Feb 11, 2011
Chee pays fines, avoids jail term
By Tessa Wong
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan on Thursday avoided a five-month jail term after paying a total of $20,000 in court fines with funds raised by his party. -- ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
SINGAPORE Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan on Thursday avoided a five-month jail term after paying a total of $20,000 in court fines with funds raised by his party.
He had been fined $5,000 on each of four charges against him after a series of hearings in the district court.
These offences, committed in 2005 and 2006, were for speaking in public without a permit.
The High Court last month turned down his appeal against the convictions.
He had until Thursday to pay the fines, failing which he would, in default, have had to serve a total of 20 weeks in jail.
The failed appeal and concerns that Dr Chee would be unable to play a role in preparing for a General Election expected in the first half of the year prompted the SDP to launch an online appeal for funds.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
500k was damages owing to the 2 M & M - SM & MM for defamatory charges during 2001 GE.