HOWE WEN KHONG ROCKY & 6 Ors v ATTORNEY-GENERAL CHAMBERS

[2025] SGHC 253 High Court (General Division) 16 December 2025 • HC/OA 1213/2025 • 44 min read

25 cases cited (23 SG, 2 foreign)

Catchwords

Constitutional Law — Fundamental liberties — Equality before the law Constitutional Law — Fundamental liberties — Right to life and personal liberty

Practice Areas

Constitutional Law

Judges (1)

Hoo Sheau Peng Delivered

Counsel (3)

Attorney-General's Chambers Firm Chng Luey Chi Counsel Respondent Hay Hung Chun Counsel Respondent

Parties (8)

Attorney-General Respondent Annamalai Kokila Parvathi Applicant Han Li Ying, Kirsten Applicant Howe Wen Khong Rocky Applicant Leelavathy d/o Suppiah Applicant Nazira Lajim Hertslet Applicant Rockey Sharmila Applicant Wham Kok Han Jolovan Applicant

Case Significance

[2025] SGHC 253 is a High Court (General Division) decision dated 16 December 2025 concerning Constitutional Law, specifically addressing fundamental liberties. The judgment was delivered by Hoo Sheau Peng. The case was brought by Annamalai Kokila Parvathi and others (applicant) against Attorney-General (respondent). Legal representation was provided by Attorney-General's Chambers. The judgment cites 25 cases (23 Singapore, 2 foreign) and references 2 statutory provisions, including the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Offences Against the Persons Act.

Summary

Seven members of the Transformative Justice Collective sought declarations that the mandatory death penalty under the Misuse of Drugs Act is unconstitutional for infringing Articles 9(1), 12(1) and 93 of the Constitution. The court dismissed the application, finding the applicants lacked standing as they were neither charged with nor convicted of any offence carrying the mandatory death penalty, and in any event the challenge failed on the merits.

What was decided in [2025] SGHC 253?

[2025] SGHC 253 (HOWE WEN KHONG ROCKY & 6 Ors v ATTORNEY-GENERAL CHAMBERS) is a High Court (General Division) decision from 16 December 2025 addressing Constitutional Law, specifically fundamental liberties. The judgment was delivered by Hoo Sheau Peng.

Who were the parties in HOWE WEN KHONG ROCKY & 6 Ors v ATTORNEY-GENERAL CHAMBERS?

The applicant in [2025] SGHC 253 was Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Han Li Ying, Kirsten, and the respondent was Attorney-General. Legal representation included Attorney-General's Chambers. The case was decided on 16 December 2025 in the High Court (General Division).

Which judge decided [2025] SGHC 253?

[2025] SGHC 253 was delivered by Hoo Sheau Peng in the High Court (General Division) on 16 December 2025. The case concerned Constitutional Law.

What cases and statutes does [2025] SGHC 253 cite?

[2025] SGHC 253 cites 25 prior decisions, including 2 from foreign jurisdictions. It references Misuse of Drugs Act, Offences Against the Persons Act.

Statutes Cited

Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185)

s 33(1)

Offences Against the Persons Act (Cap 141)

s 2

Cases Cited (25)

SG (2)

[2020] SGHC 63 [2022] SGCA 46

SLR (21)

[2001] 2 SLR(R) 556 [2006] 1 SLR(R) 112 [2006] 1 SLR(R) 582 [2008] 2 SLR(R) 802 [2010] 3 SLR 489 [2012] 4 SLR 476 [2013] 2 SLR 844 [2013] 4 SLR 1 [2014] 1 SLR 345 [2014] 2 SLR 998 [2015] 1 SLR 26 [2015] 2 SLR 1129 [2021] 1 SLR 476 [2021] 1 SLR 809 [2022] 1 SLR 1347 [2022] 2 SLR 211 [2023] 5 SLR 1210 [2024] 1 SLR 414 [2024] 4 SLR 331 [2025] 1 SLR 1287 [2025] 3 SLR 1171

UK (1)

[1987] AC 625

MY (1)

[1963] MLJ 355

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official Singapore Courts portal.

Read on eLitigation

Source: eLitigation ([2025] SGHC 253)