Two Falun Gong practitioners who are on a hunger strike in prison to protest their court sentence may be given a written warning or placed in a punishment cell. According to the Strait Times’ report, a prison spokesman said that refusing to eat was an offence under the Prisons Act. If found guilty, they could be placed in a punishment cell or given a written warning. They will be placed on a glucose drip should their health be in danger.

The women Ng Chye Huay and Cheng Lujin were ordered to pay fines of 20,000 and 24,000 Singapore Dollars (US $12,216 and $14,660), respectively. Insisting on their innocence, both refused to pay and have launched an appeal. They are currently in jail, and both are hunger striking to object to the decision.

Cheng Lujin has a six-month-old daughter to be cared for. She requested that her daughter be taken to her in prison, but the judge has refused her request. Cheng Lujin has been on a hunger strike since she entered the prison.

(Update on original article)

Two Falun Gong practitioners who are on a hunger strike in a Singapore prison may receive a warning letter from the prison or be locked in special punishment cells. According to a report in the Singapore Strait Times, a prison spokesman said that according to the Prisons Act, refusing food is illegal. He added that if the prisoners' lives are at risk during the hunger strike, they will be treated with an intravenous drip.

Two Falun Gong practitioners Mrs. Ng Chye Huay and Mrs. Cheng Lujin are accused of “assembly without permit" and "possession and distribution of VCDs without a Certificate" and were sentenced on April 27. They were ordered to pay 24,000 and 20,000 Singapore dollars respectively (US$12,307 and US$14,653). They refused to accept the verdict and were sent to Changi Women's Prison.

Mrs. Cheng Lujin who has a 6-month-old daughter, requested that her baby be brought into the prison so that she could take care of her, but her request was refused. Mrs. Cheng began her hunger strike after being sent to prison and Mrs. Huay joined her soon after.

After seven days of detention, two Falun Gong practitioners were released from Singapore jail on May 3, 2005. Ms. Cheng Lujin and Ms. Ng Chye Huay had been on a hunger strike for seven and four days, respectively, prior to the release. They plan to appeal their case to a higher court. Ms. Cheng said the police informed her on May 3 that she was free to go home. Later she realized her family had paid the fine on her behalf. Both Ms. Cheng and Ms. Ng said that paying for the fine was against their will. They said they did not commit any crime and should not have to pay for a fine. They hope the government can return the fine.

On May 1, Singapore-based Strait Times said that the two Falun Gong practitioners could be subject to more punishment because of their hunger strike. In Singapore, it is against the law to go on a hunger strike in jail. Their family members became increasingly concerned with the situation and decided to pay for the fine under pressure.

Ms. Cheng and Ms. Ng were charged with “Assembly without a Permit” and “Possession and Distribution of VCDs without a Certificate” because they clarified the facts about the persecution of fellow practitioners in China to tourists at the Esplanade Park. On April 27, a Singapore court ruled that the women were guilty as charged and imposed a large fine on them. They refused to pay the fine and said they would appeal. The judge rejected the defense lawyer’s request for bail and said that the defendant would be sent to jail immediately if they did not pay the fine.

On the afternoon of April 27, a few hours after the ruling, the women were sent to Zhangyi Women’s Prison. Such a harsh judgment is rare in Singapore. The judge usually grants the defendants bail if the defendants intend to appeal the case to a higher court.

Ms. Cheng said that the fundamental purpose for legislation was to uphold justice. Nobody with a sense of conscience and justice could ignore the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China. “Every one of us has the responsibility to help [the practitioners in China] and to call for an end to the persecution. This is a test for everyone. In the face of such cruelty, are we moved? The silence of the public gives the wicked people a license to commit crime, enabling them to persist in his wrongdoings. I think people must learn the truth and ask the government to stop this persecution. We’re using our limited money and time to tell others the facts. I think this is a noble act and should not be considered a crime.”

Since the day she was arrested, to protest the judge’s unfair judgment, Ms. Cheng started to go on a hunger strike. Three days later, Ms. Ng joined her in the fasting.

Ms. Cheng said she refused to be wavered by any personal interest or threats. She still believes in the Singapore government. “I believe there are a lot of people with a sense of justice and integrity. I don’t believe they would revoke my permanent residency rights because of this case.”