Message from a group of concerned Singaporeans:
On May 21st 1987, 22 young social workers, lawyers, businessmen, theatre practitioners and other professionals were detained without trial under the internal security law and accused of “being members of a dangerous Marxist conspiracy bent on subverting the PAP ruled government by force, and replacing it with a Marxist state.” A second wave of arrests took place on June 20th the same year.
The detainees were forced to make false confessions by the way of mental and physical torture. They were subjected to harsh and intensive interrogations, deprived of sleep and rest, some for as long as 70 hours in freezing cold rooms. All of them were stripped of their personal clothings, including spectacles, footwear and underwear and were made to change into prisoners’ uniforms.
Most of them were made to stand during interrogation for over 20 hours and under full blasts of air conditioning turned to the lowest temperature. Under those conditions, one of them was repeatedly doused with cold water. Most were hit in the face while others were assaulted on other parts of the body. Threats of indefinite detention without trial were also made to them should they continue to deny the intentions that they have been accused to harbour.
They were then compelled to appear on TV with their confessions and were told that their release would be dependent on their performance on TV.
On 21st May 2009, which marks the 22nd anniversary of ‘Operation Spectrum’, a group of concerned Singaporeans will be demonstrating against the treatment of the detainees who were detained without trial under the ISA. You are invited to come to Speakers Corner and remember this day with us.
6.30pm, 21st May 2009
Speakers Corner, Hong Lim Park
For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Spectrum
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It is indeed good to see that a group of concern Singaporeans are remembering May 21st.I am born on that year and will be 22 years old too this year.
TOC have shown that it is doing and taking the right path by being with the people and civil and political activist in Singapore.I hope that TOC will continue to do so and not be ‘bought’ over by the state and PAP.
By choosing to take on the ISA issue, TOC of course knows the brutality and cruelty of the Act.So then it should also highlight the fact that it is Lee Kuan Yew and the PAP regime that are using such an Act on its own Citizens.We must not hide the truth and deny the fact that the LKY+PAP=ISA. It is as simple as that.
TOC has to be more critical of its article and statement and not choose to be on the safe side by having the ‘don’t rock the boat’ mentality.
But I do agree that everything that is being done has its own strategy and agenda.So I hope that TOC and the rest of civil society and bloggers come down and support the event on thursday.I of course will be there for sure.
The abolishment of ISA must be a concrete effort and not done by only a few activist.
Cheers :)
this article serve as a reminder for the punishment of treason
2) toiletmatter: “this article serve as a reminder for the punishment of treason”
This article also serves as a reminder of how dissent was silenced unethically by using the punishment of ‘unproven and fablicated’ treason.
I wish this event will have a huge turnout.
the moral of this story: don’t deal with communist; don’t deal with communist countries. since the PAP regime is dealing with communist countries, depending on them for trade and investment and also inviting the citizens to our country and giving them citizenships, who knows how these new citizens will turn to violent to rock our country?! I think the present people in government is committing treason (?) by engaging communist people and communist countries! this argument can’t be right?!
TO: 4) Pink Dot more turnout than Pink Slip Event on May 18th, 2009 12.58 pm: I wish this event will have a huge turnout.
Face the fact. this is singapore. with the PAP regime around gripping our throats day and night, i predict that no more than 40 people would attend this event. You want to KENA arrest for all the wrong reasons? 66% of the citizen population the voted constituencies will ridicule. Even angmos from democratic countries will fear to attend. Angels fear where devils tread (?)
please prove me wrong!!!!!
This ISA thing is a form of gansterism. Just like a ganster leader beat u up to get confession from u and then threaten you ‘you and your family will be dead if you are not on my side’ , if you submit to him then you are released and enjoyed life of luxury. Legally speaking, if a person confess or forced to confess should go through the process of law and found guilty, put behind bars for a certain period of time accordingly to the law
I don’t think it matters how many people turn up for the event, all that matters is that it happens. And who knows, maybe it can turn into an annual affair where more and more people can progressively attend?
maybe ISA will go there and round 220 who demonstrated?
>You want to KENA arrest for all the wrong reasons?
yup, this is where s’porean show their true color :)
I sincerely advice TOC not to go Hong Lim for this reason!
LKY is still alive and his words are the Laws of Singapore!
Till the time he become Jesus Christ and maybe raisen from the Grave, you may try!
Unless TOC members are out of jobs, want to have free Changi Hotel Stay for rest of Life!
11) I sincerely advice TOC not to go Hong Lim for this reason!
Unless TOC members are out of jobs, want to have free Changi Hotel Stay for
rest of Life!…..
To whoever is writing this.Fear is in all but courage is what we need to defeat the autocratic regime.There is no denying that most of PAP past and present action is unconstitutional. WE THE PEOPLE should rise and empower ourselves not only through courage but also by being side by side with fellow activist and politician which walks on the side of Democracy, Equality and Social Justice.
Remember that we do not inherit this land from our parents, instead we are borrowing it from our children and grandchildren.Do we want to let our children and grandchildren be born into a world full of injustice and brutality?
You may choose to be on the safe side and choose no to ‘rock the boat’, but your children or grandchildren may take the path of Justice.I am not trying to say you are a coward.Its just that fear are taking control of your life.
Overcome it by taking the first step.Come down and give them moral support.That is the least that you can do.Be part of the whole campaign.Remember that nobody is too ‘small’ to make a difference.We are all together as Singaporeans.
I am a Malay but Chinese is my brother and Indian is also my brothers and sisters too.We are all one big Family.A Singapore family.
Malaysian have shown how Solidarity and Teamwork can forced changes to its society.Of course a Cause always has its Cost.And when hundreds and thousand are with the cause as a team, it will bring pressure to the State to listen to us, Singaporeans.
I believe Singaporeans are not cowards.Singaporeans are Patriot and a True Patriotic Singaporeans are ones that stand on the side of Democracy, Equality and Social Justice.
Remember Dear Respected Singaporeans that the State can only physically arrest and detained us.It can never arrest our belief and spirit.
To be loyal to the nation is to take the appropriate measure and seek change if the regime is doing something that is illegally legal or unconstitutional.
Singapore Proud Constitution states that;
Freedom of speech, assembly and association
14.(a) every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression;
(b) all citizens of Singapore have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; and
(c) all citizens of Singapore have the right to form associations.
The Law imposed through Parliament should not contradict with whatever that is stated in the Constitution.The Constitution states that Singaporeans can assemble peacefully.So, as Singaporeans, we should exercise this Rights granted to us.
So I calling here again for Singaporeans to RISE and EMPOWER yourselves.
WE THE PEOPLE!!!!
I think TOC has become bolder with their articles, got to write with intelligence but focus on facts. Need to check all your postings regularly and those comments from external to ensure they are not getting you in hot lava.
I think peaceful protest is ok but never let them get a chance to take you in.
Thread with caution when you deal with slimy pirannas.
They were then compelled to appear on TV with their confessions and were told that their release would be dependent on their performance on TV.
I remember watching that TV performance as a youth. IMHO, it was a performance put on for whatever reason.
I agree with #11 TrueBlood Singaporean on May 18th, 2009 2.26 pm. I hope that TOC will not be implicated in this. TOC is too valuable a news alternative to be destroyed by this once-off face-off. Please plan strategically to stick around for the coming GE and the next one to follow. These will be crucial for turning Singapore’s political landscape around, other than the death of LKY.
What about Operation Cold Store?
Please raise awareness on this as well. Thanks.
#11) TrueBlood Singaporean
‘I sincerely advice TOC not to go Hong Lim for this reason!’
……………………………………………………..
Please don’t chicken out. Nothing will happen to TOC unless TOC becomes so helpful to the opposition cause that the PAP loses one or more GRCs in the next GE. Then TOC will definitely be banned.
Hong Lim Event, I observed, is only succesful when the organizing is as excellent as the Pink Dot event.
Imagine, people coming out of the closet in open public space wearing pink.
What gave them this great courage?
Like some here, I like to say that I also feel the time is not right to hold such a event as the turnout may pour colder water only.
The Red dot is more pink than meets the eye.
Pink Slip got 20 show face. This Remember May21 is no joke. Commonsense tells me pragmatism and self preservation will rule the day.
Hope my voice be spared as I want the rest to hear my views and comment on it if they feel like it.
There is no choice but to wait for Nature to take over, if you know what the …. i mean.
peace
I re-iterate my position that the Internal Security Act should never be abolished. Instead, I call for its reform to put an end to indefinite detention and a judicial process leading to a fair criminal trial in court.
Leave the Internal Security Act alone, but reform it for greater judicial discretion. The security reality out there means the ISA is still a useful tool for counter-terrorism policymaking, hence we should not entirely remove it from existence.
Build safeguards against any other use, but leave the ISA alone.
Indeed this is a no joke issue but does it mean that we have to shut up and only be sorry for those who were tortured, falsely accused and detained without trial in our personal capacity?
Indeed this is Singapore, but does it mean that we have to publicly shut up and complain about the government only when we are among friends and kins and blog our criticisms without a face?
If this event will get anyone into trouble, it will be those who will be demonstrating and not the bystanders. This event has been registered with the NParks if anyone really needs to know.
The organisers feel strongly for the ’87 detainees and have decided to take it publicly to remember the event. What happened was a violation to basic human rights. What if one of those who were detained happens to be someone related or close to you or even of inspiration to you? Will you merely sit there and listen to their stories of how cold water was poured over their private parts repeatedly while they were being interrogated in freezing cold rooms and tell them you are sorry and that’s it? The 22 of them are fellow human beings by the way just like you and I.
Justice needs to be served and 22 years have gone by. How can anyone let the mastermind(s) behind their detention and torture go away scot free happily into their ivory grave(s)?
It is good that TOC is dedicating a week to what happened in 1987. The truth needs to be told, even if they can’t tell 100%, at least people will know that this had happened.
Loyola,
why not rename it as Terrorism Security Act instead ? Why still keep it as ISA ? Do you even know that ISA is applicable to Temasek holding and GIC too since the loss of unaccountable billions of state money is a serious security compromising the financial stability of Singapore itself ? Do you really believe we only lost $50 billions in all ? Why the double standard then ?
u r mistaken, there’s no double standard, there’s only LKY’s standard
Daniel,
IIRC, financial information related to government agencies are covered under the OSA.
there is a high chance that the government might be coming to make a big fuss on that day , however to be deny the freedom to speak and stand for what we believe in in a country which calls herself democratic is truly quaint . if nothing is done , how will things change for the better for us ? only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how come one can go
In this instance, I think I am a coward,
Though I support you fully, but I am too afraid to be there.
TOC, Please dont take your chances, its too soon.
TOC seemed to have victories one after another in a short time.
I support TOC and want it to be around,
I am learning alot about my rights and freedom from this site.
Be wise, live another day, consider it next year.
IXX is in the hand of just 1 man, they report to the old man. The web of IXX is unimaginable, even students are recruited to be moles and to offer news on politics. You may think I am talking cock? 1 of my friends were invited and they will pay some form of service fee, details I dont know. But they want reports on the ground on what is happening ie not sure the content which my friend turned down. My friend who was a student was NOT interested to do such dirty work for few hundred. But for some people, they would take even $50 dollars to provide information?
They have planted thousand of peoples in schools and work places just to hear you talk and to collect information. They continue to research into political opponents and will check the background and connections of their allies just to ensure they are really supporters and not moles from opposite camps.
I am really surprised by how intensive this organisation is and being ran by one man. It brings me back to Ming Dynasty where the powerful enunchs installed the secret army to ensure their power by crushing all political opponents and to instill fear with citizens and political opponents.
IXX has no work identification also, when they go around doing their work, they have nothing on them. When they are caught by the local police for their undercover work, a phone call from somewhere, these people are released immediately. You think i am talking about science fiction? These people drill walls, use sosphicated surveilance tools etc to listen to conversations, collect information. Did not JBJ complain in parliament that he believed his office and mobile phone calls are tapped? So how different is Singapore from Ming dynasty? Few thousand years later, Singapore has a secret army too.
So the old man could be a rebirth of one of the most fearful and powerful 太监of Ming dynasty.
Don’t give the old man too much credit, he’s not fearful or powerful, maybe just sly and cunning.
Knowledge without justice ought to be called cunning rather than wisdom.
Force without justice is tyrannical.
Please do not forget the latest gaget they are developing, the Public Order Act, is this the future of Singapore?
Foolish idealists out-of-synch with the realities of the world.
In Spring, worms that come out of the ground gets eaten by the birds!
this topic in my view is considered playing with fire.
many singaporeans are apathetic.
They choose not to question.
Why sacrifice yourselves for them?
I give up on them.
Well its good to see some singaporeans at least are concerned about this issue.
However, i like to remind you that many singaporeans are bo-chap about rights issues. There is a video asking a man on the street how he felt about an issue.
He said, he only concerned about how the mp contribute to the ward and not what he or she did in other aspects. He chose to close a blind eye. This is typical singaporean based on personal decades of observation.
My point is , its good to voice up but remember, some are not worth your effort. Let them have what they want. I decided not to sacrifice too much of myself for these people. There are many of these.
Rachel #20
Do you really expect the man on the street will speak IN PERSON, anything political? Do you really expect him to say IN PERSON “yes, he thinks the Govt is doing a shitty job” or “LSL is a lousy leader” or “they are only there for the money” or ……? If there is any interview on the street and interviewees do not openly praise the Govt or PAP, it is already a sign of something drastic. So I won’t conclude that people ‘bo-chap’. They will chap if they see the tide turning!
To #32
Many Singaporeans are bo-chap, so should the rest follow suit and we end up being one nation of bo-chap people under the rule of one authoritarian party?
This commemoration is about the 22 who were detained and tortured without trial in 1987 and people should know the truth about who they are paying taxes to, and not be lied to just because our textbooks say that they are great. Put yourself in the shoes of the 22 detained, will you not want your story to be told? Will you not want justice to prevail? Will you be willing to suffer accusations, being detained and treated like less than a human being and be held with threats for just being a social activist who simply wants to play a part in contributing to society?
Well if that is what you are saying, then maybe all of us should go back reading the Straits Times religiously and forget about TOC, the online blogs and such. :)
Don’t get me wrong, I know what you are saying and where you are coming from but yet I cannot agree because my conscience doesn’t allow me to, that’s all. This is home and this is the reason why every single effort is worth it. We were made to read the pledge every morning in school since we were 7, shouldn’t we also uphold it? Otherwise, scrape the pledge please someone.
Angelina, many people I have met do criticise the government like mad… from students to the taxi drivers to random strangers.
Of course you are right in saying that we won’t see anyone criticising the government on TV because whatever we see on TV has been highly edited and filtered and having the fear of the government, people won’t say what they feel anyway. Unfortunately not many will do something about what they feel for fear of losing their rice bowls, reputation and all that they have gained materially over the years. It is ok, they have the right to remain silent in that sense. Then again, Singaporeans who care enough to speak up do have the right to do so as well, without the wet blanketing of those who choose to watch the show.
And for the tide to turn, all of us need to play a part and not wait for someone to start the spark.
Yet again when someone actually stands up to start something, people reject them as idealists and go back to their daily (government) bashing and complaining routine.
Hi Rachel,
You said…
“And for the tide to turn, all of us need to play a part and not wait for someone to start the spark.
Yet again when someone actually stands up to start something, people reject them as idealists and go back to their daily (government) bashing and complaining routine.”
Just want to say that I totally agree.
I have seen this (ugly) side of Singaporeans countless times both in cyberspace and in real life. I don’t claim to be a psychologist but I suspect that sub consciously many of us derive satisfaction from shooting our mouths and running things down.
Are we just a nation of complainers and ranters?
My reason is, there are so many ugly singaporeans. I mean specifically Apathetic by choice ones. Apathetic to political issues. But not apathetic to issues like for example LGBT. People who fight for rights in this aspect but not for issues like unemployment and employer practices issues, and other rights issues.
Truely naive and innocent people we can forgive. But I am talking about Apathetic by choice people. So many unanswered questions. So many ignored questions.
There are so many of them, I respect the majority choice and decided to give them up. I do not want to sacrifice myself for these people. They are not worth my time.
Let things be for now. Time will change but only when this lot finally wake up.
I go my way.
I support the abolishment of the ISA and for greater transparency in the reporting of Operation Spectrum, but I don’t think the rally is a good idea.
TOC, I admire your bravery, but I hope it will not prove itself foolishness. I don’t think the timing is right for the rally, especially cos I believe while there are many Singaporeans out there who care about this, people do not feel safe enough to turn up and speak up. I hope the rally goes on without incident, will be praying for you guys. But do consider organizing better next time and also consider your moves carefully – the PAP may show some cracks but it is a very formidable opponent.
To 36) Jason: “Are we just a nation of complainers and ranters?”
What is a nation? Are we even a nation at all? Who is Singaporean? What is Singaporean? Questions that have no answers, or maybe vague ones.
38) quertycup
When is a “good time” for holding the “rally” then?
Don’t give excuses. 21 May is the anniversary. If the rally should not be held now, then when?
Hi Rachel
I am glad to read all that you have written, I hope many more will and also everything on TOC site. Like you said, someone has to start the ball rolling and this is what I call a passion – to make things right, not for power, not for money.
I am afraid I have addressed my post to the wrong username. It should be to:
“To #20 Rachel” @32 on May 20th, 2009 4.37 pm, quote here:
“However, i like to remind you that many singaporeans are bo-chap about rights issues. There is a video asking a man on the street how he felt about an issue.
He said, he only concerned about how the mp contribute to the ward and not what he or she did in other aspects. He chose to close a blind eye. This is typical singaporean based on personal decades of observation.”
“My point is , its good to voice up but remember, some are not worth your effort. Let them have what they want. I decided not to sacrifice too much of myself for these people. There are many of these.”
I know this writer meant well for those who fight for rights, eg TOC writers, but I just like to point out that some appear bo-chap but may not really be bo-chap. I am esp heartened (at the same time sad) to read from your comment that many people you have met do criticise the government like mad… from students to the taxi drivers to random strangers. Sad because of the current state of affairs.
Hi Rachel,
Above is only me, Angelina. My fingers have been let too loose this morning.
well done guys. That period in our history should not easily be forgotten. For those of us who witnessed the events, there was something very Orwellian and surreal.
But, we should appreciate the fact that the public space for expression has marginally opened up. Imagine turning up at Hong Lim in 1987 for a gathering in support of the chaps.
Of course, there is more work to be done and more space to be freed up.
TOC, pls do it every year. Like the Tian An Men incident, the May 5th etc.
kingrant,
The event is not organised by TOC.
It is organised by five activists:
Seelan Palay
Rachel Zeng
Mohd Shafie
Mohd Khalis
Chong Kai Xiong
#45
These 5 people are brave heroes. I salute them! My wish for them and Singapore’s future is that more and more Singaporeans cast off their apathy and begin to take an interest in their lives than merely looking down at their bread-and-butter issues. With this tyrannical despot still behind the govt, nobody is safe and no one knows when the late night knock on the door will come to take you away into the depths of ISD to thrown into jail forever without trial. If each of us does not come forward when other people are in trouble, one day nobody will come to yr help when you are finally in trouble. Singapore isnt safe from such despots; the world outside is safer.
There is No Such thing as Law nor Justice. No Man Can, or should have the ‘Right’ to judge another. The government is a system. There are things that happens OUTSIDE the system. I have seen it with my own eyes. Those who believe in the system are not cowards, nor the ones who oppose it are heroes. This world as we know it today has evolved into a certain inescapable Grand Design of “life”. To follow is to kneel, and to oppose is to tighten the ropes around one’s neck. There is DIRT within the system that cannot be controlled by external individuals, that is a FACT. Neither is there such a thing as a Fully CLEAN, PURE ‘System’. ‘Wrong’ is perceived by anything that the ‘system’ sees as an internal threat and ‘Right’ is perceived by anything that is in their power to control internally and externally. I see a lot of BLIND people around me. Do You?