Jacob 69er

We can no longer afford PAP policies that only highlight our differences, instead of our commonality. Otherwise as a society we are finished. Multiculturalism, not PAP’s race-based policies James Gomez, Singapore Democrats, 5 Feb 2011 The changing racial demographics and rise in inter-ethnic marriages clearly point to the need to move towards a truly multicultural … Continue reading →

A film by James Leong & Lynn Lee which aired on the Al Jazeera English programme, Witness. Related links: International Harm Reduction Association report on Singapore to UN’s Universal Periodic Review Timeline of articles/reports/videos on Vui Kong’s case Singapore government bans book that delves into its use of the Death Penalty

“Behind the facade of a dynamic and open Singapore promoted by the government is a more sinister reality of serious restrictions on civil and political rights and determination to maintain one-party rule,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Behind the sunny Singaporean smile featured in tourism ads, there are iron teeth … Continue reading →

Excerpts from a chapter in the 2002 book Internet Politics: Surveillance and Intimidation in Singapore by Dr James Gomez. Singapore is often labeled as an authoritarian, semi-authoritarian or one party dominant state. However a useful way of understanding the ruling party’s control of Singapore is as a police state. The existence of “the police”, a … Continue reading →

20th Jan 2011: Court rejects lawyer’s appeal on Thaipusam guidelines. In another development, the facebook group Bring the Thaipusam BEAT Back, with critical comments of the guidelines from both Hindus and non-Hindus, has disappeared. The shortened link – http://on.fb.me/ezJw0J -went nowhere and a check on facebook itself came up empty. Human Rights lawyer M. Ravi … Continue reading →

This video is from The Online Citizen’s report Former ISA detainee Michael Fernandez rebuts MHA. He talks about the real life horrors he experienced at the place which is now open to the public and is billed as Singapore Ultimate Horror House. See also my post here.

I met an ex-colleague and an old friend last night. He celebrates Deepavali. When I wished him Happy Deepavali, he replied what happy deepavali… in a despondent tone. He started talking about his not-so-secure job and facing stiff competition from foreign workers. The huge numbers of foreigners here. He said what’s the point of us … Continue reading →

On 29th October, Singaporeans For Democracy submitted its report on Electoral Reform to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Watch this short video about the UPR followed by SFD’s media release. SFD submits report on Electoral Reform to UN Universal Periodic Review, SFD media release, 29 Oct 2010 Singaporeans For Democracy has submitted its report … Continue reading →

Teo Soh Lung speaking at the launch of her book Beyond the Blue Gate and Dr Kua Kia Soong’s 445 days under the ISA in Kuala Lumpur on 27 Oct 2010. See my post here on the launch of her book on 26th June 2010 in Singapore. Click on the names for videos of the … Continue reading →

How to propel a book to bestseller status James Gomez, The Malaysian Insider, October 21, 2010 OCT 21 — “Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Docks” is about to become Malaysia’s Strategic Information and Research Development Centre’s (SIRD) bestseller to date. The book has seen four print runs of 2,000, 1,000, 1,000 and … Continue reading →

Tan Wah Piow: Challenge Singapore’s Facade Democracy by James Gomez, The Online Citizen, 21 Sept 2010 Singapore’s façade democracy needs to be challenged if citizens want their political rights – this is what I took away from my one hour conversation with Tan Wah Piow at London Heathrow Airport on 19 September 2010. For Wah … Continue reading →

[original youtube link] SDP Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan rebuts Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew who said that open political contest in Singapore would lead to raced-based politics and “our society will be ripped apart.” – yourSDP.org Democrats to kick off GE season with pre-election rally Singapore Democrats, 13 Sept 2010 The Singapore Democrats will be … Continue reading →

Singapore’s current total population stands at 5.08 million people. Foreigners make up nearly 40%… No more the most open, theStar, 4 Sept 2010 INSIGHT: DOWN SOUTH By SEAH CHIANG NEE As Singapore’s infrastructure groans under the weight of a five million plus population – more than a third of them foreigners – there’s rising resentment … Continue reading →

MDA questions Seelan over Francis Seow video Singapore Democrats, 1 Sept 2010 Filmmaker and human rights campaigner Mr Seelan Palay has submitted a video to the Media Development Authority (MDA) for rating as required under the law. The video is an interview of Singapore’s former solicitor-general (SG) Mr Francis Seow. Mr Seelan had submitted the … Continue reading →

These videos were shot by Martyn See on 16th April 2005. Original video files here. Shanmugam Murugesu was hanged at dawn by the Singapore government on Friday, 13th May 2005. Let his death not be in vain, SDP, 13 May 2005 His face looked serene. Nothing betrayed the agonizing death that he was put through … Continue reading →

See media reports here. Timeline here.

There is virtually no precedent for a successful legal defense on issues deemed sensitive by Singaporean authorities. The US State Department and human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over judicial impartiality in political cases, such as ruling-party lawsuits against the opposition. British critic unlikely to find leniency in Singapore court Simon Montlake, Christian Science … Continue reading →

Media reports of the High Court’s judgement regarding Yong Vui Kong’s lawyer M.Ravi’s application for judicial review of clemency process. President has no discretion in clemency appeal The Online Citizen, 13 Aug 2010 “I therefore hold that the President has no discretion under the Constitution, and specifically under Article 22P, to grant pardons,” High Court … Continue reading →

Judgement for the application for judicial review of clemency process will be delivered by Justice Steven Chong in-chambers on 13th August at 9.45am, Court 5F, Supreme Court Building. [13th Aug update: President has no discretion in clemency appeal] See here for timeline of articles/videos/reports on Vui Kong’s case.

July 14, 2010: Martyn See complies with MDA’s order but video goes viral The Singapore government has banned Martyn See’s video recording of a speech by Dr Lim Hock Siew during the launch of the book The Fajar Generation in November 2009. Dr Lim was detained without trial for 19 years, from 1963 to 1982, … Continue reading →

What else can you call buggers who hide behind and use State powers to bring misery and pain to others for the sole reason of maintaining a stranglehold on power. Equally bad are those bastards who say they were just doing their jobs. Its no different from prostitution. My political awakening came about sometime between … Continue reading →

This is an exchange of letters between Vincent Cheng and the National Library Board (NLB). See also my posts here and here. Read also Martyn See’s post 23 years after Operation Spectrum: Ex-detainees recall mental and physical abuses. 29th May 2010 – Vincent Cheng to NLB Dear Sir/Madam, I am the person who has been … Continue reading →

[original link] FOR NEDA reveals the true story of Neda Agha-Soltan, who became another tragic casualty of Iran’s violent crackdown on post-election protests on June 20, 2009. Unlike many unknown victims, however, she instantly became an international symbol of the struggle: Within hours of Agha-Soltan’s death, cell phone photographs of her blood-stained face were held … Continue reading →

Singaporeans for Democracy (SFD) was conceptualised at a meeting of experienced activists in December 2008 to further civil and political reform in Singapore. Following this first meeting, further online and face-to- face consultations were held to identify key individuals who would form the pro-tem committee. After the pro-tem committee members were identified, it was agreed … Continue reading →

On the evening of 22nd April 2010, Singaporeans for Democracy (SFD) held discussions with the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. The SFD delegation – Dr. James Gomez, Seelan Palay, Rachel Zeng and Martyn See – met with the UN Rapporteur, Githu Muigai, who was accompanied by … Continue reading →

See James Gomez’s Monash University page here for this book which “provides the reader with an insider account on the workings of politics, surveillance and Internet control in the city-state.” Also available here his 1999 book Self-Censorship: Singapore’s Shame which “examines the culture of self-censorship in the city-state and explains why this practice leads to … Continue reading →

See my post here on another Al Jazeera English (AJE) news video and Singtel MioTV dropping AJE from its list of channels. TOC articles on homelessness in Singapore: Raiding the homeless – part two Raiding the homeless – in the middle of the night HDB’s inflexible policies will result in more homeless Singaporeans

Self-Censorship: Singapore’s Shame was written in 1999 and released in the same year. Its publication marked the founding of Think Centre and thrust its author, James Gomez, onto Singapore’s political landscape. The book examines the culture of self-censorship in the city-state and explains why this practice leads to the censorship of others. The action of … Continue reading →

In this episode we get up close with Dr James Gomez who was a candidate with the Workers’ Party in the 2006 general elections. He currently teaches at the Monash Asia Institite in Melbourne, Australia and heads a political group in Singapore called Singaporeans for Democracy. This will be the final episode of Let’s Talk … Continue reading →

The address of Singapore Democratic Party’s Secretary-General, Dr Chee Soon Juan, given at the SDP’s 30th year anniversary dinner at Concorde Hotel on 27 Feb 2010  – yourSDP.org Watch a video of the dinner here. And see my post on the commemorative magazine.

Watch Dr Lim Hock Siew’s speech at the launch of the book Fajar Generation and read Lee Kuan Yew had suggested “instigating riots and disorder” to crush opposition. The following articles were published in the Feb 19th 2010 edition of the Straits Times. Still dreaming of a socialist Singapore From student activist and PAP campaigner … Continue reading →

In this episode Mr Michael Fernandez relates his ordeal during his nine-year imprisonment under the Internal Security Act. Because of the intensity and interest of the subject we have broken up the interview into two parts. Following Part I of the interview, we present Part 2 in which Mr Fernandez relates his experiences as a … Continue reading →

In this special episode Mr Michael Fernandez relates his ordeal during his nine-year imprisonment under the Internal Security Act. Because of the intensity and interest of the subject we have broken up the interview into two parts. We present Part I here. – yourSDP.org

See my post here. Read James Gomez interview with TOC here.

Thanks to Isrizal for uploading this to his scribd. Read TOC’s series of articles from May 2009 here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. See also my post on the Remember 21st May event.

I would like to thank Isrizal for uploading to his scribd this Introduction from the book and also the interview with Dr Poh Soo Kai published in today’s Sunday Times. See also Martyn See’s blog post here for an excerpt from the book. A word of thanks to him for the video of Dr Lim … Continue reading →

This report by Jakarta Globe is noteworthy for two reasons. One, the plight of  Indonesian migrant workers in Singapore and the statistics cited in the report. And two, the revelation by the Ambassador that eight Indonesian migrant workers had their death sentences overturned after they were sentenced to die and got lighter punishments. Contrast that … Continue reading →

Thanks to Isrizal for uploading this chapter from Lee’s Laws: How Singapore crushes dissent. The Reform Party refers to this case in its press release on the death penalty.

Note: Yong Vui Kong’s appeal to the Court of Appeal will be heard today at 10 am at Supreme Court bldg, Level 9. M Ravi is representing Vui Kong at this hearing to ask the Court to approve an application for Vui Kong to make an appeal. I’ve been updating my post here on this … Continue reading →

Amsterdam & Peroff press release: White Paper Condemns the Repression of Political Freedoms in Singapore LONDON, November 4 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that will take place in Singapore on 12-14th November, Amsterdam & Peroff today issued a White Paper condemning the erosion of political freedoms in Singapore. The White … Continue reading →

{original youtube video link} Tribute to J B Jeyaretnam by Dr Chee Soon Juan Singapore Democrats, 23 Sept 2009 Dr Chee Soon Juan talks about J B Jeyaretnam on the first anniversary of his death and how the late opposition leader railed against indifference. Jeyaretnam passed away on 30 Sep 08. Read also Goodbye, dear … Continue reading →

{original google video link and youtube video link} Martyn See writes to Minister on Zahari’s 17 Years 22 Sept 2009 Sent to RAdm(NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts on 22 Sept 2009. Appeal to review ban of Zahari’s 17 Years Dear Minister, I am See Tong Ming, Martyn, the … Continue reading →

From the Al Jazeera English (website, youtube channel) programmes Witness and People and Power. Both films by Lynn Lee and James Leong. Part 1 {original youtube link} Part 2 {original youtube link} Human Trade {original youtube link}

This event was held on National Day by young Singaporean activists. There’ll always be hope for Singapore as long as there are young activists like these five individuals. On 9 Aug 2009, young Singaporean activists reflect on the values of the Pledge and their future hopes for Singapore – Seelan’s youtube channel & blog Read … Continue reading →

I wrote in a blogpost in Mar ’09 Singapore’s a country in which the government has had a hand, finger & fist in practically everything. Especially so in its promotion & propagation of its vision of a multi-racial country. Thus, its a sad commentary in itself when it takes 45 long years for a dedicated … Continue reading →

Revisiting History Operation Spectrum – Breaking The Ice After 22 Years An open forum. No designated speakers. Admission is free. All are welcome to speak. Date: 28 June 2009 (Sunday) Time: 2pm – 5.30pm Venue: Diamond Room, Level 3, Quality Hotel, 201 Balestier Road [Jacob 69er: Click here for map] Organiser : Martyn See Blog … Continue reading →

It was still very early when i stepped out of Clarke Quay MRT station’s exit/entrance overlooking Hong Lim Park. So i sat at a bench just in front of the station and just looked out at the park. Dec 2000’s International Human Rights Day came to mind. I was with Think Centre then and it … Continue reading →

I first came across the book Self-censorship: Singapore’s Shame by James Gomez, sometime in late 1999, in a sundry shop at an MRT station. I was curious enough to get a copy. I read the book and found that it helped crystalise what I was feeling and thinking about for quite sometime before I bought … Continue reading →

Go here for the film’s website. Read also an article by Singapore Democrats, Banned film hits 40,000 views on Internet. See also my post on amendments to the Films Act and the new Public Order Act.

In a post last year, I talked about Vasantham Central having its own channel after 45 years. Now comes the news that Singapore after a 30-year hiatus is producing its first Malay feature film since the Cathay Keris and Shaw Brothers era. Singapore’s a country in which the government has had a hand, finger & … Continue reading →