New Singapore's Speakers' Corner rules seen as threat to pride parade
Singapore - Foreign entities - including companies and non-governmental organisations - will soon need to apply for a permit to fund or support activities at Singapore's Speakers' Corner, a move that is seen as an attempt to end support for gay pride parades.
Speakers' Corner is the only place in the city where demonstrations and protests are allowed. The rule will go into effect on November 1,announced the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday.
The move comes amid controversy about foreign companies like Apple or Google sponsoring the annual gay pride parade, Pink Dot, which takes place in Speakers' Corner.
Organisers insist these events are funded only by the local subsidiaries of these international companies.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the new rule was meant to reinforce that Speakers' Corner was a place "primarily for Singaporeans" to voice out on issues that concern them.
"The government's position has always been that foreign entities should not interfere in our domestic issues, especially those of apolitical or controversial nature," read the statement.
If a entity is not incorporated or registered in Singapore and is not controlled by a majority of Singapore citizens, it classifies as a foreign entity.
Singaporeans and Singaporean entities will be exempt from applying for such permits.
Last June, some 5,000 placards were raised up at the Pink Dot event with messages of equality for all regardless of sexual orientation.
Pink Dot's corporate sponsors doubled from nine in the previous year to 18 this year.