2 men, both 61, to be charged for organising separate public processions without permit

A man in Singapore allegedly organised two public processions to commemorate a deity in Paya Lebar.

The first procession involved two mobile floats bearing LED lights and playing loud music, with devotees gathered in between the two floats.

This took place along a service road in the vicinity of Paya Lebar Road on Oct. 24, 2024.

While the man had a permit to hold an assembly at an open field near the temple, foot processions were expressly prohibited in the conditions for his assembly permit.

Went ahead despite being warned

Despite being warned by the police on-site that he was in breach of the permit conditions, he allegedly continued to do so, according to a press release by the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

For the second procession, devotees occupied the leftmost lane along Paya Lebar Road as they returned to a temple located in the vicinity.

The man did not have a permit to organise a public procession along Paya Lebar Road.

He is slated to be charged in court on Dec. 17, 2025 with one count of organising a public procession that is not in compliance with a permit condition imposed on him, and one count of organising a public procession without a permit.

Second case

Another man, also aged 61, will be charged in court on Dec. 17, 2025 for organising a public assembly without a permit, and organising a public procession without a permit.

In this case, the man had allegedly organised a public assembly and multiple foot processions to commemorate the relocation of a religious association.

The alleged assembly and processions took place at six different locations in Singapore and spanned a period of eight hours on Jun. 22, 2024.

Five brightly lit mobile floats were used during the event, with performances taking place as the devotees walked to the temples.

The man was allegedly aware that he did not have a permit to organise such a public assembly or public procession, yet proceeded to do so, police said.

Advisory

The police reminded members of the public that organising or taking part in a public assembly or procession without a police permit in Singapore is illegal and constitutes an offence under the Public Order Act 2009.

"Our laws and policies balance the need to provide adequate space for the conduct of public assemblies and processions, with the need to maintain public order and peace in Singapore," they wrote.

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