Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall have been told they will not be allowed back into Singapore after a Palestinian flag was displayed during their 29 July show at the Star Theatre.
Police investigated both members of the English trip-hop collective for “their actions of support for a political cause and unfurling of a foreign flag”, according to a statement from the Singapore Police Force and Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Band’s response
In a statement on Instagram, the band said: “We were surprised and disappointed that our entire band was detained by the police, isolated and separately questioned – with some members subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation.”
They added: “On reflection, we are proud to have made this impromptu expression with our fans in Singapore who clearly felt a moral imperative to show solidarity with the people of Palestine in their ongoing reality of illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide, and we salute their courage in doing so.”
Massive Attack said the “surreal experience” was a “reminder of the importance of defending universal human rights and freedom of expression, wherever those rights are threatened”.
Police action
Following consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, police issued “stern warnings” to Del Naja and Marshall for allegedly breaching the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act and the Public Order Act. The authorities said both men would also be banned from re-entering Singapore and any future applications to perform there would not be approved.
Police added that they “take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law”.
Previous arrest
Earlier this year, Del Naja was among 500 people arrested during a demonstration in London against the ban on Palestine Action, a group that has been proscribed in the UK.
