WORKERS' PARTY 50TH ANNIVERSARY CYCLING EVENT

WORKERS' PARTY 50TH ANNIVERSARY CYCLING EVENT:

(Rejection of Police permit): 18.

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home

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Affairs if he will provide reasons for the rejection of a police permit to hold the Workers' Party 50th Anniversary Cycling Event on 9th September 2007 at the East Coast Park.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the reason why political parties are not allowed to organise outdoor activities has been explained in Parliament before.

Police does not allow political parties to organise outdoor gatherings because such activities have the potential for public disorder and mischief, and may disrupt community life. Police's requirement is that such party activities be held indoors or within stadiums, so that any law and order problems would be contained. This policy applies to all political parties.

The Workers' Party had applied to the Police to organise a mass cycling event to celebrate the party's 50th anniversary at the East Coast Park. The East Coast Park is a recreational park for Singaporeans and their families.

It is not meant to be used by a political party to promote its cause. Apart from displacing the usual recreational users of East Coast Park, it is an open area where there is greater potential for a breach of the peace, public disorder and unruly behaviour. As I have explained, Police takes a more cautious approach towards outdoor activities organised by political parties. In line with this approach, Police rejected Workers' Party's application.

Sir, the Workers' Party may wish to consider organising its celebrations at an indoor venue or in a sports stadium.

Ms Sylvia Lim (Non-Constituency Member): Sir, is the Senior Minister of State then saying that even if political organisations organise outdoor activities for, let us say, 20 people, and there is no

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risk of disruption to public life, the Police will still not grant the permit?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, the Police will have to assess each application as it is made. But within the parameters is as I have stated them to be. I think we have explained this many times in the House. In fact, when Mr Low Thia Khiang became an MP in 1991, there was an exchange with Prof. Jayakumar in 1992, and this was explained very clearly. And, thereafter, I have also explained this many times - why when you have an event organised by a political party, that may have a greater potential for law and order problem, because you may be behaving well but there may be other people who may disagree with your point of view and there could be quarrels and debates on the ground, attracting other people.

So, I think it is better to keep the policy as it is. Maybe they could cycle round the stadium or have it in an indoor venue.

Mr Speaker: Yes, Mr Low. Last question.

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang): Sir, I would like to know on what basis the Government assumes that political parties organising events at a public place will necessarily cause law and order problem. Can he cite any example that the Workers' Party had caused such problem when organising events publicly in the past, before the Government banned it? It was allowed in the past in the first place.

Secondly, I do not know whether the Senior Minister of State is saying that cycling in the stadium or maybe at the new stadium at Marina Centre is a reasonable proposal. And if it is not, then what is the alternative the Senior Minister of State will propose? Or, perhaps, he wants to consider having a designated

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specific stretch of East Coast Park for such sporting activities by the political parties, like the Hong Lim Park. But don't tell me to go and cycle at Hong Lim Park.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, whether cycling round the stadium is reasonable is up to the Workers' Party to decide. Like I have said, there are many ways to celebrate its anniversary. They have done it before in a restaurant and many people have come and made speeches. I think, sometimes, the press report them. I think that is all right. As to whether or not if you have an event outdoor, problems may be caused - if Mr Low had listened to my answer very carefully - I don't know whether Mr Low's hearing aid is with him because I know he wears one - I have said that there is a greater potential for law and order problem. Like I have said, you may be well-behaving but there may be other people whom you come across when you cycle, who may stop you or who may want to debate with you, and that may attract a crowd. That will result in problems that the Police wants to avoid. I think that is a reasonable approach.