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Lawyer
Ravi writes to police on Parliament House
protest
Singapore Democrats
29
Jan 08
29
January 2008
The Licensing Officer
Police
Licensing Division
Police Cantonment Complex
391 New
Bridge Road
Blk D #02-701
Singapore 088762
Dear
Sir/Madam
Re:
Application for Police Permit For Protest Rally Outside
Parliament House
We act for Dr Chee Soon Juan
of the Singapore Democratic Party in the above matter.
Our
client has made an application for a permit to stage a protest
rally outside the Parliament House on 15 March 2008 on World
Consumer Rights Day. We note that our client’s application
is still under consideration.
Our client records his
dismay that in the past your refusal to issue a permit usually
reaches our client at the 11th hour after the public
has been informed of the rally and logistical arrangements have
been made.
This not only creates much inconvenience to our
client and fellow citizens but is an unusual departure from the
much celebrated tenet of efficiency of our civil service. Such a
late response also violates the Public Entertainment and Meetings
Act ("Act").
In this regard, we would like to
draw your attention to Section 13 (2) of the Act that states "the
Licensing Officer shall, if so requested by the applicant or the
licensee, as the case may be, furnish the applicant or the
licensee within 7 days of being so required with the grounds of
such refusal in writing."
Further reference is also
made to section 13 (3) which states that "any applicant or
licensee who is aggrieved by the refusal of the Licensing Officer
may, within 14 days of the furnishing to him of the grounds of
the refusal, appeal in writing to the Minister whose decision
shall be final".
It is clear from the aforesaid
sections 13(2) and (3) that any decisions to refuse permit ought
to be made known within the stipulated time, at least 21 before
the event for which the permit is being sought or preferably
much earlier as this would enable our client to lodge an appeal
with the Minister.
It would make nonsense of the aforesaid
provisions if an appeal is to be made or a decision by the
Minister on any appeal is made known to our client after the
scheduled date of the protest rally.
If your decision is
made known to our client too late, the aforesaid provisions
under the Act are of no effect. We would appreciate if you could
let us know the status of our client’s application within
the next seven(7) days from the date hereof.
Please note
that the Minister’s decision, albeit final, is still
subject to judicial review if his decision violates Article 12 of
the Constitution which gives the right to equal treatment and if
there is any discrimination against our client, our client’s
rights are hereby expressly reserved.
Yours faithfully,
M Ravi
M Ravi & Co.
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