SINGAPORE — Three women who allegedly organised a group of about 70 people that delivered letters to the Istana in support of the Palestinian cause were charged in court on Thursday (June 27). 

They are Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 35, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 29, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 25.

All were charged under the Public Order Act for organising an assembly or procession without a permit on Feb 2 along the perimeter of the Istana, a prohibited area. 

Annamalai, a known civil activist, is said to have abetted the alleged offence by engaging Mossammad, Siti Amirah, Alysha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, Anystasha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, and other unknown persons, in her commission. 

All three women appeared in court and were accompanied by a group of more than 10 people that included prominent activist Jolovan Wham. 

The three accused were represented by lawyer Derek Wong, who told the court he had only been appointed on Wednesday. Mr Wong asked for six weeks to make representations and said there was no indication of plea at this point. 

Mr Wong added that he would be making an urgent application for Annamalai to leave the country in July to visit family. This will be heard separately. 

All three were then offered bail of S$5,000.

Mossammad and Annamalai's cases were fixed for further mentions on Aug 8, while Siti Amirah's will be heard on July 25. The prosecutor noted that Siti Amirah had a "similar case" pending.

According to the Singapore Police Force, the women had allegedly organised a procession to show their support for the Palestinian cause, including soliciting attendance online.

On Feb 2, a group of about 70 people had assembled along Orchard Road outside a shopping mall at about 2pm and walked towards the Istana. They carried umbrellas painted with watermelon images in support of the Palestinian cause amid the Israel-Hamas war. 

The watermelon colours are the same as those on the Palestinian flag and the fruit has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

According to social media posts, participants of the Letters for Palestine event walked from Plaza Singapura to the Istana to deliver letters addressed to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. 

The police added that Annamalai had previously been issued a stern warning on Dec 5, 2017, and a 24-month conditional warning on Nov 30, 2021 for her involvement in other public assemblies without a permit. 

Siti Amirah is under investigation for offences in a separate incident, the police said without elaborating. 

Police investigations into others involved in the same event are ongoing. 

The police urged the public "not to engage in activities that will damage the peace, public order and social harmony which Singaporeans have worked hard to achieve". 

"We understand that some people may feel strongly about the Israel-Hamas conflict, but they should not break the law to express their views, nor emulate the protestors in other countries," the police said.

"They could instead participate in the many forums and dialogues, and donation drives, which have been appropriately organised on the issue."

If convicted, each faces a jail term of not more than six months, or a fine of up to S$10,000. CNA