Katong Bomb - 1974 - Know You History

[kingrant]

Here are 2 ST links from 1955. It said that LKY abstained when the House was endorsing stronger action to deal with future violence. Lee was attacked and accused by William Goode of being the drivers behind the violence and was asked pointedly by him what he (lee) had done before the violence, and he dithered and digressed....

It's clear as night and day lee could not stand up to scrutiny by the 'inquisition'. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably and guiltily.

http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article.aspx?articleid=straitstimes19550517.2.60&sessionid=7ecd11d92aac4153873e710a7f3120c7&keyword=legislative+assembly+debate+1955&lang=en&search=advanced&fromdate=&todate=&articles=1&advertisements=1&illustrations=1&letters=1&obituaries=1&miscellaneous=1&newspaperTitles=&fuzzysearch=Off&ffromdate=19550101&ftodate=19551231&token=assembly%2cdebate%2clegislative%2c1955

http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19550517.2.2.aspx

You will surprised. A lot of people think that the PAP was fighting the rioters during the Hock Lee Bus Riots when they were the ones behind it. Check the Hansard and you can see the old man getting crucified in the legislative assembly for the PAP involvement.

 

[Rogue Trader]

http://www.tnp.sg/content/terrorists-no-communists

Terrorists? No, communists
October 20, 2011 - 12:38am
By:Zul Othman

Remains of the car bomb at Still Road in December 20, 1974. PHOTO: New Nation

WHEN we say bomb blast, the first thing that springs to mind is "terrorist".

Well, not too long ago, that word would have been "communists".

Bomb blasts were a reality in Singapore then.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean spoke about a huge blast in Katong in 1974 to illustrate the need for a tough tool like the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Retired police officer Lionel de Souza clearly remembers that incident.

It was about 6am in the morning of Dec 20, 1974, when he got the call about a car bomb at the junction of East Coast Road and Still Road.

Mr de Souza, then an acting detective sergeant with the Criminal Investigation Department's Special Investigation Section, rushed to the scene with seven of his fellow officers.

When he got there, what he found was a "tangled mess" that was once a blue Austin car.

The blast was so strong that it ripped off the car's roof, he added.

In the front passenger seat, the officers also found a man lying motionless, his hands severed. "The episode is still very clear in my mind," the 68-year-old, who is now a private investigator, told The New Paper.

"What we learnt later was that the men in the car turned out to be Malayan Communist Youth League members, and they had been carrying four homemade bombs, one of which accidentally detonated," he said.

Encased in milk tins

The men had intended to plant the bombs - encased in milk tins - at the home of a factory managing director's house in Telok Kurau for supposedly persecuting his workers at his company's Johor Baru plant.

"When we arrived, I was told that the area was clear of explosives, but I froze when we found another milk tin filled with explosives inside the car," said Mr de Souza.

That discovery turned out to be "one of the most frightening episodes in my life".

He added: "I jumped out of the car immediately after we saw the tin and took shelter".

That bomb was later safely defused by the Singapore Armed Forces' Bomb Disposal Unit. A third bomber survived and fled to Johor.

Mr Sulong Jamil, a former gardener who witnessed the aftermath of the Katong explosion, remembers being shocked by the incident.

Now in his 70s, the retiree lived through the violence in the 1960s, a period marked by communal and industrial strife.

He told TNP in Malay: "I was cycling to work that morning from my house in Kaki Bukit when I came across the car.

"The sight of the wreck did frighten me. I remember telling my family not to go out, just to be on the safe side."

In the 1970s, intense security operations were continually undertaken to preserve that peace, said DPM Teo.

"More than 800 people were arrested under the ISA (Internal Security Act) in the 1970s, of whom 235 were issued with Orders of Detention," he said.

On Tuesday, People's Action Party Member of Parliament, Dr Janil Puthucheary, called for the process of safeguards for the ISA to be "discussed in a more transparent manner".

In his speech, DPM Teo said the ISA is a powerful law with safeguards built in and enhanced when needed. (See reports below.)

The ISA, he said, empowers the Government to address threats to national security not just through preventive detention, but also other measures like the imposition of curfews to deal with civil disorder.

The Government needed to use the ISA from the 1960s till the late 1980s to counter the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM).

Of the people arrested in the 1970s, DPM Teo said most were detained because they were more than just sympathisers and had provided financial, logistics and manpower support to the CPM insurgents.

He said the Internal Security Department (ISD) learnt that in 1968, the CPM had also issued a policy to return to armed struggle.

Numerous new CPM satellite organisations were formed, and between 1970 and 1974, they were behind at least 35 arson and bomb incidents in Singapore.

Said DPM Teo: "In April 1970, a young girl was killed by a CPM booby-trapped bomb in Changi." Even the police weren't spared from attacks, he said.

"Another CPM organisation assassinated the Malaysian Inspector-General of Police and the Chief Police Officer of Perak.

"In Singapore, the plot against the then Commissioner of Police narrowly failed."

The Singapore ISA proved especially critical after Sept 11, 2001.

DPM Teo said most people now accept that the use of the ISA against the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) group was warranted.

And the arrests of members of the cell under the ISA actually prevented more deaths.

DPM Teo added that the JI's master bomb-maker, Dr Azahari Husin, had planned to stage an attack in Singapore, but he gave up after failing to connect with the local JI network, which had been disrupted by ISD.

This article was first published in The New Paper.

 

[lianbeng]

lianbeng heard a fighter jet slammed in lim chu kang slums also - anyone knows abt that?

 

[bullfrog]

Was our dear patriot Lionel there also?

Did he run to hide as usual?

lianbeng heard a fighter jet slammed in lim chu kang slums also - anyone knows abt that?

 

[Kohliantye]

Here is piece of history that many have placed the leading protagonists on the wrong side.

Guess what? - The incidents were started by key people in the PAP, some of whom were elected members of the legislative assembly. The Govt was led by David Marshal. The PAP was in opposition. The 2 key people directly involved were Fong Swee Suan and Devan Nair who were founding members of the PAP. Just before the riots began, the old man went to the hill near Tanglin and watched Alexander Road erupt. When it did erupt, he took leave and headed for a Fraser's hill for his holiday and golf that very night.
.

Knowing full well that President Devan and Fong were such people who directly, by their actions (in Hock Lee Bus Riots) caused misery to so many innocent people, why was he (Devan) allowed to occupy the august seat as President of Singapore?
Who was the Plenipotentiary or Plen for short. Was it Fong Swee Suan?
How did LKY managed to meet him personally, when he as the Plen) was then wanted by the the Special Branch.
Isn't such an association with a wanted man a seizable and prosecutable offence?
Doesn't it amounts to the charge of "in furtherance of common intention"
LKY has admitted such a thing in his books.
Why has no charges being preferred against him by the prosecutorial authority?
Do we have to wait for a day similar to some other countries when ageing people are brought before UN Human Rights Tribunals.

 

[Rogue Trader]

Knowing full well that President Devan and Fong were such people who directly, by their actions (in Hock Lee Bus Riots) caused misery to so many innocent people, why was he (Devan) allowed to occupy the august seat as President of Singapore?

Devan Nair definitely started out as an anti imperialist. He was very tight with the commies until they went their separate ways due to difference in ideals. I'm still reading the book... but I suspect it was something to do be race. The CMP back then was too Cheena for a rolly polly bespectacled Indian.

Who was the Plenipotentiary or Plen for short. Was it Fong Swee Suan?
How did LKY managed to meet him personally, when he as the Plen) was then wanted by the the Special Branch.
Isn't such an association with a wanted man a seizable and prosecutable offence?

The Plen was Mr Fang Chuan Pik, not Fong Swee Suan. He was wanted by the British during the Emergency period and he twice escaped capture by his sheer resourcefulness.

Yes he has met with LKY a few times to negotiate forming a united political front against the pro-Brits. In fact, thru sheer commie influence, he made an elected mayor (from Marshall's Workers Party) quit his seat and caused PAP to win the majority. Turns out the WP representative was actually a commie plant.

This was the sort of influence the communists had over the polls and it made Old Man and Goh Keng Swee very scared.

Doesn't it amounts to the charge of "in furtherance of common intention"
LKY has admitted such a thing in his books.
Why has no charges being preferred against him by the prosecutorial authority?
Do we have to wait for a day similar to some other countries when ageing people are brought before UN Human Rights Tribunals.

To be fair, LKY promised The Plen a 2 week headstart to run for the hills when he intended to outlaw the communists and kept it. The Plen set up base in Jakarta, then moved to China before settling in South Thailand where he passed away in 2003.

LKY never let The Plen back into Singapore, instead telling him to "try and apply for Malaysia PR since they are friendlier to ex communists."

 

[scroobal]

Devan Nair was groomed by PV Sharma, an ACS teacher who also attempted to convert Dick Lee's Dad who was a student. PV Sharma became Union Chief for the Teacher Union and inevitably the number 2 of the Singapore Communist hierachy after Eu. Sharma was banished to India but made his way to Beijing when the British crackdown commenced. Eu fled to Jakarta and tied up with Samad. Eu later moved the Riau Island and directed the Plen.

Devan was a hardcore communist who actully safeguarded explosivs for those fighting in the jungles. Old man converted Devan while he was incarcerated in St John's island. Partly because he knew that he will not have the same pull as Lim Chin Siong. You can't have 2 tigers in one mountain and the fact that Devan lost in Farrer Park.

Eventually with the incarceration of Chin Siong, old man gave Devan the stage and he became union chief for over 25 years with no competition.

Eventually Sharma and Eu returned with their families and their kids were given good jobs with GLCs. Plen refused to accept the term and remained in Thailand but made many visits. His son went on to work as an Enginneer in Singapore Technologies. He was also invited to break bread with theold man at the Istana.

In his later year, Plen asked the Politburo and the ISD to release their respective archives to correct what he believed were falsified history hinting to Chin Peng and Zaid Zahari's comments in their book about him. Both the politburo and ISD refused.

Plen's sister who incidently was a PAP MP who defected to Barisan had her medical treatment due to burns handled by old man's wife. Plen sent a note of thanks.

The World is smaller than one thinks. The son of a Barisan hardcore member and aligned with the communist recently ran for a seat in PAP and lost. He now sits on the board of SMRT. both sides made up and agreed to hide the past. They meet on a regular basis at a Hokkein restuarant in the city.

 

[Debonerman]

Sing, sing a song....let Sinkies sing along...

We really are so lucky......

To live under the .....P.....A.....Peeeeeee.......

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bcFiC5EdV5M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>​

 

[Debonerman]

Razzie award for a Lee Kuan Yew wannabe acting........:*:

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VPo8757GZDc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>​

At just about ................................................................................................... HERE! ..............................was the HEAD of a LOSER.

 

[TemasekIsSickening]

Retired police officer Lionel de Souza clearly remembers that incident.

Mr de Souza, then an acting detective sergeant with the Criminal Investigation Department's Special Investigation Section, rushed to the scene with seven of his fellow officers.

When he got there, what he found was a "tangled mess" that was once a blue Austin car.

The blast was so strong that it ripped off the car's roof, he added.

That discovery turned out to be "one of the most frightening episodes in my life".

This gentlemen has a name that sounds familiar to that of another person who is one of the top guy in Hougang constituency.
Such a man who has dealt with communist, gangsters and other hoodlums , should be an asset to Singapore. His skills and past knowledge ought to be "milked to the fullest".
Why did'nt the PAP fielded him in Hougang in 2011 elections?
I am sure people vote for him overwhelmingly thereby "demolishing the WP bastion" there forever.
No need to have the current Hougang Empty Seat Controversy
After election, he could then have been made a Minister of Internal Security. Since his goodname sounds more like that of a Eurasian, he could have been made a Minister in charge Eurasians affairs.
There is still time, he can replace Desmond.

 

[HTOLAS]

They are reserving him for the Take Back Aljunied Dream Team (TBADT) as a minority candidate.

Retired police officer Lionel de Souza clearly remembers that incident.

Mr de Souza, then an acting detective sergeant with the Criminal Investigation Department's Special Investigation Section, rushed to the scene with seven of his fellow officers.

When he got there, what he found was a "tangled mess" that was once a blue Austin car.

The blast was so strong that it ripped off the car's roof, he added.

That discovery turned out to be "one of the most frightening episodes in my life".

This gentlemen has a name that sounds familiar to that of another person who is one of the top guy in Hougang constituency.
Such a man who has dealt with communist, gangsters and other hoodlums , should be an asset to Singapore. His skills and past knowledge ought to be "milked to the fullest".
Why did'nt the PAP fielded him in Hougang in 2011 elections?
I am sure people vote for him overwhelmingly thereby "demolishing the WP bastion" there forever.
No need to have the current Hougang Empty Seat Controversy
After election, he could then have been made a Minister of Internal Security. Since his goodname sounds more like that of a Eurasian, he could have been made a Minister in charge Eurasians affairs.
There is still time, he can replace Desmond.

 

[Rogue Trader]

Devan was a hardcore communist who actully safeguarded explosivs for those fighting in the jungles.

Read the account of the special branch inspector who had put his foot on the box of grenades under Devan's desk while questioning him. Hilarious.

Have to admit I hate Bloodworth's verbosity. I would have finished the book had it been easier to read.

 

[rusty]

lianbeng heard a fighter jet slammed in lim chu kang slums also - anyone knows abt that?

Killing a man who was shitting in a makeshift toilet and another aircraft forgot to retract its hoisting cable slashing a cyclist at the neck.

 

[Bigfuck]

Want to whistleblow, blow, do not howlian and talk in cryptic ways.

 

[rusty]

“Repression, Sir is a habit that grows. I am told it is like making love-it is always easier the second time! The first time there may be pangs of conscience, a sense of guilt. But once embarked on this course with constant repetition you get more and more brazen in the attack. All you have to do is to dissolve organizations and societies and banish and detain the key political workers in these societies. Then miraculously everything is tranquil on the surface. Then an intimidated press and the government-controlled radio together can regularly sing your praises, and slowly and steadily the people are made to forget the evil things that have already been done, or if these things are referred to again they’re conveniently distorted and distorted with impunity, because there will be no opposition to contradict.”
-Lee Kuan Yew as an opposition PAP member speaking to David Marshall, Singapore Legislative Assembly, Debates, 4 October, 1956

“…you attack only those whom your Special Branch can definitely say are communists. Then you attack those whom your Special Branch says are aiding communists. Then finally, when you have gone that far, you attack all who oppose you.”
-Lee Kuan Yew as an opposition PAP member speaking to David Marshall, Singapore Legislative Assembly, Debates, 4 October, 1956

If the above are not relevant please let me know and I will remove it within the allowable window time.

 

[Kohliantye]

Killing a man who was shitting in a makeshift toilet and another aircraft forgot to retract its hoisting cable slashing a cyclist at the neck.

This old case at Lim Chu Kang Poultry Farm Case and the other one along Eunos a few years ago were both tragic experiences.
In the former, many live chickens were "barbecued" in the ensuing fire. It was fortunate the pilot survived. As for the latter incident, what the RSAF could have done was to direct the aircraft concerned to land at Changi runway from the direction of Pulau Tekong. They could have got the Civil defence and the Police to close Changi Coastal Road.
It would also had been a demonstration of the 5 principles of TOTAL DEFENCE.

Finally, forummers may also recall the death of many members of a Malay family who ventured into a "live-firing area" in Safti on a Sunday looking for durians.
Have we learnt through such costly mistakes?