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Andrew Loh
“We will manage it [Speakers’ Corner] with a light touch. So I think there’s no need for the police to get involved.” (Straits Times)
That was what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long said in August 2008 when he announced the relaxation of the rules for public demonstrations at Speakers’ Corner. The new rules came into effect on 1st September 2008. Singaporeans who wanted to hold public demonstrations at the park no longer had to apply for a police permit to do so.
“We will hand this over. Mah Bow Tan has agreed, NParks (National Parks Board) will take over,” the Prime Minister explained during his National Day Rally speech. “And NParks, you know their green fingers, everything will grow nicely, it will be well in hand.”
When Speakers’ Corner was first created in September 2000, Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng gave a similar assurance, saying that the Internal Security Department “has a lot of better things to do” than monitor the movements of the speakers. He was responding to opposition politician Mr JB Jeyaretnam’s concerns that Singaporeans were required to provide personal details when registering to speak at Hong Lim Park. (Singapore Window)
With such assurances by the Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister, one must wonder why there are now five closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) at Hong Lim Park. Coming on the heels of the recent spate of new rules such as the amendments to the Films Act and the introduction of a new Public Order Act, Singaporeans are wondering if political space is being curbed, instead of being opened up, which was what the Prime Minister had promised.
When I visited Speakers’ Corner on Friday, 24 July, there were three cameras mounted along the perimeter of the field – one just outside the entrance to Clark Quay MRT station, a second near the Kreta Ayer Police Station and the third just in front of the stage. All three face the open field.
A fourth one is located near the car park and the fifth mounted on the external wall of the police station, facing the park.
Why is there a need to have five security cameras at a relatively small area?
To find out the reasons, I visited the Kreta Ayer police station, which is located beside the park. The officer there told me he knows nothing about the cameras, except the one mounted on the police station building. I asked him who monitors the cameras. He said the park is under the charge of the National Parks Board (Nparks) and gave me a number to call them. So I did.
I was told that the cameras were installed by the police and that my query has been passed to the relevant department of the police force. (We will update this article when we receive a reply from the police.)
In reply to queries by the Today newspaper, the police say the cameras are for “safety and security” reasons. “CCTVs are used to complement police presence on the ground and to project a greater sense of security,” the police statement to Today said. (Today)
A few questions naturally arise.
One, have there been complaints from the public that Hong Lim Park is unsafe? How many complaints, if any, have there been so far? More importantly, what is the crime rate at the park to warrant five cameras to be installed? In April 2009, Member of Parliament Ms Irene Ng said, “We have been fairly successful with our experiment at Speakers’ Corner. The protests there have been peaceful thus far.” She was so impressed by the peaceful events that she called for street processions to be allowed as well. “We should take that experiment further and allow certain streets which lead up to the Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park to be designated safe for processions,” she said. (MFA)
So clearly, the police’s reasons for installing the CCTVs – “safety and security” – are at best dubious ones. Surely, the crime rate there could not have suddenly spiraled since April, which is just three months ago, when Ms Ng made her remarks. Besides, Hong Lim Park has also been rather quiet the last three months. So, the police’s fear of “safety and security” does not stand either. In any case, isn’t it strange that the police officers at the Kreta Ayer police station, which is virtually within the park itself, do not even know about the CCTVs?
Two, the police’s statement is interesting to note. It said, “CCTVs are used to complement police presence on the ground and to project a greater sense of security.” Notice that the police does not say the cameras are to provide a greater sense of security but only to “project” it. Put another way, the cameras are for deterrence.
The question is: Who are the police trying to deter? There is no evidence of any significant presence of crime at the park. So, criminals cannot be the target. Are the cameras suppose to deter activists, as some have suggested? Yet, why would the police want to do this? Isn’t Speakers’ Corner supposed to be a free space where demonstrations are even allowed now?
Three, does not the police feel that the presence of the cameras would instead be contradicting the promises of the Prime Minister, who said that “there is no need for the police to get involved”?
Perhaps the government did not expect huge crowds to turn up for events at Speakers’ Corner and thus was caught by surprise. Hence, this back-peddling and the presence of the five cameras. Crowds as large as 1,000 people turned up to protest their predicament during the structured products saga last year. More recently, 700 people showed up for the Pink Dot event, organized by the gay community in Singapore. By local standards, these crowds are huge.
Perhaps the government should not be alarmed that more Singaporeans are now willing to participate in such events. They should be encouraged and not curtailed – or seen to be curtailed. This has been what our ministers have been urging Singaporeans to do – to get involved, to speak up, and so on. The PM even called on Singaporeans to “mobilize” themselves.
Indeed, our former Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong, said:
“Singapore’s political and social climate needs to give space for more ventilation and variation.
Diversity will affect how the people and the Government relate. If Singapore is to become a place where people can fulfill their aspirations, where they can explore many different things, it will no longer make sense for the Government to always control and regulate every activity.” (TOC)
Fimmaker Mr Martyn See sees the presence of the CCTVs as further proof that political space in Singapore is being further constrained. “There is a chronic, deep-seated political climate of fear in Singapore. The Government will pretend it doesn’t exist but they know it does. And this explains the installation of CCTVs in Hong Lim Park, the introduction of the Public Order Act and the new restrictions to the Films Act. These measures are not there to deter a handful of already-determined activists,” Mr See said, “but they are calculated to further instill fear in the general public. “
“Lee Hsien Loong’s government is not freeing up political space. They are calibrating it so that they [can] better manage it,” he added.
While the security cameras may deter ordinary Singaporeans, activist Mr Seelan Palay says he will continue to use the park to express himself. “The cameras being installed at Hong Lim Park only go to show that ‘liberalization’ of political space is something that the PAP government only pays lip service to,” he said. “But their fear tactics will not deter me from being there to support various causes because in my heart I know I am on the side of justice and truth.”
Former Nominated Member of Parliament, Mr Siew Kum Hong, called the presence of the cameras “ridiculous”.
In his National Day Rally speech last year, the Prime Minister said the following:
“We’ve got to think through our own problems ourselves, find the right path for Singapore. Crossing a river by feeling for the stones, step by step, as Deng Xiaoping said. But please remember, even in the cyberage, some things don’t change.”
Indeed, it seems they don’t.
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The MSK case has shown to us that police CCTVs are useless. It is never turn on and never check to see if it is working. Thats how MSK escape with ease. Even if the police setup the cctv cameras they are lazy and will never bother to switch on or do proper maintenance. They “got better things to do” like what WKS has mentioned earlier. I think their “they got better things to do” means “kia ka” at office and TCSS with each other. Rest assured with a “cannot make it” WKS what do you think he can do or achieved with the CCTVs? Just rent big spotlights to shine at the five CCTVs and you will definitely screwed up their monitoring. They cant be any more clever than a bacon.
When S’poreans’ confidence is growing, fear will be diminished, and that’s what PAP is worry of. Thus, there is a need to create fear in order to continue to control the ppl, and they have found a way – to install more CCTVs. S’poreans now have to decide whether they want to take a step back or continue to march forward.
Nobody says you cant wear a N95 masks. Since H1N1 is spreading like wild fire, wearing masks is cool to HLP. Not only protecting yourself also protect against privy eyes of the useless “white elephant” CCTVs. If they want to be dumb, let them be. They have just shown the world how hypocritical they are as a govt. Times have changed, this GOVT are clueless as to how to turn things around. I think they have missed the boat this time.
“In reply to queries by the Today newspaper, the police say the cameras are for “safety and security” reasons. “CCTVs are used to complement police presence on the ground and to project a greater sense of security,” the police statement to Today said.”
Well, apparently they are installing the cameras at the WRONG place. 5 cameras at a park? How about just 1 behind the toilet whereby there’s a hole without grill?
Project a sense of security? Isn’t that “wayanging”?
Is it possible for TOC to find out the cost of those 5 little cameras? As it is, they are spending alot on nonsense stuff like the 3k+ billboards for national day.
great, another flip-flop the list. yay!! :)
Small issue lah. Last time no HLP people also live happily for over 30 years and now got HLP people are not happy. Many Chee SJ supporter not happy because he cant get into paliment and so pick all the peanuts issue to attack garman.
Luckly only a handful of people not happy with garman, majority still very happy happy blow pepe.
don’t waste $$ putting the CCTV there, better put around Geylang , pte apt, along the street, etc,
safety and security is a real issue there, as there are many FW, from all nationality staying, loiterling around. need to install, don’t install. no need to install , put 5 some more, C@ck lah…
Geylang is littered with vices definitely need the 5 expensive hi-tech CCTVs. Home Team so short of manpower and resources still can spare 5 CCTVs for Hong Lim Park protesters. They are so caring. Truly amazing hor! Really intelligent leaders running the home team. BRAVO. :>
“safety &security”
so swift action, compared to measures put in place for H1N1 prevention. that wan like no safety no security. now how many people die liao? despite underlying health issues, H1N1 is the last straw that “broke the camel’s back”….
maybe to some that acceptable, the low mortality rate?
Just pretend to play basketball or soccer at HLP and knock out the lens with it. Or ask the heaven to strike lightnings 5 times at once.
Should reduce the police force budget.
Wasting of tax-payers’ money for installing redundant cameras.
I am so tired of our gov controlling our lifes. What gives the Lee Family the rights to rule over us! Wake up ur cb idea.
Why am I not surprised by this hypocrisy?
“Why am I not surprised by this hypocrisy?”
because this is how S’pore works? :)
Promises are to be kept but pap has broken them many times. Do we still trust them? do we still abide by LHL national day rally speeches again? Don’t you think he has wasted many people time by standing at indoor stadium for at least 2 hours and saying things that he doesn’t believe in? Every time when they open their mouth, to say something to smoke us, I felt like spitting phlegm into it. At least my phelgm is more potent than open lies.
many singaporeans especially the non-apathetic ones may not know that right INSIDE the HLP, there is a not-so-small polis station already and the park is so small to control compared to those found overseas.
And ….
but as usual, there is no worry, the people will accept.
aiyoyo
some things dont change; no wonder same old faces…
just look at the economy, is it a time for a change for better economy?
been thinking of livelihood & not so pressure life..
aiyoyo
It seems pretty obvious to me that the fact that the local police post knows nothing about the CCTVs suggests that security around the vicinity is not the crux of the matter. This has been correctly pointed out by the article. In addition to what Andrew Loh has reported, one may surmise that ANOTHER branch of the police, not tied to the local police post, has jurisdiction over these cameras. No points for guessing which branch this is, as it is supposed to remain a secret.
7) nappys
Great reply nappys. The policeman are simply too eng now. Pleasing the management to secure their job.
To control one income now is to control his soul. But if I cannot make ends meet,
I will not be like our forefather just work without thinking.
I will fight those priviledge group.
anyone?
what happens if something happens in HLP but will the camera give good footage?
I dun mean MSK.
Hmm maybe they want to count how many people going to HLP and categorise statistics on the subject matter and the speaker?
Then they can better manage their media campaign -aka. Wayang?
Best defense is to wear a mask but let’s not stop going to HLP.
suddenly, they feel HL Park is unsafe wants to install 5 cameras? after all these years? to me, they just put in extra reels of flim to record all protests so that they can be used in court to sue etc.
when oppositions went there to protest, buses of policemen came and cornered those speakers who did no crime.
well, keep complaining and you really think our government will change? and be really democractic? they just want to stay in power, keep winning elections, thats their ultimate strategy.
i am impressed with these cameras which i assume not cheap and not sure who is paying for it.
1 thing for sure, having these cameras, the police also no need to turn up with video cameras maciam like no police onsite , assuming when there is a need for one. also, no need have plain shirt ….in the…..midst…..tourist camera’ing…..
wait…..public notice…..him.
and will anyone know when the camera will be turned on and when it is not recording?
so stealth wor?
like this ho say liao.
“Even in cyberage, some things don’t change.”
I guess LHL wasn’t referring to his word.
I’m very disappointed. PAP has yet given us another reason not to vote for it.
FYI, you can blind a CCTV by directing the beam froma laser pointer at it.
PM is keeping his promise of managing Speakers’ corner with a light touch.
With 5 CCTVs, no need for police presence.
Time to surrender citizenship, withdraw one’s CPF and head out of this ‘cage’…
If these cameras deter people from turning up, then these people (if males) should be castrated. And their testicles stuffed into their mouths.
1. Hong Lim Park is supposed to be the only place in Singapore where you can speak your mind and protest without fear.
2. By installing CCTVs, it undermines the original purpose of that place. Will people speak and act naturally when there know that they are being filmed?
3. It betrays the trust of Singaporeans that whatever they say and act is being watched by Big Brother. Such mistrust will eventually leads to negative effect on society.
4. The term “safety and security” is so vague that everyone has his own interpretations. The last thing the government should do is “miscommunication”,
which they are doing right now.
5. Society will break down when people feel that the elite have all the “say” and they have “no say”. The stakeholders are all yours, I have none; this frustrations will to apathy. Singapore will only be reduced to an “Economic Bus”, get in to make fast money and get out fast as you can before it breakdowns.
6. The government should give Singaporeans the signal that its citizens are important and to be trusted. If the government do not exist for Singaporeans, who are they existing for?
7. The feelings Singaporeans have is that the government, instead of caring for them are actually boxing them into the corner, watching and controlling their every moves. Don’t you want to get off this “Economic Bus” soon? Australia has a large welcome mat ready for you!
Its the whole Panopticon thing. Self-censorship cause big brother is watching.
I’ve a feeling the police did it without asking the big boys though…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panopticon
Another prime candidate for flip flop of the year……TOC should really make a list and I think it will be a very long one
Hello guys. Why complain? Just vote them out in this coming election. simple as that. Then, they will listen to us. Let the them show show thier true colours and we will show them also. Remember brothers and sisters : YES WE CAN CHANGE!!!!!!!
Certain faction in the PAP is getting uncomfortable.
Well, things must and will change.
People know, they don’t owe a living to the PAP govt anymore.
These camera tricks just make them look worse.
Someone in the party is giving old school advise.
Another prime example of govt flip-flops.
36 # pretty face,
We really don’t owe the PAP a living, actually, its thePAP that owe us their living
Just look at the amount we are paying them and the costs we have to pay
to utilise Govt services eg heathcare.
Always I wonder why did we elect this Govt for?
Our government is employing psycho-tech terrorism to terrorise our mental, oral and physical freedom to prevent such people who turned up for the ‘Operation Spectrum’ Protest at HLP that have very much embarassed the mastermind of Operation Spectrum. So you know who is still in control, not LHL.
“Welcome to Singapore!”
The simplest reason is .. election is coming?
downright blatant and obvious motive.
bleh. Everytime i see LHL or LKY, i wana poke them in th eye and fling poo on their face :D
assuming the well-cultured new generation ACCEPT this,
with the successful implementation of this camera system,
would the benefits of this system be extended to elsewhere on the island so that the people continue to benefit even more?
well, as long as the new generation of highly education and well-informed people ACCEPT, what is not possible?
how likely is it for near pubs and geylang and joo chiat and sentosa and casino and the zoo and schools and universities and maybe parks other than HL like mt Faber, Mt E and Mt Alvernia as well as Suntec, CityHall, Changi Village, Holland Village, sim lim square, bugis junction and orchard road as well as all libraries?
regards
hank of pank.
My take is that they were caught by surprise the relative success of opening HLP for protest/demonstration. The number of people who had turned up for some of the events such as the mini-bond saga, PinkDot event, etc, were quite unexpected.
When they first allowed Speaker’s Corner at HLP, there were little action and the crowd that turned up are inconsequential. They must have thought that it would be very much the same when they allowed protest/demonstration. It must have caught them by surprise with the turnout for some of those events held there.
With more people turning up, there is potential for this site to be use to mobilise the masses for civil or political causes.
Since it is too late rescind that decision without looking bad, what better way to discourage people from attending future than to play on the fears of people of being identified by the govt. 5 CCTV cameras will do the trick.
It is quite clear that this is a deliberate action to prevent any civil/political activists from developing any further thru the use of HLP to mobilise the masses.
38) transformer on July 28th, 2009 1.28 pm
“36 # pretty face,
We really don’t owe the PAP a living, actually, its thePAP that owe us their living
Just look at the amount we are paying them and the costs we have to pay
to utilise Govt services eg heathcare.
Always I wonder why did we elect this Govt for?”
Technically and diplomatically speaking,
I might say that without the people’s continued and undying support for the continous, unbroken last 50 years or so, there would be no chance for what they are today. This is not to say anything about their ability. This is merely to say about technicality – election results, walkovers and lack of opposition all could lead to their continued dominance and enjoy doing what they do.
regards
not say i anyhou say and say by lim.kopi.say of the siah suay say and say from pay and pray.
“30) A Tan on July 28th, 2009 11.04 am If these cameras deter people from turning up, then these people (if males) should be castrated. And their testicles stuffed into their mouths.”
really ? when y r the cameras up there ? where one side has the full backing of the ‘law’ behind them plus all the electronic eyes ?
people like you just know how to gleefully apply for the wrong reasons to castrate testicles. no wonder they have this thingy on one-person assembly. looking forward to zero-person assembly ? talking about castrating testicles somemore.
#31 MariKita
“2. By installing CCTVs, it undermines the original purpose of that place. Will people speak and act naturally when there know that they are being filmed? ”
it reminds me that singaporeans are infamously known to be camera shy when filmed by tv crew on the street asking them for comments.
1st world.
#41 Yamasam: \\\The number of people who had turned up for some of the events such as the mini-bond saga, PinkDot event, etc, were quite unexpected.\\
could there be a similar restriction to hold AGMs like aware saga such that they only allowed 1 place for such thingy and have the place installed with many cameras.
what could be the effect on camera-shy s’poreans and another saga in future?
as usual rc balls carriers would have said
why fear
if you did no wron?
i replied
why carry if you think you are a man?
offcourse if you
are
ATan yourself
your balls would be in your mouth
right?
than again
leekuanyew would says
where in the world do we have such perfect government
82 paps 2 oppositions
is DARE no MAN amon the oppositions?
i would have told leekuanyew
with you in charge of GRC
where braddel height is within marine parade ward
why do i needs to study on geography lessons
and yes
mr leekuanyew
are you a MAN yourself?
did the contractors get itwrong? were they supposed to install 5 speakers (center, front left & right, rear left & right = surround sound) instead?
lol….
I guess to progress we have to ignore the cameras.
If we let fear affects us, we all fall into the trap of the authorities which is trying to use scare tactics here.
I beliebe Singapore will move and the next election will hopefully bring forth much needed changes to our country.