3 quizzed over sale of Shadrake book

(Tessa Wong, Straits Times, 28 Jan 2011)

THREE members of the Singaporeans For Democracy (SFD) political association were questioned by police yesterday over the sale of a book about the Singapore judiciary.

The three are artist and film-maker Seelan Palay, 27, businessman Jarrod Luo, 27, and activist Rachel Zeng, 28.

Police yesterday confirmed that investigations are being conducted.

This is 'a case where books containing matter which is potentially defamatory and in contempt of court were reportedly sold on Nov 14, 2010 during an event at the Substation', they said. 'As investigations are ongoing, we are unable to comment further on the matter.'

The book, Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore's Justice In The Dock, is written by British journalist Alan Shadrake.

The book is not banned here, but in November last year, Shadrake was found by the High Court to have impugned the impartiality, integrity and independence of the courts in 11 passages in the book.

He was sentenced to six weeks' jail and fined $20,000, but has appealed against the sentence. Read more »