Why is FAP So Afraid of SDP - Another Case!

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[h=2]SDP Media Release: James Minchin refused entry to S’pore[/h]

November 10th, 2012 |

Author: Contributions

Media Release
Singapore Democrats
Friday 9 November
2012

James Minchin refused entry to
Singapore​

The Reverend James Minchin, an author and Anglican priest, has been barred
from entering Singapore. He was turned back at Changi Airport when he arrived on
a visit from Melbourne. No reason was given.

He was held at the airport on Wednesday evening for nearly 24 hours, and
subsequently escorted by the police to the plane for his flight back to
Melbourne the following night.

Father Minchin was recently interviewed on the SDP’s talkshow, Let’s Talk,
when he discussed his book No Man Is An Island – A Study of Singapore’s Lee
Kuan Yew’s Singapore, which was published in 1987.

He has been a regular visitor to Singapore and a long-time observer of its
social and political developments. As he describes in his Let’s Talk interview,
he started visiting Singapore in the 1960s and even served for a time as Pastor
of St George’s Church, Minden Road.

Given that Fr Minchin has never faced any problems entering Singapore, this
recent prohibition may well be attributed to his interview on Let’s Talk. If so,
this move on the part of the Government is petty and small-minded. Does the PAP
want to punish Fr Minchin for appearing on the SDP programme (Let’s Talk with
James Minchin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybwtSb9ETYc).

No doubt, the charge will be laid that by appearing on the show, Fr Minchin,
who is an Australian citizen, is “interfering” in Singapore’s politics.

But in this interdependent and interconnected age, does it achieve anything
for the PAP Government to stop non-Singaporeans from commenting on Singaporean
issues?

Is the Government so thin-skinned that it seeks revenge on individuals who
express their honest opinions on Singapore? Does not the Government regularly
invite non-Singaporeans to speak at public events which are then reported by the
media?

If we aspire to be a global city, let us be confident in our own ability to
think for ourselves and discern what is good and bad for our country –
regardless of whether they are expressed by Singaporeans or
non-Singaporeans.

In the past, the Government has barred other visitors from Singapore. Most
recently, Mr Robert Amsterdam, SDP’s international lawyer, was turned back at the airport when he tried to visit Dr Chee Soon
Juan. Mr Amsterdam had published a White Paper on Singapore in which he
highlighted the lack of the rule of law in Singapore and detailed the legal
actions taken against the SDP secretary-general.

The Home Affairs Ministry must come clean on its decision to bar Fr Minchin
from entering Singapore.

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[Leongsam]

These damned Ang Mohs should mind their own business.

 

[The_Hypocrite]

SDP is no threat to the PAP due to CSJ ability to self destruct,,the problem is it is much better at damaging the other Oppositions parties chances of winning more seats and breaking PAP stranglehold,

And the worse thing is Singaporeans typically lump all Oppositions together,,even the bad one,,they just dont vote with their brains,,but I guess its just the stockholm syndrome,,thats why all the excuses of voting pap,,,just my rants

 

[eErotica69]

SDP is no threat to the PAP due to CSJ ability to self destruct,,the problem is it is much better at damaging the other Oppositions parties chances of winning more seats and breaking PAP stranglehold,

And the worse thing is Singaporeans typically lump all Oppositions together,,even the bad one,,they just dont vote with their brains,,but I guess its just the stockholm syndrome,,thats why all the excuses of voting pap,,,just my rants

True true, Dr Chee is screwing up the good name of the Opposition and SDP in particular.

 

[eErotica69]

What business does an Ang moh pastor has to commend on Singapore politics?

Isn't he supposed to spread the Gospel?

 

[scroobal]

The reason these insignificant angmos come here is the way we treat them as some sort of celebrity. Back in Melbourne he would be a nobody. He would be lucky if a local radio station did an interview with him about his favourite food. You should see the way the locals fawn and fret around them.

Honestly why do we need these foreigners coming to Singapore and dabbling in local politics. They can be useful if they can influence their country's jounalists to conduct exposes on the Singapore' elite.

 

[rover2sg]

Uncle finds it difficult to support the SDP if they keep depending on these "ang mohs" and other foreigner.

I have found this to be the Chee's biggest drawback.

 

[ray_of_hope]

SDP likes to make connections to suggest that it is important when in fact there may be no connections. The more SDP tries to boast about itself, despite not achieving anything for many years, the more people are turned off. Surprisingly, until now, SDP does not understand this.

 

[watchman8]

These damned Ang Mohs should mind their own business.

Except when these ang mohs say things that are music to the ears of old man, then they are welcomed with red carpet.

Was it Murdoch that said ministers pay should be millions? He should be given honorary citizenship.

 

[zeddy]

I'm not against SDP.. But Dr Chee and Co should realise that most of the HDB's Ah Peks and Ah Sohs have no clue who James Minchin is..

 

[MBSSLOTS]

SDP AND ITS SHOWOFF!
The party should just self destruct

 

[ray_of_hope]

A different take...

Australian clergyman barred from entering Singapore
Published on Nov 11, 2012, ST online
By Janice Heng

An Australian clergyman was barred from entering Singapore last week, as he "has interfered in Singapore's domestic politics", the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement today.

Mr James Minchin arrived in Singapore from Australia on Nov 7, and was turned back at Changi Airport.

In August last year, while on a social visit to Singapore, he spoke at a political forum "where he alleged that the rule of law was bypassed and corrupted in Singapore, and questioned the independence and integrity of the judiciary," said MHA.

But he did not have a permit to speak.

All foreigners who are involved in activities directly related to the "organisation or conduct of any seminar, conference, workshop, gathering or talk concerning any religion, race or community, cause or political end" must hold a Miscellaneous Work Pass.

Recently, Mr Minchin came to Singapore again on a social visit and gave a "political interview" in his capacity as a clergyman.

To this, MHA said that separation of religion and politics is a long-established principle here, and foreigners are not exempt from it.

 

[scroobal]

Got news for you Bro, he does not even register in his neighbourhood back home. That is why people continue to think that there is a hidden hand because the same silly pattern keeps emerging.

I'm not against SDP.. But Dr Chee and Co should realise that most of the HDB's Ah Peks and Ah Sohs have no clue who James Minchin is..

 

[cleareyes]

Honestly why do we need these foreigners coming to Singapore and dabbling in local politics. They can be useful if they can influence their country's jounalists to conduct exposes on the Singapore' elite.

Please refer that question to our resident SDP spokesperson.

f SDP is capable, stand on your own feet to win votes and not try to bring in some "pastor" to generate media interest.

SDP aint winning votes, their actions could make all the oppositions lose votes if such acts are not contained.

 

[zeddy]

Got news for you Bro, he does not even register in his neighbourhood back home. That is why people continue to think that there is a hidden hand because the same silly pattern keeps emerging.

Next time SDP will again try to invite another unknown Ang Moh Human Rights activitist into the country..

Its still same old story with Dr Chee and the SDP..

 

[ray_of_hope]

Next time SDP will again try to invite another unknown Ang Moh Human Rights activitist into the country..

Its still same old story with Dr Chee and the SDP..

That is why CSJ says he has not changed but claims that people's perception of him has changed.

 

[GoldenDragon]

SDP likes to make connections to suggest that it is important when in fact there may be no connections. The more SDP tries to boast about itself, despite not achieving anything for many years, the more people are turned off. Surprisingly, until now, SDP does not understand this.

Same can be said of one of our bro in this forum. Guess who?

 

[zeddy]

That is why CSJ says he has not changed but claims that people's perception of him has changed.

Some people may feel discontent about WP's performance in Parliament so far.. But comes 2016, they'll still be the main Opposition threat to the PAP..

As for Dr Chee and SDP, if Dr Chee and his party still continue their old style of politics, 2016 will still be another fruitless year for them in the GE..

Perhaps a few percent increase in their votes, but still not good enough to gain that elusive seats in Parliament.. Just my honest view..

 

[GoldenDragon]

Some people may feel discontent about WP's performance in Parliament so far.. But comes 2016, they'll still be the main Opposition threat to the PAP..

As for Dr Chee and SDP, if Dr Chee and his party still continue their old style of politics, 2016 will still be another fruitless year for them in the GE..

Perhaps a few percent increase in their votes, but still not good enough to gain that elusive seats in Parliament.. Just my honest view..

Yes, I don't see any other opposition party coming close to WP come 2016. With CSJ around, don't expect anything positive from him or SDP. If he confines the damage within SDP, we should be thankful. His coming out of bankruptcy is no ordinary matter.

 

[ray_of_hope]

Same can be said of one of our bro in this forum. Guess who?

I don't know.