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Outside the Men In White
New book brings old foes together
Opp MAN IN
Once in power, then out of the PAP, opposition veterans were back in the old Parliament House - but only for the afternoon
By Ng Tze Yong
September 10, 2009
HAND SHAKE BETWEEN OLD FOES: Mr Fong meets MM Lee at the launch of Men in White. PICTURES: LIANHE ZAOBAO
IT WAS an unusual reunion, one which brought together the victors and the vanquished, and an occasion heavy with camaraderie - and awkwardness.
At the launch of Men In White at The Arts House yesterday afternoon, a stream of silver-haired men, many in their 80s, hobbled through metal detectors.
The guest-of-honour was Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
For some among the old guard who were there as guests, he was their leader. For many others, he was their biggest opponent.
As they took their places on the maroon leather seats, they squinted as they looked around for familiar faces. They leaned in close, ear to mouth, as they talked about health, children, businesses and hobbies.
Politics could wait.
Fiery words once filled this hall. But yesterday, body language spoke louder.
Former PAP MP Chan Chee Seng, who had grabbed a good seat early, slapped the seat next to him with a loud thud when he spotted a friend from afar. But some other greetings - while promptly offered - were followed by awkward silences.
Mr Fong Swee Suan, a leftist who fell out with MM Lee, chose a seat high up at a corner of the third row. There he sat, silent and expression-less.
At an adjoining room, former Barisan Sosialis members Ong Chang Sam and Teo Hock Guan chose to while away some time at an art exhibition, then entered the chamber and sat side by side.
Back in the limelight
Meanwhile, reporters scrambled to identify faces and double-check names of these movers and shakers who have long since left the limelight.
At 4.30pm, MM Lee arrived. The audience applauded, but not all. Former Barisan Sosialis member Low Por Tuck looked intently at first, as if trying to recognise the man, then clapped - languidly - with his hands at waist level.
Another Barisan Sosialis member, Madam Hoe Puay Choo, didn't clap. She stood with her hands by her side, as if at attention.
Later, when asked about it at the reception, she would break out in embarrassed laughter and say: 'I was just surprised that he had aged so much.'
The opening speech began, but MM Lee seemed preoccupied.
His eyes scanned the gallery, seemingly row by row. He leaned forward and craned his neck at times, mouth agap, legs uncrossed.
The speech ended with Singapore Press Holdings chairman Dr Tony Tan calling on those who had been imprisoned before to stand up. They did so, one by one, when called by name.
There was applause, but it sounded more polite than thunderous.
The book was launched. MM Lee didn't stay for the tea reception. But he did stay long enough to greet his friends and former foes.
Mr Fong was one of the first. He returned to his seat afterwards, beaming to himself.
How was it like, I asked him in Mandarin after the event was over. 'I was very happy to see him,' he said. 'It has been a long time.'
Was he still angry with MM Lee? Mr Fong maintained his smile, but his lips were pressed tighter together now.
He kept quiet for the next 10 seconds, then patted me twice on the shoulder, laughed heartily, and walked away.
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ONCE ON OPPOSITE SIDES, NOW...
A Chinese-educated unionist and anti-colonial activist, Mr Fong Swee Suan, 78, was locked up by the British for leading strikes, including the Hock Lee Bus Riots in 1955.
He was a founding member of the PAP, but pro-communist Mr Fong objected to a merger with Malaya.
As a fiery young secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Mr Fong attacked MM Lee for his capitalist policies. MM Lee then ordered Mr Fong to vacate his post.
In 1961, Mr Fong was part of a group of leftist members who broke away from the PAP to form Barisan Sosialis. Two years later, he was detained under Operation Cold Store until 1967.
