S’porean man, 32, charged for taking part in candlelight vigils for executed drug trafficking offenders

A 32-year-old Singaporean man was charged after he allegedly participated in unlawful assemblies without a permit near Changi Prison and at the State Courts, where it is illegal to have such gatherings.

S Suraendher Kumarr was supporting the abolition of the death penalty.

He faced three charges under the Public Order Act.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a community worker with Workers Make Possible, an advocacy group that advocates for workers' rights.

The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME) website listed him as the vice-president of its board of directors.

Assemblies

In charge sheets seen by Mothership, Kumarr is accused of allegedly attending two public assemblies without a permit and one in a prohibited area.

On Feb. 3, 2025, at about 10:21am at the State Courts, Kumarr allegedly took part in an assembly publicising the cause of abolishing capital punishment in Singapore.

The assembly took place in a prohibited area, and he “ought reasonably to have known was prohibited”.

Kumarr also allegedly took part in candlelight vigils to mark the execution of convicted offenders sentenced to the death penalty in the vicinity of Changi Prison on two occasions.

On Jan. 23, 2025, at about 12:13am, he allegedly took part in the candlelight vigil marking the execution of Syed Suhail Bin Syed Zin, a 48-year-old convicted drug trafficker who was executed on the same day.

On Nov. 29, 2024, at about 12:23am, Kumarr also allegedly took part in the candlelight vigil marking the execution of Rahimi Bin Mehrzad, a 35-year-old convicted drug trafficker who was executed on the same day.

Bail

On Sep. 25, Kumarr arrived at the State Courts accompanied by Singaporean activist Kokila Annamalai at about 9:39am.

He wore a black shirt that had a watermelon cut into a peace-sign logo.

Kumarr’s lawyer sought permission for him to leave the country for his honeymoon in the United Kingdom, as he was a newlywed.

He will be departing on the same day.

Kumarr was granted a S$5,000 bail.

If found guilty of taking part in a public assembly without a permit, Kumarr could be fined up to S$3,000.

If found guilty of taking part in an assembly or procession that a person should reasonably know is prohibited, Kumarr could be fined up to S$5,000.