IMF AND WORLD BANK GROUP MEETINGS IN SINGAPORE (Contingency plans to deal with militant protesters)

Column No : 2107

IMF AND WORLD BANK GROUP MEETINGS IN SINGAPORE

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(Contingency plans to deal with militant protesters): **

24.

Ms Indranee Rajah asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs whether the police and security agencies have contingency plans to deal with militant protestors who may attempt to stage violent demonstrations or protests in Singapore during the upcoming International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group meetings to be held in Singapore in 2006.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: The World Bank and International Monetary Fund's (IMF) engagement of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at its Annual Meetings is a well established process, which includes various activities organised for the CSOs throughout the Annual Meetings. In order to participate in these activities, CSOs are required to be accredited with the World Bank and IMF. As host for the 2006 Annual Meetings, Singapore intends to follow this tradition of constructive engagement with accredited CSOs and provide the necessary framework and support for this process. However, the accredited CSOs would still need to abide by Singapore's laws. In particular, any person or group that wishes to organise an assembly or a procession would have to observe the requirements and procedures specified under the Miscellaneous Offences Act.

The existing law on assemblies and processions requires all organisers, foreign or local, to apply to the Police for a permit. In evaluating such applications, the Police would consider the potential impact on law and order as well as the suitability of the proposed location. The Police would not hesitate to investigate and prosecute any breach of our laws. This is especially so for any person or groups committing violent crimes such as vandalism, arson and causing hurt which would attract severe punishment, including caning and imprisonment.

Comprehensive measures would be put in place to prevent and deal with violent protestors during the 2006 Annual Meetings. We will step up security at sites hosting the 2006 Annual Meeting events and at hotels housing the delegates. Police officers will be deployed at such locations to respond swiftly to deal with violent protestors and restore law and order. The Police has been upgrading its ability to deal with public order incidents. The Police has also conducted study trips to various conferences around the world to learn from the organisers and the Police Forces on dealing with such protests.

In conclusion, let me assure you that the Police is well prepared to deal with militant protestors if they attempt to stage violent protests or demonstrations during the Annual Meetings.