No policy against taking flood photos: Minister
Email
Print
Minister for Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim says there is no policy against taking photos of floods.
The issue came to light after Singaporeans reacted with a mixture of surprise and outrage over a newspaper photographer being handcuffed for taking photos of Saturday morning’s flash floods.
Responding to a question from Member of Parliament Penny Low during a parliament session on Monday, Dr Yaacob said, “From what we understand, the photographer was warned because of safety issues, not because of privacy issues.”
“There’s nothing private about a flood, and I think based upon the report, that’s what we understood to have happened that morning,” he added.
The Singapore National Union of Journalists has since described the detention, although brief, as a “very unpleasant and humiliating experience” for the photographer.
The issue has also attracted over 2,400 comments from Yahoo! Fit-to-Post users who have questioned why the police arrested the photographer in question when he was simply doing his job.
Yahoo! FTP user, Night Hawk said, ”Was it illegal to take flood photos? Why was he handcuffed? Looking at both sides of the story, the possibility is that the said photographer may have argued and offended the police?”
Another user Roger called for an explanation into the incident.
“Is there any Standard Operating Procedure for this? I believe the MHA and SPF owe the public an explanation.”
Others like zizu also gave the police the benefit of the doubt.
“I guess we only jump to conclusion here. We don’t know the real conversation between the two. I think surely there is something going on leading to the man being detained. Sometimes reporters do go overboard without realising they did anything wrong.”
The strong reactions by Singaporeans arose after Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao’s Saturday evening edition ran a photo of its photographer, with visible handcuff marks still on his wrist, and that of a policeman side by side on its front page, under a headline that said, “Photographer arrested because of taking photos”.
In a Page 5 report, the newspaper detailed how its 57-year-old photojournalist, Shafie Goh, was detained by police for one hour before being allowed to leave.
His detention at about 7am on Saturday took place after a policeman saw the veteran photographer taking pictures of snarling traffic and stranded vehicles along Upper Bukit Timah Road, one of the areas badly hit by Saturday morning’s floods.
After being spotted by an unidentified on-duty policeman who was mobilised to deal with the traffic situation, Mr Goh was asked to leave the scene.
However, he pleaded with the policeman to be allowed to take one more photograph.
Before he could finish talking, the policeman took out his handcuffs and placed them on his right hand. He was also told he would be brought down to a police station.
Mr Goh then asked, “I am not a criminal. Why are you handcuffing me?”
The policeman then brought him to the roadside and told him to wait for an investigator.
He was only released after an hour.
A police statement released on Sunday said that officers had repeatedly asked Mr Goh to move to a safe place as he was taking photos in a dangerous position.
A spokesman said, “As he was causing obstruction to the police officer in the discharge of his duties and causing danger to himself and others, the officers decided to restrain him and move him to safe grounds, but the man resisted and put up a struggle. The officers then had to handcuff him.”
Thank you for the incredible, amazing response to Yahoo!’s Fit-To-Post blog so far. We continue to welcome your views and comments but please don’t abuse this opportunity. Be nice. Be courteous. Be sensible. Respect the feelings of others and refrain from using any kind of offensive language.
Jacobian on July 18, 2010 at 12:16 pm
well you should know that there is no such a thing as press freedom in singapore.
World Holiday Blog on July 18, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I think there must really be a miscommunication somewhere between the policeman and the reporter.
earthwatch on July 18, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Im third here
lol its raining cats and dogs on SUNday too so enjoy your free pool
levi on July 18, 2010 at 12:46 pm
sigh……speechless……
serve singapore right on July 18, 2010 at 12:46 pm
the flood is sure causing lots of trouble to the ppl and the govt.
well serve us right, shopping centres and buildings are simply too dense in orchard, with no more soil and the drainage not efficient enough, flood is inevitable. price we have to pay for economic growth
Unemployed For 19 mths on July 18, 2010 at 12:47 pm
More details at http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/07/18/massive-outcry-by-netizens-at-handcuffing-of-lianhe-wanbao-photographer
Lonewolf on July 18, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Guess there is no such thing flood free in Singapore now but the police got to stop handcuffing people for no reason
so-what on July 18, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I agree on that Jacobian.. too bad.. this is Singapore.. everything need liscense..
tiongster on July 18, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Singapore’s police are getting more and more useless and ridiculous these days.
Lil Abner on July 18, 2010 at 12:48 pm
We should give the SPF and the MHA a chance to explain themselves. Of course, if it is for the “safety” of the photographer, the Polis man has just endangered the life of the photographer by handcuffing him. Unless the name of the photographer is ‘Houdini’, he will surely drown with handcuffs on.
Jonathan on July 18, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Ah yah in Singapore you need to know that this is a law country and what the law say they just follow. We have been brought up in fear and follow by the book and how to be creative.
sigh on July 18, 2010 at 12:48 pm
maybe there are more to it than what has been stated..
ROFL on July 18, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Wanbao also included a police statement which said the photographer was detained for safety reasons because the policeman in question thought Mr Goh was in danger and would hurt himself while taking photos.
- Safety reasons LOL! Dumbest thing I saw today..
Safety?? on July 18, 2010 at 12:49 pm
What did the photographer said to the police that resulted to the handcuffs actions, did the photographer cross over the line which enrage and resultant the action of the policeman? I reckon there should be guidelines before handcuffs could even be used
Rusli on July 18, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Nowdays policeman are young but dun they know the difference??? Is the reporter interfering with the officer work?? Well paid but no initiative at all…..
Michael Siow on July 18, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Hmm…were the handcuffs really necessary?
Reporters Without Borders on July 18, 2010 at 12:50 pm
BREAKING NEWS :
Police: Wanbao photographer “handcuffed” for his own “personal safety”
See http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/07/18/singapore-police-wanbao-photographer-handcuffed-for-his-own-personal-safety/
Watchman on July 18, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Guess there will be another round of big “who-ha”.
And there will be someone trying to covered up..
There are just too many countless incidents happening, one after another..
Just what when wrong?
silverleaf on July 18, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Press freedom doesn’t exist here. Chances are this article is going to be deleted within the day same way as how the one eyed tiger kidney transplant article dissappeared.
Brendan on July 18, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@silverleaf
what are things such as Facebook and Yahoo bookmarks for?
Doesn’t mean that jus because it is not on the front page means it’s deleted and not archived.
Iceman on July 18, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I feel that the policeman should focus more on his job “deal with the traffic situation” then to be dealing with the photographer.
The more important question here is that as a policeman, are you allowed to handcuff a person that is not possessing a sign of threat or harm to others?
Dropping by... on July 18, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Oh my gosh, Singapore sounds like a Communist State!
julianus on July 18, 2010 at 12:52 pm
well.. they r doing their jobs, but the mark on the wrist? em..em.. the officer should know better how to handle the situation. And for the reporter,do not take the risk in such situation…
WB on July 18, 2010 at 12:53 pm
This police officer acted based on his annoyance of the photographer. The policeman has abused his authority. He should be sacked..
Dropping by... on July 18, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Joking, but this is disappointing. Press freedom is a must in democratic countries lehh.
black★RS on July 18, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I believe the reporter stubbornly refused to listen to the policeman and insisted to remain at the scene thus could be caught for “obstruction of duties”. And now trying to make a big hoo-haa and reported his only side of stories. Obviously to make headlines to boost the sales of the papers.
albert teo on July 18, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Certain people are abusing their authority in the tour of duty.
singapore are getting more and more Militant not as before.
Certain people thought that with their uniform/s they are legally allowed to doing anything.
Certain authorityalso twisted their wordwhen issuing “fine”.
seriously on July 18, 2010 at 12:55 pm
We’re definitely living in a big cage.
Win on July 18, 2010 at 12:56 pm
$2.5k a month salary buliman nothin beta2do ma. Spore no big mafia2catch so wan2b hero lo. Sit in bulistation/car2long, notin2do beri sian1lei.
Mr Election on July 18, 2010 at 12:56 pm
This is Communism. Maybe cos Sg now has too many Chinese nationals and is influencing the govt? hahahahaha. Chinese paddlers,engineers,doctors,construction workers etc. Yup communism is here and so is corruption of the highest degree.
BS on July 18, 2010 at 12:56 pm
democratic society or police state? u judge.
incapacitate somebody by handcuff making him wait an hour for the investigator is protecting his well being/ safety? u judge.
how much truth is that police issued statement? u judge.
i firmly believe any common singaporean processes a higher IQ than the police.
handani on July 18, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Overzealous policeman of their authority.
what?? on July 18, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Whats with the handcuff? He is not a criminal to be treated like that. They said it was for their safety , but why are they leaving a mark on his hand by handcuffing him ?
tja on July 18, 2010 at 12:57 pm
is the same in tv news
first it report the flooding in singapore
then it will follow up with news report of flooding in others part of the world including river flooding …lol
it just look funny to me
silverleaf on July 18, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Then again it could just be an issue with the cop and nothing to do with censorship or anything that serious. After all, lots of cops are keh kiang
Ian on July 18, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Absurd!!!! Safety reasons a lame excuse!!! I guess the photographer is doing his job just like him & I’m sure as a photographer he know what his limitation especially when come to safety.
messiah668 on July 18, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Policeman is not very professional, is he? Of course, we’re not at the scene so it’s hard to pass judgement. However, being arrested for taking pics of a flood? For chrissake, it’s a flood not a vital installation! Lack of professionalism on the cop’s part, most probably.
Wants More Publicity on July 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Actually the situation is very simple.. It’s a perfect opportunity to show the big boss that the police is doing more damage control than PUB. They now can ask for more manpower to book photographers during raining days.
lololololololololllllllllll.... on July 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
BODOOOOOOHHHHHHHH>!!!!!!!!!!!!
asdas on July 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I WOULD DEMAND EXPLANATION BY POLICE/GOVERNMENT HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO THE REPORTER?
Night Hawk on July 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
It was clearly a misunderstanding and miscommunication! I wonder whether the police had given a warning and explained to the pressman of the danger to remain in the area to photograph? Was it illegal to take flood photos? Why was he handcuffed? Looking at both sides of the story, the possibility that the said photographer MAY HAVE argued and offended the police?
Kinky on July 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Next time there is a flood, I will go up next to a female police officer with my camera and start taking pictures of the flood and see if “it” happens
sam on July 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I understand that Singapore is a police state, but the action taken by the police officer is a bit extreme to say the least. The police officer in question may have overstepped his authority. I can imagine something like that happening in China, but not here. An explanation from the proper authorities might be in order.
Joo on July 18, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Police got nothing to do? Why don’t they go and catch robbers. This is daylight abuse of authority. Every citizen should know when you vote them to power, they will trample ordinary citizen.
Iceman on July 18, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Reply to black★RS : As you have said the reporter has only reported his side of the stories…how do you know whether the police force will/will not cover up the story.
One thing is for sure…the SPF and govt must handle this case carefully or it will sprout into a bigger issue.
rain rain goes away... on July 18, 2010 at 1:00 pm
here come the rain again
gll on July 18, 2010 at 1:00 pm
police must give their side of statement to clear this doubt
wolf on July 18, 2010 at 1:00 pm
i think SPF own the public an more approriate explaination… maybe something like… that policeman is “seow” on that day… that sound more reasonable…
sgkeng on July 18, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Handcuffed because he could hurt himself? Give the photographer a break! He was just doing his JOB! People get hurt doing so many other activities. Even while playing sports. So are we gonna ban all sports as well? Ban soccer in case you fall and hurt yourself, no more windsurfing in case you drown, no more Youth Olympics too.. someone could get hurt during the boxing and judo, you know?! Bearing such physical injury risks is part of the photographer’s job (realistically speaking). Why then do we have war photographers? They risk life and limb to be in the middle of the Irag war! Even policemen take risks, should they handcuff each other? Was the police officer following proper procedures in such circumstances?
Kamen on July 18, 2010 at 1:01 pm
post meridian and mickey mouse are kamen riders.
zizu on July 18, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I guess we only jump to conclusion here. We don’t know the real conversation between the two. I think surely there is something going on leading to the man being detained. Sometimes reporters do go overboard without realising they did anything wrong.