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SINGAPORE: The use of the Speakers' Corner as an outdoor venue for more political activities, including demonstrations, could be liberalised.
Presently, only indoor venues are allowed be used for demonstrations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng disclosed a government review on this when he responded to Nominated MP Eunice Olsen's call for more avenues for Singaporeans to express their views on important issues.
Mr Wong said accessibility to avenues to express one's views is not wanting, and generally there are more accommodative dialogues with the man-in-the-street on key issues.
Over the years, he said the government has also seen and allowed more divergent views in various media - but it will stop short at outdoor and street protests.
Referring to how recent demonstrations by the Hindu Rights Action Force or HINDRAF in Malaysia led to riots, Mr Wong added that Singapore's own experience in the past have also taught it to be very circumspect about outdoor and street protests.
He also said that while most people involved in a demonstration may have no intention of using violence, a handful of agitators is all it takes to spark off violence.
So while young people, in their exuberance may think it is fun to demonstrate, Mr Wong said that they would have no control of the situation if the agitators choose to exploit it.
Mr Wong said: “The question for Singaporeans is whether we should accept the risks and accept the culture of street protests.
"In my view, one riot is one too many. Violence in the community takes a long time to heal. Once lost, public confidence in our security would take a long time to return." -CNA/vm
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