SPEAKERS' CORNER

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will indicate what are the steps taken to establish a Speakers' Corner.

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Home Affairs what is the purpose of setting up a Speakers' Corner and for what considerations has the Government changed its mind in setting up this Corner.

Mr Simon S C Tay asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will outline the rules that will apply to the proposed "Speakers' Corner" in Singapore.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng): Sir, may I have your permission to answer Questions 6, 7 and 8 together as they are all related?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, the Speakers' Corner will give Singaporeans a designated venue where they can speak outdoors in public on any issue, without having to apply for a Public Entertainment licence.

The idea of having a Speakers' Corner, modelled on the Hyde Park Corner in London, was mooted about a year ago. The Government initially did not support the proposal, as it was concerned over the potential for public disorder in our multi-racial, multi-religious society. Irresponsible speakers might use the Corner to make speeches to create social strife and division for whatever reason. However, after studying the matter further, the Government has decided that while there is some risk, the risk can be managed, and the idea is worth trying out, especially in view of the support it has attracted from civil society groups.

The rules for using the Speakers' Corner will be kept to the minimum. The Police has carefully studied how the Royal Parks Agency and the Royal Parks Constabulary in the United Kingdom manage Hyde Park Speakers' Corner in London. We will adopt many features of the Hyde Park example in our own Speakers' Corner. I will ask the Clerk to distribute the comparison (Cols. 77-80) of the conditions of our Speakers' Corner and the Hyde Park Speakers' Corner. [Copies of document distributed to hon. Members]. Members can study that afterwards. comparison - COMPARISON OF HYDE PARK'S SPEAKERS' CORNER AND SINGAPORE'S SPEAKERS' CORNER AT HONG LIM PARK (Cols. 77-80)

Let me now outline my Ministry's plans for the Speakers' Corner and the basic rules that would govern its operation.

First, let me address the choice of venue. The Speakers' Corner will be set up at Hong Lim Park. It will be open during the daylight hours of 7 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week, throughout the year.

I will also ask the Clerk to distribute a map (Cols. 81-82) which shows the exact extent or location of the Speakers' Corner. [Copies of document distributed to hon. Members]. Hong Lim Park is easily accessible and close to the business district and Chinatown, which are areas of high concentration of people and activities. It is also historically the venue for political rallies and speeches. The Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post nearby will make it convenient for speakers to register to use the Corner. map - SPEAKERS' CORNER AT HONG LIM PARK (Cols. 81-82)

My Ministry considered other possible locations, such as the Padang, the Civic Plaza at Ngee Ann City, Bras Basah Park, and the Botanic Gardens. However, they were less suitable for various reasons, such as interference with frequent commercial or sporting activities, relatively poor accessibility and redevelopment in the near future.

There will only be one Speakers' Corner. Given Singapore's population and geographical size, there is no need for more than one such venue, nor to have venues of different sizes to cater to different levels of formality. Even London, with a population of over seven million people and about three times the size of Singapore, has only one Speakers' Corner at Hyde Park. There have been suggestions to set up more such venues in the UK, but these are for other cities across the country, rather than for London itself.

Some ground rules will ensure that speakers and audience use the Speakers' Corner without creating a fracas, or law and order problems. There will be three basic conditions:

(a) The speaker must be a Singapore citizen;

(b) The speaker must register his intention to speak before he makes his speech;

(c) The speech should not be religious in nature, and should not have the potential to cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups.

Let me elaborate on each of these conditions.

The speaker must be a Singapore citizen. The Speakers' Corner is meant to provide Singapore citizens with an avenue to express their views on issues that concern them. The Corner should not become an avenue for foreigners to pursue their own agenda whether in respect of their own domestic issues, or those of other countries, including Singapore's.

Speakers must give notice of their intention to speak, and present themselves in person to show that they are Singapore citizens, before they start speaking. This is a very simple requirement. All they need to do is to turn up in person at the Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post, which is right next to the Speakers' Corner, produce their identity cards or passports to prove their citizenship, and register their intent to speak. They need not inform the NPP what they intend to speak on. Approvals will be granted on the spot, and they can then proceed to the Corner to speak.

The Police will allow advance registration by individuals who wish to speak, but not advance booking of whole or part of the venue for an organised public event. This is to ensure that the Speakers' Corner remains available at all times to all Singaporeans who wish to speak, and no person or group can take over whole or part of the venue for themselves.

No speeches that would cause racial or religious enmity. Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-religious society. To safeguard racial and religious harmony, the rules prohibit religious speeches, and speeches that would cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups.

The speakers can speak on any other subject they wish, in any of our official languages. They must naturally abide by the laws of Singapore, including the Sedition Act, the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act and the Penal Code. For example, if a speaker issues a threat to kill someone, it will be treated as criminal intimidation. A speaker who makes slanderous remarks can be sued for defamation.

As at the Hyde Park Speakers' Corner, no sound amplification devices will be allowed. This is to reduce noise pollution, and ensure that no one speaker drowns out the other speakers.

The Police will adopt a minimalist, hands-off approach towards the Speakers' Corner. The Police will not try to control activities there, as long as there is no law and order problem. But should rioting, affray, or a breach of the peace occur, the Police will take firm action to prevent the situation from getting out of hand. For less serious offences, the Police will investigate and take appropriate action, ranging from verbal and written warnings to suspensions from speaking at the Corner, depending on the severity of the breach.

Assoc. Prof. Chin has asked about the steps to be taken to establish the Speakers' Corner.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will gazette an exemption under the Public Entertainments (PE) Act to exempt public speeches at Speakers' Corner from licensing requirements. The exemption order will specify the three basic conditions which I have just outlined. Regulations will also be required to facilitate the smooth operation of the Corner as well as to deal with any breaches of the conditions.

In addition, some physical improvement works will also be carried out at the site. For example, signages need to be erected, and the boundaries of the Speakers' Corner clearly demarcated, so that speakers will know where the Corner extends to.

We are targeting to complete all preparations and launch the Speakers' Corner by end August 2000.

Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung (Sembawang): Just a matter of clarification, Sir. The Minister just now mentioned the registration process and said that once the registration is done, permission would be given to speak. I would just like him to clarify that actually no permission needs to be given because it is just a registration process and it is to be distinguished from the licensing process, which is a different form of registration. That is the first point.

My second point is this. The Minister points out that there will be very few uniformed officers on patrol in the Speakers' Corner. What would happen if there is a rowdy scene provoked by speeches or otherwise? What would happen in that case? Who will maintain law and order?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Firstly, Prof. Chin is right. The licensing requirement is granted an exemption by the Exemption Order of the Public Entertainments Act. All the speaker needs to do is to put his name down and he would be given a form which would state the conditions. He would sign it and he would go forth and speak. In that sense, there is no licensing. It is simply that he has indicated his interest and then he can go ahead and speak, having taken note of the conditions. For people who go to the Speakers' Corner and speak there or as a member of the audience, we hope that they will be sensible enough not to provoke any disturbance and not to disturb the peace. Of course, if the peace is disturbed and people complain about it, the Police will be there.

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to seek the Minister's view on the significance of the Speakers' Corner to Singapore.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: This subject was raised last year and there was a lot of public interest among certain groups of people who said that we should be like some other countries. We should have a free speech corner to allow people to say anything they want without regulations and without the need to apply for a Public Entertainments licence and so on. We thought it was not quite a good idea. But, in the end, we thought that if that is really what the people want and we can manage the risk, we will provide for it. Basically, if the people really want this, we will let them try it out. We hope that they can make it succeed.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, since there are no qualified privileges and the defamation law will be enforced, will there be tape recorders around to tape every word that a speaker says?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, I think the police has a lot of better things to do than just to carry a tape recorder and tape speeches. But Mr Chiam should not be suspicious when people turn up with a tape recorder. Let me tell him why. Because this is something new, there could be people who are interested to go there to speak and perhaps to make a name for themselves. There could also be people who are really interested to find out what is going on and what the speakers will say. Maybe they will say something interesting. So curious onlookers may carry a tape recorder. Or a research student, for example, writing about political developments in Singapore and he thinks that it is such a grand thing that we have taken such a step, he may carry a tape recorder. Who knows? Journalists will also carry a tape recorder. They will even carry a video recorder, and not just a tape recorder. Therefore, Mr Chiam should not be suspicious. At the same time, if he has something to say, do not be afraid to say it. That is the best test, is that not?

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin (Nominated Member): Mr Speaker, Sir, I must compliment the Government for this decision, but I have a couple of questions. First, I am a little bit concerned about the location of Hong Lim Park. I know that historically it may be good, but I would like to ask the Government whether they are prepared to change the location if in future it is found that other locations are more suitable, for example, Bras Basah Park, with its more intellectual atmosphere with the Singapore Management University.

Secondly, the Government spoke about enforcement. There is a difference here. If somebody were to speak quite ---

Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Zulkifli, can you move on to your question?

Mr Zulkifli Bin Baharudin: If he does not provoke someone, but a passer-by just decides to break a park bench, is the police going to prosecute the speaker or the guy who breaks the park bench? Can the Minister please clarify the level of enforcement and against whom is he enforcing against?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, I have mentioned that the Bras Basah Park is not suitable, if that is his suggestion. Bras Basah Park is going to be redeveloped because of the Singapore Management University. Hong Lim Park is actually a very suitable location. It has historical significance. Some of the most fiery and important speeches were made at Hong Lim Park. So there is a good reason to go to Hong Lim Park and it is very convenient. It is very accessible. The MRT station is nearby. It is within walking distance of many office workers and even those going home will pass by there. There are two MRT lines, the North-East line as well as the line running along Raffles Place. So I do not think we need to worry about the location because once the place is established as a Speakers' Corner, people will turn up. Have Members been to Hyde Park? It is a very large place and yet people know where the Hyde Park Speakers' Corner is. They are not afraid of losing their way just because it is in some quiet place.

On enforcement, as I have said, we hope people will behave themselves and not provoke anybody. If there should be a case to be investigated, it must depend on the facts, the circumstances and the evidence. The police just cannot go around chasing and prosecuting everybody. That is not what the police does.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister, and I hope it is not to be thought impertinent, but because of the view expressed by the Deputy Prime Minister that this was merely symbolism, whether the Government is seriously intent on promoting free speech in Singapore or is this just another mere show? If it is seriously interested in promoting free speech, would the Minister agree to an open debate with the Workers' Party outside?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, Mr Jeyaretnam has always asked for a debate. We can have a lot of debates in this House. Any time he wants it, we can have it. And he can stand up there and make his speech as he wants, except that when we give an answer, he is not around to listen. So there is no point talking about a debate with us when he does not even bother to stay in the House. There is nothing to stop him from going to the Speakers' Corner and make a speech. So, do not worry about where. If he wants to debate, do it right here. This is where the public forum really is for a proper policy debate, not in the Speakers' Corner.

But let me put it more seriously. It is not just a question of symbolism. Of course, we have a place to show. It is symbolism in the sense that, yes, if you want a place, there is a place. But for free speech, I think we must not delude ourselves. He can do so on the Internet. He can do so with the press. He can do so in any place he wants, subject to the rules of the land. And he can do so right here. So, what is the worry about having free speech? There is free speech all the time. It is a question of whether he is prepared to have it or not. Do not run away from it. When we give him an answer, stay here to listen.

Dr Wang Kai Yuen (Bukit Timah): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have two questions for the Minister. Firstly, would the Speakers' Corner from now on be a permanent feature in Singapore? What happens if in future Hong Lim Park is redeveloped? Move the Speakers' Corner to some other places?

The second question I have is regarding the language used. The rule says four official languages will be allowed. I would like to find out from the Minister whether dialects, for instance, Hokkein, Cantonese, or Teochew, would be allowed in the Speakers' Corner.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, first, the question on redevelopment. There is this saying - I think you all understand - that when you get to the bridge you will cross it. You have not got to the bridge yet; so wait for the time to come. If there is redevelopment, we will find another place.

On language, we say four official languages. But if he cannot speak any of them, and want to speak in Cantonese, go ahead.

Mr Speaker: I will allow one more question.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister: what is he afraid of about public debate? Is he afraid of the public of Singapore or is he afraid of the Workers' Party? Is that what is worrying him?

Secondly, may I ask the Minister: is he aware that it is not just Hyde Park where the people of London are allowed to speak up? They can speak up anywhere else, and not only just in London but in any other part of the country. So it is nonsensical to say that London has only got one Speakers' Corner.

Thirdly, why is there any need even for registration? May we have an assurance that the particulars of the speaker will not be sent to the Internal Security Department?

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Sir, if we are afraid of having a debate with the Workers' Party, we would not be here. And if we are afraid of having a debate with the Workers' Party, he would not be given a chance to be here, by us, by the way.

Mr Jeyaretnam rose.

Mr Speaker: Order, order. Mr Jeyaretnam, can you resume your seat?

Mr Jeyaretnam resumed his seat.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: We can have free speech anywhere in Singapore so long as it conforms to the law. Nobody says he cannot have free speech. He can do so anywhere so long as he conforms to the law. He can do so on the Internet, if he is Internet-savvy enough. He can talk to a lot of people that we do not even know of.

On registration and sending the particulars to ISD, let me tell him that ISD has a lot of better things to do than just to read his name.