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Trials scheduled too close together, activists say Print E-mail
Thursday, 16 October 2008

Singapore Democrats

SDP members and activists prosecuted with various offences appeared in court last week to take dates for the trials. The pre-trial conference (PTC) judge Mr Liew Thiam Leng scheduled the cases one after another in quick succession.

The defendants protested that scheduling the cases so close together did not allow them time to prepare.

In one of the cases, the Judge even wanted to schedule a case beginning on Christmas Eve. He subsequently moved that to just before the New Year. It was only when the DPP said that some of the police witnesses would be on leave during that period that the Judge agreed to fix the hearing in January next year.

Dr Chee Soon Juan pointed out that some of the trials were scheduled only several days apart. "We have to make written submissions and then prepare for the next hearing. How is this possible when we have only a matter of days to do these?"

He pointed out that some of the charges involved matters in 2006.

"The AG's Chambers had more than two years to take action, but waited till now to put all the charges together," Dr Chee said, "The courts then schedule the hearings in quick succession depriving us of the time for preparation."

It was also pointed out to the Judge that when he fixed the dates, some of the defendants were not present in his chambers. It is understood that all parties need to be present to schedule trial dates.

And yet Ms Chee Siok Chin, Mr John Tan and Mr Teoh Tian Jing were left to wait outside the Judge's chambers when the dates were fixed. The Judge only called them in after the trial dates were scheduled.

Ms Chee then produced a medical certificate from Mr Gandhi Ambalam who was hospitalised and could not attend the PTC. She asked that another PTC be convened to allow Mr Ambalam to be present. But the Judge dismissed this request.

Despite the AG's Chambers actions to silence dissenting voices, these human rights defenders know that they will be vindicated one day and are determined to fight on for their fellow Singaporeans.

Below is the schedule for the various trials:

23 Oct 08 - 7 Nov 08
Two charges for illegal procession and assembly in Mar 2008.
Defendants: 18 Tak Boleh Tahan activists.

26 Nov 08 - 12 Dec 08
Two charges of illegal procession and assembly during the WB-IMF meeting in Sep 2006.
Defendants: Gandhi Ambalam, Chee Soon Juan, Chee Siok Chin, Jeffrey George, Charles Tan, and Teoh Tian Jing.

18 Dec 08 - 22 Dec 08
Remainder of the hearing for two charges of speaking without a permit in 2005 and 2006.
Defendants: Chee Soon Juan, Yap Keng Ho.

5 Jan 09 - 16 Jan 08
One charge for distributing flyers in Sep 2006.
Defendants: Gandhi Ambalam, Chee Soon Juan, Chee Siok Chin, and Jeffrey George.

26 Jan 08 - 18 Feb 08
Two charges for illegal assembly and procession in Sep 2007.
Defendants: Gandhi Ambalam, Chee Siok Chin, Charles Tan, John Tan, Teoh Tian Jing.

Trial to be fixed
Proceedings commenced for contempt of court.
Defendants: John Tan, Isrizal, and Shafi'ie

 

 

 

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Comments (32)
  • Victor MC - WHY COMPLAINT SO MUCH
    Dear SDP Comrades,

    Going the way u guys crashed with the authority, obviously u guys are not keen to serve the people, but trouble makers and have no means to pay. I am also sure no lawyers would be keen to represent u guys, not because they scared loose, but because I am doubtful u able to pay them when lost.

    Please don't complain so much about the trial dates, for nobody asked u to be charged. Be a man, like JBJ. Don't be a coward and default fines and choose to go jail, you are just like CLOWNS. However, i believe u guys will choose jail to gain sympathy, but this is not the way singaporean accept your politics. Your ways are like theatre.
  • Ada Style - Response to Victor MC
    I guess Victor MC would have said the same thing to Mahatma Gandhi, Chia Thye Poh and Nelson Mandela!
  • Anonymous
    If you were presumed guilty already, then why waste time giving you time to prepare, etc?
  • Anonymous1
    Reference Ada Style in response to victor MC,

    Not really, you also forgot to tell Victor MC that he had missed saying the same thing to our self-proclaimed "great super hero" none other than Dr Chee Soon Juan.
  • Kangoroo Court
    To Victor MC

    With due respect to JBJ.

    JBJ is too gentleman to deal with the scum-in-white.
    What crashing of authority you are talking about?
    The only authority they got is 'no moral authority'.
    You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.
  • Roland Soh
    This is legal terrorism! As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow morning, someday all of you will be vindicated! Until that day arrives, the fight must go on.
    The biggest challenge is to embolden the people of Singapore to overcome their fear. When this happens, all your sacifices will not be in vain. Together, we shall overcome! May GOD bless you all in your struggle.
  • AnnA - SDP undaunted.
    Whatever happens, the truth shall hold in the hearts of the discerning.

    Politics is extremely dirty here. Don't give up SDP.
  • B - To Victor MC
    Victor, lets be clear, if there is anyone "complainting" as you so eloquently state, it is you. You are right. I am sure that SDP member have nothing better to do than to get charged by the police and the government of activities that are legal in most developed democracies. Except here. Perhaps it is our "Asian" values, but somehow, it is legal in Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan. Maybe these countries are not Asian enough.
  • Husrin
    Bottom line is ah.


    All PAP stooges are dumb.
  • G Chen
    To Victor MC,
    Who just died and make you the representative for all Singaporean. Stop acting pompous, insensitive and talk silly. People's lives and that of their families are affected here. These people are being punished for having done things which are accepted in most democratic places as individual rights. So please do take time to look at yourself in the mirror, for I am sure you would see the CLOWN you are so fascinated with staring back at you. Also, if you think going to prison is a much easier alternative to paying fines then you are probably even dumber than a CLOWN. Still I wish you and your love ones well, for remember what goes around comes around.
  • AnnA - To My Impostor @ 8:06AM
    Hmmm... your comment is a comfirmation that you had already have a change of heart. You are sought yourself to gain sight. You are no longer blind. Congratulations. Please don't feel ashamed and reveal yourself instead of using my nickname praising SDP because I can do it myself without your help.

    Lovely Yours

    AnnA
    VuuV
  • Ted - re: To Victor MC
    [quote=B]but somehow, it is legal in Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan. Maybe these countries are not Asian enough.[/quote]

    You forgot to mention Macao, Malaysia, Japan, India, even China is facing an increasing number of mass protest all over its country. The whole world simply detest dictatorship, this is how the flow is today and no one can stop the tide. When the day comes all the secret police including those internet spy will be trial and punish.
  • Anonymous
    Not surprising to see PAP supporters here. I can only imagine its a good thing... because PAP = Profit at the cost of the people.. and at the cost of these people. LOL!!!

    article wise, it is EXPECTED Lee will do this..
  • ah beng - re: To My Impostor @ 8:06AM
    [quote=AnnA]Hmmm... your comment is a comfirmation that you had already have a change of heart. You are sought yourself to gain sight. You are no longer blind. Congratulations. Please don't feel ashamed and reveal yourself instead of using my nickname praising SDP because I can do it myself without your help.
    I knew it wasn't you with the other comment AnnA. No one can immitate you LOL.
    Lovely Yours

    AnnA
    VuuV[/quote]
  • FAMILEE STYLE - DIRTY POLITICS
    [color=red][b]The s.o.b monster papees are deliberately going to find every fault they can on SDP to keep you guys away from elections and keep slinging mud at you guys!


    Thats Lee Regime stye !![/b][/color]
  • Dissapointed Citizen - Getting Too Much
    Dear SDP Readers,

    I can't hold it longer to spill out my displeasure over the ruling party's over-doings from charging our SDP commarades over "Tak-Boleh-Tahan"; visitings the NTU to wearing a kangeroo T-shirt and many more.

    We live in a place where we can't talk, no rights of our life, stressful ebnvironment; work and work just to pay the tax officials and the Ministers; can't wear what we like; can't show our critics or displeasure....

    What the "f" world we residing, go and die lah, the LEEs. The earlier the better....




    Angry Democrates
    Dissapointed Citizen
  • agreed! - agreed
    [quote]Dear SDP Readers,

    I can't hold it longer to spill out my displeasure over the ruling party's over-doings from charging our SDP commarades over "Tak-Boleh-Tahan"; visitings the NTU to wearing a kangeroo T-shirt and many more.........

    Angry Democrates
    Dissapointed Citizen

    [/quote]

    [b]VERY VERY WELL SAID![/b]
  • ??????????? - siphoned away thru shady investments
    The guarantee will be backed by S$150 billion of the reserves of the Singapore government.

    huh??... i thot senile old MAN said we have $4 trillion??... where is our money??... ... very scary leh...
  • Papees better remember this qu - No damn mistakes
    [quote]"As S'pore govt aspire for World Class lifestyles, we need to remember that they have to deliver World Class Performance, no mistakes about it!"[/quote]


    by Ngiam Tong Dow
  • Eddie - Should join the DBS Bank protest!
    Tak Boleh Tahan team should have been present together with the handful of protesters mostly retirees who recently went to DBS Bank and see how the police would discretionally pick SDP team and the protesters, mainly retirees and those who had lost their savings!
  • Terence - poor things
    Poor things, to be treated like that. Next time don't do it again and you won't get into trouble.
  • Tan Tai Wei
    The sobriety and stateliness of the law, and the nation that makes the law, is seriously undermined when our laws are administered in such manner as to call for the prosecution of such trivial "offences" as those that appear on the list the activists are charged for.

    A small gathering of five or seven, and one or two unsuccessful attempts to speak to passers-by who were too afraid to listen anyway, and an attempted "march" that could not even begin, being hastily stopped by armed police; or three persons, two of whom young NS boys, wearing comic T-shirts, one of whom saying something to Lee as he passed (I'm utterly surprised that he even noticed, leave alone bringing the whole judicial machinery of the state to bear over it!)

    It's like calling in the fire brigade when the waste-paper basket in my backyard catches fire.

    Indeed, the reason why the judge has not thought it important to space the various court hearings and give enough time for preparations, etc., could be precisely the triviality of the cases! Then why even begin to prosecute??
  • k b - re: Response to Victor MC
    [quote=Ada Style]I guess Victor MC would have said the same thing to Mahatma Gandhi, Chia Thye Poh and Nelson Mandela![/quote]


    wat the sdp always does is that even if it knows its gonna lose a court case, it will put up a fight.
    a court case is publicity and democracy activist need every bit of publicity they can get because our media is well hopeless (except for nina varghese.. shes hot)
  • ... - Ha
    [quote=B]I am sure that SDP member have nothing better to do than to get charged by the police and the government of [b]activities that are legal in most developed democracies[/b]. [/quote]

    Really now, in every part of the world, governments not acknowledging people's freedom. It's not just the situation in singapore that's bad. The force that is screwing people over are primarily emerging from the us, europe, china's already there.

    Merseyside Police Arrest Activists In 11th October Peaceful Protest

    http://dotconnectoruk.blogspot.com/2008/10/merseyside-police-arrest-number-of.html
  • AnnA - To : ah beng
    Hehe.. Thank you ah beng, I've enjoyed reading your comments too :)

    Having been here almost everyday and read these real political news from SDP is like 'a soup for the day' and your comments is like 'pepper' needed to be added in.. haha

    Thumbs up to your directness. :)

    Regards

    AnnA
  • AnnA - To: Tan Tai Wei
    "It's like calling in the fire brigade when the waste-paper basket in my backyard catches fire."

    Very true. Their act is always exaggerated especially by the lower ranked officers 'buttering' the upper ranked ones. These lower ranking officers will produce as many cases as possible for the upper ranks to consider whether to proceed with charges. Out of 100% cases that were showed to their Superintendent, 100% will be submitted to court. Out of 1000%, maybe only 1 or 2 will get stern warning. That's how they slash as much butter for their bosses.

    Like I've said before, in 20 to 30 years time to come, Singaporean will be among the most unrespectable people around the world just because of 80% of us have stepped in and charged in courts for minor things. (7% will be the real criminals. 3% will get death penalty or exiled) Another 10% saved just because they are working as PAP dogs. What a shame Lee has made us to be.

    Regards

    AnnA
  • tewniaseng
    When People Are Poor are toppled,and a new govt is set up, you will see all the money is gone,no more reserve. Like the Taiwan president Chen lost power, new govt will dig up everything.In Stinkapore, they control Election Dept and CPIB, so outsider such as SDP or WP can't dig out anything, so no proof, no evidence, lan lan.
  • B - To ... - Ha
    [quote]Really now, in every part of the world, governments not acknowledging people's freedom. It's not just the situation in singapore that's bad. The force that is screwing people over are primarily emerging from the us, europe, china's already there.
    [/quote]

    Thank you for pointing this out. Like I said most developed countries. Perhaps England is not there yet, and China is a bad example. I did not say all. A prosecution of liberty done in any country whether developed or otherwise is still wrong. Liberty did not come from people not taking action, but from people who stood up to be counted. My original point was to be facetious to Victor MC.
  • Sebastian the Junkie rocker
    Oh nice, look at us! fighting among each other becos of different views and opinions. Nobody wants world peace i guess becos we dont even have peace in ourself. There are no right or wrong in what ever you guys write in this forum, just differences in opinions and believes. Some don't like dictatorship becos they are promoting democracy. What can i say. There's nothing wrong with dictatorship but the dictator himself. Who created the biggest Roman empire? Who made Russia a powerful country? Who is the one who made Malacca famous? Does Julius Caesar, Stalin and Tun Perak cross anyones mind?
    Be more polite with each others comments please. Anybody agree with me that BELIEVES and FAITH is a very very strong weapon? Becareful of what u believe. It might blind u if you follow the wrong guidance. Anybody watch STARSHIP TROOPER 3 yet? Try it!!! What ever you guys talk about is in this movie.
  • Disappointed Citizen - Singapore In Recession
    Baby Lee just announced that Singapore is in recession due to uncertainties in the global economies.

    My dear folks, as a Singaporean whose heart has given up hope on the present Govt's doings in takings from the common citizens and pay themselves well for being a PAP yes=men, this serves as a reminder to all people out there that we do need reform from this present ruling party.

    More heads need to be chopped and salaries trimmed, more incapable staff need to be removed.

    For example, our tongue-stuck Deputy Prime Minister who never gave a good answer to the "Prison Break" incident, the sit-and-wait for month end paychecks of most civil servants such as many of those in the Moreign Affairs Officials; both at home and based overseas (getting fatty pay checks for being yes-men; and don't mention their perks. Worst of all, these people are paid to bully the common citizens and abused their power. They only like yes-men and see and wait for things to happen. Don't mention about decision makings; these are not in their dictioneries. Chinese proverb: The more they do, the more mistakes they commit, so don't do", this is their slogan in work.

    SIngapore judical system is now a world-wide laughing stoick to many foreigners that learned that wearing a kangeroo T-shirts can also be charged, and the countless law-suits against opposition parties who bring up geniuen matters such as rising costs of living and hafty taxes that burdened common citizens. They asked me at many occasions and I am very shy and disgraced to post further comments about our country and it's Govt. Because I am too disgraced over the jusdical system back home.

    As the country has sung into the mud by poor financial decisions and casued many fellow folks home into distress and even suicides due to financial woes; the only possibility for a turn-around is hoping a new party made of capable individual such as Dr Chee SJ, Ms Silvia Lim, Mr Low TK to take over the situation and reolve these issues to make life better for normal Singaporeans.

    Many in those present PAP team are incapable and taking their fat salaries monthly for doing nothing. When come to work and solution; they will say follow the system, where they even don't know the system themselves. Worst, the system is all wrong. This is the state of wrong system in actual fact; and it's real worrying.

    My God, the old man got to go, the present men in white got to go and a new Govt need to be formed.

    Truely concerned for my friends and family back home.



    Disappointed Citizen
    Overseas
  • ... - Ha
    The positive change that's needed won't come from politics. It must come from 'ordinary' people because that's where the power lies.

    Disappointed Citizen, don't fell so bad. The situation in the world all has gone from bad to worse. It's a global trend and is centrally coordinated.

    This is a link to videos that are important if we are to understand the situation we're in.
    [b]http://www.davidicke.com/content/view/14373/48/

    [url]http://www.davidicke.com/content/view/14373/48/[/url][/b]
  • Anonymous
    Another series of sham trials held in kangaroo courts presided over by lap-dog judges.

    The verdicts, before the trials even begin, has already been written by these pseudo judges in their chambers or it's already in these highly partisan judge's mind what is to be written.

    Does anyone really expect the trial to be fair. In fact, why should there be a trial in the first place?

    And do you know why PAP bothers to go through such troubles even when they themselves know that the people percieves it as a sham trial? What do they intend to show?

    It's a warning. To all. To everyone and anyone who wants to challenge them. It's not a trial. It's not about breaking the law. It's use as a warning.

    Warning not only not to challenge their authority but also not to question their decisions - be it social, politics, economics etc. These PAP despots behave as if they are perfect beings, above reproach, above accountability, beyond scrutiny, percieving us as lesser mortals not qualified to do so. We, the people, not able to ask matters on our lives and pertaining to our country. Our lives. Our country.

    The courts and judges, the people's ultimate defence against oppression, has now been totally controlled the PAP.

    You have no rights.... unless the PAP allows it.
    You have no freedom .....unless the PAP approves it.
    You have no democracy .....unless as interpreted by the PAP.

    The PAP Minister's and MP's responsibility is to their PAP leaders(masters) not the people. Think about it.

    Is this what you really want for your country? For you and your descendants?

    The nightmare can only gets worse....unless you want to change yourself. The crucial ingredient to this change is in each and every one of your vote.
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