Chan Hiang Leng Colin & Ors v. Public Prosecutor

[1994] 3 S.L.R. 662 (1994)

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Chan Hiang Leng Colin & Ors v. Public Prosecutor

Singapore High Court
[1994] 3 S.L.R. 662 (1994)

KS

Facts

Because members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses refuse to participate in military service for religious reasons, the Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs (the ministry) determined that the group was a threat to national security. To mitigate the threat posed by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the ministry deregistered the group. Additionally, under the Undesirable Publications Act, the ministry prohibited the publication and possession of materials by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (WTBTS), the parent body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Chan Hiang Leng Colin (defendant) was prosecuted by the public prosecutor (plaintiff) and convicted of possessing prohibited materials published by WTBTS. Chan appealed, arguing that the prosecution and conviction violated his individual right to practice and profess religion, which was protected by Article 15 of the Singaporean constitution.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Yong Pung How, C.J.)

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