Debated in Parliament on 3 Nov 2014.
Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether Hong Lim Park is for the sole use of Speakers' Corner participants; (b) what designated spots in Hong Lim Park are meant for Speakers' Corner activities; (c) what is the list of activities
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permitted for Hong Lim Park; (d) when and for what activities can the adjacent Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre facilities, such as the stage, be allowed for use by Hong Lim Park users; (e) what standard operating procedures pertain to the use of Hong Lim Park and the adjacent Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre's facilities; and (f) how the recent incident pertaining to the use of the same ground by YMCA and advocates of the Return-My-CPF group can be avoided.
Madam, Hong Lim Park is a public park. It houses two lawns which have been designated as the Speakers' Corner. However, these lawns are not for the sole use of Speakers' Corner participants. Like any other park in Singapore, Hong Lim Park is a shared space for all Singaporeans to use and to conduct community events or other activities for the residents.
The Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green Community Centre and its outdoor stage are adjacent to the Hong Lim Park. Hong Lim Park users can apply to the Community Centre for the use of its facilities and the stage. Usage is subject to the usual terms imposed by the Peoples' Association. For example, the stage should not be used for political or religious activities. The park and CC facilities have been used for different types of events, such as concerts, family days, sporting activities and other community events. Generally, the stage can be booked for use from 2.00 pm to 10.00 pm, as these are the opening hours of the CC, but special arrangements can be made to use the stage earlier. For the Speakers' Corner, Singaporeans can speak, hold demonstrations and performances after seeking NParks' approval.
Multiple events have been conducted on many past occasions by different groups at the same time at Hong Lim Park. There had been no untoward incident arising from this arrangement until the 27 September incident. As I had said earlier, as Police investigations and legal proceedings are on-going in relation to the 27 September incident, it is not appropriate to comment on the incident or to give a view on what could or could not have prevented such an incident.
Thank you, Minister. In view that there is an upcoming major special needs activity, the Purple Parade, coming up on 15 November 2014, plus Senior Minister of State Teo Ser Luck happens to be one of the attendees in two weeks' time, I wish to seek the Minister's assurance that the unpleasant episode of 27 September 2014 will not be repeated. That is my first supplementary question.
My second supplementary question is that I wish to also seek Minister's comments on how MND intends to more effectively communicate, on an on-going basis, these policies and practices to stakeholders, such as applicants and users and also Community Club staff and
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management. Better safe than sorry.
The use of Hong Lim Park, or any other park in Singapore, is subject to terms and conditions which are well-publicised on our website. When people apply, they also go through the rules and regulations. So, people have been reminded. They know what to do. Particularly for Speakers' Corner, it has been around for 15 years since the year 2000. There had been no incidents in the past until this recent one. Can I give an assurance that such a thing will never happen again? Can I give an assurance that nobody will speed on the road, though we all know that one should not speed?
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