From the International Herald Tribune:
A Singapore opposition leader has called on President Barack Obama to take steps to encourage the island nation’s government to stop committing human rights abuses.
Chee Soon Juan, the leader of the Singapore Democratic Party, praised Obama’s record as a civil rights lawyer and said he hoped the new “administration’s foreign policy will be as enlightened.”
“I have every confidence that the U.S. 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,” Chee said in a five-minute video posted on YouTube and his party’s Web site on Tuesday.
Read the full report here in IHT.
Also: BBC’s report - Obama to receive Singapore plea.
Dr Chee’s video message to President Obama:
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moshetummy, so you are scared uh ? scared of ending up in a kangoroo court ?
Again and again, how many times must I tell you guys that my nick is inspired by the man who wrote these words on the parliment wall ? You do think I’m Mrs Lee ? haha !
You’re taking this too serious my friend !
[i]iloveharrylee on January 23rd, 2009 4.59 pm moshetummy, so you are scared uh ? scared of ending up in a kangoroo court ?[/i]
scared what?
it did happenned
it happenned to a usa lawyer
now which side of your brain is dead?
have you ever tried a bungee jumpin
with no rope?
if not why not?
are you afraid
or simply
STUPID?
i asked you
to recite
the democratic daily OATH
you
DARED not….
Let’s count our blessings…there’s no countries in this world that is perfect!
What Chee Soon Juan is doing now may not have any relevance to the citizens of Singapore right now, as they are comfortably living a life that many envied. This comfort is one aspect that many other nationals are pursuing in their own countries, and Singapore happens to be one of those places they found suitable for them to fulfill dream in.
I’m a Foreigner coming from a country where there’s great challenges, conflicts and disturbances due to religion and race, but in Singapore, I feel the kind of peace, safety, security and comfort which I had always dream of.
So, count your blessings Singaporeans!
WhyChee (#45 & #48)
If I am dictatorial, I would use special means (e.g. internal security act, legal terrorism, ie. suing opponents for libels) to enforce you to shut up. But I didn’t. I chose to recommend you to shut up. You did not feel obligated to comply with my recommendation. This is democracy.
Is Dr Chee opposing for the sake of opposing? Please define “opposing for the sake of opposing”. When Dr Chee just entered politics, he and his associates campaigned for issues relevant to Singaporeans such as rising cost, minimum wage. PAP in response to annoyance started clamping down on his campaigns and restricting he and his supporters in expressing their political opinions. Obviously, their response to PAP’s authoritarian action would be a vigorous campaign for human rights, especially the freedom of expression and speech.
“Daniel, Chee always pick the wrong place to speak at the wrong time. I still remember the attempt to go on hungry strike with doc checking on his bp with glucose drips…so funny ! Yet you guys worship him as your idol ?”
Please la, then tell me when is the good time ? There will be today and tomorrow.
“I still remember the attempt to go on hungry strike with doc checking on his bp with glucose drips…so funny ! ”
Yes, it is funny but the joke is on you not him. At least, what he did is noble a cause. How about the oldman ? Losing billions at our expense and yet go for medical operation at our taxmoney ? Sprouting senile and irrelevant remarks with our taxmoney, nepotism and legalised corruption..
The reason it is funny is that MSM choose to focus on Dr Chee to report on his act, but I did not see MSM report on the coffers’ and LKY’s act. Just because the mouthpiece did not report on those coffer’s act don’t mean that they are not acting in the funny way. Did you not recall the clown prince’s censorship of MEE SIAM MAI HUM ? How can you be so senile and forget it ? Isn’t you funny too ?
The very fact that you read the news about Dr Chee and make fun of him based on the mouthpiece even though you doubt on the credibility of the press means that you are just as funny and a clown.
So which is funnier ?
By the way, why are you using so many nicks to post ? Trying to be funny, is it ?
To: 53) Count Our Blessings on January 23rd, 2009 6.52 pm
>I’m a Foreigner coming from a country where there’s great challenges, conflicts and disturbances due to religion and race, but in Singapore, I feel the kind of peace, safety, security and comfort which I had always dream of.
>So, count your blessings Singaporeans!
Are you earning a lot? If not, when you’re old and employers don’t want to hire you anymore except as a cleaner for a few hundred dollars a month, when you have not enough to live on, much less retire, and when welfare that doesn’t even allow 3 decent meals a day is hard to get, will you still be counting your blessings then?
I have no faith in Dr Chee at all, no matter what he claims to be doing. His intentions are not for the Singaporeans interest but rather himself.
anyways, I can bet Obama have too many things to handle in his own country. All other non-military foreign issues will have to wait. But if you ask me, the Burmese are in need of more attention than us..
I can admit Chee has the guts to do stupid things. That’s the guts you guys have been looking up to; but guess what ? It’s his intelligence that I look down upon. As I’ve said earlier, Chee has some personal issues with Pappies so it’s best for them to fight it out. Why don’t we just sit back and watch the dog fights ? Sometimes, it’s very interesting you know ! So funny ! ~lol~
If you guys think I’m on the gahmen side, then I’m sorry you have the same narrow-mindness of Chee. See, there are people here (like jefj0901) who share my sentiments towards Chee.
” It’s his intelligence that I look down upon. As I’ve said earlier, Chee has some personal issues with Pappies so it’s best for them to fight it out.”
Tell me then, how to be passionate without been emotion and been perceived as personal ? The same has been said with JBL and ultimately the truth prevails, and the oldman and its Leegime has been personal with opp party (except for those who pose less threat and more subversient) using kangaroo laws.
In the history of changes, tell me then which person responsible for catalyst of change has not been accused of been personal and self-interest then ?
Will you say the same for Lim Chin Siong too as been too personal ?
Check your history.
Remember who Chee fighting for. Not for him, but for us. It is not a dog fight between Chee and the Lees, it is a fight for lessen mortal like us and the Immortal. Unless you can blatantly say that the issues that Chee raised has totally nothing to do with us, the lessen mortal. So do have a sense of proportion.
“I have no faith in Dr Chee at all, no matter what he claims to be doing. His intentions are not for the Singaporeans interest but rather himself.”
It doesn’t matter whether you have faith in him or not, but what matter is whether you yourself have faith in those making change. So who do you believe can make change in Singapore .Obama or some make-believe entity ? Words are proven by action and as far, Dr Chee and his accomplices are matching action with words. It is they that talk with action, and action with words.
If you are helpless and not willing to sacrifice yourself, let’s not stop others for doing so. And didn’t you benefit from Human rights advocated by Dr Chee ? So why complain about Chee been funny ? Isn’t it is funny that those that are paid so much and supposingly to take care of citizen’s interest ask you to shutup and to eat bitter medicine and get on with life ?
So don’t act like a clown trying to destroy those who want to make life better for you and me, and to support those who seek to belittle and exploit you instead. Narrow-minded are those who laugh without knowing that they are the victim indirectly. The real jokers are those elite with grossing high pay using taxmoney laughing at lessen mortal for being such a weaklings and whinning chicken.
Intelligence can only match with actions, and not by words only. Most Singaporeans are so intelligent to stay on the safe side of thing and ultimately not only doing nothing in the end, but pouring cold water on those doing the right thing.
Of course, there are people who share like-mind, after all, there will always be fools and ignorant jokers to create all the laughters and blunders
Daniel, you missed one very important point about Chee, he lied so as to get his personal agenda across, and therefore, he has no credibility nor the stature whatsoever to represent Singaporeans.
Furthermore, he is only speaking about the views of a very minority group of irrational Singaporeans, and the majority are much more rational and level-headed to distiguish between someone who seeks attentions for himself and someone who really fight for their welfare.
Chee’s erratic, eccentric and irresponsible comments about Singapore is not supported at all by the majority of Singaporeans. He is simply just an attention seeker…period!!
“Daniel, you missed one very important point about Chee, he lied so as to get his personal agenda across, and therefore, he has no credibility nor the stature whatsoever to represent Singaporeans.”
Lies ? What is that compare to our coffers ? Beside, tell us what lies he gave that make him a great criminal and despicable person ?
If he is such a liar, how come he can get the international support ? By the way, do you even have any idea that international reputable elite lawyers from Harvard, etc support him without him throwing millions at compare to our coffers ? So you means the world elites are so gullible and naive to trust a liar like him, and you mean that International Bar Association are so wrong to write a report with him as highlight. You means the world elites are so stupid compare to what you get in Singapore ?
So who the stupid people, the world or those that dwell within us ?
Tell me exactly what material are you reading that you get such a impression that he is liar ?
“Furthermore, he is only speaking about the views of a very minority group of irrational Singaporeans, and the majority are much more rational and level-headed to distiguish between someone who seeks attentions for himself and someone who really fight for their welfare.”
Indeed you answer your own question, didn’t you ? Aren’t you the majority that helpless against the regime but yet want a change and say in it ? Only a minority took the risk and sacrifice to do what is right, but yet perceive as attention-seeker. It surprise me that Singaporean can so short-sighted and contradicting. How else can the world knows what going on with Singapore unless somebody create the awareness ? Isn’t the government now coming with kangaroo law to prevent filming of illegal activities which themselves conducted (remember the police can’t even recite the illegal activities when they arrest Dr Chee and his accomplices ?).
“Chee’s erratic, eccentric and irresponsible comments about Singapore is not supported at all by the majority of Singaporeans. He is simply just an attention seeker…period!!”
Just because someone maverick doesn’t make him anymore ineffective. Yes, majority because majority is so afraid of the gov, and that why the gov trampled the citizen and talkcock and sing song right in front of your face. Didn’t you taste enough of bitter medicine or do you want more bitter medicine ?
It is weird when the gov officials make erratic, eccentric and irresponsible comments, they just get away scott free and yet majority do nothing about it and just whine, and even direct their anger at more helpless people. Maybe that is what becoming Singaporean is all about.
Daniel, why are you defending Chee ? Are you related to him , Daniel Chee ?
iloveharrylee,
Just because Daniel is defending Chee, they must be related?
So you love harry, so you must be his poodle? or cock spaniel?
oh harry’s whatever you are , why don’t you pack up and move over to YPAP forum, I am sure you would find more people aligned with your thinking .
To each his own
“Daniel, why are you defending Chee ? Are you related to him , Daniel Chee ?”
I am not defending him, I defending what is right. If iloveharrylee is sensible and doing the right thing, I will defend him too, unfortunately he is just a clown asking the wrong question and making a fool out of himself. Sad very sad for a student.
You know, the funny thing is, before I make decision, I usually go find out about both sides of the story first. So, in the case of Chee, having seen him being labelled a liar and troublemaker etc etc, and sometimes seeing how he heckled then-PM Goh, I thought he was an embarassment. Then I decided that before I make any judgement, I should at least find out his side of the story too. I don’t want to make any statements about all those who ridicules Chee right now, but I would suggest that perhaps you could try getting a copy of his latest book A Nation Cheated selling at Kinokuya. It’s still not too hasty to make a judgement on him AFTER you read what he has written. The problem with us is that we find in so easy to stay within our comfort zone so we don’t have to deal with views that may make us question or think deeper.
Having a better mind isn’t just about reading up the same old things over and over again, but finding out views that may be different from yours. It may make you uncomfortable. It may even trouble you. But it will make you realize the world is never black and white, but in shades of greys with very little absolutes.
Dear Daniel,
“It is weird when the gov officials make erratic, eccentric and irresponsible comments, they just get away scott free and yet majority do nothing about it and just whine, and even direct their anger at more helpless people. Maybe that is what becoming Singaporean is all about.”
Now we are saying both sides are behaving the same way. Now I don’t agree with the likeness of govt in certain aspects and Dr Chee fared no better too. Trading a fool for a fool and we get the circus in town. I read about Dr Chee through the MSM and also comments (biased/unbiased) in the net with regards to his work and the SDP. Ok, I admit, when you read too much negativity about a person you tend to paint him the same colour so, I will do myself a favour and try to read up on him like Mr Zefly suggested.
Passionate you are in defending him, makes me really wonder whether you have worked with him. Associates? Anyway, I shall not draw any conclusion to this. Anyway..Happy Lunar New Year to all..
“I will do myself a favour and try to read up on him like Mr Zefly suggested.”
Thank you Jefj.
I could understand why people think Chee is a clown. To be honest, insomuch as there are indeed character assasination going on, I believe he had on many occasions in the past shot himself in the foot. I am not referring to the acts of civil disobedience, but the way they are sometimes conducted and how some videos put up by SDP, while showing the police and the authorities in bad light, also don’t exactly paint a very good picture of themselves too – eg, the condescending attitudes towards the officials who are just doing their jobs and protecting their rice bowls. I also took issue with how Chee could have taken a different approach in the defamation suits to at least prove what he said wasn’t defamatory instead of wasting the chance to deliver a sermon about human rights.
JBJ might have faced defamation suits and bankruptcy as well, but it seemed that most people at least had a general respect for him, whereas Chee continues to frustrate, especially because he was spot-on in quite a few things, but he continues to give the PAP a very thick rope to hang him with.
I find it hard for people to see him anywhere in a position of authority, eg as an MP or (shudder!) the next leader of our country, but for all those who brushes him because of this, i think this is a false dichotomy.
Everyone has a role to play in shaping our political landscape. He happens to be the one that makes us think, maybe what we accept hook line and sinker from the govt deserves deeper scrutiny – and that is a contribution far greater than the ‘traitor’ label some of us so casually throw on him. To mock, insult, jeer at him just shows how ungracious we are as a people, and how unwilling we are to want to walk out of our own comfort zones.
Zefly, sure, very noble of you to try to find out both sides of the stories. Can you also help us to find out why the gahmen wants to make GST 7% and not reduce it during this financial crisis ?
It is refreshing to read some serious postings from enlightened readers instead of harsh words and irrelevant comments thrown at one another. The PAP has done such a good job in Chee’s character assassination that he would not be able to win any election in the forseeable future even if the PAP allows him to stand for election. America elected Obama because they wanted Change. Chee will win if he also changes. And of course, the PAP must change their unfair election rules.
[i]iloveharrylee on January 25th, 2009 12.35 am Zefly, Can you also help us to find out why the gahmen wants to make GST 7% and not reduce it during this financial crisis ?[/i]
for the overpaid ministers to earn their $100,000 monthly salaries perhaps?
do you actually know what is GST meant for?
how about VAT?
you know or don’t know
do you need me to draw a picture on
WORLDS’ rulin$ regarding G$T
yes or no?
To his credibility and existence in Singapore’s political arena, Chee have to stopped colluding with foreign parties and government who are always eager to show the world the faults of Singapore (and ignored those great things we have achieved as a nation).
He is at best now, a “tool” that such foreign parties and government used to belittle Singapore, and many a time, ignored the real voice of ordinary Singaporeans, who still want a rational, prudent, incorruptible and effective government to ensure their future well-being.
I’ve turned my support of the other opposition parties, as I feel that they had take on a better stance in engaging and exploring issues that affects Singaporeans, and I am glad that many such opposition parties had demonstrated that they are not just opposing for the sake of opposing, they are beginning to make sense of what they are fighting and opposing, and with clear alternative solutions being recommended to the PAP government.
Chee needs to first engage Singaporeans where they are likely to feel pressured and hurt most, and build his credibility through addressing the core issues of Singaporeans first, before fighting for higher level needs like freedom of speech.
Honestly, having traveled to so many countries within the region (China and India especially, which have contrasting political inclination), I still long to come back to a stable, comfortable and secure environment that Singapore offers.
Let’s count our blessings in the meantime, while still striving to achieve the next milestone for those deeper yearnings within our heart.
Dear patzhou, although I may not have traveled as far and as often as you, I have have traveled to our neighboring countries, not as a tourist but staying with my friends there for quite some time to experience life on their ground.
I’d have to say that I disagree with you, and that I prefer their countries for many reasons. But of course that is my personal preference. One of the reasons I never moved there is because my family is still here, and I have to be here to help them out.
“To his credibility and existence in Singapore’s political arena, Chee have to stopped colluding with foreign parties and government who are always eager to show the world the faults of Singapore”
If the citizens, the MPs, ministers, and gahmen are speaking up and doing the right thing, do we need Chee to expose the oppressive deed of the gov ? We knows the government has lot of fault but yet the gahmen refuse to admit it and instead continue to do as they please and like., then who to help us ?
“I’ve turned my support of the other opposition parties, as I feel that they had take on a better stance in engaging and exploring issues that affects Singaporeans, and I am glad that many such opposition parties had demonstrated that they are not just opposing for the sake of opposing, they are beginning to make sense of what they are fighting and opposing, and with clear alternative solutions being recommended to the PAP government.”
Frankly, can you even quote me a example where the opp party’s debate and argument strike a cord with the government ? Engaging and exploring issues are no use as long as the government belittle the opp parties and downplay their contribution. What citizen want is result not engagement that does not produce result.
Yes, if you travelled enough, then all the more should make Singapore a better place for “lesser mortal” then, and stop accepting the status quo of the government. for a tiny red dot country without natural disaster, and one that has plenty of wealth, it should have done better than other country at making Singapore the conducive environment to stay, don’t you think so ?
“who still want a rational, prudent, incorruptible and effective government to ensure their future well-being.”
Strange, did you really mean what you say ? Have you ever communicate with insider ‘gahmen’ before or just based on image and perception ? Did you know how much things are hidden from public view ?
Seelan, I respect your disagreement as much as I’ll also stick to mine. From all your actions, I can see that you dislike being a Singaporean. It must have been hard on you, suggest you should try harder and give-up your Singapore citizenship as soon as possible, so that you no longer have any emotional baggage (like not having to sing the Singapore anthem and say the citizen’s pledge) to carry with you! Remember, you always have a choice!
But obviously from the above posting, we now know that you have never treated yourself as a Singaporean, nor have the interest of Singapore’s future in your heart, and therefore, we can also never treat it that you have Singaporeans’ welfare and future in heart!!
==============================
Daniel, do you know something that we all do not know…perhaps you can let all of us know here right away, and stop implying as those everyone else is ignorant and only you are above everything and anything. I am simply sharing and speaking from what I saw, what I’ve experienced and what I felt, do you think I can have any personal freedom to express such thoughts and feelings here, or I must go with your thoughts and nothing else?
From all your other posters picking, rebutting and challenging other posters’ thoughts and opinions, I am beginning to agree with some of the other posters here that you are indeed a hypocrite and a person of double standards.
As for the other opposition’s work, it is published in both the newspapers as well as the official website of such parties…you are simply too obsessed with Chee Soon Juan (probably treat him like your god), as well as focusing so much on always criticising others that disagree with you, that you did not even find time for anything else constructive.
If Chee Soon Juan can start his engagement with Singaporeans on the core issues that are affecting their livelihood, and demonstrate that he is closed to the ordinary Singaporeans’ heart and pulses, he will definitely earn his credibility to pursue the higher calling of human rights on their behalf, and I believe many (including myself) will support him! I sincerely hope that he can channel his unyielding energy and passion in the right way and gather more Singaporeans’ support.
In the meantime, however, he is evidently still focusing on and taking every opportunity to paint the most negative picture of Singapore to foreign media, foreign governments and NGOs in whichever way he can think of or he can laid his hands on, all because he has a personal agenda against the PAP!!
Oh well, you guys will never understand this; the Americans like Singaporeans. I’ve been travelling to America very often and when they know I’m from Singapore, they are very happy and interested to know more about our island. You will be surprised how many Americans wanted vandals like Michael Fay to be caned and attributed their high crime rates to their lax law enforcement and human rights.
Yes, I’m proud to be a Singaporean, not because of any ruling party who is governing Singapore, but because we are bilingual and able to communicate and understand languages of one superpower and the other upcoming superpower. Actually I don’t really care who is governing Singapore, but you have to give some credit to the gahmen for that. If we would have been part of our Northern neighbour, I don’t think we can fare any better than today.
If Chee thinks he can be useful to Singapore, I bet he has to perform greater things. If Dalai Lama can do it, why not him ? In fact, Dalai Lama is worse; he was exiled from Tibet but he still fight for a peaceful independence and Tibetans human & religious rights. As for Chee, you guys know his situation better than I do. Pathetic !
“Daniel, do you know something that we all do not know…perhaps you can let all of us know here right away, and stop implying as those everyone else is ignorant and only you are above everything and anything.”
Simple to you. If you want to know, just speak to the source of those affected by regime or work under you. I’m not above other, definitely not. I seeking the truth and trying to find out more compare to to majority. I find out more and attend to the ground
Number 1 – Speak to the source whether it is gahmen or Dr Chee, or opp party, if you don’t even bother , let’s not even say other don’t respect your view or anything and let’s even accuse other of been higher ground…
Double standard ? Did you attempt to speak to the source or insider ? If not, aren’t you the real double standard person ?
Constructive ? For a government that refuse to listen to the ground , and proceed with the action and decision anything and also only listen when shit happens, you call that constructive ?
Please, you do not know what is meant by constructive , don’t overuse it.
Strange, if indeed Dr Chee is painting the negative picture then did someone overpaint the positive picture ?
Please, you are not one that travel around the world and witness how fortunate we are. I’m too travel the world and have see how a gov that above others will destroy the unity and nation.
If indeed you are not hypocrite, please tell me what action did you to make Singapore a better place other than coming here giving your “constructive comment” only.
Pardon for another thought of mine; Chee’s behaviour and method might suit Taiwanese parliment. All the shouting and fighting can be really his type.
Patzhou,
If the status quo is good enough for you, fine. But it won’t be enough for Singapore’s future survival and relevance.
Think about it..
Cheers and have a Happy CNY!
“Pardon for another thought of mine; Chee’s behaviour and method might suit Taiwanese parliment. All the shouting and fighting can be really his type.”
Unfortunately it is no longer a matter of suiting to one’s taste when life is getting tougher and people is losing job. Frankly, when is the last time Chee and supporters shout and fight physically ? He has been holding peaceful protest, and the only one that show violence and physical seems to be from the police. The gov has taped those incident and why not they just release it to Youtube for all to see. Oh yeah, they might even show a imaginery and ghostly Mas Selamat escaping too. I am there to witness some of the protest too, and sadly, it is so hard to imagine how surreal can Singapore enforcer be. The video can’t even do the protest justice.
If one can’t even question and scrutinise the government, something is very seriously wrong.
The minibomb saga and China FW’s plight clearly show that when one’s livelihood is at stake, there will be unprecedented courage. It shows that Singaporeans refuse to exercise their courage until their assets are threatened but then they should start praying should that happen, and if there will be another Dr Chee and Tan Kin Lian to fight for them.
ILoveHarryLee, happy new year too….
“If Chee Soon Juan can start his engagement with Singaporeans on the core issues that are affecting their livelihood, and demonstrate that he is closed to the ordinary Singaporeans’ heart and pulses, he will definitely earn his credibility to pursue the higher calling of human rights on their behalf, and I believe many (including myself) will support him!”
Perhaps by his civil disobedience and some of his more puzzling claims and acts, Chee has turned the focus away from the issues affecting Singaporeans to himself. Or perhaps the MSM has succeeded in portraying him to be just simply fighting for human rights for the sake of it that his other messages had been all but ignored. But it would be inaccurate to say Chee didn’t at least engage with Singaporeans.
Chee has published a few books. Sometimes I feel a bit cheated of my money because I only take an hour to finish each book, and they sometimes repeat certain topics. Though some of the topics aren’t exactly new, I believe he was the first to reveal some of them-
He talked about the economic model of Singapore being based on suppressing wages to make ourselves attractive and competitive to investors, with very little attention paid to ‘growing’ our own companies. In Chee’s view, such a model benefits the elites and is not sustainable in the long run.
He did raise the alarm that our CPF contributions are not enough, and argued that the CPF should not be used to pay for HDB flats, which he also felt was exorbidantly prized.
He mentioned about how tripartism isn’t good for Singaporeans and also covered a bit of how the older unions were crushed under the banner of destroying communism.
His Ta Bolek Tahan campaign also took him to the heartlands where his people and him spoke to people and distributed flyers etc.
Hence it would be inaccurate to claim that all he did was fight for human rights and issues which the majority of Singaporeans didn’t care about.
Do I agree that sometimes Chee’s words are full of hyperbole? Yes. I often felt that if his choice of words in his speech and writings were more toned down, they would resonate better.
Were some of his claims inaccurate? Possibly. But I believe those that were, he had already been taken to task, considering how quick the PAP is ready to sue for things which they know he can’t prove. Which, considering the silence that followed after his latest book was released, could indicate that what was inside was better researched and backed by more accurate evidences.
Also, some of the posts I’ve read in Youtube laughed at Chee for claiming ‘many’ lived in poverty. It was made all the more laughable by the same old ‘stock footage’ from the Chee archives… but even from MOM reports, about 100,000 households make less than $800 (or was it 1k?) a month. My friend who teaches at a neighborhood school told me quite a few stories about her students coming from poor and broken families. Channelnewsasia also featured some stories of homeless Singaporeans sleeping in Marina Park area. Depending on how you look at it 100,000 may still be a small percentage compared to the overall number of households in SIngapore. But then again, everyone practices selective interpretation anyway. That’s why it’s called politics.
TW political system is multi-party and basically 2 partied system.
Why it prospered?
Ditto for HK and S.Korea.
How much does political systems affect prosperity ?
Panther and iloveharry can u take up this challenging question?
if u can.
Come on, who here is betting for Operation Singapore Freedom? Or Sanctions? Do you know what economic sanctions are like?
Why everyone are arguing about CSJ? The problems here are people on the ground are getting very upset and angry with the ruling party way of governing the country. It doesn’t matter whether CSJ, JBJ, TKL or any other alternative party member, the key problem is about the Papees. You can all start arguing whether any of these alternative party or person can proof if they can do a better job than the Papees, the question is whether they can have the very opportunity to do so when the Papees keep eliminating each and everyone of them by bankrupting them, so as to disqualifying them from participating in the GE.
tiredsingaporean, I know of a friend of mine who declared himself as gay, went to San Francisco and utimately found a job and now became a U.S. citizen. He did that because he said that coming back to SG as a gay will be prosecuted due to some stupid Act which is still imposed. He was granted some kinda of asylum and was happy to stay there.
You like to try ?
83) tiredsingaporean
Why everyone are arguing about CSJ?
I believe there are two groups of pro-opposition party sympathizers. You either love CSJ or hate him. If you support him for his confrontational and abrasive style he will never get past the first hurdle to get into parliament. Those who support milder opposition leaders like CST & LKT will keep a distance from him.
CSJ’s plea for Obama to push Singapore on human rights is a good step but it is not Obama’s priority. He has far more urgent problems to solve.
CSJ on the other hand should plea with Obama that Singapore’s system of governance should be his role model.
The fact that Singapore has 300 billion + of reserves is testimony of a successful system. Agree folks ?
a) appoint the right people to manage the country’s reserves, that includes family members. Michelle Obama , you don’t have to be a bored housewife, ask our HC.
b) decree that all govt institutions must show a profit or surplus
c) introduce erp gantries in all cities to boost govt coffers
d) increase the sales tax on consumption and tell the citizens it is to help the poor
e) implement COE to manage excessive vehicles on the road and at the same time boost govt coffers.
f) involve the govt in public housing projects, acquire state land at cheap prices, build the homes on a budget and resell at inflated market prices to boost the govt coffers.
g) introduce Town Councils for all cities to manage every estate with a huge amount of sinking fund and to be invested in Dow Jones or Govt funds.
h) anticipate that your citizens will resent such measures, control the media and coerce them to be pro govt activities, back up with a big stick like the CIA and NSA so that indifferent citizens toe the line.
g) last but not least , consult IBA on how the Singapore govt makes the judiciary the ace in their sleeves.
And now it is up to you Mr President Obama to learn from my country on how to make those in your administration and the country rich.
While I’m not sure whether Mr Obama wants to help or not. I’m fairly certain he CAN’T help.
1) He has enough problems of his own to try and deal with another country’s issue
2) Remember George Bush and the other presidents who tried to meddle with another country’s issue? How was their rating?
3) Singapore as an independant country is not a country that Obama can meddle with respect to Obama. Singapore is a sovereign country on its own.
4) How are you gonna ask Obama to interfere with a country that has many things on the top few rankings in the world? Including Economics, Airports, Competitiveness, GDP per Capita, Education? What kind of excuse can he get? Singapore Government too strict?
Fully agree. President Obama has more important things to do than to meddle in a small, but highly important country, relative to its size. He is a very pragmatic leader, no matter how he dislikes the leadership in Singapore, he keeps his card close to his chest, but still he has a bone to pick with our MM Lee, who predicted wrongly an African American could not win the Presidency in America.
Obama’s actions and behaviour, though subtle,
reveals his inner feelings e.g. he only flew in and out in a matter of a few hours during the APEC Summit held in Singapore.
So Chee may be a large step too early in his bold but radical attempt. Follow the Chinese saying, bai ren chen jin, patience would turn into gold. PAP members know very well they could not be in power forever, they just want to make money as quickly as they could, in the shortest possible time, so they just push ahead for high GDP growth, which is pegged to their pay packets. At the end of the day, they already have a guaranteed pension to splash on in their old age.