"I will not live by fear": Activist, businesswoman, mother

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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.

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Comments (42)

Fri 04 Jul 2008 6:32 AM | Carlson

You go girl, Ms Go. Audacious woman.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:20 AM | Madam YY Yeong

Adoring kids, lovely.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:32 AM | Young Singaporean 1981 - Model citizen Ms Jaslyn Go :-)

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

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:36 AM | Jen

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.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:40 AM | Sandy - Good deed always rewarded

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.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 9:30 AM | A.Chia - i wonder how you did it

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.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 1:07 PM | | Ng E-Jay - Jaslyn, I salute you

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.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 1:31 PM | Fong - You're Not Alone

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

Fri 04 Jul 2008 4:32 PM | Anonymous

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"!

Fri 04 Jul 2008 4:41 PM | ex-sinkies

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?

Fri 04 Jul 2008 6:23 PM | dennishe67

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.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 6:26 PM | nick

stupid how u gonna explain to yr kids wen u go to jail. how u explain where u were? no brains

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:04 PM | gary teoh

Jaslyn,
you will get my vote, go for GE 2010/11.The famous 18 should contest election.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:50 PM | salutetojaslyn gogogo! - brave one

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!

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:56 PM | Man In The Mirror - Jaslyn Go Hui Leng ----- Woman of substance.

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.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 7:58 PM | EDMWer

Nick has a good point.

Are you not worry for your children's future?

Itz brave for you to speak up on behalf of Singaporeans....but at the expense of your children.

Really worth it?

Fri 04 Jul 2008 8:04 PM | singaporean

Hey girl, i salute your courage. But are you sure you want to do this? Those MIWs will make it hell for you and your family.

Most likely you'll end up a bankrupt, put to jail, or be forced out of this country.

I fear for your kids :(

Fri 04 Jul 2008 8:26 PM | Jaslyn Fan

Jaslyn,

You are a real heroine. I salute with respect for your actions.

Btw, did i mention, you look absolutely beautiful in the picture.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 8:59 PM | LIM TUNG HEE - Go For The Cause

If only every Singaporean is awakened like Ms Go, this country will certainly see hope.
Instead of hiding behind excuses and fear like the majority (including the less well-off);she chooses to stand up for her rights to protest against the government's bad policies and price hikes.Though such protestors are commonplace in democracies like Taiwan ,Korea and many European nations;Ms Go's act in this highly authoritarian controlled state is surely most respected.
Standing up for a good cause speaks volumes for the her and the other 17 protestors.
Let their show of courage inspire the weaker and selfish ones to come forward and be counted before this place becomes a "transit" nation of foreigners where consumer goods are pegged at "airport prices".....

Fri 04 Jul 2008 9:21 PM | tunkudon

we feel u . we are so proud of u

Fri 04 Jul 2008 10:00 PM | Low Fak Loong. - Local sinkaporeans are with U!

I salute your bravery, jaslyn.

Many local sinkaporeans like me support your cause.

It is true that sinkapore will become sinkaporean sinkapore no more if PAP continue to rule.
Those sinkaporeans who been to Hawaii(oahu)and learn its history will understand what you say.

PAP is evil-bent to destroy the local sinkaporeaness to perpetuate its power.

[color=red]May these PAP people have their divine retribution soon. [/color]

God bless you , jaslyn and your family.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 10:03 PM | Man In The Mirror - SDP Propaganda Stickers.

To SDP :

Distributing [u]flyers[/u] is just one form of getting your message across, but they oftenly get thrown away or are misplaced after some time.

I believe we need a more lasting form of communication that stays around longer. I suggest you print and distribute [b][u]propaganda stickers[/u][/b] :

a) A sticker with the PAP logo and message "When they BREED, you BLEED !!" helps to remind people just how harmful a blood-money sucker PAP is.

b) A sticker showing an image of a person throwing a PAP logo into the dustbin with the message "Help keep Singapore democratic !!" is another good reminder that Singapore needs democracy.

Such SDP Propaganda Stickers certainly stays around longer. They also help to spread the SDP message to MORE people.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 11:09 PM | A.Chia - To: ex-sinkies

[quote]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?[/quote]

I have already taken leave from work the entire day of 11 July and will be attending the court hearing to show my support. The day also coincide with the Inauguration Dinner of the Reform Party led by Mr. JB Jeyaratnam. I will also be attending the dinner. These are the people who had sacrificed so much (beyond what you and I can imagine) for the cause to bring back justice, equality and integrity back to Singapore. The least I can do is to take leave from work and show my moral support. Hope in brings you a different perspective that not all Singaporeans are like what you thought they are like.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 11:14 PM | Sylvester Lim - For our Kids and Singapore

[quote=nick]stupid how u gonna explain to yr kids wen u go to jail. how u explain where u were? no brains[/quote]

Jaslyn, Singapore needs more citizens like you who are brave enough to stand up for what is right! How long more are we going to cower in fear from retribution of the government especially when we see the many injustice that is happening in Singapore. When us citizens realize that things are already going wrong, we have to speak and stand firm for our children. Jaslyn is now speaking out for her children and our children as well as for muted Singaporeans. Let's not have any regrets in the future that we should have made a stand now for a better tomorrow for the future of our country and our children.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 11:38 PM | A.Chia - Jaslyn's Must Have Taight Her Kids Well

nick wrote:
[quote]stupid how u gonna explain to yr kids wen u go to jail. how u explain where u were? no brains[/quote]

If my mum got jailed unjustly, I will support her all the way and will stand by her cos she got accused wrongly. And in this case of Jaslyn, surely if she were to be convicted, then in my opinion, it is blatantly unjust and the blood of the innocent got into the hands of these Judges who are supposed to be upright and just. I believe the same goes out for my children, cos I raised them up teaching them to know how to differentiate black from white. So they will not be ashamed of their parents even if they were to be convicted or jailed unjustly. Perhaps some children are brought up under too much influence of the local propaganda network and without parents to guide them back to the basis of justice and integrity.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 11:41 PM | Jaslyn Go - A sincere thank you to all..

Dear all...

I thank you for all the encouragement and kind words shown to me by many here..

I hope I can inspire many of you to step forth and join me to speak up against any unjust and unfair policies that are affecting us.

By keeping quiet..we are actually lending our cooperation to the evil system the Government used against us.

Fri 04 Jul 2008 11:46 PM | Jaslyn Go - For those who disagree, pls bear with me..

Thanks for reading about me even though you disagree with what I do..

I know that by doing so, you are giving me a chance to convince you someday there is something that I do that you will agree with..I will work on that :-)

Please continue to read SDP website and hopefully 1 day one of us could convince you that we are really doing the "right" thing..

Sat 05 Jul 2008 12:20 AM | patrick - Ashame

I am so ashame of myself and the rest of our poor sinkie fellow when i saw this article about jaslyn go.The problem with us sinkies is always waiting for other people to fight for them and waiting for it to change to the better.I just hope all citizen out there please pluck up your courage and fight for our right.

Sat 05 Jul 2008 1:30 AM | dennis

Hi Jaslyn

Beautiful kids. Must really love them to do what you are doing now.

One thing I found out long ago...Nothing can stand in the way of Mother's love for her children.

Watch out PAP.

Sat 05 Jul 2008 3:25 AM | Minnanese, not Fujianese (Fuzh

[quote]I really would like to hear your rationale behind the staunch belief that such demonstrations can ruffle the feathers of PAP..[/quote]

Rationale???

In this day and age
- and especially so TODAY, being FOURTH OF JULY; God bless America! -
after being told no such thing for Singaporeans as citizens' right to freedom of speech and expression and of thought for the last 43 years,
you still have the decency to ask Juan for
A RATIONALE, HIS RATIONALE, OUR RATIONALE, for holding protests???????????????????????????????

Lu kee SIAO, ah lu, SHORT-CIRCUITED CRAZY HOKKIEN YOU

Sat 05 Jul 2008 4:17 AM | ac. - making singapore a better place

Citizens like Ms. Go is making Singapore a better place by standing up for what they believe in. Certainly very brave to do so I might add. You've got my support! ;)

Sat 05 Jul 2008 8:50 AM | Anonymous - Via SingPost - Good to spread The Word but methods..

[quote]Man In The Mirror - SDP Propaganda Stickers. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:23 pm

To SDP :

Distributing flyers is just one form of getting your message across, but they oftenly get thrown away or are misplaced after some time.

I believe we need a more lasting form of communication that stays around longer. I suggest you print and distribute propaganda stickers : [/quote]

By all means, do whatever to get our message across, but please do the unthinkable, i.e. go round pasting annoying, hard-to-remove stickers on Singaporeans' property (gates, gas meters, etc) a la desperate no-brain locksmiths
or leaving flyers on these properties whose owners may be away and an accumulation of these lyers (like property agents' ads, Pizza Huts, Canadian Pizza, home delivery tinkat companies, etc) would only attract unwarranted attention of (most likely) foreigner thieves to do break-ins.

Because if we did these irksome things like the locksmiths and the foodsmiths, etc, we will ONLY INCUR THE WRATH OF OUR COMPATRIOTS so that instead of prodding them gently into our arms, we would only do the very opposite and DRIVE THEM AWAY, pissed, peeved and [i]pissitudinized[/i] (you're right, I just made up this word, haha).

I would suggest further: Print out messages we like to get across, even manisfestos for the kind of Singapore we want (or rather one WE DON'T WANT), distribute them, if not by on-the-street flier method (few wish to be seen accepting one or be seen reading it), by way of post - direct mail works best, inide people's mailboxes, they come home after work to open up to look at dreadful bills (which they must even if they hate them)
and hey, presto, see our messages (include anything from this website too, let them all know The Truth), read them in the comfort and privacy -

Sat 05 Jul 2008 2:23 PM | Paul - SDP is the action party

Jaslyn, your action speaks so much louder and more eloquently than all our words put together. I fervently hope that what you have done, and will be doing, will inspire us to greater commitment in making Singapore a better place not only for ourselves but for our children and our children's children.

I have a dear old mother who used to teach us unconventional arithmetic that one plus one makes eleven. (My dad who was an accountant used to condone that. Can you imagine that?) I am sure you get my point. We need to pull together. When we do that, we are more than just the sum of the individual parts. While I cannot be there to support you and the others in Subordinate Court 23, I can assure you that I will be spreading the word the best I know how.

Keep going! This comes with my best wishes for that day.

Sat 05 Jul 2008 11:04 PM | Misery - We should stand on our rights!

Bravo to you Jaslyn and all in SDP! Great courage and hopefully more people will stand up for their own rights! Me too will support all the way! Keep it up!

Sun 06 Jul 2008 6:19 AM | Jen - re:

[quote=nick]stupid how u gonna explain to yr kids wen u go to jail. how u explain where u were? no brains[/quote]

Hey, aren't you the real brainless one??
IF she were to be jailed, she could stand up proud, tell her kids that mummy went to jail while fighting for the right cause, wass selfless. Mummy fought for the freedom and better living of all fellow citizens. Mummy's a hero.

What about you Nick?

Mon 07 Jul 2008 7:02 AM | Victor - STUPID FELLOW TO JOIN SDP

Hi Jaslyn,

If you are serious in serving Sinaporean, join a serious opposition and get voted in through the electorate. At least, as a MP, you still can get SGD10000 plus monthly allowance.

Never join the SINGAPORE DESPARATE PARTY. They will lead you to no where, but more court cases to attend. I pity your kids.

Mon 07 Jul 2008 5:13 PM | thomas

I want to thank her. We need more of her.

Mon 07 Jul 2008 9:15 PM | Dick - Respect

Dear Jaslyn Go, you are brave and come forward to fight against a powerful regime, for the sake of our weaker brothers and sisters, you have my respect.

Tue 08 Jul 2008 3:01 AM | WATCHER - Court #23, July 11... INTERESTING :D

Even if you do not wholly agree with or find agreeable the tack employed by Ah Juan and SDP
- and let's be clear about this upfront, Hui Leng is not to be equated with SDP, she is merely standing on the side of Truth, and Truth happens to be in SDP's court today -
if there is ever only ONE reason all Singapore, all Singaporeans with clear conscience should stand behind Hui Leng is that she is one mother who cares enough about her children's future here in Singapore to be prepared to face the wraths of LEEsons and Gang and be jailed by them, if their 70s & 80s style of nail-down-Chia Type Poh-and-anyone-else-prepared-to-stand-up-against-me-and-my-PAP politics of, yes, GOONS AND THUGS, which are what Lim Kim San, under his 'softly, softly grandpa' demeanor ever really was!

Go, Hui Leng, go - show that you are a true daughter of the clan of Gos, unlike that 1.96m spineless, good-for-nothing stone-and-wood son of Eng Choon migrant-coolies, Go-to-London-to-visit-daughter-ON-MY/OUR-ACCOUNT!

We love you, your spirit and all that you represent but which is sorely lacking in Singaporeans of 2008!

This is a great chance to see how they are going to treat this law-abiding mother-of-two model citizen who has only done the 'sin' of questioning untenable policies.

[size=medium]Let's see they throw her to jail - feeble, helpless woman versus Mighty establishment, peace- and stability-seeking women who form the backbone of PAP's 66.6% supporters
- LET US SEE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO SHOOT THEMSELVES AGAIN A SECOND TIME, the first time being issuing her summons to attend court for this long-ago preposteous charge of unlawful assembly, etc.[/size]

More interestingly, WHO THEY GONNA PUT UP THERE AS TRIAL JUDGE?

I bet it's a female - PAPpies always know this 'pattern', use a woman to convict another woman, use ethnic minority compatriot to sentence another ethnic minority fellow compatriot, and so on.

New age, new generation, smae old tactic. Pui-pui-puke~

Tue 08 Jul 2008 7:28 AM | Surayah - Hi

Hello Jaslyn, really hope that we can all work hand in hand towards better future for Singapore..May we succeed in our goals as citizens..C u on Friday 11th July at the Sub Court..haha

Sun 13 Jul 2008 7:50 AM | Justanotherguy

Chees and his party are no Nelson Mandela, or Martin Luther King. For one, I do not feel like a black living under the rule of the white, to quote an example of an earlier forumer whom mention meeting him before. EVEN if he wasn't incapicitated by bankruptcy to stand election, what are his winning chances? Time and again, results shown SDP aren't regard by the people as "saviours". Nelson + Martin does not = CSJ or SDP.