought to be balanced with consideration for the needs and interests of others."
"I heard while the kids were not physically harmed, many were alarmed, confused and disturbed by the unexpected unruly turn of events. The teachers too were affected. How do such unkind and unruly behaviours help in resolving issues of concern to the protesters? I pray this will not happen again. Courage to speak up for one's rights ought to be balanced with consideration for the needs and interests of others."
MP Tin Pei Ling:
“This is unacceptable behaviour if the police investigations confirm it. Heckling is wrong. Heckling at special needs children is doubly wrong. What have these special needs children done to deserve being heckled down?”
“This is unacceptable behaviour if the police investigations confirm it. Heckling is wrong. Heckling at special needs children is doubly wrong. What have these special needs children done to deserve being heckled down?”
YMCA denies plan to clash with protest
By Walter Sim, The Straits Times, 27 Sep 2014
By Walter Sim, The Straits Times, 27 Sep 2014
THE YMCA, the organisation behind a charity carnival at Hong Lim Park today, has responded to accusations that it changed the timing of its event in order to deliberately clash with a protest rally being held there around the same time.
The two events are the eighth annual YMCA Proms @ The Park, held by the voluntary welfare organisation from 2pm to 8pm, and the fourth Return Our CPF protest rally from 4pm to 6pm.
YMCA of Singapore general secretary Lo Chee Wen said yesterday: "We have not made changes to any plan."
Some 900 people, including individuals with special needs, the elderly, and underprivileged children, are expected at the carnival. Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck is attending as guest of honour.
Rally organiser Han Hui Hui wrote on her Facebook page on Thursday that she was urged by "four grassroots leaders" to cancel the event. She said that this had never happened before.
She added: "Their event was supposed to be on Saturday (at) 10am... But if I were to insist on holding an event, they will change the timing to 4pm and ferry 5,000 people down."
Ms Han also said that tents erected for the YMCA event would block the route of a planned march within the park grounds by rally organisers. Despite this, she still intends to go ahead with the march today.
Mr Lo said that the YMCA has been holding the event annually since 2007 and that it does not represent any grassroots organisation. He added that it sought permission from the National Parks Board, which manages Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park, in December last year to use the premises for today's event. Approval was granted this April.
"Neither YMCA nor its representatives have had communication with Ms Han," he added.
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