There is hardly any data for Mr Shanmugan to base his belief that SPF boys would make rash and tragic errors in their course of duties. Moreover, as minister, is it acceptable for the public that he should make policy decisions based on mere gut feeling?

Moreover, why would terrorists target policemen when their goal is terrorism? The whole point here is to spread fear among the populace and there is no one better in doing that in Singapore other than the PAP Government itself.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8004222.stm

Mr Shanmugam of course believes that none of our boys in blue could ever make such rash and tragic errors in the course of their policing duties. Clearly far less likely than say, the chances that their homes and their families would be individually targeted by terrorists if they’re caught on film policing just about anything ( yes that’s exactly what he argued when defending the Public Order Act. )

Will Singaporeans (ever) Stand Up For Singapore?

Go back to GE held in Nov 2001. It was just two months after the PAP tied the prioritization of HDB’s Lift Upgrading Program to the precinct’s votes for PAP in Sep 2001. Yet Singaporeans let Greed (viz, higher resale value after lift upgrading) prevail over Right (viz, rejecting use of public funds to secure political party’s future).

One can only hope that in the decade since, Singaporeans have matured a little more politically.

The Pariah, http://www.singaporeenbloc.blogspot.com

Do waste time with your Chan Soo Sen – this is the guy who does not even know that another MOS was sent to help out in his constituency – he only found out in the news report subsequently.
He is the first to volunteer stepping down perhaps to pre-empt being sacked. Look at his Joo Chiat and the long drawn red light district. affairs. So the writing is on the wall.
Comments are that he was always travelling ? where else – China. Perhaps he can do better there.Good luck to him.

You point highlighted to the MP concern is very valid and deserves the courtesy of a reply. Your point can be a practical solution to Joo Chiat. Sadly your MP cannot see, and missed the opportunity to use it.

Losers ? They are the very ones who possess the kind of characteristics that leaders need to have in order to be leaders. That is why they get all the 1st class treatment. If you are just so so and easy to manage, they do not even need to pay you any attention.

Of course, the not-so-successful ones do not get to tell their stories – that’s life.

I think you have misunderstood me again. The only thing right about your comment is the line “Good intentions of our rulers”

“POB is a law against the SDP and the exception is when you are affliated with the ruling party”????

Are you suggesting the PAP practises partisanship and they crush their opponents no matter how insignificant their strength is to the PAP and thus creating a shroud of fear enveloping our island nation, silencing all critics with the threat of repercussions like bankruptcy which would make the PAP a party of power hungry dictators intent of staying in power by all means possible even at the expense of Singaporeans?

How dare you!

Blasphemer!

Repent and see the PAP for the shining light they are to our little Island.

Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, who is a person i respect very much for his wisdom wrote in 2001

“There are no homeless, destitute or starving people in Singapore. Poverty has been eradicated, not through an entitlements program (there are virtually none) but through a unique partnership between the government, corporate citizens, self-help groups and voluntary initiatives.”

How else could this have been achieved if not for the PAP.

(32) OIC please wake up!

going by your logic, can the majority who may happen to disagree with this piece of law come in the public to signal their intention / disagreement. chicken and egg kind of situation.

will a referendum (though costly) be conducted to size up the acceptance level given that it very much involves the fundamental part on the freedom of expression.

Now I understand clearly that the POB is a law against the SDP and the exception is when you are affliated with the ruling party.

However I am now confused by why our powerful almighty government is passing a law just to deal with the insignificant losers SDP.

I don’t understand why most of you like to bash the PAP without getting the facts right first.

I seem to get the feeling that you lot are rights advocates. But remember this is fanatism. It will only lead to a extremely dangerous path. Can you not see that our kind and loving govt who every year comes up with the most compassionate budget the world has ever seen is only trying to do the best for it’s citizens?

Would any MNC want to plant it’s operations in an island full of fanatics? Think about it. Wait your women and children go to foreign countries be maid then you know.

But being the kind and compassionate govt it is, Protests are still allowed given a few conditions are met.

(From the top of my head, so don’t press me for accuracy)
(Legal means not arrested – to my knowledge at least, so please feel free to correct me)

1) 13 Tak Boleh Tahan Singaporeans – Illegal
2) I got a few more but the common link is that SDP member + Protest = Illegal.
3) CASE + Hundreds of Singaporeans = Legal
4)Less than 10 Burmese + Protest = Illegal
5)Hundreds of Chinese Foriegn Workers + MOM + Protest = Legal
6)Hundreds of (Bangladeshi?) Foreign Workers + MOM = Legal
7) One Singaporean Auntie + Bank + Protest = Legal

So it’s simple. If you are hundreds of foreign workers/Affliated with a consumer watchdog/a Singapore Auntie your protest is legal. Oh and you must not be a member of the SDP.

Your article is not strictly accurate here. There is apparently no provision for any appeal to the Minister in relation to a police officer’s direction to move-on; although the police officer’s exercise of discretion is probably subject to judicial review under the general administrative law rules that he/she may not act irrationally, illegally or improperly.

There is provision for an appeal to the Minister with respect to a decision to refuse to grant or to cancel a permit, and the Minister’s decision is subject to judicial review — Shanmugam explicitly stated so in response to NMP Thio’s question.

Nevertheless, I do agree that the new Act makes severe incursions into the right to freedom of expression. This is even more troubling in light of how this piece of legislation was rushed through with indecent haste, a mere 3 months since it was first broached by WKS, and without the benefit of public consultation or a Select Committee debate.

“As long as the people accept, the minority opinion holders have to accept the result as well. ”

You assume the people’s acceptance is objective and uninfluenced by the policy makers. Is that true?

This does not affect the majority of singaporeans – now. What if you find yourself dissatisfied someday in the future and wants to do something about that dissatisfaction? This is like putting a leash on a dog while it is at rest – except that we are not dogs and have no excuse to be surprised when we find our freedoms limited when we do want to exercise them.

While people may argue that such laws are not as democratic as a democratic citizen may like, I like to share a thought as well, which is , the People also can have influence on such laws. As long as the people accept, the minority opinion holders have to accept the result as well. Thus, the People is the element we should not forget to mention. Its really about them.

Correct me if I am the wrong.

We are certainly catching up with the standards of foreign countries such as Burma and North Korea. All we need now is all our landlines, mobilelines, internet connections to be tapped, monitored and profiled according to what you say and what you surf, anonymous reporting of your “friends/family/spouse/colleagues” if they have any anti-government sentiments which includes but not limited to, the exorbitant paychecks of the MIW, rising costs, lack of transparency and the perpetual wayang of a few and we’ll be exactly just like another “democratic” country like North Korea. Where only YOUR government knows what you need best.

Regards,

doc.

From the Straits Times, April 14 2009, Page B7 on Parliament debate on April 13 2009: