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Speakers' Corner, Singapore

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The Speakers' Corner in Singapore is an area located within Hong Lim Park at the Downtown Core district, where Singaporeans may demonstrate, hold exhibitions and performances, as well as being able to engage freely in political open-air public speeches, debates and discussions. As a free speech zone, it is based upon the premise of its namesake, Speakers' Corner, which was first launched at Hyde Park in London and has since been established in many other countries with a political system of representative democracy.

Speakers' Corner, Singapore
Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park
Map
Full nameSpeakers' Corner
AddressUpper Pickering Street, Hong Lim Park, Singapore
LocationHong Lim Park, Singapore
Coordinates1°17′12.50″N 103°50′48.20″E / 1.2868056°N 103.8467222°E / 1.2868056; 103.8467222
Public transit NE5  Clarke Quay
OperatorNational Parks Board
TypeFree speech zone
Record attendance25,000 (Pink Dot SG, 4 June 2016)
SurfaceLawn
Opened1 September 2000; 24 years ago (2000-09-01)
Website
www.nparks.gov.sg/speakers-corner

Launched in 2000, it aims to address the genuine desire by some Singaporeans for lawful outdoor demonstrations and processions as a means of further political expression, without disrupting or hindering the productivity of the country as a whole. Singaporeans are also entitled to organise or participate in demonstrations at the Speakers' Corner without having to obtain a police permit.[1]

Hong Lim Park was chosen as it was previously also a popular venue for many election rallies and political speeches during the 1950s and 1960s. Furthermore, the park is centrally located within the city-centre, and are well-served by public transport services while being situated at a high public density area.

Launch

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The corner was opened on 1 September 2000 by the Singapore Government as a venue for free speech area where speaking events could be held without the need to apply for a licence under the Public Entertainments Act (Cap. 257, 1985 Rev. Ed.), now the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act (Cap. 257, 2001 Rev. Ed.) (PEMA). People had to register their intention to speak at the venue with a police officer at the Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post any time within 30 days before the event, though there was no requirement for the police to be informed of the topic of the proposed speech. Other conditions imposed were that speeches had to take place between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and the use of sound amplification devices was prohibited. In 2002, exhibitions and performances were permitted to be held at Speakers' Corner. Conditions for the use of Speakers' Corner were further liberalized in 2008. Responsibility for registering people wishing to speak or stage an exhibition or performance was taken over by the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, and online registration was introduced. It became possible to hold demonstrations provided they are organized by Singapore citizens and the participants are only citizens and permanent residents. Events can now be held around the clock, and self-powered amplification devices like loudhailers may be used between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

At present, Speakers' Corner is concurrently regulated by the Parks and Trees Regulations (Cap. 216, Rg. 1, 2006 Rev. Ed.), the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S 493/2011) (issued under the PEMA) and the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S 494/2011) (issued under the Public Order Act 2009 (No. 15 of 2009) ("POA")). The applicable conditions have remained essentially unchanged. Speakers and demonstration organizers must be Singapore citizens, while participants at demonstrations must be either citizens or permanent residents. Banners, films, flags, photographs, placards, posters, signs, writing or other visible representations or paraphernalia containing violent, lewd or obscene material must not be displayed or exhibited. Persons making speeches must use any of the four official languages of Singapore (English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil) or related dialects, and organizers of demonstrations must be present throughout the event. Events must not deal with any matter that relates directly or indirectly to any religious belief or to religion generally, or which may cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups in Singapore. Events adhering to the regulations are not immune from other existing laws such as those relating to defamation and sedition.

Articles 14(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution of Singapore respectively guarantee freedom of speech and expression and freedom of assembly to Singapore citizens. The PEMA and POA, which require permits to be obtained before public meetings and assemblies can be held, were enacted pursuant to exceptions to these rights. Article 14(2)(a) provides that Parliament may by law restrict the right to free speech to protect, among other things, Singapore's security and public order, and to prevent incitement to any criminal offence. Under Article 14(2)(b), the right of assembly may also be limited for public order reasons. As Speakers' Corner was intended to increase avenues available for the exercise of free speech, the pieces of subsidiary legislation regulating the venue were issued to provide that public speaking and demonstrations there are not subject to the PEMA and POA if the conditions specified in the subsidiary legislation are complied with.

Background and establishment

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Hong Lim Park was chosen as the location for Speakers' Corner as, among other reasons, it was a historical venue for political speeches and rallies

Singapore's political model has been described as a representative democracy,[2] and Singaporeans have constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly under Articles 14(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore.[3] The constitutional rights to free speech and assembly extend only to Singapore citizens. Hence, the Singapore Court of Appeal has held that non-citizens enjoy only common law free speech.[4] Articles 14(1)(a) and (b) are then subject to Articles 14(2)(a) and (b) which allow Parliament to impose, by law, restrictions on the rights to freedom of speech and assembly. The grounds for restrictions are, for freedom of speech, Singapore's security, friendly relations with other states, public order, public morality, protecting parliamentary privilege, defamation, contempt of court and incitement to any criminal offence;[5] and for freedom of assembly, public order only. These restrictions made it a lengthy and difficult process to obtain the licence required to address a public gathering.

In response to these free speech concerns, Speakers' Corner was created as local adaptation of the Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, London, in 2000. In a 1999 interview with New York Times columnist William Safire, the Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said the idea had first been suggested by the Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, but Goh felt that it was not yet the right time to set it up.[6] The following year, the Government decided to go ahead despite its fear of potential public disorder, as the idea enjoyed widespread support from the public and civil society groups.[7] During a Parliamentary debate on the issue on 25 April 2000, opposition Member of Parliament Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng whether this was a "mere show" or whether the Government was serious about promoting free speech in Singapore. If the latter, he asked if the Minister would agree to an open debate with the Workers' Party of Singapore outside Parliament.[8] In response, Wong said there was nothing to prevent Jeyaretnam from making a speech at Speakers' Corner, but that the public forum for a proper policy debate was in Parliament:

It is not just a question of symbolism. Of course, we have a place to show. It is symbolism in the sense that, yes, if you want a place, there is a place. But for free speech, I think we must not delude ourselves. He [Jeyaretnam] can do so on the Internet. He can do so with the press. He can do so in any place he wants, subject to the rules of the land. And he can do so right here. So, what is the worry about having free speech? There is free speech all the time. It is a question of whether he is prepared to have it or not. Do not run away from it. When we give him an answer, stay here to listen.[9]

Speakers' Corner was launched on 1 September 2000[10] at Hong Lim Park, a historical venue for political speeches and rallies.[11] The park's proximity to the Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP) also made it convenient for people to register to speak at the venue.[12] In the first nine months, more than a thousand speeches were made.[13]

Regulations

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Past

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Speakers' Corner was established by the issuance of the Public Entertainments (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order 2000,[14] which exempted people wishing to speak in Hong Lim Park from the need to apply for a licence under the Public Entertainments Act.[15] Speakers had to be Singapore citizens,[16] as the Government was concerned that the venue should not be used by foreigners "to pursue their own agenda whether in respect of their own domestic issues, or those of other countries, including Singapore's".[17] They also had to register their intention to speak with a police officer at the Kreta Ayer NPP any time within 30 days before the public speaking,[18] although there was no need to inform the police of the topic of the proposed speech.[17] They were not permitted to deal with any matter which related either directly or indirectly to any religious belief or to religion generally, or which might cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups in Singapore.[19]

 
Chee Soon Juan

On 15 February 2002, while at Speakers' Corner, Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan attacked the Government's decision to suspend four Muslim girls for wearing the tudung (Islamic headscarf) to public schools. Contrary to police advice, he chose not to apply for a public entertainment licence, arguing he did not need one. Chee's speech sparked heated exchanges involving the Sikh practice of wearing turbans.[20] In July, Chee was convicted and fined S$3,000 for speaking without the required licence. In his judgment, District Judge Kow Keng Siong emphasized the twin considerations of public order and national security in multi-racial and multi-religious Singapore, finding that Chee's speech had bred social unrest.[21] Under the Constitution of Singapore, a person who has been fined at least $2,000 cannot stand for election to Parliament for five years.[22] As a result of the incident, Chee was barred from contesting the 2006 general elections.[23]

Other conditions imposed on a speech at Speakers' Corner were that it had to take place only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the date notified by the person to the police,[24] had to be in any of Singapore's four official languages (English, Malay, Mandarin or Tamil) or any related dialects,[25] and the use of sound amplification devices was prohibited.[26] The latter restriction was justified on the grounds that it would reduce noise pollution and prevent one speaker from drowning out another one, and that it also applied to Speakers' Corner in London.[27]

In 2002, exhibitions and performances were also permitted to be held at Speakers' Corner. The conditions that organizers and participants had to adhere to were broadly similar to those applying to speeches. In addition, the organizer or an authorized agent had to be present at all times during the exhibition or performance,[28] the event could not contain violent, lewd or obscene messages,[29] no banners or placards could be carried by participants,[30] and the event could not be an assembly or procession for which a permit was required under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) (Assemblies and Processions) Rules.[31]

With effect from 1 September 2008, under the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order 2008 ("2008 PEMA Order"),[32] responsibility for registering people wishing to speak or stage an exhibition or performance at Speakers' Corner was taken over from the police by the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation by way of an amendment to the Parks and Trees Regulations.[33] To provide greater convenience, the National Parks Board made it possible for people to register online at its website.[34] In addition, it became possible to hold demonstrations provided that they are organized by Singapore citizens and the participants are only citizens and permanent residents.[35] As the time period restriction was lifted, events can now be held around the clock. In addition, rules on voice amplification were revised to allow the use of self-powered amplification devices like loudhailers from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.[34][36] This relaxation of the rules potentially allows for speakers' messages to be heard by larger audiences. A minor change was also introduced to the conditions for the use of Speakers' Corner – no banner, film, photograph, placard or poster containing any violent, lewd or obscene material may be displayed or exhibited whether before, during or after the event.[37]

In the first month after public demonstrations were permitted at Speakers' Corner, 11 out of the 31 applications received were indicated as being public protests.[38] Hearers of Cries, a group concerned with the plight of abused maids, became the first group to hold a public outdoor demonstration at Speakers' Corner.[39]

Current

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The Public Order Act,[40] intended to regulate public assemblies and processions and to introduce new powers for the preservation of public order, came into force on 9 October 2009. On the same day, the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2009 ("2009 POA Order")[41] made pursuant to the Act declared that Speakers' Corner was an unrestricted area in which assemblies and processions could be held without the need for a police permit.[42] Thus, at present, Speakers' Corner is concurrently regulated by the Parks and Trees Regulations, and by exemption orders issued under the PEMA and POA. The conditions under which addresses, debates, demonstrations, discussions, lectures and talks (whether or not together with any exhibition, performance, play-reading or recital), must be held have remained essentially unchanged. Speakers and demonstration organizers must be Singapore citizens, while participants in demonstrations must be either citizens or permanent residents.[43] Banners, films, flags, photographs, placards, posters, signs, writing or other visible representations or paraphernalia containing violent, lewd or obscene material must not be displayed or exhibited.[44] Persons making speeches must use any of the four official languages of Singapore or related dialects,[45] and organizers of demonstrations must be present throughout the event.[46] In January 2008, the Complaints Choir, a vocal group participating in the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2008, was denied the chance to perform at Speakers' Corner and other outdoor venues unless the six foreigners in the group of 50 did not participate in the performance.[47][48] As the choir did not wish to be split up in any way, it decided not to go ahead with the performance.[49] Queried on the matter in Parliament, the Minister for Communication, Information and the Arts Dr. Lee Boon Yang stated that the Government did not think it "desirable or good precedent" for "foreigners [to come] here to organise and to lead Singaporeans to complain about our domestic issues".[50]

Crucially, events held at Speakers' Corner must not deal with any matter that relates directly or indirectly to any religious belief or to religion generally, or which may cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups in Singapore.[51] On 19 September 2008, Thamiselvan Karuppaya, an Indian real estate agent who wished to speak at Speakers' Corner about the use of Tamil on public signs, had to change his plans after being informed by the police that he required a permit as the topic of his speech was racially sensitive.[52] A subsequent application for a permit was turned down.[53][54]

A contravention of the regulations renders speakers and organizers of demonstrations liable to fines of up to $10,000,[55][56] or incarceration of up to six months.[55] The penalty for displaying anything violent, lewd or obscene at a demonstration is a fine not exceeding $3,000 or, on a subsequent conviction, $5,000.[57] Events which adhere to the regulations are also not immune from other existing laws such as those relating to defamation and sedition.[58]

In 2011, the regulations creating Speakers' Corner were suspended and then restored twice: first for the purpose of the campaigning period during the general election,[59] and subsequently for the presidential election.[60]

Rights to free speech and assembly

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James Gomez

In his 2008 National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong indicated that the purpose behind various government policies, including the creation of Speakers' Corner, was to "liberalise our society, to widen the space for expression and participation".[1] Its reception was mixed and included a wide range of views and perspectives on the impact of Speakers' Corner on increasing space for free speech and the freedom to assemble. It has been called an "exercise in tokenism" for the purpose of preserving a literal "space" for engaging in free speech while also "cornering" it in that space.[61] This is reflected in the relative lack of progress toward liberalization in other areas such as awards of high damages in libel lawsuits brought by politicians which has been said to have a chilling effect on political speech in Singapore.[62] Former Workers' Party member James Gomez has also expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the Speakers' Corner as a site of vibrant political debate, citing the lack of a "culture of speaking" amongst Singaporeans.[63] The ban on racially or religiously sensitive speech has been criticized as possibly curtailing free speech on genuine political matters and limiting the scope of constitutionally entrenched fundamental liberties.[64]

Despite such criticisms, some social activist groups remain optimistic that Speakers' Corner represents a step toward political liberalization and the promise of a wider political space.[65] Although Dr. Kenneth Paul Tan, Assistant Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, has noted that initial cynicism was inevitable as Speakers' Corner was a top-down initiative, he recognizes that civil society activists have since actively occupied and made use of Speakers' Corner to generate public interest in various social and political issues. This view is shared by Professor Bilveer Singh, a political science analyst at the National University of Singapore, who has pointed to large turnouts at events organized at Speakers' Corner as evidence that Singaporeans are "not fearful and not politically apathetic".[53]

The government has also shown itself to be sensitive to calls for greater liberalisation on the ground, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledging incremental changes to the rules and regulations at Speakers' Corner to be necessary for "more citizens to engage in debate" and to "progressively open up our system even more".[1]

Developments

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In 2008, Speakers' Corner was the scene for meetings held over several weeks by Tan Kin Lian, former chief executive of insurance company NTUC Income, to advise people of their legal recourse after structured products they had purchased became virtually valueless upon the collapse of Lehman Brothers.[66] On 23 January 2009 during an event at Speakers' Corner, the National Solidarity Party gave its views on the national budget one day after it was announced, criticizing the Government for not doing enough to assist unemployed breadwinners during the recession.[67] The Party's secretary-general, Ken Sunn, said the event was to let Singaporeans "participate, speak and hear various views and opinions on the Singapore Government's 2009 Budget statement, and discuss ways to improve our Singapore Economy".[68] The first public rally by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Singapore, called Pink Dot SG, was held on 16 May 2009. Estimates of the number of people who attended ranged from 1,000 to 2,500 people.[69] Held every year since, the event was attended by 28,000 people in 2015.[70] On 31 May 2009, more than a hundred people attended a demonstration at Speakers' Corner organized by human rights advocacy group Maruah to call for Myanmar's military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi. Participants from Myanmar were requested to remain outside a cordoned-off area since only Singaporeans and permanent residents may attend demonstrations at Speakers' Corner.[71]

 
A surveillance camera on the grounds of the Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre next to Speakers' Corner. The centre does not form part of Speakers' Corner.

In July 2009, the police installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras for "safety and security". The police said that the cameras complemented the presence of their officers on the ground and did not record audio inputs. The move drew some negative reactions from the public. Former Nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong felt that the installation of CCTV cameras was "pretty ridiculous", and wondered if the move might feed the perception in some quarters that Singapore is a police state, since Speakers' Corner is "the one place in Singapore" where people can demonstrate.[72] Nevertheless, the surveillance cameras have not affected various events from being held. With effect from 1 December 2009, the size of Speakers' Corner was reduced so that it only occupies the half of Hong Lim Park nearer New Bridge Road.[73] From 1 March 2012, Speakers' Corner was expanded to include an area behind Kreta Ayer NPP, near the junction of North Canal Road and South Bridge Road.[74]

A commemorative birthday memorial was organized for J.B. Jeyaretnam, the late leader of the opposition Reform Party, at Speakers' Corner on 5 January 2010.[75] At the event, several opposition politicians shared with the public their experiences with Jeyaretnam.[76]

In September 2010, Today newspaper reported that statistics from the National Parks Board indicated that the number of groups registering to stage events at Speakers' Corner had fallen from 39 between September 2008 and August 2009, to nine between September 2009 and August 2010. The number of individuals registering dropped from 102 to 57 during the same periods. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who was Prime Minister when Speakers' Corner was set up, expressed the view that its use had declined because there were now other avenues for people to express themselves such as the Internet (including the Government's online feedback portal Reach), newspapers, and radio and television channels. Also, people might feel that the venue is not always the best place "to meaningfully and constructively press their views on issues". He saw Speakers' Corner as "playing the same role as envisaged – mostly dormant but good to have".[66]

On 30 November 2013, the first public rally by the special needs community in Singapore, called The Purple Parade, was held. The event attracted 4,000 participants.[77] The event has been held every year since, with the event moved to the Fountain of Wealth in Suntec City in 2016.

The COVID-19 pandemic had caused applications to host events at the Speakers' Corner being suspended in April 2020.[78] As such, the Pink Dot rally in 2020 was a virtual event rather than a physical rally at Speakers' Corner.[79] Speakers' Corner was reopened on 25 March 2022.[80]

In relation to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war as part of the wider Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the SPF and NParks said in a joint statement that "The Police will not grant any permit for assemblies that advocate political causes of other countries or foreign entities, or may have the potential to stir emotions and lead to public order incidents", and that "peace and harmony between different races and religions in Singapore should not be taken for granted, and we must not let events happening externally affect the internal situation within Singapore".[81][82][83][84]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c Lee Hsien Loong (17 August 2008), Transcript of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally 2008 Speech at NUS-UCC [National University of Singapore, University Cultural Centre] on 17 August 2008, SG Press Centre, Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, archived from the original on 18 July 2011, retrieved 21 September 2010.
  2. ^ Thio Li-ann (2003), "Singapore: Regulating Political Speech in Singapore and the Commitment 'To Build a Democratic Society'", International Journal of Constitutional Law, 1 (3): 516–524 at 522, doi:10.1093/icon/1.3.516.
  3. ^ Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (1999 Reprint).
  4. ^ Review Publishing Co. Ltd. v. Lee Hsien Loong [2010] 1 S.L.R. [Singapore Law Reports] 52 at 171, para. 257, Court of Appeal (Singapore).
  5. ^ Thio, p. 516.
  6. ^ "S'pore 'Not Ready for Speakers' Corner': Prime Minister says SM Lee had considered it, but Mr Goh feels the time is not right to set up one", The Straits Times, p. 33, 12 September 1999.
  7. ^ Wong Kan Seng (Minister for Home Affairs), "Speakers' Corner", Singapore Parliamentary Debates, Official Report (25 April 2000), vol. 72, cols. 20–30 at 23.
  8. ^ J.B. Jeyaretnam (Non-constituency Member of Parliament), "Speakers' Corner", Singapore Parliamentary Debates, Official Report (25 April 2000), vol. 72, cols. 27–28.
  9. ^ Wong, "Speakers' Corner", col. 28.
  10. ^ Leslie Koh (2 September 2000), "Wide range of topics covered", The Straits Times, p. 62.
  11. ^ Todd Crowell; Jacintha Stephens (15 September 2000), "Seen and heard: It's not Hyde Park, but Speakers' Corner gives Singapore's people greater voice", Asiaweek, vol. 26, no. 36, archived from the original on 28 January 2011.
  12. ^ Wong, "Speakers' Corner", cols. 21–22.
  13. ^ Speakers shy away from Singapore's 'free speech' corner, Agence France-Presse (reproduced on the Singapore Window website), 15 June 2003, archived from the original on 16 June 2010.
  14. ^ Public Entertainments (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order 2000 (S 364/2000) ("2000 PEA Order"), in force on 1 September 2000.
  15. ^ Public Entertainments Act (Cap. 257, 1985 Rev. Ed.), now the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act (Cap. 257, 2001 Rev. Ed.) ("PEMA").
  16. ^ 2000 PEA Order, para. 3.
  17. ^ a b Wong, "Speakers' Corner", col. 23
  18. ^ 2000 PEA Order, paras. 3(a) and 4(1).
  19. ^ 2000 PEA Order, para. 3(c).
  20. ^ Lau Fook Kong (16 February 2002), "Chee flouts Speakers' Corner rule", The Straits Times, p. 3; "Police probing reach by Chee", The Straits Times, p. 5, 27 February 2002.
  21. ^ Albert Sim (19 June 2002), "SDP chief to go on trial next month", The Straits Times, p. 23; George Gascon (27 July 2002), "SDP chief denies breaking public entertainment law", The Straits Times, p. 13; "Chee 'ignored police advice'", The Straits Times, p. 3, 30 July 2002; "$3,000 fine for Chee", The Straits Times, p. 2, 31 July 2002.
  22. ^ Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (1999 Reprint), Art. 45(1)(e).
  23. ^ Ahmad Osman (31 July 2002), "SDP chief fined and barred from next GE", The Straits Times, p. 2.
  24. ^ 2000 PEA Order, para. 3(b).
  25. ^ 2000 PEA Order, para. 3(d).
  26. ^ 2000 PEA Order, para. 3(e).
  27. ^ Wong, "Speakers' Corner", col. 24.
  28. ^ Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order (Cap. 257, O 3, 2002 Rev. Ed.) ("2002 PEMA Order"), archived from the original on 27 September 2010, para. 3(2)(c).
  29. ^ 2002 PEMA Order, para. 3(2)(e)(iii).
  30. ^ 2002 PEMA Order, para. 3(2)(g).
  31. ^ Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) (Assemblies and Processions) Rules (Cap. 184, R 1, 2000 Rev. Ed.), archived from the original on 27 April 2008, r. 4: 2002 PEMA Order, para. 3(2)(h).
  32. ^ Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order 2008 (S 426/2008) ("2008 PEMA Order"), para. 3(1)(a).
  33. ^ Parks and Trees Regulations (Cap. 216, Rg. 1, 2006 Rev. Ed.), reg. 8(3), archived from the original on 13 September 2010, inserted by the Parks and Trees (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S 425/2008).
  34. ^ a b Imelda Saad (25 August 2008), Singaporeans can demonstrate at Speakers' Corner from Sep 1, Channel NewsAsia, archived from the original on 13 September 2010, retrieved 13 September 2010. The web page for registration is https://www.nparks.gov.sg/speakers-corner-application-form.
  35. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, para. 3(3). See also Li Xueying (29 February 2008), "Protests may be allowed at Speakers' Corner", The Straits Times (reproduced on the Malaysian Bar website), archived from the original on 3 May 2008.
  36. ^ Terms and conditions of approval for events and activities carried out at Speakers' Corner, Hong Lim Park (PDF), National Parks Board, archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2010, retrieved 13 September 2010, para. 3(g).
  37. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, paras. 3(1)(d), 3(2)(e) and 3(3)(e).
  38. ^ Imelda Saad (2 October 2008), 31 registered for Speakers' Corner last month, Channel NewsAsia.
  39. ^ Imelda Saad (1 September 2008), New rules governing Speakers' Corner commence, Channel NewsAsia, archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
  40. ^ Public Order Act 2009 (No. 15 of 2009) ("POA").
  41. ^ Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2009 (S 491/2009) ("2009 POA Order"), in force on 9 October 2009.
  42. ^ 2009 POA Order, para. 2.
  43. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, paras. 3(1) and 3(2)(a); 2009 POA Order, paras. 3(1)(a), 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(aa), amended by the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S 547/2009).
  44. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, paras. 3(1)(d) and 3(2)(e); 2009 POA Order, paras. 3(1)(d) and 4(1)(d).
  45. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, para. 3(1)(c); 2009 POA Order, para. 3(1)(c).
  46. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, para. 3(2)(c); 2009 POA Order, para. 4(1)(c).
  47. ^ Government bans choir performance at Speakers' Corner, Singapore Democratic Party, 26 January 2008, archived from the original on 15 September 2010, retrieved 15 September 2010.
  48. ^ 2008 Human Rights Report: Singapore, United States Department of State, 25 February 2009, archived from the original on 28 August 2010, retrieved 15 September 2010.
  49. ^ "M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2008: Complaints Choir Project urgent update", Time Out Singapore, 26 January 2008, archived from the original on 16 July 2011, retrieved 15 September 2010.
  50. ^ Dr. Lee Boon Yang, "Head Q – Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts", Singapore Parliamentary Debates, Official Report (29 February 2008), vol. 84, no column numbers assigned yet; see also Li Xueying (1 March 2008), "Policy on Complaints Choir an Exception: Boon Yang", The Straits Times, archived from the original on 10 June 2010, retrieved 15 September 2010.
  51. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, paras. 3(1)(b) and 3(2)(d); 2009 POA Order, paras. 3(1)(b) and 4(1)(b).
  52. ^ Siti Rahil (2 October 2008), "Singapore Tamils see worrying sign", The Japan Times, archived from the original on 18 August 2010.
  53. ^ a b "Hearty buzz at Speakers' Corner" (PDF), The Sunday Times (Home), Singapore, 2 November 2008, archived (PDF) from the original on 30 September 2011.
  54. ^ See also Spectators cornered at Speakers' Corner, Singapore Democrats, Singapore Democratic Party, 20 September 2008, archived from the original on 3 September 2010.
  55. ^ a b 2009 POA Order, paras. 3(2) and 4(2); POA, s. 15(1).
  56. ^ PEMA, s. 19(1).
  57. ^ 2009 POA Order, para. 4(3).
  58. ^ 2008 PEMA Order, para. 4; 2009 POA Order, para. 5.
  59. ^ See the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap. 218, 2011 Rev. Ed.), s. 80A(2), the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) (Revocation) Order 2011 (S 207/2011) and the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) (Revocation) Order 2011 (S 208/2011). Following the election, Speakers' Corner's status as a no-permit-required zone was restored by the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order 2011 (S 249/2011) and the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2011 (S 250/2011).
  60. ^ Presidential Elections Act (Cap. 240A, 2011 Rev. Ed.), s. 62A(2), the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) (Revocation) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S 469/2011) and the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) (Revocation) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S 470/2011). Speakers' Corner was reinstated by the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S 493/2011) and the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S 494/2011).
  61. ^ Thio, p. 522.
  62. ^ Tey Tsun Hang (2008), "Singapore's Jurisprudence of Political Defamation and its Triple-Whammy Impact on Political Speech", Public Law: 452–462.
  63. ^ Barry Porter (26 April 2000), "Silence easiest option at Speakers' Corner", South China Morning Post (reproduced on the Singapore Window website), archived from the original on 16 June 2010.
  64. ^ Thio, p. 520.
  65. ^ Imelda Saad (24 December 2008), Moves to expand political space in Singapore in 2008 and beyond, Channel NewsAsia, archived from the original on 21 October 2012, retrieved 21 September 2010.
  66. ^ a b S. Ramesh (11–12 September 2010), "'Mostly dormant but good to have': Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on Speakers' Corner, which turns 10 amid falling applications", Weekend Today, p. 4, archived from the original on 13 September 2010.
  67. ^ Clarissa Oon (24 January 2009), "Opposition party: Not enough for needy", The Straits Times.
  68. ^ BUDGET – NSP takes to Speakers' Corner on Friday, The Online Citizen, 21 January 2009, archived from the original on 11 March 2012.
  69. ^ Nur Dianah Suhaimi (17 May 2009), "1,000 turn up in pink at event", The Straits Times; Sharanjit Leyl (17 May 2009), Singapore gays in first public rally, BBC News.
  70. ^ "Record 28,000 gather at Hong Lim Park for annual Pink Dot rally", The Straits Times, 13 June 2015, retrieved 13 June 2015.
  71. ^ Activists rally in Singapore to demand Aung San Suu Kyi release, Agence France-Presse, 31 May 2009; Demonstrators in Singapore light candles to pray for Suu Kyi's release, Kyodo News, 31 May 2009, retrieved 22 September 2010.
  72. ^ Alicia Wong; Kiersten Ow (25 July 2009), "CCTV installed at Speakers' Corner", Today (reproduced on the Channel NewsAsia website), archived from the original on 17 August 2017, retrieved 22 September 2010.
  73. ^ The change was effected by the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2009 (S 584/2009) and the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) (Amendment No. 2) Order 2009 (S 585/2009).
  74. ^ By the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) (Amendment) Order 2012 (S 80/2012) and the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) (Amendment) Order 2012 (S 81/2012).
  75. ^ Kor Kian Beng (7 January 2010), "James Gomez quits Workers' Party", The Straits Times.
  76. ^ Fang Shihan; Fiona Lim (6 January 2010), A subdued commemoration at Speakers' Corner, The Online Citizen, archived from the original on 9 June 2012; Lediati Tan (8 January 2010), "Remembering a firebrand", The New Paper (reproduced on the AsiaOne website), archived from the original on 27 September 2014.
  77. ^ Sim, Royston (1 December 2013). "Over 4,000 turn up at event to raise awareness about special needs community". The Straits Times. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  78. ^ "Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park". National Parks Board. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  79. ^ "No Pink Dot rally at Hong Lim Park due to coronavirus: Organisers". CNA. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  80. ^ Kai, Ng Wei (25 March 2022). "Speakers' Corner reopened for events after two-year closure due to pandemic". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  81. ^ "Advisory On Events And Public Assemblies In Relation To Israel-Hamas Conflict". Singapore Police Force. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  82. ^ Lee, Elaine (18 October 2023). "Police, NParks will reject applications to hold public events relating to Israel-Hamas war". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  83. ^ "Applications for public events related to Israel-Hamas war will be rejected: Singapore police, Nparks". Yahoo News. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  84. ^ "Events, public assemblies on Israel-Hamas conflict will not be permitted: Police, NParks". CNA. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

References

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Legislation

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  • Public Entertainments and Meetings Act (Cap. 257, 2001 Rev. Ed.) ("PEMA").
  • Public Entertainments (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order 2000 (S 364/2000) ("2000 PEA Order").
  • Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order (Cap. 257, O 3, 2002 Rev. Ed.), archived from the original on 27 September 2010 ("2002 PEMA Order").
  • Public Entertainments and Meetings (Speakers' Corner) (Exemption) Order 2008 (S 426/2008) ("2008 PEMA Order").
  • Public Order Act 2009 (No. 15 of 2009) ("POA").
  • Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2009 (S 491/2009) ("2009 POA Order").

Other works

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Further reading

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Articles

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Books

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  • Lee, Terence (2010), The Media, Cultural Control and Government in Singapore, Abingdon, Oxford; New York, N.Y.: Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-41330-5.
  • Wong, Samuel (2000), Speak! or Forever Hold Thy Peace!: Speaker's Corner [sic] and Free Speech in Singapore [unpublished academic exercise], Singapore: Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore.

News reports

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Websites

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