What now for Speakers' Corner?

The Speakers' Corner should be reserved for protests and demonstrations, said Mr Gilbert Goh, a volunteer at non-profit society transitioning.org.

On Sept 27, NParks allowed YMCA's concert and a protest by #ReturnOurCPF group to go ahead at Hong Lim Park.

Mr Goh, who has organised several large rallies there, said: "We have no alternative site like public non-government organisations have."

Speakers' Corner, set up in Hong Lim Park in 2000, is Singapore's only outdoor venue where the locals are allowed to give public speeches without a Public Entertainment Licence. In 2004, it was expanded to allow performances and exhibitions if the organiser and participants are Singaporeans.

Not everyone agrees with Mr Goh.

Civil rights group Maruah president Braema Mathi said the Speakers' Corner is a space that is "used and valued" by civil society groups, but other groups should be welcome to use it as well.

But organisers should be mindful of holding events at Hong Lim Park especially when they have vulnerable participants. She said NParks can facilitate in negotiations on sharing the space.

Singapore Management University Law Professor Eugene Tan said: "The Speakers' Corner was created as a space for people to express and share their views on a variety of issues, not just politics alone. We would be poorer for it, if we restrict the type or number of use for the space.

"It would be worse if Hong Lim Park becomes like some online spaces - echo chambers in which purposeful engagement is avoided, closed minds preferred and polarised views generated."

So should rules be tightened to prevent a similar incident from recurring?

Management of Speaker's Corner was transferred from the police to NParks in 2008. An online registration system replaced permit applications at the Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post.

Should permits be handled by the police again?

Worker's Party (WP) member and Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong said he did not favour more rules for Speakers' Corner.

On his Facebook page, he called the actions of the protesters "inappropriate" and added: "Some want to use the space for protests and some want to use it to celebrate. We need not be so prescriptive about what the space can be used for."

MORE SPACES

What about WP chairman Sylvia Lim's proposal in July to open up more spaces for protests like designated roads?

In an online poll by The New Paper, 80 per cent of the 900 respondents did not think that protests and marches should go beyond Hong Lim Park.

When TNP contacted Ms Lim and party spokesman Gerald Giam, the latter said the party would not comment.

Then should Hong Lim Park be limited to just one event a day?

YMCA applied to NParks in April to use Hong Lim Park on Sept 27 and received approval on Sept 9. Blogger Han Hui Hui's online application on Sept 22 to use the same venue for "Return Our CPF" was approved the same day.

An NParks' spokesman said multiple events held on the same date at Hong Lim Park previously had no issues.

The spokesman added: "No adverse or disorderly incidents have ever ensued in these previous events because the groups showed consideration and respect for each other."

Reactions online

I am appalled at the behaviour of Roy Ngerng, Han Hui Hui and their supporters who marched right into a charity event where special needs children, disabled children and the elderly were present.

And for those who might be wondering, I also find it questionable to heckle a minister during a charity event where he is guest of honour.

But let's get one thing right - Roy and company did not heckle the children. This is quite clear from the videos that have emerged online.

Mr Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen

The chosen name of "Singapore's Speakers' Corner" suggests to most of us that it is a place where people assemble and congregate to give speeches rather than for social or entertainment purposes.

Of course, YMCA has done nothing wrong when it held its YMCA Proms @ the Park on Saturday, Sept 27, but why fight over a tiny turf with other smaller participants?

YMCA is a big and well-established organisation and therefore can well afford to hold its activities in a commercial building.

Netizen Joseph Chan

You can blame the park, blame the Government, blame anything and anyone, but what we've all witnessed today is utter disrespect and lack of civility from the CPF protesters.

You may have a valid point or two in your cause, but if you're going to act exactly the same way as you do online - shouting, bitching, cursing and being little spoilt kids, don't expect anyone to take you seriously.

Is this truly what you call being Singaporean? Be adults. Be civilised.

Netizen Audi Khalid

This article was first published on Oct 2, 2014.
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