Posted by theonlinecitizen on October 2nd, 2007
Andrew Teo, a student at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, had applied for a permit to hold an outdoor protest about the situation in Burma. (Reported here by TOC earlier.) His application has been rejected by the Singapore police.
The following is an extract from a TODAY newspaper report on why the police rejected his application:
“Many Singaporeans probably care, but “some things are seen to be taboo”, said Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy student Andrew Teo, one of two people whose applications to stage outdoor protests were rejected by the police.
He said the police explained to him that he could be in trouble if someone threw a stone at the riot police or burned a flag at a rally. And if the protest was held in front of the Myanmar embassy and someone threw objects at it, then the embassy could demand that police take action against him.”
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My view: It is't about the worry that people might throw stones, it is about Singapore's economical and political friendship with the junta. We are the country's second major investor as well as a major supplier of crucial material and equipment to the junta. The government has also been allowing members of the junta and their families the privilege of turning this place into their safe haven of food, shopping as well as medical treatment. The cold silence from the government is not due to anything but the fact that Singapore seeks to gain from her ties with Burma's junta. Due to this fact, the political leaders are willing to swallow their compassion for the sake of material gains for this country. It is seriously appalling to even think of. For a fact, the PAP was built upon the foundation of a non belief in democracy and human rights. Our so called founding father Mr. Lee Kuan Yew (and I refuse to use the term Minister Mentor) has always been telling the world that human rights and democracy are ideals invented by the West and both bear no relevance to our so called Asian values. However even while knowing this, I cannot believe that the government is so cold that it is willing to ignore the bloodshed for gold. Is this what Lee called, Asian values? If it is so, then I denounce myself as an Asian. However it is not it. It is not about values at all and has never at all been. This is all about power and money, and to cover this fact up, many excuses have been invented. I have never felt so mad before and I am disappointed that our dear Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Yeo, has been so lame in his efforts with regards pertaining to the issue. What I could see from his statement on the behalf of ASEAN as the ASEAN Chair, was that apart from words and more words, nothing more will be done.
ASEAN, chaired by Singapore. What a total shame and laughingstock.
Our government has brought shame upon us on the behalf of us and I am totally disgusted. The total lack of compassion coming from our politicians really makes me wonder if the majority of the population really have a brain or have they simply been brainwashed to elect the same people to lead the country during our Elections. I am never a supporter of PAP or the way they try to brainwash us through the public education system and their campaigns and now I am even more appalled at the fact that they are still the ruling party.
Since the government is such, must the people be the same? My answer is no. Henceforth may I call for people who care to join in the global protest and petition on Burma to put pressure on the government of both Singapore and China to do something about this.
I am not sure I like the idea that we have blood money in our National Treasury. Do you?
Some links:
"International Bloggers' Day for Burma"http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/10/02/free-burma-give-your-support-to-this-event/
Petition to the UN
http://new.petitiononline.com/9848/petition.html
Statement from ASEAN Chair on Burma Issue
http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2007/09/statement-by-asean-chair-on-burma-issue.html
PM Lee's letter to Myanmar's top general
http://singaporepatriot.blogspot.com/2007/10/pm-lees-letter-to-myanmars-top-general.html
(ALL WORDS AND WORDS AND WORDS ONLY!)
Singapore, a Friend Indeed to Burma
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/09/30/1191090945019.html
Daring Protest in Singapore
http://statestimes.wordpress.com/2007/10/01/daring-protest-in-singapore/
As Burmese Troops Open Fire at Monks, China and Russia Block Global Sanctions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/burma/story/0,,2177868,00.html
No political films please, we're Singaporeans
http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
Democracy Now - Headlines for October 1 2007
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/01/1351254
*If you are on Facebook, there are many more links you can get from the activist groups on there*
