Jaslyn Go’s Blog

Yesterday was one of those rare occasions I went out at night to have a coffee with some friends in a nice wine bar in NUS.

I drove off after the coffee session and got lost in NUS, going round in circles wanting to get to the exit at Science Park.  I ended up going one big round and exiting at Clementi Road instead.

I decided it was a nice night to take a leisurely car ride back home, so I took the long route and drove towards Pasir Panjang leading to Science Park Road.  As I was about to turn into Science Park Road, I saw Kent Ridge Park, a place I have fond memories of, and decided to detour up there.

Kent Ridge Park is the place I used to go with my beloved dog, Rambo. We used to go there for walks.   This is the place we spent many nice and quiet moments together enjoying the nature and fresh breeze.

Amongst all the dogs I have had before, I loved Rambo the most.  He is the dog that I have spent the longest time with, and my love for him was truly unconditional despite the fact that he was the most temperamental and difficult dog I had ever had.

My beloved Rambo has since left me and as I sat in my car, listening to Gold 90.5 on my radio, I reminisced those wonderful times we had together .

I still do not have the courage to have another dog yet, and I know it will take a very long time before I can get over the loss.  To many, the best way to get over the loss is to take on a new one, something I strongly disagree.   Commitment towards a dog is for life; a pet is not something you use to tide over your emptiness only to chuck it aside when you no longer need it.  For me, to be able to love another like I used to love Rambo, I have to first get over the loss of Rambo.

As I drove out of Kent Ridge Park, I know I will never look back again.  It’s been a long time since Rambo left me, and it is time for me to learn to let go and stop blaming myself for the decision I made to put him down when I saw that he was suffering at that time.  It will be a long time before I will step foot again at Kent Ridge Park as I will be relocating somewhere else. I hope the next time I am back to Kent Ridge Park, I will be there with a new dog.

As we approach the last tranche of our TBT trial, there are alot of emotions build up for myself and my fellow co-defendants.

It was not easy to come this far, let alone still carrying on in this long and draining trial.

Tranche after tranche our numbers are dwindling due to way our cases are being dealt with.  For eg, Francis was forced to plead guilty as he will be away on 19th Jan 10 and judge insisted the hearing to start on 18 Jan 10.  Sylvester having to plead guilty due to work commitment.

As for myself, my boy, Joe-En has started his Primary One this year, a phase that is important to him as well as for me as a mother.  I have made application to Judge Chia Wee Kiat with the understanding and support from my 10 remaining co-defendants to have the lunch break from 1130 to 1330 so that I could rush home to bring my boy to school.  Thankfully the judge allowed my application without objection from the DPP.

As I struggle everyday to send my girl to school before coming to court and 1130 rushing back home to walk my boy to school which was about 3 bus stops away, then back to court to continue the trial and end of the day rushing to pick both of them up from school at 1700.

During those bus rides be it back home or back to court, many times I was in tears, not only because I feel the aching pain of my legs and feet from the long walk to the bus stop and the walk from my home to my boy school, but also of this predicament  I am in and asking myself whether is it worth doing what I am doing?

This is especially made worse by not having the support from those closest to you.  Despite my desperation for help, I am too proud to ask for one and knowing full well that I will have to go through another round of lecturing  of “I told you so”, “you should have taken my advice and PG much earlier and you won’t end up in this state” blah blah blah.

Not someone who asked or expects favors to be reciprocate, I do appreciate the offer of help from the very same people I used to offer similar help to but am disappointed to realize that the offer of help was  just patronizing with no intention to carry out at all.

I gave thanks to my buddy U-Wen, who was the first to offer to send Joe-En to school for me though he is staying so far away from me.

I gave thanks to my sister – Siok Chin, who, as and when she can, will always try to drop me off at my kids school and always buying lunch for me to munch in court as I always couldn’t make it in time to have lunch.

I gave thanks to Choon Hiong too, whom after knowing my predicament, try to work out a way to help me too.

I gave thanks to John, who became my ‘new’ breakfast buddy after Ti Lik and Sylvester left our TBT trial.

While I gave thanks to my friends who stood by me, though I declined their help as I do not want to impose myself on to others.   I also mourn for a lost of a friendship whom I used to cherish dearly only to find out that in time of need, offer of help was insincere and not meant to be.  I don’t expect favors to be return nor reciprocate, but I am disappointed by how our friendship has come to this point, having to see how one can turn their back on a friend in need.

I see the past 4 days of our trial, how Dr Chee and Gandhi were cuffed and shackled to court, Mrs Gandhi coming to court just to catch a glimpse of Gandhi to make sure he is all right.  and the heart wrenching moments when Mrs Chee and kids came to court to see Dr Chee, I do feel a sense of loneliness of not having the blessing from my family and close friends for my chosen path.

Today as I sat down in court after having most of my cross-examination objected and rejected, I reminded myself that I should not be wallowing in self pity but find ways to face the adversity with my head up.

As I try to strike a balance between my responsibility as a mother and a activist who believe in the work I am doing, I also know that I should not inconvenient others because of my chosen path.

If there is anything I still have, that is perseverance.  Perseverance to continue on this fight even when face with obstacles and desertion from closed ones  who do not share the same ideals as me.

The trial will be coming to an end soon, and as I close this chapter, I know there will be another awaiting to be open.  The experience I learn from this chapter will make me a stronger person to face whatever new challenges that awaits me.

WHAT FAILS TO KILL ME WILL ONLY MAKE ME STRONGER!

Among us F4, I was the least interested in politics..not forgetting, the one with the worse political knowledge.

Kelvin’s political knowledge was the best, which even Ti Lik as a politician takes his hats off to.

E-Jay’s political knowledge came pretty close to Ti Lik’s, and he being a very keen and fast learner, he absorb very fast.

I am the most hopeless among the 4 of us..my mind always drift off when they start to discuss politics or the recent policies, too ‘cheem’ for me as what I always tell them..

Ti Lik and E-Jay were the one who always drag me to attend SGHR and SDP meeting back then..Even though I told them I am not keen, but they always managed to persuade me to join them eventually..

I remember once in a meeting at SDP office..I was day dreaming when suddenly Dr Chee ask..”how about Jaslyn”.. I got stump and didn’t know what Dr Chee was talking about as I have not been paying attention..Ti Lik and E-Jay were laughing and save me the embarrassment further by replying ..”Jas cannot…she is not ready yet”..

I remember during Dr Chee and Siok Chin’s contempt of court trial, I hurriedly walk out from high court as I know hordes of reporters were waiting outside for them and I am not ready to be seen together with them (like many Singaporeans, to be seen with these 2 are a taboo).  I stood a distance away from them as I watched in total disbelief how our reporters were behaving like paparazzi, going after Siok Chin with the video and cameras blocking her path.  That was when I walk up to Siok Chin and put my hand on her shoulder and told her, “how can I let you walk alone, come, let me walk with you”.  The video crew follow us, blocking our path while we were trying to cross the road from High Court to Funan, and we were smiling and laughing about their silly antics.

That footage appeared in the evening  in CNA news and immediately my phone was swarmed with smses from friends and family asking me what am I doing with Siok Chin.  The next day, my neighbors were telling me they saw me on TV with SDP people and asking me how come I am mixing with SDP people.

Looking back 2 years on, while my 2 ‘bodyguards’ – Ti Lik and E-Jay has pleaded guilty to the protest 3 of us were involved with, I chose to continue on the trial.  Not because I am stubborn, or that I have the the whole world of time to play with them, in contrary, I do at times feel the strain of the trial taking time away from my responsibility aa a mother, and the thought of pleading guilty and just get over and done with is rather tempting.

What keeps me going is none other than my sister in arms – Siok Chin.  She is always my source of strength whenever I am feeling the strain.  As someone who had been through a number of trials and a jail sentence, she is always reassuring and find ways to cheer me up.  On some days when the court adjourn early, she never fail to suggest that we bring my kids out for play which makes my kids so happy.

Now, this sister of mine is yet again jail and this time for 7 days for ‘distributing pamphlets criticizing the PAP Government without a permit’.

If criticizing our government is illegal, then aren’t all opposition parties illegal parties since the basis of opposition is criticizing on government policies they feel strongly about?

In my views, only a incompetent government are afraid to be criticize and will hide behind the judiciary for protection against anyone criticizing.  A competent government will stand up to criticism and refute with facts and not let others do the dirty work of ’silencing critics in the form of arrest, prosecute and jailed.

As I sit here writing this article and feeling sad because I can’t be there for my sister who never failed to be there for me, I feel even sadder for Singaporeans who failed to see the autocratic government they have given mandate to for the past 40 years.  Until Singaporeans wake up and start to see how our government has really been ruling us, Singapore will be in a sad state.

I urge my fellow Singaporeans, even a least interested in politics mother like me, who has been brain washed for the past 30+ years to be apathetic to politics has since been awaken from the slumber, please wake up and see for yourself what has our government being doing to us, our people.  Even when now they are going on damage control, citizens will now come first before PRs, blah blah blah, will it last after they be given the mandate yet again for another term?

I DOUBT SO.

Wake up my fellow Singaporeans, you have a choice, vote the PAP out when the time come for you to cast your votes.

In solidarity with all who had been unjustly and unfairly jailed, prosecuted and persecuted.

For a long time, I have boycotted our state media, refusing to read propaganda after propaganda in favour of our ruling party.

However, recently while at my friend’s place, the above title shouted for my attention, not because I think it is anything worth reading, but more because of the crap coming out yet again from our million-dollar ministers.

To err is human; to forgive, divine – Khaw Boon Wan on 27 Nov 09 , (read it here).  This exact same phrase, drew me to Yong Vui Kong, a young drug offender whose clemency plea was again rejected by our dear President.

Yong was only 19 at the time of his arrest, which again draws me to our fallen from grace ex-Ms Singapore Ris Low, who, despite committing 60 credit card frauds, got away with just a probation order due to her young tender age at the time of the offense.

3 cases, 3 different ‘errs’. 4 humans involved, but all treated differently even though it was not entirely different.

Let me go through the similarity.

Firstly, KKH errs, 2 lives were involved.  Families of patients suffer distress and anxiety.  Same argument for drug trafficking offenders, that lives were destroyed through drugs and their families suffer distress.

Secondly, both Ris Low and Yong Vui Kong were both 19 at the time of offense.  Ris Low had 60 cases TIC (taken into consideration) during her sentencing, and I boldly assume this might be first time the DPP allows so many cases to be TIC for sentencing.  60 cases of similar offenses show a sign to me of recalcitrance on Ris Low’s part, but she was given a 2nd chance and got away with a light sentence.

In comparison, young Yong, given the environment he was brought up in, the company he mixed with, his vulnerability to exploitation from the gangsters he worked for, why wasn’t he given a 2nd chance in life?

Young Yong, like the humans in KKH (in this case the pharmacists), and like the human in the credit card fraud (Ris Low) is too a human who errs.  If to err is human, to forgive, divine, why is it not applicable in young Yong case?  Why wasn’t Yong treated like a normal human who errs?

When ministers make mistakes, we were told “it’s a honest mistakes, move on”, “what to do, it’s happened”. But when lesser mortals makes mistakes, the authorities spare no effort to punish, prosecute and shame them publicly.

‘To our minsters, I challenge you to make good what you have claimed : to err is human, to forgive, divine.

To our minsters, I hope you do sleep well at night knowing you have yet taken another young life who is a son, a brother, a nephew, a friend like any human.

To Yong and family, be brave.  Judgement day will come for them when it is their time to meet the Divine.

World’s Most Powerful Women
Thursday, 20 August, 2009 4:43 PM

To:
readers@forbes.com

Dear Forbes,

I refer to your article on World’s Most Powerful Women.

I am especially disturbed by Forbes’s ranking of Mdm Ho Ching CEO of Temasek Holdings, Singapore at no. 5.

I understand that the criteria is based not on popularity but on the management of countries or big companies. I also understand that the rankings are based on press visibility and size of country/company.

It is true that Temasek Holdings is a large company that has a portfolio of approximately US$135 billion. However the losses that Mdm Ho incurred in from March to November 2008 was almost US$40 billion http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124350003544761935.html

And that is just what the public is told. The actual figure may even be more as it is a known fact that Temasek Holdings is a non-transparent entity. There is absolutely no accountability to the public. http://multimedia.asiaone.com/Multimedia/Vodcast/News/Story/A1Multimedia20090730-7422.html

Even the reason for the sudden change in leadership (the exit of Charles Goodyear) cannot and will not be explained to the public.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com.my/index.php/business/35486-temaseks-goodyear-left-without-a-golden-handshake

Let’s also not forget the controversial purchase of Shin Corp run by former PM Thaksin. That transaction was by no means a small contributor to the unrest in Thailand and the eventual ousting of Mr. Thaksin.

As to press visibility, the world must understand that Singapore is not a democratic society. My country is run by an authoritarian regime under Lee Kuan Yew who although is 86, is still the man in control of the city-state. I’m sure Forbes knows that Mdm Ho is the wife of his prime minister-son, Hsien Loong

The media, judiciary, law enforcement and all public institutions are controlled by the ruling-party, if not by Lee senior himself.

Singapore’s media is ranked 144 out of 173 countries by Reporters Without Borders in 2008.http://www.rsf.org/en-classement794-2008.html The Chairman of the Singapore Press Holdings is none other than the ruling party stalwart, Tony Tan who is also our Deputy Prime Minister. All press coverage — print, telecast and broadcast — is controlled by the State, and by extension Mdm Ho Ching’s husband and father-in-law. How can then press coverage in this case be a fair assessment?

Non-local media such as Asian Wall Street Journal and Far Eastern Economic Review were fined for contempt of court and sued for defamation respectively

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSSIN20311620080822

I am confident that Forbes had done thorough research on each of these women on the Most Powerful list. However, I am dismayed that Forbes could rank someone with the background and track record like Mdm Ho Ching 5th on the list.

Sincerely,
Jaslyn Go
Singapore

I was asked to use one word to describe E-Jay by Dr Chee during 1 of the workshops we attended, I came up with “Eloquent E-Jay”.

It is precisely of E-Jay’s eloquence in writing that caught my attention in a popular forum back then in 2006.  That was how we both got to know each other.

E-Jay never fails to come to my defense whenever he sees or feels someone is making nasty remarks about me.  He is very protective of me like a brother will for a sister..

E-Jay never fails to lend me his listening ear whenever he sense I am feeling down.  Once, he even chatted with me till the wee hours of the morning, despite he having a long day later.  I am truly very grateful and appreciative of his patience and kind words of support encouragement he has shown me.

Just the other when the F4  met up for a get together lunch, E-Jay presented me with 3 boxes of Belgium chocolates for my birthday knowing that I love chocolates.  I was very touched and I realize he’s been giving me chocolates for my birthday since we know each other.   As I aged, my birthdays are celebrated with family and friends over lunches and dinners, presents are rare, it is touching to note that E-Jay seem to be the only friend that still buy presents for me.

E-Jay, if you are reading this humble article of mine, I would like you to know that I am glad to have a friend in you and I sincerely thank you for all the patience and support you have given me.  Not forgetting your kind and comforting words of encouragement and listening ear.

From the bottom of my heart “Thank you very much E-Jay”.

Lately, I been traveling rather often, which leave me very little time to update my blog.

I realize it can be rather taxing wearing many hats at the same time, (my role as a mother, activist, supporter of SDP, running my own biz, setting up a new biz venture etc) It is at times like this, that a warm and encouraging SMS from a supporter keeps me going and rejuvenates me..

Here is the SMS I received from a supporter;

+65 *** *8525 : Our people probably will nvr understand why u’re doin what u’re nw.  I wish to say my sincere thanks to you for takin up such a difficult n often   thankless task.

Me : Thanks for ur encouragement…btw you are….??

+65 *** *8525 : Juz an ordinary citizen. Jiayou.

Me : I am too an ordinary citizen pal

To whoever you may be, I sincerely thank you for your kind words and encouragement.  I do hope one day, besides encouraging me, you can walk along with me..

I know many out there are not ready to walk with us yet, not when the establishment has been successful in instilling fear in us for the past 40 years, and with the recent change in POA which are meant to incite more fear into us, however, there are many other ways you can help us….

1) Financially – Every successful campaign needs money (photocopying, printing, organising activities, workshops or public forums, etc). Help by pledging a monthly donation to SDP (no amount is too small for us) you could do that via internet bank transfer / paypal / cheque / meeting 1 of us personally (your choice your convenience your comfort level) - Click here and donate online

2) Volunteering – Contribute your talents (writing, poster design, photography, IT skills, ideas, or simply a pair of hands & running legs :- ) Volunteer in some of our activities.. perhaps you can start by joining us in those activities before you start volunteering.. it is a good way to get to know SDP and us better.. trust me, along the way, you get to make some really good friends..

3) Broadcasting – Help us pass our message to your family..friends, friend’s friends, anyone and everyone.. remember, our media is all state controlled, so we can only rely on internet and word of mouth to spread our message around..

We must all come together to play a part in bringing back democracy and human rights in Singapore, without which we can’t even voice out about all the unfair polices, laws that are being shoved down our throat and passed through parliament.

March 15th mark the first anniversary of our Tak Boleh Tahan protest at Parliament House.

In March 15th 2008, I was merely a protester who support the call for protest against the rising cost of living in Singapore by SDP..

Fast forward to March 15th 2009, I am now not just a supporter, but a friend, a comrade, a helper to SDP.

A relationship that of course is not receiving well to the people around me initially.

My family, who were once strongly against my involvement with Dr Chee and Siok Chin, are now acceptable of my friendship and support for them..It does helps when my kids are always talking about An-Lyn, E-Lyn and Shaw Hur, cause now my family see them as not just a political party, but as humans too..(haha)..

My close friends, especially JL, she idolize LKY, she is proud to share the same surname / ethnic group as LKY,  she doesn’t understand why I am going against a otherwise capable government especially her idol LKY…but she has since accepted our political differences and never allow that to affect our friendship in anyway, though at times we can get into debate about some policies…

My political views has matured.  From not knowing what is my “Constitutional Rights”, to exercising that rights of mine, I have become more vocal about my views / opinions.

I used to be rather quiet during some of the meetings, be it with SDP or activists, keeping my views / opinions to myself or only comfortable sharing with E-Jay and Ti Lik..

Friends see me being more vocal nowadays, they see my involvement since after March 15th 2008 has develop my conviction and independent views / opinions of politics.  Sadly, not all are taking too well to the ‘new’ me.

In fact, my involvement comes with a price… along the way, I win some and I lose some;

Win – Friendship with Mrs Chee, Siok Chin, TBT18 (just to name a few), respect from stranger who wrote encouraging emails to spur me on..

Lose – privacy – having people posting my personal info / pictures all over the forum, dealing with nuisance calls even late at night, disagreement with friends / family members who do not share my passion or views.

Yet till today, I have no regrets in my involvement in this peaceful and meaningful protest.

To my fellow TBT friends and comrades – Happy 1st Anniversary.  I am proud to be part of TBT 18, proud to be walking alongside with you all in the March 15 2008 peaceful protest and proud to be standing alongside with TBT 18 in our trial.

We shall overcome someday!

Complaint against the behavior of Town Council Staff
Friday, 20 February, 2009 1:19 PM
To:
yampeng@tptc.org.sg
Cc:
feedback@tptc.org.sg, “Yam Keng 1 Baey”

Dear Mr Wang Yam Peng;

As per our tele-conversation on 19 Feb 09, I would like to make an official complaint against one of your staff for his unbecoming behavior at the lift lobby of my block (Blk 14 Jalan Bukit Merah).

I had just got out from my car at the carpark next to the rubbish bin of my block when I hear loud commotion somewhere around my block (pls note, the carpark is further from the lift lobby compare to the front carpark lot and I can hear the commotion).

As I walked to my lift lobby and notice a elderly gentleman (grey hair and a bit plump) shouting at 1 of the cleaner (if I am not mistaken, a Bangladeshi) while another young gentleman looked on (guy in dark shirt and pant).

Your staff was hurling vulgarities at the worker in full view and earshot of many of my neighbors and myself who had gathered at the life lobby waiting for the lift. The place was not clean in “his bloody standard” and he “bloody well do a better job” are but some of his nasty remarks. He carried on asking the worker if he knows what day is today. Embarrassed by the shouting, the worker kept quiet or might have reply softly which is when your staff was emboldened and raised his voice even louder and demanded that the worker answer him loudly. All these exchanges going on while at least 5 of us were waiting at the lift lobby and watching.

When I reached my home, I can still hear the shouting from upstairs.

I spoke to you earlier on, the name you gave me and insisted was Mr Joe Tan. I have met Mr Joe Tan walking around my precinct several times, I do not think that the gentleman is Mr Joe Tan.

I have checked on the notice pasted at the lift lobby, the supervisor now is Mr Wan Fook Keong, which resembles the man I saw.

The behavior of your staff is very uncalled for.

Perhaps the worker might not have done a good job or up to his standard but from my impression this worker might have been new on the job. If this worker was bad, I believe that the previous lady cleaner was worse. When she was assigned to clean my block, my block was always so dirty and cockroaches were always seen around the rubbish chute area. Her mopping of the lift leaves the lift still dirty and smelling worse, mainly because the water used for mopping in the first place wasn’t clean. She talks more then she cleans, and goes around blaming the residents for making the place dirty instead of cleaning up the place. For such a standard, I have never seen her being reprimanded in public in that manner before for a equally or even worse job done.

Certainly Mr Wan (I assume I got the right person) might think of the worker as a lesser mortal than him, thus justifying his verbal abuse. To me, no fellow human being should be subjected to such humiliation and embarrassment even if you think you are superior.

You mentioned that you will send Mr Joe Tan to apologize to me personally, to which I mentioned that he does not owe me a apology. He owe the worker a apology.

I assume (and most probably I am right), Mr Wan or even Mr Joe Tan is a town council staff or a sub contractor engaged by the town council, but once they don on your polo tees with town council’s logo, they will be seen as representives of the town council and arguably and thus considered a civil servant, so is this the kind of conduct a civil servant or town council staff should behave?

Or pehaps Mr Wan is not aware that according to Mr Lim Boon Heng, we Singaporeans are dependent on foreigners to retain our jobs. Mr Wan should start showing respect to the foreign cleaner if not, he might lose his job.

cheers;

Jaslyn Go

I was sharing this encounter with Seelan recently when he suggested that I should post it on my blog..

To my readers, allow me to share this ‘joke’ with you…

Sometime ago (Nov 08), I was talking to this Taiwanese lawyer.

I was telling him how most of us when mentioned Taiwan, we know that their President is Ma Ying Jiu, when we mentioned USA, we know the incoming President is Barack Obama, etc etc..

However, whenever I mentioned about our Singapore President, many do not know who is our Singapore President.  They only know Lee Kuan Yew and his son (many do not even know LHL’s name, they know him as LKY’s son)..

The Taiwanese Lawyer suddenly look at me and asked “huh? you have a President in Singapore?? I only know about Lee Kuan Yew and his son!!”

Need I say more??

It is sad to think that we taxpayers are paying $3.8 million to a leader that almost does not exist..

While many lesser mortals are absolutely disgusted by our top civil servant Tan Yong Soon’s saga.  I have many reasons to thank him for;

1) Thank you for opening a can of worms, for if not for you, we do not know to what extend our top civil servants are grossly overpaid.

2) Thank you for giving our grossly overpaid MP a chance to speak what he truly think of the people who voted them in – The Lesser Mortals

3) Thank you for letting us know that MP Charles Chong has totally  forgotten that the lesser mortals he mention were the ones voted him in and his salary is drawn from the lesser mortals hard earned money!

4) Thank you for letting us know that in times of a bad recession, while lesser mortals are struggling to make ends meet, the higher mortals from the establishment are still enjoying the high life that lesser mortals can only dream of.

5) Thank you for proving once again that our media are state control – looking at how the state media went into overdrive damage control mode to rehabilitate you.

I hope more from civil servants like Mr Tan Yong Soon, Mr Charles Chong and not forgetting Ms Lee Wai Ling who live in a ’shabby house” in Oxley show us lesser mortals what kind of life they lead.  If not for them, how else do we know the income disparity between the higher mortals and lesser mortals.

I was at SDP’s New Year Eve countdown when I was invited to speak about my reflections of 08 and my exceptions of 09.

As I wasn’t prepare, the speech might not be eloquently put out as compare to my thoughts thereafter when I finally get to sit back and truly reflects upon it.

Year 2008, is the year of many first for me..

First time participating in a protest;

First time having policemen knock on my door;

First time stepping into the police station;

First time under police investigations;

First time being charge in court;

First time stepping into Subordinate Court;

First time stepping into High Court;

First time helping out in SDP events;

First time making a speech in Hong Lim Park..

A ordinary Singaporean mother of two, I am leading a rather comfortable life with a decent HDB I called home, a decent car to drive, a helper who helps me with the housework so that I can concentrate working from home and looking after my little prince and princess.

Looking back, would I have done what I did? My answer is a definite YES.  The initmidation from the police will not deter me from continuing what I am doing.  In my view, we have to speak up for our rights, keeping quiet won’t help.

Instead of letting the establisment instill fear in us, we should let them know that the people are their bosses.  They should fear us for we are the one with the voting power, the ones who decide if they should be our government.

Hence, my wish and expectations of 2009, I hope to see more people coming forward and join us in our fight for human rights and freedom of speech in Singapore.  To a freer Singapore

I know my girlfriend – Gela as I affectionately called her, since our secondary school days.

We always meet up for manicure, pedicure, spa, shopping spree and teas..

During one of my recent meet up with her, I casually asked her how is her dad, “oh, didn’t I tell you he passed away liao” was her reply.  No sense of sadness, no sense of loss..

Shocked I probe her further as to what happen, why so sudden.  Was told that he died of liver cancer, and when he was send to the hospital, it was the last stage of his liver cancer.  Her mum, younger brother and herself, did not visit him during his 2 months stay in the hospital.  When the hospital called to says that he has passed on, the 3 made their way down to the hospital to claim his body and send straight to Mandai Crematorium for cremation, without a funeral service for him.

He wanted very badly to see the 3 of them but he died without having his last wish fulfilled even though initially when he was able to talk, he called them up personally, and during the later stage, the social worker took over the calling.  Still the 3 of them remain unmoved.

When Gela’s dad finally passed away, many unkind remarks were passed by her dad’s relatives about the 3 of them being heartless and etc…

Well, though I do feel a certain sadness for the dad not having his last wish fulfilled, I fully understand their actions.

Gela’s dad left them when her mum was pregnant with her younger brother who is 6 years our junior.  Gela’s mum was 5 years older than her dad and he left the mom for another younger woman.  With 1 kid and another on the way, the dad shirk himself of his responsibilities as a father, a husband.

Gela’s mom painstaking bring up these 2 kids herself.  During school days, I will accompany Gela every monday to Serangoon, her paternal grand father house to collect a measly $100.  It wasn’t a pleasant visit and each time, Gela would quickly take and go.  At times, some of the relatives who were there, would eye us, it makes me feel like we are beggars coming to beg for money.  Much as she dread going there, they have no choice as they need the money to survive. $400 per month for 3 of them plus a elderly grandmother (maternal) who is staying with them!

DAD, came from a rather well to do family who is related to one of the property magnate.  He squander away all his money with his mistress.  The mistress left him when he has no money left.  Her dad at that time wanted to go back to the family, but none is willing to accept him.

I remember once Gela mentioned to me, at times when her dad relatives came over to their place to visit them, Ah Bin seeing their shoes outside his house, will wait downstairs for them to leave before going back.  Even Gela mentioned that till now, she hates to pass by Serangoon area as that will always bring back all the unpleasant memories.

Gela added that, if not for what the dad has done to them, he would have a good life.  They were once poor, but now, Ah Bin is a scholar working at MOF, Gela herself is doing well in GSK.  Both of them are very filial to their mom, they could have been filial too to their dad, if only he didn’t abandon them when they were young.

Given what her dad has done, who can blame them for being heartless to a dying man.  I know I can’t bring myself to do what they did, afterall I feel no matter what, he is still your dad, but that because I did not grow up without a stranger who later in life told me he was my dad and he want to see me before he die.

Somehow, I am sadden by the passing of Gela’s dad, not because he died (I don’t know him), but sad that it was only when he was near to his death, that he regretted what he has done to his family and wanted so badly to see them and perhaps seek forgiveness from them but he never get to.  He died a lonely man with no family by his side.

I always remember my first visit to SDP office some time back.

It was my first time stepping into a political party office.  I have never been to any other political party office before.

As I walked up the stairs to the 2nd floor where SDP office was, I could smell popcorns Dr Chee and Mrs Chee greeted me warmly.  As that was my first time setting foot there, Mrs Chee was fussing over me, serving me with hot milo (it was raining heavily and I was a little wet from the rain) and pop corns from the kitchen.

I took a little tour of their humble office.  Humble as it is, it was rather cosy., I could feel the warmth around.  Friends were happily chatting, words of greeting can be heard whenever a friend pops in. It was a casual gathering and the Chees were very hospitable, preparing pop corns for us, serving us drinks.  Francis even bought Roti Prata for us.

Now I am a frequent visitor to their humble office. My kids loves to play with Dr Chee’s 3 kids and they will always bug me to bring them over for a play date with them.  Mrs Chee no longer fuss over me as she did on my first visit, now I have learn to make myself at home instead.  Knowing where to get my own drinks, where the Mama Shop is (Siok Chin’s room is a mama shop stock up with lots of tibits..haha)..

As I looked back, I realise I have come so far with SDP, from being critical to becoming friends .  From being distant to being more involved.  The once reserved and quiet Jaslyn is now a more open up and chatty Jaslyn to them.

My gf says :
today sg announce technical recession
so maybe got job retrenchment again
so sad
Jas says :
u kno..
if this continues on..
n pap still increasing prices..
ppl ll turn against them..
My gf says :
not pap’s fault lar
is inflation
Jas says :
they allow PUB tarrif 2 go up 22%..
despite PUB billions of profits last yr..
n do nthg 2 stop them from the increase..
My gf says :
they have to make
everythg gg up now
Jas says :
what u mean pap got nthg 2 do with it?
My gf says :
as in the increase is already planned long ago
Jas says :
they raise d cost of living further w/o sparing a thought 4 ppl struggling to make ends meet..
My gf says :
and now economy bad is not what they predicted
Jas says :
how can u say PUB must make $$..
Jas says :
allowing them to make billions at the expenses of the people..
n during recession allowed them 2 raise 22% tarrif?
My gf says :
ya lar, maybe we can set up a blog to discuss and send it ti the govt
Jas says :
my dear gal..
be more aware of current affairs..
dun rely on ST for news..
read on the internet..
My gf says :
i read lar, no worries
i dont even read ST
Jas says (10:01 AM):
n soon u ll realise d rubbish our govert is giving us..
My gf says :
haha
Jas says :
im amazed u say that pub need to make..
n tat all tis price increase was planned long ago..
Jas says :
perhaps u shld see d points from d poorer families..
My gf says :
i do
Jas says:
u kno how tough it is for many of them 2 put fd on their tables now?
Jas says :
gas cost 10% of crude..but costings based on crude prices.
u tnk tat is fair?
My gf says :
i might not really know but i have been thr it once
many things are not fair in this world
fairness will be recieved in heaven
Jas says :
no..u need to fight 4 it..
need 2 speak up against unfairness..
My gf says :
how to?
complain to MPs
you think that helps
Jas says :
no..not just that..
1st of all..
My gf says :
then how to fight?
Jas says :
u need to be aware of what they r doing to us..
den aftr..come forward n speak up against them..
through blogs..
letters..
create awareness among ur frens..
Jas says:
i dun believe in church craps abt not wanting to be involve in politics..
My gf says :
u sound like you from ******’s party
Jas says :
politics is very much in our daily life..
we live n breathe politics everyday..
Jas says:
******* party dun ve balls..pls..
name a better party..
My gf says :
what is dont hv balls
no guts ah?
Jas says:

yes..what have ******* party done 4 us besides keepg quiet?

My gf says :
ok lar, no more politics

The above sounds all too familiar when you speak to some of your friends?

This is the sad state we are in now..

It is no wonder there are many Singaporeans like my girlfriend around that the PAP is still in power..

YOUR ignorance is THEIR strength..it is the ignorance of these people who believes that;

1) we must paid our ministers well in order to have a corruption free government.

2) “Without a competent Government, our mothers and daughters will be maids in other countries.” Minister Mentor

3) We raised GST to help the poor..(from 3% – 5% – 7%)

4) Public transport hikes for better transport service..

5) Higher tariffs have been due to the increase in oil prices (gas cost 10% of crude..but costings based on crude prices.)

6) Foreigners are here to help the locals keep our jobs!

7) Compulsory Annuity Scheme -> National Longevity Insurance Scheme -> National Life-long Income Scheme – is it still compulsory??

8 ) The government does not make money from ERP!!!!!!!

When can we see the awakening of these ignorant fellow citizens?

When we no longer can put food on the table?

When our daughters really ended up as maids in other country?

When our people lost their jobs to foreigner?

When even public transport becomes a luxury?

When all our CPF savings is lost in GIC investments?

When ERP gantries are up at every heartlands?

(p.s. apologies to my girlfriend for posting my private msn with her, therefore, names has been changed to protect her identity..I see the need to highlight the plight of her ignorance which I believe are a reflection of many fellow citizens..Thanks to Jeff for giving me such a appropriate title)

It was 1015am at West Coast MacDonald’s..

I was having breakfast with my son’s 2 ex-teachers when a big group turn up and took a row of seats just right in front of us…

Oh..what a sight..

Seated right in front of us were a whole bunch of PAPies..noticeably my “never bother to reply my email” MP Baey Yam Keng, “bashed by taxi driver which kick start the penal code that bashing of MP constitutes 20 yrs imprisonment” MP Seng Han Thong, Lawyer Ellen Lee and a few other which I don’t know their name..

Hmmm…looks like they were having a meeting…maybe another hip hop in the making…(haha)..

Wanted to walk up to MP Baey Yam Keng and ask when is he ever going to reply my email, but my two ex-teachers stopped me vehemently..”no lah..don’t lah..not nice lah..” (haha)..to save them the agony..i refrain from approaching him..

He was seated directly opposite me, and I was literally staring at him and he won’t/refused to look my way which give me a inkling that he does recognize me..

Another interesting fact i notice, out of the big group of about 15 or so..none of them order drinks or food..inflation hitting our MPs as well?

hmmm…..

It was last Thursday 24 July 2008..

I was grocery shopping with my helper, stocking up on food and household items..which is a bi-weekly routine..

As we alighted from my car, I switched off my bluetooth handsfree and took my phone in my hand and walk over to my helper to carry some of the groceries shopping bags..

We made our way to the lift and back home, after unpacking all the stuffs, I proceed to my study room to finish up some work..While typing away at the computer, I started to realise my handphone was so quiet today..Usually i will have afew SMS by this time, a daily SMS by OCBC to update me on my account balance..a breakfast SMS with friends…but nothing..

I start to search for my handphone..from my walk in wardrobe to my toilet to my handbag..still no sight of my handphone..I tried calling my own number..my line was switch off!!! Oh no (alarm bells ringing)…but perhaps, I left it in my car..(though I still remember vividly that I took out my handphone after switching off my blue tooth hands free)..I ask my helper to search my car for me and the area surrounding it..while I re-search my walk in wardrobe again, thinking I might have dropped in one of the shelves.

My helper came back with the bad news..No sign of my handphone..(sob sob)..

I only realise I lost my handphone a good 2 hours later. I reach home from my groceries shopping at about 9.45am..I am only found out my handphone missing at 11.30am and confirmed my handphone lost at about 12 noon..

The next few hours was busy with calling Starhub to cancel my line and to get a replacement SIM and phone..Starhub was rather helpful and offer me a good discount off my handset purchase since this was my 1st time reporting lost of handphone..

The lost of handphone was rather frustrating and heartaching as not only I lost some of my contacts, but more so of the pictures that were lost..No..I don’t mean Edison Chen kind of pictures / videos..but that of my two cute kids..In fact just the day before, I took some Kodak moments pictures of them both sitting in a big shopping bags.. They look like my ’shopping bag’..I have not sync with my computer yet..sigh.. Lastly..there is this attachment to the phone that you are so used to using..it’s like part of u gone (haha..I am so emotional even towards a handphone)…

I bought the new Samsung Omnia..a far cry from Apple iPhone, but the closest I can find..nothing still beats the Apple iPhone with the big screen display, the user friendliness, the sensitivity of a touch screen a touch screen should be..sigh..(my dear friend who found out I lost my handphone, offer to buy me the new 3G iPhone, thank you pal, you are always such a dear friend..which is a big consolation)..

I have picked up 3 hand phones before..and on 3 occasions I returned back to their owners..Noticeably 1 of them..whom did not even called back to check on her hp..but I make effort to scroll through her contacts list and manage to get 1 of the contact to call the owner and get her to arrange the pick up of the handphone from me..

I do fully understand the agony of losing a phone which is why i made effort in returning back the handphones that I picked up previously.. but I guess..not many think like me..

Point to note too that;

(1) I detest and condemn such childish and insensibly behavior that are contradictory to my beliefs and completely unproductive to my present activists work.

(2) We all have been very busy with many important things going on in our lives (Apparently, Ti Lik has so many legal cases to work on; E-Jay have been writing diligently on his sgpolitics.net; I am equally occupied with the activism work, sales of TBT T-shirts etc in addition to my existing work & family responsibility for my Kids, etc).

We should all look forward [instead of being stuck in the past] and channel our energies to things beneficial to the greater cause of common good.

It has come to my attention that there have been many personal attacks and threats on me and my friends…even E-Jay has been threatened with harm.

To whoever that is doing that…On behalf of my friends and myself, I apologize and am sorry for making you feel so upset…

I would also like to assure everyone we are not involved in any of the recent exchanges or attacks.

Ti Lik, E-Jay and myself dare to stand up against the establishment with conviction. Intimidation from the establishment doesn’t work on us…so I hope you get the message as well…

Engage and reason with us if need be…

We knew that when we decide to come forward and stand up for our rights, more or less we are bound for some attacks.
We take it in our stride that this is part and parcel of activism.

If you are with us, and want to make SG a better place for everyone, stand alongside with us against the establishment.
The energy and resources wasted on us is not worth it…It could be better used against the establishment instead…

If you represent the establishment itself, get your master to fight us gentlemanly in the open and not hide behind some faceless nickname casting unwarranted and vile aspersions on us…

Last but not least…I would like to thank those responsible for the attacks and threats on us.
Thanks for showing interest in us, thanks for reading up on us. Hopefully one day you will find something that you read about us that you are finally in agreement with. We will definately work on that…

If you truly hate us, please leave us alone. One shouldn’t waste too much time on someone you hate…take the time to love instead…

Food for thought:

“Love the person who does the evil deed while hating the deed that the person does”

“Defeat the unjust system, rather than the individuals who are caught in that system”.