Singapore could not be an open society

last SG · 2006-01-12T13:38:10+00:00

economist magazine apologises to MM Lee. they have agreed to pay damages and indemnify him for all costs incurred in connection with the disputed article.

ShutterBug SG

I fully agree with Soros. Do you?

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Jan 11, 5:46 AM EST

Soros says Singapore's use of libel suits against opposition politicians curbs free speech

By GILLIAN WONG
Associated Press Writer

SINGAPORE (AP) -- U.S. billionaire philanthropist George Soros said Wednesday that Singapore could not be an open society as long as its leaders used libel suits against opposition politicians.

"The use of libel ... can be a tremendous hindrance to freedom of expression," Soros said in response to questions at a seminar. "Obviously, Singapore doesn't qualify as an open society."

The U.S. State Department and Amnesty International have previously accused Singapore's top politicians of using defamation lawsuits to remove their opponents from public life.

Gillian Ong, a spokeswoman for Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry, said officials were discussing whether to respond to Soros' comments. Singapore's leaders have said they sue because it is the most effective way to protect their reputations.

"If I had to select one particular spot where Singapore could take a step forward, it would be in not using that method to suppress freedom of expression," Soros said. "There is now a desire for greater openness and I think that there is enlightened leadership, and I hope that they will take that next step."

Opposition leader Joshua B. Jeyaretnam lost his parliamentary seat in 2001 when he was bankrupted after being unable to pay damages that resulted from lawsuits filed against him by members of the ruling party in 1997.

Under Singapore law, the civil rights activist's status as bankrupt prevents him from running for political office.

Jeyaretnam's creditors include the founding father of modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, the city-state's then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Jeyaretnam was sued for revealing at an election rally that his colleague had filed a criminal complaint accusing the ruling party leaders of defamation.

At least two other opposition leaders have been sued for libel by the ruling party, including Tang Liang Hong of the Worker's Party and Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party.

BillyBong SG

I'm expecting the usual rhetorical (stinging) reply from our govt... Cool

soloken SG

[quote]Originally posted by ShutterBug:
[b]I fully agree with Soros. Do you?

Who cares about what he said!! Do you know this Soros cause the currency crisis in 1997 -2000, causing billions and millions of economic losses in asia, and ever since it took how many years for us to rebuild. Till now, we have not even fully recover from the losses.

Many people are still feeling the losses that this SOROS!!! has caused.

He is a hyprocrite la...

shade343 SG

We sue people if they say statements of untruths.

shade343 SG

Its not his fault. Its the fault of our country not having a diversified basket of foreign currencies and risk management.

soloken SG

Well, he is a speculator and he exploit us...and that is not an honourable thing to do. You can't say that it is not his fault and because of him many people suffered and that you cannot denial. People suffer because he want to get rich...and that is pure ugly of him.

BillyBong SG

As usual, Soros's outburst is typical of rich megalomaniacs and will probably be swept aside by our govt as opportunitistic interference. But such sharp comments will not go unanswered.

soloken SG

Agreed!! his comments will be answered.

dragg SG

the currency crisis did not actually hit us, only our neighbours.

soloken SG

It did not hit us directly but it still affect us because of our regional investment.

Again, the currency crisis has setback our neigbouring country at least by 10 years, and we are indirectly affected as an economic bloc, Asean is no longer attractive and with the rapid rise in china and india, asean as a whole has tasted the wheel of fortune, cause we are doing the catch up with these rising economies.

Atobe SG

Unfortunately your statement is wrongly directed at Soros.

The financial crisis was caused by the wild management and abuses of the financial system and economy by the respective governments in Asia - Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Each government became lax and irresponsible in the manner that they managed their economic boom by allowing easy and undiscipline credit from huge borrowings by willing lenders that threaten the viability of the economies that each government try to build.

Soros was an opportunist, who saw the weaknesses, and seized the opportunity based on his vision of the future pitfalls which can end up with him making millions.

Did he cause the economic earthquake that hit this Asian region, or were the fault lines already opening up with the overheated economies that were built on weak foundations ?

Salman SG

I don't think Soros was to be blamed but in real life, he is a hypocrite.
They call him the money man behind the shadow party in the US.

soloken SG

I do not think I am wrong in my analysis, for a matter of fact I reckon that no system is fundamentally safe, and sad enough Soros has been able to exploit the weak foundation. If you are able to understand and read on Soros business vision and the ways he conducted his merciless business deal, by going around the world and exploit the system.

In addition, the economic earthquake he caused is nonetheless no small, he did cause business failures, people's hard earn money gone to the drain because of stocks, thus he is deem as a dracula, as describe by many at that time. Maybe the impact to you is small or you are not old enough to witness that.

Atobe SG

Back to the subject -

"Singapore could not be an open society"

Can Singapore ever be an open society - when there is no separation of powers between the Government and the Judiciary ?

With a Judiciary that is dependent on the grace of the Government to renew their employment contract, its individual futures are controlled by the Government.

Can a non-independent Judiciary protect the Citizenry against the abuses from the Government that is adapt in using the Law to terrorise the Citizens ?

All other issues will be non-issues, if this primary issue of allowing an independent judiciary - whose members are selected by a truly independent body of renowned and established Singaporeans who should all be apolitical, NOT associated to any Political Parties, and do not depend on the Government for any source of livelihood.

See "Is S'pore's legal system getting a bad name ? " - 1997
http://www.singapore-window.org/1025st1.htm

See "The politics of judicial institutions in Singapore" - 1997
http://www.singapore-window.org/1028judi.htm

See "The International Commission of Jurist" - 1997
http://www.singapore-window.org/icjjbrep.htm

See "Amnesty International 2002 report on Singapore"
http://www.singapore-window.org/sw02/020528ai.htm

ndmmxiaomayi SG

This Soros guy has been saying a lot of things which doesn’t really benefit us. It causes a lot of debates and upset among the people.

Atobe SG

Like all the debates of differing opinions printed in this thread, which upset all of us even more Question Twisted Evil

soloken SG

what's yr point? you should'nt be upset, cause this threat open up for debates and you are free to give opinions.

Atobe SG

Who is upset with the debate ?

Maybe I will get upset with the 'threats' ? Rolling Eyes

macjoe SG

I think Soros is just interested in having rich/weak countries open up so that he can exploit their weaknesses and make his escape easy with bags of gold.

He's no different from treasure raiders like Indiana Jones.

soloken SG

Originally posted by Atobe:

Who is upset with the debate ?

Maybe I will get upset with the [b]'threats' ? Rolling Eyes

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oops sorry spelling mistake it is thread.