In gross contradiction of an easing of licensing of public events, the Public Entertainments Licensing Unit (PELU), yesterday rejected without reason an application by James Gomez, Executive Director, Think Centre to organise a Speakers' Corner at 12 & 14 Haig Road on 19/11/2000 from 8.30am – 10am. Read the reply letter from PELU.
An application was made on the morning of 4/11/2000 (Sat) for 5 speakers: Melvin Tan, Yaw Shin Leong, Christopher Neo, Liew Hui Mei and James Gomez, to hold a Speakers' Corner Road Show to stimulate public interest into making more use of the premises at Hong Lim Park. Since the Park opened to public speakers some three months ago, there has been a dwindling number of speakers and attendees.
In light of yesterday's announcement, an appeal to the rejection has been lodged this morning, 14/11/2000 (Tue).{See softcopy of letter below} Members of the public will be kept informed. For related information please refer to our website, www.thinkcentre.org.
This is the second time the licensing unit has rejected an application for a permit by James Gomez. In October 1999, it rejected an application by Mr Gomez to speak at the launch of his book, Singapore Shame: Self-Censorship, at MPH bookstore. The book went on to make number one on the MPH bestsellers list a week later.
In November 1999, Mr Gomez and his colleagues were summoned by the Singapore Police Force for organizing a talk entitled, "Youth & Politics in Singapore" (1 October 99), without a public entertainment licence. Mr Gomez's innovative use of the Internet to invite members of the public to attend the talk was perceived as a breach of the law. He and all others who spoke at the forum and help organise it were questioned. However, after three months of investigation, the Attorney-General's chambers decided not to prosecute the case.
Think Centre continues to organise public political talks on a regular basis.
Jacob George
Public Affairs
Tel: 2956377
LD/PE/PT387/2000
LICENSING DIVISION
5 PEARL'S HILL ROAD
SINGAPORE (168996)
TEL : 435 2300
FAX : 226 3353
13 Nov 2000
Mr James Gomez
Think Centre
Dear Sir,
APPLICATION TO HAVE SPEAKER'S CORNER ON 19 NOV 00 BETWEEN THE SPACE OF THE FOODCOURT AND WET MARKET AT HAIG ROAD
1. I refer to your application dated 4 Nov 00.
2. I regret to inform you that your application is not successful.
Yours faithfully
L C NG (MDM)
For ASST DIRECTOR OPERATIONS (LICENSING)
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
To: LC NG (MDM)
for ASST DIRECTOR OPERATIONS (LICENSING)
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
LICENSING DIVISION
5 PEARL HILL ROAD
SINGAPORE (168996)
Tel: 4352300
Fax: 226 3353
From: James Gomez Think Centre h/p: 98513525 fax: 2352142
14 Nov 2000
Dear Mdm
APPEAL LETTER
1. I refer to your rejection letter dated 13 Nov 00 to conduct a Speaker's Corner at 12 and 14 Haig Road (FoodCourt and Wet Market) on 19th Nov 00 between 8.30am and 10.30 am.
2. Given the announcement of the ease in licensing public events I submit this appeal for your department's reconsideration.
Yours faithfully
