SINGAPORE — It’s the first weekend since the Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Act kicked in on April 1, and it’s business as usual at Little India even as the new law takes effect.

The law, which was passed in Parliament on Feb 18, gives the police more powers to deal with potential public order threats, by allowing them to conduct searches, among other things.

The temporary provision, which will expire on March 31 next year, enables relevant government agencies to continue to take calibrated security, traffic management and alcohol restriction measures to maintain public order at Little India.

The new law replaces the Public Order (Preservation) Act to proclaim Little India as an area in a state of danger.

While the new law has taken effect, there is no change to the current restrictions against the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in the area, and not many foreign workers are aware that the new law is in place.

“This new law ... I’m not aware about it,” said Mr Nuryalam, a foreign worker. “My heart is good, (I) don’t have any problem, (so I’m) not afraid of the police. I’m here only to enjoy, I don’t want to fight, I don’t want anything.”

Mr Veerasankar, a shop owner, said businesses have suffered for the last four months after the riot in December.

“Since we started, business has not gone (beyond) more than 50 per cent of what we expected actually,” said Mr Veerasankar. “So with these new laws, I think maybe it will stay around there, I don’t know,”

Mr Veerasankar adds that he hopes that with higher security, the more permanent measures will somehow attract more locals.

Others who made trips to the area this weekends said they feel safer.

Mdm Mohghanna Veerayah, a shopper, said the only inconvenience she has was that she had to avoid the area where alcohol drinkers go, but now that it’s less crowded, she can walk freely and without fear.

Mr Goh Lye Seng, a resident, said: “Last time it was unsafe, but with the government’s move it’s now safer. There are many cops around, it’s better now.”

Operators of dormitories said arrangements made for foreign workers shortly after last December’s riot continue to be in place. However, one operator said that while dormitories can organise activities to encourage the foreign workers to stay within the compound, it’s also necessary for the workers to go out and interact.

Other foreign workers are more concerned about the issue of transportation.

Mr Mah Mamun, a foreign worker, lamented that the recently implemented transport arrangements are good but the buses come too early, and he does not have enough time to remit money back to Bangladesh. And if he has to take an MRT, there’s no MRT station near his dormitory. CHANNEL NEWSASIA