SDP calls on activists not to exploit Ravi's situation

Home

News

Singapore

Tuesday, 12 August 2008

Singapore Democrats

The Singapore Democrats are concerned about the arrest and prosecution of Mr M Ravi yesterday. There is no escaping the fact that Mr Ravi needs medical attention and rest to recuperate.

Mr Ravi is a capable lawyer with a heart of gold. He is a compassionate individual who looks out for the little guy. He campaigned rigorously against the death penalty in Singapore when it was still unfashionable to do so. He has also discharged his duties as counsel for the SDP admirably and in a manner expected of a lawyer of the highest professionalism and dedication.

Mr Ravi stepped into the breach to help the SDP defend itself against Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Lee Hsien Loong in the recent hearing when few lawyers were willing to do so. He held his own against the Lees' lawyer, Mr Davinder Singh, and refused to be rail-roaded. Mr Ravi is a one-man legal firm while Mr Singh is the chief of Drew & Napier, a law firm of more than 150 lawyers. In that hearing Mr Ravi applied himself with distinction.

The Singapore Democrats wish to record our thanks to Mr Ravi.

What Mr Ravi needs presently is rest and medical care. In this light, we call on the authorities to view this matter in perspective and we hope that Mr Ravi will be treated appropriately.

We also call on activist bloggers to refrain from exploiting this matter by posting inaccurate statements about Mr Ravi's situation and stoking sentiment against the authorities, including the police.

The Singapore Democrats will not be deterred from speaking out when our law enforcement agencies detract from their rightful duty and protect the interests of the ruling party instead of the public's. But we will also not hesitate to caution against misguided actions and statements of individuals that inaccurately and unnecessarily portray the police in a negative light.

Share this article:

Comments

RSS

<< Begin < Prev 1 2 3 4 Next > End >>

ahsayman -

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 9:36 pm

quote
"But we will also not hesitate to caution against misguided actions and statements of individuals that inaccurately and unnecessarily potray the police in a negative light."
Unquote
And that is what being HONOURABLE is all
about.

Curious -

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:28 pm

Wait a minute! What happened? Details!

ahsayman2 -

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:45 pm

Uncle Ver Sg - Details of his arrest

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:36 pm

In the Controlled News Asia, it was stated that he was arrested for disturbing the mosque whereas bloggers stated that he was arrested in some kind of dispute with his temple.

If CNA was wrong, can we bring this up to the international news agencies?

AnnA - Overstatement

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:07 am

I suspect that it is an overstatement. A way to discredit people like any others by the media. The media are CAPABLE of doing that.

1-cent Minister - Ravi is mental

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 2:01 am

Seems that everyone who is connected to the opposition is either crazy, mentally unstable or criminally inclined in lying and stealing..

Maybe it is just that to go against the PAP instead of collecting a fat pay every month doing nothing..

kings -

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 2:43 am

whatever,Mr ravi's reasons might be, it's not apporiate to behave in such a wild and boisterous manner in place of worship,when the religious prayers are being conducted.His motive seem's to distrubt the prayers.He further,went on to use abusvie lauguage's on devotee's(calling him prostitue's son).Being,a person from a legal fraternity,he must understand what are the consquence's of his actions.Some of the community members had express shock and aunger.I respect MR ravi's stand on Human right's issuse and his stand against death penalty,which I feel he has done a excellent job.This not a minor thing,that could be sweeped under the carpet.If,would be in SDP's interest,to give full detail's of what actually happend?

CHUA CHUAN SEAH - Western Critics, the PAP and Singapore

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 4:40 am

In their recent deceptive articles and comnentaries on Western critics, the crafty PAP propagandists and apologists, working as "journalists" in the PAP Government-controlled Straits Times, have been misleading Singaporeans, all over again, deliberately, by deviously refusing to make the important distinction between the PAP Government and the country of Singapore! These articles are flagrant examples of the duplicities practised by the mendacious ST journalists during all these long years of oppressive PAP dominance! What cunning! What dishonesty! What bias!

Don't these ST journalists realise that, nearly 12 years ago, there were already more honest, unprejudiced and principled readers who, in the Forum page of their very own Straits Times, had tellingly and crucially, made that important distinction? Yes, for the benefit of their fellow ST readers--even in those early post-PM LKY days of the Internet revolution?

Mr Sai Siew Min, for instance, in his momentous letter "Singapore's identity should be independent of the PAP"(ST Forum, 21 November 1996), asked relevantly and crucially:"How then do we distinguish between the PAP and Singapore? Do we say the PAP is Singapore?"

Mr Sai was, of course, in those expectant days of Goh Chok Tong prime ministership nearly 12 years ago, defending the right of Singaporeans to speak up courageously against the ruling party (or the PAP Government)--when it falters--as opposed to the people or country of Singapore itself!

Honest Western critics too, have the right to make and to insist upon such a vital and necessary distinction! For, time and again, in their penetrating commentaries and criticisms in the foreign media, are these mostly and genuinely concerned and impartial foreign or Western critics not actually taking the ruling (PAP) party (or the PAP Government) to task--and NOT the people or country of Singapore itself?

For, the majority of these foreigners or Westerners do indeed appreciate, admire and acknowledge the undeniable achievements and progresses made by the people or country of Singapore.

These just and fair-minded Westerners understand and appreciate the value of respecting and tolerating differences (especially of opinions) in a democratic country (like the U.S.)--an important value and attitude that we Singaporeans, too, should have, if we are to consider ourselves as citizens of a democratic society (as we dutifully recited that we indeed are in our National Pledge every morning during our school days)!

We must not only tolerate and respect differences (especially of opinions) among our own citiens but also the differences (again, especially of opinions) among the foreigners or Westerners--when it comes to their evaluations of both the PAP and the people or country of Singapore.

For not all foreigners or Westerners like to sing, wholeheartedly and unreservedly, the praises of the PAP (or the PAP Government)--despite their appreciation of and admiration for the achievements and progresses made by the people and country of Singapore. (And surely, they have the right to hold and to express such anti-PAP -- and NOT, I emphasise, anti-Singapore -- views?)

That is an important distinction not usually highlighted by these untruthful PAP propagandists and apologists, working as "journalists" in the deceiving Singapore media! For, as another perceptive reader Mr Adrian Kwong Sze Ken wrote, in his equally significant letter "Singaporeans should consider what they hear before following blindly" (ST Forum, 14 November 1996), "it is xenophobic to reject advice from 'foreigners/outsiders' based on citizenship alone."

Mr Adrian Kwong--thank Heaven for such impartiality and fairness!--further elaborated: "Just as we must be careful in choosing what advice we want to take from non-Singaporeans, we must also be judicious in choosing the politicians we want to represent and govern us. To make the best possible choices in either sphere, it is essential that we remain logical and objective in exercising our discretion about the information we receive."

It is clear that most Singaporeans and Westrners alike do not hate Singapore itself--or harbour any antipathy or negative and damning viws against Singapore--the country or its people! For they are all aware of the impressive successes, achievements and developments of Singapore--the country or its people!

But the ruling (PAP) party? The PAP Government? That is a totally different matter! For the oppressive, repressive, authoritarian and autocratic political system that the PAP Government has created in Singapore is not exactly or really the kind of political system that most Singaporeans favour or would choose--in spite of seemingly giving their supposed "general consent" or "mandate" to the PAP to govern Singapore at every general elections since Independence!

For, the more politically astute, discerning, aware and educated Singaporeans among us, know that these repeatedly "successful" elections "victories" were achieved by the Machiavellian, scheming, sly, unprincipled, guileful, wily, unscrupulous and cheating PAP leaders, members and supporters--using undemocratic and unjust methods and means of electioneering and campaigning, using the instruments of State to undermine the chances of opposition parties in general elections, and also unfairly imposing dubious voting rules, procedures and practices!

To return to what ST Forum correspondent Mr Sai Siew Min said in 1996: "Let us not," wrote Mr Sai, "persecute differences just because they are different or just because they are viewed by the mainstream as treasonous." He added, pointedly, further, that "it is also because the Americans subject their system to close scrutiny consistently that despite their apparent differences with one another and in spite of their weaknesses, they are still able to cope with changing situations and multiple crises."

And Mr Sai then concluded, in a moment of intellectual brilliance and political inspiration, witnessed by ST readers and published in the unethical and veiled "freedom" of the government-controlled Straits Times itself nearly 12 years ago, and reflecting the kind of true journalistic qualities and values not shown by so-called "professional journalists" in the deceitful mainstream Singapore media now as ever (since PAP rule): "It remains to be said that no one system is perfect and no human entity infallible. The question of how to cope with that fallibility becomes more important than the fruitless quest for a perfect system. To assert dogmatically that one has found the perfect system condemns us irrevocably to doom. If we want a truth, then let that be the only one."

That final advice was indeed a key contribution to the political education of our people. How have we forgotten that already?

Fraternity -

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 6:34 am

Both CNA and bloggers were right..see uncle yap's blog. He dispute with temple AND disturb mosque.

ahsayman -

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 8:45 am

He is ill apparently. Let's not loose track on that. Compassion and empathy
should be in order. After all many of
us are close to breaking point under
the relentless abuse of power by the
present regime.

Waste of monies - During Difficult times???

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 8:53 am

Singapore wheel's fortunes change with direction.

The direction of the Singapore Flyer has been reversed for "a six-figure sum".

Officials in Singapore have changed the direction of the world's biggest observation wheel because feng shui masters said it was taking good fortune away from the city, a report said Saturday.

The Singapore Flyer, which opened earlier this year, had originally revolved so that it rose to face the business district and went down overlooking the sea, the Strait Times newspaper said

Such a waste of monies??????

Waste of monies - indoctrination of Lee's garbage on sch curriculum

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 8:59 am

Even at 11yrs PAP propaganda is indoctrinated forcibly onto school curriculum for Pr 5s:

National Heritage Programme tour to Parliament House and Civic District- whilst it is good to tour to see but what we cannot understand:

Purpose is to view and see the seat of admin and govt buildings and records which narrates S'pore history from the time Sultan Hussein and Sir Stamford Raffles to modern Mr Lee K Yew??

And mind you the tour is not free tho subsidised???? Cash $6.00 per student is collected to see humbug stories of PAP and Lee Junta????

Well Done - We are all by your side !

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 9:06 am

Quote:
But we will also not hesitate to caution against misguided actions and statements of individuals that inaccurately and unnecessarily portray the police in a negative light.

That is the difference bet SDP and PAPee!!

We salute you SDP! You have shown us your moral compass and values which are very very stong indeed!

OUR SYMPATHIES TO MR RAVI - PAP BULLSHIT

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 9:10 am

Quote:

He held his own against the Lees' lawyer, Mr Davinder Singh, and refused to be rail-roaded. Mr Ravi is a one-man legal firm while Mr Singh is the chief of Drew & Napier, a law firm of more than 150 lawyers. In that hearing Mr Ravi applied himself with distinction.

[quote]After all many of
us are close to breaking point under
the relentless abuse of power by the
present regime.[/quote]

You mean the Lee Junta are impeccable, faultless and very very healthy????

ALL ONE BIG COVER UP WITH TAX PAYER'S MONIES LAH!

thank SDP - utmost sympathies to Mr Ravi

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 9:19 am

We wish to express our utmost sympathies to Mr Ravi and his fly during this difficult time!

Also to thank SDP for their most honourable stand for their support for Mr Ravi during this difficult time!

Most impt life is about being there when you need most- He supported SDP during diff times and it was indeed gallant and honourable for SDP to speak up for Mr Ravi in all honesty!

About your moral principles and values to stand up for the right values!

YOU ARE ALL ONE UP HIGHER THAN THE PUPPETS/MORONS/DECEIT DACOYS OF THE PAPEE!!

Please login or register to post your comments.

Awesome Words

“None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault or acknowledge himself in an error.”

Benjamin Franklin

Other languages

Blogs of the week

Uniquely Singapore: Papmandering Article 14 Racing off with S$500,000,000 Gimme Some Truth 50 Years of PAP - on the idea of 'Foreign Interference in Internal Affairs' Edsperience Losing touch and sense of proportion Simply Gab
Read more