Jan 24
Democrats’ message to President Obama PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Singapore Democrats


youtube link here


Dear President Obama,

An occasion of great moment has come upon America this 20th day of January 2009. It is a day summoned by history to what is good and noble as you are inaugurated President of the United States.

My colleagues and I at the Singapore Democratic Party, extend to you our heartfelt congratulations.

We are especially encouraged by what you said on Human Rights Day in December last year: “When the United States stands up for human rights, by example at home and by effort abroad, we align ourselves with men and women around the world who struggle for the right to speak their minds, to choose their leaders, and to be treated with dignity and respect.”

Alas here in Asia there are altogether too many men and women who still labour under authoritarian regimes and dictatorships.

Mdm Aung San Suu Kyi and her fellow servants of democracy in Burma continue to languish in dark cells simply for daring to dream of freedom. The military government needs to know that with new leadership in the United States, it cannot be repression-as-usual. Change, urgent change must come to Burma, a country that civility has so cruelly forsaken.

In my country, Singapore, the repression is no less severe — its ugly form made only less grotesque by an English-speaking regime that cleverly uses terms like the “rule of law” and “good governance” to cover up what is effectively a dictatorship.

How else can you describe a government that prohibits public speech and peaceful assembly, completely controls the media, continues to detain its citizens without trial, and manipulates elections?

My party colleagues and fellow human rights advocates have been arrested and prosecuted for taking part in peaceful protests. In March last year 18 of us stood outside our Parliament and protested against the rising cost of living in Singapore. For that we were dragged away by the police and charged for taking part in an illegal procession and assembly. The trial is on-going.

I face multiple charges for speaking in public and conducting protests. I’ve already been imprisoned seven times. I’ve been sued for defamation by government leaders and made a bankrupt. As a result I’ve been banned from standing for elections and barred from travelling overseas. I’ve been jailed twice for contempt of court.

But don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. And neither are my associates. We fight for justice and freedom with gladness in our hearts.

But even as I make this video, the Singapore government is already crafting yet more laws to make it even more difficult for the public to conduct protests.

I understand that the United States’ relations with Singapore is one based on pragmatism. We are a strong military ally and valuable trading partner. What I don’t understand is how a democratic Singapore that respects the rights of its people, undermines this relationship. In fact, a Singapore that practices the rule of law is very much in the interests of the US, both long-term and short.

It is my sincere hope that your administration’s foreign policy will be as enlightened as you. I have every confidence that under the leadership of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the US will pay more attention to the human rights abuses of the Singapore government and take positive steps to help Singapore join the Community of Democracies.

Before your entry into politics you were a community organiser and civil rights lawyer. Because of this you understand what it is like to be under the crushing weight of poverty.

In Singapore we have a significant layer of the underclass. Like many, I am sure you are shocked to hear that the poor in Singapore are not a small minority. People living in cardboard boxes, stealing scraps of leftovers in public eating places, and the rummaging through dumpsters for something to sell is not an uncommon sight in Singapore.

The tragedy is they suffer in silence for they have no rights and no avenue to speak their pain.

But while they suffer, our Prime Minister pays himself a salary that is six times yours. This income disparity did not come about because of the free-market system. It came about because of deliberate policy-making designed to attract the world’s wealth to this country, legitimate or otherwise. This is why Singapore has become a tax haven, one that benefits only the rich and super-rich in this country but leaves much of the rest of society neglected.

Like you I have young children whom I love dearly. Like yours I want mine to grow up in a society that places rights before riches, people before profits, a society that values justice and one that is free as it is strong.

It is my hope that the universality of human rights and your leadership will help make the world a better place for your children and mine.

Again, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on this most special of days. The load that you bear is heavy and the responsibility you shoulder immense. But I have no doubt that the confidence that your fellow citizens have placed in you will be fully vindicated.

Under your leadership, I look forward to a world that is freer, more democratic, and more just.

Thank you and God Bless.
Jan 14
One Country Two Systems (from Martyn See’s Blog posting)

200 Chinese workers is a crowd.

2 Singaporean protesters is an illegal assembly.

224 PRC workers held a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Manpower building to protest against salary arrears on December 30 2008. They were not arrested.
Singaporeans Seelan Palay and Chong Kai Xiong were arrested this afternoon in front of the same MOM building for staging a protest in support of Burmese nationals allegedly being forced to leave the country for their pro-democracy activities.

Link: 2 arrested for protest

Video of Seelan & Kai Xiong Protest by Choon Hiong http://vimeo.com/2808270
Jan 12

Two activists were arrested at around 1 pm outside MOM Building.

They were speaking out against MOM high handed ways of rejecting two  Burmese’s work permit.

Seelan and Kai Xiong, while holding placard,  were highlighting the plight of our Burmese pals whose work permit were rejected after working here for 11 years for their pro-democracy support in their own country.

Now tell me, last Sunday, 200 PRC gathered peacefully outside MOM building to protest against their bosses for not paying them, no arrest and MOM even render help immediately.  In stark contrast,  2 activists protesting against MOM high handed ways of rejecting the renewal of work permit were arrested!!

It makes me wonder;

1) 2 activists pose more danger than 200 protesters?

2)  2 activists pose more danger than a gathering of 200 foreign workers??

This is a sick country!

Press Release: More Burmese facing expulsion from Singapore

Seelan Palay

Yet another two Burmese nationals working in Singapore have fallen victim to the Government for their support of the pro-democracy movement in their home country.

In the latest development, Singapore’s Manpower Ministry is refusing to renew the work permits of Mr Moe Kyaw Thu, 35 and Mr Win Kyaw, 38, who had both worked here for 11 years each. Moe is a construction supervisor and Win, a technical supervisor.

This drastic turn of events resulted from the two men’s involvement in highlighting human rights abuses by the Burmese military junta following its crackdown of the pro-democracy movement in Rangoon led by monks in September last year.

Moe in particular appealed to MOM reiterating that he has no police record of any kind and he has fully respected the laws of Singapore while working here.

Both men have participated in the activities of the Overseas Burmese Patriots (OBP), an advocacy group formed in Singapore after the military crackdown. The group was involved in organizing and conducting a series of public campaigns in Singapore against the Burmese regime.

One of the activities was when over 40 Burmese, assembled in groups of four, held a peaceful protest along Orchard Road on 20 Nov 07 during the ASEAN Summit in nearby Shangri-la Hotel.

Following the event, the group was accused by the Singapore Government of deliberately breaking local laws. Its members were given a police warning for their participation in the protest. But none of the Burmese activists were ever charged with any unlawful act while pursuing their political objectives.

The hands of the PAP Government first became apparent in September this year when three members of the OBP were expelled when their work permits or residence in Singapore came up for renewal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng defended the Government’s action then, stating that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority “considers this small group to be undesirable persons and rightly decided they should leave.”

In the ongoing saga, despite their employers wanting to retain them, Moe and Win have been ordered to leave Singapore by the end of January 2009.

“If they send me back, my family will suffer greatly. I’d have to spend the rest of my life in prison.” said Moe.

The latest expulsions go against the sympathy and support that Burmese pro-democracy activists receive throughout the world. The inhumane act of the Singapore Government is an indirect endorsement of the murderous Burmese junta.

seelanpalay@gmail.com

Jan 5

For a list of report about SDP’s Hong Lim Park countdown, pls visit the below site…

1) SDP – http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/1653-a-night-of-song

2) SDP – http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/1654-messages-of-unity-change-and-remembrance

3) Sg Politics – http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=1719

4) Ng E-Jay speech on Mr JBJ – http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=1724

5) Seelan Palay – http://singaporeindianvoice.blogspot.com/2009/01/its-2009-now.html

6) Uncle Yap – http://uncleyap-news.blogspot.com/2009/01/opposition-fighters-counted-down-to.html

7) Andrew Loh’s article on TOC – http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/01/the-opposition-in-2009-%E2%80%93-time-to-get-united/

8) Tan Kin Lian’s speech on Mr JBJ – http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-memory-of-mr-j-b-jeyaretnam.html

Jan 5

SDP, its friends and supporters got together to organise the 1st ever countdown party at Hong Lim Park to usher in 2009.

There was neither any entrance fee, nor big bang music..nor booze..nor superstars nor VIPs to grace the occasion BUT there were lots of hotdogs, chips, drinks, light sticks, clappers, live musicians and singers providing lots and lots of fun.

Most importantly, we had great company in the audience who were all VIPs in my eyes.

Most of us arrived at Hong Lim Park early to prepare for the event.  It was amazing that no one needed to be told what to do.  We all seemed to know our roles well, musicians (Dr Chee , Jufri Jnr, Agnes, Dayvid) were at one side practicing the songs to be sing and play for the night.  Seelan, Kaixing, Khalis, Rachel were setting up the candlelight display and JBJ memorial altar, Grace and Francis help set up the tables. John and I went  through the programe list, Siok Chin, Francis, Johhny, Gerald and Ti Lik readied the food and drinks for the night.

Tiki torches were used to create the ambience, Eddy provided the sound systems (which impressed many visitors…thank you Eddy).  Hotdogs were sponsored by Lillian.

2 young girls were the first to join in the countdown.  It was heartening to know that being only 19 and 20 yrs old, they were aware of Singapore’s political scene. They even helped us with the preparation and went around mingling with the rest, especially our ‘little’ supporters like Joe-en, Jo-elle, Shaw Hur and Misha.

Another supporter that caught my eyes was a 92 (or is it 94?) year old lady. who had come with her son and a helper. The son introduced the mother to me. The son told me that her mum came all the way from Clementi to show her support. Though the old lady couldn’t really speak, she embraced me with a hug which warmed my heart.

I noticed that Steve Chia had also come to attend. I then invited him to speak which he spotaneously agreed. Even though it was an impromptu invitation, he did not disappoint the crowd and obliged.

Jufrie Mahmood, John Tan, Tan Kin Lian, Sebastian Teo, Ng Teck Siong, Seelan Palay, Kenneth Jeyaretnam were speakers for the night – thank you all for your wonderful speeches.

The highlights of the night were songs by our musicians (Dr Chee , Jufrie Jr, Dayvid, Agnes) who not only played the guitar, but sang to us as well.  Another talent of Dr Chee  which not many know, is that he can play the guitar quite well.

Two of my favourite songs performed that night were the song Dr Chee  wrote for Mr JBJ which really touch my heart and the song we sang as the grand finale “We Shall Overcome”.

All in all, it was a great way to start the new year.

Welcome 2009, for whatever happens in 2009, recession, depression, more police investigations, more charges in court, I would say..bring it on, for I know..someday, “we shall overcome”.

Happy New Year to all :-)

Jan 2

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 :)