This article first appeared in SINGAPORE DEMOCRATS
In an interview which Lianhe Zaobao (28 Feb 10) did with Dr Chee Soon Juan, reporter Ms Yew Tun Lian implied that Dr Chee was being funded by foreigners to undermine Singapore. This story was also reported by the Straits Times (1 Mar 10).
Dr Chee replied to the newspapers, pointing out that it was the PAP Government that was undermining the interests of Singaporeans through its so-called foreign talent policy, its continued pandering to MNCs, and its use of foreigners in the National Wages Council.
The newspapers, however, insisted that they would publish the SDP leader’s letter only if these points regarding the PAP were deleted (Straits Times Forum: Chee claims ZB interview implied he was anti-S’pore – 17 Mar 10).
Even this sentence was censored: “Is my endeavour working against Singaporeans’ interests or am I working against the PAP’s interests? I wonder just who is really undermining Singapore’s interests.”
If the PAP wants to have a debate of who is undermining Singapore’s interests, it is most welcome. But let’s not do this by censoring the SDP’s views.
The original letter that was sent to ST and LHZB with the deleted portions in bold is reproduced here:
Just who is undermining Singapore’s interests?
In your report Chee on foreign funds, Chiam’s exit from SDP (1 March 2010), your reporter wrote:
In the [LHZB] article, the interviewer asked him about rumours that he had been able to engage in civil disobedience and other activities here because he received financing from foreign donors.
The article said that, after much probing, he replied: ‘I am an academic, and will occasionally receive research funding from overseas. I have written award-winning books, and have taken part in overseas research programmes.’
But Dr Chee did not say what the research entailed. All he would say was: ‘Maybe research like human behaviour.’
The way that the report is written is clearly an attempt to portray me as being evasive about my income. I had told the LHZB reporter, Ms Yew Lun Tian, clearly that I depended on my books and from time to time, help from my relatives for survival.
Because she found it hard to believe that this was sufficient, I told her that we lived simply and frugally.
At one point she said she felt embarrassed about having to ask me where I lived and what kind of HDB flat I lived in. This is an indication that she was aware that she was probing into my personal matters. Nonetheless, I obliged her by answering her question.
Yet Ms Yew reported it in such a way that I was trying to avoid her answer and had something to hide.
What is left unsaid, although clearly implied, is that I may be a stooge of a foreign agent conducting activities against Singapore.
This is the favoured line of an autocratic regime and its controlled media: They portray their opponents as traitorous individuals in cahoots with foreigners to undermine the country.
In what way do I harm Singapore’s interests by fighting for democracy and the political rights of Singaporeans?
[Compare what I do to what the PAP does: The Government brings in foreigners by the millions at the expense of Singaporeans, causing the locals economic uncertainty and hardship.
The National Wages Council, which help to determine the level of wages of Singaporeans, continue to have foreigners such as Americans, German, and Japanese sitting in it. For the record, real income of Singaporeans have stagnated in the recent past and the cost of living has far outstripped wages for most Singaporeans.
But perhaps the clearest indication that the PAP Government works against the interest of Singapore and her workers came from the late Ong Teng Cheong. In January 1986 Mr Ong, then deputy prime minister and NTUC secretary-general, had sanctioned a strike by the shipping industry which he did not inform the cabinet.
This was Mr Ong's account: "The minister for trade and industry was very angry, his officers were very upset. They had calls from America asking what happened to Singapore - we are non-strike."
Why do American bosses need to call the PAP Government about a strike carried out by Singaporean workers? Why does it have to account to American businesses for what it does in Singapore? Who does the Government listen to, American MNCs or Singaporean workers?
The important question that must be asked is what are Singapore's interests? They must not be conflated with the PAP's interests?
Is the PAP Government's policy to invest and subsequently lose more than $100 billion in investments in Western banks while poor Singaporeans go hungry and homeless working in the interest of Singapore?]
In all my years of service to this country, I have always worked with one and only one objective in mind: To speak up for my fellow citizens and empower them so that they can stand up for themselves.
[Is my endeavour working against Singaporeans' interests or am I working against the PAP's interests? I wonder just who is really undermining Singapore's interests.]
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
______________________________________________
Singaporeans need to question themselves and ask these questions? How much of news that actually disfavours Singaporeans has been denied (or is being suppressed) by the media to the public so that a few unprincipled, unethical people are protected and yet unjustly benefit and still stay in power.
Ranked 148th – this is what you get lah – crap and twisted versions of what IS
so does Chee have foreign backers or not?
After all this, I’m still not clear. In his letter he said he told the reporter clearly that he depends on books and help from families.
Yet there is this mention of research on things “like human behaviour” which he quotes and does not dispute, but doesn’t really address also. And I can’t find any of his research online.
LHZB an ST are govt controlled, nw i prefer SMRB.
so does Chee have foreign backers or not?
>> The answer is NO.
>> Not convince?
>> Let’s look at another angle, if PAP can prove it, we won’t be discussing it anyway.
>> Still not convince?
>> Okay okay I get it – Innocent until proven guilty doesn’t apply here… we live in Singapore… first world indeed.
>> So you want the truth.
>> Here’s the truth.
>> Over the years, we will fed by the MSM machinery certain things and for some things, we were brainwashed to the extent that we take it as the gospel truth. When this perceived “truth” is challenged… we become “defensive”. Fairness and justice is no longer important… cos our “pride” is hurt.
Why our pride is hurt?
Cos we refused to believe that we’re vulnerable to the MSM machinery… and most important of all, we suddenly realized that we have not been doing the “critical” thinking ourselves and question critically.
Lastly, let me give you the following to digest for the day:
PS: saiber, please pay me back the $5m dollars you owe me. What? You said you doesn’t owe me money and I am crazy? Please prove it or I will sue you for defamation.
Real gold is not afraid of fire – so the wise ancient chinese saying goes. In fact gold is proven genuine by the test of fire. So the Government should not be afraid of Dr Chee’s claims. Let him be heard. If he is wrong, he will be automatically shunned. But by not allowing him to be heard, more curiosity and a certain feeling of unfairness is created which will do more harm to the Government.
saiber,
I can be the witness for dumb and dumber. You did owe him $5.
@dumb and dumber
I understand what you are saying. What I’m curious about is this line: “‘I am an academic, and will occasionally receive research funding from overseas.”
If he does not receive overseas funding, why doesn’t it go like this:
Q: Do you receive overseas funding?
A: No, I only receive money from selling books and handouts from my friends and family.
Instead we get something along these lines:
Q: Do your eceive overseas funding?
A: I am an academic, and will occasionally receive research funding from overseas. I have written award-winning books, and have taken part in overseas research programmes. …I depend on my books and from time to time, help from my relatives for survival.
Q: What kind of research do you do?
A: Maybe research like human behaviour.
Doesn’t that sound a little off to you? I’m undecided on the matter so I was looking for some proof. I am surprised you were able to so quickly decide. It seems almost as if you made up your mind before thinking about it.
@dumb and dumber
Oh and apparently a witness, swineflu, has come forward to say I owe you $5 not $5m.
I’m on course to win this defamation suit. :)
Hi Saber,
Doesn’t that sound a little off to you?
>> There’s a fine line between fact finding and paranoia. A little off can be very far off… and in this case… how far off do you think you are? I leave it to you to make the judgement.
I’m undecided on the matter so I was looking for some proof.
>> If PAP, with their resources and ability, cannot produce them… I wish you all the best in your pursuit in this.
I am surprised you were able to so quickly decide.
>> I didn’t decide… you did.
It seems almost as if you made up your mind before thinking about it.
>> Simple… I don’t insinuate.
I’m on course to win this defamation suit. :)
>> Don’t worry, if our dear PM can actually said “fix the opposition”, when he claims later that he really meant “counter the opposition”, it’s a simple typo, really… furthermore, the role play scenario is you’re opposition and I am the current regime – you really think you can win the defamation suit? haha… opposition winning law suit in singapore…. hahaha….
Murky ,
So the Government should not be afraid of Dr Chee’s claims. Let him be heard. If he is wrong, he will be automatically shunned. But by not allowing him to be heard, more curiosity and a certain feeling of unfairness is created which will do more harm to the Government.
I totally agree with you. Why should the ruling party so afraid of? whether CSJ claims are true or false, only time will tell. If he is telling lies, the people will know and kick him out. The younger singaporeans are alot smarter these days and you can’t BS them with all your lies. The more LKY tries to shut him up is to create more doubts to the people out there. CSJ can’t be that mad a person as claimed by LKY or how can a mad person have all the qualification to teach in NUS? funny right? or is it that there are really something which LKY is afraid of that he cannot afford CSJ to be in the parliamment to ask questions, should he be elected.
even if he had foreign backer, that doesn’t really matter..Since we can get screw by our own self elected leaders.
so whats the pt of contention?
PAP sucks
Are Singapore GLCs making donations to Australian political parties based on this report?
“The Political Donations Act in Singapore prohibits political groups and politicians from accepting foreign funding. The purpose of this legislation is ‘to prevent foreign groups from interfering in domestic politics’.
Yet, it appears there are no qualms for Singapore Government Linked Companies (GLCs) to make corporate donations to both major Australia’s political parties. According to an article, ‘Mayne digs some donations data dirt’ published on Crikey, an independent Australian-based news website,
… Foreign dictators could pour millions into an Australian political party. Indeed, the Singapore Government gave $20,000 to both major federal parties through Optus, a business whose fortunes are particularly vulnerable to federal laws and regulations’.”
Link for the above http://aussgworldpolitics.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/singapore-glcs-political-donations-to-australias-political-parties/
Its about time people ask themselves who has benefited more, you me or
the familee
Just what does “foreign backers” really mean anyway? If some of CSJ’s books were bought by an American reader, is that “foreign backer”?? If someone paid CSJ to write a research paper on any area of expertise, is that “foreign backer”?? Can anyone fault the man for trying to earn a living?
I seriously doubt any foreign element is paying CSJ to disrupt the Singaporean political landscape. If that was the case, the PAP would have dug it up and have had him imprisoned for it long ago.
If it were true Chee is receiving funding for the main purpose of undermining our interests, why is the ISA not activated against him. Instead, they get him with cheap shots for walking down the streets. If it were true Chee is a foreign stooge, our press would have trumpeted this on the front page headlines.
What does this “foreign power” hope to get from Singapore by financially backing Chee? I would’ve thought it would be obvious to such an entity that there would be more bang for its buck backing the PAP. After all, our current ministers need lots of money to motivate them to serve. If I were a loaded foreign power, I would not throw money at Chee, who continues despite having been made a bankrupt and is clearly uninterested in money in return for doing what he does.
saiber,
as long as dumb and dumber, myself and others keep repeating that you owe dumb and dumber $5, it is only a matter of time that people will start believing us.
That’s the modus operandi of the pigs all these years via the state controlled msm. When a lie is repeated long enough and often enough, people will accept it as the truth eventually.
My view is that CSJ is not against Singaporeans but he is damn angry and pissed at PAP. So angry and pissed that that he sometimes do and say things that get him into trouble with PAP which makes him even more angry and pissed…
and the cycle goes on and on… I think he is anti-PAP and not anti-Singapore. I know over the years, the line between Singapore and PAP is somewhat blurred.. But we must always remember that there is a difference between PAP and SIngapore
dumb and dumber, so if I understand you correctly:
1. it has been made crystal clear that csj survives solely on book money and the kindness of friends and relatives.
2. there is absolutely nothing questionable about the way he answered the questions. (if it is a little off, is not right to be a little suspicious?)
Ok, in that case, I’m not as certain as you are.
And also you decided that because the PAP did not take action, therefore he def does not have foreign backers. I don’t see how this insinuation is any more valid than mine, asking if CSJ might have something to hide from the way he answered the question.
We both insinuated la. Only part that puzzles me is why you are so ready to insinuate on one hand yet so willing to take CSJ at face value on the other.
As an aside, I see this as an example of internet polarisation. I started more or less neutral on this matter, but I feel pushed more and more to a view I never started off with in the first place.
Frankly I never cared on whether if Chee was financed by foreigners or not. It is time the voters wake up to the fact that not all foreign intentions are bad.
The government have always used foreigners when convenient. It is more disturbing when you realise that our govt have sold out to so many foreign businesses. Just look at the way they kiss the asses of the multi nationals. JTC custom built facilities for them with tax rebates. Compare the pathetic bit they do for local SMEs and blare it all over the news.
If a bus appears to be heading your general direction, it is better to hitch a ride first, and jump off later. Otherwise you will be waiting for the correct bus that never comes.
Our LKY hopped on the communist bus at first, but screwed them later. No big deal.
I think ST did him a favour by insisting on cutting out the bit abt PAP.
I read the ST Forum reply and tot it a gd reply by Dr Chee. Short and sharp rebuttal.
In this version, that rebuttal is lost.
dumb and dumber, so if I understand you correctly:
1. it has been made crystal clear that csj survives solely on book money and the kindness of friends and relatives.
>> Is there any empirical evidence to suggest otherwise?
2. there is absolutely nothing questionable about the way he answered the questions. (if it is a little off, is not right to be a little suspicious?)
>> There is no perfect way of answering a question. We have our so many elites saying all the wrong things like “Mee siam mai hum”, “Cheaper, faster, better”, “lesser mortal”, “HDB is affordable”, “retire in JB” and the “get of our my elite uncaring face”, etc – what does it tells you, or in short, what can you learn from all these? Human is perfect?
Ok, in that case, I’m not as certain as you are.
>> That’s where our views differ. I am not pursuing certainty or any constant variable of the parallel universe, cos life is an ever changing universe.
And also you decided that because the PAP did not take action, therefore he def does not have foreign backers.
>> There is no evidence ever produced to date, and CSJ has refuted the claim. As a civilized society and mature intellectual, what else do you need?
I don’t see how this insinuation is any more valid than mine, asking if CSJ might have something to hide from the way he answered the question. We both insinuated la.
>> I beg to differ, my argument is based on facts, I did not insinuate anything. The argument we have here is that “does CSJ have foreign backing – i.e. foreigner are trying to intervene with Singapore politics via CSJ thus providing him funds and support”. Empirical evidence is important, or you’re suggesting we go witch-hunting?
Only part that puzzles me is why you are so ready to insinuate on one hand yet so willing to take CSJ at face value on the other.
>> Insinuate – imply, suggest, make out, hint, intimate, indicate. As I mentioned, I have wished you all the best in your pursuit. Do share with the forum on your empirical evidence. If it’s just an opinion, please kindly state so as well.
As an aside, I see this as an example of internet polarisation. I started more or less neutral on this matter, but I feel pushed more and more to a view I never started off with in the first place.
>> I beg to differ again. I believe only the truth can WITHSTAND questioning. Keep questioning and think critically is what I ever hope for.
What is exactly wrong if the donation is for something which the donor believe in ?
China would not be what it is today, if the overseas Chinese did not donate to overthrow the imperial government of that time. Do we ever have a problem with these donations ?
We have heard in the news that Singapore also donates generously to the Australian opposition parties through nominees and proxies in the hope that SIA will get what it always wanted – lucrative air rights.
How come we can do it in other countries but don’t allow others to do likewise in Singapore ?
Double standards is what we are famous for, isn’t it ?
@ Alan
this is called politics 101. do whatever one needs/wants to other countries to secure one’s positioning quietly, while saying that such things must not be done in one’s own country.
hypocrisy, double standards, propaganda, suppression of opposition, controlling what is said in the media, taxing people a lot, building public houses and selling the units most likely overpriced, taking people’s money in the form of CPF, COE, ERP, while taking millions of dollars in pay, etc… all the while targeting CSJ.
no one puts it better than Adolf Hitler.
By the skillful and sustained use of propaganda, one can make a people see even heaven as hell or an extremely wretched life as paradise.
– Adolf Hitler
The art of leadership consists in consolidating the attention of the people against a single adversary and taking care that nothing will split up that attention.
– Adolf Hitler
only a few have woken up from the Wonderland where PAP is everything good, nice, and lovely.
CSJ is not the one who was paid millions by Singaporean and still, sitting on TH and GIC made billions of losses and yet which, in my opinions, need scrutiny, transparancy and accountability!
the reporter who did the CSJ interview put up a transcript of the interview on facebook: To me it reads like he has something to hide, but dumb and dumber will probably disagree.
Q: If you don’t mind me asking you a very rude question, but it’s something my readers want to know. The perception is that you are bankrolled, funded, by overseas money. Would you like to use this chance to tell them…
A: (interrupts) I’m just saying, come and buy my books. That’s how I, I get my income. And, and I keep telling people, go down to the book stores, Kinokuniya and Select. If people don’t buy, it’s hard for me to… I’ve been selling books for the last decade. On the streets. You’ve seen me, I don’t know if you’ve seen me.
Q: So you’re saying your income comes from the sales of your books.
A: Most of it. Sometimes I keep telling people, I don’t live a .. life.
Q: Is it ok if I write that you live in Toa Payoh..?
A: Yeah it’s ok. I live very simply. Life choices, I’ve made my choice.
Q: Do you mind me asking how many room flat?
A: That’s ah ah ah… But it’s a very humble… It is no secret, it is a three-room flat. I make very simple life choice. We don’t live glamorously. We get by. But the important thing is we put the resources into the cause I fight for.
Q: People may find it hard to think you can keep a family, just on books.
A: Whatever I can live on. Sometimes we get help, I mean not help lah. People, relatives and so on and so forth. It does get into a, a…
Q: So people are wrong to say you’ve been getting money?
A: I don’t know, where do you get this. People keep saying. I don’t..
Q: If they are wrong, then I can write that they are wrong. I’ll say they are wrong.
A: No, I mean, I’ve always write as an academic, you get research, you apply for research grants. I’ve gone overseas. I’ve got some awards for writing. Had stints overseas where fellowships that kind of thing. These things all helped a bit. I write research grants that kind of thing.
Q: Research on democracy?
A: er, other things lah. Not just, different areas as well.
Q: Which areas? Psychology?
A: Sometimes they are all related, human behavior, different things.
Hi Saiber,
“The reporter who did the CSJ interview put up a transcript of the interview on facebook: To me it reads like he has something to hide, but dumb and dumber will probably disagree.”
This is a discussion forum, and in my opinion, it doesn’t matter if I agree or disagree. I am here to learn. I agree we can disagree.
The argument:
Does CSJ have foreign backing? – i.e. foreigner are trying to intervene with Singapore politics via CSJ thus providing him funds and support”.
The above is a very serious allegation and an offence that can be charged with treason.
All you can produce is a transcript from LHZB reporter that prove nothing but another series of insinuation and allegations? Please tell me you didn’t know that LHZB is under SPH controlled by the government?
It’s actually quite simple for me.
If I take the above transcript as being true.(And I do). then in my mind, it more likely than not CSJ has something to hide.
That’s all.
@ saiber
then go ahead and investigate it, or ask the SPH to do it. can tell the police also.
while u r at it, investigate, or ask the SPH to investigate if SG did fund other countries’ opposition. im pretty sure that SG will not want to go to war with other countries.
(-_-) always the same tactic. It gets like this when people have no arguments to make on the matter.
talking to dumb and dumber is so much more gratifying.
@saiber
wat do u mean by same tactic? then would this not be a tactic from the PAP to discredit CSJ, to give the impression that local opposition are bought by foreign countries?
u r just basing your views on CSJ just because somebody released a “transcript” that could’ve been edited.
the fact is CSJ has not been charged for any wrong doing (maybe the police are sleeping), and, as ppl on here have pointed out, the dirty PAP government has been interfering with other countries also.
therefore, since u r so concerned, make a police report.
The tactic is: when one has nothing left to say in one argument (about whether or not CSJ has anything to hide), start arguing about something else (whether PAP interferes with other countries).
Of course, your latest comment introduces the third argument of whether or not the transcript is a lie. I grant you that all my comments so far have been taken from the point of view that the transcript is nor a lie. But I guess we can wait and see whether CSJ disputes it.
Also, it might be helpful if we try and argue about one thing at a time.
So what if Chee receives funding from overseas…The PAP allows foreigners to “develop” Singapore and also through Temasek Holdings does likewise, by funding Australian political parties via Optus… So who is funding who?
Full of crap from this PAP government nowdays
@ saiber
u think he has something to hide, i think that he is just not media savvy enough to present himself well.
i will reiterate that CSJ has not been found of wrongdoing yet, and i do not think that LKY will pass up a chance to throw CSJ behind bars.
so, maybe u can help LKY by reporting to the police saying that u suspect that CSJ is under the influence of a foreign power because of somebody’s post.
i see the need for transparency, and would like to see how CSJ gets his money, and what he writes.
and no, i do not trust anything the MSM in SG has to say because of obvious reasons.
@ NewFrontier
election wat. so must create a monster to bash it.
Profile of Yew Lun Tian – Direct employment of SPH
Political Correspondent
Singapore Press Holdings
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Newspapers industry)
Currently holds this position
Source: http://sg.linkedin.com/in/luntian
Yew Lun Tian is also a panel member of Singapore Cut Waste Panel directly under the Minister of Finance whereby the other members include other PAP MPs, Perm Secretary and SPH employees.
Source: http://www.cutwaste.gov.sg/aboutus.html
Source: http://www.cutwaste.gov.sg/contact.html
A reporter under direct employment under SPH – controlled by the PAP government, and with direct affiliation with PAP party, it’s plain obvious her motive and intention is questionable.
Moreover, which part of the Journalism ethics and standards has Yew Lun Tian demonstrated to make herself even credible?
truthfulness?
accuracy?
objectivity?
impartiality?
fairness?
and public accountability?
Journalism ethics and standards (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_ethics_and_standards)
If I take the above transcript as being true.(And I do).
>> You definitely have demonstrated that you can “think” critically, LOL…
http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/3525-i-believe-in-singapore-chee-responds-to-lhzb-reporter
I believe in Singapore: Chee responds to LHZB reporter
“I hestitated to tell Ms Yew these details because they were personal. The fact that she works for my political opponents who never felt any compunction in ruining my life and career makes it even harder to talk to her about such personal matters.”
@dumb and dumber
Thanks for the research. While informative, it does nothing to disprove the transcript, merely to show the affiliations of the reporter.
What is illustrative is that CSJ has posted a reply on his website. And at no point does he say that the transcript is not true. If the transcript is falsified, why wouldn’t he bring up that fact in his response to the transcript?
Logically, you have to then assume the transcript is true. (Of course, your particular brand of critical thinking might yield a different end point. I look forward to reading it.)
Given that, the question is whether you can believe that CSJ’s explanation for his answer is believable.
“I hestitated to tell Ms Yew these details because they were personal. The fact that she works for my political opponents who never felt any compunction in ruining my life and career makes it even harder to talk to her about such personal matters.”
Since when did “Are you receiving overseas funding?” become such a difficult personal question to answer.
Hi,
“The way that the report is written is clearly an attempt to portray me as being evasive about my income. I had told the LHZB reporter, Ms Yew Lun Tian, clearly that I depended on my books and from time to time, help from my relatives for survival.”
My question to you is…. writing books and research classify technically can be under “receiving overseas funding?”, isn’t it a trick question itself?
Putting the same logic back to you, why doesn’t the reporter ask “are you receiving funds from foreigner whom are trying to intervene with Singapore politics?”
BTW, singapore is a small city state… so easy for CSJ to hide all those money without the knowledge of PAP hor…. CSJ must have kept the money “invisible” and he can turn it visible as he will it.
Why doesn’t you go and ask temasek why their administrative expenses is SGD$8b for 380 staff for year 2009 alone? They should learn from CSJ to teach them how to turn the money “invisible”.
One more thing:
“In it, he acknowledged that he received some funds from foreign sources for research work”
Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_496175.html
The question was never “did you receive overeas funding from foreigner whom would wants to intervene in Singapore politics”. It was did you receive oversea funding? Please tell me what’s the different between the two based on your understanding… it will help me understand you ability to comprehend facts.
ST aka Strayed Times lah