Reporters Without Borders
More than a year after coming to power, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, son of the country’s strong man, Lee Kuan Yew, had not begun any liberalisation of the media. Despite statements in support of an “open” society, the ruling party still does not brook any criticism.
Questioned by the international press about Singapore’s position in the 2005 World Press Freedom Index (140th out of 167), senior minister Goh Chok Tong called it a “subjective measure computed through the prism of western liberals”. He also defended the Singapore model for controlling the media, saying that a press that was too free was “not necessarily good for the entire country”.
Relatively independent for regional and international news, when it comes to domestic politics Singapore’s press, still controlled by associates of Lee Kuan Yew, is in the grip of a rigorous self-censorship. The government threatens journalists, foreign media and opposition with defamation suits seeking dizzying amounts in damages.
The government uses around a score of draconian laws, particularly those on the granting of licences for publications, on films, religious and political website managers and on national security, to stifle any criticism.
Freelance film-maker Martyn See was accused of breaking the law on films by putting out a “partisan” documentary, “Singapore Rebel”, a portrait of an opposition figure Chee Soon Juan. In August police seized all copies of the film and the videotapes on which it was recorded. The film puts See at risk of a penalty of up to two years in prison or a fine of almost 500,000 euros.
In 2005, Hong Kong-based financial website FinanceAsia.com, apologised and agreed to pay compensation after the authorities threatened a lawsuit against it over an article it posted on a Singaporean investment company with links to the government.
The Star
ReplyDeleteNation
Thursday May 4, 2006
Election campaign heats up
ANALYSIS BY JOCELINE TAN
THE contest in Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Ang Mo Kio constituency has been likened to “an egg going against a rock”, meaning the opposition party is likely to be crushed.
It has been an uphill campaign for the Worker’s Party team which is taking on Lee’s PAP team in the group representation seat in Singapore’s May 6 general election.
The seat is being contested for the first time in 18 years.
Constituents smile when asked about the campaign, saying there is little to discuss and implying they have decided who they want.
In denying Lee his usual walkover win, the Worker’s Party said that they were fighting Lee so that he would not be a “walkover PM”.
Lee, who was not without a sense of humour, replied that PAP was grateful for the Worker’s Party doing “national service”.
When asked whether he thought the opposition would lose its deposit in Ang Mo Kio, Lee said with a laugh: “We’ll try our best to make sure it’ll cost them some money.”
Despite the assured victory, the prime minister’s team of six, which includes Malaysian-born engineer Lee Bee Wah, has not taken it easy.
They still hit the pavements, go door-to-door and make the rounds at markets and hawker centres.
Now that the campaign has crossed the half-way point, the pace has quickened and the pressure on the opposition even hotter than ever.
On Tuesday night, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew joined the rally circuit for the first time in the campaign.
He turned up at a rally to help an “old friend” from the 1960s, Ong Ah Heng, who is fighting to keep his Nee Soon Central seat. But it was obviously more than just for old times’ sake or friendship.
It was also a strategic stage appearance which the elder statesman used to attack the Worker’s Party, calling its leaders a string of unsavoury names and challenging them to sue him.
At 82, the senior Lee is still an electrifying speaker and he did it in his trademark style, emphasising each accusation with karate chops in the air and lots of finger pointing.
The Worker’s Party, which has emerged as the most prominent among the motley opposition parties, has emerged as the PAP’s chief target of attack.
The PAP may resemble a rock but the Worker’s Party seems to be a tough egg to crack.
The attacks have focused on what has become known as the James Gomez saga.
It began with Worker’s Party candidate Gomez saying he had submitted some forms required for his candidature when he had not.
But cameras at the Elections Department office caught him filling up, then putting the forms into his briefcase.
His party called it an honest mistake, the PAP accused him of dishonesty and the whole thing has been blown up to such an extent that it has eclipsed other election issues.
The PAP has used the Gomez saga to question the integrity of the Worker’s Party.
The Worker’s Party accused the PAP of making a mountain out of a molehill on the issue.
“The PAP tactic does not reflect a first world government. It is the start of third world gutter politics,” Gomez said at a rally.
Analysts said the Gomez issue was unlikely to influence the way people vote.
“There have usually been about 30% of people who will support the opposition with another 5% to 10% of swing votes depending on the issues. If there is a vote swing, it will be within these margins,” said an analyst.
Lunch hour rallies also made a comeback this year and Lee who is seeking a mandate for his leadership was the crowd drawer in the central business district yesterday. His speech touched on Singapore’s future and sense of self.
Interesting Quote from YoungPAP website:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youngpap.org.sg/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=9689
"Repression, Sir is a habit that grows. I am told it is like making love-it is always easier the second time!
The first time there may be pangs of conscience, a sense of guilt.
But once embarked on this course with constant repetition you get more and more brazen in the attack. A
ll you have to do is to dissolve organizations and societies and banish and detain the key political workers in these societies.
Then miraculously everything is tranquil on the surface.
Then an intimidated press and the government-controlled radio together can regularly sing your praises, and slowly and steadily the people are made to forget the evil things that have already been done, or if these things are referred to again they're conveniently distorted and distorted with impunity, because there will be no opposition to contradict."
- Lee Kuan Yew as an opposition PAP member speaking to David Marshall, Singapore Legislative Assembly, Debates, 4 October, 1956
Our Gov said this election is very important to all Singaporean. I strongly agreed cos i m a
ReplyDeleteSingaporean it concern me but Y ?? I m not given a fair chance to VOTE ??? Can't for once the whole nation vote together br it PAP/SAP/WP or etc... Answer is "NO" again Y ??? Cos this is our GOV set and said here come the Question : DID U PICK THEM TO BE OUR GOV ? ? When I was born they are already the GOV, till today they are still our GOV but never once the GOV ask me, DO I WANT THEM TO BE OUR GOV !!! Be fair to all Singaporean if is so important the election let the whole nation vote...... What I wantfrom my GOV is to show me all they know beside just leading and 1st GOV must open their ear to listen to me cos I m a Singaporean I have my right to pick my GOVERNMNENT.