The police have yet again rejected an application for a protest, this one to be conducted at the ASEAN Summit (see below).
The fact that Singapore is the chair of the organisation and will preside over the signing of the ASEAN Charter only highlights the meaninglessness of the exercise.
The Charter states that ASEAN would promote and protect “human rights and fundamental freedoms” of the people in the region.
How does ASEAN intend to do this if its chair bans outright any form of political activity in a public area in Singapore?
The event, planned for 19 Nov 07 outside the Shangri-La Hotel where the summit will take place, would call for ASEAN member states to take concrete measures to promote democracy in the region rather than just make empty promises.
The protest would also be used to protest against the Burmese representatives and to show solidarity with the oppressed people of Burma.
POLICE CANTOMENT COMPLEX
LICENSING DIVISION
BLOCK D, 391
NEW BRIDGE ROAD, #02-701
SINGAPORE 088762
9 Nov 2007
Dr Chee Soon Juan
Singapore Democratic Party
Dear Sir,
REJECTION OF ESTABLISHMENT PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE APPLICATION
I refer to your application dated 1 Nov 2007 for an establishment public entertainment license and your teleconversation with Station Inspector Melvyn Phua Kok Leong of Tanglin Police Division on 5 Nov 07.
During the teleconversation with Station Inspector Phua, you clarified that your application is meant for a protest which you intend to hold on 19 Nov 07 from 10am to 5pm along Orange Grove Road.
As this is the second time that you have incorrectly applied for an establishment Public Entertainment License, we would like to inform you that the correct application that you should have submitted is for a police permit, as indicated clearly on Police’s website http://license.business.gov.sg/. Your application for an establishment public entertainment license is thus rejected.
Based on the information you provided during the teleconversation, the application for a police permit, if you do submit one, is likely to be rejected. Nonetheless, should you wish to apply for a permit, Police will process your application.
Your faithfully,
MACR E KWAN SZER
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OPERATIONS (LICENSING)
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE