Dear Mr. Nair,
About your blog
Hey there. My name is Jonathan. I'm a Singaporean, and I'm seventeen this year. I was directed to your blog recently by a close friend of mine. Living here is hell, and, after reading some of your articles, I must say that I fully agree with your views on Singapore and its "government".
I'm pretty sure you get letters like this everyday, but I just wanted to thank you for putting up your blog. Your blog is, in computer-gaming lingo, 'epic win', and I will most definitely be telling all of my friends about your blog. I have the utmost respect for you, and what you do.
Thanks, man. Peace.
Hello Jonathan,
Good one, Jonathan. Keep up the good work.
Thanks very much Sir
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Singapore. Children growing in blinkers
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Any Singaporean mother worth her salt, reading this blog must agree; it is criminal bringing up children in Singapore under this repressive dictatorial government.
A mother would want the best for her child. Education, confidence and the ability to live free; to exercise their minds to the fullest; the courage to challenge conventional wisdom; to think outside the box even if it is not what Lee Kuan Yew wants to hear; to call a rat a rat when he sees one; in other words, where the young child grows up in full control over his destiny, because of his ability, and not because it pleases Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
I believe that any normal normal young man, confident of himself and his ability to succeed in a career; would be justifiably offended if told that he must live his life in accordance to the dictates of his government. That he must not question their actions for fear of government reprisals, such as defamation actions and bankruptcy.
Unfortunately in Singapore, the ability to live comes at an unbearable price; unbearable that is, for anyone with any self respect. It is impossible for a child to grow up in Singapore as a child would grow up, for instance in Australia. In Australia, in USA, Germany or any other democratic country; a child is told that being a human being comes with privileges; that is human rights. He is told that George Bush is not not his God; that as long as he is law abiding, he can question authority. His success depends on himself and not because he has not criticized Mr. George Bush. In this atmosphere of freedom to think and question, a child in the west grows up full of confidence, willing to take on challenges and realizing that the sky is the limit for him. Life itself becomes an adventure and full of excitement.
Not so for a Singapore child. Let alone the child; the Singapore parent herself lives in an stifling debilitating atmosphere of fear. Fear of her government. No matter what abuses the government perpetrates against its citizens, such as denying the rule of law and abusing legal process for political ends, she must be careful never to be seen or heard criticizing the government. If ever she did it, this small minded government will retaliate and she may be suffer in more ways than one.
The mother who is already in fear of her government makes sure that her child too grows up that way. Her advice to her child is not to criticise. To be careful no one sees or hears any criticism. Be as quite as possible, pass his exams and get a job, continuing in life being always careful not to offend Lee Kuan Yew, his son or their government.
A child like that grows into adulthood only to live very miserable lives; because there can be no doubt that living daily in fear of Lee Kuan Yew and his government cannot be a pleasant way to live.
The uneducated working classes may not realize what they are missing, since they are usually not aware of their rights. By government design, they are satisfied with what little they get, basic necessities and a little bit more and they are satisfied with that. In their case, ignorance is bliss after all.
But not in the case of educated men and women and their children. Living in fear of anyone, let alone Lee Kuan Yew and his son, must be a miserable way to live. Such people are not satisfied by bread alone. Life for them is an adventure and they want to experience it to the fullest. For such men and women, the more the challenges the more exciting the life. And it is these people that would find life in Singapore miserable.
For them, Singapore is their country, not Lee Kuan Yew's country and Lee being an elected official should take orders from them and not the other way around. They would like to remind Lee Kuan Yew to remember that it is they who are paying his wages through their hard earned taxes. And for their own good, it is about time they came down from their high horses and did what the people wanted, rather than striding all over the place like a bunch of gangsters.
This is how educated capable parents and children would preferably want to live. As proud men and women who refuse to be pushed around, especially not by the likes of Lee Kuan Yew or his son. But you know what the problem in Singapore is. If they did exercise their rights to question authority in Singapore, the Lee family shamelessly retaliates by false cooked up criminal charges and defamation actions brought before compliant judges.
Therefore this becomes an intolerable situation for educated families. What do you do in a case like this? Do you do the right thing and challenge Lee and his son, knowing that if you did, Lee, like a common gangster, will use dirty tricks to make life miserable for you? Or do you do nothing and live like a slave under Lee Kuan Yew; making slaves not only of yourselves but also your children? Or do you pack up and leave Singapore to settle in countries such as Australia?
If anyone even for a moment thinks that those who have achieved success through grovelling at the feet of Lee Kuan Yew are happy, is entirely mistaken. Take Lee Kuan Yew's chosen lawyers like the Sikh who is used to do his dirty work in suing Dr. Chee for defamation and the recently appointed Tamil lawyer as Minster for Law. I have no doubt that they live the most miserable lives imaginable. Both they and Lee Kuan Yew know each minute of the day as to what the arrangement between them is.
The Sikh must be prepared at any moment to carry out any dishonest work that is demanded of him, such as suing innocent people to please Lee Kuan Yew. As for the Tamil Minister, he must be prepared to pass as many unjust laws as demanded by his master Lee Kuan Yew. These are not free men. They are castrated eunuchs who willingly wait each day at Lee's court to do his dirty work. It is a disgusting life. Even if one is paid very well, this is not a job that any self respecting man or woman would want.
If the Singapore mother facing these difficult choices of either staying and becoming Lee's zombie in Singapore; or staying behind and fighting the system to live as free man and women willing to accept the concomitant trials, tribulations and punishment consequent thereon; or not wanting to go through the suffering and just pack up and leave for western democracies.
For any mother who loves her children, this is the difficult choice she has to make. And you have my sympathy for it.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Any Singaporean mother worth her salt, reading this blog must agree; it is criminal bringing up children in Singapore under this repressive dictatorial government.
A mother would want the best for her child. Education, confidence and the ability to live free; to exercise their minds to the fullest; the courage to challenge conventional wisdom; to think outside the box even if it is not what Lee Kuan Yew wants to hear; to call a rat a rat when he sees one; in other words, where the young child grows up in full control over his destiny, because of his ability, and not because it pleases Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
I believe that any normal normal young man, confident of himself and his ability to succeed in a career; would be justifiably offended if told that he must live his life in accordance to the dictates of his government. That he must not question their actions for fear of government reprisals, such as defamation actions and bankruptcy.
Unfortunately in Singapore, the ability to live comes at an unbearable price; unbearable that is, for anyone with any self respect. It is impossible for a child to grow up in Singapore as a child would grow up, for instance in Australia. In Australia, in USA, Germany or any other democratic country; a child is told that being a human being comes with privileges; that is human rights. He is told that George Bush is not not his God; that as long as he is law abiding, he can question authority. His success depends on himself and not because he has not criticized Mr. George Bush. In this atmosphere of freedom to think and question, a child in the west grows up full of confidence, willing to take on challenges and realizing that the sky is the limit for him. Life itself becomes an adventure and full of excitement.
Not so for a Singapore child. Let alone the child; the Singapore parent herself lives in an stifling debilitating atmosphere of fear. Fear of her government. No matter what abuses the government perpetrates against its citizens, such as denying the rule of law and abusing legal process for political ends, she must be careful never to be seen or heard criticizing the government. If ever she did it, this small minded government will retaliate and she may be suffer in more ways than one.
The mother who is already in fear of her government makes sure that her child too grows up that way. Her advice to her child is not to criticise. To be careful no one sees or hears any criticism. Be as quite as possible, pass his exams and get a job, continuing in life being always careful not to offend Lee Kuan Yew, his son or their government.
A child like that grows into adulthood only to live very miserable lives; because there can be no doubt that living daily in fear of Lee Kuan Yew and his government cannot be a pleasant way to live.
The uneducated working classes may not realize what they are missing, since they are usually not aware of their rights. By government design, they are satisfied with what little they get, basic necessities and a little bit more and they are satisfied with that. In their case, ignorance is bliss after all.
But not in the case of educated men and women and their children. Living in fear of anyone, let alone Lee Kuan Yew and his son, must be a miserable way to live. Such people are not satisfied by bread alone. Life for them is an adventure and they want to experience it to the fullest. For such men and women, the more the challenges the more exciting the life. And it is these people that would find life in Singapore miserable.
For them, Singapore is their country, not Lee Kuan Yew's country and Lee being an elected official should take orders from them and not the other way around. They would like to remind Lee Kuan Yew to remember that it is they who are paying his wages through their hard earned taxes. And for their own good, it is about time they came down from their high horses and did what the people wanted, rather than striding all over the place like a bunch of gangsters.
This is how educated capable parents and children would preferably want to live. As proud men and women who refuse to be pushed around, especially not by the likes of Lee Kuan Yew or his son. But you know what the problem in Singapore is. If they did exercise their rights to question authority in Singapore, the Lee family shamelessly retaliates by false cooked up criminal charges and defamation actions brought before compliant judges.
Therefore this becomes an intolerable situation for educated families. What do you do in a case like this? Do you do the right thing and challenge Lee and his son, knowing that if you did, Lee, like a common gangster, will use dirty tricks to make life miserable for you? Or do you do nothing and live like a slave under Lee Kuan Yew; making slaves not only of yourselves but also your children? Or do you pack up and leave Singapore to settle in countries such as Australia?
If anyone even for a moment thinks that those who have achieved success through grovelling at the feet of Lee Kuan Yew are happy, is entirely mistaken. Take Lee Kuan Yew's chosen lawyers like the Sikh who is used to do his dirty work in suing Dr. Chee for defamation and the recently appointed Tamil lawyer as Minster for Law. I have no doubt that they live the most miserable lives imaginable. Both they and Lee Kuan Yew know each minute of the day as to what the arrangement between them is.
The Sikh must be prepared at any moment to carry out any dishonest work that is demanded of him, such as suing innocent people to please Lee Kuan Yew. As for the Tamil Minister, he must be prepared to pass as many unjust laws as demanded by his master Lee Kuan Yew. These are not free men. They are castrated eunuchs who willingly wait each day at Lee's court to do his dirty work. It is a disgusting life. Even if one is paid very well, this is not a job that any self respecting man or woman would want.
If the Singapore mother facing these difficult choices of either staying and becoming Lee's zombie in Singapore; or staying behind and fighting the system to live as free man and women willing to accept the concomitant trials, tribulations and punishment consequent thereon; or not wanting to go through the suffering and just pack up and leave for western democracies.
For any mother who loves her children, this is the difficult choice she has to make. And you have my sympathy for it.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Monday, April 28, 2008
If Lee Kuan Yew is determined to publicise the absence of the rule of law in Singapore, he is succeeding handsomely.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Singapore Democratic Party's website http://www.yoursdp.org/ of Monday April 28th 2008 in the astonishing story "Guess who's presiding over LKY's lawsuit hearing" reports that Judge Belinda Ang, High Court Judge will be presiding yet again over Lee's defamation case against Dr. Chee on May 12, 2008.
You will recall, in the earlier case brought on by the same Plaintiffs Lee Kuan Yew and son, this same disgusting political judge, in what was nothing more than a show trial before her, denied the Defendant Dr. Chee even the most basic right of a litigant; that of being allowed to present his case.
You will recall, in the most egregious case of judicial injustice ever imaginable, this shameless judge denied Dr. Chee any possible right to defend himself, by awarding judgement to Lee Kuan Yew without even a hearing! By the method called summary judgement, she delivered her verdict from her chambers without hearing a single witness!
Further you will recall, she refused any adjournment of the trial to permit Dr. Chee's lawyer to appear due to illness. Not only that, in violation of all judicial tenets of fair play, she engaged in a long private conversation with Lee's lawyer privately in Chambers in the absence of Dr. Chee; where she deliberately and repeatedly insulted and abused the honor and integrity of Dr. Chee, all of which was captured in the verbatim tapes of the court proceedings, which is presently in the physical possession of Dr. Chee.
Moreover, the entire case took only a few minutes after which she claimed she was satisfied that Dr. Chee had seriously maligned the reputation of Lee Kuan Yew and his son and awarded no less than one half million United States Dollars and promptly bankrupted him.
By no stretch of imagination can this woman Belinda Ang be considered a judge. She is, to borrow a phrase from JB Jeyaretnam, the hatchet man or woman for Lee Kuan Yew and his son. She prostitutes herself to be used by Lee Kuan Yew to demolish his political opponents using the guise of the law. Although we already know that Singapore does not have any rule of law, Belinda Ang and her master Lee Kuan Yew appear as if they don't want us to forget it.
But what is astonishing is this. After this woman has brought even more shame to the legal system of Singapore, why is it necessary for Lee to use her again as the presiding judge in the upcoming case? It is as if Lee Kuan Yew is determined to remind Singaporeans and the world that Singapore does not have any rule of law.
Of course even without any hearing, we already know the verdict. Dr. Chee is yet again going to be found guilty. Yet again this woman will order him to pay another one half million US dollars to Lee Kuan Yew which he does not have. And yet again he will be made bankrupt. And all for nothing. All for merely exercising his constitutional right of freedom of speech.
In many ways Judge Belinda Ang is benefiting the Singapore opposition. With this news that it will be her hearing the case, another 400 lawyers will leave the profession which is already languishing for the lack of it; not wanting to practice in a country which abuses the law. New lawyers will be discouraged from entering the profession for the same reason. And foreign lawyers will not come to Singapore, not wanting anything to do with a lawless dictatorship. And Singapore will be shunned for any international legal work, the world preferring instead Sydney, Melbourne and Hong Kong.
Another 1000 educated Singaporeans will leave Singapore for Australia becoming more alarmed by the decline in the rule of law and what impact it will have on theirs and their children's futures.
The Western, European and Scandinavian countries are beginning to put pressure on other European countries and America to boycott Singapore in trade and commerce in order to punish them for their human rights transgressions. A large Swedish telephone company has indicated that they will not deal with Singapore, or have any plants there, as long as these human rights violations persist. I understand that other Scandinavian countries are similarly clamouring to punish Singapore's leaders Lee Kuan Yew comparing him to the dictator Robert Mugabe and some even saying that Robert Mugabe is a saint compared to him.
It is further expected, after reading this news, even more young people will leave for Australia before their national service and refuse to return, not wanting anything more to do with Singapore.
I expect several top European Members of Parliament, the Swedes, Norwegians, Danes and Finns, to condemn the Singapore government in their sittings urging further trade and economic sanctions against it to express their disgust.
If Lee thought even for a moment that he could use Belinda Ang, this dishonest woman to punish Dr. Chee and silence him, he cannot be more wrong. Going by Dr. Chee's indomitable stand against these bullies, never wavering, it will be another slap in the face of this woman Belinda Ang and another slap in the face for this government. They do not seem to understand that bullying people cannot make them win. In fact defeat is guaranteed.
And with that I thank Lee and his government for appointing this woman as the presiding judge in the forthcoming Lee defamation case. It is in fact another nail in the coffin for PAP.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
The Singapore Democratic Party's website http://www.yoursdp.org/ of Monday April 28th 2008 in the astonishing story "Guess who's presiding over LKY's lawsuit hearing" reports that Judge Belinda Ang, High Court Judge will be presiding yet again over Lee's defamation case against Dr. Chee on May 12, 2008.
You will recall, in the earlier case brought on by the same Plaintiffs Lee Kuan Yew and son, this same disgusting political judge, in what was nothing more than a show trial before her, denied the Defendant Dr. Chee even the most basic right of a litigant; that of being allowed to present his case.
You will recall, in the most egregious case of judicial injustice ever imaginable, this shameless judge denied Dr. Chee any possible right to defend himself, by awarding judgement to Lee Kuan Yew without even a hearing! By the method called summary judgement, she delivered her verdict from her chambers without hearing a single witness!
Further you will recall, she refused any adjournment of the trial to permit Dr. Chee's lawyer to appear due to illness. Not only that, in violation of all judicial tenets of fair play, she engaged in a long private conversation with Lee's lawyer privately in Chambers in the absence of Dr. Chee; where she deliberately and repeatedly insulted and abused the honor and integrity of Dr. Chee, all of which was captured in the verbatim tapes of the court proceedings, which is presently in the physical possession of Dr. Chee.
Moreover, the entire case took only a few minutes after which she claimed she was satisfied that Dr. Chee had seriously maligned the reputation of Lee Kuan Yew and his son and awarded no less than one half million United States Dollars and promptly bankrupted him.
By no stretch of imagination can this woman Belinda Ang be considered a judge. She is, to borrow a phrase from JB Jeyaretnam, the hatchet man or woman for Lee Kuan Yew and his son. She prostitutes herself to be used by Lee Kuan Yew to demolish his political opponents using the guise of the law. Although we already know that Singapore does not have any rule of law, Belinda Ang and her master Lee Kuan Yew appear as if they don't want us to forget it.
But what is astonishing is this. After this woman has brought even more shame to the legal system of Singapore, why is it necessary for Lee to use her again as the presiding judge in the upcoming case? It is as if Lee Kuan Yew is determined to remind Singaporeans and the world that Singapore does not have any rule of law.
Of course even without any hearing, we already know the verdict. Dr. Chee is yet again going to be found guilty. Yet again this woman will order him to pay another one half million US dollars to Lee Kuan Yew which he does not have. And yet again he will be made bankrupt. And all for nothing. All for merely exercising his constitutional right of freedom of speech.
In many ways Judge Belinda Ang is benefiting the Singapore opposition. With this news that it will be her hearing the case, another 400 lawyers will leave the profession which is already languishing for the lack of it; not wanting to practice in a country which abuses the law. New lawyers will be discouraged from entering the profession for the same reason. And foreign lawyers will not come to Singapore, not wanting anything to do with a lawless dictatorship. And Singapore will be shunned for any international legal work, the world preferring instead Sydney, Melbourne and Hong Kong.
Another 1000 educated Singaporeans will leave Singapore for Australia becoming more alarmed by the decline in the rule of law and what impact it will have on theirs and their children's futures.
The Western, European and Scandinavian countries are beginning to put pressure on other European countries and America to boycott Singapore in trade and commerce in order to punish them for their human rights transgressions. A large Swedish telephone company has indicated that they will not deal with Singapore, or have any plants there, as long as these human rights violations persist. I understand that other Scandinavian countries are similarly clamouring to punish Singapore's leaders Lee Kuan Yew comparing him to the dictator Robert Mugabe and some even saying that Robert Mugabe is a saint compared to him.
It is further expected, after reading this news, even more young people will leave for Australia before their national service and refuse to return, not wanting anything more to do with Singapore.
I expect several top European Members of Parliament, the Swedes, Norwegians, Danes and Finns, to condemn the Singapore government in their sittings urging further trade and economic sanctions against it to express their disgust.
If Lee thought even for a moment that he could use Belinda Ang, this dishonest woman to punish Dr. Chee and silence him, he cannot be more wrong. Going by Dr. Chee's indomitable stand against these bullies, never wavering, it will be another slap in the face of this woman Belinda Ang and another slap in the face for this government. They do not seem to understand that bullying people cannot make them win. In fact defeat is guaranteed.
And with that I thank Lee and his government for appointing this woman as the presiding judge in the forthcoming Lee defamation case. It is in fact another nail in the coffin for PAP.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Singapore. Burmese hold protest without permits while Singapore police helplessly look on
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On Sunday April 27, 2008, Reuters the news service carried the story "Myanmar nationals protest constitution in Singapore".
Once again, these brave Burmese nationals have rightly ignored a Singapore law which requires a permit for any public gathering of more than 5 people. On Sunday, not 5 but 1,000 Burmese protesters had gathered outside the office of their Embassy without the necessary permit, while the Singapore police helplessly watched, unable to do anything while their protest laws were spat at before their very eyes. Lee Kuan Yew had described Singapore as a first world country. I have not heard of another who were incapable of enforcing their laws which were being broken before their very eyes!
Mind you, this is not the first time the Burmese have done it. Only some months ago, Burmese in Singapore just as Burmese all over the world held protests at their embassies against the suppression of peaceful protesters in Burma by the military junta. Then too, they did not have permits and just as now; the Singapore police were unable to do anything against them then. Just as now, there were no arrests at all.
But this is not how the Singapore police deal with their own citizens in Singapore. Dr. Chee of the SDP and others of his party have been repeatedly arrested, charged and sent to prison for peacefully protesting. In their case, it is not that they did not apply for permits. Each time a peaceful protest was organized, they dutifully applied for permits as required by Singapore law, but each time, they were refused.
As you are already aware, the constitution of Singapore specifically gives the citizens the right of peaceful assembly. Therefore the separate statute that requires a permit for an assembly for 5 or more is clearly illegal and ultra vires the constitution. Therefor rightfully, the Singaporean protesters could have ignored the law as being illegal. But despite this, each time Dr. Chee and company dutifully apply for it, only to be denied each time. And each time they protest, peacefully without harming or hurting anyone, they are charged with criminal offenses, hauled to court and imprisoned.
You can see from this, that it is one set of laws for Burmese in Singapore who do not need permits to assemble in any numbers, let alone 5, but another set of laws for Singaporeans in their own country who are routinely sent to jail for doing just that!
This discriminatory use of the laws is unacceptable, illegal and violative of the Singapore constitution which mandates equal protection under the law.
Anyone watching all this must feel that if Singapore laws had any credibility, it was completely destroyed on Sunday April 27, 2008 when 1,000 Burmese braved Singapore's laws and deliberately broke them before the very eyes of the police who could do nothing but merely watch helplessly.
And any Singaporean watching this would be emboldened and empowered by the helplessness of these policemen; pick up courage to protest in numbers much greater than a 1,000 against the various injustices this government shamelessly mete out to them. Such as, the $3.7 million salaries per year of ministers while the poor starve; the inability of the government to stop the unbearable price rises for food and essentials; the indiscriminate import of foreign nationals to deliberately keep wages down for Singaporeans and the multitude of other injustices.
The police are helpless to enforce their own laws. Now is the time for you to drive home the message that you want something done about these injustices.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
On Sunday April 27, 2008, Reuters the news service carried the story "Myanmar nationals protest constitution in Singapore".
Once again, these brave Burmese nationals have rightly ignored a Singapore law which requires a permit for any public gathering of more than 5 people. On Sunday, not 5 but 1,000 Burmese protesters had gathered outside the office of their Embassy without the necessary permit, while the Singapore police helplessly watched, unable to do anything while their protest laws were spat at before their very eyes. Lee Kuan Yew had described Singapore as a first world country. I have not heard of another who were incapable of enforcing their laws which were being broken before their very eyes!
Mind you, this is not the first time the Burmese have done it. Only some months ago, Burmese in Singapore just as Burmese all over the world held protests at their embassies against the suppression of peaceful protesters in Burma by the military junta. Then too, they did not have permits and just as now; the Singapore police were unable to do anything against them then. Just as now, there were no arrests at all.
But this is not how the Singapore police deal with their own citizens in Singapore. Dr. Chee of the SDP and others of his party have been repeatedly arrested, charged and sent to prison for peacefully protesting. In their case, it is not that they did not apply for permits. Each time a peaceful protest was organized, they dutifully applied for permits as required by Singapore law, but each time, they were refused.
As you are already aware, the constitution of Singapore specifically gives the citizens the right of peaceful assembly. Therefore the separate statute that requires a permit for an assembly for 5 or more is clearly illegal and ultra vires the constitution. Therefor rightfully, the Singaporean protesters could have ignored the law as being illegal. But despite this, each time Dr. Chee and company dutifully apply for it, only to be denied each time. And each time they protest, peacefully without harming or hurting anyone, they are charged with criminal offenses, hauled to court and imprisoned.
You can see from this, that it is one set of laws for Burmese in Singapore who do not need permits to assemble in any numbers, let alone 5, but another set of laws for Singaporeans in their own country who are routinely sent to jail for doing just that!
This discriminatory use of the laws is unacceptable, illegal and violative of the Singapore constitution which mandates equal protection under the law.
Anyone watching all this must feel that if Singapore laws had any credibility, it was completely destroyed on Sunday April 27, 2008 when 1,000 Burmese braved Singapore's laws and deliberately broke them before the very eyes of the police who could do nothing but merely watch helplessly.
And any Singaporean watching this would be emboldened and empowered by the helplessness of these policemen; pick up courage to protest in numbers much greater than a 1,000 against the various injustices this government shamelessly mete out to them. Such as, the $3.7 million salaries per year of ministers while the poor starve; the inability of the government to stop the unbearable price rises for food and essentials; the indiscriminate import of foreign nationals to deliberately keep wages down for Singaporeans and the multitude of other injustices.
The police are helpless to enforce their own laws. Now is the time for you to drive home the message that you want something done about these injustices.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
The Refusal of Singapore Police to return cell phones of Tak Boleh Tahan protestors
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Singapore Democratic Party's website reported on April 18, 2008 the refusal of the police to return the cell phones of the Tak Boleh Tahan protesters of March 15, 2008 and their warning that if they were not returned immediately, an action will be filed in court to recover them.
The Singapore government find themselves in an impossible situation, which usually happens when governments act arbitrarily instead of in compliance with the law. This is a situation where the government is helpless; a situation where heads they lose and tails the protesters win.
In the first place, the Singapore police had no legal basis to take the cell phones. Although it is true that police have wide latitude to preserve evidence that may have any bearing on a case, in this situation, where the protest had nothing to do with telephones; the police had clearly no basis to take them.
Having unlawfully taken them, the correct thing to do would be to return them immediately. But the Singapore government, in their determination not to be seen as weak, find this difficult to do. On the other hand, if the court hearing the claim orders against their return, they lose again, since it would be clear that the court has decided unlawfully.
So at the end, the government loses either way. If they return the cell phones, they will appear weak and indecisive. On the other hand, if they do not, they will be seen as having acted unlawfully.
You see the same situation in Mr. Wong Kan Seng's case. It is quite clear that as minister in charge of prisons, the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari clearly places the blame squarely on him, as the responsible party. Therefore, the correct thing for him to do is to resign. But that would have made the government look weak in the face of the peoples demands for his resignation. So he refuses to resign. But by not resigning, the government suffers the same fate, since they are seen as an dictatorial administration totally indifferent to their responsibilities.
On a daily basis, this government is repeatedly telling the people that they do not care about the law; that they will do whatever they want. Recall the 4 man protest in front of CPF Building some years ago. Even though the protesters broke no law, since their number did not reach the threshold of 5 which would have required a permit, VK Rajah, a Singapore judge ordered, for want of any better reason, that protests were not allowed in Singapore, even though the constitution specifically allows it! An astonishing observation indeed!
This routine disregard of the law on a daily basis by this government continues to have far reaching deleterious consequences for them. It strengthens the belief in the average man that Singapore is no longer a country run by law. This unsavory fact spreads throughout the world causing other countries to worry that their contracts may not be protected under law; as a result of which trade suffers. Singaporeans worried about their future in a country that does not believe in law, emigrate, sending their children abroad for education with instructions not to return, thus aggravating the brain drain from the small island.
The lack of farsightedness in this government by their arbitrary unlawful actions give added credibility to the Singapore Democratic Party which continues to take this government to task on each injustice they perpetrate. In the end Singaporeans just as any other human around the world loses confidence in this government which can only accelerate its decline.
And that, happens to be very good news.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
The Singapore Democratic Party's website reported on April 18, 2008 the refusal of the police to return the cell phones of the Tak Boleh Tahan protesters of March 15, 2008 and their warning that if they were not returned immediately, an action will be filed in court to recover them.
The Singapore government find themselves in an impossible situation, which usually happens when governments act arbitrarily instead of in compliance with the law. This is a situation where the government is helpless; a situation where heads they lose and tails the protesters win.
In the first place, the Singapore police had no legal basis to take the cell phones. Although it is true that police have wide latitude to preserve evidence that may have any bearing on a case, in this situation, where the protest had nothing to do with telephones; the police had clearly no basis to take them.
Having unlawfully taken them, the correct thing to do would be to return them immediately. But the Singapore government, in their determination not to be seen as weak, find this difficult to do. On the other hand, if the court hearing the claim orders against their return, they lose again, since it would be clear that the court has decided unlawfully.
So at the end, the government loses either way. If they return the cell phones, they will appear weak and indecisive. On the other hand, if they do not, they will be seen as having acted unlawfully.
You see the same situation in Mr. Wong Kan Seng's case. It is quite clear that as minister in charge of prisons, the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari clearly places the blame squarely on him, as the responsible party. Therefore, the correct thing for him to do is to resign. But that would have made the government look weak in the face of the peoples demands for his resignation. So he refuses to resign. But by not resigning, the government suffers the same fate, since they are seen as an dictatorial administration totally indifferent to their responsibilities.
On a daily basis, this government is repeatedly telling the people that they do not care about the law; that they will do whatever they want. Recall the 4 man protest in front of CPF Building some years ago. Even though the protesters broke no law, since their number did not reach the threshold of 5 which would have required a permit, VK Rajah, a Singapore judge ordered, for want of any better reason, that protests were not allowed in Singapore, even though the constitution specifically allows it! An astonishing observation indeed!
This routine disregard of the law on a daily basis by this government continues to have far reaching deleterious consequences for them. It strengthens the belief in the average man that Singapore is no longer a country run by law. This unsavory fact spreads throughout the world causing other countries to worry that their contracts may not be protected under law; as a result of which trade suffers. Singaporeans worried about their future in a country that does not believe in law, emigrate, sending their children abroad for education with instructions not to return, thus aggravating the brain drain from the small island.
The lack of farsightedness in this government by their arbitrary unlawful actions give added credibility to the Singapore Democratic Party which continues to take this government to task on each injustice they perpetrate. In the end Singaporeans just as any other human around the world loses confidence in this government which can only accelerate its decline.
And that, happens to be very good news.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Letter from Joe Seck, April 26, 2008
Letter from Joe Seck, April 26, 2008
dear Mr. Nair,
U raise some interesting points in your blog. The problem with S'poreans is that they have not experienced enough pain yet. because the buses run, the phone works, they have a roof over their heads (albeit an overpriced one), the electricity works, they have some job, etc. they think their lot is ok. They do not want to rock the boat and jeopardize this. They do not realise that things can be a lot better. Because they do not want to lose what they have, they tolerate the restrictions on them. In a situation like this, there is nothing you can do for them. Until they have suffered some form of widespread unemployment, or loss of the roof over their heads.
Your analogy of Aghans is not really the right one. Afghanistan is a shit hole with poor medical facilities, low life expectancy, poor economy, poor infrastructure, death and war everywhere. Even immigrating to S'pore would be substantial upgrade to their lot in Afghanistan. The appropriate comparison would be Taiwan or South Korea. Where an established industrialized country overthrew the KMT, and the military junta respectively.
But let's say that your wish does come thru, and there is a groundswell of democracy in S'pore. Do u really think the PAP will let it play out and chance losing power? They will suspend all pretence of democracy and impose martial law before it comes to that. Why? The reason is that the PAP are so corrupt, in particular the Lee and Kwa families, with graft, conflicts of interest, etc. going back decades. Any new opposition government would immediately investigate them, and jail and the loss of their holdings will be a very real possibility.
I think its quite naive for you to say that they should get embolden and demand their rights and all that. The reality is that there will be blood in the streets before the PAP will relinquish power. And are the people prepared to go that far given their current docile state? Doubtful.
Regards,
JS
Singapore Dissident's reply
Dear Joe Seck,
Thank you very much for your comment on my blog post of April 24, 2008. These are some of the questions in the minds of some Singaporeans and you give me the opportunity to answer them.
In your first paragraph, your argument is that; because Singaporeans have the benefit of basic necessities of life without undue hardship, they will not dare to take the step of demanding change. This observation of yours was correct perhaps even 10 years ago, but no longer now in a large section of the population. For the uneducated illiterate peasant of the 1960s your argument is entirely correct. Without education, skills, and English, what else can they do? Half a loaf is better than none.
But no longer in the Singapore of 2008. You have a large section of young educated skilled articulate well traveled Singaporeans. To them it is not enough that the trains run on time. In addition to that, they want to be free. And they can afford it. They are entitled to it. They are demanding it. It is this growing number of articulate educated affluent young people who will not be satisfied with half a loaf. They want it all. And if you are one of them, as I can see you are, join them at the coming petition signing occasion of Tak Boleh Tahan at Toa Payoh on May the 1st, 2008. Contact the SDP.
As to your second paragraph, I think you have misunderstood my reference to Afghanistan . I was referring to the fact that I have met people from A to Z of countries in the world. The reference to Afghanistan was merely to highlight this point, and not particularly in reference to the character and politics of Afghanistan . For the alphabet A, I could have used Australia or Antarctica , instead.
But not to dismiss the Afghanis, my point as to the Afghans remains correct. I was not referring to the poverty or backwardness of the Afghanis, but their courage and self respect, much more than Singaporeans. For instance, if Hamid Kharzai paid himself $3.7 million a year in salary; unlike the Singaporeans, the Afghans would not have tolerated it for one day.
Coming to your third paragraph, your prediction that the PAP will not walk away peacefully in the event of political defeat may be true, since Lee Kuan Yew appears by all accounts to have lost his bearings and his son does not seem to have any at all. If the PAP did what you suggest in that eventuality, and I would not be suprised if they did, it would be the most idiotic, self defeating, self destructive act they could ever have done.
All this talk of marital law and so on may work in a remote self sufficient agrarian country like Zimbabwe or Cambodia . Larger countries, not a small island with 4 million people who rely on international trade for a living. If as you suggest, Lee in his desperation did what you suggest, he and his family will be the only remaining humans in the island of Singapore . And that is unlikely to be beneficial to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, his wife and children and all his relatives and great uncles.
Thank you Sir.
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 26, 2008
dear Mr. Nair,
U raise some interesting points in your blog. The problem with S'poreans is that they have not experienced enough pain yet. because the buses run, the phone works, they have a roof over their heads (albeit an overpriced one), the electricity works, they have some job, etc. they think their lot is ok. They do not want to rock the boat and jeopardize this. They do not realise that things can be a lot better. Because they do not want to lose what they have, they tolerate the restrictions on them. In a situation like this, there is nothing you can do for them. Until they have suffered some form of widespread unemployment, or loss of the roof over their heads.
Your analogy of Aghans is not really the right one. Afghanistan is a shit hole with poor medical facilities, low life expectancy, poor economy, poor infrastructure, death and war everywhere. Even immigrating to S'pore would be substantial upgrade to their lot in Afghanistan. The appropriate comparison would be Taiwan or South Korea. Where an established industrialized country overthrew the KMT, and the military junta respectively.
But let's say that your wish does come thru, and there is a groundswell of democracy in S'pore. Do u really think the PAP will let it play out and chance losing power? They will suspend all pretence of democracy and impose martial law before it comes to that. Why? The reason is that the PAP are so corrupt, in particular the Lee and Kwa families, with graft, conflicts of interest, etc. going back decades. Any new opposition government would immediately investigate them, and jail and the loss of their holdings will be a very real possibility.
I think its quite naive for you to say that they should get embolden and demand their rights and all that. The reality is that there will be blood in the streets before the PAP will relinquish power. And are the people prepared to go that far given their current docile state? Doubtful.
Regards,
JS
Singapore Dissident's reply
Dear Joe Seck,
Thank you very much for your comment on my blog post of April 24, 2008. These are some of the questions in the minds of some Singaporeans and you give me the opportunity to answer them.
In your first paragraph, your argument is that; because Singaporeans have the benefit of basic necessities of life without undue hardship, they will not dare to take the step of demanding change. This observation of yours was correct perhaps even 10 years ago, but no longer now in a large section of the population. For the uneducated illiterate peasant of the 1960s your argument is entirely correct. Without education, skills, and English, what else can they do? Half a loaf is better than none.
But no longer in the Singapore of 2008. You have a large section of young educated skilled articulate well traveled Singaporeans. To them it is not enough that the trains run on time. In addition to that, they want to be free. And they can afford it. They are entitled to it. They are demanding it. It is this growing number of articulate educated affluent young people who will not be satisfied with half a loaf. They want it all. And if you are one of them, as I can see you are, join them at the coming petition signing occasion of Tak Boleh Tahan at Toa Payoh on May the 1st, 2008. Contact the SDP.
As to your second paragraph, I think you have misunderstood my reference to Afghanistan . I was referring to the fact that I have met people from A to Z of countries in the world. The reference to Afghanistan was merely to highlight this point, and not particularly in reference to the character and politics of Afghanistan . For the alphabet A, I could have used Australia or Antarctica , instead.
But not to dismiss the Afghanis, my point as to the Afghans remains correct. I was not referring to the poverty or backwardness of the Afghanis, but their courage and self respect, much more than Singaporeans. For instance, if Hamid Kharzai paid himself $3.7 million a year in salary; unlike the Singaporeans, the Afghans would not have tolerated it for one day.
Coming to your third paragraph, your prediction that the PAP will not walk away peacefully in the event of political defeat may be true, since Lee Kuan Yew appears by all accounts to have lost his bearings and his son does not seem to have any at all. If the PAP did what you suggest in that eventuality, and I would not be suprised if they did, it would be the most idiotic, self defeating, self destructive act they could ever have done.
All this talk of marital law and so on may work in a remote self sufficient agrarian country like Zimbabwe or Cambodia . Larger countries, not a small island with 4 million people who rely on international trade for a living. If as you suggest, Lee in his desperation did what you suggest, he and his family will be the only remaining humans in the island of Singapore . And that is unlikely to be beneficial to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, his wife and children and all his relatives and great uncles.
Thank you Sir.
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 26, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
In Singapore, democracy has to take root from bottom up, not from top down.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Those fighting for a more democratic society in Singapore must introduce it first to the ordinary man. Once that is done, the government will automatically fall into place. In Singapore, democracy has to take root from bottom up, not from top down. Making brilliant Winston Churchill speeches in Parliment is unlikely to bring real change. You first have to awaken an entire Singapore population that has been numbed into wholesale submission.
Having lived abroad for many years, and through my work as an immigration lawyer met people from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the entire alphabet of countries, I will tell you an astonishing fact. The Singaporean stands out as a totally different species from any other human being in the world.
For instance, no matter if you are an Afghan, a Hottentot or a Pygmy, one thing is certain. If a Prime Minister of any country pays himself $3.7 million a year and several million more a year in hidden perks, while the average person earns no more than $2,000.00 a month, such as the case in Singapore; there is not a single breathing human being anywhere in the world who would not have picked up his cudgel or sickle of whatever he had at hand, marched to the Prime Ministers office to demand an answer to this outrage and would have refused to leave until he got it.
Believe me, this is normal human behaviour for an Afghan, a Belgian, a Canadian, a Dane, an Eskimo, a Finn, a German, a whatever. But in Singapore, except for the Internet where there is a great deal of criticism, but mind you, with everyone engaged in it being anonymous through fear; there is not a single soul in the entire island with enough courage to even so much as raise a whimper!
Singaporeans just like other humans around the world are taxpayers too. But all other taxpayers, since they are taxpayers to repeat the obvious; would demand an explanation as to how their taxes are being spent. Are you wasting it, through objectionably high salaries for Ministers, for scholarships for foreigners while denying it to Singapore children, training foreigners for jobs while Singaporeans are neglected? These are questions that any other human being taxpayer will ask; that is, any other human being except a Singaporean!
For one or more reasons, the Singaporean over the years has become entirely subdued, submissive and obedient. Such people are not conducive and do not comport with a democratic society, because for democracy to thrive, you first have to have an emboldened people. A people who refuse to take no for an answer when the inequity is obvious, such as, to take one example, million dollar ministerial salaries.
Take prisoner Mas Salamat Kastari who recently escaped from his illegal detention at Whitley Detention Center; illegal by reason of the absence of any criminal charges filed against him for 2 long years, where criminal jurisprudence requires the release of a suspect after just 48 hours in the absence of a charge.
Despite the fact that we have been publicly told of nothing less than gross negligence, even criminal recklessness of the facility's guards in enabling the escape through an open window panel, no government official has yet been willing to take responsibility. The minister responsible has publicly stated that he does not care what people think of him and will not resign!
Now any other human being, even if he happens to be a Hottentot who inhabits the remotest parts of the German South West African bush, would have by now run amok demanding justice! But not so in quiet and obedient Singapore. From last I heard, there is not even a single miserable Singaporean except for the handful of brave protesters, raising a single complaint.
In a society like Singapore where the people have been numbed into a sense of helplessness and tolerance, no amount of democratic institutions will actually change anything. As the saying goes, you can take a horse to water, you cannot make him drink. If a Singaporean is determined not to have freedom, no amount of persuasion can make him accept it.
Therefore as I said in my last post, The Singapore Parliament is a white elephant; getting more opposition members to enter Parliament is unlikely to bring about any real change. Somehow the opposition has to work on trying to embolden and empower the Singaporean. Once that is done, the people, through their demands will resurrect the Phoenix of democracy.
The first thing to do is to remove the fear which shrouds each Singaporean keeping him in his straitjacket; by telling him that his fear is unnecessary; that his fear is merely an illusion designed to keep him satisfied; that the government is nothing more than a toothless tiger if you think of it; that they really cannot sack and dismiss everyone from their jobs or imprison everyone and beat everyone. And once the ordinary man realises this, the taxi driver realises this, the Chinese sausage maker realises this, the Malay belachan maker realizes this, the Indian Mama Prataman (not the President) realises this, then you have it made.
If you can manage that, you will find this government suddenly becoming more representative, more concerned and more humble. It will all automatically come about. All you have is to change the mindset of the Ah Kow, the Ahmat or the Ravi; you would have changed society and a democracy will come about overnight.
In order to achieve this, you have to embolden each and every Singaporean not to accept injustice and stand his ground, like I said in my last post. The opposition needs to have a hot line and a member on standby to take the complaints of the citizens, keeping ready for deployment a group of willing protesters with ready cameras and placards, ready to be deployed at any offending location where the injustice has occurred to stage their protest. It may be the HDB office which has denied justice to a tenant, a CPF member who was not paid, a taxi driver protesting high taxi rents or gasoline and so on. In other words, protesting has to become a pivotal exercise in the opposition's work for democratic change.
In the present difficult circumstances that Singaporeans face, with high food costs, low salaries, fewer jobs, heavy unemployment, the ground is ripe to be worked for this purpose. There are growing numbers that have been pushed to the limit of their suffering who may be ready to be empowered. I think the opposition should take advantage of the situation and start moving now.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Those fighting for a more democratic society in Singapore must introduce it first to the ordinary man. Once that is done, the government will automatically fall into place. In Singapore, democracy has to take root from bottom up, not from top down. Making brilliant Winston Churchill speeches in Parliment is unlikely to bring real change. You first have to awaken an entire Singapore population that has been numbed into wholesale submission.
Having lived abroad for many years, and through my work as an immigration lawyer met people from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, the entire alphabet of countries, I will tell you an astonishing fact. The Singaporean stands out as a totally different species from any other human being in the world.
For instance, no matter if you are an Afghan, a Hottentot or a Pygmy, one thing is certain. If a Prime Minister of any country pays himself $3.7 million a year and several million more a year in hidden perks, while the average person earns no more than $2,000.00 a month, such as the case in Singapore; there is not a single breathing human being anywhere in the world who would not have picked up his cudgel or sickle of whatever he had at hand, marched to the Prime Ministers office to demand an answer to this outrage and would have refused to leave until he got it.
Believe me, this is normal human behaviour for an Afghan, a Belgian, a Canadian, a Dane, an Eskimo, a Finn, a German, a whatever. But in Singapore, except for the Internet where there is a great deal of criticism, but mind you, with everyone engaged in it being anonymous through fear; there is not a single soul in the entire island with enough courage to even so much as raise a whimper!
Singaporeans just like other humans around the world are taxpayers too. But all other taxpayers, since they are taxpayers to repeat the obvious; would demand an explanation as to how their taxes are being spent. Are you wasting it, through objectionably high salaries for Ministers, for scholarships for foreigners while denying it to Singapore children, training foreigners for jobs while Singaporeans are neglected? These are questions that any other human being taxpayer will ask; that is, any other human being except a Singaporean!
For one or more reasons, the Singaporean over the years has become entirely subdued, submissive and obedient. Such people are not conducive and do not comport with a democratic society, because for democracy to thrive, you first have to have an emboldened people. A people who refuse to take no for an answer when the inequity is obvious, such as, to take one example, million dollar ministerial salaries.
Take prisoner Mas Salamat Kastari who recently escaped from his illegal detention at Whitley Detention Center; illegal by reason of the absence of any criminal charges filed against him for 2 long years, where criminal jurisprudence requires the release of a suspect after just 48 hours in the absence of a charge.
Despite the fact that we have been publicly told of nothing less than gross negligence, even criminal recklessness of the facility's guards in enabling the escape through an open window panel, no government official has yet been willing to take responsibility. The minister responsible has publicly stated that he does not care what people think of him and will not resign!
Now any other human being, even if he happens to be a Hottentot who inhabits the remotest parts of the German South West African bush, would have by now run amok demanding justice! But not so in quiet and obedient Singapore. From last I heard, there is not even a single miserable Singaporean except for the handful of brave protesters, raising a single complaint.
In a society like Singapore where the people have been numbed into a sense of helplessness and tolerance, no amount of democratic institutions will actually change anything. As the saying goes, you can take a horse to water, you cannot make him drink. If a Singaporean is determined not to have freedom, no amount of persuasion can make him accept it.
Therefore as I said in my last post, The Singapore Parliament is a white elephant; getting more opposition members to enter Parliament is unlikely to bring about any real change. Somehow the opposition has to work on trying to embolden and empower the Singaporean. Once that is done, the people, through their demands will resurrect the Phoenix of democracy.
The first thing to do is to remove the fear which shrouds each Singaporean keeping him in his straitjacket; by telling him that his fear is unnecessary; that his fear is merely an illusion designed to keep him satisfied; that the government is nothing more than a toothless tiger if you think of it; that they really cannot sack and dismiss everyone from their jobs or imprison everyone and beat everyone. And once the ordinary man realises this, the taxi driver realises this, the Chinese sausage maker realises this, the Malay belachan maker realizes this, the Indian Mama Prataman (not the President) realises this, then you have it made.
If you can manage that, you will find this government suddenly becoming more representative, more concerned and more humble. It will all automatically come about. All you have is to change the mindset of the Ah Kow, the Ahmat or the Ravi; you would have changed society and a democracy will come about overnight.
In order to achieve this, you have to embolden each and every Singaporean not to accept injustice and stand his ground, like I said in my last post. The opposition needs to have a hot line and a member on standby to take the complaints of the citizens, keeping ready for deployment a group of willing protesters with ready cameras and placards, ready to be deployed at any offending location where the injustice has occurred to stage their protest. It may be the HDB office which has denied justice to a tenant, a CPF member who was not paid, a taxi driver protesting high taxi rents or gasoline and so on. In other words, protesting has to become a pivotal exercise in the opposition's work for democratic change.
In the present difficult circumstances that Singaporeans face, with high food costs, low salaries, fewer jobs, heavy unemployment, the ground is ripe to be worked for this purpose. There are growing numbers that have been pushed to the limit of their suffering who may be ready to be empowered. I think the opposition should take advantage of the situation and start moving now.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Letter from Singaporean Paul De Silva, April 24, 2008
Hi Mr Nair,
My name is Paul de Silva.
I stumbled upon you blog today as I was Googling on the local sentiments of the recent Parlaimentary Report on the Mas Selamat escape.
A you may have guessed, Singaporeans are skeptical but not bothered to say the least. I guess that's what one can expect when dictators rule people's lives entirely and shut them out from all mode of participation.
The blam appears to fall squarely on Wong Kan Seng, our million dollar minister. Parlaiment proceeding were all so funny. Like a circus.
But that's not why I'm decided to write to you about.
The reason I'm writing to you is I have long been considering immigrating from this s**t hole I was born in. I'm marrried to a foreigner and as such have an avenue to depart. The only things that's left is my remaining HDB mortgage.
At the rate they're raising the with drawal age and limits, I've long concluded that I'll never smell my CPF unless I relingquish my Singapore Citizenship. I really do wish there were another way. But I don't think so. But I must say that it's quite a big and scary decision giving up my citizenship. But many other who have goe before me proves that's there is a better life out there.
I was hoping if I could turn to you for little advise much later on, when the need arises.
Meanwhile, I'll just go about my life in Singapore as quietly as I can.
Warmest Regards,
Paul de Silva
Having read your from Singapore
Hello Paul,
You are very welcome anytime.
Regards
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, CA
April 24, 2008
My name is Paul de Silva.
I stumbled upon you blog today as I was Googling on the local sentiments of the recent Parlaimentary Report on the Mas Selamat escape.
A you may have guessed, Singaporeans are skeptical but not bothered to say the least. I guess that's what one can expect when dictators rule people's lives entirely and shut them out from all mode of participation.
The blam appears to fall squarely on Wong Kan Seng, our million dollar minister. Parlaiment proceeding were all so funny. Like a circus.
But that's not why I'm decided to write to you about.
The reason I'm writing to you is I have long been considering immigrating from this s**t hole I was born in. I'm marrried to a foreigner and as such have an avenue to depart. The only things that's left is my remaining HDB mortgage.
At the rate they're raising the with drawal age and limits, I've long concluded that I'll never smell my CPF unless I relingquish my Singapore Citizenship. I really do wish there were another way. But I don't think so. But I must say that it's quite a big and scary decision giving up my citizenship. But many other who have goe before me proves that's there is a better life out there.
I was hoping if I could turn to you for little advise much later on, when the need arises.
Meanwhile, I'll just go about my life in Singapore as quietly as I can.
Warmest Regards,
Paul de Silva
Having read your from Singapore
Hello Paul,
You are very welcome anytime.
Regards
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, CA
April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Singapore Parliament is a white elephant
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If you ever thought Singapore is a parliamentary democracy, it is not. It is a one party state, with Lee Kuan Yew's PAP in power since 1959, no less than 50 years; and with him wielding absolute power and authority. It is a dictatorship.
It is true, Singapore has a Parliament with elections held every five years, but in truth these have no real effect at all. All civil institutions including the judiciary, the civil service, the police and the media take their orders directly from Lee Kuan Yew. To Lee, Parliament is merely a nuisance.
The Singapore opposition should not raise their hopes if they win additional Parliamentary seats other than the miserable 2 they presently have. Even with 10, 20 or even 30 seats, and regardless of how many Parliamentary speeches they make; as long as Lee has a Parliamentary majority of one, he will still call the shots, because he alone has civil society under his thumb.
And even, in the unlikely chance that the opposition wins a parliamentary majority, it is more than likely that Lee will still continue to rule, because, as was said, the institutions that matter, the judiciary, the civil service, and everything else take their orders from this man.
If you realize the gravity of the situation, you may feel, and rightly so, that Singapore is a hopeless case. That you are destined by Providence to live as Lee's slaves and there is nothing you can do about it. But this is not so, and there is hope; abundant hope.
The way to bring about change in today’s Singapore is not by winning seats in Parliament, even though it is good; it is by demanding justice from each institution of government, and holding them to account for each transgression of your rights.
This is what has to be done. If a Malay or Indian is not permitted to reside at the place of his choice by the HDB because of illegal racial quotas violative of the Constitution, the aggrieved citizen should refuse to accept it, and protest against it; taking pictures and videos of his protest and putting them up in blogs throughout the island, publicly exposing the injustice.
The idea is to embarrass the government where they clearly are violative of your rights. The constitution provides for equality and prohibits racial discrimination. And in such a case, this government would find it impossible to justify the discrimination.
If a citizen is illegally deprived of his CPF retirement savings, the aggrieved citizen should refuse to take no for an answer, protest at the very spot, take pictures and videos of it and post it all over the Internet.
If a Singaporean is deprived of his job because he was displaced by a foreigner willing to accept lower pay, he should stand outside Ministry of Manpower or other ministry and protest his loss of a job, take pictures of it and post it on the Internet.
If the Tak Boleh Tahan protestors of March 15, 2008 have still not been returned their cell phones which the police had illegally confiscated, they should protest outside Cantonment Police Station and not leave until their cell phones are returned, photograph and film the entire protest and put it up on blogs all over the island.
If you see an employer discriminating against older workers, protest at the spot, take pictures of it and post it all over the island.
The purpose of this exercise is to shame these public institutions into respecting the law and treating everyone fairly and impartially. At present, the HDB feel they can discriminate against Malays and Indians because Lee has ordered them to do it; their illegal actions become lawful because of Lee's authority over them. The same with the CPF violating the law, the Ministry of Manpower and every other public institution.
It is quite clear that Lee's main tool to remain in absolute dictatorial control is his absolute power over the judges and the newspapers. If Singaporeans protest outside the state controlled newspaper offices, they will be shamed by their misdeeds being exposed through blogs and videos.
It appears to me, the energy of those opposing this one man dictatorship should be directed to the institutions of civil society such as the judiciary to force them to stop oppressing the citizens. In order to do this, technology has turned out to be a Godsend. The power of the Internet is something authoritarian governments cannot overcome, and citizens should use it to the fullest to force their governments to see reason.
The Internet has in fact made a great difference for the better even in authoritarian Middle Eastern countries. I have heard in Egypt, even a country under the iron grip of Mubarak, had to concede a little, when a blogger took a video of the police arresting some people and abusing them with their batons, and put it up on his website. Immediately thereafter, his website began to get several thousand hits each day, with almost the entire country up in arms about the incident, forcing the Mubarak government to take action against those officers. Were it not for the blog, nothing would have happened to the policemen.
Riad al-Turk, a Syrian opposition leader suffered many years of imprisonment for his opposition to the government. But with the Internet exposing the injustice publicly, the Syrian government eventually had no choice but to release him.
It is for these reasons that the Lee Kuan Yew government is terrified of public protests. In Singapore, a small built up, completely wired island, which depends on international trade and business; any adverse publicity involving the denial of human rights can be very damaging. And realizing this, the opposition should take full advantage of this and push this government to its limit of either accepting the truth or resisting it at their peril.
They are now clearly in the defensive as their actions show. You will recall, some years ago at the CPF protests in front its offices in Robinson Road, to disperse a mere 4 unarmed peaceful protestors holding nothing more than placards, the police officer John Baptist, a man totally undeserving of such a biblical name, deployed his Red Maria Police vans with about 50 armed police in full riot gear!
When such an over reaction, almost comical, on the part of the police was captured on camera and prominently displayed all over Singapore on the Internet, they realized that they had egg on their faces. Ever since then, even for the larger protest of 50 at Tak Boleh Tahan, the police began to use the soft touch instead; this time no riot police, no police uniforms and women plain clothes police were used to arrest the protestors!
This government is finding it increasing difficult to deny the legitimate demands of its citizens when their actions are being glaringly exposed to public scrutiny through the Internet. This is something this government cannot overcome since it cannot stop the Internet. No matter what, the Internet is here it stay and Lee whether he like it or not has to live with it. And he is finding that increasingly uncomfortable.
Since Dr. Chee's party now has extensive experience in organizing protests, protestors could collaborate with him to hold it at the offending location, pre-arrange with video cameraman and photographers and immediately put up the images on the Internet. If the protests attract police retaliation, their injustice can be visually exposed. It is my belief that if this done on a sustained basis, this or any other oppressive government will have to listen. They have no choice.
Trying to change Singapore through winning more Parliamentary seats may eventually be possible. Change may happen if Lee is dead or if the opposition wins a majority. But if you want to make it happen a little faster, protest take pictures and keep embarrassing this government. That way, you leave them no choice.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
If you ever thought Singapore is a parliamentary democracy, it is not. It is a one party state, with Lee Kuan Yew's PAP in power since 1959, no less than 50 years; and with him wielding absolute power and authority. It is a dictatorship.
It is true, Singapore has a Parliament with elections held every five years, but in truth these have no real effect at all. All civil institutions including the judiciary, the civil service, the police and the media take their orders directly from Lee Kuan Yew. To Lee, Parliament is merely a nuisance.
The Singapore opposition should not raise their hopes if they win additional Parliamentary seats other than the miserable 2 they presently have. Even with 10, 20 or even 30 seats, and regardless of how many Parliamentary speeches they make; as long as Lee has a Parliamentary majority of one, he will still call the shots, because he alone has civil society under his thumb.
And even, in the unlikely chance that the opposition wins a parliamentary majority, it is more than likely that Lee will still continue to rule, because, as was said, the institutions that matter, the judiciary, the civil service, and everything else take their orders from this man.
If you realize the gravity of the situation, you may feel, and rightly so, that Singapore is a hopeless case. That you are destined by Providence to live as Lee's slaves and there is nothing you can do about it. But this is not so, and there is hope; abundant hope.
The way to bring about change in today’s Singapore is not by winning seats in Parliament, even though it is good; it is by demanding justice from each institution of government, and holding them to account for each transgression of your rights.
This is what has to be done. If a Malay or Indian is not permitted to reside at the place of his choice by the HDB because of illegal racial quotas violative of the Constitution, the aggrieved citizen should refuse to accept it, and protest against it; taking pictures and videos of his protest and putting them up in blogs throughout the island, publicly exposing the injustice.
The idea is to embarrass the government where they clearly are violative of your rights. The constitution provides for equality and prohibits racial discrimination. And in such a case, this government would find it impossible to justify the discrimination.
If a citizen is illegally deprived of his CPF retirement savings, the aggrieved citizen should refuse to take no for an answer, protest at the very spot, take pictures and videos of it and post it all over the Internet.
If a Singaporean is deprived of his job because he was displaced by a foreigner willing to accept lower pay, he should stand outside Ministry of Manpower or other ministry and protest his loss of a job, take pictures of it and post it on the Internet.
If the Tak Boleh Tahan protestors of March 15, 2008 have still not been returned their cell phones which the police had illegally confiscated, they should protest outside Cantonment Police Station and not leave until their cell phones are returned, photograph and film the entire protest and put it up on blogs all over the island.
If you see an employer discriminating against older workers, protest at the spot, take pictures of it and post it all over the island.
The purpose of this exercise is to shame these public institutions into respecting the law and treating everyone fairly and impartially. At present, the HDB feel they can discriminate against Malays and Indians because Lee has ordered them to do it; their illegal actions become lawful because of Lee's authority over them. The same with the CPF violating the law, the Ministry of Manpower and every other public institution.
It is quite clear that Lee's main tool to remain in absolute dictatorial control is his absolute power over the judges and the newspapers. If Singaporeans protest outside the state controlled newspaper offices, they will be shamed by their misdeeds being exposed through blogs and videos.
It appears to me, the energy of those opposing this one man dictatorship should be directed to the institutions of civil society such as the judiciary to force them to stop oppressing the citizens. In order to do this, technology has turned out to be a Godsend. The power of the Internet is something authoritarian governments cannot overcome, and citizens should use it to the fullest to force their governments to see reason.
The Internet has in fact made a great difference for the better even in authoritarian Middle Eastern countries. I have heard in Egypt, even a country under the iron grip of Mubarak, had to concede a little, when a blogger took a video of the police arresting some people and abusing them with their batons, and put it up on his website. Immediately thereafter, his website began to get several thousand hits each day, with almost the entire country up in arms about the incident, forcing the Mubarak government to take action against those officers. Were it not for the blog, nothing would have happened to the policemen.
Riad al-Turk, a Syrian opposition leader suffered many years of imprisonment for his opposition to the government. But with the Internet exposing the injustice publicly, the Syrian government eventually had no choice but to release him.
It is for these reasons that the Lee Kuan Yew government is terrified of public protests. In Singapore, a small built up, completely wired island, which depends on international trade and business; any adverse publicity involving the denial of human rights can be very damaging. And realizing this, the opposition should take full advantage of this and push this government to its limit of either accepting the truth or resisting it at their peril.
They are now clearly in the defensive as their actions show. You will recall, some years ago at the CPF protests in front its offices in Robinson Road, to disperse a mere 4 unarmed peaceful protestors holding nothing more than placards, the police officer John Baptist, a man totally undeserving of such a biblical name, deployed his Red Maria Police vans with about 50 armed police in full riot gear!
When such an over reaction, almost comical, on the part of the police was captured on camera and prominently displayed all over Singapore on the Internet, they realized that they had egg on their faces. Ever since then, even for the larger protest of 50 at Tak Boleh Tahan, the police began to use the soft touch instead; this time no riot police, no police uniforms and women plain clothes police were used to arrest the protestors!
This government is finding it increasing difficult to deny the legitimate demands of its citizens when their actions are being glaringly exposed to public scrutiny through the Internet. This is something this government cannot overcome since it cannot stop the Internet. No matter what, the Internet is here it stay and Lee whether he like it or not has to live with it. And he is finding that increasingly uncomfortable.
Since Dr. Chee's party now has extensive experience in organizing protests, protestors could collaborate with him to hold it at the offending location, pre-arrange with video cameraman and photographers and immediately put up the images on the Internet. If the protests attract police retaliation, their injustice can be visually exposed. It is my belief that if this done on a sustained basis, this or any other oppressive government will have to listen. They have no choice.
Trying to change Singapore through winning more Parliamentary seats may eventually be possible. Change may happen if Lee is dead or if the opposition wins a majority. But if you want to make it happen a little faster, protest take pictures and keep embarrassing this government. That way, you leave them no choice.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Monday, April 21, 2008
New Law Minister needs to manage aspirations of local and foreign lawyers, according to Singapore news.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The state controlled TV media in Singapore, Channellnewsasia reports on April 20, 2008 that Lee Kuna Yew's new stooge, Mr. K Shanmugam, the Law Minister is going to solve problems facing the legal profession, among which, I suppose is its fast declining numbers.
The legal profession in Singapore now consists of a grand total of no more than 3,400 lawyers in a supposedly international city state, with a population of 4.5 million; which claims, among other nice things, international trade banking and commerce as its mainstay. A small number for a supposedly international city! Even more shocking is that this figure of 3,400 lawyers was the same 10 years ago in 1997 when the population was only 3.5 million! While the population increased by more than a million, and business increased 10 fold, the number of lawyers in fact declined on a relative basis!
There has to be something inherently wrong with the profession for lawyers to be resigning in droves with no new entrants. About a third of Singapore lawyers who are above 50 are either refusing to renew their practicing certificates and retiring or emigrating, causing the numbers to shrink even further.
Of course, you cannot expect anything much from a state controlled newspaper like Channellnewsasia, let alone telling the truth, but we all know what the reasons are.
Lawyers just as the common man, see the judiciary as corrupt and beholden to Lee Kuan Yew, Judge Belinda Ang being a recent example when she ordered Dr. Chee Soon Juan, a critic of the ruling Lee, bankrupt even without a trial. Everyone knows that if Lee Kuan Yew or his family members are parties to a suit, their victory is guaranteed. A profession which is supposed to be noble has turned into a bunch of bootlickers and trumpeters. Naturally, in these unhappy circumstances, no one with any self respect would want either to remain in the profession or join it.
In this newspaper report, 2 of Lee's sycophants, Miss Indranee Rajah, a Member of Parliament in Lee's government and naturally a high flying lawyer and another Mr. Subhas Anandan, President of Criminal Lawyers, similarly successful (what else did you expect) are both full of praise for K Shanmugam, the new minister, that one would have thought that he was the best thing that happened, after Jesus Christ!
According to Mr. Anadan, Mr. Woon, another stooge recently appointed the Attorney General is the ablest man that ever lived and if he was ever outdone, it can only be by Shanmugam!
Listening to them, it seems as if Singapore lawyers are totally incapable of anything, having to wait for a godsend like K Shanmugam to solve all their problems! What are they anyway, children?
The truth is this. Even if either of them wants to do anything about anything, they cannot. They are highly paid stooges, their job being, to run the system in a way that their comfortable positions and that of their master Lee is safeguarded at all times, ensuring laws restricting political freedoms are kept firmly in place and enforced, so that Dr. Chee, and any other political aspirant, can be repeatedly sent to prison for public speeches.
Channelnewsasia can of course say anything they want as the joke in the former Soviet Union about their news organizations, Pravda and Izvestia. They used to say that "Pravda has no truth and Izvestia has no news". Pravda means truth and Izvestia means news! Exactly the same with Singapore state controlled papers.
In the Singapore legal profession, you have 2 groups of lawyers. One, you can call the exclusive club of government connected lawyers in the large firms; members and supporters of Lee's party. Since the majority of well paying work in Singapore comes from the government, as the government controls large sectors of the country's business; this work goes to them.
They get favorable treatment in the courts as well. As a major part of judge’s duties in the island, include the destruction of Lee's opponents through court cases, naturally they look upon themselves as part of a team with Lee and lawyers who are similarly connected to him.
Regardless of whether their cases have any merit, government connected lawyers invariably win. Judges are no longer concerned about a loss to their reputation by these politically biased judgments. Since the rule of law is non existent, which is now public knowledge, they are quite prepared to blatantly continue abusing it to favor the government and their connections. Singapore has, you could say, a third world legal system, with deep seated corruption and nepotism.
The lawyers outside of Lee's connected circle hardly have any work. Many even find it difficult to pay their office rents for their cheap premises they rent in front of the Subordinate Court called Peoples Park Complex. Due to their lack of establishment connections, either because they are not prepared to prostrate themselves, or because they tried to join Lee's party but were refused; whatever the reason, they remain at a disadvantage in whatever they do.
In court, regardless of the merits, they are bound to lose facing an establishment lawyer. Judges don’t show any respect for them at all. As a result they lose their client’s cases. And with repeated loss of cases, their practice dries up. To make matters worse, they only get clients who have no money; and therefore these lawyers are paid almost nothing; since had they been rich, they would have gone to a government connected lawyer.
In this hopeless situation they find it impossible to make ends meet. So they retire, which further contributes to the decline in numbers.
So it is a catch 22 situation. A vicious cycle, where PAP (government party) patronage and approval is necessary to succeed. A shameful existence indeed, but regrettably the only way to do it in Lee's Singapore. The sort of success you see in trumpeters, who trumpet Lee Kuan Yew and his government, the sort like Miss Rajah and Mr. Anandan.
Without the introduction of the rule of law, it is impossible to improve the lot of the miserable lawyers in the cubicles of Peoples Park Complex.
And then they talk of bringing in more foreign lawyers. No doubt at all that these foreigners will get the best paying work. But in no time, they will be reading Dr. Chee's blog and this blog and realize, if they did not already, that Singapore is indeed Lee's dictatorship. One man rule. A banana republic, with no rule of law, no constitution and Lee Kaun Yew and his son strutting around like 2 prize roosters, beating up everyone that comes in their way.
And knowing this, the foreigners too will leave taking with them the bitter truth of what Singapore truly is, with a new bunch of foreigners to take their places, when they too will leave. And to ensure the foreigners and Singaporeans are made aware of the truth about Singapore, this blog will continue with its pages.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
The state controlled TV media in Singapore, Channellnewsasia reports on April 20, 2008 that Lee Kuna Yew's new stooge, Mr. K Shanmugam, the Law Minister is going to solve problems facing the legal profession, among which, I suppose is its fast declining numbers.
The legal profession in Singapore now consists of a grand total of no more than 3,400 lawyers in a supposedly international city state, with a population of 4.5 million; which claims, among other nice things, international trade banking and commerce as its mainstay. A small number for a supposedly international city! Even more shocking is that this figure of 3,400 lawyers was the same 10 years ago in 1997 when the population was only 3.5 million! While the population increased by more than a million, and business increased 10 fold, the number of lawyers in fact declined on a relative basis!
There has to be something inherently wrong with the profession for lawyers to be resigning in droves with no new entrants. About a third of Singapore lawyers who are above 50 are either refusing to renew their practicing certificates and retiring or emigrating, causing the numbers to shrink even further.
Of course, you cannot expect anything much from a state controlled newspaper like Channellnewsasia, let alone telling the truth, but we all know what the reasons are.
Lawyers just as the common man, see the judiciary as corrupt and beholden to Lee Kuan Yew, Judge Belinda Ang being a recent example when she ordered Dr. Chee Soon Juan, a critic of the ruling Lee, bankrupt even without a trial. Everyone knows that if Lee Kuan Yew or his family members are parties to a suit, their victory is guaranteed. A profession which is supposed to be noble has turned into a bunch of bootlickers and trumpeters. Naturally, in these unhappy circumstances, no one with any self respect would want either to remain in the profession or join it.
In this newspaper report, 2 of Lee's sycophants, Miss Indranee Rajah, a Member of Parliament in Lee's government and naturally a high flying lawyer and another Mr. Subhas Anandan, President of Criminal Lawyers, similarly successful (what else did you expect) are both full of praise for K Shanmugam, the new minister, that one would have thought that he was the best thing that happened, after Jesus Christ!
According to Mr. Anadan, Mr. Woon, another stooge recently appointed the Attorney General is the ablest man that ever lived and if he was ever outdone, it can only be by Shanmugam!
Listening to them, it seems as if Singapore lawyers are totally incapable of anything, having to wait for a godsend like K Shanmugam to solve all their problems! What are they anyway, children?
The truth is this. Even if either of them wants to do anything about anything, they cannot. They are highly paid stooges, their job being, to run the system in a way that their comfortable positions and that of their master Lee is safeguarded at all times, ensuring laws restricting political freedoms are kept firmly in place and enforced, so that Dr. Chee, and any other political aspirant, can be repeatedly sent to prison for public speeches.
Channelnewsasia can of course say anything they want as the joke in the former Soviet Union about their news organizations, Pravda and Izvestia. They used to say that "Pravda has no truth and Izvestia has no news". Pravda means truth and Izvestia means news! Exactly the same with Singapore state controlled papers.
In the Singapore legal profession, you have 2 groups of lawyers. One, you can call the exclusive club of government connected lawyers in the large firms; members and supporters of Lee's party. Since the majority of well paying work in Singapore comes from the government, as the government controls large sectors of the country's business; this work goes to them.
They get favorable treatment in the courts as well. As a major part of judge’s duties in the island, include the destruction of Lee's opponents through court cases, naturally they look upon themselves as part of a team with Lee and lawyers who are similarly connected to him.
Regardless of whether their cases have any merit, government connected lawyers invariably win. Judges are no longer concerned about a loss to their reputation by these politically biased judgments. Since the rule of law is non existent, which is now public knowledge, they are quite prepared to blatantly continue abusing it to favor the government and their connections. Singapore has, you could say, a third world legal system, with deep seated corruption and nepotism.
The lawyers outside of Lee's connected circle hardly have any work. Many even find it difficult to pay their office rents for their cheap premises they rent in front of the Subordinate Court called Peoples Park Complex. Due to their lack of establishment connections, either because they are not prepared to prostrate themselves, or because they tried to join Lee's party but were refused; whatever the reason, they remain at a disadvantage in whatever they do.
In court, regardless of the merits, they are bound to lose facing an establishment lawyer. Judges don’t show any respect for them at all. As a result they lose their client’s cases. And with repeated loss of cases, their practice dries up. To make matters worse, they only get clients who have no money; and therefore these lawyers are paid almost nothing; since had they been rich, they would have gone to a government connected lawyer.
In this hopeless situation they find it impossible to make ends meet. So they retire, which further contributes to the decline in numbers.
So it is a catch 22 situation. A vicious cycle, where PAP (government party) patronage and approval is necessary to succeed. A shameful existence indeed, but regrettably the only way to do it in Lee's Singapore. The sort of success you see in trumpeters, who trumpet Lee Kuan Yew and his government, the sort like Miss Rajah and Mr. Anandan.
Without the introduction of the rule of law, it is impossible to improve the lot of the miserable lawyers in the cubicles of Peoples Park Complex.
And then they talk of bringing in more foreign lawyers. No doubt at all that these foreigners will get the best paying work. But in no time, they will be reading Dr. Chee's blog and this blog and realize, if they did not already, that Singapore is indeed Lee's dictatorship. One man rule. A banana republic, with no rule of law, no constitution and Lee Kaun Yew and his son strutting around like 2 prize roosters, beating up everyone that comes in their way.
And knowing this, the foreigners too will leave taking with them the bitter truth of what Singapore truly is, with a new bunch of foreigners to take their places, when they too will leave. And to ensure the foreigners and Singaporeans are made aware of the truth about Singapore, this blog will continue with its pages.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Your letters, Sunday April 20, 2008
Letter from Joshua Kums
Sunday April 20, 2008
Hello Mr Nair,
I'm a Singaporean born and bread who still doesn't not see the necessity to pull out of Singapore. It is not that I'm not disgusted with the PAP. I'm in a comfort zone in my country of origin. As long as I don't dabble in politics I know I can co exist with the entity called the PAP monolith. You made a comment about how we should protest to make a change in stead of believing in the electoral process.What is going to happen to my family Mr Nair if I'm arrested in a protest. Who is going to put food on the table for my family to eat Mr Nair?
Did you ever thing of such mundane things when you try to force Singaporeans to come out of their stupor.Would you send my family money while I'm in jail when I get arrested for protesting against the PAP government. For common people like me the electoral process is our only hope. The PAP cannot ruin that for us because the PAP has something to prove to the western democratic world.I hope you can enlighten me on my view on this logic of mine.
Joshua Kums
Dear Mr. Joshua Kums,
I thank you you very much for your Email and your excellent question. This answer that I give is not only for you but for the countless Singaporeans who dabble with this very same question.
You say that even though you dislike the PAP, you are preapred to co-exist with them because you have no other choice, since protest might ruin your livelihood. Your outlook to life is to accept tyranny becasue you believe you have no choice. Others who have more pride and self respect would say the hell with it, I am not prepared to live like a slave and protest. Personally it is your choice to make. If you are comfortable living like a slave, which in fact is how Singaporeans live, it is your prerogative and no one can stop you. So my calls for protest, would obvioulsy not convince you, but there are a growing number of Singaporeans, who like the famous American pioneer, who said, "Give me liberty, or give me death" and are beginning to say that business cannot go on as usual. Something has got to give; and that is Lee's tyranny.
You fear that you will lose your job and your family will suffer if you protest. And you ask if I can send you money if you and your family become destitute because of it. To a large extent, in fact, your fear is unfounded. Singapore is a small country with limited number of people. Civil sevants clerks taxi drivers and so on. Lee cannot afford to sack and terminate everyone from their jobs. If they did, Signapore cannot function.
If there are only a handful, perhaps the fear may be there. But in numbers, the fear goes away.
At the Tak Boleh Tahan, there were 50 people. Among the 50 there were businessmen, taxi drivers and even one University Professor, Mr. John Tan. All of them still keep their jobs. And I expect at the next and repeated protests after that I expect the numbers of protestors to swell.
You see Mr. Kums, whichever way you look at it, the oppositon can only win. This is because justice is on their side. $3.7 million a year. No CPF. Unlimited immigrants lowering wages. Government policies deliberatley raising food costs while GLCs milk profits upon profits.
You need some courage and sacrifice if you truly believe in a cause. If not, just live the way you do, in bondage. It is not for me to tell you how you should live your life. And not forgetting, what sort of value systems you want your children to have.
Thank you again Sir.
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 20, 2008
Letter from Adriel Jamil
Sunday April 20, 2008
Dear Mr. Nair,
My name is Adriel Jamil, Sinagporean age 53 and have no political affiliation.
But I believe in justice for all regardless of thier backgound or plitical inclination.
I have read your blog with great interest. I've found it to be bold and written with passion, reflecting your love for the country and people of Singapore.
Can I have permission to use your article in your blog? Sometimes I may 'copy and paste' in my newly created blog.
Awating your reply, I thank you.
A J
Keep on the good work man..
Dear Mr. Adriel Jamil,
You have my full permission. I thank you for distributing the blog widely.
Thanks
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 20, 2008
Sunday April 20, 2008
Hello Mr Nair,
I'm a Singaporean born and bread who still doesn't not see the necessity to pull out of Singapore. It is not that I'm not disgusted with the PAP. I'm in a comfort zone in my country of origin. As long as I don't dabble in politics I know I can co exist with the entity called the PAP monolith. You made a comment about how we should protest to make a change in stead of believing in the electoral process.What is going to happen to my family Mr Nair if I'm arrested in a protest. Who is going to put food on the table for my family to eat Mr Nair?
Did you ever thing of such mundane things when you try to force Singaporeans to come out of their stupor.Would you send my family money while I'm in jail when I get arrested for protesting against the PAP government. For common people like me the electoral process is our only hope. The PAP cannot ruin that for us because the PAP has something to prove to the western democratic world.I hope you can enlighten me on my view on this logic of mine.
Joshua Kums
Dear Mr. Joshua Kums,
I thank you you very much for your Email and your excellent question. This answer that I give is not only for you but for the countless Singaporeans who dabble with this very same question.
You say that even though you dislike the PAP, you are preapred to co-exist with them because you have no other choice, since protest might ruin your livelihood. Your outlook to life is to accept tyranny becasue you believe you have no choice. Others who have more pride and self respect would say the hell with it, I am not prepared to live like a slave and protest. Personally it is your choice to make. If you are comfortable living like a slave, which in fact is how Singaporeans live, it is your prerogative and no one can stop you. So my calls for protest, would obvioulsy not convince you, but there are a growing number of Singaporeans, who like the famous American pioneer, who said, "Give me liberty, or give me death" and are beginning to say that business cannot go on as usual. Something has got to give; and that is Lee's tyranny.
You fear that you will lose your job and your family will suffer if you protest. And you ask if I can send you money if you and your family become destitute because of it. To a large extent, in fact, your fear is unfounded. Singapore is a small country with limited number of people. Civil sevants clerks taxi drivers and so on. Lee cannot afford to sack and terminate everyone from their jobs. If they did, Signapore cannot function.
If there are only a handful, perhaps the fear may be there. But in numbers, the fear goes away.
At the Tak Boleh Tahan, there were 50 people. Among the 50 there were businessmen, taxi drivers and even one University Professor, Mr. John Tan. All of them still keep their jobs. And I expect at the next and repeated protests after that I expect the numbers of protestors to swell.
You see Mr. Kums, whichever way you look at it, the oppositon can only win. This is because justice is on their side. $3.7 million a year. No CPF. Unlimited immigrants lowering wages. Government policies deliberatley raising food costs while GLCs milk profits upon profits.
You need some courage and sacrifice if you truly believe in a cause. If not, just live the way you do, in bondage. It is not for me to tell you how you should live your life. And not forgetting, what sort of value systems you want your children to have.
Thank you again Sir.
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 20, 2008
Letter from Adriel Jamil
Sunday April 20, 2008
Dear Mr. Nair,
My name is Adriel Jamil, Sinagporean age 53 and have no political affiliation.
But I believe in justice for all regardless of thier backgound or plitical inclination.
I have read your blog with great interest. I've found it to be bold and written with passion, reflecting your love for the country and people of Singapore.
Can I have permission to use your article in your blog? Sometimes I may 'copy and paste' in my newly created blog.
Awating your reply, I thank you.
A J
Keep on the good work man..
Dear Mr. Adriel Jamil,
You have my full permission. I thank you for distributing the blog widely.
Thanks
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 20, 2008
Singapore. A plan for success
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Reform Party Party's official beginning with Jeyaretnam's full return to politics and a clear indication that it will work with Dr. Chee's SDP is all very good news. The question now is, what is the plan?
Lets look at Singapore now. Lee controls every possible organ of power, the judiciary, the press, the media, everything. Therefore regardless of whether Jeyaretnam wins a seat at the next election or even the SDP winning 4 seats will make no difference at all. You know the pattern already. If the opposition winners are of the calibre of Francis Seow or Dr. Chee, they will not be allowed to take their seats in Parliament. Before its sitting, Lee would have organized a libel suit and the worthy opponent would be worthy no more, by being kicked out of Parliament through bankruptcy.
Jeyaretnam has been in politics for a long time. With all due respect given to him; except for taking great punishment at the hands of Lee, he has not managed to further democracy in Singapore at all. If at all, Jeyaretnam had caused Lee to tighten the screws even more. For instance, during his time, Privy Council appeals were abolished and across the board, laws became harsher with increased punishments.
And as long as Lee continues to have a majority of even one in Parliament, he will continue to do whatever he wants, because all the pillars of government that matter; the judiciary, the media, the finance everything, remains under his absolute control. Regardless of how much wisdom there is in their cause, or how many speeches they make in Parliament, Lee can just ignore it and there is nothing that Jeya or Dr. Chee can do, since the courts and everybody else are beholden to Lee, not to Parliament or to the truth.
So if all what Jeya hopes to do is to stand for elections, win one seat for himself, enter Parliament and make his speeches for 5 years, I really don't think Lee would object at all. In fact Lee may even facilitate Jeya's victory this time, since there is nothing for them to lose. Lee can give Jeya time to talk. And Lee will just ignore it, for another 5 years! It would be the same if Dr. Chee got into Parliament.
What we have to understand is; that the power in Singapore, lies not in Parliamentary speeches; it lies in the pillars of power; which so happens, all of them being beholden to Lee and Lee alone. It lies in the newspaper. You have to convince the paper to be impartial, which it is not. It lies in the judiciary. You have to convince the judiciary to be impartial, which it is not. You have to convince the police force that it is not the private security of Lee Kuan Yew. Convince the civil service to be fair. Convince the colleges to be fair. Convince the HDB not to discriminate against the Malays and Indians. Convince the Civil Service not to issue visas for unlimited numbers of immigrants from China, because it is these pillars where the power actually lies. The question is, how do you do it?
It is impossible to make the aforementioned organizations impartial by speeches in Parliament. They are not going to listen. So what do you do?
The bigger and important task in bringing about democracy is to instill a sense of fairness in these people. A realisation that they are not beholden to Lee as they think. Without that realization, no amount of speeches in Parliament can bring that about. Change has to come by forcing these organizations to realize that what they do is wrong. So I come back to where I started. The answer lies in protests.
Protest outside the courts demanding justice and fairness. Protest outside Straits Times demanding impartiality in reporting. Protest outside the Civil Service demanding equal treatment. Protest outside the HDB demanding an end to discrimination against the Malays and Indians. Protest outside the Official Assignee demanding a reversal of Dr. Chee's bankruptcy. Protest outside the Istana demanding a reduction in the million dollar salaries of ministers.
And these protests must be sustained and not let up until your demands are met. I have no doubt in my mind that every civil servant, every judge, every clerk, everyone, every Singaporean, deep in their hearts, is in fact very much on the side of the opposition. If they act in a manner prejudicial and unfair towards the opposition, it is because they fear Lee Kuan Yew. Sustained protests demanding justice, will I believe, have a redeeming and salving effect on them and they will, in the end mend their ways and become honest men and women.
In fact the opposition, by which I means the Singapore Democratic Party and the Reform Party should concentrate firstly on these sustained protests to bring these pillars of power to see reason. This is the fundamental and first objective. Only the second objective is entering Parliament.
The people of Singapore are confusing the Parliamentary system there, which in fact it is not, to the parliamentary system in countries such as the UK. In the UK, the courts newspapers and the civil service are all independent. Moreover the power lies in the people, who are fully aware of their rights. In Singapore, everything is in the hands of Lee. And therefore Parliament means very little or nothing.
My message to the opposition is this. Work on the institutions on the ground first. Make them realise their duty to justice and equality. While this work goes on, work on Parliament.
This has to be done by protest, first.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
The Reform Party Party's official beginning with Jeyaretnam's full return to politics and a clear indication that it will work with Dr. Chee's SDP is all very good news. The question now is, what is the plan?
Lets look at Singapore now. Lee controls every possible organ of power, the judiciary, the press, the media, everything. Therefore regardless of whether Jeyaretnam wins a seat at the next election or even the SDP winning 4 seats will make no difference at all. You know the pattern already. If the opposition winners are of the calibre of Francis Seow or Dr. Chee, they will not be allowed to take their seats in Parliament. Before its sitting, Lee would have organized a libel suit and the worthy opponent would be worthy no more, by being kicked out of Parliament through bankruptcy.
Jeyaretnam has been in politics for a long time. With all due respect given to him; except for taking great punishment at the hands of Lee, he has not managed to further democracy in Singapore at all. If at all, Jeyaretnam had caused Lee to tighten the screws even more. For instance, during his time, Privy Council appeals were abolished and across the board, laws became harsher with increased punishments.
And as long as Lee continues to have a majority of even one in Parliament, he will continue to do whatever he wants, because all the pillars of government that matter; the judiciary, the media, the finance everything, remains under his absolute control. Regardless of how much wisdom there is in their cause, or how many speeches they make in Parliament, Lee can just ignore it and there is nothing that Jeya or Dr. Chee can do, since the courts and everybody else are beholden to Lee, not to Parliament or to the truth.
So if all what Jeya hopes to do is to stand for elections, win one seat for himself, enter Parliament and make his speeches for 5 years, I really don't think Lee would object at all. In fact Lee may even facilitate Jeya's victory this time, since there is nothing for them to lose. Lee can give Jeya time to talk. And Lee will just ignore it, for another 5 years! It would be the same if Dr. Chee got into Parliament.
What we have to understand is; that the power in Singapore, lies not in Parliamentary speeches; it lies in the pillars of power; which so happens, all of them being beholden to Lee and Lee alone. It lies in the newspaper. You have to convince the paper to be impartial, which it is not. It lies in the judiciary. You have to convince the judiciary to be impartial, which it is not. You have to convince the police force that it is not the private security of Lee Kuan Yew. Convince the civil service to be fair. Convince the colleges to be fair. Convince the HDB not to discriminate against the Malays and Indians. Convince the Civil Service not to issue visas for unlimited numbers of immigrants from China, because it is these pillars where the power actually lies. The question is, how do you do it?
It is impossible to make the aforementioned organizations impartial by speeches in Parliament. They are not going to listen. So what do you do?
The bigger and important task in bringing about democracy is to instill a sense of fairness in these people. A realisation that they are not beholden to Lee as they think. Without that realization, no amount of speeches in Parliament can bring that about. Change has to come by forcing these organizations to realize that what they do is wrong. So I come back to where I started. The answer lies in protests.
Protest outside the courts demanding justice and fairness. Protest outside Straits Times demanding impartiality in reporting. Protest outside the Civil Service demanding equal treatment. Protest outside the HDB demanding an end to discrimination against the Malays and Indians. Protest outside the Official Assignee demanding a reversal of Dr. Chee's bankruptcy. Protest outside the Istana demanding a reduction in the million dollar salaries of ministers.
And these protests must be sustained and not let up until your demands are met. I have no doubt in my mind that every civil servant, every judge, every clerk, everyone, every Singaporean, deep in their hearts, is in fact very much on the side of the opposition. If they act in a manner prejudicial and unfair towards the opposition, it is because they fear Lee Kuan Yew. Sustained protests demanding justice, will I believe, have a redeeming and salving effect on them and they will, in the end mend their ways and become honest men and women.
In fact the opposition, by which I means the Singapore Democratic Party and the Reform Party should concentrate firstly on these sustained protests to bring these pillars of power to see reason. This is the fundamental and first objective. Only the second objective is entering Parliament.
The people of Singapore are confusing the Parliamentary system there, which in fact it is not, to the parliamentary system in countries such as the UK. In the UK, the courts newspapers and the civil service are all independent. Moreover the power lies in the people, who are fully aware of their rights. In Singapore, everything is in the hands of Lee. And therefore Parliament means very little or nothing.
My message to the opposition is this. Work on the institutions on the ground first. Make them realise their duty to justice and equality. While this work goes on, work on Parliament.
This has to be done by protest, first.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. We reserve the right to publish your letters. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Letter from 15 year old Ernest Chen, Saturday 19th April 2008
Dear Mr Gopalan Nair ,
My name is Ernest Chen and I am a Singaporean student studying in Singapore and I am 15 this year. I have been faithful in reading your blog entries since the start of this year and I really enjoy your critical comments on Singapore and the government. I really agree that living in Singapore is unbearable and I am sure that you would be delighted to know that not all students are brainwashed by the Singapore's regimented education system.
Hence, I would like to ask for permission for the use of your blog entries. Of course, I will not copy chunks of words from your blog, instead, I will want to use your ideas, and come out with essays on my own, using my own words. The idea and structure will be resemble yours, but the the words I use will be simpler as my target is to students like me.
So again, I would like to ask for your permission to adapt your posts to put them on my blog. I hope you would consider allowing me to do so.
I hope that you would reply to my email.
Thank you very much.
Ernest Chen
Hello Ernest,
Permission readily and gladly given.
Thank you very much
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 20th 2008
My name is Ernest Chen and I am a Singaporean student studying in Singapore and I am 15 this year. I have been faithful in reading your blog entries since the start of this year and I really enjoy your critical comments on Singapore and the government. I really agree that living in Singapore is unbearable and I am sure that you would be delighted to know that not all students are brainwashed by the Singapore's regimented education system.
Hence, I would like to ask for permission for the use of your blog entries. Of course, I will not copy chunks of words from your blog, instead, I will want to use your ideas, and come out with essays on my own, using my own words. The idea and structure will be resemble yours, but the the words I use will be simpler as my target is to students like me.
So again, I would like to ask for your permission to adapt your posts to put them on my blog. I hope you would consider allowing me to do so.
I hope that you would reply to my email.
Thank you very much.
Ernest Chen
Hello Ernest,
Permission readily and gladly given.
Thank you very much
Gopalan Nair
Fremont, California
April 20th 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Jayakumar's misplaced praise for Singapore ISD
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the article of the state controlled Singapore newspaper the Straits Times of April 14, 2008 "Outstanding work of security agencies should not be overlooked: Jayakumar"; instead of the glowing and flowery praise that he freely bestows on the Singapore Internal Security Department (ISD), it should instead be condemned and the department shut down!
He says, the Singapore people should forgive the ISD for permitting Mas Salamat Kastari to escape from Whitely Detention Facility recently because one small blemish should not detract from the good work they have done over many years; for which, he claims, they should be given credit.
He claims the ISD has done excellent work in keeping Singapore safe by, among other remarkable achievements; foiling the attacks from the Communists, the Japanese Red Army, Tamil Tigers, the Palestine Liberation Organization and more recently the Jama Islamia! Very well said and done, but how come none of us have heard any of this?
Well the sly Jayakumar, having anticipated this justifiable question in light of the obvious facts, conveniently says " Most of the time, however, the men and women of the ISD work away from the public eye". Very convenient indeed Mr. Jayakumar, and perhaps that explains why we have never heard of the ISD's bravery and superhuman exploits against the Tamil Tigers and the PLO and the various other fearsome organizations that he mentions! Or is it because none of it happened; all of it being a figment of his vivid imagination!
But we have heard a lot about the ISD, otherwise. The state controlled newspaper the Straits Times in 1988, had several full pages of its propaganda sheets dedicated exclusively to an opposition politician, Francis Seow, who was detained there, all because he threatened to contest the 1988 national elections against Lee Kuan Yew! Far from being a threat to national security, the only threat posed by Francis Seow was to Lee Kuan Yew's position as Prime Minister in the upcoming elections. A complete misuse of the ISD, you may say. Instead of being used to defend against threats to the State, it is an instrument misused by this government to destroy Lee's political opponents.
We also read extensively, thanks to the state controlled paper which again devoted several full pages to the arrest detention and torture in 1987, by the Internal Security Department of 22 men and women who were working for social causes in Singapore, conveniently dubbed "The Marxist Conspirators" by Lee Kuan Yew.
Again these people were no threats to the state, but only to Lee's illegal hold on power. They were a group of highly educated young men and women, including lawyers and doctors and priests who felt the need to help the poor and needy, by organizing programs throughout the island in social work. Unfortunately, Lee Kuan Yew felt that these people were too good for him to handle; they may become a threat to his position as Singapore's dictator, and ordered their detention under the ISD; where they were tortured and abused for more than a year. After their eventual release, a few of them remained in Singapore and others escaped to Hong Kong and various other countries, never to return.
We have also heard of the arrest of Lim Chin Seong, a political opponent of Lee Kuan Yew who was detained, tortured and beaten by the ISD, eventually being released into exile and finally driven to his death. We have also heard another man who also had the pleasure of living in Whitley Detention Center under the auspices of Lee Kuan Yew. Second to Nelson Mandela, the legendary former South African president and freedom fighter; Mr. Chia Thye Poh was detained tortured beaten and kept in solitary confinement for 26 years, a runner up for the position of world's longest serving political prisoner! Lim Chin Seong and Chia Thye Poh were not a danger to national security. But they were threats to Lee Kuan Yew's position as Prime Minister.
These facts we know. But we do not know what was on with the PLO, the Tamil Tigers, the Japanese Army, the Indian National Army, the Symbionese Liberation Army and Maoists of Nepal and how even remotely, any of them had anything to do with the Singapore ISD, except for what Jayakumar is telling us. But oops, I forgot. You see, according to Jayakumar, it is all hush hush. You are not supposed to know!
But wait a minute! If it was all hush hush, why was pages upon pages of the Straits Times dedicated exclusively to the arrest and detention and torture of Mr. Francis Seow and the Marxist Conspirators?
I am going to say this to Jayakumar. Stop giving us this whole load of humbug. We are tired of it. Admit it. The Singapore Internal Security Department and the Whitely Detention Center are only good at arresting detaining torturing and obtaining forced confessions from Lee Kuan Yew's peaceful and law abiding political opponents; honest decent human beings. And it is done purely to maintain the dictatorial rule of Lee Kuan Yew; not to thwart any dangerous threat to state security; and never has it ever been used for that purpose.
And far from these arrests by the ISD being hush hush, each time someone is arrested, the state controlled newspaper, the Straits Times, goes into top gear, with fanfare and drum beat, to devote almost the entire paper to these arrests, not just for one day but for several days at a time.
As far as what Singaporeans know in their entire lifetime; the ISD and the Whitley Detention Center has been used for one purpose and one purpose alone, that is to keep Lee Kuan Yew and his family in power. Lee uses these ISD officers to abuse his fellow citizens by arresting and torturing them because Lee wants them out of his way. A shameful man, Lee Kuan Yew and shameful ISD officers who do his dirty work for him.
With years upon years of shame, the ISD and Whitley Detention Center where these abuses are carried out on a daily basis, now stand thoroughly discredited. Just as Evin Prison outside of Tehran in 1979 where the Shah tortured his opponents with electric shocks and all manner of brutality; just as Abu Garib detention facility in Baghdad where innocent men and women were stripped naked and made to face threatening dogs; just as the Gulag in Russian Siberia where Stalin tortured his political opponents; so too stands the dreaded Whitley Detention Center, in disgrace, in shame and in infamy.
The Whitley Detention stands as a shame to the State of Singapore and like the infamous dreaded Devil's Island in French Guiana, the sooner it is shut down the better.
And Mr. Jayakumar, could you please stop giving us anymore fairy tales.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
In the article of the state controlled Singapore newspaper the Straits Times of April 14, 2008 "Outstanding work of security agencies should not be overlooked: Jayakumar"; instead of the glowing and flowery praise that he freely bestows on the Singapore Internal Security Department (ISD), it should instead be condemned and the department shut down!
He says, the Singapore people should forgive the ISD for permitting Mas Salamat Kastari to escape from Whitely Detention Facility recently because one small blemish should not detract from the good work they have done over many years; for which, he claims, they should be given credit.
He claims the ISD has done excellent work in keeping Singapore safe by, among other remarkable achievements; foiling the attacks from the Communists, the Japanese Red Army, Tamil Tigers, the Palestine Liberation Organization and more recently the Jama Islamia! Very well said and done, but how come none of us have heard any of this?
Well the sly Jayakumar, having anticipated this justifiable question in light of the obvious facts, conveniently says " Most of the time, however, the men and women of the ISD work away from the public eye". Very convenient indeed Mr. Jayakumar, and perhaps that explains why we have never heard of the ISD's bravery and superhuman exploits against the Tamil Tigers and the PLO and the various other fearsome organizations that he mentions! Or is it because none of it happened; all of it being a figment of his vivid imagination!
But we have heard a lot about the ISD, otherwise. The state controlled newspaper the Straits Times in 1988, had several full pages of its propaganda sheets dedicated exclusively to an opposition politician, Francis Seow, who was detained there, all because he threatened to contest the 1988 national elections against Lee Kuan Yew! Far from being a threat to national security, the only threat posed by Francis Seow was to Lee Kuan Yew's position as Prime Minister in the upcoming elections. A complete misuse of the ISD, you may say. Instead of being used to defend against threats to the State, it is an instrument misused by this government to destroy Lee's political opponents.
We also read extensively, thanks to the state controlled paper which again devoted several full pages to the arrest detention and torture in 1987, by the Internal Security Department of 22 men and women who were working for social causes in Singapore, conveniently dubbed "The Marxist Conspirators" by Lee Kuan Yew.
Again these people were no threats to the state, but only to Lee's illegal hold on power. They were a group of highly educated young men and women, including lawyers and doctors and priests who felt the need to help the poor and needy, by organizing programs throughout the island in social work. Unfortunately, Lee Kuan Yew felt that these people were too good for him to handle; they may become a threat to his position as Singapore's dictator, and ordered their detention under the ISD; where they were tortured and abused for more than a year. After their eventual release, a few of them remained in Singapore and others escaped to Hong Kong and various other countries, never to return.
We have also heard of the arrest of Lim Chin Seong, a political opponent of Lee Kuan Yew who was detained, tortured and beaten by the ISD, eventually being released into exile and finally driven to his death. We have also heard another man who also had the pleasure of living in Whitley Detention Center under the auspices of Lee Kuan Yew. Second to Nelson Mandela, the legendary former South African president and freedom fighter; Mr. Chia Thye Poh was detained tortured beaten and kept in solitary confinement for 26 years, a runner up for the position of world's longest serving political prisoner! Lim Chin Seong and Chia Thye Poh were not a danger to national security. But they were threats to Lee Kuan Yew's position as Prime Minister.
These facts we know. But we do not know what was on with the PLO, the Tamil Tigers, the Japanese Army, the Indian National Army, the Symbionese Liberation Army and Maoists of Nepal and how even remotely, any of them had anything to do with the Singapore ISD, except for what Jayakumar is telling us. But oops, I forgot. You see, according to Jayakumar, it is all hush hush. You are not supposed to know!
But wait a minute! If it was all hush hush, why was pages upon pages of the Straits Times dedicated exclusively to the arrest and detention and torture of Mr. Francis Seow and the Marxist Conspirators?
I am going to say this to Jayakumar. Stop giving us this whole load of humbug. We are tired of it. Admit it. The Singapore Internal Security Department and the Whitely Detention Center are only good at arresting detaining torturing and obtaining forced confessions from Lee Kuan Yew's peaceful and law abiding political opponents; honest decent human beings. And it is done purely to maintain the dictatorial rule of Lee Kuan Yew; not to thwart any dangerous threat to state security; and never has it ever been used for that purpose.
And far from these arrests by the ISD being hush hush, each time someone is arrested, the state controlled newspaper, the Straits Times, goes into top gear, with fanfare and drum beat, to devote almost the entire paper to these arrests, not just for one day but for several days at a time.
As far as what Singaporeans know in their entire lifetime; the ISD and the Whitley Detention Center has been used for one purpose and one purpose alone, that is to keep Lee Kuan Yew and his family in power. Lee uses these ISD officers to abuse his fellow citizens by arresting and torturing them because Lee wants them out of his way. A shameful man, Lee Kuan Yew and shameful ISD officers who do his dirty work for him.
With years upon years of shame, the ISD and Whitley Detention Center where these abuses are carried out on a daily basis, now stand thoroughly discredited. Just as Evin Prison outside of Tehran in 1979 where the Shah tortured his opponents with electric shocks and all manner of brutality; just as Abu Garib detention facility in Baghdad where innocent men and women were stripped naked and made to face threatening dogs; just as the Gulag in Russian Siberia where Stalin tortured his political opponents; so too stands the dreaded Whitley Detention Center, in disgrace, in shame and in infamy.
The Whitley Detention stands as a shame to the State of Singapore and like the infamous dreaded Devil's Island in French Guiana, the sooner it is shut down the better.
And Mr. Jayakumar, could you please stop giving us anymore fairy tales.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Totalitarian countries such as China and Singapore can never aspire to reach the levels of free democracies.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Despite the high rate of economic development in totalitarian countries such as China and Singapore; one thing is certain. No matter how much they try; their suppression of free speech and expression, an essential element for the rise of nations; will prevent them from ever overtaking free liberal democracies of the world.
Suppression of free speech gives them an initial advantage; to execute public policies and projects faster than in democracies; because time is not wasted on public debate and criticism. This permits better focus; drastically reducing time from conception of public policies to completion; whereas in democracies, time consuming public debate and participation slows the speed at which public policy is executed.
Although execution of policy is more more efficient and speedier in dictatorships, their eventual work product will always remain inferior to that of democracies. In democracies, because of the mutual respect that the governments have for their people, and the people for their government; the government and the people are in a healthy partnership, both committed to their country and striving for its betterment. Both considering themselves equal partners in the common objective to advance their country.
In democracies, the government correctly realises that the people are an asset in their work of governance, and not an impediment, like they are looked upon in Singapore. Democratic governments believe that the people being intelligent and rational have valuable contributions to make in governance; in new ideas, in criticism, in approval, in approbation. Therefore these governments count themselves lucky when they have a better educated population as they can now benefit from a larger pool of ideas and wisdom. In democracies, the people and their government are two prongs of the whole, each complementing the other for the common purpose of advancement of their country.
That is why in free societies there is constant debate, constant exchange of ideas, a free press, free expression, society puling together, society pulling apart; but all the time advancing through the input of the people and the government and moving ahead, perhaps a little slower but constantly moving ahead nevertheless.
And the end product of this dialogue, dissension and co-operation between the rulers and the ruled, will always be a much better product than ever totalitarian societies can achieve. Since the final product has had the benefit of much greater input of ideas and science from the entire population.
Totalitarian governments like Singapore on the other hand do not have the benefit of public debate on matters of policy; causing them to remain in a state of permanent handicap as compared to democracies. In totalitarian countries like Singapore, the population who may have better ideas and better methods on government policy are denied the opportunity of uttering it. Such governments, in their arrogance, believe that they alone know best about everything, and therefore, there is no need to consult the people. And by doing so, they effectively deny themselves a wealth of new ideas and alternative viewpoints, which could have benefited the country immensely.
The reader by now knows that Singapore is a totalitarian dictatorship under the perpetual rule of the Lee family, since 1959! Not dissimilar to Cuba under the Castro family, or Zimbabwe under the Mugabe family. In Singapore the government, instead of respect for its people has only derision and scorn. Lee Kuan Yew had made that very clear when he declared in Parliament that he considered Singaporeans his "digits". Needless to say one can hardly have respect for a "digit". Indeed even if you try very hard, it is impossible to respect a "digit". And since you are no better than one, in Lee's eyes, you cannot expect him to listen to you.
In Singapore, every newspaper, TV station, radio station, magazine, any publication of any sort is entirely owned and controlled by the government, which has unashamedly said that the Singapore media is a tool for "nation building". Another way of saying that what it publishes is government propaganda. You guessed it. Just like the North Korean, "Pyongyang Inquirer" daily.
Therefore in Singapore, deprived of the input of an entire population, the government decides on policies and their execution entirely upon a select number of government ministers and civil servants. A very small brain pool, without the benefit of the ideas of the population as a whole. In addition to the government not benefiting from the views of society, this looking down by the government upon their people and treating them like them "digits" causes a number of other negative consequences.
For one thing, the educated among Singaporeans feel insulted by their government's choosing to silence their views, causing them to disengage from participating in government policies and inducing indifference and apathy about politics. They begin to feel being treated no better than children, by a government which thinks it knows best about everything; as if they know nothing at all. They feel a sense of alienation in their own country, with government ministers showering praise upon themselves through their state controlled newspapers on a daily basis; and as if the ordinary Singaporeans never mattered at all!
In this situation, as in Singapore, the government has no respect for their people, and the people have no respect for their government. In the end, the people, unable to feel a sense of belonging in their country, with arrogant rulers like these, either withdraw completely from government participation or they leave Singapore permanently to settle elsewhere.
The reason why countries such as Singapore refuse to entertain the views of the masses through public debate must be obvious by now. If Lee allows free dialogue, there may be people out there, with better ideas, and this may result in their being overthrown. This selfish fear, prevents them from allowing debate, even though they know that shutting out debate is damaging to interests of the country.
Democracies on the other hand work entirely differently. Having been elected into government through free and fair elections, they have both the respect and moral authority to rule; unlike in Singapore where the government remains in power by rigging the elections. Where fear causes the government to keep the people at bay; hoping that they will always remain "digits".
And because of this unhealthy relationship between the people and their government in Singapore; the complete lack of support from one prong of government, their people; means that forever, these governments will continue to be deprived of the thinking and ideas of an entire population; thereby reducing the pool of ideas from which to choose for better governance.
Democracies with better educated people will always be one step ahead because they have much more resources from their partners in government, their people.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Despite the high rate of economic development in totalitarian countries such as China and Singapore; one thing is certain. No matter how much they try; their suppression of free speech and expression, an essential element for the rise of nations; will prevent them from ever overtaking free liberal democracies of the world.
Suppression of free speech gives them an initial advantage; to execute public policies and projects faster than in democracies; because time is not wasted on public debate and criticism. This permits better focus; drastically reducing time from conception of public policies to completion; whereas in democracies, time consuming public debate and participation slows the speed at which public policy is executed.
Although execution of policy is more more efficient and speedier in dictatorships, their eventual work product will always remain inferior to that of democracies. In democracies, because of the mutual respect that the governments have for their people, and the people for their government; the government and the people are in a healthy partnership, both committed to their country and striving for its betterment. Both considering themselves equal partners in the common objective to advance their country.
In democracies, the government correctly realises that the people are an asset in their work of governance, and not an impediment, like they are looked upon in Singapore. Democratic governments believe that the people being intelligent and rational have valuable contributions to make in governance; in new ideas, in criticism, in approval, in approbation. Therefore these governments count themselves lucky when they have a better educated population as they can now benefit from a larger pool of ideas and wisdom. In democracies, the people and their government are two prongs of the whole, each complementing the other for the common purpose of advancement of their country.
That is why in free societies there is constant debate, constant exchange of ideas, a free press, free expression, society puling together, society pulling apart; but all the time advancing through the input of the people and the government and moving ahead, perhaps a little slower but constantly moving ahead nevertheless.
And the end product of this dialogue, dissension and co-operation between the rulers and the ruled, will always be a much better product than ever totalitarian societies can achieve. Since the final product has had the benefit of much greater input of ideas and science from the entire population.
Totalitarian governments like Singapore on the other hand do not have the benefit of public debate on matters of policy; causing them to remain in a state of permanent handicap as compared to democracies. In totalitarian countries like Singapore, the population who may have better ideas and better methods on government policy are denied the opportunity of uttering it. Such governments, in their arrogance, believe that they alone know best about everything, and therefore, there is no need to consult the people. And by doing so, they effectively deny themselves a wealth of new ideas and alternative viewpoints, which could have benefited the country immensely.
The reader by now knows that Singapore is a totalitarian dictatorship under the perpetual rule of the Lee family, since 1959! Not dissimilar to Cuba under the Castro family, or Zimbabwe under the Mugabe family. In Singapore the government, instead of respect for its people has only derision and scorn. Lee Kuan Yew had made that very clear when he declared in Parliament that he considered Singaporeans his "digits". Needless to say one can hardly have respect for a "digit". Indeed even if you try very hard, it is impossible to respect a "digit". And since you are no better than one, in Lee's eyes, you cannot expect him to listen to you.
In Singapore, every newspaper, TV station, radio station, magazine, any publication of any sort is entirely owned and controlled by the government, which has unashamedly said that the Singapore media is a tool for "nation building". Another way of saying that what it publishes is government propaganda. You guessed it. Just like the North Korean, "Pyongyang Inquirer" daily.
Therefore in Singapore, deprived of the input of an entire population, the government decides on policies and their execution entirely upon a select number of government ministers and civil servants. A very small brain pool, without the benefit of the ideas of the population as a whole. In addition to the government not benefiting from the views of society, this looking down by the government upon their people and treating them like them "digits" causes a number of other negative consequences.
For one thing, the educated among Singaporeans feel insulted by their government's choosing to silence their views, causing them to disengage from participating in government policies and inducing indifference and apathy about politics. They begin to feel being treated no better than children, by a government which thinks it knows best about everything; as if they know nothing at all. They feel a sense of alienation in their own country, with government ministers showering praise upon themselves through their state controlled newspapers on a daily basis; and as if the ordinary Singaporeans never mattered at all!
In this situation, as in Singapore, the government has no respect for their people, and the people have no respect for their government. In the end, the people, unable to feel a sense of belonging in their country, with arrogant rulers like these, either withdraw completely from government participation or they leave Singapore permanently to settle elsewhere.
The reason why countries such as Singapore refuse to entertain the views of the masses through public debate must be obvious by now. If Lee allows free dialogue, there may be people out there, with better ideas, and this may result in their being overthrown. This selfish fear, prevents them from allowing debate, even though they know that shutting out debate is damaging to interests of the country.
Democracies on the other hand work entirely differently. Having been elected into government through free and fair elections, they have both the respect and moral authority to rule; unlike in Singapore where the government remains in power by rigging the elections. Where fear causes the government to keep the people at bay; hoping that they will always remain "digits".
And because of this unhealthy relationship between the people and their government in Singapore; the complete lack of support from one prong of government, their people; means that forever, these governments will continue to be deprived of the thinking and ideas of an entire population; thereby reducing the pool of ideas from which to choose for better governance.
Democracies with better educated people will always be one step ahead because they have much more resources from their partners in government, their people.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Singapore is different things to different people.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Reading the numerous reports of the state controlled paper The Straits Times, the last one being "Singapore's new home grown legal team" dated April 16, 2008, praising the new Tamil Law Minister K Shanmugam sky high, for all his achievements both true and made up, I am prompted to write this.
Singapore is different things to different people. If you are a Singaporean, born and bred in Singapore, educated; a self respecting proud human being; living in Singapore is a pain. A pain because you are, as Lee Kuan Yew correctly put it many years ago when describing Singaporeans, a "digit". To be precise, Lee Kuan Yew's "digit". To live a life according to his terms, not yours. In a country where everything is in Lee's hands; the judiciary, Parliament, Constitution, the extent of your rights, provided you have any; where you live to work at the pleasure of Lee Kuan Yew. In other words a slavish poodle like existence. That is why many educated and discerning people emigrate, never to return. Living in Singapore for them has become intolerable. They no longer are willing to live as "digits".
Then there are Singaporeans born and bred in Singapore, highly educated, patriotic; wanting to change Singapore into a better place than what it is. A better place for them and their descendants. These are the brave admirable men and women who suffer great hardships and yet persist in their work to bring democracy to Singapore. Men and women such as Dr. Chee Soon Juan, repeatedly jailed and bankrupted because of his demand for democracy in his country.
Others such as Gandhi Ambalam, Yap Keng Ho, Chee Siok Chin, John Tan, Seelan Palay and countless others who have sacrificed a great deal and willing to sacrifice even more for what they believe in, which is freedom. These men and women hate living under tyranny too. But the difference in their case being, they are ready to stay behind and fight for change despite all odds. Great respected men and women. One cannot help but to admire their persistence, courage and tenacity. Admirable indeed.
Then there are the expatriates. British, Australians or Germans, whatever. To them Singapore is just a place to make money, either for themselves or for their European multi national companies. It makes no difference to them if they were in Kigali, Belgian Congo, or Singapore. It is all the same. They are not interested in local politics, since it does not concern them. Whether there is democracy, whether there is none; whether they cane people or they do not; whether they hang 20 year old boys for petty drug offenses or they don't; whether they jail innocent street protesters or they don't; none of this bothers them. After all it is not their country.
For these European expatriates, Singapore is one of the best places in the world. Many willing Singapore women to be had, a low crime rate, good pay, hot humid weather permitting flimsy clothing especially for women, unlimited alcohol and a friendly people. What more can a European man want; or for that matter any man. Singapore for them is a paradise.
Then there are the disgraceful ones like the new Minister for Law K Shanmugam. Like a prostitute who has just undressed ready to be ravished by her paying customer, K Shanmugam is seen with all smiles in the state controlled newspaper, jubilant that the is now the new Minister. He has also prepared himself, just as the prostitute who has stripped and waiting to be ravished; prepared himself to spend an entire career in the service of his master Lee Kuan Yew. Prepared to contort himself into obscene legal positions to please his master; to say that detention without trial is good, even if he thinks it is not; the Dr. Chee Soo Juan is a liar and a cheat after all, even if he thinks he is not; that no permits should be given to the opposition to say or do anything, even if he thinks they should; that freedom of assembly and speech does not exist, even if he thinks it does. All said to please his master Lee Kuan Yew, because his master wants them said.
In other words, K Shanmugam, the new Tamil Indian Law Minister stands now, ready and willing to spend an entire career prostituting himself for the pleasure of his master Lee Kuan Yew; just as the woman who had taken her clothes off waiting to be ravaged. And in fact, this man K Shanmugam is even more disgraced than the prostitute waiting for her client to ravish her. She may do it for once and stop. In his case, he is prepared to be abused the remainder of his working life! A shameless unconditional undertaking to Lee Kuan Yew to say or do anything he wants, regardless of how obscenely unconscionable or disgusting the demand may be!
In this class of the disgraced people, we can add all the judges in Singapore whose job it is to distort the law for the political ends of Lee; the civil servants who favor the ruling party as against the opposition, the police who carry out the orders of arrest and intimidation against Lee's opponents, and all other manner of people who benefit through nepotism and connections with the establishment. They are all prostitutes who shamelessly sell their conscience for the right price. The sort that K Shanmugam is.
To borrow a phrase form David Marshall, the first Chief Minister of Singapore, these "poor prostitutes", the shameless type of the new Tamil Minister for Law, K Shanmugam, like the expatriates, also love Singapore. To prostitute himself for the rest of his working life for the pleasure of Lee Kuan Yew, this Tamil is paid several million dollars a year.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Reading the numerous reports of the state controlled paper The Straits Times, the last one being "Singapore's new home grown legal team" dated April 16, 2008, praising the new Tamil Law Minister K Shanmugam sky high, for all his achievements both true and made up, I am prompted to write this.
Singapore is different things to different people. If you are a Singaporean, born and bred in Singapore, educated; a self respecting proud human being; living in Singapore is a pain. A pain because you are, as Lee Kuan Yew correctly put it many years ago when describing Singaporeans, a "digit". To be precise, Lee Kuan Yew's "digit". To live a life according to his terms, not yours. In a country where everything is in Lee's hands; the judiciary, Parliament, Constitution, the extent of your rights, provided you have any; where you live to work at the pleasure of Lee Kuan Yew. In other words a slavish poodle like existence. That is why many educated and discerning people emigrate, never to return. Living in Singapore for them has become intolerable. They no longer are willing to live as "digits".
Then there are Singaporeans born and bred in Singapore, highly educated, patriotic; wanting to change Singapore into a better place than what it is. A better place for them and their descendants. These are the brave admirable men and women who suffer great hardships and yet persist in their work to bring democracy to Singapore. Men and women such as Dr. Chee Soon Juan, repeatedly jailed and bankrupted because of his demand for democracy in his country.
Others such as Gandhi Ambalam, Yap Keng Ho, Chee Siok Chin, John Tan, Seelan Palay and countless others who have sacrificed a great deal and willing to sacrifice even more for what they believe in, which is freedom. These men and women hate living under tyranny too. But the difference in their case being, they are ready to stay behind and fight for change despite all odds. Great respected men and women. One cannot help but to admire their persistence, courage and tenacity. Admirable indeed.
Then there are the expatriates. British, Australians or Germans, whatever. To them Singapore is just a place to make money, either for themselves or for their European multi national companies. It makes no difference to them if they were in Kigali, Belgian Congo, or Singapore. It is all the same. They are not interested in local politics, since it does not concern them. Whether there is democracy, whether there is none; whether they cane people or they do not; whether they hang 20 year old boys for petty drug offenses or they don't; whether they jail innocent street protesters or they don't; none of this bothers them. After all it is not their country.
For these European expatriates, Singapore is one of the best places in the world. Many willing Singapore women to be had, a low crime rate, good pay, hot humid weather permitting flimsy clothing especially for women, unlimited alcohol and a friendly people. What more can a European man want; or for that matter any man. Singapore for them is a paradise.
Then there are the disgraceful ones like the new Minister for Law K Shanmugam. Like a prostitute who has just undressed ready to be ravished by her paying customer, K Shanmugam is seen with all smiles in the state controlled newspaper, jubilant that the is now the new Minister. He has also prepared himself, just as the prostitute who has stripped and waiting to be ravished; prepared himself to spend an entire career in the service of his master Lee Kuan Yew. Prepared to contort himself into obscene legal positions to please his master; to say that detention without trial is good, even if he thinks it is not; the Dr. Chee Soo Juan is a liar and a cheat after all, even if he thinks he is not; that no permits should be given to the opposition to say or do anything, even if he thinks they should; that freedom of assembly and speech does not exist, even if he thinks it does. All said to please his master Lee Kuan Yew, because his master wants them said.
In other words, K Shanmugam, the new Tamil Indian Law Minister stands now, ready and willing to spend an entire career prostituting himself for the pleasure of his master Lee Kuan Yew; just as the woman who had taken her clothes off waiting to be ravaged. And in fact, this man K Shanmugam is even more disgraced than the prostitute waiting for her client to ravish her. She may do it for once and stop. In his case, he is prepared to be abused the remainder of his working life! A shameless unconditional undertaking to Lee Kuan Yew to say or do anything he wants, regardless of how obscenely unconscionable or disgusting the demand may be!
In this class of the disgraced people, we can add all the judges in Singapore whose job it is to distort the law for the political ends of Lee; the civil servants who favor the ruling party as against the opposition, the police who carry out the orders of arrest and intimidation against Lee's opponents, and all other manner of people who benefit through nepotism and connections with the establishment. They are all prostitutes who shamelessly sell their conscience for the right price. The sort that K Shanmugam is.
To borrow a phrase form David Marshall, the first Chief Minister of Singapore, these "poor prostitutes", the shameless type of the new Tamil Minister for Law, K Shanmugam, like the expatriates, also love Singapore. To prostitute himself for the rest of his working life for the pleasure of Lee Kuan Yew, this Tamil is paid several million dollars a year.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
You must be lacking self confidence, self respect, pride or dignity to live in Singapore without complaint.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I confess, I only have respect for a handful of people living in Singapore. I have respect for Dr. Chee Soon Juan, Chee Siok Chin, Gandhi Ambalam, Yap Keng Ho and the proud men and women who have bravely protested against this government's excesses and abuse of power. I do not have respect for anyone else physically present in Singapore. And I have respect for those who have permanently left Singapore for other countries in disgust at the Singapore government.
It is impossible to remain in Singapore without engaging in civil disobedience to this government; if you happen to have even a modicum of self respect. Only a coward can live in Singapore and bring up his children there without publicly protesting against this dictatorship.
What sort of people are you anyway? No better than slaves waiting to be told what to do next or what will be next.
If you are reading this blog post, please wake up and take stock of the pathetic lives you lead. First of all, you live in a dictatorship with Lee Kuan Yew ruling over you as dictator. You have no constitutional rights; Lee decides what rights you have. No Parliament to help you; Parliament waits for Lee's orders. You cannot read what you want; the media is controlled. You have no say as to the laws; Parliament is controlled. You cannot protest even though it is your right; Lee will arrest you. You have no independent judges; Judge Belinda Ang will decide against you in 30 minutes and bankrupt you if that is what Lee wants.
You know all this. I need not say. You know that when you wake up tomorrow, it is not you who will decide your life. Lee will decide it.
What good is your education, it is like educating a donkey; what good is your money; what good is your car; what good is your annual Bangkok holiday; if you are not master of your lives?
It is a serious condemnation of almost an entire population. It is true. But nevertheless, you know that I speak the truth. I may tread heavily, but still, I speak the truth. And I must say that I am surprised that so many educated people in Singapore are prepared to live in bondage. No better than slaves.
There is no honor in remaining in Singapore and letting Lee Kuan Yew walk all over you. Staying behind in such shameful circumstances is not patriotism. It is cowardice.
The honor is in the men such as Dr. Chee Soon Juan and company who stay behind and fight this tyranny. Great honor in them. On the other hand, there is great honor in those who have packed up and left. In leaving, you have carried out your final and clearest protest. You have told Lee Kuan Yew, in no uncertain terms, as clear as crystal, the message, that he cannot have the pleasure of pushing you around anymore. There may be others who may let him do it, but you refuse. In leaving, you keep your pride and self respect intact. You walk with your head high on your shoulders.
But those who stay behind and permit Lee Kuan Yew, to kick their butts each day, metaphorically speaking, are people who obviously do not think very highly of themselves.
And my having repeatedly said this, and countless people having read this, I can expect a greater run on emigration; and also more courageous people staying back and fighting Lee through street protests. And I expect with the passage of time, the numbers of educated in Singapore will progressively decrease through emigration, the numbers of uneducated non English speaking immigrants from Communist China will increase, and the few educated ones left will be the off shore foreigners who come to make a buck and leave when the time comes.
Foreigners coming to Singapore will consider the move something like going to oil rich Lagos, Nigeria. Stay some years in the Third World Singapore to make some money, and then go home.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
I confess, I only have respect for a handful of people living in Singapore. I have respect for Dr. Chee Soon Juan, Chee Siok Chin, Gandhi Ambalam, Yap Keng Ho and the proud men and women who have bravely protested against this government's excesses and abuse of power. I do not have respect for anyone else physically present in Singapore. And I have respect for those who have permanently left Singapore for other countries in disgust at the Singapore government.
It is impossible to remain in Singapore without engaging in civil disobedience to this government; if you happen to have even a modicum of self respect. Only a coward can live in Singapore and bring up his children there without publicly protesting against this dictatorship.
What sort of people are you anyway? No better than slaves waiting to be told what to do next or what will be next.
If you are reading this blog post, please wake up and take stock of the pathetic lives you lead. First of all, you live in a dictatorship with Lee Kuan Yew ruling over you as dictator. You have no constitutional rights; Lee decides what rights you have. No Parliament to help you; Parliament waits for Lee's orders. You cannot read what you want; the media is controlled. You have no say as to the laws; Parliament is controlled. You cannot protest even though it is your right; Lee will arrest you. You have no independent judges; Judge Belinda Ang will decide against you in 30 minutes and bankrupt you if that is what Lee wants.
You know all this. I need not say. You know that when you wake up tomorrow, it is not you who will decide your life. Lee will decide it.
What good is your education, it is like educating a donkey; what good is your money; what good is your car; what good is your annual Bangkok holiday; if you are not master of your lives?
It is a serious condemnation of almost an entire population. It is true. But nevertheless, you know that I speak the truth. I may tread heavily, but still, I speak the truth. And I must say that I am surprised that so many educated people in Singapore are prepared to live in bondage. No better than slaves.
There is no honor in remaining in Singapore and letting Lee Kuan Yew walk all over you. Staying behind in such shameful circumstances is not patriotism. It is cowardice.
The honor is in the men such as Dr. Chee Soon Juan and company who stay behind and fight this tyranny. Great honor in them. On the other hand, there is great honor in those who have packed up and left. In leaving, you have carried out your final and clearest protest. You have told Lee Kuan Yew, in no uncertain terms, as clear as crystal, the message, that he cannot have the pleasure of pushing you around anymore. There may be others who may let him do it, but you refuse. In leaving, you keep your pride and self respect intact. You walk with your head high on your shoulders.
But those who stay behind and permit Lee Kuan Yew, to kick their butts each day, metaphorically speaking, are people who obviously do not think very highly of themselves.
And my having repeatedly said this, and countless people having read this, I can expect a greater run on emigration; and also more courageous people staying back and fighting Lee through street protests. And I expect with the passage of time, the numbers of educated in Singapore will progressively decrease through emigration, the numbers of uneducated non English speaking immigrants from Communist China will increase, and the few educated ones left will be the off shore foreigners who come to make a buck and leave when the time comes.
Foreigners coming to Singapore will consider the move something like going to oil rich Lagos, Nigeria. Stay some years in the Third World Singapore to make some money, and then go home.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Strike while the iron is hot.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the very recent historic Malaysian protests unseating their government, protesters should do it in Singapore now. As the saying goes strike while the iron is hot; while the Malaysian protests are still fresh in our minds.
No one can honestly doubt the great power of protests. With the Internet and instantaneous spread of news throughout the world, not only with script but also with glaring images; it is impossible for any government to ignore public protests. In the past, news of protests from one area may not have traveled to another. But now preventing news of any action in any part of the world, let alone any part of the country, is impossible.
During the Tak Boleh Tahan protest of March 15, 2008 in front of Parliament House, the entire Singapore public saw with shock and aghast the brutal way in which police officer ASP William Goh pushed and dragged unarmed law abiding protesters into police cars to be driven away to police prisons. Great damage was done to the reputation of the Singapore government that day; not so much because of the protests but because of the high handedness of the Singapore police.
Singaporeans should keep up the momentum and make hay while the going is good. Watching police brutality against these protesters on the Internet, half the population of Singapore have already been alienated against this government. Keeping up the protests and provoking the police to further such acts will alienate the other half of Singapore.
Don't let this opportunity slip you. The moment is now. Protest now. Injustices abound. There is no shortage of major issues. CPF. $3.7 million ministerial salaries. Food prices. Rice prices. The repatriation of foreigners. The suicides. The poverty. The injustice to Singapore Chinese Malays and Indians as well as others. The arrogance of Lee Junior. Press censorship. Free speech. Free expression.
Remember this. Singapore's reputation around the world has already been ruined. The SDP has successfully managed to expose the charade that goes on there. Now if you agitate, your voice will be taken even more seriously. Lee cannot afford to alienate world opinion. Singapore is not Communist China.
The power is in your hands. The power to protest. Use it.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
With the very recent historic Malaysian protests unseating their government, protesters should do it in Singapore now. As the saying goes strike while the iron is hot; while the Malaysian protests are still fresh in our minds.
No one can honestly doubt the great power of protests. With the Internet and instantaneous spread of news throughout the world, not only with script but also with glaring images; it is impossible for any government to ignore public protests. In the past, news of protests from one area may not have traveled to another. But now preventing news of any action in any part of the world, let alone any part of the country, is impossible.
During the Tak Boleh Tahan protest of March 15, 2008 in front of Parliament House, the entire Singapore public saw with shock and aghast the brutal way in which police officer ASP William Goh pushed and dragged unarmed law abiding protesters into police cars to be driven away to police prisons. Great damage was done to the reputation of the Singapore government that day; not so much because of the protests but because of the high handedness of the Singapore police.
Singaporeans should keep up the momentum and make hay while the going is good. Watching police brutality against these protesters on the Internet, half the population of Singapore have already been alienated against this government. Keeping up the protests and provoking the police to further such acts will alienate the other half of Singapore.
Don't let this opportunity slip you. The moment is now. Protest now. Injustices abound. There is no shortage of major issues. CPF. $3.7 million ministerial salaries. Food prices. Rice prices. The repatriation of foreigners. The suicides. The poverty. The injustice to Singapore Chinese Malays and Indians as well as others. The arrogance of Lee Junior. Press censorship. Free speech. Free expression.
Remember this. Singapore's reputation around the world has already been ruined. The SDP has successfully managed to expose the charade that goes on there. Now if you agitate, your voice will be taken even more seriously. Lee cannot afford to alienate world opinion. Singapore is not Communist China.
The power is in your hands. The power to protest. Use it.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
For the sake of your children, Singaporeans have to choose. Either protest or emigrate. Inaction is no option.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The time has come for a decision that matters your children. Is it in the interests of your children to be educated in Singapore? If not, stay and fight for change, or leave Singapore. The Lees have destroyed the education system. In Singapore children are being turned into robots.
In every other respect, Singapore is declining. The economy is failing; the brain drain continues unabated; lawyers are becoming an endangered species; the judiciary is completely discredited; there is no rule of law.
If you find the status quo unacceptable and wish to see change, join the protestors now, demand for democratic change, or else, pack up and emigrate with your money, your family and your children.
The Singapore ship is on a collision course with an iceberg. Either right the course now, or abandon ship. Staying on deck and doing nothing is suicide.
Singapore education is an overly regimented system where children are subject to a multitude of pointless unnecessary rules, even infants being forced to obey them under pain of punishment; a system which destroys any possibility of their developing an independent spirit and spontaneity; where obedience to rules is a way of life and considered the highest virtue.
From an early age, they are driven like robots, to merely do as they are told; to embrace authority, where any attempt to question it is immediately considered bad manners.
Homework, lots and lots of it, has to be handed in on time and any deviation from schedule it is punished severely. Children being overwhelmed with school work suppresses the natural tendency in them for play and frolic, an important part of childhood development. As a result they lose all spontaneity, they lose their curiosity, and they lose their childhood and from an early age are transformed almost into adults, with schedules, time tables and appointment diaries.
The education system in Singapore destroys their childhood, which in turn affects their performance and analytical and thinking abilities in their adulthood.
Secondary school and college students are deliberately brainwashed into believing that any opposition to Lee Kuan Yew and his son, the Prime Minister, is a bad thing and if someone were to indulge in such activity, although legal under the law, is warned that his future in Singapore is ruined, due to government reprisals and persecution.
This indoctrination and brainwashing of young men is aggravated by national service where they are yet again told to obey military orders and respect authority unconditionally. They are programmed into thinking that their rulers can never be wrong and if left to the rulers, they will be provided with food work housing everything. This in turn dampens any entrepreneurial spirit, where reliance on the government becomes a way of life.
As a result of this indoctrination and brainwashing over several years, you are left with young adults going into the work force unable to think analytically or independently.
Particularly noticeable is the universal lack of interest in anything else other than their job. No knowledge of political systems. No knowledge of the constitution. Or their rights. Or about the rest of the world. It seems to me, all they are concerned is to go to work, do what they are told, and try to make as much money as they can. What they fail to realize is, they can make much more money if they knew a bit more about things other than just work.
For instance they do not realize they have rights as citizens, that the government is beholden to them and not the other way round. They don’t seem to understand any of this.
I met 5 young Singaporeans by chance at Chinatown Restaurant along Sacramento Street, in San Francisco on Friday last. To my question, they said they knew of Dr. Chee Soon Juan but had never met him. Questioned on their thoughts of the government, they gave the standard answers; that the PAP have more experience in government whereas the opposition did not; that they were waiting for Lee Kuan Yew to die for greater freedom and the usual other mouthwash. They were much more interested in telling me about their work in the American company in Singapore and how much money they were making. Nothing else interested them.
Needless to say, they had never heard of John Stuart Mill and his “Liberty” and no doubt they will never hear of it their entire life!
Not interested in the lack of human rights in Singapore. Not interested whether Lee Kuan Yew paid himself $3.7 a year or double that! I got the distinct impression, that they did not have strong views about anything, just programmed to follow the leader. No doubt, despite their book learning, they were just wasted lives. Very sad indeed.
They would not have turned out that way had they an education in USA, UK Australia New Zealand or Europe. In western schools discipline is balanced with humanity and compassion. Completely opposed to the Singapore’s regimented system, western schools give foremost importance to the fact that each child is an individual. Each is different. Each has his strengths and weaknesses. The weaknesses are not necessarily bad as with time, they can turn into strengths. And allowing the child to develop independent thinking and respecting it even if it is not necessarily what the mainstream might expect.
These children grow up into very robust individuals. Individuals who will stand on their own anytime anywhere with no fear to question authority if that is what is necessary.
In Singapore on the other hand, children have no views at all. Right and wrong becomes irrelevant. Obedience means everything. For instance, no Singapore student has questioned why they are not allowed to hold student protest in campus! The rule says no, and that is enough for them!
After the regular dosage of indoctrination and brainwashing over the years, these children lack the ability to compete with children from the west in the global marketplace. For jobs requiring compliance to a set of orders, they will do well. But if it is to think of new ideas and new ways to stay ahead, they will fail.
Singaporeans parents who submit their children to years of this regimen in their schools are almost committing a crime upon them. You are destroying their minds. In the end, after the Singapore administration has finished with them, you are left with a spiritless soulless spineless follower, not a leader with an independent mind.
A western educated child, who because of certain personal convictions, and questions authority, takes responsibility for his decisions. And from those decisions, right or wrong, the child stumbles along his life’s passage, sometimes correct, sometimes wrong; but in the end that child is an independent child able to stand alone with confidence.
The prime example, of a Singaporean regimented education is the Prime Minster himself. All he can do is to mimic and obey Lee Kuan Yew, his father; almost as if he will be lost without him.
And what is even more ignoble of this government is the fact that they do this because it helps them remain in power; since an unquestioning obedient population is easier to control than a questioning one; and that is why as parents you are duty bound not to permit this upon your children.
Since you know that the Parliamentary system no longer works to protect your interests, for change to happen, you have no choice but to publicly protest. Of course, such action may result in government reprisals but what choice do you have?
Otherwise emigrate with your family and children. Emigration has the additional advantage for you to withdraw your CPF by relinquishing your citizenship. For the sake of your children, you have to decide one way or the other.
Requiring your child to go through the Singapore education system is deliberately making them into second rate adults. With no curiosity, and no independence of thought.
Rather a strong word to use, but I will use it anyway. A zombie.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
The time has come for a decision that matters your children. Is it in the interests of your children to be educated in Singapore? If not, stay and fight for change, or leave Singapore. The Lees have destroyed the education system. In Singapore children are being turned into robots.
In every other respect, Singapore is declining. The economy is failing; the brain drain continues unabated; lawyers are becoming an endangered species; the judiciary is completely discredited; there is no rule of law.
If you find the status quo unacceptable and wish to see change, join the protestors now, demand for democratic change, or else, pack up and emigrate with your money, your family and your children.
The Singapore ship is on a collision course with an iceberg. Either right the course now, or abandon ship. Staying on deck and doing nothing is suicide.
Singapore education is an overly regimented system where children are subject to a multitude of pointless unnecessary rules, even infants being forced to obey them under pain of punishment; a system which destroys any possibility of their developing an independent spirit and spontaneity; where obedience to rules is a way of life and considered the highest virtue.
From an early age, they are driven like robots, to merely do as they are told; to embrace authority, where any attempt to question it is immediately considered bad manners.
Homework, lots and lots of it, has to be handed in on time and any deviation from schedule it is punished severely. Children being overwhelmed with school work suppresses the natural tendency in them for play and frolic, an important part of childhood development. As a result they lose all spontaneity, they lose their curiosity, and they lose their childhood and from an early age are transformed almost into adults, with schedules, time tables and appointment diaries.
The education system in Singapore destroys their childhood, which in turn affects their performance and analytical and thinking abilities in their adulthood.
Secondary school and college students are deliberately brainwashed into believing that any opposition to Lee Kuan Yew and his son, the Prime Minister, is a bad thing and if someone were to indulge in such activity, although legal under the law, is warned that his future in Singapore is ruined, due to government reprisals and persecution.
This indoctrination and brainwashing of young men is aggravated by national service where they are yet again told to obey military orders and respect authority unconditionally. They are programmed into thinking that their rulers can never be wrong and if left to the rulers, they will be provided with food work housing everything. This in turn dampens any entrepreneurial spirit, where reliance on the government becomes a way of life.
As a result of this indoctrination and brainwashing over several years, you are left with young adults going into the work force unable to think analytically or independently.
Particularly noticeable is the universal lack of interest in anything else other than their job. No knowledge of political systems. No knowledge of the constitution. Or their rights. Or about the rest of the world. It seems to me, all they are concerned is to go to work, do what they are told, and try to make as much money as they can. What they fail to realize is, they can make much more money if they knew a bit more about things other than just work.
For instance they do not realize they have rights as citizens, that the government is beholden to them and not the other way round. They don’t seem to understand any of this.
I met 5 young Singaporeans by chance at Chinatown Restaurant along Sacramento Street, in San Francisco on Friday last. To my question, they said they knew of Dr. Chee Soon Juan but had never met him. Questioned on their thoughts of the government, they gave the standard answers; that the PAP have more experience in government whereas the opposition did not; that they were waiting for Lee Kuan Yew to die for greater freedom and the usual other mouthwash. They were much more interested in telling me about their work in the American company in Singapore and how much money they were making. Nothing else interested them.
Needless to say, they had never heard of John Stuart Mill and his “Liberty” and no doubt they will never hear of it their entire life!
Not interested in the lack of human rights in Singapore. Not interested whether Lee Kuan Yew paid himself $3.7 a year or double that! I got the distinct impression, that they did not have strong views about anything, just programmed to follow the leader. No doubt, despite their book learning, they were just wasted lives. Very sad indeed.
They would not have turned out that way had they an education in USA, UK Australia New Zealand or Europe. In western schools discipline is balanced with humanity and compassion. Completely opposed to the Singapore’s regimented system, western schools give foremost importance to the fact that each child is an individual. Each is different. Each has his strengths and weaknesses. The weaknesses are not necessarily bad as with time, they can turn into strengths. And allowing the child to develop independent thinking and respecting it even if it is not necessarily what the mainstream might expect.
These children grow up into very robust individuals. Individuals who will stand on their own anytime anywhere with no fear to question authority if that is what is necessary.
In Singapore on the other hand, children have no views at all. Right and wrong becomes irrelevant. Obedience means everything. For instance, no Singapore student has questioned why they are not allowed to hold student protest in campus! The rule says no, and that is enough for them!
After the regular dosage of indoctrination and brainwashing over the years, these children lack the ability to compete with children from the west in the global marketplace. For jobs requiring compliance to a set of orders, they will do well. But if it is to think of new ideas and new ways to stay ahead, they will fail.
Singaporeans parents who submit their children to years of this regimen in their schools are almost committing a crime upon them. You are destroying their minds. In the end, after the Singapore administration has finished with them, you are left with a spiritless soulless spineless follower, not a leader with an independent mind.
A western educated child, who because of certain personal convictions, and questions authority, takes responsibility for his decisions. And from those decisions, right or wrong, the child stumbles along his life’s passage, sometimes correct, sometimes wrong; but in the end that child is an independent child able to stand alone with confidence.
The prime example, of a Singaporean regimented education is the Prime Minster himself. All he can do is to mimic and obey Lee Kuan Yew, his father; almost as if he will be lost without him.
And what is even more ignoble of this government is the fact that they do this because it helps them remain in power; since an unquestioning obedient population is easier to control than a questioning one; and that is why as parents you are duty bound not to permit this upon your children.
Since you know that the Parliamentary system no longer works to protect your interests, for change to happen, you have no choice but to publicly protest. Of course, such action may result in government reprisals but what choice do you have?
Otherwise emigrate with your family and children. Emigration has the additional advantage for you to withdraw your CPF by relinquishing your citizenship. For the sake of your children, you have to decide one way or the other.
Requiring your child to go through the Singapore education system is deliberately making them into second rate adults. With no curiosity, and no independence of thought.
Rather a strong word to use, but I will use it anyway. A zombie.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Young men and women escape from the clutches of Lee Kuan Yew's son!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I had written on Saturday, April 5, 2008, In Singapore, in addition to the search for escaped prisoner Mas Salamat Kastari, Lee has now begun a search for a future Prime Minister!; about the official beginning of the island wide search by Lee Kuan Yew's son for a successor to succeed him in 15 years! As to the peculiarity of such an activity in a supposedly parliamentary democracy, I had already alluded to in it.
It has been reported that the search for his successor has taken proportions not dissimilar to the search for escaped prisoner Mas Selamat Kastari. As with the search for Mas Sealamt Kastari, Gurkha troops armed with M16 assault rifles, tear gas and other lethal devises and offensive tools have been going house to house, kicking open doors at HDB flats, and forcibly searching under beds and behind cabinets for the illusive successor to the Prime Minister in 15 years. A few young men in their desperation to escape the selection process had jumped off balconies and corridors, some breaking their bones in the process with one reported death in Hougang Avenue 2, a case of a young man who died from the fall in his attempt to escape from being chosen as Lee's successor!
The Singapore police have sent telephonic messages throughout the island to all Singaporeans to report if any prospective successor to Lee is found, with severe penalties with prison terms of 10 years for those who fail to report such sightings.
The search for the successor to Lee's son has even extended to the marshlands near Jurong and into all forested areas including Mandai and Pierce Reservoirs. It appears the government's greatest fear is that Lee's successor may join forces with Mas Selamat Kastari who is believed to be hiding in the jungle and together they may become an even greater threat to Changi airport, the facility which Kasatri is alleged to have threatened to blow up.
The other fear is that the Lee's successor, if he remains long enough in the jungle, in his determination to escape from being Lee's successor, may end up some sort of a Tarzan, proficient in living off the bush, learning new tricks and skills, and eventually coming to finish off Mr. Lee's son.
In their desperation to escape selection as the successor to Lee Kuan Yew's son in 15 years, some young men had even taken the desperate step of swimming to nearby islands to avoid capture and secondment into the Prime Minister job. The Singapore coast guard in their sampans (a small Malay fishing boat) with 4 hp motors have begun patrolling all nooks and corners of the waters around Pulau Ubin, Tekong and Sarimbun islands but they have yet to capture these evasive boys and girls desperate to escape from Lee's son.
It has been reported, as of yesterday, that the Singapore Police Hotline in Magazine Road, next to All Night Indian Drinking Pub, has received no less than 3000 reports of sightings of young men and women resembling Lee's successor but, alas, so far there have been no arrests.
In fact taxi driver Abdul Batang bin Abdul Kayu of 02-04, Lorong 4, Toa Payoh Lorong 2, Singapore, an improved 4 room HDB flat has in fact reported that Lee's young successor of 20 years of age, a Chinese young man who got all straight As at 12th Grade, had in fact boarded his taxi from Orchard Road to Geylang Lorong 16, but hurriedly got off and ran away before the destination when he discovered Mr. Kayu being suspicious. Mr. Abdul Kayu is now in Tanglin Police Station being interviewed by DSP Deep Singh on his information. Lee Kuan Yew is keeping his fingers crossed in hoping that this lead may result in the successful find for the elusive successor.
It has been reported that young men and women have been almost absent in public places since last week, for fear of being selected to succeed Lee's son in 15 years! They have begun to hide in every place they can, and so far the successor remains free.
Singapore Television continues to interrupt normal programming for any updates on the search. Up till now the search is covering almost every possible hideout. Every HDB flat regardless of whether it is the one room or twenty room variety. None has been spared. The police by decree have lifted the requirement for a warrant. Warrantless searches are permitted. A shoot to kill order has been given to all policeman who sees the successor trying to escape! Diplomatic requests have gone out to all neighbouring countries to repatriate the successor if found.
All in all, it is a very exciting time in Singapore. I will keep you posted on the events as they unfurl in this nationwide search for Lee's successor in 15 years time! The search has now entered its first week. Mr. Lee is confident that the successor is still within Singapore and unlikely to have escaped to Malaysia or Indonesia. By now he must be tired and worn out, not having eaten for one whole week!
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
I had written on Saturday, April 5, 2008, In Singapore, in addition to the search for escaped prisoner Mas Salamat Kastari, Lee has now begun a search for a future Prime Minister!; about the official beginning of the island wide search by Lee Kuan Yew's son for a successor to succeed him in 15 years! As to the peculiarity of such an activity in a supposedly parliamentary democracy, I had already alluded to in it.
It has been reported that the search for his successor has taken proportions not dissimilar to the search for escaped prisoner Mas Selamat Kastari. As with the search for Mas Sealamt Kastari, Gurkha troops armed with M16 assault rifles, tear gas and other lethal devises and offensive tools have been going house to house, kicking open doors at HDB flats, and forcibly searching under beds and behind cabinets for the illusive successor to the Prime Minister in 15 years. A few young men in their desperation to escape the selection process had jumped off balconies and corridors, some breaking their bones in the process with one reported death in Hougang Avenue 2, a case of a young man who died from the fall in his attempt to escape from being chosen as Lee's successor!
The Singapore police have sent telephonic messages throughout the island to all Singaporeans to report if any prospective successor to Lee is found, with severe penalties with prison terms of 10 years for those who fail to report such sightings.
The search for the successor to Lee's son has even extended to the marshlands near Jurong and into all forested areas including Mandai and Pierce Reservoirs. It appears the government's greatest fear is that Lee's successor may join forces with Mas Selamat Kastari who is believed to be hiding in the jungle and together they may become an even greater threat to Changi airport, the facility which Kasatri is alleged to have threatened to blow up.
The other fear is that the Lee's successor, if he remains long enough in the jungle, in his determination to escape from being Lee's successor, may end up some sort of a Tarzan, proficient in living off the bush, learning new tricks and skills, and eventually coming to finish off Mr. Lee's son.
In their desperation to escape selection as the successor to Lee Kuan Yew's son in 15 years, some young men had even taken the desperate step of swimming to nearby islands to avoid capture and secondment into the Prime Minister job. The Singapore coast guard in their sampans (a small Malay fishing boat) with 4 hp motors have begun patrolling all nooks and corners of the waters around Pulau Ubin, Tekong and Sarimbun islands but they have yet to capture these evasive boys and girls desperate to escape from Lee's son.
It has been reported, as of yesterday, that the Singapore Police Hotline in Magazine Road, next to All Night Indian Drinking Pub, has received no less than 3000 reports of sightings of young men and women resembling Lee's successor but, alas, so far there have been no arrests.
In fact taxi driver Abdul Batang bin Abdul Kayu of 02-04, Lorong 4, Toa Payoh Lorong 2, Singapore, an improved 4 room HDB flat has in fact reported that Lee's young successor of 20 years of age, a Chinese young man who got all straight As at 12th Grade, had in fact boarded his taxi from Orchard Road to Geylang Lorong 16, but hurriedly got off and ran away before the destination when he discovered Mr. Kayu being suspicious. Mr. Abdul Kayu is now in Tanglin Police Station being interviewed by DSP Deep Singh on his information. Lee Kuan Yew is keeping his fingers crossed in hoping that this lead may result in the successful find for the elusive successor.
It has been reported that young men and women have been almost absent in public places since last week, for fear of being selected to succeed Lee's son in 15 years! They have begun to hide in every place they can, and so far the successor remains free.
Singapore Television continues to interrupt normal programming for any updates on the search. Up till now the search is covering almost every possible hideout. Every HDB flat regardless of whether it is the one room or twenty room variety. None has been spared. The police by decree have lifted the requirement for a warrant. Warrantless searches are permitted. A shoot to kill order has been given to all policeman who sees the successor trying to escape! Diplomatic requests have gone out to all neighbouring countries to repatriate the successor if found.
All in all, it is a very exciting time in Singapore. I will keep you posted on the events as they unfurl in this nationwide search for Lee's successor in 15 years time! The search has now entered its first week. Mr. Lee is confident that the successor is still within Singapore and unlikely to have escaped to Malaysia or Indonesia. By now he must be tired and worn out, not having eaten for one whole week!
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Interregnum
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Owing to unexpectedly heavy responsibilities at work and other important matters, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of my blog posts. I do understand that many almost daily check this blog for articles. I can assure all readers that I am committed to publishing at the rate and frequency as at present, and if there is a delay here and there, I assure you it is only temporary.
I assure you I am fit as a fiddle and ready to scale even Mount Everest anytime if provoked, without oxygen! I have committed myself to this blog. Please bear with me for the interruptions at times.
We may yet be able to prove to Lee Kuan Yew, that the pen is mightier than the sword, afterall!
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Owing to unexpectedly heavy responsibilities at work and other important matters, it may be necessary to reduce the frequency of my blog posts. I do understand that many almost daily check this blog for articles. I can assure all readers that I am committed to publishing at the rate and frequency as at present, and if there is a delay here and there, I assure you it is only temporary.
I assure you I am fit as a fiddle and ready to scale even Mount Everest anytime if provoked, without oxygen! I have committed myself to this blog. Please bear with me for the interruptions at times.
We may yet be able to prove to Lee Kuan Yew, that the pen is mightier than the sword, afterall!
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Intimidation of peaceful protestors by Singapore Police
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As a Singaporean you may want to do the following. First, you may want to ask whether you wish to live in a democratic society or do you wish to live in bondage. I assume your answer is the former.
Second, you may want to ask if Singapore is indeed a democracy or is it a totalitarian state. I assume with the rule of Lee Kuan Yew since the last 40 years, with defamation actions, judges like Judge Belinda Ang who bankrupt opposition politicians by abusing the law; you would probably say it is the latter.
Third, you may want to ask if mere material possessions such as better roads, taller buildings and a minimum wage job is enough or would you in addition want self determination for each and everyone. I assume it is the latter that you desire; not merely material possessions and living like a slave, but possessions as well as freedom and liberty; so that you alone is master of your destiny.
And finally, if you realize that the normal Parliamentary process in Singapore will not permit you to achieve these objectives which are rightfully yours; you will then agree that the only way to demand what is rightfully yours, your freedom; is to engage in peaceful civil unrest to demand it. In the Singapore context; where Lee Kuan Yew shamelessly holds on to power by intimidation and abuse of the law, you must realize that you have no other choice.
The practice of the Singapore police including their actions at Tak Boleh Tahan of March 15, 2008, is to order the attendance of peaceful protesters at police stations and while there, frighten and threaten them into giving up on peaceful protests entirely.
It has to be said that the police in these instances are abandoning their duty to uphold the law as required by their oath of office as police officers; and are instead behaving like petty thugs working for the private benefit of Lee Kuan Yew. I urge these police officers to remind themselves that they are men and women too, with a conscience and with a duty towards their fellow Singaporeans, not a duty to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
I would like to remind these police officers that they are bound by solemn oath as police officers to uphold the Singapore Constitution and the laws of Singapore. They are reminded that the Constitution specifically provides for the right of Singaporeans to engage in peaceful assembly and the right of free speech and expression. They are reminded again that the gazetting of certain areas such as the entrance to Istana and Parliament House as Gazetted Areas is intended not to secure the peace but rather to deny Singaporeans the right of self expression, guaranteed under the Constitution. They are reminded that the law requiring a permit for an assembly of 5 or more people, is also illegal as a contravention of the Constitution. These laws are illegal, having been put in place by Lee Kuan Yew to ensure he remains in power and the opposition is eliminated.
I ask police officers to search their conscience and not permit themselves to be poor prostitutes for Lee Kuan Yew. I ask them to refuse dishonest assignments such as these; and they should refuse to comply with orders to arrest peaceful protesters merely exercising their constitutional rights. They should search their conscience for the truth and act with honor. Not as a servant for Lee Kuan Yew.
When arrested these innocent victims are required to attend police stations where their personal particulars are recorded. Furthermore they are repeatedly told that their jobs will be affected, their promotions will be affected and all manner of despicable intimidation is applied upon them and to their minds; the intention being they will be intimidated into agreeing never to protest again. There are some brave Singaporeans who refuse to be taken in by such intimidation but there are others who for circumstances of family and other reasons; fall victim to such illegal threats and decide to stop ever attending anymore protests.
I therefore ask the police officers to cease and desist in this disgraceful activity. Peaceful protest is an act specifically permitted by the constitution. Excuses such as the gazetting rules and the requirement for permits are without legal basis. They should refuse to arrest in these cases. Also they should stop intimidating peaceful Singaporean protesters at police stations. Stop your intimidation. Stop your threats. You serve the people, not Lee Kuan Yew. Please remember that.
As for protesters who are arrested; this is what I say. The police cannot arrest everybody. And they cannot sack and demote everyone. There are far too few people in Singapore for that. Do not be afraid. If arrested, refuse to give a statement. All you have to say is that you were merely engaging in your constitutional right of protest, and nothing more. If you refuse to cooperate, there is nothing more the police can do. I know this personally because I too was called up for interrogation by Singapore police acting in the same way they always do, like bullies. If you stand your ground and refuse, there is nothing they can do. Just as bullies everywhere, they only manage to frighten the weak. If you stand strong, they cringe and shrivel. I know this from personal experience.
Most importantly refuse to apologize or give undertakings that you will not engage in any more civil unrest. Challenge them to take you to court or else they should hold their tongue.
If more and more of Singaporeans adopt this stand of defiance and insistence on the law; these bully boys will have no business at all. As it is, I have received reliable information, the sources of which I cannot reveal for obvious reasons; that Singapore Police Force is having great difficulty in getting sufficient volunteers to arrest peaceful activists. Many police officers, both men and women, are already refusing to do the dirty work despite facing termination from employment. No matter what one says, there are some honest men and women in the Singapore Police Force. As a result the Police Force is finding it increasingly difficult to deploy officers to arrest protesters. To these valiant police officers, I say bravo!
The Singapore Police Force in arresting peaceful protesters are acting like the personal private army of Lee Kuan Yew. Nothing more than petty thugs. It is time Singaporeans told them they refuse to be intimidated. With time, one never knows; even the police might join the protesters. The police should remember, that they too are Singaporeans.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
As a Singaporean you may want to do the following. First, you may want to ask whether you wish to live in a democratic society or do you wish to live in bondage. I assume your answer is the former.
Second, you may want to ask if Singapore is indeed a democracy or is it a totalitarian state. I assume with the rule of Lee Kuan Yew since the last 40 years, with defamation actions, judges like Judge Belinda Ang who bankrupt opposition politicians by abusing the law; you would probably say it is the latter.
Third, you may want to ask if mere material possessions such as better roads, taller buildings and a minimum wage job is enough or would you in addition want self determination for each and everyone. I assume it is the latter that you desire; not merely material possessions and living like a slave, but possessions as well as freedom and liberty; so that you alone is master of your destiny.
And finally, if you realize that the normal Parliamentary process in Singapore will not permit you to achieve these objectives which are rightfully yours; you will then agree that the only way to demand what is rightfully yours, your freedom; is to engage in peaceful civil unrest to demand it. In the Singapore context; where Lee Kuan Yew shamelessly holds on to power by intimidation and abuse of the law, you must realize that you have no other choice.
The practice of the Singapore police including their actions at Tak Boleh Tahan of March 15, 2008, is to order the attendance of peaceful protesters at police stations and while there, frighten and threaten them into giving up on peaceful protests entirely.
It has to be said that the police in these instances are abandoning their duty to uphold the law as required by their oath of office as police officers; and are instead behaving like petty thugs working for the private benefit of Lee Kuan Yew. I urge these police officers to remind themselves that they are men and women too, with a conscience and with a duty towards their fellow Singaporeans, not a duty to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
I would like to remind these police officers that they are bound by solemn oath as police officers to uphold the Singapore Constitution and the laws of Singapore. They are reminded that the Constitution specifically provides for the right of Singaporeans to engage in peaceful assembly and the right of free speech and expression. They are reminded again that the gazetting of certain areas such as the entrance to Istana and Parliament House as Gazetted Areas is intended not to secure the peace but rather to deny Singaporeans the right of self expression, guaranteed under the Constitution. They are reminded that the law requiring a permit for an assembly of 5 or more people, is also illegal as a contravention of the Constitution. These laws are illegal, having been put in place by Lee Kuan Yew to ensure he remains in power and the opposition is eliminated.
I ask police officers to search their conscience and not permit themselves to be poor prostitutes for Lee Kuan Yew. I ask them to refuse dishonest assignments such as these; and they should refuse to comply with orders to arrest peaceful protesters merely exercising their constitutional rights. They should search their conscience for the truth and act with honor. Not as a servant for Lee Kuan Yew.
When arrested these innocent victims are required to attend police stations where their personal particulars are recorded. Furthermore they are repeatedly told that their jobs will be affected, their promotions will be affected and all manner of despicable intimidation is applied upon them and to their minds; the intention being they will be intimidated into agreeing never to protest again. There are some brave Singaporeans who refuse to be taken in by such intimidation but there are others who for circumstances of family and other reasons; fall victim to such illegal threats and decide to stop ever attending anymore protests.
I therefore ask the police officers to cease and desist in this disgraceful activity. Peaceful protest is an act specifically permitted by the constitution. Excuses such as the gazetting rules and the requirement for permits are without legal basis. They should refuse to arrest in these cases. Also they should stop intimidating peaceful Singaporean protesters at police stations. Stop your intimidation. Stop your threats. You serve the people, not Lee Kuan Yew. Please remember that.
As for protesters who are arrested; this is what I say. The police cannot arrest everybody. And they cannot sack and demote everyone. There are far too few people in Singapore for that. Do not be afraid. If arrested, refuse to give a statement. All you have to say is that you were merely engaging in your constitutional right of protest, and nothing more. If you refuse to cooperate, there is nothing more the police can do. I know this personally because I too was called up for interrogation by Singapore police acting in the same way they always do, like bullies. If you stand your ground and refuse, there is nothing they can do. Just as bullies everywhere, they only manage to frighten the weak. If you stand strong, they cringe and shrivel. I know this from personal experience.
Most importantly refuse to apologize or give undertakings that you will not engage in any more civil unrest. Challenge them to take you to court or else they should hold their tongue.
If more and more of Singaporeans adopt this stand of defiance and insistence on the law; these bully boys will have no business at all. As it is, I have received reliable information, the sources of which I cannot reveal for obvious reasons; that Singapore Police Force is having great difficulty in getting sufficient volunteers to arrest peaceful activists. Many police officers, both men and women, are already refusing to do the dirty work despite facing termination from employment. No matter what one says, there are some honest men and women in the Singapore Police Force. As a result the Police Force is finding it increasingly difficult to deploy officers to arrest protesters. To these valiant police officers, I say bravo!
The Singapore Police Force in arresting peaceful protesters are acting like the personal private army of Lee Kuan Yew. Nothing more than petty thugs. It is time Singaporeans told them they refuse to be intimidated. With time, one never knows; even the police might join the protesters. The police should remember, that they too are Singaporeans.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Singapore. All big things came from small beginnings.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If there is anyone who doubts the effectiveness of peaceful protests in Singapore, think again. All big things had small beginnings and this saying is particularly true in Singapore's case.
Human nature is such that men always try to follow safe courses in life. This is only natural. In Singapore, there is a nationwide fear of the Lee Administration if they were to openly show their dissatisfaction to their policies. Loss of job, demotion in their careers, ostracized from government departments and victimization.
In the past, one used to see protests in numbers no more than 2 or 3. 3 miserable people standing in a row putting up some placard or other, in a country of 4.0 million or so! Hardly a mass movement. The government would naturally feel that these 3 isolated individuals is no threat to the mighty Lee Kuan Yew family.
But this was some years ago. Steadily we have seen, over the years the numbers of peaceful protestors increasing which culminated in the Tak Boleh Tahan of March 15, 2008 at 2 pm in front of Parliament House; a huge number of 50 protestors. Oh yes, you may say 50 is hardly a huge number. But it is in the Singapore context. In Singapore 10 years ago, you would not have been able to find a single person to even raise a whimper in protest, let alone publicly doing it!
And the numbers can only increase as time goes on. More and more people will be taking to the streets in Singapore as the government will find it increasing difficult to justify punishing them. Then, with ever larger numbers out in the streets demanding justice, the Lee Regime will find it has no choice but to listen to the people to avoid a catastrophe.
As for Singaporeans it now your chance to be a part of the historic political change that is imminent in Singapore. You will not be alone as there will be thousands of others. And when that change comes, you have the benefit of the realization that among the four million Singaporeans, it was you who was its pioneer in change. It is a great feeling to have. Don’t waste that opportunity.
If you question my optimism, there are good reasons for it. Firstly, in any contest, good always has the upper hand over evil. In this case take the government policies. The Ministers paying themselves $3.7 million a year each is unacceptable to each and every Singaporean, regardless of their social status. In this case, resistance to this theft of Singapore’s wealth by these ministers is justified and noble. The refusal to give the elderly their CPF retirement savings is entirely unacceptable. The government has no excuse in not doing their duty under law.
The government has no justification whatever in denying the people their human rights such as the right to assemble, which happens to be their right under the Constitution. Everyone in Singapore bitterly hates judges like Belinda Ang who misuses the law of defamation in order to destroy Lee Kuan Yew’s opponents like Dr. Chee Soon Juan. I can go on, but you already see my point.
In all these major areas of contention, the Lee Administration has no leg to stand on at all. All they are doing at present is to use brute force and the misuse of the law to deny the citizens their rights. And when that is the case; the people, and in this case; the protestors cause is viewed with sympathy, with kindness and with support. They become the underdog suffering under the yoke of the bully, Lee Kuan Yew.
Protests in any society is usually the last resort in political action. When you have good democratic systems in place, there is no need for protests. Political disputes are handled in gentlemanly fashion in Parliament where both the government and the opposition act in a fair minded honorable manner. Where the incumbent government steps aside where it is lawfully defeated in elections making way for the opposition. Where disputes are argued in Parliament in a temperate decorous manner as gentleman do and solutions are found in a civilized democratic fashion.
But when you see that a government like that of Lee Kuan Yew is not prepared to play by the rules; when they deliberately cheat and rig elections by defamation actions and what not, to destroy the opposition, the people cannot get redress for the woes through normal Parliamentary channels. They have no choice but to resort to peaceful protests; a right which is enshrined as a fundamental right of the people in the Constitution.
In today’s age, protest is the greatest tool that any citizen can have. With instant communication throughout the world of news images and video, the damage done to the reputation of any government is infinitely greater. No government can afford to stand idly by in the face of mounting protestors. They have to either use force to stop them or they have to give in to their demands. And using force, unfortunately for governments is a double edged sword. You may initially thwart an uprising but in the end, you will have to face a much greater uprising than the one before.
Singapore is uniquely suited for protests. A highly densely built up place with great people density. Also it is an international city depending on tourism and international commerce. It cannot be seen as a place where thousands of peaceful protestors are shot. Singapore is not Tien Anmen.
As for the 50 at the Tak Boleh Tahan on March 15, 2008, the numbers will grow. I understand when Mahatma Gandhi started off in Pietermartizburg; Natal South Africa at the turn of the last century, his movement for civil rights consisted of only one man, himself! I don’t have to tell you how many millions joined him in the peaceful protests as time went on to drive the mighty British Imperials out of India. Same with Mandela, same with Martin Luther King, same with all protest movements who have succeeded throughout the world. They all have one quality in common. They had truth on their side.
In the same way in Singapore, in Dr. Chee Soon Juan's peaceful protests, he has truth on his side. He has law on his side. He has justice on his side. He has compassion on his side. Compassion for the poor. The law, in the Constitutional right to protest. The truth, since the Lee regime illegally stays in power by unlawful means. And this quality of truth and justice being on the side of Dr. Chee and the protestors; this gives them strength. And with this strength, the numbers will grow as others will see the light and join in, and then you have a full scale movement.
Everyone has his part to play in this. I can educate and disseminate these facts through this blog. The readership of this blog is steadily rising, thank you. My call to each reader to disseminate it has had positive results. The information is being widely spread. And I shall continue writing as my contribution to the cause of democracy. If in Singapore, you can join the protests. Everyone can contribute in their own small way. And it is with this combined and determined effort on everyone's part that will even topple the mighty Lee Kuan Yew.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
If there is anyone who doubts the effectiveness of peaceful protests in Singapore, think again. All big things had small beginnings and this saying is particularly true in Singapore's case.
Human nature is such that men always try to follow safe courses in life. This is only natural. In Singapore, there is a nationwide fear of the Lee Administration if they were to openly show their dissatisfaction to their policies. Loss of job, demotion in their careers, ostracized from government departments and victimization.
In the past, one used to see protests in numbers no more than 2 or 3. 3 miserable people standing in a row putting up some placard or other, in a country of 4.0 million or so! Hardly a mass movement. The government would naturally feel that these 3 isolated individuals is no threat to the mighty Lee Kuan Yew family.
But this was some years ago. Steadily we have seen, over the years the numbers of peaceful protestors increasing which culminated in the Tak Boleh Tahan of March 15, 2008 at 2 pm in front of Parliament House; a huge number of 50 protestors. Oh yes, you may say 50 is hardly a huge number. But it is in the Singapore context. In Singapore 10 years ago, you would not have been able to find a single person to even raise a whimper in protest, let alone publicly doing it!
And the numbers can only increase as time goes on. More and more people will be taking to the streets in Singapore as the government will find it increasing difficult to justify punishing them. Then, with ever larger numbers out in the streets demanding justice, the Lee Regime will find it has no choice but to listen to the people to avoid a catastrophe.
As for Singaporeans it now your chance to be a part of the historic political change that is imminent in Singapore. You will not be alone as there will be thousands of others. And when that change comes, you have the benefit of the realization that among the four million Singaporeans, it was you who was its pioneer in change. It is a great feeling to have. Don’t waste that opportunity.
If you question my optimism, there are good reasons for it. Firstly, in any contest, good always has the upper hand over evil. In this case take the government policies. The Ministers paying themselves $3.7 million a year each is unacceptable to each and every Singaporean, regardless of their social status. In this case, resistance to this theft of Singapore’s wealth by these ministers is justified and noble. The refusal to give the elderly their CPF retirement savings is entirely unacceptable. The government has no excuse in not doing their duty under law.
The government has no justification whatever in denying the people their human rights such as the right to assemble, which happens to be their right under the Constitution. Everyone in Singapore bitterly hates judges like Belinda Ang who misuses the law of defamation in order to destroy Lee Kuan Yew’s opponents like Dr. Chee Soon Juan. I can go on, but you already see my point.
In all these major areas of contention, the Lee Administration has no leg to stand on at all. All they are doing at present is to use brute force and the misuse of the law to deny the citizens their rights. And when that is the case; the people, and in this case; the protestors cause is viewed with sympathy, with kindness and with support. They become the underdog suffering under the yoke of the bully, Lee Kuan Yew.
Protests in any society is usually the last resort in political action. When you have good democratic systems in place, there is no need for protests. Political disputes are handled in gentlemanly fashion in Parliament where both the government and the opposition act in a fair minded honorable manner. Where the incumbent government steps aside where it is lawfully defeated in elections making way for the opposition. Where disputes are argued in Parliament in a temperate decorous manner as gentleman do and solutions are found in a civilized democratic fashion.
But when you see that a government like that of Lee Kuan Yew is not prepared to play by the rules; when they deliberately cheat and rig elections by defamation actions and what not, to destroy the opposition, the people cannot get redress for the woes through normal Parliamentary channels. They have no choice but to resort to peaceful protests; a right which is enshrined as a fundamental right of the people in the Constitution.
In today’s age, protest is the greatest tool that any citizen can have. With instant communication throughout the world of news images and video, the damage done to the reputation of any government is infinitely greater. No government can afford to stand idly by in the face of mounting protestors. They have to either use force to stop them or they have to give in to their demands. And using force, unfortunately for governments is a double edged sword. You may initially thwart an uprising but in the end, you will have to face a much greater uprising than the one before.
Singapore is uniquely suited for protests. A highly densely built up place with great people density. Also it is an international city depending on tourism and international commerce. It cannot be seen as a place where thousands of peaceful protestors are shot. Singapore is not Tien Anmen.
As for the 50 at the Tak Boleh Tahan on March 15, 2008, the numbers will grow. I understand when Mahatma Gandhi started off in Pietermartizburg; Natal South Africa at the turn of the last century, his movement for civil rights consisted of only one man, himself! I don’t have to tell you how many millions joined him in the peaceful protests as time went on to drive the mighty British Imperials out of India. Same with Mandela, same with Martin Luther King, same with all protest movements who have succeeded throughout the world. They all have one quality in common. They had truth on their side.
In the same way in Singapore, in Dr. Chee Soon Juan's peaceful protests, he has truth on his side. He has law on his side. He has justice on his side. He has compassion on his side. Compassion for the poor. The law, in the Constitutional right to protest. The truth, since the Lee regime illegally stays in power by unlawful means. And this quality of truth and justice being on the side of Dr. Chee and the protestors; this gives them strength. And with this strength, the numbers will grow as others will see the light and join in, and then you have a full scale movement.
Everyone has his part to play in this. I can educate and disseminate these facts through this blog. The readership of this blog is steadily rising, thank you. My call to each reader to disseminate it has had positive results. The information is being widely spread. And I shall continue writing as my contribution to the cause of democracy. If in Singapore, you can join the protests. Everyone can contribute in their own small way. And it is with this combined and determined effort on everyone's part that will even topple the mighty Lee Kuan Yew.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Is this Singapore's Chief Justice Chan's confession?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
If ever I have read a more cryptic, a more disguised, veiled, statement or threat of any person, this is it. I am referring to the article in Singapore’s state controlled newspaper the Straits Times of April 04, 2008 titled "Let all have access to justice: CJ Chan".
The entire report, no matter which way one wants to look at it, appears to be one thing, and one thing alone. A mea culpa. It appears the Chief Justice has finally had pangs of conscience hurting him, and now it is time for him to admit once and for all, that the Singapore legal system is not that free at all!
A careful reading of the state controlled newspaper report looks like this.
He says "Singapore Lower Courts have been placed high in international rankings but what matters is the quality of justice people here receive".
Just what is he saying here? Is he finally admitting that these international rankings that the government so proudly publishes are rankings not to judge whether the law is impartially applied; but instead, to judge how fast cases are dealt with and money recovered.
Is he admitting that all respected international organizations who truly judge whether rule of law and human rights exist; such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have stated repeatedly that Singapore courts do not exercise the rule of law?
Is he therefore admitting finally that Singapore does not practice the rule of law, and that Singapore is nothing more than a dictatorship ruled by Lee's dictates? Is he now saying that the time has finally come for Singapore judges to actually behave as judges and not as PAP politicians?
Chief Justice Chan says "While ranking matters, they should not detract from what matters".
Again, we see what appears to be an admission that these rankings such as PERC, a Hong Kong based organization which caters to multi national businesses, gives high marks consistently to Singapore legal system; because it is more concerned about how much profit off shore businessmen can make in Singapore; not how much justice an ordinary Singaporean Dr. Chee Soon Juan can get in Singapore’s courts.
When he says "they should not detract from what matters" is he now admitting there is in fact a serious problem with the state of the law in Singapore, because of a lack of an independent judiciary, and that something should be finally done about it?
"We should not allow them to dominate and overwhelm our own assessment of the quality of justice that we administer to our people" Are we seeing an admission that he has neglected to examine the quality of justice in Singapore; that rule of law is indeed lacking and that something now has to be done about it?
He then goes on to directly and deliberately admit that these foreign rankings that Lee Kuan Yew has selectively relied upon were "limited to certain aspects of justice such as how fast litigants can get a judgment from the courts and enforce them, as in cases in debt recovery and bankruptcy".
Is he therefore finally admitting that Lee Kuan Yew and his government have been downright untruthful and dishonest all these past 40 years when they routinely went around trumpeting the fact that Singapore follows the rule of law based on these one sided reports; but they knew all along that Singapore judges are not impartial, beholden to Lee Kuan Yew and the law is nothing more than decrees which he executes through his compliant judges.
Is he finally admitting that not only Lee Kuan Yew but he himself has been somewhat untruthful all these years!
And here he finally admits that “these rankings surveys serve as a useful purpose in alerting foreign investors to the potential strengths and weaknesses of the judicial or legal systems of the countries".
Is this therefore an admission, belated, but still welcome that these business orientated rankings, do nothing for the average Fatima binte Kastari, in her claim that she did not violate the law, in the exercise of her constitutional right of freedom of assembly, when she protested at the Tak Boleh Tahan, in front of Parliament House?
I have no doubt in my mind that the Chief Justice of Singapore was trying to tell us something. Since if he was trying to say two and two are four, he could have done a much better job.
Let us hope that our expectation is indeed correct. That Mr. Chan Sek Keong, the Chief Justice of Singapore has finally seen the light, realized the folly of his ways and has finally picked up the courage as Thomas Beckett did in King Henry's court; and has finally declared that business cannot go on as usual. The time has finally come for the rule of law and democracy!
And let us hope that finally he has decided after all to become a judge, and not carry on in those robes as a PAP politician.
If that is in fact your intention, well done old man. But the question is, if you did what you threaten, will you end up as a bookseller just as JB Jeyaretnam and Dr. Chee Soon Juan have become, after inviting the wrath of the tiger, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
Please tell us more, Mr. Chief Justice.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
If ever I have read a more cryptic, a more disguised, veiled, statement or threat of any person, this is it. I am referring to the article in Singapore’s state controlled newspaper the Straits Times of April 04, 2008 titled "Let all have access to justice: CJ Chan".
The entire report, no matter which way one wants to look at it, appears to be one thing, and one thing alone. A mea culpa. It appears the Chief Justice has finally had pangs of conscience hurting him, and now it is time for him to admit once and for all, that the Singapore legal system is not that free at all!
A careful reading of the state controlled newspaper report looks like this.
He says "Singapore Lower Courts have been placed high in international rankings but what matters is the quality of justice people here receive".
Just what is he saying here? Is he finally admitting that these international rankings that the government so proudly publishes are rankings not to judge whether the law is impartially applied; but instead, to judge how fast cases are dealt with and money recovered.
Is he admitting that all respected international organizations who truly judge whether rule of law and human rights exist; such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have stated repeatedly that Singapore courts do not exercise the rule of law?
Is he therefore admitting finally that Singapore does not practice the rule of law, and that Singapore is nothing more than a dictatorship ruled by Lee's dictates? Is he now saying that the time has finally come for Singapore judges to actually behave as judges and not as PAP politicians?
Chief Justice Chan says "While ranking matters, they should not detract from what matters".
Again, we see what appears to be an admission that these rankings such as PERC, a Hong Kong based organization which caters to multi national businesses, gives high marks consistently to Singapore legal system; because it is more concerned about how much profit off shore businessmen can make in Singapore; not how much justice an ordinary Singaporean Dr. Chee Soon Juan can get in Singapore’s courts.
When he says "they should not detract from what matters" is he now admitting there is in fact a serious problem with the state of the law in Singapore, because of a lack of an independent judiciary, and that something should be finally done about it?
"We should not allow them to dominate and overwhelm our own assessment of the quality of justice that we administer to our people" Are we seeing an admission that he has neglected to examine the quality of justice in Singapore; that rule of law is indeed lacking and that something now has to be done about it?
He then goes on to directly and deliberately admit that these foreign rankings that Lee Kuan Yew has selectively relied upon were "limited to certain aspects of justice such as how fast litigants can get a judgment from the courts and enforce them, as in cases in debt recovery and bankruptcy".
Is he therefore finally admitting that Lee Kuan Yew and his government have been downright untruthful and dishonest all these past 40 years when they routinely went around trumpeting the fact that Singapore follows the rule of law based on these one sided reports; but they knew all along that Singapore judges are not impartial, beholden to Lee Kuan Yew and the law is nothing more than decrees which he executes through his compliant judges.
Is he finally admitting that not only Lee Kuan Yew but he himself has been somewhat untruthful all these years!
And here he finally admits that “these rankings surveys serve as a useful purpose in alerting foreign investors to the potential strengths and weaknesses of the judicial or legal systems of the countries".
Is this therefore an admission, belated, but still welcome that these business orientated rankings, do nothing for the average Fatima binte Kastari, in her claim that she did not violate the law, in the exercise of her constitutional right of freedom of assembly, when she protested at the Tak Boleh Tahan, in front of Parliament House?
I have no doubt in my mind that the Chief Justice of Singapore was trying to tell us something. Since if he was trying to say two and two are four, he could have done a much better job.
Let us hope that our expectation is indeed correct. That Mr. Chan Sek Keong, the Chief Justice of Singapore has finally seen the light, realized the folly of his ways and has finally picked up the courage as Thomas Beckett did in King Henry's court; and has finally declared that business cannot go on as usual. The time has finally come for the rule of law and democracy!
And let us hope that finally he has decided after all to become a judge, and not carry on in those robes as a PAP politician.
If that is in fact your intention, well done old man. But the question is, if you did what you threaten, will you end up as a bookseller just as JB Jeyaretnam and Dr. Chee Soon Juan have become, after inviting the wrath of the tiger, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.
Please tell us more, Mr. Chief Justice.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Letter from Daniel Lim, 6th April 2008
Following letter from Daniel Lim, verbatim, unedited
April 06, 2008
Dear Mr. Nair,
I hope what you said will one day come true, Lee is gone, the sooner the better. He has been a dictator for more than 40 years, should have been enough good life for him, God has been very kind to him and his family. Lee Kuan Yew has everything he wants in life, good food, good wine, etc
The problem is he is still going strong at his age, don't seems to get sick or on MC, so far never heard Lee Kuan Yew on MC. His mind is still sharp and alert, people said that he has been going thru blood transfusion, renewing his blood with blood from young people, some sort like vampire sucking virgin blood from women, not sure whether it is a fact or a myth? At the moment, Lee Kuan Yew has been keeping himself alive as long as possible, the reason is not because he wanted to have more title, like Supreme Senior Minister Mentor (SSMM), I guess he is more concern about his son, Lee Hsien Loong, it seems like his son don't have leadership quality to lead Singapore, Of course, Lee Kuan Yew took years to build up Singapore, he will not want to see PAP being ruined by his incompetent son, and his son still needs papa to be around. Without papa, there is no good wine, good woman, good money for Lee Hsien Loong and the generation after.
The Lee's family has been owing many assets, hoding high ranking position in private as well as government sectors, they have indirectly or directly involved over many things such as power station, transportation sectors, the media, stock market, airlines, telecommunication, public and private housing etc. Singapore is being runs like a business corporation, a money making places for them not like a democratic country.Who said Singapore never practice nepotism, who said Singapore don't have corruption.
Do you why the minister being overly pay? It is to silent them, as they knew some of the dirty secret inside, not because the government wanted to keep good people. Who dare to critise the pay master who pay them extremely well? Just close one eye.
Even the minister are pay well above market rate, they don't seems to perform that well, still screw things up and give excuses.
Mr. Nair, you are very lucky to have left Singapore with all your CPF saving, really good for you. Those who still in Singapore had to tolerate and listen to Lee Kuan Yew propaganda, we feels like living in North Korea, listing to the great leader Kim. Many of my friend who went overseas, I usually advise them not to return to Singapore, as you will not find any opportunity, as long as PAP is around. You can never reach the top especially in government sector, the top most is reserved for you know who.
Right now, the Lee's government is eyeing on our CPF, they claimed we needs to work until the age of 80, as they claimed that the CPF money is not enough for Singaporean retirement. What kind of bullshit! The CPF fund was set-up to secure our retirement, now they said the opposite, the CPF funds has been channel to some uses which we are not fully aware, we have been hidden from the truth. Do you ever wonder, those old folks who do not have any relative or next-of-kin, if they passed away, what happened to the CPF saving inside their account? Where will it channel to? This question has been lurking in everyone minds for sometimes.
I ready do hope there are resistance happening as you have mentioned in your previous mail, sad to said every election PAP always win, that confirmed for sure. Every election, PAP will offer some money, in other countries this called vote buying, in Singapore, they named it as GST rebates, NSS shares etc.
The opposition party at the moment do not have the talent and resources to stand up to PAP, those who are outspoken, either outlawed, outcasted or make bankrupt by PAP. I don't believe in one party government, it is very dangerous for Singapore, too much power under one person is not a good idea. If that person said black, who dare to said white, this remind me of the ancient China emperor, that why the dynasty does not last, and who suffer the most, it is the people at the bottom. In Singapore, that what happens, a dynasty raises, the emperor sit was passed on from father to son, then to grandson so on, as predicted. That why, Singaporean don't have any hope if this type of dynasty system keep going on, what can we do? To protest, it has been outlawed, to criticize you will be sue for bankrupt, everyone just keep their mouth shut.
For the ghost writer you have mentioned, definitely I am not the ghost writer or ninja writer or phantom writer working for Mindef, anyway the funds comes from tax payers, we are paying them to spy on us, Mindef should not have problem paying the writer, funds not enough ask the parliament to top up, so simple. Sometimes I wonder whether I have been monitored by ISD, who knows for sure?
Let keep our finger crossed.
I hope you can understand my writing, I am not a good English writer, my command of English is not as perfect as you do, please accept my sincere apology if you have problem understanding what I'm saying.
You need not reply if you feel it is not necessary or for my bad English, I just wanted to share my point of view as what democratic is all about.
By the way, what is Lee Kuan Yew net worth, anyone have any idea?
Nice meeting you.
Best regards,
Daniel Lim
April 06, 2008
Dear Mr. Nair,
I hope what you said will one day come true, Lee is gone, the sooner the better. He has been a dictator for more than 40 years, should have been enough good life for him, God has been very kind to him and his family. Lee Kuan Yew has everything he wants in life, good food, good wine, etc
The problem is he is still going strong at his age, don't seems to get sick or on MC, so far never heard Lee Kuan Yew on MC. His mind is still sharp and alert, people said that he has been going thru blood transfusion, renewing his blood with blood from young people, some sort like vampire sucking virgin blood from women, not sure whether it is a fact or a myth? At the moment, Lee Kuan Yew has been keeping himself alive as long as possible, the reason is not because he wanted to have more title, like Supreme Senior Minister Mentor (SSMM), I guess he is more concern about his son, Lee Hsien Loong, it seems like his son don't have leadership quality to lead Singapore, Of course, Lee Kuan Yew took years to build up Singapore, he will not want to see PAP being ruined by his incompetent son, and his son still needs papa to be around. Without papa, there is no good wine, good woman, good money for Lee Hsien Loong and the generation after.
The Lee's family has been owing many assets, hoding high ranking position in private as well as government sectors, they have indirectly or directly involved over many things such as power station, transportation sectors, the media, stock market, airlines, telecommunication, public and private housing etc. Singapore is being runs like a business corporation, a money making places for them not like a democratic country.Who said Singapore never practice nepotism, who said Singapore don't have corruption.
Do you why the minister being overly pay? It is to silent them, as they knew some of the dirty secret inside, not because the government wanted to keep good people. Who dare to critise the pay master who pay them extremely well? Just close one eye.
Even the minister are pay well above market rate, they don't seems to perform that well, still screw things up and give excuses.
Mr. Nair, you are very lucky to have left Singapore with all your CPF saving, really good for you. Those who still in Singapore had to tolerate and listen to Lee Kuan Yew propaganda, we feels like living in North Korea, listing to the great leader Kim. Many of my friend who went overseas, I usually advise them not to return to Singapore, as you will not find any opportunity, as long as PAP is around. You can never reach the top especially in government sector, the top most is reserved for you know who.
Right now, the Lee's government is eyeing on our CPF, they claimed we needs to work until the age of 80, as they claimed that the CPF money is not enough for Singaporean retirement. What kind of bullshit! The CPF fund was set-up to secure our retirement, now they said the opposite, the CPF funds has been channel to some uses which we are not fully aware, we have been hidden from the truth. Do you ever wonder, those old folks who do not have any relative or next-of-kin, if they passed away, what happened to the CPF saving inside their account? Where will it channel to? This question has been lurking in everyone minds for sometimes.
I ready do hope there are resistance happening as you have mentioned in your previous mail, sad to said every election PAP always win, that confirmed for sure. Every election, PAP will offer some money, in other countries this called vote buying, in Singapore, they named it as GST rebates, NSS shares etc.
The opposition party at the moment do not have the talent and resources to stand up to PAP, those who are outspoken, either outlawed, outcasted or make bankrupt by PAP. I don't believe in one party government, it is very dangerous for Singapore, too much power under one person is not a good idea. If that person said black, who dare to said white, this remind me of the ancient China emperor, that why the dynasty does not last, and who suffer the most, it is the people at the bottom. In Singapore, that what happens, a dynasty raises, the emperor sit was passed on from father to son, then to grandson so on, as predicted. That why, Singaporean don't have any hope if this type of dynasty system keep going on, what can we do? To protest, it has been outlawed, to criticize you will be sue for bankrupt, everyone just keep their mouth shut.
For the ghost writer you have mentioned, definitely I am not the ghost writer or ninja writer or phantom writer working for Mindef, anyway the funds comes from tax payers, we are paying them to spy on us, Mindef should not have problem paying the writer, funds not enough ask the parliament to top up, so simple. Sometimes I wonder whether I have been monitored by ISD, who knows for sure?
Let keep our finger crossed.
I hope you can understand my writing, I am not a good English writer, my command of English is not as perfect as you do, please accept my sincere apology if you have problem understanding what I'm saying.
You need not reply if you feel it is not necessary or for my bad English, I just wanted to share my point of view as what democratic is all about.
By the way, what is Lee Kuan Yew net worth, anyone have any idea?
Nice meeting you.
Best regards,
Daniel Lim
Saturday, April 5, 2008
In Singapore, in addition to the search for escaped prisoner Mas Salamat Kastari, Lee has now begun a search for a future Prime Minister!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Singapore state controlled paper, the Straits Times of April 04, 2008 in their story "PM still looking for his successor" has announced the official beginning of a new island wide search. In addition to the ongoing search for escaped prisoner Mas Selalamt Kastari, which has now entered its 30 day, a simultaneous thorough nationwide search has begun in Singapore to find a successor to the Prime Minister. Both searches are funded by the Singapore taxpayer!
Anyone not familiar with Singapore, having only read the Singapore Government website; would be surprised if told of such a search; for someone to replace the Prime Minister in 15 years time! For a start, is it not somewhat presumptive to assume he will remain Prime Minister for the coming 15 years; let alone his handing over power to someone of his choosing? Is this a democracy or is it a monarchy? Isn’t the Singapore government website claiming it to be a democracy a whole load of bull!
Isn't this peculiar practice in Singapore, of going around searching for a successor; somewhat similar to pre Chinese invasion Tibet, a theocracy, where Buddhist high priests scoured the entire country looking for an infant, God's chosen successor, and groom him to succeed the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of the country, when he eventually dies or retires!
But wait a minute, you will say. According to the Singapore Government Website, Singapore is supposed to be a democracy. Leaders are not supposed to be chosen the way a successor to the Dalai Lama is chosen! It is supposed to be the people who decide who their Prime Minister is going to be.
Not for Lee Kuan Yew's son to be going around searching high and low, under beds and behind cabinets, now! In any case, what makes him think he is going to be the Prime Minister for the next 15 years! Is it not possible for him to lose the elections the next time, so the question of his choosing the next leader will be preemptive? Why is he so confident that he will remain in power that long?
Anyone who understands Singapore will tell you that what meets the eye cannot be further from the truth. The Singapore Government Website is deliberately deceptive. And shamelessly so; shamelessly, because the government itself knows that no one believes the nonsense in it. If Singapore is a parliamentary democracy, as it claims, then Burma is not a military junta but a liberal democracy based on the rule of law, not dissimilar to Sweden!
The discredited Singapore government shamelessly continues to tell the world that it is something which it is not. According to the Singapore government website, it claims to be a parliamentary democracy. It is not. It does not practice rule of law. There is no free or independent press, all of which are both owned and controlled by the government. The system of government is no different from say, North Korea; except that it is impossible to escape from North Korea. You can from Singapore, which explains the massive continuing brain drain of young men and women who leave the country to settle overseas permanently. Young men and women who can no longer tolerate living in tyranny.
In the article, Lee's son, the Prime Minster, attributes the increasing brain drain of Singapore talent to settle overseas, as a reason why choosing a successor becomes even more difficult. According to the report, of the best High School students, about 100 leave the island permanently every year. Many others leave Singapore later. In fact these figures are much less than the real numbers that leave, an expected manipulation by a state controlled press. Almost 3,000 or so talented Singaporeans leave Singapore annually. These are the very best of the best; citizens whom Singapore would least want to lose.
And one reason why they leave is because of such inane silly statements that Lee's son puts out on a daily basis; thereby insulting the intelligence of any Singaporean who still can think; a group which is itself an endangered species.
Any self respecting young educated Singaporean would be outraged to read that Lee's chosen son is looking out to the next 15 years when he will eventually step down and appoint his chosen successor! Lee's son has to be advised to be a little less arrogant and self assured. He should not be assuming himself in power for the next 15 years if in fact Singapore is supposed to be a parliamentary democracy. Although practically unlikely, because he will rig the elections again, as he has done in all past elections; at least it is theoretically possible that he will be voted out in the 2011 elections. So don’t count your chickens before they are hatched!
But the truth of the matter is this. The Singapore press is entirely owned and controlled by the Singapore government; otherwise which press in the world would come out with arrogance such as this? Second, his prediction that he will remain in power for the coming 15 years will almost certainly be realized. With election rigging, defamation actions and criminal arrests, any possible contender for government office will be destroyed. Through such dishonesty and skullduggery and straightforward abuse of the law and illegal actions; he will probably be able to anoint his successor in the next 15 years after all.
And while this man, with the help of his father Lee Kuan Yew continues his illegal grip on power, those who can; the educated and skilled; continue to flee the country, leaving behind only those who are unable or incapable of leaving, through lack of education, skills or old age. While educated Singaporeans leave its shores in the droves, immigrants from Communist China who are unable to even speak English, let alone Malay are brought in to replace them. These immigrants from Communist China, through lack of skills or any ability are incapable of replacing the highly talented Singaporeans who leave. This continues the vicious cycle, on the one hand Singaporeans leaving and being replaced by uneducated unskilled immigrants from China.
A vicious cycle in a downward spiral.
I doubt very much Lee Kuan Yew's son being successful in his nationwide search for a successor. In fact I doubt very much whether Singapore will continue to function at its present level. All signs indicate that in the not distant future, he and his family will be the sole readers left for his state controlled newspaper, the Straits Times. That is, if it is still printed in the English Language!
I understand that “Thank You” in Mandarin Chinese is “Hsieh Hsieh”. So, Hsieh Hsieh to all of you. I am sorry I have to go now. I have to rush to my Mandarin lessons!
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
The Singapore state controlled paper, the Straits Times of April 04, 2008 in their story "PM still looking for his successor" has announced the official beginning of a new island wide search. In addition to the ongoing search for escaped prisoner Mas Selalamt Kastari, which has now entered its 30 day, a simultaneous thorough nationwide search has begun in Singapore to find a successor to the Prime Minister. Both searches are funded by the Singapore taxpayer!
Anyone not familiar with Singapore, having only read the Singapore Government website; would be surprised if told of such a search; for someone to replace the Prime Minister in 15 years time! For a start, is it not somewhat presumptive to assume he will remain Prime Minister for the coming 15 years; let alone his handing over power to someone of his choosing? Is this a democracy or is it a monarchy? Isn’t the Singapore government website claiming it to be a democracy a whole load of bull!
Isn't this peculiar practice in Singapore, of going around searching for a successor; somewhat similar to pre Chinese invasion Tibet, a theocracy, where Buddhist high priests scoured the entire country looking for an infant, God's chosen successor, and groom him to succeed the Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of the country, when he eventually dies or retires!
But wait a minute, you will say. According to the Singapore Government Website, Singapore is supposed to be a democracy. Leaders are not supposed to be chosen the way a successor to the Dalai Lama is chosen! It is supposed to be the people who decide who their Prime Minister is going to be.
Not for Lee Kuan Yew's son to be going around searching high and low, under beds and behind cabinets, now! In any case, what makes him think he is going to be the Prime Minister for the next 15 years! Is it not possible for him to lose the elections the next time, so the question of his choosing the next leader will be preemptive? Why is he so confident that he will remain in power that long?
Anyone who understands Singapore will tell you that what meets the eye cannot be further from the truth. The Singapore Government Website is deliberately deceptive. And shamelessly so; shamelessly, because the government itself knows that no one believes the nonsense in it. If Singapore is a parliamentary democracy, as it claims, then Burma is not a military junta but a liberal democracy based on the rule of law, not dissimilar to Sweden!
The discredited Singapore government shamelessly continues to tell the world that it is something which it is not. According to the Singapore government website, it claims to be a parliamentary democracy. It is not. It does not practice rule of law. There is no free or independent press, all of which are both owned and controlled by the government. The system of government is no different from say, North Korea; except that it is impossible to escape from North Korea. You can from Singapore, which explains the massive continuing brain drain of young men and women who leave the country to settle overseas permanently. Young men and women who can no longer tolerate living in tyranny.
In the article, Lee's son, the Prime Minster, attributes the increasing brain drain of Singapore talent to settle overseas, as a reason why choosing a successor becomes even more difficult. According to the report, of the best High School students, about 100 leave the island permanently every year. Many others leave Singapore later. In fact these figures are much less than the real numbers that leave, an expected manipulation by a state controlled press. Almost 3,000 or so talented Singaporeans leave Singapore annually. These are the very best of the best; citizens whom Singapore would least want to lose.
And one reason why they leave is because of such inane silly statements that Lee's son puts out on a daily basis; thereby insulting the intelligence of any Singaporean who still can think; a group which is itself an endangered species.
Any self respecting young educated Singaporean would be outraged to read that Lee's chosen son is looking out to the next 15 years when he will eventually step down and appoint his chosen successor! Lee's son has to be advised to be a little less arrogant and self assured. He should not be assuming himself in power for the next 15 years if in fact Singapore is supposed to be a parliamentary democracy. Although practically unlikely, because he will rig the elections again, as he has done in all past elections; at least it is theoretically possible that he will be voted out in the 2011 elections. So don’t count your chickens before they are hatched!
But the truth of the matter is this. The Singapore press is entirely owned and controlled by the Singapore government; otherwise which press in the world would come out with arrogance such as this? Second, his prediction that he will remain in power for the coming 15 years will almost certainly be realized. With election rigging, defamation actions and criminal arrests, any possible contender for government office will be destroyed. Through such dishonesty and skullduggery and straightforward abuse of the law and illegal actions; he will probably be able to anoint his successor in the next 15 years after all.
And while this man, with the help of his father Lee Kuan Yew continues his illegal grip on power, those who can; the educated and skilled; continue to flee the country, leaving behind only those who are unable or incapable of leaving, through lack of education, skills or old age. While educated Singaporeans leave its shores in the droves, immigrants from Communist China who are unable to even speak English, let alone Malay are brought in to replace them. These immigrants from Communist China, through lack of skills or any ability are incapable of replacing the highly talented Singaporeans who leave. This continues the vicious cycle, on the one hand Singaporeans leaving and being replaced by uneducated unskilled immigrants from China.
A vicious cycle in a downward spiral.
I doubt very much Lee Kuan Yew's son being successful in his nationwide search for a successor. In fact I doubt very much whether Singapore will continue to function at its present level. All signs indicate that in the not distant future, he and his family will be the sole readers left for his state controlled newspaper, the Straits Times. That is, if it is still printed in the English Language!
I understand that “Thank You” in Mandarin Chinese is “Hsieh Hsieh”. So, Hsieh Hsieh to all of you. I am sorry I have to go now. I have to rush to my Mandarin lessons!
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
Your letters are welcome. Please Email your letters to nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
And if you like what I write, please tell your friends. You will be helping democracy by distributing this widely. This blog not only gives information, it dispels government propaganda put out by this dictatorial regime.
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