"New Rules in Singapore Will Restrict Annual Gay-Rights Gathering", 21 Oct 2016

Singapore posted new public speaking rules…clarifying that foreign companies and individuals need a permit to sponsor or take part in certain events, in an amendment that will restrict foreign support for an annual gay-rights gathering.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) did not mention any particular event, but authorities warned in June they would take steps to prevent foreign firms from funding or supporting the city-state's gay-pride event.

Sponsors for this year's rally in June included Facebook, Google and Goldman Sachs.

The rally has been held since 2009 under conservative Singapore's stringent public assembly laws at a Speakers' Corner in a downtown square, where Singaporeans can speak their mind without a permit.

Even for Singaporeans, however, there are limits on what they can say on some issues, such as ethnicity and religion. The government of the multi-ethnic island is sensitive about anything that it thinks could upset social harmony…

Observers say foreign companies are unlikely to get a permit to get involved in the event in 2017…