Tokens or Lemonade

To update on an earlier post, the clarifications on the revised use of Speakers' corner for public protests were announced yesterday (see below).

I shall not comment on the rules as they sound fine and dandy at first glance. The true test of any rule/guideline is of course the actual administration and enforcement of them.

I am however slightly disappointed with Alex Au's response**. In a CNA interview, Alex said: "I would not dignify this tokenism by organising anything there. It will have to be at a proper place like here at Raffles Place or down a major street, or nothing."

I have a great deal of respect for Alex and I understand in essense his rejection of token handouts. However his remarks do come across as being critical for criticism sake. Surely if the government were to announce a new speakers' corner in Raffles Place, one could argue "what about orchard road?".

In fact, he should have argued that there should be no restrictions on demonstration locations. Or alternately, a trade-off could be made for such freedoms (demonstrations virtually everywhere) by listing more restrictive guidelines (e.g. no effigies, placards...).

There is a saying, "When given lemons, make lemonade".


**I must however add that its very likely his comments were taken out of context, knowing how our first world press operates.

Singaporeans can demonstrate at Speakers' Corner from Sep 1
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25 August 2008 1411 hrs

SINGAPORE: Banners, placards and effigies will be allowed at the Speakers' Corner when the site is opened for public demonstrations from September 1.

For Singapore citizens, there is no longer a need to apply for a police permit.

The new rules came about as the government seeks to open up the space for political engagement and activism in the country.

It is Singapore's version of London's Hyde Park. Hong Lim Park in central Singapore was designated as a site for public speaking on September 2000, but interest has waned over the years. However, with the new rules, things may change.

From September 1, Singapore citizens can organise demonstrations at the Speakers' Corner without a police permit.

All they need to do is register online at the National Parks Board website at www.nparks.gov.sg, which takes over the management of the Speakers' Corner from the Police.

Anyone who registers can immediately carry out his demonstration. Online registration begins on August 30.

Singapore Permanent Residents, though, will require a police permit to organise demonstrations.

But citizens and PRs can participate in assemblies without having to register.

Current rules for foreigners remain and they have to apply for a police permit for any activity there.

And all groups, even those that run counter to the establishment, will be allowed to demonstrate. These include gay rights groups and even the Falungong.

Other changes include self-powered amplification devices like loud hailers, which will be allowed in the area between 9am and 10.30pm. Police said the restriction is to minimise noise pollution in the area.

Activities can also be carried out at any time of the day. Currently, activities are restricted to between 7am and 7pm.

However, basic rules will still remain. Topics cannot touch on issues like race and religion. Content that promotes violence or are lewd in nature will also not be allowed.

Even with a light touch approach, there will still be some police presence at the Speaker's Corner.

Wong Hong Kuan, Director, Operations, Singapore Police Force, said: "Generally if there are no issues of concern, there won't be any overt police presence there all the time and we will manage it just like other places in Singapore."

NParks said that demonstrators are free to do what they want as long as they do not damage surrounding trees and property. There will not be any cosmetic changes to the site, even though some have asked for more benches and shelter.

Dr Leong Chee Chiew, chief operating officer, National Parks Board, said: "If we were to plant more trees, you actually have less space. So there's a trade-off."

Work is underway to build a mound, so speakers do not have to bring their own soapboxes to speak and be seen. - CNA/vm

PM Rally Speech: Men-in-White or Men-in-Grey?

Amongst the usual pro-family, pro-integrated society policy tweaks we are used to hearing, it was quite surprising to hear PM Lee announce the lifting of the ban on political pod/vodcasts during election campaigning periods. More surprising was the easing up of restrictions governing the use of the speakers’ corner; allowing for future public demonstrations the location.

Even more surprising was the promise of a light touch in regulating the use of the space. Significantly, the police would hand over management of the site to N Parks.

Of course, as with many PAP policies, there are ambiguities and grey areas which somehow always seem to hinder dissenting voices whilst protecting others.

For example, videos that are “purely made-up material, partisan stuff, footage distorted to create a slanted impression” remain prohibited. PM is probably referring to those smear campaign commercials which are rampant during US presidential elections. But to expect political videos, originating form parties or non-partisan individuals, not to have some sort of slant, is a bit naïve. We shall have to see how consistent the ‘regulators’ are with categorizing videos that emerge during the period. We wouldnt want a situation whereby only pro-PAP videos pass the 'censors'.

Alas, the move to allow for public protests could be a means to plug the apparent hypocrisy with regards to “government-linked” demonstrations (ala CASE). A lack of use of the facility (due to poor location..etc) would also give the PAP more political fodder to declare a happy citizenry not opting to demonstrate although allowed to. And of course here comes the caveat. This ‘privilege’ only remains “as long as the demonstrators adhere to basic rules of law and order, and stay away from issues of race, language or religion.” – a huge grey area if you ask me.

Why should the PAP have the monopoly to discuss issues of race, language or religion? -- This among all other areas is where an easing in restrictions is required.

Singapore to ease ban on political videos, public demonstrations
By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Political engagement in Singapore is set to change with the advent of new media.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged this as much and said the government will have to adapt, get used to it, and turn it to positive effect.

Hence, the government will ease up on the ban on political videos and outdoor public demonstrations, he said at his National Day Rally on Sunday night.

The new-generation Singaporeans, weaned on the likes of Facebook and YouTube, are getting news off websites and discussing issues online.

"By the next GE (General Election), 5 years will have passed. Cyber years are like dog years. One year in cyberspace equals to 7 years in real life," Mr Lee said. "That's the pace at which things change. So 5 years times 7 means 35 years in the real world."

Mr Lee even conceded that his National Day Rally has become a multi-media event.

To show this, he took out a mobile phone and proceeded to film the audience before him in the auditorium. Behind him, on a giant screen, the audience saw themselves featured on the Web page of the Prime Minister's Office - live.

"There you are, simple as that. I've just made our first non-political video," he said to laughter from the audience.

And since anyone can do this anytime, anywhere, Mr Lee said an outright ban on party political films is no longer sensible.

But there will still be safeguards.

"Some things are obviously alright - factual footage, documentaries, recordings of live events. But I think some things should still be off limits... (for instance) if you made a political commercial so that it's purely made-up material, partisan stuff, footage distorted to create a slanted impression," he said.

Unlike the last General Election, podcasts, videocasts and election materials will be allowed. But those who upload such material online will have to maintain accountability and responsibility.

The Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society - led by former Singapore Press Holdings editor-in-chief Cheong Yip Seng - will set out its recommendations on these issues later this month.

The restriction remains for outdoor demonstrations, but Mr Lee said the government needs to find ways to allow Singaporeans to express themselves safely.

He said Singapore will allow outdoor public demonstrations at the Speakers' Corner, a public space for free speeches. This is as long as the demonstrators adhere to basic rules of law and order, and stay away from issues of race, language or religion.

The government will manage the liberalisation with a light touch, said Mr Lee. So there is no need for the Police to be involved. In fact, the NParks will manage the Speakers' Corner, instead.

Mr Lee said: "The overall thrust of all these changes is to liberalise our society, to widen space for expression and participation. We encourage more citizens to engage in debate, to participate in building our shared future.

"We will progressively open up our system even more. If you compare today with 5 years ago, 10 years ago, it's much more open today."

Even then, Singapore cannot progress just by copying others. Mr Lee said the country must find the right path for itself. - CNA/ir

Oh hear the patriotic drum

*First Concerto
Chief Maestro taps is wand subtly.

Reflecting on the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony, MM Lee commented that “even a biased foreigner will know that these are very determined people with the capability and the potential. It must mean they will end up on the top table.”

Any observer of political-speak and soft-power aggression, would tell you that MM is not just talking about the Olympic medal table. No my friends, he is posting a warning that China is determined not to be held down by a globally coordinated attempt to derail their progress in the world stage of economics, and eventually politics. The Olympics was their coming out party, and the Chinese plan to do it their way.

He is also reminding the world that Singapore is a China miniature, or maybe a blueprint. Afterall, no matter how aggrieved one may feel about the lack of civil liberties and independent intuitions, Singapore’s economic development continues to baffle disbelieving proponents of free-market liberalism and political pluralism as models of development.

*Second Concerto
The orchestrator signals in his star soloist.

In steps Political Editor Chua Lee Hong for her solo "Why they hate Singapore”.

Chua describes how Singapore is very much like modern China today – a target of jealously from green-eyed western liberal democracies. She reasons that Western countries are unable to stomach the possibility that economic development, educated citizens and world-class talents could possibly emerge under authoritarian regimes. Yes, she begrudgingly described Singapore as an Authoritarian State. And what will these liberal western democracies hate more? Emerging superpowers like China and Russia adopting our model.

*Third Concerto
The orchestrator signals in the rest of the orchestra.

According to the script, letters of national pride will pour into the Mainstream press forum pages. The statement being we are proud of our uniquely Singapore model.

I myself don’t believe in a universal model of governance that is equally applicable to all societies. Hence I too scoff at self-righteous political evangelism by Western systems built on centuries of warmongering, slavery, pillaging, economic tyranny…etc.

But as we come to grips with the biased and hypocritical assumptions of others, we should be careful not to be lost in our own.