In a significant legal ruling, Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K. Shanmugam, has firmly rejected an appeal from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) regarding a correction order linked to a procession held near the Istana.

The SDP's application aimed to overturn one element of a correction order stemming from allegations against three women—Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar—who organized a march on February 2, 2024, purportedly in support of the Palestinian cause.

The women faced charges under public order laws for conducting a procession without a permit, which MHA emphasized was a breach of Singapore's strict regulations on public assemblies.

These developments unfolded when the SDP was prompted on June 29, 2024, to clarify misleading statements made in their social media posts, suggesting that the women were charged merely for expressing their views.

Despite compliance with the correction order nearly nine months ago, on April 7, 2025, the SDP escalated the matter, claiming a need to address the issue ahead of the upcoming General Election.

In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs reiterated that the SDP's claims were unfounded and stressed that processions in the Istana area are expressly prohibited.

The SDP maintained its stance, declaring on Facebook that it would pursue legal action in the High Court should the order remain unchanged. They argue that their rights to express dissent must be protected.

This escalating conflict between the SDP and the government highlights ongoing tensions regarding political expression and public assembly in Singapore, raising critical questions about freedom of speech in the city-state.