6 women, aged 22-36, charged in S'pore over public assemblies, processions without permit for Palestinian cause

Six women, aged between 22 and 36, were charged in court on Sep. 9, 2026 under the Public Order Act over their alleged involvement in various unauthorised processions and assemblies, as well as other related offences.

Charges

The six women are: Kyal Sin Linn Naing, 22; Elijah Tay, 24; Amirah Mokhlis, 33; Dayana Noor Mohamed, 36; Nur Sabrina Kamel, 32; and Nurul Afiqah Kamel, 33.

Tay faces nine charges, the most among the six.

Two of the women, Nur Sabrina and Nurul Afiqah, are sisters.

According to charge sheets seen by Mothership, Tay is accused of gathering with others near Novena MRT station on Jun. 7, 2024, before moving together to the Ministry of Home Affairs to hand over letters opposing the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill.

Kyal, a Myanmar citizen and Singapore permanent resident, faces the same charge.

Tay is also accused of taking part in candlelight vigils near Changi Prison on Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, 2024, and Jan. 23, 2025, in connection with the execution of inmates.

She allegedly refused to answer questions at Bedok Police Division on Jan. 31, 2025, in relation to two of the vigils.

Another charge alleged that Tay committed an act prejudicial to the maintenance of racial harmony and was likely to disturb "public tranquility" on Feb. 2, 2024.

The charge sheet stated that she led the chant, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" at The Arts & Civil Space in Ubi.

This phrase supports the elimination of the Jewish state of Israel, the sheet stated.

Tay is also accused of taking part in an assembly at the State Courts on Feb. 3, 2025, to publicise the cause of abolishing capital punishment in Singapore.

Under the Public Order Act, the courts are a prohibited area.

She is further accused of refusing to answer questions at the Police Cantonment Complex on Jul. 11, 2025.

On Jan. 13, 2025, Tay allegedly organised a public assembly by staging a memorial in front of CREATE at University Town.

The assembly was intended to demonstrate opposition to ties between educational institutions in Singapore and Israel, according to the charge sheet.

Amirah, a Singaporean, is accused of organising a public assembly at Marina Barrage on Oct. 27, 2024, to publicise the cause of honouring children who died in Gaza after Oct. 7, 2023.

Dayana faces two charges.

She is accused of taking part in the procession along the Istana on Feb. 2, 2024, to publicise solidarity with Palestine, and of organising the assembly at Marina Barrage.

Nur Sabrina, a Singaporean, is accused of organising the Marina Barrage assembly and of pointing her middle finger at a public servant at the same location.

Her sister, Nurul Afiqah, is accused of taking part in the Istana procession and organising the Marina Barrage assembly.

Penalties

According to a report by CNA, the lawyers representing the women sought adjournments and asked that their clients be excused from attending subsequent hearings unless their attendance was required.

Both requests were granted.

If convicted under the Public Order Act of organising a prohibited procession, one can be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

If convicted of taking part in a prohibited procession, one can be fined up to S$5,000.

If convicted of knowingly committing an act prejudicial to the maintenance of racial harmony, one can face a maximum jail term of three years, fined, or both.

The offence of using abusive behaviour towards a public servant carries a fine of up to S$5,000.