Hong Kong restaurateur Alex Yeung sent home from Singapore over protests forum
- Yeung is known for his pro-establishment and pro-China views, which have made him deeply unpopular within Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp
- Singapore police warned ‘foreigners should not advocate their political causes, through public assemblies, and other prohibited means’
The event was held in October, attracting ethnic Chinese Singapore residents to discuss the protests that have riven Hong Kong for five months, with no resolution in sight.
In Singapore, it is an offence to organise public assembly without a permit. Violations are punishable by a maximum jail term of six months and fines of as much as HK$57,600 (US$7,300).
On Wednesday, the Singapore Police Force said Yeung had been issued a stern warning and “will not be allowed to enter Singapore again in future without prior permission from the Controller of Immigration”.
“Singapore has always been clear that foreigners should not advocate their political causes, through public assemblies, and other prohibited means,” the police said. “The police investigated Mr Yeung’s case in accordance with our usual processes and in accordance with our laws.”
The police statement added that a 55-year old naturalised Singaporean had also been issued with a stern warning for facilitating the offence of organising a public assembly without a permit. Singapore newspaper The Straits Times reported that he was real estate businessman Philip Chan.
A former Hong Kong resident, Chan owns Kimoto Gastro Bar at The Sail @ Marina Bay, where the gathering was held, The Straits Times reported. He is the president of the Kowloon Club which helps new arrivals to Singapore integrate.