The following ST forum letter was published today:
First and foremost, why is there the outrageous and totally unjustified ASSUMPTION that events organized by political parties have a greater tendency for “disorder and unruly behaviour”?
Secondly, to say a permit can be granted in this case because it is organized by PAP Community Foundation, which is not a political party, is taking the general public for FOOLS.
Thirdly, is there a need to state that the PM cycled a “short distance“, just to assuage readers that the event was no big deal?
This ST forum letter is a load of hogwash. Enough said.
DSP Paul Tay, 09 Sept. ST link
I REFER to last Thursday’s letter by Mr Tan Ghee Gay, ‘Why ‘no’ and ‘yes’?', regarding police decisions with respect to the Workers’ Party’s (WP) proposed mass cycling event last year, and the carnival on Aug 31.
Police do not issue permits for outdoor political events in public places due to the potential for disorder and unruly behaviour. This applies to events organised by all political parties. For this reason, police rejected WP’s application to hold a mass cycling activity in East Coast Park, to commemorate its 50th anniversary in September last year.
The event on Aug 31 was very different. The permit was issued after taking into account the organiser and the nature of the event. It was organised by the PAP Community Foundation, which is a registered charity and not a political party. The event was not assessed to have the potential for disorder and unruly behaviour. It was a carnival that involved children and families from various kindergartens and educational institutions. The Prime Minister, as guest of honour, and a few other guests, made their entrance by cycling a short distance. During the event, a sum of $664,000 (which had been raised earlier) was distributed to 17 charities, including Beyond Social Services, Children’s Aid Society and Chung Hwa Medical Institution.
DSP Paul Tay
Assistant Director (Media Relations)
Singapore Police Force
It is a great, great shame that the authorities have chosen to whitewash the matter with lame excuses.I REFER to last Thursday’s letter by Mr Tan Ghee Gay, ‘Why ‘no’ and ‘yes’?', regarding police decisions with respect to the Workers’ Party’s (WP) proposed mass cycling event last year, and the carnival on Aug 31.
Police do not issue permits for outdoor political events in public places due to the potential for disorder and unruly behaviour. This applies to events organised by all political parties. For this reason, police rejected WP’s application to hold a mass cycling activity in East Coast Park, to commemorate its 50th anniversary in September last year.
The event on Aug 31 was very different. The permit was issued after taking into account the organiser and the nature of the event. It was organised by the PAP Community Foundation, which is a registered charity and not a political party. The event was not assessed to have the potential for disorder and unruly behaviour. It was a carnival that involved children and families from various kindergartens and educational institutions. The Prime Minister, as guest of honour, and a few other guests, made their entrance by cycling a short distance. During the event, a sum of $664,000 (which had been raised earlier) was distributed to 17 charities, including Beyond Social Services, Children’s Aid Society and Chung Hwa Medical Institution.
DSP Paul Tay
Assistant Director (Media Relations)
Singapore Police Force
First and foremost, why is there the outrageous and totally unjustified ASSUMPTION that events organized by political parties have a greater tendency for “disorder and unruly behaviour”?
Secondly, to say a permit can be granted in this case because it is organized by PAP Community Foundation, which is not a political party, is taking the general public for FOOLS.
Thirdly, is there a need to state that the PM cycled a “short distance“, just to assuage readers that the event was no big deal?
This ST forum letter is a load of hogwash. Enough said.
