On January 13, 2025, a group of students and alumni at the National University of Singapore (NUS) staged a symbolic memorial outside the CREATE building to honor Palestinian students killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The event, organized by Students for Palestine Singapore, featured 124 pairs of shoes and a white burial shroud representing the lives lost on the 465th day of what organizers called the Gaza genocide. Held without a police permit, it sparked a police investigation under Singapore's Public Order Act, leading to home visits and questioning of six individuals in late February 2025. As of early 2026, the probe remains ongoing with no charges filed, highlighting tensions between student activism and strict regulations on public assemblies in Singapore's higher education landscape.

This incident underscores the challenges of expressing solidarity with international causes on Singapore university campuses, where events must navigate both internal approval processes and national laws. NUS quickly labeled it an "unauthorised act on our campus property," filing a police report, while students decried subsequent police actions as intimidation. The choice of location—CREATE, which hosts a research partnership with Israel's Hebrew University of Jerusalem—amplified calls for universities to sever academic ties amid the conflict.

Details of the January 13 Memorial Event

The memorial was a "no-person" gathering to avoid direct assembly issues, focusing on symbolism to mourn Palestinian victims and protest Singapore universities' collaborations with Israeli institutions. Students for Palestine Singapore, a student-led group advocating an end to academic, economic, and political ties with Israel, selected the CREATE Tower @ University Town site deliberately. CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise) is a hub for international partnerships, including the NUS-Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ) Inflammation Research Programme established in 2011. This joint initiative promotes biomedical research, joint PhDs, and training, which activists view as complicit in Israel's actions.

Participants placed shoes to symbolize absent students and a shroud for collective grief. A statement posted on social media demanded divestment from companies linked to the Israeli military and an end to "police surveillance and intimidation of student activists." Approximately 124 people took part, per organizers. No violence or disruption occurred, but NUS Office of Student Affairs (OSA) requires event proposals six weeks in advance for approval, covering venue, safety, and compliance. The group did not seek internal permission, citing urgency.

Police Investigation and Questioning of Six Individuals

Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed a report was lodged on January 13, launching an inquiry under Section 16 of the Public Order Act 2009, which mandates permits for public assemblies of five or more people. Permits are rarely granted for foreign political causes to prevent public order risks. On February 27, officers visited residences of six suspects (aged 21-28), seizing phones and clothing believed linked to the event. Three were interviewed at home; others at Clementi Police Division the next day. SPF justified actions under the Criminal Procedure Code for evidence collection, noting such steps are routine.

SPF emphasized: "People are free to make such calls, as long as it is not against the law." No arrests; investigation ongoing into early 2026. Students alleged "en masse unannounced" raids via Instagram, calling them disproportionate for a peaceful memorial. Solidarity gatherings followed outside police stations.

NUS Response and Campus Event Policies

NUS responded swiftly: "This is an unauthorised act on our campus property and a police report has been made." The university requires student organizations to submit proposals via OSA at least six weeks ahead, detailing objectives, budget, publicity, and risk assessments. Violations can lead to disciplinary action under Statute 6 (Discipline of Students). Off-campus events need police permits if political.

NUS balances free expression with order, as seen in past guidelines post-2019 Hong Kong protests. Partnerships like NUS-HUJ persist, focusing on biomedical advancements (e.g., flesh-eating bacteria cure in 2014), but face scrutiny amid global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) calls. For aspiring academics navigating such environments, resources like how to write a winning academic CV can help build resilient profiles.

Student Perspectives and Solidarity Response

Students for Palestine Singapore viewed the memorial as grief expression, not protest, urging divestment. Post-raids, allied Instagram accounts (@sgacadboycott, @sgpforpalestine48) condemned tactics as silencing dissent. Over 30 supporters rallied at Clementi station on March 1, 2025. Broader pro-Palestine activism includes acquitted walks (Oct 2025) and letters to universities.

Activists argue Singapore's laws stifle global solidarity, contrasting freer US campuses. Yet, risks deter many; NUS students weigh expression against records impacting higher ed jobs.

Legal Framework: Public Order Act in Singapore Universities

The Public Order Act (POA) 2009 regulates assemblies/processions to maintain order. Section 16 criminalizes unpermitted events (fine/jail up to S$5,000/1 year). Police deny permits for foreign politics. Applies to campuses if deemed public. Past cases: Yale-NUS course cancellations (2019) over sensitivities; no off-campus events without notice/permit.

Universities enforce via internal rules, aligning with national interests. Government: Events must respect norms.Public Order Act.

Broader Context of Pro-Palestine Activism in Singapore HE

Singapore universities see growing activism amid Gaza war. Similar memorials/petitions at NTU, SMU. Calls target partnerships (e.g., NTU-Technion). POA limits scale; indoor talks permitted. Global BDS influences, but Singapore prioritizes stability. 2024 US protests deterred some Singaporeans from Ivy League.

Stats: Gaza universities destroyed (90%+ damaged per UN). Singapore unis host Middle East students; activism reflects diversity.

Implications for Free Speech and Campus Governance

Balances activism with order. NUS promotes dialogue via forums; unauthorized events risk discipline. Critics: Chills expression. Supporters: Prevents escalation. POA upheld in courts (e.g., 2025 walk acquittal on technicalities). Universities review partnerships amid scrutiny, but research collaborations continue for mutual benefit.

For students, understanding policies aids safe advocacy. Explore rate my professor for supportive faculty.

Comparisons to Other Singapore Universities and Global Trends

NTU/SMU: Similar petitions, no probes. Global: US encampments led arrests; Europe mixed. Singapore's approach: Preemptive via permits. Other cases: 2019 Hong Kong vigils indoors.

Stakeholder Views and Expert Opinions

Law experts: POA constitutional, protects harmony. Activists: Overreach. NUS: Committed to safe spaces. Government: Foreign issues off-limits publicly. Academics: Partnerships apolitical, advance science.

Photo by Ömer Faruk Yıldız on Unsplash

Future Outlook and Actionable Insights

Ongoing probe may conclude without charges, precedent for permits. Unis may tighten rules. Students: Seek approvals, indoor forums. For careers, activism builds leadership; check higher ed jobs, career advice, university jobs, rate my professor. Monitor developments for policy shifts.