Couple behind The Real Singapore website charged with sedition
PUBLISHED ONApril 14, 2015 4:06 AM
SINGAPORE - The duo behind socio-political website The Real Singapore (TRS) have been charged with sedition Tuesday morning.
According to a statement from the Singapore Police Force, 26-year-old Singaporean, Yang Kai Heng, and 22-year-old Australian, Ai Takagi, will each face seven counts under the Sedition Act.
The couple were arrested on Feb 4 after an article from a contributor was published on TRS, alleging that a Filipino family's complaint over noise from drummers led to a scuffle during the Thaipusam procession on Feb 3.
The contributor clarified on another site that the allegations of a Filipino family involved in the incident were untrue, reported The Straits Times.
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The couple also face one count under the Penal Code for allegedly failing to produce documents including revenue information on advertising on TRS on March 26.
A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for May 12.
Under the Sedition Act, anyone found guilty of promoting feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes in Singapore shall be fined up to $5,000 or face imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
In addition, anyone found guilty of omission to produce a document(s) or an electronic record(s) to a public servant under the Penal Code shall be punished with a jail term of one month, or a fine of up to $1,500, or both.
stephluo@sph.com.sg