WHEN it comes to demonstrations in Hong Lim Park, Mr Lau Su How has the best seats in the house.
Tucked at the corner of Hong Lim Green Community Club, those at his waffles cafe, Sweet Stone Express, get a full view of the park's greenery and any activity taking place on the fields.
But as of noon today, there was only greenery to be seen.
"It's been quite lao jiat today," Mr Lau said referring to the buzz in the cafe where a crowd of reporters had gathered.
As for protestors, there were none around.
Hong Lim park was empty at noon today
except for a motley crew of reporters.
ST PHOTOS: Samuel He
But just as I was getting myself seated to have a chat with Mr Lau, a small crowd suddenly appeared near the "Speaker's Corner" signboard. Reporters around me shuffled up from their seats only to realise they were park officials changing the "Terms and Conditions" signage. Disappointed, the buzz quickly died.
Today marks the first day of a freer Speakers' Corner, two weeks after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the change in regulations during the National Day Rally. As of 6pm yesterday, however, only one person had registered with the NParks to speak. He is scheduled to give his speech at 7pm today on a non-political topic.
"Give it some time," said Mr Lau, 29, who set up shop in July before the freeing up of regulations.
How brisk sales of his Belgian waffles will be over the next few months might give an indication of how well the park will fare as a designated demonstration area.
He's hoping that the change of rules for staging protests at the park will draw in the crowds for his waffles, or drinks at least. He is already planning to create special waffle sets for protestors who want a quick snack.
When Hong Lim Park was first designated as a Speaker's Corner exactly eight years ago, about 25 speakers gathered, attracting a crowd of several hundred. But the fervour and excitement fizzled out after three weeks later.
Asked if he was worried that history might repeat itself again, Mr Lau said even if it did he had nothing to lose.
"We started from the bottom. We were here when the crowd was pretty much zero, and we are building on it," the 29-year-old said. "If there is any increase, I'll credit it to the park's activity."
Most of cafe's business - the place was just set up in July this year - comes from deliveries and regulars of the park. Any activity, protests or not, will help lift the cafe's business.
He said he had just lost the mid-autumn festival crowd when organisers of a massive lantern carnival that was to be held this week at the park shifted the event's venue across the road to Central Mall. The organisers feared that protesters would "burn their lanterns down", Mr Lau said he was told.
Sweet Stone Express' Lau Su How (foreground)
is optimistic that protesters will boost his business.
PHOTO: Derrick Ho
But Mr Lau is filled with heady optimism. He has heard that a couple of demonstrations have been unofficially lined up - animal rights groups hoping to raise awareness.
He said: "Even if there are protests - and I hope there will be protests - it will liven the place."
And if they get violent?
"I think Singaporeans are calm people and mature enough to have a proper protest," he said calmly.
For now, he can only hope that the park will see soon political sparks fly, and enough to ignite his business on a hot day as well. For now, he'll just have to be satisfied with thirsty journalists.