SINGAPORE: A 72-year-old Singaporean man has been charged over a string of allegedly abusive emails despatched to a Member of Parliament (MP) and city council workers, in a case that places the highlight on the road between public suggestions and harassment.
Manickam Manohar faces six costs underneath the Safety from Harassment Act (POHA). The costs relate to emails and notices that allegedly contained insulting remarks directed at Marsiling-Yew Tee Group Illustration Constituency (GRC) MP Hany Soh and a number of other city council workers.
The case centres on complaints Manickam allegedly made between 2023 and 2025. Prosecutors say he repeatedly accused public officers of wrongdoing and used offensive language in communications despatched by means of official channels, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reviews (June 11).
9 emails had been despatched to the city council, 5 to the MP
Court docket paperwork confirmed that between August 19 and October 3, 2025, Manickam allegedly despatched 9 emails to the Marsiling-Yew Tee City Council suggestions handle.
The emails reportedly focused Mr Neo Yeng Kwang, a city council workers member, accusing him of appearing dishonestly and failing in his duties.
Manickam can be accused of sending 5 emails to MP Hany Soh between September 13 and October 6, 2025. These messages allegedly contained remarks accusing her of misconduct and abuse of energy.
The costs concern criticism and language that authorities say crossed into abuse.
Offensive notices had been put up in Woodlands HDB blocks
The case additionally goes past simply electronic mail exchanges. In response to the cost sheets, Manickam allegedly displayed notices at Housing and Growth Board (HDB) blocks in Woodlands containing offensive remarks about Ms Soh.
Between Could 10 and Could 11, 2024, he’s mentioned to have positioned 10 notices at public places round Blocks 572A and 572B, Woodlands Avenue 1. One other discover was allegedly put up at Block 572A on June 3, 2024.
The notices reportedly included insulting descriptions directed on the MP. Authorities additionally accused him of utilizing abusive language in the direction of two different Marsiling-Yew Tee City Council workers in separate incidents throughout 2023 and 2024.
A repeat behavioural sample, police say
The police mentioned Manickam had beforehand been investigated for comparable conduct involving the identical MP and a number of other city council workers.
In an announcement, police burdened that residents with issues about municipal issues ought to proceed to make use of official suggestions channels.
The authorities additionally reiterated that public officers and city council personnel ought to be capable of perform their duties with out being subjected to harassment or abuse.
Singapore encourages residents to report municipal points and repair issues. On the identical time, authorities have more and more emphasised the necessity for respectful conduct, particularly when frustrations run excessive. Disagreements with insurance policies, selections or service requirements are a part of public life, however private assaults are the place authorized dangers can start.
Manickam says he apologised however disagreed with the allegations
Throughout Thursday’s court docket listening to, Manickam advised the court docket by means of an interpreter that he had written apology letters to Ms Soh and Mr Neo. Nevertheless, he mentioned he disagreed with a few of the allegations involving two city council workers.
His case has been adjourned to July 9. If convicted, he may face a jail time period of as much as 12 months, a positive of as much as S$5,000, or each.
Public suggestions is a vital a part of bettering providers, however how a criticism is delivered could be simply as vital because the criticism itself.
