Man charged with damaging PAP campaign posters in Hougang on Polling Day
Seng Guan Heng was handed five charges: Mischief, intentional harassment, causing annoyance while drunk and two counts of criminal force.
According to charge sheets, the Singaporean broke the flag poles of two PAP flags and damaged five posters worth about S$205 (US$161) at an open carpark at Block 328, Hougang Avenue 5 at about 11.20pm on May 3.
He then allegedly cursed at a group of PAP volunteers, using Hokkien vulgarities and pointed his middle finger at them.
Seng is also accused of pushing two men on their chests, and shouting while drunk at the carpark.
He appeared alone in court on Friday and said he would plead guilty. He told a Mandarin interpreter that he has to travel regularly for work, giving dates for travel to Vietnam and Indonesia.
"Mr Seng, once you are charged in court, you cannot travel freely, and each time you travel you have to make an application to the court for permission, and that requires an increase in bail amount ... it is not a matter of you informing (the court)," said the judge.
The case was adjourned to August for a further mention.
In response to queries from CNA, PAP's candidate for Hougang SMC Marshall Lim said the matter is now before the courts, and "we should let the legal process take its course".
"Politics can and should involve passionate debate and advocacy, but there is no place for violence in our discourse. Let us always remember that regardless of our political views, we are all fellow Singaporeans," said the lawyer.
"Our differences should inspire meaningful dialogue and a search for common ground, reflecting our commitment to unity in diversity."
He had obtained 37.85 per cent of the vote share in Hougang against Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong from the Workers' Party.
If convicted of mischief, Seng can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
If convicted of intentional harassment, he could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$5,000, or both.
If found guilty of using criminal force, he can be jailed for up to three months, fined up to S$1,500, or both.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Tan Cheng Bock and Hazel Poa step down from PSP's top decision-making body
SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) announced on Saturday (Jul 5) that party founder Tan Cheng Bock and former secretary-general Hazel Poa have stepped down from its central executive committee, the party's top decision-making body. Dr Tan will be succeeded as party chairman by Mr A'bas Kasmani. Despite their resignations from the committee, both Dr Tan and Ms Poa remain members of the party. They were part of PSP's slate in West Coast GRC during the 2025 General Election. The party also confirmed that treasurer S Nallakaruppan has stepped down from his position but will remain in the party. To refresh its leadership, PSP said it has co-opted three new members into its central executive committee: Mr Sani Ismail, Mr Lawrence Pek and Ms Stephanie Tan. Mr Leong Mun Wai will remain as secretary-general of the party. PSP lost in all six constituencies it contested in the 2025 polls, ending its five-year presence in parliament through Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seats held by Mr Leong and Ms Poa after their near-win in West Coast GRC in 2020. In particular, PSP's flagship West Coast-Jurong West GRC team – comprising party founder Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Leong, Ms Poa and newcomers Sumarleki Amjah and Mr Ismail – received 39.99 per cent of the vote, losing to a People's Action Party team led by Minister for Education Desmond Lee. In the 2020 General Election, Ms Poa contested under PSP in West Coast GRC West Coast GRC as part of a high-profile PSP team led by Dr Tan, alongside Mr Leong Mun Wai, Mr Nadarajah Loganathan and Mr Jeffrey Khoo. The team garnered 48.32 per cent of the vote – the best performance by a losing opposition team. That led to Ms Poa and Mr Leong being appointed NCMPs, bolstering PSP's visibility and their individual profiles. GE2025 DISAPPOINTMENT Given this, expectations were high going into the 2025 election. The poor showing – an eight-point drop – was met with disappointment within the party. Mr Leong described the results as "very shocking", adding that the PSP would study the results "seriously and humbly" and reconsider how it can gain further trust from Singaporeans. A few days later, he wrote in a Facebook post that the results were "disappointing" but did not signal the end for the party. 'Our call for checks and balances, an inclusive society and fairer opportunities for all remains unshaken. We will regroup, reflect, and return stronger.'
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Tan Cheng Bock and Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PSP founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock (left) and vice-chair Hazel Poa have stepped down from its leadership body. SINGAPORE - Progress Singapore Party (PSP) founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock and one of its former Non-Constituency MPs (NCMP) and vice-chair Hazel Poa have stepped down from its leadership body. Party treasurer S. Nallakaruppan has also stepped down from the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party announced in a press release on July 5. Dr Tan will be replaced as chairman by Abas Kasmani, who was previously second vice-chair. Mr Anthony Neo will replace Mr Nallakaruppan as treasurer. Dr Tan, Ms Poa and Mr Nallakaruppan - who were unsuccessful candidates at the May general election - will remain members of the party, the PSP said. The CEC also co-opted three new members, all of whom also stood under the party banner in GE2025: Mr Sani Ismail, Mr Lawrence Pek and Ms Stephanie Tan. Mr Sani, a lawyer, was on the team contesting West Coast-Jurong West GRC, while Mr Pek, a former secretary-general of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, contested Chua Chu Kang GRC. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore From temples to towers: Old memories collide with new money in Geylang Singapore Clans of Geylang: The fight for survival and revival World Hamas says it responds to Gaza ceasefire proposal in 'a positive spirit' Asia Surviving 40 deg C summer in Chongqing, one of China's hottest cities Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Ms Tan, a former lawyer and housewife, ran in Pioneer - a single-seat ward. All three lost their races to candidates from the ruling People's Action Party. The trio have not taken on any specific positions on the CEC, which is the party's highest decision-making body. The changes follow Dr Tan's announcement after the May 3 election that he would retire from electoral politics. Dr Tan, a former presidential candidate and PAP MP, founded the party in 2019 and is largely seen as its face. He, alongside Ms Poa and secretary-general Leong Mun Wai, as well as Mr Sani and Mr Sumarleki Amjah ran as the party's A-team in West Coast-Jurong West GRC, where they lost to a team led by Education Minister Desmond Lee. The GRC, which was redrawn from the old West Coast GRC, contains Dr Tan's old ward Ayer Rajah SMC and produced the closest fight at the 2020 general election. This result sent Ms Poa and Mr Leong into Parliament as NCMPs. At GE2025, the party's overall performance dropped significantly compared with its debut in the 2020 election. This is the second set of leadership changes the party has made this year. In March 2025, a CEC election put in place the team which led the party into the general election. Mr Leong was re-elected as party chief, taking over the role from Ms Poa. Ms Poa had assumed leadership after Mr Leong stepped down in February 2024, to take responsibility for a correction direction he received under Singapore's fake news law for a social media post.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Sengkang murder: Suspect taken back to crime scene
Scroll up for the next video X Sengkang murder: Suspect taken back to crime scene
