Singapore to probe claims police beat striking bus drivers from China

Police are investigating two Chinese nationals' allegations that officers assaulted them while they were in custody for participating in Singapore's first strike in three decades, the city-state said.

The men said in separate interviews with a local documentary filmmaker in January that they were threatened and beaten by police during questioning.

Both were among five bus drivers charged for involvement in the November 26-27 strike that saw 171 Chinese immigrant bus drivers of a public transport company protesting about being paid nearly a quarter less than their Malaysian colleagues.

The strike disrupted about 5 per cent of bus services in the city state where such labour actions are almost unheard of.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement that it takes a serious view of the public allegations and that an independent office within the police force was investigating the men's claims.

"Such allegations must be taken seriously as it has a detrimental impact on public confidence and trust in the integrity" of the police, it said. The investigators would seek assistance from bus drivers, the producers of the video and related parties.

In one of the videos, Liu Xiangying said: "He [police officer] said, 'Do you know I can dig a hole and bury you? No one will be able to find you.' Those were the police's actual words."

Liu added that during the interrogation, he was beaten on the back of the neck and shoulder blades after denying that he ever knew another co-defendant, He Junling. The latter recounted in his separate video interview that he was questioned for eight hours and punched in the stomach.

Of the other drivers who went on strike, 29 lost their work permits and were deported to China. The rest were issued warnings.