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THE Government is reviewing the possibility of allowing the Speaker's Corner to be used as an outdoor venue for more political activities, including demonstrations.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng disclosed this in Parliament on Thursday, even as he stressed that Singapore must stick by certain 'fundamentals' that have made the country what it is today.
These include: the rule of law, not denigrating religions and ethnicities, not allowing foreign interference into domestic politics, and assuming greater individual responsibility over one's actions.
Mr Wong, who is also Home Affairs Minister, was speaking at the Committee of Supply debate on his ministry's budget.
If indeed demonstrations will be allowed at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park, it will be the first time they are held legally outdoors in Singapore since the 1960s.
Then, bloody race riots led to deaths, injuries and damage to property, leading to a ban on public demonstrations.
Indeed, Mr Wong cited the 1964 riot, saying: 'Some may say this is all old history and should not apply today. Is not this too sanguine?'
He shared that the Government 'constantly review our assumptions' by monitoring what goes on in other countries.
'In many supposedly matured societies, we see cases where peaceful protests do degenerate into riots and violence,' he said. 'The question for Singaporeans is whether we should accept the risk and permit a culture of street protests. In my view, one riot is one riot too many.'
At the same time, the minister also said he believes Singapore has seen 'real changes' over the years - with more divergent views expressed in the media, the internet, and letters to government leaders.
'In terms of Government reaction to such views, I believe that while the occasional robust response is given when felt necessary, there has been generally a more accommodative dialogue with the man on the street,' he said.
Similarly, policies on other forms of expression have evolved, he added, citing the creation of Speakers' Corner in 2000 and indoor talks' exemption from licensing.
'We have stopped short of allowing outdoor and street demonstrations,' he said. 'However, we allow demonstrations if they take place indoor or within the confines of stadiums, as the police assess that any disorder will be better contained in such venues.'
'We are presently reviewing how we can further liberalise the use of Speakers' Corner as an outdoor venue for more political activities including demonstrations.'
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