Ex-Reform Party chairman accused of offensive social media posts
Details of the charges
On Wednesday (Jan 19), Charles Yeo Yao Hui, 31, former chairman of Singapore’s Reform Party, was charged in court with offences under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) and for allegedly wounding the religious feelings of Christians.
Yeo faces three counts under POHA for posting Instagram Stories containing abusive, threatening, and insulting remarks directed at a police officer. Additionally, he faces three charges for making or attempting to make statements on Facebook and Instagram that allegedly targeted Christians who hold anti-homosexuality beliefs.
Specific allegations
In November 2020, Yeo purportedly posted on Facebook, calling Christians who oppose homosexuality “radical and dogmatic” and accusing them of distorting their faith for personal gain. Two other posts, made in February 2021 on his public Instagram account @toxicstatenarrativeinsg, allegedly referred to certain churches and Christians as “homophobes with a trash agenda” and “radical Christians.”
He is also accused of publicly naming and insulting a police officer in separate Instagram posts in November 2020 and January 2021, calling the officer a “coward and collaborator with an authoritarian regime” who “should be tortured before execution.”
Legal proceedings and defence
Represented by lawyers Ashwin Ganapathy and Azri Imran Tan of IRB Law, Yeo intends to dispute the charges related to wounding religious feelings. During the hearing, prosecutors highlighted ongoing investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department into Yeo for suspected forgery and criminal breach of trust, though no such charges were presented in court.
Bail was set at S$5,000, with Yeo’s mother named as his bailor. The judge cautioned Yeo against making similar social media posts while out on bail, warning that any further offences could lead to revocation of his bail.
Potential penalties
If convicted under POHA, Yeo could face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both per charge. For deliberately wounding the religious feelings of any person, the penalties include up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both per offence.
Background and political implications
Yeo previously contested the 2020 General Election as part of the Reform Party team challenging Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Ang Mo Kio GRC team. Following his arrest, the Reform Party accepted Yeo’s decision to step aside as chairman, appointing Ms Yasmine Valentina as acting chair.
Yeo’s response and police stance
After his arrest for suspected breach of trust and forgery, Yeo described the allegations as “trumped up and false” and accused the police of unprofessional conduct. The police have refuted these claims, stating that their investigations are not politically motivated and stem from reports by four clients of Whitefield Law Corporation alleging forgery or criminal breach of trust.
