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Singapore
Government Relinquishing Grip On Public Shows
by Kazi Mahmood
JAKARTA
(IslamOnline) - Unlike its neighbors, Singapore has survived tides of
demonstrations and calls for reform. It has, however, set a target to reduce
restrictions in some areas, and is allowing more freedom of speech and
expression in the age of the knowledge economy.
After Parliament
approved changes to the Public Entertainments Act yesterday, Singapore’s
government announced today it would make it easier for organizers of children's
shows and other community activities to hold events.
The government,
however, made it clear that tabs on political forums and talks would remain.
Singaporeans need licensing requirements for these events even though the
country has allowed the opening of a speakers’ corner in August 2000.
Recently, the
country allowed students to organize debates on political and other sensitive
issues, which normally are banned on the basis that such debate may create
tension in the tiny but sophisticated city-state.
Minister of State
for Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee, said the intention of the restriction reductions
was to relax the Public Entertainments Act and to regulate public events with a
"lighter touch'' and encourage licensees to "'exercise
self-discipline''.
However, several Members of
Parliament who spoke during the debate on the Bill questioned if the changes
would really allow more freedom of speech by arts groups and civil society.
Nominated MP Simon Tay, said that the
Act covered "entertainment'' of very diverse character, from political
speeches to pubs, and asked if it was appropriate for one unit to oversee such a
wide range of activities.
MPs also urged authorities to be more
transparent when administering the law and to give reasons for rejecting
applications for licenses. In Singapore, the authorities seldom give the reason
for the non-approval of failed applications.
Event organizers of ad-hoc events,
such as rock concerts, can have their security deposits forfeited when they
commit infringements. And offenders may have to pay higher fines as maximum
fines have been doubled to $10,000.
As for operators of permanent
establishments, such as games centers, pubs and discos, they will now operate
under a system of demerit points, similar to that governing errant motorists.
Peng Lee said this would make for a
more "graduated approach'' towards penalizing those who breach licensing
conditions. The police will be releasing more details about the system soon.
Several activities, such as auctions,
garden parties and trade fairs, "that no longer pose a threat to public
order'', have been removed from the Act.
Critics have labeled Singapore “the
country of fines”, and have even invented jokes on the Singapore $1000 ($570)
fine for offenses such as spitting or smoking in lifts, or throwing chewing gum
at mass transit train stations.
Officials of the
city, however, pointed out that Singapore has remained a clean city for years
and that the people generally behaved and complied with the laws. Foreigners are
said to be very appreciative of the system in place in Singapore. 
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