Singapore: A Singaporean activist was fined for questioning the independence of the judiciary on Facebook, the latest case to highlight what critics say is the country’s heavy-handed approach towards dissent.
While it is wealthy and modern in many ways, tightly-controlled Singapore is regularly criticised by rights groups for restricting freedom of expression with tough laws.
In the latest case, activist Jolovan Wham was found guilty in October of contempt of court for posting on Facebook that Singapore’s judiciary lacked integrity and independence in cases involving the government or politicians. High Court Judge Woo Bih Li yesterday sentenced him to a fine of S$5,000 or a one-week jail term if he fails to pay.State prosecutors had asked for a fine up to three times higher, with a maximum three weeks in jail if he failed to pay. Wham, who is also an advocate for migrant workers’ rights, said he will appeal the conviction and sentence.
It was Wham’s latest run-in with the authorities. In February, he was fined S$3,200 for organising an illegal public discussion that featured prominent Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong speaking via Skype.In December, the editor of a Singaporean website was charged with defamation for publishing a letter alleging corruption among the country’s leaders.
The same month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sued a blogger for defamation after he shared an article on Facebook linking the leader to a corruption scandal in neighbouring Malaysia. — AFP
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