Singapore Tightens Grip on its citizens to avoid Social Unrest
Recent legislation passed by Parliament under the guise of combating terrorism has raised concerns that discretionary powers could be used by authorities to further silence political opposition and suppress public dissent at a time the country is facing its worst economic crisis in more than fifty years.
The Public Order Act (POA), which was hastily drafted and passed in April, represents the latest legislation to boost the discretionary powers of the People's Action Party-led government, which has ruled the city state since 1959.
The new law will primarily extend the draconian Public Entertainment and Meeting Act, which bars gatherings of more than five people without a government-granted permit. Under the POA, now even one person with a "cause-related" intention in public will also require a permit, the new law effectively banning all outdoor activity deemed by the state as political in nature.
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