Acts of disrespect unacceptable, says NHB as War Memorial Park wakeboarder faces charges

SINGAPORE - A Singaporean man, 24, who allegedly wakeboarded at the War Memorial Park on July 17, was charged in court on Monday (Sept 13) with wilfully interfering with a national monument.

In a joint news release, the Singapore Police Force and National Heritage Board said Stephen Kovalkov was charged under Section 22 of the Preservation of Monuments Act.

The agencies said that the police received a report on the incident on July 18.

Four other people, aged between 18 and 24, are also being investigated for their involvement in the act.

"National monuments are important markers of our identity and highlight key milestones in Singapore's history," the agencies said. "The Civilian War Memorial, a national monument, is dedicated to the civilian victims of the Japanese Occupation. Due respect must be accorded to our national monuments, in particular war memorials, and all acts of disrespect are unacceptable," they added.

If found guilty, the man can be fined up to $30,000, jailed for up to six months, or both.

A 31-second video of the alleged incident was circulated online in July. In it, a man was seen wakeboarding across the water feature of the park in Beach Road, performing a trick with his board that hit the base of the monument.

The clip received widespread criticism from netizens who called the act disrespectful.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.