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20/04/2008
New party vows to fight Singapore 'enslavement'
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SINGAPORE (AFP) — A tough-talking new political party vowed on Friday to fight what it called the "enslavement" of Singapore after nearly half-a-century of rule by the People's Action Party (PAP).
"Our people have been enslaved all this while," J.B. Jeyaretnam, 82, interim secretary general of the Reform Party, told a news conference.
He said Singaporean society has been "castrated" and its people left powerless by an executive that holds "absolute power."
For Jeyaretnam, a rare voice criticising the PAP over the past decades, the party's formation marks his full return to politics after emerging from bankruptcy and being reinstated as a lawyer.
"We now in the Reform Party are not going to play pussy-foot with the PAP," he told reporters at the close of a lengthy address which outlined what he sees as the country's social, political and economic problems.
"I think it's time now to ask questions and hold the PAP to account," he said.
Party officials said they held the news conference a day after filing documents to register their party.
The opposition plays only a marginal role in Singapore but Jeyaretnam made political history in 1981 when he became the first opposition politician elected to parliament. He was then secretary general of the Workers' Party.
The lawyer was disbarred when he was declared bankrupt in 2001 after failing to pay libel damages to members of the PAP, including former prime minister Goh Chok Tong.
During his bankruptcy, he was reduced to hawking his self-penned books outside city subway stations.
Last year Jeyaretnam paid 233,255 Singapore dollars (now 172,578 US) to clear his bankruptcy, which had prevented him from running for political office, after help from friends and his prominent lawyer son.
He was also reinstated to the bar and has resumed legal practice.
On Friday, Jeyaretnam said he did not care whether Singapore's "obedient press" reported his comments -- which continued for 80 minutes.
"Some things have to be said," he stated as he began the speech.
He said Singapore, which prides itself on having 'First World' status, faces a widening gulf between rich and poor.
Government leaders earn millions but many families survive on one or two thousand dollars a month (605-1,1210 US), yet nobody speaks up, he said.
"There is, I don't have to tell you, a fear culture in Singapore," Jeyaretnam said. "It's a total enslavement of the people."
He said the party's registration documents contained the names of only 10 people -- and even attracting that many was not easy.
"People are still afraid," he said.
Asked whether his news conference in a hotel meeting room was being monitored by police, he replied: "I'm sure that it is."
Jeyaretnam said he hopes not only to reform the structure of the Singapore system but also people's way of thinking, to rouse them from a PAP-induced "slumber."
Jeyaretnam said that, if he is physically able, he will stand as a candidate in the next general election due by 2011.
He called for a complete overhaul of the electoral system, which he said places opposition parties at a disadvantage. The PAP won all but two seats in last year's polls for the 84-member parliament.
The country's leaders say its tough laws against dissent and other political activity are necessary to ensure the stability which has helped it achieve economic success. Thousands of foreign firms are based in Singapore, one of the most politically stable countries in the region.
The leaders dismiss criticisms from human rights groups who have said the government uses libel laws to silence critics, saying they have to protect their reputations.
Jeyaratnam spoke at a table with two other party officials beside him. To their left stood a white board which carried only two words in blue ink: "Reform Party."
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> Jeyaretnam said. "It's a total enslavement of the people." <
That's a bit far-fetched. There is "enslavement" (for e.g. National Service, CPF), but it is not "total". There's still alot of freedom in S'pore—not in the press, or public speaking, but S'pore ranks #2 in global economic freedom studies.
http://www.heritage.org/Index/topten.cfm
BTW economic freedom and individual liberty are causally linked.
> The country's leaders say its tough laws against dissent and other political activity are necessary to ensure the stability which has helped it achieve economic success. Thousands of foreign firms are based in Singapore, one of the most politically stable countries in the region. <
Total bullshit. You need tough laws, yes. But not against PEACEFUL dissent and political activity. And it is the government who must be accountable to the people. No hiding shit.
However, I do agree. The entire present electoral system should be flushed down the toilet. If it is to be "reformed", then START WITH THE CONSTITUTION.
There is something WRONG with the constitution. Because it is not fucking working. Those "rights" supposedly guaranteed are CONSISTENTLY VIOLATED by The State. i.e. the state has the power, the people have whatever the state says they have.
Total-fucking-bullshit.
Posted by: Matilah_Singapura | 21/04/2008
what singaporeans are enslaved to is the 'good life' provided by the government. this good life comes with a price.until more of the middle class and below lose that 'good life', the incumbent will continue its rule.
many probably don't identify with his idea of enslavement.
but then again, the singaporean breed is a shallow lot isn't it? what to do, they have been kept that way isn't it?
Posted by: blachan | 21/04/2008
I have no issue with "enslavement". I'm nit-picking at JBJ's claim "TOTAL" enslavement. He's a lawyer. Pay attention to the words :-) These folks will attempt to "add stuff which shouldn't be added".
I'd like to bust another myth: the govt. didn't provide "the good life." All the S'poreans I know had to work fucking hard to become the people they are.
The govt didn't "provide" roads, schools, health care, housing etc etc. It the people who paid and have kept paying for ALL the stuff that the 'govt provides'.
So the country is run well. The govt is doing what it is SUPPOSED to then. So what's the BIG DEAL? We all have jobs and responsibilities which we have to attend to. Is anyone's job so 'special' that they need to be worshipped like gods?
Posted by: Matilah_Singapura | 21/04/2008
ok. fair comment. 'provided' may not have been a good choice of words. to paraphrase: the leadership,with citizen's cooperation, has contributed to the 'good life' here - all relative of course.
actually, no big deal so they should be paid 'no big deal' salary(commoner's pay) too. lol.
Posted by: blachan | 22/04/2008