Because we love Singapore

Friday, 11 July 2008

Singapore Democrats

"This charge is making a group of law-abiding citizens into offenders," Mr Jufrie Mahmood said to the Judge as the charge was read out to him. "It is a mockery of our Constitution which guarantees us the right of free speech and assembly."

Mr Jufrie is one of the 18 activists who are charged with participating in an assembly and procession without a permit on 15 Mar 08. As each one of the accused had the charges read out to them, all indicated that they wanted to engage counsel.

Mr Chia Ti Lik attracted more attention than others when his name was called for the reason that he was counsel-cum-accused.

The court set pre-trial conferences for everyone on 18 Jul 08.

About as many supporters as defendants showed up at the Subordinate Courts to lend their support. One of them, Gerald, wore the Tak Boleh Tahan! t-shirt. The security officer asked him to remove the t-shirt before allowing him to proceed.

Follow the court mention, the activists issued a press statement which was read out by Mr Chia Ti Lik:

We are the 19 Singaporeans summoned to Court for allegedly participating in an assembly and procession without permit near Parliament House on 15th March 2008 – this event is also known as the Tak Boleh Tahan! protest.

The term “Tak Boleh Tahan” is colloquial Malay for “We can’t take it anymore”.

The Tak Boleh Tahan! protest was meant to speak out against the multitude of ill-timed price hikes initiated by the Government, directly and indirectly in areas ranging from GST, public transport to education and healthcare, which have exacerbated the inflationary situation and made it much harder for Singaporeans to cope with the increased cost of living.

Despite rumblings from the ground, the Government had been unwilling to take real steps to reduce the cost of living for the majority of Singaporeans and the poor and lower income groups have been the hardest hit.

When we presented ourselves in front of Parliament House on 15 Mar 08, we did so because we felt that the protest would send a strong message on behalf of our countrymen to the Government not to make life any more difficult for Singaporeans.

In 15 Mar 08, 12 of us were arrested on the spot. Subsequently, another 7 were called up and questioned. By this morning, all 19 of us have been formally charged in Court 23, each with one count of assembly without a permit and one count of procession without a permit.

In light of the price hikes further initiated from the 15 Mar 08 till today, it is clear that the Government remains unwilling to take active steps to make life less unbearable for all Singaporeans.

We are now all the more convinced that the protest was needed and justified and simply had to be done. We are further convinced that our claim as citizens to the right of assembly and freedom of expression was timely and proper. Therefore, we would wish to claim trial to the charges brought against us.

I am the only lawyer in the entire group. But since I am now also a co-accused, I am unable to act as legal counsel for the group. Therefore the group at present is in need of legal representation. We make an appeal for Singaporean lawyers to come forward to represent us in these proceedings.

Watch the video of Mr Chia with the press statement here.

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Comments (65)

Sat 12 Jul 2008 1:10 AM | Mike - Fun outing and get together

This is the usual SDP outing...

Not to shopping centre

Or Botanical Gardens

Or to the Zoo..

but to the Court.. not the furniture Courts..!

This is weak

Sat 12 Jul 2008 1:18 AM | Anonymous

The siao kao first to post again! Ahahahaa.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 1:21 AM | Anonymous - you are obessed with him

[quote]The siao kao first to post again! Ahahahaa.[/quote]

why you so kapo for that?
you like him?

Sat 12 Jul 2008 1:28 AM | greyheyn

Oh Harry.. These people have the zeal that you had before.... you knew that the British and Tunku were no match to this. And sadly, you have allowed yourself to degrade to the level that you have set out to be different from.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 2:12 AM | Chew - New law?

[quote]About as many supporters as defendants showed up at the Subordinate Courts to lend their support. One of them, Gerald, wore the Tak Boleh Tahan! t-shirt. The security officer asked him to remove the t-shirt before allowing him to proceed.[/quote]

Is there a new law banning red T-shirt and a new classification making the phrase "Tak Boleh Tahan" the new swear words?

On what law and what authority do the security officer have to disallow such T-shirt to be worn? Isn't this a blatant display of discrimination and unlawfulness at our court? Which judge authorize such action and which minster condone such act or lawlessness of their public officers?

I will like an answer from the authorities. If not, please ban white T-shirt and lightning signs in political party's logo. Thank you.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 2:14 AM | Paul Poh

Lee Kuan Yew, I despise you and your PAP regime.

You are nothing but shit to me.

Want me to vote for you?

Wait long long lah.

I vote for a dog also won't vote for you.

Lee Kuan Yew Pui!

F*** O**

Sat 12 Jul 2008 2:23 AM | Creativity - Single Letter

When the case next come up in court, each of the 18 of you go with T shirt with individual letter/word:

T A K B O L E H T A H A N ! 受不了 !

These make up exactly 18 characters!

十八罗汉

Sat 12 Jul 2008 2:30 AM | | Shoot-man - anti-pap

Quote:This is the usual SDP outing...

Not to shopping centre

Or Botanical Gardens

Or to the Zoo..

but to the Court.. not the furniture Courts..!

This is weak

I really pity this PATHETIC Microphone A.K.A Mike....

U keeps coming here to degrade / demoralise everyone here...I bet u support SDP but no guts to say so...I can sense that u r simply a ass-licker of LKY & LHL...LOSER

Sat 12 Jul 2008 2:37 AM | Eeeediot - T-shirt

Ya, i agree with Chew there. The TBT shirt didnt have any party logo or what. It's looks just like any other T-shirt with some caption.

There's the same incidence with the Burmese too when the police people ask them to remove their anti-junta shirt.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 3:04 AM | Anonymous

Please consider selling the TBT shirt outside NDP

Sat 12 Jul 2008 3:04 AM | Pondefecator - What You See Is What You Get

I'm so sorry I couldn't be there. You're own report says an equal number of supporters were there, so we are talking 18 people. I'm so,so sorry. Singaporeons don't deserve all of you. I think you guys should reconsider new strategies or abandon this crusade all together and go on with your lives and leave all the well taken care of singaporeons alone with their masters whose salaries I reckon will reach 10 million richly deserved dollars a year in 5 years time. They,along with 99% of the people are a match made in heaven. Again I'm sorry for not giving you any encouragement, but I finally realise that the enemy is not the PAP but the people of this pathetic excuse for a country. I'm sorry.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 3:05 AM | | CHUA CHUAN SEAH - Saluting Our Political Activists

Although I'm just a commentator and not an activist myself, I'll like to express my full support for these brave Singaporean activists who have now been charged in Court with allegedly participating in an assembly and procession without permit.

I'm gladdened and encouraged by the fact that there is a growing number of political activists in Singapore--serious, principled, courageous, committed and honest--who are doing things to make a real big change in the Singapore system.

These Singaporean activists don't just gather in the streets and public areas, peacefully protesting against the PAP Government over the increased cost of living and other issues.

They are also thinking about their beloved Singapore, understanding the important issues that affect Singaporeans, figuring out what the problems are, and trying to teach people about them and convince them.

I just hope that all these non-violent dissidence and activism will one day grow into a popular rallying movement among Singaporeans and eventually change the present system into one truly benefitting and serving the people--not the power and economic elite.

I know that their struggles for justice, freedom, human rights, social change and truth will not be in vain.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 3:26 AM | Sinister Minister

I went down today, wanted to have a chat but got chased out since the courtroom had no seats and the men in blue said only people with cases could remain.

anyway, rock on...

if i may, what i would have spoke to you about is are you shaping your policies and plans? I'm asking because 99.9% of your entries are about activism or pointing the finger at the pap.

personally, i'd like the party to give people a platform. see, i look at it this way...

if the pap gave more on human rights, listened to people and accepted suggestions/criticisms, people would be a lot happier. likewise, you are giving the things people wish the pap would give them, freedoms and rights. but what you aren't giving is solutions.

ERP...
Minimum Wage...
Cost of living...
Foreigners...
Media...
Tax...
CPF...
Transparency...
HDB...
Race discrimination...
National Service...

i can go on, but these are topics people will relate to and follow you on. I promise you this. I believe if you throw these topics out to your readers, and your readers respond with their solutions... I promise you you will have more and better solutions than the pap. couple that with freedoms and rights, and you will chase the pap out singapore come next election. put the emotions aside for now. people know you are the party of rights. but what they don't know, is if you are the party of policy... ok??? :)

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:01 AM | Nike - Most memorable

I think such experiences will be those they will cherish later in life. At least they make a difference - unless those who prostitute their talents to support the junta.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:26 AM | tunkudon

SDP BRAVO

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:26 AM | | DC - Reach out to the right wings.

I think Sinister Minister make a good point.

Firstly, I'd like to salute all you courageous men and women for speaking out for people who cannot do so.

Singapore needs more activists like you all, or else we'll forever be silenced under the one-party one-newspaper one-right rule.

I do agree with what SM is trying to bring across. No doubt SDP's manifesto are on the website already, but most people on the ground, do not really know what exactly do you all propose to do.

I think the next step forward going ahead is to make use of the TBT rallies to talk about issues, let the debate be out.

We need to reach out to the moderate-right citizens who are afraid of liberalism.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:51 AM | Uncle Ver Sg

[quote]I think you guys should reconsider new strategies or abandon this crusade all together and go on with your lives and leave all the well taken care of singaporeons alone with their masters whose salaries I reckon will reach 10 million richly deserved dollars a year in 5 years time. [/quote]

Why grey these people's comments out? Is [size=large][b]2%[/b][/size] growth this quarter assurance from the PAP masters that the people of Singapore will be "well taken care of"? If anything goes south, will the PAP masters be the first to cut their salaries or will they retire and cut their losses by taking an even fatter lump sum payment?

Sat 12 Jul 2008 5:05 AM | WELL DONE SDP - ANOTHER INCREASE IN COST-no justice

[color=maroon][b]Well Done to the 18 activists !

The court has set pre-trial conferences for everyone on 18 Jul 08.

They are just determined to waste everyones time !

Yet another increase in transport costs !

Our Million $ Govt just refuse to absorb the cost again!

WISH THEY COULD ALL JUST DROP DEAD![/b][/color]

Sat 12 Jul 2008 5:14 AM | Shit! PAP! - fares up! AGAIN AND AGAIN

Taxi fares up!

Bus fares up!

And they got the cheek to plant dogies in CNA and other channel news who say,"rise OK-no probs" must be paid by PAP!

Shit! PAP!

Sat 12 Jul 2008 5:26 AM | QUOTE FROM DR CATHERINE LIM - WELL SAID

[color=maroon][b]"So my rallying cry to Singaporeans is this: Think through, speak out, stand up and try not to be too afraid."[/b][/color]

Sat 12 Jul 2008 5:31 AM | Carlson

My salute to these 18 activists. Road to justice and democracy is long and hard. Please persevere. No one is perfect but I believe your cause is noble and good for the country as a whole. I bet no one in Lee regime has the gut to do what you guys are doing now even giving them a fat pay check.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 5:34 AM | Eklipse

[quote]We need to reach out to the moderate-right citizens who are afraid of liberalism.[/quote]
But here is where is key problem lies. How to reach out when the current law is such? How? Getting defamation suit is very real. Jail terms are not exclusive. Claims up to $8 million had been made. How many people can risk it? When power corrupts, how many "victims" can survive the onslaught. From history, none. When the guitar is out of tune, it must be re-tuned to play harmoniously. When justice is out of line, re-tuning is required for true social harmony.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 6:16 AM | GOOD AND COURAGEOUS - THINK TO WAKE UP SINGAPOREAN

A very Good encouragement to Singaporean.

Time for Singaporean to WAKE UP!!!!!

The people of Singapore have been taxed heavily and this is the time to wake up now.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 6:32 AM | observer

18 is a powerful, impressive figure. The pap must be worrying now.

They will be driven mad and cry if the number reaches 80...

see how many can they charge in court!

Sat 12 Jul 2008 6:59 AM | Oversea Singaporean - We respect you

I am an Oversea Singaporean, and would have joined you if I had not been out of the country.

You all have my utmost respect. Hold your heads up high!!!!!!!!! You have the courage that not many people have in this small country of ours.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 7:39 AM | Ted

Well done in showing the world how dirty our present government is. You guys are making history and all Singaporeans would thank you for all the efforts!!!

Sat 12 Jul 2008 7:43 AM | Pondefecator - Disgusting Photo

would admin of yoursdp mind replacing the photograph of his majesty on the home page. you see , login into this website is the first thing i do each morning and that photo is always within the periphery of my vision. people need to eat you know, don't spoil my appetite.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 7:44 AM | Nike - More Durai needed

We need to have more Durai to topple this administration. Please provide leads ...

Sat 12 Jul 2008 7:45 AM | Private Mike

SDP.

I salute you. I will volunteer in SDP soon once I finish my NS. Quite fed up with the system. I just realize I'm not defending Singapore, but the Lee family.

Private Mike

Sat 12 Jul 2008 7:47 AM | Jerome

I believe most of you all really love Singapore cos' you have no political ambition and merely doing something you think is right. But please disassociate yourself with the big fat fuck at the top left hand corner who is a turncoat who abandoned Singapore. I can use the word big fat fuck cos' it is my right. But his only sole interest is to sow the seeds of discord in Singapore and watch us burn. He's an American, so should go home and criticize the human rights abuse by his adopted country who has exploited millions of Iraqis and Afghans under the cloak of liberty and siphon oil from impoverished countries such as Myanmar. Puui.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 7:58 AM | Brendan - Very touching

My heart goes out to the 18 young Oliver Twists of Spore. Like him, you get very hard knocks, by just commiting a crime as simple as asking for your bowl of gruel......many people in Spore can't affort even that......and by asking would put their job (which can't even securely gurantee that very bowl) and family at risk.

Do remain strong....and I will join you only in a matter of time.

Keep the faith.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 8:11 AM | MG - BRAVO!!

May the force be with you!
Sir Winston Churchill: Inspirational Quote :
We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 9:13 AM | A.Chia - It does not take a majority to effect social and p

Dear Pondefecator

From your posting, it sounds to me that you do not like the way the ruling party is ruling the country. It also came across to me that you seem to be rather fed up with Singaporean's non chalant attitudes. To be honest, sometimes, I do share similar sentiments and struggle with much ambivalence as to whether to fight for the cause or not, generalising that most Singaporeans seem to be kind of hopeless when we talk about being politically aware and being politically conscious.

However, it is the very Singapore blood that flows within me, that very love for this country which I grew up in that echoes again and again within my being every time i thought of giving up on Singaporeans thinking these people have become a hopeless nation. Of course, looking at the minority groups which have been relentlessly keeping the faith and blaze burning, it just demolishes all my generalisations...not all Singaporeans are like that. These people, the 18 activists are the trailblazers and it does call for a group of trailblazers to set the fire ablaze before others can catch up on this race and have he torch passed on.
Though we only see about twenty over supporters in Court today, it does not mean a small force. An effecting force could increase exponentially and it is just not as visible to the eyes. It doesn't take a majority to effect change. Looking at history, many a times it actually only took a group of people who are willing to make the sacrifice in order to effect some chaos into the equibibrium to bring about a reform. There need to be social and political change here and we know that before a social change (or political change) can take place, there ought to be some form of chaos and this is actually something good as in this case of the TBT campaigns. So the time and efforts are not wasted definitely. It is a process of shaking the equilibrium, a process of turing over the power bases.

So, even if there are more non chalant and apathetic Singaporeans then concerned Singaporeans who urgently moot for change, I would for the sake of the smaller group of concern Singaporeans decide to support the cause, just because every Singaporean counts and Singapore as a nation, as a country counts a lot!!

I reckon and hear your frustrtions, feeling that Singaporeans will not reciprocate what these politicians or aspiring politicians and acitivits have been doing, so why waste time. Why not use other strategies...but the past 27 years have also proven, the usual strategies do not work.

I guess, it is the very spirit and soul within a person which tells us that somethings in life are worth fighting for, especially those with intrinsic values, even it is at the expense of many other things like time, money, fame or even a job.

A.Chia

Sat 12 Jul 2008 9:37 AM | good life

I agree with Sinister Minister. People need a sound and objective voice to talk about issue, not pointing fingers. Hail RPK.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 11:23 AM | Singaporean

The Voice is growing,
Silence, is growling,
Fear is replaced,
Courage is stirring.

Talents are awakening,
Activists are glowing,
Champions are surfacing,
SDP is strengthening.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 1:15 PM | Claire Chum

I Tak Boleh Tahan the Tak Boleh Tahan people. Why must it be in Malay? Is Malay really a national language?

Sat 12 Jul 2008 1:28 PM | pui and pui - hate pap to the core

[quote=Paul Poh]Lee Kuan Yew, I despise you and your PAP regime.

You are nothing but shit to me.

Want me to vote for you?

Wait long long lah.

I vote for a dog also won't vote for you.

Lee Kuan Yew Pui!

F*** O**[/quote]

i agree totally!

pap===> pui and pui!

i hate pap to the core!

Lee Kuan Yew Pui!!!

i will vote for shit oso wun vote for pui and pui!!!! $@%!#^$^&$^&

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:01 PM | Uncle Ver Sg - Think big, SDP

Be disciplined and keep hammering away at the bastards.

18 today, 80 tomorrow, 800 the following and who knows 8000 in the future.

Keep in mind PAP's [b]ONLY[/b] claim to legitimacy is its (Keynesian state-controlled) economy. Once that goes they have nothing to fall back on, not even ideology nor patriotism. The moths that feed on the PAP (like the ones above) will naturally fly away.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:23 PM | | John Tan - Thank you, supporters

As one of the 18, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all our supporters for showing up at the sub-court yesterday. Your mere presence spoke volume of encouragement to us, especially my wife and I. It is your support that provide us the energy and motivation to continue in our pursuit for liberty and democracy in Singapore.

Also, a special thank-you to the few who stayed to have coffee with us after the hearing. Your self-introduction and your personal stories fueled my resolve to turn Singapore into a [u]Nation[/u]--a task Lee Kuan Yew himself admitted he failed.

John Tan

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:34 PM | Tak Boleh Tahan!!!

Tak Boleh Tahan!!!
Like Mike,Davinder Singh die die 1000 times will stand for his boss and son.That why last election MM opted out his name from the PAP stooges nominee's just to make sure that he can focused more on how to defend his boss in any circumstances.
Tak Boleh Tahan!!!
Most of the time this people like Davinder,Belinda and those related got no choice.To live comfort and lavishly,they got to prostitute themselves in broad daylight.
Tak Boleh Tahan!!!

Sat 12 Jul 2008 4:49 PM | mike Chan - Buay tahan is chinese!

To Claire Chum......The Chinese also say in hokkien patois "Buay tahan!" which means same as Takboleh Tahan!The majority here understand what it means...
We shld not criticise for the sake of criticism!

Sat 12 Jul 2008 6:24 PM | Ekclipse

[quote]But please disassociate yourself with the big fat fuck at the top left hand corner who is a turncoat who abandoned Singapore. I can use the word big fat fuck cos' it is my right. [/quote]
Hope you get it right. He was a casualty of the current system. If he had abandoned Singapore, he wouldn't have cared less and come back. On the contrary, I feel he cares for the silenced minority and a brave one too and that why he's back.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 8:06 PM | Tan Victor

Honestly, I really pitied all of you "shi ba luo han". You guys are young, energetic. But, sadly, you guys followed a WRONG MASTER!

Set up a new party of yourself, show Singaporean your Vision, Plans and Goals; and get yourself elected via the democratic ways. Not through American ways, Singaporean just dont subscribe the American ways, only the Chees does.

PROTEST,HUNGER STRIKE... ARE JUST NOT SINGAPOREAN WAYS. DONT WASTE YOUR YOUTH.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 8:08 PM | Mike Chan - There's a conspiracy to do us in?

Sorry to use this column to respond to what our senile MM was reported to have said (above) in his dialogue with a lackey in the 147th ST.But I just have to get it out of my system......
Answering a question about the recent criticisms of the S'pore Govt, our Sinister Minister said that he thinks all these is a concerted conspiracy from without and within to DO US IN!
He's absolutely correct if he meant subconsciously that the "us" in his "do us in" refers to the LeeFamily and the PAP and NOT S'pore nor the S'pore pple!
So it shld have been.....There's a conspiracy to do me and my family and my party in! Correct! Correct! Correct!

Sat 12 Jul 2008 9:11 PM | | DC - Victor, you don't represent us

"Set up a new party of yourself, show Singaporean your Vision, Plans and Goals; and get yourself elected via the democratic ways. Not through American ways, Singaporean just dont subscribe the American ways, only the Chees does."

Hi Victor,

Please do not coin the term "Singaporean" as though you represent all Singaporeans. Your conclusion and premise is already false because, there are others out there who believe that democracy is a not a western concept like what MM Lee likes to say on his propaganda papers.

You do not represent us. I cannot disagree with your personal opinion, because its yours, and its your right, but I will disagree with your argument.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 10:14 PM | ac.

thanks for making a difference.

Sat 12 Jul 2008 10:34 PM | Hawk Eye - re:

[quote=Sinister Minister]I went down today, wanted to have a chat but got chased out since the courtroom had no seats and the men in blue said only people with cases could remain.

anyway, rock on...

if i may, what i would have spoke to you about is are you shaping your policies and plans? I'm asking because 99.9% of your entries are about activism or pointing the finger at the pap.

personally, i'd like the party to give people a platform. see, i look at it this way...

if the pap gave more on human rights, listened to people and accepted suggestions/criticisms, people would be a lot happier. likewise, you are giving the things people wish the pap would give them, freedoms and rights. but what you aren't giving is solutions.

ERP...
Minimum Wage...
Cost of living...
Foreigners...
Media...
Tax...
CPF...
Transparency...
HDB...
Race discrimination...
National Service...

i can go on, but these are topics people will relate to and follow you on. I promise you this. I believe if you throw these topics out to your readers, and your readers respond with their solutions... I promise you you will have more and better solutions than the pap. couple that with freedoms and rights, and you will chase the pap out singapore come next election. put the emotions aside for now. people know you are the party of rights. but what they don't know, is if you are the party of policy... ok??? :)[/quote]

I do agree with Sinister Minister. But how can the opposition parties do their part to show that they can be better than the PAP?

Everything is tightly controlled by that monkey family. They are so afraid of losing their people that they abuses law and salaries to be in of control us!

Sat 12 Jul 2008 10:59 PM | | seebeng - FamiLEE controls

Problems can only to discussed and solutions found if they are aired openly.

Even our late president Ong, elected by the people to hold the second key to our reserves, was told to shut up when he wanted details on our reserves and assets.

When the running of NKF is rightly pointed out to be similar to that of the way Singapore is run, the Lees immediately launched a defamation suit against the SDP and its leaders using its compliant judiciary.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 12:20 AM | Chew - To Tan Victor

[quote]Set up a new party of yourself, show Singaporean your Vision, Plans and Goals; and get yourself elected via the democratic ways. Not through American ways, Singaporean just dont subscribe the American ways, only the Chees does.[/quote]

Victor, you are being self-contradictory. You asked them get elected via democratic ways but not the American's ways. Pray tell me how do you define democratic?

If you have the notion that PAP's ways are democratic, then obviously you have no inkling what democracy is. For your info, Singapore is at best described as a bastardized entity of part Autocracy, part Despotism, part Communist, part Dictatorship, part Kleptocracy, part Monarchy, part Oligarchy, part Plutocracy and part Totalitarianism. Anything but democracy.

And the current state of Singapore is in contrast with what hypocritical Lee Kuan Yew had said in 1955.

"But we either believe in democracy or we not. If we do, then, we must say categorically, without qualification, that no restraint from the any democratic processes, other than by the ordinary law of the land, should be allowed... If you believe in democracy, you must believe in it unconditionally. If you believe that men should be free, then, they should have the right of free association, of free speech, of free publication. Then, no law should permit those democratic processes to be set at nought, and no excuse, whether of security, should allow a government to be deterred from doing what it knows to be right, and what it must know to be right... " - Lee Kuan Yew, Legislative Assembly Debates, April 27, 1955

Wake up!

Sun 13 Jul 2008 12:54 AM | MONEY MAKING MACHINE! - SUFFER LIKE SLAVES!!

[b]DAMN MM GOT THE CHEEK TO SAY S'PORE GONNA MAKE IT!

SURE WITH YOUR TONS OF MONEY MAKING MACHINE!

WHILE WE SINGAPOREANS [/b]

Sun 13 Jul 2008 12:57 AM | ALL OPPOSITIONS TOGETHER UNIT - AGAINST THE LEE JUNTA

IT [color=red][b]WAS REALLY GOOD TO SEE ALL THE OPPOSITIONS TOGETHER AT JBJ'S REFORM PARTY NITE!

LET THE PAP HAVE SLEEPLESS NITES!

LET SUPER-MEGA COWARD SPH HAVE NO STORIES TO YARN!

JUST JOIN FORCES AND BRING THEM ALL IN AGAINST THE LEE JUNTA![/b][/color]

Sun 13 Jul 2008 1:06 AM | Sinister Minister - re: re:

[i]But how can the opposition parties do their part to show that they can be better than the PAP?

Everything is tightly controlled by that monkey family. They are so afraid of losing their people that they abuses law and salaries to be in of control us![/i]

First thing is to release your mind from believing you cannot do anything, and this is what the sdp is showing you.

second thing is to realize that the sdp is no longer called the opposition. the opposition is the pap. the pap is in opposition to what you are looking for. therefore, you have to develop the mindset that yours is the party of choice. once again, remember and tell yourself everyday that the pap is the opposition.

i suggest the sdp refer to the pap as the opposition as well. if anything, you might confuse the 66.6% into now having to pay attention as to what they are really voting on. pap call you opposition, you call pap opposition, who's the real opposition... correct?

third thing you must do is to support what is right and what is just along with those that are leading your cause. support can be a letter to encourage, support can be showing up at an event. support can be talking to friends and building numbers because yes, there is safety, confidence, and power in numbers.

fourth thing you must do is to not complain complain complain but offer suggestions/solutions. if they are good, then it can be fine tuned. if they are bad, then we try again. keep in mind your party is going to need a platform and at the very least, people should start talking about how to remedy the things that are pissing you off, hurting people, and destroying your very culture.

fifth, remember, this is your home and the pap are your guests... in other words you let them in. if you do not feel comfortable in your own home because your guests have taken over or are disrespecting you in your own home, then it is time to ask them to leave or kick them out.

look, bottom line is that if you would not let a guest make the rules in your own house or make you feel uncomfortable, then you'd get rid of them. and this is the same mindset you have to take regarding governments at times. you have to see it this way and when you do, why should you fear anything...THIS IS YOUR HOUSE!!!

your party needs your help just as much as you need theirs and neither of you can make a change without the other. posting on websites are great, but nothing beats real physical numbers. however, if you look at the suggestions to start off with, every single one simply only requires a mindset.

respectfully, everyone must be "debriefed" from the old mission and its orders because there is a new battle of truth that is being waged and the only way you will win is when you unshackle your mind. you must realize this is your home and the pap is nothing more than your guest.

above anything else, the sdp must show people that they can lead and have answers/solutions/suggestions if the people are going to follow.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 1:25 AM | dont get fooled ! - PAP'S ANTICS-NDP

[b]All Pr 5 mandatory must attend NDP-why PAP propaganda so that all will not talk against Emperor Lee!

My son after attending NDP last year -came home- daddy LKY and President very good! Singapore so colourful- a free KFC to eat!

I told him - all paid by us - tax payers monies please - dont get fooled ![/b]

Sun 13 Jul 2008 4:03 AM | Pondefecator

@Chew page 4

If only there are more of people who can see through the elaborate camouflage the PAP is hiding behind in, then more than half of the battle would have bneen won.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 4:17 AM | Man In The Mirror - About getting on.

"[b][i]your party needs your help just as much as you need theirs and neither of you can make a change without the other. posting on websites are great, but nothing beats real physical numbers. however, if you look at the suggestions to start off with, every single one simply only requires a mindset.[/i][/b]"

Obviously written by a senior member of SDP. Well said.

Yups, [u]participation[/u] is best; but even [u]talking[/u] still beats no support at all.

Talking about participation, I am still waiting to get involved in the SDP policy modelling.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 4:42 AM | Anonymous

Mike Chan brought out LKY's reference to IBA and SDP's critique of our judiciary, etc., as a "conspiracy".

This may be very significant, maybe a prelude to ISD detention of SDP participants.

Francis Seow was detained on the accusation that CIA was conspiring with him to undermine Singapore. So were Vincent Cheng and company - "conspiracy with 'marxist liberation theologians' of Latin America, etc,"

Clearly, if he had his way, he would do the same with SDP and supporters - he is accusing them of the very same.

Hope he is only "mentor minister", and that our younger ministers have more moral sense, and resist the mentoring.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 4:46 AM | Sandy - Discussion

Chew, I follow your comments regulary and it is "simply great".

Sinister Minister also have some good suggestion. Like not just project the issues with the current government but provide solutions. Good point to note though but to be debated further.

As no matter what you say, the reality is SDP and few others are still opposition parties in Singapore and does not hold the office. As an opposition party, the primary responsibility is to pin point the problems with the current government, it is good to provide solutions, if you have a very sound one, otherwise you will open yourselves to scatching attack from the ruling front on your policy solutions rather than their own falults. Keep in mind, in reality, election could be years away and problems could change in due course, providing soulutions are not the primary responsibility of opposition parties and opening your cards so early when the media is totally against you would not be wise.

Finally, to SDP, moderators and party members, there are number of good proposals/idea always come out of this forums. If somebody could keep track of them and discuss further in your meetings, it would be of great help to you.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 5:32 AM | Singapore Democrats - re: Discussion

Sandy: Finally, to SDP, moderators and party members, there are number of good proposals/idea always come out of this forums. If somebody could keep track of them and discuss further in your meetings, it would be of great help to you.

Dear Sandy,

Yes, there have been some very good suggestions and proposals from many of you. We may not reply to all of them but rest-assured we do take them on board. Please continue to post and make suggestions. We can only benefit from them. Thank you all.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 6:02 AM | Fong M.Y. - The Outlook of Singapore

Poverty looms in Isle of Riches

INSIGHT DOWN SOUTH
BY SEAH CHIANG NEE

If the PAP cannot improve the lives of the middle class and the poor, it could face a crisis in the 2011 election.

When the republic celebrates its national day next month with its traditional stirring parade and patriotic songs, the mood of many of its citizens will be less than joyful.

On Aug 9 they will try to put aside an unusual combination of bad news – including crushing inflation and threat of a global recession – to wave flags and watch the fireworks.

But it will be with a heavy heart. To put it simply, Singapore's 43rd birthday is coming at a bad time, possibly one of the worst in decades.

Ironically, the economy of the richest nation in South-East Asia had been firing on all cylinders in recent years.

A booming construction sector, record tourist arrivals and a fast-growing financial sector have contributed to a gross domestic product growth of nearly 8% last year.

The number of millionaires (in US dollar terms) increased to 77,000, making Singapore the seventh in the world in growth of people with high net worth.

That was the recent past. The present is less cheery. A Newsweek correspondent who visited here in 2007 asked: "If the island's economy is booming, why are so many citizens worse off than they were 10 years ago?"

Even as the country prospered, the lives of lower middle class and the poor have become tougher over the past decade. It has in fact become bleak for the elderly and unskilled, who work as cleaners and labourers, admits the Ministry of Manpower.

Their wages have remained stagnant for 10 years, unlike other groups such as managers, professionals, sales and service workers, as well as plant and machine operators.

Last year, managers – the best-paid group – earned 4.86 times more than cleaners and labourers. The gap has widened in 10 years. It was 4.13 times in 1997.

A government committee on low-income earners says 300,000 workers, or 20% of the population earn S$1,200 (RM2,760) or less a month – half of them S$900 or less.

"Income gaps are widening," said Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, while Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew admitted that a narrowing was not likely any time soon because of cheap labour from China and India.

Inflation, the worst in 26 years, has further aggravated the problem since it is affecting the poorer class more than others.

The wage gap has become a particularly acute problem among older and lower-skilled workers, who are among the most disenchanted population in Singapore.

Commentators believe that the political fortunes of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) are tied to its ability to tackle this dilemma at a time when Lee's influential presence enters its sunset years.

If inflation worsens further or if the PAP cannot improve the lives of the middle class and the poor, it could face a crisis in the 2011 election.

An unusually frank write-up in the government-controlled Channel News Asia last year said that middle class stagnation could lead to social instability.

"Anecdotally, it seems to me that our society is already beginning to fray at the edges. There is an increasing coarseness to life," the writer said.

"People have no more time to be considerate to others; even scavengers have to become pushy for fear of losing out to competitors."

On a possible scenario if poverty spreads, he sounded a warning to the contended rich: "Even if you close your eyes to vagrants around us, you can't avoid breathing the air that you share with them.

"Even if you drive around in a sealed BMW or Lexus, one day, homeless kids will catch up with you at traffic junctions offering to clean your windshield.

"Or you find yourself taking the long walk to your parked car, because the shorter route takes you past suspicious-looking men who might be desperate enough to snatch your bag.

"I wonder if the decay has begun to set in, even as we continue to boast of high GDP growth rates."

The island state has become a rich oasis with pockets of rising poverty, where the homeless sleep at void decks or beaches.

Workers in their 60s or 70s clean toilets and sweep floors, instead of enjoying their retirement with grandchildren as is befitting the world's seventh richest nation (in per capita GDP).

To say the government is not worried is understating the fact. It has set up a special body to study measures to improve the earnings of these 300,000 people.

Ideologically, Lee has always rejected subsidies or welfare schemes for the needy. The younger ministers, led by his son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, have, however, been tweaking the no-welfare system by dishing out more cash and topping up savings of the lower-income workers.

Called Workfare, it provides hundreds to thousands of dollars to poorer families. Much of it has, however, been eaten up by the higher cost of living.

Some economists have called for a new social safety net to meet Singapore's modern needs. Yeoh Lam Keong suggests identifying a basket of goods and services that is necessary for individuals and families to enjoy a minimum standard of living.

Based on this index, the government should formulate new policies to help low-income earners counter the effects of globalisation.

"We are in a strong fiscal position and if any country in the world can afford to find a better solution to deal with this growing income divide, it is Singapore," Yeoh said.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 6:50 AM | watson - stupid claire chum

[quote=Claire Chum]I Tak Boleh Tahan the Tak Boleh Tahan people. Why must it be in Malay? Is Malay really a national language?[/quote]

u bodoh!

u r trying to challenge sg's racial harmony and our founding fathers' set- down law is it.

i wunder u singaporean or not? or study in school never pay attention is it? u dunno our national language malay meh? our national anthem in malay too leh. want to ask why ar? go ask ur grandpapa lky lor.

damn bodoh! tak boleh tahan stupid ppl.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 6:58 AM | Eklipse

[quote]fourth thing you must do is to not complain complain complain but offer suggestions/solutions. if they are good, then it can be fine tuned. if they are bad, then we try again. keep in mind your party is going to need a platform and at the very least, people should start talking about how to remedy the things that are pissing you off, hurting people, and destroying your very culture. [/quote]
You can also claim rightful credit for some of the good implementations as a result of your feedbacks/suggestions and show the role of your existence and the value-add you bring to the people.

Sun 13 Jul 2008 8:20 AM | choon hiong - small steps at a time to cross the great river

slowly and surely... am encouraged to see more people to stand up for their rights :)

Sun 13 Jul 2008 6:22 PM | Anonymous

[quote]Hope he is only "mentor minister", and that our younger ministers have more moral sense, and resist the mentoring.[/quote]

Hahahahahaha, what really thinith thou? That Lim Swee Say is going up to the old faggot and say Singaporeans like his extended family and clan and union workers suffering in this hell and to ask him politely to step aside, make way for true cabinet???

Hahahahaha

Mon 14 Jul 2008 5:16 AM | reservist_corporal - re: What You See Is What You Get

[quote=Pondefecator]I'm so sorry I couldn't be there. You're own report says an equal number of supporters were there, so we are talking 18 people. I'm so,so sorry. Singaporeons don't deserve all of you. I think you guys should reconsider new strategies or abandon this crusade all together and go on with your lives and leave all the well taken care of singaporeons alone with their masters whose salaries I reckon will reach 10 million richly deserved dollars a year in 5 years time. They,along with 99% of the people are a match made in heaven. Again I'm sorry for not giving you any encouragement, but I finally realise that the enemy is not the PAP but the people of this pathetic excuse for a country. I'm sorry.[/quote]
If you have studied business before, you'll know that the market is never at fault. You adapt to suit the market, not the other way around.
But the reason why SDP is unable to suit the market is the unfair monopolistic practice of the biggest group.
As a Singaporean I was disappointed at your disdain for your own countrymen. We should focus on the real bullies instead of blaming the people who don't really have a chance. I've never even gotten to vote, my constituency has been walkover for goodness knows how long.

Tue 15 Jul 2008 4:24 AM | Krowley

[i][i]Claire Chum - Sat, 12 Jul 2008 1:15 pm

I Tak Boleh Tahan the Tak Boleh Tahan people. Why must it be in Malay? Is Malay really a national language? [/i][/i]

[b]Dear Claire,
From the way you commented, it seems to me you are a racist who is not happy of using a minority language for a big in thing here in our country.
And I suggest that you look up at wikipedia and type in Singapore and you will learn that Malay is the National Language here. Or should you go back to Primary 1. Well, btw, the oppressors never really liked to declare Bhasa Melayu as the official. Btw, Cant you hear the commands during NDP?

Open up your mind. Stop bullying the smaller groups or community. Stop being like our Government!!![/b]