TR EMERITUS

Ever since PAP came into power in 1959, party which had fought for "Democracy" has actually turned into the Demonic Monster of Democracy.

Most people have lost count of total number of Political Detainees and Refugees (who have seek refuge or asylum elsewhere on Earth) but I have seen a whole list of ISD political detainees prepared by Function 8. I believe even this list isn't exhaustive.

As for Political Refugees, there are many unaccounted for but there are just a few prominent ones in my era:

1) Tan Wah Piow
2) Francis Seow
3) Tang Liang Hong
4) Lee Hsien Yang

For a tiny little country like Singapore, I believe we have a very high number of Political Refugees per capital.

PAP gov has always tried to defend itself from the negativity optics arise from the "confirmation" of Political Refugees status by other countries.

However, when we are getting so many registered as political Refugees, most of us no longer find it strange that dissidents would be granted such status.

The implications of a foreign country granting Political Refugee status to prominent individual like Mr Lee Hsien Yang is actually enormous.

It is basically a big slap on PAP Gov when a country like UK which is supposed to be one of our traditional allies, has basically agreed and confirmed that PAP Gov has literally "persecuted" the son of the ruling party's founder, LKY!

This is the reason why I find it shocking. By granting LHY the status of Political Refugee based on the reasons he has put up, it basically means that the UK Gov has agreed that all these legal matters could be regarded as part of deliberate political persecution.

Most Singaporeans of my age or older would not find it difficult to accept political persecution as part and parcel of PAP rule but it is time for us to reflect, rethink and decide whether we should allow such "norms" to continue.

A Norm doesn't mean it is Normal or acceptable.

It's Time To Change. Yes We Can.

Goh Meng Seng