CSJ ‘exposed the pretensions of PAP’ – CALD Chairman

[yellowarse]

Chee Soon Juan ‘exposed the pretensions of PAP’ – CALD Chairman

Posted by theonlinecitizen on November 4, 2011

Prof Wijesinha (far right) at the press conference at Furama Riverfront Hotel before the award presentation

The following is a speech by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha, at the 2011 Liberal International Prize for Freedom award presentation to Dr Chee Soon Juan. Prof Wijesinha is the Chairman of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats.

Dr Chee, Members of the Singapore Democrat Party, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats and Liberal International (CALD) – and indeed anyone else, if there be anyone here who does not belong to any of these concentric circles. The one person I know does not belong to our extended family is Jee Say Tan, and of course he does not belong to the Singapore Democrat Party in the same way as no President of Singapore has belonged to the People’s Action Party. Having known him for longer than I have known anyone else in this room, 38 years in fact, having welcomed him as a freshman to University College in Oxford, I can only say how delighted I am that, as in those distant days, he has refused to conform.

Dr Chee I have known for a mere decade and a half, when he was setting out on his then very lonely struggle to liberalise Singaporean politics. As you know he suffered for this more than those who had engaged in oppositional politics in the period immediately preceding. At the time Singapore got its independence of course harsh measures were the norm, the Singapore government like its British predecessor jailing anyone who was even remotely committed to leftist politics.

The reason Dr Chee was treated so badly however was because he took on the Singapore regime on its own terms. Indeed he could have been a favoured son of that regime had he not believed that freedom is not only about economic freedom but also about political and social freedom. From a Liberal standpoint, asserting the importance of all freedoms, he exposed the pretensions of the People’s Action Party.

Sadly those pretensions still take in many people who see themselves as belonging to the Liberal family. The continuing celebration of Singapore in indices that take no account of political authoritarianism is sad, and it is for that reason that I am doubly thankful to Liberal International for making so powerful a statement about the need for consistency in our advocacy of Liberal principles.

Our pride in Dr Chee extends also then to pride in Liberal International for so forcefully expressing its truly international spirit. This follows on the award a few years back to Sam Rainsy of Cambodia, again an example of Liberal International indicating its understanding of the courage he displayed in standing up to an authoritarian regime. But in the case of Dr Chee, it has been even harder to establish what he has been up against, because of the far more subtle ways in which the Singapore government stifles dissension.


I first realized this when I was told about the manner in which Dr Chee was dismissed from his post at the University. Some good friends of my family who had lived and worked in Singapore for years, who were strong supporters of the government, nevertheless made it clear that the charges against Dr Chee were trumped up and ridiculous. Since then he has suffered bankruptcy through legal proceedings which otherwise liberal members of the international community treat as sacrosanct, an indulgence they would not bestow on countries such as Cambodia or Burma.

In recalling another winner from Asia of the Liberal International Prize for Freedom, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, I should note another reason for satisfaction tonight, in that it seems the long freeze on democratic activity in Burma is finally beginning to thaw. I know there is a long way to go, I know that many pitfalls lie ahead, but I am glad that CALD last year decided to take the opportunity to engage with her. Her willingness to engage with those who treated her so badly, to talk to them with hope whilst still asserting the principles she upheld for so long, is truly admirable, and I hope this will be crowned with further success.

Similarly, I am pleased that the results of the last Singapore General Election indicate that that freeze too is thawing. Those were followed by the Presidential Election in which for the first time ever a majority of Singaporeans indicated their dissatisfaction with the monolithic hold the People’s Action Party has exercised so long on the body politic. Jee Say will appreciate the fact that one of his contemporaries who is now working in Cambodia, in apprising me of the results, suggested that he thought some manipulation had occurred. That may simply be University College solidarity, but I believe that the result has established quite clearly that the Singapore Democrat Party will soon move to more tangible successes.

My congratulations then to Dr Chee, to Jee Say, and to the Singapore Democrat Party. And my congratulations too to the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats and to Liberal International, for it is truly an honour to be associated with all of you here in Singapore in your long and difficult but unstoppable journey to a liberal democratic future.

 

[cleareyes]

This coming from a group that nobody bothers with??

 

[steffychun]

Chee, the fake politician.

 

[methink]

Chee, the fake politician.

Stuffychute, established as the real doggie here. Your masters still paying you to be a cybertrooper here?

You and that clearAss?

 

[cleareyes]

Stuffychute, established as the real doggie here. Your masters still paying you to be a cybertrooper here?

You and that clearAss?

Can u come up with something more credible and defendable?
seriously....................

 

[SDPhopelessParty]

SDP the sabor party, plant by the pap out to destroy the truth opposition party

 

[Forvendet]

What a way to start a Sunday afternoon teatime. CSJ exposed himself by his own lies again. When he took over SDP, he wasn't by any measure a lone fighter as he claimed and lied to be without a blink. He took over the biggest opposition party in Singapore then and managed to waste it down to the smallest within a decade. Nobody, not even LKY, jailed him for under ISD or any political pretense. There's no need to, he's a loser. He intentionally broke laws and defame people to get himself jailed and disqualified. And what's CALD? Nothing but totally unelected by anyone in any democracy in Asia but posturing to represent the whole Asia.

You have gone to the country and the country has spoken. You've lost. What's non-conformity? Is it something heroic after not winning your way? That's called a trantrum. His reference to thaw in political scene reflects even worse on his character and political acumen. WP won the seats to start the thaw, not SDP.

 

[elephanto]

That's called a trantrum. His reference to thaw in political scene reflects even worse on his character and political acumen. WP won the seats to start the thaw, not SDP.

concise, sharp & cutting yet civic, well done Forvendet .....!

conspiracy theorists who always claim CSJ is PAP's plant to wreck the Oppo, oh! Chiam & Low Thia Khiang are also on PAP's payroll to play pseudo servile Opposition etc etc. They are always right in their own minds, no convincing them - so everything is a closed loop.

Chee, in his deeds and in his books and ideas, somewhere along the line, he took a destructive course in the belief of a martyr that the gains will be international notice from the libs & neolibs, sympathy from supporters, even disdain & scorn is reverse compliment to him.

I can respect his obstinacy to uphold his 'ideals' but I cannot say the same for his recalcitrant disregard for how Singaporeans view civic disobedience and his other democracy mores, as espoused by Chee's SDP. I am not condoning PAP's heavy-handedness as well.

Chee will have his critics & supporters & have stoically plodded on - otherwise to wind down is totally unacceptable.

Still the electorate have deliberated & they have spoken - in coming to 2 decades since Dr Chee first stood in Marine Parade and displayed his pedigree.

Winning this award from some SCALD organization, oh well, it is like something happening in prallel universe to most Singaporeans.

 

[scroobal]

Did anyone wonder why he still does not want to come out Bankruptcy? And it is certainly not for the lack of funds.

 

[mojito]

1. Hi scroobal
2. Some say that paying up means he admit he is in the wrong
3. So die die must not pay up because he is right mah!
4. Or being bankruptcy is an immunity against further punitive charges imposed by the courts
5. Then the machiavellians would say he assessed that the ground is not sweet for him to win elections now

 

[elephanto]

1. Hi scroobal
2. Some say that paying up means he admit he is in the wrong
3. So die die must not pay up because he is right mah!
4. Or being bankruptcy is an immunity against further punitive charges imposed by the courts
5. Then the machiavellians would say he assessed that the ground is not sweet for him to win elections now

mojito, tat's kool, u covered his every motivation to stay bankrupt - in contrast, JBJ discharged his bankruptcy - abandonment of principles?

 

[scroobal]

Aiyah, nothing to do with principles. Principles are poor man's logic and excuse to keep the ego happy.

You want to take down the PAP and the old man who have never played by the rules, you got to be smarter and more flexible. Look at LTK, in single stroke, he brought a senior cabinet ministers and 2 Ministers of State. And the latter 2 were no small minions either. The first was bit hitter in finance and the other is a major community leader.

The way to bring down this oppressive regime is to chip away and gain ground from the voting public. I know for a fact the LTK meets with foreigners who want to know his thoughts on politics in SIngapore but he does not publicise it in order to keep people onside.

Can you think of one good reason why he does not want to come out bankruptcy other than not admitting his guilt.

1. Hi scroobal
2. Some say that paying up means he admit he is in the wrong
3. So die die must not pay up because he is right mah!
4. Or being bankruptcy is an immunity against further punitive charges imposed by the courts
5. Then the machiavellians would say he assessed that the ground is not sweet for him to win elections now

 

[mojito]

Thanks bro elephanto.

I don't remember the circumstances of his discharge, but I viewed it in a favourably light. I am inclined to think he believes himself to be electable, and hope to personally lead into parliament a group of fighters who are unafraid to take on the establishment and their questionable practices. He might have felt this was a path too difficult for his former comrades at the WP (for various reasons), hence the discharge from bankruptcy and the establishment of RP. Of the political parties in SG, only RP and to a limited extent SDP are campaigning along this line of governance issues, much to their chagrin it appears insufficient for electoral success.

I also like to take the opportunity to make a dig on RP defectors. I think they were clueless opportunists who saw the groundswell of discontent, admired JBJ, but didn't know what the hell he stood for.

That was of course a sweeping statement. There is an opportunist in every one of us.

 

[mojito]

Can you think of one good reason why he does not want to come out bankruptcy other than not admitting his guilt.

I thought CSM was a decisive factor in shifting the pendulum in favour of WP at Aljunied, notwithstanding the well-balanced composition of the other party members in the GRC team. The fact that WP was able to induce CSM to join them over other political parties in town, as well as the whole strategy of unseating the incumbents at Aljunied GRC is telling us something must be right about WP's strategy (or Low's political acumen).

Regarding CSJ's motivations, i must admit my views are not exhaustive. What do you reckon is another probable reason for staying in bankruptcy?

 

[cleareyes]

What a way to start a Sunday afternoon teatime. CSJ exposed himself by his own lies again. When he took over SDP, he wasn't by any measure a lone fighter as he claimed and lied to be without a blink. He took over the biggest opposition party in Singapore then and managed to waste it down to the smallest within a decade. Nobody, not even LKY, jailed him for under ISD or any political pretense. There's no need to, he's a loser. He intentionally broke laws and defame people to get himself jailed and disqualified. And what's CALD? Nothing but totally unelected by anyone in any democracy in Asia but posturing to represent the whole Asia.

You have gone to the country and the country has spoken. You've lost. What's non-conformity? Is it something heroic after not winning your way? That's called a trantrum. His reference to thaw in political scene reflects even worse on his character and political acumen. WP won the seats to start the thaw, not SDP.

I realised those people in CALD or whatever they call it, are blowing each other's horns and trumpers. I wonder, do they need such self masterbation on each other to get by?

the boast and the bragging is unbelieveliable

 

[scroobal]

My take is that Aljunied was already ripe for the taking and the good and steady work by LTK and Sylvia was taken into account by the voters long before CSM came on board. I also sensed that CSM standing by himself would not have got a seat. His style of campaigning tends to be quite and might not appeal to most voters. In a team, he is obviously a real assets.

The govt's view is that Chee is not all together up there and thus Ms Chua's psychobabble write-up sometime back. My sense is that he is genuinely campaigning for freedom and other abstract rights but not for political office. It is because of him that we have Hong Lim and many restrictions lifted. And he does give the old man sleepless night including the disastrous thrashing of him and his son in open court.

I suspect that he has realised that politics is not for him but NGO related activities and wants to play a part. Possibly because he does not want to compromise his style for voters who might not appreciate his approach. He would be better of if he gets himself out of bankruptcy and push his agenda vigorously on a NGO platform. God only knows the help that we need not only on the political front but from all quarters. He will continue to be an asset but his party stalwarts are another issue altogether except for VW.

I thought CSM was a decisive factor in shifting the pendulum in favour of WP at Aljunied, notwithstanding the well-balanced composition of the other party members in the GRC team. The fact that WP was able to induce CSM to join them over other political parties in town, as well as the whole strategy of unseating the incumbents at Aljunied GRC is telling us something must be right about WP's strategy (or Low's political acumen).Regarding CSJ's motivations, i must admit my views are not exhaustive. What do you reckon is another probable reason for staying in bankruptcy?

 

[scroobal]

I was appalled to find that CALD backs the yellow shirts.

I realised those people in CALD or whatever they call it, are blowing each other's horns and trumpers. I wonder, do they need such self masterbation on each other to get by?the boast and the bragging is unbelieveliable

 

[elephanto]

I thought CSM was a decisive factor in shifting the pendulum in favour of WP at Aljunied, notwithstanding the well-balanced composition of the other party members in the GRC team. The fact that WP was able to induce CSM to join them over other political parties in town, as well as the whole strategy of unseating the incumbents at Aljunied GRC is telling us something must be right about WP's strategy (or Low's political acumen).

Regarding CSJ's motivations, i must admit my views are not exhaustive. What do you reckon is another probable reason for staying in bankruptcy?

My take is that Aljunied was already ripe for the taking and the good and steady work by LTK and Sylvia was taken into account by the voters long before CSM came on board. I also sensed that CSM standing by himself would not have got a seat. His style of campaigning tends to be quiet and might not appeal to most voters. In a team, he is obviously a real assets.

The govt's view is that Chee is not all together up there and thus Ms Chua's psychobabble write-up sometime back. My sense is that he is genuinely campaigning for freedom and other abstract rights but not for political office. It is because of him that we have Hong Lim and many restrictions lifted. And he does give the old man sleepless night including the disastrous thrashing of him and his son in open court.

I suspect that he has realised that politics is not for him but NGO related activities and wants to play a part. Possibly because he does not want to compromise his style for voters who might not appreciate his approach. He would be better of if he gets himself out of bankruptcy and push his agenda vigorously on a NGO platform. God only knows the help that we need not only on the political front but from all quarters. He will continue to be an asset but his party stalwarts are another issue altogether except for VW.

Scroobal asked why should Chee choose to remain undischarged & very quickly, followed up with his own views. Mine are not dissimilar:-

My take is:-

If you remember Dr Chee (let's give his full honorific) when he 1st come onto the Spore Political Scene before his dismissal/public 'Where's the money?' rant & civil disobedience & bankrupcy suits etc - important to note he was once free from his current public persona which attracted all the name-calling....

In 1992, when then new PM graciously allow a by-election in his own ward purported to show the last GE was called not to bypass JBJ, as well as to induct fresh RAdm Teo Chee Hean, Chiam proudly unveiled his Phd find: Dr Chee Soon Juan.

1. Dr Chee in his early press conferences, akin to Mourhino the Special One, proclaimed his academic pedigree & highlighting the fact that he has 'brains' no inferior to PAP candidates (true, a rarity given Opp candidates then, other than a few medical docs, few if any PhD I can recall)

2. He carried some angst even then - proud of the fact that he, a one-time NUS reject, is now a PhD lecturer in the very University that once reject him presumably on grades entry.

3. His ideas quite lucidly captured in his 1st book : Dare to Change. He put in effort. Compiling research to present in Parliamentary Hearings on medical costs only for the PAP to mock his 'typo' errors.

Like Scroobal, I believe Chee genuinely believe the Western view that Democracy is a universal good, forms/practices and all - cultural/political/societal considerations not withstanding. so, in the face of perceived injustice, out came the usual democracy fighters recipe book: hunger strike, sit-in, street protests, linked up with international democracy advocates (1-time running with Martin Lee from HK Democrats & Taiwan's DPP) etc etc.

PAP still under Old Man's Banyan Tree Shadow treat every opponent with overkill - but Chee provoked them further with his in-your-face confrontation as well as, face it, in terms of elocution & argument weaving, Dr Chee is a class above the PAP ministers even then.

The higher a profile Chee took, the more PAP wacked him - and sometimes, Chee overzealously supply his own hang rope. The Jurong East market bellowing : don't run! answer me! where's the money in stark contrast to the smiling mild Woody waving him off and not engaging Chee in anger - such contrast & Chee's image as a rabble-rouser is sealed in the public's mind forever.

I am sure along the way, the stress & injustice must have gotten to Chee. I remember attending a rally in JE stadium 2001GE, Chee brought his kiddie daughter to the rally and he & his forlorn family - really pitiful to watch. Still, he lost that GE.

The govt tracked him all the way : law suits, watching for foreign funds getting to him, preventing him to travel to network, painting him as megalomania etc etc.

Am sure around then, Chee decided OK, can't get elected - then let's do the next best thing : educate the people, show up the natural injustices. Hence all the silent protests by walking from point A to point B to Istana, wearing T-Shirts, challenging illegal assembly laws, holding talks indoor then police barged in with videocam but dunno how to charge him flouting what law - Home Team under WKS is a laughing stock.

Today, if I am Chee, I will remain an undischarged bankrupt ineligible to stand for elections - to be forever a visual reminder to the world of PAP's kiasu persecution of Organized Dissent. Damn it, in 1984, an voter displeasure by way of ballot box, LKY already deemed it as 'sophisticated' voters wanting to exert pressure on the govt !!!! Talk about being super-sensitive & paranoia kiasuism !

As for Aljunied GRC...

Alex Au's analysis pretty comprehensive... Scroobal not far off the mark too.

Macro - national trend towards younger voters unhappy with PAP govt, 2006 was already a harbinger of things to come
Micro - Lim Hwee Hua's elitist ways & foreign dorm in Ser Gdns episode etc etc

coupled with: hardwork, low profile, regular ground visits, market tours by Sylvia & Low ..... sincerity & visibility

then top line reason, prize-catch Chen Sow Mou - distinguished Sporean who distinguished himself in international M&A law practice
but bottom line: the resolute disciplined no-nonsense leadership of Low Thia Khiang ( in the mold of old school Chinese educated politicians like Lim Chin Siong, LKY's much respected erstwhile comrade cum opponent). 15 years in Hougang, challenged by Old Man to get out of comfort zone & charge at a GRC. He bidded his time & gamely took on the challenge - but on his own timing & readiness.

In contrast, fellow Aljunied 2006 team member, Goh Meng Seng, in the interim left WP, rose to be Sec-Gen in NSP & then got his moment in the sun when he appeared on Channel News Asia & online/offlilne engage one & all, what sell flat raise election deposit etc etc, back Tan Kin Lian & made it a point to highlight that in TKL's public rallies....sheeessh.....

readers, make up your own mind which Opp leader is more serious minded, resolute and mean business.

The rest is history.

Low, in the aftermath of the historic GRC smash & grab & still retain Hougang, gave interviews to the media (rarely hence taken seriously) - espouses the Nantah Spirit as a component of his motivation amongst others....

Really he stands arms & shoulders above the other Opp party leaders from Chee to Sebastian Teo to Kenneth Jeyaratnam.
I sometimes hallucinate and imagine fellow Chinese educated comrade Lim Chin Siong cheering from the other side.

so, there goes... my 2 cents worth.

The 2011 Aljunied Team from WP with the inclusion of Chen & Pritam is easily the best Opp GRC Team in my view - better then flowery Francis Seow, indignant Tang Liang Hong & the likes......

I have high hopes for their performance in the 12th Parliament - but surely they will always fall short in the eyes of the die-hard bitter PAP haters like PAPSmearer & Chaopappypoodle, so 60% get fucked left right centre again & forum life here goes on as before .......

 

[HedgeTrader]

I was appalled to find that CALD backs the yellow shirts.

Why I not surprised or appalled? They're funded by yellow shirts anti-Thaksin. Thaksin when in power refuse to support ASSK LOL

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Fordenvet

Its not Chee's words but the words of the not so clued in leader of CLAD awarding him the errr award.

Locke

What a way to start a Sunday afternoon teatime. CSJ exposed himself by his own lies again. When he took over SDP, he wasn't by any measure a lone fighter as he claimed and lied to be without a blink. He took over the biggest opposition party in Singapore then and managed to waste it down to the smallest within a decade. Nobody, not even LKY, jailed him for under ISD or any political pretense. There's no need to, he's a loser. He intentionally broke laws and defame people to get himself jailed and disqualified. And what's CALD? Nothing but totally unelected by anyone in any democracy in Asia but posturing to represent the whole Asia.

You have gone to the country and the country has spoken. You've lost. What's non-conformity? Is it something heroic after not winning your way? That's called a trantrum. His reference to thaw in political scene reflects even worse on his character and political acumen. WP won the seats to start the thaw, not SDP.