APPLICATION FOR PERMITS FOR POLITICAL FUNCTIONS

APPLICATION FOR PERMITS FOR POLITICAL FUNCTIONS

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(Submission of speeches): **

18.

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the rationale for the submission of MPs' speeches in the application for police permits when political parties organise public functions; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider discontinuing this practice.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The issue of political parties organising outdoor activities has been raised several times before in this House. Government’s position remains unchanged. Police will not grant permits for outdoor political events. This is due to the assessed potential for public disorder which politically-driven events can lead to, even when this is not intended by the organiser.

However, in a relaxation of this policy, we have gradually amended our laws between 2000 and 2008 to allow citizens to organise and participate freely in public speeches, performances, exhibitions and even demonstrations in the dedicated space at Speakers’ Corner. Political parties, like any other Singaporean individual or group, can use the Speakers’ Corner to hold outdoor political activities. They can do so without the need to apply for a permit if the speakers, organisers and participants are citizens. They can also hold such activities in indoor settings, without the need to apply for a permit.

Separately, in October 2000, we also changed our policy to allow elected Members of Parliament, including Opposition MPs, to make speeches in the constituencies in which they were elected, as long as their speech was part of a constituency event organised for the benefit of the constituents, and where the participants were primarily from that constituency. This is why Mr Chiam could address the participants of an outdoor event to celebrate his 25 years as an MP recently in Potong Pasir.

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In an application for such a constituency event, if its nature is not clear, Police will request further details of the event from the organiser to determine if the event in question is in essence an outdoor political event or a constituency event organised by the Member of Parliament primarily for his constituents. Such requests by the Police may include details of the speech to be made during the event. This practice will continue.