A photographer was taking photos of flood waters in the Bukit Timah area when he was handcuffed. Yes thats right handcuffed. Seesh I thought we do that only for serious crimes. Handcuffs for water.
This was the response.
THERE is no ministry policy that prohibits the taking of flood pictures, Minister for Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim told Parliament on Monday.
The issue came to light during Saturday’s floods when veteran photojournalist Shafie Goh from evening daily Lianhe Wanbao was handcuffed after allegedly dismissing police warnings to leave. Mr Goh, 57, had been snapping shots of the flood in the Bukit Timah area.
Responding to a question from Member of Parliament Penny Low on whether a no-picture policy exists, Dr Yaacob said there was nothing private about a flood. Dr Yaacob added however, that his knowledge of the case came only from news reports he had read.
‘From what we understand, the photographer was warned because of safety issues, not because of privacy issues,’ he said. ‘There’s nothing private about a flood, and I think based upon the report, that’s what we understood to have happened that morning,’ he said.
The police said in a statement on Sunday that Mr Goh had been repeatedly asked to move to a safe place as he was taking photos in a dangerous position. But he refused to comply, and continued walking along the road divider, snapping away. Officers then handcuffed him. Mr Goh was not wearing any media identification at the time, and officers were not aware that he was from the press.
The incident has sparked concern from the Singapore National Union of Journalists over what it described as a ‘very unpleasant and humiliating experience’ for Mr Goh. In a written statement, the union said circumstances in which the police can handcuff an individual should be made clear. Police have classified the case under Section 186 of the Penal Code – obstructing a public servant in discharge of his public functions. Investigations are ongoing.
Note the statement implies only press photographers are allowed to take photos of flood waters. If you as an ordinary citizen, in doing can be handcuffed.