Why TBT protesters look forward to going back to court

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Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Singapore Democrats

The 16 Tak Boleh Tahan activists who protested against escalating costs in Singapore last year are looking forward to the resumption of their trial tomorrow at the Subordinate Courts.

This is because legal battles are one way through which Singaporeans can fight for their rights and work towards the rule of law, however long the process may take.

The trial is heard by District Judge Chia Wee Kiat. It commenced last year from 23 Oct to 7 Nov. But because it could not finish in the allocated period, the hearing was adjourned to 26 Feb to 12 Mar 09. The protesters face two charges: one for participating in an assembly and another for a procession outside Parliament House on 15 Mar 08.

While some may not yet comprehend why the Singapore Democrats and Friends are determined to challenge the PAP's unconstitutional ban on freedom of speech and assembly, we are convinced that with time and effort these Singaporeans will eventually understand what we are trying to achieve.

We don't do what is easy, we don't do what is safe. We do what is right and necessary. And we do it because it will benefit our fellow Singaporeans in the long run. This is what true leadership is all about.

Leaders must lead and an important aspect of leadership is bringing to the attention of the people the pitfalls and dangers that lie ahead for our nation. These include the total lack of political rights for our citizens.

Think about it. Despite the enormous amounts of reserves the Government has lost through disastrous investments, no one is held accountable. Everyone goes about their work as if nothing happened. Even Ms Ho Ching's stepping down as chief of Temasek is billed as a strategic move. She has not been called to answer for the losses incurred.

This happens only because Singaporeans have been stripped of their rights to freedom of assembly. In any democratic nation, the people would have congregated in public and demanded answers from the government.

What about elections? Can't we just vote in enough opposition MPs and change the laws from there? If only it were that simple. A government that has no qualms in ignoring the Constitution will have no hesitation in changing the rules governing elections. Already PM Lee Hsien Loong has openly admitted that he needs to fix his opponents and buy his support.

This is why the PAP has been in power for half-a-century with almost zero opposition representation in Parliament. Do we learn nothing from this?

Leadership is not about bossing people around. It is about educating and persuading the people, and making the necessary sacrifice so that our fellow citizens may see what we see and heed our urgent call.

This is not to say that we don't believe in elections. As we have stated repeatedly we will continue to put up candidates and fight the elections. In fact we have already started preparations for the coming GE.

But over and above contesting the elections once every four or five years, we also need to work towards political reform. An opposition in an autocratic system must fight on all fronts, not just the elections. Our strategy must be wholistic.

This is why we go back to court tomorrow enthused and determined, filled with the knowledge that history and right are on our side.

We will continue to expose the police as a tool of the ruling party. We will continue to demonstrate the selective prosecution by the AG. We will continue to urge the Judiciary to uphold the rule of law in Singapore and to enforce the letter and spirit of our Constitution and, indeed, the constitution of the free and civilised world.

For without the rule of law all the house-to-house visits, posters, flyers, etc will come to nought and the PAP will continue to rule without an opposition in Parliament for another 50 years.

Top row (l-r): Chee Soon Juan, Carl Lang, Francis Yong, Chia Ti Lik, Sylvester Lim, Shafi'ie, Govindarajan, Jufrie Mahmood, Chong Kai Xiong
Bottom row (l-r): Seelan Palay, Jufri Salim, John Tan, Jeffrey George (pleaded guilty), Jaslyn Go, Suraya, Ng E-jay (pleaded guilty), Gandhi Ambalam, Chee Siok Chin

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Comments (9)

Thu 26 Feb 2009 8:35 AM | Robox

My sincerest best wishes to the SDP on this case.

I will still be here to scrutinize the routine flouting of legal procedure, legal principles, and natural justice by our kangaroo courts.

Thu 26 Feb 2009 8:43 AM | Ted

Thank you SDP, for you have let the whole world see the very ugly side of pap. I wish you success.

Thu 26 Feb 2009 9:19 AM | jeffgoh

History, however, shows us that governments, as seen from the reign of Caesar to those of the two Napoleons and Prince Bismarck, are in their very essence a violation of justice; a man or a body of men having at command an army of trained soldiers, deluded creatures who are ready for any violence, and through whose agency they govern the State, will have no keen sense of the obligation of justice. Therefore governments will never consent to diminish the number of those well-trained and
submissive servants, who constitute their power and influence."

Leo Tolstoy -- Source: Writings on Civil Disobedience and Non-Violence
(Signet Books, 1968), pp. 238-239.

Thu 26 Feb 2009 9:50 AM | exSINgaPOORean - 160,000

I have a dream that these 16 will grow to 160,000!

Yea, try charging 160,000 true-blood Singaporeans for ilLEEgal assembly.

If 100,000 Singaporeans families cannot afford to put food on the table for their family and live just 1 month away from their HDB holes being reprocessed by HDB and all of hem lost their jobs to the FT...what have they go to lose if they assemble in front ot the ParLEEment to make a statement: "PAP show us our money."

All they want is to withdraw say 50% of their lock-in hard earned CPF monies to tie them through the hard times...and yet then the PAP govt would give all the bull shit excuces..bec. the CPF could be emptied by then.

Thu 26 Feb 2009 11:31 AM | AlexNg

Will be at the sub-court next monday to give moral support. sigh.

Thu 26 Feb 2009 4:01 PM | exSINgaPOORean - What to wear.

I hope all of you 16 and the rest of the supporters who will be in the court to give moral support read my advice before going to the court:

Do not wear the "kangaroo T-Shirt".

Also try not to wear anything resembling kangoroo, running dogs, pigs monkey, wolve etc.

To be safe, do not wear the same colour of T-shirts bec. that can be contrued by the "honourable, pure and unbias" judge as illegal assembly by dressing in the same manner.

To be real safe, don't even wear same colour underwears!

On the other hand you might want to bring along your boxing gloves...the kangaroos are good natural boxers!

Thu 26 Feb 2009 8:02 PM | leesjuanpat

The compliant courts and the PAP, with their vested powers above all laws, are wasting tax-payers money by sue-ing,whose who has the right to protest peacefully. WHY ARE THEY ARRESTED FOR DOING NOTHING WRONG,JUST TO DEMONSTRATE AND LET SINGAPOREANS KNOW THE ESCALATING COST OF LIVING?? This is a police state.
KANGAROO COURT. KANGAROO COURT, KANGAROO COURT !!

We, citizens are losing our freedom of movement and speech. We must vote PAP OUT. Voters cast the right VOTES in the next election.

Thu 26 Feb 2009 9:09 PM | jeffgoh

I think this on going trial is a tragic mistake of the establishment.

Through this trial, more Singaporeans will realise that Dr Chee..and the noble 18 were right, are right, and are visionary. Are there truly any Singaporeans who are not experienceing escalating cost of living.

Should singaporeans, our own countrymen be punished for their wisdom. These men are not trouble makers but concerned with the daily lives of themelves and their fellow countrymen.

The Establsihment instead should engage them in a dialouge, instead of silencing these nobles. It is still not to late. The Prime Minsiter had called for singaporeans to pull together, especially during this period. This was and is "what" these Nobles were trying to do, and are trying to do all these times.

Listen to these Nobles Mr Prime Misister, not to men who only tell you what you want to hear. Hear them out, before it is to late. Hear them out before there are no genuine concerned citizens left.

Worst bad times are coming, Mr Prime Minister...truths and visions will help us through. We need more men like these. Many have left this beloved country of ours. this must stop. Engage in dialogues with citizens true to the country, Not punish them.