Opening up of political space

April 14, 2009
Opening up of political space
By Jeremy Au Yong

THE space for political expression in Singapore has expanded substantially since 2000, and it is in this context that the new public order rules should be viewed.

Second Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said this when responding to Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong on the Public Order Bill which gives police more effective powers to maintain public order.

Mr Siew had contended that the need to obtain permits for assemblies - though a long-standing rule - 'emasculated' the right to freedom of assembly.

Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister, disagreed.

He said: 'I hope Mr Siew would be generous enough to accept that... since 2000 there has been a series of changes that have substantially liberalised the political space.'

In opening the debate on the Public Order Bill, he charted the path to liberalisation taken by the Government, adding that it was a continuing process.

He earmarked the opening of Speakers' Corner nine years ago as the start of the process. In 2000, Hong Lim Park was opened up to allow citizens to speak in public without a permit, except on race or religion issues.

That same year, restrictions were also lifted on speeches by elected MPs at community events. The events had to be constituency events, organised for their constituents and where the intended participants were from that constituency.

A year later, constituency activities organised by or on behalf of MPs and held in the constituency were exempted from having to obtain police permits. However, these must comprise only of music, singing or dancing, any magic show or comedy show, transmission of recorded music or organised competition at games of skill.

In 2004, the exemptions at Speakers' Corner were extended to performances and exhibitions.

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