Dear Uncle Yap,
I won't want to speculate on this one. We are merely playing our role as an effective opposition party to raise important issues which are closest to Singaporeans' heart as and when the need arises. If our doings are to step on other people's toes (well, it always does), so be it. It is up for Singaporeans at large to judge whether the issues we have raised are reasonable and valid or not.
We are still "lagging behind" people like your good self in terms of civil disobedience. We are very much willing to abide to any regulations, rules or law as far as possible even if it is just that bit unreasonable. However, in this case, such blanket classification of our usual political outreach as "illegal hawking" is totally unacceptable. All political parties have been doing it for donkey years, it cannot be that such activities have suddenly become "illegal hawking" overnight.
Besides, we are kind enough to seek clarifications on whatever valid license we could apply as political party to keep ourselves within the law. But unfortunately, there is none.
But instead of getting an official written reply on our queries, NEA has chosen to come down harsh on us again. Initially I told them off. I said, I have written to your CEO on this matter but he has not replied officially. Are you going to decide for him what to do with this matter? They just ignored.
But I can see that it is only right that this matter to be settled once and for all opposition parties. We are no longer satisfied with "grey area" of the law in which we have been dancing around with. We want a formal settlement of this issue. Our aim is to get NEA to agree to put up a special category of license for any organizations like political parties which want to carry out mobile sales of anything, to apply. Alternatively, change the rules to exclude political activities from such requirement of hawker licensing.... well, it is absurd because we are not selling any food which will involve the issue of hygiene.
Formalize the process. Get the rule of law in order, instead of depends on people's fancy on whether to issue summon or not. This is what I want for Singapore.
Goh Meng Seng
I won't want to speculate on this one. We are merely playing our role as an effective opposition party to raise important issues which are closest to Singaporeans' heart as and when the need arises. If our doings are to step on other people's toes (well, it always does), so be it. It is up for Singaporeans at large to judge whether the issues we have raised are reasonable and valid or not.
We are still "lagging behind" people like your good self in terms of civil disobedience. We are very much willing to abide to any regulations, rules or law as far as possible even if it is just that bit unreasonable. However, in this case, such blanket classification of our usual political outreach as "illegal hawking" is totally unacceptable. All political parties have been doing it for donkey years, it cannot be that such activities have suddenly become "illegal hawking" overnight.
Besides, we are kind enough to seek clarifications on whatever valid license we could apply as political party to keep ourselves within the law. But unfortunately, there is none.
But instead of getting an official written reply on our queries, NEA has chosen to come down harsh on us again. Initially I told them off. I said, I have written to your CEO on this matter but he has not replied officially. Are you going to decide for him what to do with this matter? They just ignored.
But I can see that it is only right that this matter to be settled once and for all opposition parties. We are no longer satisfied with "grey area" of the law in which we have been dancing around with. We want a formal settlement of this issue. Our aim is to get NEA to agree to put up a special category of license for any organizations like political parties which want to carry out mobile sales of anything, to apply. Alternatively, change the rules to exclude political activities from such requirement of hawker licensing.... well, it is absurd because we are not selling any food which will involve the issue of hygiene.
Formalize the process. Get the rule of law in order, instead of depends on people's fancy on whether to issue summon or not. This is what I want for Singapore.
Goh Meng Seng
NSP recently issued a press statement with regards to floods.
So is that why Yaacob's NEA now goes after NSP which they NEVER BEFORE?
