2014 Hong Lim Park protest incident

On 27 September 2014, a Return Our CPF protest organised by activist Han Hui Hui at Hong Lim Park coincided with the YMCA Proms @ the Park charity event, leading to a controversial clash between the two groups.

Roy Ngerng participated as a speaker in the "Return Our CPF" protests organised by blogger Han Hui Hui at Hong Lim Park. The first protest, held on 7 June, saw Ngerng calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of CPF funds.

Organisers claimed that 6,000 people attended, while international news outlets reported approximately 2,000 attendees. Ngerng also spoke at subsequent protests on 12 July and 23 August, which reportedly drew smaller crowds.

Confrontation with Authorities

Before the protest began, Chia Seng Jiang, the director of the National Parks Board’s (NParks) Parks Division, approached Han Hui Hui, requesting her to relocate the protest to a designated area near the park's toilets.

This request was made to prevent disruption to the YMCA event, which had been approved earlier in April 2014. Han refused, arguing that there was no prior demarcation mentioned in her permit.

During the confrontation, plainclothes police officers joined Chia in reiterating the request. Han demanded identification, and the officers presented credentials. The police highlighted that no permit had been issued for a procession within the park. Although Chia mentioned that Han’s speaking permit might be revoked, no such action was ultimately taken.

Han explained to the media that the protest could not be relocated because the sound system had already been set up, and the earth mound in the park was required for speakers in the absence of a stage.

Clash of Events

The YMCA Proms @ the Park event, which sought to mobilise volunteers to assist the less privileged, involved special needs children performing on stage. YMCA stated that their event had been organised annually since 2007 and had no political affiliation.

Han alleged that the YMCA event’s timing was deliberately adjusted to coincide with the protest. The protestors, numbering over 700, began their event by criticising CPF policies and chanting slogans such as “Return Our CPF.” The group later marched through the park, passing near the YMCA tent and stage.

The procession caused discomfort among YMCA volunteers and attendees, with some special needs children reportedly covering their ears due to the noise.

Protestors spilled into the YMCA tent seeking shelter from the sun. Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, the Guest of Honour at the YMCA event, was targeted with slogans but remained composed and interacted with protestors.

Accusations of Heckling

A video circulated online appeared to show protestors near the stage during a performance by special needs children, sparking accusations of insensitivity. Members of Parliament and the public criticised the protesters’ actions.

However, another video released by The Online Citizen suggested that the children were not yet on stage when the protestors marched by, and the procession later moved away.

Official Responses

Following the incident, the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued a joint statement explaining that each event had been allocated a separate area.

NParks and SPF stated that the protesters ignored advice to stay in their assigned space and encroached upon the YMCA event area, disrupting performances and alarming participants, including special needs children.

NParks also clarified that YMCA had received approval for its event earlier in the year, while Han’s application for the protest was approved later. SPF announced an investigation into the incident.

Public Reactions

The incident attracted over 700 protestors, many of whom voiced grievances about CPF policies and other socio-economic issues. Attendees included retrenched workers, individuals with blocked CPF funds, and those seeking answers on retirement policies.

YMCA, which had invited 900 participants, including volunteers and beneficiaries, stated that it was unaware of the protest until days before the event. Despite the disruptions, the charity event proceeded with its planned activities.

Fines issued against participants

On 27 October 2014, Ngerng, Han, and four others were charged with public nuisance, which carried a maximum fine of S$1,000. Ngerng and Han were also charged with organising a demonstration without approval, an offence punishable by a fine of up to S$5,000.

In October 2015, Ngerng pleaded guilty to both charges, with his lawyer, Eugene Thuraisingam, attributing the offences to ignorance. Ngerng was fined S$1,900.