SINGAPORE — They allegedly shouted and chanted slogans, waved flags, held placards, blew whistles loudly and beat drums at Hong Lim Park, causing annoyance to the public, the charge sheets said.

The six — bloggers Han Hui Hui and Roy Ngerng, as well as Goh Aik Huat, 41, Low Wai Choo, 54, Chua Siew Leng, 42, and Koh Yew Beng, 59 — were charged in the State Courts yesterday for causing a public nuisance at the Speakers’ Corner on Sept 27.

Han, 23, and Ngerng, 33, were also charged for allegedly staging a demonstration without approval under the Parks and Trees Act. The Act states that no one can carry out public speaking, organise or participate in an exhibition and performance, or organise any demonstration at the Speakers’ Corner without the approval of the Commissioner of Parks and Trees.

Lawyer M Ravi, who is representing all six accused, said he would put up an application to challenge charges that Han and Ngerng had staged a demonstration without permission.

“It is apparent in the Act that the object of the Parks and Trees Act is specifically for purposes of regulating the park, (for) example, preventing anyone from endangering the park. Nowhere in the Act has the minister been conferred with any authority to make regulations in relation to speech and assembly,” he told reporters.

He added: “The Public Order Act has clearly exempted any requirement for permit for speech or demonstration. Therefore, the charging of Han and Roy under the Parks and Trees Act is ultra vires (beyond the powers of) the Public Order Act and Public Entertainment and Meetings Act.”

On Sept 27, during the Return Our CPF rally at Hong Lim Park, Han and Ngerng had led several hundred protesters in a march around the park and encroached into the area where voluntary welfare organisation YMCA’s annual carnival Proms @ The Park was held. Their actions reportedly frightened some children with special needs who were performing on stage.

The National Parks Board (NParks) had said at the time both YMCA’s carnival and the rally were approved to take place that day, and a lawn was allocated for each. However, when NParks and the Singapore Police Force approached Han to speak at the space allocated for the rally, she continued to hold her event at the same lawn as the YMCA.

As for the charges of causing a public nuisance faced by all six, Mr Ravi said his clients will not be making any plea.

Han and Ngerng showed up in all-white outfits at the courts — Han donned a white turtleneck shirt, white skirt and a white hairband, while Ngerng was in a white long-sleeved shirt and pants. Together with the other four, they posed gamely for photos, but declined to speak to the media.

The pre-trial conference is scheduled to take place on Nov 24. If convicted, the six could be fined up to S$1,000 for the public nuisance charge, while Han and Ngerng could be fined up to S$5,000 for holding a demonstration without permission.

Ngerng is separately facing a defamation lawsuit by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He had claimed to have raised a substantial amount of money from crowdsourcing for his legal fees. Mr Lee had applied to wrap up the suit and judgment had been reserved after a hearing last month.

For the latest case, blogger Leong Sze Hian has been appealing through his Facebook page for people to stand bail and pay the expected fines and legal fees. He said on Facebook that a supporter yesterday passed Han S$1,400 for all six accused.