RULES on what can and cannot be said and done at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park will be made public on Monday.

Besides those typically imposed at parks in Singapore, the list will also include rules to ensure the country's multi-racial and multi-religious society is not put at risk.

This was disclosed by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan at a Tampines community event on Saturday.

Outdoor demonstration will soon be allowed at the place and its management passed from the Police to the National Parks Board, a statutory board that comes under Mr Mah's ministry.

These changes were made public last Sunday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his National Day Rally.

With the change, PM Lee added, a lighter touch will be taken.

Referring to the remark, Mr Mah said: 'But people must also realise that lighter touch does not mean no touch. It will still need some rules and regulations.

'Rules against talking about, touching on race and religion, for example, rules making sure people do not jeopardise what we have achieved.'

Beyond that, the usual park rules apply, he added and cited some: 'Please don't destroy the plants, don't disturb other people...do it within certain hours, don't make too much noise.'

Set up in 2000, Speakers' Corner was a venue for Singaporeans to make public speeches without the need for a permit.

With people soon free to demonstrate there, Mr Mah expressed the hope that they will do so responsibly and be accountable for their actions.

'Please exercise the freedom to demonstrate. Please do it within the rules. Please respect and recognise that we are a multi-racial, multi-religious society,' he said.