Gomez went on to add that the Center has always been transparent on this issue but, since there is an open debate in the media between the Open Singapore Centre (OSC) and the People's Action Party (PAP) on the question of funding in which both are calling on the other to open their accounts to public scrutiny, compared to that ours is "small change" and we're not obliged to reveal anything! As to the statement in the report that "that the centre has obtained a licence from the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), to hang banners at the rally" is not correct. It was made clear at the briefing that the Centre was in the process of applying for the permit. Jacob George, Public Affairs Manager for the Centre, would be applying for it on 23rd April 2001 but before that according to the requirements of the BCA, two sets of drawings pertaining to the stadium and the placement of the banners should be endorsed by the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) which manages the stadiums. There would also be a $13 fee imposed on each banner and if the BCA decides that we have fulfilled all their conditions, the licence would be granted immediately.

Finally, please take note that James Gomez is 36 and not 35 as stated in the report!

ORGANISERS of the 'Save JBJ' rally, the Think Centre, say they have fulfilled the main conditions laid down by the police to hold the rally on April 28.

The centre's executive director, Mr James Gomez, 35, said yesterday at a press conference that it had hired 13 Cisco officers for about $3,500 to maintain order.

He said it would spend another $2,700 to rent the Yio Chu Kang Stadium and set up the stage.

He declined to say how the centre was funding the rally. He had told The Straits Times last month that 'all of the directors fork money out of their own pockets' to keep the centre going.

He added that the centre has obtained a licence from the Building and Construction Authority, to hang banners at the rally.

The event is meant to save Non-Constituency MP J.B. Jeyaretnam from certain bankruptcy that would end his political career.

At the event, the organisers plan to sell T-shirts, stickers and Mr Jeyaretnam's book, Make It Right For Singapore: Speeches in Parliament 1997-1999. This will sell at $50 a copy.

The proceeds will go towards helping Mr Jeyaretnam, the secretary-general of the Workers' Party, settle damages and legal costs from a defamation suit against him.

The centre has taken the extra step of seeking permission from the Environment Ministry to sell the stickers, T-shirts and books. It did not think this was necessary, Mr Gomez said, but the centre had done this on the advice of its lawyers.

On Wednesday, the Public Entertainment Licensing Unit of the Singapore Police approved the group's application to hold the rally, subject to conditions.

Now that the centre has fulfilled the criteria, said Mr Gomez, it will step up publicity for the event by distributing flyers next week.He also used the occasion to announce that he would be stepping down as executive director of the centre next month, because he had accepted a research position in Bangkok.

But he said that he would retain ties with the centre as a senior director, and added that he plans to expand the centre's activities regionally, starting in Bangkok.