Protests do not lead to anarchy

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Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Singapore Democrats

For decades freedom of assembly, aka protests, have been taboo in Singapore. Any call for demonstrations is met with words like "chaos" and "destruction" being thrown about will-nilly.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the ultimate scare-monger, said that when people are allowed to protest in public, there'll be “pandemonium” and insists that “we are not that kind of society.” Really? What kind of a society are we then?

The kind that says not a word when the Government lacerates us with hike after excruciating hike in prices?

The kind that keeps heads bowed when millionaire ministers like Mr Lim Swee Say demonstrate their idiocy by taunting that he “feels so rich” whenever he looks at his CPF account even as free-food lines lengthen?

The kind that pretends that nothing untoward is happening when the the Government increases the GST, public transport fares, and electricity rates (and by a whopping 22 percent) even as the economy dives into a recession?

It is most unfortunate that former NTUC Income chief, Mr Tan Kin Lian (Protest outside DBS headquarters), has decided to join in such scare-mongering by saying that protests planned by investors outside the DBS' office are designed by people out to expand their “anarchical ranks”. He was referring to calls by DBS investors to stage a sit-in outside the bank's headquarters.

Why must closed minds conjure images of pandemonium and anarchy whenever we talk about protests? Why can't protests be civil, disciplined, and peaceful as demonstrated by peoples all over the democratic world? Why must people who call for protests and challenge unjust laws be always demonised?

Ironically, DBS promptly agreed to fully compensate their Hong Kong investors over the purchase of Lehman's financial products. But this happened only when the investors descended upon the bank's office in the Chinese city. Without the freedom to protest, would DBS have moved so quickly, if at all, to right the wrong?

Hong Kongers know what it's like to run a competitive economy with a dynamism and energy that the world admires. And yet, protests are a regular and necessary feature of Hong Kong life. Has the Hong Kong society been thrown into pandemonium or have the anarchists taken over the city because of the protests?

For goodness sakes let us stop thinking like children. Laws against protests in Singapore were not handed down through some heavenly edict. They were introduced by white men to subjugate brown, yellow, and black ones during their colonial rule.

Now it is the men-in-white who continue to wield such laws to ensure that their rule is not challenged. The regimes may have changed but the oppression remains.

Think about it. Just weeks ago, protests were illegal and frowned upon in Singapore. The “pandemonium” argument held sway. There was a moral tinge to the Minister Mentor's line. After all, aren't chaos and turmoil undesirable happenings?

But after September 2008, protests are now legal, albeit in a very circumscribed way. Have protests suddenly become morally acceptable? The truth is that freedom of assembly has never been morally undesirable. It is dictatorships that, for obvious reasons, outlaw them and give the convenient excuse that protests are bad for society.

Defying the oppressive colonial-cum-PAP laws has played a part in the establishment of the Speakers' Corner and the change in rules to allow protests there. Where would Mr Tan Kin Lian have asked DBS investors to protest last Saturday if activists had not campaigned for freedom of assembly?

But instead of keeping up the pressure on the Government to open up society including the right to protest in any public area, it is sad that some people would turn around and criticise those who have worked to make public protests possible.

Let us not continue to decry civil disobedience and to demonise those who work for the political and civil rights of Singaporeans. These rights may just come in very handy in future.

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Comments (22)

Wed 15 Oct 2008 4:39 AM | ah beng - it will come

One bloody day, the tide will turn upon the unrighteous, it will and it must,for all actions and deeds will have an opposite effect and this is fact. This is the way life works. Go ask the scientists and they will tell you that this law governs everything on earth and the universe. Obviously, the Lees have not attended Physics classes.

Wed 15 Oct 2008 4:42 AM | AnnA - Protest has its relevance here.

The recent protest by investors clearly underlines the importance of freedom of speech and gathering.

Too many prople have been suffering in silence and fear of govt for too long.

Those affected investors ought to be grateful to SDP for "opening up a means" for them to express their discontent. Otherwise, protest will still be illegal today.

SDP has done an excellent job.

Wed 15 Oct 2008 5:29 AM | Ted

Yes ah beng although I don't like your handle name (lol) I have to agree with you ~ 物极必反

Wed 15 Oct 2008 6:24 AM | seaporter - Unhappiness on the way!

I don't see the reason why people can't vent their unhappiness towards such unjust acts by the PAP. The gov is simply pro-elite and nothing more than blood suckers: our CPF, rights of speech, our life, how we live, eat, talk, die. Everything that is so well-planned and immaculate and deemed to succeed to take care of our own people as what they mentioned in their PAP website. But now, what did we see? Just a slave to the suing regime and a dog to the nation with mouth carefully sealed and truth hidden. It will not be a friendly and nice place to live in and retire. To the foreigners, they will just come and make money and get lost to Aus, NZL or Canada. Why wait? PROTEST SINGAPORE, PROTEST THE BULLYING LEE REGIME!

Wed 15 Oct 2008 7:28 AM | tewniaseng

Imagine 9700 investors protest at DBS HQ,the police will chicken out because they don't have so many trucks to load the protestors.We citizens have to unite to fight the old man,some already lost 200k.What is another $2k fine for protest ? it is peanut,so singaporeans should join the protest.

Wed 15 Oct 2008 7:57 AM | | wayangparty - Tan Kin Lian did not say that

To be fair to Mr Tan, I don't think he is one who said that.

The sentence was made by a forumer on the CNA forum. Mr Tan simply cut and past the entire thread to his blog.

Wed 15 Oct 2008 8:30 AM | AnnA - To My Impostor @4:42AM

Keep it up... way to go. You have acknowledged what SDP is doing. I think you already have a change of heart... Hope your colleagues will never catch you writing in on behalf of me ;)

I'm still thankful that SDP has initiated the first move although they have to suffer first.

Keep going SDP, I am with you!!

Regards

AnnA
VuuV

Wed 15 Oct 2008 9:02 AM | | NOT MY SDP - Laws came from the West, so do Democracy

"Laws against protests in Singapore were not handed down through some heavenly edict. They were introduced by white men to subjugate brown, yellow, and black ones during their colonial rule."

Did Democracy come from the East?

Wed 15 Oct 2008 9:45 AM | exSINgaporean - United We Stand

First I think this Tan Kin Lian is a PAP planted agent...just pretend to oppose the govt...to allow Singaporeans to let go some steam...thus "allow to fart but no shitting". Thus you can see how quick he responded and condemn other forms of protest and uses the "law" to place fear on the Singaporean investors.

As the SDP pointed out correctly, in Hong Kong large group investors of decended down to the DBS HQ and the next moment full refund was offered to them. In Singapore the timid investors must go though the PAP law...let me tell you even in Canada or the USA if anyone one goes by the law in this sort of cases, it will take unknown years and could only recover say 10% of the investments.

Even though the investors win at the end, but then who pays for the legal cost? Some investors might ended up paying more for the legal cost of recovering the investment than the capital investment invested. If you the fine print of your investment contract, you could find that if you engage a lawyer to recover investment amount you are to pay for the full legal cost even the defendent (the bank)loses. So Mr Tan
Kin Lian could be leading investors into a "expensive" wild goose chase.

Those who bought minibonds from DBS should unite via the internet and organize the protest in front of the DBS headquarter...all dress in red and just crwod outside the DBS HQ to demand FULL compensation like those in Hong Kong.

If they can refund 100% in HK why can't they do so in Singapore? Why such double standard? Are the Singaporean "better to be bullied".

Just tell DBS that Singapore investors just wanted to be compensated the SAME as their counterparts in Hong Kong...period!!!

In the onlinecitizen I heard a lady who said she lost more than Sin $100 of her retirement savings. She is 60 years old and she recalled that when she started work she was only paid $200 per month and each month she had only $2 left. She cried out that this is her hard-earned money with blood and sweat. When she went to the bank she wanted the MAS guaranteed bonds and not those "minibonds' but she was eventually sweet talk into buying them.

Can you blame her as she just trusted the bank staff for their "expert" advice. Likewise, can you blame all Singaporeans if one day they find that their CPF is a big Enron-type of case...empty!

All you need is about 25 people (a critical mess) dress in red this coming Friday morning at 10am to be in the DBS HQ and demand loundly that they want their money back. With email, cell phone camera and video,text and the internet blogs the rest of the investors will come to know about it and I bet you by the early afternoon at say 12 noon, this number will grow to 500 or even 1000...especially if they sense that only those present that day will have their full investment refunded!!!!!!!!! If they miss it, then they will have to go through all sorts of legal process which could take 5 to 7 years or even forever.

Go ahead organise a dress in red (T-shirts will do) this Friday at 10am, with all the documents and DEMAND to be compensated just like our Hong Kong counterparts invested with DBS bank. Want the money NOW and no excuses accepted.

This is not a sit-in protest but it is your legal right to seek compensation and be treated the same as your counterparts in Hong Kong.

Insist on seeing the staff who sold you, if he/she is not there then insist of seeing the manager, the vice President and even the President of the DBS. Who can arrest you for doing this?

If there are at least 500 of the investors all wearing RED and speaking loudly (not shouting) I bet they will have to give in because it hurts the DBS reputation and the refund of couple of millions is penuts to them.

Keep repeating: "If DBS can fully compensate the Hong Kong investors so quickly why can't they do the same for the fellow Singaporean investors?"

No matter why resaon or re-course they suggest, just repeat this line and your goal is to get full compensation NOW and right there!!!!!!!!!No more no less and not a penny sort.

Don't sit-in but walk-in!!! Speak clearly and loudly. Not shouting but just loudly. DBS is a rich bank, I am sure they can refund these poor investors in Singapore just like what they are doing in Hong Kong, unless finacially it is..........!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wed 15 Oct 2008 3:45 PM | Vincent - re: Laws came from the West, so do Democracy

[quote=NOT MY SDP]"Laws against protests in Singapore were not handed down through some heavenly edict. They were introduced by white men to subjugate brown, yellow, and black ones during their colonial rule."

Did Democracy come from the East?[/quote]

I don't care where Democracy started - North, South, East or West. Why should it matter? It is a better form of government and even Lee Kuan Yew admitted that in an interview.

These anti-protest rules were created by the British to control us during the colonial times. We do not need them any more.

Wed 15 Oct 2008 4:59 PM | maxChew - Mr Tan Kin Lian is fighting for the underdog

As the CEO of NTUC Income, TKL was becoming more and more outspoken and a loose cannon. That displeased and even frightened his bosses at Govt level. Ng Kee Hoe the chairman of NTUC Income was then told to "sack" him. That's how TKL left NTUC Income. I suppose after that he was hopping mad and decided to spend the rest of his life helping the disadvantaged and the poor underdog.
He was seen at SDP's anniv dinner at HortPark as well as most of the protest gatherings at SC.
I doubt he's a PAP mole. He's not that type of a person.
His close friend is now Leong Sze Hian. I hope both of them will stand for the GE 2010 as Opp candidates.

Wed 15 Oct 2008 5:39 PM | Mike - People will only protest because of $$$

People will only protest when it concerns $$$..

But not the type of democracy SDP talks about..

Wed 15 Oct 2008 6:01 PM | tom

"First I think this Tan Kin Lian is a PAP planted agent.."

the truth is he IS, just look at what hes saying.

Wed 15 Oct 2008 10:20 PM | tewniaseng

just now listened to radio 958, there is one investor who bought $ 1 million Lehman Bro minibond just last month,he phoned the radio station complaining he went to the bank query abt his investment, but the bank could not give him a satisfactory answer. He lost temper and scolded vulgar words to the officer,and the officer called the police, and police arrested him.In the police station, he told the police he already lost millions, and now he has to pay the fine,for scolding bad words, in the end the police released him.So you see,in a crisis, the old man kept mum,dare not say a word,all follow suits.All PM, SM kept mum because the MM kept mum. Like the Mas Selamat case, no minister dare to comment first.NIa Mah ! You call this super talented ministers? I say it is Monster !!

Wed 15 Oct 2008 10:23 PM | Anonymous

you're right on exSINgaporean....

Anyway I read the Shit Times and it said SDP web-site might be shut down due to Chee's bankruptcy. Looks like Lee might be getting what he wants... the silencing of the lambs for slaughter. LOL!!!!

Thu 16 Oct 2008 1:33 AM | Anonymous - re: Tan Kin Lian did not say that

[quote=wayangparty]To be fair to Mr Tan, I don't think he is one who said that.

The sentence was made by a forumer on the CNA forum. Mr Tan simply cut and past the entire thread to his blog.[/quote]

will TKL bother to c n p to his blog if he does not agree with what was being posted??

Thu 16 Oct 2008 3:07 AM | Ah Heng

old fart you better go and die, because you have cause singaporean very miserable

Thu 16 Oct 2008 4:00 AM | zorroiz1 - curiosity.

I read with interest from the press regarding AGC's decision to charge 3 SDP members for contempt of court for appearing at the Supreme Court wearing kangaroo t-shirts during SDP members defamation trial. I am a student and was wondering what is wrong in wearing the kangaroo t-shirts as a form of communication and expression? i thought it was quite a unique way of expression of ideas.

Thu 16 Oct 2008 5:40 AM | Anonymous

[quote]
People will only protest when it concerns $$$..

But not the type of democracy SDP talks about..
[/quote]

Hi Mike,
if geylang close down tomorrow, will you protest?

Thu 16 Oct 2008 3:52 PM | ah beng - re: first one

[quote=Anonymous][quote]
People will only protest when it concerns $$$..

But not the type of democracy SDP talks about..
[/quote]

Hi Mike,
if geylang close down tomorrow, will you protest?[/quote]Mike sure the first one to be on the street to protest and because he is such a loyal PAP dog, he can protest anywhere without any permit.Only PAP dogs are allowed to pee and shit wherever they like. They recieve special treatment from bullying party.

Sat 18 Oct 2008 1:45 AM | BeeChoo - Great post re: exSINgaporean

Great insight exSINgaporean ! Thumbs up

Good post

Mon 20 Oct 2008 6:11 PM | | Daniel Ling - But Mr Tan is quite right also.

I quote from his website.

"If even a small group of investors were arrested, it would terrorize the rest into sullen submission. Any attempts at trying to build a case or even to win public opinion would collapse"

As now it's the Big Boys vs the Public, they can easily just send in the Blues to Capture any Infantry tat solo and break ranks.

If this happens, pple will fear for their own safety and the Mass Protest (Basically Strength in Numbers) will fall apart.

But then again, I'm not there, I didn't buy this bond, thus i'm able to stand at the side lines and comment. For those directly involve, you have my moral support and i sincerely hope good will come out of this.