Despite clear warnings from the police that election rallies and Seventh Month Festival getai shows are to be kept separate, three PAP candidates were seen appealing for support at a getai show on Saturday evening.
Getai, which literally means “song stage” in Chinese, refers to variety performances which entertain both the living and the dead staged during this month.
The police had issued a statement on August 14 which said:
Getai performances and other forms of stage performances and entertainment are strictly not allowed before, during or after election rallies.
It also placed a burden on organizers of getai performances not to allow candidates to canvass for support.
Festival event organisers should ensure that no speeches intended to canvass support for election candidates and/or political parties are delivered (at) Seventh Month Festival events.
Last evening, at a getai Show organised by YYD Tuition Center, PAP candidates Teo Ser Luck, Gan Thiam Poh and new face Sun Xueling were present.
A reader sent in photos of their faces being projected on the stage.
Not long after their faces were shown, the PAP candidates appeared in person.
In what appears to be a clear breach of the warnings by the police, the candidates were then seen to make their way around the hall to meet the audience.
They were also on stage to give away prizes to a crowd of at least a thousand people.
The event had all the making of a 7th month Getai show with altars set up behind a a large crowd coming to watch a free show.
TOC has written in to the police to notify them of a possible breach of law and we are currently awaiting their response.
On 4th September, another PAP candidate, Lee Bee Wah, also made an appearance at a getai in Nee Soon, where she is contesting in the elections.
Ms Lee was photographed on stage, and was reported to have been promoted by the emcee of the event. A member of the public who was there told TOC that the emcee had urged the audience to vote for her in the election. This would be a clear breach of election rules and police warning issued in August.
Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com
