PAP: Not even one

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PAP: Not even one

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Singapore Democrats

First it was five or more. Now it's not even one.

The PAP introduced the Public Order Act in Parliament yesterday that will ban all “cause-related” events, even if there are less than 5 persons. The introduction of this Act is not just the tightening of laws against protests, it is an outright ban of Singaporeans' right to peaceful assembly.

Already the people have no avenue of public protest because laws such as the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act and the Miscellaneous Offences Act prohibit 5 or more persons gathering in a public place without a permit.

Under the latest Public Order Act, even a one-person protest will require a permit which, by the way, the Government has indicated it has no intention of granting. Of course, public gatherings in support of the PAP will continue with impunity.

In addition the Films Act has been amended to ban the filming of illegal public events. This move is designed to stop the publicising of civil disobedience acts.

Taken together these laws and the way they are exercised are designed to ensure that public assembly is completely stopped.

Such legislation comes at a time when there is growing public anger at the Government. Not only is the economy the worst performing one in Asia, the country's rulers continue to lavish themselves with salaries that are the highest in the world for politicians.

The new legislation is also meant to curtail the growing interests of Singaporeans in conducting peaceful protests.

It is a clear sign that this Government is fearful of the future and knows that it cannot face the public in an open debate. It is therefore doing the next best thing – clamping down on dissent.

As the world moves to a new age where openness, transparency, and democratic accountability are the hallmark of good governance, the PAP is going in the opposite direction.

This signals one thing: That the PAP is determined to keep itself in power regardless what happens to the country and how unhappy the people get.

Singapore to launch tougher public order law
Reuters

Singapore, which already has tough restrictions on freedom of assembly, plans to tighten them further ahead of a major Asia-Pacific summit in the city-state.

The Public Order Bill, introduced in parliament on Monday before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November, was needed to "squarely address gaps in the current framework to enhance the ability of the police to ensure security during major events", the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

Under the proposed law, police could prevent activists from leaving home if they knew they were going to a political rally. It would also allow police to order a person to leave an area if they determine he is about to break the law.

All outdoor activities that are cause-related will need a police permit, no matter how many people are involved. That is a change from the current law requiring a permit for gatherings of five or more people.

Opposition politicians and activists were quick to criticise the proposed law. "Even in communist China, peaceful protests are tolerated," said Chee Siok Chin of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party.

The bill allows police to stop people from filming law enforcement if it could put officers in danger. The bill cited live media coverage of Indian police trying to rescue hostages in the Mumbai attacks last November as posing risks to the officers.

Police could stop small peaceful protests against unpopular visiting government leaders, such as from Myanmar, if the law was introduced, activists said.

Last week, three Singaporeans tried to present a bouquet of orchids to visiting Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein for him to give to detained Myanmar opposition leader Aung Sann Suu Kyi.

Thein Sein was having an orchid named after him at the Botanical Gardens, a Singapore tradition for visiting heads of government.

The law is certain to pass, since the ruling People's Action Party has an overwhelming majority in parliament.

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-3867042009032

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Comments (17)

Wed 25 Mar 2009 9:57 AM | tewniaseng

This law contradicts to what Lee Sian Loong said when he first took over the premeirship. He wanted a more open soceity, like what wooden Goh said too.Obviously this law aims at Dr Chee and company!the entire pap can't fight a smart activist, what a lousy elite team !!Nia Mah!!

Wed 25 Mar 2009 10:28 AM | Robox

Re: [color=red]"The PAP introduced the Public Order Act in Parliament yesterday that will ban all “cause-related” events, even if there are less than 5 persons."[/color]

So bloody what!

This law is still [b]UNCONSTITUTIONAL[/b]; this law is against the law.

But the corrupt PAP are too far gone in their corrupt nature to cringe at that, aren't they!

Their corruption of the Constitution has taken on runaway horse proportions now.

And what is with this new-fanged petty obsession with "cause-related", anyway?

Does anyone anywhere on earth assemble without cause?

Wed 25 Mar 2009 10:31 AM | Robox

True to the PAP's well honed skills at deceiving the public, this had nothing to do with protests [b]only[/b] at the Parliament or the Istana, which is what they had initially indicated.

Bloody liars!

Wed 25 Mar 2009 10:33 AM | Robox

Re: [color=red]"[The law] would also allow police to order a person to leave an area if they determine he is about to break the law."[/color]

And based on what legal principle, may I ask?

Would that be the one on presumption of innocence before guilt is proven?

Wed 25 Mar 2009 10:36 AM | Robox

Re: [color=red]"The bill allows police to stop people from filming law enforcement if it could put officers in danger."[/color]

Why?

Because previous video clips that made the rounds on the Net exposed the very people - police officers - who are tasked to carry out their atrocities?

For that bribe that they call a salary?

Wed 25 Mar 2009 10:38 AM | Robox

Re: [color=red]"All outdoor activities that are cause-related will need a police permit, no matter how many people are involved. That is a change from the current law requiring a permit for gatherings of five or more people."[/color]

Will CASE be exempt from this law? So that they now are above the law?

That would be a breach of Article 12 (legal equality of ALL persons), wouldn't it?

Wed 25 Mar 2009 12:23 PM | Robox

Finally, as I said once before: the more they change, the more the remain the same.

Believing in the PAP is as stupid as believing an unrepentant, abusive man who repeatedly promises his wife that he will change.

Wed 25 Mar 2009 4:43 PM | Tan Tai Wei

The police empowered to put you under house arrest, or order you to leave an area, merely on suspicion that you are about to stage a one-person protest?

So, policemen are called upon to be great psychics or futurists, or great mind-readers, discerning existing motives and intentions, including subconscious or unconscious ones, and, where no intentions presently exist, predicting those to be acquired by you in the future, etc., etc.?

Government that care for and respect those who voted them into power would not subject them to such impossible attempts to infringe into their personal and inner thought-life and consciousness.

Wed 25 Mar 2009 5:18 PM | | Muhammad Shamin - The despot

A despotic government bent on crushing dissent....

Wed 25 Mar 2009 7:04 PM | tan - What a genius, PAP.

PAP is the most boring party ever. It's getting from bad to worse and I really don't see a bright future for it.
I'll see who has the last laugh. Keep going PAP, I know you can kill yourself.

Wed 25 Mar 2009 7:12 PM | Sylvester Lim - Not Allowed to Question about CASE permits

During the TBT court trials, we were not allowed to even question the Police Officer in charge of issuing the permits for assembly. Questions such as whether CASE was exempted or did they apply for a permits was disallowed. In fact, many hours was spend just trying to get the court to allow the question or questions relating to the approval of permits to ensure fairness. The court would have progressed quickly if it had allowed reasonable questions to be answered. After all, no security secrets have been compromised. We have a sick sick society where common information in most countries are disallowed.

Wed 25 Mar 2009 8:30 PM | ashinigami

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_353893.html

I would say WKS is going out of his way to tailor laws meant to curb SDP, in my opinion.

If he's resorting to such measures just to keep SDP out of the public and overall population's eye, you guys must be doing something darn right.

Wed 25 Mar 2009 9:11 PM | black-scholes - Bad with numbers

PAP's really bad with numbers. First it's 5, now it's 0.

Same with procreation calls. First it's "stop at 2", now it's "3 or more if you can".

I haven't gone into economic numbers yet. Can't they ever make good judgement calls?

My suggestion to SDP: Organize [b]serious[/b] protests in Second Life or any other online platforms. Gather your supporters there.

That will definitely bring [b]worldwide[/b] attention to your plight! And it's zero violence, [i]sure to please the government.[/i]

Imagine this, Singapore is so rigid, regulated and stifling that its people have to organize pseudo-protests in Second Life. How pathetic! Story might be picked up by technology magazines and major newspapers everywhere.

-----

With new Public Order Act and Films Act, authorities will definitely need more enforcement officers. Resources that can be better channelled elsewhere. Like looking for Mas Selamat.

Don't tell me anti-terrorism is of a lower priority compared to politics.

Really pissed off.

Wed 25 Mar 2009 10:04 PM | leesjuanpat

That is what happens when one party and its cronnies rule Singapore for 50 years. Sitting comfortably under their big fat arse and enforce sweeping laws and changes detrimental to Oppositions
and the general public.

One thing is certain. We had enough. We must vote the pap OUT at all cost and rebuild our freedom.

Human rights is dead under an authoritarian power.

Wed 25 Mar 2009 10:19 PM | jbeji

tis e furture of S'pore & for S'pore pple, is tis wat u S'pore pple want? then yes or no, e answer is obvious, do something instead of whinning...

Thu 26 Mar 2009 2:34 AM | AnnA

"[The law] would also allow police to order a person to leave an area if they determine he is about to break the law."

What the hell??!!!

My third son! My third son! Without this laws, he already got into various trouble based on police suspicion!!!! What will happen to him next??!!!!!!!!!

Now, it is better to see natural disaster than this! At least I can accept natural disasters! Human made disasters are intolerable!

Fri 27 Mar 2009 9:28 AM | ashinigami - re:

[quote=jbeji]tis e furture of S'pore & for S'pore pple, is tis wat u S'pore pple want? then yes or no, e answer is obvious, do something instead of whinning...[/quote]

Yet another example of how the Singapore education system has failed us.