James Gomez, Executive Director of Think Centre, has been notified through a letter dated 29th January 2001 to appear at the Central Police Division HQ by Inspector Alvin Chong.Inspector Chong, who is the Senior Investigation Officer, mentioned in his letter that James Gomez is asked to appear for a police investigation, "in connection into an offence of Assembly Without a Permit alleged to have been committed on 10th December 2000 between 0900hrs and 1500hrs at Speaker's Corner, Hong Lim Green."The interview is set to take place on 10th February 2001 at 9.30am at the HQ which is located at 99, Beach Road.
The Think Centre has been active in organising, either singly or jointly, monthly sessions at the Speaker's Corner since its inception on 1 September 2000. Up to date several of its initiatives to overcome the limitations at Hong Lim Park have been met with police disapproval.
1. The Ministry of Home Affairs denied a petition of 200 signatures for the use of some form of amplification device on the grounds that it will drown out other voices.
2. An application to the licensing division for a permit to organise a Speaker's Corner Road Show at the Haig Road Market to promote the Hong Lim venue was also denied.
The police investigations come at time when attendance and use of the Speaker's Corner is at an all time low barely five months since the Hong Lim Park opened up as a free speech venue.
Jacob George
Public Affairs, Think Centre
(65-2956377)
