Jarrod Luo, Muhd Khalis and Mohd Shamin Singapore Democrats
Keep up the struggle. Those were the words of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim as we joined him on stage at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) rally at Permatang Pasir, Malaysia.
The SDP's Young Democrats (YD) were there at the invitation of Angkatan Muda Keadilan (Keadilan Youth Wing), to observe the recently concluded by-election - which the opposition Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) won handily.
Upon arrival at the PKR campaign operations centre at Taman Samagagah we met Mr Tian Chua, Member of Parliament and Strategy and Information Chief of Keadilan, and followed him on his campaign trail.
Mr Khalis updated Mr Chua about the situation in Singapore and the continuous harassment of opposition members and activists by the Government. Mr Chua, who was himself detained under Malaysia's ISA, said that Singapore too must work towards true and real democracy.
He encouraged the YD to keep up with our work. He said: "It is important for youths to be part of the struggle."
We also had a chance to meet with Mr Shamsul Iskandar, Keadilan's youth chief. Mr Shamsul said that he was glad to know that SDP members and other activists are still pushing for change and reform even though there are many obstacles.
We were also introduced to a few other youth wing state leaders, among whom Mr Sim Tze Sin and Mr Chua Jui Meng (former health minister under the Malaysian Chinese Association).
During the rally later that night PKR deputy youth chief, Mohd Faris Musa, introduced us to the crowd and praised the Singapore Democrats for daring to take on the PAP.
The highlight of the evening was when we introduced ourselves to the Leader of the Opposition, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Mr Anwar, who told us not to concede defeat and to keep up the struggle.
Mr Shamsul left us with these parting words: "PKR will always be supporting SDP in its journey. We always identify ourselves with groups that dare to challenge oppressive regimes. We hope to have more of such exchanges between the SDP and PKR in the future."
The YD delegation was also invited to attend the Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement (DEMA) 10th Annual General Meeting in Kajang, Malaysia. DEMA is a national student movement organisation formed to push for human rights and a democratic society in Malaysia.
The exchange between the YD and DEMA was fruitful. When told about the reality of the political situation in Singapore, many of them expressed their concerns and reiterated their solidarity with our struggle for democracy.
Many of the DEMA's members were keen to find out more about Singapore's current political situation as well as the activity level of our youth and student movements here.
We also learned that youth groups in Malaysia faced obstacles put in place by their government in their struggle for human rights and democracy, not unlike our situation in Singapore.
Leaders of DEMA, Mr Lucas Yap Heng Lung and Mr Ryan Gan, expressed their desire to see more exchanges and to establish closer ties with the Young Democrats.
We all agreed that it is vital for our youths and students to play a bigger role in the political and activism scenes in our countries. History has shown that political change is always aided by the active participation of society's youths and students.
The YD aims to continue to network with other similar organisations or movements in the region and beyond. This is crucial in our work for freedom, justice and equality.
Jarrod Luo, Muhd Khalis and Mohd Shamin are members of the Young Democrats.
It's an excellent move by the Young Democrats to network with politically conscious youths in our neighbouring countries, in particular Malaysia where we have kinship ties.
Pakatan Rakyat is trying to end communal politics that has been forced upon by the race-based BN government. Racism is evil.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 3:17 AM
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vipersonic
I would like to see more of such exchanges between SDP and PKR. Hopefully, next time will be a bigger event which we can all go and interact with them.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 3:20 AM
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Omega Lee
"Racism is evil."
As opposed to religious fundamentalism? Can you imagine a PAS (an Islamic conservative party) equivalent (whether be it Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu etc.) in Singapore. Protesting against every concert that comes to town and etc.
I am all for better ties with our neighbour to the north, irrespective of the Malaysian governing party or parties, nevertheless without shared values and a firm commitment to religious issues, it would be another point of contention.
Please dont play into PAP's hands by siding with one side of Malaysian politics over another. An endorsement either by DS Anwar / Lim father and son / DS Hadi or PM Najib will not garner votes for the SDP or the local opposition. Moreover most Singaporeans are not aware of Malaysian politics one way or another.
Racism has been institutionalized by the PAP in Singapore. In our I/C "race" is a must and not religion.
Socially and culturally, Singaporeans have close ties with Malaysia. Many Singaporeans have relatives across the Causeway.
Let SDP and its YD develop closer cooperation with Pakatan Raykat which is opposed to community-based politics.
SDP and its YD should call for the abolition of PAP supported communal groups such as MENDAKI, Sinda, CDAC, EA, etc. These are divisive forces encouraged by PAP to keep our people conscious of their race.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 4:12 AM
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Omega Lee
I wish that the SDP send delegates to Japan instead and learn from the Japan Democrats (a broad tent party), which faces much more similar problems with regards to rising unemployment, aging population and ailing economy, although Singapore's population is much less homogenous.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 4:25 AM
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Omega Lee
"Let SDP and its YD develop closer cooperation with Pakatan Raykat which is opposed to community-based politics."
Fair enough. But this can be done anytime after SDP is elected into parliament and not before, as state to state. While Malaysia's Pakatan Rakyat has all the groundwork laid for taking government in their next GE, we have barely started. And as mentioned, religious issues cannot be swept under the rug for the sake of political expediency.
Although we share kinship ties, respectfully we do not have the same demographics with regards to race, class, education levels and religion or even language for that matter. Nor do we face any similar problems, like an aging population, large numbers of PRs etc, therefore policies and political campaigns must be finetuned to local concerns.
SDP and its YD should develop closer cooperation with political parties that believe in freedom and democracy and not in racism or race-based politics to keep the people divided.
"Homogeneous" is euphemism resorted to by PAP to keep the people separated along communal lines.
Let's do away with communal politics and instead promote class-based politics that brought together our people in the 1950s and 60s.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 7:50 AM
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BryanT - Malaysian political exemplar.. you sure?
Pakatan Rakyat's strength in recent years grew mainly from non-Malaya' dissatisfaction with BN's race politics and racial affirmative programs, and some Malay segments' unhappiness over cronyism, etc.
I can partly understand if SDP wants to learn from the so-called liberal or social democratic principles from some other countries, but Malaysia would be one of the last places to do so.
Wikipedia calls politics there "consociationalism", quite a mouthful. It is where communal interests are supposedly resolved in the framework of coalitions. Is this what we want or need?
We certainly don't need our politicians (budding ones or more aged) to learn Kris brandishing techniques, cow-head stamping skills, or the art of dragging and ejecting house speakers from the parliaments.
I certainly would like to know what the few Young Democrats learnt during the trip besides getting some words of encouragement and a few pats on their backs.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 5:18 AM|
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seebeng - PAP responsible for all three problems
The authoritarian PAP is responsible for all the three problems you've highlighted.
[b]Rising Unemployment[/b]: Despite Singaporeans getting retrenched and unemployed, the PAP is allowing the influx of cheap labour from Third World countries to keep Singapore's dependent economy going.
[b]Aging population[/b]: One of the major reasons for this is LKY's brute insistence on "stop-at-two-policy". Despite this bungling by Lee Kuan Yew, our aged and senior citizens are left to fend for themselves with hardly any welfare.
[b]Ailing economy[/b]: Direct result of over reliance on US globalism that has gone awry.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 7:07 AM|
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seebeng - why not?
BN's race-based politics is increasingly being rejected by the Malaysians. Pakatan Rakyat is spearheading a class-based politics which is also what we want in Singapore instead of Lee Kuan Yew's fascism.
LKY invokes "racial balance" bullshit to prolong PAP's stranglehold on power so that nepotism and cronyism of the corrupt ruling elite could continue with the influx of aliens in our midst.
What's happening in Malaysia is becoming public because there is free and pluralistic media there, unlike Singapore where the MSM remains the propaganda rag of the PAP.
In Singapore when a cabinet minister gets slapped, there is total blackout!
Let's get Singapore out of feudalism that LKY and his PAP insist on maintaining.
[color=red]"Pakatan Rakyat is spearheading a class-based politics which is also what we want in Singapore"[/color]
See Beng, PR is almost a mirror image of BN and their underlying appeals to the Msian electorate are similarly communal. It's not within the control of the coalitions whether to adopt race-based politics. Communal politics is de riguer - it is the system in Msia - and it stems mainly from the electorate coming to expect it and even demand it to be so.
PAS's malay/muslim support is premised on it being regarded as more religiously pious than UMNO. We just have to take the example of it's utterings about pop-bands and singers - Micheal Learns to Rock, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, etc.
DAP champions the other races by declaring that it's out to protect their social and economic rights. The current marriage of convenience has forced PAS to temporarily agree not to push for Sharia laws to be imposed in the "new" opposition states.
The parties in PR may acquiesced to each other's philosophies for the time being to win votes. Only with Anwar's strong hands and the prospects of winning states have both DAP and PAS held together. But the conflicts and contradictions are hidden under the surface.
But should it ever come to power and the time comes for it to cut the pie, power and states, the ugly heads of race-based politics will surface.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 8:05 AM
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Omega Lee
"race-based politics is increasingly being rejected by the Malaysians. Pakatan Rakyat is spearheading a class-based politics which is also what we want in Singapore..."
Speak for yourself. Try raising class polemic and see how far can you get in Singapore. Even China does not do this nowadays.
"The authoritarian PAP is responsible for all the three problems you've highlighted"
As mentioned, does Malaysia face these problems at all? Not in the slightest. Will Malaysian politicians be able to fix or even empathize with any of these problems? Will Malaysia give or create jobs for Singaporeans when Pakatan Rakyat comes into power the next Malaysian GE? Can the Pakatan Rakyat mobilize its powerful political machinery to SDP's benefit? The answer is no.
"We certainly don't need our politicians (budding ones or more aged) to learn Kris brandishing techniques, cow-head stamping skills, or the art of dragging and ejecting house speakers from the parliaments."
We dont want to encourage MORE politicians to engage in lies, slander, mudslinging and multimillion defamation suits either. Hasn't the SDP suffered enough from all these?
Please dont confuse Malaysians with Singaporeans, unless you want to spearhead a movement for a referendum to rejoin the Federation. If the SDP loses its principles and becomes more like the PAP and some opposition parties who resorts to unscrupulous tactics and sacrificing individual and religious liberties, it may as well become an "approved opposition".
Tue 01 Sep 2009 8:18 AM
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Omega Lee
Moreover, if I am not mistaken, there are many within PKR who are not only concerned about the over zealous PAS allies, they are also concerned about the overly left-leaning factions that exist in the DAP. In the end, after the dust from the next Malaysian General Election has settled, there really can only be one party out of the coalition left standing.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 6:05 PM
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quantum
BryanT:
It seems that you only want collective conformity to a supreme Ruler, that would be your ideal right?
[color=red]It seems that you only want collective conformity to a supreme Ruler, that would be your ideal right?
[/color]
quantum, sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is a definitive "no".
My ideals, if they can be called so, is for maturity, practicality and common-sense to prevail in local politics.
If that ends up being boring and sedate like politics in Luxembourg or Switzerland, then I have no qualms as well.
But if we end up with daily musings about Kartika's caning, Shah Alam's kepala lembu or MACC's flying politicians, then I must declare that my weak heart will not be able to take it.
Tue 01 Sep 2009 11:14 PM
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Omega Lee
As if Singapore doesnt have "flying" SAF doctors and Indonesian students. But I am sure only a few Malaysians are aware and/or sympathetic of these incidents, as are they of the high number of accidents resulting in fatalities or maimings or suicides during the course of NS or NSmen training.
Dont get me wrong, the Malaysians that have migrated here to Singapore who have served their NS are fully qualified Singaporeans because of our shared "experiences". The rest not so much.
In the same breadth I can also tell you to "Speak for yourself". But that is not my style of engaging people in the Internet.
From the above SDP article it's clear that SDP's YD went to Penang to observe PKR's campaign works at the invitation of its Youth Wing.
Rightly, the YD must have thought that it could learn a thing or two about election campaign from a multi-racial party PKR. That's all to it.
It's clear from the article that the YD did not seek solutions from PKR to the political, economic and social problems faced by the people of Singapore that are purely due to the inept authoritarian PAP.
From regular reading of articles in SDP's website, it's clear that the party has been addressing issues of great concern to Singaporeans. Not only the issues are highlighted but solutions offered too.
PKR is in Pakatan Rakyat. There are bound to be problems in a multi-party coalition. That is the sign of democracy in action. These are problems to which the partners themselves have to find answers and move on.
PKR is facing the major hurdle of overcoming communal politics in Malaysia as class-based politics was suppressed by the British and the succeeding BN governments.
Malaysians are beginning to reject communal politics that has benefited the ruling elite. The average Malaysians, be they Malay, Chinese, Indian or others, are becoming aware of how the ruling elite and its hangers-on have been using race-based policies to enrich themselves.
While Malaysians are rejecting communal-based politics, Singapore under fascist Lee Kuan Yew is advocating the need to maintain "racial balance" through artificially letting in aliens.
Singapore did not become an independent country on 9 Aug 1965 to maintain "racial balance". It broke away from Malaysia objecting to the cancerous race-based politics.
Wed 02 Sep 2009 3:50 AM
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Omega Lee
"Pakatan Rakyat is spearheading a class-based politics which is also what [b]we[/b] want in Singapore instead of Lee Kuan Yew's fascism"
Who is this We business? Most certainly does not include myself and I believe the majority of the population. Who talks about class based politics in 2009 soon to be 2010 apart from Hugo Chavez and the other relic from another island Fidel Castro. Not even all mainstream Centre-left parties in the West, Asia etc.
"While Malaysians are rejecting communal-based politics, Singapore under fascist Lee Kuan Yew is advocating the need to maintain "racial balance" through artificially letting in aliens."
Ironically these includes Malaysians of a certain "race".
"Rightly, the YD must have thought that it could learn a thing or two about election campaign from a multi-racial party PKR. That's all to it."
Fair enough. However as mentioned even in an election campaign, as Singapore's population has a different culture and is more educated regardless of race, I am not sure that spreading "information" via SMS spamming for example is effective (I believe the reverse to be true).
Already in other forums, PAP supporters have accused SDP of collaborating with foreign powers. No more own goals please.
And oddly enough, the opposition online portal Malaysiakini (nor has any Malaysian online portal for that matter) has not published this article, highlighting Singaporean opposition's insignificance in comparison to the PAP, when LKY went over to Penang for a visit as well.
Wed 02 Sep 2009 5:31 AM|
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seebeng - "We" believe in Constitution and National Pledge
The word “we” refers to those Singaporeans who still adhere to and respect our Constitution and the National Pledge.
Independent Singapore rose from the ashes of racism and communal-based cancerous politics of Malaysia. Now, the feudal nature of compartmentalizing people alone racial lines is being rejected by Malaysians of all ethnicity. But this decadent concept is picked up by fascist Lee Kuan Yew who is stubbornly insisting on maintaining “racial balance” through the artificial importation of aliens.
There is no need to cite what is happening in South America that has long been considered by the US globalism as its backyard.
Let’s look at our immediate neighbor Malaysia with whom we have close social, cultural and kinship ties.
Pakatan Rakyat has rightly rejected race-based politics advanced by feudal forces and their minions. Instead, Malaysia for all Malaysians is gaining momentum, spearheaded by PR.
But in Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew who swore to create a Singaporean Singapore on 9 Aug 1965 is trying to set the clock back by his fascist “racial balance” bullshit. Fascism is doomed to its inevitable failure.
By the way, it’s the PAP that is sucking up to the US and other foreigners. It’s the PAP that is throwing away our CPF money into bankrupt Western banks and refusing to help our elderly and senior citizens with social benefits. It’s the fascist PAP that is flooding the country with aliens while SDP is advocating Singaporean-first policy!
Wed 02 Sep 2009 5:48 AM
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quantum
BryanT:
Are you saying that Singaporean politics is more mature than Malaysian politics?
Please be careful before you answer this question, as it reflects your level of maturity.
Wed 02 Sep 2009 5:14 PM
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BryanT - quantum
[color=red]"Are you saying that Singaporean politics is more mature than Malaysian politics?
Please be careful before you answer this question, as it reflects your level of maturity."[/color]
quantum, morning!
Like I said, I'd rather not be the focus of the discussions here, not in the least my maturity.
But frankly, you need not link my maturity to that of the nation's politics in order to elicit a reasonable and reasoned answer from me.
Anyway, you can check that my posts above on this topic did not even mention the quality of Singapore politics. At no point was I mistaken as to the superiority of the system here. I also did not make any attempt to compare between the two countries.
But I'd rather that people (including opposition members) wear vibrant red clothes on our National Day than the very sombre black under 1BlackMalaysia.
My main point in my earlier posts was this - the Msian system (and that includes the coalitions and parties such as the PR and PKR) is not a good reference point to groom our budding (and more physically mature) politicians. Since I have laid out my reasonings in the posts above, I will not repeat them here.
As to my thoughts about local politics and the government, I have sprinkled nuances of them over my postings here. In summary, I am not pleased; but that's perhaps from a different perspective from many people here.
Wed 02 Sep 2009 7:10 PM
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Omega Lee
Mr See Beng, if you wish to help Pakatan Rakyat in an individual capacity which includes campaigning in [b]Malaysia[/b], please go ahead and do so.
PR's election tactics will never work in Singapore, probably for a handful of old people who were leftists and/or new Malaysian PRs who never sweated a day in full combat gear.
First off, spread a rumor and get sued to bankruptcy. I mean disseminating FACTS like NKF will get a person sued to bankruptcy. Secondly, organize a private function and get arrested much less a mass protest in Singapore. Thirdly, wearing black etc. cheapens the message that a party wishes to convey and reeks of crying wolf. What should people do when something serious happens like someone from SDP gets arrested and put into ISA for years for some NON terrorist "crime"?
Wed 02 Sep 2009 8:02 PM
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Robox - Good For YD
Good for the YD that you are expanding into territory not normally expected by or known about opposition parties in Singapore; if the PAP could do it before they themselves got into power, so can the the SDP which I'm quite sure is going to become the first non-PAP government of Singapore.
Playing to the foreign gallery my foot!
Besides, this is what [b]all[/b] political parties in the world do, and I'll definitely sleep easy the day after the SDP victory knowing that it already has friends in other countries ready to cooperate with Singapore, which is going to be crucial.
Malaysia is an especially important country to Singapore because they are our closest neigbour in more ways than one. Our foreign policy, as well as our security and defence policies, are shaped by our relationship with them; building a close relationship with Malaysia will help to bring greater security to Singapore.
I also hope that the YD will start connecting with others in ASEAN especially the liberal and pro-democrat faction.
Don't be deterred by naysayers who will say anything to sabotage your success.
Keep it up. I'm proud of the you for not giving up.
What's happening in our immediate neighbour Malaysia is a useful lesson for Singapore which was once part of that country.
From a race-based politics, Malaysians are beginning to support a multi-ethnic, class-based politics to address their needs.
Those of us in Singapore who who believe in our Constitution and the National Pledge welcome such a refreshing change in Malaysia where sectarian and destructive communal forces are increasingly rejected by the people.
Those who believe in Singapore's Constitution and the National Pledge should encourage whoever is spearheading this change in Malaysia.
But what is happening in Singapore is just the reverse. Don't forget that Independent Singapore broke away from Malaysia to create truly a Singaporean Singapore, according to the then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.
But the same Mr Lee is now bent on institutionalizing racism in Singapore by his fascist view of maintaining "racial balance". What's worse is LKY wants to achieve this "racial balance" through the influx of aliens into the country.
[color=red]"But the same Mr Lee is now bent on institutionalizing racism in Singapore by his fascist view of maintaining "racial balance"."[/color]
seebeng, I was happily sitting on the sidelines watching the your mini altercation with Omega, but my backside got a bit itchy. So I hope you don't mind me getting a word in edgewise here.
As I had stated in my comments on the Josephine Teo article, I disagree with the manner in which the foreign worker/talent scheme has been implemented here.
It reeks of a plan drafted by a bunch of insular government-scholars-cum-technocrats without regard for human sensitivities and societal implications.
I also see no strong grounds to "sustain" the current racial proportions. A tightly controlled flow of foreigners should be admitted based on merits, relevance to the economy, and fit to our society.
Perhaps it's your choice of words, but I won't use the word "racism" to describe the current foreign worker/immigration policies. I may disagree with these policies, but I would not attempt to taint them by labeling them wrongly.
[color=red]"Good for the YD that you are expanding into territory not normally expected by or known about opposition parties in Singapore; if the PAP could do it before they themselves got into power, so can the the SDP "[/color]
Robox, what a good sense of humour you have.
We all know that the PAP "[did] it before" by running for parliament seats in Msia prior to Independence. I don't suppose you are suggesting that SDP expands into that territory before it achieves anything here, electorally.
Or perhaps your assessment is that it'll be easier for SDP to secure some seats "up-north" than little red dotted ones .....
I know, I know... just jesting; or are you on one of your tangential routines again, Robox?
PS. Those three fellows still owe us a report on what they gained there, besides some comradely pats on their shoulders.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 12:13 AM
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Omega Lee
"Malaysia is an especially important country to Singapore because they are our closest neigbour in more ways than one. Our foreign policy, as well as our security and defence policies, are shaped by our relationship with them; building a close relationship with Malaysia will help to bring greater security to Singapore."
Did I disagree with this statement? In fact I was the first to bring this up. Please dont conflate common ideology with common national interests, counter eg. Blair's Labour and Bush's Republicans.
Moreover, by associating oneself with a particular party at this juncture in time when SDP has no seats in Parliament and it is still indeterminate whether PKR/PAS/UMNO (although PKR is most likely to triumph) will be the next Malaysian general election and proportion of power will they hold.
More importantly, why is the DAP/PAS avoiding the SDP?
"which I'm quite sure is going to become the first non-PAP government of Singapore."
Belief is one thing, action is another. When SDP starts believing in PAP's (or anyone's) flattery without any [b]actual[/b] political benefits/concessions like say votes or at the very least formal endorsements from other [b]Singaporean[/b] opposition parties, I think that SDP should start lobbying for an NMP seat.
KUALA LUMPUR - FORMER information minister Zainuddin Maidin cited the split with Singapore in making his point in a column on Tuesday that it was important to learn lessons from the past.
In the column, published a day after Malaysia's 52nd National Day, he said former prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman had to throw Singapore out of Malaysia because it was a 'thorn in our flesh'.
Datuk Zainuddin's article in the Utusan Malaysia newspaper referred at length to '[b]the special position of Malays and Islam and other sensitive issues that Mr Lee Kuan Yew disputed then'.[/b]
[b]'The main reason Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman decided to kick Singapore out of Malaysia was the speech made by its then Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, in the Malaysian Parliament in May 1965 questioning the Malay government in Malaysia,' he wrote.[/b]
He added that similar controversies are resurfacing, alluding to concerns among Umno leaders that Malaysian minorities are questioning the position of Malays and Islam.
Mr Zainuddin was formerly the chief editor of Utusan, a newspaper owned by Umno. He was information minister during the premiership of Tun Abdullah Badawi.
[b]'The special position of Malays and Islam and the other sensitive issues that Lee Kuan Yew disputed then, causing the outbreak of the May 13th incident[/b], have again become the subject of hot debate following incidents involving the dumping of a cow's head by protesters that challenged the Hindus, and the wrapping of a pig in the Umno flag that challenged the Malays,' he wrote.
[b]The May 13 incident he referred to was the race riots of 1969 [/b]And last Friday, a group of Malays protested against the relocation of a Hindu temple in Selangor by stomping on the severed head of a cow, an animal sacred to Hindus. It was not clear what incident he was referring to when a pig was wrapped in an Umno flag.
[b]Wrote Mr Zainuddin: 'If 50 years of independence have given a deeper understanding of the poison sowed by Kuan Yew 40 years ago, the recent events mentioned would not have occurred.'[/b]
[b]He added that although Singapore is more advanced than Malaysia, the Republic does not enjoy the same freedom: 'Singapore sticks to a Third World democracy despite having a developed world mentality, while Malaysia has a Third World mentality but a developed world democracy.'[/b]
It’s LKY who now says he wants to maintain “racial balance” in Singapore which became independent from Malaysia in 1965 when he vehemently opposed the race-based politics in Malaysia.
Lee Kuan Yew then insisted on a Malaysian Malaysia for all Malaysians and not a Malaysia in which one particular race dominated the rest.
Speaking at the National Day Dinner at his Tanjong Pagar constituency (sic) last month, LKY said immigrants are needed to maintain his objective of “racial balance”.
Now Lau Lee is using the same fascist race card brandished by the feudal cliques in Malaysia to appeal to people’s base instincts.
What's most disgusting is that LKY wants "racial balance" through alien import to cover up his dastardly "stop-at-two" eugenics.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 6:02 AM|
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seebeng - What's NMP?
The NMP scheme is a throwback, a reversion to British colonial era.
When Singapore was a British Crown Colony, the colonialist had a system of appointing local representatives to its legislative council/assembly to stem the tide of growing resentment of the people against colonialism.
These "representatives" were invariably those who had benefited financially and materially from the oppressive colonial rule. They were hoisted by the British and their local lackeys as community leaders who could feel the pulse of the populace.
Now, after having turned the parliament into its rubber stamp, the PAP, in order to appease and check the resentment of the citizenry against its authoritarian rule wants to have NMPs, claiming that these people are non-partisan and objective.
But who appoints these NMPs and who heads the "selection" process?
Let's not degenerate into feudal warp.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 7:12 AM
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BryanT - seebeng
seebeng, thanks for the reply.
I won't dispute your facts, but my doubt was your usage of the word "racism" in describing the immigration policy.
In hindsight, PAP made a mistake to have pushed so hard for the "stop-at-two" policy. But you must admit that it was not a cheap shot at vote-winning since it was not a popular move.
Also, at that time, would you not agree that we could have been saddled with a society with higher unemployment and insufficient school places for children? Would Singapore have been better off, or would people have complained that the government was not doing anything against unemployment or insufficient decent housing for a fast growing population then?
Let me clarify again that I am not an apologist for the PAP, but I just trying to point out that as they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 7:49 AM
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Seelan Palay
Young PAP meets and learns from Communist Youth of China: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090303-125908.html
It's Lee Kuan Yew who is linking immigration with race.
He said immigrants would be able to maintain "racial balance" in Singapore. What does he mean by this other than wanting to implement a race-based population policy?
The stop-at-two policy of LKY was rammed down the throat of Singaporeans without any mercy. There were several harsh penalties and irreparable damages to couples without any regard for reason and logic.
BryanT, you don't have to be apologetic if you are "not an apologist for the PAP".
Thu 03 Sep 2009 2:06 PM
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Robox - To Omega Lee Kuan Fascist YOU!
You quoted me, even though you feel yourself too hoity-toity to actually reference me directly.
I, however, shall condescend to do the polar opposite and actually address you directly, even though it is beneath me to come even this close to fascist thugs.
You said:
Re: [color=red]"Did I disagree with this statement [about building close relations with Malaysia out of consideration for foreign/security/defence matters]?"
[color=black]Point out to me where is it that I even implied that you didn't.
What am I saying? You [b]NEVER[/b] even mentioned foreign/defence/security policy in any of your posts so far!
Which is why this is a blatant LIE by you:
Re: [color=red]"In fact I was the first to bring this up."
[color=black]Show proof or STFU.
But come to think of it, I believe that you [i]actually[/i] disagree with me on the points about dealing with foreign policy, along with defence and security issues with Malaysia.
You said:
Re: [color=red]"I wish that the SDP send delegates to Japan instead..."[/color][/color][/color]
That's right: Japan.
Instead of Malaysia. Eff off, Malaysia; we don't need you.
Re:[/color] "...and learn from the Japan Democrats (a broad tent party), which faces much more similar problems with regards to rising unemployment, aging population and ailing economy..."[/color]
Again, that's right: unemployment, the aging population, and the ailing economy.
Only.
But ZERO foreign policy, and definitely NOT defence and security policies either.
Because you deem the SDP to have only a dimunitive role in Singapore's politics.
Typically, we should only leave these 'important' issues to the racists in the PAP who insist on bringing Singapore to the brink of war because of Chinese supremacist values.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 2:08 PM
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Robox - To Omega Lee Kuan "Fascist" YOU!
Re: [color=red]"Please dont conflate common ideology with common national interests..."[/color]
Hello?
Do you even know the first thing about politics to be disputing that with me?
You get the best outcomes by working [b]first[/b] with the people who are ideologically most similar to you.
As a justice-seeking political party, much like the SDP is, Keadilan is the SDP's most natural ideological partner in Malaysia; they reinforce each other exactly like the murderous military junta in Burma reinforces the PAP's own murderous instincts.
That's how shared national interests like foreign policy, along with defence and security issues, get better resolved by close neigbours. Or not.
Duh!
Thu 03 Sep 2009 2:09 PM
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Robox - To Omega Lee Kuan "Fascist" YOU!
Re: [color=red]"Moreover, by associating oneself with a particular party at this juncture in time when SDP has no seats in Parliament and it is still indeterminate whether PKR/PAS/UMNO (although PKR is most likely to triumph) will be the next Malaysian general election and proportion of power will they hold."[/color]
Be clear with this mumbo-jumbo that you are spouting.
Especially about why the SDP [i]shouldn't[/i] be building alliances 'at this juncture' because it doesn't yet have any seats in Parliament, thanks in no small part to the PAP and the Frightened Monkeys in the Singapore population.
In other words, begin with [b]an explanation from first pricinples[/b], and then [b]show me a cause and effect relationship[/b].
Thu 03 Sep 2009 2:10 PM
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Robox - To Omega Lee Kuan "Fascist" YOU!
Re: [color=red]"More importantly, why is the DAP/PAS avoiding the SDP?"[/color]
Do you know the difference between parties and coalition partners?
This article is about a Keadilan event; not a coalition one.
And how do you know that 'avoiding' is what the DAP and the PAS are doing with the SDP? Have other possiblities occurred to you, your limited imagination notwithstanding?
Do share your psychic knowledge with us.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 2:42 PM
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Robox - To Omega Lee Kuan "Fascist" YOU!
Re: [color=red]"When SDP starts believing in PAP's (or anyone's) flattery without any actual political benefits/concessions like say votes or at the very least formal endorsements from other Singaporean opposition parties, I think that SDP should start lobbying for an NMP seat."[/color]
Again, unravel all that mumbo jumbo for me; I'm not very good with low-to-medium falutin' ideas.
But I am game for demolishing them.
Anytime.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 2:42 PM
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Robox - To Omega Lee Kuan "Fascist" YOU!
And, finally:
1. [b]Drop that attitude[/b] that the SDP and its supporters are a bunc of errant children whose thinking is so wayward that it needs disciplining by you, and no one else but you.
2. [b]Drop that whip[/b] from your hand; we don't need to be whipped into place thank you very much - take a good look at the lawless thugs in the PAP if you need to put your S$M whipping skills to use.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 3:17 PM
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Omega Lee
"Especially about why the SDP shouldn't be building alliances 'at this juncture' because it doesn't yet have any seats in Parliament, thanks in no small part to the PAP and the Frightened Monkeys in the Singapore population."
Yeah alliances with Malaysian opposition parties. Isnt SDP under an umbrella Asian liberal association? Can SDP join the PR?
"What am I saying? You NEVER even mentioned foreign/defence/security policy in any of your posts so far! "
Please refer to post 3; maybe I was too vague and didnt elaborate on what better ties with our neighbours bring: "I am all for better ties with our neighbour to the north"
"That's how shared national interests like foreign policy, along with defence and security issues, get better resolved by close neigbours."
LOL. I didnt know its a slam dunk (make that a full court throw) that SDP is going to be elected as government, which is the gist of all my replies.
My own politics lean center-right that is true but I think Dr CSJ and the SDP is genuinely concerned about the welfare of Singapore and its citizens, rather than calling people "fascists" and what not. And I believe in free speech, not suing people for such insults, not that I can afford a lawyer like LKY.
Only uni students who wear Che T shirts and left-wing tyrants do so with regularity.
And as mentioned Singapore Democrats should have sent a delegation to Japan Democrats, because our situations are similar with regards to economy and I forget to mention this in previous posts: a huge bureaucracy.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 2:47 PM
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Omega Lee
"Do you even know the first thing about politics to be disputing that with me?
You get the best outcomes by working first with the people who are ideologically most similar to you..."
A. What are YOUR qualifications and experience?
B. Common sense and normal inclination. But an assumption free from any serious analysis.
"And how do you know that 'avoidance' is what the DAP and the PAS are doing with the SDP?"
They are not the parties that invited the SDP, presumably like you mentioned ideological incompatibilities and/or lack of party to party liaisons.
In any case, my layman political common sense tells me that any association with PAS would bring a death knell to any Singaporean party.
But all the above is my personal point of view and my suggestions. What the SDP deems necessary and apt is up to the leadership of the SDP. In the near future I would like to volunteer my services and time to the SDP as a common citizen.
Thu 03 Sep 2009 4:49 PM
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Robox - To Omega Mega Fascist Lee Kuan Yew
I would rather not respond to yours posts that only tell me that you have gone completely beserk; that doesn't surprise me because I know full well that fascism such as yours is a certified mental illness.
But I would like to answer to this:
Re: [color=red]"In the near future I would like to volunteer my services and time to the SDP as a common citizen."[/color]
Do us a favour.
[b]DON'T![/b]
What qualifications, and [b]RIGHTS[/b], do [b]YOU[/b] have to infiltrate a party that is firmly on the political left with your claimed right-of-centre political leanings? You are actually decidedly on the far right with the ultraconservatives in the PAP, WP, and the SPP, if you bother to be more introspective.
So don't come around ordering me, like the typical PAP thug that you are, to reveal to you about [b]MY[/b] qualifications. I can assure you that, not only do I have much more of that than you, but that your own is positively suspect.
You already have your fascist space in Stinkapore.
cool down leh, no need to get personal and agitated over differences, because they are ubiquitous, right?
Thu 03 Sep 2009 8:11 PM
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Omega Lee
Mr Robox, the only ranting is by you and not Dr CSJ and the SDP. If I were a PAP agent as you claimed, I would be giving insincere advice at best and at worst destroying the SDP's image by all sorts of antiquated leftist sloganeering or claiming Dr CSJ to mentally ill, as you did me.
I have met Mr John Tan and Mr Gandhi Ambalan in person once and they not once uttered "bourgeois" polemics. In fact, to the contrary, they seemed like ordinary Singaporeans who are concerned about other Singaporean citizens.
"You already have your fascist space in Stinkapore.
Leave us to ours."
What does this mean? You are a Malaysian? Sad to say, even China has become capitalist/"fascist". Why dont you talk to any man on the street in Russia or China about class struggle and fascism and see how mentally sane you would appear to be? Mind you 20 years since the Berlin Wall collapsed. Nevertheless you are entitled to your views.
Put it this way, I dont agree with PAP's political imprisonment of non-violent leftists, but then again I really am opposed to leftist ideology such as Hugo Chavez.
Despite our ideological differences, I support SDP's stance on many Singaprean issues. And my impression of the SDP is a centre left party willing to confront the PAP on fundamental issues that affect the will-being of Singapore and not sway with the wind like some other opposition parties and affecting no change in the process, even when it is proven that PAP is incompetent to the tune of $40000000000.
Fri 04 Sep 2009 7:08 AM
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quantum
Hey guys, please allow me to say a few words.
What we want is democracy. If you look at the recent Japan election, they have all kinds of party contesting including Japan Communist Party and Japan Democratic Party.
What we want is more party , more choice for the people. Let the people decide how left or how right they want. Britain has its labor party and conservative party too.
Fri 04 Sep 2009 8:30 AM
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Robox - Dispelling Fascist Crap On "The Left"
Just reading the crap written by the fascist Omega "What Are Your Qualifications?" Lee, it shows how unfit he is to be dispensing his political 'knowledge' here or anywhere; heck, even another member of the PAP's mirror image in the opposition, the Workers Party's lockeliberal, displayed such gross ignorance despite claiming to be a graduate of LSE.
I am obliged now to show the two frauds up.
In a previous post I had written that the SDP is definitely situated on the left of the political spectrum, distinguishing itself from every other political party in Singapore thus far.
But reading Omega Lee's fascist crap, one would be tempted to conclude that "the left" is one undifferentiated, homogenous mass of people identified by "class struggle", and 'antiquated leftist sloganeering"
Oh, and the kind fascist doesn't 'agree with PAP's political imprisonment of non-violent leftists' because that too is his, and Lee Kuan Yew's, laughably limited knowledge of the left; a special tactical smear had to be included to suggest that the left is associated with violence too.
Maybe the fascist Omega Lee harbours a secret desire to see us all get arrested as dangerous leftists by the similarly incompetent fascists in the PAP.
So here it goes the clarification:
1. Another word that Singapore's fascists love to use as a smear tactic agaisnt the left is "socialist"; [b]socialism[/b] is a political ideology that believes in socialism for [b]all[/b] of society. The forced version of socialism is communism; I don't know anyone in Singapore who is appealed to any if these.
2. Further to the right of socialists are [b]social democrats[/b], who believe in democracy and the capitalist system, but acknowledge - because we are a realistic lot - that the capitalist system is not without its excesses; some policies, that could either be socialist or social democratic - are believed to be the answer to curb such excesses. The debates on Minimum Wage, UI, old age security, disability issues, are good examples of policies that belong in this category. (Maybe we should halt these debates, out of consideration for the fascist fear that World War 3 will break out as a result of it.)
3. Even further to the right are [b]left-of-centre[/b] 'leftists', and here too the SDP's left credentials come true such as with fiscal issues.
In other words the SDP is not a socialist party: it spams the social democrat to left-of-centre portion of the political system.
It is this that will stand it in good stead to help the emergence of a two party (or two coalition) system.
And more power to that!
Fri 04 Sep 2009 2:36 PM
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Robox - Status Of Minorities (Part 1)
The discussion in this thread gives me the opportunity to point out some areas of misunderstanding that have resurfaced since [b]Lee Kuan Yew's low-falutin' demolishment of the idea the that racial equality is entrenched in the Constitution[/b].
In Parliament he said:
Re: [color=red]“Our Constitution states expressly that it is a duty of the Government not to treat everybody as equal.”[/color]
This is a patently false asertion, as can be expected from a low crass fascist whose education in the law has been a complete waste.
As I had previously mentioned, the Constitution is sometimes informally referred to as the government's government. As the government's government, and if it conforms to the norms of good constitutional design, it comes with its own built-in check and balance to prevent any possibility of abuse of powers.
Articles 152 and 153 state:
[b][start][/b]
[b]Minorities and special position of Malays[/b]
152. —(1) It shall be the responsibility of the Government constantly to care for the interests of the racial and religious minorities in Singapore.
(2) The Government shall exercise its functions in such manner as to recognise the special position of the Malays, who are the indigenous people of Singapore, and accordingly it shall be the responsibility of the Government to protect, safeguard, support, foster and promote their political, educational, religious, economic, social and cultural interests and the Malay language.
[b]Muslim religion[/b]
153. The Legislature shall by law make provision for regulating Muslim religious affairs and for constituting a Council to advise the President in matters relating to the Muslim religion.
[b][end][/b]
From a [b]surface level reading[/b] of the above two Articles, and [b]in isolation[/b] from the rest of the Constitution, one might be tempted to agree with Lee Kuan Yew; we would, like he did, conclude that racial [i]inequality[/i] is entrenched in the Constitution.
It's not, as I will show in Part 2.
Fri 04 Sep 2009 3:09 PM
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Robox - Status Of Minorities (Part 2)
This is where Lee Kuan Yew has committed the serious folly of having read Articles 152 and 153 in isolation from the rest of the Constitution.
Article 12(1) of the same Constitution states:
[b][start][/b]
[b]Equal protection[/b]
12. —(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.
[b][end][/b]
Again, from a surface reading of the Constitution, it would seem as if Articles 152 and 153 contradict Article 12(1), which shouldn't occur if the norms of good constitutional design had been adhered to.
This brings me to the important consideration of [i]where[/i] in the Constitution Article 12(1) is located; it's in Section IV (Fundamental Liberties), and as such Article 12(1) - and all the other clauses in Section IV - would be considered to be [i]the[/i] fundamental constitutional clauses around which the rest of the Constitution would have to conform to: Articles 152 and 153 are not unconstitutional if they are correctly [i]interpreted[/i] in light the historical context - the [i]spirit[/i] of the law - in which they were wrtten.
Which then brings us to the question: What was the historical context in which Articles 152 and 153 were written? (Lee Kuan Yew's racist interpretation would in all likelihood have perpetuated his pet genetic and/or cultural deficit theories.)
From all accounts, Articles 152 and 153 were written at a time when there was a compounded problem for the Malay community of:
1. The British-facilitated migration of Chinese and Indians to the Malay peninsula.
2. The settlement of the above two communities in largely [i]urban[/i] areas set up by the British - there was some Malay migration to these new urban areas but they were minimal; the Malay population continued living as they always did away from these urban areas.
3. The concentration of political activity in mainly those urban areas, following the typical patterns globally (ie. political participation was mainly by Chinese and Indians).
4. The concentration of the delivery of public goods and services mainly to those who lived in the urban areas (ie. mainly Chinese and Indians); the Chinese and Malays were the main beneficiaries of the modern state.
In other words, there was a serious problem then of bringing the Malay population into the public mainstream.
Hence, Articles 152 and 153 were most likely written to ameliorate for the disadvantage caused to the Malay community by the introduction of a new system that they were geographically disadvantaged from participating in.
But there is another reason to ameliorate for any disadvantage, and that is for the disadvantage resulting from any racial discrimination and/or resulting from being a numerical minority.
These too are provided for in Article 12(1) which is also about "equal protection" (from loss/disadvantage etc.)
None of these are about entrenching inequality; they are about bringing disadvantaged communities to parity with the majority and/or racially privileged segment of society.
They are about the [b]equality of outcome[/b].
Fri 04 Sep 2009 6:34 PM
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Omega Lee
yada yada Mr Robox. Hope to meet you at SDP Facebook meetings soon to dispel any notions of fraud. Funny how your posts, BryanT and quantum are almost always so closely spaced together. After 10 paragraphs, you just confirmed what I said SDP is a center left party that Mr Robox (whether a real person or an online persona) HIMSELF personally is a socialist/communist.
There must be a uniquely Singaporean school of online trolling propaganda employing warped logic in the ISD.
I am not a graduate of LSE, are you? And the WORKERS party is an ultraconservative/fascist party?
Sat 05 Sep 2009 12:38 AM
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BryanT - Omega Lee
[color=red]"Funny how your posts, BryanT and quantum are almost always so closely spaced together."[/color]
Omega Lee, greetings.
Just out of pure curiosity, what is your interpretation from the fact that some of the posts are close together?... you did not really explain.
Sat 05 Sep 2009 5:14 AM
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Robox - He's Sick; Pity him
Hi BryanT:
Re: [color=red]"Omega Lee, greetings....Just out of pure curiosity, what is your interpretation from the fact that some of the posts are close together?"[/color]
Do you need any more convincing that fascism is a mental illness?
Like some mental illnesses, fascism makes you see things that are not there: connections between unconnected people, socialists and communists lurking at every corner, etc
Sun 06 Sep 2009 6:01 PM
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BryanT - Robox
"Do you need any more convincing that fascism is a mental illness?"
Robox, since it is a rhetorical question, I shall not reply it. But if you don't mind, I'd like to express my slight displeasure at your attempt to use my posts in your little altercation.
“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”
Keep up the struggle. Those were the words of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim as we joined him on stage at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) rally at Permatang Pasir, Malaysia.
Mr Khalis updated Mr Chua about the situation in Singapore and the continuous harassment of opposition members and activists by the Government. Mr Chua, who was himself detained under Malaysia's ISA, said that Singapore too must work towards true and real democracy. 
The YD delegation was also invited to attend the Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement (DEMA) 10th Annual General Meeting in Kajang, Malaysia. DEMA is a national student movement organisation formed to push for human rights and a democratic society in Malaysia. 
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Pakatan Rakyat is trying to end communal politics that has been forced upon by the race-based BN government. Racism is evil.