Political Tensions Flare: Police Issue Warnings After Volunteer Clash in Bukit Gombak

A highly publicised altercation involving political party volunteers in Bukit Gombak recently culminated in stern warnings from the police for both individuals involved. The incident, which unfolded on October 7, 2023, saw a Progress Singapore Party (PSP) volunteer, Mr. Ang Yong Han, and a People's Action Party (PAP) volunteer, Mr.

Lim Wei Jie, at the centre of a dispute that quickly escalated into a police report and drew significant public attention.

The friction began when Mr. Ang Yong Han, a familiar face from PSP's West Coast GRC team, was distributing flyers to residents. According to Mr. Ang’s account, Mr. Lim Wei Jie, identifying himself as a PAP volunteer and previously a People's Action Party Young PAP activist, approached him, began filming him, and allegedly attempted to obstruct his distribution efforts.

This interaction, captured on video by both parties, quickly turned confrontational, prompting Mr. Ang to lodge a police report later that day.

The Singapore Police Force swiftly launched an investigation into the matter, thoroughly reviewing the circumstances surrounding the clash. After a comprehensive assessment, the police announced on Thursday (Nov 2) that no criminal offence had been committed.

However, their findings did not absolve the individuals entirely. Both Mr. Ang and Mr. Lim were issued stern warnings, signalling a breach of conduct.

Specifically, Mr. Ang received a warning for breaching election advertising rules. Political parties and individuals are subject to strict guidelines regarding campaigning materials and activities, especially outside of official election periods.

Mr. Lim, on the other hand, was warned for public nuisance/harassment, suggesting his actions in confronting and filming Mr. Ang contributed to a disturbance in a public space.

In the wake of the police's decision, both political parties issued statements, each presenting their perspective on the contentious incident.

The Progress Singapore Party expressed disappointment that no further action was taken against Mr. Lim, reiterating their initial characterisation of the event as "political harassment." They underscored the importance of ensuring a safe and fair environment for all political actors to engage with the public without intimidation.

The People's Action Party, in contrast, defended Mr.

Lim's actions. They stated that Mr. Lim, as a private citizen, was simply exercising his right to film a public activity that he believed was in breach of election rules. The PAP affirmed their volunteers' right to observe and document public activities, especially those related to political engagement, provided they adhere to the law.

This highly scrutinised incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing political activity and speculation, particularly with the formation of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) earlier in October.

The EBRC's establishment typically signals that a General Election is on the horizon, amplifying sensitivities and competitiveness among political parties. Such encounters, while not uncommon in the lead-up to elections, highlight the often-strained dynamics between opposing camps.

While the police have closed the case without pressing criminal charges, the stern warnings serve as a clear reminder to all political volunteers and activists to exercise decorum and adhere strictly to legal frameworks, especially concerning election advertising and public conduct.

The Bukit Gombak clash remains a poignant example of the heightened tensions that can arise as Singapore's political landscape prepares for its next major electoral contest.