Misconceptions about the Singapore
Democrats
Tuesday, 03 February 2009
Singapore Democrats
Through the
years, much has been said about the SDP. As a result many views
have been formed and propagated about what we stand for, our
beliefs and how we go about achieving our goals – some accurate and
others completely false.
We take a moment here to address these misconceptions so that
Singaporeans can get a better understanding of the party. The
information below will also be useful to counter the propaganda put
out by the PAP.
Misconception No. 1: The SDP is not interested in
parliamentary elections
Parliamentary elections are the cornerstone of a
functioning democracy and we cannot emphasize more that we see
elections as the only legitimate way of political parties gaining
power. We have taken part in every election in the past and will
continue do so in the future.
What we don't believe in, however, is that an opposition party,
under present political circumstances, should focus exclusively on
elections. This is because elections in Singapore are not free and
fair. The PAP amends electoral rules to suit its own needs,
controls the media, and victimises opposition leaders. Where else
in the world can a prime minister openly say that he needs to "fix"
the opposition and "buy" votes -- and get away with it?
The truth is that it is impossible for the opposition to make any
meaningful inroads into Parliament through the existing electoral
process. This is why, over and above taking part in elections,
opposition parties – together with civil society – must work to
reform the election system.
What the SDP wants to see is a truly fair parliamentary election
system in Singapore, one acceptable by international standards.
Misconception No. 2: The SDP wants to effect change through
"extra-legal" means
As explained above, when effecting change through
undemocratic elections is impossible other peaceful, non-violent
approaches are the only other options open.
What the SDP is fighting for are the freedoms of speech and
peaceful assembly for Singaporeans, rights that are enshrined in
our Constitution. They are the building blocks of free and fair
elections without which we cannot press the Government to reform
the electoral process.
But when the PAP continues to violate the Constitution and bans
citizens from peaceful assembly, Singaporeans must stand up and
protect our Constitution. The only way that this can be achieved is
by defying the repressive laws put in place by the PAP.
Protecting the Constitution is not extra-legal because the
Constitution is the supreme law of the country. It is the PAP that
has resorted to extra-legal measures by violating the supreme law
of the land.
Misconception No. 3: The SDP is an extremist party that
advocates breaking laws
Let us be absolutely clear: Citizens cannot go about breaking a law
just because they don't agree with it. This is not what civil
disobedience is about. Civil disobedience is about standing up and
not submitting to unjust laws put in place by governments to deny
citizens their most basic rights. These rights are universally
accepted as inalienable to all persons and the PAP has no right to
take them away.
In fact it is the PAP that does not adhere to the rule of law. Case
in point: The police arrested Tak Boleh Tahan protesters
on 15 Mar 08 while allowing Consumers Association of Singapore
(CASE) members to conduct their protest. Such discrimination
clearly infringes Article 12 of the Constitution which demands that
the law must apply equally to all without favour or fear.
We, the Singapore Democrats, are protecting our Constitution and
there is nothing extreme about that. In fact it is the duty of all
citizens of this republic to stand up for our Constitutional
rights.
In any democratic society, we would be considered a moderate party.
It is only in an authoritarian system that the ruling party tries
to brand reformers as extremists.
Misconception No. 4: The SDP does not offer constructive
alternative ideas
Like the other misconceptions, this is one that the PAP likes to
spread despite abundant evidence to the contrary.
Way back in 1994 the party adopted Dr Chee Soon Juan's book
Dare to Change: An Alternative Vision for Singapore as its
manifesto. The book explicitly spells out alternative policies as
well as the rationale for these ideas, including those for the
economy, politics, society, culture and the arts, education and the
media.
These ideas were subsequently expanded in Your Future, My
Faith, Our Freedom: A Democratic Blueprint for Singapore. They
are further developed in A Nation Cheated. Our flagship
publication, The New Democrat, and pamphlets consistently
focus on our alternative ideas to the PAP programmes. A look at
Our Manifesto in this website would nail the lie
that the SDP does not offer constructive alternatives. The latest
example is our Budget proposal to help Singaporeans and the
economy.
But Singaporeans don't know much of this because the state media
will not publish our ideas and keeps printing lies that the
Singapore Democrats simply criticise and don't offer constructive
ideas.
Misconception No. 5: The SDP is only interested in human
rights and not bread-and-butter issues
The SDP has always been at the forefront of raising concerns about
the escalating prices of essentials. Again, a quick glance through
this website would show clearly that issues such as health care
costs, CPF savings, public transport fares, etc are regularly
addressed.
The ongoing Tak Boleh Tahan campaign, for example, is one
of our main programmes to ensure that the Government keeps the cost
of living affordable. The plight of working Singaporeans and SMEs
remain high on our agenda. In fact during the general elections, we
zero in on pocket-book issues such as the minimum wage,
retrenchment entitlements, and the Singaporeans First Policy.
The reason why the wider public does not realise this is because
the mass media censor much of what we say and do, especially on
pocketbook issues that we raise. A good example is their refusal to
report our proposals for this year's Budget.
At the same time, however, it is important to bring up human rights
matters. Human rights and bread-and-butter issues are two sides of
the same coin. In order for us to talk to the people about issues
that concern them, we need freedom of speech. Without this freedom
we cannot effectively communicate with the people.