SDP Jolovan Wham leading the protest in Hong Lim Park in solidarity with Malaysians!
Singaporeans in Solidarity with Malaysians
Public · By Jolovan Wham
Sunday
6:30pm until 8:00pm
Chance of Rain 91°F / 81°F
We are Singaporeans who would like to show support to our Malaysian friends in their call for fair elections in their country. The quest for justice and human rights is a universal one and the desire for democracy and fair elections are shared by Singaporeans too. If you would like to show and voice your support for our Malaysian brothers and sisters, please join us at this event. We welcome speakers, placards, art etc as an expression of your solidarity. Please come dressed in a black top. Foreigners including Malaysians are welcome to join us as observers only.
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Teo Soh Lung:
"Many Singaporeans are quick to equate public demonstrations with violence, and are more likely to view an arrested activist as a troublemaker than as a victim of oppression. Stories of strikes in other countries are also often viewed with scorn: What a mess! We should be grateful that this would never happen in Singapore.
And that mindset is the first major hurdle for any activist in Singapore — to convince people committed to not rocking the boat that speaking out is not a form of violence but a right due to every citizen, every day of their lives."
I fully agree. We condemn the "troublemakers" and make fun of them, refusing to acknowledge our own cowardice in standing up for our rights. But there is a glimmer of hope. We are making use of that limited space in Hong Lim Park for a start.
Join "Singaporeans in Solidarity with Malaysians" this Sunday at 6.30 pm at Hong Lim Park. Stop police harassment of Malaysians who held a peaceful protest just to express their unhappiness over the election results. The Public Order Act is a ridiculous piece of legislation. We should be ashamed of our government for making this law which restricts our fundamental liberties guaranteed under our constitution.
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Teo Soh Lung:
In the Merlion case, Malaysians peacefully protested against the results of the GE. I don't see why they should be investigated/prosecuted under our Public Order Act which contravenes our constitutional right to freedom of expression and assembly. Singaporeans too should be able to protest peacefully, anywhere in Singapore. Bad law should be abolished!
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John Loh:
We are preparing for our Singapore Tsunami GE2016 or earlier.
What happen in Malaysia will also happen in Singapore but in a different form.
If we want to change it must come from us.
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SINGAPORE — The authorities are reviewing the work and visit passes of nine Malaysians who were deemed to have “actively” participated in an illegal gathering at the Merlion Park on Wednesday, the police said yesterday.
In a media statement, the police added that their employers would be informed of the review and conditional warnings were issued to the individuals.
Apart from the nine who were warned, as many as 200 others were said to have taken part in the gathering, including MediaCorp actors Zhang Yaodong and Shaun Chen. It is understood that the police have taken statements from them and investigations are continuing.
The gathering, where participants were dressed in black and held placards, was in response to a call on social media for Malaysians around the world to show solidarity with their countrymen. It coincided with a massive rally held in Selangor organised by the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance to protest against alleged fraud-marred election results.
With the Malaysian opposition pledging to hold more protest rallies, the Singapore police had earlier warned foreigners, including Malaysians, not to “import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which can disturb public order, as there can be groups with opposing views”.
“Those who break the law will be seriously dealt with. This may include termination of their work passes and visas,” the police said on Thursday, as it announced that an illegal protest planned for today at the Merlion Park had been cancelled after the authorities spoke to the organiser.
However, another protest — organised by Singaporean civil society activist Jolovan Wham — over the Malaysia election results appears set to go ahead tomorrow at the Speakers’ Corner. The protest, in Mr Wham’s words, was organised for Singaporeans “who would like to show support to our Malaysian friends in their call for fair elections in their country”.
On a Facebook page titled Singaporeans in Solidarity with Malaysians, Mr Wham said that “foreigners, including Malaysians” were welcome to join the protest, but “as observers only”.
The Singapore authorities have taken a tough stance against foreigners running foul of the laws here while pursuing political activities.
In 2008, eight Myanmar nationals reportedly failed to get their immigration passes renewed by the authorities after taking part in a gathering on Orchard Road a year earlier during the ASEAN Summit. The gathering then was a protest against a violent crackdown by the junta in Myanmar.
Mr David Lim, a 30-year-old Malaysian, told TODAY he understood that Singapore authorities “are quite sensitive about gatherings” but felt that there should be some leeway as the participants may have been ignorant about the law.
Nevertheless, Sembawang GRC Member of Parliament Lim Wee Kiak, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, reiterated that individuals must observe Singapore’s procedures for holding demonstrations.
He also pointed out that groups could not simply choose to gather where they see fit.
“We have our own laws. Regardless of whatever cause — it can be because of animal rights or anything else — there are proper procedures they have to follow to maintain proper law and order.”
Separately, responding to TODAY’s queries, the police said that they are still investigating the case of six Malaysians who had held placards at several locations here on April 14 to urge their compatriots to return to Malaysia to vote.
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Police on Saturday issued a reminder to social worker Jolovan Wham about his plan to hold a demonstration on Sunday at the Speakers' Corner.
A spokesman said in a statement on Saturday that police are aware of Mr Wham's plan to hold a demonstration "to show solidarity with groups of Malaysians who are against the Malaysian General Election".
"In the same invitation, he had invited foreigners to observe the event," said the police. "Police have reminded (Mr Wham) that while he is free to organise and speak at a demonstration at Speakers' Corner, it is his responsibility as organiser to take appropriate measures to ensure that the our laws are complied with."
In Singapore, a police permit must be obtained before foreigners can participate in a planned demonstration at the Speakers' Corner.
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Police arrested 21 Malaysians after they were caught staging an outdoor protest at the Merlion Park at 4.50pm on Saturday.
This despite earlier police advisories that such gatherings are against Singapore's laws.
"The police would like to reiterate (that) while foreigners are allowed to work or live here, they have to abide by our laws," said a police spokesman in a statement on Saturday. "They should not import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which can disturb public order, as there can be groups with opposing views. Those who break the law will be seriously dealt with,"
The arrest comes after warnings were issued to nine Malaysians for "actively participating in the illegal gathering" at the Merlion Park on Wednesday, where a crowd of about 100 people had gathered to protest against the recent Malaysian election results.
May 11th, 2013 |
Author: Editorial 
