 With effect from 9 October 2009 , PEMA was amended to exclude " any lecture , talk , address , debate or discussion in any place to which the public or any class of the public has access whether gratuitously or otherwise " from the definition of public entertainment , with the consequence that a licence is no longer required under this Act for such events . Under the Public Order Act , which introduced this change , a permit must generally be obtained from the Commissioner of Police before any public assembly is held . However , no permit is required for public assemblies held inside buildings or other enclosed premises where the organizers and speakers are all Singapore citizens ; the event does not deal with any matter " which relates ( directly or indirectly ) to any religious belief or religion , or any matter which may cause feelings of enmity , hatred , ill @-@ will or hostility between different racial or religious groups in Singapore " ; and the organizer or an authorized agent of the organizer is present at all times . 
