Police are investigating the loud funeral procession that involved nearly 200 attendees in Boon Lay recently.
A 42-year-old man is the latest to be nabbed over the incident, according to police today, after they arrested a group of 14 yesterday on suspicion of disorderly behavior and secret society activities. The Sunday incident at Block 191 Boon Lay Drive was filmed in videos that showed at least a hundred people, including some who were carrying a coffin, chanting away as they slowly walked.
“The police have zero tolerance towards secret society activities and will not hesitate to take firm action against those who are associated with gangs and blatantly disregard the law,” the police said in a statement.
The minute-long clip shows groups of people, some unmasked, trailing behind the roughly 10 men who were carrying the white coffin and chanting loudly in unison. Other than chanting, which is often associated with Singaporean gangs, nothing else in the video seems to suggest gang activity.
Police said yesterday that two of those arrested, including a 17-year-old, had worn shirts with gang emblems on them but did not specify what they were.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that two purported secret society members were allegedly wearing shirts emblazoned with their secret society’s insignia,” the police added in its statement.
The funeral was believed to be for a 43-year-old man, according to Chinese-language news outlet Lianhe Wanbao. Based on current pandemic restrictions, up to 20 people are allowed to attend funerals.
For being a member of an unlawful society, the individuals face three years’ jail and a fine of up to S$5,000. Those who violate COVID-19 regulations can be fined up to S$10,000 or be jailed for up to six months.
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