TR EMERITUS

Beleaguered Singapore Sports Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan who has caused under heavy fire of late from Singaporeans for bursting the YOG budget by more than three times to a shocking $387 million dollars continued to insist that Singapore is getting "value for money." During an interview with BBC News two weeks ago, he said that he would still bid for the YOG at the present exorbitant price which has alarmed even IOC Vice President Thomas Bach. "I think this is not a trifling amount. But it is an amount that will give us value for money in terms of positioning ourselves, in terms of marketing ourselves, in terms of making sure we are on everyone's radar screen the next time they make an investment decision," he was quoted as saying in BBC News. [Source: BBC News] The YOG is doomed to failure from the very beginning, plagued by a litany of comical screw-ups which has damaged Singapore's reputation as an "efficient" city ranging from ticketing glitches, mass food poisoning outbreaks, collapsing/leaking roof canvases and mistreatment of volunteers. Despite the obvious signs that the YOG has not been quite successful as it should be, Dr Vivian said in his latest media interview on "Singapore made the right decision in bidding to host the Games." as if he has bothered to consult Singaporeans before he bidded for it. 'I have no doubt we will recoup our investment, both on the tangible side and intangible side of the ledger," he said, without providing any concrete evidence to substantiate his claims. [Source: Straits Times] He added that the YOG is part of his plans to "rebrand" Singapore as "an excellent place to live, work and play." "It's really part of our larger game plan of re-positioning Singapore. We now want to be one of the most exciting, happening, dynamic, vibrant places that cater to all needs." Whatever mileage Singapore is able to gain from the YOG is likely to be nullified by the arrest of a YOG critic by the Singapore police three days ago for "inciting violence and public disorder." 27 year old Mr Malik has taken Dr Vivian to task for the mass food poisoning scandal involving 26 YOG volunteers. Below is the comment he posted on Facebook which got him into trouble with the authorities:   The sensational news soon hit the headlines of international media agency Agence France-Presse which was reproduced worldwide, overshadowing all other YOG-related news and reinforcing Singapore's image as a "repressive police state." With the trial of British author Alan Shadrake for "contempt of court" coming up in the next few weeks, Singapore's international reputation is going to take a battering. How can a country be "vibrant, dynamic and happening" when its police cannot even differentiate a harmless metaphor from a genuine threat and when it is completely dominated by an ultra-sensitive government which jumps and cries at the slightest of criticism? Do we hear other first world countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand or Canada arresting and harassing their netizens for online criticisms? Till today, Dr Vivian has refused to account for the YOG budget of $387 million dollars or to apologize to the Singaporeans for the mistakes made. With no opposition in Parliament to take Dr Vivian to task, he can continue to "talk c**k sing song" in the media. In the meantime, an online petition demanding a public apology from Dr Vivian has garnered more than 800 signatures so far. You can sign the petition here.   Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us  Read More →

The Young Democrats met with Mr Abdul Malik Muhammad Ghazali yesterday. Mr Abdul was arrested for posting the following comment on Facebook: "It's time to burn the minister and the pap for this incident". He was released on bail pending further investigation. Jarrod Luo (right) with Abdul Malik (centre) and YD program director Muhd Khalis During our meeting Mr Malik revealed that, on top of the questions pertaining to the issue, the police had asked him questions such as whether he had joined any political party and what were his political affiliations. How is Mr Abdul's political affiliation relevant to the issue at hand, which is about the YOG and his comments in the Facebook group set up to take issue with the Government's handling of the Games? Is the Singapore Police Force going to decide on its course of action based on the blogger's political affiliation? It is also disturbing that comments made by netizens can be taken out of context and be misconstrued by the authorities who are showing increasing signs of paranoia. Mr Abdul's use of the word "burn" is a figure of speech and should not be taken literally just as Mr Lee Kuan Yew's violent imagery of meeting his opponents in a cul-de-sac and drawing a hatchet is not taken literally by the police. Mr Lee's actual quote: "Everybody knows that in my bag I have a hatchet, and a very sharp one. You take me on, I take my hatchet, we meet in the cul-de-sac." Mr Abdul is being investigated for “inciting violence and public disorder” under Section 267 Chapter 244 of the penal code. His laptop was also seized as part of the investigation. He is also being investigated for his involvement in the 'I Hate YOG Organising Committee' group in Facebook. The Young Democrats stand by Mr Abdul Malik. It is perfectly within his rights to set up the Facebook group and to be associated in any way to any political group he wishes. Also, it is the Young Democrats' view that Mr Abdul Malik has been singled out. A perusal of said group's content shows comments that are even more contentious. The 'I Hate the YOG Organising Committee' group was formed by netizens to express their disatisfaction and disgruntlement towards the YOG's organising committee over their handling of the event. The comments therein should be taken as fair comment and criticism. Our mother party has also spoken up on the matter as have several bloggers. The Internet is currently the only way that citizens can voice out their dissent and dissatisfaction because the traditional media is heavily influenced by the state. And yet, even this little avenue that is left for the citizens to exercise our rights to freedom of expression is fast being taken away. This development is of grave concern to us in the Young Democrats and we emphatically register our disquiet over the matter. We will continue to speak up and act for Singaporean youths whenever and wherever they are unjustly treated by the state. We offer our support to Mr Abdul Malik and we hope that all other youth organisations will do the same.   Jarrod Luo Honorary Secretary for Young Democrats  Read More →

A Singapore Police NSman Mr Abdillah Zamzuri has been called up for questioning by his reservist unit for blogging on the controversial case involving Lianhe Wanbao photo-journalist Mr Shafie Goh. Mr Shafie Goh was handcuffed by a police officer a month ago when taking photos of flooding at Upper Bukit Timah Road, sparking a massive outcry among Singaporeans. The Singapore Police Force did not issue a public statement to clarify what happened,but Law Minister Mr Shanmugam told Parliament two weeks ago that Mr Goh was handcuffed for his own "personal safety" after ignoring repeated calls by the police officer on duty to leave the scene. “There was clear danger not only to the photographer but to other motorists as well. When the photographer ignored a second advice from police against taking pictures on the flooded centre divider, he was handcuffed. He was uncuffed after his identity was verified,” he was quoted as saying in the Straits Times. In his blog post dated 19 July 2010, Mr Abdillah disagreed with the arrest and defended Mr Shafie Goh: "I don’t think such an arrest was called for especially when there was No Offence Disclosed. Sure, the photographer could be arrested for Interfering with Police Duties but this must be enacted only after several warnings have been meted out – again exercising patience and discretion. But this was perhaps, not to be, as how the information has been received through the press as the officer didn’t provide any form of warning nor exercised due diligence in carrying out his duties." Mr Abdillah did not remove the post and it is still available for public viewing here. A week later, he received a call from an Investigating Officer (IO) from his reservist unit to have his statement taken. According to Mr Abdillah, he is being charged for "Prejudice to the Conduct of Good Order/Discipline". The two offending sentences in his blog post are as follows: 1. 'As someone who still reports for reservist duty as a Police Officer, I am well aware of the Penal Code and Statutes that governs and dictates what a Police Officer can and cannot do.' 2. 'My take on this, sue the damn Singapore Police Force who will then put the officer on suspended patrolling duties, cut salary to half and hold the bonus till he is acquited from the case – THIS IS THE STANDARD PRACTICE.' Mr Abdillah has not received the formal charge sheet yet and he has not been informed of the next hearing. In the meantime, his pending case has caused him a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. He is worried that his personal computer may be seized as he requires it in his work. Though many netizens have spoken up for Mr Shafie Goh, the case appears to be dropped quietly by his employer Lianhe Wanbao which has not published a single news article on the case after Mr Shanmugam's speech in Parliament.   Related articles: >> Shanmugam: Wanbao photographer was handcuffed to restrain him >> Why Singaporeans must rally around Shafie Goh >> TR pledges support to Shafie Goh >> Singapore police: investigations on Shafie Goh’s case still ongoing >> Lianhe Wanbao refutes explanation by Singapore police Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →