Can something like this
happen here?
Some worry that protests might take place at IMF-World Bank
meetings here next year
By Chua Kong Ho
Dec 25, 2005
The Straits Times
THE nightmare of violence that rocked Hong Kong last week has given
rise to a sense of foreboding that Singapore could face the same
next September.
About 16,000 of the world's top money men and business leaders will
congregate here from Sept 12 to 20 for the annual International
Monetary Fund-World Bank meetings.
Mayhem at such meetings of rich and poor nations seems inevitable.
The latest reminder were the scenes of clashes between militant
South Korean farmers and Hong Kong police at last week's World
Trade Organisation ministerial meetings. More than 1,000 protesters
were arrested and about 200 protesters and police officers
injured.
Can Singapore handle such battle-hardened protesters?
Security experts and activist groups believe measures can be taken
to keep the situation under control, even prevent it.
For one, Singapore should suss out the troublemakers. Hong Kong
apparently has a dossier of 300 key troublemakers from around the
world.
But the most effective measure would be to stop activists with a
history of violent protests from even setting foot in
Singapore.
'The Singapore Government may wish to consider taking a harder line
on granting visas to people with criminal records or a history of
violence,' said Mr Andrew Work, executive director of the Lion Rock
Institute in Hong Kong, which supports free trade.
Hong Kong was not strict in granting such entry permits, he
added.
However, its police went to South Korea for weeks of training from
their Korean counterparts, who are highly skilled and experienced
in dealing with violent street protests.
Singapore should also do the same and take lessons from others,
such as the United States and Italy, said Mr Richard Issacs, senior
vice-president of New York-based security firm The Lubrinco Group,
which provides global protective services for the rich, famous and
powerful.
The US cities of Philadelphia and New York have held large- scale
meetings without incident. However, Seattle in the US and Genoa in
Italy can give tips on what not to do.
The Seattle authorities had to declare a state of emergency and
impose curfews after rioters looted shops during the 1999 WTO
meetings. Italian police shot dead one protester during clashes at
the Group of Eight Summit in Genoa in 2001.
The Singapore organisers, however, appear unconvinced that public
order will be under siege during the IMF-World Bank meetings.
Calling themselves the Singapore 2006 Organising Committee, its
spokesman noted that accredited civil society organisations
'generally have a good track record of constructive behaviour' at
past IMF-World Bank meetings.
Every three years, the IMF-World Bank holds its annual meetings
outside the US.
At the 2000 meetings in Prague in the Czech Republic, protesters
swarmed the venue. Teargas was used and the meetings wrapped up a
day early although the organisers denied the protesters were the
reason for it.
However, the 2003 meetings in Dubai passed without incident.
Mr Kishore Mahbubani, former ambassador to the United Nations and
now dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, believes the
benefits of hosting the meetings far outweigh the costs.
He said: 'It creates a stronger impression of Singapore among
global policymakers who would all be visiting and networking during
the meetings and dinners.'
During the nine days of meetings, Singapore expects to add $40
million to its coffers, said the Singapore Tourism Board.
However, businesses in Suntec City, where the meetings will be
held, worry that the tight security could keep customers
away.
They saw what happened at the Marina Bay area in July during the
International Olympic Council meeting. Takings went down as
shoppers stayed away.
ARA Trust Management (Suntec), which owns and manages the Suntec
City mall, is taking preventive steps.
Said its chief executive Yeo See Kiat: 'We've been very candid with
the authorities and are working very closely with them to ensure
that security is tight. But they also recognise that business must
go on.'
Mass Demonstrations in subdued SG? I think our immigration will bar
such people from entering our city state already.
