CTL's Letter to Law Society

[LadySophistica]

Letter to Law Society of Singapore

The 19 Accused

C/o 24 Peck Seah Street
#05-09/11 Nehsons Building
Singapore 079314

16th July 2008


Mr. Michael Hwang

President, Law Society of Singapore

Dear Sir,

APPEAL FOR PRO BONO LEGAL REPRESENTATION

We are the 19 Singaporeans charged for allegedly participating in an assembly and procession without permit near Parliament House on 15th March 2008.

We had as citizens claimed our right to peaceful assembly and presented ourselves before Parliament House to speak out against the multitude of ill-timed price hikes initiated by the Government, which have exacerbated the inflationary situation and cost of living for Singaporeans.

On 11th July 2008, we were all charged each with one count of assembly without a permit and one count of procession without a permit.

In light of the price hikes further initiated from the 15th March 2008 till today, it is clear that this Government remains unwilling to take active steps to make life less unbearable for all Singaporeans.

In the light of the decision to charge us for speaking up as citizens, it is clear that this Government will not hesitate to silence citizens by discouraging citizens from exercising the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

Any stifling of civil and political expression by citizens is unhealthy for Singapore and it breeds contempt of the citizenry by the Executive which in turn leads to brazen disregard of citizens’ welfare in the policies practiced.

A government must be subservient to the People. This government cannot act unchallenged when it tries to restrict the fundamental liberties of Singaporeans.

The Laws of a country should be enacted to further the interests of the People and cannot be used to throttle civil and political expression.

Citizens have rights only slaves have no rights. Singapore Citizens are entitled by citizenship to fundamental liberties guaranteed by our constitution.

In view of the above, the Law Society of Singapore, being the body that represents our defenders of justice must assist citizens who are prosecuted by the State for exercising their fundamental liberties and cannot just stand idly by and be content to do nothing.

We hereby urge the Law Society of Singapore to step forth to arrange for legal representation for the 19 of us.

Yours faithfully

Chia Ti Lik

For and on behalf of the 19 Accused:

Chee Soon Juan

Chee Siok Chin

John Tan Liang Joo

Ghandhi s/o Karrupiah Ambalam

Jeffery George Seelan s/o Palay

Muhammad Jufri Bin Mohd Salim

Lim Teck Hee Sylvester

Chong Kai Xiong

Surayah Binte Akbar

Lang Chin Kah Carl Coca

Ng E-Jay

Francis Yong Chu Leong

Chia Ti Lik

Go Hui Leng

Mohamed Jufrie Bin Mahmood

Govinda Rajan s/o Surian

Yap Keng Ho

Muhammad Shafi’ie Syahmi Bin Sariman

http://chiatilik.wordpress.com/2008/07/16/letter-to-law-society-of-singapore/

 

[Ramseth]

I think C.T.L., as a lawyer who charges others hundreds of dollars per hour, should exclude himself from any appeal for pro bono legal representation. The rest should be subjected to means testing.

 

[browser32]

"The rest should be subjected to means testing"
Are you an echo chamber of Cow???? be original lah, WayangPukiParty man!

 

[Ramseth]

If it's your opinion that well-to-do folks who can afford lawyers should also get free legal service, then so it be your opinion.

 

[bigbossman]

I think C.T.L., as a lawyer who charges others hundreds of dollars per hour, should exclude himself from any appeal for pro bono legal representation. The rest should be subjected to means testing.

Good point. Besides CTL, Chee Soon Juan, Chee Siok Chin and Uncle Yap are quite capable of defending themselves.

Uncle Yap marvelous bag of tricks including the police report on MM Lee is admirable.