Singapore Government Media Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,

140 Hill Street #02-02 MITA Building, Singapore 179369.

Tel: 837 9666

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Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park starts on 1 September

Speakers can sign up in advance from 21 August

 

The Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park will be open to the public from Friday 1 September 2000. It will be open during the daylight hours from 7 am to 7 pm daily, throughout the year.

 

2 The speaker is subject to the following ground rules to ensure that there will not be any law and order problems:

3 Speakers can register at Speakers’ Corner from Monday 21 August 2000. Members of the audience are free to respond to the speaker.

 

4 The Speakers’ Corner notice-board, installed for public view outside the Kreta Ayer Neighbourhood Police Post (NPP), will list the speakers who have registered to speak for the day.

 

5 While speakers at the Speakers’ Corner are exempted from having to obtain a Public Entertainment Licence under the Public Entertainments (Speakers’ Corner)(Exemption) Order 2000, they are reminded that Singapore laws will still be in operation there.

 

 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

10 AUGUST 2000

 

SPEAKERS' CORNER

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Who is allowed to speak at the Speakers' Corner?

All Singapore citizens who have registered at the Registration Centre.

  1. How many speakers are allowed to speak at any one time?

    2. There is no restriction on the number of speakers allowed at any one time.

  2. Will speaking spots be assigned to registered speakers?

    3. No speaking spots will be assigned to registered speakers. They may choose to speak from anywhere within the designated Speakers' Corner.

  3. Will rostrums or soapboxes be provided?

    4. No rostrums, soapboxes or elevated platforms of any nature will be provided. Speakers may however bring their own if they desire. This has to be removed once the speaker leaves the Corner.

  4. What must I do before I can speak?

    5. Before speaking, speakers must register at the Registration Centre at Kreta Ayer NPP. To do so, the speaker must produce his Identity Card, Passport or any valid documentary proof of citizenship such as a Birth Certificate.

  5. How long can I speak at the Speakers' Corner?

    6. There is no restriction but the speaker can only speak on the day for which he has been registered.

  6. Can I register in advance? Can I reserve a spot where I want to speak after doing so?

    7. Yes, advance registration is accepted provided it is not more than 30 days (Registration at the Speakers’ Corner will start with effect from 21 August 2000) before the day that the speaker wishes to speak on. However, speakers will not be allowed to reserve spots within the Speakers’ Corner.

  7. Is the audience allowed to participate by posing questions?

    8. Questions or responses from the audience are permitted.

  8. What are the operating hours of the Speakers' Corner? Is it open on public holidays?

    9. The Speakers' Corner will operate from 7 am to 7 pm daily throughout the year including public holidays.

  9. Can I use a microphone during speeches as I have a weak voice?

    10. No sound amplification device is to be used during the speeches as it may affect other speakers who are speaking at the same time.

  10. What are the languages allowed at the Speakers' Corner? Are foreign languages allowed?

    11. Speakers must speak only in any of the 4 official languages in Singapore, or any related dialect.

  11. Is there anywhere in the Speakers' Corner where I can find out who the speakers for the day are?

    12. The list of speakers for the day can be found on a noticeboard mounted outside the Registration Centre.

  12. Can I play any musical instrument or sound equipment while listening to speeches at the Speakers' Corner?

    13. Park rules do not permit the use of any musical instrument or sound equipment at the Speakers’ Corner.

  13. Are there any restricted topics that speakers are not allowed to speak on at the Speakers' Corner? Do I have to inform the Registration Centre what I intend to speak on during the registration?

    14. Speakers must not speak on any matter which relates directly or indirectly to any religious beliefs or religion. Speakers must also not speak on any matter that may cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill will or hostility between different racial or religious groups in Singapore. There is however no need for speakers to inform the Registration Centre what they will be speaking on.

  14. Will Police be present to monitor and control the activities at the Speakers' Corner?

    15. No officers will normally be deployed for such duties.

  15. What should I do if I see someone breaching a Speakers' Corner condition and there are no Police officers around? What about other offences such as affray or theft?

    16. The public should inform the Police whenever they come across instances where the Speakers' Corner conditions are breached so that investigation can be conducted and appropriate action taken. This will also apply to any other offences committed at the Corner.

  16. Can I film and record the speeches made at the Speakers' Corner for my own personal purposes?

The public may film and record speeches if they want to.

18. What happens if the speaker breaches the conditions of the Speakers’ Corner?

Speakers who breach the conditions of the Speakers’ Corner may be given a verbal warning, a written warning, suspension for up to 30 days, or charged in court.

19. Who has the power to suspend a speaker?

The Police Licensing Officer is empowered by law to do so.

  1. Is there any means of appeal against a notice of suspension?

An appeal in writing may be made to the Minister for Home Affairs within 14 days. The Minister’s decision is final.

 

 

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SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

10 AUGUST 2000