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Special needs performer still traumatised a year after Hong Lim Park incident

Han Hui Hui and Roy Ngerng protesting at Hong Lim Park on 27 September 2014

A female performer with Down's Syndrome whose routine at Hong Lim Park was disrupted broke down in tears when asked about the event a year later, a courtroom heard on Tuesday (13 October).

At the trial of blogger Han Hui Hui, 24, and three others, who are facing public nuisance charges, one prosecution witness told the court that the performer, part of the Y-Stars group, revealed a few months ago that she was still upset over the incident, which took place on 27 September 2014.

Han, together with another blogger, Roy Ngerng, and the other accused, had held a “Return Our CPF” rally at the same time as the YMCA Proms @ The Park 2014.

Video screened to the court showed Han and Ngerng leading a group of people towards the YMCA event. The group was chanting slogans, beating drums, and blowing whistles.

The performance by the Y-Stars, who are made up of special needs individuals, had to be stopped and restarted because the performers could not hear the start of the music, the court was told.

The witness, whose son was also performing as part of the Y-Stars, said those with special needs were easily frightened by loud noises. 

She also told the court that performances such as the one at Hong Lim Park were important events not just for the performers, but also their parents and caregivers.

When asked by Han why she had allowed her son to perform during a protest, the witness told the court she had believed Han’s group would have stopped for the performers to carry out their routine.

Han, who was representing herself, also asked the witness if she had wondered if the performer crying after a year was because “she realised she was being made use of by the PAP government”, to which the witness replied no.

Another witness, whose daughter also took part at the YMCA event, said the Y-Stars performers were very quiet after the incident that day, when they were usually “very happy” following a routine.

When Han asked her if she thought the YMCA did a good job with the event, the witness compared it to a wedding where someone brought a coffin around. 

“Would you be happy?” the witness replied.

In addition to the public nuisance charge, Han also faces another for organising a demonstration without prior approval. The first carries a fine of up to $1,000, while the other up to $5,000.

Han’s co-accused, Low Wai Choo, Goh Aik Huat, and Koh Yew Beng, were also unrepresented in court. 

Ngerng had previously pleaded guilty and was fined $1,900 over his role in the incident, while another, Chua Siew Leng, was fined $300.

The trial continues on Wednesday.