In Singapore even one person cannot hold a protest
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In Singapore even one person cannot hold a protest
16 Oct 07
The PAP continues to treat the Constitution with utter contempt.
Ignoring the fact that the Constitution guarantees the right of Singaporeans to freedom of speech and assembly except in emergency situations that threaten national security, the PAP government continues to abuse its executive powers to deny SDP leaders and activists their fundamental rights.
On 8 Oct, five SDP leaders (including our video-grapher) were arrested for holding a four-person protest outside the Istana against Singapore's involvement in Burma. The reason? Under the Istana Order, two or more people are considered illegal assembly and procession!
To circumvent this absurd "law" that took effect only in November 2002, Dr Chee Soon Juan staged a one-man protest on Monday to drive home the point that Singaporeans have the right to know the extent of PAP government's involvement, both in arms supplies and business deals with the Burmese military junta.
Even this, the police are saying it's an offence. They had warned him that he had no permit under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act.
Today, on the second day of his protest, Dr Chee was approached by a woman officer from the NPark. According to her, the place comes within the purview of her department and he had to remove his poster and leave the vicinity immediately. But Dr Chee refused to budge, and the officer threatened to call the police. Dr Chee told her to help herself since the police are just across the road. After making a phone call, she left.
Sometime back, when four activists staged a peaceful protest outside the CPF building, the PAP government dispersed them with fully armed riot police. But PAP ministers and MPs continue to flout the law and hold protests and marches. Recently, a PAP MP was at the forefront of scores of protesters outside the Parliament House (see photo on the left) and nothing happened to them.
It looks like as long as it's political in nature and not favorable to the PAP, it is banned.
Where in our law book does it provide for such political decisions?
Would any lawyer or legal professional care to enlighten? -
It is true you know .. his protests are of the entertainment type.Originally posted by HyperFocal:Even this, the police are saying it's an offence. They had warned him that he had no permit under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act.
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Mr Brown Show:
Too Much Protest
http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2007/10/11/the-mrbrown-show-methinks-thou-protesteth-too-much/ -
i saw the one man protest yesterday haha, like no one care like that
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Examine his actions in totality.
Its not too difficult to break another law.
You want to visit you mother.
You want to do it as the day you were born. Stark naked.
The police stop you.
Are they stopping you from visiting your mother?
Are you denied freedom of expression? -
Pure entertainment
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Free burma !! No arms, no deals with the Junta !!
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Even this, the police are saying it's an offence. They had warned him that he had no permit under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act.
I don't think this law is new? It's been there for quite some time. As long as you intend to protest, you need a permit. He didn't apply for one, did he? -
Doubt it and doubt he'll get one, especially outside istana.Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:I don't think this law is new? It's been there for quite some time. As long as you intend to protest, you need a permit. He didn't apply for one, did he?
Anyway, which is more interesting: Him protesting or whats being written on his placard ? I think he has got enough publicity for what he want to say but what he wants to say isn't such a big topic going round isn't it ? -
When WP apply for permit to hold cycling event to celebrate their anniversary, did they get it?Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:I don't think this law is new? It's been there for quite some time. As long as you intend to protest, you need a permit. He didn't apply for one, did he?
When Substation apply for permit to hold concert in the wake of the Myanmar military junta's violent crackdown, did they get it?
The so-call if you want to hold protest, you have to apply for it rule is just for show. Cause most likely you will never get approval for any protest. By applying for the permit, you are just attracting the police attention that you are a potential trouble maker and they have to keep an extra eye on you.
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The police will not interfere with your life if you don't break the common law and don't touch politic.Originally posted by mancha:Examine his actions in totality.
Its not too difficult to break another law.
You want to visit you mother.
You want to do it as the day you were born. Stark naked.
The police stop you.
Are they stopping you from visiting your mother?
Are you denied freedom of expression?
I think what Dr Chee is trying to do is to bring our attention to that there are some laws which he feel are not fair. Referring to the article PAP using "laws" to undermine the rule of law, the PAP can create new law to serve their purpose as and when they feel the need, so are these "law" fair ? -
but when the myanmar nationals applied for a permit to hold a protest at the excelsior hotel, it was approved. and so they gathered. many thousands of them.Originally posted by royston_ang:When WP apply for permit to hold cycling event to celebrate their anniversary, did they get it?
When Substation apply for permit to hold concert in the wake of the Myanmar military junta's violent crackdown, did they get it?
The so-call if you want to hold protest, you have to apply for it rule is just for show. Cause most likely you will never get approval for any protest. By applying for the permit, you are just attracting the police attention that you are a potential trouble maker and they have to keep an extra eye on you. -
Perhaps it's just for show. But some have succeeded, albeit rare.Originally posted by royston_ang:When WP apply for permit to hold cycling event to celebrate their anniversary, did they get it?
When Substation apply for permit to hold concert in the wake of the Myanmar military junta's violent crackdown, did they get it?
The so-call if you want to hold protest, you have to apply for it rule is just for show. Cause most likely you will never get approval for any protest. By applying for the permit, you are just attracting the police attention that you are a potential trouble maker and they have to keep an extra eye on you.
When it comes to Singapore politics, you and I know very well that certain things are out of bounds.
Even a talk held in school by opposition members are securely guarded by at least 2 teachers. This was not seen when a PAP member visits the school for a talk. That was my experience. -
Originally posted by royston_ang:
Yes precisely my understanding as well...
The police will not interfere with your life if you don't break the [b]common law and don't touch politic.
I think what Dr Chee is trying to do is to bring our attention to that there are some laws which he feel are not fair. Referring to the article PAP using "laws" to undermine the rule of law, the PAP can create new law to serve their purpose as and when they feel the need, so are these "law" fair ? [/b]
Unfortunately, many here do not understand CSJ's purposes....
he's not afraid of being arrested.. in fact, he'd gladly stand let Police or Army Personnel shoot him - so the world can see what he is trying to show & tell people about how things are run here...
Nobody has his guts to what he has been doing all these while... & still have a family of his own... -
If it is a protest against the gahmen, it's prohibited no matter how many people. If the odex protest was against the gahmen, those action figures will not be spared as well...
As least locked up for 48 hours. Then the inmates have action figures to play... -
The rule should be changed.Common sense should apply.
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this is same like sgF lah
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How can it be that no one can hold protest? Is it true? So like dat??
I mean, the people hold the votes. If the MAJORITY not happy and want change they would have done that. By the fact that they have not done so, it means to me that the MAJORITY are ok with things.
Thus, the MAJORITY enabled what is enabled. Without them leh? -
So did it went out of control? If yes, it will have been big news but I never heard of it. Thousands gathered for protest, so what? Thousands of Philippine maids gathered at Orchard road every Sunday and thousands foreign workers in Little India and I don't see the police worrying.Originally posted by Tiggerific:but when the myanmar nationals applied for a permit to hold a protest at the excelsior hotel, it was approved. and so they gathered. many thousands of them.
And I was talking about Singaporean applying for a permit. Aren't Singaporean civilized enough to hold peaceful protest? Are the gov thinking we will start creating havoc and looting shops like those 3rd world countries? That's our self-proclaim "first world" gov governing the country with third world mindset. -
Hmmmm ..... sounds like protesters and opposition parties need to think of creative ways to circumvent the law. How about:
1) organising the world's longest human chain in red Burmese headgear?
2) holding a BBQ gathering to roast away dictators?
3) holding ND celebration dinner for the 'democracy' of SG?
4) sponsoring F1 race with political party's logos on the cars?
5) building a home for the homeless caused by gahmen's policy?
6) setting up a half-way house for those intoxicated by gahmen's policies?
7) setting up a private university to teach SGreans how to ask questions?
appling a protest permit every week and keep a statistics of the rejects for the record - either to enter Guinness or for next GE? -
The govt just wants its people to use their time more constructively and productively lah.....
Don't forget that we have absolutely NO natural resource to fall back on hor....
If everybody protests, who's going to work? How're the people going to prosper? How're we going to break out of the poverty cycle?
THINK
THINK THINK
Don't just look at the micro aspect.... adopt a macro view!
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WP application for cycling event was also rejected, what make you think any of the above will be approved?Originally posted by TheGoodEarth:Hmmmm ..... sounds like protesters and opposition parties need to think of creative ways to circumvent the law. How about:
1) organising the world's longest human chain in red Burmese headgear?
2) holding a BBQ gathering to roast away dictators?
3) holding ND celebration dinner for the 'democracy' of SG?
4) sponsoring F1 race with political party's logos on the cars?
5) building a home for the homeless caused by gahmen's policy?
6) setting up a half-way house for those intoxicated by gahmen's policies?
7) setting up a private university to teach SGreans how to ask questions? appling a protest permit every week and keep a statistics of the rejects for the record - either to enter Guinness or for next GE? -
So if the protest is hold on Sunday or Public Holiday, you mean the gov will approve (unless Sunday also need to work)?Originally posted by :The govt just wants its people to use their time more constructively and productively lah.....
Don't forget that we have absolutely NO natural resource to fall back on hor....
If everybody protests, who's going to work? How're the people going to prosper? How're we going to break out of the poverty cycle?
THINK THINK THINK
Don't just look at the micro aspect.... adopt a macro view!
There are many reason to protest. Like if you feel some policies is flawed and want to reflect to gov, or to show support for certain cause.. If the policy is flawed, it will directly or indirectly affect all our life.
If you can't protest, don't get to vote (walkover), PAP always get the major voice in parliament, you can only suck thumb when any policy change your life for the worst and yet you can't say anything.