i dont understand why if its a local dissidenst , they are held
for 30 years but in these case TERRORISTS are held for a
few years and released!!!
in their case, they should receive the death sentence for
plotting against singapore.
The JI Plotters is smarter then we think they are not, for
their acts of either "intelligently"
co-operating, signing the statements of guilt and
renouncing their wrong actions, or remain in continued custody.
Can they serve their cause while in custody, or would it be
better to be released and be able to live to tell of their
experiences in custody, and inform those who are in the "fifth
column" ?
The fact that Mas Selamat Kastari remains at large indicate the
possible existence of a "fifth column".
Unfortunately, honest "local dissident" - such as Chia Thye
Poh - had refused to sign any form of admissions of guilt to the
verbal accusations that he was a Communist advocating the "armed
overthrow of a legitimately elected government".
He had instead challenged the Government to charge him in an
open court and show the evidences to back up such charges -
something which the Government will not respond, but prefer to
incarcerate him for 32 years, and quietly releasing him without any
written guarantees.
The other "local dissidents" such as Tan Wah Piow - NUS Student
Union President - was sent to jail on very flimsy
evidences from a PAP Unionist Leader for committing a "one-man
riot" inside a Union premises, and in a show trial presided by
a Pro-Government Judge he was found guilty. On his release from
prison, he was sent to the Artillery Unit to serve his NS - and it
was the 120mm motar battalion with the heavy base-plate to be
carried on route marches. Under those trying circumstances, the
young man left Singapore.
The other "local dissidents" were the social minded lawyers
active in the Catholic social outreach program, who
were accused of being "Marxist in the Catholic
Church". Prior to their release they had to first signed
their admission of guilt. They willingly complied so as to
gain their freedom and be able to protest the conditions of
their arrests. They were quickly re-arrested and confined
for a longer period, and prior to their second release, the
ISD got their admission of guilt video taped and signed before
being released again.
The "local dissidents" were largely political activists
challenging the political order, and the only way to demolish such
a challenge is to damage or destroy their credibility.
The JI Plotters are not political activists, but religious
fanatics - Singaporeans should ask this Government if they have got
their focus and priorities right.