SINGAPORE – A Singaporean man, 24, will be charged in court on Monday (Sept 13) for allegedly wakeboarding at the War Memorial Park on July 17.

In a joint release, the Singapore Police Force and National Heritage Board said he will be charged under Section 22 of the Preservation of Monuments Act for wilfully interfering with a national monument.

The agencies said that the police received a report on the incident on July 18.

Four other people, aged between 18 and 24, are also being investigated for their involvement in the act.

“National monuments are important markers of our identity and highlight key milestones in Singapore’s history,” the agencies said, adding: “The Civilian War Memorial, a national monument, is dedicated to the civilian victims of the Japanese Occupation. Due respect must be accorded to our National Monuments, in particular war memorials, and all acts of disrespect are unacceptable.”

If found guilty, the man may be fined up to $30,000, jailed up to six months, or both.

A 31-second video of the alleged incident was circulated online in July. In it, a man was seen wakeboarding across the water feature, performing a trick with his board that hit the base of the monument.

The clip received widespread criticism online from netizens who called the act disrespectful.

Last modified: September 13, 2021