Singapore Democrats
SDP Secretary-General Chee Soon Juanwill use the proceeds from the sales of his latest book,Democratically Speaking, to try to pay off the damages that he hasbeen ordered to pay former prime ministers, Lee Kuan Yew and Goh ChokTong.$CUT$
Dr Chee was made a bankrupt in 2006 following thedefamation suit that the two former prime ministers took against himin 2001. He was ordered to pay $200,000 to Mr Lee and $300,000 to MrGoh.
The courts awarded the plaintiffssummary judgment which meant that the case never went to trial wherethe defendant could cross-examine his accusers.
As a result of his inability to pay thedamages, Messrs Lee and Goh obtained a bankruptcy order against DrChee in 2006.
(Dr Chee was again sued in 2006, thistime together with the SDP and the CEC members. The plaintiffs wereMr Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. All the CECmembers apologised and paid undisclosed amounts of money to the Leesto settle the case out of court except the SDP, Chee Siok Chin and DrChee. The plaintiffs were also awarded summary judgment and the courtordered the defendants to pay a total of $650,000 in damages. TheLees have not initiated proceedings to claim the damages.)
The SDP leader wants to dischargehimself from bankruptcy as he intends to contest in the next generalelections due in 2016. To do this, he will try to raise the moneyfrom the sales of Democratically Speaking to pay off the damages.
Dr Chee has offered Mr Lee and Mr Goh atotal of $30,000 to settle the case and annul the bankruptcy order.This is because he also needs to set aside some of the proceeds fromthe book sales as income for his family.
“The $30,000 I am offering to MrLee and Mr Goh is a huge amount for me but I hope to meet the targetfrom the sale of my books.”
Dr Chee adds that it is important thathe clears the bankruptcy and leads the SDP to contest in the nextgeneral elections.
He said: “We are building upslowly but surely, and with each passing month and year, we aregaining momentum to becoming an alternative national party. It isimportant, therefore, that I am eligible when the next GE comesaround.”
Dr Chee has contacted the OfficialAssignee at the Insolvency and Public Trustee’s Office to make theoffer to Mr Lee and Mr Goh.
The book launch will be held on 5August 2012 at The Substation at 3pm. The book comes in paperback andhardcover editions, priced at $30 and $50 respectively.
Event: Launch of Democratically Speaking
Date: 5 August 2012, Sunday
Time: 3-5pm
Venue: The Substation Theatre, 45 Armenian Street, S 179936
Prices: $30 (paperback); $50 (hardcover)
All are welcome
Read also: Chee to launch new book