Public Order Act 2009 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Assemblies and Processions
13. Power to prohibit assembly or procession in public interest
Feedback & supportIf, in the case of any proposed public assembly or public procession, the Minister is of the opinion that it is necessary in the public interest to do so, the Minister may, by order in the Gazette, prohibit the holding of that public assembly or public procession.
public assembly
“public assembly” means an assembly held or to be held in a public place or to which members of the public in general are invited, induced or permitted to attend;
If, in relation to any public place and any period of time not exceeding 28 days, the Commissioner is of the opinion that, having regard to —
public place
“public place” means —(a)any place (open to the air or otherwise) to which members of the public have access as of right or by virtue of express or implied permission, whether or not on payment of a fee, whether or not access to the place may be restricted at particular times or for particular purposes, and whether or not it is an “approved place” within the meaning of the Public Entertainments Act 1958; or(b)a part of a place that the occupier of the place allows members of the public to enter, but only while the place is ordinarily open to members of the public;
any serious public disorder or serious damage to public or private property which may result from public assemblies or public processions of a particular class or description in that public place during that period;
any serious public nuisance or obstruction in any public road, or threat to the safety of persons in that public place, that may result from such public assemblies or public processions;
any serious impact which such public assemblies or public processions may have on relations between different groups in Singapore;
any undue demands which such public assemblies or public processions may cause to be made on the police or military forces; and
the extent of powers exercisable under subsection (1),it is necessary in the public interest to do so, the Commissioner may, with the concurrence of the Minister, by notification in the Gazette, prohibit the holding of all public assemblies or public processions or both, or of that class or description, in that public place during that period.
An order made under subsection (1) in relation to an assembly or a procession has the effect of cancelling any previous permit granted under section 7 in relation to that assembly or procession.
assembly
“assembly” means a gathering or meeting (whether or not comprising any lecture, talk, address, debate or discussion) of persons the purpose (or one of the purposes) of which is —(a)to demonstrate support for or opposition to the views or actions of any person, group of persons or any government;(b)to publicise a cause or campaign; or(c)to mark or commemorate any event,and includes a demonstration by a person alone for any purpose mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c);
A notification made under subsection (2) has the effect of cancelling any previous permit granted under section 7 in relation to any assembly or procession, the holding of which is prohibited by the notification.
permit
“permit” means a permit granted under section 7 in respect of a public assembly or public procession;