The first day of the trial of six SDP members and activists was adjourned. The defendants wanted more time to prepare the case because the prosecution had amended the charge at the last minute.
"What is amazing is the fact that only two days ago, the Prosecution decided to amend the charge when the matter happened more than two years ago," noted Mr Gandhi.
The Judge gave the defendants the rest of the day to seek legal advice on the amended charges.
The adjournment was also needed for Mr Jeffrey George to plead guilty in another courtroom. Mr George had applied to the court for him to be tried separately because of his overseas work commitment, which remained incomplete.
"If my case can be postponed till after this job is done, I will come back and face trial," he told District Judge Toh Yoon Cheong.
Judge Toh rejected his request and insisted that Mr George stand trial immediately. That left Mr George no option but to plead guilty because he needed to return to work the same afternoon.
Mr Jeffrey's case was then transferred to another court before District Judge Liew Thian Leng who fined him a total of S$1,300 for two charges, the present one and another for distributing flyers in September 2006.
In a statement, Mr Jeffrey said: "I am pleading guilty as there are no alternative avenues open to me. First I tried to postpone the trial or have a separate trial for me but both requests were rejected by DJ Toh. I put up the two requests because of my work commitments outside Singapore. I'm half-way through on a contract job in Peninsula Malaysia.
"My pleading guilty comes after I have exhausted all avenues. My giulty plea should in no way be interpreted as changing my views on challenging some of the unjust laws deliberately kept in place by the ruling party to prohibit peaceful assemblies and association.
"I will continue to defy unjust laws that trample upon my constitutional rights under Article 14. I take this opportunity to express my complete solidarity with my brave colleagues who are standing up for civil liberties and the rule of law."
Earlier the defendants applied to be tried separately from Mr Yap Keng Ho who was not part of the protest group. Mr Yap also wanted a separate trial because he said he was there as an observer, not a participant. The judge overruled this and said that the defendants would all be tried in a joint trial.
The trial continues tomorrow at 11.30 am in Subordinate Court No. 19.
Thu 27 Nov 2008 1:18 PM
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anon - to break the will of CSJ's supporters
This seems to be the method that the government will take to break CSJ's supporters.
Thu 27 Nov 2008 3:20 PM
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GM - March On...
The Brave soul...proud of you!!!
Thu 27 Nov 2008 4:59 PM
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SDP Mirror (Infer the worst) - What about Gopalan Nair?
Oh.. nice article- what important news - first day of the WB-IMF trial. Gopalan has been released - is that not worth a mention? Why did SDP (apart from Yap, who does not really count does he) meet up with him?
Remember Gopalan? He was the one who fought for Chee, that Chee's trail was unfair. And for that he went to jail for 3 months. Now, doesn't he deserve at least a hug from Chee on walking out of prison? (like the way John does for Chee) And to have the video posted on youtube?
Granted, maybe Chee was in court at that time, but what about a call like "Hey Gopal, thanks for sticking up for me! Let me buy you some prata after court! "
Hmmm.... So being the SDP Mirror, we infer the worst....Chee can't lose his hard-earned status to Gopalan, can he? Chee surrounds himself with people who worship him, contend to be led like sheep. Gopalan, educated man, somewhat articulate, a lawyer, oh no! Can't have him around, he will outshine Chee. So, if you are educated, smart and hate the PAP, do also stay away from the SDP. You are not wanted there. SDP = Cheegime
Thu 27 Nov 2008 5:46 PM
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Anonymous
Remember Gopalan? He was the one who fought for Chee, that Chee's trail was unfair. And for that he went to jail for 3 months. Now, doesn't he deserve at least a hug from Chee on walking out of prison? (like the way John does for Chee) And to have the video posted on youtube?
[b]Are you sure Gopalan fight for Chee or for himself. I am sure Chee did not ask Gopalan to challenge LKY to sure him he was charged for his own stupidity nothing to do with Chee. What more you want Chee to do. Anyway, Gopalan may have lost the battle, the final is not over. [/b]
Thu 27 Nov 2008 6:18 PM
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Realist
Just look at Bangkok. Don't like the legally elected party, protest, agitate and etc etc.
Why can't people who lose in elections take it like John McCain, rather than spending all their time trying to invent problems like lack of freedom and those craps.
Gopalan will go back to SF and find it hard to make a living. He can blame Singapore. He can blog as he wish, that is life.
Thu 27 Nov 2008 8:11 PM
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SDP Mirror (infer the worst) - Gopalan
No, we are not sure if Gopalan was fighting for himself or Chee. But regardless, Gopalan OUTSHONE Chee. Got jailed 3 months. Chee got "only" 12 days for contempt.
Thu 27 Nov 2008 9:03 PM
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AnnA - Method
I believe this is one part of the method to make people lose their jobs or businesses by disallowing for a logical postponement requests. In other word, plead guilty or face an unfair trials.
Thu 27 Nov 2008 9:08 PM
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Stand up tall SDP - Pure Intimidation
[color=red][b]The Lee Regime is all out to "kill" SDP and its supporters /all oppositions![/b][/color]
Fri 28 Nov 2008 4:21 AM
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ICA-hn, the corporate raider - Vistors & Visitorships = Night & Day
[quote]Meeko - Thu, 27 Nov 2008 6:04 pm
Does the figure include those transit passengers? Many are attracted to enter the city for a free sightseeing ride. [/quote]
In any case, Singapore has never really experienced any real increase in visitor arrivals, much less a boom, for the last ten years.
It's a myth to think that MORE & MORE people are visiting this boring place year upon year.
The truth of the matter, whenever STB releases figures to say this month's figure is higher than last month's or in the same month last year, is that the number of visitor arrivals ALWAYS INCLUDES THE NUMBER OF GEYLANG, JOO CHIAT, KAMPONG GLAM & OTHER STREET HOOKERS FROM CHINA WHO TRAVEL HERE ON HOLIDAY VISAS AND WHO THEN MAKE ROUND TRIPS TO MALAYSIA, THAILAND AND/OR THAILAND BEFORE VISA EXPIRY DATES AND THEN COME BACK TO THEIR 'WORK STATIONS' TO CONTINUE PLYING THEIR TRADE IN BODYWARE!
So all those millions of 'visitors' we have been told - via SPH and MediaCorp - that come (CUM) to Singapore - they're the same bunch of prostitutes doing the ICA entry-exit merry-go-rounds.
And the obscenely paid ex-SAF scholars at STB pick this up and misconstrue - mis-sell to Singaporeans, mislead businesses here? - and MISREPRESENT THEM AS NEW VISTORS!!!!!!!
Lame.
Fri 28 Nov 2008 6:55 AM
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Sheep - re: What about Gopalan Nair?
[quote=SDP Mirror (Infer the worst)]Chee surrounds himself with people who worship him, contend to be led like sheep. [/quote]
Don't be silly. If they were content to be led like sheep, they'd still be supporting the PAP.
Fri 28 Nov 2008 9:14 PM
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jacys
PAP can advocate a one-party system for all they want, but trying to extract political gains through dishonorable means is despicable.
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