Singaporeans will have their own Speakers' Corner within months - but they will not be as free to speak their minds as with the London model.
The Home Ministry announced yesterday the move towards freer speech would be ready by the end of August.
But there will be restrictions, although they are minimal by Singapore standards. Speakers must be Singaporean, pre-register with police, not say anything that might stir religious or racial hatred and amplification equipment such as loud-hailers will not be allowed.
Singapore's libel laws and Penal Code will apply to prevent any breach of the peace or rioting. Government intelligence officers may also be listening in.
Approval to speak will be automatic and instant with no need for orators to inform the authorities of the content of their intended speech.
At Speakers' Corner in London's Hyde Park, speakers can talk about religion, but not stir up racial hatred. They also don't have to register and any nationality can speak in any language. However, Britain's laws on slander and libel - which are not as restrictive as those in Singapore - apply.
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng told Parliament: 'Police will take a minimalist, hands-off approach.' Loud-hailers would not be allowed to 'reduce noise pollution and ensure that no one speaker drowns out the other speakers'.