SINGAPORE: He appeared in court without legal representation on Monday, but all attempts by the Singapore Democratic Party's secretary-general Chee Soon Juan to conduct his own defence were turned down by District Judge Jasvender Kaur.

In court to answer charges of speaking without a licence at the open space between Causeway Point and Woodlands MRT station on April 8, 2006, Dr Chee and opposition activist Yap Keng Ho said they planned to engage legal help from overseas because they were "having difficulty engaging a local lawyer".

However, Judge Kaur dismissed the last-minute request for adjournment, pointing out that Dr Chee had had ample time to seek consultation since the matter was last adjourned on Dec 5.

On Monday, Dr Chee's request to interview police investigators was also denied as they had all given evidence earlier, Judge Kaur said. The Opposition leader — who had conducted his own defence in several cases before — then asked for an adjournment to seek legal advice before proceeding.

Both Dr Chee and Mr Yap are charged under the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act and each face a fine of up to $10,000 if found guilty.

Final submissions from both sides are due on March 7. The judge will give her decision on March 26.


- TODAY/so