Singapore cannot take its chances with security, and needs to protect World Bank-IMF delegates and Singaporeans from the threat of terrorism. Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has made clear the country's stand against allowing civil groups to demonstrate outside of the designated area.

1. (Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/229580/1/.ht
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Singapore cannot take chances with security during IMF/WB meetings: DPM Wong
By Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 10 September 2006 1714 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore cannot take its chances with security, and needs to protect World Bank-IMF
delegates and Singaporeans from the threat of terrorism.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has made clear the country's stand against allowing civil
groups to demonstrate outside of the designated area.
Speaking to reporters at a healthy lifestyle event at East Coast Park, Mr Wong described Singapore
as a "prime target" for terrorists.
He said that since September 11th, and the Jemaah Islamiyah arrests here, the JI has been very
active in this region.
"This furore is quite beyond us to understand. To expect Singapore to change its laws to
accommodate foreigners to demonstrate on our streets. I think we cannot accept that either because
we can't have one law for Singaporeans and another law for foreigners," said Mr Wong.
The IMF/World Bank has said the preference is to allow outdoor protests by accredited groups, but
Singapore has stood firm on its position, to only allow these groups to air their views, in an indoor
area set aside for them at Suntec Singapore.
"It's not about denying them the opportunity for discussion. I read today that somebody said that we
should allow them to come into take part in the discussion. I don't quite understand this because
they're right inside Suntec Singapore. Of course, they're not in the conference centre itself, they're not
in the meeting halls themselves because these are meant for those who represent the countries or
banks to share, not for the CSOs," said Mr Wong.
A few hundred civil group representatives have been accredited, from close to 50 countries, but civil
groups say Singapore has barred some people from entering Singapore.
The Police have told the IMF/World Bank that representatives who are assessed to pose a threat to
security, or the community, will not be allowed entry.
Both the organisation and Singapore have said they continue to engage each other on discussions on
this issue. - CNA /dt