Fixing the opposition - even beyond the grave
Their job is to make life miserable for me, so that I screw up and they can come in…
Instead of spending my time thinking of what is the right policy for Singapore, I will spend all my time - I have to spend my time thinking of what is the right way to fix them, what is the right way to buy my supporters over…
Remember the lunchtime rally at Raffles Place in May 2006? The very speech where our PM Lee Hsien Loong made the above comments with regards to the opposition in that speech?
Well two years later, I still do.
Not because I have such a bionic memory. The fixing is still very much in place.
David Marshall once called ST journalists poor prostitutes and running dogs of the PAP. Harsh words perhaps. Netizens have always speculated about how the Straits Times is a national instrument with which the government yield to disseminate information “appropriate” for the masses. Those of us who read AFP, CNN, Reuters etc know how skewed ST can be in reporting “sensitive” news, especially those with relations to politics, bread and butter news, government investments etc.
I refer to the recent ST coverage on JBJ, with particular reference to Ms Chua Lee Hoong’s article, “A stayer to the end”.
On the surface, the title of the article bodes well. Upon reading, the insidious insinuations could not be ignored.
“His death dashed the hopes of many”…”what died with him were the spoken and unspoken dreams of those who had hoped to see a strengthening of the opposition in Singapore”
How and why? If anything, the spirit of JBJ will continue to inspire those who continue to forge on stoically in the rocky path of opposition politics. To imply that the demise of opposition politics would have followed with JBJ’s death is a weak attempt to strike at the confidence and morale of those who remain fighting. On the contrary, opposition politicians said at JBJ’s wake and vigil that they will remember JBJ’s spirit, principles and passion and will fight on for the people.
“With the benefit of hindsight, it could even be said that it was Mr Jeyaretnam’s highly combative style that led the PAP government to develop an aversion to confrontational politics, Westminster-style”
I find it highly offensive that Ms Chua takes it upon herself to assume and presume about a man who is no longer around to defend his good name. She assumes that it could be said that it is JBJ who had caused the PAP party to be aversive towards opposition and presumes Mr JBJ’s political style to be “highly combative”. His conviction in the Westminster political style is used against him as being “confrontational”. By that determination, I wonder what is to be said about politicians in democratic countries who are just as- if not more than- assertive and vocal as JBJ. What is expected of a politician in another democratic society is termed as “highly combative” in our democratic society.
Is it not the duty of an opposition politician to question the government on what he sees as inadequate? When that duty is being fulfilled and the incumbent termed “confrontational” and “highly combative”, something is very wrong in the local political climate.
“Had Singapore’s first opposition MP been of a more peaceable temperament - like Mr Chiam See Tong or Mr Low Thia Kiang - it is possible that Singapore’s political landscape might be very different today.”
Is it? I remember reading in LKY’s memoir - “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”.
It is the ruling party’s attitude that there is no need for checks and balance. The underlying resentment of any “interference” marks the real hostility against any dissenting voice.
To lay the blame conveniently on a dead man is simply despicable.
“In the years between 2001 and now, Mr Low became the de facto leader of the opposition here. He was also the man whom many Singaporeans pointed to as the kind of opposition MP they wanted to see: someone swift to pounce on governmental misdemeanours, who raised issues pertinent to the heartlanders, but - unlike Mr Jeyaretnam - could not be accused of not being constructive”
Again, weaving truth into something questionable to make it look credible. Agreeing that Mr Low has delivered (something which many of us would agree with) and riding on that sentiment of agreement to quickly deliver a dubious point speaks of masterful manipulation. You can take the woman out of ISD, but you can’t take the ISD out of the woman.
Yes, as usual, our ST slaves have listened to their masters and acted like “dogs”. It is expected and in the past, when there is no internet, what were written is treated as the “gospel truth”.
Not now.
Now, we can surely rebut to every “truth” they have written. The buzz about one inserted line in the news article had made them took it out silently, thus acknowledging the fact that you can call your “doggy editors” to write whatever you want but you cannot hide the truth. The internet reach to the existing ST readers may not be exceptional, however the ability to pen alternative opinions is there.
Yours is a reply to whatever untruth they try to dispense.
JBJ would want us to “do something”.
Hi Rachel.
When that article came out I was at the wake all day and hadn’t had time to read the papers. I still haven’t had time to read them. But my wife did. She was in shock anyway and scrambling to get a flight over from London. She picked up the Straits Times at the door of the plane as it was the only paper available ( normally she never reads it) She liked the photo on the front page which depicted DAD smiling and so was really not expecting to find that article inside.She was quite upset on the plane over. She’d seen thousands of hits and messages on the web in the UK and she kept saying thsi is the only sour note.
From what she’s saying I gather that what upset her was the insidious nature of it, damning with faint praise, assasinating you with an un-traceable poison kind of thing. She said it took her a few moments and a few re-reads because her brain was fogged at the time and she just kept thinking she got it wrong. She tells me that that journalist was trying to blame Dad and actually make him or his politics responsible for the fact that there are so few Opposition mp’s. For the record I woudl like to state that I believe it is not beacuse of JBJ that the PAP holds 82 out of 84 seats . It is because of JBJ that the opposition is able to hold 2 out of 84 seats and no matter how effective they are or are not that figure speaks for itself. 82 out of 84 is not a monopoly. I should also add that before Wednesday of this week I kept out of politics. I was largely apolitical. I’m a good Singaporean and law abiding. I love Singapore.
As an economist I would agree with much that the government has done to develop the economy. I was going to keep Lee Hsien Loong’s letter to myself. I thought it was private and I felt that it meant a lot that he had written at all. But I understand that the letter has been made public and everyone is discussing it and dragging up stuff from my past. My family told me not to get upset, I had to concentrate on getting through the next few days. I guess Lee Hsien Loong’s hand was tied by his advisers. I can only surmise that they are already looking ahead and trying to come up with a story about why I was basically in exile. I can only think that they are scared that as JB’s eldest son I’m going to step into his shoes. The Irony here is that the result of publishing my private letter of condolence is to personally push me into a different mindframe and of course there has been the public backlash. It has really backfired.
Now I’m still too much in shock and still have a lot of funeral arrangements to deal with but as soon as possible I will post my Eulogy as people are asking for it and I will read the article and respond. And now that it is out in the open I will need to get some facts out about why I lived overseas so I will be setting the record straight and reponding to the letters of condolence. ( I also received one from The M.M.)
Now I’m going off line and to spend some precious time with my little boy. He is going back to London tomorrow.
Hi Kenneth
Thank you for taking the time to clarify your position on the news article and the recent events. I can only say I am saddened by what had transpired. My condolences to you and family for your loss.
Please post your Eulogy so that we can put it online as a remembrance to your dad. It had touched many who were at the service.
Putting the media and political unpleasantries aside, I wish you and your family all the best.
Hi Joe
There will always be bloggers who will continue to be the alternative voice to the media and pointing out what we perceive to be unjust.
Your example of the “missing line” is a good case in point. We were disgusted by the underhanded nature of that one liner and the underlying insinuations it carried. It was quickly removed after furious online criticism.
And we will continue to do so.
We do not deserve Sir JBJ. He was too big for us. He had bold plans for the people to be free and happy. But we were content with a small desire, just to live out our existence.
We do not deserve Sir JBJ. He loved us so much; and his love for us was unconditional. His only wish was for us to live a life of dignity. But this was an unrequited affair. We spurned him all along because ignorance, apathy and fear dulled our senses.
We do not deserve Sir JBJ. He offered his wisdom and enlightened our hope, the truth and the way laboriously encapsulated in his book. But when we saw him shouting his wares at the street corner, we did not open our hearts and reach out for that salvation. Instead, we cast our eyes away from that forlorn figure.
He came and died for us. That we be saved. Will we?
Why this old man also sent condolence ? Mr JBJ did no wrong, why this old man changed the rule by abolishing Anson and introduced GRC ? he is scare of Mr JBJ.It is because of Mr JBJ that I supported opposition all these years,There is nothing wrong in confrontational politics,When Dr Chee shouted at Goh CT,it is very normal.Only Pap can’t accept it.The ST played the tune of its master,and majority of Singaporeans were con by ST.So most people can’t accept Dr Chee.The reason why I dislike Pap is,it is too arrogant and undemocratic !!
PM Lee’s “fixed” speech at Raffles Place was unbecoming of a man who is PM. It made him look like a whiner who cannot take challenges and obstacles and only wants a smooth ride all the time.
I was disappointed in my PM and his leadership henceforth.
Kevin: Like what some of JBJ’s close friends said, hopefully Singaporeans will not mourn for a short while and then forget all about him in time. Hopefully, there will be those who will continue to fight on and be inspired by the one who fought all the way to the end.
TNS: I could not address you by your nick for it sounds like I am cussing you. lol.
If there is one thing I’ve found out (to my utter surprise), Dr Chee is nothing like what the local media makes him out to be.
Whiner: Has it not been a smooth ride for him all this while? No Singaporeans were surprised. We were only surprised that he actually said it out loud.
[...] to honour Mr JBJ - TOC: From one friend to another - Gee Siva: The Lion of Singapore - Xtralicious: Fixing the opposition - even beyond the grave - My Singapore News: A time to change - Think Happiness: MICA Reply: Banned JBJ Film - [...]
i guess most people who read the straits times would be able to discern what chua lee hoong was trying to say.
seeking to impugn a dead man is not fair play and certainly not becoming of someone who calls herself a journalist.
i suppose there are a lot of good journalists in singapore who want to write truthfully and objectively, but have their hands tied.
but as long as there are educated and discerning young people around, one day, this ripple will translate into a groundswell, striking a mortal blow at this souless oligarchy.
i think in 2011, something may happen - i sincerely look forward to that day.
keep plugging and make that vote count.
You wrote: If there is one thing I’ve found out (to my utter surprise), Dr Chee is nothing like what the local media makes him out to be.
That’s what I found out. Not that I have met him in any way.
What started me thinking and looking deeply into political and public policies was when I took up my courage and bought myself a Singapore Democrat paper. CSJ had written about the CPF monies and I was asking myself the same questions he had answered.
The funny thing was none of the government websites or publications were transparent in how they had invested, or repaid the public in their CPF contributions.
When I read what CSJ had wrote about CPF, plus his other thoughts about how Singapore is run, it opened up a whole new dimension to politics.
I finally asked myself - If CSJ, CSC (and SDP), including JBJ, Francis Seow and Tang LH were so unscrupulous, misguided and fanatical, why is LKY and PAP so bent on bankrupting them? Why is the press so ‘faithful’ in displaying their ‘misdeeds’ and trying to expose their ‘frauds’?
The more the media publishes about them, the more unconvincing they look, the more it showed they are hiding something, or are afraid of them.
After reading his articles, I found him to be very sane, very knowledgeable with good critical thinking. I began to respect him. He was a Professor and could have just packed up and leave Singapore. But he stayed to fight the good fight. And the recent LKY suit against him? Har, the transcripts showed everything and proved CSJ was nimble in his feet.
So after reading the Singapore Democrat paper, I went to buy a couple more copies to pass to others.
Kaffein
#KENNETH JEYARETNAM
“A man is judged in not how many years he lived but how he lived” in both ways - JBJ - excelled, no dobuts…my deepest sympathy and condolences to you and the family.
I have given up reading Chua Lee Hoong’s articles. She is so blatantly sucking up to the PAP , it is beyond belief ! I had the privilege of meeting JBJ at City Hall MRT in 2006 and getting his signed copy of The Hatchet Man. Told him it was good to see him going strong after all these years. To JBJ’s sons - you should be proud of your old man !! May his legacy live on. I apologise for my government’s shameful treatment of people like JBJ , Tang Liang Hong , Francis Seow, Tan Wah Piow, the Chees and the “Marxist conspirators”.Thanks xtralicious for a great post ! I look forward to the day that the Singapore government becomes less insecure and stops “fixing” and destroying the lives of dissenters and their families. Lim Chin Siong and Chia Thye Poh were people that were before my time; but I can now see that they suffered much for their beliefs. I hope before LKY leaves the scene, he will do the right thing for the people that he has “fixed”. And that his son will be able to “undo” the wrong done by his father…..
Kaffein:Yes how true. The more dangerous you view an adversary, the more determined you will be to totally destroy him.
quitter: Good for you.Some of us never had the chance to meet and speak with JBJ. Thanks for your sharing.
Hello Kenneth,
I am smiling away when I read your response here. If you are feeling compel to go into Singapore opposition politics to carry on your father’s legacy, I would be really overjoyed!
Good Luck to you!
Goh Meng Seng
You have quoted David Marshall. However, lets not equate David Marshall with JBJ. They are poles apart.
In his twilight years, Marshall accepted the appointment from u know who and served as Singapore envoy to France. If JBJ wanted anything, The u know who will, at all cost, grant it to him. But, he is JBJ.
Whether we agree with the man or not, 30 Sep 2008 is a sad day for Singapore because we lost JBJ who stood up for what he believed in. That’s something few in Singapore have the courage to do.
Whenever I saw JBJ selling his party’s newsletter or his book in Raffles Place, I felt sad - not just for the man but for Singapore because we Singaporeans played our part in DISallowing Diversity and Divergence.
Even under the best of circumstances, even in the face of overwhelming unanimity and convergence, that little lonely voice of diversity and divergence has its role - to question, to push and to re-validate ourselves. That’s how science, art and humanity progressed in civilizations since time immemorial!
The last time I saw JBJ in person was in Sep 2007 at Eleanor Wong’s play “The Campaign to Confer the Public Star on JBJ”, riding up the escalator towards the theatre hall and taking an ovation at the end of the play when his presence was acknowledged.
JBJ has passed on. And he has left his mark in his own way for Singapore. Yes, “for” Singapore, not just “on” Singapore.
The Pariah, singaporeenbloc.blogspot.com
In the eyes of many, JBJ has already earned that Public Star.
I just wonder how CLH get to be ST political editor? Her articles were
at best shallow in analysis and at worst sycophantic. Do they appoint journalists and editors based on how they toe the line?
To Kenneth and Philip Jeyaratnam ,
Thank you for sharing your dad with the rest of us Singaporeans. Be reminded that “Blessed are those who mourn , for they will be comforted”. Your father is in a better place and his reward is in heaven. Was touched by your eulogies to him. May God bless both of you and your families, just as He blessed Singaporeans with JBJ. Ignore the Straits Times and the unpleasantness of ungracious (and disgraceful) people who can’t write proper condolences. God is the final Judge and we know from your eulogies that your dad was a good and faithful servant of God. Thanks and Blessings !!
etvwtd There is no intent to compare as I have quoted David Marshall with regards to ST.
However having said that, I do respect David Marshall for his intelligence and eloquence both in politics and in the courtroom.
Pariah: Just look at the magnitude of the online tributes to JBJ. That is a life well lived.
Loyola: I believe so, from the amount of tributes and respect accorded to JBJ online.
Jack: Well, she did have that background in ISD.
dear Kenneth
I have known you and Phil since you guys were early teens.
what I need to say now is in recent years your dad has been less
and less into electoralism and more amenable to extra
parliamentary struggles and the building of the civil society.
he called parliament a rubber stamp in the launch of the reform
party. and significantly the motto of the RP party is: to educate,
energize and empower. he had left quite a lot of unfinished business.
maurice
Hi Rachel,
My apology if I gave u the impression that I was directing that particular remark against you. On the contrary, I deeply respect and appreciate what you have done so far.
You are, at least, much better than I am as u are actively contributing to this public discourse in the open. Hope to be like u in the near future.
By the way, unlike the judiciary, ST did not sue when people call them Pros…..
Keep up the good work, Rachel.
Hi etvwtd : No worries. I simply wanted to clarify on that point in case there was a misunderstanding. No offence taken when there is none meant.
Thanks for your kind words. I am merely a citizen speaking out against what I see as injustice.
Rachel
your post about Chua Lee Hoong’s article is spot on. Keep it up. One of the best pieces I’ve seen you put up and I have been following you for a while now.
Keep it up
kenneth n philip, be strong,take care,god bless you.
I have already given up on ST a long time ago since they often provided one side of the story and would never report factually. Anyway, we all know better.
Anyhow, I managed to dig up the book ‘the hatchet man of Singapore’ last night. I recall seeing the late Mr JBJ selling his book at cityhall. Always solemn. So I thought I will buy the book and sort of express my support to him and get a different perspective. That date was 21st Nov 2005, I have managed to get him to autograph the book.
I re-read chapter 1 and 2 again this morning on the way to work. A fresh new perspective to things that differs from that we can read from ST.
Reading it almost 3 years on, brings a different perspective.
JBJ, sir, you are truly a hero with your head held high, even in death. No one can hide the truth forever. The truth will set you free and I believe so. Rest in peace.
Rachel,
I have the transcript of Kenneth’s eulogy. Do you happen to have a transcript of Philip’s eulogy - if so, please post it here. (I have seen the video of Philip’s eulogy, but hope someone has his written copy somewhere.)
SS Sim: Thanks for your kind words. It’s always great to hear from a long time reader. Do keep checking in.
Best
R
Edwin: Lucky you. I have a copy of his “Make it Right for Singapore” but did not manage to get the “Hatchet Man”.
Yes, he had his head held high all the way to the end. That is a spirit worth emulating.
The: I have both the Jeyaretnam brothers’ eulogies up in my site, but they have given their permission only for me to publish here, and not to be reproduced elsewhere.
I hope that their wishes will be respected. You can link to the posts though. Thanks.
Rachel
The title of your piece “Fixing the opposition - even beyond the grave” is apt. I would add that you don’t need to be in opposition politics to be fixed. Remember the famous phrase “nip in the bud” used time and again during the era of the alleged Marxist conspiracy. More than 20 people were fixed even though none was in the opposition. The PAP is averse to many things, not just confrontational politics. CLH should know better having been with ISD. JBJ and his family had paid a very heavy price for us. Let’s hope their sacrifice will not be in vain.
teo soh lung
Now I am worried Reform Party does not have a leader,who is going to carry on Mr JBJ’s work ?
Dear Rachel,
You quoted the Prime Minister’s 2006 speech at Raffles Place. Thank you for reminding us again of one of the Prime Minister’s verbal gaffes. I think the quote really offered a glimpse into the minds of top PAP politicians , of their undemocratic tendencies and their contempt for the opposition.
I think the PM was lucky that the ST did not play up this quote, like how they do for the verbal gaffes of opposition politicians. Out of the mouth springs the deep issues of the heart. In truth, LHL shows that he is hardly Prime Minister material, with a disposition that is averse to the hard knocks of democratic debate. If a leader is to have true authority, that authority must emanate from his views having succeeded the hard grind of true debate. A leader that displays impatience towards other politcial views shows disrespect for the people of his country.
Hi Alex.
Why would Straits Times play up LHL’s ‘fixing the opposition’ blunder? I think not. Since they are the defacto government mouthpiece. The day, I read something negative about the PAP on our beloved straits times, I will perhaps start to read it again.
To be honest, I doubt that will not happen in the near future. I am hoping that GE2011 provide a catalyst of change. Sadly, I reckon I won’t even get to vote.
When reading this article on our beloved PM, I am reminded of a story below: -
While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, whose hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to one of the political candidates.
The old rancher said, “Well, ya know, that candidate is a ‘Post Turtle’”.
Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a ‘post turtle’ was.
The old rancher said, “When you’re driving down a country road you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a ‘post turtle’”.
The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor’s face so he continued to explain.
“You know he didn’t get up there by himslef, he doesn’t belong up there, and he doesn’t know what to do while he’s up there, and you just wonder what kind of dummy put him up there to begin with”.
Teo Soh Lung: Thanks for sharing. I am reminded of Lim Chin Siong after reading what you have written.
TNS: The last we have heard is that the Organising Secretary and Acting Secretary General for RP - Edmund Ng - will carry on with JBJ’s legacy..
Alex: We are Uniquely Singapore after all - a democratic society like no other.
Edwin: Sadly, some of us still make ourselves read it - so that we can point out inconvenient truths like what I have done in this article.
Are you not able to vote because of a walkover?
Kaomangai: LOL!!!!! Good one! I would like to use your story as a prelude to one of my future posts if I may.
*chuckles*
Rachel,
Yup, I believe I will be under pasir ris punggol GRC…It’s so unfortunate! Actually, I do hope someone come challenge there since the demography of the constituency might draw votes for the opposition, after my town, Sengkang and Punggol are relatively younger towns hence more in tune with whatever the truth is.
Let us keep our fingers crossed.
Edwin: Very interesting. Who knows what the opposition politicians have in plan for the 2011? There are exciting times ahead, and I too am keeping my fingers crossed for you.
亲爱的Rachel，
您会写中文吗？
希望您用中文书写，让受中文教育的老一辈分享您的智慧。
谢谢。
etwtd
PS: Just hope that some of you would write Chinese to reach out to larger Singaoreans…
Just in case you do not understand Chinese. Let me provide translation.
亲爱的Rachel，
Dear Rachel,
您会写中文吗？
Do you write Chinese?
希望您用中文书写，让受中文教育的老一辈分享您的智慧。
Hope you would provide a Chinese version to allow the Chinese educated generation to share your wisdom.
谢谢。
Thank you.
To Xtralicious
You are welcome to use it anywhere you like although I cannot claim originality to it. No problem. Thanks for posting Kenneth and Philip’s euology. Great site and good work. Keep it up.
Cheers
Hi Rachel,
From your other blog, I was delighted to note that you are will soon begin to blog in Chinese. I wish you success. Perhaps, if you find it too time consuming, I will be pleased to offer my service to translate your work into Chinese. Attached below is a paragraph of my effort to see if you would find it acceptable.
Your sincere reader
同时天涯沦落人
“David Marshall once called ST journalists poor prostitutes and
马绍尔曾指海峡时报记者为一群可怜的娼妓及
running dogs of the PAP. Harsh words perhaps.
行动党的走狗。这是骂人的话。
Netizens have always
speculated about how the Straits Times is a national instrument with
which the government yield to disseminate information “appropriate” for the masses.
网民一直揣摩政府如何利用海峡时报传播适当的情资于群众。
Those of us who read AFP, CNN, Reuters etc know how skewed ST can be in reporting “sensitive” news, especially those with relations to politics, bread and butter news, government investments etc.
像我们这群常阅读法新社，电缆新闻网，路透社者就能看见海峡时报报道有关政治，民生疾苦等新闻，如何积极尽歪曲之能事。“
etvwtd: Thanks so much for taking the effort to do this. I really appreciate it.
Kaomangai: Thanks
[...] to honour Mr JBJ - TOC: From one friend to another - Gee Siva: The Lion of Singapore - Xtralicious: Fixing the opposition - even beyond the grave - My Singapore News: A time to change [Recommended] - Think Happiness: MICA Reply: Banned JBJ Film [...]
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