Andrew Loh
It was a private screening but that didn’t stop officers from the Media Development Authority (MDA) from seizing a copy of the film, “One Nation Under Lee”, at the Tulip Room in the Peninsular Excelsior Hotel.
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) screened the film to an audience of about 70 people, who paid $20 each to attend the lunch-cum-film event on Saturday, May 17.
The film, produced by activist and artist Seelan Pillay, was a narrative of how Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew subjugated various institutions in Singapore, such as the press, under the government’s control during his time as Prime Minister. It also depicted how the social divide in Singapore is a result of the People’s Action Party’s policies. The film included interviews with former Solicitor General Francis Seow, political detainee Said Zahari, opposition politician JB Jeyaretnam and scenes of various public protests which had taken place in Singapore.
Twenty minutes into the screening, three officers from the MDA, one of whom identified himself as “senior assistant director” Mr Tan Chiu Kee, arrived and demanded that the organizers stopped the screening and handed over the film. They were met outside the door of the room by Ms Chee Siok Chin and other SDP members and supporters.
The officers explained to Ms Chee that they were contravening the Films Act, which stipulates that any film intended for public exhibition must be submitted to the MDA for a licence. Failure to do so would incur a fine of $100 for each copy of the film in possession. Whether the SDP had committed any other offence is unclear as the MDA officers did not say.
The SDP explained that since the screening was already taking place, the officers should allow it to go on and the SDP would hand over the film then. The officers refused and at one point warned the SDP that they were “obstructing justice”.
The MDA officers then called in the police who arrived for a brief period. They left after the SDP agreed to hand over the film. By this time, the screening of the film had ended.
The copy of the film was then handed over to the officers who also asked for the dvd player used to screen the film.
The event continued with Seelan Pillay and film maker Martyn See taking the floor and answering questions from the audience, which TOC understands included two US embassy officials.
During See’s Q&A session, the MDA officers returned again and asked for the LCD projector. The SDP refused. The audience heckled and scolded the officers who promptly left – without the projector.
Below is a video of the film, One Nation Under Lee:
By Honest Production 2008.
Read also: “Censors and police seize video at private screening” by Martyn See.
Below are two videos of the event at the Excelsior Hotel. Special thanks to tysploevil.
Part One:
Part Two
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JustMe,
Moving on just like that is like chickening out. Taking the easy route. Having strongmen is good for the country but are we having strongmen or tyrants? Thats the difference. Do we live in a modern democracy or a depostism under one LEE? Thats the big picture. It is the people perception that counts and for me i cannot move on like that. I am no nomads that move on whenever the river drys cause this is my homeland and i hope to see changes at all levels soon.
FG
One thing that the video did not show, which I’m not too happy about and believe should be changed, is the fact that our court system was changed from that of a jury system to a one or three judge system.
When we were under British rule and even after we became independant, we had the jury system in place. This was, and still is fairly used, in most courts around the world. When it got changed, we all know by whom, and why no one aposed it is a mystery to me. Maybe someone out there has some clue to this.
Even our Padra branka ruling was by a 15 panel judge ruling. That’s like a jury system in itself. They deliberated the isues. We heard, even before the ruling was out, that S’pore and Malaysia would accept the outcome. Well why don’t they bring back the jury system so it is fair to people in all manner of justice. this way there’s no favortism to the man on the street or anyone in office. Including the PM or the President.
I rest my case.
Jury system cant be implemented until an old fart dies. So are the freedom of speech and right to assembly. All this hope of FREEDOM we all have to wait for a while until that “day” come.
I’m a Singaporean married to a European foreigner. The patriotic songs and stories of my wife’s homeland actually bring tears to my eyes. I have never even lived there before.
Singapore is a mighty and well-oiled machine. That is her function through and through. Other nations may have a heart and soul, but my nation has never had an appeal beyond bragging rights about records and facts and numbers.
Where is the heart? I might as well be dead. All this nation provides me is a strong economy to earn a living. But what use is a living without a life?
Oppressed, oh what the point of jury system if they going to be ‘independent’ like the Commission Of Investigation in Selamat’s case ? And if the clown could buy supporter’s vote and fix opp party ? Will I doubt that the clown will fix those people in COI or buy their votes ?
Let’s not make thing worse because everytime the change is made in government system, it is still the same old crude thing and wayangness. Remember how the government help the poor ? Increase GST to help the poor, and the poor endup paying more ?
So rather remove the clowns rather than ask those clowns to fix themselves.
It is difficult to pick and choose a jury for every case but a lot more easier to appiont a few judges. Why even a guy who is out of the legal industry for donkey years can become the chief judge because he is so talented at giving out the correct judgement. At the end of the day they can all sleep peacefully as their conscious is clear. Retribution will come another day.
Belief in retribution is basically avoiding conflict personally and hoping somebody else does the difficult job instead.
The Lee’s and PAP ministers already have their money and land overseas. They can flee anytime they want without any emotional attachement to Singapore should the retributor arrive. ~~ Thaksin somehow came to my mind here~~
i meant fleeing like Thaksin.
hmm…honestly the film open up to alot of politics in sg that i don’t know about..but i just got piss off at part where they make fun of the MDA officers in the video..i feel humilated n sorry for them because l feel those ppl are just doing their job..if they cooperate after awhile of gentleman debate maybe at the end of the day when they reach home they might realised maybe the Chee make a point..
Hi there,
Can I have your permission to archive this article and then re-post it in its entirety on my blog with full credits to you?
Cheers,
Jayden
Jayden,
Please go ahead… :)
So many of you were at the scene huh?
I’m a 15 year old student here, nice to meet you all. Some of you share my views, comment on my blog, i have posted numerous views.
how i can know more about Lee Kuan Yew?:)
Congrats on the video! Keep up the good work!
I hope SDP will not loose faith and become demoralised after all the losses from the defamation suits.
Continue to press on in the good fight for more freedom! :)
It really opened up my views and brought a whole new light on why the opposition party risked so much to do what they do.
Lets continue to spread this video on our part and make it a viral one.
That there may be more balance of power in our country for the good of our future generations.
Remember: Absolute power corrupts absolutely!
One dynasty, don’t know how many Lee..
I enjoy reading the Singapore papers.
You should read the crap I have to read in The West Australian.
If you want to see how media dumbs down the public, come and live in Perth !
Shocking behavior of the people in power. Unbelievable. The truth is never afraid of daylight. If the flim contains errors, point out the errors. If not why try to stop its screening???
yes the police took mins to get there but 5 weeks to confirm that the driver was a romanian when most singaporeans concluded that in 5 seconds.
An full mp4 version can be downloaded at
http://www.engagemedia.org/Members/Seelan/videos/onul.m4v/view
I just can’t beleive this. It is ok as long as one does not make up craps about anyone. Let the people decide. Come on MDA you know better than that, there are so many clips on You Tube about everything and anything.
Take it easy. The world will be a better with sharing and learning
That is the most shameful thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life. No wonder Singapore is so backwards.
If the authority is strictly implementing the laws, then why is it the PAP branches have already put up the GE Banners and their flags where non of the opposition parties are doing so?
This is advertising and is illegal to do it before the Nomination day. Isn’t it shows that the opposition parties are more law abiding?
Could some one please enlighten me why PAP applies only laws benefiting them?
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Lady & Gentlemen of the world,I hope you all are seeing this,this is true Singapore,it look perfect but this is one tyrant, one nation , one ruling,one Lee’s empire party,the short,spectacle guy is the MDA’s authority,is here to seize the truth of the tyrant-LKY,what he did to a few high position innocent men that dares to go against him in politic,in order for him to build his PAP’s party.He even used the ISA to detained them,sighting them as potential terrorist,he even treat his every Singaporean as every potential & possible terrorist that go against his idea of politic & ruling.This is our father LKY who built Singapore.It may seems that opp is the devil who destroy the peace of the party,but no,isthe other way round,PAP has taken most of our basic rights,such as freedom of speech,legally corruption for them—PAP,& illegal corruption for its people including opp parties,legalize gambling for them,which they have lost billions of our CPF money,& illegal gambling for us citizens.The next time,if you think Singapore is good to become PR or citizens,take this as example,& think twice.