Singapore Democrats
Chee Soon Juan signing autographs at Yuhua Stadium
The New Paper ran a story today with the headlines: “Is he SDP’s loose cannon”. The report said that “it appeared that he (Dr Chee) was about to lead the group in a march before other party members intervened to stop it.”
This was a public rally at the Yuhua Stadium on the evening of 28 April 2011. The event was witnessed by members of the public and The New Paper must be careful how it deals with this issue.
The rally ended and the crowd had started to file out of the stadium. The candidates and Dr Chee were on hand to thank them and say good night.
Along the way many of them asked for Dr Chee’s autograph and wanted to take pictures with the SDP Secretary-General.
Dr Chee paused for long moments to oblige the supporters and to chat with them. Is this The New Paper’s idea of a march? At no point did Dr Chee or anyone else plan to do a march. The newspaper should refrain from gutter journalism and spreading such untruths.
On the third rally at the Woodlands’ Stadium, the candidates announced that they would be mingling with the supporters to personally greet them and answer whatever questions they might have.
When the rally was over, the candidates did exactly that. Several people wanted to take a picture with Dr Chee and to ask him to autograph their books. Dr Chee duly obliged. This was not unlike what happened at the Yuhua Stadium the night before.
The OMY went even further. It reported that Dr Chee had insisted on getting on stage to make a speech. As a bankrupt (he was made bankrupt in 2006 by Messrs Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong), he is not allowed to do so. This is utter rubbish. At no point did Dr Chee have any intention to get up on stage.
Is the SPH so desperate that it is reporting such nonsense and not focusing on the SDP candidates’ message and our alternative proposals?
This short video clip was taken by TOC at the Woodlands’ Stadium. Does it look like a protest march? The New Paper must be a responsible newspaper and stop writing nonsense.
Dr Chee Soon Juan surrounded by supporters at Woodlands Stadium after SDP