Non-Singapore entities need permit to organize or participate in Speakers' Corner events: MHA

Non-Singapore entities will need a permit if they organize or participate in an event at the Speakers' Corner within Hong Lim Park, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a statement on Friday.

MHA said the government's position has always been that foreign entities should not interfere in domestic issues of Singapore, especially those of a political or controversial nature. Thus, only Singapore citizens have been exempted from applying for permits to engage in public speaking and organize demonstrations at the Speakers' Corner subject to conditions under the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2016.

The ministry also clarified that "Singapore entity" includes entities which are incorporated or registered in Singapore and controlled by a majority of Singapore citizens. According to the Straits Times, this is the first time that the ministry made clear what a "Singapore entity" was.

MHA will be introducing amendments to the Public Order (Unrestricted Area) Order 2016, which will come into effect on Nov. 1, according to the statement. The amendments reinforce the key principle that the Speakers' Corner was set up primarily for Singaporeans.

Singapore's government established the Speakers' Corner in 2000 as a space for Singaporeans to express their views on issues that concern them. Endit