In Singapore Law, unlawful assembly is governed by Chapter 8 of the Penal code. An unlawful assembly is defined as “an assembly of 5 or more persons”.
Section 141 – Unlawful Assembly
Under the criminal law of Singapore, an assembly of more than 5 persons who have the “common object” of engaging in any criminal conduct as listed under section 141 of the Penal Code, is considered an “unlawful assembly” and punishable under section 143 with imprisonment for up to 2 years, or fine, or both of these punishments.
Section 142 – Being a member of an unlawful assembly
As long as you are aware of any of the circumstances which render an assembly unlawful and yet “intentionally join” such assembly, or continue in it, you will be considered to be a member of the unlawful assembly and punishable under section 143 of the Penal Code with imprisonment for up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
Section 144 – Joining an unlawful assembly armed with any deadly weapon
A member of an unlawful assembly who is armed with any weapon or object that if “used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death”, is liable to be more severely punished with an imprisonment term of up to 5 years, or fine, or caning, or a combination of any of these punishments.
Section 145 – Joining or continuing in an unlawful assembly, knowing that it has been commanded to disperse
If you remain a member of an unlawful assembly that has been commanded to disperse, you will also be liable to enhanced punishment of imprisonment of up to 5 years, or with fine, or both.
Section 146 – Rioting
If you are a member of an unlawful assembly, and any member of such assembly uses any force or violence in pursuit of the common object of the assembly, every member of the unlawful assembly will be guilty of the offence of rioting. Rioting is punishable under section 147 of the Penal Code, and carries a much heavier penalty of a mandatory imprisonment sentence of up to 7 years and with caning.
Section 148 – Rioting, armed with a deadly weapon
Rioting with any weapon or object that if “used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death”, attracts a severe penalty of a mandatory imprisonment term of up to 10 years, and with caning.
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