Mega events and terror threats make S'pore's security more complex
By
Jeremy Au Yong, Political Correspondent
Anti-riot training at the Police Academy. The proposed Public Order Act will give the police enhanced powers in providing security during designated 'special events'. -- TNP FILE PHOTO
HOME Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng on Monday tabled a Bill in Parliament that will give the police more effective powers to maintain public order, for example during major events like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit which Singapore will host in November.
Protests and terrorist action are some of the threats that bedevil such mega events that Singapore is increasingly hosting.
What will the proposed Act do?
Consolidated permit
ALL outdoor activities that are cause-related will be regulated under a permit regardless of the number of people involved.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the proposed Public Order Act is part of a continuous review of public order laws, to keep them 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, as permits for indoor activities have already been liberalised.
Outdoor activities which are purely recreational, social or commercial in nature could be exempted from having to get permits, MHA indicated, leaving only those which are political or cause-related needing them.
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.
The most significant new provision MHA is introducing is the 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.
The order will be in the form of a written notice stating the area and the time period (up to 24 hours) the person has to stay away from the area.
Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.
