TO:
Worker's Party & Singapore Democratic Party
Dear
Opposition Leaders,
A very happy Deepavali! This is a
public letter to both of you which I will put on my personal
blog soon. I am writing with regard to the recent event in which
an anonymous protestor distributed flyers critical of the
Worker's Party on its 50th Anniversay on Sat, 3 Oct 2007. This
event was reported in both the Straits Times and LianHe
WanBao.
First and foremost, allow me to state that I do
not condone this
civil action. I feel that in the context of Singapore which is
dominated by one ruling party that has a very firm grip on
power and whose rule has been clearly shown to be authoritarian
and oppressive, any civil action should be directed at the
ruling party, and NOT at any opposition party. I do not know who
is behind that civil action, but I hope he or she stops
immediately.
But that being said, I firmly believe that
there must be constructive debate and dialogue between various
opposition parties. We must not be afraid to provide
constructive criticism if we genuinely feel something is being
done wrong, in order for every opposition party to improve and
become a better fighter against the ruling party.
It is
in that context that I wrote a letter to the Straits Times Forum
page last week criticizing the Worker's Party for merely being
content with providing token resistance to policies debated in
Parliament, but not being able to suggest concrete alternatives.
I also criticized the Worker's Party for claiming that it would
take decades more before it had any chance of being an
alternative government, when in GE 2006 it gave the electorate
the impression that it was already proactively working towards
that goal. The Straits Times published my letter in the print
edition on Fri, 2 Oct.
Response to my letter was very
negative, especially from WP members.
After the news of
the civil action (distributing flyers) against the WP attracted
headlines in the local media, some internet forum participants
accused Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) supporters of being
behind the civil action, and they took the chance to direct
their anger at the SDP. One person by the name of "DESMOND"
even wrote an email letter to Dr Chee Soon Juan accusing SDP or
its supporters of instigating this civil action. This letter
received a swift rebuttal from Dr Chee. Both letters have been
published on the SDP website:
http://www.singaporedemocrat.org/yourletters10.html
To
put it simply, it is my desire to see this irrational conflict
end here and now. It is a waste of time and energy, and only
gives the ruling party a hearty laugh and a fat year-end bonus.
Let us instead direct our precious energy and resources to what
truly matters: Challenging the ruling party.
In this
regard, I would like to call for Unity amongst Opposition
Parties. Let us put this episode behind us and move on. More
importantly, let us all welcome constructive feedback and
criticism, and refrain from overreacting at all times. As
Opposition, we must be thick-skinned enough to accept that there
will inevitably be disagreements amongst ourselves and from
members of the public. I humbly call for the WP to improve in
this area.
Let us not
give the ruling
party the last laugh.
NG E-JAY
SDP's
Reply:
Dear Ng E-Jay,
Your call to the SDP
to be more united with the other opposition parties is
well-intentioned and appreciated.
We wish to add that the
SDP has always been an advocate for opposition unity. As early
as 1994, Dr Chee Soon Juan wrote in his book Dare To Change: "It
would make much sense for [SDP and WP] to pool their resources
together with the ultimate and overriding objective to entrench
the Opposition in Singaporean politics."
When he
became Secretary-General of the SDP, Dr Chee got together with
then WP leader, Mr J B Jeyaretnam, to write a letter to the
United Nations urging it to look into problems with the election
system here.
In 2001, the two SDP and WP leaders formed
the Open Singapore Centre to promote transparency and democratic
accountability.
Under Dr Chee, the Singapore Democrats
also signed a memorandum of understanding with the PKMS for
greater opposition cooperation, and encouraged other opposition
parties to join in.
We even made overtures to other
opposition parties for greater cooperation during elections.
As
you can see, the SDP not only understands the importance of a
united front but we have also taken concrete steps to to try to
achieve this.
But with changes in leadership in the other
parties, our efforts have not been able to continue.
Having
said that, it is also important that we are clear in what we are
trying to achieve in calling for opposition unity.
Opposition
unity for its own sake will achieve little. It must be more than
just creating a façade for the consumption of the voting
public during elections.
This is because with the
election system the way it is, the opposition no matter how
united we are, will not be able to make a dent in the PAP
armour, let alone challenge it for the government.
With
the PAP threatening voters, buying their votes, fixing the
opposition, and gerrymandering elections are quite meaningless.
As long as the election system remains the way it is, the PAP
will rule for another 50 years.
But if the opposition
will unite to tackle the fundamental problems of the election
system and push for the election process to be rectified, like
what the Malaysians did on Saturday in their country, opposition
parties become natural allies. (read here)
On
the other hand, if unity is going to result in the opposition
collectively becoming less bold and vocal, then democracy will
become a casualty and the people are the ultimate losers.
The
SDP agrees with you that the opposition must not give the PAP
the last laugh. The only way the PAP will have the last laugh is
when the opposition remains timid and without a vision.
The
SDP welcomes cooperation with any party that would also work
towards reform of the political system. To this end, we are
encouraged to see the potential formation of the Reform Party by
Mr Jeyaretnam.
Unfortunately calling for reform of the
system, as opposed to trying to better the PAP in a sham
election system in which every button, lever and wheel is
controlled by the ruling party, will attract the ire of Mr Lee
Kuan Yew.
This is, admittedly, a position to which not
every party aspires. But it is the only way that the opposition
is going to bring about democracy and the rule of law, and the
only way that will regain the rights for our people.
It
is also the path on which the Singapore Democrats have embarked
and one on which we will continue.
Along the way we will
be a target of the PAP. But freedom and democracy can never be
achieved without some individuals willing to make personal
sacrifices. Be assured, however, that these sacrifices will not
be made in vain, for one day we will be vindicated.
Until
then, we will remain steadfast in championing the foundation
that underpins our party - democracy, justice and freedom for
all our fellow citizens. We will receive with
humility and democratic brotherhood anyone who
wishes to join our cause.
We ask you and
others who understand and support what we are doing to stay
strong and unwavering. Continue to
do your part by diligently educating Singaporeans about our
mission and campaigning on our behalf. Don't let
your critics discourage you.
For our cause is your cause
and our freedom is your freedom.
Greetings
SDP,
I was reading a book the other day which suggested
that Switzerland is not a "country" but a business,
and having spent some time in Singapore I felt that this very
apt description fits Singapore too. I do applaud your courage,
and trust one day "The business" will become a
"Country".
My regards,
EUGENE
Dear
Dr Chee and SDP,
I am thinknothing, the forumer who
started the wayangparty blog which was published yesterday in
the Straits Times and Lianhe Wanbao.
After
the articles were published, I received numerous attacks from WP
members and supporters accusing me of being a ISD agent, PAP
mole and SDP member. WP people are also starting a vicious smear
campaign in cyberspace to discredit you.
I do not mind
them calling me a PAP lackey, but I am really really very upset
that I have implicated SDP and Dr Chee. I am very sorry for what
happened. I did not expect WP to scoop to such a low level to
take cheap mud shots at SDP.
I have already clarified
the entire matter on my blog. I hope you can publish it on the
SDP Letter page to clear up any misconceptions netizens may
have.
The wayangparty blog is set up solely by me. It has
nothing to do with Dr Chee or SDP.
I would like to
express my deepest apologies to Dr Chee and the SDP for having
implicated them in my actions. I shall assume full
responsibility for this blog.
To all those disgruntled WP
members and supporters out there, please vent your frustrations
and anger on me if you must, but please leave SDP alone.
SDP
itself has already made clarifications
on their
website.
I sincerely hope WP leaders, members and
supporters can be humble and graceful enough to accept
constructive criticisms from ordinary citizens like me, be a
gentleman and let matter rest instead of continuing to attack
the SDP.
THINKNOTHING
Dear
Dr Chee & SDP,
By now I believe you know Workers’
Party received some offensive flyers when they were celebrating
their anniversary in Toa Payoh. Sources indicate that supporters
of your party are behind this.
If it is true then I am
disappointed with you and your party. When I registered with
Sammyboy forum, I supported all opposition, and that includes
SDP. But your supporters misbehaved, attacked forummers and many
a time displayed double standards of engagement, and now this. I
have dropped SDP from my list of opposition.
Some say PAP
is behind it. I don't think you buy that because you know they
will bankrupt and sue you not give childish flyers. Some say
just nicks cannot prove they are your supporters. Funny thing
is, your supporters use real names. Except for thinknothing,
there are Ng Ejay and Chia Tilik (past WP member) real people
who participates in SDP activities in support (unless it is a
different Chia). They were discussing this plot on Sammyboy
forum. Need I say more?
My question is, why don’t
SDP spend 100% of your resources fighting PAP instead of
dedicating 50% to WP? If WP serve PAP interest, the truth will
come to light. There is no need to resort to such childish
antics.
I am very sure if SDP get that kind of thing
happening, they will be very unhappy and blame WP or PAP. Think
about it.
RAVEN CLAW
Archive
of your letters from 7 Nov 07 here
