Public demonstrations in Singapore
Encyclopedia
Public demonstrations are rare in Singapore
due to laws that make it illegal to hold cause-related events without a valid licence from the authorities. Such laws include the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act and the Public Order Act.
On 1 September 2008, the government decided to open it up to Singapore citizens wishing to hold events there need not obtain a permit from the police, and the restriction on using audio amplification devices were lifted. However, they are still required to register with the National Parks Board, a statutory body that manages nature parks here.
In 2008/2009, members of the public led by former National Trade Unions Cooperation (NTUC) CEO Mr. Tan Kin Lian held several biweekly meetings at the Speaker's corner to protest the failure to protect investors in the wake of the financial meltdown from Lehman Brothers' collapse.
In 2010, following the closure of Wax in the City, True Spa (owned by True Group - Patrick Wee Ewe Seng) and Subtle Senses (owned by HealthTrend), members of the public gathered in the Speaker's corner to protest against the loss of tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Customers of True Spa and Subtle Senses had made advance payments to True Spa and Subtle Senses, only to find out days later that the spas had ceased operations. While there had been a lot of bad publicity on the internet about True Spa, the government has continued to keep silent about this incident.
, purportedly the most vocal and active advocate of democracy in Singapore.
----
2009
Aung San Suu Kyi
On 18 March 2009, three activits held a demonstration at the Botanic Gardens to denounce the visit by Myanmar's PM and Junta leader Thein Sein
, in which an orchid was named after him. The protestors also paid tribute to Aung San Suu Kyi
by presenting a bunch of orchids on her behalf at the Myanmar Embassy.
Unfair deportation of Myanmar Nationals
On 12 January 2009, two Singaporeans staged a protest outside the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) building to voice their disapproval over the treatment of two Burmese nationals who had their work permits here cancelled. It was alleged that the Singapore government refused to allow them to continue working here because they were involved in the pro-democracy movement back in their own country. The two activists were arrested but released on bail later. As of present, no charges have been laid yet.
2008
Tak Boleh Tahan
A group of 20 people turned up at Parliament House on 15 March 2008 to protest against the escalating cost of living in Singapore, which they claim was getting intolerable. Tak Boleh Tahan stands for "I can't take it anymore" in colloquial Malay. The event was organised by the SDP
and included their members. 18 were arrested when they refused to disperse after being warned. All 20 were subsequently charged under Section 5(4)b Chapter 184 of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public and Nuisance) Act. The Singapore Police Force described this incident as an escalation on the scale and level of defiance exhibited by the group and labelled their actions and arm-chaining methods as militant like.
summit held in the country later in 2009. However, opponents like Chee Soon Juan
, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party
argue that the law change is "for the long run" with the intention to silence discontentment with the PAP ruled government.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
due to laws that make it illegal to hold cause-related events without a valid licence from the authorities. Such laws include the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act and the Public Order Act.
Speaker's Corner
In the past, political speeches in Singapore were only permitted at the Speaker's corner, an area created and designated for such events. However, a police permit was still a requirement before one could proceed with his/her speech.On 1 September 2008, the government decided to open it up to Singapore citizens wishing to hold events there need not obtain a permit from the police, and the restriction on using audio amplification devices were lifted. However, they are still required to register with the National Parks Board, a statutory body that manages nature parks here.
In 2008/2009, members of the public led by former National Trade Unions Cooperation (NTUC) CEO Mr. Tan Kin Lian held several biweekly meetings at the Speaker's corner to protest the failure to protect investors in the wake of the financial meltdown from Lehman Brothers' collapse.
In 2010, following the closure of Wax in the City, True Spa (owned by True Group - Patrick Wee Ewe Seng) and Subtle Senses (owned by HealthTrend), members of the public gathered in the Speaker's corner to protest against the loss of tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Customers of True Spa and Subtle Senses had made advance payments to True Spa and Subtle Senses, only to find out days later that the spas had ceased operations. While there had been a lot of bad publicity on the internet about True Spa, the government has continued to keep silent about this incident.
Notable incidents
Nevertheless, such laws did not deter some groups conducting numerous public demonstrations successfully, most notably by members and supporters of the Singapore Democratic PartySingapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party is an opposition political party in Singapore.The party was founded in 1980 by Chiam See Tong, who as Secretary-General became the party's first Member of Parliament in 1984 when he was elected as MP for Potong Pasir...
, purportedly the most vocal and active advocate of democracy in Singapore.
----
2009
Aung San Suu Kyi
On 18 March 2009, three activits held a demonstration at the Botanic Gardens to denounce the visit by Myanmar's PM and Junta leader Thein Sein
Thein Sein
Thein Sein is a Burmese politician and military figure who has been president of Myanmar since March 2011. Previously, he was Prime Minister from 2007 until 2011...
, in which an orchid was named after him. The protestors also paid tribute to Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
by presenting a bunch of orchids on her behalf at the Myanmar Embassy.
Unfair deportation of Myanmar Nationals
On 12 January 2009, two Singaporeans staged a protest outside the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) building to voice their disapproval over the treatment of two Burmese nationals who had their work permits here cancelled. It was alleged that the Singapore government refused to allow them to continue working here because they were involved in the pro-democracy movement back in their own country. The two activists were arrested but released on bail later. As of present, no charges have been laid yet.
2008
Tak Boleh Tahan
A group of 20 people turned up at Parliament House on 15 March 2008 to protest against the escalating cost of living in Singapore, which they claim was getting intolerable. Tak Boleh Tahan stands for "I can't take it anymore" in colloquial Malay. The event was organised by the SDP
Singapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party is an opposition political party in Singapore.The party was founded in 1980 by Chiam See Tong, who as Secretary-General became the party's first Member of Parliament in 1984 when he was elected as MP for Potong Pasir...
and included their members. 18 were arrested when they refused to disperse after being warned. All 20 were subsequently charged under Section 5(4)b Chapter 184 of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public and Nuisance) Act. The Singapore Police Force described this incident as an escalation on the scale and level of defiance exhibited by the group and labelled their actions and arm-chaining methods as militant like.
Recent changes
The new Public Order Act bans all cause related events. This new proposed law gives authorities the power to prevent an individual from leaving home or a building if it is deemed that that person intended or intends to be part of a demonstration. Police would also be allowed to order a person to leave a specific area should they determine an intention of offence. Second Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam argue that this would be necessary to maintain security at the Asia-Pacific Economic CooperationAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region...
summit held in the country later in 2009. However, opponents like Chee Soon Juan
Chee Soon Juan
Chee Soon Juan, PhD is a politician and political activist from Singapore. He is currently the leader of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party ....
, leader of the Singapore Democratic Party
Singapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party is an opposition political party in Singapore.The party was founded in 1980 by Chiam See Tong, who as Secretary-General became the party's first Member of Parliament in 1984 when he was elected as MP for Potong Pasir...
argue that the law change is "for the long run" with the intention to silence discontentment with the PAP ruled government.