ST Sep 2, 2008LOL, poor Mr Steven Lee. All these years, the PAP government has been telling him that demonstrations are dangerous; they mustn't be allowed; there will be riots; people will be killed etc. I guess Steven must have actually believed the PAP, at least partially.
First legal demo since rule change lasts just 10 minutes
Non-profit group stages protest against maid abuse, watched by curious onlookers and activists
By Li Xueying
SINGAPORE'S first legal demonstration in two decades was held yesterday at the Speakers' Corner - and lasted for all of 10 minutes.
At 7pm, five members of a non-profit group, Hearer of Cries (HOC), gathered metres from the Clarke Quay MRT station exit at Hong Lim Park to stage a protest against employers who abuse their maids.
Against the darkening sky, they erected banners and played music, as a female member - complete with a neck brace - posed as an abused maid.
HOC founder Mike Goh, 46, gave a short message against abuse as others distributed leaflets to an audience of some 20 curious retirees, political activists and office workers on their way home.
By 7.10pm, it was over. There was no procession, shouting or burning of effigies. 'Is that it?' asked a disappointed Mr Steven Lee, 34, an engineer.
Personally, I don't think that any demonstration at Hong Lim Park will be more dangerous than, say, the crowds at the Great Robinsons Sale.
Meanwhile (and by pure coincidence no doubt, LOL), today just happens to be the very day that the Straits Times has an article about an event that happened two years ago. And what happened two years ago?
Well, back in September 2006, a lady named Harkirat Kaur distributed some flyers & advertisements at City Hall MRT. What's so unusual about that, I hear you ask. After all, every day, people stand at MRT entrances distributing flyers, advertisements and brochures.
Oooooh, but this is different. Harkirat's flyers were VERY dangerous. She was publicising a demonstration at Hong Lim Park. And you know what the PAP government has been saying about demonstrations all these years, right? Demonstrations are dangerous; they mustn't be allowed; there will be riots; people will be killed etc.
No wonder Harkirat must be punished.
ST Sep 2, 2008Me, I don't think distributing flyers is dangerous. Unless you're distributing them for opposition politicians to say that they will be speaking at Hong Lim Park. Maybe that's exactly what the Straits Times wants to remind you about, LOL.
Illegal assembly: Woman fined $650
By Elena Chong
A WOMAN who took part in an illegal assembly two years ago to publicise a political rally was fined $650 yesterday.
Harkirat Kaur, 29, admitted to passing out fliers during a September 2006 gathering along North Bridge Road which allegedly involved members of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP).
Party chief Chee Soon Juan, his sister Chee Siok Chin, assistant treasurer Jeffrey George and party chairman Gandhi Ambalam have also been charged in connection with the assembly.
They had earlier claimed trial and their next court date is tomorrow.
The court heard that Harkirat, who does freelance editorial work, took part in the assembly at the entrance of City Hall MRT around mid-day on Sept 10, 2006.
She distributed fliers promoting a rally at the Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park scheduled for six days later.
On a related note, you might recall that last year, the Workers' Party had applied for a permit to hold a cycling event at East Coast Park. The police rejected the application. When Sylvia Lim went to Parliament to ask why, the Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Prof Ho Peng Kee said that:
1. East Coast Park is a recreational park for Singaporeans and their families. It is not meant to be used by a political party to promote its cause;However, guess where the PAP held its carnival, just last Sunday? At the West Coast Park. And guess who made his grand entrance on a bicycle? Yes, the Man himself, together with a troop of PAP ministers and MPs, all on bicycle.
2. Apart from displacing the usual recreational users, East Coast Park is an open area where there is greater potential for breach of the peace, public disorder and unruly behaviour.
3. The police requires political events to be held indoors or in stadiums where problems could be contained, and this policy applies to all political parties.
West Coast Park not the same as East Coast Park, mah."
I must say - this country is as funny as it is sad.