By Dr Wong Wee Nam
“You only have power over people so long as you don’t take everything away from them. But when you’ve robbed a man of everything, he’s no longer in your power — he’s free again.”
– Alexander Solzhenitsyn
I first met him at the wake of the late Dr Lee Siew Choh in July 2002. That was 20 years after he was released from an almost 20-year detention. I saw a friend sitting at another table and went up to say “hello” to her. He happened to be sitting at the same table and she introduced us.
That was the first time I saw how he looked like.
I have heard of him when I was a young boy. He was the son of a famous fishmonger in the market where I had lived. The father was famous because he had a clever son. Not a lot of poor people then had children who are doctors.
I also heard of him as a young boy because of his reputation as a doctor. Not only did his clinic dispense free medicine for the needy and the real indigent, he also gave them transport money to go home. This is not surprising from a doctor who believes that the most common cause of anemia is not iron deficiency but poverty.
It was understandable that I did not recognize him. After all, his pictures had never been splashed in the newspapers or over the TV. Nothing much was heard about him when he was incarcerated and nothing was seen or heard after his release.
In spite of the news blackout and the low profile he has kept, he is still a political legend, being the second longest political detainee after Chia Thye Poh. Therefore, my reaction was one of excitement mixed with surprise and discomfort when he was introduced to me.
He put me totally at ease when he asked in a very soft and friendly voice if I was the same one who wrote letters to the press. I was humbled by his sincerity and modesty.
Subsequently, I met him occasionally at medical seminars and talks. We only exchanged some pleasant words and never discussed current affairs. He told me he read my articles on the blogs but never did he once try to engage me on those topics. At this stage of his life, I suppose he had transcended all these concerns.
Remarkably, in my encounters with him not once had he expressed any hatred for anyone or any organization for having deprived him of 20 years of the prime of his life.
In 1963, he was arrested because he was deemed a security threat to the interests of Singapore. To be kept in prison for 20 years, he must have had a pre-detention life that is more colourful or at least equal to that of Mas Selamat.
Yet, when I looked up as many books (even books written by his ex-comrades) as I could on the era, I could find very little mention on him. Surely a security threat who warranted 20 years of detention would have enough open records of his activities for any movie director to make an equal number of political thrillers. Maybe one day the archives will let us know of his clandestine activities, if any.
Recently at a launch of the book The Fajar Generation, he made a speech. Martyn See, the filmmaker, recorded the speech and put it on Youtube. The video is now banned. It cannot be for security reason that the video is banned. The speech was not fiery, there was no angry condemnation of government, no incitement to violence, no call to arms, no cry to overthrow anyone and no rousing appeal to unite and rally the audience for a cause. Indeed the speech was milder than any election rally speech by a mile.
For months after the speech was made and aired, no investors pulled out of Singapore for security concerns and in fact, the economy recovered. Yet for inexplicable reason, the video was banned.
Perhaps there is a reason. The video is in danger of changing people’s perception of Dr Lim Hock Siew. He comes off as a very calm and dignified person. There is no anger or bitterness. His intellect is intact and his mind is very clear. Beneath the frail frame is a man with strength of character. He looks so kind and fatherly that one wouldn’t see him as capable of slapping a fly or killing a mosquito, let alone hurting a fellow human being. Behind a soft-spoken exterior one can discern a man full of indomitable courage.
Watching him talk reminds me of a story written by Zhuang Zi （庄子）in his chapter “Autumn Water” （秋水）:
When Confucius was traveling in the State of Kuang, he was surrounded by the troops of Sung. Nevertheless, he continued singing and playing his lute, totally unfazed. Zi Lu, his disciple, asked, “Master, why are you enjoying yourself?”
Confucius said, “For a long time, I’ve tried to stay out of hardship but failed. This is due to fate. I’ve tried to succeed but failed. This is due to the times.
“During the times of Yao or Shun, there was no hardship. This had nothing to do with a person’s wisdom. During the reign of King Jie and King Zhou, people did not achieve success but this was not due to lack of wisdom. It was due to time and circumstance.
“To travel across the water and not shrink from the sea serpent or the dragon is to have the courage of a fisherman. To travel on land and not be afraid of the rhinoceros or tiger is to have the courage of a hunter. To meet clashing blades and face death unflinchingly is to have the courage of martyr.
“To understand that hardship is a matter of fate and success is a matter of the times; and to able to face enormous difficulties without fear or terror is to have the courage of a sage.”
知穷之有命，知通之有时，临大难而不惧者，圣人之勇也。
Dr Lim Hock Siew may or may not be a sage but he must be a remarkable man. He was stored away for 20 years and then led a quiet life for the next 28 years. Yet when he made his speech at a book launch, he created enough anxiety for the video to be banned.
Truly remarkable!
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“If we are to survive as a free democracy, then we must be prepared, in principle, to concede to our enemies – even those who do not subscribe to our views – as much(sic)constitutional rights as you concede yourself.” – Lee Kuan Yew Legislative Assembly Debates Sept 21, 1955
“But we either believe in democracy or we not. If we do, then, we must say categorically, without qualification, that no restraint from the any democratic processes, other than by the ordinary law of the land, should be allowed… If you believe in democracy, you must believe in it unconditionally. If you believe that men should be free, then, they should have the right of free association, of free speech, of free publication. Then, no law should permit those democratic processes to be set at nought, and no excuse, whether of security, should allow a government to be deterred from doing what it knows to right, and what it must know to be right… “- Lee Kuan Yew, Legislative Assembly Debates April 27, 1955
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Ironically, these words ring hollow when these words are unrealised, and one can only feel betrayal to the contrasting events now.
Such words – when spoken during the last days of the Colonial Period after WW.2 – had inspired the early generation of young Singaporeans who were politically concious of their responsibilities towards society.
These enthusiastic young Singaporeans had joined forces to seek a new political future as the Colonial Masters realised their days were numbered, and the dawn of a new age is soon to occur.
Unfortunately, these words were spoken like honey that attracted the hardworking bees to a deadly insect eating plant – that trapped the bees in its jaws.
Singapore had come a long way since those words spoken in the 1950s, with so many lives destroyed, but not wasted.
Amidst the humdrum of industrial and economic activities that result in all the material growth achieved, Singapore still lack a Soul, and is still searching for a meaning in the Singapore Story.
Surely, those who have been kept in Cold Storage for the last 48 years and more – will fill the missing link, and can still contribute to Singapore Society as they had done in their youthful days ?
There was so much more vibrancy in Singapore during the Colonial Days, which attracted so many leading names to start new lives in Singapore.
The vibrancy was encouraged by a more tolerant Colonial Government that resulted in so many leading lights in Singapore Society to take up social leadership roles on a voluntary basis – and WITHOUT invitation.
Clearly, after 53 years of PAP rule (since 1957) this vibrancy has faded.
What we hear today is the public lamenting by the Ministers from the Pro Alien Party growing ever louder through the years – concerning the lack of creativity, entrepreneurship, commitment and talent.
Ironically, it was MM LKY who removed the spurs from us, and now feel that Singaporeans need spurs to be dug into our hides.
There is still hope for Singaporeans if we can protect the flame that still remain with the surviving lights that are deliberately kept out of our sight.
Those who fear the light will always want to keep others in the dark.
Are Singaporeans daft – or deliberately made to be daft, so as to allow the evil perpetrators to perpetuate their self-serving agendas ?
“Truly remarkable!”
Rather Uncle would leegard it as UNIQUELY SINGAPORE!
i would like to speak up and if i’m wrong please do correct me on this.
i’m curious that is Singapore is being run like a private family business so call the founder of Singapore monopoly? who is the player? who is the owner? who is the banker?
Decision making,changes,implementing and suggestion was not even favor to us Singaporeans.
every right we speak up for was monitor closely. it is just a talk of sharing our opinion and be it right or wrong no one is perfect by sharing just that without any vulgar and other contents why do we deserve defamation suit,jail term and so on if the issue is right? the hangman for example. is it fearing of being expose? if someone i believed not being honest to himself is living with fear in himself
talking about:
cdc,
family care center
comcare center
mcys
and so on.
is this another monopoly board being created to supply millions in YOG? or to cater to needy,jobless and giving them opportunity to upgrade Singaporeans?
foreigners:
more and more jobs being created. for who? when our wages are freeze for years and living standard being raise. possibility would be most Singaporeans would live in debts and more debt in bills,loan,housing, rental and so on resulting some into suicide.
more Singaporeans being pressure,stress,depress in education when jobs given to foreigners this would result them in losing the hope for some and suicide nearly possible for the young.
when we encourage our child to study hard and strive to archive then let them archive and make it possible for them and make it visible for them too, instead of telling one thing but doing another thing.
i believed everyone want to be success in business in cheaper,better,faster and have more profits of coz.. out of their product but i hope education and jobs of Singaporeans won’t be in this so call business too.
i thanks you for taking the time to read my mail and i appreciate it.
would like to hear from you if possible.
dear Atobe,
very well written.
good luck to all, but as i see it, they have set a precedent, “high pay’, it cannot be sustainable as corruption is decaying the country, sooner or later with $$$ dangling all over the system, every where you go,
and reason why i have given up on this tiny island, run by chinese, oh the chinese…mind….
i’m chinese.
The law of cause and effect holds for everyone and this tyrant’s days of manipulating the country is going to be over very soon.The moment when a leader is doing thing for his selfish ends instead of the people welfare,no amount of tricks and cover-ups will exonerate them.
Should read the book “To Catch a Tartar” by Francis T. Seow.
Can let us know the source for what you have quoted (referring to these below – perferably a source which we can have assess to it)? Thanks.
“If we are to survive as a free democracy, then we must be prepared, in principle, to concede to our enemies – even those who do not subscribe to our views – as much(sic)constitutional rights as you concede yourself.” – Lee Kuan Yew Legislative Assembly Debates Sept 21, 1955
“But we either believe in democracy or we not. If we do, then, we must say categorically, without qualification, that no restraint from the any democratic processes, other than by the ordinary law of the land, should be allowed… If you believe in democracy, you must believe in it unconditionally. If you believe that men should be free, then, they should have the right of free association, of free speech, of free publication. Then, no law should permit those democratic processes to be set at nought, and no excuse, whether of security, should allow a government to be deterred from doing what it knows to right, and what it must know to be right… “- Lee Kuan Yew, Legislative Assembly Debates April 27, 1955
@Atobe
In the real world the stand you take is the place where you sit.
I like him a lot. And i also like Chia Thye Poh. Both are very outstanding and outshine and remarkable politicians in Singapore!!! Hooray!!! This is what i called that they have God-give backbones that they will not backdown to bullies and yet still able to come out and stand out tall among all the idiots ministars in our cablinets. None of them in the cabinet can even outshine this GREAT 2 LEADERS!!! Not even that sick and sissy LHL…
Oopps,,by the way , can we get this 2 Great leaders and the rest of the 22 detainess in the past to form an oppostiion party again and then we all singaporeans can vote for them? Can someeone advise on this matter?
In 5000 years of China ancient history, many emperors started as a general who went to war to fight against another kingdom army in order to protect his country and fellow countrymen. The victorious general return from battle and was chosen be become the kingdom emperor by the people. After he become emperor, in order to protect “his kingdom” he start to have many of his “subjects” killed, imprison or sent to harsh weather condition borders. The first emperor of China sent millions to their death building the great walls to protect “his kingdom”. The Mongolians need not lay a finger. “His subjects” was killed by starvation, hard labour and whips of the Qin emperor’s soldiers.
@Devagi – 27 July 2010
“In the real world the stand you take is the place where you sit.”
.
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Where you sit should not prevent your mind from thinking how you wish to stand.
Whether you decide to sit or stand, your posture should always be straight, or you will be crooked sooner then later in life.
come on………….you know who the remarkable man? lee kuan yew..! long live our father!
the country recent history is from the view of PAP, mostly MMLee. Hope historians would do more research &
include more alternative view from the non-PAP pionners.
I would like to dedicate my poem to this great altruist:
How traumas tortured
A soul undaunted
In captive for 20 winters.
How Justice deprived
A spirit unwavered
For Truth will unfold
In History of God.
Every pain inflicted
By vindictive cowards
Enforced your will
Every sorrow endured
Touched our hearts
For light may cast someday
Vindication of Truth shall stay.
You will always be remembered
Along heroes and sages
As cowards fall from grace….
Deeply felt by heroes
Dear Dr Lim. I admire and thank you as a example to courage, courage to despotic regimes. Don’t know if the PAP under LKY is close or far to that. But at the end of it, people like Dr Lim will always triumph and these regimes will eventually fall, every single one of them. If the PAP thinks it can go on and on, maybe the writing is too big on the wall that they see it as past of the wall colour, we shall see and overcome.Thank you Dr Lim and those who were imprisoned wrongly or without fair trial.
i once spoke to a foreign talent who came from India, he remarked that Singapore is uniquely oppressed yet GDP soars.
But he noticed that the base of GDP is so narrow and shallow, 2 IR and some new mega construction projects can send the GDP growth to 19% in a half year tally.
I asked if he has acquired a Pink IC, he said ” why should I, I am here for as long as income is good, and isn’t it you folks Singaporean vote PAP on that basis?”
He also lamented that Singapore is not his dreamland, he said that there is no much difference in treatment and privilege between a citizen and a PR even with the latest Sg govt;s superficial changes of some fee and charges scales, he said that he wants his children to go to a true democracy.
I was dumb-speech, I was so guilty that we all vote for matetialistic life for 5 decades and allows power concentrated in a few hands, one school of thought and no real debate of ideas.
The govt rewards millions to leaders and top level civil servants and we are the rest who struggle to make that “average” household income of S$3.5K a month.
Would Dr.Lim and his former comrades make any difference if they are governing? Nobody knows but for sure, they would not pretend that they are ALWAYS right and ever-ready to claim all credits and push aside any failures’ accountability. For Dr Lim and his comrades recognize that we are all human and not GOD.
HISTORY is to be written by future generations, no effort can suceed in suppressing scruntiny and re-examining of facts and truths
Mountbatten – Agree with you. There seems to be a buzzing disquiet against the PAP. I think people like Dr Lim and Chia Thye Poh should come out and share openly about what they went through under LKY. It would help people to make a judgement and choice for themselves, from the horses mouth. From here the opposition can take over. I truly hope this would happen. I think the PAP knows they cannot stop the flow of information and maybe the current leaders including LKY are seeing the beginning of their end.
@’To Atobe’ – 27 July 2010
“Can let us know the source for what you have quoted (referring to these below – perferably a source which we can have assess to it)? Thanks.”
If you are looking for the original document, it can be found in the Parliamentary Records known as the ‘Hansard’.
Otherwise, you can google for the information, and several sites are offered at:-
http://www.google.com.sg/#hl=en&q=lee+kuan+yew+speech+singapore+legislative+assembly+21+september+1955&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=lee+kuan+yew+speech+singapore+legislative+assembly+21+september+1955&gs_rfai=&fp=34b977262169fb5f
Wikiquote.org – http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lee_Kuan_Yew
Lee Kuan Yew Watch -
http://leewatch.info/quotes/
nonsense27 July 2010
come on………….you know who the remarkable man? lee kuan yew..! long live our father!
——
come on…….why so low class? Use your own nick. Why must copy others? Short live your father! LOL.
The politicians are ranked at the bottom three of the professions as most of them do not practise what they preach. When they are not in power and campaigning they promise you the sky as talk is cheap. They can promise you the paradise but when they are in power, they do it differently contrary to what they preach. Always treat what the politicians say with a pinch of salt until you really see the results.
it’s a nice article, but after reading through it, i still can’t see why is he “remarkable”? i’m not down playing Dr Lim, i’m sure he’s been a very nice & gentle person, but remarkable? like how?
To those hardcore anti-PAP, anti-LKY, anti-gahmen, etc critics, any writer/person who spews anti-slogans is remarkable whether true or otherwise is immaterial.
MM, after 48 years of public “non-existence” and the government still finds a very ordinary speech a threat, isn’t that by itself remarkable?
So is there a way to bring our Dr Lim, Zahari, Chye Thia Poh, Francis Seow, and so forth , (these 22 detainees without trial) are ones who can stand tall together with the British old man Mr Alan Shadrake , who will not cowed and backdown by bullies of LKY and his cronies at all. If these people are not remarkable, then who is it?
“The speech was not fiery….. etc”
On the contrary, Martyn See’s recording of the speech was strictly factual, with no embellishment or comment. This is the essential point.
If there was anything in the speech that was objectionable, surely the government could have rebutted the points rather than ban the speech outright?
Can it be that the government is becoming increasingly erratic (E-Jay’s point), flailing about and tilting at windmills? It is all reminiscent of the last days of the Roman empire…..