Former ISA detainees address Singapore Democratic Party forum
By Tessa Wong
Two former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, both fugitive lawyers, made a public appearance in Singapore on Saturday - via teleconferencing.
Addressing a public forum organised by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) at a Balestier hotel, Francis Seow and Tang Fong Har spoke separately about the law under which they were detained in the late 1980s.
Speaking from the United States where he has lived since 1988, Seow, 83, called for the abolition of the ISA, but also said that lobbying for an inquiry on past detentions would be 'wishful thinking'.
Replying to a forum participant who asked if political parties should call for such an inquiry, he said: 'No, I think we should not waste time like that. The way I see it, you'll be whistling in the dark. It's not going to happen. Let's be practical. And Singaporeans are practical people, and they know what they can do... and how to achieve it.'
By Tessa Wong
Two former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, both fugitive lawyers, made a public appearance in Singapore on Saturday - via teleconferencing.
Addressing a public forum organised by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) at a Balestier hotel, Francis Seow and Tang Fong Har spoke separately about the law under which they were detained in the late 1980s.
Speaking from the United States where he has lived since 1988, Seow, 83, called for the abolition of the ISA, but also said that lobbying for an inquiry on past detentions would be 'wishful thinking'.
Replying to a forum participant who asked if political parties should call for such an inquiry, he said: 'No, I think we should not waste time like that. The way I see it, you'll be whistling in the dark. It's not going to happen. Let's be practical. And Singaporeans are practical people, and they know what they can do... and how to achieve it.'