Asia Sentinel

As expected, Singaporean Democratic Party leader Chee Soon Juan and his sister, Chee Siok Chin, said Wednesday that they would go to jail for contempt of court because they could not afford an appeal of the sentence, which probably would have been futile anyway.

Chee Siok Chin told Agence France Presse by telephone that “We didn't want to delay the matter anymore. We thought we should start serving the sentence."

The two were sentenced for having “scandalized the court” and “obstructed the administration of justice” during a contentious three-day hearing to decide on damages to be awarded to the ruling Lee family for having libeled Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

During the cross-examination phase of the hearing, Chee called former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew a “pitiable figure” and Lee described Chee as a “near psychopath.” Chee Siok Chin, Chee’s sister, also a senior SDP member, was sentenced to 10 days in jail for the same offenses. Both are free while they appeal the sentence.

Supreme Court Justice Belinda Ang charged Chee Soon Juan with contempt for accusing the court of being biased and of having prejudged the hearing, as well as not obeying her orders to stop particular lines of questioning.

Chee, the secretary general of the SDP, and his sister were found in an earlier hearing to have defamed Lee, the former Prime Minister and his son in a 2006 article in their party newspaper, the new Democrat.

This is the seventh time Chee has been sent to jail in Singapore, four for speaking in public without a permit, once for attempting to leave the country without a permit after being invited to a conference in Istanbul for the World Movement for Democracy's Fourth Assembly in April 2006, and once before for “scandalizing the judiciary.”

He and his sister were unable to pay their fine because he has also been driven into bankruptcy by repeated lawsuits by government leaders. In 1993, after the SDP leader, a neuropsychologist, joined the SDP and contested a local election, his position with the National University of Singapore was terminated, allegedly for misappropriation of research funds. Chee later staged a hunger strike, saying the charges were fabricated. He didn’t get his position back.

Last week, in an unusual step for a Singapore court, Chee was allowed by the court to cross-examine both the elder Lee and his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. However, the cross examination by Chee and his lawyer turned into a free-for-all, with Ang repeatedly ruling Chee’s questions out of order or irrelevant. Chee continued to assert his innocence on all charges, telling the court that “At no point was there a deliberate attempt to do anything that would scandalise the court." According to local media, he added that "There were many political arguments made and in the heat of the battle, Mr. Lee said some things and I said some things. It was in this context that some things were said and done."

The state prosecutor had asked Ang to deliver a “substantial fine” to act as a deterrent for other “like-minded” individuals.

Chee Soon Joon and Yap Keng Ho, another party official, are also free on appeal after having been sentenced to five weeks in prison or to pay a S$5,000 (US$3,671) fine last Wednesday in the court of District Court Judge Jasvender Kaur. The two were sentenced for speaking in public without a permit during elections in April 2006. Chee pleaded not guilty, claiming he had a constitutional right to free speech.

Authorities require a police permit if more than five people seek to assemble outdoors in Singapore. Offences under the Public Entertainments and Meetings Act could lead to fines as high as S$10,000. Singapore has been under widespread criticism by press groups and human rights organizations for decades for what they term political repression and restrictions against free speech. The Lee family have repeatedly sued both local politicians and the international press for defamation on a wide variety of fronts, and so far have never lost a case in Singapore.

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Please wake up from your delusional idealist thoughts. Get real.
written by Tess Tan , September 22, 2008

Well Mr Gopalan.
I'm afraid that you have a mistaken on many aspects.

I'm sure that you can find all these problems all over the world, even in the 'free' US. Look at how the US treated the blacks in the past. Does that shatter your image of the US being a hoiler-than-thou entity?

If you can't even right the wrong in your own backyard (Abu Gharib etc), why try to change others? You would only shoot yourself in the foot.

About complete democracy. Would you rather want to live in a prosperous country where the people are generally well off and now living in abject poverty or a country that is full of anarchy and coups due to 'the power of the people'

You cannot satisfy anyone, either way. What you have is an overly biased and narrow viewpoint.

Well, you don't expect anyone not to defend themselves if they're attacked yes?

The West doesn't even have a 'complete' democracy yet it is trying to impose itself on others. Isn't this like what the Soviets did to the Eastern European countries? Except that it is a war or words and attrition now.

Majority of Singaporeans are just thankful to live life. Before you get yourself worked up, I want to stress that the voicing out of criticisms like our dear 7th Son is just but a minority. I don't see like a few hundred million US citizens getting on the streets and demanding a change in government.

There are those why support the government here in Singapore. The 67 percent is not taking into account 'sympathy votes' for the opposition and people who are contented but want to see more 'action' in the political arena.

Frankly speaking, our opposition have failed us by not throwing up any issues that are worthy of debate. Or any suggestions that are feasible.

What Chee does only serve to turn more people off. Look at the stats - the straight talking, peopls's politician Low Thia Kiang increased his vote count by a lot in the recent GE. Mr Chee, his dropped to such pathetic levels that he may even disappear altogether the next GE.

Well, Mr 7th Son here is trying to incite hatred by concocting facts. In the US you don't say 'you are charged under the offence of assaulting Mr so-and-so'. The constituton doesn't say 'Oh, threatening, abusing or insulting LKY ios liable to..." Same logic. You are being charged under a bracket of the law that encompasses what you had alleged done. LKY is a public servant. yes.

Please wake up your ideas everyone.
Do not be caught up in your beliefs that there is a complete democracy. We have to settle for what can serve our needs best.

If there is such thing as a pure democracy that is good and solve all problems, the US economy would not be stuck in a recession and there would be no Abu Gharib, no Guantanamo Bay, no discrimination of minorities still in the US

basically, world peace. yea? no?

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Sour Grapes
written by James Loo , June 08, 2008

Hope to set fire to the place, then scoot off and watch the city burn? Singaporeans are no fools. Singaporeans travel freely and widely these days. They have eyes to see the REAL world.

Btw, Singapore is for the people (poverty line is visibly shown & clearly drawn in many countries) and by the people (67% popular votes). period.

NB - ... : 7th Son
Please save your excuses. Allegations of impropriety are matters for the open court. Courtroom transcripts are readily available to all people and media in Singapore. This is no Guantanamo.

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Truth Prevails
written by gopalan , June 06, 2008

It's good news Gopalan Nair was released on bail yesterday.

Freedom to criticise the judiciary is fundamental to a modern society. This case depicts the government's ongoing commitment to silencing opposition voices both in print and online.
In the long run, any modern society shall move towards complete democracy, where the government fear the people, not the opposite.

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Who is scandalizing the court?
written by Irene Puah , June 05, 2008

The only person I can recall who has scandalized a Singapore court in recent times is Harry Lee.

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More funs
written by Dynasty , June 05, 2008

Let us play a game of monopoly. More funs than politics.

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...
written by 7th Son , June 05, 2008

Mr. Ong repeatedly emphasises the PAP's 67% 'popular' vote. This would indeed be worthy of high praise if not for the fact that:
[1] electoral boundaries are gerrymandered at the last possible moment
[2] media exposure is overwhelmingly biased towards the incumbents
[3] massive (US$11,000) deposits are required of each candidate
[4] the ruse of the group representation constituency (GRC) has been introduced to disadvantage the opposition
[5] police video teams are deployed to record all opposition activities to assist in defamation lawsuits
[6] the campaigning period is guillotined to further reduce opposition canvassing exposure

... and so on and so forth. Little wonder that a 67% 'popular' vote is attained. A level playing field it most definitely is not.

The last paragraph of your article lists just some of the obstacles faced by anyone opposed to the status quo. Singapore is not, and has never been, a democracy in the true spirit of the word. It practises the political doctrine of enlightened absolutism wherein even critical, loyal opposition to the ruler's party is treated as a crime against the state. For its citizens, it is a police state in all but name.

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fools never learn
written by gopalan , June 04, 2008

Mr. Ong, you can ramble on and lick the boots of the ruling party as many times as you want.
But reality talks: look how many singaporeans emigrate to other countries like Australia, USA, UK etc because these smart ones can't stand the 'guided democracy' and how government treat its own citizens. See how many 'foreign talent' around in singapore nowadays? I don't even need to read 'anti cnn' or whatever rubbish, you get the picture.
I pity the unfortunate citizens who are either:
1) too poor to emigrate or
2) gullible idiots.
Pity you are the latter.

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All Muddled Up
written by Alfred Ong , June 04, 2008

(1) "Face reality."
Yes, the reality is the PAP is the elected government of the day. The people's choice!
(2)". . . don't believe everything in Straits Times . . "
Then believe the foreign press, Gopalan, CSJ, etc.? Have an open mind. Go to the "anti-cnn" website and you'll really be shocked to see how the truth has been distorted.
(3)"Do the majority vote out of fear/insecurity, or out of respect?"
So did the small minority (minus the spoilt & blank votes) who didn't vote the PAP did it out of fear/insecurity or out of respect?
(4)"Does it mean that majority of Singaporeans are in fact satisfied with the ruling party?"
Yes or they wouldn't have voted in the PAP time and again at every GE.
(5)"Ruling party garnered 67% popular vote, so what?"
So they RULE if the "village idiot" doesn't understand.

Frankly, whoever, you are laughable.

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67% so what?
written by gopalan , June 04, 2008

Ruling party garnered 67% popular vote, so what?
Does it mean that majority of singaporeans are in fact satisfied with the ruling party?
Do the majority vote out of fear/insecurity, or out of respect?
It's the fact that there is a preponderance of knowledgeable readers here that I beg to differ on some things that I found insulting the intelligence of the readers.
It seems to me that you think you're so smart, you think the rest of the singaporeans are village idiots?
Please lah, don't believe everything in Straits Times and make a fool of yourself. Face reality.

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Garbage
written by Alfred Ong , June 04, 2008

(1) well : gopalan
"as far as i am concerned CSJ is nothing more than a foul-mouthed fool, his empty rhetoric and verbal diarrhea are of no essence whatsoever.
i can never respect this kind of people, and thus will never vote for him."

Are you sure or not? I thought anyone reading what Go Pak Lan has written in his blog will find that it fits that description.

(2) "But in the absence of a viable alternative, they eventually have to choose the ruling party."

Are you sure or not? The 67% is POPULAR VOTE! You would have been right if it were SPOILT or BLANK VOTES!

Please lah. Back up with substance. Readers here are intellectuals.

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well
written by gopalan , June 04, 2008

as far as i am concerned CSJ is nothing more than a foul-mouthed fool, his empty rhetoric and verbal diarrhea are of no essence whatsoever.
i can never respect this kind of people, and thus will never vote for him.

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...
written by Observer - Zapped - GO-PA-LAN , June 04, 2008

Gopalan Nair, you surrendered your citizenship and what rights do you have to criticize Singapore? Stay away from Singapore's politic, it is none of your business. You are worse than CSJ. He at least has guts to fight it out. You want to challenge the sovereignty of Singapore? come back and fight like a man. Don't howl like a hyena. So what if you are now a second class American? You are not above laws. True Americans has great respect for other country's sovereign laws. They express their disagreement with grace.

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too bad
written by gopalan , June 04, 2008

Well, indeed it's true to say that citizens have exercised their voting rights. But in the absence of a viable alternative, they eventually have to choose the ruling party.
It doesn't even take a rocket scientist to see whether or not citizens are happy with the singapore under PAP, just ask any singaporean on the streets.
When the government ministers live happily with their million dollar wages (plus 21% on top) while ordinary citizens are struggling with inflation, price hikes, and an escaped terrorist, will the citizens lead happy lives?

something is wrong with your head. Wake up from your dream.

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International Norms Please
written by Alfred Ong , June 04, 2008

" . . . cuz you don't have the guts to support your own ordinary citizens . . ."

Intelligent people find it very difficult to follow your line of argument. In a democracy, the ordinary citizens have SPOKEN through the ballot box.

67% of the ordinary citizens have chosen who they want to lead them out of turmoil and starvation like what you see in many, many countries today. The % is no mean feat in any western democracies if you care to compare.

The Malaysians have also spoken of late. Particularly, the non-Malays. They oppose the 40 odd years of apartheid rule (NEP) favouring the Malays.

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haha
written by gopalan , June 04, 2008

first world country but third world democracy.
that's the problem with mr ong and the likes.
you support the godfather cuz you don't have the guts to support your own ordinary citizens and make a stand on democracy. you are all kiasu (afraid to lose)!
opposition? opposition parties are weakened to a point that they serve no other purpose than toys and cheerleaders for the ruling party.
you just listen to whatever nonsense government told you.
that's why you are forever losers haha

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Clowns don\'t win
written by Alfred Ong , June 03, 2008

". . . a tiny Third World mini dictator"

Sure or not? Have you got your facts right? Bush barely scrapped thru' with 50.1% to be the US President over Gore.

The PAP received 67% of the popular votes! Dr LKY's ward? No opposition dared contest in his ward in the 2006 GE. The walkover speaks volume of the people's support and reverence for him. Dictator??????

Annway, Singaporeans continue to keep Chiam See Tong & Low Thia Kiang as Opposition MPs. The people see them as responsible stakeholders. They are not out to rock the tiny but richly-laden boat!

Please back with substance. The constant losers at the polls are Gopalan Nair, Chee Soon Guan . . . The people simply DON'T want these clowns!

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...
written by Sin City , June 03, 2008

What does Dr Chee hope to achieve in Singapore, with his brand of confrontational politics and certain knowledge that he will be jailed?

To jolt Singaporeans from political apathy, perhaps.

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Sing is a joke, a bad joke
written by Perdraux , June 03, 2008

Sing doesn'"t belong to the First World. Sing is a tiny Third World country with an uncough and a tiny Third World mini dictator as a rule not enough brave to send his opponent straight to jail without a charade of justice...

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Gopal\'s Dare
written by Dynasty , June 03, 2008

Liberal democracy is dead here. Beware of what you actually wish for.

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Not the Ballot Box
written by Richard Chee , June 03, 2008

"In more trouble for the SDP, Gopalan Nair, a former Singaporean who ran as an SDP candidate in the 1988 and 1991 general elections . . "

What is this ex-SDP candidate doing when he couldn't beat the PAP at the polls, election after election? Well, unlike Chiam See Tong & Low Thia Kiang, he's not using the ballot box anymore.

Now, having no stakes in Singapore, the new colored US citizen hopes to get the US involved in his personal vendatta against the Singapore government. Does he seriously think the US is that foolish and naive? If all converted US citizens behave likewise and the US were to give blind support then it may lose its few allies.

That's Gopalan Nair's democracy.

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Running scared.
written by 7th Son , June 02, 2008

It's disingenuous to say "Police took him up on his dare". They did nothing of the sort. The dare was targeted towards S'pore's godfathers in no uncertain terms to sue him for defamation as they had done to the Chees.

Instead they ducked the challenge and had him up on the offence of "threatening, abusing or insulting a public servant". Nobody was fooled by this pathetic attempt at saving 'face'.

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