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IBA criticises human rights and judiciary in Singapore Print Email
Wednesday, 09 July 2008
International Bar Association

NEWS RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION
the global voice of the legal profession

IBAHRI expresses concern about human rights and the independence of the judiciary in Singapore


In a report released today, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expressed concern about limitations on the freedoms of expression, assembly, and the press, and of the independence of the judiciary in Singapore. The report, Prosperity versus individual rights? Human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Singapore, makes 18 recommendations (pages 67-68), which the IBAHRI urges the Singapore Government to implement as a matter of priority.

"As one of the world’s most successful economies, Singapore should be a leader in human rights and the rule of law, and should now have the confidence and maturity to recognise that this would be complementary, not contradictory, to its future prosperity," said Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA).

"The IBAHRI has identified a number of areas in which Singapore falls far short of international standards. In particular, democratic debate and media comment are extremely restricted and government officials have initiated numerous successful defamation suits against both political and media critics."

The IBAHRI report examines Singapore’s record on a range of human rights issues identified by the IBAHRI as a priority. This includes freedom of expression (for example, the use of defamation legislation to hinder opposition activities, and restrictions on freedom of the press and the internet), the independence of the judiciary (there have been allegations of executive influence), and freedom of assembly.

Investigations for the report began in the lead-up to the IBA’s 2007 Annual Conference in Singapore. Strong debate between the government and its critics took place during the IBA’s inaugural Rule of Law Day; an open public forum on human rights which was the first such discussion at an international conference in Singapore.

Emilio Cárdenas, Co-Chair of the IBAHRI, stated: "The IBAHRI has conducted a very extensive review in preparing this report, and has sought the views of all the major stakeholders concerned, including the Singapore Government and the Singapore Law Society. The report is unprecedented in its efforts to understand, respond to, and reflect the views of all sides to the debate."

Click here to download the full report: Prosperity versus individual rights? Human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Singapore from the IBA’s website at: http://www.ibanet.org/images/downloads/07_2008_July_Report_Singapore-Prosperity_versus_individual_rights.pdf

ENDS

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Comments (62)
  • Anonymous
    So, it's not only that they did not send that appreciative letter LKY claimed on oath in court, they now come out to condemn our judiciary!

    There is a limit to the credibility of sounding the boring refrain that "we decide what freedom, etc., is suitable and works for us".

    Morality and conscience underly all humans (unless we are dehumanised?), and no participant in humanity can escape moral censure, from within our nation or without. That is, if we care about not being only legally right, but also morally right.
  • Ted
    It's sickening to see Sporeans suffering like that everyday, it just break my heart...
  • Uncle Ver SG - How long more before
    "one of the world's most successful economies" keels over to market forces? If the PAP ministers see fit to pay themselves exorbitant salaries while presiding over the many various extremely bloated government agencies (of a 4 million strong 700 sqkm island) which do nothing much other than to increase bureaucracy and churn out propoganda for their masters.

    Lets hope that the citizenry will not have to bear the burden of their king's (PAP) folly.
  • Not afraid to call him Liar - Liar Liar LKY
    Hahahaha,
    So LKY is a Liar after all!!!!!!!!!
  • Michael Chan - Royalty in S'pore?
    The fact of the matter is simply that the supreme Lee Family especially Father&Son Lee are treated and held almost like royalty. Look at royalty just up north in Malaysia and Thailand (where they even have lese majesty laws where criticism of any royalty will lend u in jail).So those with royal blood are quite above the law and get away with even serious crimes and misdemeanors (eg Johor royalty)
    The big difference here is that the King and the Crown Prince are also leading and running the governance of S'pore whereas royalty to our north are strictly ceremonial and they take little part in actual governing.
    Now you know why our "royalty" are so determined to hold on to their power at all costs as a matter of
    survival.
    When the King goes, there will no doubt be drastic even radical changes to the way we are governed.What about his dauphin? Can he just takeover and carry on the King's legacy? The answer is a no-brainer....No way, no how.
  • AL - The King look sick!
    Well, our King do look sick! Didn't anyone realized he shirt is rather loose lately? Maybe he is going on a weight lost regime! His father got much more air time on TV, and certainly travel more extensive then him!

    Anyway, wonder who will be the next seat warmer, before the crowd price LHY graduate from Harvard, and reach maturity, and take over the crowd!

    Ha ha ha ha!
  • AL
    Oh Yes, MM Lee is and always a BIG LIAR - in countless occasions!
  • Mike - Interference?
    Judiciary should not be TOO independent.

    Why?

    Because then the judges will have TOO Much power and nobody can control them.

    It will control the government instead.

    Because even judges are human beings..

    They will also need rules and regulations.

    And they are not elected MPs for the people.

    Have you been to court before?

    your MPs talk to you nicely. He needs your votes.

    The judge aren't your own MPs and you didn't vote them in to be judge. So..
  • To Mike - Judge's rice bowl
    ...so they have to listen to those who appointed them to the bench, not the people!
  • NiceSow - re: Interference?
    [quote=Mike]
    Because then the judges will have TOO Much power and nobody can control them.

    It will control the government instead.
    [/quote]

    Mike,

    Haven't you heard of "check and balances" ?

    Oh ... sorry .... it does not exist here.
  • Mike - No experience
    Some people here do not have the experience of facing a judge..

    So do not know about what it is like.

    You are almost nothing to them, and if they write orders, you have to comply.

    No arguing with the judge.

    Else it's contempt of court and you go to jail. Not 10 or 12 days so little.

    Maybe CSJ is a celebrity, so only less than 2 weeks for contempt of court

    You and I... at least one month or more for contempt of court, if you dare try.

    Your life is controlled by the court if you need to go to court..

    you have to address 'Your Honour'.. to the judge when you talk to him or her.

    A lot of power there. So don't end up in court.
  • truth - LKY face international justice
    The world has finally caught up with the monkey tricks of LKY.
    Now they are holding him to accounts for all his manipulations and abuse of the systems to maintain his stranglehold on power and $billions.
    When LKY dies which will be in the next 5 years, he will have to face the justice of multiple universes.
  • bodoh pap - scrap GRC
    scrap the unfair GRC system and fight one on one in the next GE. i m very pissed off with the pap regime!!!

    everywhere in the world, there are protests against rising inflation and the govts are doing something abt it. what about our millionaire ministers??? they keep raising our cost of living and their own salariess and spunning more lies!!!

    i m really very pissed off. tak boleh tahan!!!
  • Low Fuk Yew - My God !
    IBA not only did not compliment the sinkapore judiciary but also openly shows dispproval to the sinkapore judiciary.

    So suing DR Chee must be out of personal whim.

    [color=red]why the press people are dead quiet about this matter? Are these media people really brain dead ?[/color]

    Judiciary is no play- play issue, it concerns our life, our future, our country.

    It is such a pity that majority voters are uninformed people, if these voters are really first- world-country citizenry, PAP and Lau Yew would have been kicked out 2 GEs ago.

    It is an utter shame when elections are about upgrading and small-man money.

    PTUI at PAP and dogs !!!!
  • bodoh pap - is mike a criminal
    [quote=Mike]Some people here do not have the experience of facing a judge..

    So do not know about what it is like.

    You are almost nothing to them, and if they write orders, you have to comply.

    No arguing with the judge.

    Else it's contempt of court and you go to jail. Not 10 or 12 days so little.

    Maybe CSJ is a celebrity, so only less than 2 weeks for contempt of court

    You and I... at least one month or more for contempt of court, if you dare try.

    Your life is controlled by the court if you need to go to court..

    you have to address 'Your Honour'.. to the judge when you talk to him or her.

    A lot of power there. So don't end up in court.[/quote]

    waa...this mike sounds like some expert criminal who has got a wealth of experience going in and out of court arrr??

    u have been sued for being rude to the judge is it? or u were a judge urself? my honour??
  • Anonymous
    This is a big blow on LKY, and the government he was in court, as he said, to represent.

    The opinion of IBA he must regard with very high respect, since his claim that it had sent that letter appreciating our judiciary was one of the only two items he proffered in court as textual evidence of the international respectability of the judiciary.
  • tunkudon
    just sue him .
  • Peter Arthur
    I often thought of saying a lot of things that I notice, like recently, mainstream media Today published article from “The Guardian” and while reporting about a US court order to google to provide the personal information of the people who watches UTube videos and cunningly adding the word “many people in Singapore” which was not in the original article. As if google would provide the details of UTube viewers to Singapore government, which would be over google’s dead body.

    Another one,
    http://www.todayonline.com/pdf_main.asp?pubdate=20080708

    Where a letter from Mr Sanjay Perara, trying to justify the Singapore system as some kind of role model democracy citing an article called “Modern Authoritarianism” by John Kampfner published in “The Guardian” and selectively chosen by Today to trumpet the regime.
    Where calling Singapore a democracy is a “shame” let alone trying to justify it as a role model. It does not even satisfy the basic definition of democracy where people have the minimum right to choose their government.
    I will rebut this article to “The Guardian” by telling them using such examples are really detrimental as these type of authoritarian regimes happen to use them to psycho their own people without giving any opportunity to anyone to put forward any rational opposing views.

    Good to see some constructive criticism from IBA to the Singapore regime and hope to see some changes in their mind set.
  • Anonymous - Mike:
    So tell us, what 'experience' did you have in front of a judge? Being charged for not renewing your running dog license? LOLOLOL.
  • Anonymous
    Remember Lee's boasting in court that the IBA had even chosen Singapore as venue for its rule law conference, so by implication showing how highly it had ranked Singapore's rule of law.

    In addition, Lee said, IBA president had, after the event, written an appreciative letter to the Singapore Law Society, thereby confirmimg by implication that high regard for Singapore's judiciary.

    An embarrassing case of unrequited love of LKY's!
  • Mike - Silly boy
    [quote]So tell us, what 'experience' did you have in front of a judge? Being charged for not renewing your running dog license? LOLOLOL.[/quote]

    When you talk like that..

    People can tell you are only a novice

    Not worthy even for SDP to take in..
  • Mike's mommy
    my dear son mike
    you have always been a mommy's boy and i am glad you are trying to speak out. but son, you are still that little cild that threw tantrum's when you did not get your way. you are still that little boy who could not make friends. and worst of all, you are still that little boy that would get beat up almost daily because everyone knew you were a coward.

    mike, please do mom and dad a favor and join the pap. the pap is where you belong. mike our son, you still cannot think freely and need protection of bullies since you cannot stand on your own. sad to say, although you are my son, even your sisters have more courage than you. mike, i will ask your sisters to let you wear their pants. until then, i will have aunty make you some sissy pants to wear.
  • Mike - ZZZzzz... boring stuff
    [quote]my dear son mike
    you have always been a mommy's boy and i am glad you are trying to speak out.[/quote]

    Don't try and pretend this and that.

    Teach yourself first..

    And I know you like me a lot, don't you?

    If not, I'll spank your ass in Changi Prison.
  • Maximillian Chew - Where's the Queen?
    To Michael Chan.......The Queen had a massive haemorrhage in her 3rd stroke more than a month ago. But up till now, there is no further official news to update her condition/statue. Is her majesty dead, brain-dead, half-dead or still alive and kicking?Why is there no updating news on such a VVIP, wife to the King? Anyone knows? National Day 9.8.08 is just a month away....Has it got anything to do with such secrecy of Mrs LKY's condition?
  • Anonymous - To all re: Mike
    Anyone following this site would know who the real novice is. This Mike of a clown, comes to this site practically every day, and makes some ridiculous comments.

    Go check out some some of his gems (or bird droppings, rather) in
    the older threads.

    Think Internet Brigade must be really desperate to be putting such idiots on payroll.
  • monkeysee
    Reuter's report July 9, 2008:

    SINGAPORE, July 9 - Singapore should free its courts from any government influence and elevate human rights standards to international levels, the world's largest legal association said.

    The International Bar Association's human rights arm expressed concern over the limitations of freedom of expression and the independence of Singapore courts in a 72-page report released late on Tuesday.

    The global legal association noted that while the city-state had a good reputation when adjudicating commercial cases that did not involve members of the ruling People's Action Party , when it came to matters regarding PAP litigants "there are concerns about an actual or apparent lack of impartiality".

    The London-based body of more than 30,000 member lawyers also said that while Singapore fared well in commercial and economic rankings, it fared poorly in press freedom rankings, which it said was a concern given that a free press can generate important dialogue on issues.

    "Singapore cannot continue to claim that civil and political rights must take a back seat to economic rights, as its economic development is now of the highest order," the report said.

    "The International Bar Association Human Rights Institute strongly encourages Singapore to engage with the international community in a more constructive manner, and to take steps to implement international standards of human rights," it said.

    The Singapore government did not immediately comment.

    DEFAMATION SUITS

    Singapore, where the IBA held its annual conference last year, is among the most developed nations in Asia, with the second highest GDP per capita after Japan.

    However, media and human rights groups such as Amnesty International have criticized the government for restricting freedom of expression and using defamation lawsuits to financially cripple political opponents.

    In a list of 18 recommendations, the IBA urged the Singapore government to ratify the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, [u]ease restrictions on the media and ensure that its courts are free from government influence.[/u]

    IBA executive director said in a statement Singapore should be a leader in human-rights, and its advancement would be complementary to the city-state's future prosperity.

    The IBA also noted that some publications, including The Economist and the Financial Times, have paid out-of-court settlements to avoid defamation lawsuits. The government says these lawsuits are needed to protect its reputation.

    The legal body suggested the government set limits on defamation payouts in cases initiated by government officials.

    (Reporting by Melanie Lee, editing by Neil Chatterjee and Bill Tarrant)
  • Paul Poh
    Lee Kuan Yew, you are nothing but a lump of dog shit to me.

    You cannot fool me with your state propaganda media.

    I can see through your propaganda, Lee Kuan Yew.

    You are nothing but shit to me.
  • Uncle Ver SG - Can you rely on PAP to reform
    in a country where 97% of its parliament belongs to one party and when that party is locked into a monarchy mode? When often in this "democracy" there is only one candidate (group of) to choose from? When gerrymandering is an established political practice of said party?

    Enough is enough.
  • Anonymous
    So we see now, yet again, how counter-productive LKY's suing in our courts have been to Singapore's interests.

    Before his suing of Jeya, and his doing the same stuff to others thereafter, there wasn't any such criticism of our judiciary.

    So that man has been so concerned about the purported protecting of his "integrity" that he has been willing to sacrifice the wider interests of Singapore as to the credibility of our judiciary.

    His actions have rendered our courts contemptible in the eyes of people both within and without Singapore.
  • CaraBrown - Shame Shame
    Crossed the limits!

    Shame Shame Puppy Shame!
  • ac.
    So can the INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION do anything? It seems like LKY could do whatever he wants because somehow he made himself the lord of this country. *lol*
  • Casual Observer - Internet is not the-all, end-all and be-all
    [quote]The Internet has encouraged a more politically well-informed, sophisticated, educated, discerning, articulate and inquiring public to voice their opinions, criticisms, dissenting viewpoints and disagreements to the authorities. They refuse to let the machinery of government control and manipulate their lives.[/quote]

    Yes, one would think so - hope has been there since its invention and appearance.

    Problem is, how many Singaporeans, with many hours spent doing more & more work that's paying less & less, have the luxury of time to go on the Net to surf for information and be informed.

    Not to mention the fact that the ones who matter - those breadwinners who form the majority of voters who have the ability to boot out this government and are usually the HDB 3-roomers and below (&)% of electorte?) - have even so much as enough to 'splurge' on a PC, much less get an Internet account to go surfing?

    And PAP long ago recognized that. So it makes sure SINGAPOREANS HAVE NO SPARE TIME
    - besides working and going home to bed and then starts the next day working again -
    AND NO SPARE CASH
    - after paying off those exoritant-but-necessary-for-everyday-living bills, and hopefully not go into red thereafter -
    to 'indulge' in such 'excesses'.

    So the question remains: How do you/your messages GET TO THESE PEOPLE?

    Someone here offered that a good way might be to send mail to EACH AND EVERY HOUSEHOLD/NAME FOUND IN THE PHONE DIRECTORIES.

    Time-consuming, costlier vis-a-vis the simple act of puting together a few articles and sending these online, yes, but the method of reaching out will do a lot more, lots lots more than just having a website, ranting and chanting all you want but not necessarily having the 'right', intended target audience.

    It's sad fact. But fact nonetheless.

    Re-group, re-work, re-plan, re-startegize (just like your strategy of "to hell with elections, let's go out into he streets, be visible" - it is starting to work. visibly so).

    Good luck.
  • E Chen
    Like the PAP will care.. they will just continue with what they are currently doing. or maybe LKY will sue IBA? Actually dont have to worry much since he cant live forever. (:
  • LEGAL RIGHTS??? where??? - WHERE ARE THE LEGAL RIGHTS???
    Coming to know of this issue maybe too late for Sinkaporeen.

    That's why so many famous lawyers and professionals move out of this country for the past ten to twenty years. Finally it's the foreigners who are filling this country where they are more obedience here la.

    They deserved these consequences.
  • Ngee Ann Poly student
    You might want to note that a certain lecturer (Media) openly criticizes PAP policies during "media in society" lectures in Ngee Ann Poly.

    I hope SDP gets in touch with her.
  • Anonymous
    [quote]Mike wrote:
    Some people here do not have the experience of facing a judge..

    So do not know about what it is like.

    You are almost nothing to them, and if they write orders, you have to comply.

    No arguing with the judge.

    Else it's contempt of court and you go to jail. Not 10 or 12 days so little.

    Maybe CSJ is a celebrity, so only less than 2 weeks for contempt of court

    You and I... at least one month or more for contempt of court, if you dare try.

    Your life is controlled by the court if you need to go to court..

    you have to address 'Your Honour'.. to the judge when you talk to him or her.

    A lot of power there. So don't end up in court.[/quote]


    The very fact tht this thing here could come to a channel and want to teach others a thing or two about he knows - which do
  • johnnylikesdemocracy
    its time to have another rally to show that we Tak Boleh Tahan the double speak of the PAP
  • Anonymous
    [quote]Mike wrote:
    Some people here do not have the experience of facing a judge..

    So do not know about what it is like.

    You are almost nothing to them, and if they write orders, you have to comply.

    No arguing with the judge.

    Else it's contempt of court and you go to jail. Not 10 or 12 days so little.

    Maybe CSJ is a celebrity, so only less than 2 weeks for contempt of court

    You and I... at least one month or more for contempt of court, if you dare try.

    Your life is controlled by the court if you need to go to court..

    you have to address 'Your Honour'.. to the judge when you talk to him or her.

    A lot of power there. So don't end up in court.[/quote]


    The very fact tht this thing here could come to a channel and want to teach others a thing or two about he knows - which don't amount to anything - shows how moronic this thing is.

    No wonder you sane people in Singapore gets treated the way you do - your government was voted in time and again by the greater majority of the populace, all grossly insane.

    How is the state of affairs going to change when you have insane things like this one here going on to insanely breed more insane things?

    I think genocide is in order.

    And the sooner the better - if you sane folks really desire change.

    No two ways about it. After all, it is they who brought in this fox of a man and wolf of a party into your house to rob and pillage.
  • Anonymous
    Blatant discrimination against Singaporeans.

    https://www.singa.a-star.edu.sg/

    Q: Who can apply for SINGA?
    A: International students with a passion for Science and Engineering research, excellent academic qualifications, good reports from academic referees, and fluency in English are encouraged to apply for this award.

    Q: What is the definition of "international students"?
    A: "International students" refer to students who are not citizens or permanent residents of Singapore, and who have not previously studied in Singapore.

    Q: Is there a bond for SINGA? Am I required to take up citizenship?
    A: There is no bond. You are not required to take up citizenship.

    Q: Do I have to work in Singapore after graduation?
    A: No, you are not required to work in Singapore after graduation.

    https://www.singa.a-star.edu.sg/
  • Paul - Emperor Lee's new clothes
    "Once upon a time..." so began the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. It is a pithy story with a message which can be understood by children. The Emperor's New Clothes could have been written for Singapore for an occasion like this.

    For people like Mike who have not read Hans Christian Andersen, the plot goes like this -

    An emperor, in his vanity, fell for two con-men who promise him the finest suit of clothes made from the most beautiful cloth. They tell him that the cloth is invisible to those who were stupid. Of course the Emperor cannot see the cloth, but pretends that he can just so that he does not appear stupid. All his ministers do the same. When the con-men announce that the suit is ready, they pretend to put the dress on him. In his vanity, the Emperor parades through the city to show off his new clothes. However, it was left to a small child to say the obvious, "The Emperor has nothing on!" The adults know that the child is telling the truth but none dare to utter a word. Although the Emperor know his nakedness he holds his head high and continues the parade for fear of appearing stupid.

    The difference between Andersen's fairy tale and Singapore's reality is that LKY was not conned by anyone. He did it all himself. What a toe-curling sight to see an elderly, flabby man parade in the buff. Would someone please put him out of his misery? All the fancy claims he made in court have left him with nothing to cover himself.

    What shameless spin is YY Yeong, the goat, going to put on the IBAHRI report? I feel like spitting but my sputum is too good for her so I will not waste it.
  • anonyMOUSE
    I'm guessing when LKY gets found out in due time, he'll use some pointers his dear friend Suharto left him: feign fraility in old age to avoid court appearances. Eventually we'll get a shot of LKY being hospitalised and intubated through the nose on the front page of his own state-controlled media. That's how it always plays out for tyrants and despots; dying in ignominy.
  • Carlson - PAP playing God
    The mindset of Lee's regime is pretty clear. It takes all the credit of bring this country to its current state. Therefore it earns the right to be God. A greedy, power hungry and narrow minded God.
  • Uncle Ver Sg
    [quote]No wonder you sane people in Singapore gets treated the way you do - your government was voted in time and again by the greater majority of the populace, all grossly insane.[/quote]

    When one party uses the press and the courts to silence critics, and there is only one name on the ballot in the democracy.

    [quote]How is the state of affairs going to change when you have insane things like this one here going on to insanely breed more insane things?

    I think genocide is in order.[/quote]

    These PAP propogandists know no bounds in trying to provoke people. In a democracy there is no need for "genocide" of followers of a party or ideology (for eg socialism). Expose their base incompetency, moral failures and political underhandedness in public, the people that voted them in will act to vote them out. Unless the PAP decides to act like Mugabe and start killing opposition leaders such as CSJ and/or their families.
  • Tan Tai Wei
    Just heard in the morning news Law Minister's reply to the IBA report.

    Got me wondering...

    I would like to agree that our judiciary were manned by persons of independence and integrity, and they have never been influenced, even indirectly, by government to be biased, indeed, the government has had no wish to so influence them.

    Then, why not make this evident by doing what IBA and others, local and abroad, have suggested, ie. separate the legal service from government, etc., etc.?

    What purpose does the present link of the legal service to government serve, since it is not the intention of government to exert control over legal appointments, etc.?

    Why maintain a system that serves no fruitful purpose, raise suspicions, and,indeed, is infact open to possible abuse (even persons of integrity might be unconsciously or subconsciously driven by motives they aren't proud of, and therefore "suppressed from consciousness", as depth psychology teaches us).
  • OMG - Where got justice
    OMG..
    I just did a search on IBA and Singapore. Found only 1 article from AFP and 3 articles by the Singapore government disputing the IBA report.

    Sorted by relevance Sort by date Sort by date with duplicates included

    1) Govt rebuts human rights accusations
    TODAYonline, Singapore - 3 hours ago
    2) RESPONSE TO IBA HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTE'S REPORT
    AsiaOne, Singapore - 11 hours ago
    3) S'pore govt dismisses human rights allegations in IBA report
    Straits Times, Singapore - 12 hours ago

    WTF!!!! The distortion network is wild at work!! One article against them, and 3 articles arguing that IBA is wrong.

    WHERE GOT JUSTICE. PAP got the BIGGER MOUTH. How to fight against such INJUSTICE????? when the can just distort the truth even INTERNATIONALLY. The sad truth is that many Singaporeans actually have no time to surf the internet and believe in the newspaper and PAP media!!!!!!!!!
  • Nick - IBA
    This is very contradictory.

    The IBA came to Singapore and praised this country during a law convention held here, but yet they openly condemn it's policies and track record.

    And these are supposed to be the people that are the movers and shakers of the law society.

    The whole fiasco surrounding this case has been a tremendous eye opener for me, and I must say Singapore is facing dilemma.

    Not to recognise this lapse in consensus regarding human rights here, would be to stay stagnant.

    What I find amazing is that we are not having open discussions about this in public.

    Why do we have Malaysian and Thai politics blasting the front pages here, when some of us truly can agree on the fact that there is a "Situation" here that needs to be sorted out.

    I hope the media will cover what is relevant to Singapore as a whole.
  • Jimmy
    Whatever the case may be. There is still the matter where LKY - under oath - said in court that IBA had sent a letter praising his PAP Govt for its judiciary system.

    Where is this letter?

    There have been deafening silence by LKY and his army of goons since Dr Chee exposed that IBA have not sent such a letter.

    LKY, have you lied in court?

    This matter won't just 'move on', I assure you. It will come back to haunt you again and again. Until you admit that you have lied and is a liar. You just can't keep silent and think (in your own deluded world) that your integrity is unscathed.
  • SOMEONE
    OK..i want to know..the ERP gantries when motorists pay...where will all these money/funds go? is temasek holdings(govt.owned) really transparent? why those VIPs home guarded by GC not our own SPF?is there too much nepotism ? AND LASTLY hwere many will agree....WHY INCREASE THE AGE OF people getting back their hard owned CPF money?
  • chanthira - IBA
    Singapore is where it is today because of good governance. The IBA seems to me to be made up of narrow minded individuals who do not see the bigger picture in Singapore. Those of us who are true Singaporeans chose the government that we wanted. It's a democracy. The IBA seems to be supportive of a few unscrupulous crooked individuals who are trying to destabilise and destroy whatever we've worked so hard to build since independance. The govermnet has the right to take action against anyone who makes derogatory and untrue remarks about them. The IBA should review their assessments.
  • Tan - CONGRATS CHEESS
    CONGRATS TO THE CHEESS SIBLING, YOU HAD SUCCESSFULLY FULFILLED YOUR FOREIGN PAYMASTER TO EMBARRASE YOUR COUNTRY STATESMAN. HURAY.
  • Anonymous - re: IBA
    [quote=chanthira]Singapore is where it is today because of good governance. The IBA seems to me to be made up of narrow minded individuals who do not see the bigger picture in Singapore. Those of us who are true Singaporeans chose the government that we wanted. It's a democracy. The IBA seems to be supportive of a few unscrupulous crooked individuals who are trying to destabilise and destroy whatever we've worked so hard to build since independance. The govermnet has the right to take action against anyone who makes derogatory and untrue remarks about them. The IBA should review their assessments.[/quote]


    I thought the IBA was very supportive of Singapore. At least thats what I heard when they held the conference.

    I don't understand why it is that you think it's OK for people to get screwed over all the time for asking pressing questions.

    What is the bigger picture to you?
    I am curious to know. Please prove your point for the benefit of others.

    Because I don't know where Singapore is trying to head anymore...
  • Anonymous
    CONGRATS TO TAN, YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY FULFILLED YOUR INTERNET BRIGADE POSTING QUOTA FOR YOUR PAYMASTER BUT ONLY TO EMBARRASE THEM FURTHER. HURRAY! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!
  • elitocracy
    http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/359328/1/.html

    I quote from the above URL:

    "The only inaccuracy in Mr Lee's testimony, said Mr Davinder, was his statement that the IBA had conveyed this view in a letter to the Law Society of Singapore when in fact, the views were expressed in a public speech by the IBA president at the conference.".

    So Mt Singh used the word "inaccuracy". In other words, LKY mis-represented the facts, facts which could have been easily obtained and verified.

    Should we forgive him?

    Let's recall ... James Gomez. Did he made a mistake? Did he apologise? Did PAP and LKY in particular accepted his apologies and stopped calling him names?

    Retribution indeed.
  • Anonymous
    "Chanthira" is one of those "pigs" who are "satisfied" as long as they are well-fed wallowing in the mud, no matter what the sacrifice has been as to values and human dignity.

    Someone said "Better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a pig satisfied".
  • Paul - Are there other lies?
    Now that they have been cornered, Singh has no option but to describe his master's testimony in court as inaccurate. Since LKY, who likes to project the image of infallibility, has been found out because SDP dug and pressed, the question now is, how many other inaccuracies and lies LKY has told in the past but nobody bothered to open them up to the public.
  • anon
    I believe it is not too far-fetched to ask the snr counsel Dav. Singh to produce the news report of iba praising singapore judiciary in their annual conf. here. I am unable to search for that speech by its president at iba website
  • Adrian
    [size=large][b][color=red]I suggest to be fair and impartial, all law suits involving our Ministers or MP should be taken to the International Court.[/color][/b][/size]
  • Anonymous - re:
    [quote=Anonymous]CONGRATS TO TAN, YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY FULFILLED YOUR INTERNET BRIGADE POSTING QUOTA FOR YOUR PAYMASTER BUT ONLY TO EMBARRASE THEM FURTHER. HURRAY! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF![/quote]

    Please do not equate these chaps with woof woof. It embarrasses and infuriates my dog to be put at the same level with these skunks. I will consider taking a page out of LEE's book and commence defamation action against you on behalf of my dog.
  • Tak Boleh Tahan!!!
    Tak Boleh Tahan!!!
    If every single PAP MP's brave enough,go ahead inform their bosses of father & son and also uncle Khaw Boon Wan to go ahead with one on one contest in the next GE.
    Tak Boleh TAHAN!!!
    Always GRC's.. Where got the baptism of fire for those MP's whom so-called won by only hiding behind the skirts of the big gunner's.
    Tak Boleh Tahan!!!
  • Heart of Gold - Professional Integrity?
    [quote][/quote]

    Davinder Singh is just a PAP lackey, motivated by his own high pay only and very much comfortable with the PAP regime, which he is serving unashamedly without regard for the truth.
  • ac. - ethics, integrity is non-existant but..
    As far as this situation is concerned, LKY still has the system backing him right now. And he has the upper hand. Regardless of wrong or right, as long as the majority agrees, his misinformation campaign would be be considered a success..

    SDP needs to use the system.
  • Thomas Thomson - SABO KING, SDP.
    i think the Sabo King must be the SDP, look at the ways you guys danced around when the IBA meeting is held here.

    By the way, is "IBA" and "IBA Human Rights Institute" different body?? Will somebody enlighten me. Thanks.
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