This blog entry is to refute some of the myths and legends of Dr. Chee's speech at the SDP's Annual Dinner 2008:
Dr. Chee : The Government insists that we Singaporeans exist only to make money.
Not True! Sports and healthy lifestyle also important:
Dr Chee : Here is this island paradise that works and here is this green-eyed monster wanting to tear everything down.
Well said. A humble acknowledgment of jealousy (green-eyed)?
Dr Chee : But shortly thereafter Speakers' Corner at Hong Lim Park was established... That gave me the first glimpse of how civil disobedience could work. I knew that with the right strategy, we could win or, at the very least, extract concessions from the Government.
So the very act of civil disobedience ain't an inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela? Contradicts the usual introduction of the party.
Yes, SDP succeeded in getting more "concessions"... Congrats! You can now demonstrate at Hong Lim Park!
Dr Chee : But I knew deep down in my heart, I was right and they were wrong.
Sounds autocratic.
Dr Chee : Now years later and after several arrests and prison terms, the Government has finally acknowledged the moral imperative of the freedoms of speech and assembly.
Here's the usual psychology playing of the mind, by subtly claiming credit. It's just the change of times, Bro.
Dr Chee : The truth of the matter is that the Government can be made to back down. You have seen with your own eyes that civil disobedience, if carried out in an astute and disciplined manner, works.
See Does SDP really practise Civil Disobedience?
Dr. Chee : The time is right and the conditions favour the reformers. We have the New Media, we have an educated population, and we have the fading away of an old era. These factors are coming together and they spell change.
How would Old era be defined? Older generation? Senior citizens? Fade AWAY???
Dr. Chee : Carpe diem! Seize the day!
Seize power you mean?
Dr. Chee : Many of us are prepared to go to prison. We can't wait to go to court and face the judge and prosecution and to tell the world how politically ridiculous and morally offensive this Government is.
Irresponsible parents... You made little girls cry, don't blame it on MM Lee.
Dr Chee : We all know that it is the Government that has done wrong, not us. We are proud of what we have done. In fact we pledge to do it again.
SDP should be recruited to promote the Yellow Ribbon Project. If it takes over the government, would Singaporeans be encouraged to commit crimes too and then blame it on the government?
Dr. Chee : It has been said that it is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Well said. Join the light side! Stop cursing the Government.
Reference: http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/998-now-is-the-time-to-press-ahead
I think protests and demonstrations would have been allowed earlier had there not been for Chee. I certainly think that the liberalization had nothing to do at all with SDP. The government was just reacting to the general mood and wishes of the people. Of course, Chee is taking the credit for the recent changes. It is obviously impossible to tell who is wrong and who is right. To me, SDP is way too egoistic. Come on - if the opposition keeps the PAP awake at night - it will be the WP they worry about. WP team came close to taking a whole GRC! I am sure the SDP ranks pretty low on the PAP's list of worries.
ReplyDeleteIf you disagree with the way PAP runs Singapore - go listen to what the WP, the SDA has to say. See if you agree, and if you do, please support them. Don't waste your vote, your efforts on Chee and the SDP. The SDP cannot run the country - they have never even given thought to the issue. Has the SDP ever proposed any solutions, stated its stance on economics, diplomacy, governance? Don't support the SDP simply because you are against the PAP and they are too. Think about how you think the country should be run and support the party that reflects your views. If the SDP does eventually worry about practical issues - good for them, good for Singapore. But till then.....
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