NO! Just wait and see!
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Protests ok in Speaker's Corner <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Jeremy Au Yong
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->
THOSE who want to hold outdoor demonstrations will soon be allowed to do so, but only at Speaker's Corner.
The total ban on such protests had been a bugbear for years for activists and opposition politicians, but on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met them halfway when he indicated that the ban will soon be eased.
However, those who want to hold one can only do so in Hong Lim Park, already designated as a forum for people to make speeches without a licence.
Speaker's Corner in Hong Lim Park is picked because it is a well-defined location, accessible and near the MRT, said Mr Lee.
He is eased the restrictions because he recognises the need to allow people to 'let off steam a bit more'.
In announcing the move he joked: 'I think we'll still call it Speakers' Corner. No need to call it Demonstrators' Corner.'
Still, concerns over safety remain and PM Lee explained to the 1,700-strong audience at the National Day Rally why many restrictions on outdoor demonstrations have been maintained.
'Our concern is law and order, and security. It comes back to race and religion, because one incident could undermine our racial harmony, and confidence in Singapore,' he said.
But he promised that the Government would maintain a light touch.
For a start, the management of Speaker's Corner will be taken off the police and handed over to the National Parks Board. Next, they will also consider setting up online registration so that potential speakers and protesters would not need to go down in person to apply.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Protests ok in Speaker's Corner <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Jeremy Au Yong
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->
THOSE who want to hold outdoor demonstrations will soon be allowed to do so, but only at Speaker's Corner.
The total ban on such protests had been a bugbear for years for activists and opposition politicians, but on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met them halfway when he indicated that the ban will soon be eased.
However, those who want to hold one can only do so in Hong Lim Park, already designated as a forum for people to make speeches without a licence.
Speaker's Corner in Hong Lim Park is picked because it is a well-defined location, accessible and near the MRT, said Mr Lee.
He is eased the restrictions because he recognises the need to allow people to 'let off steam a bit more'.
In announcing the move he joked: 'I think we'll still call it Speakers' Corner. No need to call it Demonstrators' Corner.'
Still, concerns over safety remain and PM Lee explained to the 1,700-strong audience at the National Day Rally why many restrictions on outdoor demonstrations have been maintained.
'Our concern is law and order, and security. It comes back to race and religion, because one incident could undermine our racial harmony, and confidence in Singapore,' he said.
But he promised that the Government would maintain a light touch.
For a start, the management of Speaker's Corner will be taken off the police and handed over to the National Parks Board. Next, they will also consider setting up online registration so that potential speakers and protesters would not need to go down in person to apply.
