TR EMERITUS

The net effect of the Singapore government's barbaric hanging of drug courier Van Nguyen will be to increase profits for the government's trading partner, Burmese drug lord Lo Hsing Han. While the high-profile execution will no doubt reduce the supply of heroin somewhat, the inelastic demand by addicts will just increase the margin to the wholesaler, Lo. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his authoritarian government display extreme hypocrisy in executing dozens of drug couriers while at the same time going into business ventures with drug trafficker Lo. The former US Assistant of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, declared in 1997, "Since 1988 over half of the $US1 billion investments from Singapore have been tied to the family of narco-trafficker Lo Hsing Han". The Singapore government, in cooperation with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, is directly connected to key business ventures of drug kingpin Lo through an investment group called the Myanmar Fund. The fund, which provides investors "with long term capital appreciation from direct or indirect investments in Myanmar (Burma)," is registered as a tax-free fund in Jersey, Channel Islands, according to documents provided to the Irish Stock Exchange.  Singapore's largest government-controlled financial institution - the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) - is listed in the documents along with Morgan Guaranty Trust Bank (a J.P. Morgan subsidiary separate from the Trust Company) as a core shareholder in the Myanmar Fund. A September 1996 GIC business profile from the Registry of Companies and Businesses in Singapore shows that high-level Singaporean politicians were officers and directors of the GIC, including senior minister Lee Kuan Yew; his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; and finance minister Dr Richard Hu. As a core shareholder, the GIC helps determine how the fund's money is invested in Burma.  Singapore's economic linkage with Burma is one of the most vital factors for the survival of Burma's military regime," says Professor Mya Maung, a Burmese economist based in Boston. This link, he continues, is also central to "the expansion of the heroin trade." Singapore has achieved the distinction of being the Burmese junta's number one business partner -both largest trading partner and largest foreign investor. More than half these investments, totalling upwards of US$1.3 billion, are in partnership with Burma's infamous heroin kingpin Lo Hsing Han, who now controls a substantial portion of the world's opium trade. The close political, economic, and military relationship between the two countries facilitates the weaving of millions of narco-dollars into the legitimate world economy. The Burmese military dictatorship- known by the acronym SLORC for State Law and Order Restoration Council until it changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in 1997-depends on the resources of Burma's drug barons for its financial survival. Since it seized power in 1988, opium production has doubled, equalling all legal exports and making the country the world's biggest heroin supplier.  With 50 percent of the economy unaccounted for, drug traffickers, businessmen and government officials are able to integrate spectacular profits throughout Burma's permanent economy. Both the Burmese generals and drug lords have been able to take advantage of Singapore's liberal banking laws and money laundering opportunities. In 1991, for example, the SLORC laundered US$400 million through a Singapore bank which it used as a down payment for Chinese arms.  With no laws to prevent money laundering, Singapore is widely reported to be a financial haven for Burma's elite, including its two most notorious traffickers, Lo Hsing Han and Khun Sa (also known by his Chinese name Chang Qifu). Lo Hsing Han is chairman of Burma's biggest conglomerate, Asia World, founded in 1992. His son, Steven Law, is managing director and also runs three companies in Singapore which are "overseas branches" of Asia World. Although Singapore is proud of its mandatory death penalty for small-time narcotics smugglers and heroin addicts, both father and son travel freely in and out of the friendly (to them) island-nation.  In 1996, when Law married his Singaporean business partner in a lavish, well-publicized Rangoon wedding, guests from Singapore were flown in on two chartered planes. According to a high-level US government official familiar with the situation, Law's wife Cecilia Ng operates an underground banking system, and "is a contact for people in Burma to get their drug money into Singapore, because she has a connection to the government." According to the official, Ng spends half her time in Rangoon, half in Singapore; when in Rangoon, she is headquartered at Asia Lite, a subsidiary of Asia World.  The husband-wife team are also the sole officers and shareholders of Asia World subsidiary, Kokang Singapore Pte Ltd. Founded in Singapore in 1993 with $4.6 million, the company "engages in general trading activities in goods/products of all kinds/descriptions. The Burmese junta's control of its impoverished population through crude methods such as torture, forced labour, and mass killings leaves it open to international condemnation. In contrast, Singapore takes a more sophisticated approach to repression, both at home and abroad. While the island-nations citizens have material benefits and the appearance of rule of law, they live in fear of an Orwellian government that closely monitors every aspect of their lives. The ruling party often sues those who dare to oppose it on trumped up defamation charges, forcing many into bankruptcy or exile.   by Elizabeth Krantz Editor's Note: This article was original penned by the author during the case of drug courier Van Nguyen but in view of recent happenings surrounding related subject, we are reproducing it again for the benefit of readers.  Read More →

Embattled YPAP leader from Joo Chiat branch and General Secretary of Joo Chiat Community Club Youth Executive Committee Mr Jack Lin Xinli has drawn flak from netizens for his "insincere" apology. Mr Lin has issued a public apology for insulting Singaporeans lately by calling them “3rd class citizen” on the YPAP Facebook: [Source: YPAP Facebook] However, he was quick to claim that his words were "misinterpreted" because they were made in Singlish, prompting many to question his sincerity in apologizing. As a matter of fact, Mr Lin has been making disparaging remarks about Singaporeans for years on the YPAP Facebook and possibly on the Trevvy gay forum as well where a moniker "Darklord" was associated with his name: [Source: Trevvy Forum] "Darklord" also claimed he is a friend of YPAP Chairman Teo Ser Luck: [Source: Trevvy Forum] In a discussion about the astronomical prices of HDB flats on the YPAP Facebook in April, Mr Lin lashed out at Singaporeans for being "spoilt brats": [Source: YPAP Facebook] Mr Lin accused Singaporeans of acting as "spoilt brats" when it comes to housing without substantiating his statements. He may be referring to the increasing number of complaints by Singaporeans that they are being priced out of the public housing market. Due to poor planning by HDB to increase the supply of new flats in the face of growing demand caused by the relentless influx of foreigners into Singapore, the prices of HDB flats have shot up over the last two years with that of resale flats reaching a record high. Despite evidence showing otherwise, PAP National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan is adamant that HDB flats remain "affordable" to Singaporeans and chided home buyers for being "fussy" and having "unrealistic expectations." Perhaps Mr Lin got his idea about Singaporeans being "spoilt brat" from Mr Mah's public admonition of them. As the Chinese saying goes, "when the upper pillar is not straight, the lower pillar will be crooked as well." It appears that the entrenched elitist mindset of PAP leaders have rubbed off on their younger members like Jack Lin, Sear Hock Rong, Fong Yoong Keong, Genesis Shen, Edgar Khieu, Eric How and Sinha Shekhar as well who may well be your future MP.   EDITORS' NOTE: If there are any Trevvy forumers out there who can confirm the identity of "Darklord", please contact us immediately. Thanks.   Related articles: >> YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli: My Singlish was "misinterpreted" >> PAP MPs refuse to condemn YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli >> YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli apologizes to opposition MP Chiam See Tong >> PAP MP Chan Soo Sen refused to condemn Jack Lin’s callous remarks on Singaporeans >> Jack Lin Xinli became the 1st YPAP leader to apologise to Singaporeans for making offensive remarks about them >> YPAP leader Jack Lin Xinli clarified his “3rd class citizen” remarks on CNA >> Massive outcry at YPAP leader Jack Lin’s remarks >> YPAP leader Jack Lin: We are free to fix the opposition >> Complaint letter on YPAP leader Jack Lin     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 →

Dear Sirs, I am writing to seek clarifications on the activities of The Online Citizen, a political blog in Singapore. It has published numerous articles critical of government leaders, some of which are potentially defamatory and has led several campaigns against the Singapore government. One, is it legal for The Online Citizen (TOC) to solicit for donations on its website from the public? Its Editor-in-Chief Andrew Loh has been asking Singaporeans to donate to The Online Citizen to support its cause. Since TOC is neither a political party, NGO or charity, is it permitted to raise funds from the public for its activities which are of a political nature? Two, is it legal for TOC to organize public campaigns against the Singapore government? TOC has organized several public campaigns against the elected government of Singapore. Two years ago, its journalists tried to conduct a survey among Bukit Batok residents if they wanted a by-election after the demise of their MP and were given a warning by the police. On this coming Sunday, it will be organizing a public campaign against the mandatory death penalty in Singapore at Speaker's Corner which puts it at loggerheads with the Singapore judiciary. Three, under Singapore law, foreigners are not allowed to donate to political parties and organizations in Singapore to prevent them from interfering in domestic politics. The Online Citizen has a large number of freelance journalists working for them. Who is paying for their services? I am concerned that TOC may receive funding from foreign organizations and agencies which harbor nefarious motives to influence public opinion to advocate for the overthrowing of the legitimate government of Singapore. Four, from what I know, all political blogs in Singapore must register themselves with the Media Development Authority of Singapore. Has TOC registered with MDA? If now, can MDA please explain why it allows TOC to launch its online political campaigns against the Singapore government for so long? Although TOC is not a registered newspaper, it has a very high readership especially among young Singaporeans. Its Facebook has more than 5,000 members and therefore it is in a position to influence public opinion which will have an impact on the result of the coming general election. I hope the relevant authorities can monitor the activities of TOC closely and investigate the source of its funding to pre-empt any possible interference by foreign organizations which have a vested interest in Singapore politics. As an example, we cannot be sure if a foreign hand is behind TOC's public campaign against the mandatory death penalty in Singapore to put the Singapore government in a negative light internationally. Yours faithfully, Daniel XXX A concerned Singaporean   Source: TOC's Facebook     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 →