KAMPONG SAN TENG COMMUNITY CENTRE (Yuan Xiao Cycling Exhibition)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs why permission was not granted to the Kampong San Tong Community Centre Management Committee to hold the Yuan Xiao Cycling Exhibition and procession.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Kampong San Teng Community Centre Management Committee proposed to hold a static Bicycle Exhibition at the Ang Mo Kio community centre from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. and a vehicular procession from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 1st March this year. No permit was required from the Police to hold the static Bicycle Exhibition, and it was held at the void deck of Block 324, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, on 1st March, 1980.

The Police did not give permission to hold the vehicular procession because it would have created traffic congestion and safety hazards. The procession was to consist of two lorries, one mini-bus, 60 bicycles and 30 trishaws. The route proposed was Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3/Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1/Upper Thomson Road/Sin Min Road and Upper Thomson Rood, ending at the Kampong San Tong community centre. The proposed route has eight traffic-light junctions and includes some busy main roads which are busiest between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The procession would have drawn large crowds of onlookers at road sides and dividers and traffic islands. This would have not only resulted in traffic congestion but created hazards to onlookers and motorists as well.