SDP chairman arrested for drug-related offences
He was respected and well-liked by his opposition party colleagues.
But Mr Jeffrey George, 51, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman, is now believed to have been arrested for taking drugs.
A Central Narcotics Bureau spokesman confirmed last night that a 51-year-old man has been arrested for drug-related offences.
SDP secretary-general Chee Soon Juan later told The New Paper that Mr George's arrest came "as a shock".
"I have known Jeff for many years and all this time, he has discharged his duties as an SDP member and leader with professionalism.
"He is respected and well-liked by his party colleagues. This is why the matter is all the more a complete surprise," said Dr Chee, who also asked for privacy for Mr George's family.
"At this time, the family needs support as they go through a difficult period. They should be left alone to sort things out."
The oil field engineer at IGIT Services became SDP's assistant treasurer in 2007. As a protester, Mr George has had many brushes with the law.
In 2007, he was arrested with four other SDP members for staging an unlawful demonstration near the Istana.
In 2008, Mr George pleaded guilty to being part of a group that tried to stage a protest march from Speakers' Corner to Parliament House when the International Monetary Fund and World Bank held meetings in the Republic in 2006. For that, he was fined $600.
He was fined another $700 for being part of an illegal assembly at the entrance of Raffles City.
In 2010, Mr George was again fined, this time $950, for being part of an assembly without a permit in Toa Payoh in 2008.
Investigations are ongoing.
He is respected and well-liked by his party colleagues. This is why the matter is all the more a complete surprise.
At this time, the family needs support as they go through a difficult period. They should be left alone to sort things out.
- SDP secretary-general Dr Chee Soon Juan
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