SINGAPORE : In a Subordinate Court on Friday, Singapore Democratic Party Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan was fined S$5,000 for speaking in public without a permit.

He had been found guilty earlier this month for addressing a crowd in Woodlands illegally in April 2006 in the run-up to the General Election. If he fails to pay up, he will have to serve five weeks in jail.

Another party member, Yap Kheng Ho, was also fined S$2,000, or will be jailed 10 days in default.

They could have been fined up to S$10,000 each. Their lawyer M Ravi said he has filed an appeal against their sentences.

This is not the first time Dr Chee has been convicted for speaking in public without a permit.

He had been fined and jailed several times in the past 10 years for similar incidents. - CNA/ms