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Govt review that might allow public protests draws cautious praise
Li Xueying
Sun, Mar 02, 2008
The Straits Times

EXPECT to see Mr Andrew Teo waving a placard at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park.

That is, if the Government does ease the rules to allow demonstrations to take place there.

'I want to demonstrate about the CPF,' said Mr Teo, 42, a businessman who had unsuccessfully applied for a permit to hold a protest outside the Myanmar Embassy against the junta last year.

'CPF is our hard-earned money. I want to say we should have higher returns, have the option as shareholders not to let them invest our money, and be able to hold annual general meetings.'

On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said in Parliament that the Government is considering letting demonstrations be held at the Speakers' Corner.

'We are presently reviewing how we can further liberalise the use of Speakers' Corner as an outdoor venue for more political activities, including demonstrations,' he had said.

If this materialises, it will debut outdoor demonstrations in Singapore for the first time in 40 years.

These have been banned since the 1960s, when bloody race riots led to deaths, injuries and damage to property.

Civil society activists hailed the possible change as 'a step forward' for public expression in Singapore, but were cautious about how it will eventually be implemented.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.


 
READERS' POSTINGS
Still feeling the shock days after the escape of JI most notorius man. How could that happen when S'pore pride itself as efficient and no nonsense handling of threats...

By all standards, Minister Wong has shown good leadership. He has remained calm and this has reassured many of the citizens.
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