SALE OF 'ELEPHANT' T-SHIRTS Students were not warned

SALE OF 'ELEPHANT' T-SHIRTS
Students were not warned

I REFER to the letter by Mr Tan Weiming, 'Elephants saga contrary to goal of open society' (ST, Jan 19).

Upon learning from the organisers that some students would be setting up a stall to sell T-shirts to raise funds for a charity, the police advised the organisers that a permit was necessary. Despite the fact that the application was made at the last minute, we approved it quickly so that the sale could proceed.

We share the students' belief, as stated in their pamphlet explaining the significance of the T-shirts, that activists should be 'accountable in using legitimate means to express one's views'. It was with this intention in mind that the police advised the organisers that a situation where the shirts were worn en masse may be misconstrued by some as an offence.

We regret that the impression may have been formed that the students were warned. This was not the case, and we hope that they will continue to play their part as active citizens.

On hindsight, there was no need for the police to have added this caution as we could have relied on the good judgment of the organisers to ensure the propriety of the event. We will bear this in mind in future.

Audrey Ang (Ms)
Assistant Director
(Media Relations) Singapore Police Force