13 Apr 07
Given that the police have banned the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) from speaking at tonight’s forum, the speakers will not address the audience.
However, Dr Chee Soon Juan and other SDP leaders will go ahead with their talk as no permit is required for locals to speak at a public forum.
Therefore, event will go ahead and we call on Singaporeans to attend as the issue of the ministerial salary increase will take centre stage. Dr Chee will show how the PAP’s political-economic strategy is harming the future of the nation.
So if you are have been unhappy with the issue of the pay hike, come down to Sheraton Towers Hotel, Scotts Road, at 7 pm at the Opal Ballroom and register your displeasure with the PAP.
This is also a chance for you to interact with the MEPs on an individual basis at the reception who will be present.
In the meantime, the delegation will be meeting with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Ms Indranee Rajah, and other PAP MPs, this afternoon and will discuss this matter.
The Ambassador of the European Commission in Singapore has also been alerted to the situation.
It is ironic that today marks the 10th anniversary of the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). Minister S Jayakumar is the guest-of-honor at a reception tonight. ASEF will be notified of the ban on the European speakers. It is understood that the European Parliament in Brussels will also be informed of the developments.
The MEPs will conduct a press conference at 6 pm this evening also at the Sheraton Hotel before the public forum. An official statement will be released from the delegation.
The SDP will issue a separate statement on the matter and reply to the propaganda put out by the Ministry of Home Affairs in its press release this morning.
Will the Singapore Govt allow the ALDE-CALD Forum to go ahead?
13 Apr 07
It is with great dismay that the Singapore Democrats have learnt that the police and the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) have rejected our applications for Asian and European Members of Parliament to speak at a public forum this evening.
The MPs who arrived in Singapore late last evening, have expressed their concern for this unexpected turn of events. The European MPs have contacted the European Union headquarters in Brussels regarding this situation. We have been informed that Brussels is discussing this matter with the Singapore authorities.
We will post the latest updates on our website to inform the public about the latest developments with regard to the forum scheduled for this evening at 7pm this evening.
Please log on to our website regularly for the latest information.