The move will give the authorities greater leeway to deal with possible security threats, demonstrations or other incidents, although they stressed yesterday that the decision was not taken in response to any specific threat.
By designating the venues and a 500m perimeter around them as 'protected areas', police can conduct checks on anyone in these zones and order those found there to leave if they pose a security threat to the summit.
Other hosts of such meetings adopted similar measures: Australia, when it hosted the summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in September; and Hong Kong during the World Trade Organisation meeting in 2005.
The Istana. While this is already a protected area, the 500m surrounding security zone will be in effect from 3pm to midnight also on Wednesday.
Police advised the public to keep away from these zones unless they have legitimate reasons to be there. They should also expect that they could be stopped and checked by security forces.
Assistant Commissioner Wong Hong Kuan, who is director of operations, explained yesterday that police already have the powers to stop and search people at any time.
But designating areas as security zones under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act gives them added powers to order people out of the area, thus ensuring that the venues used by delegates will be insulated from potential trouble-makers.
The designation of security zones comes after an announcement on Thursday of selected road closures and security checks in areas where some of the summit events will be taking place next week.
AC Wong said the authorities will resort to designating areas as security zones for meetings that are held here in the future and which are attended by VIPs such as heads of state or ministers.
The Asean Summit is expected to draw about 1,000 delegates from 43 countries, including leaders from the grouping's 10 member-countries.
Issues that could draw protesters include civil society and Myanmar's recent crackdown on pro-democracy activists, while environmental activists may want to air grievances directly to the Asean leaders.
AC Wong reminded those who want to 'give expression to their political views' to do so lawfully and through available channels.
Indoor political forums by Singaporeans can be held without the need to apply for a licence, and foreigners who wish to do so can apply for licences from any police station.
Already, two applications for outdoor protests have been rejected. But police have approved an application for an 'indoor event', but no details were immediately available.
AC Wong also reminded the public not to heed Internet postings which say that it is not against the law to gather in groups of four or less, and which have encouraged people to do so during the Summit meetings.
The police advise the public 'not to participate in such illegal activities'.
At the Shangri-La Hotel, general manager Thierry Douin told The Straits Times the hotel will triple the staff deployed at the public lobby as security screening is not conducted by hotel employees and 'it is important that we are near our guests in case they need any assistance'.
He said it would nevertheless be business as usual at the hotel and its outlets.
While the checks, screenings and being gazetted a protected area may seem intimidating to guests and there may be slight delays, he said the hotel would remain easily accessible to guests.
dboey@sph.com.sg
