Gomez launches website

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Jan 15, 2010

Gomez launches website
Singaporeans for Democracy is led by former WP candidate

<!-- by line --> By Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong
<!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --> <!-- story content : start --> A GROUP of activists went ahead and launched the website of a civil society organisation last night despite not having obtained official approval for the registration of the society. Dr James Gomez, a Workers' Party (WP) candidate in the 2006 general election but who has since left the party, launched the website of Singaporeans for Democracy (SFD) during a public dialogue organised by another group, a political discussion group called Talk Politics. The latter, which comprises university students and young adults, has been meeting weekly for the past three months to discuss issues related to civil society and politics. Dr Gomez told the gathering, held at a function room of the Post-Museum eatery in Rowell Road, that the SFD aims to promote civil and political reforms among Singaporeans here and abroad using new media tools. An application to the Registry of Societies (ROS) to register the group, submitted last April, has yet to be approved, said the Australia-based academic, who is currently in Singapore on a two-month visit. A check on the SFD website shows that the draft Constitution says the SFD aims to 'advocate for political and legislative reform in line with the principles embedded in the Singapore National Pledge to build a democratic society based on justice and equality'.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.

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[email protected]

 

[cheekenpie]

No approval yet, but website launched

The site can be found here: http://sfd.sg/

No approval yet, but website launched
Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong
Fri, Jan 15, 2010
The Straits Times
http://tinyurI.com/yc686qr

A GROUP of activists went ahead and launched the website of a civil society organisation last night despite not having obtained official approval for the registration of the society.

Dr James Gomez, a Workers' Party (WP) candidate in the 2006 general election but who has since left the party, launched the website of Singaporeans for Democracy (SFD) during a public dialogue organised by another group, a political discussion group called Talk Politics.

The latter, which comprises university students and young adults, has been meeting weekly for the past three months to discuss issues related to civil society and politics.

 

[tonychat]

Re: No approval yet, but website launched

What is there to approve? He has the right to do anything he wants. Nohting wrong in that.

 

[keyboard_hero]

Re: No approval yet, but website launched

James Gomez forgot about the need for confirmation of approval lah or maybe believe there's need to when it involves the internet!

 

[Char_Azn]

Re: No approval yet, but website launched

James Gomez forgot about the need for confirmation of approval lah or maybe believe there's need to when it involves the internet!

They will show him another video captured on CCTV of the officials telling him the need for approval when he submitted his application :p:p:p

 

[scoobyhoo]

Just look at his past, and you'll know his true self. simple.

 

[ThePlen]

James Gomez starts new civil society

No approval yet, but website launched

A GROUP of activists went ahead and launched the website of a civil society organisation last night despite not having obtained official approval for the registration of the society.

Dr James Gomez, a Workers' Party (WP) candidate in the 2006 general election but who has since left the party, launched the website of Singaporeans for Democracy (SFD) during a public dialogue organised by another group, a political discussion group called Talk Politics.

The latter, which comprises university students and young adults, has been meeting weekly for the past three months to discuss issues related to civil society and politics.

 

[Alamaking]

Re: James Gomez starts new civil society

Lego land izzit? lol

 

[IR123]

Re: No approval yet, but website launched

They will show him another video captured on CCTV of the officials telling him the need for approval when he submitted his application :p:p:p

This is the part that created very strong reservations about him.

Why must it take a video to bring out the truth?

 

[scroobal]

Re: No approval yet, but website launched

Lol!...........

they will show him another video captured on cctv of the officials telling him the need for approval when he submitted his application :p:p:p

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Well, you may mock at James but in my view, he has successfully captured the imagination of the young ones.

This little dance on the grey aread on legality will be something that will excite and gain respect from the young ones. He has indeed danced well. He will continue to tango along if the authority or establishment does not know how to react to his latest stunt in putting forward the application of a "political NGO".

Goh Meng Seng

 

[scroobal]

Actually, its great way to push ROS. What the hell are the authorities waiting for anyway. I don't think its a breach, as the content is about the application process and details about the desire to form a group. We Singaporeans tend to think that every step must be approved by the authorities.

They also got the publicity and the idiots in SPH as expected turned it as a controversy and what better way to plug it.

In this business you got to push the envelope. And this is a first great step.

Well, you may mock at James but in my view, he has successfully captured the imagination of the young ones.

This little dance on the grey aread on legality will be something that will excite and gain respect from the young ones. He has indeed danced well. He will continue to tango along if the authority or establishment does not know how to react to his latest stunt in putting forward the application of a "political NGO".

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Ah Hai]

Dr James Gomez Speech at JBJ Memorial Jan 5, 2010
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[Ah Hai]

It is Think Centre version 2.0, insists former WP member James Gomez

Wednesday, 6 January 2010, 6:10 pm | 2,023 views

Ravi Philemon

During JB Jeyaretnam’s birthday memorial yesterday, Dr James Gomez revealed publicly he is in the process of registering a political association called Singaporeans for Democracy (SfD).

In an exclusive interview with The Online Citizen, Dr James Gomez revealed that SfD has pushed the Registry of Societies (ROS) with the innovations to SfD’s constitution.

“In our constitution, we have specified that we will have the option of starting foreign chapters of our organisation; and one of the objectives in our constitution states that we will apply the use of new media tools for organizational matters, information dissemination, networking, mobilization and advocacy to promote democracy,” said Dr Gomez.

Dr Gomez believes that Singapore being the most wired nation in the world and being a global city, should be ready for such innovative constitutions from its civil society organisations. “We already have overseas voting,” he reminds. He was also quick to point out that SfD does not even need to register themselves with ROS, because they are already doing whatever they have stated in their objectives as they would do, in their own individual capacities.

“But we want to remain open, accountable and transparent”, says Dr Gomez and registering with ROS he believes will show to the people that they are serious players who want to play their part in shaping the national discourse. “And registration with ROS will also help us administratively, for example in opening a bank account and so on”, he says.

When asked if he will be joining any other political parties, Dr Gomez says that he has no such plans for the short-term. “I need time to properly establish SfD. I also want raise my profile as an academic”, he says.

James Gomez’s (JG) exclusive interview with The Online Citizen (TOC)

TOC: Is Singaporeans for Democracy (SfD) a political party?

JG: No. SfD is applying to Singapore’s Registrar of Societies to register as an independent non-governmental organisation that will focus on issues related to civil and political rights.

TOC: What does Singaporeans for Democracy want to do?

JG: SfD wants to campaign on selected civil and political issues and advocate for legislative reform to ensure that Singaporean enjoy meaningful democracy based on justice and equality as expressed in the National Pledge. For example, SfD will campaign and advocate for changes to the Films Acts to ensure that Singaporeans are able to fully explore this medium to express their political views.

TOC: What kind of approach will SfD take in campaigning for democracy?

JG: SfD will take a multi-partisan approach, this means working in coalition and in partnership with individuals, NGOs, political parties that share a similar ideal to further democracy. The nature of the coalition and partnership is expected to be dynamic based on the type of civil and political issue.

TOC: Who are the current members of SfD?

JG: SfD’s pro-tem committee is presently made up of Singaporeans who have had activist experience and a track record in promoting democracy as individuals, as NGO members or as political party activists in both the pre and post internet environment.

TOC: What kind of members is SfD looking for?

JG: SfD welcomes members and associate members who have a shared objective to promote democracy, who believe in the importance of a multi-partisan approach and are willing to stand together with other SfD members. Although activism experience is welcome, it is not a pre-requisite. But SfD prefers members who want to go beyond discussions and blogging.

TOC: Is SfD affiliated with any particular organisation or ideology?

JG: No. SfD is an independent organisation. However, it respects its members’ rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression. SfD places no restrictions or conditions over its members’ affiliations with other organisations.

TOC: How is SfD different from other political associations or NGOs in Singapore?

JG: We do not want spend time outlining differences with other organisations but rather to state that SfD focuses on citizen political activism, in particular to campaign and advocate for civil and political reform that will be ultimately reflected through changes in legislation. SfD is not affixed to any particular method of activism, it will be flexible and adapt as it goes along. SfD is not a discussion or a journalist group. It is an advocacy group.

TOC: Will SfD focus only on Singapore issues?

JG: SfD is a democracy NGO. Although its primary focus will be Singapore it will tap into other democracy issues, movements and organisations at the regional and global level. The purpose it to facilitate an exchange of ideas and to ensure regional and global solidarity with issues related to democracy. As part of our regional and global reach, we plan to have Singaporean focal persons in locations where there is a sizeable overseas Singaporean presence.

TOC: Will SfD use the internet?

JG: In current times not using the internet is not an option. However, SfD will be specifically looking into internet tools that can be used for social and political mobilization. We will also be using the internet to introduce innovations into how we hold SfD committee meetings, general meetings and voting on internal matters in order to include overseas based Singaporean members into SfD’s decision making processes.

TOC: Why the name Singaporeans for Democracy?

JG: We choose the name Singaporeans for Democracy because the words “Singapore” and “Democracy” are taken from the National Pledge and its fits naturally with our objectives and aims. However, we realise that various organisations have used or use different combinations of the same words to name their organisation. We are aware the term Singaporeans for Democracy was also once used by a now defunct website. SfD has no relationship with these organisations.

Footnote: Although Dr James Gomez will not directly confirm who the pro-tem members of SfD are, TOC’s sources have revealed that the pro-tem members besides Mr James Gomez include:

* Chong Kai Xiong
* Chia Ti Lik
* Tian Jing
* Shafiie Syahmi
* Seelan Palay
* Noora Zu
* Rachel Zeng
* Ho Choon Hiong
* Isrizal Mohamed Isa
* Jacob George
* Martyn See

 

[Ah Hai]

SFD will take “bearings from the pledge”

Gracing the tenth session of Talk Politics All Night Long, an informal political discussion initiative, Dr James Gomez shared more details on Singaporeans for Democracy (SFD), the upcoming non-governmental organization that he is heading.

The usually low-key dialogue series acquired an unexpected air of a press conference, with the media crew from the Straits Times, TODAY, CNA and Al-Jazeera jostling for space in a crowded room at the Post-Museum.

Promising to keep the SFD “very local”, Dr Gomez indicated that the organization will take its “bearings from the pledge”, with political and civil reforms featuring high on the SFD’s agenda.

In response to a query from Kenneth Jeyaratnam, the secretary-general of the Reform Party, Dr Gomez denied any intention to evolve the SFD into a political party – although the SFD would not be averse to collaborating with opposition parties. However, Dr Gomez reminded the audience that SFD’s top priority at the moment was to complete the registration for the group, which has yet to receive approval from the authorities.

Submitted about nine months ago, Dr Gomez said that the pro-tem committee – three others were introduced: Seelan Palay, Rachel Zeng and Ho Choon Hiong – was “hopeful and optimistic” that approval will be secured.

“I understand that [registration] takes time,” he concedes.

Revealing that consultations with stakeholders will be held after an approval, the SFD hopes to “professionalize NGO activities” and “stabilize the (civil society) structure”. However, Dr Gomez clarified that the SFD will not try to dominate, but merely be a “component of the landscape”.

The SFD, in its willingness to cooperate with the opposition, appears to be forging a new path of direct and open collaboration between NGO and political parties, hence undermining the conventional impression that civil society should remain non-partisan. The SFD’s efforts to carve this space would allow the prospect of more ventures between opposition parties and civil society groups, thus abetting the growth of pluralism in Singapore.

However, while potential for synergy between the opposition and the SFD abounds, it remains to be seen whether any opposition party will be ready to claim that offer. Other than Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam and some supporters of the Reform Party, as well as members of the Singapore Democratic Party’s youth wing, no other political personalities of note were present.

Beyond figuring out the appropriate areas of cooperation, it will be a daunting task to demarcate clear lines of responsibility with an organization that has activists replete with their own experience. That the SFD may lose its non-partisan independence and be perceived as being coeval with the opposition parties it cooperates with is another danger that the fledging NGO has to face.

During the session, Dr Gomez also observed the improved circumstances from a decade ago when political organizations such as the Roundtable and Socratic Circle were subjected to stricter rules pertaining to public outreach. However, certain laws still remain that may circumscribe the growth of NGOs, such as the Political Donations Act which prohibits any foreign funding, and the requirement for political associations to register their websites separately.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Scroobal,

Sometimes I really think you are hell of a political animal!

It is a pity that you are not going to come out and stand on our side.

Many people tend to shy away from "controversy" but the truth is, if you could be right in the middle of controversy but get away with it untainted, you will truly be a "public figure". James has done well in this aspect. Many people mock at him with that little form thing but the truth is, even the police cannot find any fault or wrong doing whatsoever about his pure absent mindedness.

On the other hand, in contrast, Yaw SL got himself in a very bad controversy which will have that label stuck with him forever, the opposition member that voted PAP!

Politicians live with publicity just like fish living in water. There are politicians who really think keeping a low profile during off elections time while showing their faces on the media during election time will make them look good. Sigh.

Goh Meng Seng

Actually, its great way to push ROS. What the hell are the authorities waiting for anyway. I don't think its a breach, as the content is about the application process and details about the desire to form a group. We Singaporeans tend to think that every step must be approved by the authorities.

They also got the publicity and the idiots in SPH as expected turned it as a controversy and what better way to plug it.

In this business you got to push the envelope. And this is a first great step.

 

[scroobal]

James has one thing going for him and thats the ability not to readily assume that everything that is done by the government has to be right. Singaporeans generally fall into 2 camps, the vast majority work on the basis that the govt is always right until proven otherwise. The second group operates on the basis that everything the govt does is wrong.

Sr Policy makers are trained not to assume anything and have to operate on first principles and having proven and verifiable data plus making reasonable assumptions where data is not available. Unfortunately the whole country does not. We vhave been conditioned not to thi9nk but to accept as an intuitive first step.

Jeremy and Kian Beng clearly operate from the first group. The word "despite" in their article is clearly indicative of that. The other interesting thing is the lack of enthusiasm in their article. In a country where political apathy is extremely high, the emergence of anyone or anything looking like a player in the politica space should be welcomed like manna from heaven. Clearly PAP is good but anything else is bad is an inbuilt condition.

These 2 clowns could have used the space to talk about other more things such as the group's constitution, the lean towards and influence of social documentary filmmakers etc. The emergence of an NGO of this nature that is expected not to toe the line in contrast to Maurah etc is another angle.

Scroobal,

Sometimes I really think you are hell of a political animal!

It is a pity that you are not going to come out and stand on our side.

Many people tend to shy away from "controversy" but the truth is, if you could be right in the middle of controversy but get away with it untainted, you will truly be a "public figure". James has done well in this aspect. Many people mock at him with that little form thing but the truth is, even the police cannot find any fault or wrong doing whatsoever about his pure absent mindedness.

On the other hand, in contrast, Yaw SL got himself in a very bad controversy which will have that label stuck with him forever, the opposition member that voted PAP!

Politicians live with publicity just like fish living in water. There are politicians who really think keeping a low profile during off elections time while showing their faces on the media during election time will make them look good. Sigh.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[longbow]

Website does not a society make

 

[methink]

Website does not a society make

It is a start.

SfD could be the catalyst for a joint team of oppositionists to form GRC teams.

For starters, Team 1 could comprise of James Gomes, Chia Ti Lik, Tan Kin Lian, M Jufrie, etc

Team 2 :- Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Goh Meng Seng, Steve Chia, Abdul Salim, etc