Like Ho Piao?
The arrest of Ho Piao’s cousin would have made an impact on the youthful Ho
Piao and propelled him into the reality of colonial rule in
Singapore at the time. It was at this period
that he began his initial association with the trade union
movement, where his command of the English language became an asset
to hard-pressed trade unions who were already short-handed after
the arrests.
Accordingly, in 1957, he cut classes for
his science course in the university to attend to the pressing
demands of trade union work, to such an extent that he eventually
withdrew from his university education
altogether. He went on to work full-time in
the trade union movement. In subsequent years, Ho Piao never regretted this
decision, and always believed that it was a choice he had to make
under the circumstances. In the context of the anti-colonial
struggle, it was the only choice...
Not long after his return to Singapore, Ho Piao joined as a paid
secretary of the Singapore National Seamen’s Union. He would later recall that
his involvement with the seamen’s union represented the happiest
and most meaningful part of his life, of which he had particularly
fond memories. He interacted well with the seamen on board the
ships and they in turn took to him with warmth and
affection. Ho Piao had a particular way and
manner in dealing with ordinary folks, to whom he never felt any
distance. In fact, if anything, his defences always went up
when he was confronted or faced with bureaucracy or with people in
authority, to whom he would be polite but always firm and
obstinate from the viewpoint of his
adversaries...
http://s-pores.com/2007/04/ho-piao/
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That one is brave and stupid, not worth even listening to.
