Singapore Democrats
In 1987, the PAP Government accused agroup of professionals of trying to bring about a Marxist state inSingapore and summarily imprisoned them. Among the victims wereplaywrights Ms Wong Souk Yee and Ms Chng Suan Tze.$CUT$
But truth does not have an expiry date.More than a quarter-of-a-century later, Ms Wong and Ms Chng are back- this time with a brand new play called Square Moon which deals with the subject of detentionwithout trial, of course.
The story centres around an allegedterrorist, Golden Hartono, who breaks out of prison sending thegovernment’s security apparatus into a tizzy. (Where have we heardthis before?)
Hartono’s lawyer, unaware that herclient has already left the building, visits him at the detentioncentre to interview him and to call attention to his torture behind bars. But instead of seeing Hartono, shefinds herself being arrested and detained, forced to writeconfessions to earn her own release.
In the meantime, a fellow detainee who was freedpromises to secure the lawyer’s freedom.
Square Moon, directed by MrPeter Sau and starring Mr Lim Kay Siu and Ms Neo Swee Lin, is not awork of fantasy. It reflects a reality that is very much a part ofSingapore’s political world.
Many of Singapore’s most dedicatedservants of democracy have been imprisoned just so that the PAPcan rule the island without competition. After using the InternalSecurity Act on opposition members, trade unionists, and studentleaders in the 1960s and 70s, Singapore was shorn of all democraticpractices and the people came under the mercy of a small group ofpoliticians.
Singaporeans, especially the youngerones, need to learn about this reality – the torture, the abuse, thecruelty inflicted upon the detainees. Square Moon may be theperfect place to start.
Square Moon is scheduled to playon 20 and 21 December 2013. For more information please click here.
Venue: University Cultural Centre (UCC) Theatre
Date/Time: 20 December 2013, Friday 8 pm
21 December 2013, Saturday 3 pm and 8 pm
Ticket: $40/$50 (15% discount for students, NSF and senior citizens)
Buy Tickets: www.ticketbooth.com.sg
Hotline: (65) 6296-2929