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Parliament stops MPs from posing Qs on HLP incident
Protected November 3rd, 2014 | Author: Editorial
It was earlier reported that MP Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) and MP Denise Phua (Moulmein-Kallang GRC) wanted to raise questions in Parliament today (3 Nov) about the incident at Hong Lim Park on 27 September 2014 when the 4th #ReturnOurCPF event clashed with a YMCA event. The incident has led to charges being brought against 6 participants of the #ReturnOurCPF event (‘Ravi reminds Speaker of Parliament: Case is sub judice‘).
In response to the move by the 2 PAP MPs, lawyer M Ravi, who is representing the 6 persons charged, wrote an urgent letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Halimah Yacob, last night (2 Nov), highlighting his concerns about the questions and issues raised by the MPs.
In particular, Mr Ravi is concerned that since the case against his 6 clients is under trial (i.e. sub judice – Latin for “under judgment”), any discussions by the MPs on the matter may impede or prejudice the course of justice in the relevant proceedings of the case.
The letter was copied to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Minister for National Development and the Commissioner of Police.
“It will no doubt be your view, very properly, that Members will not need to be reminded that they should not utter anything on the floor of the House which would affect the evaluation of the merits of proceedings which are imminent or before the courts, or influence the result of proceedings, in particular the likelihood of an acquittal,” Mr Ravi wrote.
As such, he has called for Mdm Halimah’s discretion in the matter.
Then in Parliament today, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan commented that he will not be commenting on the Hong Lim Park incident, as police investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing.
“It is not appropriate to comment on the incident or to give a view on what could or could not have prevented such an incident,” Mr Khaw said, responding to MPs Denise Phua and Zainal Sapari’s questions on the incident. NParks is a statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of National Development.
Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob also warned the MPs that as the case was before the courts, comments which fell foul of sub judice laws would not be allowed in the House.
The 6 are currently being charged for allegedly causing a public nuisance at the event. Two of them, Roy and Hui Hui, were additionally charged with allegedly organising a demonstration without approval. Their cases have yet to be heard.
Mr Khaw told Parliament that Hong Lim Park is a public park that houses two lawns, which have been designated as the Speakers’ Corner. Singaporeans can speak, hold demonstrations and performances there after seeking NParks’ approval.
However, he noted that the lawns are not for the sole use of Speakers’ Corner participants. “Like any other park in Singapore, Hong Lim Park is a shared space for all Singaporeans to use, and to conduct community events or other activities for the residents,” he said.
“Multiple events have been conducted on many past occasions by different groups at the same time at Hong Lim Park. There had been no untoward incident arising from this arrangement until the Sep 27 incident.”
Lawyer M Ravi
In regard to Parliament’s decision not to allow MPs to discuss further on the 27 Sep incident, Mr Ravi told TRE:
“I’m gratified to know the positive outcome in Parliament in respect of my letter to Parliament yesterday to defer the discussion on the questions tabled by 2 MPs concerning Speakers Corner’s rules and the incident on 27 September 2014.
The decision of the minister to refrain from Parliamentary discussion of matters that are before the Courts is within the discretion of Members. With respect, it is entirely proper and fitting.
Criminal proceedings are a source of immense anxiety for all concerned and it is right that the independence of the judicial process is respected.”
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/11/03/parliament-stops-mps-from-posing-qs-on-hlp-incident/
Protected November 3rd, 2014 | Author: Editorial
It was earlier reported that MP Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) and MP Denise Phua (Moulmein-Kallang GRC) wanted to raise questions in Parliament today (3 Nov) about the incident at Hong Lim Park on 27 September 2014 when the 4th #ReturnOurCPF event clashed with a YMCA event. The incident has led to charges being brought against 6 participants of the #ReturnOurCPF event (‘Ravi reminds Speaker of Parliament: Case is sub judice‘).
In response to the move by the 2 PAP MPs, lawyer M Ravi, who is representing the 6 persons charged, wrote an urgent letter to the Speaker of Parliament, Halimah Yacob, last night (2 Nov), highlighting his concerns about the questions and issues raised by the MPs.
In particular, Mr Ravi is concerned that since the case against his 6 clients is under trial (i.e. sub judice – Latin for “under judgment”), any discussions by the MPs on the matter may impede or prejudice the course of justice in the relevant proceedings of the case.
The letter was copied to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Minister for National Development and the Commissioner of Police.
“It will no doubt be your view, very properly, that Members will not need to be reminded that they should not utter anything on the floor of the House which would affect the evaluation of the merits of proceedings which are imminent or before the courts, or influence the result of proceedings, in particular the likelihood of an acquittal,” Mr Ravi wrote.
As such, he has called for Mdm Halimah’s discretion in the matter.
Then in Parliament today, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan commented that he will not be commenting on the Hong Lim Park incident, as police investigations and legal proceedings are ongoing.
“It is not appropriate to comment on the incident or to give a view on what could or could not have prevented such an incident,” Mr Khaw said, responding to MPs Denise Phua and Zainal Sapari’s questions on the incident. NParks is a statutory board under the purview of the Ministry of National Development.
Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob also warned the MPs that as the case was before the courts, comments which fell foul of sub judice laws would not be allowed in the House.
The 6 are currently being charged for allegedly causing a public nuisance at the event. Two of them, Roy and Hui Hui, were additionally charged with allegedly organising a demonstration without approval. Their cases have yet to be heard.
Mr Khaw told Parliament that Hong Lim Park is a public park that houses two lawns, which have been designated as the Speakers’ Corner. Singaporeans can speak, hold demonstrations and performances there after seeking NParks’ approval.
However, he noted that the lawns are not for the sole use of Speakers’ Corner participants. “Like any other park in Singapore, Hong Lim Park is a shared space for all Singaporeans to use, and to conduct community events or other activities for the residents,” he said.
“Multiple events have been conducted on many past occasions by different groups at the same time at Hong Lim Park. There had been no untoward incident arising from this arrangement until the Sep 27 incident.”
Lawyer M Ravi
In regard to Parliament’s decision not to allow MPs to discuss further on the 27 Sep incident, Mr Ravi told TRE:
“I’m gratified to know the positive outcome in Parliament in respect of my letter to Parliament yesterday to defer the discussion on the questions tabled by 2 MPs concerning Speakers Corner’s rules and the incident on 27 September 2014.
The decision of the minister to refrain from Parliamentary discussion of matters that are before the Courts is within the discretion of Members. With respect, it is entirely proper and fitting.
Criminal proceedings are a source of immense anxiety for all concerned and it is right that the independence of the judicial process is respected.”
http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/11/03/parliament-stops-mps-from-posing-qs-on-hlp-incident/
