Chee, back from the US, says 'There's so much energy there'

10 July 2001

Dr Chee Soon Juan recently returned from the U.S. after finishing a six-month fellowship at the Center for International Studies at the University of Chicago. Dr Chee spent most of his time there doing research for his new book (which will be out shortly), and giving lectures and talks. He also travelled to different parts of the U.S. to meet with American leaders in the political, academic, and civil society communities.

Asked what his views are of American society, Dr Chee said, 'I was struck by the level of energy there. The U.S. has always been a place where ... Read more »

SDP urges US Government to respect rights of Singaporeans

22 December 2000

The SDP is deeply concerned about newspaper reports that US Republican congressional leaders have criticized President Bill Clinton's negotiations with Singapore to sign a free trade agreement because it includes labor and environmental standards.

Singapore is run by an authoritarian government that does not respect the rights of the people. Because of this, Singaporeans do not have independent and free trade unions to represent them. The National Trades Union Congress, the umbrella labor organization, is headed by a cabinet minister. This has led to a situation ... Read more »

Opposition chief Chee jailed

30 November 2000

Chee Soon Juan invokes the spirit of Mandela as he gets five weeks for refusal to pay rally case fines

A SINGAPORE court has jailed opposition leader Chee Soon Juan for five weeks after he refused to pay a fine for breaking the country's strict rules on public gatherings.

Invoking the spirit of resistance leaders from Aung San Suu Kyi to Nelson Mandela, the secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) remained defiant and urged fellow citizens to follow his stance.

"There are many ways of achieving democracy: one of the ways is to engage in ... Read more »

Stop pitting ethnic groups against each other

09 November 2000

The SDP would like to ask Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong why the PAP sees the need to exert such suffocating control over civil society. The recent spat with the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) is just one example of the way the party continues to seek absolute control over the people.

The SDP has confidence in Singaporeans, whether they are Chinese, Malay, Indians, or Eurasians, that they are able to assess what their needs are and to assert their views to the Government while ensuring that the rights of their neighbors and fellow citizens are not disre ... Read more »