Brief
Singapore actors face charges for protest against death penalty
Acting couple Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin are among six people charged for organising a protest against Singapore’s death penalty, authorities say.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin, the married pair best known for their roles in the long‑running sitcom Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd, appeared in court on Monday with journalist and activist Kirsten Han and three others. They were charged over a gathering outside Singapore’s State Courts on 3 February 2025 that opposed the death penalty.
Police said the participants were in a prohibited area under the Public Order Act and had not obtained the required permit. The State Courts and surrounding area are listed as prohibited locations for public assemblies. The court set bail at S$5,000 (about £2,950) for each defendant.
Charges and defendants
- Lim Kay Siu (70) and Neo Swee Lin (63) – one charge each for participating in a public assembly in a prohibited area.
- Kirsten Han – one charge for the same offence.
- Annamalai Kokila Parvathi (38) and Howe Wen Khong Rocky (31) – one charge each for the February assembly; Howe faces three further charges for candlelight vigils outside Changi Prison.
- Ten Leu Jiun Jeanne-Marie (56) – two charges for November 2024 vigils outside Changi Prison.
Lawyer Derek Wong, who represented five defendants, asked the court to release them without bail or on personal bonds. Howe, who was unrepresented, made a similar request. The judge rejected the request and set the bail amount.
Context of the protest
The gathering was held in support of abolishing the death penalty, which Singapore retains for murder, certain drug‑trafficking offences and serious firearms offences. Singapore’s mandatory capital punishment applies to some offences, with limited provisions allowing life imprisonment in qualifying drug cases.
Activists have organised candlelight vigils outside Changi Prison to support people facing execution. The vigils were held in November 2024 and again in February 2025, prompting separate charges for participants.
Reactions
Police said that members of the public should apply for a police permit before organising public assemblies. Those wishing to express views without a permit can use the Speakers’ Corner, a long‑established space for Singaporeans to express their views.
Key facts
- Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin were charged for a protest outside State Courts on 3 February 2025 (independent.co.uk)
- Police said the gathering was in a prohibited area under the Public Order Act (independent.co.uk)
- Bail was set at S$5,000 for each defendant (independent.co.uk)
- The protest was against Singapore’s death penalty (independent.co.uk)
Background
Singapore’s Public Order Act designates certain areas, including State Courts, as prohibited for public assemblies without a permit. The death penalty remains in force for murder, certain drug offences and serious firearms offences.
Why it matters
The case highlights tensions between civil society activism and Singapore’s strict public assembly laws, and raises questions about the application of the death penalty.
What happens next
Defendants will appear in court on further dates to address the charges.
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Singapore actors charged over protests against death penalty”
