AS part of the security measures for the Asean Summit which is taking place in Singapore next week, three key event venues as well as 500 metres surrounding these places have been gazetted as "protected areas" for five days from Saturday to next Wednesday.

They are Shangri-la Hotel, Raffles City Convention Centre and Asian Civilisation Museum. Areas within 500 metres of the perimeter of these places and the Istana have also been gazetted as protected areas, said Police in a statement on Friday.

This is similar to arrangements made at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Australia and the World Trade Organisation meetings in Hong Kong in 2005.

"Persons found engaging in activities which may compromise security within the security zones will be arrested and removed."

Members of the public are advised to keep away from the security zone unless they have a legitimate reason to be there.

On web postings stating that it is not against the law to gather in groups of four or fewer and encouraging people to do so during the Asean summit period, police advise the public against taking part in such activities.

Said the police: "Members of the public who choose to give expression to their political views or who wish to organise political activities are urged to do so through available avenues and lawful means."

Indoor political forums by Singaporeans are exempt from the need to apply for any licence, but foreigners who wish to do so can apply for it from any police station or online at this website.

The security zone will be in place on these days and times

• Shangri-la Hotel
  Nov 17, 2300 hrs - Nov 22, 2359 hrs
• Raffles City Convention Centre
  Nov 20, 0500 hrs - 2359 hrs
• Istana
  Nov 21, 1500 hrs - 2359 hrs
• Asian Civilisation Museum
  Nov 21, 1400 - 2100 hrs
• Singapore River
  Nov 21, 1800 hrs - 2030 hrs

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