http://www.dailynewspapercovers.com/View/Singapore/Lianhe+Zaobao/

Does Singaporeans know what is the meaning of ‘freedom ‘ of speech?

At the very deepest core level it means that I do not agree with what another person said but I will defend this person’s right to the death to say it. In other words I cannot shut a person’s mouth from talking about me even if it is nonsense to me. What happened after this person said it is another matter. But let this person say it first. If I stop this person from talking I am simply nothing but a bully. A dictator is a bully. Does this scanario sounds familiar in Singapore? Singaporeans are bullied by some dictators and by use of police to shut up. Singaporeans are living in fear to speak up. They are afraid of speaking the ‘disagreeable’ thing. But speaking the ‘disagreeable’ thing is not a wrong or ‘disapproved by Gahmen’ thing. Until Singaporeans learnt to speak up and not be afraid of dealing with disgreement you are just infants. Adults know you don’t have to be right to speak up. There is no right or wrong answers. It allows us to explore and progress faster and safer. It is creativty and possibility.

As far as freedom of speech is concerned Singapore is No. 2 in the world (only 2 oppositions). Singapore was No.1 before (only 1 opposition) and was nothing before a No.0 (zero opposition). Speak nothing become nothing as a nation, give and take another 10 years. This is what democracy is about, let the people’s voices be heard. The Gahmen does not necessarily has to agree. But speak up Singaporeans. It is about time you people disallow yourselves to be bullied.

I am glad Malaysians have the guts to speak up, so are the Indonesians, Thais, Phillipines and the Pakistanis.

We must agree that PAP is an efficient government. But it needs ”upgrading” to learn to drop the use of fear tactics to rule….

I salute your concern and your guts to voice your concerns to the Singapore leaders. I feel that your non-partisan view carry more weight because you are expressing your view without political partisan bias.

In the past, the SG politicans criticise you because I believe they do not know how to deal with you since you are not aligned to any political parties.

But it is important the the people check on the government of the day to make sure they do the right thing. But it is true that the climate of fear is at work. Singapore being a small island with a small population, the opaque legal and political system that will bankrupt, jail or exile a dissident’s voice and the successful propaganda of the government that promotes its version of historical events and instil its version of “Confucious” values.

After the “Stay and Quit” message by the previous PM, I am glad I made the tough decision. After voting in my adopted country twice and saw a smooth transition to a new Labor govt, I realised that there are some beauty in democratic system, after all.