Coming next on TOC: Ex-ISA detainee, Ms Teo Soh Lung, writes a personal piece for The Online Citizen. Stay tuned!
Andrew Loh / With special thanks to Martyn See
For four days, from 27 May to 30 May, 1987, the Straits Times carried the statements of the Ministry of Home Affairs – ad verbatim – detailing its investigation into the so-called “Marxist conspiracy”.
There were a total of 13 full-pages of the MHA’s statements in those four days – all accusing the detainees of being “communists” and “Marxists”, together with pictures of the accused (including one of a detainee in “a terrorist camp”) and even a graphical representation of the alleged “Marxist” network of “conspirators”.
One would be hard-pressed to find any newspaper in the world which would allow its government to have its views published – ad verbatim, pages after pages – for four consecutive days in its paper. Conspicuously, except for the write-up on the front pages (which incidentally did not carry any names of the authors), there were no reports or write-ups by Straits Times’ reporters.
22 years later, with back copies of the Straits Times from the archives, we take a look at how the main broadsheet in Singapore covered the events of 27 May to 30 May, 1987 – the first four days.
A curious week of silence
On 22 May, Singaporeans woke up to a chilling headline splashed across the Straits Times’ front page:
And then, nothing – for the next four days.
On 27 May 1987, this Straits Times front page greeted Singaporeans :
The Straits Times edition of 27 May brings up several questions: Why were there no reports about the arrests in the papers for the four days preceding it? What were the reporters and the journalists in the Straits Times doing during those four days after the news first broke on 21 May?
We publish here the front and inside pages of the Straits Times of 27 May to 30 May. We ask our readers to decide for themselves the professionalism of the Straits Times.
These were the front pages of 28 May to 30 May:
The government’s statements, carried in the inside pages of the Straits Times, could be divided into 4 parts:
- May 27: An overview of the alleged “conspiracy”, with focus on Tan Wah Piow being the “mastermind”.
- May 28: Revelation of Tan Wah Piow’s plans to topple the government and who Tan Wah Piow was.
- May 29: Focus on Vincent Cheng and the alleged “network of conspirators” which he was accused of setting up.
- May 30: The infiltration of the Workers’ Party.
The reports did not carry any authorship but were headlined: “Full text of Ministry of Home Affairs statement on the Marxist Conspiracy”. In the next three days, the headline would include the words “Part Two”, “Part Three” and “Part Four”.
The inside pages of May 27:
Related posts:
- The Marxist Conspiracy – Not forgetting the evil things that have already been done!
- 1987 “Marxist Conspiracy”? People are just “jealous”, says letter to ST forum
- May 1987 – A conspiracy un-proved
- Blog Feature: Straits Times changes headlines 4 times in one day
- Straits Times – “accurate, timely and balanced”?
I think this deserves to be posted here too, because I really want ST journalists to read this (I know you check this site):
The Straits Times “journalists” of those days and even those who are part of Straits Times today should be ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.
Not only did you not do anything about it, you actually helped perpetuate the horror. What kind of journalists are you? Have you no sense of humanity?
But its not too late, ST journalists if youre reading this, you can still make a change. Run a big story and tell the truth, clear their names… and yours.
TOC – good work! Keep it up! Well done!
Those with some conscience have resigned.
Is there any wonder why we keep seeing new young faces performing the act of reporting?
It will be too flattering to call them “journalists.”
sorry – nothing’s changed.
We lost billions on BOA shares, and was there any critical analysis of this loss?
Losses on one deal alone – as mentioned in KTM blog.
Duh – so……
And the ST really believed the toilet roll saga from Mas Selamat, jumping over a tall fence at Whitley with a limp?
ST has cried wolf too many times – I am still not sure what is happening.
very simple, in 1987, many lawyers and NGOs supported opposition WP. Many had dealings with the late Mr JBJ. If these so called “Maxist Plotters” were to contest elections one to one straight fight, Pap will lose many seats. So they made use of ISA to silence the critics, branding them communists. If they committed any crime, why don’t charge them in open courts ? So subsequently, they invented GRC to strengthen their hold until now.
I was very young then, but now looking at the headlines, any sane and fair minded person would know it was all cooked up by the Govt. A standard publication would have given the accused a chance to reply, but there wasn’t any.
The ST of those days could beat the old Pravda or Hsinghua agencies anythime.
FrankIy I think they hardly improved since.
Thats why I gave up reading the ST long ago.
Until today, I am not convinced that they were marxists.
Straits Times should rename itself as States Times. They deserve their press freedom ranking of 144 out of 166.
Any self respecting young reporter at ST with an ounce of integrity should either reveal the truth, or resign and issue a statement condemning this.
Politics is a Dirty Game! Nothing is fair as LKY said!
When LKY see that any forces greater than PAP, he will clamp down even he become Jesus Christ!
Those Mega Churches be careful unless you confined in your religious space else PAP will take action in day to come!
If they had any pride or integrity, they wouldn’t work for that “poor excuse for a newspaper” in the first place. There’s a reason why journalists are very well compensated in singapore.
ISA might or might not be misused in the past. At least from what we are seeing now, PAP gahmen has never used it against any of the opposition, even the most notorious one (read Dr. Chee). I do not support abolishing the ISA as I feel it is required to safeguard of nation against terrorist organisation such as the JI. Also, I believe all the laws are just pieces of legislation. Whether they are good or bad, wil depends on the people enforcing them.
Hi Lesser Mortal, in that case a “Terrorism Act” can be set up to deal with terrorists.
The retaining of the ISA however makes it too convenient for the PAP to use whenever they feel politically threatened by politicians and activists. And we all know they will, they have shown so in the past.
In recent years, the PAP have not used it against Dr Chee because they can easily bring him down financially and by constantly dragging him to court (where no judge will find him not guilty although the laws he is supposed to have broken are in contradiction to the constitution – and therefore invalid laws).
hi Lesser Mortal,
i too do not support abolishing ISA. about people enforcing laws (impartially), its a big question mark…
TOC great work.
In time to come the truth will be exposed and we may have our very own ‘War Criminals’ to hunt and expose.
Hi mice is nice, if people enforcing laws impartially is that big a question mark, why would you support not abolishing ISA?
Let’s think about it hypothetically, what if you were a social activist and the ISA was used in such a manner on you? You could not contact anyone to tell your story and no one could find out either. You suffered mental and physical torture for 2 years.
Would you still support keeping the ISA then?
Well done TOC…..how nice to remember Singapore’s history…..great job.
Hi mice is nice, if people enforcing laws impartially is that big a question mark, why would you support not abolishing ISA?
Let’s think about it hypothetically, what if you were a social activist and the ISA was used in such a manner on you? You could not contact anyone to tell your story and no one could find out either. You suffered mental and physical torture for 2 years.
Would you still support keeping the ISA then? And remember there is no way to “check and balance” this ISA tool/system because all the power is in the ruling party’s (AKA LKY’s) hands.
TOC:
HI folks,
I wonder to what purpose do you hope to achieve through the promotion of such articles?
1) flak the church and possibly get some church aware folks detained?
2) shed light unto iSA and get it abolished?
Many a times i question the reporting of TOC. It seems all to coincidental that views are slanted just like certain democratic parties in Singapore.
Lately there has been suggestions of certain people democratic party people infiltrating the parliament. Has it happened here as well?
I think my comments will be heavily moderated..
To 14) iliveinuk
There is nothing wrong for TOC to highlight such issues as the way the arrest was made and the detainees treatment was definitely illegal and unconstitutional.
If the state have the right evidence then this so-called Marxist should be haul to an open court for a trial.It was not Singapore that was at stake BUT it was Lee Kuan Yew leadership and power at Stake.That is why LKY cooked up this so-called Marxist plot.
As a responsible Singaporeans,we should seek and demand for the truth. Let us all rise and empower ourselves.
Be open with your comment and do not say ‘certain people democratic party’.
We are living in a Democratic country whereby Article 4 of our Constitution grant us Freedom of Speech.
I certainly am glad to see that Singapore Democratic Party and Dr Chee Soon Juan (Sec-Gen of SDP) have not lash out at NMP Siew or anyone else.
I am sure Dr Chee do not wish to see further squabbles within the Alternative side.
WE THE PEOPLE EMPOWER OURSELVES
To 14) iliveinuk
TOC is bringing this up now because this is the week of the arrests so long ago, and they perhaps feel a sense of humanity to bring it up. Don’t you feel anything for this issue of cruelty dealt upon fellow Singaporeans too?
And why you do have to drag in ‘certain democratic parties’, and in that manner? You are talking about SDP obviously, since they are the only ones righteous enough to come out and declare their forthright opposition to such repressive policies and laws.
If people are on the side of justice, as human beings who wish for the betterment of society we should support them, whether or not they are from TOC, Wayang Party, Workers Party or Singapore Democratic Party.
“Until today, I am not convinced that they were marxists.”
But now I am convinced that those high-ranking SIN kangaroos and money-greedy gahmen are Leeists.
Hahaha.. Daniel.. you add in those ST editors and reporters too! It’s a Leeist conspiracy!
Hi Hex and Muhd Khalis,
Appreciate your views and replies. As you can tell most of my views have been conservative.
It takes the kind explanations of the rest of you out there to enlighten me at times.
I think its really cool that our government is slowly liberalising and opening up. I see Hong Lim park as a trial to slowly liberalising itself.
I think they want to liberalize, but sometimes perhaps they are just afraid we might be opening the pandora’s box too quickly
This is off the topic… but I saw Ong Teng Cheong’s photo on one of ST front pages featured here, which somehow reminded me that he had been with the PAP all this while, including when these so-called Marxists were detained & tortured.
I can only concluded that those Singaporeans who sing their praises of the late president are either very naive or with very short memories.
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. Others can die for all I care. 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. Its a sad world…
“I think its really cool that our government is slowly liberalising and opening up. I see Hong Lim park as a trial to slowly liberalising itself.”
Do they do it volunteerily or been force by international pressure to liberate politically ?
“I think they want to liberalize, but sometimes perhaps they are just afraid we might be opening the pandora’s box too quickly”
Are they taking time to offload national assets to some other land ? Why do you think the law of making gahmen investigation by private investigated is criminal offence ?
if you visit china, you will know what I talking about especially our coffers are going to fully privatised national state asset , and anyone guess who’s the major stakeholders ?
This is the type of question you should ask because time is of essence, it will be too late in opening in next 5 years to discover that national reserves are depleted and siphoned with totally no account and records to show how. Yes, the coffers will run away Unscathed by just paying pathetic fine because they claim they lost the record (by the way, it happens before , and no question is raised) while billions and millions go into who know else’s pocket. That is the kind of danger when greedy politician is running the country and create business for themselves, it is the best of both world.
“I can only concluded that those Singaporeans who sing their praises of the late president are either very naive or with very short memories.”
You see. People are funny creature. If someone join the dark force but end up doing the right thing and create a positive legacy before his times, people are willing to forgive and forget. The question is whether late president Ong has done more good things than “bad” things. I believe he has done many goods thing but our old fart done so many “bad” things that people now not willing to forgive and forget. As what constitute “bad” things, I guess people could figure out if they are not brain-dead.
OTC was DPM but he had to be given something so that he would not be in the way of LHL, so they decided to make him President.
Ong TC was trying to check the accounts but was blocked and then he was told he would not be supported for second term. And he decided to the press and air his grievances but just one week, he “APOLOGISED” by publishing another letter to “RETRACT” everything he said. Smart people would have guessed what happened.
There are many things in the world which are double-edge swords that cut both ways. Fire keeps you warm and cooks your food, but it also burnt you if it is being mis-used (ie attack on SHT). So do we ban the use of fire because of the hurt it may caused?
I am not trying to side the gahmen. If one day they really use ISA to detain political oppositions who are contesting fairly to challenge their governance, I will join the majority Singaporeans to seek redress and have them released.
i was probably a young teenage when this happened.
My gosh, when i read this and several other postings on this subject, i felt a chill down my spine.
I wonder what has happened to all of them. Whether those accusations are true or not, i hope all of them have remained well They have suffered tremendously and I hope they will experience some healing within them.
If any of them is reading this, I sincerely hope that you have recovered and are moving on in life. Take care, forget the past and enjoy life.
27) Daniel on May 20th, 2009 2.50 am
if you visit china, you will know what I talking about especially our coffers are going to fully privatised national state asset , and anyone guess who’s the major stakeholders ?
Are they taking time to offload national assets to some other land ? Why do you think the law of making gahmen investigation by private investigated is criminal offence ?
Daniel, this is damn dirty world. Won’t be surprise if the truth is out one day, this is going to be very much worst scenerio than the 2 previous ex.Marcos and ex.Suharto, and worst, the citizens were being victimised.
[#21 Daniel & #22 Ps]\
What an apt description, “Leeist conspiracy”. Strong potential as a prize-winning quote.
David Marshall said something to this effect years ago: ST reporters are the running dogs of the PAP. I think his observation was not without merits.
Even today, we can see what’s going on. Almost every utterance of LKY can be seen splashed on the front page of The ST. Prejudice? What?
To 29) Lesser Mortal,
You may say now, that you will join the majority of Singaporeans to seek redress and have them released, but are you sure you will when the time comes?
Remember that in 1987, many Singaporeans believed the propaganda by the media and PAP, or remained completely indifferent.
Even those friends close to the detainees, even the entire Catholic Church backed down, so please… I like your thoughtfulness, but when the time comes you may very well just… keep quiet.
Some readers may want to read “when we can dream again” by a few of the ex-detainees. It is available at Kino and while it is a thin book of less than a hundred pages, you will find it heavy reading.
rwkc,
while there is only one so-called Marxist conspiracy within Singapore history, what we have here everyday is Leeist conspiracy. Just look at how the gahmen manipulate the CPF, find ways to make money at expenses of Singapore, blaming Singaporean and make Singaporean accountable for gahmen’s own mistake, coming out laws and policies every here and then to mock Singaporean, making living cost expense high and still claim it is better than rest of their “selected” example, giving themselves millions for speaking rhetoric and cock, shrouding in secrecy as it benefit the coffers, plan to send citizen to oversea for retirement.
In the past, PAP has good image but now under Lee dynasty, there is no legacy to speak and no good thing to remind us of better future other than Mee Siam Mai Hum.
Guys, dun blame ST journalists for ‘NOT’ doing anything. I heard, from some of them, that their year-end bonuses is enough to buy a new car every year.
So, with full stomach, do you think they want to go against their paymasters?
Singapore will be lost when EDUCATION and DEFENCE becomes a private enterprise. We, as citizens, will lose our every right and liberties with regards to having an education and to have a safe place to live in. Because, we will be controlled by for-profit organisations.
That is when Democracy in Singapore will end.
Kudos to TOC.
I had forgotten about thsi incident till TOC brought it up.
Why don’t TOC starts a “SIngpaore Poltiical Hsitory” Section where nuggets such as this will be brought on their anniversay for discussion?
Next one:
- Operation Coldstore
- How Barisan Socialis lost their rural stronghold – “sabotage” by PPP in a 3-corner fight?
It will be refreshing for all these young punks to have a refreshing course during those days where poltiicans are politicans and literally put their lives on the line.
I would say that PAP absolute political control started on May 21, 1987 as there is no “new generation” of opposition political activists arises as successor to “Chiam See Tong, Jeyaretnam, Low Thia Khiang” generation.
Did you see any committed and passionate “fire-brand” like Tan Wah Piow when eh was a student leader – on the horizon?