SINGAPORE: Opposition member J B Jeyaretnam called a news
conference on Thursday to protest that his application to hold a
march from the Padang to Speaker's Corner against the proposed
casino has been turned down.
He said the refusal to grant the permit shows that contrary to many
ministerial statements, the government is not ready to listen to
citizens who stand up and speak out.
He alleged that there has been no discussion with the citizens on
the issue.
Mr Jeyaretnam had hoped to amass a crowd of a few thousand people
on the 17th of April and has been contacting religious
groups.
The Police told Channel NewsAsia the application was rejected as
the event would have been an outdoor demonstration march and could
give rise to public disorder and breaches of the peace.
The Police wanted to remind the public that it is an offence to
take part in an assembly or procession which does not have a
permit.
It added there are already various avenues where Singaporeans can
make their views known, such as Speakers' Corner and indoor public
talks. - CNA