MARUAH urge LHL to refute Roy's points of view, not sue

[Leepotism]

MARUAH is dismayed over the Prime Minister’s first step action of issuing a letter of demand to ‘Heart Truths’ blogger Mr Roy Ngerng, asking for an apology, a retraction of the blog post and compensation for damages and legal costs to the Prime Minister.

We are concerned that these actions on the part of the Prime Minister will further shrink the space for public discourse in Singapore. Robust debates, diverse views, critical inquiries, in addition to a healthy media landscape, are all critical to the development of a functional democracy. A healthy and engaged society calls for diverse, independent voices who will need the space to express their views and face sharp rebuttals if their views are found wanting or even false. These are the first steps to robust critical discourse: being transparent and open.

Mr. Roy Ngerng’s articles can be and ought to be refuted by the Prime Minister for any misinformation or lapses in communication. That needs to be done for public good. Criticism of key institutions, including the Office of the Prime Minister, is best addressed through a right of reply by way of well-reasoned rebuttals, not by this reliance on the archaic legal action as a first recourse. If the article in question by Mr Roy Ngerng was incorrect, then the better thing to do is to rebut him in public. Threatening to take legal action against him will not convince the public that he is wrong or that the Prime Minister is right. In fact, sympathy towards Mr Roy Ngerng can even cloud the issue, when what the issue needs is further clarification.

The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in our Constitution, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and even in the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration signed by our Government. Yet, our Government’s actions, once again, are highly regressive, and serve to limit the space for expression instead of expanding it. This has also been raised in the 2011 Universal Periodic Review report submitted to the Human Rights Council.

In 2004, the Prime Minister, then a Deputy PM, said in a landmark speech to the Harvard Club: “I have no doubt that our society must open up further… Looking ahead, one important task of the government will be to promote further civic participation, and continue to progressively widen the limits of openness. … We will promote a political culture which responds to people’s desire for greater participation, in a manner which supports Singapore’s growth as a nation.”

We urge the Prime Minister to be open and to engage first in refuting Mr Roy Ngerng’s points of view robustly. This is the way our society needs to function and mature.

Ms Braema Mathi
President
MARUAH Singapore

 

[Leongsam]

Suing is a far better option as it will get the anti PAP loonies to shut the fuck up instead of making wild, unsubstantiated accusations.

If they persist, throw them in jail for a couple of decades. That will teach them not to mess with authority.

 

[ILovePAP]

Suing is a far better option as it will get the anti PAP loonies to shut the fuck up instead of making wild, unsubstantiated accusations.

If they persist, throw them in jail for a couple of decades. That will teach them not to mess with authority.

Better still....we should put Roy Ngerng to the firing squad to teach others not to spout anti PAP government sentiments

 

[laksaboy]

Better still....we should put Roy Ngerng to the firing squad to teach others not to spout anti PAP government sentiments

No need for a firing squad. A bullet through the head at point-blank range will be enough.

 

[tonychat]

The photoshop is horrible.

 

[Confuseous]

Uniquely Singapore.
The only country I the world where its leaders sue its citizens.
The govt has the entire army of presstitudes to defend its case but chose not to.
Where is Janadas Nair - the govt's Chieft Communications Officer?

 

[tanwahtiu]

indeed, if cannot handle the heat get out of the kitchen. Singapore can find far better quality people for PMship.

LHL is a backdoor MP enter parliament, a cushy job set up by this permanent long term rent free resident of Istana old fart.

Uniquely Singapore.
The only country I the world where its leaders sue its citizens.
The govt has the entire army of presstitudes to defend its case but chose not to.
Where is Janadas Nair - the govt's Chieft Communications Officer?

 

[Agoraphobic]

I don't think so. The path to that position was paved for him and supported by the whole nation. I don't remember any one else who contested for that post. Or even thought about vying for that position. No one opposed his posting as the PM.

Cheers!

............. Singapore can find far better quality people for PMship.....

 

[kaipoh]

Twit, your pig head. You think our smart LHL fall into your trap? Tan Ku Ku.

Suing is a far better option as it will get the anti PAP loonies to shut the fuck up instead of making wild, unsubstantiated accusations.

If they persist, throw them in jail for a couple of decades. That will teach them not to mess with authority.

 

[Confuseous]

indeed, if cannot handle the heat get out of the kitchen. Singapore can find far better quality people for PMship.

LHL is a backdoor MP enter parliament, a cushy job set up by this permanent long term rent free resident of Istana old fart.

Roy's response will be interesting.

 

[rusty]

Suing is a far better option as it will get the anti PAP loonies to shut the fuck up instead of making wild, unsubstantiated accusations.

If they persist, throw them in jail for a couple of decades. That will teach them not to mess with authority.

Suing or putting them behind bars will not shut them up....NEVER!
Why don't you try hanging them?

 

[kingrant]

LHL should have come out long ago to refute many of the allegations swirling on the blogsites and fora. He had to wait long enough for someone like Roy Ngerng to fall for the bait and spill his guts. This is despicable. That is the trouble with LHL - always hiding from fire and staying away from the heat of battle.

On the other hand, someone better rein Roy in, as what he has written is liable for defamation, and whether LHL wants to sue or not is his prerogative. I have no love for the PAP and this bapok leader, but lambs like Roy need to watch out when they get too close to the lion's den.

What the PM does from now on will be a teachable moment. He can come out and refute what Roy has written, while showing some grace and concession to withdraw the suit with clear reasons why he is doing so, and perhaps earning some emotional bank credits. Or he can go on with his sledgehammer approach and kill off whatever doubt is left that the acron does not fall far from the oak tree.

 

[Leepotism]

There's no 3000 tael of gold hidden under his ass, that's what Ass Loon is trying to tell the peasants. So he sues to prove his innocence.

 

[steffychun]

LHL ddoesnt have his nephew (Li Shegwu)'s debating skills.

 

[Seee3]

If something is lost and someone goes around saying that I am probably the thief, I will be upset and ensure that the wrong is corrected.

If nothing is lost and a small boy goes around saying that I am probably a thief, I will either ignore him or if there is time, explain to him why he is wrong.

If nothing is lost and a small boy goes around saying that I am probably a thief and I reacted violently to the little kid, I will be seen as a bully or that there is indeed some truth in his accusation as the truth hurts.

Which is the situation now? Wrong reaction from wrong advice using brainless traditional means can be very damaging.

 

[winnipegjets]

Suing is a far better option as it will get the anti PAP loonies to shut the fuck up instead of making wild, unsubstantiated accusations.

If they persist, throw them in jail for a couple of decades. That will teach them not to mess with authority.

You actually want the PAP to execute all critics, right?

 

[Spock]

The more oppressed the people are, the more violent the regime change will be.

Those in power should always bear this mind. If not for themselves, then for their descendants.

 

[Leongsam]

You actually want the PAP to execute all critics, right?

Only the ones who conjure up all sorts of ridiculous accusations without a shred of evidence.