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Friday, 31 October 2008

Shafi'ie charged for standing up for Singapore

Singapore Democrats

He may not be locked in combat in Iraq but he is arguably the most courageous soldier in Singapore today.

Recruit Muhammad Shafi'ie, the youngest among the Tak Boleh Tahan (TBT) activists, faces two trials in as many weeks: one for protesting against escalating cost of living in front of the Parliament House on 15 March this year and the other for contempt of court.

The 19-year old Singapore Polytechnic engineering graduate is currently a National Serviceman in the army at the Pulau Tekong Camp undergoing his Basic Military Training (BMT).

Mr Shafi'ie is now into his seventh of his 13-week BMT. He commutes between camp and the Subordinate Courts to join his fellow activists in the on-going trial.

"Everyday, I leave Pulau Tekong at seven in the morning by ferry to reach the jetty at Changi from where I head straight to the court to face the trial," he said.

Regarding the TBT protest, Mr Shafi'ie said: "In the year 2007, the GST was increased to 7% from the previous 5%. Following that, the public transport fees, tertiary education fees, the ERP, to name a few, were also increased. At around the same period of time, the highly paid ministers had another round of pay rise.

"It does not make sense that the government is taxing the population more and claiming that it is actually helping the citizens, by giving back a fraction of what is taken from us in the form of 'offset packages'. Where is our money actually going to?

"What I did on 15 March with 17 of my friends was to tell the government - Tak Boleh Tahan!"

What about his parents? They are, of course, worried about his involvement in political activism. In fact, his father was rather disappointed when Mr Shafi'ie pleaded not guilty to the current charges brought against him. Father probably wanted to get the matter over with so that his son could get out of activist work.

Asked why he was not pleading guilty and what he thought of the trial, the NSman said: "I don't think what we did on 15 March can be called a crime. We hurt no one and neither did we create any disorder. What we did was to express our concerns as citizens on issues that affect us deeply.

"In fact the Constitution states that citizens have the right to free speech, assembly and expression. These are basic rights, not privileges. So I don't understand why we are being charged for exercising our rights as citizens."

Shafi'ie with Jufrie Mahmood Through his steadfastness, Mr Shafi'ie is slowly changing his parents' minds. His mother attends the TBT trial in the subordinate court every day.

To the mild-mannered NSman, Mr Jufrie Mahmood, seasoned opposition figure and fellow Tak Boleh Tahaner, has this to say:

"I hope that in the future, this land will be a more conducive and compassionate place for all. But before that can happen, we must correct the wrongdoings that are happening now. It is a responsibility, to ourselves and to the people around us.

"It is truly heartening to have a young man like you coming to the fore. I am sure there are many more like you out there waiting to be enlisted. You have started the ball rolling. Keep it going and keep up your spirits!

"It's a long, long haul indeed. But remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. The first few steps have been taken. If older members like myself don't make it to the end, we feel assured that youngsters like you will be there to continue on the journey. With true grit, we shall achieve, maybe sooner rather than later.

"As for myself, I will continue playing a supporting role and giving my two cents worth.

"We must persevere and have faith in what we are doing. To bring about change under the present political environment, we just cannot afford to follow the ineffective old formula year in and year out.

"Though we are much maligned now by the establishment and the local media, the day will come when we will be exonerated. The truth will inevitably emerge."

Mr Shafi'ie will face another trial together with Mr John Tan and Mr Isrizal next week in the High Court over contempt of court charges from 4-6 Nov 08. The three were charged with wearing T-shirts bearing a picture of a kangaroo in a judge's gown.

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Comments (43)

Sat 01 Nov 2008 7:35 AM | Tian Jing

many people are counting on young people like u to stand up for what is right :)

Sat 01 Nov 2008 7:50 AM | About Time - Pride

We Shall Overcome, One Day. Perhaps Sooner!

Take pride in your stride! This struggling path will never be regretted!!

Sat 01 Nov 2008 8:00 AM | Respect - Honour

Mr Muhammad and Mr Jufrie,

You are the most honourable father and son team in Singapore. You deserve my higest respect.

For Mr Jufrie, I am grateful if what u have done for Singapore and Singaporeans...

Sat 01 Nov 2008 8:20 AM | ah beng - Yo RESPEKT

You are truely humans, not like the Small Man, Prick Man, Mad Man and the bunch of court jesters, and whoever's going to Hell.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 8:58 AM | Choon Hiong

I have the pleasure of knowing Shafiie from the SGHR days and also working with him in a number of professional projects while he is waiting to be enlisted

Simply put this mild-mannered young man has courage... even some of my colleagues are surprised that he will partake such activities.

I salute him. May many more young man and woman see the light.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 9:58 AM | Bernard Chan - Good reason to escape training.

Now more poly or pre-NS boys should participate in the protests. Look at him he can take time off from the Basic Training to go to air-con court.

What's more, if he goes to jail for that then he can seek political assylum in UK or Canada and "fire" from outside Singapore. They save all the time and money needed for the normal immgration means.

In a democratic country like Canada, with their drive and political training they can easily be elected to be a Member of Parliament, thus they can "fire" Singapore more effectively.

WOW, there is nothing to loose.

With this incentive alone, there should be at least 10,000 more going the protest and beg to be arrested and jail by the kangaroo court.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 10:23 AM | About Time - DB for Muhammad Shafi'ie ?

Maybe it would be appropriate for Muhammad Shafi'ie to serve his jail term in the detention barack (DB) instead of normal prison, since he is a soldier now.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 10:58 AM | David

My earnest salute to you, courageous soldier Muhammad Shafi'ie for doing what a million dollars asshole couldn't do.

My Erected Middle Finger profanity to all the kangaroos for been the hopeless shit.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 11:31 AM | Anonymous84

Go Shafi'e... I have to support u this time...
As an Independent Political Activist, I was ever sent for detention just because of some sentence made.. They charged me for Anti Government Sentiments.... well... but all was over... We fight till the end...

My advise to you if being detained, GO FOR HUNGER STRIKE.... WE FIGHT TILL THE END....

Sat 01 Nov 2008 11:37 AM | Anonymous - To Recruit Shafie:

Bravo!

Hope your platoon mates will turn out next to lend support
- polytechnic students are more exposed and in tune, in a way, with society and therefore more matured (politically too, hopefully) than their peers in JCs and NUS, NTU.

That'll teach the 'high-flying' PAPpies, PermSecs, Grade I civil servants and their cronies and bloodsuckers-in-arms to sit up and take notice!

Sat 01 Nov 2008 4:03 PM | Low Fuk Loong - I salute you !

Dear shafie and jufrie,

My friends and I salute you for your courage for standing up against the tyrants.

Casinos will be built over a dead body, one will go into operation by 2009.

We shall overcome soon!

Thank you, i am proud of you and SDP !

sincerely.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 5:36 PM | SDP Mirror (always infer the w - Wow... so brave!

"every morning you leave tekong at 7 and travel all the way to the court" - oh.... what hardship! Waking up early and going to court, while your platoon mates are going thru their morning PT, marching in the hot sun, doing their drills. And what do SDP supports say? "Oh I salute him". HA HA HA HA HA. I long for the end of SDP! Gung Ho! This is yet another masterpiece by the SDP spindoctors. The PAP is not prefect, neither is the WP. SDP is like the idiot, unwanted child of the nation - a freak accident that never should have been.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 5:37 PM | maxChew - Mohd Shafie......my youngest hero!

Indeed the title of S'pore's bravest soldier today is most fitting for Mr Mohd Shafie who also is only 19 yrs old and still in the midst of his BMT!
Well done M Shafie, u have nothing to fear but fear itself as u are among the giants of democracy here courageously taking the frontline on behalf of all freedom-loving citizens like myself.
Although I am in my 60s, you have become one of my heroes despite your very young age. I can forsee that in the years and decades to come (when I won't be here anymore), you will no doubt be one of the leaders of a new democratic S'pore.
My children and grandchildren will be grateful to you and your compatriots! Keep up the good work Mr Mohd Shafie!

Sat 01 Nov 2008 7:03 PM | Aung - "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywh

Dear brother Shafi'ie,

You are standing up against injustice. You are the bravest soldier, indeed. I am proud of you, brother.

I support your action because we all know that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

As a Burmese citizen, I fully understand what Martin Luther King Jr. meant by it.

Singapore government has always been in support of the Burma's junta. It sells arms to the junta. It does business with junta. It frequently acted to shield the junta from the international critisms for its murderous actions.

Furthermore, Burmese generals bought many private properties in Singapore with their dirty money. We learned that some generals could have more than 5 houses (private properties, not HDB flats) in Singapore. Their children with their maids would stay in one of the houses and go to the best schools here. Is it one of the ways to launder money in Singapore?

In fact, PAP leaders have been acting like the buddies of ruthless generals in Burma for the last two decades. Dictators like Burmese generals can count on Singapore government whenever they need help, including when they need to seek medical treatment.

Of course, there were moments that Singapore leaders would criticise the Junta occasionally through the media. But in reality and in action, they are always in support of the junta.

Like Burma's junta, Singapore government too cracks down on the Burmese activists for their peaceful activities here. Such kinds of action could only be taken by an undemocratic regime like PAP goverment.

In my own opinion, PAP government is feeling uneasy at the thought of having another democratic government at the ASEAN table.

Such kind of undemocratic government never treats its own citizens in accordence with justice and fairness.

In the last decade, I have seen enough of injustice done by PAP government towards its own citizens and dissidents. The Kangroo judges are acting in biased manner and ruling in favour of the PAP gov. These judges are no different from the Burmese judges in the Junta's Kangroo courts.

As recently as last week, a court in Burma sentenced the student activists into 6 months in jail just because they requested the presiding judge to protect their legal rights.

Now, the same thing is happening again and again in Singapore courts.

Considering the close relationship between the PAP goverment and the Junta, and also considering the same treatment by both regimes towards its own citizens, should we say what is happening in Singapore courts doesn't affect what is happening in Burma or vice versa?

Whenever the injustice is done to you by the PAP goverment, I always feel that it is depriving me of justice, too.

Lets continue to stand up against the injustice and work for democracy.

In solidarity,
Aung

Sat 01 Nov 2008 8:00 PM | jeff goh

Mr Shafi'ie I salute you. As a soldier I see you in this instant as fighting for your country. It is a big shame if others cannot see it, including the powers that be.

Mr Jufri I salute you and the 16 others too.

THANK YOU ALL..allow me to quote...

"No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of
another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him." --
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the
Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President"

Sat 01 Nov 2008 8:03 PM | Anonymous - to SDP Mirror

can siam IPPT, range, morning PT. Wonder why the other recruits never join in with Shafie? Good luck. See you in Detention Barrack and do recourse for BMT again. What a sucker!

Sat 01 Nov 2008 8:13 PM | mike - brave but foolish

Muhammad Shafi'ie you may be brave, but, foolish. My advise is you should seek political asylum in US and start your new life there.

Regardless, I sill applaud your bravery.

Sat 01 Nov 2008 8:20 PM | jacys - Most Chau Keng recruit in Singapore

haha, what a joke, shows how desperate SDP has become to promote a chau keng recruit as being a "hero".

This Shafie is indeed smart.

Which is more siong ?

Taking half day off to travel to court to wayang and sleep OR doing SOC and road marches on Tekong ?

Maybe SDP can visit Tekong BMTC one day to source for new blood. Just join their TBT campaign for 1 day and get 1 week of OFF days !

Sounds like a good deal to me, haha, only goons like SDP supporters will glorify such chau keng behavior

Sat 01 Nov 2008 11:46 PM | Jaslyn Go - Proud of Shafie

While most of the 19 years old will be more interested in partying, getting a girlfriend and politics will be furthest from their young minds..

Here we have a young, mild mannered Shafie who is not afraid of speaking up for his beliefs..

Everytime when Shafie stand up to speak to the judge, I see a courageous young man with strong conviction who show no fear and articulate well what he wanted to say to the judge even though he was not represented by counsels.

I am proud to be standing alongside Shafie as one of the TBT 18.

Sun 02 Nov 2008 1:36 AM | nick

wat an idiot, brave soldier my foot

Sun 02 Nov 2008 3:24 AM | Fellow Political Activist

Syafii, I was in Poly becoz I wanted to make a point. I am glad you made it before I did. Let's take down the elites and scholars of PAP. Down with LKY-elitist policy!!!

IOn hindsight, I proposed that SDP merged with anor political party to stay reputable. Whether you all like it or not members of the public actually was bought over by the press coverage of SDP. In order for democracy to sustain, U need to be credible and put up a strong fight against the PAP. Recruit more of young people. Do more of public education. Get businessmen to fund your activities. (The PAP rule are soo unfair= how can political not able to raise fund when they need to have deposits to run in the election???) Fight for the underdog. And trust me the young people of Singapore wants change and most do not like LKY dominance. LKY is sooo snobbish and elitist in his approach to stuffs. Down with PAP and LKY!!!

Sun 02 Nov 2008 5:59 AM | Victor - CLEVERLY SMART, HAHA.

To the SDP, he is the braviest Singapore soldier.

To the average Singaporean who had or currently serving NS faithfully, this is A PURE "SIAM" & KENG KING. We are shameful to have such soldier indeed, when the rest are doing IPPT, SOC.. this so called "SDP Braviest soldier" managed to break the SAF loop hole to attend Court hearing legally. Now, I know why he dont plead guilty.

Sun 02 Nov 2008 6:07 AM | Lan Ma Daw

You are the greatest of all singaporean, welldone son, this PAP must gone oneday soon when old man die..

Sun 02 Nov 2008 6:17 AM | LIM TUNG HEE - PAP's Punishing All Protestors?

[b][/b][color=maroon][/color][b][/b][b][/b][b][/b]Though it may be commonplace in most countries to find young men like Shafie standing for his rights to protest against the price hikes,one must admit that such display of courage in Singapore is very rare.
The government should be magnanimous when it comes to issues of political participation by its own citizens.How wrong can it be for any citizen to send a voice of concern over escalating costs of living? If only MPs and the press are more vocal to address the real problems of the marginalised (locals who got retrenched,lost their jobs to foreigners,the old and sick)....
If only the ministers know what to do in times like these.
Apathy,indifference by voters and "sugarcoating" of problems are not helpful to a country or its leaders.It's like not putting on the alarm in a sinking Titanic....

Sun 02 Nov 2008 6:53 AM | Brendan - re: DB for Muhammad Shafi'ie ?

[quote=About Time]Maybe it would be appropriate for Muhammad Shafi'ie to serve his jail term in the detention barack (DB) instead of normal prison, since he is a soldier now.[/quote]

Thanks for pointing out.

Was orders given for him to report to Sub court in uniform or did he do it out of rebellion?

If the former, I think the govt had made a stupid move.

This will blur the lines of civilian and military court's judistriction over the trial military personnel. This certainly has implications on the SAF Act.

Mind you, he comitted this before he enlisted.

A wise thing would be to defer his NS until after the outcome of the trial or trial him when he has completed.

Obviously our highly paid, but stupid did not think of this.

To send him to detention, he would have to be court marshalled.

Sun 02 Nov 2008 7:20 AM | chobolang

SDP Mirror (always infer the w - Wow... so brave! Sat, 01 Nov 2008 5:36 pm

Totally agreed with you, he should be in DB. I thought soldier should not get involve politically. What is Mindef going to deal with this bunch of naive recruits making use of by some idiotic politicians. Mindef better do something with it before it goes out of hand. My opinion is that a soldier whether it's a regular or a NSman should not get involve in politcs as there will be conflict of interest.

Sun 02 Nov 2008 8:00 AM | | NOT MY SDP

This innocent or ignorant soldier should think about whether the TBT 18 did create any disorder. Of course, we do have to acknowledge that the small number of participants make it insignificant. However, the 18 people violated the law. And when the police approached them, they were reluctant to call their act off and continued to confront the police. This attracted public attention, people stopped to look, and that caused obstruction and disturbance, in other words, DISORDER.

Sun 02 Nov 2008 9:11 AM | About Time - Brendan

For your information, I have to tell you that there are some lousy computer nerd hired by some dogs is copying my nickname. Rest assured, whatever negative comments will surely be from an impostor.

I am not worried about these impostors anyway, as I have personally introduced myself to SDP members and friends.

I am waiting for the rest of the supporters to show their support to SDP and activists by attending any event they will organize in future.

Fret No More!!

Sun 02 Nov 2008 9:15 AM | About Time - Brendan

To charge him in military court will be unfair as the charges against him was before he was enlisted. He did not commit crime and certainly did not misbehave in camp!

It will be doing him an INJUSTICE if ever his CO is going to do just that!!

Sun 02 Nov 2008 9:20 AM | About Time - Use Common Senselah...

It seems that many human dogs in this comment page has no common sense at all... after reading the article above, one should instantly understand why he is wearing his uniform!!

The SDP opposition party supporters has confirmed that they are BODOH!!

Sun 02 Nov 2008 10:50 PM | jacys - BMT recourse till ORD ?

This shafie is indeed smart to chau keng till he need to go for resource, had he completed his BMT, he will probably be sent to a guards or engineer unit to suffer there.

the trial will probably drag on for a few more weeks, then SDP goons will organize another TBT Part 2 and shafie can get himself free off days to the court again !

soon, 2 years will pass and he would have ORD by then with no vocation !

Well done, SDP and Shafie !

Mon 03 Nov 2008 7:40 AM | Brendan - To clarify: That was the point.

[quote=About Time]To charge him in military court will be unfair as the charges against him was before he was enlisted. He did not commit crime and certainly did not misbehave in camp!

It will be doing him an INJUSTICE if ever his CO is going to do just that!![/quote]

You hit the nail on the spot! That were the actual words I was trying to say, just that I was tried or something.

So, nobody used my name if thats's what you wanted to know. I personally posted @ 02 Nov 2008 6:53 am

That was my point!!

Thanks.

Mon 03 Nov 2008 7:47 AM | Brendan - re: Use Common Senselah...

[quote=About Time]It seems that many human dogs in this comment page has no common sense at all... after reading the article above, one should instantly understand why he is wearing his uniform!!

The SDP opposition party supporters has confirmed that they are BODOH!![/quote]

Sorry, my mistake. All I wanted to do is make a point.

Mon 03 Nov 2008 11:22 AM | G Chen - re: Most Chau Keng recruit in Singapore

[quote=jacys]This Shafie is indeed smart.

Which is more siong ?

Taking half day off to travel to court to wayang and sleep OR doing SOC and road marches on Tekong ?

Just join their TBT campaign for 1 day and get 1 week of OFF days !

Sounds like a good deal to me, haha, only goons like SDP supporters will glorify such chau keng behavior[/quote]

So jacys admitted that being charged in court is less “siong” then SOC or road marches and consider a "good deal". Wow, if you can have such perception it only goes to show what you would do just to avoid physical training, which leads me to conclude that the usual “keng” method such as taking regular MCs and reporting sick would be an even lesser problem for you or your conscience..hmmm talking about patriotism. In fact all these "constructive" people who felt that getting oneself charged in court is a good alternative to "siam" or "keng" NS, are in fact making self admissions towards what extreme act they would go thru just to avoid NS training, which is so weak and pathetic..perhaps you all should quickly recommend it to your sons, relatives and friends, and see how much they would appreciate your suggestion or NOT (thinking that all your brains,or what’s left of them, are somewhere up in space). In fact, so that you all will not feel having lost your chances, you all could do likewise by getting yourself charged in court to avoid reservist before Mindef discover the "loophole"? But again with such negative mindset towards physical training that you all have shown here, there is a large probability that all of you may have long gotten yourself exempted and therefore “siam” from reservist, most of which probably gave mental retardation as the reason..talking about GOONS..pathetic.

Mon 03 Nov 2008 6:20 PM | tohjohn

You are definately braver than all the bravest commandos and airborne rangers in Singapore.

I salute you.

Mon 03 Nov 2008 7:08 PM | Well Done - Keep it up

[color=red][b]Muhammad Shafi'ie - we salute your guts!

You can take on the papees even president with exex powers! At least you stand up for your values!

Well Done![/b][/color]

Tue 04 Nov 2008 7:01 AM | About Time - Sorry Brendan

That title "Use Common Senselah" was not meant for you, my friend. Never.

It was meant for you-know-who-the-dogs-are.

Cheers Brendan!!

AnnA

Tue 04 Nov 2008 10:53 AM | About Time - To Brendan - I Was Repeating You ;)

I was thinking the same way you were saying earlier too and I was actually repeating you.

Only to make those morons who criticized and trying to instigate readers on this website to understand better. Especially that immatured jacys!!!

LoL

Cheers To U, Brendan!

Wed 05 Nov 2008 8:48 PM | Ah kow

I salute!

Thu 06 Nov 2008 7:13 AM | William

There is strength in numbers. This would not have happen if it were 1000+ people who wore the kangaroo shirt instead of just 3. The news of Singapore court charging 1000+ people at one go for simply wearing kangaroo shirt would surely not sit down well fellow Singaporeans, much less in foriegn newspapers.

In Dec 1955, a black women called Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white on a bus in America. In doing so, she violated the unconstitutional "Segregated Seating Law" which deems that White will always have priority to a seat on the bus. The blacks were to be standing in a small, crampy segregated compartment at the back of the bus.

This simple act of civil disobedience eventually gained the attention of the black community who were unfairly marginalised in the society merely because of their skin color. It eventually lead to the eradication of the unfair racial segregation act and ultimately resulted in the first Black President of the US of A today.

Civil disobedience works. The PAP knows it. That's why they have always ruled using the political climate of fear. Only if the population is fearful will the PAP be assured that their rule would not be challenged, no matter how unjust.

Mr Shafi'ie, Jufri, hopefully will be the Rosa Parks of our nation. We as Singaporeans must throw away our fear and stand together to stop the unjust rule of the Lee family.

Thu 06 Nov 2008 7:07 PM | pigeon

Thank you for showing us the true Singapore Spirit.

Thu 06 Nov 2008 10:17 PM | Wins

History has shown that no matter how powerful a tyrant can be, he will be crushed. Look at the first emperor of China, Napolean and Hilter.

And of course, there is also God. We can have the most intelligent minds to put all the safety measures in place but when mother nature decides to unleash her power, like it was seen in Katrina and the Asian Tsunami, there is nothing mankind can do to stop it.

Remember when we or rather `they' wanted to build a Casino and all the religious groups petitioned against it? Well, they showed total disregard and went ahead. Now, Sands is in trouble. To me, this just a small sign and more is to come.

I sincerely hope that our people will be humbled by what is to come and through it all, we will become a peaceful and humane society. One that cares and look out for each other. One people that believes in honesty, goodness and compassion. In this financial crisis, I see a world correcting itself. I believe that if we continue to believe, it can and will happen.

Fri 21 Nov 2008 7:48 PM | AnnA - Explanation

[quote=About Time]It seems that many human dogs in this comment page has no common sense at all... after reading the article above, one should instantly understand why he is wearing his uniform!!

The SDP opposition party supporters has confirmed that they are BODOH!![/quote]

[b]I've rereading this comment, I've understood why my comment was misunderstood for it was written in simple unfinished theory.[/b]

"after reading the article above, one should instantly understand why he is wearing his uniform"

It was explained earlier that he had to leave for court from his Tekong Camp, hence his wearing of the uniform. Determined that there's nothing wrong in wearing what he likes. I salute him for being just that. A brave soldier indeed.

"The SDP opposition party supporters has confirmed that they are BODOH!!"

It may sound like I am saying SDp but please read carefully. Being one political party (A), the other political party (B) will instantly be an opposition to political party (A).
So, PAP is an opposition for SDP.

So, I would like to rephrase on that as;

"The SDP's opposition party's supporters, also known as PAP supporters has confirmed that they are BODOH!!-- (Based on the comments made against our brave soldier)

With Regards

AnnA