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ST By Jeremy Au Yong
HOME Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng on Monday tabled a Bill in Parliament that will give the police greater powers to maintain public order, for example during major events like the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation summit which Singapore will host in November.
Protests and terrorist action are some of the threats that bedevil such mega events, which Singapore is increasingly hosting more of.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the proposed Public Order Act is meant to keep laws up to date with a progressively more complex security environment.
'We ... need to squarely address gaps in the current framework, to enhance the ability of the Police to ensure security during major events, and to maintain public order in a manner which will ensure the general level of safety and security in Singapore that we enjoy today,' it said.
The latest legislative move focuses on outdoor activities, with the target being those of a political or cause-related nature.
Outdoor activities which are purely recreational, social or commercial in nature, could be exempted from having to get permits, MHA indicated, adding that details would be announced when its current review is completed.
At present, all outdoor activities, regardless of their nature, are regulated by the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act and the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.
Relevant portions from these will be consolidated under the new law to deal with cause-related outdoor activities.
The most significant of the new provisions MHA is introducing is the so-called move-on order, enabling the police to order a person to leave an area if they determine that he is about to break the law.
Another proposed provision ropes in property owners to help maintain public order. If passed, property owners would be required to take 'reasonable action' to prevent illegal assemblies and processions on their premises when they are notified by the police.
HOME Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng on Monday tabled a Bill in Parliament that will give the police greater powers to maintain public order, for example during major events like the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation summit which Singapore will host in November.
Protests and terrorist action are some of the threats that bedevil such mega events, which Singapore is increasingly hosting more of.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the proposed Public Order Act is meant to keep laws up to date with a progressively more complex security environment.
'We ... need to squarely address gaps in the current framework, to enhance the ability of the Police to ensure security during major events, and to maintain public order in a manner which will ensure the general level of safety and security in Singapore that we enjoy today,' it said.
The latest legislative move focuses on outdoor activities, with the target being those of a political or cause-related nature.
Outdoor activities which are purely recreational, social or commercial in nature, could be exempted from having to get permits, MHA indicated, adding that details would be announced when its current review is completed.
At present, all outdoor activities, regardless of their nature, are regulated by the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act and the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act.
Relevant portions from these will be consolidated under the new law to deal with cause-related outdoor activities.
The most significant of the new provisions MHA is introducing is the so-called move-on order, enabling the police to order a person to leave an area if they determine that he is about to break the law.
Another proposed provision ropes in property owners to help maintain public order. If passed, property owners would be required to take 'reasonable action' to prevent illegal assemblies and processions on their premises when they are notified by the police.
