Why TBT protesters look forward to going
back to court
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Singapore Democrats
The 16 Tak Boleh Tahan activists who
protested against escalating costs in Singapore last year are
looking forward to the resumption of their trial tomorrow at the
Subordinate Courts.
This is because legal battles are one way through which
Singaporeans can fight for their rights and work towards the rule
of law, however long the process may take.
The trial is heard by District Judge Chia Wee Kiat. It commenced
last year from 23 Oct to 7 Nov. But because it could not finish in
the allocated period, the hearing was adjourned to 26 Feb to
12 Mar 09. The
protesters face two charges: one for participating in an assembly
and another for a procession outside Parliament House on 15 Mar
08.
While some may not yet comprehend why the Singapore Democrats and
Friends are determined to challenge the PAP's
unconstitutional ban on freedom of speech and assembly, we are
convinced that with time and effort these Singaporeans will
eventually understand what we are trying to
achieve.
We don't do what is easy, we don't do what is safe. We do what is
right and necessary. And we do it because it will benefit our
fellow Singaporeans in the long run. This is what true leadership
is all about.
Leaders must lead and an important aspect of leadership is bringing
to the attention of the people the pitfalls and dangers that lie
ahead for our nation. These include the total lack of political
rights for our citizens.
Think about it. Despite the enormous amounts of reserves the
Government has lost through disastrous investments, no one is held
accountable. Everyone goes about their work as if nothing happened.
Even Ms Ho Ching's stepping down as chief of Temasek is billed as a
strategic move. She has not been called to answer for the losses
incurred.
This happens only because Singaporeans have been
stripped of their rights to freedom of assembly. In
any democratic nation, the people would have congregated in public
and demanded answers from the government.
What about elections? Can't we just vote in enough opposition MPs
and change the laws from there? If only it were that simple. A
government that has no qualms in ignoring the Constitution will
have no hesitation in changing the rules governing elections.
Already PM Lee
Hsien Loong has openly admitted that he needs to fix his opponents
and buy his support.
This is why the PAP has been in power for half-a-century with
almost zero opposition representation in Parliament. Do we learn
nothing from this?
Leadership is not about bossing people around. It is about
educating and persuading the people, and making the necessary
sacrifice so that our fellow citizens may see what we see and heed
our urgent call.
This is not to say that we don't believe in elections. As we have
stated repeatedly we will continue to put up candidates and fight
the elections. In
fact we have already started preparations for the coming
GE.
But over and above contesting the elections once every four or five
years, we also need to work towards political reform. An opposition in an
autocratic system must fight on all fronts, not just the elections.
Our strategy must be wholistic.
This is why we go back to court tomorrow enthused and with a strong
sense of purpose. We are filled with the knowledge that history and
right is on our side.
We will continue to expose the police as a tool of the ruling
party. We will continue to demonstrate the selective prosecution by
the AG. We will continue to urge the Judiciary to uphold the rule
of law in Singapore and to enforce the letter and spirit of our
Constitution and, indeed, the constitution of the free and
civilised world.
For without the rule of law all the house-to-house visits, posters,
flyers, etc will come to nought and the PAP will continue to rule
without an opposition in Parliament for another 50
years.
Top row (l-r): Chee Soon Juan, Carl Lang, Francis Yong,
Chia Ti Lik, Sylvester Lim, Shafi'ie, Govindarajan, Jufrie Mahmood,
Chong Kai Xiong
Bottom row (l-r): Seelan Palay, Jufri Salim, John Tan,
Jeffrey George (pleaded guilty), Jaslyn Go, Suraya, Ng E-jay
(pleaded guilty), Gandhi Ambalam, Chee Siok Chin
http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/