Singapore Democrats

The article states that CSC has chosen to serve her sentence first but will continue with her appeal. I'll assume that she has voluntarily decided to do so, despite there being no legal requirement, as the appeal is still pending.

This then begs the question : what is the purpose of this decision? The article is deliberately silent on this. A rat is smelled.

I'll admit to being the skeptic when it crossed my mind initially that she is doing so to “increase” her street-cred, of having been jailed for her beliefs and perceived rights. Since she has been jailed previously, we can discount this.

Another possibility is that she has sacrificed herself (selflessly, but at last, fruitlessly) simply to draw publicity and attention to the case. This is not something unexpected, coming from a party that craves attention (usually for the wrong reasons).

I suppose SDP (less CSC) will next be scanning the newspapers and watching TV news assiduously to see whether the intended effect has been achieved. Otherwise, it can (gleefully)(again) make the same accusation that its activities (and selfless sacrifices) are ignored by the MSM.

BryanT seems to conveniently ignore that she may have chosen to go in at this time simply because she may have a lot of work to settle in the coming months ahead and would prefer to get this jail term over and done with.

Instead he smells a rat. Now, since smells don't diffuse over the internet, perhaps the rat is in the confines of his own house.

Nice try (gleefully)(again) BryanT, we all greatly sympathize with the selfless sacrifice of time and effort you make on this website that is ignored by the MSM and just about everyone else who's bored of you.

"ignored" or "censored", BryanT?

Seelan, on that part about her having a lot of work in the coming months, I suppose you are trying to fill in an info gap that the article left gaping.

Let me guess further, perhaps it has something to do with the coming elections?

Don't we wish SDP apply some of the legendary openness and frankness it speaks about, instead of leaving people speculating?

Anyway, CSC going to jail preemptively despite the fact that there is an appeal pending does not speak very highly of her confidence of getting anywhere with the appeal. The case is either too weak or she think the court too marsupial for her liking. In that case, the appeal is just to achieve maximum publicity impact, or just plain pigheadedness.

Yes, I know it is a big sacrifice by those (including you) who read what I write. In that case, can CSJ still accuse us (including you and me) of indifference... that which is the opposite of love, art, faith and life.

Ever quick to demand "legendary openness and frankness" from the SDP, when the PAP are the ones who are the kings of not letting the people know anything.

Once again, this goes to show how you're here criticizing simply for the sake of it.

Thank you for wasting your time and please feel free to carry on with your inept ranting if it gives you a cheap thrill of some sort.

PS: Aww, so nice of you to memorize what Dr Chee said in a speech last year, you must be his biggest fan.

Somehow, according to resident trolls like BryanT, going to jail for distributing flyers critical of the government is NOT newsworthy.

For him, absolutely no questions could be raised about the state of media censorship, the propriety of the law, the validity of the ruling or the independence of the judiciary.

For him, raising public awareness on errant governmental practices is not an important form of civic participation but a matter of self-aggrandizement, with the implication that SDP is being megalomanical in its attempt to awaken the political consciousness of the masses.

While BryanT may not be on the ruling establishment's payroll, he certainly serves to defend its hegemonic interests. For free.

A useful idiot, in other words.

Kai Xiong, looks like you are helping to keep the "sacrificial" theme rolling on, when you make statements such as "...may not be on the ruling establishment's payroll, he certainly serves to defend its hegemonic interests. For free."

Aren't we all feeling so selfless today?... with CSC leading the way.

Dear me, I fail to see that sacrificial theme anywhere.

This article reads like a routine and dispassionate report, without any appeals to emotion. But the facts presented may rightly provoke a chorus of indignation among free thinking individuals believing in a democratic Singapore.

Sometimes I really cannot comprehend the rationale for the actions of the SDP (neither can I of the PAP), but I really belive they are on the right track towards achieving a better life for all Singaporeans.

This line usually ends my prayer request every night.

As for BryanT, I would ignore his esoteric comments as of late it has been nothing except for SDP bashing.

SDP shall be blessed in 2010!

I cant help but to notice the consipracy theory Bryan T is trying to stir is already dispelled in the article, see quote. You can try harder next time BryanT.

It seems to be obvious that you are trying to put down the party for the sake of it, on what and whose agenda? I've began to notice a pattern that Bryan is the first to reply to every article. It cant get any more obvious that that.

That said, a conviction of an sort for flyer distribution is wholly ridiculous and is ludricrous by any standards. In places like HK or Taiwan, the judiciary will be made a laughing stock.

"Ms Chee has chosen to serve her sentence first but will continue with her appeal because it is important that the High Court renders its decision and grounds if it upholds the conviction."

Normally I refrain from replying to such postings, but this time a woman has gone to jail because of her beliefs and values and you are trashing her when she is not here to defend herself.

Please do know, Bryan T, that reading your postings is mentally draining for me, because even my friends from the PAP, from People's Association, when they defend their ruling masters to me, they at least try to make sense and appear reasonable. You on the other hand seem to have an agenda to twist logic and reason to serve your message not matter how ridiculous it comes out.

That CSC is serving time in prison for a political cause should be of grave concern, because it reflects the kind of system the PAP has created -- an undemocratic, unprincipled and self-serving system. You are deliberately silent on this aspect of the issue. Likewise, a rat is smelled.

ngejay, I questioned why CSC would want to go to jail now despite the fact that the appeal is ongoing because it looked peculiar. There's enough people who have commented on the trial conclusions without me having to add my piece. Ever heard of the term "diminishing returns"? If anything, the fact that I did not offer any rebuttal of their criticism may say something. Remember the thing about what is left unsaid?

My sympathies that reading my postings is draining you mentally. You may be surprised but you actually have the liberty to choose not to read them, as many have indicated. The scroll-bar is very useful.

Obviously you can get your daily dose of inspiration and mindset-booster from comments by back-slapping gang here.

Whatever might be feeling about the Chees' and associates' "gimmicky" bringing trouble and jail terms unto themselves, it cannot be denied that they do bring out their message.

Something must be amiss about the state's judiciary when the upholding of its laws result in one, two or three persons having to be imprisoned for giving out pamphlets along pedestrian pathways!

BryanT: Is there a problem with the law?

People, let's just IGNORE BryanT post once & for all. We can always scroll down his comments and not waste our precious time reading his 'garbage'.

SDP is 'Walking the Talk' by sticking to its policy of Freedom of Speech.

When all of us STOP replying to his (BryanT) post, in no time, he'll be talking to himself!

He (BryanT) should be ranting at PAP's website and not SDP website. No long story.

Period.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_474317.html

Jan 6, 2010
New contempt of court charges
By K. C. Vijayan LAW CORRRESPONDENT

UNAUTHORISED audio recordings of court proceedings are now liable to lead to contempt of court charges in new rules that kicked in in the new year.

The changes embodied in the gazetted Rules of Court 2009 also provide the courts with more power to act against anyone who obtains an unauthorised copy of a court transcript.

The move is among several rule changes approved by an 11-member Rules Committee, headed by Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and includes Attorney-General Walter Woon and Judge of Appeal V. K. Rajah.

It comes following a recommendation from a report presented by a group reviewing the rules last year, which suggested taking action against those who reproduce court audio-recordings without approval.

Prior to the changes, those who applied for transcripts of the official court hearings had to seek approval and vouch not to reproduce or transmit it in any form or on any audio record supplied.

But the Supreme Court Registry found enforcement of the previous system difficult as the obligation was 'a mere contractual one,' according to the report.

Miss Chee is one tough-minded lady, tougher than most of us I would suspect. What a crying shame that it is ever necessary for worthy people like her, like the Lady Aung San, like wartime heroine Elizabeth Choy, to make the sacrifice on behalf of us all.

It is illegal to peacefully oppose the elected incumbent in a DEMOCRACY??? 'If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?'

That is what is so pitiful about this island and its sub-zero govt — none of this would ever be needed in a civilised nation. For heaven's sake, are we in the 21st century, is this a 1st world nation or is this a reprise of 1942? We really have not progressed much since the days when merciless Japanese soldiers and their collaborators strutted the streets and made every Singaporean's life a hell on earth.

Perhaps there'll be a ceremonial beheading at the Padang soon to send a signal to the silent crowds before the 'free and fair' election takes place. After all, is it not traditional to bless the opening of grand buildings with a blood sacrifice to appease a God?

I would really pity the moderator who has to constantly filter through BryanT's trash before posting. It's really tiresome to be at the receiving end.

Maybe, perhaps, that is exactly what he wanted. Then one fine day, he will slip though something nasty and it get's posted!!

Beware!