Six more protesters called up for
investigations
Singapore Democrats
25 Mar 08
Police have called up six more people who took part in the Tak
Boleh Tahan! Protest on 15 Mar 08 for investigations. They are: Mr
Francis Yong, Mr Ng E-Jay, Mr Mohd Jufrie Mahmood, Mr S
Govindarajan, Ms Go Hui Leng and Mr Carl Lang.
This brings the number of protesters under police investigation to
18. The show of defiance by the group is unprecedented and is an
indication of Singaporeans willing to stand up to the PAP.
Do they regret what they did?
"What's there to regret?" said Mr Jufrie, a popular opposition
leader who stood as a candidate in the 1980s and 90s. "If it's the
right thing to do then we should not fear our actions."
He added: "It's about time someone did this. We all need to stand
up for our rights."
These activists have nothing to gain personally. No lucky draw, no
medals, no monetary rewards. Just a desire to seek justice and
freedom for our country.
They participated in the activity because they could not stand by
and see Singapore being pulled down by our rulers' insatiable lust
for money and power.
These are good and decent people, people who only want the best for
Singapore. They were willing to put their own well-being on the
line so that their fellow Singaporeans might live in a democratic
society.
No citizen should have to be treated like criminals just because
they want democracy for their country.
Ms Go Hui Leng exemplifies this courage. The young mother of two
brought along her toddlers to show that the rising cost of living
affects adults as well as children.
She subsequently wrote a letter to the Straits Times Forum which
was, not surprisingly, rejected (see below). She echoed the
thoughts of many Singaporeans when she said: "What has become of
our society if even speaking up has become a crime?"
The SDP salutes the courage of these protesters and we are very
proud of each and every one of them. We stand shoulder to shoulder
with them in our march towards freedom and democracy.
May the rest of our fellow citizens join us in this proud and noble
cause.
Letter to The Straits Times Forum:
20 Mar 08
I refer to the peaceful protest by SDP held on 15 March 2008.
I got to know about the protest through word of mouth and decided
to exercise my constitutional rights as a Singapore Citizen by
participating together with my two young children. My purpose was
simple: to highlight the rising cost of living that is affecting me
and my family.
Recent increases in childcare costs, milk powder, transportation
and medical costs, are taking a toll on families like me with very
young dependents.
What started out as a peaceful protest turned unnecessarily rowdy
in the end because the police held up the group of protesters
outside Funan Digimall and prevented them from moving.
The police intervention created a scene that attracted big crowds
of passersby.
As a Citizen who is non-partisan, I will support causes I believe
in, regardless of who the organizers are. In times of price hikes
where we were told by our ministers to buy house brand bread, eat
frozen meat, I do not think I have the spare cash to enjoy the
luxury of junk foods. It's World Consumer Day on 15 March 2008, so
what is wrong with protesting about the recent escalating price
hikes?
What has become of our society if even speaking up has become a
crime, and peaceful protests end up with arrest, yet limping
terrorists are out on the loose?
Go Hui Leng
http://singaporedemocrat.org/articleWCRDprotest23.html