Andrew Loh
Read also: “Marxist plot” revisited by Singapore Window.
And: Singapore is holding 12 in “Marxist Conspiracy” by The New York Times.
In May 1987, the government of then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew accused 22 church workers and social workers of being part of a plot to topple the Singapore government. The local media called it a “Marxist Conspiracy” and named former student union leader, Tan Wah Piow, as the “mastermind”. Vincent Cheng was alledged to be the man whom Tan Wah Piow, who had left Singapore for England in 1976, tasked to build up a network of “conspirators” in Singapore.
Codenamed “Operation Spectrum”, the Internal Security Department (ISD) swooped in on the 22 (in two different operations, in May and June) and arrested and detained the accused under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
In the following months, the detainees were paraded on television interviews allegedly arranged by the government. The Catholic Church became entangled in the saga and then-Archbishop Gregory Yong had to publicly disavow its involvement. Former Solicitor-General Francis Seow, who was acting for three of the detainees, was later detained under the ISA as well.
The only time the detainees spoke up on their own , away from incarceration, which they did through a press statement claiming they were ill-treated during detention and denied being part of any “Marxist plot”, they were swiftly re-arrested by the ISD. The eight who released the press statement, on 20 April 1988, later recanted.
An earlier promise by the government to hold a Commission of Inquiry to look into the allegations of abuse was shelved. The government said it saw no need for an inquiry as the detainees had signed another statement disavowing their recantation.
The Straits Times termed the detainees’ statement as a “ploy to discredit [the] Government”.
One year after the initial arrests, the government, which earlier claimed that Tan Wah Piow was the “mastermind” behind the “plot”, later insisted that “the plot was a full-blown Communist Party of Malaya operation.”
There has been no independent inquiry or investigation into the arrests till this day.
The Online Citizen looks at the Straits Times’ coverage of the saga in 1987 next.
The Straits Times.
The 154th Media.
Lee Kuan Yew’s mouth piece.
i really salute the HEROES of yester years!
#1 Jim,
how can say like that?
Like this will it hurt the feelings and pride of the reporters, editors and news people?
Of all jobs they choose to be doing what they are doing.
So, they have freedom to choose.
And they chosen the job, willingly, i assume.
kudos to the news people for their sacrifice .
Eh..the para “An earlier promise by the government to hold a Commission of Inquiry to look into the allegations of abuse was shelved. The government said it saw no need for an inquiry as the detainees had signed another statement disavowing their recantation. ” appeared 3 times in the article.
wats wrong with “plot to topple the Singapore government” ?
“old don’t go, new won’t come” … gov, dynasty, empire get crash throughout human history.
Andrew, pls let TOC last till next Elections to educate more Singaporean!
Hi Doublespeak,
Sorry for that we’re doing a running edit on the piece. Problem will be solved in awhile. Thanks for the feedback.
Zheng Xi
http://www.ethosbooks.com.sg/store/mli_viewItem.asp?idProduct=223
In 1987, twenty-two Singaporeans were arrested under the Internal Security Act of Singapore. The government alleged that the detainees were part of a Marxist conspiracy aimed at subverting the existing social and political system in Singapore.
Among those arrested were professionals, students and, workers from the Catholic Church in Singapore.
The protests from the detainees and the international community to these arrests were unprecedented. Over three years, all the detainees were released, most with Restriction Orders imposed.
Twenty one years later today, some of the ex-detainees from the Catholic Church groups recount together with family and friends, their experience of those tumultuous years.
wat really happen in this incident, any links to any webpage to know the answer? I was still very naive then.
doctorwho,
For a more detailed account, you can visit here;
http://www.singapore-window.org/sw01/010521m1.htm
Lee Kuan Yew in 1955:
“If it is not totalitarian to arrest a man and detain him, when you cannot charge him with any offence against any written law – if that is not what we have always cried out against in Fascist states – then what is it?… If we are to survive as a free democracy, then we must be prepared, in principle, to concede to our enemies – even those who do not subscribe to our views – as much constitutional rights as you concede yourself.”
Same Lee Kuan Yew in 1986:
“We have to lock up people, without trial, whether they are communists, whether they are language chauvinists, whether they are religious extremists. If you don’t do that, the country would be in ruins.”
Without a doubt, the authorities don’t believe in good religion, no fear of punishment after their tour on earth. Perhaps more unfortunate, singapore lost a generation of leaders and visionaries ! and left with only walkover/obedient MP?
At least the civilized thing to do is to have an independent investigation. Can we have it after 22 years? Better late than never.
U know, this type of barbaric act is no better than terrorism … to strike fear, but why to your citizens?
gtg sleep now, didn’t do any really nasty things in life, so can sleep peacefully.
Old Heaven have eyes.
I was so young then….yet….i remeber my father and i watching the on goings on telly….i didn’t understand a word….but from the look on my dads face i knew…something horible was going on….
the arrest, the tv confession, the st report, the detainees’ press statement, the rearrest…
so many years already. I was young then, but the way the events unfolded, I could tell who were the evil. It was so simple.
People…JBJ was questioning the Pariliment horrendously…..A serious religeous press conference….my…my…from the grapevine…..i even heard that while they were giving out flyers down at Far East Plaza..or in Orchard…..the task force came over and beat them up with batons and chucked them into their red buses…..Tan Wah Piow…..i remeber his name being mentioned over and over again…..Tan Wah Piow….wow…..i hope you are fine now …somewhere laughing at all this….and at Singapore…how it is turning out….
Back then I was totally brain-washed into believing those things published in the papers. I can see clearly now.
There were actually two plots – one that was announced openly for public consumption and another behind the scene – the mastermind that determines the mastermind.
Actually, who were/are the real communists? After so many years, it should be quite clear on our mind who were/are the real communists, right or wrong?
MM
People, you all now can sit behind your PC and write daringly wthout fear.
70s & 80s?
my friends, 70s & 80s political climate as different from today as Isrealis’ trained NSmen in the 60s and to present 21st Century NSmen.
FEAR, my friends is a disease of the mind which eats away the hearts..and guts.
We are fearful, no heart and gutless – perfectly “social-laboratory” bred 21st Century Singaporean for this Brave New World.
I am not an economic historian, so I am really not sure if the Marxist Conspiracy coincided with the bottom-out of the S&L Crisis. I am pretty sure the S&L Crisis would have dented the Singapore economy. There might be economic factors and other externalities that would have motivated the PAP Government to take such a drastic action.
Can someone tell me how different is Singapore politics different from China or Vietnam or Burma?
Back in 1987, i was a student in school and when i was told there were communists, i was like “how can this be?” we are not like we were in 1965 or communist time of 1949 and that was 1987 where the country was prosperous and no one complaining this much like NOW!!! (meaning upset with the government).
I guess WP JBJ did make him so mad that he lost his conscious mind and order a crackdown on these activists. WP JBJ just won 1 seat and even with the help of these people, how many more can he win? Not as if a third was in WP’s hand, it was neccessary to order a trumped up fake charge and this goes down in history.
I think if he were to go back in time, he would not have done this. This is like a bad boy’s angry antic to get back. So many people were implicated…. lets say if they meet him after death, what would happen? Karmas wont walk away like that.
how nostalgic! i remember watching the proceedings on tv and glenn knight was prosecuting. i wonder if this sort of courtroom drama will ever make its way on the mainstream media again. thanks for posting, TOC!
well, it was a definitive mark in history, though sadly also a deterrent for future ballsy and focussed politicking. the chee soon juans these days could never top that legacy.
i think francis seow’s son ashley tried to run in a past election but of course did not even make a marginal vote.
the older seow in exile. that’s what happens to detractors who stand up for their beliefs. (worse when he was supposedly one of lky’s proteges)
I still cannot figure out how God-fearing Catholics can be atheist Marxists…
I can’t believe it that I been deceived into thinking that there is really a conspiracy for more than two decades by our so called then highly “esteemed” Shi-tty Times. But now I knew that there is conspiracy do the Singaporean in by the clowns everyday. Just at look at the collusion of telcos, high flat pricing, payAndpay skill, that now we know who is real “communist”, real “terrorist”, real “dictator” and real “clowns”.
Luckily this post give some light on what happens.
This post should be converted into pamphlet during election time.
For those who can vote, please VOTE WITH YOUR EYES TRULY WIDE OPEN else some old fart claim that Singaporean shouldn’t complain because they vote with their eyes wide open.
To doctorwho at #12:
Nazi War Crimes trials are still going on, more than 60 years after the war was over. It is never too late.
The war crimes trials following the Second World War have also established the principle that merely “following orders” does not exonerate people from personal responsibility.
Donaldson Tan at #18
NOTHING justifies action like this without an explanation certainly not an economic reason.
That is why I always have doubts of our ISD.
When Malays are caught and put into ISD with Mas Selamat – I am not sure if they are guilty or innocent – or just pander to the west that hey – we are doing something.
When Francis Seow was accused of getting monies from the West – it sound so familiar now.
Ho Kwon Ping was in ISD. Kuo Pao Kun.
When ISD explained the toilet break – I cannot help thinking CRY wolf, cry wolf.
And he managed to float up north. Yeah – sure. If you say so.
Typical brutality of Lee Kuan Yew.
It just shows that ISA should be removed.
It is an act that bullies and has no law of its own.
So far only Malaysia and Singapore – democratic countries have such an act.
It is an archaic law that gives dictatorial power to the gov to swoop in on people that they deemed dangerous to state survival.
So beware…we are never safe here if you speak too much or is an activist. There is sometimes a price to pay for speaking out.
Get Jack Neo to produce a movie on this issue???? Dare him!!! BBM wil be gone.
To TOC Editors: doctorwho (#12) has raised an interesting point.
To do justice to this investigation, you need to check what the statute of limitations is in Singapore on official documents. ISD documents will probably never be open to public scrutiny but surely internal government documents, such as Cabinet discussions on this subject, should be open for examination by now?
Hopefully, there will be no Enron style shredding of documents.
Public officials should always know they are accountable to future governments and to the people. They will, one day, be held to account.
It would also help if you examined Singapore’s position with regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Nuremberg Principles (especially Principle IV) and question why it hasn’t signed The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. There is no developed country that has not signed and ratified it. A much less developed country such as India has not only signed and ratified the treaty but is an enthusiastic supporter. China too, has signed, though not ratified it.
Singapore is at the bottom of the league in terms of human rights, alongside such countries as Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pacific island countries (although Muslim countries have grounds for objection because the UDHR does not recognize Sharia). Singapore has no such grounds. Even countries such as Pakistan and Guniea-Bissau have signed (though not ratified) the treaty. Shameful.
IXX has no ID, no uniform and they have very sophiscated equipment on surveilance to check on on blacklist and white list (to ensure their own will not turn out to be moles).
When in operation, they have been trained to look like officers and act like one. They do not show ID but will find ways. Many moles have been planted to solicit information from the ground and they make reports to IXX. When caught, a phone call will be made and they are released straight, no questions asked.
Sounds like KGB or FBI but this extensive network is alive and exist ever since the island was taken over by 1 man and they report to him. Brings me back to ancient China where chief eunuchs had their own secret army and did similar thing.
well well well, this truely reflect singaporean mindset, doesn’t it? If it doesn’t concern me, or if i am not affect by it, its not my problem. As long as I got my job, house, money, family, etc, how others fare is their problem.
We are all living in our comfort zone, and it is getting to comfortable to move out of it.
We are living in a selfish and ungracious society, all thanks to our PAP moulding. Sad.
The Utter Bad and Ugly will be mentioned again and again in History. Very sad for some people who seek fame at any price.
Ultimately, history will reveal the true colours of villians.
patriot
I remember 1987 very well. It was the year my daughter was born and my company had a fire and not able to get insurance and I pray everyday that I would not lose my job. Economy was in its recession years then. But communist and its ideals does not appeals to any Singaporean at all.
The Marxist conspiracy was a joke then because no one in my circle of friends and colleagues believe what was printed in the newspapers. The head of Catholic church got into trouble as well and removed.
I knew the husband of one of the detainees quite well and I swored that his wife and him are true capitalists. Just too bad that his wife is a lawyer and volunteer her service to the Geylang center.
Anyway, let see how future generations of “singaporean” will judge this period of history.
Is there anyone in singapore that believes in justice anymore, or just follow stupid rules. Somewhere i heard justice and the law are 2 different animals … the law may not be justice.
Isn’t the gov suppose to serve its citizen, and not bite the hand that feed it.
Anyway, how to give them a late 22 years fair and just investigation. How, how …
- ask the Singapore Justice Department or
- ask prata man or
All of you have to ask yrselves:
When he dies, will LKY be regarded as a hero or a rogue on earth in Singapore?
I know how he will be regarded in Hell tho. Even Satan will blush!
Look at his family – Karma already at work.
To White Raven:
You said it !
If only the Vain Man understands himself the way You understands him.
And i wonder if he understand ‘Karma’, retribution and all, he being the practical pragmatic man who sees only the present(time).
Me shares the concern of Doctorwho that justice will come too late, however Doctorwho maybe consoled that HISTORY WILL RECORD MISDEEDS OF THE POWERFUL AND RICH FOR THEIR ABUSES, FOR A LONG TIME.
MEANWHILE, Singaporeans should awake themselves and help this SINCITY from getting more ugly.
SIN is plague by GREEDS, VICES AND ROTTING IN MORAL DECAYS !
patriot
they are NOT conspirators the singapore government are idiots
A very black spot in Spore’s history. Many of those detainees are now overseas. Left their home, family, friends, relatives to start a new life. Would they have chosen this had they not been detained without trial and tortured? All they wanted to do was follow their dream to help those who were socially oppressed and couldn’t stand up for themselves (foreign workers, etc).
The truth will always be revealed in due course, be it swiftly or in many years but it will come out eventually.
The perpetrators have yet to be brought to justice but…remember..you lot..what goes around comes around. Maybe your children or grandchildren will one day suffer a similar fate!
This rubbish is nothing more than one man’s desire for complete power over the citizens.
So happy to see young sinagaporeans standing up for this 1987 injustice – but what about those detained from the 1960s? One of the detainees died less than 20 days after being released from the injuries of his torture. Let’s stand up for them all. They are true heroes of Sinagpore.