Ravi Philemon
During JB Jeyaretnam’s birthday memorial yesterday, Dr James Gomez revealed publicly he is in the process of registering a political association called Singaporeans for Democracy (SfD).
In an exclusive interview with The Online Citizen, Dr James Gomez revealed that SfD has pushed the Registry of Societies (ROS) with the innovations to SfD’s constitution.
“In our constitution, we have specified that we will have the option of starting foreign chapters of our organisation; and one of the objectives in our constitution states that we will apply the use of new media tools for organizational matters, information dissemination, networking, mobilization and advocacy to promote democracy,” said Dr Gomez.
Dr Gomez believes that Singapore being the most wired nation in the world and being a global city, should be ready for such innovative constitutions from its civil society organisations. “We already have overseas voting,” he reminds. He was also quick to point out that SfD does not even need to register themselves with ROS, because they are already doing whatever they have stated in their objectives as they would do, in their own individual capacities.
“But we want to remain open, accountable and transparent”, says Dr Gomez and registering with ROS he believes will show to the people that they are serious players who want to play their part in shaping the national discourse. “And registration with ROS will also help us administratively, for example in opening a bank account and so on”, he says.
When asked if he will be joining any other political parties, Dr Gomez says that he has no such plans for the short-term. “I need time to properly establish SfD. I also want raise my profile as an academic”, he says.
James Gomez’s (JG) exclusive interview with The Online Citizen (TOC)
TOC: Is Singaporeans for Democracy (SfD) a political party?
JG: No. SfD is applying to Singapore’s Registrar of Societies to register as an independent non-governmental organisation that will focus on issues related to civil and political rights.
TOC: What does Singaporeans for Democracy want to do?
JG: SfD wants to campaign on selected civil and political issues and advocate for legislative reform to ensure that Singaporean enjoy meaningful democracy based on justice and equality as expressed in the National Pledge. For example, SfD will campaign and advocate for changes to the Films Acts to ensure that Singaporeans are able to fully explore this medium to express their political views.
TOC: What kind of approach will SfD take in campaigning for democracy?
JG: SfD will take a multi-partisan approach, this means working in coalition and in partnership with individuals, NGOs, political parties that share a similar ideal to further democracy. The nature of the coalition and partnership is expected to be dynamic based on the type of civil and political issue.
TOC: Who are the current members of SfD?
JG: SfD’s pro-tem committee is presently made up of Singaporeans who have had activist experience and a track record in promoting democracy as individuals, as NGO members or as political party activists in both the pre and post internet environment.
TOC: What kind of members is SfD looking for?
JG: SfD welcomes members and associate members who have a shared objective to promote democracy, who believe in the importance of a multi-partisan approach and are willing to stand together with other SfD members. Although activism experience is welcome, it is not a pre-requisite. But SfD prefers members who want to go beyond discussions and blogging.
TOC: Is SfD affiliated with any particular organisation or ideology?
JG: No. SfD is an independent organisation. However, it respects its members’ rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression. SfD places no restrictions or conditions over its members’ affiliations with other organisations.
TOC: How is SfD different from other political associations or NGOs in Singapore?
JG: We do not want spend time outlining differences with other organisations but rather to state that SfD focuses on citizen political activism, in particular to campaign and advocate for civil and political reform that will be ultimately reflected through changes in legislation. SfD is not affixed to any particular method of activism, it will be flexible and adapt as it goes along. SfD is not a discussion or a journalist group. It is an advocacy group.
TOC: Will SfD focus only on Singapore issues?
JG: SfD is a democracy NGO. Although its primary focus will be Singapore it will tap into other democracy issues, movements and organisations at the regional and global level. The purpose it to facilitate an exchange of ideas and to ensure regional and global solidarity with issues related to democracy. As part of our regional and global reach, we plan to have Singaporean focal persons in locations where there is a sizeable overseas Singaporean presence.
TOC: Will SfD use the internet?
JG: In current times not using the internet is not an option. However, SfD will be specifically looking into internet tools that can be used for social and political mobilization. We will also be using the internet to introduce innovations into how we hold SfD committee meetings, general meetings and voting on internal matters in order to include overseas based Singaporean members into SfD’s decision making processes.
TOC: Why the name Singaporeans for Democracy?
JG: We choose the name Singaporeans for Democracy because the words “Singapore” and “Democracy” are taken from the National Pledge and its fits naturally with our objectives and aims. However, we realise that various organisations have used or use different combinations of the same words to name their organisation. We are aware the term Singaporeans for Democracy was also once used by a now defunct website. SfD has no relationship with these organisations.
Footnote: Although Dr James Gomez will not directly confirm who the pro-tem members of SfD are, TOC’s sources have revealed that the pro-tem members besides Mr James Gomez include:
- Chong Kai Xiong
- Chia Ti Lik
- Tian Jing
- Shafiie Syahmi
- Seelan Palay
- Noora Zu
- Rachel Zeng
- Ho Choon Hiong
- Isrizal Mohamed Isa
- Jacob George
- Martyn See
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I remember him as the guy who caused Aljunied to go down by a slim margin. Are you going to use him for GRC?
now he is a Dr already.
Do they have a website or facebook page already. Hope it will be a very strong NGO and garner a lot of support.
oh i remember james gomez now. In the last election there was some hoo haa over filing the election papers on time or some technicality, yes i remember.
Good luck, sir!
zero
This Gomez did what was unimaginable to many. He messed up last time on such serious matter!
Why?
And now, he wants to try something again?
Good luck on the newest political venture, and please don’t make any political mistakes this time.
is the word ‘Singapore’ a reserved word?
ditto for the word “Singaporeans” ?
I think Mr Gomez should be given the chance to try what he wants as it is only benefitial to singaporeans if he succeeds. I would ignore his past mistakes.
Being so well educated, i hope he can help singaporeans break out of their Apathetic Shell and live like a democratic citizen of a 1st world.
All Opposition needs to do is just 1 thing. Just tear down the wall of apathy. Liberate the minds of the people. Everything else will fall in place. Don’t need waste time doing anything else because the prerequisite to achieving anything else is getting rid of Apathy.
This is just my personal opinion.
What difference will this make?
We had people and things more terrific than this SfD but what happened election after election?
David Copperfield is back.
Maybe as David Bain . . . .
We shd ask the government to play the elusive video again.
what happen if he do another stunt if he teams up with a potential winner like kbj? can he be a mole?
“What difference will this make?
We had people and things more terrific than this SfD but what happened election after election?”
The difference this generation might finally be able to do what was not possible before.
Good luck to this new group.
“Although Mr James Gomez will not directly confirm who the pro-tem members of SfD are, TOC’s sources have revealed that the pro-tem members besides Mr James Gomez include”
Eh since Dr James Gomez DID NOT confirm who, why then must TOC dig out the name list? Becoming tabloid ah or what? Cannot respect people’s wishes or what? Incredible.
I am curious…
I know of a website called SFD which has been around since the days of Sintercom in the early 1990s. In fact, that was the site where I first learnt about the existence of criticisms of the PAP. It had/has as a partner-site Singapore Window.
Are the people signing up for Gomez’s “SFD” the same as the original members of this site?
Regards,
Arix.
If I was a WP member, these lines from Kelly Clarkson’s “Since you’ve been gone” pretty much sum how I feel about James Gomez :
How can I put it? You put me on
I even fell for that stupid love song
Yeah, yeah
Since U Been Gone
How come I’d never hear you say
I just wanna be with you
I guess you never felt that way
But Since You’ve Been Gone
I can breathe for the first time
I’m so moving on
Yeah, yeah
Thanks to you
Now I get (I get) what I want
Since U Been Gone
He needs to PROVE what he stands for.
He needs to Talk Less and show some Contribution.
His past fiasco is still causing mistrust in him.
Prove your worth, man.
I will give u 1 chance.
‘Once Bitten’: Perhaps you don’t know his contribution to Singapore for all the years in Think Centre before joining WP.
I support the move. Democracy, Freedom of Speech and Human Rights are not about opposing the government as the ruling party would have us believe. Its about the ability to express one’s view and to make a choice without fear or prejudice. Its not about just having a voting right but having a democratic system which allows for fair, honest and transparent playing field for all. Its about holding the politicians you selected accountable for their action. Its about understanding that you do not have to give up your right in the name of peace and prosperity as the people in power would have you believe.
How can someone who is a lecturer and have high education and worked for Think Center have done what is generally perceived as incredible , shocking and rather silly for a politician to have committed ? Application for election should be treated with utmost seriousness.
How could he have committed that mistake? Effect on him is neglible compared to the damage suffered by WP and their supporters as a result of his perceived carelessness.
Anyways, i do not know what he has contributed since its contribution is not visible to the general public , people like me. TOC, TR , TKL, LSH , Andrew , Ravi , Spiegel and Dr Chee have contributed more visibly that the what is known as thinkcenter. Version 2.0 or whatever.
‘Think’ is necesary.
Doing it is more important.
Talk is cheap.
Action reap heaps.
Good Luck, James.
It is nice to know that you are ever prepared to launch new ideas in Singapore for Singaporeans and this org. SfD, making overseas Singaporeans involved as well.
Wish you all the best.
And for those who are still talking about a simple mistake of forgetting some papers . Let me remind you,
1) We all make those mistakes in everyday life.
2) The PAP & the MSM were the ones who blew it out of proportion.
( since they had no idea or platform for a campaign, proven after 3 years)
3) He did get a stern warning from the police, since they wanted to make sure there was no malice.
#17,
“a simple mistake of forgetting some papers”
Think , my friend, think!
Can you forget important things like your wedding anniversary?
How about documents you need to bring for an important meeting like presentation to your top clients or Directors?
Would it be Excusable to forget the above?
To a few people, they may. But to the general public, the error was too ridiculous.
I perceive your statement as a sweeping statement that can be used conveniently as Excuse for big mistakes. A general statement like yours is suitable only for non-serious matters.
Can a surgeon make mistakes?
Can a politician make mistakes?
Of course technically yes. But this does not mean they escape all consequences of their mistakes. Responsible people are responsible for their actions or the lack of it.
Rachel Cheng: “Responsible people are responsible for their actions or the lack of it.”
And he IS being responsible by coming back to Singapore and working on this project.
We can spend the rest of our time harping on about past issues, or we can wait patiently and see what this new group has to offer. Running it down now is silly, especially when they haven’t even started organising. Don’t do the work on behalf of the PAP.
Rachel #18
Yes, if he says its a mistake, then we have to give him the benefit of
doubt and it’s not as if he is going to bring down the whole country.
But the way the PAP politicians and their controlled MSMs blown it,
its downright ridiculous and even obscene.
Can surgeons make mistakes?
Yes the do and they get sued and maybe suspensions
Can politicans make mistakes?
Yes the do, oppositions also get sued while only the PAP ones are
honest mistakes telling us ‘ What do do, it happens..Let’s move on’
We move on and they move on still collecting their millions
Yes, Rachel you are right. To the general public, the error was too ridiculous. I guess its much more ridiculous than the way Mat Selamat escaped and the subsequent lame excuses and the “either he is here or he is not” comment. I guess “Its a honest mistake and lets move on” is only applicable if you are a demigod and not human like our opposition candidates. Yes are right, we know
Twice mistake he has made, If I trust him, at the end I am the one Q up to pay damages, He will collect commision behind.
20) nothoodwinked on January 7th, 2010 12.15 pm
“But the way the PAP politicians and their controlled MSMs blown it,
its downright ridiculous and even obscene.”
Again, a convenient way to help him ‘siam’ his responsibility?
In the 1st place, if he did not do the UnImaginable, an act totally unexpected of a politician, a Mistake so farfetched, the MSM could not even have blown anything.
You are obviously trying to side him.
The Alternative nation HAD given him a Chance. We were totally let down. WP was affected badly also. The margin was so small, we can only wonder could WP had won the GRC the last time had he not did the unimaginable.
Once bitten, twice shy. Goodbye.
#19 fae,
“We can spend the rest of our time harping on about past issues, or we can wait patiently and see what this new group has to offer. ”
They had all the time to THINK and think already.
‘wait patiently’? Is a few decades of waiting for action not patient enough?
Talk less. Just do it.
i think people like fae , nothootwinked etc , did not or appear not to see the point of many readers here who posted their comments which are not in favor of Gomez.
There is something more serious which is their concern.
But no one has since mentioned it out loud. This is good. We should not be too blunt to hurt people’s feelings.
“Can a politician make mistakes?
Of course technically yes. But this does not mean they escape all consequences of their mistakes”
lol. let me count how many politicians in sg have committed political suicides already but are still sticking around like zombies…
1. mm for saying sticking spurs in our hides
2. his son for saying he must fix opposition
3. wong cant sing for letting a limpy terrorist escape
4. lim swee say for saying he felt rich every month looking at his cpf statement
5. ………..
compared to gomez, pap ALL escape ALL consequences of their mistake. 100% of the time.
//Can a politician make mistakes?
Of course technically yes. But this does not mean they escape all consequences of their mistakes. Responsible people are responsible for their actions or the lack of it. //
Tell that to the pappies.
Mole Man Tai, relax. Maybe you have some problem with James Gomez or whatever but he still has a certain level of respect in the local political scene. All the opposition parties still want him after he left WP and he has many options. And I don’t think you’re going to say the entire opposition is less wise than you.
Skulumbong, yes it looks like they are going to do it, they should thank people like you for the encouragement.
Mole Man tai,
Can you tell me who made the more serious mistake?
The one in filing the election forms or the one that let the terrorist
got away?
The former was blown out of proportion so much so the
they hijacked the whole election on that issue.
The latter managed to ‘siam ‘ responsibilty where eventually
old man blame on the citizens’ complacency
Like the same old man said
“where’s your sense of proportion?”
No one can disagree that his unbelievable act has created serious doubt in this man.
We like to see more fight for the Alternative Nation. So, what he can do now is Prove himself with a deed b4 the election. To silence all critics.
#35, thanks for the Video link.
After watching the video hearing what James Gomez said, I am touched. It changed my mind. I would definitely give this man a chance and support him.
He has shown his sincerity.
Now, lets aim to take down a few.
no foreign chapters please
Its Responsible of Gomez to have admitted his past mistake and move on.
Obama did the same even though the lapse was due to securities people.
The difference between a leader and a loser is that a Leader , if he makes a mistake, he admits it and take responsibility whereas a Loser finds Excuses and laments ooops! what to do? its move on time. hee hee so many zeroes!
Why Think Centre version 2.0?
I read this when it was published and I was at SfD’s website just now and found the listof the pro-tem members. So I came back to double check to do some comparison. The correct list is here http://sfd.sg/sites/default/files/roses-page1.jpg
Maybe The Online Citizen should really double check properly next time? I also went back to read the sammyboy thread on conversations between the people involved and now I know why some of them are not happy with The Online Citizen. They are right, the list is wrong and should be published only when confirm.
This James Gomez was put up by the Workers’ Party in the last General Election as one of its “A Team” candidate. So one can imagine how rotten is the party’s standard as well as the inferior quality of the other “A Team” candidates. One would have expected the WP Chair-person to strongly object to be teamed up with James Gomez, however, to the shock of the world, she did not. May be she was aware that she was after all not much better than him?