The United Aeropsace Workers Local 592, a trade union based in Illinois, USA recently contacted the Singapore Democrats and conducted an interview with Mr Gandhi Ambalam, Chairman. The interview touched mainly on the political situation in Singapore and how it exploits workers here.
Below is the write-up and text of the interview by Timothy Mills:
It has become an offence for Singaporeans to come together to demonstrate opposition to Government action. This is the subject of another trial that will commence tomorrow in the Subordinate Courts.
Mr Gandhi Ambalam, Dr Chee Soon Juan, Ms Chee Siok Chin, and Mr Tan Teck Wee are charged with participating in an assembly "intended to demonstrate opposition to the actions of the Government."
After a long lay off, my recent public visibility has attracted attention and comments from well-intended close and not so close friends. “Why, Jufrie Why?” they asked. “But if you must, why not associate with the more compliant group? Wouldn’t life be cozier and less stressful?” said several of them.
Speakers' Corner was filled with singing on the last evening of 2008. The singers crooned, some say croaked, their way into the New Year with the accompaniment of guitars, tambourines and maracas.
The audience needed a bit of encouragement in the beginning but when everyone warmed up, the place was belting out John Lennon hits like Give Peace A Chance. Midway through the piece, people were changing the lyrics to “Give truth a chance” and “Give Chee a chance.”
"It was the most meaningful and enjoyable NYE's countdown I ever had in my life yesterday," said one participant at the Hong Lim Park Countdown organised by the Singapore Democrats, the first of its kind in Singapore.
There were no big-name artistes, no strobe lights and glittering costumes. But it was a night of fun tinged with sadness; of grim reality mixed with hope. It was one of those events that allowed participants to share the pride of being part of cause that would take us well beyond 2008.
Singapore’s economy may shrink more than previously forecast in 2009, the government said, citing the worsening global recession and foreshadowing a deepening slump throughout the region.
“The global economic crisis has worsened since November, with sharp declines in global demand, trade and investments,” the trade ministry said in a statement today. The economy may contract as much as 2 percent this year, twice as much as a Nov. 21 prediction, it said.
Chartered Semiconductor exemplifies the problems facing Singapore’s ailing electronics sector after warning that it will suffer its biggest loss in nearly four years when it reports its results for the last quarter of 2008.
The problem child of Temasek Holdings, the Singapore state investment company, Chartered is the world’s third-largest foundry chipmaker.
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