Reviewing the Public Order Act to Define Organising Unauthorised Gatherings Exceeding Five People Outside the Istana as an Offence

Question:

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry will review the Public Order Act to define organising an unauthorised gathering of more than five people outside the Istana as a specific chargeable offence.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. It is already an offence under the Public Order Act 2009 for a person to organise or participate in a public assembly within a prohibited area. The Istana and the immediate area around it are gazetted as a prohibited area. Prohibited areas are published in the Schedule of the Public Order (Prohibited Areas) Order 2009.

2. This law applies regardless of the number of persons involved.