New PAP book neglects founding members detained for 19 years
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http://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-pap-book-neglects-founding-members.html
Thursday, September 03, 2009
New PAP book neglects founding members detained for 19 years
"It was a no-holds-barred report", gloats Richard Lim, one of three senior journalists who were commissioned to write the history of the People's Action Party in a new book entitled Men In White, The Untold Story of Singapore's Ruling Party.
The untold story of S'pore's ruling party
Making of Men In White
In the above reports, the Straits Times goes to great lengths to depict the book as a definitive and objective account of PAP's history, supported by interviews with its opponents - including former communists now exiled in Thailand and leftists (a catch-all byword for staunch anti-colonialists) who had left the PAP to form the breakaway Barisan Sosialis.
But remarkably, the two full page report mentions not a single whiff of Operation Coldstore, the infamous 1963 mass arrests that decimated the entire leadership of the political opposition to the PAP.
Another glaring omission was how the writers failed to contact two founding PAP members, Dr Poh Soo Kai and Dr Lim Hock Siew, who were arrested under Operation Coldstore and detained without trial for periods of up to 19 years. Along with Said Zahari, Lee Tse Tong and Ho Piao, both of them were Singapore's longest-held political prisoners after Chia Thye Poh.
THREE
BARISAN SOSIALIS LEADERS DR LEE SIEW CHOH (EXTREME RIGHT), MR S
WOODHULL (SECOND FROM RIGHT) AND DR LIM HOCK SIEW (FOURHT FROM LEFT)
REPRESENTED COUNCIL OF JOINT ACTION AT UNITED NATIONS RETURN FROM NEW
YORK, LIM CHIN SIONG is THIRD FROM RIGHT (10/08/1962 )
Dr Lim Hock Siew was a founding member of the PAP. But like many of his anti-colonialist
colleagues of the PAP, Lim broke away from the PAP and formed the
opposition Barisan Sosialis in 1961. On 2nd February 1963, he was arrested and detained under
Operation Coldstore. Even after Singapore's independence in 1965, Lim
continued to be detained under the Internal Security Act by Lee Kuan
Yew's government. On 6th of September 1982, he was finally released,
capping a 19 years 8 months incarceration - making him Singapore's
longest-held political prisoner after Chia Thye Poh. Dr Lim has
confirmed with me that he was never contacted by the writers of Men In
White. He is now 78 years old and continues to operate his clinic on
Balestier Road.
Dr Poh Soo Kai and Dr Lim Hock Siew in the front row during the launch of Our Thoughts Are Free in March this year.
In a rare press statement released in 1972, nine years into his incarceration, Dr Lim Hock Siew recalled an interrogation session with the ISD where the jailers attempted to strike a "bargain" with the prisoner..
Dr Lim Hock Siew Speaks from Singapore Prison (Date - 18.3.1972)
(through his legal adviser)
(Released by Dr Beatrice Chia, wife of Dr Lim Hock Siew)
I and hundreds of others were arbitrarily arrested on the 2nd of February, 1963. Many are still in prison. Ever since that day, we were, and are, unjustly and arbitrarily detained in prison without any kind of trial whatsoever for over 9 years. We have gone through various kinds of persecution, struggles, hardships and difficulties during this very long period of over nine years of detention in prison. Recently an unusual development took place. On the 13th of January, 1972, I was taken to the Headquarters of the Special Branch at Robinson Road where I was detained for 40 days together with my brother, Lim Hock Koon.
Two high-ranking special branch agents of the P.A.P. regime indicated to me that if I were to issue a public statement of repentance, I would be released. They told me that 9 years had passed since the date of my arrest and that it was time that my case be settled. They admitted that 9 years was a long time. I told them that it was pointless to remind me of this long period.
A week after my transfer to the Special Branch Headquarters, the same two high-ranking employees spelt out the conditions of my release. They demanded from me two things. They are as follows: -
(1) That I make an oral statement of my past political activities, that is to say, "A security statement." This was meant for the Special Branch records only, and not meant for publication.
(2) That I must issue a public statement consisting of two points : -
(a) That I am prepared to give up politics and devote to medical practice thereafter.
(b) That I must express support for the Parliamentary democratic system.
I shall now recall and recapitulate the conversation that took place between me and the same two high-ranking Special Branch agents during my detention at the Special Branch Headquarters.
Special Branch - You need not have to condemn the Barisan Sosialis or any person. We admit that it is unjust to detain you so long. 9 years is a long time in a person's life; we are anxious to settle your case.
Dr Lim Hock Siew - My case will be settled immediately if I am released unconditionally. I was not asked at the time of my arrest whether I ought to be arrested. Release me unconditionally and my case is settled.
Special Branch - The key is in your hands. It is for you to open the door.
Dr Lim Hock Siew - To say that the key is in my hands is the inverted logic of gangsters in which white is black and black is white. The victim is painted as the culprit and the culprit is made to look innocent. Four Gurkha soldiers were brought to my house to arrest me. I did not ask or seek arrest or the prolonged detention for over 9 years in prison without trial.
Special Branch - You must concede something so that Lee Kuan Yew would be in a position to explain to the public why you had been detained so long. Mr Lee Kuan Yew must also preserve his face. If you were to be released unconditionally, he will lose face.
Dr Lim Hock Siew - I am not interested in saving Lee Kuan Yew's face. This is not a question of pride but one of principle. My detention is completely unjustifiable and I will not lift a single finger to help Lee Kuan Yew to justify the unjustifiable. In the light of what you say, is it not very clear that I have lost my freedom all these long and bitter years just to save Lee Kuan Yew's face? Therefore the P.A.P. regime's allegation that I am a security risk is a sham cover and a facade to detain me unjustifiably for over 9 years.
My stand on the Making of a Secret Oral Security Statement for the records of the Special Branch
I cannot and will not make any statement to condemn my past political activities. My past political activities were absolutely legitimate and proper. Whatever I had done or said was in the interest of and in the service of the masses of our people and of our country. Even an accused person need not say anything to incriminate or to condemn himself. Why should I who am arbitrarily detained without any kind of trial for over 9 years be coerced to act as an agent to the Special Branch by making a secret deal behind the backs of the masses? I resolutely reject this demand. Furthermore, I have not the slightest obligation to account my past political activities to Lee Kuan Yew.
A. My Stand on the Demand of Making a Public Statement
I completely reject in principle the issuing of any public statement as a condition of my release. This is a form of public repentance. History has completely vindicated my position. I was arrested for opposing merger with "Malaysia" because I held the view that "Malaysia" was a British sponsored neo-colonialist product and the creation of "Malaysia", far from uniting our people and our country, would cause greater dis-unity and dissension among our people. I believe that the formation of Malaysia would be a step backward and not forward in our struggle for national unity.
I have nothing to repent, to recant or to reform. If anything I have become more reinforced in my convictions, more reaffirmed in my views and more resolute to serve the people of Malaya fully and whole-heartedly. I have nothing to concede to Lee Kuan Yew. By right, he should make a public repentance to me and not I to him.
B. My Stand on the Demand that I must give up Politics in Exchange for my Release
I hold the view that these two demands are self-contradictory, because if there is democracy, I need not give up politics. The fact that I had been detained for over 9 years in order to coerce me to give up politics is proof enough that there is no parliamentary democracy. The question of taking part on politics is a fundamental right of the people.
An indirect offer was made to me to leave Singapore for further studies. I have replied to the P.A.P. regime that if I had to leave the country at any time, it must be on my own free volition and not under coercion by the P.A.P regime.
C. My Stand on the Demand for support for Parliamentary System
I hold the view that to support the P.A.P. regime's so-called parliamentary system would mean giving the public and the masses a false impression that there exist today a genuine parliamentary democratic system in Singapore Island. It is an undeniable and unforgettable fact that comrade LEE TSE TONG who was elected by the people of Singapore in the 1963 General Elections, was arbitrarily arrested and detained without trial soon after he was elected. Subsequently, he was deprived of his citizenship and he is still under detention as a so-called "banishee" in prisoner's clothes in Queenstown prison. The arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention of Comrade Lee Tse Tong affords concrete proof that the so-called parliamentary democracy is a cruel mockery. It does not exist in Singapore Island. Giving support to such a sham parliamentary system means complete betrayal of the people. I will never betray the people of my country under any circumstance. Bitter sacrifice strengthens bold resolve.
Parliamentary democracy does not mean merely casting of votes once in 5 years during election time. Far more important than this is the freedom of thought, the freedom of expression, the freedom of association, the freedom of organisation everyday during the 5 years period and continuously thereafter. I was arrested when the Barisan Sosialis was actively participating in the parliamentary system. For such participation, the colonial government, the Lee Kuan Yew and Rahman regimes had rewarded me with over 9 years of imprisonment. This again amply indicates the utter shamness of the so-called parliamentary democratic system. After over 9 years of detention, I am now asked to give support to their so-called parliamentary system in order to secure my release. I firmly refuse to give my support for the sham and illusory democracy in Singapore Island.
My Stand on the Request by the Agents of the P.A.P. Regime to Concede something to save Lee Kuan Yew's Face
Since history has fully vindicated my stand and my position, Lee Kuan Yew should openly and publicly repent to me and to all other political detainees, now unjustifiably detained in prison. By right a just and proper base for my release from my prolonged and unjustifiable detention (and this equally applies to all political detainees now under unjustifiable detention) should be : -
(a) Our unconditional and immediate release from detention and the complete restoration of all our democratic and human rights.
(b) Payment of adequate compensation to me and to all other political detainees for the prolonged and unjustifiable detention in prison.
(c) The issuance of public apology by Lee Kuan Yew to me.
We are willing and prepared to concede the last two conditions as listed above. We do not believe that an arrogant man like Lee Kuan Yew will apologise or to compensate us.
On the first condition that is to say, our demand for unconditional and immediate release from detention, and for the complete restoration of all our democratic and human rights - we must resolutely say : WE WILL NEVER CONCEDE, BITTER SACRIFICE STRENGTHENS BOLD RESOLVE.
+ + + +
The above was published with permission from Dr Lim Hock Siew.Dr Lim is currently penning his memoirs.
Dr Lim's speech at the launch of Said Zahari's book in Johor Bahru can be viewed here.
Dr Lim is featured in a 10 minute video tribute to Lim Chin Siong which can be viewed at the Singapore History Museum.
Zahari's 17 Years remains gazetted as a prohibited film. Any possession constitutes a criminal offence.
The Straits Times is a publication of the Singapore Press Holdings, who commissioned the book.Thanks to Isrizal for finding the above press release.
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Should we be surprised that MM had so willingly endorsed the book ?
He would have justified his actions by saying what he had said at the recent forum -
'You look at our record and the moves we've made. Let me put it simply like this. First, we maintain a system which gives any opposition the opportunity to displace us peacefully. We allow the system: we've not interfered with the civil service, the judiciary, parliamentary procedures, the police and so on.
If you can win an election, so be it. If at some point we are not able to find a team which can equal an opposition team, on that day we deserve to be out. If we become corrupt, inefficient, can't deliver, we're out.'
It is ironical that he should claim that "we maintain a system which gives any opposition the opportunity to displace us peacefully". considering the viciousness that he has allowed his system to persecute those whom he feel so insecure with.
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Is this the oppostion propaganda for the upcoming election?, if so, it sound very lame leh.
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Originally posted by angel7030:
Is this the oppostion propaganda for the upcoming election?, if so, it sound very lame leh.
Opposition propaganda ?Your useless urge to post any replies must have skewed your reading ability and miss out that 'Your MAN' has endorsed the Opposition Propaganda ?
Are you out to prove you are the stupidest person in this Sg Forums ?
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Originally posted by Atobe:
Opposition propaganda ?Your useless urge to post any replies must have skewed your reading ability and miss out that 'Your MAN' has endorsed the Opposition Propaganda ?
Are you out to prove you are the stupidest person in this Sg Forums ?
Useless talking to angel la..When did whore know anything abt politics?
She belongs to sex forum or she is actually a guy call 'Long John Silver' ?
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Originally posted by zenden9:
Useless talking to angel la..When did whore know anything abt politics?
She belongs to sex forum or she is actually a guy call 'Long John Silver' ?
my gosh? am i that popular, please lah, i forbid cloning. -
Originally posted by Atobe:
Opposition propaganda ?Your useless urge to post any replies must have skewed your reading ability and miss out that 'Your MAN' has endorsed the Opposition Propaganda ?
Are you out to prove you are the stupidest person in this Sg Forums ?
Given a book written for the purpose of those white cloth PAP glory, do you think they are going to write about fishy and political prisoner cases?? Aren't you too childish to comment on such a book knowing that it is meant for PAP and supporters and hopefully youngster like us?? We can sympathize those ex political prisoners, but what to do, at that time the British and Tengku also play a hand on it, why must it be PAP LKY, he saw the gain in unification but others dun see it, therefore to get a full consenous, the Brit move in and settle the messy political scene once and for all. So, i bet that in 1963, life will change for many, depending on which boat you are on.My respect to those opposition political prisoners for their persistence and believing in their principles, but as the chinese say, in a mountain, there can only be one Lion King, so that is it, either you bow to him or you get lost. In fact, these old opposition people are real stupid, if given a chance to apologise and be set free, go ahead and apologise, then leave the country and work from outside in to crumble LKY, but they choose to stay inside there just because they have those communist mindset of never surrender and therefore suffered the consquences. Too bad.
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opposition party as usual trying to find ways to denounce the PAP... always trying to create storm in a teacup.. and ignore all the positive things created by PAP leaders..
there will always be a small group of opposition people.. especially in the internet ... because its very hard to make ALL the singaporeans value our government effort...
opposition people frequently select evidence to support their anger towards the ruling party... this is how they feed their motivation and stance... they do not think the big picture.. narrow minded in their thinking...
they think we live in a utopia world(ideal), where the PAP is able to do everything in the past justly and idealy..., given the harsh nature of the situation in the past....
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Originally posted by january:
... because its very hard to make ALL the singaporeans value our government effort...
Not all Singaporeans are apolitical brainwashed people.
They can see through the state bullshit propaganda.
Billions and billions losses is hard to miss.
Bullshit PAP state progapanda won't work on these people.
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Originally posted by january:
opposition party as usual trying to find ways to denounce the PAP... always trying to create storm in a teacup.. and ignore all the positive things created by PAP leaders..
there will always be a small group of opposition people.. especially in the internet ... because its very hard to make ALL the singaporeans value our government effort...
opposition people frequently select evidence to support their anger towards the ruling party... this is how they feed their motivation and stance... they do not think the big picture.. narrow minded in their thinking...
they think we live in a utopia world(ideal), where the PAP is able to do everything in the past justly and idealy..., given the harsh nature of the situation in the past....
There were many positive and negative things done by the PAP leaders .. it's just up to the people to choose which things they did had an impact their lives more.
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With the influence of new media on internet that is critical of gvernment, more and more people are waking up from their sleep.
They can now see through the propaganda junk of the state media and how it serves PAP interests.
They won't be fooled by bullshit propaganda like in the past.
Some are unhappy with this situation.
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Originally posted by january:
opposition party as usual trying to find ways to denounce the PAP
Like PAP isn't doing the same thing and worse.
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Originally posted by january:
they do not think the big picture.. narrow minded in their thinking...
Example?
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Originally posted by january:
they think we live in a utopia world(ideal), where the PAP is able to do everything in the past justly and idealy..., given the harsh nature of the situation in the past....
Example?
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This is what will happen to you if you oppose PAP
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Originally posted by Itedino:
This is what will happen to you if you oppose PAP
That's why Singapore is politically castrasted.
That's why some fucker can stay in power for 50 years.
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In a belated email reply to my questions about his views on the publication of Men In White, ex-political detainee Dr Poh Soo Kai has confirmed that he was never approached by any of its authors.
In 1954, along with other founding members of the PAP, Dr Poh had attended that historic meeting at the basement of Harry Lee Kuan Yew's house on Oxley Road to discuss the PAP constitution. When asked why he joined Lee at that time, he wrote, "you should read the original credo of the party at its founding."
On 2nd of February 1963, the former Assistant Secretary-General of the Barisan Sosialis was arrested and detained under Operation Coldstore. He was released unconditionally at the end of 1972 but re-arrested four years later. After spending a total of 19 years under detention without trial, he was finally released in August of 1982. Now 77, Dr Poh currently resides in Singapore.
In reply to my question on why he and other left-wing members broke from the PAP in 1961, he wrote :I am of opinion you have framed it incorrectly. The conventional view is that the left wing of the PAP took the initiative to break with the party. (Thus your question why did left-wing split from the PAP to form the Barisan Sosialis.) There has been no convincing evidence to support this view.
The left-wing leadership had campaigned on a genuine anti-colonial, democratic platform. They had called for an end to arbitrary arrest and continued detention, an end to the restrictions on freedom and for observation of human rights, and an end to the obstructions put in the way of trade union unification.
It had invited the government to :
- Release immediately all political detainees;
- Assist in the speedy unification of the trade union movement;
- Grant the right of citizenship and franchise to all those loyal to the anti-colonial struggle;
- And to allow freedom of the press, speech and assembly and organisation.
Of note is that they regarded themselves as part of the PAP. There was no talk of a structural split. Harry Lee had threatened to resign if he lost Anson. The unionists said that was his business. A tougher tone than the statement before Hong Lim by-election.
The PAP leadership before the 1957 annual genaral meeting had decided to discard its powerful left wing. The issue was how, when and the consequences. Consequences both from the Singapore electorate and the Tungku who would much like to replace him.
By 1961 secret negotiations for merger and "the grand design" were well underway between Harry, Tungku and the Colonial masters. The PAP leadership grasped the safety line of merger initiated by the British. He decided to discard his powerful left wing, but the fight was now shifted from release of detainees, freedom, etc to that of merger. The initiative for the split thus was from the PAP leadership, not from the left-wing.
Dr Poh Soo Kai's response.
http://sgblogs.com/entry/what-left-wing-stood/360041 -
When will lies about Singapore history from the PAP ever stop?
liar liar pants on fire.
All the rubbish propaganda in the world that you spin in your state media also can't change facts, old man lee.
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aiya, talk so much also no use lah, it's over, Harry is the MM now, and PAP is still the ruling party.
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We are the three charlie angels.
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where got three? I count from left to right n right to left....only two angels mah....
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This reminds me of a statement by a fictional character.
"Those who stand at the top determine whats right and whats wrong! Justice will prevail you say?! But of course it will! Whoever wins this war becomes justice!"
- Doflamingo, from One Piece
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people don't care about politics that much... not worth the effort...
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Originally posted by angel7030:
Given a book written for the purpose of those white cloth PAP glory, do you think they are going to write about fishy and political prisoner cases?? Aren't you too childish to comment on such a book knowing that it is meant for PAP and supporters and hopefully youngster like us?? We can sympathize those ex political prisoners, but what to do, at that time the British and Tengku also play a hand on it, why must it be PAP LKY, he saw the gain in unification but others dun see it, therefore to get a full consenous, the Brit move in and settle the messy political scene once and for all. So, i bet that in 1963, life will change for many, depending on which boat you are on.Given your characteristic daily "talk cock sing song" session - can this attempt at disguising your ignorance be accomplished by printing more words and more paragraphs ?
Obviously, your flippant ignoramus attitude had overlooked the grief that your favorite man - LKY - had to endure in his fight with the UMNO Ultras after Singapore merged with Malaysia in 1963, and got kicked out in 1965 ?
Can you speak with such ignorant authority when you were not even born then, nor are you interested enough to google information about life during 1963 ?
My respect to those opposition political prisoners for their persistence and believing in their principles, but as the chinese say, in a mountain, there can only be one Lion King, so that is it, either you bow to him or you get lost. In fact, these old opposition people are real stupid, if given a chance to apologise and be set free, go ahead and apologise, then leave the country and work from outside in to crumble LKY, but they choose to stay inside there just because they have those communist mindset of never surrender and therefore suffered the consquences. Too bad.
Conveniently, you have forgotten that there is always another mountain bigger then the one you have seen.
How many lion kings have you ever seen in your ignorant life time ?
Have you gotten lost somewhere between Taiwan and Singapore, and decide to walk the street to earn enough to return to Taiwan ?
Only an ignorant mind will believe that everyone accused by LKY to be a communist must be one - do you seriously believe LKY's accusation that those whom he accused as Marxist Conspirators exist in the Siglap Catholic Church ?
You must be more brilliant those who are on record holding ‘the alternative views on the Marxist Conspirators in the Siglap Catholic Church’ (*1)
You would have sounded better if you had continued with your daily ignorant "talk cock and sing song" sessions.
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Originally posted by Atobe:
Given your characteristic daily "talk cock sing song" session - can this attempt at disguising your ignorance be accomplished by printing more words and more paragraphs ?
Obviously, your flippant ignoramus attitude had overlooked the grief that your favorite man - LKY - had to endure in his fight with the UMNO Ultras after Singapore merged with Malaysia in 1963, and got kicked out in 1965 ?
Can you speak with such ignorant authority when you were not even born then, nor are you interested enough to google information about life during 1963 ?
Conveniently, you have forgotten that there is always another mountain bigger then the one you have seen.
How many lion kings have you ever seen in your ignorant life time ?
Have you gotten lost somewhere between Taiwan and Singapore, and decide to walk the street to earn enough to return to Taiwan ?
Only an ignorant mind will believe that everyone accused by LKY to be a communist must be one - do you seriously believe LKY's accusation that those whom he accused as Marxist Conspirators exist in the Siglap Catholic Church ?
You must be more brilliant those who are on record holding ‘the alternative views on the Marxist Conspirators in the Siglap Catholic Church’ (*1)
You would have sounded better if you had continued with your daily ignorant "talk cock and sing song" sessions.
Google for what, all also media controlled..so stupid uncle.In 1965, history rewrite itself, the LKY and the chinese was a threat to tengku and malaysia, LKY was a good speaker, good motivator and good leader with a clear vision whereas the tengku was a lazy bum, drink and wine with gals and was being treated like a king in malaysia, therefore tengku see the threat of his position at stake, after discussing with the British, the British agree to abandon Singapore and collaberate with tengku to kick out Singapore.
After the separation, LKY did not go dishearted, one thing for sure is that most of the opposition politicians was gone and he got to take singapore all the way up, with the moving off of the British army forces, lots of peoples working for the british went jobless, and the whole country is in the dark..but he showed us that there is a light in the tunnel, and if today, if you will to ask him about the bleak days after separation, he will tell u that it was after all, a blessing in disguise
