Singapore: actors Lim Kay Siu and Neo Swee Lin among 6 charged for public assembly without permit

Six people were charged in court on Sep. 28, 2026 under the Public Order Act for participating in public assemblies outside the State Courts and Changi Prison without a permit and/or in a prohibited area.

Those charged include freelance journalist and activist Kirsten Han, 37, as well as actor couple Lim Kay Siu, 70, and Neo Swee Lin Winifred, 63.

Lim and Neo were in local sitcom "Phua Chu Kang".

Lim played Frankie Foo, while Neo was acting as Phua's mother.

Activists Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 38, Howe Wen Khong Rocky, 31, and Ten Leu Jiun Jeanne-Marie, 55, were also charged.

All six arrived at the State Court close to 9am.

Annamalai and Howe, who were wearing t-shirts featuring political symbols and messages, were asked by security personnel to change their shirts.

Han was charged for taking part in an assembly on Feb. 3, 2025, publicising the cause of abolishing capital punishment in Singapore outside the State Courts.

She was previously given penalties including stern warnings and a 12-month conditional warning over similar offences of participation in various public assemblies/procession.

Lim, Neo, Annamalai, and Howe were also each charged with one count of participating in the same public assembly outside the State Courts.

Annamalai was previously convicted for several offences involving organising a public procession without a permit and public assemblies without permits.

Howe was also charged with three counts of participating in a public assembly without a permit outside Changi Prison.

This is despite having been issued a stern warning for two similar offences previously.

Meanwhile, Ten was charged with two counts of participating in a public assembly without a permit on Nov. 22 and 29, 2024, outside Changi Prison.