Upbeat and ready to continue speaking up
for Singapore
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Singapore Democrats
Far from being downcast the 18 activists who have been charged
with taking part in an assembly and procession without a permit
showed they were made of sterner stuff.
The group met on Friday to discuss events surrounding the charge
and their attendance at the Subordinate Courts on 11 Jul at 9 am.
Their upbeat mood suggested that they were keen and ready to
continue speaking up for Singaporeans in the Tak Boleh
Tahan! campaign.
The activists are charged for conducting a protest outside
Parliament House on 15 Mar 08 against the plethora of hikes
introduced by the PAP Government such as the GST, transport fares,
education fees, ERP rates, gas and electricity tariffs, medical
costs and so on.
These increases have exacerbated the already dire economic
situation of many Singaporeans. The working poor have been the
hardest hit.
The activists were determined to rally support from the people to
fight back the Government's punitive measures. One of those
charged, Jaslyn Go, told everyone that "public support is our best
weapon against them. Let's stand united against them."
Chee Soon Juan duly noted that Jaslyn showed the kind of leadership
that Singapore needed.
Lawyer Chia Ti Lik jumped in: "Sometimes, I think the women folk
outdo us in such things. The ladies in our midst who do so much to
inspire us with their tower of strength."
Ti Lik was, of course, referring to Jaslyn, Chee Siok Chin, and
Suraya Binte Akbar who had played leading roles in the campaign for
political reform in Singapore. This is despite the fact that some
of them are mothers of young children.
Pointing to the PAP's strategy in dealing with the reform campaign,
Chong Kai Xiong noted that when provoked, it seems that Lee Kuan
Yew will make nasty and irrational moves at the expense of his
regime.
Agreeing, Ti Lik added that pro-democracy advocates needed to be
bold and daring at this time: "This is a test of our wit and
courage at this point of time."
Underscoring Ti Lik's point, Sylvester Lim said: "They just sent me
the love letter. My wife told them she was expecting it and they
were surprised that we were not intimidated."
"Let them know that intimidation doesn't work on us any more,"
Sylvester continued, "because we are no longer afraid and it is our
right to speak out as citizens."
"I am ready to go to jail for this cause," Jeffrey George weighed
in. "Everyone must remember that what we did was not wrong and we
did not do it for our own gain."
Indeed the protest was to speak up for Singaporeans affected by the
price hikes initiated by the Government. This has driven thousands
of Singaporeans into desperation, many unable to even afford meals.
The level of homelessness in Singapore is unprecedented.
But unlike in other democratic societies, citizens here have no
avenue to protest against government action and exploitative
policies.
Muhammad Jufri had one concern though: "We just need to make
arrangements so that we don't go to prison together. Someone needs
to take care of our children. But I'm proud of what I did."
Jufri is, or course, referring to his wife and mother of three
young children, Suraya, who has also been charged. She also
indicated that she was at peace with what she was doing. "The
policeman who handed me the letter seemed nervous," she told the
group, "his hands were trembling."
The group reiterated their views that they tak boleh tahan
the high cost of living. The youngest of the group, 20-year-old
Shafi'ie made only one short comment: "I have no problem." Everyone
applauded.
http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/component/content/article/1-singapore/557-activists-