Use of Speakers' Corner for political activities could
be liberalised
SINGAPORE: The use of the Speakers' Corner as an outdoor
venue for more political activities, including demonstrations,
could be liberalised.
Presently, only indoor venues are allowed be used for
demonstrations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng
disclosed a government review on this when he responded to
Nominated MP Eunice Olsen's call for more avenues for Singaporeans
to express their views on important issues.
Mr Wong said accessibility to avenues to express one's views is not
wanting, and generally there are more accommodative dialogues with
the man-in-the-street on key issues.
Over the years, he said the government has also seen and allowed
more divergent views in various media - but it will stop short at
outdoor and street protests.
Referring to how recent demonstrations by the Hindu Rights Action
Force or HINDRAF in Malaysia led to riots, Mr Wong added that
Singapore's own experience in the past have also taught it to be
very circumspect about outdoor and street protests.
He also said that while most people involved in a demonstration may
have no intention of using violence, a handful of agitators is all
it takes to spark off violence.
So while young people, in their exuberance may think it is fun to
demonstrate, Mr Wong said that they would have no control of the
situation if the agitators choose to exploit it.
Mr Wong said: “The question for Singaporeans is whether we should
accept the risks and accept the culture of street protests.
"In my view, one riot is one too many. Violence in the community
takes a long time to heal. Once lost, public confidence in our
security would take a long time to return." -CNA/vm
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/331696/1/.html
To called those incidents of stone-throwing and minor scuffles as
riots is really exaggeration. If our ministers are to stick to the
1960s mindset how is Sg going to become a 1st world nation?
