the public order act, intended to regulate public assemblies and processions and to introduce new powers for the preservation of public order, came into force on 9 october 2009. on the same day, the public order (unrestricted area) order 2009 ("2009 poa order") made pursuant to the act declared that speakers' corner was an unrestricted area in which assemblies and processions could be held without the need for a police permit. thus, at present, speakers' corner is concurrently regulated by the parks and trees regulations, and by exemption orders issued under the pema and poa. the conditions under which addresses, debates, demonstrations, discussions, lectures and talks (whether or not together with any exhibition, performance, play-reading or recital), must be held have remained essentially unchanged. speakers and demonstration organizers must be singapore citizens, while participants in demonstrations must be either citizens or permanent residents. banners, films, flags, photographs, placards, posters, signs, writing or other visible representations or paraphernalia containing violent, lewd or obscene material must not be displayed or exhibited. persons making speeches must use any of the four official languages of singapore or related dialects, and organizers of demonstrations must be present throughout the event. in january 2008, the complaints choir, a vocal group participating in the m1 singapore fringe festival 2008, was denied the chance to perform at speakers' corner and other outdoor venues unless the six foreigners in the group of 50 did not participate in the performance. as the choir did not wish to be split up in any way, it decided not to go ahead with the performance. queried on the matter in parliament, the minister for communication, information and the arts dr. lee boon yang stated that the government did not think it "desirable or good precedent" for "foreigners [to come] here to organise and to lead singaporeans to complain about our domestic issues".