Law Society replies to letter from activists

July 29, 2008
Law Society replies to letter from activists
By Jeremy Au Yong
THE Law Society has advised a group, charged with taking part in an illegal assembly, to get the help it wants from its legal aid scheme.

The society's president, Mr Michael Hwang, brought the scheme to the group's attention in a reply to its letter asking the society to arrange legal representation for the members.

Mr Hwang also told the group of 18 that the society 'expressed no views on the specific complaints that you and your colleagues have against the Government'.

'The society is concerned that all citizens should have access to legal representation, particularly in criminal cases,' he said.

The letter, dated last Tuesday, is on the websites of the Law Society and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), whose leader Chee Soon Juan is among the 18 charged.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Hwang said he did not want to add to the 'carefully crafted' letter.

The society's Criminal Legal Aid Scheme offers help to those who cannot afford regular lawyer fees and have claimed trial on criminal charges.

It covers 15 Acts in the Singapore statutes, including the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act under which this particular group is charged.

The scheme is separate from a similar one the Government runs. Its Legal Aid Bureau extends help for specified civil cases such as divorces and road accidents.

The letter was presented to the Law Society on July 16 by lawyer Chia Ti Lik, who is also among the 18 charged. Others include Chee's sister Siok Chin, blogger Ng E-Jay and film-maker Seelan Palay.

They are accused of taking part in an illegal assembly outside Parliament House on March 15, when they protested against rising prices.

They also began a march that the police stopped outside Funan DigitaLife Mall in North Bridge Road.

The group had asked the society to step in as it felt the members' fundamental civil liberties had been restricted.

'The Law Society of Singapore, being the body that represents our defenders of justice, must assist citizens who are prosecuted by the state for exercising their fundamental liberties and cannot just stand idly by and be content to do nothing,' the 18 wrote.

Chia could not be reached for comment yesterday.

He and the others are due in court on Aug 18 for a pre-trial conference.