Public Entertainments and Meetings Act
(Chapter 257, Section 16)
Public Entertainments and Meetings (Exemptions) Order
O 1
G.N. No. S 101/2001

REVISED EDITION 2002
(31st January 2002)
[1st March 2001]
Citation
1.  This Order may be cited as the Public Entertainments and Meetings (Exemptions) Order.
Definitions
2.  In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires —
“bowling centre” means any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, for the primary purpose of bowling;
“carnival ride” includes any roller coaster ride, merry-go-round, battery-operated car, kiddie ride and inflatable play structures;
“children” means persons of 12 years of age or below;
“constituency” means an electoral division under the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap. 218) and includes a group representation constituency;
“constituency activity”, in relation to a constituency, means any activity organised for the benefit and participation of the residents of the constituency, and for which a licence is required under the Act;
“fun fair” means an amusement fair which is, or may be, established and operated for a continuous period of not more than 31 days in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise;
“group representation constituency” has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Parliamentary Elections Act;
“hotel” means any premises registered as a hotel under the Hotels Act (Cap. 127), and “hotel-keeper” has the same meaning as in section 2 of that Act;
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
“indoor public talk” means any lecture, talk, address, debate or discussion —
(a)which is held in any enclosed place; and
(b)which is not within the hearing or view of any person who is not attending or participating in the lecture, talk, address, debate or discussion (as the case may be);
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
“martial arts” means akido, bersilat, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, kendo, kung-fu, taekwon-do or a combination or variation thereof, or any other art of pugilism, fighting, boxing or self-defence;
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
“massage establishment” means any establishment for massage in respect of which a licence has been issued under the Massage Establishments Act (Cap. 173) and remains in force;
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
“registered professional engineer” means a professional engineer registered under the Professional Engineers Act (Cap. 253);
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
“specified demonstration” means any demonstration of one or more of the art and craft, sports or cultural activities specified in the Schedule;
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
“temporary fair” means a temporary fair for which a permit has been obtained from the Director-General of Public Health under section 35 of the Environmental Public Health Act (Cap. 95).
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
Exemptions
Chinese opera, etc.
3.—(1)  Any event (other than any constituency activity) wholly comprising —
(a)Chinese opera;
(b)Chinese classical puppet show;
(c)classical instrumental music performance; or
(d)“sing-song” << 歌 台 >>,
in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(i)the event commences not earlier than 11 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;
(ii)not more than 2 loudspeakers are used during the event;
(iii)any loudspeaker used during the event is inclined downwards and positioned to face the audience;
(iv)any stage, structure, shed or fixture used or to be used for the event is not —
(A)installed, erected or constructed; or
(B)removed or dismantled,
between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.;
(v)no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the performers;
(vi)no vulgar or obscene song is performed;
(vii)the performers are not indecently attired;
(viii)in the case of sub-paragraph (d) —
(A)there is no transvestite performance; and
(B)the performers do not mingle with the audience in any manner during their performance or while dressed in their performance attire;
(ix)no member of the audience is invited to the stage or any other performance area during the event;
(x)the organiser of the event, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the place of the event at all times during the event; and
(xi)the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the event, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.
Certain events at hotels or shopping centres
(2)  Any event (other than any constituency activity) wholly comprising —
(a)the performance of music, singing or dancing by or for children ;
(b)any puppet show (other than any Chinese classical puppet show);
(c)any magic show;
(d)the transmission of recorded music by any disc jockey; or
(e)any organised competition at games of skill,
in a plaza, concourse, atrium or lobby of any hotel or shopping centre, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(i)not more than 2 loudspeakers are used during the event;
(ii)any loudspeaker used during the event is inclined downwards and positioned to face the audience;
(iii)no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the performers or, in the case of sub-paragraph (d), by any disc jockey;
(iv)no vulgar or obscene song is performed;
(v)the performers are not indecently attired;
(vi)there is no transvestite performance;
(vii)the organiser of the event, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the place of the event at all times during the event; and
(viii)the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the event, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.
Busking
(3)  Busking by any person in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)the busking takes place only at a place designated by the National Arts Council and a copy of the letter of endorsement of the busking from the National Arts Council is displayed at a conspicuous area thereat; and
(b)during the busking, the person does not —
(i)obstruct, or cause obstruction to, pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
(ii)actively solicit any donation;
(iii)use any sound amplification device, other than those that are battery-operated; or
(iv)make any vulgar or obscene gesture or remark.
Fashion shows, etc.
(4)  Any event wholly comprising —
(a)any fashion show or beauty pageant in any cabaret, nightclub, lounge, discotheque or pub;
(b)any bridal show in any enclosed place; or
(c)any fashion show in any enclosed place (other than a cabaret, nightclub, lounge, discotheque or pub) where no swimwear or lingerie is modelled,
for which a licence is required under the Act, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(i)no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the models, contestants or other participants;
(ii)the models, contestants or other participants of the event are not indecently attired;
(iii)in the case of sub-paragraph (a) —
(A)the event commences not earlier than and ends not later than the operation hours of the cabaret, nightclub, lounge, discotheque or pub permitted by the Licensing Officer; and
(B)barricades of at least one metre in height are provided at least one metre around the stage and any other event area;
(iv)in the case of sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) —
(A)a raised platform of at least one metre in height is used by the participants during the event; and
(B)barricades of at least one metre in height are provided at least one metre around the platform;
(v)the organiser of the event, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the place of the event at all times during the event; and
(vi)the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the event, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.
Bowling
(5)  Bowling in any bowling centre is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)no gambling or betting takes place in the bowling centre;
(b)a sign prohibiting gambling and betting at the bowling centre is displayed at a conspicuous place thereat; and
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
(c)not more than one jukebox is provided at the bowling centre for the transmission of recorded music.
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
Carnival games and carnival rides at fun fairs
(6)  The operation of carnival games or carnival rides at fun fairs is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)the operation of the carnival games or carnival rides commences not earlier than 11 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;
(b)every carnival ride equipment is certified safe for public use by any registered professional engineer qualified to practise electrical engineering and mechanical engineering;
(c)the carnival rides are operated within a barricaded area at the fun fair;
(d)the carnival games do not have any element of gambling or betting;
(e)any generator used at the fun fair is placed within a barricaded area;
(f)the organiser of the fun fair, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at the fun fair at all times during the operation hours of the fun fair; and
(g)the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the commencement of the fun fair, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.
Lion’ or ‘dragon’ dances
(7)  Any performance of ‘lion’ or ‘dragon’ dance in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)not more than 2 ‘lions’ and not more than one ‘dragon’ are used during the performance;
(b)the performance commences not earlier than 10 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;
(c)the organiser of the performance, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at all times during the performance; and
(d)the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Land Division, at least 7 days before the performance, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.
Karaoke boxes
(8)  The operation of any karaoke box in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)no dancing inside the karaoke box is permitted; and
(b)the interior of the karaoke box is within public view at all times.
Constituency activities
(9)  Any constituency activity wholly comprising —
(a)any performance of music, singing or dancing;
(b)any magic show or comedy show;
(c)the transmission of recorded music; or
(d)any organised competition at games of skill,
which is organised by or on behalf of a Member of Parliament and held in the constituency which he represents in Parliament, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(i)the constituency activity commences not earlier than 7 a.m. and ends not later than 10.30 p.m.;
(ii)not more than 6 loudspeakers are used during the constituency activity;
(iii)any loudspeaker used during the constituency activity is inclined downwards and positioned to face the audience;
(iv)any stage, structure, shed or fixture used or to be used for the constituency activity is not —
(A)installed, erected or constructed; or
(B)removed or dismantled,
between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.;
(v)no vulgar or obscene gesture or remark is made by any of the performers;
(vi)no vulgar or obscene song is performed;
(vii)the performers are not indecently attired;
(viii)there is no transvestite performance;
(ix)in the case of sub-paragraph (a), the performers do not mingle with the audience in any manner during their performance or while dressed in their performance attire;
(x)the organiser of the constituency activity, or an authorised agent of the organiser, is present at all times during the constituency activity; and
(xi)the organiser notifies any police officer on duty at any Neighbourhood Police Post, Neighbourhood Police Centre or Police Divisional Headquarters, at least 7 days before the constituency activity, in such form and manner as the Licensing Officer may determine.
Indoor public talk
(9A)  Any indoor public talk held in any place to which the public or any class of public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)the organiser of the indoor public talk is a citizen of Singapore;
(b)only citizens of Singapore are invited to be lecturers or speakers at the talk;
(c)the lecturers or speakers do not deal with any matter —
(i)which relates, directly or indirectly, to any religious belief or to religion generally; or
(ii)which may cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different racial or religious groups in Singapore; and
(d)the lecturers or speakers speak only in any of the 4 official languages in Singapore, or any related dialect.
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
Pin-tables
(9B)  Pin-tables installed in —
(a)any bowling centre;
(b)any massage establishment; or
(c)any bar, billiard saloon, cabaret, café, discotheque, lounge, nightclub, pub or restaurant that is licensed under the Act,
are exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(i)not more than 5 pin-tables are installed at those premises;
(ii)the pin-tables are of a type approved by the Licensing Officer;
(iii)no gambling or betting takes place at those premises;
(iv)a sign prohibiting gambling and betting at those premises is displayed at a conspicuous place thereat;
(v)no person below the age of 16 years is permitted to in any way use any of the pin-tables at those premises at any time on any school day except between 6.30 p.m. and midnight;
(vi)no student wearing a school uniform or any part thereof, or a school T-shirt, is permitted to in any way use any of the pin-tables at all times; and
(vii)the person having control or management of those premises does not provide, or cause or permit to be provided, a change of clothes to any student.
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
Demonstration of art and craft, sports or cultural activities
(9C)  Any specified demonstration in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise, is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)the specified demonstration is not directed towards any political end;
(b)the specified demonstration is not intended to show support for or opposition to the views or actions of any person, publicise a cause or campaign, or mark or commemorate any event;
(c)the specified demonstration is carried out in a designated area or performance area and does not create any obstruction to the passage of any member of the public or any vehicle or vessel; and
(d)the organiser of the specified demonstration takes reasonable measures to ensure the safety of the demonstrators thereof and the members of the public.
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
Computer games centre at hotels
(9D)  Any computer games centre in any hotel is exempted from the Act if the following conditions are complied with:
(a)the computer games centre is operated by the hotel-keeper, or by the owner or manager of the hotel;
(b)the computer games available or provided at the centre are of a type approved under the Films Act (Cap. 107); and
(c)the computer games at the centre are played only by registered guests of the hotel.
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
Miscellaneous
(10)  The following classes of public entertainments are exempted from the Act:
(a)all athletic meetings and sporting contests between persons provided by a school registered or exempted under the Education Act (Cap. 87);
(b)any academic activity undertaken by a school registered or exempted under the Education Act where prior approval in writing has been granted by the Minister for Education or any officer authorised by him in that behalf;
(c)all amateur athletic meetings and sporting contests between persons provided by a society registered under the Societies Act (Cap. 311);
(d)the Annual Convocation of, and the public lectures organised by, the Singapore Management University;
(e)any exhibition or screening of cinematographic films from the film library of the Ministry of the Environment in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise;
(f)any exhibition of films in any cinema and in any other place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise;
(g)any public entertainment organised or sponsored by the Management Committee of the Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre and held in that Theatre;
(h)any exhibition organised and pin-table installed in the Electricity Efficiency Centre operated by Power Supply Limited;
(i)any performance, workshop or lecture organised by The Esplanade Co. Ltd. in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise;
(j)the transmission of recorded music in the premises of hotels, shopping centres, offices, clinics and shops, excluding the transmission of recorded music by any disc jockey or by the operation of any jukebox;
(k)the transmission of recorded music by the operation of any jukebox in any air-conditioned premises to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise;
(l)the transmission of recorded music in restaurants, except during any time when the premises are being operated as a public house;
(m)the transmission of recorded music or playing of live-band music at weddings which are held in HDB void decks or along the roadside in non-HDB areas (including those held in the compounds of private houses);
(n)the transmission of recorded music or playing of live-band music at funerals;
(na)the transmission of recorded music at any amusement centre, amusement park, billiard saloon, bowling centre, computer games centre, massage establishment, fun fair or temporary fair;
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
(nb)the transmission of recorded music at or in connection with any specified demonstration;
[S 523/2004 wef 01/09/2004]
(o)all pin-tables installed in the premises of the St. Andrew’s Mission Hospital for Children;
(p)all pin-tables on board any aircraft belonging to Singapore Airlines Limited;
(q)any public entertainment provided at any S-League football match;
(r)any press conference in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access, whether gratuitously or otherwise; and
(s)any exhibition of animals, including pet shows.
Savings
4.  Nothing in this Order shall be construed to limit or in any way affect the operation of any other written law.
[G.N. No. S 101/2001]