Pink Dot
'disappointed' by new Speakers' Corner
regulations
SINGAPORE: In light of new rules that could curb foreign funding
and involvement in events held at the Speakers’ Corner in Hong Lim
Park, organisers of Pink Dot said they hope more Singaporeans and
local companies will step forward to support them in 2017.
Pink Dot, an annual non-profit event, organised in support of
the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, also
said in a statement on Friday (Oct 21) that while it respects and
understands the Ministry of Home Affairs’ position, it is
“disappointed” by the latest clarifications from the ministry.
“Pink Dot has always been a local movement dedicated to bringing
LGBT Singaporeans closer to their friends and families and closer
to Singapore society as a whole – a universal aspiration that we do
not consider to be controversial or political,” said spokesman
Paerin Choa.
“We remain committed to organising and holding Pink Dot as we
have done for the past eight years and we want to work closely with
the Ministry of Home Affairs and other Government agencies to
ensure that we remain within legal boundaries and keep the event
safe for all participants, as we begin planning for next year’s
Pink Dot event,” said Mr Choa.
“As our society continues to evolve, we hope that this will be
the start of an ongoing dialogue and we look forward to continue
engaging with the various Government agencies to better foster
understanding between the Government and the LGBT community in the
long term.”
The 2016 edition of Pink Dot had 18 corporate sponsors,
including Facebook, Google, Barclays, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, BP,
Bloomberg, and Twitter.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced on Friday that from
next month, foreign entities will have to apply for a permit to
organise or assist in the organising of events held at the
Speakers’ Corner in Hong Lim Park. This covers sponsoring, publicly
promoting, or organising members or employees to participate in the
event.
Meanwhile, Singapore entities, such as local companies and
non-governmental organisations, can organise or assist in the
organising of an event, without the need for a permit. This is
meant to “reinforce the key principle” that the Speakers’ Corner
was set up primarily for Singaporeans, MHA stated.
MHA also clarified that Singapore entities refers to those which
are incorporated or registered in Singapore and controlled by a
majority of Singapore citizens. This means many of Pink Dot’s
foreign sponsors, which are registered and incorporated in
Singapore, would not qualify as a Singapore entity, and would need
to apply for a permit.
GOOGLE BACKS PINK DOT
At least one sponsor has committed to taking the extra step of
applying for a permit in order to continue supporting Pink Dot.
When contacted by Channel NewsAsia, a Google spokesman said:
“We've been proud supporters of Pink Dot since 2011 and we will
continue to show our commitment to diversity and inclusion. So we
will apply for a permit to support Pink Dot in 2017 if required by
this new regulation. We hope that these new rules will not limit
public discussion on important issues."
Another past sponsor, JP Morgan said via a spokesman that the
company is “committed to promoting equality in our workplace and
encourage a supportive and inclusive culture”. Channel NewsAsia has
reached out to six other past sponsors of Pink, including BP, which
said it had no comment.
Other entities which have organised events at Hong Lim Park
include the YMCA, but its head of corporate affairs Samuel Ng told
Channel NewsAsia that he believes the YMCA “won’t be affected” by
new rule, as its past Proms @ the Park events were held at the main
lawn of Hong Lim Park, not at the Speaker's Corner.
“The administration and all is quite different,” said Mr Ng,
referring to whether an entity applies to hold an event at the
Speaker’s Corner or at the park. “(Our events) would be under the
community shelter that manages the park.”
- CNA/ll