02/07/2008
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008
Singapore Democrats
To: The Wall Street Journal
I refer to the letter by Mr
Lee Kuan Yew's press
secretary (Two Views of Freedom of Speech and Law in Singapore,
June 30, 2008) in which
she quoted me as calling, in open court, "Singapore
leaders 'murderers, robbers, child molesters' and
'rapists'."
The outrageousness of Madam Yeong's lie borders on the comedic. Mr
Lee Kuan Yew, or his counsel, is in possession of court transcripts
and audio-recordings that would show whether I had uttered those
words. He must now produce the part of the transcript that quotes
me saying those words or he risks destroying his own
credibility.
Mr Lee and his
prime minister son, Mr
Lee Hsien Loong, sued the
Singapore Democratic Party and its executive members for defamation
over an article we published in our
party newsletter
criticising the non-transparent and non-accountable manner in which
Singapore was run.
The Lees obtained summary judgment from the courts despite our
defence in which we cited disputes of fact and law. In other words,
there were triable issues. The summary judgment meant that we were
found guilty without given the chance to defend ourselves, call for
witnesses and cross-examine the plaintiffs.
Mdm Yeong also says that "Singapore upholds free speech." Yes, and
Mr Mugabe has just been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Your readers
might care to know that I have been repeatedly convicted and
imprisoned for speaking in public and I face several more such
charges. Seventeen of my associates have been charged for
conducting a protest against the raising of prices by the Singapore
government.
It is also noteworthy that
Freedom House stated:
“Singapore citizens cannot change their government
democratically."
We are not advocating a Western- or Asian-style of democracy. We
want a democracy based on universal principles as enshrined in the
Singapore Constitution and
United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
By the way, Mr Lee sued us in his personal capacity. Why is he
using Mdm Yeong, a civil servant, to write the letter on his
behalf?
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
12:08 Posted by soci |
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