Notice how they hedge their statements to give the ruling party room for exemptions :
.... under the Public Order act, a permit is
GENERALLY required...
It's either required or it's not. The only reason why the spineless SPH added the word is because at the tail end of the Public Order act are the following paragraphs...
http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/sear...Id:6d5f7700-db03-4ac4-bb17-047072aa7116;rec=0
Commissioner and authorised officers
4.—(1) The Commissioner shall, subject to any general or special directions of the Minister, be responsible for the administration of this Act and may perform such duties as are imposed and may exercise such powers as are conferred upon him by this Act.
(2) The Minister may from time to time give the Commissioner directions of a general character, and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as to the exercise of the powers and discretions conferred on the Commissioner by, and the duties required to be discharged by the Commissioner under, this Act; and the Commissioner shall give effect to all such directions given.
Bottom line is that LHL and his team decide who needs a permit and who doesn't.