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Man allegedly 'encouraged law-breaking on Web'

A 51-YEAR-OLD man hae been arrested for 'allegedly posting inflammatory' articles in an internet 'newsgroup' (soc.culture.singapore) and a website (Singaporeans for Democracy) during the recent General Election held on the island state Nov 3.

Mr Robert Ho, a retired ex-journalist with the Singapore Press Holdings, was arrested on Friday Nov 16. He has been reportedly remanded to the Singapore Institute of Mental Health, and according to Dr Chee Soon Juan (Secretary General, Singapore Democratic Party), no one has been able to contact him since his arrest.

According to the Crime Registry Section of the Subordinate Courts Mr Ho's hearings will be on Nov 30 at 8.45am in Court 26.

This is the first time a person has been criminally charged for sending an email and posting a story on a website, this is a first case for new draconian internet laws implemented by the government recently.

A press release from Singaporeans for Democracy, espressed concerned for the well-being of Mr Ho and the political motive behind the arrest.

"Our organization is more than aware of the ruthless and autocratic nature of the Singapore government" the press release said.

"Mr Ho is a well-known web-based political commentator, and a regular writer on the popular newsgroup soc.culture.singapore. His politically lucid and poignantly brave articles have obviously made him a political target", the statement continued.

Mr Robert Ho is allegedly responsible for posting one article which the police claim was "likely to lead to a breach of peace." The article: Break The Law And Get Away With It, Like PAP basically gave "a true and accurate account of an incident where sitting government politicians were allowed to flagrantly break electoral laws without impunity during the 1997 General Elections" the SFD release said.

If convicted, Robert Ho may be jailed for up to three years.

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