Anti-IMF protesters to shun Singapore for Indonesia
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Anti-IMF protesters to shun Singapore for Indonesia
By Fayen Wong
SINGAPORE, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Over 2,000 activists who plan protests at the IMF and World Bank conference in Singapore next month said they will hold their rallies on a nearby Indonesian island because of Singapore's ban on demonstrations.
Trade unionists, farmers and activists from Jubilee South, a network of non-governmental organisations, plan to demonstrate on Batam, less than an hour by boat from Singapore, participating in a worldwide protest linking 350 activist groups in 74 countries.
"Since Singapore doesn't respect the rights of people to express their views, we are moving the demonstrations to Batam, where there is more democratic space," Lidya Nacpil, international coordinator of Jubilee South, told Reuters on Wednesday.
The group is already in touch with Indonesia about logistics, she said.
Anti-globalisation activists usually gather at similar international summits, but Singapore will make no exceptions to its ban on demonstrations and has said it will arrest lawbreakers and cane vandals.
Public protests are rare in Singapore. Any public gathering of more than four people requires a police permit and a person convicted of unlawful assembly can be fined up to S$1,000 ($650).
Caning is commonly used as punishment for offences ranging from vandalism to drugs. Offenders are strapped to an A-shaped wooden frame and lashed across the bare buttocks by a professional caner with a rattan rod.
In 1994, Singapore made international headlines when it caned American teenager Michael Fay for spray-painting cars.
Singapore, which expects over 16,000 delegates and officials to descend on the city-state for the Sept. 11-20 World Bank/IMF meeting, has said outdoor protests are banned because they could be exploited by terrorist groups to stage attacks.
The city-state has only conceded that it would allow indoor protests within a designated area in the lobby of the conference venue. The lobby area is smaller than a football field.
According to guidelines issued by the police, activist groups must not move out of the designated areas, and are not allowed to use sound amplification systems or burn items or behave in a manner that would "provoke a breach of peace". Protesters must also be properly attired at all times.
The World Bank has said outdoor protests should be allowed during the conference, but Singapore police said they would not waive the current rules.
"The Bank's preference for these meetings and all others has been to seek space for civil society to protest peacefully outside. That remains our preferred position," Peter Stephens, spokesman for World Bank Singapore, said in a statement.
Some groups said they plan to organise indoor seminars.
"We still need to maximise our space and make ourselves heard, so we will be organising seminars at hotels around the conference centre to discuss issues such as agrarian reforms," said Indra Lubis, a project assistant at La Via Campesina (The Peasant Way), an international group which represents over 80 million farmers worldwide.
"But frankly, it is not a very effective way to voice our concerns. How are the delegates going to hear us when we are put in separate rooms?"
Haha,I find this news very funny...They should try living here long term...
But then again, though we can't protest etc...we've enjoyed the peace and stability. -
We need such foreign talents here.
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we should also try living long term elsewhere.
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i think they should come and protest here. Trying out our system..see can work or not
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No protest means no protestOriginally posted by Battlecrusier:i think they should come and protest here. Trying out our system..see can work or not
Whoever wants to change this law in future, dun ever break it -
has the protest even worked? only cause harm to ppl and destroying property.
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Oei...don't get me into trouble hor...later ppl say I giving ideas to troublemakers or wat siahz. But still...personally...its alright to voice out, but do not overly extend ur authority such that it stops the growth
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They wanna try, let them tryOriginally posted by saline:has the protest even worked? only cause harm to ppl and destroying property.
See whether they can tahan seeing looting and sorts in their doorstep -
what a fantastic piece of news for batam gambling dens and hen houses ...
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with the massive damage these bastards do to property and stuff i'd rather them stay away and not cause us any financial losses.
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It is singapore's lost if the protestors are unable to come here to protest. 10000 extra people to boost retail sales at Suntec and Marina square is not bad.
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I wonder how singapore will be viewed by the world after this.
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Awwww.....and I thought I can really live to see live demonstrations in Singapore.
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You want to see demonstrations?Originally posted by CoolMyth:Awwww.....and I thought I can really live to see live demonstrations in Singapore.
Civil Defence sometimes organises mock exercises to test their own readiness. -
You say already mah, mock.Originally posted by charlize:You want to see demonstrations?
Civil Defence sometimes organises mock exercises to test their own readiness.
Who the hell is interested in fake stuff? -
You can join the protestors in Indonesia.Originally posted by CoolMyth:You say already mah, mock.
Who the hell is interested in fake stuff?
But don't be surprised you get barred from re-entering Singapore after your trip. -
Siao! I join them got what benefits?Originally posted by charlize:You can join the protestors in Indonesia.
But don't be surprised you get barred from re-entering Singapore after your trip.
I not so eng ok? -
Maybe you already booked your ticket to Indonesia.Originally posted by CoolMyth:Siao! I join them got what benefits?
I not so eng ok?
Just maybe. -
It implies the Singapore government won this round.
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At least Singapore hold her stand this time.
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More like the protesters are saving their own face.Originally posted by photo_seeker:At least Singapore hold her stand this time. -
Peaceful protest is something shunned by them eh, then better fcuk off.
But then again, our civil space is still as closed. -
IMF is smart and the pioneer of this loophole. Next time G8 summit, world environment meeting and all international meetings and summits will be moved and held here, protestors lan lan cannot do anything. Hahaha!
Dont be so close minded, like ordinary protests will disturb the peace. We are not talking abt demonstrations, but peaceful protests which are held reguarly in HK, China, Indo, everywhere else in the world. The only violent demonstrations are mainly in Europe, esp France and UK. -
And we will be labelled as an outpost of the New World Order.Originally posted by mrwonderful:IMF is smart and the pioneer of this loophole. Next time G8 summit, world environment meeting and all international meetings and summits will be moved and held here, protestors lan lan cannot do anything. Hahaha!
Dont be so close minded, like ordinary protests will disturb the peace. We are not talking abt demonstrations, but peaceful protests which are held reguarly in HK, China, Indo, everywhere else in the world. The only violent demonstrations are mainly in Europe, esp France and UK. -
The previous time was it WTO in HK? It turned violent and the HK olice almost pee in their pants.. all the adrenaline high..Originally posted by mrwonderful:IMF is smart and the pioneer of this loophole. Next time G8 summit, world environment meeting and all international meetings and summits will be moved and held here, protestors lan lan cannot do anything. Hahaha!
Dont be so close minded, like ordinary protests will disturb the peace. We are not talking abt demonstrations, but peaceful protests which are held reguarly in HK, China, Indo, everywhere else in the world. The only violent demonstrations are mainly in Europe, esp France and UK.