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"I will not live by fear": Activist, businesswoman, mother PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 03 July 2008
Singapore Democrats

What prompts a young mother of two to stand up for her rights and the rights of her fellow citizens in a country known for crushing dissent with frightening efficiency? This is a question that many Singaporeans will ask if they met Jaslyn Go Hui Leng.

This is because Ms Go is one of the 18 Singaporeans charged with taking part in an assembly and procession without a permit on 15 Mar this year.

That event launched the Tak Boleh Tahan! campaign which is aimed at highlighting the PAP Government's raising of prices and fees that has thrown hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans into economic disarray and hardship.

And what will be her answer?

"I will not live by the fear the PAP seeks to instill in its citizens," explains Ms Go. "They can try to cripple me with arrest, jail or fine, but they can't stop me from speaking up."

So what does the financial plight of workers have to do with a successful businesswoman who leads a more-than-comfortable lifestyle with her family?

"I used to be very poor when I was young," explained Ms Go, "now that I am better off, I hope I can do my part and highlight the plight our elderly and poor in Singapore are going through.

"If we continue to allow the PAP to rule with an iron fist, the people's problems will not be addressed and I fear that the younger generation will suffer more than we are now as the cost of living are skyrocketing and our jobs are being taken over by foreigners."

The Singapore Democrats first came to know Ms Go during the vigil outside the Burmese embassy in September 2007. Since then, the vivacious and determined advocate of democracy has been actively helping to promote human rights in Singapore.

“Prior to the protest, I tried in my own ways to engage the government by writing to my MP, Tanjong Pagar GRC MPs, and the Straits Times. But time and again they refused to reply to me, or publish my letters,” she writes in her blog.

There is a steely quality about Ms Go that pushes her on. And it is not just starry-eyed ideals that propels the lady's actions; she makes no bones that she is also doing this for the sake of her two children, aged 3 and 5.

Children in Singapore have been deprived of quality life which is so stressful even for young children, she points out.

"Child suicide has been on the rise. The root of the problem lies in the stiff competition that our children are being put through in school," says Ms Go. "I hope this can be a thing of the past."

Asked what she hopes for in the next 5 to 10 years, Ms Go replies that she would like to see elderly folks who have contributed to Singapore's progress be taken care of by the government and not reduced to collecting cardboard boxes and empty drink cans to eke out a living.

And how does she think this can be achieved?

"I hope to see a change in government to a more humane one that puts the country and the citizens first."

Ms Go will appear in Subordinate Court 23 together with the other 17 activists.

Many Singaporeans shy away from engaging in the public process by claiming that they have their families to think about. Such fear is a damning indictment of the PAP. Be that as it may, Ms Go's example and courage should be a ringing call to citizens of this country to overcome their fearful inertia and become actively involved in matters that concern their everyday lives as well as their future.

Singaporeans can get involved by taking the first step next Friday, 11 Jul 08. Come down to the Subordinate Courts at 9 am to lend your support to this woman of incredible courage as well as to the other activists who have stood up for justice and democracy in Singapore.

If Singapore had more committed citizens like Ms Go, this country would be a much better place to live in.

Comments
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Carlson  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 6:32 am
You go girl, Ms Go. Audacious woman.
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Madam YY Yeong  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:20 am
Adoring kids, lovely.
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Young Singaporean 1981  -  Model citizen Ms Jaslyn Go :-)    Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:32 am
I did my independent research.

This lady is for real. I hope to meet Ms Jasyn and Mr Chia Li Tik one day. Ordinary Singaporeans like you people really inspire me and help in me becoming more politically aware.



Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 18:06:37 +0800 (CST)
Subject: Re: UNRESOLVED ISSUES ARISING FROM BLOCK VISIT ON 4th September 2007
To: lee_kuan_yew@pmo.gov.sg, kootk@mindef.gov.sg, indranee.rajah@drewnapier.com, lui_tuck_yew@moe.gov.sg, samtan@cdac.org.sg
CC: “Yam Keng Baey” , chengwee@sph.com.sg

Dear Sir / Madam (Tanjong Pagar GRC),

No reply till to date..

Perhaps you might have overlooked this due to the recent COI report, high inflation concerns troubling your party, but as a constituent in your ward, I believe I should not be ignored.

Let this be my first reminder to Tanjong Pagar GRC. My MP Baey Yam Keng failed to reply me and I do hope the GRC will not.

Looking forward to your reply.

Thank you.

Jaslyn Go
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Jen  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:36 am
u seldom or almost never be able to see a young mother like her, willing to stand up for the poor and timid citizens of singapore even at the expenses of the possibilities of losing her career, her life.
A good role model, a great mum, Respect.
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Sandy  -  Good deed always rewarded    Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:40 am
I can't join you as much as I wanted to. I'm not a Singaporean and I know some of your issues are not in favour of us foreigners. Still I morally support your cause.
I remember my young days when Nelson Mandela was freed from prison and had not become the President of S.A. He visited my home city Calcutta, 120,000 people went on to support him at Eden Gardens, Calcutta, I was one of the proud supporter, I will never forget the day my entire life.
Freedom and democracy are definitely worth cause to fight for. I salute people like Ms. Goh, belive me, you will never walk alone.
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A.Chia  -  i wonder how you did it    Fri, 04 Jul 2008 9:30 am
I really admire and salute you for your guts. I can say your children must be very proud of you and will be very proud of you as their mother. You are far sighted and are really beyond to be able to sacrifice your personal time and money. And to even be putting up with some of your friends' disapproval and disasscociation with you due to their fears of having a friend like who associates with the SDP which is misunderstood by many. I really won't be able to imagine where you draw your courage, boldness and faith from. Thanks for standing up for what so many of us who are not ready to.
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Ng E-Jay  -  Jaslyn, I salute you     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 1:07 pm
Jaslyn, I am very impressed that you are speaking directly to the hearts and minds of Singaporeans, on the issues that concern them the most.

This is what the entire campaign is about -- in my opinion, at least. It is about campaigning for a more caring society, with greater equality for all, no matter where you start off in life, whether rich or poor.

Continue to engage Singaporeans, heart to heart.

Jaslyn, I love your style which is non-contentious and non-aggressive, yet gets the right message across in a way that the common folk can readily appreciate and understand. I think that is the way to go.
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Fong  -  You're Not Alone    Fri, 04 Jul 2008 1:31 pm
We need to have a change for the betterment for our next generations to live on.
Many local born Singaporeans are with you, and they're realising our system is getting from bad to worse.
It will leading us to deeper hardship if we allow them to continue abusing their powers.

Regards,
Fong
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Anonymous  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 4:32 pm
One result of the huge disparity of income in Singapore is this.

Society is composed broadly of two groups, 1)the vast majority at the base, who are less literate and communicative, etc., and therefore are prone to be followers, and 2)the minority comprised of those with some specialist training, who are articulate and can qualify to be leaders.

The pay disparity means that the second group is paid very disproportionately more compared to the masses.(Better not quote "market forces" to justify this - market forces are usually less than fair.)

But, with such high pay, only those with such commitment as Jaslyn's would bother, should there be a need for change.

The temptation is to sit pretty on your pile, or join them, for an even greater pile. Never the "opposition"!
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ex-sinkies  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 4:41 pm
Jaslyn, you had my utmost respect.

But Sinkies is a bunch not worth fighting for. Don't risk your own future/freedom, time better spent with your kids.

Commentators here will give you all sorts of support, its easy to talk only. Lets see how many will turn up in court to support your group?

When come to real action, Yada, Yada, have to work lah, take care of kids lah, got appointment lah...... you know what I mean. If you can risk going to jail and these people are not willing to risk a little of their time, why fight for them?
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dennishe67  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 6:23 pm
Bravo. My admirations. My salutations. My Gratitude.

Jaslyn Go for MP. Then Minister.

Go Jaslyn Go!

We need COMMITTED people like you and the 17 protestors to serve Singapore. You believe you are working for Singapore's future, for our children.

What we don't need are those money-faced PAP despots who DON'T have Singaporeans at heart.

Thank You.
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nick  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 6:26 pm
stupid how u gonna explain to yr kids wen u go to jail. how u explain where u were? no brains
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gary teoh  -     Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:04 pm
Jaslyn,
you will get my vote, go for GE 2010/11.The famous 18 should contest election.
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salutetojaslyn gogogo!  -  brave one    Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:50 pm
First, to Ms Go. I want to salute you for your courage. It is not easy for a mother to have done what you did. But you did it for you kids and no one can fault you on that, ma'am. If at all, thinking Singaporeans should learn from you.

Secondly, to nick. You obviously fall into the category of unthinking Singaporeans. Plainly, you are an idiot. Just because you do not have the moral courage to stand up to wrong doings, please do not let crap out of your mouth!
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Man In The Mirror  -  Jaslyn Go Hui Leng ----- Woman of substance.    Fri, 04 Jul 2008 7:56 pm
It takes exceptional courage and special substance to be like Jaslyn Go Hui Leng.

If more people are like her, there will not be such a thing as PAP around anymore.

Being woman, she is even better than so many men. It's really a shame for men who do not support SDP.

I will participate in contributing to SDP policy model.

Should Jaslyn Go Hui Leng's business ever be short-handed, I am ever willing to step in to help her.

So people, show your support.
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