No action taken by police against Protect Singapore Townhall: MHA
The town hall, which aimed to highlight the impact of LGBTQ activism such as a review of section 377A, was attended by 1,200 people on Jul 23.
The townhall saw 1,200 attendees on Jul 23 at the Singapore Expo. (Image: Facebook/Jason Wong)
SINGAPORE: No action will be taken by the police against the organisers of a town hall calling for the protection of marriage, family and children in light of the Government considering a repeal of Section 377A - a law that criminalises gay sex, reported TODAY.
According to the report, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday (Jul 25) confirmed that police reports have been made about the gathering on Jul 23, which called itself the Protect Singapore Townhall.
The police said that the gathering at Singapore Expo, which was attended by 1,200 people, did not break any laws.
“Everyone, including religious groups, is entitled to their views on different matters, including on LGBT issues, and to express their views, so long as they do not denigrate any groups of persons and do not break any laws," said MHA.
"We will not be taking any action against the organisers as there is no criminal offence disclosed."
The closed-door, ticketed event was organised by Dads for Life and the Yellow Ribbon Project founder Jason Wong and SuChi Success Initiatives chief executive officer Mohamed Khair.
According to TODAY, Mr Wong said that the meeting was to raise awareness of the "impact of LGBTQ+ activism" and not to spread hate.
The session, which Mr Wong described as oversubscribed on his Facebook page, was a closed-door, ticketed event held under the Chatham House rules.
MHA said: "The event organiser for the Protect Singapore Townhall had applied for a police permit, and informed the police that the event was by-invite only, involving only members of her organisation and invited guests.
"Police had assessed that a permit under the Public Order Act was not required as this was a private event."
Under the Public Order Act, a permit from the police is required for a public assembly/procession if the purpose of the event is to demonstrate support for or opposition to the views or actions of any persons, group of persons or any government, publicise a cause or campaign or mark or commemorate any event, the ministry added.
