Red Card on race issues at Speakers' Corner

[one2unite]

Let us try other more appropriate avenues first. Govt leads and encourages a genuine sincere responsible rational dialogue with the public.

Under the PAP, there is no dialogue, only monologue. If it believes in dialogue and alternative views, the government should first let go its grip on the "mainstream media" that has earned the reputation of 154th in world ranking.

With total control, it's imprudent to talk about dialogue.

 

[one2unite]

Race is linked to language and culture. That is why in a multi-ethnic society, ethnic issues are particularly delicate and sensitive. This encompasses anything to do with ethnicity from race, language, religion, culture etc.

In that case, in PAP's Singapore everything is linked to race, including economic opportunities, immigration policy, education, job placements, etc.

By the way, Kuan Yew spoke openly and extensively, despite warning from the then prime minister Tunku, about race and language when Singapore was part of Malaysia.

 

[one2unite]

Speakers' Corner or speakers cornered?

Spectators cornered at Speakers' Corner
Saturday, 20 September 2008
Singapore Democrats

"I think we better leave this place now before pictures of us appear in the Straits Times tomorrow," the man in his 40s told the rest of the group of about ten bystanders in Tamil as he quickly made his exit down the escalator leading to the Clarke Quay MRT station.

He was obviously referring to a photographer from the newspaper who was inching his way closer to the group with his zoom lens trained on them.

The group was engaged in an animated conversation at the Speakers' Corner, expecting to hear a talk on the use of Tamil in public signs.

The event that was publicized through SMS messages was to have started at 6.00 pm yesterday. But the police stopped it at the last minute when they refused to give a licence to the organizer under the Public Entertainment and Meetings Act.

Despite the cancellation, close to fifty people at different times turned up hoping to see and hear firsthand what was happening there.

Except for a couple of local reporters, one from the Straits Times and the other from MediaCorp, and an equal number of activists, none dared to step on the grass field. Most were seen seated in small groups on the benches dotting the footpath of the Park, engaged in the common topic of the status of the Tamil language in Singapore.

The Tamil language issue was chosen for airing by a real estate agent and his ten friends after the government said it was relaxing rules at the speakers' corner from the 1st of this month.

The organizer was peeved by the exclusion of Tamil on the signages at Changi Airport and directional signboards all over the island.

As part of the relaxation, the government said the National Parks Board (NParks) and not the police will handle all applications from people to speak or demonstrate at the Speakers' Corner.

Since his permit was not approved, the organizer was not around at the park yesterday.

A group of five youths who said they were students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) came not knowing that the cancellation of the event was already reported in the papers.

One of them, after reading the newspaper report commented: "Why ban it? Language is nothing to do with race or religion, the taboo subjects that cannot be raised at Speakers' Corner."

"So it is not NParks that approves and it's still the police. What a joke!" another student quipped.

Sitting on one of the benches with three of his friends in another corner of the park, a man in his 60s was speaking passionately about the issue.

He said: "I kept contacting the leading personalities in the Tamil language and literary circles since this morning for their stand on the issue. They kept pushing me from one to the other. None was prepared to have an opinion on the issue,"the man said in disgust.

"Even the Indians leaders in the PAP are afraid to raise this issue," added his friend.

In the meanwhile, those who have read about the cancellation and others who had not seen it strolled into the Park only to be told of the denial of permit by the few who remained there.

At about 9.00 pm, a man in his 50s with his family, including two teenage children, walked in but soon left disappointed. The Speakers' Corner managed yet again to retain serenity and quiet.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

To a certain extent yes, that is why you sometimes see Forum letters from minorities complaining about job advertisments requiring mandarin speakers only etc.

These are explosives issues if not managed carefully in a rational sensitive manner. Imagine if you get a chap like Robox (from the old SBF) provocatively heating things up at Hong Lim and multiply that by say another 20 chaps

In that case, in PAP's Singapore everything is linked to race, including economic opportunities, immigration policy, education, job placements, etc.

.

 

[one2unite]

To a certain extent yes, that is why you sometimes see Forum letters from minorities complaining about job advertisments requiring mandarin speakers only etc.

These are explosives issues if not managed carefully in a rational sensitive manner. Imagine if you get a chap like Robox (from the old SBF) provocatively heating things up at Hong Lim and multiply that by say another 20 chaps

Everything is within the power of control by the PAP, including advertisements "requiring mandarin speakers only". After all, SPH, headed by a former deputy prime minister and staffed by ISD operatives is a PAP propaganda mouthpiece.

The function of the so-called mainstream media is to control and manipulate the minds of the people through its monopoly, provided for under PAP's newspaper and printing presses act.

The "explosive issues" have surfaced because the PAP govt of Lee Kuan Yew has hijacked the country from its original path of a Singaporean Singapore.

By the way, was Kuan Yew provocative when he openly and defiantly spoke on race and language throughout Malaysia at the time when Singapore was part of it?

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

With respect, the "explosive issues" are intrinsically linked to the co-existence of multi-ethnic groups in a single society. Face up to the ground realities.

As for LKY's actions during the 60s, different time and different place with turmoil and uncertainity.

The "explosive issues" have surfaced because the PAP govt of Lee Kuan Yew has hijacked the country from its original path of a Singaporean Singapore.

By the way, was Kuan Yew provocative when he openly and defiantly spoke on race and language throughout Malaysia at the time when Singapore was part of it?

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Porifirio

Try convincing them that " race and religion" have nothing to do with a liberal democracy or a lack of. Take a look at Indonesia, democracy after suharto, but loads of race and religious issues. Democracy in itself does not solve the worst instincts of men. It requires leadership and cooperation and yes democracy.



Locke

With respect, the "explosive issues" are intrinsically linked to the co-existence of multi-ethnic groups in a single society. Face up to the ground realities.

As for LKY's actions during the 60s, different time and different place with turmoil and uncertainity.

 

[one2unite]

With respect, the "explosive issues" are intrinsically linked to the co-existence of multi-ethnic groups in a single society. Face up to the ground realities.

As for LKY's actions during the 60s, different time and different place with turmoil and uncertainity.

The "explosive issues" are the inevitable outcome of the fascist path that Lee Kuan Yew has embarked on, disregarding the original intentions of the old guard, including Rajaratnam, Dr Toh Chin Chye, et al.

The "ground reality" is accentuated by the adamant myopic view of one old man who refuses to go away.

When it suited him Kuan Yew insisted on highlighting race and language in Malaysia of which Singapore was a part to achieve his narrow, selfish interest.

Of course, times are different, but the issues, this time involving different groups, are the same under a regime that segregates people along preconceived racial lines. The so-called racial fault line has been allowed to deliberately simmer and remain dormant by a fascist bent on having his despotic ways.

 

[The MilkMan]

anyone that try to speak about the races here,should be shot.
this is a very sensitive issue,i do not think we are still ready to talk about it in the open.

 

[Alu862]

Was the maria hertogh riots about racial discord or anti-British sentiment as our dear all knowing SDP claims it to be

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Well I concede to a certain extent that you have a point on the sad unfortunate depature from Raja's Singapore Singaporean 'melting pot' ideology. No doubt ethnicity appears to be more emphasised today probably exacerbated by the arrival of a truckload of PRCs:(

LKY's socio-political controlled engineering is not very healthy as the integration amongst the ethnic groups appears to be superficial and controlled.

The "explosive issues" are the inevitable outcome of the fascist path that Lee Kuan Yew has embarked on, disregarding the original intentions of the old guard, including Rajaratnam, Dr Toh Chin Chye, et al.

The "ground reality" is accentuated by the adamant myopic view of one old man who refuses to go away.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

So when do you think we shall be ready?

anyone that try to speak about the races here,should be shot.
this is a very sensitive issue,i do not think we are still ready to talk about it in the open.

 

[Alu862]

No one in SEA has solved the race card. Not the British, Dutch, French when they colonised the countries. Some groups were favoured over others, some groups were appeased to maintain order. Same with the Japanese. They allowed certain races (because those groups appeared to be anti Western) while they imprisoned others.

And now? still the reace issue has not been solved. Contrary to the SDP's crap nonsense, the Maria H riots were about racial discord, as were so many post colonial riots and conflicts. Even the AFC saw Chinese vs Indonesians. All SEA countries, perhaps excluding Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos (to some extent as there were conflict due to race/culure) still don't have an answer to racial differences. I inculde the Philippines. Burma too.

 

[one2unite]

Was the maria hertogh riots about racial discord or anti-British sentiment as our dear all knowing SDP claims it to be

Please, define racial riots.

In the Maria Hertogh incident in 1950 when Singapore was a British colony, the victims were neither Chinese nor Indian. It was never a racial issue involving one local group against another local group/groups.

 

[one2unite]

anyone that try to speak about the races here,should be shot.

Then, Lee Kuan Yew fits in the profile of the person you are looking for!

 

[Alu862]

Please, define racial riots.

In the Maria Hertogh incident in 1950 when Singapore was a British colony, the victims were neither Chinese nor Indian. It was never a racial issue involving one local group against another local group/groups.

then what was it? Why could a dutch girl embroiled over religion

 

[one2unite]

then what was it? Why could a dutch girl embroiled over religion

The Maria Hertogh incident in 1950 turned into anger, anti-colonial uprising against the British colonialists.

It was neither a race nor religious riot. Victims were colonialist class and places of worship remained untouched.

 

[Alu862]

The Maria Hertogh incident in 1950 turned into anger, anti-colonial uprising against the British colonialists.

It was neither a race nor religious riot. Victims were colonialist class and places of worship remained untouched.

prove it. Which source do you rely on? Why then the focus on the girl?

 

[Alu862]

http://www.springerlink.com/content/f176g068341x5622/fulltext.pdf

This article proves it was also a religious issue

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Strangely I do not recall seeing Mr. Sabesan's critical letter in ST Forum 23/9 as mentioned below. Cannot seem to locate it in the ST Forum archive either. Can anyone recall seeing such a letter?[/COLOR]

Misdirected clamour: 'Having Tamil in signages do not lead to enhanced self-esteem.'

I REFER to Tuesday's letter by Mr K. Sabesan, "Speakers' Corner Red Card".
While I empathise with the apparent unhappiness of some Tamils on the Government's addition of certain foreign language signages in addition to local language ones, I'm perturbed that these individuals are unaware that this effort is a purely business proposition. It should not be interpreted as having a lower parity accorded to Tamil, which has been one of the four official languages in Singapore despite the fact that it is used by a small community that comprises roughly 6 per cent of the total population.

Besides, our Government has allowed all Tamil students in our schools and junior colleges to offer Tamil as a second language or as Higher Tamil.

Using the Tamil script in signages does not in any way lead to students having an enhanced self-esteem or performing beyond expectation in schools and junior colleges, or in national or international examinations. I would urge a significant mindset change among those who clamour for greater parity by pressurising our Government to put up such signages. They could make far greater contributions towards enhancing the Tamil culture by helping Tamil students evolve into a force to be reckoned with and helping them achieve distinctions in examinations, the world of sports and performance in schools and junior colleges.

Despite the efforts of Sinda, Tamil students are still performing below their perceived potential in sharp contrast to the great Tamils of the past who made significant contributions in the field of mathematics, humanities and the sciences. Examples of such great Tamils are Sir C.V. Raman of Raman Spectroscopy fame, Dr Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, and Professor V.S. Ramachandran, the world-famous neuroscientist.

The true progress of Tamils in Singapore can really be ensured via a re-orientation in mindsets and a re-ordering of priorities within the context of tsunami-like changes gripping our world. And these changes must be brought to the fore by Tamil leaders here. They will doubtless contribute immeasurably to the progress of the nation together with fellow Singaporeans and the rest of our global citizenry.

S. Ganesamoorthy