Kenneth Jeyaretnam must be feeling very smug and patting himself on the back now that the UNOHR (Office of Human Rights) has joined Amnesty International and others in highlighting Amos Yee's case and plight. In fact he's been very busy writing about this to them, on his blog and urging people (via FB) to write to these bodies and even foreign journals. He 'seems' extremely concerned about Amos and has no qualms in comparing Amos to other political prisoners like Aung San Suu Kyi and Nelson Mandela.
1. Kenneth Jeyaretnam calls Amos Yee 'Singapore's Youngest Political Prisoner!'
'Singapore's Youngest Political Prisoner' - Amos Yee. Of course only special kind of persons like Kenneth Jeyaretnam can grant this title! Or have a 'special kind of stupid.'
And the only place to go for that is KJ's very own Facebook (FB) page - entitled Kenneth Jeyaretnam TeamRp. And true to form he came out with this gem:
"He has not learnt his lesson" Clearly Amos will be kept in prison until they succeed in breaking him and then sent off to NS which he is likely to serve in jail. Singapore's youngest political prisoner!"
I nearly fell off my chair laughing reading that last bit! 'Youngest political prisoner!!' Has KJ been living on the moon? Has he not been following the saga despite commenting on it on numerous occasions? Is he blind, dumb or both? Did he not watch and read the insults to Christianity? Did he not read of the incessant lying by Amos, the unfounded and vile allegations of molest against his former bailor Vincent Law? Has he not read the incidents which led to the DPP requesting an urgent meeting with the judge following the boy's refusal to meet his probation officer? Has he not read the vile and continuous posts he's made even up to the eve of June 2 hearing - again and again insulting Jesus and Christianity? Where's the politics in this pray tell? Is Jesus a politician? Is Christianity a religion or political movement? Or even opponent like the PAP?
2. Honest Conversations Only Available on KJ's FB Page!
This is not some outside observer or ordinary member of public making these remarks, this is a leader of a political party - a party that intends to run in elections and seek to form a Govt or be part of 1, if it succeeds. Normally I wouldn't bother, but because of this fact and another very crucial 1, I decided to comment on this FB post on KJ TeamRp's wall. That other crucial bit, is KJ's very own description of his page:
'The only honest conversation you ever need is the one on this page.'
KJ's TeamRp FB page. The only page you need to have honest conversations and accurate truths - like this one proclaiming LKY's death 10 days beforehand!
Since he himself advocates free speech, honest debate and conversations, I decided to respond and made a post to the effect that this while at first appearing as 'political,' in the final analysis is not it. It's about respecting religions and Singaporeans from all ages and faiths have always taken the line that this must be so.
A regular user and supporter of his page responded and we had a bit 'back and forth.' She tried to toe the 'party line' and agreed with KJ, trying to deflect - claiming he's only a kid. But I pointed out that he's not a juvenile - he's above 16 years. Juveniles are charged in Juvenile Court and can be sent to the Boy's Home if probation or mandatory community orders don't work. The decision taken was also not RTC at first, it was probation - a very light sentence with copious amount of freedom, but he foolishly refused to comply. She claimed in the West, youths are not sent to borstals (RTC) for such offences. That's true, however as I said, try refusing to comply to directions from a court, and calling the judge a bitch, not to mention various acts of contempt, and see whether a judge in the West will or will not sent a 16 year old to borstal.
3. What Kind of Freedoms of Speech are We Talking About?
And what about freedom of speech? Well freedom of speech here doesn't allow you to condemn religions like he did. I told her to Google Westboro Baptist Church. The members of this church routinely turn up at funerals of dead soldiers, taunting them and wishing God will place more IEDs in their way. They also condemn gays as freaks and all sorts of other uncouth things. But they cannot be charged in the USA, because that's free speech. And that's the free speech that Amos is advocating. Do we want this kind of free speech here? Free speech to him means he can call his father a bastard and dumb-fuck, his mother a bitch, he can call his bailor a molester, he can insult Christianity. Take a look at his 'Pink Dot' post. Another attack on Christianity. Can you imagine if the same kind of dispute that occurred last year between certain Muslim groups and Pink Dot, happened this year or in future, you think Amos won't next mock Islam? In his final bravado before the June 2 hearing, he again uploaded the obscene caricature he was ordered to take down, but this time he captioned it - 'Immaculate Conception.' This might just have a literal meaning to non-Christians, but to Christians and Catholics in particular it refers to a specific event that is at the very centre of their faith - Immaculate Conception means the very act of the Virgin Mary becoming pregnant with the infant Jesus, through the will of God and not by man. That phrase with caricature is extremely offensive. It doesn't matter if some Christians are forgiving and won't take offense, some definitely will and even non-Christians have a right to feel offended. Because who's to say he won't next offend another religion? Or even if nothing is done about this, then next time someone else does it, they can come out and say - 'Hey look Amos Yee could insult religion and nothing happened, no action taken, you therefore cannot take action against us.'
Westboro Baptist Church members exercising 'their freedom of speech,' picketing a funeral of a fallen soldier. They can do so and others can also condemn religion in the USA. Is this the kind of freedom of speech we want? Because that's exactly what Amos Yee thinks we should. Are his supporters 'intentionally blind' to this notion as well?
Finally the user tried to relate the cases involving Amy and Jason, where they weren't prosecuted. Indeed, but big difference there, they apologised almost immediately and withdrew the remarks. It was 1 post and no repeated uploading, re-posting or continuous new insults. And moreover Amos isn't being singled out because it's 'political,' others have been prosecuted before. A young man was jailed for insulting Islam and so were a Christian couple who sent offensive anti-Muslim pamphlets to several people through the post, including to Muslims who were naturally offended about remarks made against the Prophet Muhammad.
4 Rebutting Kenneth Jeyaretnam and Others.
Since KJ advocated free speech I again reiterated what it really was - a spoilt youth who continued to defy the Law and he himself said he won't back down because of the support from some of his 'fans' convinced him he was right to continue post such things. And I asked this supporter, if KJ is so angry at this 'injustice' or disagreed with the ruling or sentence, why didn't he step forward? He could have met the lawyers with the parents and urged them to appeal, or launch a judicial review if he thought the Law was unjust. Why didn't he go all the way? I know M Ravi definitely would if he felt the prosecution unfair and the Law unjust. Why didn't KJ do the most obvious thing and persuade his brother Phillip, 1 of the top lawyers here, to take up the case pro-bono and launch an appeal or judicial review? I concluded by reminding that as a free speech advocate, KJ must also accept that people like myself, who are not PAP voters, can also have a right to criticise opposition figures when they make a lapse of judgment. I hoped he's not like his pal Roy Ngerng, who's only view is that he's correct. As long as you disagree with a position he takes, his 1 and only argument in response - "Oh these people are pro-PAP IBs out to get me, so I'm gonna block them from my page. You have to agree with everything I say, or else I don't want to hear it." These are not the kind of candidates we want in opposition - if they cannot take criticism from within, how are they ever gonna take on the PAP? FB is not politics, you cannot simply block and delete every user/comment that chides you for your silly or inadequate arguments.
It seems KJ must not only be shielded from the sun, but from anyone rebutting his infantile or illogical arguments online. So much for having 'an honest conversation.'
Having established my points and answering the points raised by this user, I left it that. KJ was out she said, so I supposed he'll have something to say when he returned to view his page. I knew there would be very little legs for him to stand on. He approached the whole thing from the outset in the wrong way. The best would be to leave it at that, and ignore my remarks. Because he could never come up a suitable explanation or ignore the facts of the case which clearly points to a misguided and wayward youth, it would trump any political motive behind his prosecution.
Put simply -
Why didn't he meet the parents, and volunteer his expertise? He has a teenage son, he could even offer to be Amos' guardian - guide him and let his son interact with him. Why all the empty talk, meaningless letters (which would be impossible to act upon because of the illegality it suggested, more on this later) which he purposely uploaded for all to see, funny stunts, holding a cardboard and covering his mouth to suggest lack of free speech? Because like his good pal Roy, he saw an opportunity to 'milk this for political reasons.' I don't disagree the initial prosecution was rather hasty, but just look at what transpired since then - we are witnessing an ever increasing number of defiance and disregard for the Law and a total lack of respect for religion. Even if the prosecution didn't charge him then, it would be a remiss of them if they didn't charge him subsequently. He's deliberately asking for it. I understand from various sources that a number of people are/were contemplating lodging further police reports over the content he's continued to post. The only reasons they've held back are due to the on-going case and because of the call by the prosecution to seek reformative training
5. Another Offensive Amos Yee Video from earlier.
Take a look at this earlier video from Amos Yee. The title itself is offensive especially to any Muslim. Telling them that their religious beliefs and philosophies are inferior to his very own. In it he also mocks Buddhists for believing Buddha gained enlightenment by sitting under a tree and meditating and says he's not sorry for an earlier video mocking the Chinese Zodiac.
No Offence? Perhaps KJ and others should go watch this video of his! It clearly shows a kid who's either sick or been spoilt rotten. The title itself is offensive to Muslims - Philosophy Of Amos Yee (BETTER THAN BUDDHA, JESUS CHRIST AND ALLAH COMBINED)
Still not convinced this is offensive? So some may say - but in the West this is not an offence to mock religion. Oh okay, but what about his remarks on Blacks? Gang-raped by 'N-word.' Try saying this in the West and see what happens! This is still freedom of speech? And he goes on telling people not to bother to respect parents, go ahead and steal if you must, abandon your parents if they prevent or don't support your beliefs! This 1 video released earlier says it all and it only confirms what has transpired since. Still think this whole saga is politically motivated or actions by a kid whose mother refused to step in and guide, who continued to defied the Law?
If this was in the West, he'd be either savagely mocked or beaten and for spreading 'hate speech,' he might even be prosecuted - the remarks against the Blacks. But Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Roy Ngerng and all the others, choose to ignore every single 1 of his antics, wrongdoings and choices, and pounce on the 1 thing they want to milk - the remarks on Lee Kuan Yew. But was he charged for insulting Lee Kuan Yew or Christianity?
6. Kenneth Jeyaretnam 'Believes' in Free Speech ONLY if you Agree with Him!
Back to KJ's page - imagine my surprise a few hours later when trying to look up this FB page for further replies, only to find it doesn't appear in my search menu. Then it dawned on me - 'Ah unable to counter the arguments or admit he made a mistake, he did exactly what Roy would do - block me and delete the comments. So all the points raised would not appear under the post and only his 'infantile observations' and those that agree with him will remain. 'In-housekeeping' I think is the phrase here. Tell the world you're a free speech advocate and people can have honest conversations, and portray a page that shows just that - page where everyone basically agrees with you! Very honest indeed! He pretends it was never there and instead answers a user who asks in what way is he, 'Singapore's youngest political prisoner', with this comedy gold reply:
'Nelson Mandela was convicted of terrorism in a court of law yet no one has any doubt he was a political prisoner.'
Amos Yee is like Nelson Mandela according to Kenneth Jeyaretnam - a political prisoner.
And so Kenneth Jeyaretnam has decreed that Amos Yee is like Mandela! Thus it's no surprise to see Amos relate himself to Mandela, Suu Kyi and Gandhi. And Kenneth has written to all these foreign bodies to politicise this. For good measure he even claimed that a Law Professor who writes a blog - 'Article 14 blog, agrees with him!' I gather from informed sources that this Law Professor has done nothing of the sort - Kenneth merely name dropping to buttress his case. To put it diplomatically - let's just say 'this legal eagle's view of Kenneth Jeyaretnam is very much opposite to Kenneth Jeyaretnam's view of himself.'
7. Making it Political.
He had previously written to the PM as RP leader demanding a stop to the boy's prosecution. Pretty strange that - as a political leader, he actually wants another political leader to step in and interfere in the prosecutorial and judicial process. Whatever happened to his previous complaints that the judicial process and legal system here is not free and fair? Now he actually wants the PM to interfere and direct the AG as Public Prosecutor (PP) to stop a criminal investigation and legal procedure? If the PM had done so in other cases, he'd be on it in a flash. And moreover it'll be a criminal offence for the PM to actually direct the PP to stop a legal process, because the Law only empowers the PP (or his designated deputies and assistants) and no one else, to launch or discontinue prosecutions based on established legal convention and laws.
8. No one can stop the Judicial Process Now.
And that's exactly what some others including these foreign bodies want - the PAP Govt to step in and halt the judicial process! They accuse the Courts of being politically influenced without evidence, but now want political interference to obtain a verdict or outcome they desire! So when it suits them, it's alright for a Govt to interfere with the Judiciary - disregarding the principle core of Separation of Powers in any democratic country - independence of the Judiciary.
All these are merely political plays to suit their argument - to milk this for political reasons. Put simply and plainly - no one, I repeat no one, can interfere with the case now. The PP or his DPPs have a right to discontinue prosecution in any trial before the Courts before a verdict is reached. A verdict has been reached in this case, as such even the PP has no more say in the matter, except to present his arguments on sentence. Only 1 person can affect the case now - District Judge Jasvender Kaur. But even she cannot alter her verdict now - once delivered, only an appellate court can overturn it. All that is left now is the sentence. And who can say she's being unfair? She called for a probation report, Amos and his mother refused to even meet the probation officer. His lawyers wanted him to seek psychiatric assessment, he discontinued and now that the Court has ordered it, people still wanna cry foul?
While 1 can sympathise with Mary Toh, having to watch her son jailed and suffer inside prison and now IMH, the inescapable fact remains that she herself is as culpable as him. She simply refused to draw the line and ensure he behaves himself, respects the Law and treat people decently. Instead she gives in and lets him do whatever he wants and even encourages him. She's now even resorted to updating his FB page for him while he's remanded. Are such actions past and present beneficial to his case and plight? Has she ever stopped to think about it? Even the most basic step of getting him to follow his own lawyer's advise? These are the best people to help him and she doesn't ensure he follows such advise and now bemoans his plight. If she doesn't step in - it'll be a matter of time in future, when he re-offends and again faces the music.
This matter could have so easily resolved it itself, if he had gone to IMH on his accord or accepted probation. No instead he says he has 'balls of steel' and encouraged by his so-called 'fans.' People like KJ, Roy and others. And now they wanna cry foul about his treatment? They now want the Court to grant him special treatment both at Changi and IMH, different to other remand prisoners? He's under warrant of committal by a Court of Law, the Prison authorities will house in circumstances that befit such an order, under lock and key in a cell. Now we have his mother posting on FB on his behalf bemoaning his condition inside prison and now IMH. He thought it was a game and she readily allowed him to do whatever he wants, ignoring all the warning signs. And now she cries foul? Does she think prison is a holiday camp, or that her son will get preferential treatment?
9. The Correct and Legal Way to Challenge his Detention.
Instead of politicising it, if KJ and others really had his interests at heart, there were several things they could have done. KJ also foolishly posed holding a placard demanding Amos release,and even another with a banana, not realising what the banana symbolised in the youth's warped mind. (I'm sure given his vulgar displays and descriptions, many a discerning reader would be able to). But okay we can ignore this, stupidity after all is not an offence, and KJ has every right to be stupid, like contesting in Punggol East and losing his deposit. He also went on to say that he'll even help Amos to sue his assailant for damages. Very noble indeed. I assume he's prepared to pay the legal fees for the boy, although he's already 'swiped $20,000 (according to him)' and that his parents are not exactly poor?
The 1st thing KJ should have done if he really wanted to help Amos, would be to get his brother Phillip (a) - a Senior Counsel or his law firm to defend him. Isn't that the most obvious thing?
He and others could have met his mother and advised her. He could have got Phillip Jeyaretnam to advise her. He could get specialist psychiatrists (even from abroad) to analyse and interview the kid. He could have persuaded the mother to take a more principal and proper role in guiding her child, whilst advising her of the dangers. He and others could volunteer their time and help in the matter. He and others could have written to various Church leaders to get their support. They should have written to the AGC with all of these when he was first charged and before the verdict. Instead they went writing to all these irrelevant bodies, hoping to make Amos Yee a 'political prisoner.' What good is that to his case?
Now the only options left is to await the sentence - nothing can be done in the interim, the judicial process once started cannot be so easily stopped. He'll either get an MTO (Mandatory Treatment Order) if he's found to have 'autism spectrum disorder,' or reformative training. If he gets the former, KJ and gang should now spend time advising him and his mother on the importance of attending this treatment. And stop making offensive posts, if not RTC is already found to be suitable for him.
And then, instead of writing to the PAP Govt or getting other bodies to write to them, the correct ways are as follows;
a) Appeal the conviction/sentence and post bail.
b) Petition the President to grant a pardon, stating their case clearly, not politicising it, but instead referring only to the length of sentence already served, assurances of proper parental control, full support for psychiatric treatment, an apology by Amos (until now, no one has asked him to apologise sincerely) and a promise of no repeat during the duration of treatment. (These points can also be raised in an appeal)
10. So is Amos Yee a Political Prisoner?
The answer to this question is a Definite YES. No he's not a political prisoner of the State. You will note that the PAP Govt or even the PM, has said very little (or nothing) about this case. Why? Because they know it's a legal matter - 1 for prosecutors and then the Courts to determine. For them to intervene in an on-going court case would be illegal. Even the Workers Party and most other political parties have not come out to interfere with the legal process or comment on it. They might once the case is over, which would be the correct way, or they could simply ignore it as they have already done.
Looney Fringe Roy Ngerng / KJ. Which of these phrases best describes them? 1. Great Men Think Alike. 2. Fools Seldom Differ. No prizes for the correct answer!
But Amos Yee has become a political prisoner of Kenneth Jeyaretnam, his Reform Party and of course the Looney Fringe led by Roy Ngerng. Instead of taking steps to help Amos in a meaningful way vis-à-vis his legal problems, of which they were many and there still are, they are politicising it and continue to politicise for their own purposes. KJ, Roy and others are busy writing to bodies with no real power (and no proper understanding of the facts), and thus giving themselves many new avenues to be interviewed and appear in media articles and videos. Amos Yee benefits nothing from these, not 1 of these foreign bodies or states they are in are gonna offer him asylum. Like KJ and Roy, they are happy to milk this for its 'newsworthiness.' Something interesting to write about Singapore. Negative news are always the most newsworthy.
Conclusion.
The sad even tragic thing in all of this is that none of these so called 'fans and supporters' of Amos Yee has bothered to do anything meaningful to help his case. Don't just take my word, even his lawyers Messrs Dodwell and Co when they first took over the case, made a statement reiterating that their taking the case was in no way to be considered that they condoned his actions. They disagreed with the remarks in the video. They merely was following the principle that he had a right to legal representation.
Instead these supporters like KJ et al, have done more and more to egg him on, to encourage him down the path of defiance.The evidence was all there, not just from the offending video from which he was charged. It's even there in past videos (like the above), in his previous blog posts and others since. Not 1 of them even bothered to meet him and his mother and counsel them, to offer assistance, time and effort that could have made the case for his defense stronger.
What an excellent way to fight for Amos Yee! I'm sure the DPP will immediately drop the charges and the Judge will acquit him the moment they set eyes on this - especially the card-box wordings!
Instead they chose to be 'intentionally blind' to all he has done and continued to do. They didn't even once bother to suggest an apology and retraction, they didn't even condemn the offensive remarks against Christianity and Buddhism, even when he continued to post more vile comments. They didn't even chide him for accusing Vincent Law of molest. Yet they were only too happy to politicise the case and make Amos Yee 'their political prisoner.' Amos Yee was and remains their ticket to gaining a global audience and using it as political tool to attack their enemy - the PAP Govt. And that's the tragedy here - their hypocrisy. They cry foul and scream unfairness but dare not lift a finger to help, instead just engage in silly debates where they refuse to listen to any argument or logical reasons, only to those that share their same myopic and illogical views. But judging from the above video, I think KJ is also smart enough to know that if he were to really offer meaningful help, Amos Yee will almost surely at some point of time, turn on him and 'bite the hand that helped him,' like he has done so many times in the past. So it's just better to make Amos 'their political prisoner.'
Yes Amos Yee is indeed Singapore's "Youngest Political Prisoner." He's a 'political prisoner' of Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the Looney Fringe and others, who are using him and his plight for their own political agenda, not to help him legally.
However it'll be very interesting to see once this is finally over and when Amos is freed eventually, whether he'll trod down the same path again - insulting religion and attacking everyone who tries do good. It'll be even more interesting to see what or whether these supporters will continue to defend him then. Because you can't keep waving the political prisoner card while ignoring all the antics and anti-religious bile that comes out from his mouth and keyboard. I think he'll not stop until the Law makes him stop, and thus far I've yet to be proven wrong in this case. But don't worry about my views too much - you should instead go to KJ's FB page for an honest conversation - just don't forget that you actually have to agree with him!
http://anyhowhantam.blogspot.sg/2015/06/is-amos-yee-political-prisoner.html
Last edited:
